The Black Empire, ruled by the evil Emperor Huon has now conquered all of Europe and the Middle East and has subjected its people to tyranny. Meanwhile, Dorian Hawkmoon hopes to sail back to Britain from America, but his ship is driven back by sea monsters forcing him to take refuge in some island caves. There he learns about rune magic and finds the Runstaff, but Shenegar Trott, a servant of the empire, soon comes to the island to steal the staff for the emperor. Hawkmoon is encouraged to return to Europe where Baron Meliadus is planning to kill the emperor and seize control of the world.
