Ingulf the Mad is the fourth book in Paul Edwin Zimmer

Paul Edwin Zimmer

Paul Edwin Zimmer , was a noted poet and author. He was also an accomplished swordsman and founding member of the Society for Creative Anachronism...

's Dark Border series. This book differs from the previous 3 as Istvan Divega is not the main character in fact he does not even make an appearance. It concentrates on Ingulf Mac Fingold and Carrol Mac Lir. It details how they met and how both got the mystic swords they now bear.

Plot

This book details the reason for Ingulf's madness and the origins of Carroll Mac Lir. We find out a considerable amount about the structure of society in the dreaded land of Sarlow be warned some of it is quite stomach turning. Making cameo appearances are Svaran the Black, Grom Beardless and Vildren as well as a certain traitor. This book is different in tempo from Paul Zimmer's other books. Due in part to the Focus on Ingulf's angst over his unrequited love for an elven princess and Vildren questioning of his long held belief systems. Interestingly we are introduced to the "Council of Seven" the ruling body that orchestrates the defence against the shadow and maintains the mystic barriers that confine them.

Key characters and realms of Ingulf the Mad

Hastur, An ancient and immensely powerful being possessing both psionic and mystical abilities, leader of the Hastur clan, the guardians of the world against the dark things. Hastur himself is never seen but his descendants are, chief amongst them is Kandol Shadow-slayer who is approximately 5000 years old.

Dark Things, evil creatures that rule the shadow, the realm founded on the mountain range of the main continent fenced in by the mystic barriers of the Hasturs.

Sarlow, A powerful realm ruled by a deadly cabal of sorcerers in league with the dark things, they venerate the Eight dark lords as gods. They are deadly enemies of the Hastur and seek to dominate the Island continent of Y'Gora. They are constantly raiding for slaves and in constant conflict with the three kingdoms and the powerful Airian Empire that controls the huge southern peninsula of Y'Gora.

Svaran, Commander of the armies of Sarlow and their deadliest warrior. He is not as skillful or as fast as Grom Beardless or as strong Vor Half Troll his lieutenants, however he wears a suit of dwarf forged plate armour that is proof against mystic Hastur and Elven swords rendering Svaran virtually invulnerable in combat. He is sometimes known as Svaran the Invincible or the Black.

Grom Beardless, a Captain of the armies of Sarlow, an exceptionally skilled warrior and deadly swordsman who is feared and respected throughout the Island continent of Y'Gora. He is acknowledged even by the sorcerers of Sarlow as their best swordsman.

Carroll Mac Lir, Most famous of the heroes of Y'gora, a former slave of the Sarlowaq he escaped and discovered the mystic sword he now bears, which was said to belong to the last great hero of the former realm now known as Sarlow before its conquest by the Sarlowaq. He has fought all along the borders of the 3 kingdoms that lie on the edges of the vast forest of demons on the Island continent of Y'Gora battling the armies of Sarlow and their allies the Norians. He has fought Svaran the invincible and Grom Beardless and lived to tell the tale.

Ingulf Mac Fingold, Hua Eliron (called Ingulf the wanderer or Ingulf the mad) is from the Island of Trey Ithir in Airian Empire. He has been to the City of the Sea Elves where men do not go, and bears a sword from the land of the ever living (homeland of the Elves) as well as the deadly bladed flail of the outer Islands.