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 shot through the storm clouds like a bolt of lightning, but the Blood Omen was relentless, its reinforced hull cutting through turbulence with terrifying ease. Harpoon cannons clanked into position, their chains rattling as the enemy prepared to lock them in.

"They're not giving up!" Marion shouted, gripping the rigging as another shot whizzed past.

"We need more speed!" Rosie growled. "Unless someone's hiding a spare engine in their coat, we're running out of tricks!"*

Evelyn gritted her teeth, her hands still pressed against the artifact. "I can push it harder—but I don't know what it will cost."*

Lucien's gaze flickered to the artifact, then to Evelyn. "We don't have a choice. Do it."

Evelyn hesitated only a moment before focusing, and the artifact pulsed again, sending a wave of energy through the ship's frame. The Storm Reaper jerked forward at an unnatural speed—right into the heart of the storm.

The world blurred into rain and thunder, the howling winds swallowing up their cries as the ship lurched violently. The Blood Omen hesitated at the storm's edge, unwilling to risk its massive hull against the wrath of nature.

"It's working!" Valeria cackled. "HA! Science triumphs again!"*

"That wasn't science," Victoria murmured, her glowing mechanical eyes locked onto the artifact. "That was something else entirely."*

Lucien exhaled, gripping the wheel. "Let's not stick around to debate it. We need to find a safe place to land."

But just as the worst of the storm began to ease, a voice crackled through the radio—calm, precise, and unmistakably amused.

Lucien stiffened. "Who the hell—"

"I'd congratulate you on your escape, but you've only delayed the inevitable. You have something I want."*

The voice belonged to a man Lucien had never wanted to hear again.

Rosie paled. "No. No, no, no, not him."*

Lucien's jaw tightened. "The last man you want to owe a favor to."*

"Oh, Lucien," the voice chuckled. "You wound me. I only want what's best for you. Of course, that means handing over the artifact before it consumes you entirely."

Evelyn gripped the artifact instinctively, eyes flashing. "Who is this?"

Lucien exhaled slowly. "His name's Alistair Graves. And if he's here… we're in more trouble than I thought."*

A pause. Then Alistair's voice came again, smooth as silk.

"Shall we negotiate, Captain? Or should I let my airships finish what the Blood Omen started?"*

Lucien scowled. "…I hate this job."*

Chapter 38: The Devil's Bargain