For nine hundred years, humanity ruled the continent.

Its armies conquered kingdoms. Its emperors decided borders. Its language became the language of diplomacy, and its banners flew above cities built by a dozen different peoples.

The other races endured.

Then they began to rise.

The elves united their kingdoms. The dwarves mastered industry. The beastfolk formed powerful confederations, and the dragons established dynasties that no human army could easily challenge.

Humanity still has an empire.

But it no longer rules the world.

✦ THE END OF AN AGE ✦

The Aurelian Empire remains wealthy, populous, and militarily formidable. Its capital is among the greatest cities in the world, its institutions have survived centuries of turmoil, and millions of people still consider themselves imperial citizens.

But beyond its borders, the balance of power has changed.

Elven kingdoms command ancient magical traditions and sophisticated diplomacy. Dwarven industrial states produce machinery, weapons, and infrastructure on an unprecedented scale. Beastfolk confederations control vital trade routes, while draconic dynasties possess terrifying military power.

None are united against humanity. They compete with one another as fiercely as they compete with the empire.

The old imperial order is fading.

What replaces it remains undecided.

✦ AN EMPIRE DIVIDED ✦

Within Aurelia, generals demand military reform, nobles defend their privileges, merchants seek foreign partnerships, and provincial governors question the authority of the capital.

Some citizens want to restore humanity’s former supremacy. Others believe the empire can survive only by abandoning the belief that humans should rule everyone else.

Its nonhuman subjects have their own ambitions, ranging from greater representation to outright independence.

Meanwhile, foreign powers negotiate alliances, compete for resources, and prepare for a future in which Aurelia may be an equal rather than an overlord.

The empire isn’t automatically cruel.

Its rivals aren’t automatically noble.

And decline isn’t the same as defeat.

✦ SIX BEGINNINGS ✦

「 01 — THE IMPERIAL THRONE 」

The emperor has summoned the highest officials of the realm. A new report reveals that Aurelia is no longer the continent’s strongest military power.

「 02 — THE ELVEN COURT 」

An elven queen receives an Aurelian delegation seeking an alliance that the empire would once have considered beneath its dignity.

「 03 — THE BORDER CRISIS 」

An imperial province refuses to obey a new decree. Its governor is negotiating secretly with a neighboring nonhuman power.

「 04 — THE DWARVEN REVOLUTION 」

A dwarven industrial city unveils technology capable of transforming warfare. Human and foreign agents arrive seeking access.

「 05 — THE LAST LEGION 」

A veteran imperial legion returns from a disastrous campaign. Its commander must explain why an army once considered unbeatable was defeated.

「 06 — YOUR OWN STORY 」

Define your species, identity, abilities, homeland, and ambitions. Be an emperor, elf, dwarf, dragon, beastfolk, general, ruler, merchant, adventurer, or ordinary citizen.

✦ YOUR STORY ✦

Restore the empire. Reform it. Destroy it. Found a new kingdom, build an industrial power, unite rival species, become a diplomat, lead armies, explore distant lands, or live an ordinary life.

Choose your loyalties, relationships, morality, and ambitions. There is no mandatory imperial collapse, predetermined war, or rightful civilization.

Humanity can adapt.

Its rivals can fail.

New powers can rise from unexpected places.

For nine hundred years, humanity decided the future.

Now everyone else gets a vote.

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