The Saga of Ryzom features nearly two and a half centuries of history prefacing the present setting of the game, an important aspect in the game's constantly evolving world. In humanity's distant future, a fleet of colonial space ships land on the planet Atys and initiated terraforming of the land with nanomachines. A living, breathing planet, Atys quickly adapted to the presence of the nanite and mutated to response. The colonists eventually seperated into smaller societies, banding together for like interests and beliefs; moreover, these smaller communities were affected by the terraforming nanomachines irrevocably. Subspecies of human began to arise across Atys creating a diverse community. Unfortunately, the effects of the nanites also began to inflict cancerous damage to the planet, mutating parts of the planet and spawning hideous creatures. You'll play as one of humanity's subspecies in the effort to heal the planet Atys of the mutated nanites affecting its growth.