Powers bestowed upon four adolescents by Lord Cuere, wizard and advisor to the King of Obenin, will either save the kingdom or lead to its destruction. The Kingdom of Obenin dominates over half the known world. It is named after its founder, Obenin Bedowyn. His subjects are called Obenites. Obenites believe Obenin Bedowyn has transcended into godhood. The High Priest of Obenin's Primary Temple crowns each successive King, the eldest son. Four hundred years after Obenin's ascension to godhood, the current Obenite king miscalculates the response of an ancient enemy alliance in a game that has been played for centuries. To counter, the Obenite king escalates the conflict. The alliance exacts a heavy toll. Obenin stands to be invaded for the first time in centuries. Only winter in the Abringian Mountains keeps Obenin safe. The spring thaw will bring a flood of alliance soldiers. King Saroth prepares every able-bodied man, woman, and child to defend the kingdom. The wizard, Lord Cuere, promises to save the kingdom with his new found powers. The High Priest, Iberius Octun, is manipulated into accepting this plan and given a key role in carrying it out. He does so in a way that brings about the only results it could.