15 July 2026
The world of the Resurrection Curse is one that had magic, aliens, and blood curses that bring people back to life. I wanted to create this fantasy world where you could play a campaign, DND style, where you play as a resurrected person from history in 2017. I started writing it in 2021, but the idea had been kicking around since 2016. I wrote it as a loose allegory for Covid, because back then I thought people really were acting like they were posessed! And then it just clicked - I had a vision of a group of Roman soldiers riding in a Chinook while Ghengis Khan's resurrected biker army roamed the streets.
Like with any good fantasies, then there came the Lore. It unfolded as I wrote the first book in the series, and I made a lot of edits as I went, but it served as my own version of the Silmarillion. The Resurrection Curse will be a 3 book series with several side publications. As of this date, I am working on getting the first book in the series, Dovetail, on Ingram Spark. I still have a lot of work to do, but will set a release date once that's squared away.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy learning about the Lore behind the Resurrection Curse! I will be discussing the Lore live, and if you are interested in watching it will be linked below. I love this series so much because it allows me to give new life to fantasy and magic, and I'll take any excuse to write about dragons, wouldn't you?
Disclaimers:
This short story is published under the title "The Resurrection Curse and Other Works" and is protected by Copyright. The Resurrection Curse Series is owned, authored, and published by KS Adams and all publishing rights are reserved by OaknenLake Creations.
NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
In the tale of Gerhilde (grr-hill-duh) the Valkyrie, you will meet Skadi (s-kah-dee) for the first time. Skadi is an elf-like creature who is highly skilled at tracking specific people, and is one of the top ranking members of the Resistance actively working to reverse the Resurrection Curse. She is a Yotün (yo-toon), and has done her best over the centuries to understand what she is, how her race ended up on Earth, and has compiled the information here.
The History of the Yotun-ae, as told by Skadi
The Yotun-ae (yo-toon-eye), also known as Jotunn (yot-un) or Jotnar (yot-narr), and by several other names, do not actively know their own origins. The history of their people comes from a memory cell contained within the core of their embryonic pod that was damaged. This history is compiled from remaining memory fragments and donated by a kind Yotun.
Sometime before the rise of the dinosaurs, a pod crashed to earth along with several meteor strikes. At around 10 meters in length and 5 in width, it was a sizable craft made from an alien material - silver in color, but easily able to camouflage itself. After it crash landed, a brilliant shimmer spread across it and none but its creators would ever know it was there. It was designed as an artificial nursery specifically to test out new planets as inhabitable, originating from some far-off and highly advanced planet. The pod contained several thousand embryos of the origin species, which are designed to grow and adapt to the new planet’s climate. None of the Yotun-ae living know anything about the original species, they were never contacted by the home planet and never received further instructions. Those that cared enough to wonder assumed that the population project on this planet must have been abandoned, their only connection being the Creation Pod.
The Creation Pod (known by various other names, such as Yggdrasil, often referring to it as the Tree or Cradle of Life) was created with an incredible and highly developed technology that far exceeds anything the human race has every come close to creating. It’s core design was to incubate the embryos until such time when it arrived on a destination planet. Once there, the pod served as nursery - the pod’s Artificial Intelligence would use and collect any nutrients derived from the planet to assist in growing the embryos inside until they could live independently of the pod. One of the Pod’s features was to generate what was called a Biodome. The Biodome was developed as a safety feature that was an invisible force field programmed to protect the nursery from threats. It used artificially created pheromones to create a sense of false panic in any being that wandered in, who would then feel an innate sense of terror and immediately leave the area. The nursery aspect of the Pod was to assist the embryos in growing to optimal form and ensure that they are protected. It used the alien technology to analyze data and synthesize genetic material to create this optimal form. As they grow, the pod would ideally infuse their DNA with core memories and objectives from their origin planet. Once they achieved a reasonable size to be self-sufficient outside of the nursery, the new beings were to exit the pod and begin population and assimilation if there were already other sentient beings populating the planet.
However, the Earth-bound pod arrived at the same time as several earth-ravaging meteors. During the crash, the Memory Core was damaged and the embryos never received their complete orders from their origin planet. The pod’s artificial intelligence determined that the earth was too hostile for the embryos to survive successfully, and determined that the best course of action was stasis. The Pod was designed with several emergency protocols, one of which was a Biodome modifier. It was a feature that was designed to conceal the pod in a way that would further shield it and protect it from any harsh climates. It determined that rock was a reasonable material to build a shelter out of, and over several thousand years the Biodome created a large, deep cave to surround and protect the Nursery Pod.
