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eliminating potential rivals, it establishes and rules the evil Empire of the East. Eventually, it is tricked and overthrown by John Ominor, its human second-in-command, who then becomes
Emperor of the East. However, the tyranny remains the same. Orcus is locked away in a magical dungeon by Ominor and Wood, his most powerful wizard (who goes on to become the main antagonist of the subsequent Swords series set thousands of years further in the future).
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On one continent, a resistance movement fights on under the leadership of Duncan, but is gradually being ground down by the greatly superior military and magical strength of the Empire. Rolf, a peasant farmer with an untapped knack for technology, joins the resistance after his parents are killed and
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is averted by a computer named ARDNEH (Automatic
Restoration Director – National Executive Headquarters), which initiates what is intended to be a temporary modification (later called "The Change") to the laws of physics to make nuclear explosions impossible. However, the enemy has a similar device,
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theme and the parallels between the
American perspective of the evil east and the west are obvious. The dominance of magic makes for a strong fantasy flavor, but remnants of the advanced weapons and technology of the old world appear throughout the series (the lake of life for wounded soldiers for
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Following The Change, most technology ceases to function, while magic now works. Magical beings are also created. Demons are born from acts of violence at the time of The Change; the most powerful is Orcus, born of a nuclear bomb caught by a wavefront at the exact moment of exploding. After
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by The Change and the actual leader of the West), who uses Rolf's technological talents to effect repairs to and enhancements of itself. Rolf obtains a power unit that makes Ardneh much stronger. Ultimately, he becomes the conduit for Ardneh's plans to bring about the West's salvation.
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The first three books are tightly connected, dealing with the West's struggle to bring down the Empire, in which Rolf plays a vital role. The fourth novel is set much later.
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tells of how one of Rolf's descendants finds technology that Ardneh created but never used. When this is activated, the Gods who feature in the
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and when the two expanding wavefronts of The Change collide, the effect unexpectedly becomes permanent.
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The first three books were substantially re-written and re-issued as an omnibus edition
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Written more than 30 years later, and taking place a thousand years after Rolf lived,
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his sister kidnapped by soldiers of the Empire. He is contacted by Ardneh (made
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is extremely cleanly written, moves along rapidly, and is fun."
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Written in the 1960s and 70s, the books have a significant
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317:(1). Simulations Publications, Inc.: 36.
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311:(March 1980). "Books".
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99:November 2009
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