Time and place uncertain. Possible a southern city (Cerebus #2). Cerebus rides into a town where the locals quickly learn to stay out of his way. Two fellow bar patrons hire his sword and smarts for one pouch of gold to help steal the legendary Flame Jewel from a powerful illusionist.
Cerebus admits "the ways of sorcery are not unknown to me" (Cerebus #9, 28).
Cerebus #2 "Captive in Boreala":
Tansubal province and Boreala, some time later.
Cerebus is captured by some barbarians, and challenges their biggest warrior to a duel in order to save his life. The duel is to be with knives. The opponents are joined together by a two foot long strap clenched in their teeth. Cerebus is victorious.
After joining them and skirmishing with another band of mercenaries, Cerebus encounters the Eye of Terim, one of the five spheres of the gods, only to find it is not what it appears. It is Khem, a demon/succubus. It attempts to steal Cerebus's soul, but cannot find it.
Cerebus breaks its spell of illusion - permanently (Cerebus #151). Whether it was due to his sorcerous training, his nature as an aardvark, or some combination is unknown. The Blood Wars are going on during this time; they appear to be still going on in 1413 (High Society). 4 days pass in this chapter.
Cerebus #3 "Song of Red Sophia":
Back in Tansubal, a few days later.
Hired by Henrot the Wizard, Cerebus must accompany the wizard's barbarian daughter Red Sophia to avenge her "besmirched honour" at the hands of Tanes Feras, who watched her bathe. Cerebus left his helmet behind, but it gets tossed out in the confusion. En route, Cerebus bests her in combat and inadvertantly wins her undying affection. He then forces Red Sophia to marry Tanes Feras.
3 days pass in this adventure.
After Cerebus #3:
Cerebus has some spare cash (Cerebus #3), so it may be around then that he "almost died" of over-drinking in Tansubal (Church and State2).
Cerebus travels to Serrea, and makes some bad trades (Minds)
Cerebus #4 "Death's Dark Tread":
Serrea, a week later. Disguised as a textile trader in Serrea, Cerebus comes into possession of the Chaos Gem, sought after by Death himself. The thief who stole it is killed by the Crawler, an agent of Death. The gem causes Cerebus grief in the form of monsters, imprisonment, and Elrod the Albino - who thinks that Cerebus is a child in a bunny suit.
Red Marches, mid-summer, at least a month later. Cerebus is 26.
Cerebus is found by a Pigt hunting party and brought back to their underground stronghold where he is introduced to their leader, Bran Mak Muffin, a "paranoid schizophrenic with delusions of grandeur."
While there, Cerebus discovers that they think he is the reincarnation of their god-king. Indeed, several symbols on the walls are stylized aardvark heads. This is the first indication that Cerebus may actually be someone *really* important.
After Cerebus #5:
Cerebus serves with Tiberius and does something unpleasant to Sergeant Lui's brother (Cerebus #23).
Nucleus #1 (reprinted in Swords of Cerebus Volume Two):
Cerebus versus a mischevious god, M'isly.
Cerebus #6 "The Secret":
Iest, a day or two later.
Two theives (Turg and E'Lass) take an interest in Cerebus when they suspect he knows the location of a great treasure. They drug him to get his cooperation, but accomplish nothing more than making him fall in love with Jaka, a dancing girl at the tavern where Cerebus was found. Jaka is supposed to be the most beautiful woman "east of the Sofim."
Cerebus pledges a life of happiness to Jaka, and seems sincere. Jaka is touched, although she's only spending time with him because she had been paid to do so by E'Lass ("I once got her to make a priest break a ten-year vow of silence," E'Lass said about Jaka). Yet Jaka "listened to your stories for hours" (Cerebus #36) and has sex with him. Despite his grand promises, Cerebus forgets her when the drug wears off.
Cerebus Jam:
Cerebus gets in trouble in Garrison.
Cerebus World Tour Book 1995:
Fall. Cerebus is sleeping in what appears to be a barn, thus implying that he is either low on cash or on the run. Around this time, Cerebus sees an old madwoman outside the Ram and Peacock (High Society).
Cerebus World Tour Book 1995:
Winter. Cerebus is wearing a fur vest, not the one of cloth or leather that he is normally seen wearing, which may set this story somewhat earlier.
Cerebus #7 "Black Sun Rising!":
Hsifan Khanate, a day or two later. "Early winter."
Cerebus heads to the Temple of the Black Sun to find treasure (Cerebus #6). He runs into Elrod once there. At one point Elrod actually tries to shake Cerebus out of his "bunny suit."
