Sorcerers: White Knight Presents: The Rise of Salem

Sorcerers: White Knight Presents: The Rise of Salem is an American fantasy comic book published by DC Comics under its DC Black Label. The 10 issue miniseries was written by Batman: White Knight writer Sean Murphy and is a sequel to Batman: White Knight Presents: Sorcerers. It began publishing on February, 2023 and concluded on December of the same year. It is set three years after the defeat of Donn the Wraith King, the Fellowship is about to disband when a group of Unenchanted's called Salem's Chosen, led by the ruthless Mary Hopkins begin attacking and kidnapping Sorcerers and magical creatures in an attempt to exterminate all magic from the earth. At the same time, Alrich finds his rule been threatened by the Duke Galadrin, a powerful Elf Duke who returns from exile with a group of Goblin followers to take take his throne. 
It was later followed by both a spin-off and a sequel. The spin-off was called Sorcerers: White Knight Presents: Trevor, which told the story of how Trevor came to serve the O'Clery line. The sequel was, Sorcerers: White Knight Presents: The Return of Wraith King. 
== Plot ==
Three years after Arawn's defeat, James, Julia and the rest of the Fellowship are shown defeating the evil Elf known as the Erlking in the Black Forest in Germany. After defeating the Erlking and returning to America, the group start to consider disbanding as they believe that with Arawn gone and most of the dangerous sorcerers and magical creatures taken care of, there is no reason for them to continue. James and Julia’s relationship has since become stronger, with James now planning to propose to her, after getting Alrich’s blessing.
Meanwhile, over in Salem Massachusetts, a woman named Mary Hopkins is holding a meeting with some members of the her organization, Salem's Chosen. She shows them a film which shows her ex-partner, Henry Thompson performing magic, she explains how Henry used a love spell to rape her and impregnable her with his son, Miles. Mary then states that it is now time for them to launch their crusade against the magical world as she believes that they are threat to world that needs to be exterminated. 
Later Alrich is having a meeting with the Council of Sorcerers and Magical Beings when it is interrupted by the arrival of Galadrin, an Elf Duke who was exiled years ago by Alrich after he tried to take his throne. When asked about his return, Galadrin states that he comes to earn forgiveness for his past transgressions, although a uncertain Alrich states that he will see about that. Meanwhile Galadrin's son, Beoudrien becomes infatuated with Julia and attempts to court her, much to James' dismay. Mary and Salem's Chosen begin their crusade against the magical world by attacking a hidden village of Leprechauns, killing several and capturing the survivors for experimentation. This captures the attention of Alrich and the Council who become deeply concerned, especially after learning that Mary is a direct descendant of infamous witch-hunter, Matthew Hopkins. 
== Characters ==
=== The Fellowship ===
*James O'Clery - A 22 year old Irish American sorcerer's apprentice who is the grandson of Simon and Margaret and the main protagonist. He is looking to propose to Julia, however their relationship briefly becomes strained due to Beoudrien becoming infatuated with Julia.
*Julia Greenleaf - A very beautiful 22 year old Elf princess who is the daughter of Alrich and the childhood sweetheart of James. During the course of the comic, her James’ relationship becomes briefly strained due to Beoudrien becoming infatuated with her.
*Aldrin Greenleaf - The twin brother of Julia and the best friend of James. At the end of the comic, he becomes King of the Elves after his father is killed by Mary.
*Ciarda - A benevolent Dark Elf and the love interest of Aldrin. Ciarda has been described as been one of the few benevolent Dark Elves, she is also the healer of the fellowship.
*Durin and Dain - Two Dwarf warrior brothers from the Dwarven kingdom of Stonegard. During the 4th issue, Durin is killed whilst fighting some Salem’s Chosen soldiers. Following his death, Miles became The Fellowship’s new 10th member
*Matt O'Clery - James' younger brother and a sorcerer in training. 
*Hoofer - A Satyr who is the Fellowship's bard and comic relief. He is also the nephew of Satyr religious leader, Hoofer.
*Flower - A Fairy who acts as the Fellowships aerial scout.
*Trevor - A hulking and powerful Cave Troll who serves the O'Clery family as their guardian. 500 years ago, he was saved from an evil dragon by the legendary sorceress, Mary O’Clery and ever since had served the O’Clery line.
*Miles Thompson - A 16 year old sorcerers apprentice who is the son of Henry and Mary. When he was born, his mother tried to kill him after learning that both his father, Henry was a sorcerer and that he also had magical powers, however Henry saved him, and they were forced to flee. At the end he joins the Fellowship as their new 10th member after the death of Durin.
