Arcane Awakening

Verdan Blacke is an Imperial Wizard — a researcher by preference but soldier by necessity. Surviving an intense battle, he is cursed by a hex witch in her final moments. With no good options, Verdan escapes the curse's pain by performing a self-made stasis ritual. When the spell fades, he awakens to find a world completely different from the one he left behind. Dark things work in daylight with impunity, once-common knowledge is a mystery, and even the nature of human magic has changed. One wizard, a million problems, and the wrath of profound magic.

Their monstrous foes have been driven off, but the city is far from safe. Verdan has found more questions than answers since awakening, but the world waits for no one — new threats are drawing close. With growing suspicion of the Sorcerer Sects, Verdan must give the people of Hobson's Point the tools to protect themselves. Failure means death and the fall of the final independent city.

Hobson's Point stands independent and safe from the machinations of the Sects — for now. An unexpected call for aid takes Verdan into the territory of the Kranjir, a land steeped in the mysteries he seeks to unravel and the birthplace of his apprentice, Dirk. Betrayal, foul monsters, and ancient secrets might yet spell doom for not just Verdan's allies but the entirety of the north. When suspicion abounds, the honour of the Clans will be pushed to its breaking point.

The battle was won, but the price of victory was high. What should be a triumphant moment for the allied forces is marred by treachery, loss, and worrying news from the south — Elder Vanarr is in trouble. The Host is a looming shadow threatening to engulf everything they hold dear, but it is far from the only threat. To survive, they will need to stand together, but petty Sect politics threaten to undermine the foundation of the alliance.

Morale is low as the allied forces recover from betrayal and loss, with worrying news from the south — Elder Vanarr is in trouble. The northern Host was thrown back, but the war isn't over, and an old enemy has returned once more. Devastation spreads and there are many who will seek opportunity within the chaos. Victory can still be achieved, if they are willing to bear the cost.

The Cyth have been defeated, and a precious seed carried forth escorted by its remaining ancient guardians. The Brotherhood has much to answer for — their schemes grow in both ambition and danger, yet the cost of their machinations is borne by the innocent. Someone must act, but the hardest part might be finding them. To do so, Verdan will have to leave the city once more, even as Hobson's Point faces a crisis of new leadership with new goals and new methods.

A blow has been struck and the scope of the enemy has been further revealed, but not without cost. Returning home to rest and recover, Verdan finds that Hobson's Point has changed in his absence, with new forces taking control and pushing for a different way of doing things. As opposing views come into conflict, Verdan will have to split his attention between the dangers within and the growth of an old threat in the north. Lines will be drawn, and the fate of the city will rest on what happens when they are crossed.