Allen Afterman

The Amory Wars is an extensive science fiction narrative created by Claudio Sanchez, the frontman of the band Coheed and Cambria. This ongoing series unfolds across various media, including comic books, novels, and the band's studio albums, with the exception of "The Color Before the Sun." The central story revolves around a fictional conflict within the "Heaven's Fence" system, a cosmic structure composed of planets and stars interconnected by energy beams known as the "Keywork." The narrative explores themes of war, prophecy, and the quest for salvation, featuring characters like Coheed, Cambria Kilgannon, and their son Claudio Kilgannon, who is foretold to become "The Crowing," the savior of Heaven's Fence.

The mythos is presented in a non-chronological fashion through the albums, with lyrics often serving as narration. To provide a more complete understanding of the intricate plot and characters, Sanchez developed accompanying comic books and novels. These publications delve deeper into the story's events and expand upon the universe's lore. The timeline of The Amory Wars is complex, with various story arcs, including those focusing on Dr. Sirius Amory's investigation into the Keywork and the later Vaxis saga, adding layers to the overarching narrative. The series' origins trace back to "The Bag.On.Line Adventures," a name inspired by a shop in Paris where Sanchez conceived the saga.

The Amory Wars saga is set within "Heaven's Fence," a vast cosmic expanse comprising 78 planets and seven stars, all held together by a network of energy conduits called the "Keywork." The core of the narrative revolves around a protracted conflict, initially centered on the struggle between Coheed and Cambria Kilgannon and the formidable Supreme Tri-Mage, Wilhelm Ryan. Ryan's ambition is to conquer and rule over Heaven's Fence, initiating a galaxy-spanning war. Later story arcs shift focus to Claudio Kilgannon, the son of Coheed and Cambria, whose heroic journey involves assuming the prophesied role of "The Crowing," destined to be the savior of Heaven's Fence.

The overarching Amory Wars narrative is disseminated across multiple platforms, primarily through the studio albums of Coheed and Cambria and a series of comic books and novels published by Evil Ink Comics. While the band's music, particularly through lyrics and recurring musical motifs, serves as a foundational element of the storytelling, it is not always sufficient for a full comprehension of the complex mythos. To address this, Sanchez created companion comic series and novels that elaborate on the events, characters, and the intricate lore of the universe, often presenting the story in a more linear fashion than the albums.

Central to The Amory Wars is the "Keywork," a mysterious energy system that binds the planets of Heaven's Fence together. The story explores the scientific and potentially mystical implications of this energy source, notably through the character of Dr. Sirius Amory, who attempts to understand its nature. The narrative also incorporates elements of prophecy, with the foretold arrival of "The Crowing" playing a significant role in the saga's destiny. The concept of foreknowledge, hinted at in the original name "The Bag.On.Line Adventures" through the character of Cambria's "Knowledge" ability, suggests an underlying exploration of fate and predetermined paths within the universe.