A Time of Scheming, a Time of Murder

Dunwall has been at peace for about 15 years. When we were last here, the nation was under assault from multiple forces. The Empress (Jessamine Kaldwin) was assassinated, and her daughter Emily was kidnapped. You played as Corvo Attano, the bodyguard of the deceased Empress, and now serve the same role for her daughter.

As you were driven into hiding, framed for the death of the Empress, your duty was to find and eliminate the people responsible for the murder, and you did this quite successfully. Almost everyone involved was brought to justice in one way or another, and Emily Kaldwin was returned to Dunwall and placed on the throne.

Though the Rat Plague of 15 years ago is no longer devouring the country, there are horrible problems with disease. Bloodflies have been infesting Karnaca, causing many areas in the slums to be closed off. This infestation is growing worse quickly and could become a serious threat if left unchecked.

A spate of political murders has also gotten people’s attention. Many of Emily’s detractors have met unpleasant ends, and people are wondering if this indicates she is taking out her rivals by any means. Corvo and Emily know this isn’t the case, so they’re worried about the real motivations behind the killings. Papers have dubbed this person the Crown Killer, and tongues are wagging about the brutality and horror of the scenes the murderer leaves behind. They’re even saying that he (or she) is a cannibal.

An even stranger problem is that of the Outsider. Some people worship this dark figure, who seems to grant mystical powers to rare individuals. You know the Outsider is real, because his assistance allowed Corvo to defeat the enemies of the throne during the time of the Rat Plague. Still, it seems dangerous to trust this figure. His motivations are unclear, and morality seems to have little to do with them. What other people have the Outsider’s powers, and what are they doing with those gifts?

The Overseers are a religious faction that acts as a force against the Outsider and his believers. They’ve been cracking down on such people, seizing anyone who is suspected of Outsider worship. They gather magical relics like Runes and Bonecharms and hoard them so that they don’t pollute the world. Don’t mistake the Overseers as a benevolent group; they are fanatics, and will turn their pistols and blades on almost anyone who arouses their suspicion. Their leader down in Karnaca is Vice Overseer Byrne.

Some of this game takes place in Dunwall. However, much of the story is focused on Karnaca, the largest city on the island of Serkonos. This is far in the south, at the edge of the empire. It’s a meeting ground for many types of people. Corvo was born there, though he hasn’t been back in a long time. Serkonos is led by Duke Luca Abele, and is protected by the Grand Serkonan Guard. Though the Duke and his friends have grown wealthy from the legendary silver mines of Serkonos, a great corruption has festered there.

Somewhere within Karnaca, a conspiracy has formed between prominent figures of society. They’re moving with magic, clockwork inventions, and financial backing. You need to learn who they are, why they’re coming after you, and how to defeat them all.