![[Story thus far.wav]] ## 1000 Years Ago  ***The Cataclysm at the Crossroads*** The apocalyptic explosion that shattered the world at Siderus Solis, the once-great capital of the Tripoli Empire, was an event beyond comprehension. An arcane cataclysm consumed billions in an instant, obliterating cities and devouring all in its path for thousands upon thousands of miles. The great dragons Boghandir the Blue and Draxalial the Red perished alongside countless innocents, leaving only Xivros the Gold to witness the devastation. The lingering arcane radiation from this disaster, known as the Blight, tainted the land, deforming it with corrupt magic. The Tripoli Empire crumbled in mere hours, its once-proud cities descending into chaos and warfare as the Age of Diamonds gave way to the brutal Age of Clubs. ## 100 Years Ago  ***The Rise of Megalopolises***  In a desperate bid for survival amidst constant threats from brigands, warlords, and the encroaching Blight, scattered remnants formed new cities. The greatest of these megalopolises, Elysia, turned 50 this year—the symbol of resilience among the Freelancers who pledged no allegiance to any banner. Advanced prosthetics were developed to replace lost limbs and heal critical injuries, but war continued to rage. In a pivotal moment referred to as the Dawn of Data, Garen of House Helios became the first cyborg soldier and Champion of Elysia during the 8-day siege by an immense warband. With Xivros's aid, they repelled the invaders. Surrendered warlords were treated and augmented before being incorporated into the Black Company of Bastion to defend against the Blight. ## 10 Years Ago ***The Age of Spades*** Avalon Industries ascended to prominence through Xivros's tireless efforts to unite trade and industry under one powerful banner, becoming the world's first megacorporation. With the Sentinels' final push and PMCs from Avalon now in place, the warband threats were finally quelled. In a surprising move, Elysia's Magistrate, acting on the recommendation of the Sentinels, officially branded all Freelancers as outlaws. A heavy blow to those who had once been valued allies. Almost simultaneously, word reached the Council of Mages that Avalon Industries was selling magic-granting aethertech augmentations. The Council's outrage resonated across the land as they vehemently condemned this unnatural power. Tragedies stemming from these augmented abilities marred Avalon's once-impeccable reputation, but the allure of reality-bending capabilities proved irresistible to many who raced to embrace this new frontier. As if to punctuate the age's chaotic turn, news arrived that Expedition 77 had ventured beyond the safety of Bastion into the treacherous Blight and been declared Missing in Action. The fate of these brave explorers remains a mystery that haunts the city-state. Ten long years have passed since the creation of the Quantum Array Network and the disappearance of its brilliant mastermind, Theodin Ragnarson. His unexplained absence remains an open case that fills the Sentinels and Digital Defense Division with a glimmering hope for his safe return—a hope that grows increasingly faint with each passing day. ## The Current Year ***The Current Year***  Your fixer, Mr. Black, has gone silent, leaving you high and dry with dwindling prospects and mounting debts. Without his vital connections, your crew is just another target on the Sentinels' radar. The weight of your situation presses down upon you like a physical burden. Your empty pockets mock you, remnants of a life spent chasing high-risk jobs and even higher rewards. But those days seem gone, replaced by an unsettling silence from your old crew members who have scattered into the wind. Every sound could be the Sentinels here to drag you off. Or perhaps one of Mr Black's associates has finally surfaced, ready to offer you a job or tie up loose ends in a hail of plasma. The Age of Spades has cast its shadow across Elysia's landscape and now hangs over your future like a noose. Will you double down on your Freelancer identity? Or will you crumble under the oppressive tide that threatens to drown you and everything you hold dear? Time is running out and every decision brings you closer to an inescapable fate. The game has changed, and your skills as a Freelancer may be all that stands between you and oblivion. Will you find a way to turn the tables on those who would bring you down? Or will you meet your end at the hands of those who would see your world crushed? The choice is yours, but one thing is certain: nothing will ever be the same again. The Age of Spades demands boldness from those who would defy it, and in this moment, that very boldness may be your greatest strength. You remember what Sensei taught you about a Freelancers: ***Sit at the High Rollers Table, Don't Fear the Dealer, and Go all In***