Main Plot: Josiah

As seen in

Plot points/Scenes

Act One: Josiah Ward is at Guardian Solace looking for answers to his recurring vision. As the third son of the Earl of Hawkport, he is mostly left alone to pursue his interests. He has met Grisolda, the cook of Guardian Solace, who mother's him despite the class difference. She encourages him not to give up hope. Josiah finds the manuscript from his vision and takes the Oath of Grace to become humanity's Guardian.

Act Two: Josiah begins to read out of The Doomsday Codex. The stories terrify him and make him wonder if he's doing the right thing by reading these stories. While he steps away long enough for some food and some rest when his body demands it, his honor won't let him break the Oath he took, so he returns to reading The Doomsday Codex. With each story, it becomes a part of him and the world outside takes on a new and terrifying reality.

Act Three: Josiah Ward finishes reading The Doomsday Codex and his recurring vision comes true. The apocalypse has truly started. Josiah must fully step into his role as Guardian of Caelum Prime to save what's left of the Human race. With the help of Junius Salmon, the butler of Guardian Solace, Josiah arms himself and braves the dust rain to fight Eaters, to bring who he can back to Guardian Solace.

Act Four: Josiah, along with the survivors, train and fight Eaters. During one attack, Josiah is reunited with his parents and brothers. Josiah learns about the Frontier Pathfinders from Lysander, who urges Josiah to lead everyone to Starlight Valley. Josiah, unwilling to take the risk, chooses to remain at Guardian Solace. But this leads to an assault by Eaters, Gloombringers, and Vampyres. Ultimately, Guardian Solace is burnt to the ground and Josiah's mother dies.

Themes

Theme is darkness and how there is always hope. This will be shown through the darkness in the stories, whether it's literal darkness or emotional darkness. By the end, light will be shown, one way or another.

Components

Goals

Josiah wants to find the manuscript from his vision. As he becomes Guardian and the apocalypse starts he wants to save as many as he can.

Hooks

Josiah is about to give up but Grisolda gives him the push he needs to keep looking for the answers he's been pursuing. Her faith in him as well as the support of Junius Salmon helps him keep going and become a good Guardian.

Stakes

If Josiah doesn't take the Oath, he dies before he can even read the stories out of the manuscript. If he stops reading or falls in combat, then the Eaters will overrun the Human race, bringing victory for the Gloombringers.

Backdrops

Locations

All over Caelum Prime. One story takes place on Nisa, while another story takes the reader through the Night Lands Portal and into The Night Lands. Josiah's story will take place in and around Guardian Solace.

Date

Year 3000 AS

Plot type

Book Overview

Subplots

• 01. Plagued
• 02. Princess Hunt
• 03. Eyes Behind
• 04. Mysterious Song
• 05. The Diary
• 06. The Other Life
• 07. Mother Knows Best
• 08. Express Death
• 09. A Dark Smile
• 10. The Hanging Tree
• 11. The Phantom Door
• 12. Obligation
• 13. Gone Wrong
• 14. The Tower
• 15. The Hand that Feeds
• 16. Sky High
• 17. The Whispering Expanse
• 18. Calibridge Citadel
• 19. Come Again
• 20. Nemesis
• 21. Twilight's Heritage
• 22. Faith and Vampyres
• 23. A Hallows' House
• 24. Bridal Bridge
• 25. When the Wind Blows
• 26. Shipwrecked
• 27. Train Forty-Two
• 28. Serial Illumination
• 29. The Broken Society
• 30. Shadows Disentombed

Related Characters

• Alexis
• Artemus Ward
• Chauncy Ward
• Gaylord Ward
• Grace Ward
• Grisolda Marsh
• Josiah Ward
• Junius Salmon
• Keturah
• Lysander Nethersole
• Marcus

Related Organizations

• Commonwealth of Edria
• Frontier Pathfinders

Related Locations

• Caelum Prime
• Guardian Solace
• Hawkport Mansion
• Nisa
• Starlight Valley