To prevent the Shadowen from destroying all life in the Four Lands, Allanon's spirit orders the scions of Shannara to perform manifestly immpossible tasks.

Bremen, cast out by the Druids because of his study of magic, discovers a plot by evil archmage Brona to conquer the Four Lands, but he must work fast to unite the people of the lands and find a weapon that will stop Brona's power.

In spite of his protests that he is only an ordinary man and not a hero, Shea Ohmsford eventually accepts his role as the leader of his people in the struggle against the Lord of Evil.

Pen Ohmsford is charged with the task of rescuing his Aunt Grianne, held captive by a demon; but he is captured and taken to Parador by Druids who have been pursuing him, imprisoned, and deprived of the darkwand, his only means of crossing over into the Forbidding to rescue his aunt.

Leader of the Shadowen, Rimmer Dall, sends his four Horsemen against Walker Boh and the scions of Shannara.

In the three hundred years since the death of the Druid Allanon, the mysterious, evil Shadowen have seized control and are ruining the Four Lands.

Together, Ament, two young Trackers, and a daring Elf princess must defend their ancestral home. But suspicion and hostility among their countrymen threaten to doom their efforts from within. Meanwhile, beyond the breached borders, a ruthless Troll army masses for invasion. And in the thick of it all, the last wielder of the black staff and its awesome magic must find a successor to carry on the fight against the cresting new wave of evil.