The Gods Are Bastards

It was a world of sword and sorcery, but that was a thousand years ago. When the gods turn their backs, true adventurers are needed more than ever. For centuries, the Empire of Tiraas has surged forward in the name of peace, commerce, and political power, evolving from its early days of heroes, quests, and reckless abandon in favor of a more refined, industrious existence. Today, rails connect cities and outposts. Religion is power—even if the gods have gone silent. Magic is a commodity. Dwarves and elves are carefully discouraged from exhibiting any unwanted behaviors.

The Empire of Tiraas has spent ages casting off its sword-and-sorcery shackles in favor of high finance, practical magic, and keeping those with power in power. Everything is malleable in the name of progress. And those that cannot be bent can easily be broken—quite painfully if necessary. But far away on the frontier, anything goes. And the University has not ceased instructing would-be adventurers on the finer points of unlocking their potential as elves, warriors, paladins, pirates, half-demons, and anything else the empire considers a threat.

In the low-down, run-down frontier town of Sarasio, the quicker you are with a wand, the longer you will live—not that anyone with any sense would want to live there. And this ramshackle dungheap is where a group of University greenhorns has just been handed a new assignment: clean up the streets. After all, they have learned to work together and fight for one another. Now they just have to do the same for Sarasio's feuding townsfolk and elves. Good thing there is a genuine paladin on their side. But they have no idea just how much trouble they are in for . . .