 Like its predecessor Thief : The Dark Project , Thief II is set in a steampunk metropolis called the City , whose appearance resembles that of both medieval and Victorian era cities . Magic and steam technology exist side by side , and three factions — the manipulative and enigmatic Keepers , the technology @-@ focused Hammerites and the " pagan " worshippers of the Pan @-@ like Trickster god — are in operation . Thief II takes place one year after the first game , in the aftermath of the Trickster 's defeat and the failure of his plan to revert the world to a wild , primitive state . A schism in the Hammerite religion spawns the " Mechanist " sect , which fanatically values technological progress . The new inventions of the Mechanists are used by a resurgent police force to crack down on crime . The pagans are in disarray , and have been driven into the wilderness beyond the City . From there , they engage in guerrilla warfare against the Mechanists . The Keeper faction is dormant as the game begins . 
