Aerius, one of the worlds of the great Imperium, is gripped by a monstrous plague epidemic. According to the prophecy of the Oracle, the only thing that can save a dying planet is the Talisman of Lycos. But two thousand years ago, this artifact was split into three parts and scattered to different ends of the galaxy. The Inquisition makes a titanic effort to reunite the Talisman The Order of the Cosmic Wolves sends a detachment of Blood Claws to help the inquisitors, among them the young Ragnar. Battles with orcs and tyrannids become only a prelude to the fateful battle, on which the future of not only Aerius, but the entire Imperium depends.