Quick summary of chapter 1 for Mathias & Earlson:

Void gate opens:

-Was a mafia don before the event, he and his main men were ambushed by an assassin. His men were killed and he lay dying, the last thing he saw was the void gate opening.
-He wakes to find his wounds healed and Boreas, the bringer of the Norther winds, has taken refuge inside him as his kage.
-Mathias now has the power to freeze any element and can also drain, or devour life-force thus boosting his power.

The first year:

-Mathias has gained control of the entire North-East of Sovereign
-Wants revenge on the assassin who tried to kill him

After first year:
-He has befriended Samuel the Soul-seer
-Has made and alliance with the spider king, Iktomi Ascher
-Befriended Arianna Chrystein whom he met breifly
-Learnt of Edward Vates
-Befriended Vates and was told the military ordered the hit, 5 assassins could have been responsible for the attack
-The Factory Dweller joined his family
-Devours a hulk and several `lost souls` becoming stronger.
-Finds that Samuel has betrayed him killing half his clan, in rage Mathias looses control of his power, causing a storm.
-The permanent snow-fall over the North-East begins
-Earlson is sent out on a secret mission
-Zachary Mason is hired to created a sonic device
-Mathias trains
-The device is made
-Earlson returns with intel about military procedure in the event of rebellion 
- Earlson positions the device and completes his mission
-Mathias and Earlson watch on as the 700 soldier are mauled by the `lost souls` attracted by the sonic device

Allies- The Winters Family, Factory dwellers, Iktomi Ascher, Edward Vates, Arianna Chrystein, Zachary Mason
Enemies- Samuel, Military, The Unknown Assassin