You are a young homin refugee. You have bravely taken the long and perilous journey from the old lands to these new lands where we have begun building our new Empire. Once you’ve got enough training behind you, you’ll be able to put your skills to good use for our Emperor and help rebuild our civilization.
By sword and fire, your ancestors forged the most powerful empire in history. Honor their memory as long as you live! But the fruit of their labor was destroyed by great invasions of kitins. Your parents, and their parents, were lucky to escape the massacre. For many years they survived in the wilds of Atys where you were brought up. They showed great courage in urging you to take the long road to join your own people here in these new lands. Now you have found us you must live up to their courage. It’s taken forty four years of blood and sweat to build the foundations of our new Empire, your generation must now build it up.
Dexton is our lawful Emperor, you owe him your allegiance. His orders can only be debated in higher spheres. Until you have gained enough rank you will not contest them. Never forget it, young homin! You will carry out imperial orders with success or you die trying, otherwise you will willingly tarnish the name of your ancestors. Dexton has chosen the best to counsel him, Abycus Zekops and Kyla Dyntheus are his senators.
We believe in the energy of Atys, the energy that fills every being with life and conscience. According to the Zoraïs, the Kamis are a manifestation of that great energy that created the world which they call Ma-Duk. Though we refuse blind adherence to their teachings, over these last years we have become closer to the Kamis to escape Karavan sanctions for mining and underground exploration. To the Kamis we owe, if not our faith, our loyalty.
Your life must be built upon the four pillars that uphold our Empire:
* Truth is the first pillar. Cowardly lies will not deceive the cut and thrust of battle ! Tell nothing but the truth to your comrades, just as they must give straightforward answers to your questions. Do not hesitate, however, to use the art of cunning in the face of the enemy. Stratagem used wisely is as dangerous a weapon as a sharp lance held firmly in hand!
* Honor is the second pillar. Let yourself be guided by honor no matter what. Never stoop to the minor sentiments, no matter how high the potential gain. And remember, an honorable death is better than a cowardly existence.
* Discipline is the third pillar. The Fyros empire exists thanks to the chain of obedience that links us to the Emperor, from the youngest novice to the most celebrated general. Each and every one of us must show obedience to higher command. Just one insubordinate Fyros is enough to break the link and so menace the whole Empire.
* Justice is the fourth pillar. The Emperor is our absolute chief, though even he must scrupulously obey the laws decreed by our ancestors. From the most powerful to the most humble, we respect our laws without compromise. In truth, then, it is not the Imperial Chief but the Imperial Law that dictates our conduct.
Our empire suffered greatly from the Great Swarming. Our sense of discipline has allowed us to survive much better than the Matis or the Trykers, our great city of Pyr is proof. We must now :
* develop our individual strengths and skills
* form powerful and well-structured guilds to build up a driving force
* build alliances with the Zoraïs
* discover the truth behind the Dragon
* fight against the Karavan to impose a new order around Kami worship
* gather the knowledge that was scattered throughout the land during the Great Swarming to open the doors to the secrets of the past.
* consolidate and conquer more territory.
Since the Peace Treaty signed at Fairhaven, we have been at peace with the other homin peoples. Nevertheless, the past has left us with many scars as tokens of past instability, and our relations vary depending on the civilizations.
* Zoraï: Over the years the Zoraïs have proved time again their loyalty and friendship towards our people. What is more, we both hold the Kamis in our hearts and share a deep aversion for the Karavan.
* Tryker: Time and again we have tried to take the Tryker under our protective wing, but they have proven too chaotic and too flighty for lasting friendship. Nowadays, we must be careful of the fickle little homins, for more than ever they have stepped in line with the Matis in their veneration of the Karavan goddess.
* Matis: The Matis are our inherent enemy not to be trusted. We do not adhere to the Matis sense of justice which centers around the monarchy and Jena Law. Even in these times of peace we must stand vigil lest they team up against us.
* Friendly tribes include: The Root Tappers, The Kitin Gatherers, The Pyromancers, The Watchers, The Frahar Hunters, The Water Breakers, The First Deserters, The Slash and Burn, The Oasis Diggers, The Sacred Sap.
We need crafters, harvesters, magicians and warriors to maintain and make our civilization stronger.
* Atys is a treacherous place, we need warriors to defend our territory and conquer new lands for new settlements.
* We want crafters to produce everyday objects and weapons; and harvesters to gather the raw materials for food and manufacture.
* We need magicians to enchant crafted items, protect harvesters, and heal warriors in combat and help them fight.
Our people first settled on these desert lands in 2483 on their resurfacing from the new found land Prime Roots. The desert is the toughest region of all though this has always been the challenge equal to our courage and the values of our people. Since 2487 we have been continually rejoined by refugees having taken the road from the old lands, the very road you have courageously taken.
Atys is abound with raw materials, young homin. As long as you respect the environment you will reap many a reward from her bosom. As you become skilled in the ways of the world you will learn to tame the wilderness and conquer new grounds.