In the aftermath of Landfall, the Far Eastern Polis is now in Jormundgard's Diseased Abyss after surviving a miraculous water landing. The Barrier separating Stratis from Jormundgard has been destroyed and both worlds are now open for either side to invade, but the shock of surviving a cataclysm is still fresh on everyone's mind as the survivors scramble to establish a new home amidst the wreckage of the fallen polis. The True Allegiants have started to move ahead with one of their contingencies, Operation Safeguard, a plan that takes advantage of the chaos about to erupt in both worlds. And while this chaos takes hold, the True and Demon Allegiants must consolidate power and fulfill agreements made behind the scenes. Siphero and Awesha, the heroes of Far Eastern Polis's Landfall, are celebrated for their accomplishments, but a rift begins to grow between them and their love. As the polis becomes its own entity, the Demon Polis, the members of the Demon Allegaint alliance discuss their next move among other things. A surprise arrival by one of Jormundgard's generals spurs the war council to move forward with their plans.

After Siphero is roped into an arranged marriage with Awesha without any say, he sees the political move for what it is, a distraction for the populace of the Demon Polis to take their mind off of the war. This is enough for him and a contingent of the Demon Allegiants to break ranks leave the Demon Polis behind. After they do so, they arrive in SIphero's hometown, the abandoned Saltdeep where the deserters set to work preparing for a meeting with the greatest general of them all, the infamous General Hedridge the Deadman.

Once Siphero and his forces have recovered after being waylaid by a rust storm, they uncover a sinister plot set up by the alien gods leading the Sangria Legion. After foiling this plot, Siphero goes to meet the Hedridge, the general he is meant to replace. During their duel, they are set upon by the Sangria Legion's forces and Siphero's oldest friends sacrifice their lives in order to save their friend.

After the duel, Siphero is named the new general to replace Hedridge and the Demon Allegiants set off to reach Terminus Maximus, a fortress city state with the largest military arsenal in all of Jormundgard, and Siphero's new seat of power. And Awesha is now his prisoner.