Species:

Due to their size and policies the Eternal Union has grown to include multiple species.

The Iscandarians are one most prominent of all the Eternals Union’s species and the original species that comprised the EU. They come from their homeworld of Alas Prime, in the system of Iscandar. Iscandarians are humanoid, however unlike humans their ears are pointed, as well as their skin being near white, and rarely for a few Iscandarians, a strange silver color. Another unique physical feature is their veins, which glow underneath their skin to indicate their magical ability, and while any Iscandarian can have any different color, some are more common depending on their sub-type. Iscandarians also have a far better memory and rate of knowledge absorption than humans, however they still have a similar level of comprehension compared to humans, so the Iscandarians are technically at the same level of intelligence as humans. Iscandarians are also very long-lived, with most living around a thousand years.. There are four Iscandarian sub-types, these being Earthen, Sentinel, Caster, and Immortal. Earthens cannot cast magic directly, rather their magical abilities help make them excellent farmers, engineers, and other more physical tasks, however Earthens have existed within other roles. Sentinels much like Earthens cannot cast magic, with their natural magic abilities instead be granted as the gift of flight, with them having the unique feature of angelic like wings. They also tend to be the warriors of the Iscandarians. Casters can cast magic directly, hence their name. They are the ones who drive forward the Magitech, magical sciences, and other sciences of the Eternal Union. The final type are the Praetorians, of which only four exist. They are in Iscandarian religion blessed by Faust for committing great acts that serve everyone and advance the Union forward, they can be said to be a combination of all the other subtypes, with non-Sentinel Iscandarians who are ascended into Praetorians gaining the Angelic Wings. They are amongst some of the most powerful beings with magic, unrivaled anywhere else in the Union. They are also biologically immortal.

The Seraphram are also a prominent member of the EU. Much like the Iscandarians they have pointed ears but their skin color is much closer to that of a human. The other notable features of the Seraphram are their wings, and while much smaller than those of the Iscandarian Sentinels, they all have them and they are all capable of magic. They live about an average of 200 years. While the original Seraphram culture called for peace, much as the EU like to say it does, their entry into the Union was violent. The Seraphram always held a long tradition of freedom and independence, and after years of attempting to work with the Seraphram to convince them to join the Union of their own accord, the Immortals declared that the Seraphram would impede the “Great Mission” and declared that they would “harmonize” them. A swit war of conquest was carried out, and Seraphram resistance and rebellion afterwards brutally suppressed. The Iscandarians have long since begun replacing the culture of the Seraphram with their own, with all but the few who manage to hide from the Iscandarian’s hand only remembering the resistance as a distance memory, fully embracing what they have become since there is barely a memory of what Seraphram culture was before the war left, beyond a few locked archives sealed in the Praetorian Citadel.

The Tygochan are a mammalian race, although lack hair on most of their bodies. Their skin is very rough, and is usually dark colors. They are very strong and have a high muscle density. Due to their violent culture, the Iscandarians determined that attempting to annex them peacefully would be impeding the “Great Mission” and proceeded as much they did with the Seraphram to “harmonize” them. The Tygochan have largely served the Iscandarians as a frontline battle troops, and turned through synthesis and augmentation into various synths.

The Rakloid are a humanoid race with pure red skin, with horn-like structures coming out of the bottom of their. Their hair and eye color tends to be darker colors. Having nearly been destroyed by a disaster on their homeworld, they were only saved by the Iscandarians finding the remaining fleeing ships and giving them a place to settle down. Since then they have used Iscandarian technology to terraform and fix their homeworld, returning and joining the Eternal Union. They are the least prominent, mainly due to having a low population after the disaster on their homeworld. They usually stick to their homeworld of Rakta and the nearby System of Trylon with two Rakloid colonies.

Constructors are the final species of the Eternal Union. They are a “true” synth as the Iscandarians call them, using biomass to form their bodies and then they are planted with various cybernetics. Since their construction is not as horrifying as other synths they operate in the public, serving various industrial, maintenance, and other roles. They are six-legged, and fitted with a wide variety of tools for use.

