The Eclipse Universe: Brief History

One thousand years ago, the Great Galactic war began.

No living beings remember why the war began, but all know that it laid our galaxy to waste. There seemed to be conflict without end. Billions of lives, both human and non, lost for reasons forgotten with time.

It has been 150 years since the end of the Great Galactic War.

Humanity emerged victorious but at an extremely high price. Whole systems lie in ruin, and entire planetary populations and cultures were lost. After the signing of the Treaty of Tantive, the Non Human Tribes retreated deep into the remote southern quadrant of the galaxy to try and recover. For the Tribes, the future looked bleak. After the 1000 year long conflict, resources have become very slim and the once great race of mankind has struggled to reassert itself as the rulers of the galaxy. In this day and age mankind rules fully three quarters of the galaxy, or so he would tell himself. Whole systems lie barren and Web Gates increasingly lead to lifeless towns and naked rock that once teemed with living beings. Strange things emerge from the Web Ways and pathways leading to no where are becoming more common. It is as if the galaxy herself has started to move on.

Six months ago an anomaly was detected within the Web Way.

Web Guides discovered a single strand leading directly into the center of the galaxy with a full gate termination point. The Meurlain concluded that such a thing simply could not exist. "Everyone knows," they reasoned, "the center of the galaxy is too dense with stars and nebula to allow a Web Gate access any where within the core." Scouting parties were dispatched and returned with stories and pictures of a planet ripe with life and resources but strangely devoid of sentient life. Soon afterward they presented their findings an emissary from the Tribes appeared at the main gate on the Imperial Capital world of Akeir. He came with a laurel and outstretched hand, bringing news and peace from the Tribes. The Tribes had also become aware of this strange planet and discovered in their religious scriptures a reference naming this the "Place of Beginning"; the origin planet of life itself. Their holy texts also said that the rediscovery of this place was a turning point for all life; not just Tribe but human as well, and the texts stressed that its mysteries should shared by all. "It is the boon and benefit of all who make the pilgrimage and can endure its hardships, for it was said they shall become truly enlightened." The Empire was of course distrustful, but the Meurlain counseled that the emissary had noble and right intent about him. It was agreed that a conclave would be held and the leaders of men would speak with the leaders of the Tribes before any further explorations of the planet were made.

It is here on this threshold we find ourselves.

Will human and nonhuman make peace or fall into old ways and fight once more in a conflict that could spell the end of all existence? Only time will tell...