From a humble beginning as a farm boy in an uncharted section of forest, Efrit is subject to ritual martyrdom, which he narrowly escapes after being gifted the power of fire-wielding Ignimancy by powers unknown. This baleful blessing or useful curse haunts Efrit as he soon uncovers an entire world once forbidden to him with aid from Corbal, a gnome dedicating his life to the research of Animancy- the act of offering one’s spirit to the elemental gods to control the immediate world around them. Regret, agony, and the thrill of discovery fuel this vivid first-person narrative where we follow Efrit’s personal thoughts as he learns to navigate this new world and keep himself intact. Compelling themes of high fantasy, American Psycho-esque violence, and Lovecraftian horror intertwine to present the account of a questionably aligned antihero’s actions in Julian Gilford’s Soil, Fire, Blood, and Sea.