*The planet Pandora. Pandora is believed to be rich with mineral wealth leading several interstellar megacorporations to send colony ships there to capitalize on it, but once they arrive, they find little of value outside of undecipherable alien artifacts from a long-extinct race known as the Eridians, and numerous native lifeforms make it too dangerous to colonize.

Many of the corporations abandon the planet, leaving behind their workforce, former prisoners coerced into employment, who take over much of the planet as bandits and raiders. However, a study of the alien artifacts leads to the discovery of mythical Eridian Vaults filled with untold treasure and wealth, which are guarded by extremely powerful and ancient monsters.

*Protagonists: Roland the Soldier Lilith the Siren Brick the Berserker Mordecai The Hunter & his pet Bloodwing Athena Claptrap Scooter T.K. Baha Mr. Blake Patricia Tannis Marcus Kincaid Mad Moxxi Dr. Zed Angel

Antagonists: Commandant Steele General Knoxx Dr. Ned Crawmerax The Invincible Baron Flynt 9 Toes Krom Bone Head Lucky Zaford Ernest Whitting Sledge The Destroyer Skagzilla Shep Sanders Scar Rakk Hive Mr. Shank Motorhead Mothrakk Moe&Marley Frank'n'Bill Interplanetary Ninja Assassin Claptrap*