The secondary feature of the pod was a recon bot that would collect samples and analyze the data throughout other parts of the new world. The recon bot was a small, tennis ball-size metal device. It had a large observation “eye,” or portal, that it used to scan flora and fauna alike. It had a tiny hole at its base that could be used to charge itself and that contained a small, flexible needle that could be dropped down and used to collect DNA samples. As a result, the pod was able to analyze and synthesize materials from all over the planet. It selected the best materials and ingredients, and began processing those into the embryos’ DNA. The pod had determined that on this planet, the best avenue of success was adaptation, and so it gave them properties that would give them extraordinary evolutionary abilities. At first, it began processing elements of water and earth. The data from several collected flora specimens was inconclusive, but recognizing their undeniable adaptability it began incorporating elements from ancient sequoia trees. It synthesized this into a nearly indestructible material, one that would use the natural elements in order to regenerate and repair. The recon bot was only sent out every few years to collect data from the fauna around the globe over many millennia. It determined that these would not be successful population models, for whatever reason. The final code remained missing another several million years, and the embryos remained in stasis inside the safety of the Biodome Cavern.
It was discovered in the pod’s video history what happened next to change things. While the recon bot was on patrol one night for new data, it came across a group of hominids around a campfire. They were unaware they were being observed, and the bot observed the group talking in intelligent speak and eating food together as a familial unit. The bot continued to observe from a distance, and observed the family retire into a nearby cave. One hominid remained by the fire, presumably to keep watch for predators. The bot determined that these beings were intelligent, and determined the best course of action was to collect a sample from this creature. The hominid had his back to the cave, so the bot moved as close as possible to conduct a full body scan of the hominid. The creature did not notice the bot, and the bot was able to complete a full body scan, including muscle, organ and skeleton. The hominid had its back still to the cave, and appeared to be watching intently for predators. The bot scanned the cave, and completed scans on the others. The bot was completely noiseless, and was able to silently approach the hominid guard. The bot deployed its DNA collecting needle, and collected a sample from the hominid’s back. The creature gave a yelp of surprise, and leaped up from the log it was sitting on. It grabbed it’s small, primitive hand-ax and whipped around to try and see what bit him. The bot had long since returned to safety.
When the bot returned with the sample, the nursery pod immediately began synthesizing the new genetic material. This was determined to be a successful strand, and was added into the existing composite. Finally recognizing a successful code and composite, the nursery began to filter in the genetic code into the first brood of embryos. During the incubation of the first brood, the recon bot was ordered to find and collect DNA from any other similar beings it could find in order to have a diverse DNA composite. They grew very slowly, much like trees, and their bodies, though malleable, were solid and firm like the earth. Over time, they took the shape of a hominid. The pod monitored their progress, and after one final scan determined them to have a high probability of success. They were given the final code with primary instructions, which with the memory core being damaged was simply “to populate and colonize.” And then they were awoken. The first brood exited the pod, and were met with a light at the end of a long cavern. The pod immediately closed itself off, and began incorporating new hominid DNA the recon bot had collected into the second brood.
First broods
The first brood was composed of around a dozen individuals. Because the memory core had been damaged, the only objective they knew was to populate and colonize the earth. They had a natural and innate knowledge of tools, tool making, how to find shelter, and an understanding of the dangers of the planet. All things that the hominid whose DNA they now possessed knew. Understanding that they were safe as long as they stayed within the confines of the biodome, they made their way to the end of the long cavern. The Biodome stretched for several square miles, and because it was designed to camouflage the surroundings they had miles of territory to explore as they learned who they were. Although they lacked an understanding of where they were from, they maintained a natural finesse for technology and design and set to work building a settlement. Now that there were others to protect the pod, it adjusted the Biodome to allow fauna in once more. The Alphas began hunting and fishing, and delighted in making tools to do so. They were mesmerized by fire, and sought ways to control it. It didn’t take them long to build the first huts, small lean-tos lashed together with crude rope. They knew that the next brood would arrive soon, and that while what they had would suffice for a small number they would need more food and better shelter.
