Wraeththu Short Stories
Collections of Short Stories set within the Wraeththu Mythos by Storm Constantine and Other Writers
Short Stories
A Raven Bound with Lilies
Stories of the Wraeththu Mythos
Wraeththu – a new species or the next step in the evolution of humankind? Androgynous, and stronger in mind and body than their human predecessors, Wraeththu rose from the ruins of human civilisation to start afresh. New custodians of a battered planet, they have a choice: work and grow to become worthy custodians of the world, or succumb to the lingering humanity within them, and perish as their forerunners did. Naturally magical, often possessing unearthly beauty, and sometimes deadly, the Wraeththu have captivated readers since Storm Constantine’s first novel, The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit, was published in 1988.
Since then, the author has completed three trilogies, three novellas and numerous short stories. This anthology collects all her published Wraeththu stories into one volume, and also includes extra material, including the author’s first explorations of the androgynous race and their world, dating back to the late 1970s.
From the ‘creation story’ Paragenesis, through the bloody, brutal rise of the earliest Wraeththu tribes, when hara fought for control and power, (Pro Lucror), and on into a future where they have overcome their savage beginnings, and strange mutations are starting to emerge from hidden corners of the earth, (Painted Skin), the fifteen stories within this book explore different shades and colours of the Wraeththu world.
With sumptuous illustrations by official Wraeththu artist Ruby, as well as pictures from Danielle Lainton and the author herself, A Raven Bound with Lilies is a must for any Wraeththu enthusiast, and is also a comprehensive introduction to the mythos for those who are new to it.
Cover by Ruby
Immanion Press, 2017
Contents
The Stories
Paragenesis
Pro Lucror
Poem: The Resting Place
By the River of If Only, in the Land of Might Have Been
Beneath my Skin, a Vein of You
Poem: Battle Call of the Beast King
Clouds Like Hair
Without Weakness
A Social Incident
Painted Skin
The Elle Har
Beyond a Veil of Stars
A Tour of the House
Wraeththu Juvenilia and Curios
The First Inception
The Ruins Walker
The Lion of Oomar
A Raven Bound with Lilies
Glossary of Terms
Songs to Earth & Sky
Stories of the Seasons
Edited by Storm Constantine
Now that humankind is on the edge of extinction and the androgynous Wraeththu have inherited the earth, hara have developed their own spiritual systems, often based upon ancient beliefs that developed when humanity had been closer to the earth.
For Songs to Earth and Sky, Storm Constantine invited some of the Wraeththu Mythos writers to explore the eight seasonal festivals of the year, (plus the ninth minor celebration in early December), to dream up new beliefs and customs, new myths, new dehara – the gods of Wraeththu. These stories delve into magic, nature, the supernatural, and local folklore. As different communities develop among Wraeththu, so fresh legends spring up – or else ghosts from the inception of their kind come back to haunt them.
From the silent, snow-heavy forests of Megalithican mountains, through the lush summer fields of Alba Sulh, into the hot, shimmering continent of Olathe, Songs to Earth and Sky explores nine festivals within the Wheel of the Year, bringing its powerful spirits and landscapes to vivid life.
Nine brand new tales, including a novella, a novelette and a short story from Storm herself, and stories from Wendy Darling, Nerine Dorman, Suzanne Gabriel, Fiona Lane and E. S. Wynn.
The Deharan system of magic explored in these stories reinvents the Pagan Wheel of the Year with an androgynous focus, and will be fascinating both to fans of the Mythos and those who are new to it.
Cover by Ruby
Immanion Press, 2017
Comtents
Preface: Who and What are Wraeththu?
The Wheel of the Year and its
festivals – Storm Constantine
Arotohar – the Seasonal Cycle of the Dehara
The Calendar of Wraeththu
Natalia
Summer’s End – Fiona Lane
Rosatide
A Message in Ashes – Storm Constantine
Bloomtide
The Dreamstone – Nerine Dorman
Feybraihatide
Marked – Wendy Darling
Cuttingtide
Isangxa’s Gift – Nerine Dorman
Reaptide
The Old Fierce Pull of Blood – Storm Constantine
Smoketide
Of Promise, Of Plenty, Of Shortening Days –
Suzanne Gabriel
Shadetide
He Who Stands at the Crossroads – E. S. Wynn
Adkaya
Solarisel’s Covenant: A Sequel to Summer - Storm Constantine
Glossary of Terms
Paragenesis
Stories of the Dawn of Wraeththu
Edited by Storm Constantine & Wendy Darling
Humanity’s time is done. As a species it has ravaged the world and its own societies. From the ruins of civilisation arises a new race: Wraeththu. Androgynous, powerful and deadly, Wraeththu must rebuild or start anew. But when they are steeped in tribal warfare and gang culture – remnants of their human past – many cannot see beyond the moment, and it is up to the few who can to attempt to initiate change and growth.
