Frith Chronicles

Gravedigger Volke Savan wants nothing more than to become an arcanist like his hero, the legendary Gregory Ruma. When he bonds with a knightmare — a creature of shadow and terror — he learns a terrible secret: Ruma is a murderer who has already killed a population of phoenixes and intends to kill more. To protect his home and those he loves, Volke must confront the legend he once idolized.

While protecting newborn griffins on the Isle of Landin, Volke and his adopted sister Illia cross paths with the Dread Pirate Calisto — the cutthroat who carved out Illia's eye. As a master manticore arcanist, Calisto's strength is unrivaled. When Illia suggests bringing him to justice, Volke wonders if they have what it takes to fight corsairs on the high seas.

Traveling to the famous city of Thronehold, Volke enters the Sovereign Dragon Tournament — hundreds of arcanists competing for fame and glory. But dark forces operate in the city's shadows, rumors spread of a legendary world serpent, and the queen's guards suspect the chaos of the tournament is cover for a deadly plot. Volke investigates while fighting his way up the ranks.

Racing south to New Norra, Volke must find the artificer Theasin Venrover before the arcane plague spreads further. Separated from most of the Frith Guild, he relies on the crew of the airship Sun Chaser — but the desert city is steeped in mystery, hunters are on his trail, and dread pirates lurk in the port.

Reunited with the Frith Guild, Volke races the Second Ascension to the world serpent — a god-creature whose power could change the world forever. The guild intends to have it bond with someone trustworthy before their enemies can claim it. As Volke struggles to improve his magic and mentor a new knightmare arcanist, he senses this may be an adventure the guild never comes back from.

As twelve god-creatures emerge, nations choose sides — some allying with the Second Ascension for power and protection. Volke and the Frith Guild must forge a counter-alliance and find the remaining god-creatures before the Autarch does. Dragon arcanists from distant lands arrive to test Volke's worthiness, adding pressure to an already impossible task.

Volke is tasked with finding the remaining god-creatures and helping them bond with allies who will stand against the Second Ascension. But as more bonds are made, the arcane plague spreads further. Volke must choose his path in magic — creation or destruction — and find a way to end the plague before it destroys everything he loves.

Volke has sworn to bring the Second Ascension to justice, but the Autarch keeps amassing power and the plan keeps shifting. God-arcanists gather on two sides of an approaching war, and the outcome of the arcane plague will determine the fate of the world. With Evianna at his side, Volke must find the last god-creatures, locate Luthair, defeat the Autarch, and save his friends from ultimate corruption — all before the apoch dragon changes everything.