It may be as a result of this issue's events that Cerebus has run into Hsifan Sopai assassins (Cerebus #21).
Before the "blinding flash of white light," Cerebus was several hundred metres deep and falling, in an apparently bottomless pit, with tons of rock crashing down from above. Yet he is a good distance away (as is the box of diamonds). His latent magical abilities may have allowed him to teleport to safety (Cerebus #88).
After Cerebus #7:
Shortly after (still summer 1411), Elrod visits Madame DuFort's school for girls (Cerebus #24).
Cerebus #8 "Day of the Earth-pig!":
Not long after. Still delerious from spider-venom, Cerebus wanders into a Conniptin camp where his talent is sought to replace an incompetant prince and lead the army to conquer Iest. Cerebus regains his mind and thinks of fleeing but decides to milk the opportunity.
Cerebus #9 "Swords Against Imesh":
Imesh, in the Hsifan Khanate, now under K'Cor after their economy's collapse. Possibly the next day, certainly no more than a few days after. Cerebus lived in Imesh from roughly 1394-1397, making it almost 15 years since he left.
Cerebus leads the Conniptin Army to the walled city of Imesh and sneaks in alone to survey. He finds several surprises, and a "wager of Kings" is posed by the K'Cor, king of Imesh -- a double or nothing for Cerebus: win the Imeshite public or die. Because the troops waited outside for Cerebus, they foraged for food and water. Because K'Cor poisoned the area's supply of water, most of the Conniptin army dies. The few suvivors have gone away, or are suffering non-fatal, but temporarily incapacitating symptons when Cerebus left Imesh (Cerebus #49).
Apparently King Korem is lost or in exile.
After Cerebus #9:
Around this time, Iest sends a new Ranking Diplomatic Representative to Lower Felda. He is not invited to the year-end banquet, leading eventually to war between the two countries (High Society).
Davis, Diamond & Madison hold their first annual trade show (Reads).
The owner of the Black Blossom Lotus dies.
Cerebus #10 "Merchant of Unshib!":
A week later, heading towards Iest.
During a blizzard, Cerebus, alone and with broken ribs, wanders the snowy wastelands tracking a rabbit that he intends to eat for dinner. When suddenly he is tickled from behind by Red Sophia. Keeping himself from fainting, due to being tickled on a fracture, Cerebus joins forces with Red Sophia (seeing as how she has already captured the rabbit) and a colleague to deprive a traveling merchant of the Black Blossom Lotus.
Wanting the loot but not wanting to deal with the others involved, Cerebus has some clever planning to do.
Sophia's vegetarian inclinations (Cerebus #3) seem to have vanished. Three weeks pass.
Cerebus travels to Beduin, the city that "epitomized the worst aspects of Lower Felda." Once there he meets a sorcerer-turned-merchant-turned-bug (the Cockroach).
Upon hearing that the rest of the The Cockroach's gold was still prime for the stealing, Cerebus makes an attempt to liberate the funds only to be plagued by guards, the The Cockroach and Elrod. For once though, Cerebus is seen sailing off into the sunset with his fortune.
This is probably when Cerebus remembered Jaka -- "Whenever Cerebus was... drunk..." and "Cerebus saw... a dancer ...in a tavern... in... Beduin."(Cerebus #36).
Swords of Cerebus, Volume 1:
Cerebus plays lots of diamondback, meets Leopold, the famous gambling priest. Cerebus meets some familiar-looking elves.
Swords of Cerebus, Volume 2:
Cerebus tries to cure a hangover.
Swords of Cerebus, Volume 5:
Cerebus has a dream.
Swords of Cerebus, Volume 6:
Cerebus get drunk with a lifeless friend.
Cerebus #12 "Beduin by Night":
Two weeks have passed.
Cerebus tries for the gold again, but Elrod's timely intervention screws things up.
Cerebus loses his sword here, but he eventually gets it back (Cerebus #36).
Cerebus turns 27 during this issue.
After Cerebus #12:
Weisshaupt picks up control of the Cockroach and Elrod (Cerebus #21). Roach meets Countess (Cerebus #54).
'Dave' has a revelation (Minds).
Swords of Cerebus, Volume 3:
Cerebus meets a "good" sorcerer, who wants a weapon.
Cerebus #13 "Black Magiking":
Four days later, Theyr.
Cerebus had spent four days adrift on the Felda river only to be waylaid by a bunch of farmers who lived in mortal fear of a hermit magician, Necross, who sculpted sixteen foot paperweights in his spare time.
