The Painted Man

The Painted Man (titled The Warded Man in the US) is a fantasy novel written by American writer Peter V. Brett. It is the first part of the Demon Cycle. It was first published by HarperCollins's Voyager imprint in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2008, and was published in the United States under the title of The Warded Man in March 2009. It has been translated into German, Japanese, Polish, Czech, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Serbian, Estonian and Turkish. There is also a Graphic Audio production of the book.

Plot
In the realm of Annur, Arlen, a spirited young boy, finds himself navigating a harsh and unforgiving world ravaged by the relentless scourge of demons. These malevolent entities, known as kin, possess an unyielding thirst for destruction, leaving the realm in a perpetual state of turmoil. Amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope emerges when Arlen stumbles upon a profound secret: wards, ancient symbols of protection that can repel the kin's sinister advances. Inspired by this newfound knowledge, Arlen embarks on a transformative journey, vowing to wield these wards against the demonic scourge. Driven by an unwavering resolve to protect his loved ones and reclaim a semblance of peace for Annur, Arlen dedicates himself to mastering the intricate art of warding, determined to become a formidable warrior in the endless battle against the kin.

Leesha, a young herbalist with a troubled past, lived a quiet life in the shadow of the Great Desert. Her hands, calloused from years of tending to the earth, held the secrets of ancient remedies and soothing salves. But the echo of past mistakes, a dark stain on her soul, kept her withdrawn, a solitary figure in the vast expanse of sand. One scorching day, her solitude was shattered by the arrival of a stranger, a messenger from the Deliverer, a figure shrouded in legend and whispered prophecies. His arrival, draped in the mystique of desert winds and ancient lore, sent ripples of fear and curiosity through her heart. Though wary, Leesha, driven by a desperate hope to cleanse her past, accepted the messenger's offer. A perilous quest, a journey into the heart of the desert's secrets, lay ahead. This enigmatic journey, imbued with the promise of redemption and riddled with the dangers of unknown landscapes and shadowed enemies, would push Leesha to the limits of her courage, her knowledge, and her spirit. The Desert Spear, a mythical weapon said to hold the power to reshape the world, lay at the heart of their mission, and with it, the potential for both salvation and peril. As Leesha ventured forth, her troubled past and the weight of the Deliverer's promise mingled with the shimmering heat of the desert, forging a path fraught with both danger and the hope of a new beginning.

As war ravaged the land, Arlen emerged as a beacon of hope known as the Painted Man. His body, adorned with intricate tribal markings, concealed a formidable warrior spirit. Through countless battles, he honed his skills in wielding both sword and magic, becoming a legendary demon fighter. Fate intertwined Arlen's destiny with Leesha, a young woman who possessed a powerful connection to the otherworldly realm. Recognizing the common threat posed by demonic forces, they forged an unbreakable alliance. Together, they embarked on a perilous journey to confront the darkness that threatened to consume their world. Arlen, with his unmatched combat prowess, and Leesha, with her mystical abilities, proved to be an indomitable force as they valiantly fought against hordes of sinister creatures. With each victory, they ignited a flicker of hope in the hearts of those who had been cast into despair, proving that even amidst the chaos of war, courage and unwavering determination could prevail.

The whispers of the Corelings, long dismissed as mere legend, had become a chilling reality. The true nature of the demon threat, once thought to be scattered, fragmented entities, was revealed as a single, insidious entity. A being of pure, malevolent energy, its essence seeping through the fabric of reality, corrupting and twisting everything it touched. Arlen, the reluctant hero, stood at the heart of this revelation, his own connection to the Corelings a painful, undeniable truth. The weight of responsibility rested heavily upon him, forcing him to confront his own inner darkness and the horrors that lurked within. Leesha, with her innate connection to the land and its ancient wisdom, understood the danger better than anyone. The demons were not just a physical threat; they were a corruption of the very essence of their world, a blight upon the natural order. The tapestry of life itself was unraveling, threatened by the insidious tendrils of the Corelings. Now, Arlen, Leesha, and their allies, a ragtag band of warriors, mages, and healers, were drawn together by a shared purpose. The fate of their world, and possibly even countless others, hung in the balance. They had to find a way to unite their strengths, to stand against the tide of darkness, to fight for the very soul of existence. The battle was not just for their own survival, but for the preservation of everything they held dear. Their journey would take them deep into the heart of the demonic realm, to confront the ultimate evil, and hopefully, find a way to heal the wounds inflicted upon their world.

