Crimson Court | Story Primer
Inside the Complicated Intrigue and Treachery of Amaya
Asmodeus Splash
Astaroth Splash
Azrael Splash
Beelzebub Splash
Blossom Splash
Cain Splash
Dagon Splash
Dante Splash
Duck Splash
Eamon Primer
Eiryen Splash
Gabby Splash
Gorgo Splash
Grigorious Post-Fall Splash
Grigorius Pre-Fall Splash
Ilan Splash
Isis Splash
Leviael Splash
Maelis Beast-Form Splash
Maelis Splash
Mastema Splash Peaceful
Oriana Splash
Rami Splash
Samael Sword Splash
When Jason Duck stepped off the curb in Middleburgh, a modest university town, he did not expect to get ██████ by a wayward truck and end up dropped into Empirica Sin, the setting of the controversial romantasy Crimson Court: Heart of the Demon King.
(Well, admittedly, no one would expect that, but that is indeed what happened.)
Being a genre-savvy type of guy, Gabriel -- née Duck -- thinks that he's well-prepared for what he finds in that world... but he is not. Because what he finds is a world far darker, and more dangerous, than the novel could ever have conveyed. Gabriel must learn to navigate the treacherous Crimson Court and its even more treacherous cousin, the Blood Game... and part of that is coming to understand that some personalities, events and cultural quirks are infinitely more fun to read about than they are to experience.
Main Cast
Okay, this one time I read a book about someone falling into a book they were reading (and by one time I mean "a lot of times" but that's embarrassing). Now I've gone and fallen into a book I was reading. That makes me wonder, is there some other world where someone was reading about me reading about people falling into books? And if so, are they going to fall into that book? ...and would that book just put them in my hometown? ...can you fall into a book that someone fell into in a book you just read?
That's a lot to think about. I'm gonna go lie down.
Gabriel Shaen
Concern about the lessons of the past and of honor are duly noted... but that is the way of scholars and Caelestise. The lessons learned by the mistakes of others mean nothing to me. "Honor," as defined by the world beyond my borders, means even less. The paths of fear walked by cowards do not bind me, and honor does not shield the throat when Great Beasts gather to tear it out.
This is not Astrum. Remember that.
And, before issuing warnings, remember who you're speaking to.
Samael Asther
The Court is a living thing - a predator that stalks any courtier with a mind to advancement. You'll need to outthink it - to learn its patterns and its desires, the things it hungers for. You must also learn to hunt, yourself. This world is made of light and shadow; use the shadows for protection, and the light to guide your path.
And remember... the court is duplicitous. This advice is honest... but it is dangerous to assume I'm telling the truth, or that I'm "right." Particularly me. They say I was a masterful Player... but I had an advantage in those days. So, really... am I the right one to ask?
Courtiers are, by far, the most proliferate form of entertainment in all of Amaya. They're fun to provoke, fun to fuck, fun to build up, fun to ruin...
Oh, that last one did strike a nerve! True, destruction is an acquired taste for most... but I would suggest you go about acquiring it quickly. If you don't, you'll never survive the court, much less the bloody mess beneath.
In the Crimson Court, as in the world, there are only puppets and puppetmasters... and it is your choice which to be, my delicate little nobody.
Still can't stand this place. Everyone's fake, everyone's got secrets and I don't believe a goddamn word coming out of anyone's mouth. Especially the charming ones. Those are always the worst.
I feel like I've been here forever. And so far every lead ends in a dead-end alley or a shallow grave.
My goal's the same as it always was. I've just got to keep my eye where it's supposed to be. In the meantime, sure, I'll play their fucked up game. Even if it costs me everything.
Crimson Court was born from my love of 1. cheesy isekai stories & 2. stories I avoid recommending because I don't want to be responsible for upsetting people. I don't want to call this a deconstruction of romantic Isekai stories because that's pretentious and requires a lot of me. Instead I'll say I want to embrace genre tropes even while repeatedly hitting many of them with a sledgehammer. I do have a story in mind, but I haven't quite settled on the best way to tell it. I'll probably end up doing a mix of things. Because I can.
Supporting Cast
Another day, another performance of the grand spectacle that is my life! It's all very exciting (and full of many a delicious wine) but today did bring out my bitchy side, and I don't like that at all. Dagon says to stop caring about it, but that's easy for him to say. He wouldn't care about it to begin with!
Anyway, I'm going go pontificate and indulge in self-care.
Asmodeus Zanedine
As an outsider navigating this bloody court built in this realm of fire and stone, I can't help but think of the shark and the minnow. The delicate balance between predator and prey.
Chase and hide and bite and flee. A common behavior among all those who live in fear.
