i know it's only been one day but it's my socmed break rules and babbling on my side accounts about side account things doesn't count as breaking my break i just need to be able to post about raelin brain worms every so often or i'll go insane. anyway
Welcome, fellow dark fantasy enthusiasts, to the master post for The Healer’s Vow which has been an exhilarating adventure to write, filled with intense emotional moments, rich and exhausting world-building, and deep character development. If you're drawn to the relentless pursuit of justice, the intricate web of political relationships, or the clash of light and dark magic, check it out for yourself!
Before we dive into the enthralling synopsis and detailed character profiles, it is important to acknowledge that "The Healer’s Vow" contains themes that may be triggering for some readers. The story includes scenes of SA, specifically an assault on Adisa, the MC which is central to her transformation into the Nightshade Sorceress. These scenes are handled with sensitivity, aiming to convey the profound impact of such events on the characters’ lives and their subsequent quests for vengeance and redemption. Reader discretion is advised.
Genres:
• Dark Fantasy
• Epic Revenge Tale
• Mythological Adventure
Synopsis (Prologue & Descriptions of Ch. 1 & 2):
In the medieval heart of Syrithya, the quaint-idyllic village of Zyx is unexpectedly shattered by a brutal attack from corrupt noblemen. Adisa, a dedicated healer among the villagers, is accused of witchcraft due to the central power of the nobility's ignorance. Adisa learned her healing spells, herbology, and archaic affinities from her mother before she passed. She raises her younger sister Victoria all on her own with the help of the village of course. They live somewhat peaceful lives with everyone. Yet, just about 20 miles north, the Nobility looms, in the armory room getting eager to plunder, pillage, murder, etc. all to maintain and enforce the Leader of the Noblemen's rule.
So they descended upon her village in the dead of night. Throwing everyone from their homes onto the surrounding dirt. Before gathering them all to falsely accuse Adisa of being a wielder of the dark arts... not yet anyway. Wink. But this is all an excuse for the nobles to indulge in their own sick perversions. So, before she is almost "executed," she is unable to protect her sister nor does know her whereabouts causing a rising feeling of anxiety and dread in the bellies of her stomach; the nobility snatches her up in a matter of seconds after seeing her use her spells and healing to help. Adisa is forced to endure a harrowing SA at the hands of the noblemen: Sir Gregory, Lord Eran Harkam, Baron Radomir Valtierra, and Sir Oryn Ghael. They left her to freeze to death since now her clothes lay torn around her. If that wasn't enough, they burned her entire village to the ground, pillaging to their heart's content.
The aftermath was nothing short of a horrific scene, the body of her 10-year-old sister Victoria is the catalyst for her sanity break. The profound shock, grief, and rage culminating in that desolate moment ignite a devious transformation, she lets out chillingly devastating blood-curdling screams that wail through the forest for miles to go, as she holds and cradles the light of her life as if she were willing her back to life.
"Wake up, Vic.. wake UP!" she pleaded through her tears.
"This isn't real, This can't be real!"
"It's just a nightmare, Addi. We will wake up soon.."
The surrounding forest, even the ground itself responds to her cries enveloping her in this dark cloud as she emerges as the Nightshade Sorceress, wielding dark powers she'd never imagined. Her journey from healer to sorceress is marked by the consuming darkness within her, a stark contrast to the life she once knew. The tranquility of her village was replaced by the haunting memories of violence and loss, pushing her towards a path of vengeance that she embraces with relentless determination. She tried to revive her sister after realizing she has some connection to the afterlife. It didn't... work. Forcing her into the Healer's Vow, her solitary promise herself until she has succeeded, 'all I need is vengeance,'
"This is my vow. To the villagers of Zyx, to Rick, to... Adisa." barely escaped her lips as a solitary tear fell from her cheek. I promise you all; that Sir Gregory, Lord Eran Harkam, Baron Radomir Valtierra, and Sir Oryn Ghael will fall. Each of them is responsible, each one of them, All I need is retribution; those bastards will pay for what they took from me...from us, V."
