Epoch – A Story Outline

Story begins with Athelian Von Stavian appearing deep within the catacombs of a forgotten citadel.
Athelian is a Va’Taaen Wartech, his body merged with sophisticated, self-replicating endosymbiotes…the
latest in nearly sentient nanotech. He is also an ArchClarion, one of the few Masters of Knowledge within
the Order of St Clarions. As soon as he appears his symbiotic armor activates, sensors seeking out his
target.

His sensors guide him to a room filled with advanced equipment, and in the center of the chamber floats a
figure suspended in an intense light column that extends from the roof to the ceiling. The light is so
intense the figure’s features can’t be made out. From Athelian’s armor extensions appear that seem to
synch up the chamber’s computer systems. The light column shuts off and the man begins to fall out of
the air…only to suddenly begin floating before he reaches the ground. The man breathes his first breathe
of air in years as his eyes open to fix on Athelian’s…he begins floating toward the Wartech.

“High Lord Siran…” begins Athelian, “ I am…”

“I know who you are…” echoes a raspy voice inside Athelian’s head,” We need to leave…now.” Siran
Drakbar has obviously already read Athelian’s mind and extracted the information he sought. Athelian can
tell the former All Father to the Psykaaer is not pleased with his years of imprisonment as his feet touch
down beside the young ArchClarion.

Imposing armored and cloaked figures begin to enter the room. “Shadow Lords!” thinks Athelian. Bolts of
energy fly from their hands toward the two…and are easily dispelled by an invisible force shield Siran has
put up around them. “ I defied you and you imprisoned me,” says Siran aloud…”but I will be held NO
LONGER.” Waves of concussive force ripple outward from Siran’s mind…cracking open the floor of the
chamber, destroying equipment in a fiery blast, and slamming into the Shadow Lords with such authority
they are knocked back through the walls of the chamber.

“Come boy”…Siran says,gesturing and opening up a dimensional vortex beside him,” I must now pay my
respects to your Master.” Athelian enters the vortex and is gone…Siran looks back at the devastation he
has caused in the chamber, and then turns and strides into the vortex, which closes up behind him.

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Siran is one of the Eldraae, part of the group that left to continue exploring space after the main group
stayed to colonize the system. After the Sundering, Siran wanted the group to turn around and return to
find out what had happened to their bretheren. Angry over the group’s relunctance to return, Siran set off
on his own to come back to the worlds of humanity.

Arriving and seeing the devastation of the Sundering, Siran came across the world of Anndeann and the
struggling society of the Psykaaer, embroiled in a bitter conflict with a group known as the Bardrachean
Dynasty. Siran helps break the hold of the Dynasty forms the Covenant, and establish the Mind Lord
Council. He rules as the All Father.

While here he fell in love with one of the Psykaaer and is married. Giving his wife a ring made of an
unknown crystalline material, it affects the twins she carries. Gideon and his brother are born, Gideon
strangling his brother while in the womb with the umbilical cord.

Your same story continues…Gideon plots darkly against his father. Eventually brings back the Bardrachean
Dynasty and leads a civil war against his father. Siran fights against his son, and when his wife becomes
pregnant again Gideon tries to slay the child but only succeeds in killing his mother. Siran takes the child, a
girl, far away and leaves her with The Sistoriate’s safekeeping, with the intention of returning for her. This
child is Aviane.

Siran fights against Gideon, and is successful in driving him back into retreat, but not defeat. Siran
monitors Aviane’s progress, and is pleased with the course her life has taken with the Sistoriate. He does
not reveal his identity to her in fear that Gideon will come after her in an attempt to destroy her. He
remains on Anndeann and prepares for Gideon’s return.

Aviane grows up and cleans up Millennium, becoming leader of the Sistoriate. When she is “killed” in the
Necromancer War, it is Siran that comes to Varsen to reveal to him the hiding place of the Artifice that
will help bring her back.

The Shadow Lords move against Siran, seeing this act as being too much interference in the affairs of
humanity. They catch him unaware and imprison him in the citadel.

Part Two

Siran and Athelian arrive in the secret base of operations of the Order of St Clarions, its location known
only to the ArchClarions.

“If you’ll follow me…” begins Athelian.

“I already know my way.” Finishes Siran as the two make their way through to the doors of an inner
sanctum.
“I can proceed no further.” Athelian tells Siran, bidding him to continue.

