IN ABSENTIA LUCIS,
TENEBRAE VINCUNT

CANON

»IN THE ABSENCE OF LIGHT, DARKNESS PREVAILS«

EST. 04/2023 ⸻ 135,236 words ⸻ excerpt here

SOUNDTRACK
Drawn To The Blood ⸻ Sufjan Stevens

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This :)

Sumiton is a modest, inconspicuous town in the heart of Alabama, seeming absurdly small with around 2500 inhabitants. A rather unusual setting for the case he would be taking on. Yet, even during his briefing in Langley, he sensed that this job would be unlike any other: a series of strange occurrences is plaguing the states, crossing borders and leaving not much trace. Norton, Elijah's predecessor, had worked on this case for two years before "falling ill" and leaving, leading to the thirty-year-old agent taking over. There appears to be no discernible pattern connecting the victims – it could be a serial killer or something more sinister acting beneath the surface, like a form of domestic terrorism. However, what ties them together is a connection to the occult. Elijah had sworn never to revisit belief and religion, let alone let them back into his life, but fate seemingly had other plans for him.
For Elijah, the case begins with forty-five notebooks, three thousand six hundred pages, all bound in black. Norton's manifesto, containing every thought and every bit of information he had gathered so far. In the thirty-second notebook, one could see that Norton had gotten too close to the matter. His notes became more and more disturbing, suspecting conspiracies where there were none. Elijah's first moment of discomfort with the case arises, not because he believed in the insane fantasies his predecessor had manifested, but because they veered in a direction he didn't like.
He encounters Elizabeth Cunningham, a practicing exorcist, paranormal investigator, and expert in the occult. To Elijah, she is clearly a charlatan preying on the ignorance of others for money, but he takes on every lead he got. Their initial meeting isn't particularly the nicest, but they both realize that connecting the dots will be difficult without them working together. Driven by desperation and unsettling events, Elijah confides in Elizabeth about the case and asks for her help. However, their collaboration not only immerses them in a challenging investigation but also tests their beliefs, ethics, and morality, redefines trust, and forces them to confront the demons of their past they had hid ever so carefully.

SOUNDTRACK
Requiem in D Minor, K. 626: Sequence VI. Lacrimosa ⸻ MOZART

Pavel's and Elijah's friendship began one fateful night, where both were drunk beyond comprehension. Their night ended on the rooftop of Eli's apartment complex, talking about everything and anything they let their minds wander to. Their friendship is unlikely, but it managed to blossom into an unspoken bond of trust and a deep understanding for one another without talking about the things that actually happened in their pasts.
However, one day a casual get together quickly turned into a sinister test for the new found and quite unusual friendship. An "involuntary smoke session" takes them far beyond their wildest imagination and thrusts them into a parallel reality set in rural America during the 1950s.As they navigate this unfamiliar world, Pavel's alternate self becomes entangled in the treacherous web of the local mafia, led by Jegor Solovoy – a ruthless, greedy, and yet collected crime mogul, who's maintaining the power he has over the town with an iron fist. Meanwhile, Elijah finds himself unfairly burdened as the town's scapegoat, facing prejudice and suspicion from the tight-knit community.
DIES IRAE delves deep into the psyche of friendship, testing the limits of loyalty and trust and the limits of it. Pavel and Elijah must confront their own demons and face the consequences of their choices in this enthralling alternate reality. As the lines blur between right and wrong, their bond takes an unexpected turn, shrouded in uncertainty and darkness, seemingly driving the two of them apart, leaving them alone in a world they never asked to be a part of.

