Synopsis: From the back cover of the first DAW paperback printing: "It is the twilight of the ages... Only one of these terrifying and mysterious men still remain - the difficult and enigmatic Lord Eldrich. More than one hundred and thirty years of age, but appearing no older than forty, Eldrich dwells in seclusion, his precious knowledge disclosed to no one, his very existence subject to speculation. For motives of his own he has dedicated his life to eliminating all remaining vestiges of magic in the world. But his work does not go unchallenged, for there are those sworn to preserve the very lore Eldrich is striving to eradicate. Fanatical followers of a long-dead mage-apprentice, the Tellerites will stop at nothing to reclaim the forbidden powers of the magical arts - even if it means braving Eldrich's wrath and descending into the perilous depths of a labyrinthine cave system in search of secrets which have lain hidden since the time of the first mage."