Cerebus is charged with being "lying devil spawn" and brought before the evil wizard Necross the Mad in hopes that the two will eliminate each other. However, Necross transfers his mind into Thrunk, but gets trapped in his own tower. He eventually escapes (Cerebus #80).
Annual(?) Festival of Virgins in Theyr.
Cerebus World Tour Book 1995:
Several days pass. Cerebus and Silverspoon are staked out for at least "four days", possibly a bit more.
Swords of Cerebus, Volume 4:
Denieau, ocean, primitive island. Several days pass. Cerebus first meets Lord Julius.
Cerebus #14 "The Walls of Palnu":
Palnu, "three weeks later". Cerebus prevents an assassination attempt on Lord Julius. He is thus given a government post there as "Kitchen Staff Supervisor", a part of Lord Julius' bureaucratic system. His job is to protect the life of Lord Julius.
His services are quickly called for when the food is poisoned at a banquet, chase ensuing. Palnu seems to be in a state of semi-warfare with Onliu.
Cerebus sets the property taxes (Church and State1).
Cerebus #15 "A Day in the Pits":
Some time has passed.
As Kitchen Staff Supervisor Cerebus uncovers a growing plot against Lord Julius. Lord Julius, on the other hand, more concerned about the Festival of Petunias.
Thus, Cerebus, Lord Julius and Baskin go out looking for the Palnu Revolutionary Underground. While investigating "The Pits" (Cerebus looking for revolutionaries, Lord Julius looking for a good place to celebrate petunias), they are captured and attacked by forces known as "The Eye of the Pyramid".
One day elapses during this adventure.
After Cerebus #15:
Scorz of Scorz, Scorz and Sons starts trying to contact Lord Julius (High Society).
Captain Cockroach spends "almost two weeks" with Michelle. The Roach is "in and out all through that winter" (Church and State1).
Cerebus #16 "A Night at the Masque":
A fortnight later (Cerebus #15).
Lord Julius throws his annual Festival of Petunias in The Pits and barely escapes when Cerebus spots a dozen members of The Eye of the Pyramid in the crowd. How do you protect a powerful dictator from zealous rebels at an underground party when your own guards are part of the conspiracy. Easy, just get the guests to throw herring-and-onion dip at anyone holding a sword. (At the same time he's negotiating with Lord Julius for more money.)
Includes the return of E'Lass and Turg (Cerebus #6), and a startling revelation about Lord Julius' niece - who turns out to be Jaka (Cerebus #6).
Two days elapse during this chapter.
After Cerebus #16:
Jaka visits Palnu shortly after this issue, then Madame DuFort's school (Cerebus #24). Around this time, Weisshaupt unveils Captain Cockroach. He has also recently invented movable type (Cerebus #21). Michelle wins the Palnan Endowment for Advanced Study and Miss Congeniality Prize for 1412. Michelle then moves onto an estate (Cerebus #53).
More than a year has passed since Cerebus #6. This places the season as at least late summer.
1413
Cerebus #17 "Champion":
Three weeks later.
Wanting nothing more than to put distance between himself and Palnu, Cerebus buys a small farm for 4 gold pieces and tries to settle down, but is soon wrapped up in a plot with two T'Gitan barbarians named Gudre and Stromm to take Palnu. The only flaw is there's a city in between them and Palnu. A city guarded by Commander Krull. Cerebus has an idea of what to about that.
He defeats Commander Krull. Julius sends for Lord Gorce. It is winter, and after mid-winter at that. 2-3 days pass with the T'Gitans and Krull.
After Cerebus #17:
A week after Cerebus #17, Fluroc is taken. Henrot sets up Geet-a outside his door (Cerebus #19). Concordance Eve is later stated to be "the festival of spring's arrival" and it is about 3 weeks away.
Cerebus #18 "Fluroc":
Three days later.
After taking the city by force, Cerebus and the hordes of T'Gitans forrage around for loot and information about Palnu. When a band of jewelry traders approaches, they must find a way of explaining the dead bodies from the recent battle while helping the merchants lighten their load. Lord Gorce sent out, but gets ambitious.
One day passes.
Cerebus #19 "She-Devil in the Shadows":
Togith, a few days later.
Cerebus and Graus, one of the T'Gitan warriors, go to Togith to trade the jewels (Cerebus #18) for mercenaries. The Duke of Agerden agrees, but only if Cerebus "acquires" the twin of a golden owl that was among the jewelry. The twin owl happens to be in the cellar of an inn where men have been disappearing if they enter the cellar. Cerebus bets a gold coin on himself, at twenty to one odds, before entering the cellar.
