Horrified by the misuse of magic they had witnessed during the First War
of the Races, the Druids at Paranor devoted themselves to the study of
the old sciences, from the period before the collapse of civilization a
thousand years before. Only the Bremen and a few trusted associates
still studied the arcane arts. And for his persistence, Bremen found
himself outcast, avoided by all but the few free-thinkers among the
Druids.
But his removal from Paranor was not altogether a terrible thing, for
Bremen learned that dark forces were on the move from the Northlands.
That seemingly invincible armies of trolls were fast conquering all that
lay to their south. That the scouts for the army--and its principal
assassins--were Skull Bearers, disfigured and transformed Druids who had
fallen prey to the seductions of the magic arts. And that at the heart
of the evil tide was an archmage and former Druid named Brona!
Using the special skills he had acquired through his own study of Magic,
Bremen was able to penetrate the huge camp of the Troll army and learn
many of its secrets. And he immediately understood that if the peoples
of the Four Lands were to escape eternal subjugation they would need to
unite. But, even united, they would need a weapon, something so powerful
that the evil magic of Brona, the Warlock Lord, would fail before its
might...