BEYOND REDEMPTION (Manifest Delusions #1)

• Genre: Epic Dark Fantasy. The term grimdark has also been used.

• Publisher: HARPER Voyager

• Publishing Date: June, 2015

• Editor: David Pomerico

• BEYOND REDEMPTION on GoodReads.

• Received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

“Set in a world where madness equates to power, Michael R. Fletcher’s Beyond Redemption is often as nightmarish as it is fascinating. An alarming, original and compulsive tale laced with a blackly comic sensibility. Highly recommended.”

—Anthony Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of Blood Song

———-

“The journey is dark and emotionally taxing, but there aren’t many fantasy novels as smart, ambitious, and excellently written as this one.”

— Booklist

———-

Faith shapes the landscape, defines the laws of physics, and makes a mockery of truth. Common knowledge isn’t an axiom, it’s a force of nature. What the masses believe is. But insanity is a weapon, conviction a shield. Delusions give birth to foul new gods.

Violent and dark, the world is filled with the Geisteskranken—men and women whose delusions manifest, twisting reality. High Priest Konig seeks to create order from chaos. He defines the beliefs of his followers, leading their faith to one end: a young boy, Morgen, must Ascend to become a god. A god they can control.

But there are many who would see this would-be-god in their thrall, including the High Priest’s own Doppels, and a Slaver no one can resist. Three reprobates—The Greatest Swordsman in the World, a murderous Kleptic, and possibly the only sane man left—have their own nefarious plans for the young god.

As these forces converge on the boy, there’s one more obstacle: time is running out. When one’s delusions become more powerful, they become harder to control. The fate of the Geisteskranken is to inevitably find oneself in the Afterdeath. The question, then, is:

Who will rule there?

THE MIRROR’S TRUTH (Manifest Delusions #2)

• Genre: Grimdark/Dark Fantasy.

• Publisher: Some crazy dude.

• Publishing Date: December, 2016

• Editors: Kristopher Neidecker, Tim Marquitz, Bob Fletcher

• THE MIRROR’S TRUTH on GoodReads.

• TMT won an r/Fantasy STABBY award for Best Indie/Self-Published Novel of 2016.

Pitch black humour, magically enhanced insanity and brutality cranked up to eleven. Highly recommended.

—Anthony Ryan, bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow series.

Michael Fletcher’s MANIFEST DELUSIONS is the grimdarkest of grimdark, a filthy, rotting, fascinating world full of intriguing psychotics. There’s nothing else in the genre quite like it.

—Django Wexler, author of The Shadow Campaigns series.

Where belief defines reality, delusions are both strength and curse: The deeper you sink into madness the more powerful you become. But that power comes with a price. Your darkest nightmares hunt you at night. The face in the mirror hates you and wants to be free. Your fears manifest and plot your destruction.

———-

Bedeckt defined himself by the list of crimes he was unwilling to commit. It was such a short list. How could straying from it have gone so wrong?

Now Bedeckt must undo the damage caused by wandering from his precious list. The Geborene god seeks to remake the world with his obsessive need for cleanliness and perfection, but Bedeckt is going to bring him down. Nothing can stop him. Not even death.

The two friends he abandoned in the Afterdeath chase after Bedeckt, bent on revenge. Psychotic assassins hunt him. Something cold and evil follows, lurking in the clouds above, shredding reality with its delusions. Madness and sanity war, stretching and tearing the very fabric of existence.

The dead shall rise.

A WAR TO END ALL (Manifest Delusions #3)

• Genre: Grimdark/Dark Fantasy.

• Publisher: MRF Books Corp.

• Publishing Date: December, 2016

• Editors: Kristopher Neidecker, Tim Marquitz, Bob Fletcher

• A WAR TO END ALL on GoodReads.

A war, then. A war of our own. A war for perfection and cleanliness and order.

A war to end suffering.

A war to end filth and disease.

A war to end immorality and injustice.

A war to end blasphemy.

The last war this world would ever see.

A war to end all.

