Since the dawn of time on the world of Elda, three magical beings controled the balance of their world and everything in it. The people and the creatures of Elda lived in harmony and peace through the support of three godlike entities: The Woman, the Man, and the Beast. But far in the past the protective balance of the Three was disrupted by the greed and lust of one man - the greatest sorcerer Elda has ever known. Rahe, master of magic, through cunning and avarice managed to imprison the male god and steal away the other two: the Woman and the Beast. Removing their memories for his own base purposes, he secluded himself in the arctic fortress of Sanctuary and for hundreds of years enjoyed his prizes in private. Now Elda is divided into two warring nations: Eyra and Istria. The men and women of the rugged northern isles of Eyra are a proud and strong people. Honed by centuries spent in a harsh, unforgiving climate, they too have become harsh and unforgiving. They worship a male sea god, Sur, whom they believe dwells on the ocean floor, yet in their egalitarian society, women choose their husbands, and can also choose to dissolve their marriages. Women can take up trades, sail great northern longboats, and are in all ways equals of men. However in the southern Istria, things are quite the reverse. The Istrians worship a fire goddess, Falla, whom they believe was birthed, with her feline familiar, from a volcano in the Golden Mountains. Women in their society have no power, and must remain veiled at all times: shrouded in garments that leave only their mouths and hands visible. Considered property, they are relegated to the world of carnal pleasure, to be used and disposed of in any way the men of their society wish. Any who rebel are "cleansed" in the fires of Falla. However, after three centuries, Rahe became overconfident, and has lost hiw tow greates prizes. Loosed in the world once more, the Rosa Eldi, most strange and extraordinary of women, male counterpart begins to stir and her cat, Bete, streches the newfound claws of her true form. But though most of her memories have been lost, the Rosa Eldi is still a powerful creature. And while she is by nature benign, she has been made dangerous by the fact that she has no understanding of her magical abilities. Deadly magical talismans are created by her touch, and lust-crazed men from both the north and the south go to war hoping to claim this enigmatic woman who inspired unquenchable passion in every man who sees her. Meanwhile, in his frozen fortress, Rahe plots to regain his lost treasure, using three men he has imbued with unusual powers, the Giant, the Madman, and the Fool, to do his magical bidding. Can the Rose of the World discover her true identity, unite with her divine co-regents and restore her world? Or will man's baser nature triumph and bring ruin to Elda forever?