PROLOGUE:
THE AGE OF AETERNUM
THERE HAVE BEEN THREE WORLDS.
THE ONE THAT FELL.
THE ONE THAT ROSE.
THE ONE THAT DISAPPEARED.
AND WHEN THE STAR FALLS
THE FATE OF THE LIVING
SHALL BE IN THE HANDS OF THOSE
WHO BRAVE THE GATEWAY
~ ANCIENT PROPHESY
WELCOME TO AETERNUM
A VAST, FUTURISTIC LANDSCAPE BUZZING WITH PERIL, STRANGENESS AND AWE; GLASS-DOMED CITYSCAPES BULGE GIGANTIC FROM SWEEPING FLAT PLAINES, BLASTED BY RADIATION, WHERE GIGANTIC ROBOTS RUST IN THE BITTER WINDS; BUSTLING SKYPORTS SEE AIRSHIPS ROAR AND HUMM THROUGH A DENSE FOREST OF CHROME-CLAD CONCRETE TOWERS, BLINKING RED AND NEON AGAINST A SMOKEY SKY; SINISTER, GLOWING FACTORIES THAT EMERGE FROM THE GROUND, LIKE TWISTED SKELETAL TALONS, RING SHANTY-TOWN SETTLEMENTS, WHERE MISSHAPEN MACHINES AND CAST-OFF CREATURES HUDDLE FOR WARMTH IN DANK LABYRINTHINE TUNNELS; THE AIR SMELLS OF STEEL AND PERPETUAL ELECTRICAL STORMS HAUNT THE PURPLE NIGHT.
For as far back as the records show three sentient life-forms,
the tenacious Hamaranthan, the ingenious Animan and the bold Voxhul have cooperated to form habitable communities in an otherwise unforgiving landscape.
The lack of resources, water and heat mean that few venture beyond their towers, domes and tents as those who do are rarely seen again. The few who are return deathly sick and babbling with tales of enormous crevices in the earth where there is nothing but darkness, flames and horrifying winged leviathans stalking the sky. Most content themselves with dreaming to one day enter a 'Domed City' where 'no-one ever dies and food grows from the ground.'
But something has changed - a beacon of light has risen from the Sorrow - the site of an ancient nuclear war and home of a fabled artefact - The Sea of Skies.
Now, mercenaries (those who trade their services for coin) have been sent racing from all over Aeternum to find it: For it is said The Sea of Skies will unite Aeternum with new shores; with teeming tropical forests where water flows free, where life grows unchecked; with underwater worlds with endless resources; with desert temples where heroes are protected by Gods.
There are even those who whisper that it grants power over the mysterious energy that gives life to existence itself: Aether.
You are one of these mercenaries; maybe you seek to better your world, maybe you're just in it for the money, maybe you want the artefact for yourself, maybe you were called by voices in your head, maybe it's just part of your programming. Whatever the reason, you have embarked on a journey that will leave you and your world forever changed.