Everdusk Universe: Production Roadmap & Manifesto

A Rollout Roadmap from Across the Veil Studios

Welcome to the dawn of an ambitious transmedia saga. Under the banner of Across the Veil LLC, we are building the Everdusk Universe—a sprawling library of fantasy stories, immersive films, games, and experiences crafted to enchant audiences worldwide. Below, you’ll find a preview of what’s ahead. Join us as this universe unfolds...

Publishing Slate

The world of Everdusk, a richly imagined dark fantasy universe conceived by creative duo Jack and Shayne Townson, is poised to make a significant impact on genre publishing with an ambitious lineup of interconnected novels, novellas, and collector’s editions rolling out over the next two years. At the center of this literary expansion is The Lightslayer, an award-winning gothic vampire epic that has already garnered early acclaim.

Set for release in June 2025, The Lightslayer arrives in hardcover, paperback, and digital editions, fully illustrated and graced by an endorsement from Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter creator Laurell K. Hamilton. It was recently named a 2025 IPPY Bronze Medal Winner for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror eBook.

"A darkly Gothic romp through a dense and sinister world with the compelling and mysterious Jack Townson," Hamilton writes.

The novel introduces readers to the brooding Vampire Lord Jack Townson and a shadow-drenched realm called Draconia, where forbidden magic, political conspiracies, and perilous romance intertwine. Positioned as the gateway to a sprawling mythos, The Lightslayer is just the first step into a publishing endeavor that blends serialized fantasy storytelling with immersive multimedia ambition.

Following close behind in August 2025 is Stolen Power, a dark fantasy novella branded as a “Side Quest Series” title. Positioned as both a standalone and a precursor to an eventual graphic novel adaptation, it offers a fresh entry point into Draconia’s lore and deepens the universe's visual and thematic reach.

In September 2025, the team will release The Lightslayer – Special Edition, a lavish collector’s volume complete with foil stamping, sprayed edges, full-color endpapers, and exclusive interior art. Designed for superfans and book collectors, the special edition reflects a growing trend in fantasy publishing where physical books become art objects themselves.

January 2026 will bring Nightwalker, another Side Quest Series entry — this time a chilling standalone that promises to further unravel the secrets and shadows of the Everdusk timeline with a focus on Jack Townson's cohort, Elias Amore Corvin, leader of the Nightwalker kingdom.

This will be followed by a late 2026 launch of The Lightslayer audiobook, a fully narrated production featuring award-winning, SAG-AFTRA affiliated talent Krys Janae. The audio experience aims to further immerse listeners in the atmospheric world of Draconia.

Looking ahead to late 2026 and early 2027, readers can expect The Wicked Hollow, a second flagship novel that promises to push the series into even darker, more daring territory.

In addition to its core narrative titles, the Across the Veil imprint is also expanding into unique companion volumes that invite fans to explore the minutiae of Everdusk: Creek’s Kitchen, an heirloom-style Draconian cookbook; A Fauna Field Guide by Amelia, a hand-illustrated bestiary of magical creatures; and Everdusk: Art from the Townson Manor Studio, a large-format coffee table book spotlighting the rich visual language behind the brand.

Also slated for re-release under the Across the Veil banner is Shayne Leighton’s acclaimed Of Light and Darkness series, a vampire romance saga that will be updated and reborn for a new generation of readers.

Taken together, the publishing schedule marks a bold move to expand the Everdusk universe across mediums and genres, cementing it as a growing fantasy franchise with a cult following — and serious creative ambition.

Screen Productions

FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: Across the Veil Heads to Series

In a major creative pivot, the Everdusk team has confirmed that Across the Veil, originally conceived as a standalone feature film, will now debut as a serialized live-action fantasy drama. Season 1 is slated to premiere in 2026 on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video, expanding the scope of the story while preserving its cinematic ambition.

The series follows the journey of Annie Lionheart, a sharp-tongued, skeptical writer from New York whose grasp on reality unravels after a mysterious accident propels her across time and through the veil into the darkly enchanted world of Draconia. Awakening in a realm of gothic castles, twisted magic, and ancient creatures, Annie finds herself at odds—and increasingly entwined—with the enigmatic Jack Townson, a brooding vampire lord and reluctant hero burdened with a kingdom on the brink.

Rooted in the events of the forthcoming Across the Veil novel—the third flagship installment in the Everdusk publishing line—the series draws inspiration from the haunted romance of Beauty and the Beast, the surreal dreamscape of Spirited Away, and the sharp wit of The Princess Bride. The result is a story that blends swoon-worthy dark fantasy with self-aware charm, otherworldly tension, and emotional resonance.

According to Jack Townson, creator and co-director, the decision to move from a feature film format to an episodic series was driven by both creative expansion and fan demand:

“The world of Draconia is too vast and too layered to be confined to a single film. By embracing the series format, we’re able to tell the story the way it was always meant to be told — chapter by chapter, spell by spell, heartbreak by heartbreak.”

