THE BELLS OF YORE

A Grimdark Saga by ROBERT CONNAH

The Bells of Yore have tolled.

The Old World wakes from slumber.

About the series

The Bells of Yore is a grimdark epic fantasy set during an age of upheaval, when ancient powers awaken from dreamless slumber. Across a world balanced between ruin and renewal, the echoes of the past are never truly silent.

At the heart of this saga lie two colossal bells, forged by forgotten hands in an age long passed. For centuries they have become the subject of myth, prophecy, and fear. Some believe they herald rebirth. Others whisper that when they toll, the Age of Ruin will dawn.

Spanning a vast world which echoes our own, the series explores stories shaped by the ambitions of kings, the schemes of the powerful, and the choices of ordinary people caught in the shadow of a greater will.

Each novel tells a standalone story with its own cast of characters and central conflict. Though connected by a shared world and influenced by distant events, every tale can be read and enjoyed independently.

The goal

The Bells of Yore is an ambitious project years in the making.

Much of the series has already been created, with multiple novels drafted and others in active development. The world, its history, and many of its characters are already wait to be discovered; but the current focus lies in refining the manuscripts and preparing the first novel for publication.

Until then, this site serves as a gateway into the world. Visitors can explore the setting, discover its characters, and follow the journey towards publication.

Those who wish to walk the road alongside me can join the mailing list for exclusive artwork, worldbuilding notes, samples chapters, and updates, as the first book draws closer to release.

Inspiration

The Bells of Yore saga is inspired by Welsh mythology, Arthurian legend, and folklore from across the world. Its tone draws upon the melancholy grandeur of Dark Souls and Elden Ring, the mythic depth of Tolkein, and the morally complex characters found in works such as The Witcher and A Song of Ice and Fire.

Robert Connah is a British author of grimdark, sword-and-sorcery, and epic fantasy.

Raised among the mist-shrouded hills of Wales, he developed an early fascination with myth, folklore, and the forgotten stories hidden within ancient landscapes. These influences continue to shape the worlds, characters, and histories that define his work.

His travels across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia deepened his appreciation for adventure and the timeless art of storytelling. Those experiences echo throughout the worlds, legends and cultures that define his fiction.

His work combines mythic adventure with brutal consequence, favouring flawed heroes, dangerous romance, and worlds where beauty and horror walk hand in hand.

Robert Connah is currently writing The Bells of Yore, an interconnected grimdark saga inspired by forgotten gods, lost kingdoms and the echoes of ages long past.

About the Author

A world born from the wind-beaten hills and forgotten ruins of Wales

Photography by the Author

  • Castell Conwy

  • Dinas Bran

  • Up the Ogwen

  • The Secret Garden

  • Aber

  • Snowdon in the mist

  • The Standing Stone

  • Beddgellert

  • Castell Conwy

  • Llyn Brenig Woods

  • Devil's Kitchen