Welcome to my little corner of the internet map, where I bring you worlds like Ermaeyth, Atar, and the Olympus Space Station.
This isn’t a newsletter. It’s a place for stories riddled with human moments inside rotting institutions, who run the gamut of emotions from lust to anger, where some people’s darker aspects affect everyone. Stories are told from all walks of life: the heroes and villains, the noble and the dregs, and sometimes gods and all-powerful entities.
This is home.
I’m the author of the Dark Legacy Series, a character-driven, grimdark epic spanning the world of Ermaeyth, recounting the tales of powerful mages, bloodlusting Krey berserkers, assassins of The Atramentous Order, officers of the Grand Royal Army, maniacal politicians, and the divine. But there are more than these common folk lurking in forgotten corners of the globe; some are gods with their own designs, twisting mortals to free them.
At the heart of this world, and the planned, eight book series, is the rohg'heras: the god-stones, or in the common tongue: brimstones. If one falls into the wrong hands, the devastation could be unfathomable; with all of them together, they hold the power of all creation. This world comes with complex allegiances, vicious betrayals, moral dilemmas, mutinies, and the bloodiest war in generations.
What can you expect from The Dark Legacy Series?
Tone and Pacing—As a reviewer once said on Goodreads, "Belote’s writing style is a mix of Joe Abercrombie’s rough, real-world feel and George R.R. Martin’s large, epic storytelling." Some aspects of the story will clip along at a break-neck speed, while the larger story simmers at a slow-burn like Breaking Bad. All good things for those who wait ...
Robust Characters and Relationships—dive deep into distinct characters who struggle with their inner demons while navigating a ruthless world. Some decisions are easy to make, but it's the hard choices that shape a person and world. Every friendship is a potential enemy, and every romantic entanglement could be deadly.
Multiple POVs—Follow men and women from all walks of life and ages; this tale covers magical and non-magical alike, antagonist and protagonists, those born of noble and the commoner classes.
Global Aspect—While the first portion of the story is set on one side of the world, more cultures and destinations are explored in the latter books, showcasing strange cultures and customs. From the mountainous city of Ralloc, to the glittering shores of Golden City, or across the oceans to the distant shores of the reclusive Kran Empire, or the seat of The Atramentous Order in the ancient city of Merlul, there’s something for everyone.
War Front—Not everything can be solved in the political arena, and that's when you send in your best. Whether tackled from a grand scale of invading forces, or at the street level with a squad, when war comes, you answer the call. Dragons might rule the sky, but on the ground, the Krey are the lethal protectors.
Divinity Influences—The gods may not directly influence the workings of mortals, but their instruments and harbingers certainly can. The Lord of the Underworld has tasked his remnants to breach the pall to the World of the Living. While considered an ethereal threat, the waking of a god certainly can't be. There’s one other entity that weaves in and out of everyone's lives: the enigmatic Time Warden, and she keeps her plans to herself.
If you’re still unsure about hopping into this story, check out the reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. There’s far more on the former than the latter. It’s my sincerest wish to get these last five books out as quickly as possible. In the meantime, I have other books available for you to read: the Maro Prakk Novella Series, and the Warmaster Series. I hope you pick up a copy and enjoy one of my many worlds.
What Else to Expect:
This Substack isn’t just for DLS.
I also write:
The Maro Prakk Novella Series—A dusty, brutal saga where The Witcher meets Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven. One man rids Atar of the filth, and trail justice requires two things: a strong constitution for violence, and a loaded gun.
The Warmaster Series—A tactical sci-fi with a few fantasy twists along the way. Expect a wider world of space travel, cagey command structures, political maneuvering, renegades, and civilians caught up in the mix. Whatever the case, finding a new home isn’t guaranteed, but it’s on the priority list.
And more in development...
The Threshold: Tiers of Access
You can read this Substack for free. But like the Atramentous Order, the deeper contracts require dedication.
Free Tier
Public posts and monthly reports
Release announcements
Occasional mood drops and updates
Good for following from a distance.
The Black Tide (Paid Tier – $5/mo or $50/yr)
Access to private posts, concept drops, and the occasional character render
Behind-the-scenes breakdowns of characters, scenes, and lore
Unreleased or cut chapters, narrative experiments, and developmental thoughts
Live Events, character deep dives, & more.
You get closer to the fire, but you don’t get burned.
Ko-don (Founder Tier – $150/yr)
All Black Tide access
Priority response to questions, commentary, or lore inquiries
Monthly “ask me anything” threads for Founders only
The occasional scene breakdown, alternate fragment, or unseen moment—delivered like a secret.
Access to select ebooks from the archives—quietly gifted, never advertised.
On rare nights, the vault opens briefly, revealing unpublished scenes, early drafts, discarded chapters, forbidden fragments, or stories not yet published—for Ko-don eyes only.
Read freely. Support if you can. Join Ko-don if you're ready to go to war.