Introduction

This is a summary of the general line of events that led to where you are in the server. Recollection or knowledge of these events will vary from character to character, it is up to you to determine if and how you incorporate it into your roleplay.

The beginning

Society is on the brink of collapse, as the aftermath of the Black Mesa Research Facility's industrial accident and subsequent destruction continue to wrangle the Earth.

So-called 'portal storms' burgeon chaos and mass dislocation across the globe. As a result, a global resource deprivation of monumental proportions sends countries into conflict.

A consequence of this widening confusion and panic, governments, unions, and coalitions begin to crumble under the weight of the situation at hand.

They came from the stars

An alien militia emerged from the skies with overwhelming force and a bleak strategy of destruction. Within seven hours the remaining Earthen armies are overwhelmed, and bureaucrats beg on their knees for mercy.

The materials on the crust of the Earth were in high demand, and the invaders were disinterested in the oppression required to extract these resources for their benefit. Families torn apart, citizens thrown in camps or simply wiped from existence, entire cities flattened in seconds to make way for its operations.

Re-settlement #9752

The true scope of this insidious force is left to speculation by those who still get by, with existential rumors of the Combine's presence expanding beyond the known universe.

It was, however, clear that the Combine required some remnants of a human population remaining, because after a few months, the remaining populace found themselves slowly integrated into new infrastructure. A dystopian nightmare for most, though a small few had found some gain in this Orwellian new order. A puppet institution, for sure, but the Combine calculated that the humans would find more reason to comply if their oppressors were one of their own. Old-world figureheads of bureaucracy such as George Martreen would quickly rise to global 'power', acting by proxy and facilitating an illusory sense of self-governance.

Two-thousand and sixteen

This year is different. More than ten years since the War, and you just know that, from far outside the fringes of the cities, change is in the air.

However, it won't be changing for you. A citizen bumped from place to place without time to take any of it in, a refugee with no salvation, you are a number and just barely a non-liability. As you arrive at the station, you know your best bet is to keep your head down and mouth shut. The Civil Protection don't like it when you talk.

Life continues with uncertainty and no serenity. Whether or not that changes... is up to you.