Four-thousand years passed since the supposed departure of the Aurelus, and man not only survived, but progressed to be master of his realm, as he was so destined. Planted on practically all ends of the globe, cities and communities thrive in generally unperturbed realities. Built on the foundations imparted to them by enduring tales and enhanced by man's own individualistic attributes and innovations, Lacuna has advanced far from its primeval origins. Technology and industry is no stranger to its people, though it exists in respectful balance with nature-as the surreal beasts and landscapes still hold some authority in keeping man's expansion in check. Still, with all their growth, humans have yet to unfurl the layered complexity of the wafting sphere surrounding them.
Recently, an agency composed of some of the world's greatest minds has been conducting efforts to explain and hopefully uncover truths about man's past and the many unknowns still needed to be explained. Their hopes are that if they better understand their beginnings and the vastness of nature encompassing their lives, they will better be able to promote a progressive, idyllic future for all under the blue. This cooperation has christen themselves with the name of Zenith, intentions blatantly related to their title as the press for the peak of all achievements. Thus far, they have been fruitful in their efforts, though no ground-breaking evidence that would change man's course of being has been uncovered as of yet. One of their primary studies has been the recent flux in Ether and its effects on life below, however.
It has long been confirmed that the Ethereal Sphere, while not only the farthest reach known to humans, also has reign over several factors on the world beneath it. Climate is a major one, and as of the last four or so years, weather patterns that have been generally without falter since the beginning have time have been experiencing a sudden flux. Storms in several regions are becoming more violent and far greater in scale, riding jet streams to areas of the world that would normally would never see so much as a thunderhead in the distance. Seasons have become more extreme in all aspects in select regions, but for the most part is nothing so significant to make man alter his traditional means of dealing with such changes. It is mostly that the recent changes have been steadily growing in severity by the year, thus, Zenith-among many other top researchers-have been striving to uncover the why factor. Thus far, nothing has been able to confirm any theories rose over the matter, but they still proceed to try to comprehend this among many other mysteries of the aura.
Presently, they also work along with all nations for technological advancement and hopefully to achieve a state of universal peace between all people. Because of their promotions for unity and pacifism, they've been labeled as a Utopian force, though few have reason to denote their intentions; thus far, they have brought nothing negative to the world, contrary, in fact, they have set the world into efficient motion, if anything.
In spite of the rays of light shining for a cooperative future, there are undertones black as northern winter nights. Tensions have by no means dissolved between nations, particularly between much of the world and the Glacial industrial capitol of Margog. Portrayed as a self-seeking nation, bent on only their own advancement and determined to eventually attempt to expand by invading other lands-as they have done in the past-they're a significant threat that most of the world is more than a little wary of. They've shown no signs of taking action for years, but many fear that with the introduction of Zenith, a race for new information and technology will ensue, potentially leading to war once the stress between countries reaches its acme and breaks into a rapid decline. With all the recent advancements toward peace, however, and the fact that Margog has displayed no hostile signs, most brush such concepts as paranoia and look onward to a more optimistic light.
Chief on Zenith's list, beyond science, ethics and unity, though it is not so publicized as some of their other objectives, is to hopefully explore and elucidate the darkened area surrounding the basis of the faith that most of the world lives by. Of all the assumptions, from the tales of there being some other alien world out there or that it is a supernatural plane, they hope to find evidence of any of them, though no success stories have been declared. Perhaps because it could easily offend some, what with questioning ancient teachings and challenging their legitimacy. However, it does rise to ponder what effects whatever it is they do uncover may bring upon Lacuna...