Introduction

In a distant land filled with myths and legends, the societies are built around the kingdoms of the Long-ears, a civilization of five-foot-tall, intelligent rabbits, and the Short-ears rabbits, who have less education and lower status. In the northern mountains lies the Claw and Tooth kingdom of white bears, known for their vegetarian lifestyle, which sets them apart from most other inhabitants. King Aronitis of the white bears is a collector of fine poetry and exotic flowers. To the southeast, there's the kingdom of the wolves. The beaver kingdom runs parallel to the Snake River, serving as a natural border from the Wild Lands, where those who don't fit in escape to live freely, often defying the Decrees of Karnui, the otherworldly creator of the land.

Princess Framcheilia of the Long-ears, resident of Castle Whitestone in the northwest near majestic mountains contained in a luscious valley, pushes back against her desires to be an alchemist and chart her own course. She makes a discovery that will put her life on a different path from what her royal parents expect of her.

A no-nonsense short-eared woodcutter working in the Shadow Forest near his village encounters a tinkerer beaver named Wild-tail. The beaver trades him something worthless for a bowl of carrot stew and grubs. Later, he meets the princess, and that chance encounter challenges his beliefs.

The wolf prince, Vauderliech of Castle Blackstone in the southeast, rolls the dice, and the Golem proves that all such creatures are not equal.