As the warlord Rhita Gawr tries to gather enough power to destroy Avalon, Tamwyn--the heir to the powers of his grandfather, Merlin--and his friends embark on separate quests to try to save their world.
Basil, a once tiny lizard who is now the greatest dragon in Avalon, must save the city from destruction when the wizard Merlin is nowhere to be found and an army of warriors, a deadly plague, and fire dragon threaten to destroy the kingdom.
In accordance with prophecy, Avalon's existence is threatened in the year that stars stop shining and at the time when both the dark child and Merlin's heir are to be revealed.
The dragon Basil, now grown mighty in strength, size, and courage, looks for what is causing the chaos that plagues Avalon, while his friend, Merlin, is distracted by problems with his son, Krystallus, and vengeful Doomraga plots from within the haunted marshes.