While the Nursery Pod’s primary function was to create life, it also had means to assist it in the early stages. The pod contained a fabricator that could create things the new beings might need. One of the Alphas realized they would need tools harder than stone if they were going to create a more secure settlement. The recon bot had collected metal samples before, and the Alpha was given many pieces of iron. They made several hammers and chisels, and set to work collecting limestone blocks. With these, they created the first of many large halls - much like a viking longhouse. They fitted a roof to the long hall made from logs and straw to prepare for the new brood.
Next, they knew they would need more food. The Alphas realized that they were designed much like the trees and they could use the light and water for energy as much as they could meat or plants, but they knew they would need access to some food in order for more broods to succeed. Another Alpha returned to the pod, and was given several large eggs. Knowing that these eggs would need heat to hatch, the Alpha placed them in a small basket near the fire. Soon, the eggs began to hatch. Large, cat-sized creatures emerged with shimmering scales and all facets of light and color shone from their wide, leathery wings. The little creatures all crawled out of the nest and began stretching their wings, testing their own strength. At first the Alphas were confused, they were stunned by the beauty of these creatures and wanted to love and protect them as soon as they laid eyes on them. One of the creatures must have understood their confusion, and the little creature reared its head back and a great plume of fire shot far out of its fanged maw. The Alphas were delighted by this, and knew that these winged creatures would help them with hunting when they grew large enough.
It was not long after this that the second brood arrived. The recon bot had managed to collect several DNA samples, and there was great diversity with this group. The Alphas delighted in showing them all that had been created, and the Betas were thrilled and excited to bring forth new ideas. They had created a large, sprawling settlement by the arrival of the third brood, Gamma. Like the Betas, the Gammas were thrilled with everything they saw and were anxious to go out and expand. By this time, the little fire creatures had grown very large - and had learned to communicate with the others telepathically. The Alphas, Betas and Gammas saw them as equals, and were designated as the fourth brood, Delta.
While the first three broods were thriving in this new settlement, the Nursery Pod had temporarily stopped creation. It had only deployed less than a third of the embryos, and would monitor the first broods through the genetic connection to test their survival. If they spread and succeeded, development would continue without further alterations of the created genetic material. While they received the physical form from their hominid DNA, they still retained a desire deep within from their home world. This desire was conqueror and dominate, although they did not know why. The first brood, the Alphas, felt this the most deeply within their hearts, and though it was the early days of their lives they wanted more than anything for the world to be theirs and theirs alone. While mankind was still in its early days, they knew it was only a matter of time before the great civilization’s first dawning. The broods, having realized the first part of their objective, now sought to colonize other parts of the world alongside humankind.
During this time of learning and building their foundation city, the first broods began to realize that they had additional gifts from their creators. The Creation Pod had gifted them the ability to evolve and adapt, and while most of them were content with the forms they had been given, there were some among them who desired more. They envied the Delta’s hard skin, their ability to fly, and create fire. They bent their will towards the form they desired, and their bodies began the process. It was an excruciating process, but they learned how to use their will to change their shape. From these broods came the First Magic in the world, and it would set upon a series of events leading to the Resurrection Curse.
The Neverwas
One of the Magics that came from this event was the magic of the Neverwas. Although they knew not how, Yotun-ae were able to tap into other dimensions within our world. It was within these other dimensions that they discovered the power of the Neverwas. Neverwas is a magic that comes from things that were never able to come to fruition. As they began learning about humans, they realized their lives were incredibly fragile. For example, babes who never drew breath, or lovers whose story was cut short, even Kings and Queens whose reigns were brutally interrupted - they all contributed to an incredible magic force within these other dimensions, and most Yotun accept that the Neverwas is what provides the power to these other dimensions.
Few of them paid any regard to the Neverwas, but it was generally accepted that it was a magic separate from their own. It was a magic created by Earth itself, a magic that was not theirs, and some of them regarded it with both reverence and fear. Some things they bore witness to over the millennia could only be explained by an Earth-fed magic, and they saw humans lean into the Earth Magic only to watch religions rise and fall alongside these empires.
Neverwas is believed to be even stronger than the Yotun-ae’s own magic. One Yotun was known to have worked to harness the Neverwas, and was believed to have been able to manipulate time itself in order to time travel. Although the story remains unconfirmed, other Yotun rarely attempted to intervene with the Neverwas. There were occasions where one would, and the results would vary. Dragons, for example, were a by-product of the Neverwas and a near equal to the Gammas, and a fair number of them were able to pass through a portal opened by one very surprised Yotun. It is not known how many times a similar incident happened, and many of these Neverwas beasts were believed to have died or been slain before the time came that humans were writing down their stories. It was as if the Neverwas was a reaction to the Yotun-ae magic, and they feared what it was capable of.
