Prologue: Part 1 - Forging a Universe
Every story has to start somewhere. For our new Starforged actual play series, Iron Rising, that beginning was a deep-dive session zero where we forged an entire universe from scratch. Before a single vow was sworn or a starship engine fired, we laid the groundwork for a story of political intrigue, fractured loyalty, and rebellion simmering in the dark corners of the galaxy.
This is your behind-the-scenes look at how our world came to be.
The Vision: A Universe of Order and Lies
Before we rolled any dice, we established our touchstones. We wanted to create a world with the grounded, character-focused rebellion of Andor, the rigid societal structure of Red Rising, and the moody, neo-noir aesthetic of Blade Runner 2049. Our goal was to build a setting that felt grand and cinematic, but where the conflicts were deeply personal and the choices morally complex.
This is a story about the cost of truth and what happens when people born into a system of control are forced to see the rot at its foundation.
The World of the Forge
Our galaxy, known as the Forge, is governed by a brutal, unshakeable doctrine: The Law of Seven. Society is a rigid pyramid, a caste system where every person's life is defined by the color they are born into. There is no upward mobility. There is only duty.
- Gold: The absolute rulers. Commanders, politicians, and empire-builders who live in opulent spires, believing they are the saviors of humanity.
- Sable: The ghosts in the machine. A mythical class of assassins and spies who serve as the Golds' unspoken, terrifying fist.
- Bronze: The bureaucrats and archivists who maintain the system's labyrinthine laws.
- Blue: The technocrats. Pilots, scientists, and healers—the logical minds that keep the galaxy running.
- Violet: The artists, creatives, and propagandists who make oppression look like elegance.
- Gray: The enforcers. A class of soldiers and guards who are themselves oppressed, used as a tool of control against those below them.
- Red: The lowest caste. A tireless workforce of Artificial Intelligences, subjugated after a long-forgotten war and now treated as little more than property.
The greatest secret of the Forge, known only to a select few, is that this entire order is a lie. The Golds are not the true masters. Their society is secretly managed by a single godlike AI, The Architect, making them puppets in a cold, logical plan for humanity's survival.
Meet the Kelvarus Siblings
Our story centers on two Golds from the prominent House Kelvarus, a family known for its contributions to security and technology.
Selene Kelvarus, known in the field as "Monarch," is the elder sibling. She is a formidable and loyal enforcer, born with rare and powerful kinetic abilities. Her life's mission, her sacred vow, is to suppress any hint of AI rebellion. She is a true believer in the system, seeing order as the only shield against the chaos that nearly destroyed humanity once before.
Dorian Kelvarus, or "Mainframe," is the younger brother. A brilliant technician with cybernetic augmentations from a childhood accident, Dorian is the quieter, more cerebral of the two. His work involves creating the software that keeps the Red caste in check, but he secretly harbors a deep empathy for them. He carries a dangerous secret: his closest friend is a Red.
The Spark of Rebellion
Our first arc begins when Selene is given a mission of the highest importance: hunt down a charismatic Red rebel leader who is gaining influence on the lawless fringe. Dorian, with his expertise in AI, is assigned as her technical support.
This is not just another mission. For Selene, it's a chance to prove her loyalty and cut the head off a growing threat. For Dorian, it's a nightmare. He knows the rebel they're hunting is his friend, and he is now caught between his duty to his sister and his loyalty to the truth.
This single hunt will be the catalyst that forces both siblings to confront the lies their lives are built on, setting them on a path that could either save the galaxy or tear their family apart forever.
Click here to watch Session 0 on Youtube.
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