Elric of Melniboné: Book One of The Elric Saga

Elric of Melnibone, an albino prince, travels in the Ship Which Sails Over Land and Sea to the city of Dhoz-Kam, through the Shade Gate to the Pulsing Cavern where the magic swords Stormbringer and Mournblade await him Elric of Melnibon is a requisite title in the hard fantasy canon, a book no fantasy fan should leave unread. Author Michael Moorcock, already a major player in science fiction, cemented his position in the fantasy pantheon with the five-book Elric saga, of which Elric of Melnibon is the first installment. The book's namesake, the brooding albino emperor of the dying nation of Melnibon, is a sort of Superman for Goths, truly an archetype of the genre. The youthful Elric is a cynical and melancholy king, heir to a nation whose 100,000-year rule of the world ended less than 500 years hence. More interested in brooding contemplation than holding the throne, Elric is a reluctant ruler, but he also realizes that no other worthy successor exists and the survival of his once-powerful, decadent nation depends on him alone. Elric's nefarious, brutish cousin Yrkoon has no patience for his physically weak kinsman, and he plots constantly to seize Elric's throne, usually over his dead body. Elric of Melnibon follows Yrkoon's scheming, reaching its climax in a battle between Elric and Yrkoon with the demonic runeblades Stormbringer and Mournblade. In this battle, Elric gains control of the soul-stealing Stormbringer, an event that proves pivotal to the Elric saga. --Paul Hughes None A Melancholy King: A Court Strives to Honour Him An Upstart Prince: He His Cousin Riding Through the Morning: A Moment of Tranquility Prisoners: Their Secrets Are Taken from Them A battle: The King Proves His War-Skill Pursuit: A Deliberate Treachery None The Caverns of the Sea King A New Emperor and an Emperor Renewed A Traditional Justice To Call the Chaos Lord The Ship Which Sails Over Land and Sea What the Earth God Desired King Grome The City and the Mirror None Through the Shade Gate In the City of Ameeron The Tunnel Under the Marsh Two Black Swords The Pale King's Mercy None Melniboné: No longer the mighty empire that once dominated the world but a waning kingdom, dependent on trade from the human nations which have begun the challenge her power. On his ruby Throne sits the albino Elric - sorcerer and warrior. A melancholy philosopher at odds with his destiny. As fleets of marauders probe the defences of the Dragon Isle, Elric faces treachery within his own court - from Yyrkoon, the cruel and ambitious cousin who dreams of usurping him **Elric of Melniboné** is a 1972 fantasy novel by **Michael Moorcock**. It is the first original full-length novel to feature **Elric**, the last emperor of the stagnating island civilisation of Melniboné who wields the cursed, soul-drinking sword **Stormbringer**. It is the colour of a bleached skull, his flesh; and the long hair that flows below his shoulders is milk-white.