The Darkwater Legacy

“The Darkwater Legacy” is fantasy book series by author Cris Wooding. It first book “The Ember Blade”is published in 2018. The series will countian 3 books.

The Ember Blade
The Shadow Casket
The Darkwater Legacy Book 3

The story is an extended and epic fantasy.

The story is a vast and epic fantasy saga that follows a group of characters on their journey.
The events of The Ember Blade take place mainly in the conquered land of Ossia, which has been invaded and destroyed by the Krodan Empire.

The only Ossians who are still alive and not imprisoned are those who bow to the Krodans and follow their rules. They raise and indoctrinate their children to believe that the Krodans are saviors and that everything they invent is superior to Ossian craftsmanship.

Among them is the main protagonist, Aren, who grows up dreaming of becoming a worthy Krodan.

Aren is raised according to the laws and principles of the Krodan Empire. He believes in their god and rejects everything related to his ancestors. His entire life follows the Krodan code of conduct. But when his father is accused of treason and executed before his eyes, Aren is sent to a labor camp where every day is a struggle for survival.

His best friend Cade shares his fate, though his only “crime” was trying to protect Aren from the authorities. Cade, who grew up hearing tales of Ossia’s former greatness, knows well the harsh reality of slavery. To him, everything about the Krodans is a lie, and he despises the Empire.

When a group of resistance fighters frees them from the camp, Aren begins to realize that behind Kroda’s pursuit of “order” lies something much darker. Soon, he decides to fight back — and gets the chance to do so.

Aren and his companions become part of a daring plan: to infiltrate an impregnable fortress and steal the legendary Ember Blade — an ancient artifact said to inspire the Ossians to rise up. They manage to pull off the heist, but pay a heavy price and suffer terrible losses.

Nations and Peoples

Kroda

A conquering empire built upon a cult of order, discipline, and faith.
Its society is strictly hierarchical — men serve, women are homemakers, and religion justifies submission.
Kroda represents fanaticism and collective thinking.
They command monstrous creatures known as Dreadknights, which strike terror into all who face them.

Ossia

Once a great and free nation, now conquered by Kroda.
It symbolizes individuality, freedom of speech, and personal choice.
The people are divided: some have submitted to the Krodans, while others have been slain, enslaved, or fight in the resistance.
The main character Aren is Ossian, though raised under Krodan law.

The Wild Tribes

Independent clans living in the harsh northern lands.
They are riddled with internal conflicts and rivalries, which makes uniting them difficult.
Known for their strength and resilience — as well as their distrust of outsiders.

The Druids

A magical order possessing ancient knowledge and mystical powers tied to nature and the old faiths.
They worship the Nine Gods — the forgotten deities of the old world.

The Saardi

A peaceful, nomadic people subjected to systematic genocide by the Krodans.

The Skarl

A relatively primitive tribe that worships the God of Bones, who judges their deeds.
They record their achievements as tattoos across their bodies.
Grab is a member of the Skarl.