rebelwithoutaface | World Building- Setting

Setting

The universe is a vibrant hub of life, countless species and cultures across billions of planets. One billion years prior to the main story, four cosmic monsters known as the Four Terrors arose from an unknown source and destroyed numerous worlds, raising an evil army to subjugate others. This period would form the very beginning of the universal community, as the Four Terrors ruled the universe between them. After one hundred years, four people, a master and his apprentices, created the first Super Combat Art and liberated the universe. The empire under the Terrors collapsed and without them to maintain it, interplanetary travel and communication faded away, rebuilt slowly over thousands of years.

In time, the denizens of the universe learned of the Streams, energy roads between locations within the universe created by the Four Terrors and rediscovered how to travel using them. Sailing the Streams allowed vastly faster than light travel without the associated problems of conventional space travel. The cosmos was reunited and the new frontier opened, recolonisation began and societies formed amongst the stars. Although thousands of years separated, the people held in common their gratitude and reverence of the Four Heroes, who were discovered to all still be alive. They protected and guided the people of the universe. Once the master of the Four Heroes was satisfied that peace was assured after several million years, they all disappeared, leaving behind a legacy that would shape the universe for all time.

Without the Four Heroes, a long period of peace remained, but in time it broke down until the once unified universe was separated but in contact again. The Four Heroes were remembered but believed to be exaggerated myths.

It was many more aeons before that changed. Three people, claiming to be new forms of the apprentices came to prominence; Other Wise, Other Canis and Other Newfound, each taking the name of an apprentice and adding Other. They guided the universe again, but much less completely, until one founded the Universal Empire and began conquering. The other two opposed them, but failed in time. One thousand years on from their defeat, much of the universe falls under the Universal Empire and Emperor Other Wise.

Important Features

Streams-
Streams are ancient energy trails created by the Four Terrors in order to connect their empire. Each Stream has its own path, and they are one of the very few ways to reasonably traverse the universe. Some areas are devoid of decent Stream connection and remain out of touch with interplanetary society, even if only relatively. Controlling individual Streams is an important factor in galactic warfare and discovering new ones is crucial to exploration. Mostly travelled by using ships, certain S.C.As have methods of using them without equipment.

The Universal Empire-

Ruled by the current, first and only emperor, Other Wise. Roughly sixty percent of colonised planets are under imperial control and expansion is ongoing. There is a great deal of resistance to the empire, both from the already conquered and opposing forces, but it is largely a losing battle.

Despite this, many areas of space are completely untouched by the imperial expansion, as the Empire is focusing heavily on sections of the universe with a strong Stream presence. Thus hubs and well developed areas are usually Empire territory, but more obscure locations are ignored.

Emperor Other Wise has two sons and one daughter, but his wife has gone missing. The Empress disappeared unexpectedly roughly forty years ago.

The Pilgrimage-

The Pilgrimage is a semi-mystic journey that can only be completed by the most courageous in the universe. It always begins on the Asteroad, a spiralling asteroid belt with an unusually close formation, an atmosphere and gravity, prospective travellers of the Pilgrimage must go from one end to the other. All those that earnestly complete the Asteroad challenge are informed of the location of the next task; all of the tasks after the Asteroad move routinely and a time limit is in place to get to the next one. In total there are seven places to visit. Any challengers can stay indefinitely at the roaming challenges, but if they leave or miss the deadline to find one, they must start all over again. Attempting the Pilgrimage is very common, but most do not make it to the first trial. Although what lies at the end is unknown, many rumours surround it, ranging from being granted a wish, to inner peace, to great treasure. Either way, merely attempting the journey is an excellent way to gain a great deal of strength for S.C.As. And an excellent way to die horribly.

The Nomads-
Unusual lifeforms that appear and disappear without warning across the universe, they are rarely encountered. Their name was given because no permanent home for them has ever been found, although how they travel is also unknown. They are most often encountered when new planets are visited for the first time. Also seen one at a time, they are tall humanoids that wear a variety of heavy clothing that obscures their entire body, usually primitive looking. They never speak or communicate in any fashion with other residents of the universe, although they occasionally rescue those who are in terrible danger if they happen to be nearby. In these instances, they show an incredible strength. Ancient images from the furthest history of intelligent life depicts them being the same as far back as other species have existed, yet no relationship of any sort has been established between them and those they have interacted with. Until recent times they were considered to be purely benevolent. In a history of over a billion years, they were not known to harm a single person and never responded to any attempt to attack or capture them. But roughly eighty years ago a single Nomad killed an entire Elite Imperial Division without provocation, including defeating one of the Seven Supreme Sages, one of the most powerful warriors in the Empire. Since that day, most are fearful of the dreadful power they possess and the incomprehensible way they operate.