REVIEWS:

“The epitome of grimdark fantasy; a bloodbath of irredeemable characters and terrifying monsters duking it out in a delusional world covered in muck. If you call yourself a fan of the sub-genre, this series is a necessity. My Top Read of 2023.” –FANFI ADDICT.COM

“The brilliance of delusional writing of Michael Fletcher had me in awe. I don’t know why I cried at the end of this book though.” –The ️LIBROCUBICULARIST

“Within the insanity, the despair, the visceral violence, there is humour. It’s snarky, wry and incredibly well-observed. You laugh. Then stop yourself and think, I shouldn’t be laughing at that.” –Phil Parker (author of The Bastard From Fairyland)

“Holy Geisteskraken’s balls, that was bloody brilliant.” –Alan Behan

SWARM AND STEEL

• Genre: Grimdark/Dark Fantasy.

• Publisher: Talos.

• Publishing Date: Aug 22, 2017

• Editors: Bradley Englert, Oren Eades

• SWARM AND STEEL on GoodReads.

Zerfall awakens in an alley, wounded and unable to remember her past. Chased by an assassin out into the endless wastes of the desert, she is caught, disfigured, and left for dead. Her scabbard is empty, but the need for answers—and the pull of her sword—will draw her back to the city-states.

When Jateko, a naïve youth, accidentally kills a member of his own tribe, he finds himself outcast and pursued across the desert for his crimes. Crazed from dehydration, dying of thirst and hunger, he stumbles across Zerfall.

Hunted by assassins and bound by mutual need, both Zerfall and Jateko will confront the Täuschung, an ancient and deranged religion ruled by a broken fragment of Zerfall’s mind. Swarm, the Täuschung hell, seethes with imprisoned souls, but where gods—real or imagined—meddle in the affairs of man, the cost is high.

In Swarm and Steel, the power of belief can manifest and shape reality, and for political and religious leaders, faith becomes a powerful tool. But the insane are capable of twisting reality with their delusions as well, turning increasingly dangerous as their sanity crumbles. It is here that a long prophesied evil will be born, an endless hunger.

MAP OF THE MANIFEST DELUSIONS WORLD

CAST OF PLAYERS

Aresehole: Bedeckt’s last horse.

Arg Groß: A very tall Swordsman in Unbrauchbar.

Ärgerlich: Wichtig’s first horse, a white stallion purchased in Selbsthass.

Bedeckt Imblut: Warrior, liar, thief, killer.

Blöd: Wichtig’s second horse.

Blutiger Affekt: The Greatest Swordsman in Unbrauchbar.

Bulle: Geborene Geisteskranken. A rare breed of Therianthrope, Bulle partially twisted into a huge horned bull and forever retained that form.

Dieb Schmutzig: King of the city-state of Gottlos.

Drache: Geborene priestess. Therianthrope dragon.

Eleve: Minor Hassebrand. Priestess of the Geborene Damonen. Lover of Gehirn.

Erdbehüter: Geborene Priestess and Wahnist.

Fassbar Einfach: Philosopher.

Faulfett: Gottlos guard at the tower by the Flussrand River bridge.

Fluch Lügner: Son of Wichtig.

Gehirn Schlechtes: Morgen’s favoured Hassebrand. Priestess of the Geborene Damonen.

Geil: Drunkard in a tavern in Unbrauchbar.

General Misserfolg: Commanding officer of Morgen’s troops.

Geschichts Verdreher: Historian/Philosopher.

GrasGott: God of the GrasMeer tribes.

Halber Tod: Cotardist Poet.

Im Spiegel: Mirrorist.

Kleriker: Wahnvor Stellung Priest.

Kriegsgetier: Bedeckt’s horse in the Afterdeath.

Langsam Brechen: Philosopher.

Launisch: Bedeckt’s warhorse (in Beyond Redemption).

Lebendig Durchdachter: Swordswoman in Neidrig.

Morgen: The Ascended god-child of the Geborene.

Opferlamm: Wichtig’s apprentice.

Opportun: Verzweiflung Banking Conglomerate Historian.

Pfeilmacher: Wahnist Author.

Prächtig: Zukunft’s horse.

