The Merge Volume 1: The New World

Prologue

In the year 2006, our world changed. A group of elite individual with an interested in the occult began to prepare for the Apocalypse. They called themselves The Circle. Combining black magic with technology, they created a device to open a portal to another world. They succeeded, however, they lost control of the device. Portals appeared all over the planet, causing natural disasters, chaos, and havoc. Entire regions were devastated, and economies and governments collapsed. Phoenix, Arizona was destroyed when it became the epicenter of one of the larger portals. Many creatures, many from myth and legend poured out of the portals. Entire regions were changed, and the map was forever changed.

Once the shock of the Merge was over, the actual event taking five years to complete, those of Earth were both afraid and angry at the newcomers. Earthers became known as Terrans, and those from the other world became Othersiders. Tensions flared between the two groups leading to war. The conflict become known as the Othersider Wars, and lasted over a decade. An armistice was called in 2023, and representatives from the Terrans and Othersiders met to discuss a treaty. The treaty which was created became known as the Accords. The Accords were ratified the next year. 

An era of reconciliation and reconstruction began shortly after the ratification of the Accords. One of the first places to benefit from this Reconstuction was New Phoenix,  at the time just a small settlement of the surviving portion of the old city of Phoenix and semi-permanent buildings and tents. Like the bird of legend it takes its name from, New Phoenix rose from the ashes.

The Accords settle many things. One is setting the boundries of Terran and Othersider terrritory. Another set terms for vampires, now restricted to hunting away from cities, and ending the conflict of the lycanthopes and vampires. The Light and Dark Elves also settled their conflict, which had been ongoing for centuries. Article III established the Ranger Corps., a Terran organization chartered to enforce the Accords for . The Accords also established the recognition of the sovereignty of the Native American Nations. While the Rangers enforced the Accords, and the official governments had other issues, a group of individuals began doing the jobs the Rangers and governments were either to lazy or corrupt to do. These individuals became known as Sweepers. However, the Rangers were disbanded after eight years when it came to light rampant corruption and Accord violations. An amendment to the Accords established the Sweepers as the enforcers of the Accords. Unlike the Rangers, the Sweepers are independent of any government or sovereignty. 

In 2032, a child is abandoned at the step of a church. The church was converted into a home by a Sweeper named Reese Sullivan. When he opened the door, he saw a vehicle speed off. Bewildered, he saw the infant. He could see the bright amber eyes, and the slightly pointed ears. He took the child in and began to raise him. Reese named hi Adrian. Adrian grew and eventually followed in is adopted father's foot steps and now makes his living as a Sweeper.