In the 24th Century, humanity is divided.

The American Union has spread across several worlds when it was youthful and full of vigor. Now, it finds itself bloated and corrupted to the point that the Magnetic Assembly has split off an entire system with its cybernetic extremists. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth of Worlds has leaped out from Europe and colonized a system of its own, but finds its ideals of freedom and utopia challenged at every turn. Worse still, the Heaven Forged Republic is only one in name only, its confederacy divided between those looking at the past, present and future.

Of course, humanity is not alone.

The Daqin Empire murderously sprung out of the body of the Pan Asian Combine, its once enslaved transhumans finding their own home in the stars. However, their grudges are deep, as are those of the Aos Si. Scattered across space, they are the survivors of a catastrophe of untold proportions, their star spanning hegemony collapsing into myth and legend. Once forced into hiding by the most ruthless of humanity and only recently reemerging, they are slowly building in influence and strength. Meanwhile, giant, space faring spiders the size of small bears known as Theradectans have made themselves known.

As has magic, its presence returning like the slow ebb and flow of an unstoppable tide.

Beyond the home world of Earth is a forest,

and that forest is getting dark.

The Aoi Si made their play to dominate the universe thousands of years ago, only to see their civilization and the clark-tech it relied upon collapse upon them. Humanity has found their lost cities, their doomsday vaults, and their desperate primitive survivors. Their treasures and people plundered for the benefit of Humanity and its children.

But that isn't all Humanity has found.

Ancient machines spread through the old empire, looking to finish a war the Aoi Si started and abandoned long ago. Megastructures house horrors and treasures beyond comprehension. Esoteric life observes Humanity as Humanity observes it. Disasters once sealed away are starting to return.[/H][/h]