Swordmage (novel)

Released in May 2008, the first fully 4E Forgotten Realms novel, Swordmage follows the story of Geran Hulmaster and his Ghostwise halfling companion Hamil, as they return to Geran's home town to find things have changed more than expected.

"Geran studied the Chainsmen surrounding them. Eight on the street and possibly more in the alehouse or another place nearby, and most looked like they knew how to use the cudgels at their belts. It would be easier to play their game and buy them off with a couple of silver pennies . . . but the thought of paying for safe passage in his own home town did not sit well with him. Besides, Geran told himself. They’re probably not as reasonable as they say they are.

Geran, a swordmage exiled from the elven city of Myth Drannor, returns home to find the once peaceful Moonsea town of Hulburg under the thumb of greedy and ruthless merchants.

''“I am here to offer you power, Warchief—the power to make yourself the king of all Thar. Every tribe in this land will call you master and do as you bid them. They will call you lord, pay you tribute, and march as you command. I can arm your warriors with a thousand hauberks of good steel mail. I can give you ten Warlock Knights to wield their battle-magic in your service. And I have control over a number of strong monsters from the high mountains—manticores, giants, chimeras, even a young dragon or two. They will be yours to command. Tell me, Warchief, what would you do with an army such as that?”''

Kardhel, a Warlock Knight of Vaasa, stirs the violent passions of a tribe of brutal orcs, and sends them to Hulburg bent on pillage.

''The lich laughed coldly. “What do I care for your lives?” he said. He stretched out his clawlike hand and made a small gesture, and the Infiernadex was wrenched out of Geran’s grasp by some unseen force. The book soared to the lich’s hand, and Aesperus twisted what remained of his face into a horrible smile. “Good-bye, Geran Hulmaster. I expect that you and I will speak again soon, when you have been laid under stone as your forefathers were.”''

And Aesperus, the King in Copper, rises from the dead once more to terrorize them all, and protect a secret beyond imagination.