Odyssey of the Forsaken
Odyssee der Verlorenen
Plot Summary
David terGorden and his companions are prisoners of Old Markham on Skull Island. David learns he was drugged and revealed the location of their orbiting ship. Markham intends to use the ship to find a cure for his mentally impaired son. David negotiates for the lives of his friends and Rogier's crew in exchange for their help. Markham releases the Islahami, but keeps Layla until Zandra convinces her to leave. The group boards Rogier's ship, the Dunkle Dame, and sails into the Scarlet Sea towards Devonary Island to retrieve Asen-Ger's landing boat.
The Dunkle Dame is attacked by Green Flyers. Rianna Ross is killed, and Claude Farrell is injured. David, Zandra, and Rogier fight them off, but Markham is mortally wounded. Before dying, Markham asks David to heal his son. The survivors, including Mark Markham, decide to head to Hayvant. Rogier plans to hire a new crew and abandon the Terranauten.
In Hayvant, Collyn reappears, now wealthy and owning a two-masted ship, the Sturmvogel. He agrees to help David find Asen-Ger. They sail the Sturmvogel back to Devonary Island, retrieve Asen-Ger's landing boat, and then head north towards the Northern Mountain Range. The Sturmvogel becomes icebound, and the group continues on foot, pulling sleds. Mark Markham follows them. They encounter fur trappers who warn them about "Banshees" and the dangers of the north.
A "Banshee" (ball lightning) attacks, possessing Mark Markham. The spirit, named Jan, claims to be from a crashed spaceship. The spirit leaves, and Mark Markham reverts to his previous state. The group continues, and are attacked by a pack of black cats. They are rescued by hunters from a nearby fort, but must share their dwindling supplies. They reach Yanda, where David meets Rowl Hellinger, a long-term resident who knows of Asen-Ger's group. Rowl reveals they are working for Raghan, a mine owner. David and his group head to Raghan's mine.
They find Asen-Ger and his companions starving and ill. David learns that Abdullah Orving has died and Queen Mandorla is sick. To survive, they decide to take Raghan's supplies by force. They block the chimney of Raghan's fortress, forcing him and his family to emerge. A fight ensues, and Raghan and his family are killed. The group takes the supplies and prepares to return to the Sturmvogel to repair the landing boat. Mark Markham, unnoticed, places his pouch of mistletoe blossoms into the hands of the sleeping Zandra.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden is drugged by Old Markham and reveals the location of the orbiting ship.
- 02 Markham releases the Islahami after negotiations with David.
- 03 The Dunkle Dame is attacked by Green Flyers, resulting in Rianna Ross's death.
- 04 Old Markham is mortally wounded and asks David to heal his son.
- 05 Collyn reappears in Hayvant with the Sturmvogel and offers assistance.
- 06 Asen-Ger's landing boat is recovered from Devonary Island.
- 07 The Sturmvogel becomes icebound in the Northern Mountain Range.
- 08 A "Banshee" possesses Mark Markham, revealing a past life.
- 09 The group is attacked by black cats and rescued by hunters.
- 10 David meets Rowl Hellinger in Yanda, who provides information about Asen-Ger.
- 11 The group reaches Raghan's mine and finds Asen-Ger and his companions starving.
- 12 Raghan's fortress is stormed, and he and his family are killed.
- 13 Mark Markham secretly gives his mistletoe pouch to Zandra.
Characters
David terGorden — A Terranaut Driver, captured by Markham, negotiates for their release, and leads the effort to find Asen-Ger.
Claude Farrell — A Terranaut and friend of David, injured in the attack by the Green Flyers, helps in the fighting and exploration.
Zandra van Heissig — A Terranaut Driver, fights against the Green Flyers and is instrumental in helping the group survive.
Mark Markham — The mentally impaired son of Old Markham, possessed by a "Banshee", and carries the mistletoe pouch.
Rogier — Captain of the Dunkle Dame, initially an antagonist, later an uneasy ally, and plans to recapture his ship.
Narbe — A miner working for Raghan, guides David to the mine and helps in the attack on the fortress.
Asen-Ger — A Terranaut Driver, found starving in Raghan's mine, and provides information about the landing boat.
Old Markham — Leader of the Gray Guard descendants on Skull Island, wants to use the Terranauts' ship to cure his son.
Rianna Ross — A Terranaut, killed during the attack by the Green Flyers.
Arlene Chi — Collyn's companion, helps the group and cares for the injured.
Rowl Hellinger — A long-term resident of Rorqual, provides information about Asen-Ger and the planet.
Kai Hellinger — Rowl's son, initially hostile to David, but later accepts him.
Nirak Hellinger — Rowl's daughter, offers David a drink and is kind to him.
Raghan — A mine owner who mistreats his workers and is killed by the Terranauts.
Yoal Corcoran — A Terranaut, found starving in Raghan's mine.
Abdullah Orving — A Terranaut, died due to the harsh climate.
Queen Mandorla — A Terranaut, found sick in Raghan's mine.
Dämon — A fur trapper who warns about the Banshees.
Karrahan — A fur trapper who warns about the Banshees.
Locations
Rorqual — The planet where the Terranauts are stranded.
Skull Island — Island ruled by Old Markham, where the Terranauts are initially held prisoner.
Scarlet Sea — A sea filled with a gas-like substance instead of water.
Northern Mountain Range — A mountain range in the north of Rorqual, known for its harsh climate.
Yanda — A city in the Northern Mountain Range, where David meets Rowl Hellinger.
Raghan's Mine — A mine east of Yanda, where Asen-Ger and his companions are found.
Devonary Island — An island in the Scarlet Sea where Asen-Ger's landing boat is located.
Ships & Vehicles
Dunkle Dame — Rogier's four-masted ship, used to travel to Devonary Island.
Sturmvogel — Collyn's two-masted ship, used to retrieve Asen-Ger's landing boat and travel north.
Technology & Concepts
PSI Powers — Parapsychological abilities of the Drivers, blocked on Rorqual.
Green Flyers — Winged alien creatures who attack the Dunkle Dame.
Banshees — Spiritual beings or "lost souls" that can possess people.
Triadic Monochord — A necklace worn by Drivers, signifying their connection to the Driver Lodge.
Gray Drivers — A faction of Drivers, ancestors of Old Markham's tribe.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of survival, resourcefulness, and the clash between civilization and barbarism. The tone is dark and desperate, with moments of hope and camaraderie. The narrative style is action-oriented, with detailed descriptions of the environment and the characters' struggles.
Connections
Continues from: Die Terranauten 017
Leads into: Die Terranauten 019 (likely, based on the ending)
Related booklets: Booklets featuring David terGorden, Claude Farrell, Zandra van Heissig, Collyn, and Asen-Ger. Booklets dealing with the Green Flyers, Banshees, and the descendants of the Gray Drivers.