The epic opens using an in medias res [in the middle of the action] technique. The six main heroes are already on a quest, and the action-driven episode introduces the characters and their dilemmas in quick succession. Young Parn yearns to be a true knight. Etoh's a novice priest of Falis. Wizard Slayn and dwarf Ghim are old friends. Deedlit is a beautiful elf, and Woodchuck is a thief. An encounter with a dragon and the Grey Witch Karla set up some initial threads for the tale to follow.