DIES IRAE

»Day Of Wrath«

CANON DIVERGENT

EST. 02/2022 ⸻ 126,661 words ⸻ excerpt here

CORAM DEO

»in the presence of God«

ON HIATUS

EST. 06/2023 ⸻ 7,656 words

SOUNDTRACK
When The Morning Light Shines In ⸻ Dan Romer

Sumiton wasn't a case Elijah remembered fondly. The revelations he and Elizabeth had uncovered had shaken his worldview, and though he continued his job unlike his predecessor, the events had left their mark on him. Elijah hadn't shared the details of the case with anyone, as his integrity was at stake. Since then, except for the CIA's yearly dinner honoring exceptional work, things had been quiet between the two of them.
Eli, unaware of the conditions of his next assignment, arrives on a windy April day in Langley for the briefing of his next case: The Project at Eden's Gate, a doomsday cult led by Joseph Seed, disturbs the peace in Northern Montana. Their tactics are unorthodox, and their level of threat unknown. The team consists of Stephen Keller, a fellow operative and old friend of Elijah, Franklin Beck, a brilliant twenty-one-year-old FBI analyst who had been studying cult dynamics for three months, and Elizabeth; someone Elijah had found a trusty companion in, thus being grateful for her involvement.
Beck and Liz would focus on understanding the cult's narrative and psychological tactics, while Eli and Keller provided military expertise for their safe extraction and assessment of the cult's military strength and potential threat level.
The team find themselves in Hope County, Montana. Snow-covered peaks shimmer in the distance, vast golden fields of wheat sway in the wind like a gentle, golden sea. Montana was a place where silence met greatness, with towering mountains and free-flowing rivers, bearing witness of nature's beauty in every fleeting moment.Beneath this beautiful facade however, Joseph Seed's influence seemingly extends far beyond Hope County's borders. The pilot, supposed to bring the four into the region, turned out to be a devoted follower, landing them right in the midst of Joseph's compound, surrounded by zealous believers and his three siblings John, Jacob and Faith. Facing a force they had severely underestimated, the task force find themselves trapped in Joseph's "garden"; snakes posing a threat to paradise. Cut off from communication and reinforcements, they are surrounded by religious fanatics and a "family" promising safety, home, and belonging.
Promises that some people were more susceptible to than others.

SOUNDTRACK
Bronski Beat x Pashanim ⸻ DRUNKEN MASTERS

Berlin Neukölln, 1996.
Die rechteckigen, grauen Plattenbauten wirken wie horizontale Dörfer; wie Wespennester, in denen es stets surrt und aggressiv nach außen klingt. Ein Sammelpunkt für viele, die in der Hoffnung auf ein besseres Leben nach Berlin zogen und sich eines Tages in Armut wiederfanden. Manche schafften es vielleicht mal nach Zehlendorf, aber dann kamen sie wieder und waren genau da, wo sie immer waren. Rauszukommen war wie in Treibsand stecken: Wenn du dich bewegst sinkst du ziemlich schnell nur noch tiefer. Wenn du nichts machst, dann stirbst zu zwar trotzdem, aber langsamer.
Zwischen den High Decks und der Gropiusstadt scheint das Leben für Eli und Liz nicht viel bereit zu halten. Träumen tun sie trotz der Steine, die ihnen das Leben in den Weg legt. Vielleicht Abi, vielleicht studieren, aber nur des Geldes wegen, um weit weg zu kommen. Abseits der Schule dreht sich ihr Alltag um die Dinge, die jeden Jugendlichen irgendwo beschäftigen: Feiern gehen, tanzen, manchmal auch vergessen. Jedes Problem ist existenziell, Erwachsene verstehen einen nicht.Gleichzeitig ist das Feiern gehen oftmals aber nicht des Feiern Gehens willen, sondern um weg von Zuhause zu sein. Weg von Eltern, die nie welche sein wollten. Erwachsene verstehen einen nicht, weil die Vorurteile gegenüber denen der sozialen Unterschicht so tiefsitzend sind, dass ihnen eine etwaige Andersartigkeit abgesprochen wird. Manche wollten nicht verstehen, manche machten sich die Verzweiflung dieser Menschen zunutze, aber den meisten war es einfach egal.
Beide lernen sich über einen gemeinsamen Freund, Johnny, auf einer Party kennen. Sie feiern des Feierns willen. Tanzen des Tanzens willen. Mehr nicht. Sie trinken kleine Schnapsflaschen von Kümmerling, was zwar furchtbar schmeckt, aber weil es alle machten können sie nicht kneifen. Dann unterhalten sie sich. Über ihre erste Zigarette mit elf oder zwölf. Darüber, wie Eli irgendeinem besoffenen Schnösel, der meinte auf dem Kiez feiern gehen zu müssen, seine Adidas-Windjacke abgezogen hatte. Dass Liz momentan bei Karim schläft, weil es Zuhause gerade nicht geht. Dass Malte von den Bullen hochgenommen wurde, weil er getickt hatte. Darüber, dass Eli nur nicht im Knast sitzt, weil er mit unzähligen Auflagen davon gekommen ist, von denen er sich nicht an alle halten kann. Dann schweigen sie. Kein unangenehmes Schweigen: Mehr wie die Zeit zwischen Blitz und Donner, die dich aufmerksam werden lässt.Liz und Eli ⸺ Kinder der systematischen Entsolidarisierung Deutschlands und der daraus resultierenden klaffenden Wunde, die sich soziale Ungerechtigkeit schimpft ⸺ versuchen zwar jeder für sich mit dem Aufwachsen in der Anonymität Berlins klar zu kommen, aber beide finden einen unausgesprochenen Halt und Vertrauen in der Gegenwart des Anderen. Keiner von ihnen kann sagen ob das für immer ist. Für Immer fühlt sich zwar relativ an, wenn du im Treibsand steckst, aber das Gefühl nicht alleine zu sein bietet erstaunlich viel Trost dafür, dass du erhobenen Hauptes auf das Ende zusteuerst.

