At the end of the seventeenth century, within the past 15 years, new leaders and new ideas emerged within Alerar. A former General takes control of the military and under him come the rising figure of Thoracis, a former drifter who quickly rose through the ranks of The Grand Army. Confident in the new General’s abilities to lead the battle, his strategies, as well as his prowess in battle, the new King sends the forces towards the Mountains of Dusk. As they march, a familiar belonging to a Raiaeran student of magic, is sent to summon an old friend. On its way, it see’s the approaching army and immediately returns to Devon dan Sabriel and gives word to him as well as the renown bard Findelfin ap Fingolfin. The battle between Devon Starslayer and Thoracis results in the leader of both armies clashing over a major city. After a mortal wound, possibly killing Thoracis, the Alerar army is leaderless and a tactical retreat is called for as the Tel Aglarim harries them back to the Mountains of Dawn.
After the crushing defeat, the confidence in the leadership of Thoracis is diminished, and the death of the Queen leaves the throne empty. Almost immediately the crown passes to a distance cousin of the Queen, King Edari’axa. With his rise to supreme power, he quickly allows his advisor and the wealth that he has at his command to continue development of weapons, armor, and technology. “Airships” are first mentioned being spotted above the Alerar lands only years ago, a new advancement that is not only a surprise but also intimidating. However, The Grand Army is disbanded, leaving countless mercenaries scattered across the land if the men did not join the newly established Kyorl, a cutthroat militia. This militia is one of many para-military forces after a few years, including remnants of the Grand Army, the Rangir, the Resistance, and the shadowy group known as The Banishment.