From the introduction:
The Beginning of a New Age
Some time in the 23rd Century, a series of events would take place that would change humanity forever. Not since the dawn of the Axial Age (some 2,000 years before) had such a cultural and social revolution taken place.
It was a time of chaos and confusion. Events were taking place that neither Science or the Old Religions could explain. The invention of both cold fusion and artificial intelligence (A.I.) provided the ability to travel at speeds close to that of light, allowing the colonization of other planets. A new species of Human began to appear (Homo Psionic), Humans able to manifest powers such as telepathy and telekinesis. At the same time, humanity was in the midst of its third World War (now known as the Corporate Wars), between the mega-corporations (now ruling most of Earth) and the Free States.
It was at this time the Great Teachers appeared. Two of them being Homo Sapiens, one being Homo Psionic and the others extraterrestrial. Their teachings would bring about a new religious awakening, uniting humanity.