Deep in a subterranean capital city, a new leader emerges: Orestes Darkholm has just inherited the title of Patriarch of one of the four Great Houses of Pirassi society. However, with the title comes great responsibility. The Pirassi have been ravaged by war and terrorism, a mysterious disease mutates its victims into monstrosities, and the indigenous insect-like Djuu’mah have begun encroaching on the outskirts of the Capital in an effort to regain their lost lands. Above the surface, they struggle to regain their native lands from Belen, a machine whose intelligence has long since grown beyond their control. To make matters worse, Patriarch Elwyn Redorath has suddenly developed a chilling power over the Pirassi Arbiter, their supreme leader. It soon becomes clear to Orestes that his ability to uncover the dark secrets of his ruined society, with the help of best friend Valerius and Aelyn, his lover from a rival family, may be the only way to save the Pirassi from total destruction.
Deep in a subterranean capital city, a new leader emerges: Orestes Darkholm has just inherited the title of Patriarch of one of the four Great Houses of Pirassi society. However, with the title comes great responsibility. The Pirassi have been ravaged by war and terrorism, a mysterious disease mutates its victims into monstrosities, and the indigenous insect-like Djuu’mah have begun encroaching on the outskirts of the Capital in an effort to regain their lost lands. Above the surface, they struggle to regain their native lands from Belen, a machine whose intelligence has long since grown beyond their control. To make matters worse, Patriarch Elwyn Redorath has suddenly developed a chilling power over the Pirassi Arbiter, their supreme leader. It soon becomes clear to Orestes that his ability to uncover the dark secrets of his ruined society, with the help of best friend Valerius and Aelyn, his lover from a rival family, may be the only way to save the Pirassi from total destruction.