For decades, the cities under the baleful shadow of Nod -- the Nightland -- have suffered without sunlight. Much has died in the constant eclipse, leaving only the heartiest, or most malevolent of flora and fauna to be found. In this time, the city of Corso has risen as the center of power in the Nightland. At the head of that city is a dragon -- a powerful sorcerer -- named Nulumriel. She has demanded fealty from all lands under the cover of eternal night. In either fear of her power or apathy they have all acquiesced. All but Somorrah to the north -- but it lies at the very edge of the Nightland -- half of it in eternal night and half with daylight during the day. Thus Nulumriel has viewed this as a technicality that enables them to be free. For now.
For awhile after the Fall, people held hope for the return of the gods. But when there was no help to be found and when real evil walked the earth without recourse, hope faltered. Hope turned to bitterness and despair. Eventually it turned to abandonment. There are no gods anymore. And there shall not be again. This is known. Nulumriel helps with this -- she has created an order of lawkeepers, the Reconciliators. They are charged with helping society to accept the new godless reality. Some assert they actively seek out any divine influence and eliminate it. Brutally.
In general the world has become one where if you hold power, money and influence you can literally do what you want. In Corso, this is as simple as paying an indulgence to the city. Did someone bump into your carriage and leave a scratch? He can be tortured, killed or maimed as you see fit so long as you pay the price. Does your neighbor bother you? Save up your earnings and you can murder him and remain on the right side of the law. Corso is a terrible place to be without power.
Each of you have come into the Afterworld well after the Fall. Each of you finds yourself in Corso.