Welcome to the magical city of Turai. You might not like it here, however. For in Turai, the only people more corrupt than the politicians are the royal family, and murder and mayhem and ruthless criminal brotherhoods reign. With the civic guards incapable of keeping order, it's left to men like Thraxas to do what they can. The city needs men of steel, men of virtue and honesty and clean living. Unfortunately, Thraxas is none of the above.

Running his business from lodgings above an inn in one of the seedier parts of town, Thraxas makes a living as a private investigator. Which means that he makes enough to pay the rent from time to time and enjoy the occasional glass of beer. When he is employed by the third in line to the throne, however, Thraxas believes that his luck is about to change. And indeed it does. A few hours later, he's in a cell, accused of murder. Ooops.