“The world has changed. In the annals of our history, we once placed our faith in myriad things, which in turn sustained us. It was our belief that the collapse of the grand Golden Empire would strip the barbarians of their titles and the oppressed of their inherent status. Yet, the technological lag, environmental defilement, and the twisted, malevolent creatures of the wastelands that emerged in the wake of its demise continue to afflict our people. I dare say that the governments of today are scarcely more virtuous than the empires of yore.