Introduction: When a group of graduate students studying the virtual world goes missing, party member for hire Vy "Thornheart" finds herself accompanying a rescue mission into the belly of the beast, the so-called Permadeathlands. She may have slain the great dragon of Ylmoth in casual play, but now she must brave the mortal danger of advanced mode.And Vy’s not the only for-hire in these parts—an old friend of hers also went missing along with those students. Does that mean she’ll find an old ally awaiting her out there somewhere, or a new enemy?...