Dear readers / friends,
I am pleased to present to you these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). As the author of “Legend of The Dark Elf”, it is a great concern of mine to enable you to gain a deeper insight into a complex fantasy world, which raises questions when immersing oneself in such a detail-rich universe. Therefore, I have created these FAQs to answer some of the most common questions that I have received multiple times.
I hope that these FAQs will help you to enjoy and appreciate the journey through “Legend of The Dark Elf” even more. If you have further questions or suggestions, feel free to send them to me and I will try to answer them promptly.
Enjoy and stay healthy.
What is the story “Legend of the Dark Elf” about?
For some, it is grandiose fantasy, for others, it borders on occultism, extending to esoteric stories with dark components related to traditional esotericism, magic, or black magic. “Legend of The Dark Elf” is a story that unfolds in a complex, detail-rich fantasy universe full of adventure, dark epochs, terrible events, and epic heroes of light and darkness.
At the heart of this saga is the legendary forest kingdom of Aereathor, home to the Dark Elves, who take on the leading role. Their history and traditions are brought to life by a massive catastrophe that shook the kingdom in the past and allowed it to rise again in new, magical splendor.
But this vast world and its inhabitants are more than just a fantastic stage for entertainment. It is a reflection of the conflicts and the duality of good and evil, light and shadow, that shape all of our lives. The characters, whose adventures and stories we only hint at here, not only experience fantastic, dark, or tragic events. Their experiences also reflect ancient wisdom and insights that we often overlook in our daily lives and history.
“Legend of The Dark Elf” is more than just a story, it’s not just a narrative that one experiences with simple enthusiasm – it’s a journey into a world that is both foreign and familiar, full of secrets waiting to be discovered. It is a journey into a world that lies within all of us, often hidden, but present in our deep imagination and gladly ignored.
Each page of the story holds new adventures, new insights, and new questions that make us ponder and encourage us to think and question. For me personally, it has never been the purpose and goal to tell a simple story for the sake of simple entertainment. The story of Valtyr is more of an inner journey that grows with the experience in the mind and awakens within the reader and accompanies us, and perhaps even fills some readers with strength, courage, and newly gained pride.
A world of numerous inhabitants and mysteries, showing us how in the darkest and deepest abyss a spark can ignite into new living fire, and how the brightest, steeliest light can cast the farthest shadow.
One of the test readers was asked how she would describe the story if someone asked her. For example, what would a publisher write to describe to their customers what they can expect from Valtyr? The answer was a lovely surprise, check it out:
Step into the layered world of “Valtyr – Legend of the Darkelf,” a literary masterpiece that challenges the imagination and extends the boundaries of fantasy. Set in the breathtaking realm of Aereathor, this comprehensive epic Novel merges the grandeur of epic and high fantasy with the profound depth of dark fantasy and the excitement of an adventure novel into an experience that will linger in your memory.
At the heart of this work is the epic narrative that unfolds in Aereathor, a realm rich in history and cultural diversity. Here, you’ll discover a world that in its scale and detail pays homage to the legendary tales of Tolkien. Yet, “Valtyr” in my opinion goes even further, interweaving classic high fantasy with elements of dark fantasy, imbuing the narrative fabric with themes of power, evil hatred, and almost depressive inner conflicts. These dark themes provide a stark contrast to moments of goodness and inner strength that are also central to the story.
Central to this world are the Dark Elves, quintessential figures who form the core of the narrative. But they are not alone. Witches, dragons, spirits, beings from ethereal dimensions, brutal barbarians, demonic forces, devils, and countless other creatures populate this rich and diverse world. Each of these beings brings its own unique presence and perspective to the story, making “Valtyr” a true kaleidoscope of fascinating characters and creatures.
The allegory and mythopoesie of the novel are equally captivating. The story of Valtyr, the Dark Elf, is more than just a sequence of fantastical events; it’s a profound reflection on larger, real-world themes and experiences. The reader is invited to think beyond the depicted conflicts and characters, drawing parallels to their own experiences and beliefs. Simultaneously, “Valtyr” is marked by its mythopoetic creation, with its own mythology that transports readers to a world both ancient and refreshingly new.
The adventure in “Valtyr” is breathtaking. From perilous journeys through uncharted lands to heroic confrontations with formidable foes, you’ll experience a story that makes the heart of every adventure lover beat faster. The protagonist Valtyr, a character with whom you can identify on a deep, personal level, leads you through this dangerous yet fascinating world. His journey is not just one of external discoveries but also of internal enlightenment and transformation.
In “Valtyr – Legend of the Darkelf,” a world unfolds that is simultaneously dark, evil, and brutal, yet also profound, brave, and full of love. This story is not just a testament to creativity but also a living proof of the enduring allure and transformative power of fantasy storytelling. If you have been thrilled by what you’ve learned about Valtyr so far, then stay tuned, as there is so much more exciting and crazy stuff to come. Join us on this unforgettable journey into the world of “Valtyr – Legend of the Darkelf.”
