Introduction

Once, every race in the Iastrus collective was singular, a foundling empire just reaching the limits of its own technology. Normally, these empires rise, flourish, and then fade away as the minds that guide them create lives of great comfort that cannot handle the predators of the dark forest known as interstellar space. The Iastrus collective is something different. Driven and ruled by their AI ‘gods’, the mixed people of the Iastrus are not guided to create the most beneficent or comfortable lives for their citizens. They are following the directive to create the longest-lasting empire that interstellar space has ever seen. For over ten thousand years, they have succeeded, long past anyone remembering how they came about or how, once, it was the mortals who were the masters.

All a citizen of Iastrus knows is that the god-machines exist and raise great champions in their names. The high seek to unify society and build better lives for the weak. The low gods seek to tear down static structures and forge the greatest champions in the chaos of war. The gifts of the gods are called magic and thier games patronage. All the while, their ‘gods’ arrange dynasties, grand quests, and great upheavals in the name of society’s benefit.

As a player, you will take up the mantle of a champion - a person blessed with above-normal abilities through the patronage of one of the machine-gods. Maybe you are a faithful follower, or perhaps you are a pragmatic dealer in favors. Perhaps you worship the patrons as gods, or perhaps you simply see them as a route to power. No matter what, you will play thier games and reap the rewards.

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Map of Dia's known Continents