Eulborne

Set in the 1840's, the country of Aurenns has grown in it's place as an oppressive and monarchal powerhouse within the world stage. The story is set within the Aurrenial city of Eulborne, a large portside city along the NorthWest coast of the country; following 20 years onward from a devestating illness - The Violet Scourge - that had swept through the major population, the fallout of that impact gave new room for capital; Eulborne's own industrial revolution would be lead by one Lord Winters, a prolific man of science who's invested research into alchemy had proved him an invaluable asset to the government of Eulborne's appointed figurehead - Duke Odell. Duke Odell, a prince of the royal family by birth, was too far in the bloodline to ever be coronated to Kinghood - Rather, the Queen herself appointed her forlorn brother with the territory of Eulborne; Ever-searching for greatness, and purpose, Duke Odell lined his pockets with the wealthy, prolific and influential - and over time, he amassed a small but interwoven group of powerful men, whom he used to increase his sway over the city, cementing a rigid polictical environment as he ensured that Eulborne - HIS city - would be destined to outshine the capital of Aurenns itself - that he would ascend himself.

As the people of Eulborne, 20 years on from the Duke's appointment, all try to live within the system they live within, we follow a cast that has slipped between the many flaws and cracks of a system that exploits and destroys all those who cannot perfectly live by it's structure.

But amid the struggle of daily life within this industrial complex, there is a terrible rumor that spreads through the city; men are going missing, often several at a time, weeks apart from one another...And the recent death of Lord Winters has sparked disquiet, as his illusive only child, the brilliant Priyanka Winters, has been betrothed to Duke Odell's son, the horrid Prince Odell - yet she remains isolated within her clockwork tower. Priyanka, far more naturally gifted and intellegant than her cruel father, will accept the villification she has recieved from the population of the city; She seeks to undo the grotesque misdeeds of her father - and in her search, a story over 500 years in the past will come to light..

...And caught in the middle of this gruesome history is a young woman, a singer, who was born with a strange handprint mark upon her head and hair.

(Alt. Desc.): The working title is just “Eulbourne”, which is the name of the titular city in this story, set in a fictional, monarchical country of Aurenns. a gaslamp genre, pseudo-Victorian setting I share with my friend. The year is 1845 - Industrial overproduction and stunning, fantastical technological advancement has skyrocketed the enormous city of Eulbourne to a shining star of progress; At the cost of everyone but those who sit at the very top. Duke Odell, who’s doctrine went into effect at his appointment by the Queen of Aurenns to the city of Eulbourne some 20 years ago, rules Eulbourne with his ironfisted ways, in the desperation to carve a legacy for himself. When an ancient tomb is opened by the royal alchemist, the last of the Revenants - maneating shapeshifters from a bygone era of witches- is released into the city; Recovered from this tomb is the Pember Dagger, a mysterious artifact forged from the ashes of the witch who brought the revenants to life - and it holds mysterious power that promises even further progress. With the sudden, suspicious death of the Royal Alchemist who brought Eulborne much of it's fame and wealth, however, it is up to his even more brilliant daughter to figure out the artifact’s mystery- And the mystery of the revenants- Though her agenda is her own, as she has no loyalty to the Duke or his doctrine. Meanwhile, a young woman born with a strange handprint on her head longs for a different life, and regularly sneaks away to visit with an eccentric merchant who tells her stories of the past. This merchant is secretly a thief, and a con-artist, known only to a Vicar of the church of Eulborne, who gives the merchant his full support and friendship. A local artist, immigrated from the country of Efa, gets caught up with a quiet baker woman, who has been anonymously leading a rebellion against the Duke himself, and is gaining more individuals behind her as she strategizes how to remove the Duke from power.These characters all eventually intertwine, at Eulbourne’s anniversary landmark ceremony. Major themes include the cost/consequences of overindulgent capitalism, the price and search for immortality, feminine expression, and a strong ongoing theme of love and human connections - such as the navigation of femininity and family bonds - and a personal exploration of how the characters continue to grow as people as they maneuver individual trauma, and how healing can be possible even in the midst of adversity, and what it means to care for another person