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Oriental Tales of the Wang Kingdom

An epic "trilogy" chronicling the greatest heroes and villains of the Wang Kingdom. The Tales (as the Civilized refer to them) were authored under the pseudonym of Takanawa Watzanami; however, the series was written in English and was in fact translated for the Japanese market. Watzanami is widely believed to be one of the multiple writers behind the name "Tycho Brahe", striking out on his own using the vague mentions of Harbinger Portent's creation of a powerful weapon early in the history of Battal - the Cardboard Tube.

While they have definite significant literary value, the OTotWK are barely considered ELotH:TES canon, as they almost entirely lack references to the epic ELotH saga. However, most fans have considered them a spinoff in the "same universe," pointing to the tenuous links established by the deeds of Harbinger Portent.

Volume 1: Reins of the World

This volume chronicles the rise to power of the Shadow Lord through five separate shorter stories.

The first story is set in 1,038, in a Wang Kingdom teetering on the brink of chaos, and see the Shadow Lord uses deviousness and manipulation to unite all thieves under his rule and become the King of Thieves

The second story, set between 1,038 and 1,059, deals with the Shadow Lord's years-long secret war - a battle of wits with the current Emperor, Wang Yi, whom he eventually overcomes and assassinates.

The third story is set during a few months in 2,020, a time when the Wang Kingdom was falling into ruins. It shows the Shadow Lord's only known romance - a love affair with the first and only female High August Jade Lotus Emperor, Shen Jingbing the Insane, a woman as evil and almost as powerful as he is.

The fourth and shortest story is set in 2,063, as the Shadow Lord finally has absolute control of the entire Wang Empire. This satisfying inner monologue, while still vague, provides us with the greatest insight into the Shadow Lord's origins, mental workings and motivations, as he looks back over his achievements and wonders what, having satisfied all his deepest desires, there remains in the world which might hold any attraction for him.

The fifth story takes place the late 2,200s and shows how the Shadow Lord dealt with the First Great Era of the Wandering Hero, in which his armies of evil were gradually driven back by the forces of good. At the very end, he receives the first report of the seeming invincibility of the new hero, Donu-Ishu, which neatly sets up Donu-Ishu's story.

Volume 2, “The Light That Casts The Shadow”

This volume tells the story of Donu-Ishu, and his many journeys with The Donu-Ishu Seven.

Volume 3, The Color of Retribution

This volume deals with the Wang Kingdom as it tries to re-build itself, after the rule of the Shadow Lord. It begins with the throne being seized by Cao Shaitu the Slayer of All Things Slayable and ends with the tale of Ke Peirui the Conqueror of Harlots.

Volume 4, Good Things, Many Devils

This story is told through the 1st person narrative of the Legendary Spoonster himself, Wangdok. It tells the story of the Cardboard Tube Samurai; from the time he was born to his training under Wangdok (who taught him the true secret to Wangdom), to his final trancendence of Wangchieval and his disappearance at Mt Wang. Tobun's two meetings with the Cardboard Tube Samurai - first as a friend, then as an enemy - are also recounted here.

Volume 5, Edge of Oblivion

The (to date) final volume of the Tales tells, Tobun's full story, which was demanded by fans after his highly successful appearance in Volume 4.