Starship Amrita

Slow-burn epic science-fantasy.

Arc 4: Tears of the Deep is publishing now. New chapters Tuesday and Friday.

Scroll to the bottom to read the synopsis for Tears of the Deep.

"Throughout the boundless Cosmos, the living stars are linked by the myriad filaments of the Starflow.

Across the starry sea travels the Starship Amrita, forever pursuing its ancient mission."

In a universe suffused with the Starflow, the Awakened Stars are Gods.

Mu, a runaway princess, and Tavian, a travelling bard, are brought together aboard the mysteriousAmrita, captained by the talking black cat Apollo. As theAmritaand its crew venture across the Cosmos, they begin to unravel the mysteries of the Starflow and uncover a horrific evil that threatens all civilisation. Along the way Mu and Tavian will learn about their own powers, and their roles in intertwining prophecy.From the smoky nightclubs of Shangxia, to the freezing steppes of Yarkan, the murky swamps of Hecate, and the carnivorous jungles of Luanyuan, their journey ensnares them in the plots of Emperors and revolutionaries, witches and mad scientists, secret societies and chivalric orders.This epic, star-spanning journey is filled with high adventure, brutal battles, and a colourful crew of unique characters.

What to Expect:

-An epic fantasy story in space opera clothes - we're talking 70% fantasy, 30% sci-fi. That said, individual arcs often delve into distinct sub-genres. Arc 1 is a noir heist, Arc 2 a historical murder mystery, Arc 3 is feverish blend of survival horror, tinged by Apocalypse Now! and Made in Abyss.

- Each arc is a distinct episode of the story, collectively building the overall plot. This means plenty of variety in settings, with each new world having detailed history, myth, culture, and aesthetics.

- A character-driven plot: the crew of theAmritaare each highly distinctive and undergo their own character arcs across the story, with their backstories gradually revealed.

- A vast Cosmos with deep lore, but it stays grounded in the crew's perspective - instead of exposition dumps, you discover this lore alongside the crew. If you're a lore nerd, there's plenty to dig your teeth into, but you won't have to sit a lore exam in order to follow the plot.

- A wealth of different civilisations, factions, and mythologies. This isn't just Western fantasy in space, in fact it's mostly non-Western. Across the first four arcs, Turco-Mongolian, Chinese, and Polynesian cultures and mythologies have been the key inspirations, but you'll find Persian, Indian, West African, Mesoamerican, and yes, Greek, as the story marches on.

- Epic scale: while things start relatively grounded, power scales absurdly high in the Amritaverse.

- Action: there's plenty, but it isn't constant - most arcs revolve around some element of mystery, with action building later in the piece.

- Cosmic Horror: it may not be obvious at first, but it becomes more apparent as the story goes on.

-What it's like:I think Cowboy Bebop or Firefly, but in a mythic-fantasy setting.

- What it isn't:LitRPG, progression, isekai. We're not in Kansas anymore. And by Kansas, I mean the Meta. There's arguably a little bit of cultivation, but it isn't really a central element.

Arc 4: Tears of the Deep

Fresh from the horrors of Luanyuan, the crew of theAmritaarrive at the paradisiacal resort world of Whaitere. With lush archipelagos, white sand beaches, and coral-filled seas, it seems like the ideal place to lick their wounds. Harry’s got connections through an old flame, and the drinks are flowing at the bar. But Whaitere’s oceans, shrouded in the mystical Deeplight, are the source of the Startear Pearls, prized by the rich and powerful across the Cosmos.

As Tavian struggles to reconcile with his past and what it means for his future, Mu meets the charismatic local pilot, Dan Kohere. And as Nova struggles to find some respite from her enduring trauma, Kal delves ever deeper into the murky schemes swirling around the Startear trade. Along the way they meet the brilliant young Teardiver, Hinatea, and witness her bond with a great guardian of the sea.

Despite the sun and sand, shadows abound, and questions pile up. What is behind the increasingly unsettling experiments being conducted by Dr Arethusa? Why are the masked agents of Eladian intelligence snooping around? What is the Theophany Research Society, and what is it planning? And ultimately, will the pearls at the centre of it all prove to be a blessing or a curse for the idyllic planet’s fragile peace?

The crew may have come to Whaitere seeking a place to rest and recover, but despite their best efforts, they are dragged into the teeming intrigues of a world on the brink.