The Empire has a tradition: Power must come at a cost. Even the son of a Duke must bleed for it if he wishes to inherit his family's name and title.

The Trials rose from this tradition, allowing the Empire's elites to judge and observe as their young scions face life and death challenges, and are placed in positions to show their true character.

Some fail and return home, never to inherit. Others are quietly gotten rid of when they show their characters to be unfit.

Jade is a young daughter of a noble house who has yet to claim her family name as a Citizen of the Empire, who has displayed an incredible, if somewhat unusual psionic talent, catching the notice of several members of the Imperial Court as she takes on the first of many trials she will face.