Reinigen: Barmaid at the Leichtes Haus Tavern in Selbsthass City. In the world of the living.

Richter Kritik: Editor of the Geldangelegenheiten Literary Review.

Ross: Lebendig Durchdachter’s horse.

Rückkehr: Mirrorist, in the Afterdeath, who believes his mirror connects the land of the living to the Afterdeath.

Säufer: Drunkard in a tavern in Unbrauchbar.

Schnitter: Körperidentität and resident questioner/torturer at the tower guarding the bridge at the Flussrand River.

Schwermut: Ausgebrochene tribal Salbei (witch doctor).

Schwert–Poesi: Swordswoman Poet

Stehlen Siealles: Violent Kleptic.

Sturm: Opferlamm’s horse.

Umtrieb: Gefahrgeist Scientist.

Ungeist: (Wahnist) Holy Exorcist of the Geborene. Thinks demons lurk in the souls of all people. He forces the demons out. And they claw their way free.

Vergangene: Zukunft’s sister.

Verwirrung: Geldangelegenheiten City Guard.

Vornig: Wahnvor Stellung Priest, Müll Loch.

Vorstellung: Natural Philosopher.

Wichtig Lügner: Greatest Swordsman in the World and minor Gefahrgeist.

Zerfall Seele: Gefahrgeist, Founder of the Täuschung.

Zukunft: Young Mirrorist who thinks she can see flashes of the future.

GEISTESKRANKEN (THE DELUSIONAL)

Attonitatic: Hears two voices – one (on the left) says to do good things, the other (on the right) says to do evil.

Befallen: (Ekbom’s Syndrome): Believe they are infested with parasites, bugs, or insects crawling on or under the skin.

Capgrast (Caprgras Syndrome): Believe a relative or spouse has been replaced by an impostor (often demonic in nature).

Comorbidic (Comorbidity): A person with multiple delusions that have reached the manifestation stage. Comorbidity often marks the final days of a Geisteskranken as it signifies an increasingly decaying mental state.

Cotardist (Cotard’s Syndrome): Believe they are dead. Often combined with the belief they are rotting or missing internal organs.

Doppelgangist (Syndrome of Subjective Doubles): Believe a double of themselves is carrying out independent actions.

Dysautonomic (Familial Dysautonomia): Insensitive to pain. Can’t be hurt. Often wound themselves by mistake.

Dysmorphic (Dysmorphic Syndrome): These folks are overly worried about a perceived defect in their physical features. They want to look different so badly their appearance actually changes. Due to their obsession, they are unable to see the changes and still think themselves defective. Many believe they are so unspeakably hideous they are unable to interact with others. This will eventually spiral out of control. Most Dysmorphics eventually withdraw from society and end in suicide. Many become abnormally thin, muscled, large-breasted, or exaggerated specimens of physical perfection…in one area.

Fregolist (Fregoli Delusion): Believe various people are actually the same person in disguise.

Gefahrgeist (Sociopath): Sociopaths lack empathy (the ability to feel for the pain and suffering of others) and morality. They are driven by their need to achieve and rule in social circles. Look to any position of power, religious, political, or otherwise, and you will find a Gefahrgeist.

Geisteskranken (Delusionist): Reality is responsive to the beliefs of humanity. Under normal circumstances it requires large numbers of people—all believing the same thing—to affect change. The more people who believe something, the more real their belief becomes. Geisteskranken are capable of believing something so utterly and completely—are insane enough—to affect noticeable changes in reality all by themselves. Most are only mildly neurotic and can cause minor or subtle changes. The truly powerful are also that much more deranged.

Getrennt: (Depersonalization Disorder): Disconnected from one’s body, detached from own thoughts and feelings. Disconnected from reality. These folks often feel as if they live in a dream state (some will deny reflection in a mirror is theirs, and can be confused with Mirrorists. Some have out-of-body experiences. Depression, low self-esteem, panic attacks, self-harm, and extreme phobias often result. Some feel as though time is ‘passing’ them by and they are not in the notion of the present. Getrennt are also often comorbidic and suffer from Unwirklichkeit (Derealization).

