From the introduction:
Welcome. traveler, to the city of Promepolis. If not for the Great World Blaze, this Earth may have developed into something remarkably familiar, but it was not to be. Approximately 30 years ago, the world was engulfed in endless flame, the result of countless Burnish awakening their dormant power. Many cities were lost, and an untold number died in that catastrophe. Some of the greatest metropolises were reduced by half. All of the world’s peoples were greatly weakened by this devastation, and to this day they are rebuilding. One of the major efforts came in the form of Promepolis, a massive city home to a great deal of the world’s remaining population, accepting of all citizens regardless of race or nationality. Under Kray Foresight, the city has seen a boom in morale and prosperity.