Description of government:

The Praetorians serve as the heads of the Iscandarian Government. Their authority stands above all others, and the Union is taught to serve them unquestionably from birth. This mainly in part due to how they are considered to be blessed by Faust. Beyond the Immortals there exists a series of councils, ministries, bureaucracy, and planetary governors that help govern the Union but the Praetorians have final say.

There is however a very notable organization relatively unknown to the public but who has influence in the everyday runnings of the Union. Known as the Praetorian Guard they operate under exclusively the directive of the Praetorians and are considered above all other governmental organizations beyond the Praetorians themselves. They act as essentially the secret police and intelligence agency of the Union, responsible for maintaining vast spy networks and uprooting and destroying subversion within both the people and the government. A few of the Praetorian Guard are also heavily trained and sometimes synthed to serve as guards for the Praetorians. Whispers run through the public of their exist but due to the secrecy surrounding them remain faceless, adding an extra layer of fear. They will also often run missions along side the Aquilae when conducting operations in foreign territory, mainly due to the spy networks they maintain.



Description of military:

It is to be noted that the military uses brainwashing as well as a variety of other techniques to keep the military fiercely loyal to them. The higher ranks of the military are aware of this but see it as necessary under the terms of the “Great Mission”. Each division has its own overall leader but all are directed by Princeps Supremus, which acts as the Supreme Commander of EU military forces.

Milites Populi
The Milites Populi are the ground-based forces of the EU. They operate with a wide variety of soldiers, robots, synths, mechs, tanks, and vehicles. They are also responsible for flying non-space forces as well as the water-based navy.



Classis Astrorum

The Classis Astrorum operates all the space-based forces of the Empire.



Aquilae
The Aquilae are the special forces of the EU, performing special missions to assist the other divisions, or preforming special tasks outside of war. They have their own unique vehicles and Synths, but share their rank system with the Milites Populi.

Technological Overview:

The Iscandarians are a very advanced society, mainly due to the longevity of their species as well as being amongst the oldest living species within the galaxy. They make heavy use of magic, as well as magitech, the combination of magic and technology, within their society. They still however use many forms of technology that do not use magitech, although it is extremely rare to see these pieces of these technology.

For FTL, the Iscandarians primarily rely on both gates between their major worlds as well drives for exploration. Both use a system of magical dimensions that was discovered shortly after the Iscandarians entered into the space era. The system is known to allow for fast, efficient, and safe FTL travel between various worlds. The FTL system is also used to allow for instant-communication between all Iscandarian vessels. When not using FTL propulsion, Iscandarians either use efficient but slow and cheaper ion drives for civilian ships, as well as small craft where the loss of speed does not effect them much, and then fast and powerful antimatter drives for most military ships, as well as a few larger civilian craft. Anti-gravity based propulsion powered by magic is also frequently used, mainly for maintaining space stations in orbit, floating cities in the skies of their worlds, as well as for propelling non-space flying craft, ground vehicles, and allowing water naval vessels to transform into aircraft when needed.

The Iscandarians used many forms of power to help keep the Eternal Union up and running. Their primary source is in antimatter based reactors which used magically enhanced antimatter to produce both mana and regular power for the various components of their magitech devices. Another common source of power is manafusion reactors, which operate using various magically enhanced materials to produce both mana and regular power. While not quite powerful as their antimatter brothers, they are more easy to setup and easier to downscale and port around. As such they are mainly used by first in-colonists as well as to power ground craft and aircraft, although large water naval vessels and all space-based craft that are not small use antimatter reactors as they can support them.

The Iscandarians weapon technology has been advanced a great deal, mainly out of a fear of various forces from the mythos of their religion as well as their belief that they will need to “harmonize” many nations on their question to complete the “Great Mission”. The Iscandarians use a mix of kinetic, energy, and explosive weaponry. Kinetic weapons are various rail-guns, using either highly-dense and enchanted metals for their shells, or antimatter tipped shells for extra effect. Ground forces primarily use railguns, with some smaller scaled-down autoguns which are essentially weaker, but automatic railguns. Energy weapons in space primarily consist of balefire, a highly destructive magical substance equal in power to most plasma weaponry, thus eliminating the need for Iscandarians to develop plasma weapons. Antiproton streamers are also a sight to be seen, although there are only a few per a smaller vessel, banks of these destructive weapons can be found on capital ships. Balefire “mega-spells” and scaled-up antimatter projectors act as super-weapons. Ground forces use balefire-based energy weapons. Both space and ground forces also make use of specialized magical crystals capable of producing focused energy beams. For explosives weapons space-forces use primarily balefire missiles launched by rail-guns, as well as some antimatter missiles. Ground Forces use balefire explosives, and in cases were they are severely outmatched, each army carries a small amount of low-yield antimatter missiles.

