KdM: Stellardark (Map Game)/Lore

WIP

The Rebirth
The Renaissance was not only a revolution of culture and science, but also a revolution of industry. During this period, a ethereal force, dubbed "Magic" would come about in a "Great Leak" from another unknown plane of existence. It is unknown where it exactly came from, but there are theories: Mankind has lived in the third dimension, while the Fourth Dimension (representing spacetime) had part of it absorbed, leaked, and blended into the third. It is unknown how this happened, but it is likely to do with the inhabitants living there, called the "Gods." (See races for more detail)

They witnessed Humanity lapping up this new magical advantage after a few generations. Though, not everyone is adept at magic, nor uses it, few would be able to utilize it effectively. When they made first contact, they were surprised when Humanity immediately equated them to their old gods, they were compared and named to being such. Seeing the advantage of this, they decided to undertake themselves to keep watch on Humanity, they formed what, in their words, a "contract" with them. They would attempt to keep them in check, lest Humanity would become powerful enough to eventually invade the high dimensions as well. Their knowledge of the realm of Gods had proven this already.

Using the power of both magic and newfound technology (A form of Steam-power was proposed in the mid-1500s irl), they spawned industry barons and started an earlier Industrial Revolution. The Renaissance would then take up the mantle of the Industrial Revolution. When it came to the actual Revolution, however, it was different.

The Revolution
Early Space Travel, Early Settlement, and Advanced Engineering.

The Evolution
Genetic Engineering, Biotech, Mass Colonization of Sol.

The Exploration
Terraform, Interstellar travel, Interstellar bases.

Factions

 * Mankind
 * Political factions:
 * Roundtables: Basically your backbone army, formerly called the "Order Knights" prior to splinter groups. They originated from Britain sometime during the Dark Ages, and founded chapters over the continent. They were starting to fade until being revitalized during the Late Middle Ages and gradually spread throughout the world. The Roundtables, became the largest and thus standard type of knight faction. They may be the largest, but are typically diverse and mixed (resulting in indecisiveness), not only this, they are often bureaucratic. They, however, believe in the unity of Mankind and are willing to maintain it in these dark times.
 * Paladins: They find their origins as a splinter-group to the Order of the Roundtable during the early 1400s in France. They are a faction of knights typically wearing hulking armor and weapons, but that is a stereotype. They do wear heavy armor and are often elite. They believe in an aggressive and and idealistic approach to their enemies. They believe in power can be achieved through the blend of magic and technology to be used to advance Humanity. They are the fewest, but are also very elitest and religious. They are pretty traditional as well, also responsible of "pest control of terrorism".
 * Sentinels: Originating from the New World as a splinter-group of the Roundtable, they have their origins as frontier knights (at a local level frontier militia is maintained by civilians). Like in their name, they are primarily seen along the far reaches of humanity's reach as border guards or those who expand for the knights. Their are often wearing armor that is agile, but also employ other methods of protection. Adaptability and practicality is their specialty, this translates into their politics. They dislike the other outsider races, as they often be at the front lines to ward them off. They dislike the other factions because they "do not understand" and are "not practical", some even want the others to be eliminated. Perhaps they are also Elitist? Or Realist?
 * More WIP

Races

 * Humans: The mundane, yet also stand higher from the rest. They are the ace and wildcards of the other races, yet are also easily killed. They are diverse in their ideas, yet could also be the same in their behavior. Their ideas are based on solutions for overall goodness and benefits, but their path down to this is riddled with bad deeds. Their biggest trait admirable trait, however, is not only their adaptability to technology and magic, but also their refusal to die. It would be ignorant to say the other races are not subjected to this, however. Humans have a history of being most known for this.
 * Elves: Genetically engineered, former humans, that live in higher places and built fantastical realms. Using their high skills and susceptibility to magic, they even created floating small cities for themselves. They settle on planets with a rich atmosphere but also with a slightly lower gravity. They are tall, and more nimble, than the average human, but their skills in magic and technology is sufficient enough to be on par.
 * Dwarves: Genetically engineered, former humans, that likes to live underground. They originated from an idea of mining workforce on asteroids or planets with hostile atmospheres. They are not as fond of Humans when they broke off, but are also not very fond of Elves. Between Elves, Humans, and Dwarves, it seems more likely that the Dwarves would get along better with Humans.
 * Ascended: Also called Mythics (although mainly referring the group of Ascended who were revived), they are a group of historic individuals who have done great deeds. In the past, the Gods decided to revive these historical individuals in order to maintain a form of 'police force' over humanity in order to keep its power in check. After incidents of rebellious Mythics, the Gods decided to grant those in the living with the same powers. They are less rebellious that way. Those who are notable enough are typically granted a higher status by the Gods. The Gods also kept the Ascendeds in check, but some who are resistant to their "mind control" would not agree, and would rather live relaxing immortal lives.
 * Demi-Beast: Humanity's children, Humanoid, with beastly ears and possibly tail (sometimes with horns). They are a genetic engineered diverse race, with many subraces being Feline, Kitsune, Canine, etc., that blended elements of humanity and animal together. Their conception was due to a brief Transhuman movement when genetic engineering became a revolutionary idea to solve Humanity's problems at one point. Due to strong opposition against the "abominations", they were outcasted by many parts of Humanity and most Demi-Beasts had thirsted for revenge. Neglected by their creators, they became radicalized and extreme in their methods, employed sometimes even by the Gods to land hits. Their less radicalized population, however, lives in pockets dotting across all of Humanity's reach. They do, however, have advantages provided them to their corresponding beast. Felines, Kistunes, and Canine Demi-Beasts tend to have better selective hearing and built more swiftly, for example.
 * Gods: Unknown beings from a higher dimension. Due to the "Great Leak", most ethereal material, dubbed "magic" ,from their realm had been absorbed in our dimension, resulting in many magic users. Many of them resembles humans, leading to many to theorize that they are actually human beings from a higher dimension with a very powerful manipulation of magic, leading to theories that there are humans in every dimension. This, is however, unconfirmed. There are many things that we do not know, as they used to be trivial in everyday life up until now.
 * Hobgoblins: Hobgoblins are a race, along with Goblins, that originated in another solar system nearby Humanity. They are in a higher caste over Goblins. They are called "Orcs" or "Ogres" to some, but Hobgoblins are a more correct term. When Humanity arrived in the Early-1900s to colonize their system, they were understandably pissed when their resources are being stolen. Their constant raids and capture of Humans, through trials of error, resulted in a basic knowledge of space tech as well. But they won't have a successful flight until the late 1900s. The Gods see them as viable alternatives to Humanity incase Humans are wiped out. Is it strange that they became so advanced within a couple decades after their first flight?
 * Goblins: They are a lower race in the caste system along with Hobgoblins. They are not as intelligent and make great grunts and test subjects to the Hobgoblins. There are quite a few goblins that stand out, but are often short-lived. They survive off of scavenging and participating in raids alongside the Hobgoblins, the higher caste.