Verndari [Epic Fantasy]

This tale spins out grand weaves, baleful or benign, in the Great Tapestry of the Verndari. The Drekeldian Empire expands its frigid touch across Irysem. Their wings of dominion cast its grim shadow upon the Swelterlands, their next point in conquest. Venyr Jorhuin receives a vision from his god, the Luminary Eye: its champion, the Challenger In Gold, now strides the realm, a mythical hero said to manifest flame, kill shadows, and awaken dragons. The figurehead, a shadow of what he once was, writhes within plots unfolding and war descending. His son Valerius, complacent in his duties, must prepare his Spearsworns in defending the walls. Disappearances haunt Spearmaker’s Village, of folk being snatched in the shadows or under broad daylight. Something malicious simmers underneath it all. Silas Sindak, an aspiring warrior, is kindled with fires of ambition, hoping to keep his home being trodden by war. More threads join the fray. The disparaged prince, Malidho Durendar, slowly discovers his untapped, ancient potential with his greatwolf Nightmare. The old, one-armed healer Arathelia, half her memories eaten away, faces a decision on whether to become a sorceress of the earth once more. The northern princess Alaestus, oblivious to her family's past, struggles to fulfill her mission for the Empire. The Verndari series is an epic sprawling story  with diverse characters, gripping action, high-stakes narratives, numerous plotlines, and an abundance of mysteries. It is set in a high fantasy world rife with conflict, intrigue, myths, deities, cosmic forces, wandering divinities, Lovecraftian horror, dragons, eldritch creatures, godhood. The series is seen from multiple third-person perspectives, from warrior-aspirant village boy to a vengeful goddess. It involves an elemental magic system, a slow-unveiling of complex worldbuilding, slight queer and straight romances, and Filipino influences. The first volume, The Challenger In Gold, is currently ongoing. Chapter Releases are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (temporarily will release once a day).