In a world where mages rule through expensive wands and rote memorization of spells learned in elite magic schools, Oag of Oswick forges his own path by reverse engineering the most basic and ancient of spells. Soon he’s more powerful than the archmage of Merl. Kings fight to buy his loyalty. Will Oag succumb to temptations and become just another entitled, self-serving archmage? Or is he a true wizard, capable of imbuing downtrodden peasants with magical gifts? Are the immortal bloodsuckers at the head of the empire right to fear Oag and his odd assortment of friends?