Christ had been betrayed and crucified. The Apostles, seeking retribution, raise a holy army with the aid of Roman General, Arthur Bornshire, and tear down the Empire, and in that mission they succeed.
Then, inexplicably, they order Arthur's troops into a suicide mission against an ancient foe, the evil sorcerer, Graduc. When Arthur refuses, the Apostles murder Arthur's wife, Cleola, and their two young children, executing them in public display before Arthur can return.

Arthur vanishes into the countryside. Sorcery and necromancy rear their heads. Ghouls and trolls rise up from the earth to terrorize the common people of Hellsgate, a small town outside of Overlord City, the child city of the fallen Rome. Years pass.

Then, one night in Hellsgate a division of the Apostles army, unchallenged until now, is slaughtered at a local brothel-judgment, it seems, has arrived on a black horse.