Chiaroscuro, online since 2003, takes place largely within the walled city-state of Fastheld - a magic-fearing realm of noble houses ruled by Emperor Talus Kahar XIV.

This text-based Internet roleplaying game is set on a world that in past millennia has emerged from a dark ages brought on by a war of mages known as the Shadow's Touch. Players can choose to be anything from a common citizen to a craftsman to a haughty nobleman.

Although Chiaroscuro follows an evolving storyline, it moves at a slower pace than its space fantasy predecessor, OtherSpace. Fastheld is at the core of the story now, but more realms are being opened for player occupation over time. Besides high-quality roleplaying, Chiaroscuro also features a robust crafting system: Players can mine for gemstones, hunt wild animals, make musical instruments or fashion clothes.

Getting a character is a simple matter of going to the login screen, creating a character with an acceptable name, running through a rapid-fire turbo character generation process, and then get approved for roleplaying.

All characters in Fastheld start in the Lightholder Tavern, in the heart of the Palace District at the crossroads of the realm.