The Ashen Levels Series by C.F. Welburn

When Balagir awakens at the fire with no recollection of his past, he discovers he is an ashen—a mysterious group of black-eyed vagabonds, addicted to the smoke they must pay the ghostly piper in exchange for power. With the help of the kalaqai (a sentient spark) and a band of nefarious companions, Balagir will have to traverse the northern wilds, cross seas and survive foreign wars if he is to discover the truth behind the Ashen Levels.

Balagir may have escaped the northern wilds, but life aboard the pirate ship the Spite Spear presents its own set of challenges. Not only must he negotiate the perilous seas but indeed, with its unsavoury crew. His quest for understanding will take him on a curious odyssey across a sea studded by strange islands and stranger folk, where friendships will be forged, but just as easily broken.

Balagir has made it to the south, but questions still outweigh the answers. The board has grown and new pieces move upon it. Why would the chisps of the wood ally themselves with the kalaqai? Why would the laragatyn of the ice palace interfere with the ashen? And why do the mysterious and influential askaba appear to be involved? Perhaps the most important question is who are his friends and which can he trust?

When Balagir awakens at the fire with no recollection of his past, he discovers he is an ashen—a mysterious group of black-eyed vagabonds, addicted to the smoke they must pay the ghostly piper in exchange for power. But danger lurks beyond every hub. Distrustful settlers, the influential askaba, an older darkness that stirs in the ash, and themselves... moreWhen Balagir awakens at the fire with no recollection of his past, he discovers he is an ashen—a mysterious group of black-eyed vagabonds, addicted to the smoke they must pay the ghostly piper in exchange for power. But danger lurks beyond every hub. Distrustful settlers, the influential askaba, an older darkness that stirs in the ash, and themselves.With the aid of the kalaqai—an ancient, unique chisp—he must rally the ashen as never before, if they are to unravel the past, salvage the future, and vanquish the threats both within and without. less

When Balagir awakens at the fire with no recollection of his past, he discovers he is an ashen—a mysterious group of black-eyed vagabonds, addicted to the smoke they must pay the ghostly piper in exchange for power. But danger lurks beyond every hub. Distrustful settlers, the influential askaba, an older darkness that stirs in the ash, and themselves... moreWhen Balagir awakens at the fire with no recollection of his past, he discovers he is an ashen—a mysterious group of black-eyed vagabonds, addicted to the smoke they must pay the ghostly piper in exchange for power. But danger lurks beyond every hub. Distrustful settlers, the influential askaba, an older darkness that stirs in the ash, and themselves.With the aid of the kalaqai—an ancient, unique chisp—he must rally the ashen as never before, if they are to unravel the past, salvage the future, and vanquish the threats both within and without. less

When Balagir awakens at the fire with no recollection of his past, he discovers he is an ashen—a mysterious group of black-eyed vagabonds, addicted to the smoke they must pay the ghostly piper in exchange for power. With the help of a unique chisp (a sentient spark) and a band of nefarious companions, Balagir will have to traverse the northern wilds, cross seas and survive foreign wars if he is to discover the truth behind the Ashen Levels... moreWhen Balagir awakens at the fire with no recollection of his past, he discovers he is an ashen—a mysterious group of black-eyed vagabonds, addicted to the smoke they must pay the ghostly piper in exchange for power. With the help of a unique chisp (a sentient spark) and a band of nefarious companions, Balagir will have to traverse the northern wilds, cross seas and survive foreign wars if he is to discover the truth behind the Ashen Levels. The Ashen Levels is dark, progression fantasy with underlying GameLit elements. less