The Alin

Children of the desert, the Alin are an ancient power of magic and mysticism. For thousands of years, the schools of Fire, Sand, and Glass formed the three pillars of Alin might. This was before the Glass Genie, Sawu, was corrupted by a strange object which fell from the sky. Under its influence, Sawu became a master of Dark Glass, and the Alin Kingdom was greatly weakened by an internal war.

The lands of the Alin are filled with desolate deserts, imposing mountains, and deep chasms. Sometimes the ever-present wind blows away the strange ruins of previous civilizations who succumbed to the desert. It is a harsh land, where only the toughest, most tenacious of people can survive. Sand breaks down even the best-made machines and the intense heat can drive a person insane. The night brings little solace, as dangerous beasts of sand, fire, and glass stalk the dunes looking for easy prey.

Though once a mighty kingdom, the Alin now struggle to maintain order within their realm. The majority of the Alin people have withdrawn into the last remaining stronghold; the mighty city of Azar Harif. Knowing they fight a losing battle, Arri, leader of the King's elite Dark Glass Hunters, agrees to help Giacomo free her people from the grip of their terrible enemy.

General Instructions

• Alin build order and early game decisions

The Cuotl

Little is known of the inhabitants of the Cuotl jungle, but all that is known is feared. There are legends of the Cuotl being visited by the chariot of the gods a thousand years ago, but the people themselves had always been little seen, until recently. Now, commanding powers that can be explained by neither Alin mystics nor the strongest minds of the Vinci academies, the Cuotl have made their presence, and their intentions, unmistakably known.

The lands of the Cuotl are filled with steaming jungles, towering trees, and fetid swamps. Visitors are discouraged from exploring this inhospitable place, as they encounter everything from stinging insects to horrifying diseases. The provinces of the Cuotl are neatly divided, with the borders being defined by unseen energies rather than topography. Despite the overreaching power of the False Gods worshipped by most Cuotl, divisions still run deep among the people. Tribes war upon each other for control of valuable resources, to expand their dwindling territory, or due to the whims of the enigmatic False Gods.

The Cuotl’s civilization utilizes strange powers and energies that even they do not fully comprehend. Although Timonium is crucial for these “machines” to function, faith, belief, and willpower seem to be just as important for them to function.

The Vinci

The industrious Vinci people are masters of metal, steam, and clockwork. They rely on their ingenuity and practicality to realize their ambitions. Unfortunately, much of their striving is directed inward—the Vinci city states are, at best, a loosely connected affiliation of uneasy alliances. At worst, they are a network of bitter enemies, unified only their methods of destruction. Although they share a common heritage, the Vinci provinces have their own unique flavors that set them apart from each other.

The lands of the Vinci are divided up into 13 provinces, all of whom have traded and warred upon each other at various times in the past. At the moment, the two most powerful factions are the province of Miana and the province of Venucci. Venucci is ruled by the Doge, a ruthless, power-hungry commander bent on subjugating the entire Vinci people. The Province of Miana was previously ruled by Petruzzo Giamba, who was recently murdered by the Doge. His younger brother, a brilliant inventor named Giacomo, now leads Miana. In addition to seeing to the welfare of his people, Giacomo is bent on getting revenge for Petruzzo’s death. He has vowed to see his bitter enemy, the Doge of Venucci, pay…regardless of the cost.