Halluzin (Hallucinations): These folks are capable of manifesting hallucinations in one or more senses. Minor Halluzin might just cause people to smell whatever the Geisteskranken is thinking about. Powerful Halluzin can hallucinate in all five senses and twist local reality.

Hassebrand (Pyromaniac): Set fires as an outlet for their repressed rage and loneliness.

Intermetic (Syndrome of Intermetamorphosis): Believe people swap identities with each other while maintaining the same appearance.

Inverse Square Law: (Inverse Square): The further one gets from a Geisteskranken, the weaker the effect of their delusions. Stand next to a Gefahrgeist, and you’ll soon be desperate to be their best friend. View that same Gefahrgeist from a safe distance, and you’ll see them for the manipulative arse they are. As a Geisteskranken’s mental state decays—and their delusions gain in strength—the range of that power increases, but the inverse square law still applies. There are rare exceptions, where the Geisteskranken’s delusions pertain specifically to distant objects.

Kleptic (Kleptomaniac): Are compelled to steal things (usually of little or no value). They are often not even aware they’ve committed the theft.

Körperidentität: Body Integrity Disorder: The belief life would be so better as an amputee. The feeling is accompanied by the actual urge to amputate one or more healthy limbs to actually follow through on those feelings.

Krankheit: (Somatoform Disorder): Believe they are always sick and or injured to the point that they are. Extreme cases believe they have lost bodily functions—they might become blind, deaf, numb, or paralysed due to their delusions. These folks are often comorbidic and Dysmorphic as well, believing a limb is particularly weak and withering.

Macropic: (Macropsia): Objects are perceived to be larger than they are…and so they become larger. This could apply to a person, limb, or object of any type. A spider can be seen to be the size of a house. Run! These folks are responsible for many of the world’s monsters. This is sometimes combined with Micropesia.

Mass Delusion: (Mass Delusion): Some Geisteskranken are capable of convincing the sane masses of all manner of craziness. Typically the stolid beliefs of the sane masses counteract the delusions of the insane. There are however exceptions to that rule. If a Geisteskranken gains followers at a slow enough rate, they can effectively create a new normal. The beliefs of the Geisteskranken become the beliefs of the masses. This is particularly common with the smarter Slaver-type Gefahrgeist. Erbrechen (the Slaver in Beyond Redemption) is a perfect example. In these cases, the belief of the masses actually supports the Geisteskranken increasing their ability to twist reality and the range of that ability.

Mehrere (Schizophrenic): Are so sure they are more than one person…they actually are! The various people they become can have wildly varying physical and mental traits. The truly deranged can be an entire crowd of people; either one at a time, or all at once.

Micropic: (Micropsia: Objects are perceived to be smaller than they are…and so they become smaller. This could apply to a person, limb, or object of any type. These folks can shrink you down to the size of an ant or turn your home into a doll-house. This is sometimes combined with Micropesia.

Mirrorist (Catoptrophobia): Some believe the reflection in a mirror is someone other than themselves. Some Mirrorists believe their reflections know things, can see the future, or travel freely between different mirrors (useful for long distance communication). Others believe mirrors are portals to other worlds or dimensions. Some Mirrorists fear their reflections are trying to escape where others fear their reflections are trying to drag them into the mirror.

Narcisstic: (Narcissism): A personality disorder where the patient has an exaggerated sense of self-importance and individuality. The excessively crave attention and admiration and tend to be preoccupied by grandiose fantasies about themselves. They find interpersonal relationships difficult and tend to exploit others and lack empathy.

Phobic: Anyone suffering a strong phobia.

Somatoparaphrenic (Somatoparaphrenia): Believe one or more limbs (sometimes an entire half of their body) belongs to someone else. Often this means they have no control over that limb. In extreme cases the limb develops a ‘mind of its own’ with its own agenda.

Synesthesia: (Synesthesia): is a disorder resulting in the sufferer experiencing an alternate sense as a result of the first sense. Ex: experiencing the sense of sight as the sense of taste.

