During humanity's second great expansion into galactic space, Commander Trent Smith of the Earth Empire led a group of scientists and colonists to Seraphim II, a planet approximately five times the size of earth. Here, for the first time, humanity encountered intelligent alien life. Commander Smith, following previously untested protocol for dealing with intelligent alien species, quarantined the planet and refused to establish communications so as not to reveal Earth's position.

As recorded in CDR Smith's log entries, he ordered the human colonists that were under his command to meet the aliens--who were dubbed Seraphim, as their actual name was unpronounceable by humans--with violence. The exact reasoning for his extreme reaction is unknown, but later examination of his psychological records show a marked tendency to react violently when dealing with unknown factors.

Smith's violent reaction prevented any real discourse between the two species. The Seraphim simply avoided the humans whenever possible. However, the human colony's biologist, Dr. Jane Burke, sought out and secretly befriended the Seraphim. Others joined her and soon a small group of humans were regularly visiting and learning from the Seraphim.

The Seraphim taught the humans advancements in quantum and temporal mechanics. More importantly, they introduced a philosophical viewpoint considered unimaginable by human minds, a way of peace and love so advanced that it completely shifted their perception of the universe.

After learning of Burke's involvement with the aliens, Smith became convinced that Burke was brainwashed. He led the remaining Imperial colonists into a massive and suicidal campaign to destroy the aliens and Seraphim II. Despite purported millennia of peace and love by the Seraphim, the UEF forces were surprised to encounter strange, yet superior, alien war machines.

Just before Smith's forces fell to the superior might and numbers of the Seraphim's warrior monks, Smith's scientists succeeded in engineering a strain of virus unlike anything encountered on Seraphim II. The Seraphim were caught off guard and, despite Dr. Burke's best efforts, were only able to slow the deadly effects. With the entire atmosphere saturated, not one Seraph went unexposed.

During the last days between man and alien, the Seraphim decided to teach Burke as much as possible about their 'Way.' In the middle of one lesson, Burke experienced a vision of a galaxy torn apart; entire stars stripped of their resources and left to die, planets destroyed, and more life needlessly lost than could be imagined. At that moment Burke was convinced that the Seraphim's "Way" was the only means to prevent the Empire from destroying everything.

Over 100 years later and after many lost Empire probes and expeditions to Seraphim space, a message made its way to Earth. The message was simple: The remaining Seraphim II colonists, now calling themselves the Aeon Illuminate, invited the Empire to embrace the teachings of the wise alien culture and to share in "something beautiful".

As the Aeon's visions predicted, the Empire immediately cut communications and sent military forces to quarantine Seraphim II. In the eyes of the Aeon, the Empire's destiny as defilers and destroyers of worlds was sealed.


Princess Rhianna Bruke

Age: 27
Faction: Aeon Illuminate

Records concerning Princess Rhianne Burke are highly classified. What is known is that she was born into a caste of seers and her lineage guaranteed that she would be a strong candidate to ascend the throne. When the previous Princess, Miranda Burke retired, Princess Rhianne assumed the throne with a great deal of fanfare.

A strong woman with an amazing amount of charisma, public records indicate that Princess Rhianne enjoys a great deal of support among the Aeon. However, intercepts of Aeon communication signals seem to indicate that Princess Rhianne is attempting to steer the Aeon in a new direction: The emphasis is on establishing a lasting peace as opposed to cleansing. It remains to be seen if that is a genuine, substantial shift, or merely Aeon propaganda.


Avatar-of-War Marxon

Age: 51
Faction: Aeon Illuminate

One of the most feared men in the galaxy, Avatar Marxon's face is virtually unknown outside of Aeon territories. However, his deeds in the service of the Illuminate are infamous.

Though he originally studied to be a priest, it was quickly recognized that Marxon was a natural leader and possessed a fearsome will. These abilities caught the eye of the military and Marxon was commanding an ACU within two years, a record without equal.

Marxon earned victory after victory and it was only natural that he would become the Avatar-of-War, the highest military rank in the Illuminate. As fearsome in the conference room as he is on the battlefield, Marxon enjoys the unwavering loyalty of scores of Commanders. Some criticize his methods, but no one doubts his effectiveness. There is a reason Marxon's face is not known--it is because no one has survived long enough to transmit it.


Evaluator Abigail Toth

Age: 72
Faction: Aeon Illuminate

Although she appears to be little more than an unassuming grandmother, Evaluator Abigail Toth has advised the last three Aeon Illuminate Princesses, including the current Princess, Rhianne Burke. From her position, Evaluator Abigail Toth has influenced the direction of the Aeon far more than most people realize.