The Realms of Manetera Series Summary

 The Realms of Manetera is a fantasy world created by Andrew Wright and Ricky Hirschi. The setting is a world on the brink of a major war, primarily involving a Drow-Ogre alliance and the kingdom of Ladenthreau. The books can be read in any order and explore themes of identity, purpose, and moral compromise through various perspectives.

The enigmatic figure or entity named Dracena appears to be a key element connecting several of the major storylines.

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Book Summaries

1. Maleki 

• Protagonist: Maleki, a handsome, literate half-ogre who feels alienated by his desert tribe and is viewed as an "other."

• Plot: The story begins when Maleki is called to adventure by a mysterious glowing book, which spurs him to leave his tribe and seek his destiny by finding the entity/being Dracena on the island of Dreskorn.

2. Jax 

• Protagonist: Jax, a conflicted mercenary haunted by the desert sun, who seeks a place in the cool, underground city of Claycall.

• Plot: After being rejected by Claycall years ago, Jax joins a mercenary company led by the ruthless Turnus to raid the city. The mission's success is corrupted when Turnus brutally murders the city's unarmed mayor, triggering a profound moral crisis in Jax.

• Journey to the Brotherhood: Seeking atonement or a new purpose, Jax abandons the mercenary life and joins the Brotherhood of Light. 

3. Brotherhood of Light

• Protagonist: Brundin, a new initiate to the prestigious Order of Light, plagued by anxiety and self-doubt about the huge responsibility placed upon him.

• Plot: His training is suddenly cut short as a war breaks out, forcing him to rise to the challenge and battle orcish enemies.

• Key Scene: He is first introduced at a tavern, where he is counseled and inspired by a gnome bard named Little Grey.

4. Vera

• Protagonist: Vera, a skilled drow spy and member of the powerful Bourreaux organization.

• Plot: Vera and her mentor, Dranor, go on a covert mission to infiltrate the human settlement of Bronzehelm. They use magic to disguise their drow appearance and track the activities of the cult of Dracena.

5. Mist Company: Part 1 The Making of a King

• Protagonist: Dastan, a lieutenant in the Royal Guard of Ladenthreau.

• Plot: Dastan must use his wit to repel an invasion from the Drow-Ogre alliance that threatens the kingdom, becoming the sole survivor of an attack on his outpost and accompanying a faerie maid on a quest.