The Pinnacle: The ultimate leveller of the playing field. Embracing one’s delusions comes with a price. Sure, holding one’s emotional scars tight and constantly picking at one’s mental wounds might cause a Geisteskranken to grow in power, but embracing insanity is not healthy. As a Geisteskranken loses their grip on reality they become stronger, more able to utterly believe all manner of insane shite. As their sanity crumbles apart the range and strength of their delusions increases. Eventually, however, those delusions come to completely define that Geisteskranken’s reality. They take over. That moment, that teetering instant when delusion crushes sanity, is The Pinnacle and, for a brief instant, the Geisteskranken might become so powerful as to challenge the gods. Unfortunately (at least for them) they are no longer sane enough to do anything with that power. What happens after depends on the delusions in question. A Mirrorist might be dragged into the mirror by his reflections. The Doppelgangist might be replaced by a Doppel. The Hassebrand might incinerate themselves in an orgy of flame.

Therianthrope (Therianthropy): Believe they are possessed by (or sometimes were born with) animal spirits. Many believe they can transform partially (or completely) into their animal form.

Trichotillic: (Trichotillomania): a disorder resulting the urge to pull out hair (facial or otherwise). The ritual activity brings comfort to the afflicted.

Unwirklichkeit: (Derealization) The external world seems unreal, lacking spontaneity, depth, or emotional impact. This is most commonly a comorbidic disorder and occurs as a symptom of other disorders. This can manifest as something separating the Geisteskranken from the rest of reality. A wall of glass, thick fog, or gauzy veil are common manifestations of that separation. Sometimes the sufferer believes reality is actually just a particularly intricate play they are watching.

Wahnist: (Schizophrenia): A Form of Schizophrenia (false beliefs): Includes: believing people can hear your thoughts, that you are famous, or (falsely) believing the Geborene are out to get you.

Wendigast: (Wendigo Psychosis): An insatiable craving for human flesh. Typically the person will become a demonic monster, but still recognizable from human origins. This is more common in the tribes to the far north where every winter starvation becomes an issue. In appearance they combine the emaciation of severe starvation—along with open sores—with demonic strength. They also stink of death and decay. Some turn into massive giants, growing in strength and size as they eat. These guys have nothing to do with Chuck Wendig. I have no idea if he eats human flesh.

Wütend: (Amok, or Militant Explosive Disorder): Periods of brooding followed by a berserker killing frenzy (usually armed with a sword or knife) against people or objects. Most Wütend are killed during their frenzy or commit suicide after, but the few who survive typically have no memory of the event.

GLOSSARY

Abgeleitete Leute: Semi-mythological city populated solely by copies of a single Mehrere. This Mehrere is said to believe that he is many different people and that no two of his copies look or act the same.

Albtraum: The nightmares of man given flesh. These creatures take shapes relevant to those they haunt. They feed off the delusional and mostly attack Geisteskranken.

Aufenthalt: Independent city-state.

Auseinander: A kingdom defeated by the Sieger Clans. A Sieger Geisteskranken lost control during the Battle of Sinnlos after raising an army of the dead. The Kingdom is now populated by the raised undead and ruled by what was the strongest of the Geisteskranken’s inner demons.

Basamortuan Desert: East of the city-states.

Fehlerhafte Turm: Tavern frequented by Swordsmen and mercenaries in Selbsthass City

Flussrand River: The physical boundary defining the border between the Kingdom of Gottlos and the Theocratic Kingdom of Selbsthass.

Folgen Sienie: Small city on the eastern border of Reichweite.

Geborene Damonen: Believe that the universe was not created by the gods, that somehow it came before them, and that humanity created the gods with their desperate need to believe in something.

Ausgebrochene: Tribals living on the edge of the Gezackt Mountains, north of Auseinander. The tribal witch-doctors—Salbei—practice the art of moving their souls and possessing inanimate objects.

Geld Guard: City guard of Geldangelegenheiten.

Geldangelegenheiten: Small but extremely prosperous kingdom. Centre of the Verzweiflung Banking Conglomerate. Centre of the Täuschung.

