In their wars, each House seeks mastery over the others, but none can conquer unaided, and none can be trusted as an ally. Men die and worlds are smashed, but the wars go ever on. Along the periphery, thousands of planets have fallen into chaos, savagery, and barbarism. They are ruled by men who are nothing more than thieves and brigands. With each passing decade, we fall further into darkness.
Science is forgotten and learning mocked.
Once-proud universities are either empty or smoking rubble, and things that were child's play for our ancestors are impossible for us. More than two centuries have passed since a new-built starship last roamed the sphere. Our huge war machines the battledroids can no longer be built, and the Successor Warlords must strip their wrecked machines to find needed spare parts. Some say the roots of this nightmare lie far in the past.