Modesitt, L. E

The founding of the Empire of Legend by an exiled group of women warriors is told from the point of view of Nylan, an engineer who struggles to control his magical powers while building a great tower on the Roof of the World where the women will live.

Dorrin, a young wizard of the Order, is exiled to the lands of Chaos after expressing an inordinate interest in science and engineering, and is forced to confront the battle between good and evil.

Lerris must choose the best way to use his magic, for good or for evil.

Nylan leaves his angelic companions and descend into the world of warring kingdoms and strange magics with his friend Ayrlyn the healer, and his infant son. As they search for a place to lead a peaceful life, the war between chaos and order begins again.

White Chaos wizard Cerryl rises to power in the magicians' guild of Fairhaven by making himself indispensable to Jeslek, the High Wizard.

Lerris, content with his job as a carpenter and his marriage to Krystal, a military subcommander, is called to serve his nation when his skills as a wizard are needed to defeat the forces of Hamor, whose attack could upset the balance of chaos and order necessary to the survival of the Recluce Universe.

The deadly White Wizards of Fairhaven, wielding the forces of chaos, have completed their great highway through the Westhorns and now threaten the ancient matriarchy of Sarronnyn, the last bastion of order in Candar. The ruler of Sarronnyn appeals to the Black order wizards of Recluce for help.

Story of the founding of the island kingdom of Recluce and its founder, the powerful weather-magician Creslin.

The government of Comity enlists the help of artist Chendor Carna, historian Liam Fitzhugh, shuttle pilot Jiendra Chang, and assassin Goodman Bond to journey to the uninhabited world, Danann, in order to bring back artifacts connected to their once advanced civilization.