The Council is an order of shaman-priests in the Mwangi Expanse. They overthrew the sun kings of Mzali and ruled their empire in their stead. Under their rule, the empire they had won fell, until only Mzali was left, and even that fell into decay. One hundred years ago, the Council received a vision that the empire would rise again. They also came across the mummified remains of one of the sun kings, the child-god Walkena. The mummy animated to defend Mzali from attack by forces from nearby Kalabuto, and then took over the rule of the city from the Council.