In the vast expanse of the universe, stars tell stories. They are born, live and die, much like the myriad beings that populate the countless worlds they illuminate. But some stories, written in the very fabric of the cosmos, are destined to endure.
In the days of old, before the establishment of the mighty Celestial Empire that would span galaxies, before the whispers of rebellion echoed through space, and before starships dotted the astral plains, the universe was a place of wonder and mystery. The planets were uncharted territories, each one holding secrets that many species longed to unlock. Stars were beacons of hope and guides for travellers, while the black void between them was filled with both the promise of adventure and the threat of the unknown.
The ancient races of the cosmos, the First Born, had tread paths amongst the stars when the universe was but a fledgeling. Legends told of the Prognostics, who could read the very essence of the cosmos, the Ethereans, ethereal beings made of light and energy, and the Geonites, who could mould planets to their will. These races lived in harmony, building the First Alliance and creating a golden age of peace, exploration, and technological advancement.
However, as is the nature of all civilisations, the balance of power was not to last. The universe was vast, and not all its corners held beings of benevolent intentions. From the shadowy fringes of the Milky Way, a new force began to emerge: The Celestial Empire. Its rise was rapid, its hunger for dominance insatiable. Star systems fell one by one under its might, their inhabitants either swearing fealty to the new rulers or being ruthlessly crushed.
At the heart of this empire sat Emperor Maligon, a being of unmatched intellect and ambition. His origins were shrouded in mystery, but it was whispered that he had unlocked the secrets of the First Born, harnessing their ancient powers to forge his empire. Under his rule, the once disparate species of the universe were united, but not as equals. The lesser species became subjects, while the favoured few enjoyed positions of power, playing the intricate game of politics and backstabbing in the imperial courts.
