From the introduction: Within the Pits, a stinking bog formed by the outflow of offal from the decadent city of Ugama, lurks the progenitor of serpentine horrors that plague the dwellers of that unfortunate place. Stiria, the Mother Serpent, is rumored to be a creature from hell – a massive legged serpent with bright eyes that mesmerize those that fall under her gaze. Borchanar — called the Prince of Rags and lately a champion of Myrddin – a demi-god of the bogs – has disappeared into the darkest part of the Pits seeking to slay Stiria and end her plague of horrors. He carried Myrddin’s Tooth, a rusty red longsword considered an artifact of the bog god. Now the adherents of Myrddin seek a champion to find their Prince and return the artifact of the bog god.