The Sons of Rome Compendium

The Sons of Rome Compendium 

Hello, readers, and welcome to the first in a series of *official* posts about my Sons of Rome series that I'm going to refer to as "The Compendium."

While composing my Afterword for Dragon Slayer, I was struck by the realization that, while I've used a few author notes, and have blogged about the series a good bit, I haven't ever designated a space for "word of God" lore and in-universe idea organization. A lifetime of reading fantasy and paranormal has shown me that the behind-the-scenes, worldbuilding notes and character dossiers can be just as entertaining as the source material. This is going to be a blog post series that I build upon as the book series continues to progress. I have some ideas, but reader questions are welcome, and I'd be happy to expand upon whatever curiosities anyone might have. As of right now (3/9/19) there will be some spoilers for the first two books, White Wolf and Red Rooster, and once Dragon Slayer is released, expect spoilers for that book as well. 

Alright. *rubs hands together* Let's begin.

The Sons of Rome

This series is a tale of paranormal action, adventure, and romance. Epic in scale, and leisurely in pace as any fantasy saga, it tells the story of a big, eclectic found family of characters both mortal and immortal, joined together on a quest to save the world from an ancient evil. Ranging in age from newly-turned, to centuries' old vampire royalty, our unlikely heroes and heroines are Romanian princes, and Soviet puppets, and modern-day detectives. Mages wield fire, vampires survive grievous wounds, and wolves prove their unfailing loyalty to the people they love. The overarching narrative is one leading up to an epic showdown finale with the Big Bad, but the heart of each novel is the interpersonal drama between friends, family, and lovers. In a story that spans centuries, we travel back to the formative moments in history for each of our protagonists, and see how supernatural beings have helped to shape the wars and kingdoms of humans. And each immortal being, no matter how powerful, is rendered in an achingly human light, full of doubt, and frailty, and burdened by the weight of forever. Immortal, yes, but accessible. 

The Title

The series has many main characters, but it's named for vampire brothers Vlad and Val, sons of the co-founder of Rome, Remus, who was killed by his twin brother, Romulus. In this way, Vlad and Val are, quite literally, sons of Rome, and Rome, as we will see, is where this story is ultimately heading. 

Creature Feature

We've met three kinds of immortal beings (so far~) in the series: vampires, werewolves (wolf shifters), and mages. While they all can and often do exist independently (though wolves prefer to live in packs or with a mate), when bound together the three beings form a triumvirate of power (back to Rome, again). The vampire is more or less the "master" or "mistress," and can use his or her blood to "bind" a mage or a wolf to themselves as loyal and helpful Familiars. A bond can be forced, but can also be loving and mutually-accepted. In either event, the state of being "bound" is a moral question that is explored within the series. 

Vampires can be born of two vampire parents, and can sometimes breed with humans, though a half-human, half-vampire offspring may or may not possess preternatural abilities. Humans can also be turned into vampires, though are often considered weaker than born vampires, their strength determined by the strength of the vampiric sire. 

Wolves can be born or turned as well, though the way to turn them involves a mage, always. Wolves, in turn, are the only ones capable of waking a vampire that has been so starved or badly injured as to have fallen into a restorative coma. 

In this way, the three immortal beings exercise checks and balances on one another. 

The Road So Far

The series opens with the short story prelude "The Stalker," which introduces us to wolf couple Fulk and Annabel le Strange, a baron and his wife who've been unwillingly pulled back into the world of other immortals. The story was released on its own in July of 2017 to whet reader appetites, and is also included as a bonus story at the beginning of book one in the series:

White Wolf. Book one opens in modern-day NYC, and introduces us to two human detectives, Lanny Webb and Trina Baskin, the latter of which has been suffering strangely vivid nightmares as they begin investigating a grisly string of murders. Through a psychic connection, Trina is shown the WWII-era history of her great-grandfather, Nikita Baskin, who proves to have been not only a Chekist, but a secret White Russian, and a part of a Soviet plan to use immortal beings to win the war against Hitler. The past is dark, bloody, and tragic, but her great-grandfather is still alive, and so is his beloved best friend, Sasha, a wolf. 

Book two, Red Rooster, sends our New York crew on a rescue mission to Virginia, where they cross paths with Fulk, Annabel, our Romanian princes, and possible allies Red (a mage), Rooster (a human), and Rob...who is about as legendary as they come. We also learn more about Vlad and Val, both of whom are being held at Blackmere Manor, one as a weapon, and one as a prisoner. 

Book three, Dragon Slayer, which is expected as soon as I finish edits, takes us back to the origins of our titular sons of Rome; shows us their childhood, adolescence, and adulthood as abused princes in 15th Century Romania. 

Ye Be Warned

A disclaimer, if you will. This series is intended for adult readers. It contains blood, violence, mature themes of all sorts, and offers explicit depictions of romantic relationships between M/F and M/M couples. If that doesn't turn you off, then please know that this is my personal love letter to all the fictional monsters I've ever loved. 

The monsters in this series now invite you to love them in turn. It's going to be one hell of a wild and fun ride.