Geldwechsler: Hats worn by members of the Verzweiflung Banking Conglomerate. Colour and size denotes rank. The darker and more somber, the larger and more uncomfortable, the higher the rank of the wearer.

Gottlos: Grubby little Kingdom run by King Dieb Schmutzig who had been the previous king’s greatest general. Dieb is a fairly powerful Gefahrgeist. Gottlos is on the verge of war with Selbsthass.

Grenzstadt: Walled city on the eastern edge of Geldangelegenheiten. Stands between the city-state and the tribes of the Basamortuan desert.

Grunlugen: Independent city-state ruled by a family of petty Gefahrgeist.

Guztia Bereganatzen: Basamurtuan legend about a man who will Ascend to godhood by devouring the world and Afterdeath, trapping all souls within himself. Translates roughly as: The All Consuming.

Kälte Mountains: Mountain range to the north of Geldangelegenheiten.

Krieger: The warrior sect of the Geborene Damonen.

Leichtes Haus: Tavern in Selbsthass City

Menschheit Letzte Imperium: The last of humanity’s great empires to fall. This entire continent had once been united under a single despotic ruler, perhaps the greatest Gefahrgeist ever to live.

Müll Loch: Birthplace of Stehlen.

Neidrig: City just beyond the north-western border of Selbsthass.

Oihal: Long flowing robes worn by most tribes.

Rand: City belonging to the Auseinander Kingdom

Reichweite: Small kingdom west of Selbsthass, beyond the free cities (including Neidrig).

Ruchlos Arms: Inn located in Neidrig

Salbei: Elder of the Ausgebrochene tribes who inhabit the edges of the Gezackt Mountains.

Salzwasser Ocean: The ocean defining the southern edge of the world

Schatten Morder: Cotardist assassins of the Geborene Damonen.

Schlammstamm: Nomadic grassland tribes whose society is based around who owns the most horses. At the centre of each tribe is a deranged shaman who thinks he can control the weather and talk to tribal ancestors.

Schlangenbeschwörer: Therianthrope snake charmers of the SumpfStamm swamp tribes found at the mouth of the Wüten River.

Schwarze Beerdigung: Tavern in Neidrig

Selbsthass City: Capital of Selbsthass. Home to Konig Furimmer, High Priest of the Geborene Damonen.

Selbsthass: Theocratic kingdom. Ruled by a reflection of Konig Furimmer, High Priest of the Geborene Damonen. Originally an independent kingdom with its own royal family, Selbsthass long ago fell under the sway of the Geborene. The strength of the religion’s faith conquered the Kingdom in a bloodless coup and the royal family stepped down.

Sinnlos: Small city located on the border of Auseinander and the lands held by the Sieger Clans. Famous only due to the fact that the final battle between the Sieger and the Auseinander occurred here.

SumpfStamm: Snake-worshipping tribes found in the swamps at the mouth of the Wüten River.

Täuschung: a dark cult worshipping deception and illusion. The ranking priests are powerful Geisteskranken, most being Halluzin.

Tiergeist: Therianthrope assassins of the Geborene Damonen.

Traurig: City in the Kingdom of Geldangelegenheiten. Birth place of Wichtig.

Unbedeutend: Backwater kingdom that’s been at war with itself for three generations.

Unbrauchbar: Small city just within the borders of the Kingdom of Gottlos.

Verrottung Loch: The worst tavern in all of Neidrig.

Verschlinger: A tribe of savages in the far north who believe they gain strength and wisdom by devouring their foes. The Verschlinger do not believe in an Afterdeath.

Verteidigung: Walled city-state to the north of Selbsthass City.

Verzweiflung Banking Conglomerate: Organized banks/money lenders based in the kingdom of Geldangelegenheiten.

Wahnvor Stellung: The largest and most powerful religion. They believe the gods are crazy. Crazy enough, in fact, that through sheer divine belief, they created the universe and everything within it. Only truly insane creatures could believe strongly enough to create something this complex. They worship the old gods that pre-date recorded history.

Glücklich Leaf: Hallucinogenic.