She held Victoria's favorite doll in her hand, the loss of pure innocence made her lose all of her own in a matter of seconds. She was all alone. This was her shedding Adisa and burying her in Zyx, with Victoria, fully embodying Kirjani, a name of great potential.
'I am, Kirjani the Nightshade Sorceress...'
Driven by a burning desire for vengeance, Adisa embarks on a quest to hunt down the men who destroyed her life. Along her path, she reunites with Rick, her first love and fellow survivor of the attack. They dated for a very short while when they were teenagers, but now their bond is one of deep friendship and mutual dependence, especially after the attack. At this point in the story, Rick is all Kirjani has left so, to establish Rick can never leave her side again, Adisa transforms him into an immortal Shadow Walker through a dark elixir. Rick's new abilities allow him to move unseen in the shadows, making him an invaluable ally. He becomes the Diablo to Kirjani's 'Maleficent' and their bond deepens as they navigate their complex feelings about the dark magic that binds them, and Rick’s sarcastic humor and resilience provide a counterbalance to the growing darkness within Kirjani.
Their journey through Syrithya was a tumultuous one, it took them about 4 months to even reach brings them to Raelin, a fierce warrior with her own vendetta. Raelin’s village was also destroyed by the same noblemen, and she seeks justice with the same fervor as Adisa. Her fiery spirit and strategic mind make her a formidable ally and a source of strength for Adisa. Raelin's presence challenges Adisa to find hope and love amidst their journey of darkness. The bond between these three warriors deepens, creating a formidable trio determined to bring justice to the corrupt nobility. Raelin's tactical brilliance and unwavering determination add a new dynamic to their quest, forcing Adisa to confront her own vulnerability and the possibility of redemption amidst the shadows of her past.
As the trio plots their revenge, each confrontation with the noblemen becomes a test of Adisa’s resolve and power. Rick, grappling with his feelings about the dark magic that saved him, finds himself torn between his loyalty to Adisa and his own moral compass. This tension peaks as Rick grows closer to Lena, a newcomer with her own shadowy abilities and a past marked by similar atrocities. Lena’s necromantic powers and her struggle to balance them with her healing nature reflect the ongoing theme of light versus dark. She is a resilient and introspective character, often caught between her desire for revenge and her innate compassion. Lena's presence in the group forces them all to confront their inner demons and the duality of their nature, as they navigate the complexities of their relationships and their shared mission of vengeance.
Meanwhile, Alaric, the ruler of Syrithya, grows increasingly paranoid as the threat of the Nightshade Sorceress looms larger... and closer. His desperation to maintain control leads him to implement brutal measures, further showcasing the corrupting influence of power. Alaric’s tall, imposing stature and sharp, calculating eyes reflect his authoritative and ruthless nature. Unbeknownst to him, his wife Harmony secretly plots her own rise to power. Harmony’s cunning and deceitful nature make her a formidable adversary. She is beautiful in a cold, calculated way, with flawless features and an air of superiority. Her manipulative schemes add layers of intrigue and betrayal to the story. The interplay of power and deception within Alaric's court highlights the fragile nature of his rule and sets the stage for the ultimate confrontation between the forces of darkness and light.
The climactic battle against Alaric’s forces culminates in a shocking betrayal within his ranks, setting the stage for an even greater conflict. As Adisa navigates the treacherous political landscape that follows, she must reconcile her dark powers with the compassion that once defined her, all while new threats loom on the horizon. The journey from vengeance to redemption is fraught with peril, as Adisa and her allies confront their deepest fears and the shadows of their past. The final confrontation not only tests their physical strength but also their moral fortitude, as they strive to overcome the darkness within and bring justice to the land of Syrithya.
Characters:
Adisa "Kirjani" Palmer
Adisa Palmer is the heart and soul of The Healer’s Vow. Once a gentle healer in the peaceful village of Zyx, her life is irrevocably changed by the brutal attack that kills her sister, resulting in her sexual assault at the hands of the realm's “protectors”; destroying not only her home but her sanity. Grief and rage transform her into Kirjani, the Nightshade Sorceress, a figure of dark power and fierce determination for retribution. A black woman with taupe/mocha skin, long, flowing coily blonde hair, and hazel eyes that have darkened with the intensity of her dark magic. Standing at an average 5’9 her presence enters the room before she does. Adisa vowed that night to enact her revenge on every single one of those men who took her sister from her Kirjani’s journey is one of vengeance and redemption, as she grapples with the duality of her nature—struggling to balance the healer she once was with the avenger she has become.
