Arkh

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

A modern fantasy epic poem, featuring anthropomorphic animals and dark Lovecraftian overtones.

Iambic pentameter? Rhyme royal? In 2025?! Say no more.

Khazemil the fox has recurring nightmares of a sepia void he cannot escape. But as his waking hours are taken over by new responsibilities as an adult, he must search for answers with the help of his border-collie friend Merrasir.CURRENT SCHEDULE:Chapters Tuesday and Thursday

Information

Status
Hiatus
Year
2025

Royal Road Stats

Rating
4.6/ 5.0
Followers
9
Views
3,069

Chapters(15 total)

What readers say about Arkh

  • Okay, first things first; the author wrote this entire story in rhyming verse, which is a super bold move which I believe totally works. It reads like a classic epic poem or a dark fairytale, giving the whole thing a really unique and cool vibe. You'd think…
    BabyFlikRoyal Road5.0 / 5
  • I first picked this up over on a different website, and saw that it was on RR and decided to pop over here to see it. You don't really get a lot of poetry on here, and this is a fun thing to see in a space mostly dominated by LitRPGs and other various forms…
    kleptomaticRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(4)

  • BabyFlikRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Okay, first things first; the author wrote this entire story in rhyming verse, which is a super bold move which I believe totally works. It reads like a classic epic poem or a dark fairytale, giving the whole thing a really unique and cool vibe. You'd think writing like this would be clunky, but the author pulls it off without a hitch, keeping the story flowing smoothly. The language is awesome and creates this hazy, dream-like feeling that fits the plot perfectly. It's not just a gimmick; it makes the story stand out in the best way.
    The story is a fantastic dark fantasy. You've got this mysterious, mind-controlling grain, a village full of secrets, and a main character trying to figure it all out. It hooks you right from the start. The plot moves along at a great clip, always revealing something new and upping the danger. I really liked the mix of old-school folklore vibes with little hints of forgotten technology, like a random lightbulb. It adds a cool layer to the world.
    I am not an expert but from what I read, I didn't catch any mistakes, which is seriously impressive considering the author had to make everything rhyme and fit a certain rhythm. From my non expert eyes I feel like the writing is clean and polished, making it a really smooth read. You can tell a lot of care went into getting it just right.
    You really feel for the main character, Khazemil. He starts off confused and scared, and watching him slowly piece things together and start fighting back is the best part of the story. You're right there with him as he deals with his messed-up memories and the general creepiness of his village. His friendship with Merrasir, the loyal dog, is the emotional heart of the whole thing. Merrasir is an awesome sidekick, brave and super protective. Their bond feels real and hits you right in the feels.
    Honestly, "Arkh" is something special. It's a well-written, atmospheric, and emotional story that isn't afraid to be different. The whole poem format is what makes it
  • kleptomaticRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    I first picked this up over on a different website, and saw that it was on RR and decided to pop over here to see it.
    You don't really get a lot of poetry on here, and this is a fun thing to see in a space mostly dominated by LitRPGs and other various forms of progression fantasy. The nature of the work makes it less straightforward compared to traditional literature, but Casimir manages to form a strong narrative with good characterization.
    ABABBCC rhyming structure is a fun one to play around with, and Arkh definitely doesn't shy away from using slant rhyme to create variations and experiment. The slow release pace is definitely something to be aware of, but that does come from the nature of the work.
    Overall, definitely excited to see where this is going, and hope to see updates in the future :D
  • Majestic7Royal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    Arkh is unlike anything I’ve ever read on Royal Road. it’s a full-blown fantasy poem, dark and dreamlike. Khazemil’s story unfolds in verse, and you can feel the weight of every image, every rhyme. It’s the kind of thing you savour instead of race through. There’s an old-world, almost Chaucerian vibe in the cadence that gives it atmosphere and depth. It’s not for everyone, especially if you’re used to fast-paced escapism, but if you love language and mood, this one’s special. Serious props for being bold and haunting. definitely a rare gem on the site.
  • EivoyaRoyal Road
    ★★★★ 4.0
    This is a great fantasy poem, the imagery created really brings it to life. The poem flows naturally, with none of the interactions feeling shoehorned in just to make it rhyme.
    I have not read fantasy poem before this but it has made a wonderful introduction into the genre and will be sure to leave you hooked, wanting for more.
    The characters are vivid in their descriptions which helps visualise them through a non-standard form of fantasy.
    The jumps in story progression between each chapter are a bit harsh, and could potentially be softened to have a closer tie in between chapters if it would be appropriate to do so. With that being said, the whole story flows well between chapters as a whole and is very well written.
    The imagery used between dialog, to accurately describe the scene is great, and a really refreshing way to experience different styles of expression.
    The style of writing and choice of words used really help to make this a stand-out piece. Although some of the word choices seem to be placed to make the ryhme work, they remain fitting within the overall tone of the poem.
    This could be a fantasic introduction to fantasy based poems, or a great in-between read for those already versed in this topic.