Before the Sundering, the continent of Covenant was a unified and prosperous realm, its towering cities built upon a foundation of advanced knowledge and the power of Aetheric energy. The Old Empire, the great civilization that ruled, was a beacon of innovation and enlightenment, blending the arcane with the mechanical, crafting intricate networks of Celestial Gates that allowed instantaneous travel between distant lands. This utopia, however, was too ambitious, and the unchecked thirst for more power led to its downfall.

It was a group of power-hungry leaders within the Empire who, driven by visions of godhood, delved into the forbidden realms of chaos. Influenced by the Void of Chaos, a dark and mysterious force, they believed that by tapping into its boundless energies, they could ascend beyond mortal limits. But this reckless pursuit of ultimate power had disastrous consequences. Instead of harnessing the Void’s power, the ritual they performed tore a rift in reality itself—creating a cataclysmic event known as the Great Sundering. This rift shattered the land, disintegrating cities, cracking the very foundation of the continent, and severing the connection between Aetheris and the greater multiverse.

What followed was a world in chaos. The Celestial Gates malfunctioned, some exploding in violent bursts of energy, others becoming unstable and unpredictable portals to unknown dimensions. The land of Covenant fractured, its once-proud cities reduced to ruins, and the ancient knowledge and powerful relics of the Old Empire were scattered and lost. Magical forces became unstable, monsters roamed the land, and the survivors of this great catastrophe were left with no choice but to rebuild from the ashes.

The aftermath was a continent teetering on the edge of ruin, isolated and divided. Factions arose, each interpreting the legacy of the Old Empire in their own way, driven by their desires to either restore the world or claim it for themselves. The Lumix Consortium, scholars and mages who believe that the key to rebuilding lies in unlocking the secrets of the past, search tirelessly for ancient relics and lost technologies. They believe that intellectual and technological advancement can unite the fractured world, and their efforts are focused on deciphering the mysteries of the Nexus—the last known remnant of the Architects of Creation, who once shaped the very fabric of Aetheris itself.

Then, there are the Ironclad Legion—militaristic and authoritarian, born from the remnants of the Empire’s military forces. With their iron-clad strength, they believe that the only path to peace is through control and dominance. They are determined to reunite the factions under a single, powerful rule. Their mighty fortresses are carved into the Frostpeak Mountains, and their soldiers are feared across the continent. To them, order is the only means of preventing the chaos of the Sundering from repeating itself.

In stark contrast to the Legion’s militaristic approach, the Verdant Clans, protectors of the natural world, strive to heal the land, believing that the chaos and destruction of the Sundering was brought about by mankind’s greed and exploitation of the earth. These clans, with their deep connection to nature, view industrialization and the exploitation of resources as the true enemy. They live in harmony with the land, guided by druids and shamans who practice powerful earth and life magic. Their goal is to restore balance to the world and protect the ancient forests and sacred sites that hold the power to heal the land.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, the Shadow Syndicate plays its own dangerous game. A network of spies, thieves, and manipulators, the Syndicate thrives in secrecy, controlling information and events from behind the scenes. They believe that true power lies in the ability to control others without their knowledge, ensuring that no single faction becomes too dominant. For them, the delicate balance of power is sacred, and they are willing to use any means necessary to maintain it.

The Ember Clans, nomadic warriors from the harsh deserts, live by a code of honor and survival. Fiercely independent, they believe in the strength of the individual, with leadership earned through deeds in battle. These warriors roam the unforgiving sands of the Ember Desert, battling both the elements and any who threaten their way of life. Their deep respect for the desert’s harsh teachings has made them formidable opponents, and they value personal freedom above all else.

Far from the desert, the Tridon Dominion looks to the seas, believing that they are the chosen people of the sea gods. This theocratic society controls vast naval fleets and wields sea magic to dominate the oceans. They see themselves as the protectors of the seas and are constantly expanding their influence, seeking to unite all those under the protection of their divine rule. Their grand maritime city, Tridon Port, is a testament to their devotion to the sea.

The Boom Union is a faction driven by a relentless desire for technological progress. Their engineers and inventors, based in the geothermal Boom Highlands, push the boundaries of invention—creating everything from automatons to steam-powered devices. Their inventions, however, are as dangerous as they are innovative, and the risks they take often have catastrophic consequences. While other factions may fear their reckless experimentation, the Union believes that the future of the world depends on pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

But not all factions seek to rebuild; some seek to exploit. The Void Brotherhood, a dark and secretive cult, believes that the only way to transcend mortal limits is to master the chaotic energy of the Void. Operating in the shadows, they perform forbidden rituals in an attempt to harness this dark power, hoping to reshape reality itself. Their experiments are dangerous, and they are hunted by other factions who fear the consequences of their actions.

And then there is the Dark Alliance, a faction of necromancers who, after being exiled by the Old Empire, seek to dominate Covenant through the use of dark magic. They manipulate life and death itself, raising armies of the undead and using necromantic power to bend others to their will. They believe that the power over life and death is the ultimate form of control and are determined to use this power to exact revenge on those who cast them out.

At the heart of this fractured world stands the Nexus, a mysterious and powerful structure that holds the key to both the past and the future. Built by the Architects of Creation, the Nexus is a place where the boundaries of reality are warped, where time and space bend, and where the very fabric of existence itself can be reshaped. It is here that the fate of the world will be decided. Some factions seek to control it for their own gain, while others believe it is the key to restoring balance to the land.

The Nexus holds the secrets of the universe, but only those who prove themselves worthy can unlock its potential. It is a place of both wonder and danger, a place where destinies are written, and where the future of Aetheris will be shaped. Will you be the one to uncover its secrets and restore the glory of Covenant, or will you fall victim to the chaos that still threatens to consume the world?

The choice is yours.

Step into the world of Heyday: Rise of Empires, where the fate of a fractured world lies in your hands. Will you restore the past, or will you forge a new future? The journey begins now.