A Quadrilogy of Epic Fantasy
Four’s Company
The Kalleron series is soon to be a ‘quadrilogy.’ The technical term is ‘tetralogy,’ but, ironically, that sounds made up. Sometimes it’s better to ignore English and use what fits. Regardless, with the impending release of book three, I’ll no longer need to explain why it started at book four. You’ll be able to read it from book one, all the way through to the end of the current series. Even then, it still works if you start at four, and then read books one through three. I’m making it more complex than it really is, aren’t I?
What is Kalleron?
Kalleron is an original and epic fantasy saga which differs from other contemporary titles. Mainstream fodder, it is not. It stands apart from other stories encompassing the classical models of ‘fantasy races’ and ‘magic.’ No dragons with super-duper powers. Not a cliched pointy ear in sight. Definitely no damsels, and certainly no chisel-chinned heroes rushing in to save them. No ‘c’ bombs and no graphic sexual content.
What then is Kalleron? Above everything else, it is a story of the struggle to preserve humanity. The story charts the adventures of Petra, a headstrong and fiery woman whose world is undone by the death of her lover. That loss comes from the immense collateral damage brought about by the destructive power of an elemental ‘god.’ Coerced into her apocalyptic acts by an ingenious line of kings, her manipulation by men, and the result it has on the world, is the background of the story.
The World
The crux of this unique world is that humans don’t belong. It is an elemental world. It is their realm, and all organic life appeared long after their own legacy began. Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, the twin moons of Noctyrne and Ambyr, the Sun; all of them are elementals of some form. As they consider it, life is an anomalous thing. An accident that grows and exists upon their skin. It is lucky for the humans that these powerful entities are mostly ambivalent about their insignificant guests.
The primary thread of the Kalleron series deals with one elemental power—Earth (the curious and meddling ‘god’). The cast-off essence of the Wind also features, but its purpose is that of a weaponised object. This is where the ‘magic’ of the world comes into play. Engineering, ingenuity, and clockwork technology have enabled Kalleron to harness elemental power. The mention of clockwork might conjure images of Steampunk, but that involves an element (no pun intended) of Victorian times. The city state of Kalleron would be more Grecian in style; think less tweed, more tunics.
In the stories, there are mentions of ancient elemental temples. The basis of books one, two, and three discuss the immortal King of Kalleron’s fascination with these. Centuries before the events in Melody & Majesty, Book I, his line amassed unrivalled knowledge about the elementals. It is this archaic wisdom that gives Kalleron its supreme might. Kalle, the Golden King, has used it to ‘persuade’ the elemental Earth of her place in his world. His deception is supremely devious, but it coerces her into his sphere, and from there, he unleashes her power to pursue his nefarious agenda. In book one, Melody & Majesty, a treasonous conversation between two key characters reveals the gory extent of Kalleron’s grand deception.
But what about the ancient temples? Who built them? Whoever they were, their civilisation is long gone. They existed before all the current nations appeared, but their cities are dust blowing on the breeze. The Kalleron series doesn’t dwell on it, but it is undoubted that their descendants created the new world. And their accumulation of elemental knowledge forms the basis of Kalle’s immense threat. He uses the same wisdom to trick Earth into becoming his queen. It is a power the elemental cult knows is beyond mortal understanding. Their struggle against the King’s lie is another key thread to the story. Some cult characters reference the elementals as the ‘old gods.’ They understand their true power. It is not for poetic licence that they reveal Fire’s other name. A name from long forgotten days; the ancients called her the ‘Great Destroyer.’
Magic?
The new world mostly abandoned the ‘old gods.’ But Kalleron created its own. Embodying the elemental myth, Kalle’s line created an immortal lie; a necessary part of the ruse to ensnare the wandering Earth. But there is more to Kalleron than the Golden King and his captured queen. It created sorcery. The antithesis of magic, sorcery is the application of science and engineering. Immersed in the elemental knowledge gained by Kalle’s line, Kalleron built the massive industrial complex of Etherus. Perched high in the hostile Kulkarron mountains, Etherus is the pinnacle of sorcery. There, engineers literally fight the elements to syphon orphaned shreds of the Wind from between the jagged twin peaks of Mount Etherus. Many die pursuing the near impossible, but the ultimate reward is a Fury—a captured shred of elemental power. Held inside glass spheres the size of large cannon balls, these weapons are frightening portents of a power mere mortals shouldn’t know.
Mechanical sorcery is another form of magic. Kalleron uses metallurgy and principles of clockwork to create devices that transcend mortal effort. They can be as small as the finely crafted, rolled copper syringes, or the magnificent machinations of Anders Beriafal. A wizened and morally unethical sorcerer exiled to work in Etherus, he creates one of the greatest mechanical marvels the world has ever seen. He reveals his ‘magical’ masterpiece in Melody & Majesty.
Are the elementals magic? A human mind would think of their power as ‘magic.’ However, the elementals simply control their own essence. As we can manipulate our own bodies and animate ourselves into action, so too, the elementals can command their own forms. But their flesh is the rock upon which all tread. It is the air all nations breathe. When they flex their muscles, they can move mountains. Their breath is the soul of storms. But there is more to the power of Earth. She is a curious creature trapped in her human form. A broken immortal, her curiosity and confusion about ‘life,’ and how she reacts to it, are pivotal to the story.
A Human Story
Ultimately, the thread of humanity weaves its way through Kalleron’s incredible elemental tapestry. Petra’s relationship with her brawling partner, Shadow, is key to her journey. You can share in their heady adventures of laughter and tears, triumph and disaster. Supported by her crew of lost souls, she navigates her way through treasonous plots and an avenging secretive cabal. As the story continues into book four, there is a changing of the guard and new heroes step forward to take centre stage. A saga spanning centuries, it is full of magical moments and monstrous events. Kalleron is a human fable that whisks you away to adventure in another world. One you’ll not one to leave.