Within the labyrinthine depths of the Great Bazaar, amidst the bustling throngs and vibrant array of goods, a profound journey unfolds. Intrepid souls are drawn into a realm where personal challenges ignite the flames of courage. The boundaries of fear are tested, and the struggle between good and evil intensifies. The air crackles with anticipation as the battle against inner demons rages within each individual, leading them to confront their deepest apprehensions. Yet, amidst the adversity, a beacon of unity emerges, forging a powerful bond among those who dare to face their fears together. The struggle is not merely an individual endeavor but a collective one, where support and teamwork ignite the spark of hope. As the echoes of swords clashing and the cries of triumph reverberate through the bazaar, the battle culminates in a climactic showdown, where the forces of good and evil collide in a fierce struggle. The outcome hangs precariously in the balance, as the heroes confront their destiny and embrace the transformative power of courage and unity.

Arlen
Arlen Bales, son of Silvy and Jeph Bales of Tibbet's Brook, born 308 AR, is a POV (Point of View) and main character in The Warded Man, The Desert Spear, The Daylight War, The Skull Throne (only partially), and The Core.

Early life Arlen grew up in Tibbet's Brook, unknowing of anything outside the hamlet and the farm owned by his father, Jeph Bales. He never had many friends and was bullied by the other children (especially by Cobie Fisher). His mother, Silvy Bales, frequently shouted at him for fighting. One day he was tired of being bullied and brought a stick, determined to fight back. It didn't get him any new friends, but stopped them from bullying him any more.

One day Ragen Messenger arrived in Tibbet's Brook with Keerin the Jongleur, giving Arlen the idea that he wanted to be a Messenger. As night fell, his mother failed to reach the safety of the wards around their house in time and was attacked, Arlen's father only standing and watching without the courage to leave the wards. Arlen left the safety of the wards and went to help his mother, spending the night with her under a trough in one of the warded animal pens. With a new view of his father they left in the morning to reach the town Herb Gatherer, Coline Trigg, because of Silvy's deep demon-inflicted wounds. Coline didn't know how to save her and they instead left to get the help of the Herb Gatherer in Sunny Pasture. Passing the farm of Harlon Tanner they decide to push on in hopes of reaching the Herb Gatherer that day but as the night gets closer Jeph Bales begins to worry they won't make it in time so he turns back to beg succour at the Tanner Farm. Harlon Tanner tells them they were only an hour or two from the Herb Gatherer and would have made it. That night Arlen's father promised him to be married to the youngest of the Tanner children, Renna Tanner. Early the next morning, they continued their journey to the healer but they couldn't reach her soon enough and Arlen's mother passes away on the road. In his grief Arlen and his father argue about how they could have saved Silvy if Jeph had not been afraid and turned back. The fight ends with Arlen jumping off the cart and running away into the forest.

On the road Once out on his own Arlen realizes that he has placed himself in grave danger so he draws ward in the dirt to pass the night. A large rock demon approaches the wards and in his fear Arlen accidentally steps on a ward marring it. The rock demon and Arlen realize the error at the same time and reaches an arm in to kill Arlen, who dives for the ward and repairs it as the rock demon gouges his back. With the wards repaired they flare to life cutting off the demon's arm. From that point forward the rock demon now called One Arm reappears every night following Arlen wherever he goes. Arlen continues his journey with the hope of running in to Ragan the Messenger who he does finally meet up with as he collapses from the wounds inflicted by One Arm. Ragan cleans his wounds and heals him and then after some debate with Arlen agrees to take him to Fort Miln to live with Ragan and his wife and to train Arlen to be a Messenger like Ragen.

A new life Reaching Fort Miln he accepted an apprenticeship with Cob Warder living at Ragen's mansion with Ragen, Elissa and their daughter, Marya. He also got involved with Mery, the daughter of the librarian, Tender Ronnel. Mery didn't want Arlen to be a Messenger but Arlen was stubborn and didn't give up his wish. He also got his first friend in the city, Jaik Miller, who wanted to be a Jongleur. Unfortunately, he didn't spend enough time practicing and didn't become a Jongleur, deciding to be an miller like his father instead. Arlen trained every day to be an Messenger and suddenly left for Fort Lakton one day, only saying goodbye to his friend Jaik.