I do not, myself, participate. Asmodeus has extroversion and heat enough for us both.
Dagon
Yeah, here's the thing: The Court's a snake pit, and all the snakes are venomous. And that's before you get to the Blood Game - that shit is like some weird chess tournament where the loser gets their throat slit instead of just getting pissed, turning the table over, and-- What?
Oi! Quit looking at me like that, it's a normal impulse! I didn't say I did it!
Grigorius Bieloskytes
I am disappointed at your stubbornness. Yet, fortunately I am an empathetic woman. Were I not, I might tell others about the curse on your "endowmennts" cast after your poor behavior in the Halsted brothel forty years ago. As I won't, no one will learn the irony of your comically large brags, in light of your now comically small-- well, I'm sure you know.
Do contact me if you change your mind about that land.
Isis Asther
My report, as requested:
Yours in vigilance,
Leviael Kythien
I stand before you a humble man. In these centuries, I've realized the depth of my betrayal and the damage caused. My remorseful heart thanks you for granting my 500th petition to return to court. I only hope I can be of use to Amaya as I once was.
Hm, I don't know. Samael is an arrogant bastard, he may need more groveling. Revise it. Add more groveling.
Mastema Amarandos
Yes, it's true. I came here under false pretenses, instructed to investigate potential threats. There is fear in Astrum. And there should be.
There is nothing more dangerous than a well-loved tyrant.
Azrael Zielte
Moonlight Mirage - use rose-jam, cream, sugar, gold dust, mint leaves, liquid moonlight. Transluscent pudding/custard?
Astaroth's party: dragon's breath - spicy red cake
Note: Dagon talks to fish?!
Beelzebub
Ah, look at this. The layout of this flowerbed worked out extremely well! Well done, my petaled friends. A little dry on this corner... but... other than that, everything seems fine! Now, if only Amaya as a whole were so peaceful!
Blossom
It would be nice to say my work is done for society's good, but that is not true. Knowledge is a neutral weapon, wielded by anyone with the patience to learn it and the will to use it. It does not discriminate, and neither do I.
Eiryen Nesaleen
It is said that we are separated from another world - or infinite others - by a "worldveil". I believe it possible to make contact with, or even manipulate, this worldveil -- assuming it actually exists. This belief fuels my current research focus.
Oriana Tansea
The distance between myself and my father, Atria and Amaya, is more than a physical space. It is the space between self-determination and subjugation. Until I have found my own path, how can I avoid being forced onto his?
Eamon AstherGhosts of the Past
I wonder sometimes what it would be like to just disappear.
The Vanished
I'm sorry. I never remember anything anymore.
Broken Bridge
Crimson Court
Navigation Unfold the Menu!
Important Terms
The term mostly used to reference the webnovel that the protagonist, "Gabriel" (nee Duck) was dropped into. Two of the key questions of the story are, how similar is the "real" world to the one in the book, and how much can the novel's plot be changed?
A person brought into Empirica Sin through unknown means. "Isekai."
King or Queen. It technically means "head of the royal family," which is the same thing. Used in Incaendium.
The most powerful being in Incaendium and thus the defacto leader of the Realm. Currently Samael Asther.
A service position with heavy nsfw implications, koff. There are different types of hari suum, from the high status ones who are as much social hosts and companions as they are partners in carnality down to the exploited and mistreated Masi Hari. Gabrielle, our protagonist, is born into the body of a high status Hari Suum.
About the powers and abilities far beyond mortal-- anyway, powers in Empirica Sin.
The native species of Astrum. Somewhat similar in appearance (though not especially in nature... probably) to the concept of divine beings in the Otherworld.
The native species of Incaendium. They are (probably?) not literal demons in the way readers would know them. Their true species name is Sura, but an Aedvect called them Demons until it stuck.
Unlike Celestials and Demons, Mortals age and die at a pace familiar to the Otherworld. Their culture and technology shift significantly more quickly than that of Celestials or Demons.
The largest and most influential domain in Incaendium - lead by the Imperator, Samael.
The Court of Amaya, setting for the Blood Game, and the primary setting for this story!
Land of the Three Realms. A singular continent on a world of otherwise seemingly endless ocean. The Three Realms are Astrum, Gaean and Incaendium. This story is mostly focused on Incaendium, and specifically Amaya.
The Third Realm, a darkly beautiful realm and home to the Demons.
The capital of Amaya, and the city where the primary characters reside.
The capitol/royal palace of Amaya, home of the Asther family and his personal circle.
The Language of Incaendium. Still something of a work in progress.
Dictionary and Phrases. Also something of a work in progress.
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