What characters are there?
There are many, too many to list in detail here, but you can be sure that there is something for every lover of epic fantasy and dark to terrifying genres. You will definitely encounter elves, high elves, dark elves, dwarves, ghosts, humans, monsters, witches, vampire-like creatures, ethereal entities, light beings, goblin-like forest dwellers, dragons, and much, much more.
Is there a planned sequel or series?
There will be a series. The complexity of the world, its inhabitants, and the story in its entirety are too extensive to unfold in a single publication.
Where, when, and how can you buy or read the book?
The exact date will be announced here on the website and on social media. This is not yet 100% confirmed, but the aim was to make the first material available to the public beginning/mid. of 2024. We are also still considering whether we will exclusively deliver a bound physical copy of the book or also publish it in digital form.
If you wish, we can also keep you up to date via email. On the homepage, for example, you can easily sign up for the newsletter (Don’t worry, we won’t send you any nonsensical spam).
Will there be fan merchandise?
Oh absolutely, it is not yet completely certain what types of items there will be, but there will definitely be T-shirts with very cool designs that will remind you of various metal music band shirts. We will expand the range according to our own discretion and the requests and, of course, we always welcome your feedback.
How can you get updates or news?
It’s simple, by following our social media sites or signing up for our newsletter. All you need is your name and email address. As already emphasized, we will only keep you updated when necessary and will not send you any recurring nonsensical advertising.
You can find the straightforward registration form directly on the homepage. If you have any problems or don’t know what to do, feel free to send us a message via our contact form.
Why don’t you follow me on Instagram?
Please never take it personally if I don’t follow someone. It’s not meant personally and should not be interpreted as a negative sign in any way. I’m busy on many fronts, and I don’t notice every follower right away, or it may be that the profile is simply not the right fit for me and my feed, what I see now when I open Instagram.
It also doesn’t matter to me how many followers you have or whether your account is “Famous” or “Important.” Conversely, I don’t expect this either, and I’m in exactly the same situation, following great accounts that don’t follow me back. It’s okay! 😉
How is the art around Valtyr created?
The creation of the “artworks” ranges from very simple to very complex. Almost all images are based on photography, which we then take to the next level with the help of AI and prompt engineering. All characters and images have sprung from our own ideas and imaginations and have been continuously refined with the influx of external impressions, such as Black Metal music and other dark legends, for example.
However, the AI results are not the end of the process, we use a lot of Photoshop and add our own touches for further individualization to work out the results according to our ideas and give them the final polish. This work process is repeated countless times until the result matches the expectations.
Almost the same applies to the poems and music (except the AI part) that we create ourselves to give atmosphere and depth to animations or images that we post, for example. So anyone who thinks this is “art” that is simply poured out of a magic hat at the push of a button is mistaken.
Software Tools used include: Photoshop, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, Blender, ZBrush, Lightroom, After Effects, Logic Pro.
Hardware: Camera Sony Alpha III, Mac Studio M2 Ultra with a LG UltraGear 48GQ900-B.
What music and bands have influenced you?
This question has actually come up more often than one might suspect. As I’ve already mentioned, old-school Black Metal is part of it, but I’ve never been someone who has stuck to one particular style.
What types of music do I enjoy? Metal in general, Black Metal, Death Metal, Darkwave, Gothic, classical music, and sometimes even electronic music or Hip-hop. Whether or not all of this fits together doesn’t matter to me. Black & Death Metal, however, are a part of my daily life that I wouldn’t want to be without.
As for bands, some examples would be: Marduk, Burzum, Lorna Shore, Summoning, Belphegor, Dark Throne, Vomitory, Slipknot, Vader, Behemoth, Dark Oath, Immortal Myrkur, Menhir, Orbit Culture, Equilibrium, Beast in Black, Iron Maiden… Oh God, there are many more great artists for me that I can’t list all here.
Of course, that’s not all. Music plays a very significant role in my life, but there are also other influences that have shaped me over the years. For example, since my childhood, anything related to J.R.R. Tolkien and ‘Lord of the Rings’ has been a major influence, not to mention the films. Added to that are movies like Star Wars, which I used to watch on VHS, old-school horror films, and computer games like World of Warcraft.
The list of influences that have shaped me throughout my life is extremely long, and it doesn’t stop at films, games, or music. It extends to the occult and even to mythical tales and stories of ancient indigenous peoples.
Do you offer custom artwork for other projects or individuals, such as musicians?
Yes and no! Everything that revolves around Valtyr and the art is a hobby project and not a main source of income. This means that I only accept projects or art requests if time permits and I can afford the effort, and sometimes I already do, but I will give a separate update on this. Maybe this project will become my profession someday, who knows? 😉
This list will be updated as more questions arise, and if you have any questions, feel free to write us a few lines. I am looking forward and thank you for all your wonderful support which I appreciate very much, along with the wonderful people I have been able to meet through this project.
See you soon,
