[This chapter serves as a reference guide to the world of Ashes of the Forgotten Throne. Information is gradually revealed within the story and duplicated here for convenience. May contain minor spoilers.]
General Information
The Soul Reaping
The Empire of Aurellis maintains control through Soul Reaping, a process of extracting magical essence directly from human souls. Soul Reapers hunt anyone with awakened power, using specialized chains to bind the soul before extraction. The process is always fatal, leaving behind empty husks called the Void.
The Five Districts
Iron Hollow is the slum district where most of humanity survives rather than lives. Disease-ridden and forgotten, people here are numbered rather than named. Merchant's Rise sits above it, a commercial district where souls are traded as currency. The Forges process stolen souls into refined essence. Highcrown houses the elite in pristine towers that touch the clouds. Beyond the walls lies the Scorched Wastes, lawless territory abandoned by the Empire.
Soul Awakening
Approximately one in ten thousand people experience Soul Awakening, usually triggered by extreme trauma or near-death. The soul cracks open, releasing raw magical potential. Most awakened individuals are captured by Soul Reapers within weeks or burn themselves out attempting to control their power.
Refined Essence vs. Raw Power
Refined Essence is processed soul magic sold to the wealthy as enhancement drugs. It grants temporary strength, beauty, and extended lifespan, but is highly addictive. Raw Power comes from using one's own awakened soul—unstable, emotional, and tied to the user's core identity. While refined essence users may be stronger initially, raw power users can push beyond normal limits.
Davrin's Ability: Soul Devourer
When Davrin kills someone with awakened power, he absorbs their soul essence, magic, and memories. Each absorption increases his strength but leaves psychological scars. The Empire has been searching for someone with this ability for twenty years. He is either their greatest weapon or their destruction.
Major Factions
The Empire of Aurellis
Soul Reapers serve as hunters in black armor fused to their skin through essence bonding. The Crimson Guard are elite soldiers enhanced beyond humanity. The High Council consists of seven nobles who rule while the Emperor remains hidden in the Crimson Spire. No one has seen the Emperor in thirty years.
The Ember Coalition
Rebel cells united under a mysterious leader called the Phoenix. They fight to tear down the Empire and end Soul Reaping. Desperate enough to ally with dangerous individuals like Davrin.
The Gray Market
Neutral ground run by the Broker, where Empire and rebels trade without violence. Deals in information, weapons, and souls. The Broker has maintained power longer than anyone can remember through carefully collected blackmail.
The Forgotten
Outcasts, criminals, and survivors living between districts. No loyalty except to themselves. Davrin's people.
Common Terminology
Soul Core: The mystical center of one's spirit that accumulates and stores Soul Essence.
Soul Essence: Magical spirit energy contained within every human soul.
Reaping: The extraction of a soul, performed by Soul Reapers using specialized chains and mechanical devices. Always fatal. The process takes approximately thirty seconds.
The Void: What remains after soul extraction—an empty husk that sometimes continues moving but lacks consciousness.
Essence Burn: Occurs when too much soul magic is used too quickly. The user's own essence consumes them from inside. Fatal if pushed too far.
Soul Weapon: Physical construct manifested from essence. Can take any form depending on the user's soul nature.
Power Rankings
There are six recognized power levels:
Dormant: Normal humans with unawakened souls.
Sparked: Newly awakened, unstable, dangerous to self and others.
Kindled: Basic control achieved, can use essence for physical enhancement.
Blazing: Advanced level, can manifest soul weapons and elemental effects. Most Crimson Guard operate here.
Inferno: Elite tier. Soul Reapers, rebel commanders, the Phoenix's inner circle.
Cataclysm: Reserved for legends. The Emperor, possibly the Phoenix, ancient creatures in the Wastes.
Davrin's potential ceiling is unknown. His power grows exponentially with each soul absorbed.
Key Characters
Davrin Coal: Twenty-two years old, raised in Iron Hollow's worst sector. Watched Soul Reapers take his sister Mira when he was seventeen. Spent five years searching before awakening his Soul Devourer ability. Driven by vengeance and the desperate hope his sister might still be alive.
Seraph: Mysterious woman with one gold eye and one silver eye. Found Davrin after his first kill. Knows dangerous truths about his power but reveals information slowly. Claims she's been searching for him.
Kael "The Butcher" Varn: Runs underground fighting rings in Iron Hollow. Former Forge worker who escaped with forbidden knowledge. Not a good man, but keeps his word. Gave Davrin his first kills and has been watching his growth with calculating interest.
Mira Coal: Davrin's sister, taken by Soul Reapers five years ago. Her fate unknown. The reason Davrin started down this path.
Content Warning
This story contains graphic violence, psychological trauma, morally gray protagonist, character death, dark themes including human experimentation, and strong language. If you're looking for a traditional hero's journey, this isn't it.
— Your Author