Rathen

A seemingly simple mission: eradicate a menace in a neighboring land, yet dark secrets strangle a truth that spells death to the unaware. Rathen, a former captain in King Delvant's army, has retired to a quiet backwater town after the Kingdom's forces were dissolved following the King's sudden death. Trying to forget his problems by the copious use of strong ale, he is approached by the emissaries of a powerful lord to lead a band of fighters, clerics and mages to dispel brigands from his lands. The pay is good-and the mission seems clear. Rathen quickly recruits his best friend, an ex-gladiator and landlord of the local tavern, Bulo, to assist him. The two join other members of the group and head for Ghrakus Castle, to face their enemy. On the way they learn of the castle's sordid history, of the dark powers of magical creatures, and of horrific deaths in the land they are supposed to cleanse. At Ghrakus Castle they face the full horror of their task: ancient evils lurking within the shadowed halls, a book of secrets, and a guild that has betrayed its history. Only then do they realize that their chances of returning home are indeed very slim.

A man driven by revenge. Another world in peril. A long-forgotten deity determined to destroy all in its path to ultimate power. Rathen, ex-captain of the late king's army, pulls together a team to defeat the evil that threatens them all. The Book of Ziz, with its instructions for protective spells against an evil deity has fallen into the nefarious hands of High Priest Litagus, meaning soon, untold evil will, reign unchecked if Rathen fails. Consumed by his personal vengeance for the betrayer in the earlier death of his friends, Rathen travels to the ruins of Ghrakus Castle to enlist the aid of the very being who tried to kill Rathen once before. Only the black powers of this, ancient evil can, ensure their mission to steal the book back, but can those powers be trusted? To safeguard his group, Rathen also recruits Caswen, an inexperienced young healer determined to make her mark on the world. Together with Bulo, an ex-gladiator and fellow warrior, Thack, a one-armed half-orc, and Bandark, a mysterious mage from another world, the group heads through the menacing Bramblewood Forest to confront Litagus and his followers.