Eldgrimm

A sprawling steampunk world where massive airships rule the skies, mechanical monstrosities lurk in the shadows, and society is divided between the wealthy elite in their sky-high cities and the lawless rebels fighting below. The world is teetering on the edge of chaos, with powerful steam-driven empires, secret societies, and supernatural horrors vying for control.

Protagonist:

Lucien "Drake" Graves, a daring, quick-witted rogue with a talent for improvisation, thievery, and smooth talking. He captains the Storm Reaper, a half-wrecked but extremely fast airship, and takes on dangerous jobs to survive. Beneath his carefree attitude, he’s hunting for the truth behind a mysterious artifact linked to his past—one that many factions want to claim, kill for, or hide forever.

The Harem (Love Interests):

1. The Ice-Cold Engineer (Lady Evelyn Blackthorne) – A genius inventor from the Empire, cold and logical on the outside but harboring a secret desire for adventure—and possibly Lucien.


2. The Explosive Sky Pirate (Captain Rosalind "Rosie" Kane) – A flirty, gun-slinging air pirate with a love for mayhem and treasure. She teases Lucien mercilessly but secretly wants to keep him for herself.


3. The Mysterious Masked Assassin (Selene "The Phantom") – A deadly operative hunting Lucien for reasons unknown. Dark, alluring, and dangerous.


4. The Cheerful Mad Alchemist (Professor Valeria Steinbeck) – A brilliant but utterly chaotic scientist who loves dangerous experiments. She thinks Lucien is the perfect test subject—and maybe more.


5. The Noblewoman-Turned-Thief (Marion Sinclair) – A former high-society lady turned skilled rogue. She’s charming, sophisticated, and always one step ahead.


6. The Gothic Automaton (Clockwork Victoria) – A sentient mechanical woman with a tragic past. She struggles with emotions but feels a strange connection to Lucien.



Plot:

Lucien stumbles upon a forbidden artifact—an eerie, pulsating crystal heart that whispers dark secrets. This artifact holds the key to a long-buried conspiracy, an ancient war between humanity and an unseen horror lurking beneath the earth. As factions clash, monsters awaken, and betrayals unfold, Lucien must navigate a world of airship battles, deadly duels, mechanical horrors, and seductive encounters while keeping himself (and his increasingly jealous harem) alive.

Meanwhile, a secret cult—known as The Crimson Hand—is hunting him, believing he is the "Chosen One" meant to either save the world or destroy it. And worst of all, some of his lovers might be hiding their own agendas…

Clockwork Shadows & Crimson Skies

The Storm Reaper cut through the sky, its engines straining as Lucien and his crew caught their breath. The artifact pulsed in its containment case, an eerie glow flickering between deep crimson and ghostly blue. It almost seemed… alive.

"Alright," Rosie said, sprawled across a crate, "I know we just had a dramatic escape, but can someone explain why that thing nearly got us killed?"

Lucien ran a hand through his windswept hair, exhaling. "Because everyone wants it, and apparently, I was stupid enough to steal it first."*

"That does sound like you," Marion quipped, earning a chuckle from Valeria.

Evelyn sat on the floor, tools spread out around her as she examined the artifact through her brass goggles. "I still don't understand." Her fingers traced the intricate engravings on the case. "Why does it change color?"

Victoria stood nearby, arms crossed. "It reacts to something. Perhaps proximity to certain individuals?" Her mechanical eyes glowed softly as she studied Lucien. "Or emotions."*

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying this thing has feelings?"

"Not exactly," Selene cut in, still adjusting the straps on her boots. "Artifacts like this are rarely just objects. They have purpose. Intent."*

"Yeah, well, I don't like the intent of something that keeps getting us shot at," Rosie muttered.

Valeria suddenly sat up, eyes gleaming. "Wait—" she scrambled to her feet. "We never actually tested if it reacts to all of us the same way!"*

"Oh, this will be fun."* She snatched up the artifact and shoved it into Rosie's hands.

"Oi!" Rosie scowled, but then frowned as the glow barely changed. "Huh. Feels warm, but nothing else."*

Valeria took it next. "Ooooh, it's tingling—like when I drink too much caffeine!"*

"You always drink too much caffeine," Evelyn said dryly.

Selene tried next, the light flickering slightly, but still no major reaction.

The moment her fingers brushed the surface, the artifact surged with energy, the light turning an almost blinding white-blue. The ship's lights flickered, and a low hum filled the air.

"Oh, hell," Lucien muttered. "That's new."*

Evelyn's breath hitched as the artifact pulsed in her hands, strange symbols glowing beneath her fingertips.

"Fascinating," Victoria whispered. "It's attuned to you."*

"I—" Evelyn swallowed, her eyes flickering with hesitation. "I think it's trying to show me something."*

Lucien placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"

She nodded slowly, gripping the artifact tighter. "We need to figure out what it wants."*

Before anyone could respond, the ship suddenly lurched—alarms blaring.

"Incoming!" their pilot shouted from the helm.

Lucien's gut twisted as he ran to the deck, his stomach dropping at the sight before him.

A fleet of black, heavily armored airships was closing in, their crimson insignia unmistakable.

"The Crimson Hand," Selene whispered, her voice deadly cold.

"Guess Balthazar didn't waste any time," Rosie muttered.

Lucien exhaled sharply, gripping the railing. "Looks like round two's starting early."*

Chapter 35: The Price of Secrets