When a planet-wide plague left the decimated population in chaos and anarchy, an international nongovernmental aid organization had provided assistance to the stunned survivors. Seeing the need for strong leadership, the directors of the organization named themselves the Conclave of Elders and established the New Dispensation. Ruling as benevolent autocrats, they established a one-world government, banning divisive influences including religion, nationalism, and family solidarity. By N.D. 47, troubling counterforces were beginning to emerge, challenging the Conclave's total control.