In EDWARDIAN LONDON, Ethan, a Punch & Judy busker comes home one evening to find his beloved Haitian wife Marie dead. She was only nineteen years old. Ethan is totally destroyed and begins to drink heavily. His neighbour, Louis de Villiers, a "Black Edwardian" and a Haitian Voodoo Priest who is a disciple of Petro, takes pity on Ethan and offers him the chance of finding Marie in the 'in between world' where she will remain for one year and one day before going to the 'crossroads' and being lost to him for all eternity.
Louis is The Bokor, more a sorcerer than a priest. He will have to transform Ethan into his spiritual 'Iwa'. Half man half bird This will enable Ethan to search the netherworld for Marie. Ethan agrees to the horrific transfoarmation believing that when he finds Marie there will be a way to bring her home.
In the netherworld, a Monochromatic reflection of earth, Ethan is confronted by many 'Iwa's', some violent and some kind, hordes of Zombies that shuffle around the ruins of this strange world, dangerous 'white robed guards' of the beautiful stalagmite cave, and the evil Baron Le Croix who resides in huge gothic Palace.
Le Croix is a vain, decadent character who's life of wine and women is sometimes boring and he needs to constantly take himself a new bride. Now he lusts after the beautiful young Marie. He and Ethan are on the same path to find her.
Ethan has his carved puppets and the Le Croix has his voodoo poppets, and whoever has the most power will win the battle for Marie.