About Ricovia
The bulk of the story takes place in a province called Ricovia located just west of the Blue Sky Mountains. The province consists of thousands of square miles of fertile farmland bordered by mountains to the north and east, a river to the south, and another province to the west. Its principle and capitol city is Ricovia Major. The city’s counterpart, Ricovia Minor, is located in the southwest region of the province. There are a number of smaller settlements, farms, and estates scattered throughout the province, most notably the Wide Acre Ranch owned and operated by Domus Cavela.
About the Hero
The main character and hero of this story is called Sho-Tahn, alias Chief Inspector Sherman Tanner of the Ricovia Police Force. When asked about his name, he reveals that it is actually a title more than a name. The spirit of the forest once refers to Sho-Tahn as the “bearer of the curse.” What that “curse” might be, Sho-Tahn is reluctant to discuss, but the nature of this curse slowly becomes apparent throughout various conversations and events.
Sho-Tahn reveals that he was raised in an orphanage as far back as he can remember. He started training under a combat master who taught him both unarmed and armed combat skills. Sho-Tahn also credits his mentor with teaching him the rules and codes of honor and justice, which form the foundation of Sho-Tahn’s ethical beliefs and motivations. These beliefs are called into question on several occasions by his allies and associates, and he is required to explain and justify his beliefs. During these conversations, he mentions friends and colleagues from his past, including a priest named Doc and another named Lyle. Apparently, these were two of the people he traveled with extensively in his younger days.
At some point, Sho-Tahn left his homeland and ventured into space, joining a military fleet. As the story begins, he has achieved the rank of Commander and commands his own battlecruiser and small battle group that comes under attack. In a subsequent conversation, he blames pride and arrogance for his decision to lead the defense personally, which resulted in his separation from the fleet and arrival in Ricovia.
About the Sidekick
Chief among Sho-Tahn’s friends is a mysterious man known as Shadow, alias Frank Walker head of Internal Investigations Division of the Ricovia Police Force. Shadow shows up shortly after Sho-Tahn lands outside of Ricovia province and later starts a romance with Ceila, friend of Rissa Cavela. Although Shadow is said to be a long-time friend and mentor of Sho-Tahn, and they have shared an elusive myriad of travels, he has not yet been mentioned in any of Sho-Tahn’s recollections thus far.
Shadow plays many roles throughout the story. At times he is cavalier and care-free, and at other times he is the voice of wisdom reminding Sho-Tahn of his duties and responsibilities to the people of Ricovia. As the story progresses, he also becomes the arbiter of justice. In his initial introduction, it is clear that Shadow possesses power like Sho-Tahn, and it is even suggested that Shadow trained Sho-Tahn to some degree, yet Shadow does not often openly wield it.