Lorin's story begins in the small village of Riverton, where he keeps his head down, ashamed of his "weak" Affinity. However, a dark force begins to stir across Alyria, causing unexplained shifts in magic. When a rogue sorcerer, Malichar, attacks his village in search of rare Affinities, Lorin is overlooked as "useless." Yet, in a moment of desperation, he uses his steam to create a blinding mist that helps some villagers escape.
One of the elders, noticing Lorin's courage, tells him of a legend about the Mistbound, a group of ancient guardians with abilities rooted in steam and fog. Encouraged by this spark of hope, Lorin leaves his village to find out if the Mistbound were real—and if he might have some of their lost potential.