Tales of the Dark Ages
The year is 3001 AU (After Unification). The Empire that once spanned the entirety of the Milky Way is in decline. Emperor Hadrian IV is an old man, on his deathbed and unable to impose his will on the Galaxy. Dukes and Barons have asserted their de facto independence and ignore orders from the imperial center. Barbarians invade and pillage worlds in the Outer Rim. Piracy is flourishing even in the Mid-Rim. The Imperial Guards seem unable to impose order. Even worse, the Order of the Thousand Suns has fractured and a cult of evil sorcerers is threatening to plunge the Galaxy into a state of civil war.
Will the Empire fall and our Galaxy descent into an era of barbarity and depravity or shall it be restored to its former glory and reign for another thousand years?
STATE OF THE GALAXY: REPORT #5
Duke Aurelian Valerianus - one of the most powerful nobles in the Outer Rim - suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Lornerand. His fleet was devastated in an ambush set up by a coalition of five different Orc Warchiefs. The barbarians ravaged the Duke's home world of Zeldan, looting weapons, battleships and gold. The Imperial Security Agency firmly believes that this battle opens the way for large scale barbarian excursions into the Mid-Rim. The Imperial Court is advised to placate the Dukes of the Mid-Rim to form a viable coalition against the barbarian threat. Use of Imperial Guards in daring strikes against the Orcs is recommended.