Fort Krasia After spending years as a Messenger, and after being to all forts, towns and almost every hamlet, plus a lot of ruins, he decided to ask the Krasian leader if he could fight with them in the maze. Ahmann Jardir, the leader, let him do it and they did, after some time, become good friends. Arlen came back often to fight with the Krasians and sell goods from the north to Abban.

One day he traded with Abban in the Bazaar in Fort Krasia, and got a map to the Ruins of Anoch Sun. He left for the ruin and found a spear with fighting wards. He went back to Fort Krasia to share the fighting wards with them. But sharing was not enough for Jardir and he stole the spear, leaving Arlen in the desert to die. Miraculously, he made it to the Oasis of Dawn. There, he decided to paint wards at his flesh and became The Warded Man.

Cutter's Hollow After a few years of having been the Warded Man, he finally meets up with Leesha Paper and Rojer Inn who are running from the night and failing to create a ward circle. Later saving them and revealing his identity he agrees to escort them to Cutter's Hollow. While they travel Arlen and Leesha develop feelings for each other. Leesha, just recently raped finds protection in Arlen, while Arlen starts to question if all he wants is the corelings death or if he could find a home with Leesha. Soon Alren and Leesha get taken by their feelings and engage in sexual activity only to be interrupted by a coreling resulting in Arlen almost getting sucked into the core with it. Arlen not knowing what he is anymore and doubting his humanity reclaims being the warded man putting a wall between him and Leesha once again. Arlen being interrupted never delivers his seed inside Leesha which he is thankful for not knowing what would spawn from him. Upon arriving to Cutter's Hollow they gaze at the destruction that has taken Cutter's Hollow and The Warded Man swearing not to give anything to the corelings ever again decides to make a stand rising others to his cause and begin preparing warded weapons and fortifying the Holy House while awaiting nightfall. After the battle was done and gone The Warded Man stayed to teach more to the people of Cutter's Hollow how to further defend themselves against corelings. Later on, the hamlet Cutter's Hollow changes its name to the Deliverer's Hollow.

Leesha
Leesha is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with her abusive mother and downtrodden father. After a slanderous rumor spread by her fiancé seems to destroy her chances of a respectable marriage and shows the true nature of many of her friends and the hypocrisy of the villagers, she devotes herself to learning the ways of herb gathering to care for the sick.

Rojer
Rojer enters the narrative as a toddler, the only member of his family to survive a coreling attack. He is rescued and adopted by an alcoholic jongleur, a type of roaming jester that frequently travels with messengers and performs in villages on the messenger's route. Rojer has a crippled hand, caused by the loss of two fingers in the coreling attack that killed his parents. This limits his ability to juggle but does not hinder him in the least when he plays his favorite instrument, the fiddle. He later remembers that the jongleur that adopted him actually caused the death of his mother, he confronts him on the road about this later, and the jongleur, in a fit of drunken rage, pushes him into the corelings. He then sees his mistake, and dies in order to save Rojer's life. With his fiddle Rojer can entrance the corelings with his music causing the corelings to follow him, anger them to rage, make them oblivious to others, or drive them away with jarring music. Rojer tries without success to teach others his skills with the fiddle. Rojer harbors strong unrequited feelings for Leesha.

Reception
The novel was selected by Amazon.co.uk as one of the Top 10 Science Fiction & Fantasy books of 2008. and has been nominated for the first David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy.

Sequels
The second volume of the Demon Cycle, The Desert Spear, was released in April 2010, published by Del Rey Books in the US and Canada, and Voyager in the UK. The third volume, entitled The Daylight War, was released 12 February 2013 by Del Rey in the United States. The fourth volume, entitled The Skull Throne, was released 31 March 2015 by Del Rey in the United States. The fifth and final volume, The Core, was released on 3 October 2017 in the United States. There are also three novellas related to the story. "The Great Bazaar", "Brayan's Gold" and "Messenger's Legacy", each released in limited edition by Subterranean Press. Peter V. Brett has stated that he has one more book left in his publishing contract, which will be set in the same world as the Demon Cycle and may grow into a new series.

Film adaptation
It has been confirmed that the Demon Cycle has been optioned for film production by director Paul W. S. Anderson and longtime producing partner Jeremy Bolt, the duo behind the Resident Evil film franchise. A 2016 update at Peter V. Brett's webpage stated that Anderson and Bolt are no longer involved in the film production.