The War of the Known World quadrology focuses on the Three facing war that is started by the Merchant turned Emperor Talquist, who used the scale of Twilight to manipulate the scales to rise to power. Various other characters are introduced and supporting characters make a stronger appearance in the trilogy, at the heart of it all Rhapsody must come forth from being a mother to being the Iliachenva’ar once again in order to save her friends and family from annihilation.