Nurnit is an old sorcerer, or 'illuminator', native to the Earth-like planet, Vira, home to a humanoid, peaceful people called the Wirana, whose culture and language are similar to that of native American tribes. Nurnit is old and wise, yet he has a dark side. It is discovered by his grandson Horien, and the band of mystics Horien made called the Six that Nurnit was the Shadow, the one who controlled the demos storm. Nurnit may seem like an old Wirana filled with wisdom and purity, but on the inside, he is a sordid, power-hungry killer.