I'm reposting our setting brief here since I feel it may be helpful:<br/><br/><em>In this age, the air is filled with the skyships lifted on the wings of steam and machines great and small hiss and chug with the task of bettering life for all. Mages and warriors keep their artes sharpened on mundanities, for a time of prosperous peace requires little more of them than to defend their homes from the rare wandering monsters whom have never numbered fewer. <br/><br/>The Queendom of Gilaud is the largest of the nations of this world, known as a prosperous and great land. Home to fertile plains, serene mountains and valleys, shining lakes and sparkling rivers. The capital of Gilaud, the truly radiant Florentia City is considered by many the jewel of the five nations, four of which have known not just peaceful co-existence but tremendous international cooperation for nearly a thousand years. The fifth, Muenelind, was supposedly friendly as well, but few know much of the cloistered nation since it closed its borders almost seventy years hence. <br/><br/>Florentia City, for its part, boasts the grandest markets, the finest theaters and galleries, and is the home of most of the greatest scientific minds of this era. It is the cultural center of the world, with denizens of all her races calling it their adoptive home. Each of the other nations, Dalestia, Nuniare, and Ilcedun hold an embassy in the city. At its center lies the Gilde Castle, a sprawling marvel of architecture with no equal. <br/><br/>Gilaud had, just six months prior, concluded the monthlong celebration following the marriage of the widowed Queen Ceridwen Lía Gilaudan to the mysterious Muenelinder refugee and accomplished orator Malik Dubhshláine. He was strangely taciturn regarding his homeland, and many found it worrying how quickly he had taken the place of Ceridwen's beloved dead husband in her heart, but the people could see that she was smiling again, and for this they forgave the odd circumstance.<br/><br/>It wasn't long though, until her demeanor changed. Her usual warmth was replaced by an increasingly chilly personality. Her Highness began to send frivolous expeditions to every corner of the world seeking 'sites of historical significance' that were skirting the lines of age old treaties with the other nations. She made decrees that trampled the rights of anyone that might hold information regarding such sites. She vowed to explore these possibilities even in Muenelind, at the risk of starting the first war in a millennia. Most worrying were the edicts she delivered ordering the great scientists and mages of her the land to create machines and methods of destruction rather than the usual marvels that could better life for her citizens. <br/><br/>Her search had became a maddening obsession to which she devoted all of her energies to the point that her ill health became obvious. She neglected her once supportive populace as they grew angry and dissident. The only light in the Queendom had become her daughter, Princess Sydara Lía Gilaudan, who did all she could to care for the people her mother seemed to have cast aside. Then one day, the final straw came as young Sydara disappeared, leaving no trace of her wherabouts. Her mother, the Queen, was strangely unperturbed and the people began to suspect foul designs and fear the worst has become of their dear princess. Her mysterious disappearance has become the spark for the light that shall henceforth struggle to keep darkness at bay. <br/><br/>Our story, of course, begins in Gilaud. Our heroes are all gathered there, whether they have lived there for a long or short while or are visiting for business or pleasure. The point is that fate has drawn them all to Florentia City, the epicenter of events that will shape history for ages to come.   <br/></em><br/><hr/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">Anyway, please use this space to plot and plan inter-character relations and such. Also for general chatting as it pertains to the game. </span>