Iscandarian defense technology is very odd. While all units, even common infantry with their power armor, use shields, and the Iscandarians have highly advanced and powerful shields, there armor is usually only average. The high-tiered armoring alloys that the Iscandarians would like to use for most units are vastly expensive to make, and thus they have reserved the alloys for capital ships, elite units, and highly elite vehicles and fighters. As such the Iscandarians primarily depend upon their shields in a fight, although they can still fair well if they lose them. It is also to be noted that the Iscandarians incorporate faraday cages into all space-based craft and a majority of their ground forces, making them mostly immune to EMPs.

Ground Forces carry a lot of devices to use with them, such as radios, in-built displays providing battlefield information, and various others. They also have unique devices called spell matrixes. Embedded into armor, these can cast various spells and keep their own mana store, as such those who can’t tap mana directly or even this without magic entirely can use these, and the Iscandarians often use spell matrixes as a trade good.

The Eternal Union has heavily developed augmentation technology, of both the genetic and cybernetic kinds. However with the development of these two types of augmentation they have also developed synthesis, a terrifying combination of both types. The monstrosities created through these methods are common only in the military or in other secret operations, and are completely hidden from the public, with the constructors being one of the few exceptions. In addition to these AI, robotics, and nanotechnology are also heavily developed. AI can be implemented into a person’s mind through use of cybernetics. It is to be noted that one has to be very careful after receiving a AI implant, as destruction of the implant can cause severe mental instability, especially if the AI and the person’s mind end up merged into what is essentially a single consciousness. Nanobots can be used to augment systems that are normally un-augmentable due to their nature, such as the respiratory and circulatory systems. Mind-wipe technology has also been developed to allow them to modify memories as they please.

Iscandarian manufacturing is highly efficient, using robots and AI to streamline the process. Iscandarian manufacturing is centered around Arcano-forges, powerful factories powered by many magical devices and other things. A few Arcano-Forges have even been turned into massive factories that spawn an entire planet, although only two of these exist due to the cost of building them.

Stealth technology only exists for vessels smaller than frigates, although it is highly efficient on the ground and provides many elite units.

Cultural Overview:

Three of the most important aspects of Iscandarian culture are their pragmatism, their embracement of the Greater Good, and the “Great Mission” as they call it. Their pragmatism, along with their embracement of the Greater Good, are all used to justify actions many races would normally consider abhorrent, immoral, or otherwise evil because in the end it shall lead to the greatest possible outcome for all. This impression is not often received by other nations the EU has contacted, as they will often say peace is preferable and will only reveal this darker side to their nature when their hand is forced. This has given the impression, from the outside and to the public at least, that the EU is a peaceful state working towards prosperity for all. They have also used these ideals to justify the Praetorian Guard, spying, suppression, and oppression of their people. Much of this darker side is hidden from the public due to again, it being the best possible action that the EU could take. This has also been used to just their conquest of the Tygochan and Seraphram, or as they call it, “harmonizing”.

The “Great Mission” is sometimes mentioned in passing to the public or other nations but the full purpose of it is only truly known to the Praetorians and the higher ups of the EU. It is the final goal of the EU, what they wish to work towards. It is the idea of creating a Utopia based around a Union of Everything, a Union of the Universe. The Iscandarians will often try to neutralize those who they feel impede the “Great Mission”, or if the situation calls for it, absolute destruction.

The only other major and notable part of the Iscandarian culture is the Church of Faust. While it is a religion that preaches peace and utopian ideals, it is used by the Praetorians as another method by which to control the populace and eliminate uprisings, as well as spread EU influence. As such the EU has no religious freedom, believing Faust to by the only God-like being to exist. The Praetorians themselves still believe in Faust, but feel the way in which the Church is used is justified do to the “Great Mission”.