Based on the world created by Storm Constantine for her Wraeththu novels, the stories in this collection are set in the very early days of Wraeththu history. Struggling to come to terms with their new condition, fighting to survive amid the hostile humans who remain, and the often equally-hostile hara of other tribes, Wraeththu must learn quickly how to master their powerful abilities or succumb to the same fate that destroyed humanity.
With an introduction by TV producer Brad Carpenter, and stories from ten writers, many of whom are well-known within Wraeththu fandom, and including a new story from Storm herself, Paragenesis expands upon the mythology of the novels, telling the stories of the prime movers whose lives altered the fate of Wraeththu for ever and the hara whose tenacity and strength helped shape the future of their race.
Featuring stories by Storm Constantine, Wendy Darling, Christopher Coyle, Fiona Lane, Maria Leel, Martina Luise Pachali, Gwyn Harper, Suzanne Gabriel, Kristi Lee and Andy Bigwood. With cover by Ruby and illustrations by Ruby, Danielle Lainton and Andy Bigwood.
Cover by Ruby
Immanion Press, 2010
Contents
Introduction – Brad Carpenter
Paragenesis – Storm Constantine
The First – Wendy Darling
A Sickle Blade – Christopher Coyle
The Dawn of Hope – Suzanne Gabriel
The Burned Boy – Gwyn Harper
Building Immanion – Martina Luise Pachali
Specimen 16 – Andy Bigwood
You Can Never Go Back – Christopher Coyle
Conservation of Momentum – Fiona Lane
Song of the Sulh – Maria J. Leel
The Rune-Throwing – Kristi Lee
Something’s Coming – Wendy Darling
Pro Lucror – Storm Constantine
The Future of our Dark, Delirious Imaginings
– Wendy Darling
Early Wraeththu Inspirations-
Storm Constantine
Para Imminence
Stories of the Future of Wraeththu
Edited by Storm Constantine & Wendy Darling
The stories in this collection explore different, intriguing aspects of Wraeththu’s possible future. Whether that is leaving the earthly realm to explore the uncharted reaches of the multiverse via the Otherlanes, raising the ancient lost continents of humanity’s myths and legends, surfing the psychic equivalent of the Internet, coming to terms with their race’s human past, or simply revisiting earlier territory where pain and disappointment might still lurk, Para Imminence offers a vibrant and colourful compendium of visions of the future of harakind.
Para Imminence features an introduction by TV producer/writer Brad Carpenter, and stories from eleven writers, some of whom are well known within Wraeththu fandom and/or have written Wraeththu Mythos novels published by Immanion Press.
Featuring stories by: Storm Constantine, Wendy Darling, Martina Bellovičová, Andy Bigwood, Victoria Copus, Suzanne Gabriel, Fiona Lane, Maria J Leel, Martina Luise Pachali, Daniela Ritter and E S Wynn.
Cover by Ruby
Immanion Press 2012
Contents
Preface – Storm Constantine
Introduction – Brad Carpenter
A Tour of the House – Storm Constantine
The Etherline – Wendy Darling
The Lakes of Lunil – Andy Bigwood
Ascension – Maria J. Leel
The Lady – Daniela Ritter
The Bridge – Martina Bellovičová
The Dehara of Navisalam – E S Wynn
The Colour of Words – Victoria Copus
Antiques – Wendy Darling
Give Us This Day – Fiona Lane
Destiny of Choice and Chance – Suzanne Gabriel
Ai-Cara 1515 – Martina Luise Pachali
The Skies of Miyacala – Andy Bigwood
Beyond a Veil of Stars – Storm Constantine
History Lesson – Maria J. Leel
Afterword: We Might Be Doomed, but That Aside -
Wendy Darling
Para Kindred
Enigmas of Wraeththu
Edited by Storm Constantine & Wendy Darling
The androgynous and mysterious Wraeththu have risen to replace humanity upon a ravaged world. This collection of tales focuses upon the enigmas that might be found within the disparate tribes – how Wraeththu could have – or will – develop in strange and unimagined ways.
The stories in this book explore different, intriguing aspects of bizarre mutations and specialisations that have arisen, hidden within the developing Wraeththu tribes and throughout the corners of the world. Shape-shifters, semi-mythological beings, or hara who have evolved in other unexpected ways, Para Kindred expands the horizons of the Wraeththu world, touching upon countries – such as those of the Far East and the African continent – that have not appeared in the Mythos before.
