In October 1932, the streets of Belfast were gripped by vicious and widespread rioting that lasted the best part of a week. Thousands of unarmed demonstrators fought extended pitched battles against heavily-armed police. Unemployed workers and, indeed, whole working-class communities, dug trenches and built barricades to hold off the police assault. The event became known as the Outdoor Relief Riot - one of very few instances in which class sympathy managed to trump sectarian loyalties in a city famous for its divisions.

This first book in the Might and Majesty trilogy, sets the stage for a breathtaking journey through the reaches of time -- On the peaceful northern island of Alfras, a young man named Lloyd lives a life of hard work with his family, yet he longs for something more. Being half-human and half-angel, Lloyd has never felt like he belongs. When he is given the opportunity of a lifetime, he leaves his homeland for a brief journey across the sea. Unbeknownst to him, the eastern empire of Thundria is rising up to destroy all he has ever known. Soon, Lloyd discovers that the fires of war have reached his homeland. Thrust into the bloodshed, he bands together with three strangers that have suffered similar hardships at the hands of the Thundrians. Captain Mithias, the lizard-prince Theron, and Ariel, a beautiful angel, join Lloyd to trek across the mystical continents in an attempt to rally the kingdoms of the free world to fight. Angels, giant lizards, dragons, kings, magicians, malicious warlords, and soldiers of hate incarnate go to war in a campaign of good against evil that engulfs the furthest reaches of the world. In the center of the conflict, lay four magical pillars with unparalleled, mysterious power. Thundria wants to dominate the world through the use of the pillars and dark magic, while Lloyd and his friends race against time to discover their hidden power. In a struggle to survive the wages of war, the four friends are changed forever in a Baptism by Fire.