Siran enters the chamber housing St Clarion himself…a figure encased a wall of technological devices,
kinda like the guy controlling the planet below Babylon 5. His once human body is completely integrated
with the computers and machinery of this base, allowing him to have full access to all parts of The Nexus,
the networked systems of computers and psionic nets that bind together the Protectorate. Clarion was
also a powerful MetaPsycher, and the first entity to exist within the psionic net. He is known by many
names, has many avatars and identities within the Nexus. The machinery also works to expand his
consciousness allowing it roam freely amid the universe. In many ways he has completely transcended
human existence and evolved into something far more…the ever present watch dog for humanity.

Obviously Siran has encountered St Clarion before…their relationship is only hinted at and never truly
revealed. Siran and St Clarion converse…St Clarion has had Siran freed to help him. Siran wants to know
what has happened since his imprisonment, and St Clarion promises to tell him that and more.

Basically St Clarion is the most powerful precognitive and clairsentient in the universe…he has forseen
mankind’s destiny, and has glimpsed the future, which doesn’t look good for humanity. He has seen the
coming of the great evil, (an alien alliance, a supernatural invasion, etc), and has seen a possible timeline
that could help avert diaster. In order for this timeline to come about, certain events and persons have to
be manipulated into happening or doing certain actions. For this he needs Siran and his ability to time
walk and dimension walk. Since a major part involves bringing back Aviane, Siran’s daughter, St Clarion
got him out of his statis. The fate of humanity rests in Siran’s hands. He must be manipulative and if need
to be, downright ruthless in order to save mankind. St Clarion reveals to Siran the vision he has had, and
supplies him with all the information he needs to begin his task. None of this is actually revealed to the
reader yet…as Siran is receiving the images the scene cuts away to Athelian waiting on Siran, and tells a
little of his background and story, some information on the Order of St Clarions and how he came to join
them.

Siran emerges from the chamber. “We have much work to do boy. Come with me.”
End part two

Part Three

This part introduces Arandel Ronas, a young Psykaaern Mind Knight. He is travelling through space aboard
his Family’s lead starship, on his way to the city-world of Millennium. His Kinship owns a Great House, and
he has been sent by his father to establish their new Holdings in the seat of power for the Protectorate.
House Ronas has much influence and has made many enemies, among them the Psykaaern All Father
Gideon Drakbar, All Father and head of House Bardrachean since the declaration of martial law by
Mahedaras Kharnaths over a year ago. Many of the Great Houses of Psykaaer feel Gideon made an
alliance with Mahedras which lead to his rise as All Father and head of the Mind Lord Council. Some of
these Houses have began to secretly come together as a Fifth Column within the Protectorate. House
Ronas is one of these, and fearing Gideon will find out, Arandel’s father has basically sent him away to get
him as far from the direct clutches of Gideon as possible. Arandel knows nothing of his father’s
involvement in the Fifth Column, and only plans to prove himself to his father by completing this daunting
task set for him.

Along with Arandel has come some of his own protectors, advisors and mentors to assist him in this task
and see to his well being. Xerxes, a Pavlovan BioGenn warrior, and Lorien Shadowvane, an Arfel’Morien
Spestial Knight. The ship is about to arrive at Millennium’s space docks when this chapter begins.

Arandel and his party take a shuttle to their Holding in the city, giving a chance to describe Millennium
and what it is like as they travel through the gargantuan and ancient world. Awaiting them at the Holding
is Rurik a senior Mind Knight commander( a Valcor, the elite of the Mind Knights?) and head of the Guard
(security) for House Ronas sent ahead to prepare for Arandel’s arrival, along with a new Synthanoid
character who can bring Arandal up to date on all the goings on in Millennium, the movers and shakers,
economic and financial data etc. Who are his allies, and who are his enemies in the city. Arandel is
informed of a social function for all members of the Great Houses of the Protectorate being held the next
night, and decides to go despite warnings from his advisors. No tme like the present for them to establish
their presence in the city.

Part Four
Arandel attends the function, a huge media event, in which the reader gets to find out about some unique
characters, learn some background for Millennium and some of the Great Houses, meet members from
the Guild Directorates and Lesser Houses, see Heritages from the different Great and Lesser Nations.
Perhaps introduce Arandel to characters that will become important later, such as other members of the
Fifth Column or characters who will turn out to be secret members of the Restoration Movement. The big
event for this chapter is the surprise appearance of Mahedras Kharnaths himself, along with members of
his inner circles. Mahedras has taken this oppurtunity to forward public relations and make statements
concerning the rumors of the Restoration, condemning them as terrorists and dissidents. Arandel actually
gets to meet the man himself…their conversation is a foreshadowing of the eventually destruction of
House Ronas. ( Mahedras has found out the connection between House Ronas and the Fifth Column, and
has ordered their destruction by Gideon on Anndeann, along with their Holdings in Millennium)

Part Five