nec aspera terrent

»they are not terrified of the rough things«

EST. 07/2023 ⸻ 12,855 words

ad astra per aspera

ON HIATUS

»to the stars through difficulties«

EST. SOON ⸻ plotting the universe atm, going strong at 6650 words

SOUNDTRACK
Soldier, Poet, King ⸻ Jacob Cook

Amidst the realm of Ceritia lies Imeth Entheas, a grand city nestled among the clouds, encircling the peak of Mount Ismenas. Gondolas run from the foot of the mountain, where farmers and common folks reside, all the way up to the summit, where the aristocracy lives. The city is known for its art and culture, renowned for the architecture and the shimmering golden accents that glint in the warm evening sun. As home of the royal family, Imeth Entheas holds not only cultural significance in Ceritia but also political importance. Adventurers and those, who dream of being one, often converge here, hungry for all kinds of quests and challenges to earn their place in the Hall of Heroes — a legendary status reserved for those heroes that saved Ceritia.The sight of dwarves is rare in the realm of Ceritia. The Eons of Chaos led to the destruction of most of Saennavar, the dwarves' home realm. An unknown group of beings, later known as the "Bringers of Chaos", descended upon Saennavar, created from iron and fire, obliterating it and leaving almost no survivors to make sure no one used the dwarven weapons in this war. From this day on the art of dwarven blacksmithing was considered extinct. Dwarves can still be found in various cities of different realms, but hardly any of them still practice the craft of blacksmithing. The few who do often specialize in making various armor pieces or crafting jewelry. After the destruction of their home realm and the mercilessness of the Bringers of Chaos, the remaining blacksmiths vowed to give up their craft in an effort to contribute to peace between worlds. To this day, no one is capable of forging said weapons anymore.The outskirts of Imeth Entheas are home to Eli Elvellon, a foundling who appeared on the doorstep of "Of Hammer & Hands", a renowned forge owned by the dwarf Baldur, who specialized in forging armors for wandering adventurers: armors that had to be functional but also look impressive.
One day, Eli meets Elizabeth Glynnhorn, a half-elven pirate and adventurer, accompanied by the barbarian Korgoth at a tavern. The duo had recently collaborated with the famous adventuring crew, Ad Honorem. They returned to Imeth Entheas to claim their reward from the royal family, before starting a new adventure. While Elijah initially visited the tavern to meet the elven druid Faelyn (with his mission of finding enough courage to buy her a pint of mead and strike up a conversation), he witnesses Ad Honorem taking on a new quest: not just to seek out any dwarven blacksmith, capable of crafting dwarven weapons, but the believed to be the deceased son of the legendary weaponsmith Magni.
Worried about his father, Eli rushes home only to find him missing and gone, not leaving a trace. One incident leads to another, and Elijah finds himself involuntarily taking part in an adventure he never asked to be part of, yet uncovering his true identity, origin and finding a place in between all of it.

SOUNDTRACK
In The Face Of Evil ⸻ Magic Sword

New York City, 2084.
A city created in 2024 with the ambitious goal of resurrecting America from poverty and violence into a shimmering beacon of hope. It was intended to be an utopia, addressing the numerous issues that the US' politics, society, and the economy had failed to control. The project was initiated with trust in the experts who brought it to life, incorporating a well-thought-out infrastructure, initial sponsorships, a functioning autonomous legal system, and controlled support for emerging companies, free from state intervention. This city project was meant to symbolize a radiant lighthouse amidst a dark sea where "good capitalism" could never flourish, promising stable markets, low unemployment, safety, and cleanliness.
However, nearly sixty years later, little remains of this promised utopia. Corruption, violent crime, and social injustice plague the city. Despite this, New York City thrives as corporate giants like IKIRU dominate the landscape, ensuring security and prosperity in good situated areas like City Center and Ikiru Heights.
In 2084, New York City is a place defined by its ambivalence. On over 1400 km², it combines hope and despair, wealth and poverty, progress and decay. The city offers opportunities and serves as a sanctuary for dreamers and idealists seeking a fresh start. Yet, as some of them flew too close to the sun, much like Icarus, they relentlessly fell into the darkness they once sought to escape, regardless of the cost.
»EX LUCE AD TENEBRAS« follows Jakow "Jascha" Chernykh, a member of a ruthless gang with a mysterious past, and Elijah Williams, a police officer from the understaffed New York City police department.
They embark on a quest to retrieve stolen technology developed by IKIRU's subsidiary, EDEN, which had established a global monopoly on androids and the technology behind them in 2037. This technology holds the fate of the future, and their pursuit of it becomes not only a daring endeavor but also one that deeply shakes Elijah's perception of truth and trust.

EX LUCE AD TENEBRAS

»From Light Into Darkness«

ON HIATUS

EST. 04/2023 ⸻ 45,105 words ⸻ city map ⸻ excerpt here