The Alchemist and the Eagle introduces many new characters, cultures, and developements
into the complex story of Aurduin. Most significantly we officially meet Rin Jao, the leader of the Jolao Empire.
Rin Jao, a physical alchemist, learned some 300 years ago how to transmute a deadly mineral into a source of power, known
as tlon. To accomplish this, Jao and the other Ringa, or ruling alchemists, secretly consume mass quantities of tlon
or the "food of the Gods" which they then supply to the military and industrial base of the Jolao Empire. In the process
they've become addicted to the drug-like qualities of tlon and must consume ever greater quantities to maintain not only
their "immortality" and their sense of god-hood, but also to maintain the base of their empire. The result is that their
mining operations are causing a major ecological catastrophe across Aurduin and their agressive militarism is inspiring active
resistance.
However, things are about to change for the Jolao Empire. Jao, a cyncial manipulator of the people
of the west and supreme architect of the theocratic empire of the Jolao, is having strange dreams of Miraanni, an egg,
and a mysterious temple. No longer able to ignore the disturbing dreams, Jao seeks out a wizard of the old, pre-Ringa
religion. Slowly but surely, Jao's carefully constructed sense of reality begins to crack and fall apart. The
one who was once the "thumb" of the "Righteous Hand" of the Jolao Empire is now becoming distant and disaffected. In
his place, the power hungry Tuguan steps into the vacancy created by Jao's existential crisis.
Tuguan thus attempts to take the reins from Jao and mount an effective offensive against the rapidly growing
resistance movement in Jeaniaurduin. Kalzhat has called more and more fighters to his side and have successfully disrupted
Jolao mining and slaving operations in the interior. Fighting, risks, and daring increases on all sides as the resistance
plans a stunning attack on a Jolao outpost city.
Complicating matters is the fact that Ashi has now assumed the official title of Kyandara, taking the name
of the ceremonial knife as the leader of the Tal religious movement that looks to Miraanni as savior. Ashi finds that
while in shamanic trance, she takes on the form of a large white eagle. In bits and pieces she begins to learn the identity
of the white eagle, the origin of the Tal religion, and the relationship between the white eagle, the ceremonial knife, herself,
and Miraanni. Ashi also finds that she has the ability to heal the poisonous nature of tlon and battles against tlon
in its metaphysical form as an enormous viper serpent when she is in the form of the great white eagle.
By this point Orobai has been called back to the waking world by Ashi and her grandfather, Kulan. Orobai
awakes just in time to watch Miraanni plunge into the Abyss of the Goarnaltrai as she embarks on her own journey of discovery,
attempting to free herself from the expectations of others and understand her fate on her own terms.
Unable to help Miraanni, Orobai sets out to the far north to find the white ealge, whom he first encountered
some 7,000 years previous. Though uncertain, Orobai believes that the white eagle will unlock the final key to Miraanni's
fate and identity, and the fate of Aurduin.
But time is running out. The violence and destruction in Jeaniaurduin is growing worse by the day.
Religious fanatacism is rampant, arms smuggling is feeding the developing war, and the Jolao struggle to hold onto power and
dominion over Aurduin. The stage is set for Miraanni's return from the Abyss and the final culmination of the events
that are leading to the utter destruction of Aurduin.
