Imagine a future where humanity returns to a new Dark Ages. Technology, once seen as a saviour, is now a sin to use or make: and the Universal Church is swift in hunting down the people who break its laws. The majority of people live in indentured servitude and do not so much as dream of a day when they, or even their distant descendants, might enjoy the sweet taste of freedom.

These poor serfs are ruled over by Noble Houses, whose way of life is everything that the serfs' are not. Nobles have money, technology, and virtual freedom to do what they wish: they answer but to the Princes of their House, and the Emperor.

Meanwhile, the Guilds fight a continual battle to protect their members' interests from the hands of greedy Nobles or pious Churchmen. For now, their special knowledge protects them; the Nobility and the Church cannot do without their services. But still they are afraid.

The Church publicly denounces the sins of technology and those who use it, yet claim (through ancient doctrine) that their own use of it to enforce their laws is strictly necessary: they martyr themselves to save the ignorant and sinful majority. Many in both the Noble Houses and the Guilds would love to see the day when they can do what they like without the Church breathing down their necks.

Ruling over all is the Emperor of the Known Worlds. Seen as saviour by some, tyrant by others, he walks a tightrope between effecting his vision of a new age of glory, and maintaining the power to do so.

Meanwhile, the suns, once so bright, are fading.