Technicalities with the Yotun-ae
Because the Yotun-ae are comprised of so many aspects of the earth, they are invulnerable from most threats and dangers to their physical form. The Creation Pod’s primary objective was to create the strongest beings possible for optimal survival on this particular planet, which is why in their development it infused their genetic makeup with natural elements from all over the world. As a result, the Yotun-ae have many natural gifts that their human counterparts lack.
The first, and arguably most prominent, aspect of the Yotun-ae is their long lifespan. The Creation Pod used several elements in order to make their physical form as immune to aging as possible, as the human samples showed that their tissue would ultimately age and degrade over a short lifespan. By their composition alone, the Yotun-ae could live indefinitely without showing any signs of aging or decomposition. Their ability to accelerate their own evolution does allow them to change their physical appearance, so if an individual chose to age themselves they could. They could not, however, accelerate their own aging to the point of death.
The inability to age themselves to the point of death was one of the safety features the Creation Pod installed into the Yotun-ae’s overall makeup. Only one Yotun-ae was rumored to have attempted this, and was unsuccessful although his appearance was altered to reflect that of a elderly human male.
Many suspect that it is due to the connection to the Creation Pod that they are unable to force death upon themselves, and yet another feature is the inability to kill one another.
During the time they began intervening with humans, there were some among them that did not want interactions with the humans. After attempts to negotiate peacefully, a fight broke out among a number of Yotun-ae. They could land and throw punches, but were unable to do any kind of serious harm to one another. This emboldened them, and they fully believed themselves invulnerable to death. In the eyes of the humans they chose to ingratiate themselves with, they were gods.
A loophole to this invincibility was discovered entirely by accident. Some of the Yotun-ae had chosen to breed with humans, which resulted in half-human offspring. These half-Yotun were incredibly strong and bore various talents, depending on the talents of their Yotun-ae parent. Their genetic makeup was more human than Yotun-ae, yet their lifespan was much longer than an average human. They were able to be killed, and were also susceptible to disease and other health issues that full humans face. The Yotun-ae were incredibly protective towards their half-human descendents, and viewed them as pets that needed their protection. There was, however, an incident in Egypt. One Half-Yotun was known to have killed a full Yotun-ae. This frightened all of the Yotun-ae, including the Half-Yotun who feared for their lives. This gave one of the Alphas an idea, and he sought to use this knowledge for power.
Yotun-ae and the Resurrection Curse
One of the brothers of one of the original broods was at one time called Brynjar. He had posed as religious figure heads throughout some of the Ancient World’s most deadly factions. He learned humans were easy to control, and he was driven more than any other Yotun-ae to dominate the human race. For hundreds of years, he watched as civilizations rose - and inevitably fell. He began to understand that if he played the long game, he may be able to succeed. He had learned he could bind people to him, and bring them back in the body of their descendant. It required a major celestial event, but it was doable. With the help of two of his brothers, they began to bind people to them, promising them and their descendants resurrection, or life again, throughout history. As a result, millions of people were bound to him throughout time.
In the Summer of 2017, the Resurrection Curse was finally activated. People began disappearing, and because it was only a few at a time no one was the wiser. But by December 2017, people from around the world were beginning to disappear on a much larger scale and by the New Year a Global Pandemic had been declared. As the spring unfolded, the numbers were reported less and less and it was generally accepted that if someone disappeared it must have been due to this mysterious illness and the general populous remained calm.
*If you or a loved one have been claimed by the Resurrection Curse and would like it to be undone, tell your tale to the nearest tree and let nature do the rest.
KS Adams is the author and publisher under her business, OakenLake Creations.
Copyright and Trademark August 2025
All rights reserved.
All publishing rights belong to OakenLake Creations and no part of her series may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without express written permission of OakenLake Creations.
The characters and events portrayed in this series are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author. Please be advised the Resurrection Curse is a historical fantasy series, and events potrayed in these publications are fictitious.
The Resurrection Curse and Other Works is protected by Copyright Aug 2025.
Epub: ISBN: 979-8-9943073-2-8