Setting overview
Geographically and politically, the Imperium lies at the heart of the setting. After centuries of war, the last vestiges of resistances fell decades ago, ushering in an era of peace... and stagnation. The major themes of the setting are "inequality" and "dominion". The conquered people of the Imperium are third-class citizens, or second-class at their level best. Their living gods are shackled, their priests and clergy enslaved, to aid the Imperial machine.
All this is possible through the Emperor's command over the resource of magicite, crucial in the construction of magical items, and the learning of the arcane arts. His armies wield powerful magic and control the Imperium on the ground and in the air from the back of the
Skybound Citadels, while the Iron Angels act as messengers and enforcers of his will.
Brief History
In the beginning, there was Theria, a nation deeply influenced by the metaplane of
Axiom. Ruled by a strict and disciplined state church, personal expression was discouraged, and order was enforced at all times. Theria's fate changed when Gaius Octavius Severus, a mage-engineer in the Therian army, rose to prominence.
Severus had a distinguished military career, rising to the rank of general and leading campaigns against rebel forces. When a great demonic incursion took over the city of Solace and its surrounding lands, he rose to the challenge and banished them back to
Pandemonium whence they came. He blamed Axiom from bringing their ancient enemy down on their heads, and grew disillusioned with the influence of gods and metaplanes on his world. Believing that mortals should be free from such interference, he set out on a path of rebellion against the Therian government.
From his base at Solace, he developed magicite, a powerful substance that revolutionized magical capabilities. Using magicite, Severus and his forces stunned the Therian response and took control of the nation. He declared himself Consul and began implementing policies to suppress the worship of
Axiom and all gods.
With the power of magicite, Severus expanded his reach, systematically invading other nations and imprisoning their gods. After the fall of several nations, Theria was declared an Empire, and Severus its Emperor. Combining the knowledge and technology of conquered nations with magicite, he built five Skyward Citadels that allowed the Empire to rapidly deploy forces and maintain control over its vast territories.
Over five centuries, the Therian Empire grew to encompass the entire known world, but the absence of external enemies led to internal strife. Progress on the war was set back a few decades when a high-ranking general seized control of one of the Skyward Citadels and rebelled against the Empire. Although the rebellion was ultimately put down, the Citadel crashed into the region of Solace, causing widespread destruction and transforming it into
Shattered Solace. Gaius Severus is Emperor still, sustained by magic that lesser men can only guess at.
Now magicite reserves dwindle, and the Emperire shudders under the strain of keeping its magicite-dependent lifestyle supported. Enterprising individuals cast their gazes towards Shattered Solace, and the scattered remnants of the CItadel that crashed there, wondering how much magicite may yet be up for grabs within its churning depths...
It is in this tumultuous period that our story unfolds. Welcome to the world of the Therian Empire, where mortals struggle for power and freedom in the shadow of the metaplanes, and where the bonds between gods and their followers are tested like never before. The future of the Empire may lie in your hands.