Para Kindred
features stories from ten writers, some of whom are well known within Wraeththu fandom and/or have written Wraeththu Mythos novels published by Immanion Press. Also included are two new stories each by Storm Constantine and Wendy Darling.
Featuring stories by: Storm Constantine, Wendy Darling, Martina Bellovičová, Ash Corvida, Nerine Dorman, Suzanne Gabriel, Fiona Lane, Maria J Leel, Daniela Ritter and E S Wynn.
Cover by Ruby
Immanion Press, 2014
Contents
Introduction – Storm Constantine
Painted Skin – Storm Constantine
Sea and Shore – Wendy Darling
Agunua – Suzanne Gabriel
Dread Kin – Fiona Lane
Wolf – E. S. Wynn
Dreamhunters – Ash Corvida
Refugium – Daniela Ritter
The River Flows – Nerine Dorman
Threads – Maria J. Leel
Dysphoria – Wendy Darling
A Matter of Honour – Martina Bellovičová
Without Weakness – Storm Constantine
Para Animalia
Creatures of Wraeththu
Edited by Storm Constantine & Wendy Darling
Para Animalia focuses upon Wraeththu’s relationship with the animal kingdom – creatures both real and imaginary.
The stories in this collection explore how various Wraeththu tribes interact with animals, have spiritual or working relationships with them, or have encountered zoological mysteries out in the world. From the wolves of frozen forests, and a har’s obsession with spiders, to the snakes of parched deserts and the hunting dogs of what was once the African plains, hara confront a strengthening natural world that is now free of humanity.
Para Animalia features stories from nine writers, some of whom are well known within Wraeththu fandom and/or have written Wraeththu Mythos novels published by Immanion Press. Also included are two new stories each by Storm Constantine and Wendy Darling.
Featuring stories by: Storm Constantine, Wendy Darling, Martina Bellovičová, Nerine Dorman, Amanda Kear, Fiona Lane, Maria J Leel, Daniela Ritter and E S Wynn.
22 b/w illustrations by Storm Constantine
Cover by Ruby
Immanion Press, 2016
Contents
Introduction – Storm Constantine
Beneath My Skin a Vein of You – Storm Constantine
The Bird Har – Wendy Darling
Running Under a Cold Moon – Nerine Dorman
The Heart’s Howl – E. S. Wynn
Liminality – Amanda Kear
Eight Legs – Daniela Ritter
Dream Dragon – Maria J. Leel
Medium Brown Dog – Fiona Lane
A Wolf in Wolf’s Clothing – Wendy Darling
Harbinger – Nerine Dorman
Two Kinds of Pain – Martina Bellovičová
Clouds Like Hair – Storm Constantine
Glossary of Terms
Para Spectral
Hauntings of Wraeththu
Edited by Storm Constantine & Wendy Darling
Hara are by nature acutely psychic, able to perceive far more beyond physical senses that humans ever could. In a haunted spot – whatever its nature, if only a lingering sense of guilt or terror from a past conflict – hara are more susceptible to witness whatever might have remained hidden to the majority of human eyes.
What ghosts might haunt a Wraeththu har? Phantoms of the dead – whether humans, hara or something else? Perhaps they perceive ‘stone tape’ memories of the past that have soaked into buildings, fields and forests to replay ancient events at certain times? They might face chaotic entities that cause havoc, or manifestations from etheric realms, beings that leak into earthly reality from the otherlanes. They could even experience inner hauntings, where a har harbours secrets of which he’s never spoken that come to plague him. All these and more manifest in Para Spectral.
Ten previously-unpublished short stories and novelettes of the eerie and uncanny from Storm Constantine, Wendy Darling, Martina Bellovičová, Nerine Dorman, Zane Marc Gentis, Christiane Gertz, Amanda Kear, Fiona Lane, Maria J. Leel and E. S. Wynn.
Includes 7 b/w illustrations by Storm Constantine.
Cover by Ruby
Immanion Press, 2018
Contents
Introduction – Storm Constantine,
The Wraeththu: A Brief Definition of Their Origin
Recalled to Life – Maria J. Leel
A Handful of Sea Coins – Nerine Dorman
The Museum – Amanda Kear
The Kinder Lie – Fiona Lane
The Hardest Hue to Hold – E. S. Wynn
The Ghost of Who I Was – Zane Marc Gentis
Winds of Vengeance – Martina Bellovičová
The Strangest Ghost of Apaley – Christiane Gertz,
The Emptiness Next Door – Storm Constantine,
Alas, What is Done in Youth – Wendy Darling
