Low-tech war world. Nikander 52, known as Ateri, deserted mid-battle. First checkpoint.

Mars war theater. Nikander captured after surface action. Lasers, dust, airlocks. Local scale.

Ordinary road inn. Slow dread: wrongness accumulates; irregular sounds; no early explanation. Player Character. Small cast at start.

After decades as a renowned military commander, a 54-year-old veteran is pulled back into war by general mobilization — as an ordinary recruit.

Player Character starts a new guild in the trading city of Walden with no established staff, headquarters, equipment or reputation. He must find a place, recruit people, accept contracts and gradually build the guild into a functioning organization.