Cerebus winds up fighting against the out-of-control creation of Henrot the Wizard: Red Sophia's twin sister, Geet-a. Henrot at this point owns pet Gerbies.
Lord Gorce conspires with Commander Sarte, but Julius totally disarms the conspiracy. One day passes. Henrot hasn't seen Sophia in "over a year" (Cerebus #3). This is because she's moved from Tansubal to Togith. Geet-a has, among others, "hacked up" Henrot's ex-wife, presumably Mrs. Henrot-Gutch (Cerebus #57), who might be "expected to survive such an experience". About ten days remain until Concordance Eve (Cerebus #21).
Cerebus #20 "Mind Games":
The same day as Cerebus #19, in Togith.
After being drugged by Perce, the Cirinists send Cerebus to the seventh sphere to uncover a revelation from Terim. Cerebus finds an illusionist claiming to be the legendary Suenteus Po the First there, and tries to pit the two forces against one another. Cerebus has clearly heard of Illusionists before, and knows at least a little about them.
Wenda "reads the cards," in a divinitory and/or mystic manner.
Beduin is closed around now. About ten days remain until Concordance Eve.
Swords of Cerebus, Volume Three:
Cerebus is taken to the outlying areas of Iest and sold to a freak show. Sir Gerrik is shown for the first (so far only) time. He has known Astoria for years. Astoria brings Cerebus to Beduin.
Before Cerebus #21:
Captain Cockroach with Michelle. (Cerebus #54). According to Michelle's original story (Cerebus #53-54), the Count must have died somewhere between 1403 and now. On the other hand, she later says that she was lying through most of this sequence (Cerebus #83).
Cerebus #21 "Captain Cockroach":
Cerebus is, inexplicably, in Beduin (Lower Felda), "some weeks" later.
Cerebus awakens from the drugging in Beduin and decides to get back to the T'Gitan army, for the invasion of Palnu. Arriving there, he finds "Captain Cockroach" and "Bunky the Albino" have been enlisted by the newly self-proclaimed president, Weisshaupt and are selling war bonds.
Cerebus tries to fight a Sopai assassin in a drug and alcohol induced stupor.
First mention of Kevillism.
Cerebus tries to leave town, with mixed results. Suenteus Po the First is now in Beduin (Cerebus #76). Suenteus Po is Weisshaupt's uncle.
Cerebus #22 "The Death of Elrod":
The same day as Cerebus #21. A day or two probably passes during this issue.
The fight with the Sopai Assassin takes a turn when Elrod is seemingly killed, only to become "Deadalbino" who can possess the bodies of others. Cerebus finds he was drugged far longer than suspected, and his waiting T'Gitan army has been defeated in his absence. Thus, he helps Weisshaupt comes up with a plan to use Deadalbino's ability to take over other peoples bodies. With some preparation they head out to take control of the military tribunal that runs Beduin. This, of course, fails.
After Cerebus #22:
Cigars invented Cerebus #46. Cockroach takes refuge with Michelle "for months" (Church and State1), meets Astoria, and becomes Moon Roach (Cerebus #31, 54).
Cerebus #23 "The Beguiling":
Lower Felda, Serrea (Cerebus #31, 24). A few days later. One day passes during this chapter.
Having been wounded in the leg while leaving Beduin, Cerebus seeks refuge in Madame Duforts School for Gifted Young Ladies in the marshes, where he plays part in turning away the fore-scouts of the approaching Sepran army. The students are Janet, Katrina, and Theresa.
Sepran army moving through Lower Felda towards upper Felda.
Cerebus #24 "Swamp Sounds":
Spring. Cerebus arrived four weeks before.
His healing taking longer than he cares to consider, Cerebus has no choice but to resort to "cute card games" with the girls of the school. When the mysterious noises he had been hearing allude explantion, Cerebus breaks his confinement to find sorcery on the premises. The head mistress is actually Professor Charles X. Claremont, who is attempting to create his apocalypse beast Woman Thing.
Cerebus #25 "This Woman, This Thing":
One day later.
Cerebus accompanies Professor Charles X. Claremont and his rare apocalypse beast on a mission of revenge, only to be waylaid at a castle where they encounter an artist with another apocalypse beast.
![[Cerebus]](pix/barbarian.gif)
![[Cerebus]](covers/cerebus1.gif)
Swords of Cerebus, Volume 1:
Cerebus #25 "This Woman, This Thing":
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