Iron-Core is an Alternate Earth game. The divergence from historical time line beguines in 1899 and becomes more pronounced as time moves forward to the year 2375. The discovery of gates, portals to alien worlds, would set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately cost hundreds of millions of lives and the loss of the cradle of humanity. Earth is now a quarantined planet. A lifeless blackened rock, hanging dead in the cold of space.

The Great Exodus from Earth left humankind separated by vast distances and the Brotherhood holding the only lifeline. Over the next four hundred years, the survivors will spread to colonize over one hundred worlds, as hundreds more are drained for their resources. Population levels explode and humanity once again flourishes. The Great Exodus is now a distant memory. The political and social face of humanity is nearly unrecognizable from its 19th century counterparts.

The Brotherhood, now a huge autocracy wields immense power. Not directly governing, its dictates and edicts are ignored at great peril. To insure it’s lasting power , the Brotherhood has broken up planetary systems and installed “elected rulers” bearing titles such as Baron, Duke, Count, Earl, Margrave or Marquis, in this way, no one ruler will ever have the strength to challenge the church. They have effectively thrown humanity back to feudal 13th-15th century Europe.

The colonies are now ruled by the new noble class and are as varied and distinctive as their rulers. Each possessing their unique style and customs, some enlightened and concerned for the happiness and well being of its subjects, others, tyrannical and savage, viewing its subjects as nothing more than raw materials for genetic and cybernetic modification. The Brotherhood makes no distinction between the two spectrums of behavior, each have their place within the new doctrine.

Favors are brokered, promises made and broken. Politics are a seedy and sorted affair best left to those without the heavy burden of morals or conscience. This is a harsh universe, filled with harsh realities; the once polished glow of The Brotherhood has long since faded, replaced by a-moral doctrine. This is the age of rusted faith.