Ian Bronwyn is a simple farmer’s son, one of many scattered throughout the war-torn land of Taltos. When slavers attack his village and destroy his family, Ian is forced to choose between being just one more victim or making a stand for justice and order. He joins the Ivy Crown, a militia force dedicated to protecting the people of Taltos. Together with an army of foreign Templar knights and the Sisters of Gianovia, they form the Crusaders. Under their tutelage, Ian studies the arcane arts and learns how to employ magic in battle. The road to becoming a mage of the Ivy Crown is long and perilous. He undergoes arduous training, even risking his life in a trial to become an Initiate in the Order of the Ivy Crown. But his ultimate test arises with an invasion of one of the Crusaders’ most dangerous foes, the vampires of Necropolis Thule.
For fans of the Reaper Warlord tabletop game. This book chronicles Ian's journey from his village to joining the Crusaders to fighting against the Necropolis. There are unresolved plot points that could turn into a sequel one day.