Tales from Netheredge

""Stories set in a light fantasy world (Age of Sail + limited magic). Generally queer, generally whumpy, all angst. Can be read in any order""

- Original description on AO3

Tales from Netheredge is a fantasy gay erotica series by J.M. Blackthorne, premiered on Archive of Our Own in late 2019. It is a collection of (mostly) loosely connected stories sharing the same setting — the titular Netheredge, a region in a late medieval fantasy world.

Currently consists of: It also has an appendix for any additional materials.
 * Bright Flame: A ship's pillow boy helps a captured rebel, and his life changes forever.
 * Son of Tears (originally titled Depravity): The bright young chancellor of a small country on the brink of war finds himself in an odd relationship with the court mage, which seems to benefit more than just the kingdom.
 * His Tribute: A nobleman's son is unexpectedly claimed by the revered local hero as part of his yearly tribute.
 * Jewel of the Harem: A simple-minded harem guard becomes a king's favourite's favourite, which lands him in the middle of an international political intrigue. (Set twenty years after the previous stories.)
 * Warprize: A well-regarded Calistan mercenary is appointed as a guardian to a royal slave, but when they meet, the slave isn't who he expected him to be. (Set ten years before the beginning of Bright Flame. On hiatus.)

The first and second books, slightly expanded, have been published for Amazon Kindle; the remaining stories can be found here. An official website of the series exists, as well as a Tumblr and a Twitter.


 * Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder: Galen hooks up with Rask after Cole disappears on him. When never holds it against him.
 * Not to mention he fell for Cole, knowing his lover is waiting for him back home, in the first place.


 * Brains and Bondage: Runi Assam is one of the brightest minds of his generation, and into being dominated.
 * The Empire: Calisto, in spades. Covering most of the known world, warlike and relentless in bending other polities to its will.
 * Fantasy World Map: Has one, created by a fan and author-approved.
 * Hooker with a Heart of Gold: Galen and Rask in Bright Flame, Charna in Son of Tears, many of the Isle Salvation boys in His Tribute and many others.
 * The Kingdom: Bow. As of Jewel, its union with neighbouring countries may have created The Federation (but it's not given enough spotlight to know for sure).
 * Merchant City: Isle of Stars, a stopping point between countries of Netheredge and Calisto, is a booming trading post.
 * Miss Kitty: Misha, the manager of House 37 in the Harem.
 * Red Light District: The name of Harem of Caen speaks for itself – it's an entire city dedicated to sexual services.
 * Sexy Discretion Shot: Unusually for erotica (and for Myr and Runi specifically), there is one near the end of Son of Tears – framed by their declarations of commitment beforehand and Runi's afterglow thoughts after.
 * Shout-Out: The court scene in His Tribute where is reminiscent of similar scenes in Ace Attorney, complete with an arrogant prosecutor, a skeptical but kindly judge, and even crowd Reaction Shots in literary form.
 * Too Kinky to Torture: Most of the protagonists gladly take punishment for people they love.