Baron Hannis Drelev is a relatively minor noble who accepted a charter to travel into the Stolen Lands in order to make contact with the Tiger Lord barbarians and to attempt to stabilize the trade routes between the River Kingdoms and Brevoy. He hopes to be able to make a name for himself that he otherwise would be unable to as a third son of his house. His wife, Pavetta, on the other hand is much less thrilled with the idea of relocating to a wilderness region far from civilization.