the beginning is a very delicate time. know then that this is the year 10191. the known universe is ruled by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, my father. in this time the most precious substance in the universe is the spice, melange. the spice extends life. the spice expands consciousness. the spice is vital to space travel. the spacing guild and its navigators whom the spice has mutated over 4000 years use the orange spice gas to fold space, that is to travel without movement.

oh yes I forgot to tell you; the spice is found on only one planet in the known universe, a desolate dry world of vast deserts and canyons. hidden away in the rocks and crevices of this planet are a people known as the Fremen who have long held a prophecy that a man would come, a messiah, who would lead them to true freedom. The planet is Arrakis, also known as Dune.