Auwei

In the beginning, the planet had been the saving grace of humanity. Millenia ago when humanity destroyed the birth world, Auwei with its vast forests, deep oceans, and Earth-like climate seemed like a second chance, a saving grace. This time we would do better, and be stewards of the planet. We left behind a burnt home and turned our sights to this new, lush Earth 2.0.   The first settlers to Auwei thrived on their new home, and soon many others followed. Anyone who could scrape up the money for intergalactic travel would survive the death world we created. Settlements quickly grew into cities, and humanity pushed deeper into the woods that seemingly covered the surface of the planet.   It wasn't long before other kinds of intelligent life were discovered. Beings that could pass for animals that could communicate in human languages. Slender wisps of a clever being that could disappear into the forest seemingly at a whim, with translucent wings that were nearly impossible to see. Glowing, tiny, devious creatures that could lead a traveler to their death if they weren't careful. Tall, pale, human-like creatures that could read your mind and pull the truth your consciousness like daisies from a field. Scientists and the public were fascinated with our new neighbors, learning everything they could about them. New species of intelligent beings began cropping up around the planet. Winged humanoid creatures that could easily pass for human. Strange beings that could change shape at will. How these beings came into existence was lost to history, as was the majority of the first 500 years on Auwei.   Humans, they promised to change, to treat Auwei better than they had Earth. And maybe they could have if only the right people had been able to make the pilgrimage to the planet. With money comes power, and with power comes corruption. New nations of humans sprang up around Auwei, nations that began warring with each other, squabbling like siblings over trivial things. With the technology of Earth still alive and well, and even improved with the knowledge of the other beings and the materials of Auwei, bombs began falling from the sky once more. For one-hundred years, war raged between the human factions, with the rest of the world's residents looking on with watchful eyes. The rich began leaving for another promising planet, to escape the wars that were decimating the population. It wasn't until bombs struck a nuclear power plant that the leadership began to actively flee from the world, leaving behind the poor and the undesirables.   People were scared, humanity and the other beings alike. Nuclear meltdowns, where powerplants once stood, were occuring all over the globe. It seemed like Auwei would follow Earth to destruction. Cities that remained built domes as a last-ditch effort to save the residents. And for reasons that are unknown, the domes worked. Life survived thanks to the domes. It took centuries before the radiation levels had lowered enough to be survivable and not cause harm. Most of the knowledge of where mankind came from, the great blue marble light-years away, was lost. Over the millennia that have passed since then, humanity forgot their home planet completely and have claimed Auwei as the birthplace of our species.   Now, in the year 5913, Auwei thrives. Humans and other beings have protected the planet from harm, and have learned how to live in peace, for the most part. All cities have domes that watch over the citizens, but the reason now is rooted in culture and superstition and less for health reasons. Cities have domes made of different materials, some shine like diamonds in the sea or absorb all rays of light that may fall on them. Society has divided Auwei into 20 regions, each unique. Kotad, a region full of soaring mountains and deadly river valleys, of plunging waterfalls and dense rainforest. In contrast: Mariad, a land of plains, stretching as far as the eye can see with the most fertile earth in the world.   Monsters still lurk in the deep forests. Animals and beings so mutated from the radiation that the greatest mercy is to end their lives. Cities have factions, people who are violent and won't stop at any cost to get what they want. Murderous groups, who see anyone other than themselves as a threat and an abomination. People who plot the downfall of a society with no thought to the people who live there. And this, my friends, is where our story begins.   With the fall of a city, and the death of peace.