Eberron

Two thousand years ago an alliance was formalized between all the various human kingdoms. Everyone recognized the treaty as an unprecedented masterwork of diplomacy, but many did not expect the alliance to last past the death of the signatories. It was during this early period after the alliance that the various citizens and rulers of the human world recognized the value of unity between themselves and the costs of war.    Centuries later, designations between the countries became nothing but ink marks on a yellow sheet of deteriorating paper to most, and the treaty began to take on that surreal quality of ancient history in the minds of the people. The kingdoms prospered like never before. No one alive could image what it must have been like without the peace they had enjoyed from birth.   So it became, nearly 500 years after the ratification of the so-called doomed alliance, the human kingdoms convened another worldwide meeting in the very same halls from all those years ago. The rulers argued, debated, and schemed nonstop for seven days and six nights, and on that seventh night the doors of the council room were finally thrown open and a proclamation was made: there is but one human race and so there will be one human kingdom. The Pyra Empire was born.    Over the next millennia, while adventures were uncovering lost treasures and slaying eldritch beasts, the Pyra Empire developed wondrous marvels of technology and industry that allowed then to expand. The Pyra Empire developed an unstated but defacto governance of the entire world.    The governments other mortal races, who before never had to concern themselves with the doings of the barbaric humans, now found themselves having to worry of the sovereignty of their own nations. Some unaligned nations sent diplomats to negotiate alliances with the Empire. Some unaligned nations willingly dissolved their own government to join the empire permanently. And some unaligned nations were "persuaded" to join by force. The choice was to either contend with the dominance of the human race, or remain in denial about their diminished role in world affairs.   The remaining nations have been left to their own devices thus far, the Empire unconcerned and unthreatened. This apathetic arrogance angered those who were used to considering themselves superior to humanity. Adding insult to injury, recent years has shown a steady flow of migration to the Empire from these areas: people abandoning their patriotism in order to gain the wealth, fame, and power that the Empire could provide.   The expansive policies of the empire did not stop at mere worldly affairs. The empire discovered cost effective magic for large, permanent gates to the outer planes to establish colonies and extract resources. This exploitation of the planes created a tense relationship with the denizens. Skirmishes between extraplanar creatures and the Empire broke out, which the Empire usually won. Once defeated, extraplanar settlements would be forced to negotiate with the Empire.    While the ethics of how the empire grew and progressed are hotly debated, no one can deny the benefits. Feats that would have once taken archmagi to accomplish are now becoming commonplace. Yet for all the flash and glamour of powerful magical displays, it was the unromantic and humble development of automation that changed everything. In an instant, anyone who could spare the money could use the same magic that took decades of study and a small fortune to learn. People can buy an amulet to regrow lost limbs, divination orbs that can perfectly predict the weather, and enchanted clothes that display intricate animations. Shops are lined with illusions to project advertisements to any who walk past. Large corporations are developing to claim ownership over new inventions, and even the most cosmopolitan citizen is unable to keep up with rapid advancements of technology. A large high-speed railway system was built that connects every major city, and an extensive astral gate system has been in use for years that can deliver anything from information to items from one end of the continent to the other within two days or your money back.   The Gods, once thought to be the myths of the simple minded and superstitious, have begun to actively work in the world. Several deities have blessed special individuals with exceptional powers and called them to act in their name as chosen paladins. In contrast, the clergy are rapidly becoming obsolete as the ever increasing quantity and quality of healing items are being released to the public at cheaper prices.    Increased access to the planes have expanded the number of warlocks and sorcerers, who mainly serve as diplomats to the empire on behalf of their patron in return for their power. Many of the renowned colleges where famous wizards have studied have been abandoned as relics of a forgotten era in favor of artificer colleges and factories.   It is clear to everyone that the world is at a tipping point. More than any time in history, the smallest of choices can ripple throughout the giant web of connections and trigger incredible changes.   Welcome to Eberron.