The Demon of Elderstay

A dark fantasy with a sense of humour.

Book one of The New Dark Saga. In paperback, hardback, Kindle and audiobook.

Find a copy Hear John York read it

The Demon of Elderstay by I. Ribbon, book one of The New Dark Saga

Burdened with demon (literally)

But how was junior arcane lecturer Gerome to know his attempt to improve a part of his anatomy would open a portal to the Shade Planes? Or, worse, unleash the all-powerful “Harbinger of the New Dark”, fondly or not nicknamed Al?

Utterly broke and burdened with demon (literally), Gerome begrudgingly joins a shady nobleman’s quest to free the stronghold of Elderstay from a powerful curse. His dysfunctional crew (the insufferable siblings Bijan and Najib, the perpetually moody Polly, and the enigmatic green-skinned Sha-sha) have more problems than they can wave a wand at. Walking corpses and ritual blood circles aside, Gerome is running out of time. At any moment, Al might break free and end the world. As for the horrors that await them in Elderstay?

Let’s just say the “New Dark” is the least of their worries.

The road goes on. Book two, On the Way to Maracanda, sends Gerome after a demon cure. Book three, The Seer of Hopper-Tikker, is in production.

Read to you by John York

The whole of Elderstay as an audiobook: the broke lecturer, the crew, the curse and Al, in a voice that isn’t mine.

Listen on Audible Or on Amazon

The Demon of Elderstay audiobook cover, written by I. Ribbon, narrated by John York

What you’re in for

A dark fantasy with a sense of humour, D&D vibes, sassy demons, a chaotic party of grey characters, and a wisecracking unreliable narrator.

That’s how I pitch it. As a character sheet:

Tone: Dark, with a sense of humour
Demons: Sassy
Party: Chaotic, every one of them grey
Narrator: Wisecracking. Do not trust him.
Rolled from: My wildest D&D character, Vox Machina vibes, and the fun of the Discworld series

Where to find me

At a convention table, in your inbox, or in the street team, plotting.

Ira Ribbon

I write funny fantasy from New Zealand. I share my life with a tolerant husband, a neurotic rescue dog, and a labour-intensive vegetable patch which demands as much attention as the other two.

I write stories about a gnome fire mage burdened with demon, and spend weekends arguing with my brother about how fantasy places are pronounced.

Forever DM and TTRPG geek.