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False Gods

Since the dawn of time, our world has converged with another. The Astral World exists at the frayed edges of the Physical World. It is a world of pure consciousness; where our thoughts, ideas, and dreams dwell. Living creatures could enter it when they slept. The state of the mind would bring you to specific parts of the Astral World. A calm mind would be relatively safe within the Dreamscape, a portion of the Astral World that was unshaped, and reacted to the thoughts and wishes of the Dreamer. A stressful mind could be pulled toward the Abyssal Layers, a storm within the Astral World where the trauma of the living has taken the shape of Daemons.

As Humanity evolved, they took notice of the presence of the Astral World. Many myths place their roots in mankind's interaction with the Astral World, but the most important connection was with those who could bring a portion of the Astral World into the Physical World. Over history they were given many names; witches, warlocks, shaman, druids, wizards, and sorcerers. These people were able to create a field that tapped into the Astral World, and allowed them to manipulate Reality in a similar manner to the way a Dream could be manipulated. Eventually, as mankind's knowledge increased and the Magic they could perform was brought closer to science, a new name for all magical practices was chosen. The Mage or Magi.

The Magi called the effect that allowed them to manipulate reality an Interstice, and it was essentially a shallow tear in the fabric between the Physical World and the Astral World. Depending on how gifted the Mage was, they could and Interstice to perform Magic of various potencies. The act was sort of like controlling a Dream, and in fact people who could easily enter Lucid Dreams were much more prone to become strong Magi. Unfortunately this ability was hard to control, and could easily lead to a Deviation of the Magic summoned. Deviations could cause the spell to backfire, cause summons to turn on the creator, and even cause the user to be inflicted with mutations.

Throughout the Modern Era, Humanity attempted to curb the issues with Deviations. The only solution they were able to come with was the creation of beings who would monitor the Interstice from the Astral side. The beings were similar to the Daemons who dwelt in the Abyss, collections of consciousness that could act independently in the Astral World. While Daemons were born from distinct psychological trauma, these new creations were meant to embody Humanities hopes, virtues, and desires. While many disputed their title, it became engrained into their very being upon conception: The Gods.

These manufactured deities lead Humanity to the breakthrough that kickstarted the Renaissance Era. A time period where the power of magic was limitless, and Humanity achieved feats of creation not seen before or after. Many believed this time would not end, and that eternal peace and prosperity would last forever. Twas not meant to be.

The Survivors cannot pinpoint the motive of The Betrayal, even the Magi at the time assumed that Humanity and the Gods lived in a symbiotic relationship. Whatever the case, when the Gods struck at their creators, they did so in a flash of light that ended the Era of prosperity, and gave birth to the Cursed Earth we now walk. The Astral Breach a crack in reality that exposes the Physical World to the chaos and malleability of the Astral World. Through these cracks the Gods were able to enter our World with form, and the terrible magic they wielded brought our civilization to the brink.

Millenia have passed since this Eternal War has begun. Much of Humanity has lost knowledge of this history, and believe that the Cursed Earth has always existed. A punishment placed upon Mankind for their hubris against the Gods. Only the Cabals maintain the knowledge of what Mankind has lost, and the true nature of the Gods. As they continue to fight the Eternal War, they are forced into the shadows, fighting against those Indoctrinated by the Gods. Their greatest weapons against them are the Apostates.

Early in the Eternal War, when the Gods were still not used to the laws of the Physical World, some Survivors managed to kill several of them. Capturing their corpses for study, they found that the body of a Dead God could be harvested for powerful materials. While their bones could be used to craft powerful Artifacts, and their fluids turned into wonderous Elixirs, their organs could be used to create a new life form. These Divine Organs can be implanted into subjects to give them powers on par with the Gods. The act of creating an Apostate is a closely guarded secret within the Cabals, as is the amount of Divine Organs they have access to at any given time. As the Eternal War raged on, the Gods grew more cautious of exposing themselves to attack, and many active in the Physical World hide their True Body. They mostly act through surrogates and servants in the Calamity Era.

The Calamity Era is the time period we now live in. The Physical World has been torn apart by the Astral Breaches, transforming it into a Cursed Earth. The Gods  Humanity created in their golden era, now walk the Physical World, and rule over vast portions of the population. They act with impunity, save for their fear of the Cabals and the Apostates. Currently there is no end in sight for the Eternal War, with every God slain another seems to rise to take it's place. The Cabals have fractured, and many sects no longer trust one another completely. Too many betrayals, too many failed experiments with Magic and the Divine Organs trying to get an edge over the Gods.

This world is winding down. Between the Gods and the Indoctrinated, the true history of Humanity is disappearing. The Cabals, the last hope for humanity, continue to crumble one by one. All we can do is continue to fight, and hope for salvation that only we can give to ourselves.

Intro Theme: Beyond the Bounds