The series will be produced under the Across the Veil Films banner, with principal photography set to begin in late 2025. Fans can expect richly designed sets, sweeping lore, and an ensemble cast that brings both gravitas and levity to the shadowed realm of Everdusk.

As the Everdusk Universe continues its multi-platform expansion, Across the Veil is positioned not just as a tentpole series but as an anchor to a broader fantasy mythology — one that’s steadily capturing the imaginations of readers, viewers, and adventurers alike.

Interactive Experiences

A GAME OF BLOOD AND BLOOMS: The Lightslayer Becomes an Interactive RPG

Rounding out the cross-media expansion of the Everdusk universe is a highly anticipated foray into the world of interactive storytelling. With a release date TBD, The Lightslayer: A Top-Down Action Cozy RPG invites players to step directly into the haunting shadows of Draconia.

This digitally painted, narrative-driven game promises a lush and immersive experience where players can harvest arcane herbs, forge alliances, confront deadly adversaries, and uncover buried secrets—all while exploring the events of The Lightslayer novel from an entirely new perspective. With handcrafted environments, atmospheric music, and an emphasis on character choice, the game offers a unique blend of cozy exploration and high-stakes action.

Unlike traditional adaptations, the Everdusk team has chosen to deepen rather than simply retell the book’s events. In this interactive format, fans will gain unprecedented access to hidden corners of the lore—venturing beyond the Manor of Mystery into forgotten crypts, forest enclaves, and cursed ruins. Players will guide Vampire Lord Jack Townson and his band of Degenerates through quests both intimate and epic, including ritual duels, forbidden romances, and ancient puzzles that challenge more than just reflexes.

With a visual style evocative of hand-painted storybooks and a tone that weaves together the cozy and the catastrophic, The Lightslayer RPG positions itself as a love letter to fans of both fantasy gaming and immersive narrative. It’s a new way to experience Everdusk — not just by reading it, but by living it.

DARKNESS IN MOTION: Everdusk Side-Scrolling Action RPG in Development

While The Lightslayer RPG invites players to step into the world of Draconia with quiet wonder and choice-driven exploration, a second game in development under the Across the Veil Games label takes a decidedly more visceral approach. With a release date still to be announced, the Everdusk side-scrolling action RPG promises a high-impact, 2.5D fantasy experience that blends sweeping narrative, cinematic combat, and rich environmental storytelling.

Designed as a standalone title set within the greater Everdusk mythos, the game will offer players a side-scrolling journey through corrupted cities, haunted forests, blood-stained ruins, and dimension-torn battlefields. Expect fluid, combo-based combat, and an emotional core that mirrors the series' signature gothic romanticism.

Unlike traditional hack-and-slash titles, Everdusk places a strong emphasis on story—one born of prophecy, loss, and shadow—tasked with navigating the aftermath of ancient wars and fractured bloodlines. Along the way, they'll encounter familiar faces from the novels, unearth hidden chapters of the Everdusk timeline, and face enemies both monstrous and tragically human.

Key features in development include:

• 2.5D exploration across multi-layered maps with secrets woven into every corner

• Dynamic boss battles requiring reflex, strategy, and emotional insight

• Deep lore integration, allowing players to piece together events that shape the Everdusk canon

  
  

With a visual aesthetic that marries gothic illustration and modern animation, and a narrative style that honors the rich prose of the novels, the Everdusk action RPG is shaping up to be a blood-soaked, heart-wrenching odyssey—one that challenges what it means to fight for light in a world built from shadows.

ROLL FOR BLOOD: Draconia Tabletop RPG Brings Everdusk to the Game Table

As the Everdusk Universe continues its expansion across books, screens, and consoles, Across the Veil is also preparing to enter the realm of tabletop storytelling. Draconia: The Tabletop Roleplaying Game is currently in development, designed to bring the world of vampires, rebellion, and forbidden magic into the hands of players and storytellers everywhere.

Planned as a comprehensive TTRPG system and campaign setting, Draconia will allow players to step into the roles of vampires, mortals, witches, monster hunters, and myth-bound creatures across the various kingdoms and bloodlines of the Everdusk mythos. Whether navigating courtly intrigue at the Manor of Mystery or surviving the dangers of the Haunted Vale, players will forge their own destinies in a world where every choice bleeds consequence.

Inspired by classic D20 systems but tailored for a more narrative-driven, emotionally rich experience, Draconia will offer:

• A fully illustrated core rulebook featuring original lore, mechanics, and character classes tied directly to the novels and series

• Faction- and bloodline-based progression, allowing characters to align with various vampire houses, mortal resistances, or arcane guilds

• Custom magic systems and combat mechanics that blend traditional fantasy with Everdusk’s signature gothic flavor

• Cinematic campaign modules rooted in the official Everdusk timeline, with room for homebrew adventures across the Veil

Fans can expect a beautifully designed collector’s edition, complete with character sheets, spell decks, lore maps, and exclusive artwork from the Townson Manor Studio team. Plans are also underway for a digital companion and a livestreamed campaign featuring cast members from Across the Veil.

