User Guide

Preface text
With the disappearance of the Cosmic Forge, a pen with the power to alter destiny, the
Cosmic Lords had temporarily lost their ability to completely control the fate and
destiny of the Universe. In an unexpected occurrence far out in space, a Miner’s ship,
lost due to a navigational malfunction after being attacked by space pirates, stumbled
upon a small world which was uncharted on any map of the known galaxy.
As it so happens, the Cosmic Lords were aware of the presence of this small planet
and had safeguarded its existence by using the Forge to prevent any discovery by
outside worlds. Once the Forge was stolen by the Bane King and Xorphitus the Wizard
(the story of Bane of the Cosmic Forge) the planet’s obscure position in space could no
longer be protected from discovery.
When the Miner’s vessel returned to its own home world, news of the discovery
began to spread. It was rumored to be the Planet of Phoonzang, "Lost Guardia" by
legend, and the secret resting place of the famed "Astral Dominae," Phoonzang’s only
known record of his final and greatest discovery.
The legend of the Astral Dominae dates back to a prior millennium. It tells of a great
artist and scientific genius, Phoonzang, and his discovery of some deep secret,
rumored to regard the power of the universe and of life itself. Phoonzang decided this
secret was too powerful for anyone else to know, for if it could create a universe, it
could also destroy one. So, he was faced with a choice: either destroy his discovery, his
life’s work, or hide it in such a way that it would not fall into unscrupulous hands. He
opted for the latter, knowing that a day might come when the secret could be safely
revealed and the universe could ascend towards a new destiny.
The legend continues that he created a stellar globe, called the Astral Dominae, and
encrypted his secret therein. Using the power of his secret, he created a new world,
Guardia, designed to safeguard his work. He himself had become a god, for his was
the power of life itself, and as he created the planet, he also created creatures to live
there and to protect his secret. Entombing the Astral Dominae somewhere on this
world, he made a map, consisting of many parts and then spread the parts throughout
the lands of his world. Convinced that his secret was secure, Phoonzang disappeared
forever.
With the discovery of the lost planet, Lost Guardia, news traveled fast that the
legendary tomb of the Phoonzang’s last work, the Astral Dominae, was a reality. But
while there are many who might covet the great secret, only a few have the power and
resources to undertake its recovery.
One of these is an enigmatic traveler of the stars, known only as the "Dark Savant."
Navigating all frontiers of space in his legendary black ship, not much is known of the
Dark Savant except that he is considered by most worlds to be one of the most
powerful entities alive, pledging alliance to no one but himself.
At the forefront of all known Galactic worlds, two rival species dominate the space
trade. First, the militaristic Umpani - a lawful race of stout pachyderms who, while
considered to have the greatest assemblage of military war power in the Galaxy, are
known to be fair and reliable traders. Second, there is the feared and unscrupulous
T’Rang - a repulsive spider-like race who will do anything if the buyer is willing to pay
the price. While the T’Rang can never be fully trusted, they still manage to control the
greatest trading network in the galaxy, surpassing even that of the Umpani. The
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Crusaders of the Dark Savant