Over a millennium and a half have passed since the Ancient Days were brought to an end by the cataclysmic War of Pride. Since that time, the Ecclemagium has acted as steward of the world. Its two great Orders serve the twin needs of mankind: the need for knowledge and the need to control creation. Fian Rook is a young scholar of the Lewan Order whose academic achievements earn him a trip to Ilgraen, capital city of the Ecclemagium. There he is to undertake his most important work ever: translation of a newly-found manuscript of the most ancient and holy book known to mankind. But as he goes, dark forces are stirring. Followers of a demon long thought vanquished are marshalling their forces. Their aim is not simply to wage war, but also to resurrect the one being whose name still echoes horror down the long halls of history: SOULMANCER.