All of Europe is under the control of the Khan, whose conquering armies
swept across the West in 1244. Scotland, in addition, lies under the
heel of England. Young Toby Strangerson, a half-English bastard, reared
by a witchwife, wants only to shed his hated "Sassenach" blood and free
his beloved highlands.
Toby wields a sword as the outlaw Longdirk. The sword can cut down men
like so many stalks of corn. But stranger winds are swirling and howling
across the lochs, eldritch winds that are ridden by "hobs" and "wisps"
and demons. The enemy Sassenach king is also a sorcerer. His demon soul
needs a body and his Black Arts can free Europe from the Khan's Golden
Horde.