With Draconia, the Everdusk Universe becomes more than a story—it becomes a world to inhabit, shape, and survive.

Merchandise & Collectibles

FASHION MEETS FANTASY: Everdusk Thread Co. Brings Draconia Into the Real World

As the Everdusk Universe expands across storytelling platforms, it’s also taking bold steps into the world of fashion and lifestyle. Launching in mid to late summer 2025, Everdusk Thread Co. is the official apparel and merchandise arm of the franchise—offering a curated line of clothing, enamel pins, fine art prints, and home goods inspired by the lush, gothic aesthetic of Draconia.

More than just branded merch, the line is designed to live and breathe the world of Everdusk, blending high fantasy and dark romance with modern streetwear, cottagecore elegance, and occult flair. Early previews showcase pieces that feel as suited to a manor library as they do to a midnight festival—velvet hoodies emblazoned with vampire sigils, celestial sleepwear, and gilded Everdusk-themed notebooks are just the beginning.

“We wanted fans to not just read or watch Everdusk, but to wear it—to bring a piece of the realm with them into the real world,” says Shayne Townson, co-founder of the brand.

Each drop will coincide with major milestones in the Everdusk publishing and entertainment slate, with new collections arriving seasonally. Expect capsule releases tied to key characters, limited-edition screen-printed artwork, and even immersive fashion experiences that blend narrative storytelling with garment design.

Key highlights in development include:

• The Draconian Royalty collection: regal streetwear inspired by the vampire courts

• The Haunted Vale home goods line: candlelit ambiance, embroidered linens, and magical motifs

• A line of enamel pins, cloaks, and accessories designed in collaboration with fantasy artists

• Artisan-made goods from real-world makers who share a love of the supernatural

Whether you're nesting in your study, walking through moonlit streets, or plotting a campaign across the Veil, Everdusk Thread Co. invites you to wrap yourself in the world of Draconia—one thread at a time.

Kingdom Crests by Chrizzy

Immersive Gatherings

BEYOND THE VEIL: Everdusk Events to Bring the Realm to Life

In its most enchanting evolution yet, the Everdusk Universe is stepping off the page and onto the ballroom floor.

Launching in the coming years, Everdusk Events is a new division of Across the Veil dedicated to curating immersive, in-person experiences that blur the boundary between fantasy and reality. From candlelit masquerade balls and theatrical book launch galas to secluded creative retreats and elaborate fan celebrations, each event is designed to transport guests into the heart of Draconia itself.

Rather than standard fan conventions, Everdusk Events will favor a more curated, narrative-infused atmosphere—melding world-class set design, live performances, interactive quests, and richly themed environments that echo the lush drama of the Everdusk saga.

“Our goal is to craft experiences where guests don’t just attend an event,” says Jack Townson, creator of the universe. “They enter it.”

Among the flagship offerings currently in development:

• The Everdusk Masquerade: A hauntingly elegant affair where guests don cloaks and masks to mingle among vampire nobility, hidden rebels, and ancient spirits in historic venues

• Draconian Book Galas: Themed launch parties for new releases featuring author readings, cast appearances, live music, and immersive world-building installations

• Retreats Beyond the Veil: Weekend escapes designed for writers, cosplayers, artists, and fans to connect creatively while living inside the story

• Interactive Fan Celebrations: Lore-based festivals and LARP-style gatherings where participants unlock secrets, form factions, and rewrite the fate of Draconia itself

Each Everdusk Event will be held in unique real-world locations chosen for their historical ambiance and gothic grandeur—from castle halls and art museums to forest estates and candlelit libraries. Attendees can expect exquisite costuming, immersive decor, and moments that feel lifted straight from the pages of The Lightslayer or the screen of Across the Veil.

As Everdusk continues its meteoric rise across publishing, film, and gaming, Everdusk Events promises a singular kind of magic—the kind that lingers long after the masks come off.

A SHARED VISION: INVESTMENT & PARTNERSHIP

The Everdusk Universe is more than a slate of projects—it is a collective movement of creators and fans bringing a shared dream to life. We invite you to help fuel this journey:

🎯 Our GoFundMe campaign is live, offering supporters exclusive perks and behind-the-scenes access.

⚜️ Angel Investor Opportunities Coming Soon In 2025 and beyond, we will open the door to early-stage investors interested in acquiring equity and becoming founding partners in the growth of Across the Veil LLC.

JOIN THE LEGEND IN THE MAKING

From bestselling novels to cinematic series, enchanting games to unforgettable events—this is just the beginning.

Follow Along. Invest. Become Part of the Story. Visit our current campaign to contribute or contact us directly to discuss investment opportunities.

Welcome to Everdusk. Your story starts here.