=== The Council of Sorcerers and Magical Beings ===
*Simon and Margaret O'Clery - A pair of powerful and respected sorcerers who are the paternal grandparents of James and Matt. Simon and Margaret are very important members of the Council of Sorcerers and Magical Beings, they are also loving and supportive grandparents to James and Matt.
*Henry Thompson - The father of Miles and former partner of Mary. Years ago he and Mary were in a relationship and were deeply in love, however after she learned that he was a sorcerer and accused him of casting a love spell on her in order to rape her, which he never did. He was then forced to flee with their son Miles after she tried to kill him.
*King Alrich Greenleaf - The High King of the Elves who is the widowed father of Julia and Aldrin and the head of the Sorcerers Council. Later during the comic Alrich dies after been shot in cold blood by Mary, following his death, his son Aldrin became King of the Elves.
*Mongo Ironhand - A rather eccentric Dwarf sorcerer who has a particular fondness for cigars and martinis.
*Lord Stonebeard - The mightiest of the Dwarf Lords and the ruler of Stonegard.
*Duke Galadrin - A powerful Elf Duke and the father of Beoudrien and the second main antagonist of the comic. He is a arrogant and snobby Elf Duke who looks on people whom he views are beneath him,
*Beoudrien - A handsome young Elf warrior and the son of Duke Galadrin. He is in love with Julia, believing that he would make a better husband for her than James would. This creates a love triangle between him, Julia and James. However, in the end, Julia chooses James over him, much to his surprise.
=== Salem's Chosen ===
* Mary Hopkins - The ruthless leader of Salem's Chosen and the main antagonist of the comic. She has a deep hatred for Sorcerers and all magical creatures and would do anything to see it wiped from the face of the Earth, she is revealed to be a direct descendent of infamous 17th century English witch-hunter, Matthew Hopkins. She is also revealed to be the mother of Miles Thompson, a fact that disgusts her.
*Sergi Obruchev - A former Spersnez who is Mary’s second in command of Salem’s Chosen and lover. He was formerly a member of the Russian secret service, until he was dismissed after his brutal methods resulted in the death of a terrorist suspect. He was eventually recruited by Mary where he eventually became her second in command of Salem’s Chose and lover.
*Captain Thomas Smith - The commander of Salem's Chosen's soldiers and right-hand man to Mary. He joined Salem's Chosen after his wife and children were supposedly killed by a sorcerer, however it was later revealed that it was Sergi who killed them at Mary’s command. Unlike Mary and the rest of Salem's Chosen, Captain Thomas is an honorable man who is uneasy with Salem's Chosen's often brutal methods, particularly Dr. Simmons experimentation. After learning the truth of his families death, he joins with the Fellowship.
*Dr. John Simmons - A scientist who works for Salem's Chosen and a former colleague of Dr. Henry Lewis. He is a cold and cruel scientist who is perfectly willing to experiment on innocent people and views compassion, morals and pity as weaknesses.
=== The Order of Druids ===
*Dr. Henry Lewis - An unenchanted scientist who is a friend and ally to the Fellowship. He is one of the only few unenchanted's who is aware of the magical world.
*Chief Ryan Carter - The chief of the Phoenix Wood's Police Department and an ally to the Fellowship. He usually calls them in if there are any criminals who have signs of magic on them, as the police department aren't qualified to deal with orcs, goblins, trolls or dragons. Like Dr. Henry, Chief Ryan Carter is one of the few unenchanted's aware of the magical world.
=== Others ===
* The Great Dragon - An ancient, wise and powerful Dragon who is the oldest Dragon on Earth. He appears mostly covered in fog with only his head been seen, he also acts as a spiritual guide for the Fellowship.
* Gobner - The leader of Galadrin's Night Goblins and his right hand man. He is a sly and sinister Goblin who is loyal to Galadrin.
*Fjalar and Galar - Two sinister Dwarves who serve Galadrin and Beoudrien as their servants. Durin and Dain are revealed to have an unpleasant history with them.
*The Erlking - A sinister Elf who lives in the heart of the Black Forest in Germany, He appeared briefly being defeated by the Fellowship.
== Magical Beings and Creatures ==
*Sorcerers/Sorceresses - A group of human men and women who are born with the ability to perform magical spells and charms. The magical abilities of Sorcerers/Sorceresses first begin to manifest on their 10th birthday, whereupon they began their training which lasts for 10 years. Due to their magical powers Sorcerers/Sorceresses age slowly and can live to be 400 years old,
**Wizards - Mortal men and women who learn the magical arts from either books or a mentor.
**Witches - Female individuals who practice black magic. Witches have long had a bad reputation within the magical community, as its due to their actions that unenchanteds considered sorcerers/sorceresses to by satanic. Witches have a hideous s
**Dragonlords - Human or Elf men and women who were able to speak to and tame their spiritual brothers and sisters, the Dragons.
