The death of Archduke Peter Sten leads to a succession crisis in one of the most powerful of the Core human states. As the Sten family takes sides and descends into chaos, a formerly unknown son makes a desperate bid for power. If he chooses to pursue his claim to the throne, various factions of his family will attempt to manipulate him, abandon him, or kill him outright. His ability to command authority and the respect of the nobility and the people, or failure to do so, will either further destroy his family or unite it.