Stars over the Asphalt
Synopsis
Magic users used to feature prominently in ancient human history until the greatest magicians summoned hordes of armies to do battle with their enemies. The bloody conflicts that arose nearly eliminated mankind, and as punishment, the gods erased magic from history, reduced the number of magic users, and limited the power of the magicians. The magicians continued their trade in secret throughout the ages, held together by insecure peace and a pact of secrecy. The day came in the 1900s when the gentle balance was threatened by instability in the world during the First and Second World Wars. The devastating events of the 1900s and beyond and the subsequent problems that arose led to wars breaking among the magicians who practiced in secret. Your characters are among the new people who are soon to be pulled into the fray.History
Before glass obelisks pierced the skies, there were many gods who dwelled in the mortal world among mankind. That Cradle was blessed, where the four rivers diverged at Eden and where creation leapt from every crack in the desert to populate the barren Earth. Families became clans, clans became tribes, and tribes became nations until every peak of that corner was settled.In those days, the gods bestowed upon mankind the gifts of their holy countenances: great fertility, long life, enduring peace, and enchanting miracles. The gods in such times saw fit to award humanity new dominion over the earth as reward for the devotion and righteousness of the men who smote the wicked under the blessing of the gods. And by the word, it was done. Men glowed with the new dominion over creation that they then had, and they used such powers to bring happiness and goodness to their lands. However, without discipline new powers beget corruption. Men coveted power for themselves and lorded armies to fight their enemies and conquer the Earth. Their unbridled depravity earned punishment from the gods, and the gods took magic away from most of mankind. Mankind would thenceforth have no memory of magic and see such activities as evil rituals, and the last of the conquerors empowered by magic had their abilities reduced, and they were cast into exile.
As time passed, the remnants of the lowest wars in human history disappeared until they were long forgotten. The old gods returned to the heavenly realms, but generation after generation fate found new disciples for the great conquerors. Squabbles were fought in secret, and no one kept record save the spirits and the gods themselves. So it goes. Times came when the disciples were seen as miracle workers, others came when the disciples were pilloried as heretics and apostates. They became heralded leaders and secluded wisemen. Each generation saw something new, and each generation continued the old work. Youth would be drafted into the task of learning the art and teaching it to the next generation. And the gods saw it was good in their eyes that the secret societies blessed by the Essence of Magic remained secret and that regardless of morality, they acknowledged the responsibilities of the powers.
But nothing is forever, such is the flow of time. The same applied to the fragile peace that the magic users had. The great sufferings felt in the time before and during the dawn of the millennium caused disillusionment, and new rivalries and factions came from the fire. Revolutions and bombs, gas chambers and revelations, revivals and rebirths all shaping a new era in history. Magic users once again embroiled themselves in a great conflict that raged in secret, but this time, the veil of secrecy may fall, threatening the delicate balance of all men know.
Expectations
- Current interest: 6 people.
- Target interest: 5 people.
- Players: 3 to 10 players.
- Medium to High Casual, Low Advanced.
