The Secret History Of Ligeia

What's this all about?

The cast

Diokles is the swashbuckling scholar-adventurer who travels wherever he can, and likes to set things in motion. Like Spyro, he hauls from Alexandria but he became a wanderer, equally at home in cities like Babylon and  Alexandria as in a farmer's hut or nomad tent. After traveling to the edge of the civilized world where he discovers the hidden city of Ligeia and the mythic cave of Prometheus, nothing should surprise him anymore. Yet it is at a most unexpected place that he makes his most surprising and momentous discovery.

Rojan, "the Madig", is a Kurdish warlord and husband to Kallisto. He wants his people to prosper and swap their tough nomadic lifestyle for the comforts of civilization. But he finds it hard to be accepted by the seven great noble houses of Parthia and often feels out of place. In the scheming world of the Parthian court, he even doubts Kallisto's love.

Azra is the aunt of Taymur and Bhaltu. She cares deeply about the clan and her family but has a strange way of showing affection. When you meet her, you never quite know whether to expect praise or taunt.

Ardaban is the younger son of the great Parthian Emperor. He doesn't have the wisdom and charisma of his father or the wealth and political acumen of his older brother. But he's a great commander and intensely loyal to his friends, regardless of their social status. He hopes that eventually this will pay off and he will become the next Shah or "King of Kings."

Caracalla is the oldest son of the Roman Emperor and an "Augustus" in his own right since a young age. He is cocky, cruel, and very ambitious. He's intensely jealous of his younger brother Geta and fears his father Septimus Severus. He only respects his mother, the formidable Julia Domna.

Nergu is the most powerful tribal leader among the Alans and Sarmatians on the steppes and calls himself Yabgu or Khan. His dream is to unite the "people of the felt tents", the hundreds of clans that make up the nomads of the steppes. He plans to use that unity to plunder the rich lands to the south. His biggest fear is that his less able son Khudu will destroy his life's work and that is why he puts a lot of trust in able commanders like the Alan warlord Hayri and the Sarmatian commander Zareen.

Zenon was not born among the elite of Ligeia, yet he managed to work his way up the greasy ladder. When he reached the top, he noticed the fragility of the entire structure. A small elite is supposed to rule a city that controls a vast area of land with its tiny population. While the oligarchs squander their wealth on luxuries Zenon schemes day and night to keep the increasingly powerful forces surrounding the city in equilibrium. This requires him to make hard decisions and make alliances with dangerous and evil forces. 

Ligeia, the hidden fortress city, is a fictional network of strongholds that guards the strategic Sarmatian passes known as the "Gates of Alexander." It guards the only passage through the high Caucasus mountains for a thousand miles. Keeping out the wild barbarians from the north while protecting the priceless trade in fur, amber, and slaves has brought the city vast wealth. The ruling oligarchs of the High Council are increasingly corrupt, yet everyone still fears their invincible Eagle Warriors.

The Underdeep is a mysterious world under the mountains. You'll have to read the books to learn more about its mysterious origins and sinister inhabitants 😉

Babylon is the ancient sprawling metropolis at the banks of the Euphrates at the heart of Mesopotamia, the land of the two rivers. Renowned for its magnificent Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and its imposing walls, Babylon was a center of learning, trade, and power, epitomizing the zenith of Mesopotamian civilization. Its legacy, immortalized by its grand architecture and the Code of Hammurabi, continues to fascinate historians and archaeologists alike. No longer a political capital at the time of writing, the vast city still inspires awe. Its muddy streets are lined with ancient buildings, and its dark alleys remind of old stories and legends.

The Caucasus is a towering range of mountains that serves as the boundary between Europe and Asia. Within its expanse lie Europe's loftiest peaks, like the splendid Elbrus and the enigmatic Kazbek. This realm is adorned with jagged summits, lush woodlands, and enchanting valleys. It's the birthplace of numerous Greek myths and legends, encompassing tales of the golden fleece, Medea, Prometheus, and the Amazons. Positioned at the nexus of Greek, Persian, and nomadic civilizations while sheltering a multitude of indigenous communities, the Caucasus weaves a rich mosaic of ethnic and cultural diversity.

The Eurasian Steppe is a vast region stretching from Hungary in Eastern Europe to Manchuria in North Eastern China. The steppes are bordered in the north by the vast taiga pine forests and in the south by deserts and mountain ranges that protect the settled lands. They are inhabited by fierce nomadic tribes such as the Sarmatians and the Alans that rear vast herds of horses.  Despite their martial prowess, their 4000-year-old nomadic lifestyle is coming under threat. In the east, a new powerful tribe is rising chased away from their homelands by the Chinese Emperors. In the West, tough Gothic and Germanic clans are multiplying. 

Alexandria is the Pearl of the Mediterranean, situated at the western edge of the Nile Delta. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, the city quickly ascended as a center of culture, knowledge, and trade, strategically located on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. It was famed for its Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Great Library, a symbol of intellectual achievement and a crossroads for the exchange of ideas from all corners of the known world. This illustrious city not only served as a vital link between East and West but also as a melting pot of civilizations, leaving an indelible mark on history and culture. In the 3rd century, the richest city in the richest Roman Province was in decline.  Resentment against Roman cruelty and taxes is increasing. Religious zealots roam the streets and fight rival faiths. The old Hellenistic elites hide in their marble buildings and pray for the return of the good old days. Yet it remains a beacon of enlightenment even as a shade of its former glory.

The Parthian Empire also known as the Arsacid Empire was a major Iranian political and cultural power. In the 3rd century AD, it encompassed most of Mesopotamia and the Iranian heartlands and had a strong influence in the Caucasus. It was a successor Empire of the famous ancient Persian Achaemenid Empire Empire. The Parni, descending from nomadic steppe warriors, established a feudal state ruled by the Shahansha (King of Kings) and Seven Noble Clans or Noble Houses. They spoke their language but often used Greek for administration and Aramaic for commerce. The Parthians were arch-enemies of Rome and fought many wars while enriching themselves through the lucrative trade along the Silk Road during periods of peace.

Arbela is the summer capital of the Parthian court. Its white marble buildings and lush gardens provide a suitable retreat for the Parthian Shah and his entourage.