Garrick “Rick” Bramwell
In the aftermath of the Zyx attack, fueled by Adisa’s newfound fears, transformed her first love–turned best friend Garrick, or Rick as she annoyingly calls him, into an immortal Shadow Walker using a dark elixir she created. Although they dated from the ages of 16 to 19, they now consider each other to be very good friends. Rick's new abilities allow him to move unseen in the shadows, making him an invaluable ally. He possesses a blend of blind loyalty to Adisa, now Kirjani, resilience, and sarcastic humor, which often lightens the mood in their darkest moments. Rick is a rugged black man who's no stranger to physical labor, with an ironically handsome appearance with dark hair, styled in a bundle of nature-ridden dreadlocks, and now, piercing black eyes that seem to see through the veil of reality. His transformation not only mirrors Adisa's fear of abandonment but also reflects their shared struggle to navigate their new, shadowy existence.
Raelin "Rae" Vespera
Raelin is the warrior every epic tale needs. Fierce, strategic, and unyielding, she joins Adisa and Rick with a vendetta of her own. Her fiery spirit and tactical brilliance make her a formidable force in their quest for vengeance. Raelin’s presence challenges Adisa to find hope and love amidst their journey of darkness. She has striking features, with dark olive skin, fiery red hair, and a strong, athletic build that speaks to her prowess in battle. Raelin’s character embodies the potential for human connection and compassion, providing a beacon of light in their dark quest.
Lena Gildersyn
Lena, a newcomer to the trio, shares a past marked by atrocities similar to Adisa's. She possesses her own shadowy abilities, with a deep connection to necromantic powers. Lena struggles to balance her dark abilities with her inherent healing nature, reflecting the theme of light and dark within the story. She is a resilient and introspective character, often caught between her desire for revenge and her innate compassion. Physically, Lena has a fair complexion, with gentle features, dark wavy hair, and eyes that convey both her pain and her strength. Her developing bond with Rick adds another layer of complexity to the group dynamics.
Alaric Halloway
Alaric, the ruler of Syrithya, is a figure of power and paranoia. As the story progresses, his increasing fear of the Nightshade Sorceress drives him to implement tighter control and more brutal measures. Alaric is a complex antagonist, whose desperation makes him both dangerous and pitiable. He has a commanding presence, with a tall, imposing stature and sharp, calculating eyes. His character explores the corrupting influence of power and the lengths one will go to maintain it.
Harmony Halloway
Despite her cheery-sounding name; Harmony, Alaric’s wife, is insufferably manipulative and ambitious. She secretly plots against her husband, aiming to rise to power herself. Think quintessential daddy's girl and “pick me,” energy. Yeah, I know. Harmony’s cunning and deceitful nature make her a formidable adversary. She is beautiful in a cold, calculated way, with flawless features and an air of superiority. Her interactions with other characters reveal her true intentions, adding layers of intrigue and betrayal to the story. Harmony represents the dark side of ambition and the impact of treachery within the ranks of power. Her light and illusion magic contrast sharply with Kirjani's dark necromancy, setting the stage for dynamic and dramatic confrontations.
if you're interested in joining the taglist, just drop an ask! same goes for if you'd like to be removed from said cans. 💀
let me know what you all think of the story so far! and the characters too! they're all a work in progress, i’ll be doing deep dives on each character.
I was so happy to get a chance to work with @nelmdraws and grab a commission slot from them, and not going to lie I may have cried a little bit upon seeing the final result.
Raelin Liadel, my high elf Oath of the Ancients paladin, in all his fashionable, Sad Boy glory. I love him so much, and I cannot thank Nelm enough for this absolutely fantastic piece.
