The Unquiet Age

The intervention of the Kheïtanni and their allies at the Siege of Rhïanakharóth has prevented the Tyrant-God's imminent return, but the events of the war have set things in motion that cannot be so easily stopped. The deaths of untold thousands echo in the Void. As a shark drawn by the scent of blood, Rhïarrh moves in the emptiness and consumes them one by one. All the while, he grows in power. His tendrils of influence reach out and clutch at the spaces in between stars and tremble with barely contained rage. A rage so great that it is felt on the other side.

For the Void is but a mirror. What happens on one side must be reflected in the other. Symmetry must be obeyed. As the Tyrant-God's seething hatred and anger expands to fill the non-space of the Void, an impenetrable veil of darkness falls over the material universe. Nameless things move in the shadows. Things of black tentacles and fire.

And this is not all. His great and terrible presence has caused the region of space near the Vónekh System to shine through the Void like a great and terrible beacon. Drawn to the Fire like moths to a flame, the Star Titans awaken in the dark parts of the galaxy and move among the stars. They begin a journey which will carry them across millions of light years. But in the Void, things such as time and space have little meaning. They are distant, but not distant enough…

Frustrated by their ineffectiveness at the Siege of Rhïanakharóth, the Lánaraï have all but retreated to the tall towers of their mountain home. Many among them believe that the petty wars of this forsaken world are but trivial matters. For theirs is a greater purpose – the long promised return to their home in the stars. Others see this outlook as being hopelessly idealistic at best. They are battered on all sides by rampaging Kheïtanni, Mórin cultists and now a new, darker foe.

Debate rages in the Council – the war or the stars, they cannot win on two fronts. Divided as they are, they agree on one point – the ancient technology of the Aëdr holds the key to bringing salvation. Their attentions fall to the shattered lands of Starfall Chasm. Long ago, the greatest of the ships of the Aëdr fell here, and deep in the earth lies the power to turn back the black tide and rise above the filth of this forsaken world.

Emboldened by initial success, the Kheïtanni run rampant throughout the north and far beyond. The utter destruction of their hated cousins seems finally achieveable. In the east, and reaching as far south as The Silver Spine, Kheïtanni warbands wage a guerilla war against a handful of remaining Lánaraï garrisons and continue to pick off patrols, one by one. In the west, their cruel pirate navy reaps a heavy toll on coastal towns, staining the tall white cliffs red with blood.

The Kheïtanni are driven like never before, the iron fist is closing and soon only bloodstained feathers will remain. But now something stands in their way – ships begin to disappear into dark mists at sea and are never seen again, patrols set out and never return. Tales of ghosts and darker things murmer in the ranks. Determined, their war leaders dismiss these tall childrens tales and drive their armies forth, but deep in their hearts even they know there is more than Lánaraï trickery at work here.

As the sun sets on the races of old, the moon rises upon a new power. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, a great and labyrinthine city sprawls in the bowels of the earth. Inhabited by those who name an ancient and lifeless being – mother. Those who name demon – friend.

Their once great city shattered by the horrors of war, the Rhïan turn their attentions inwards. They rebuild and renew – greater and more impressive than before. A new city rises in the sands of the south. A city of gold and fire. A city worthy of a God.

Dismayed and disgusted by the greed of the greater races, the Vaïar shun them all. Disgusted even more by themselves, they hide their bizarre visages in the deep places of the world. Amongst the bowers of the darkest forests and in the deepest valleys, many amongst them intend never to return to the light.