The crown of madness.

Abstract

The Crown of Madness is a 425 page High-Fantasy novel that follows the power struggles within three different factions: Aarden Hall, the druids, and the Undying. The primary protagonist of the Aarden Hall plotline is a young monster hunter named Lucius. He is thrust into the position of vying for power in a mysterious semi-democratic competition for the Crown of Madness, a crown that grants heightened abilities but slowly turns the wearer mad. Lucius never sought power, yet those around him rally to him all the same. However, the Shadow Counsel seeks to oppose him and take control. In the Druid Wood, Raijin has come of age in his tribe and must complete the bonding ritual with his spirit animal and learn to lead as his father before him. The young druid is uncertain he will bond properly and fears he may become a Wild One, a rival faction of druids who worship a Dark Totem and succumb to their ferocity. The Undying lands are blighted with plague. None but the Undying can live there without suffering the same fate. Aeacus has ruled his people for a very long time, but a new faction arises that worships the demon that cursed them. Aeacus must reassess his leadership and team-up with new allies to regain control of his kingdom. There are several subplots that spawn from these primary plots, these include: a reincarnated seer who seeks the leader of Aarden Hall and fights alongside Raijin and his druids on her journey to Aarden; and a young knight who accepts a dangerous job from a mysterious alchemist. Each of these plots follows the main theme of power and how different people handle it. The stories are connected by occasional intersecting characters and a battle with a mysterious dark essence that infects the world around them. The Dark Totem, Crown of Madness, and Aerico the Demon are all interrelated through a link with the shadows of the world.