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 aftermath of the battle left an eerie silence aboard the Storm Reaper. The sky had returned to its usual swirling gray, but the unnatural scorch marks from the entity's presence still lingered on the deck. The artifact, nestled safely in Evelyn's containment device, pulsed faintly—its glow subdued but ever-present.

Lucien leaned against the wheel, rubbing his temples. "Alright, let's go over what just happened. We fought something that shouldn't exist, nearly got erased from reality, and our best plan involved flipping a switch and praying. Did I miss anything?"

"You forgot the part where it wanted to kill you specifically," Marion pointed out, arms crossed. "That seems important."*

"Right. That. So… I don't suppose anyone wants to tell me why eldritch horrors are suddenly obsessed with my charming personality?"

"Maybe they just like the way you smell," Rosie teased, slinging an arm around him. "Who wouldn't?"

"Yes, clearly the forces of darkness have a refined taste in cologne," Lucien muttered. "Evelyn? Tell me you've got something more useful."*

Evelyn sighed, tapping the side of the containment device. "The artifact reacted to that thing—as if it knew it. I don't think that was just another mindless horror. It was something…aware."

Selene, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "It called you the Chosen One, didn't it?" Her dark eyes met his. "And it wasn't the first to say that."*

Lucien stiffened. She was right. The Crimson Hand had said the same thing. So had that dying scholar in the ruins of Luthais Port. And now, this thing.

"I hate prophecies," Lucien muttered. "They never mean good things."*

"You're handling this surprisingly well," Valeria said cheerfully. "I'd have thought by now you'd be screaming and flailing."*

"Oh, I'm screaming internally, believe me," Lucien said. "But I have to look cool in front of my crew, you know?"

Rosie snorted. "That ship sailed long ago, darling."*

Victoria suddenly spoke, her voice mechanical but steady. "Lucien Drake. There is a 78% probability that you are linked to this anomaly at a fundamental level."*

Lucien groaned. "Of course I am."*

"Perhaps a deeper examination of the artifact is required," Victoria continued. "There may be answers within its structure."*

"Or more nightmares," Marion muttered.

"Either way," Selene said, stepping closer to Lucien, "we're running out of time. Whatever is hunting you… it's only going to get worse."*

Lucien looked around at his crew—their faces a mix of concern, curiosity, and, in some cases, excitement. He exhaled slowly.

"Alright," he said. "Let's tear this thing's secrets open."*

And, in the back of his mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that the artifact wasn't just leading him toward the truth.

It was leading him toward something waiting for him.

Chapter 47: The Weight of Secrets