Key to the City — Graeme Smith

On the war-torn continent of Karnaltan, in the great metropolis of Valek City, the wise and powerful wizard Gartrist has been killed and a mysterious key he possessed stolen. Six strangers are brought together to avenge the murder of their mutual friend: Denvil, a young kobold wizard who was once Gartrist's apprentice; Hurok, a gentle orc Healer; Black Flower Melody, an exotic warrior with strange powers of mind and body; Querial, a centuries-old elf archer; Slang, a proud and mighty reptilian savage; and Zorf, a battered, dispirited trog mercenary. Through the streets and slums of Valek City, these six heroes must unite and draw upon all their strength, skill, courage, and determination to avenge their friend's death and retrieve the key before it falls into the wrong hands. But will that be enough? And if it is, can they survive what happens when they find that they themselves have become the hunted? Key to the City is the first book in the Dark Circle series. It includes a discussion guide for book clubs and panels at SciFiFantasy Cons.