The ancient Runelord Karzoug, Lord of Xin-Shalast, rises! From his city fortress of Xin-Shalast, high in the mountains, he is directing his minions to harvest souls so that he might reclaim his lost power. If they are to prevent Karzoug's rise to dominance, Ezren, Merisiel, Harsk, and Valeros must search for the haunted vaults of the Runeforge . Only there will they be able to empower their weapons so that they may strike true against Karzoug. Yet in order to master the magic of the ancient forge, the heroes must embrace the dark forces of Thassilon as their own.