A magician of checkered character, on the run for two acts of doubtful legality, stumbles onto intelligence that could bring down both Barrow and the Saikhandian Empire. Attempting to trade the secrets for a pardon, he is captured by his former friends, a bounty hunter and a wrestler-priest. With the help of the thief Krovik Quickhand, the three must outwit a demonic imp, travel the breadth of a continent, and stop the Emperor's assassination. Now all they need is a hint as to who the killer might be. Each will face an individual challenge of bravery and faith, while not knowing if everything they love has already been overrun by an evil from beyond the horizon.