**Druids -
*Elves - A race of magical humanoids who resemble with humans with pale skin, perpetual youth and pointed ears. Elves are considered to be the ruling class of the magical community, with some even being important members of the Sorcerers Council. It is revealed that both Elves and Dragons are the oldest magical creatures on Earth, because of this they share a deep spiritual bond. It is also said if one was to die out, then the other would spell severe disaster for the other.
**Half-Elves - The result of a union between humans and Elves. Half-Elves have shorter pointed ears then their mother or father and can grow facial hair.
*Dwarves - A race of short and stocky magical humanoids who live underground and are the most industrious of all magical beings. They are known for their legendary crafting skills as they forged swords that never lose their sharpness and graft beautiful jewels from diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire. Dwarves live beneath mountains in mighty fortress kingdoms, they are also considered to be the working class of the magical community.
**Redcaps - A group of murderous Dwarves,
*Orcs - A race of intelligent but brutish humanoids who are fierce warriors and are known for serving evil sorcerers and kings. Orcs live in tribes and are led by either a male called a warchief or a female called a warchieftess, despite their bad reputation, most Orcs have a code of honor and fight with it. For example they refuse to kill pregnant women, children and sick people. they also have strong ties to their tribes and families.
*Goblins - Lanky magical humanoids with either red or green skin, bat like ears and pointed teeth. Goblins are infamous for being notoriously mischievous, but they also have a reputation for being highly skilled thieves or assassins who slip in and out of places before anyone notices they're there.
*Trolls - Hulking magical beings who are known for being large and powerful, but having low intelligence. They have either green or tan skin, two toes on each foot, three fingers on each hand, two canines protruding from their bottom jaw and six spikes, two on the side of their head, one on top of their head and three running down their backs.
*Faeries - Magical winged humanoids who resemble humans except with wings and sometimes antennas, Faeries also come in a variant of sizes from small to human sized. Faeries live in villages in the tops of trees in the forest, most Faeries are kind and helpful, some however are mischievous and enjoy playing tricks.
*Satyrs - Magical beings who have the horns, ears and legs of a goat. Although they enjoy music and dancing, they aren't sex crazed as they are in legends, rather Satyrs are a spiritual people with many serving the magical community as religious leaders.
*Dark Elves - Sinister and ruthless versions of Elves who practice black magic and align themselves with Orcs and Goblins, even forming tribes, marrying and having children with the former. Dark Elves have a strong dislike for their lighter cousins, considering them to be weak and pathetic.
*Leprechauns - A race of magical humanoids who are known for both their skills in cobbling and for hiding pots of gold at the end of rainbows. Leprechauns are also known for being skilled healers, possessing a vast knowledge of natural remedies and for being able to grant three wishes. Their natural ability for good luck has given birth to the saying, "as lucky as a leprechaun".
*Halflings - A race of small and peaceful magical humanoids who are known for their pastoral lifestyle, which has lead them to be known as the "Amish of the Magical World". They are also known for their outgoing and cheerful look on life, Halflings are known for preferring the comforts of home rather than going on adventures, believing such things make one late for dinner.
*Centaurs - A race of magical beings who have the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse. Centaurs live in nomadic tribes lead by either a chief or chieftess, while most centaurs are nomads some have manage to find an area where they can permanently settle.
*Dragons - Massive scaled reptilian beasts with horns, claws, wings and the ability to breath fire. Dragons are the most powerful of all magical creatures, this had led them to be considered symbols of power. Whilst most Dragons are wise and benevolent, some Dragons are evil and destructive. Evil Dragons are known to ravage villages and horde gold in their lairs. It is revealed that both Dragons and Elves are the oldest magical creatures on Earth, because of this they share a deep spiritual bond. It is said that if one of them was to die out, then it would spell severe disaster for the other.
*Unicorns - Mythical white horses with a silver horn protruding from their foreheads and golden manes. Unicorns are considered sacred to all magical races including the dark races like Orcs, Goblins, Trolls and Dark Elves. The horn of a Unicorn, known as an alicorn has been well known for thousands of years for its healing abilities. Tragically it was because of this that Unicorns were hunted to near extinction by mortal hunters, with the Sorcerers only being able to save a single herd.
== Production ==
In late November 2022, Sean Murphy, writer of Batman: White Knight, Batman: Curse of the White Knight and Batman: White Knight Presents: Sorcerers announced that a sequel titled Sorcerers: White Knight Presents: The Rise of Salem would be published.
Category:DC Comics
Category:DC
Category:Fantasy
Category:Sword and sorcery
Category:Urban Fantasy
Category:Action/Adventure
Category:Romance