"I PLAY FOR DEATH. HE COUNTERPLAYS FOR LIFE. ARE YOU READY TO PLAY THE GAME?" 500 years after the world broke, no one knows about the Lost River, for all of Mistgard is sea, and islands of remaining land. Vond, the magic force pulsing through the World Tree, is unstable, and the Mages need careful training. They are ruled by the Cardinal, who came out of the Deluge immortal. But the school of the Mages, two brighter than average pupils are finding, deliberately discourages deep thought. Why, they wonder. What terrible secret lies concealed in the very nature of Vond, that they are not supposed to find out? The Librarian is the answer to this. Serene, enigmatic and profound, he presides over the school's library....and also over the secret Council of the Wise. The game of Life is opening. A role-playing game, set up out of Mistgard itself. The game is played between the Cardinal, and the Librarian. Are you ready to play the game?