Twenty years after the Cold Exodus-a mass departure that shattered the kingdom of Gowanor-the land remains broken and kingless, its people scattered and afraid. But when a fallen priest threatens to unleash a deadly plague, a young blacksmith is pulled from the forge and thrust into a desperate quest to save his people from extinction. Gloridan, haunted by the deaths of his parents, must rise above grief and self-doubt to defeat this growing darkness. But first, he must assemble an unlikely team: a skilled ranger, an ingenious engineer, and another priest with the power of wind and light-each driven by motives that could either save or doom their mission. As they journey through treacherous lands, facing witches, barbarians, and monstrous creatures, Gloridan struggles with what it truly means to be a hero. To achieve victory, he and his allies must learn to navigate the fine line between doing what's right and doing what's necessary to destroy evil. In this battle against tyranny, even the noblest actions will carry a heavy price.