Publisher's Synopsis
In *Shattered Dominion*, Kenneth Thomas takes readers into a mystical world in decay-a vast dominion once thriving with wisdom, intent, and unity, now fractured by ancient conflicts and shadowed ambitions. In this surreal, enigmatic land, reality itself is fragile, with pieces of the landscape suspended in voids, bound only by remnants of lost power. Structures hang broken and desolate, their crumbling facades echoing the dominion's descent from unity into ruin.
Our story follows a diverse cast of characters drawn from across the realm, each touched by the fractures that have reshaped their lives and destinies. At the center is **Elara**, a thoughtful scholar from the remnants of the Agora, haunted by a vision of the dominion as it once was-whole, wise, and filled with purpose. She believes that the fractures plaguing their world are not merely physical, but manifestations of deeper, unresolved choices made long ago. Determined to restore balance, she undertakes a journey to the realm's fragmented edges, seeking to uncover the secrets that lie within the Shattered Dominion.
Joining her is **Rylan**, a rogue with a history tied to the dominion's hidden past. Though initially skeptical of Elara's vision, Rylan is driven by a personal mission to seek redemption from his past mistakes and the betrayals that have scarred him. Alongside them is **Thalessia**, a compassionate healer whose abilities draw on the ancient power of the dominion itself, allowing her to mend both wounds and memories. But Thalessia is carrying a secret-a connection to the very force that once bound the dominion, making her essential to its possible restoration or ultimate undoing.
Together, they journey through breathtaking landscapes where surreal realms break into shards, each piece holding echoes of lost civilizations, ancient wisdom, and forgotten sorrows. From towering, ethereal libraries of knowledge abandoned to decay, to cities submerged in waters that reflect a distorted past, each location speaks of choices left unresolved and voices left unheard. In every corner, they encounter beings that are neither wholly human nor wholly other, guardians and echoes who remember the dominion's former power-and its downfall.
But as they delve deeper, the group realizes they are not alone. **Noxaris**, a mysterious figure, lurks in the shadows, embodying the dominion's forgotten pain. Noxaris is a force that thrives on the fractures, drawing power from the dissonance and divisions that led to the dominion's shattering. To Noxaris, restoration is an illusion, a fool's hope. He seeks to deepen the fractures, creating a dominion that thrives on entropy and chaos, a testament to the power of shadowed intent.
As Elara, Rylan, and Thalessia journey through the Shattered Dominion, they confront their own doubts, fears, and shadows. The journey is as much about confronting what lies within as it is about understanding the forces that broke their world. Elara's vision of unity is tested repeatedly by the harsh truths they uncover. Rylan is forced to face his past, questioning whether he can ever atone, while Thalessia must come to terms with the ancient power within her and decide whether to wield it or let it fade.
In a climactic confrontation with Noxaris, the group must draw upon every lesson learned and every fragment of hope to forge a path forward. In the end, *Shattered Dominion* becomes a meditation on unity and fragmentation, on the power of intent to both destroy and heal. They must accept that true unity does not mean the absence of fractures, but the resilience to hold them together.
