What was the state of our galaxy like before the lights went out for the last time, never to return again?
How did we fight, not knowing if our next day may be our last? How did we endure, when every rise only lead to another fall? How did we live, when suffering was seen as the norm?
This is the accessible archive to those who have endured for long enough to find out.
Through deliberate analysis of historical events and documents of various cultures and worlds during the times of civilized space, 4 distinct eras have been identified, which are also known as the Four Calamities.
The First Calamity was set into motion when the cradle of human civilization, earth, was torn asunder from within. What will come to be known as "The Heretic's Crusade" appeared without warning in the early 21st century and within 10 years, resulted in the deaths of half the world's population.
The Second Calamity was known as "The Greater Crusade" by some, but to most of the Valderi, it was called "The Reckoning". In its wake, the Valderi homeworld was left in utter poisonous ruin within days. The entire species total annihilation was only thwarted through the support of their human allies.
The Third Calamity. One fateful battle between the 2nd Coalition and the Broken King that permanently ripped open the fabric of reality that will be known as, "Emergence point Zero". From this galactic wound, Crimson spread to countless worlds where hiveminds of monsters are birthed. Those the Coalition could not reach forged their own paths regardless. Not all of them chose either side of the coin.
The Fourth Calamity, where many argue when the "Eternal war" truly started. Earth's destruction? The Coalition's 3rd rebirth? The battle for Heaven's Gate? The Clan Schism? Nobody could truly come to an agreement. Only that they had to fight and survive at any cost.
Until there is nothing left to fight against.
Until there is no more sanity left in the mind.
Until countless singularities are crushed and used as ordnance.
Until there is nothing left to give, nothing left to take.
Until every star goes out, if it has to.
Children of Earth, Old Terra. Their sights on the stars since the day they looked up. Proven to be highly adaptable in ways that have proven both their greatest strength and their most dangerous quality.
An ancient species whose history predates humanity's first cities. Their humanoid appearance both humbling yet unnerving. Humanity's greatest peer and also their greatest enemy. Casted out of their homeworld, these soulless children of Keitan settled the stars alongside their human compatriots.
Pseudo AI-cores placed into machines, giving life and soul to something many found highly distasteful at first, now a stabilizing presence within civilized space. Do not mistake their cold metallic limbs for something alien, as their minds remain Human as the day they were copied.
Birthed from vats, many live to die only as cheap weapons, others found their salvation elsewhere. These cloned Humans and Valderi hail from heretic-engineered origins, yet their ever growing presence in civilized space is starting to be welcomed, not only as weapons but as potentially something more.
[WIP]
Initially formed as a simple agreement between Humanity and the Valderi sharing the same ideals of mutual cooperation. However it did not stay simple for long.
The Coalition as it is commonly known, despite going through three different iterations, manages to keep both species glued together and brave the storm. As the Greater Crusade forced them into reconsidering doctrine and structure, they officially chartered the "2nd Coalition" which then emphasized military expansion for future conflict, including the reunification of colonized worlds that find themselves cut off after the main central relay station on the Valderi homeworld was destroyed. Now they reside on the world of New Avalon as a new central hub.
They do not only face the Heretic Forces but also against their own colonized worlds, armed with left-behind coalition equipment or self-developed weaponry after the 2nd Calamity. Many have decided on establishing their own independence against coalition authorities, while some others rejoin.
The 3rd Coalition came to existence after the battle against the Broken king. They not only adopted a more militaristic approach to their organisation but also opened up previously forbidden or highly taboo technologies such as pseudo AI cores to ensure that the Heretic Forces do not triumph against them.
Finally with the Eternal war at its peak, the "Unified Coalition" was established in what will be known as the "Second Renaissance". Having turned completely from their defensive posture to an offensive one, this last iteration of the Coalition has their sights set on the full destruction of the Heretic Forces at any cost.
Warriors of their god with many names, but commonly referred as "the great one". The faction's origin is highly debated, with some arguing it began on Earth during the Heretic's Crusade lead by Rasputin or already long before as the Valderi clans had always been known to worship the great one.
This faction is made up of five sub-factions. The Valderi clans, Sons of Rasputin, The Broken king's legion, The Ascended and the Shatterswords. All coming from different backgrounds but all share their faith of serving their god.
It is not exactly clear where this faction is primarily located it, though it is clear that the well known "Emergence point Zero" is their primary hub within real space. However it is also very important to note that the clans have been observed to already have established colonies on many planets and moons in the most unexpected locations.
Despite the Eternal war that the HF is engaged in against the Coalition, it is known that they also remain in constant conflict in another war called the "Void wars" ever since the Greater Crusade. Where this war takes place and against who is unknown to those outside the faction.
Intelligence and theories gathered do however suggest that the HF's goals and intentions within real space are not entirely conquest-based. As the Broken King's objectives remain unknown and the Sons of Rasputin only being present as frontline backbone. Furthermore this is seen through the clan "incursions" being similar to guerrilla tactics. While their Ascended counterparts are only present to achieve "glory".
[WIP]