the previous work is another species that provides an elemental affinity to Water. Dwrgi appear to be shape-changers, able to shift from human (or near-human: their features as described hint at their alternate form, since their hair is particularly short and thick and their brows low) to otter-like form. There are at least two tribes or communities of them, loosely allied. Dragons Resembling the legendary creatures in European folklore and mythology, the dragons are enormous, four-legged reptiles with two batlike wings and long tails. Unlike legendary dragons, however, they neither breathe fire nor hoard wealth. Dragons appear to have all originated in the "real" world but been convinced to move to Annwn by Evandar. Dragons dwell in the mountains north even of the Rhiddaer. Dragons appear to live alone or in mated pairs. Magic Magic and sorcery are featured prominently in the Deverry novels. The fictional magical tradition practiced in the books, called "dweomer," is described as a personal journey toward spiritual enlightenment. The effects of magic on the material world, while spectacular, are secondary. Within the books, there are two differing schools of thought about how magic should be used. Those that follow the "dweomer of light" are servants of spiritual beings called Great Ones (analogous to the Buddhist concept of Bodhisattvas), and work to better the world in some way. Practitioners of "dark dweomer" seek magical power for its own sake or as a tool for achieving personal goals. Characters who practice dweomer can perform a large number of magical feats. One of the most frequently used powers is to manipulate the classical elements of earth, air, fire, water, and aether by calling upon elemental spirits. Other powers include astral projection, scrying, precognition, retrocognition, and shapeshifting. Characters Synopsis The Deverry Saga The first four books have two major plot threads: the quest of the immortal sorcerer Nevyn to fulfill an ancient oath, and a complex plot by a cabal of sorcerers from Bardek to plunge Deverry into war. The past-life flashbacks deal with several of Nevyn's failed attempts to fulfill his oath and with the beginnings of the Time of Troubles, a decades-long period of civil war. Daggerspell — A rebellion in the province of Eldidd instigated by the mad half-elven sorcerer Loddlaen, himself influenced by a dark dweomerman. The immortal wizard Nevyn searches for Jill in order to fulfil an ancient oath. Jill becomes the mistress of