View source for Sphinx

The Ishim’Re are an ancient people that possess extraordinary
scientifi c and magical knowledge. Yet they are hiding a terrible
secret: they know that the myths of the peoples of the continent
are in fact traces of the previous Rag’narok! While other peoples
emerged following the Age of Battles, the former god of the Ishim’Re
disappeared, leaving behind him a new order. While others fought
to conquer Aarklash, the Ishim’Re left to conquer other worlds: the
Elemental realms.
Ages have passed and the Rag’narok is sweeping across Aarklash
again. Once more, the Sphinx is here to protect Creation from the
madness of the gods.

== Chronology == 

*Age of the Gods       Destruction of the Ishim Empire.
*0       The Utopia of the Sphinx takes an oath of fealty to the Heols.
*255      Battle of Kadwayn, the future Cadwallon. The Ishim’Re go into exile in the Elemental realms.
*1008      The Cynwäll Mehöl establishes contact with a child of the Utopia of the Sphinx.

== History == 

Th e Utopia of the Sphinx was born from the ashes of a dreadful
war. At the beginning of time, the Ishim empire fought the
gods of Creation. Th e latter, aided by Vile-Tis and an army
of worgs, managed to defeat Ishim technology. Arh-Tolth, a
magical being worshipped by the Ishim’Re, disappeared and
his green empire turned to a sterile desert.
A handful of Ishim’Re survived thanks to the mercy of the
Heols, the gods of Light. Th e survivors chose to keep the secrets
of the gods and science. Secretly, they swore to protect
Aarklash from divine madness.To honor this oath, the Ishim’Re waged war against the
Ophidians, the heirs to the destructive god Vortiris. Th e last
battle was fought where the city of Cadwallon now stands.
Vortiris was imprisoned and his Ophidian children scattered
throughout the Elemental realms. Th e Ishim’Re left Aarklash
to pursue them. Before leaving, they prepared for their return
by leaving hidden workshops, legendary artifacts and a handful
of sentinels on Aarklash.
In the fi rst hours of the Rag’narok, the Cynwäll discovered
one of the great workshops of the Utopia. Th e Aurean phalanxes
awoke and fought against Darkness for the fi rst time
since the Age of Battles. Th e return of the Sphinx is only a
matter of time.

== Ragn'arok == 

Th e Ishim’Re, the sentinels of the history of Aarklash, can
see clearly into the game the gods are playing. Centuries of
travels across the Elemental realms have allowed them to
forge alliances with elementals and immortals whose powers
defy imagination.
Th e Ishim’Re fi ght for Light. However, they do not intend
to serve the gods, but instead they plan on instating an age of
reason and science, for the good of mortals. Over the ages they
have monitored the progress of the peoples of Light following
the instructions of the Heols: the Akkylannians have built a
glorious empire and the dwarves of Tir-Nâ-Bor have become
masters of everything material; the Cynwäll are the masters
of the abstract and technological progress; the Barhans have
tamed the magical energies and altruistically work for the
good of their fellow men. United and victorious, these peoples
could instate an age of peace and Light across Creation.
Th e Rag’narok threatens it all. Th e Meanders of Darkness,
who traded their free will for inhuman powers, are putting
Aarklash in jeopardy. Th e paths of Destiny are divided and
powerless against this threat. Th e Ishim’Re have come back
to fi ght and to secure the triumph of Light. However, for the
Sphinx military victory is only the fi rst step. It knows that the
Rag’narok is a divine game, that serves the ambitions of the
gods. Th e Ishim’Re’s objective is to rally the peoples of Light to
their cause. Th us, when the next age comes, the mortals will
be the masters of their own future and will live in harmony
with the immortals.

== Army == 

Th e Ishim’Re are not numerous enough to constitute a traditional
military hierarchy. Th ey are gathered in large brotherhoods,
in which several generations of individuals live together.
Democracy is the rule in times of peace; in times of
war, power goes to the most experienced strategist.
Th e Ishim’Re travel Creation aboard gigantic fl ying ships,
carrying their precious libraries and laboratories with them.
Th ese ships also hold the workshops and the legions of constructs
they use to wage war. Most of these ships have a designated
harbor, a city hidden on the outskirts of the world or in
a forgotten Elemental realm.
Most Ishim’Re are part of the Eternals. Th ese warriors are
sometimes several centuries old and their bodies have long
since turned to dust. Th anks to the magic of Light and ancient
technology, their spirits have been transferred into machines.
Most Eternals fi ght aboard human-shaped mechanical bodies.
However, the most experimental have renounced any kind of
human form: their souls inhabit the frame of unrivalled war
machines called gladiators.
Th e Ishim’Re of fl esh and blood are the Heirs. Th eir mortal
sensitivity helps them preserve the humanity of the Eternals
and allows them to master mystical lore. Very few among them
embrace a warrior career; they would rather leave the perils of
close quarter combat to the constructs of the Utopia.