The War for the Pallid Throne was the first book I ever wrote and published, and for that reason, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
The inspiration for this piece struck while I was watching the first season of the historical drama Vikings. The idea of an afterlife where warriors gather to fight and feast for all eternity felt like the perfect canvas for my work. From there, I began shaping my own version of Valhalla, but with a Lovecraftian twist. In my vision, the warriors battle and perish within the belly of a vast cosmic beast, a creature so immense it swallows even light itself. It was a concept too rich for cosmic horror to ignore.
As with much of my work, my love of mythology left its mark here, and attentive readers may notice a few familiar names among the engineers.
Icarus was the very first character I created for this tale and he is my enduring symbol of struggle and strife. I’ve always loved the idea of an elder knight training the next generation in his waning years—especially if that knight were immortal, wounded, and unbearably bored. The Pallid War may be over, but the old crusader’s tale has only just begun.
Dear reader, I hope you find as much wonder in these pages as I did in writing them. And if this story speaks to you, please consider picking up a copy of The War for the Pallid Throne to help support my work. Thank you.
ISBN: 979-8-9864559-0-7
Copyright © 2022 Michael Schultz
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