Summary
Highlights
Bolaire, disguised, approaches a seedy tavern in Dol-Makjar. He carries a well-wrapped package, hinting at a clandestine exchange. Inside, Bolaire meets with Aubrus Drime to deliver the package in exchange for money. The exchange turns hostile when Aubrus discovers the package is empty, leading him to attack Bolaire. Aubrus incapacitates Bolaire and removes his mask, revealing a desiccated, corpse-like face beneath. Bolaire later awakens next to Aubrus's dead body. He dismembers the body, burns most of it, and uses the rest to create a new disguise before leaving.
The narrative shifts to the Davinos Palazzo, where Primus Tachonis brutally kills General Raimond Davinos. Other heroes, Julien, Occtis, Vaelus, and Thaisha, are thrust into a chaotic battle against ghouls and reanimated forces. Occtis is attacked by his brother, Ethrand Tachonis, who reveals plans to orchestrate a wider attack on rival houses. During the struggle, Occtis is fatally wounded by Ethrand, who then extracts his heart. Thaisha, in wolf form, arrives and mourns Occtis, and then joins the battle with her allies.
Julien, fueled by rage, engages Primus in battle, realizing Primus is not invincible. Aranessa, Lady Royce, joins the fight, saving Thaisha and providing Haste to Julien, turning the tide. Thaisha, severely wounded but empowered by her druidic abilities, attempts to heal and revive Occtis, while Vaelus bravely confronts the undead onslaught. Guided by magical insights gleaned from her plant communication, Aranessa uses Tree Stride to transport herself, Julien, Thaisha, and Occtis's body to safety at the Lloy family estate.
Hal and Murray are at Hal's home, where Murray reads a letter from Thjazi Fang addressing Bolaire. The letter reveals an intricate web of dealings and hints at Bolaire's true nature. Hal and Murray share their knowledge, realizing the depth of Thjazi's manipulations. The group then confronts Bolaire in his hidden archives, where he reveals his true identity as an ancient, sentient mask, created during the Shapers' War to kill a god. He confesses to being forced into servitude by Thjazi, who exploited his secret.
News of the Davinos Palazzo's destruction reaches Bolaire, Hal, Murray, and Azune, increasing their alarm. They rush to the Lloy family estate, guided by Bolaire's unique abilities and Murray's powerful magic. Upon arrival, they find Thaisha, Vaelus, and Julien with Occtis's lifeless body, infused with powerful necromantic magic. Through a combined effort, Murray, using her portent magic, and Bolaire in a ritual, remove the Stone of Nightsong from Occtis's chest, miraculously reviving him and healing his wounds. Occtis then relays unsettling visions of an underworld war waged by the Tachonis family, revealing a grander, darker plot connected to the city's fate.