History:

Eternal Union history begins shortly after the Iscandarian homeworld was United, approximately the human year 1000 BC , the four Praetorians, David, Aaliyah, Faye, and Gabriel ascended as they were all believed to be instrumental in forming the Eternal Union. It was then that the Praetorians decided upon “The Great Mission” as the primary goal of the Eternal Union, at any cost.

The policies of the Union were established during this period, leading to the formation of the Praetorian Guard. The military was also heavily reorganized to fall in line with the changing times, leading to new divisions, structures, and ranks. A research division was also established to centralize the research efforts of the Eternal Union, which advanced the EU forward significantly.

The Eternal Union shortly thereafter met the Seraphram. At first, the diplomatic relationship between the two remained positive, as missionaries from the Church of Faust arrived as a first-wave to attempt to get the Seraphram to peacefully join the EU, but relations quickly broke down. The EU was slowly became frustrated as the Seraphram President and Congress kept on dodging annexation attempts, in the spirit of Seraphram liberty and independence. It was then that the Praetorians ordered the military to “harmonize” the Seraphram. The war began in quick order, as the much more prepared EU forces struck down the Seraphram military.

The war ended quickly, with the Seraphram falling under the dominion of the Iscandarians. A few civilian ships escaped to distant corners of the galaxy, hiding and attempting to preserve the culture of and way of life of the Seraphram. Violent, brutal, oppression became the order of the day on former Seraphram controlled-worlds, as the EU stamped out the elements they saw as standing in the way of the “Great Mission”. Seraphram culture was also replaced with EU culture to make them more complacent.

The Tygochan were contacted a few hundred years after the fall of the Seraphram. At the time of EU discovery the various systems of the Tygochan were divided between various Warlords. As the EU viewed the Tygochan as to violent, they went ahead and began a harmonization of the Tygochan. It was swift, despite brutal fighting from both sides, due to the division between the Tygochan. While the initial resistance was troublesome due to the weak culture of the Tygochan theirs was easily replaced. Like with the Seraphram, a few ships escaped to distant parts of the galaxy.

The EU after the two conflicts took a backseat to the galaxy, keeping their holdings under check and preparing themselves. Many strides in technology were made during this isolation period, as the EU watched the young races arise from afar.

When it became clear most if not all resistance from the Tygochan and Seraphram was squashed out the EU inserted itself back into Galactic affairs. It has so far not engaged in any conflict, preaching peace as it’s primary goal. How long they decide to maintain that facade however, remains to be seen.

Other:

Name of nation: A Lorca Ghaj (Eng: The Lorca Imperium)

Species: Lorca are muscular and tall, usually standing between 2.39 and 2.57 meters. Their jaws are quadruple-hinged, with an upper jaw and four lower mandibles arranged in two tiers. Mandible and upper jaw structure along with teeth shape and numbers result from different phenotypes, usually relative to ethnicity. They are still compatible with other members of the species, however. These mandibles have between eight and twelve teeth each and some Lorca, those whose descent is from the Lorca inhabitants of Sarudun, have an additional, larger fang on the tips of each mandible. Anywhere from eight to more than a dozen broader teeth may be mounted on the upper jaw structure. This structure will likely make it harder for them to speak alien languages, and vice versa, as some of the pronunciation is through mandible positioning which most other species lack, and as the Lorca have mandibles they have no lips to position to make certain sounds. They are omnivores however they are more inclined towards eating meat and their body is more adapted towards carnivorous. Lorca smell with the use of two nostrils, each slightly in front of and below the eye socket. Given their predatory nature, their sense of smell is very developed.
Their hands are tetradactyl, each having two fingers in the middle and an opposable thumb on either side. Their legs are digitigrade, with short upper and lower legs, using the two phalanges in their legs to support their weight when walking. This arrangement allows them to run very quickly and jump large distances. Their agility may also be attributed to their homeworld's high gravity (Which is 1.6G); the additional strength required to move normally in a higher-gravity environment would cause them to be more powerful in lower gravity situations. They also have a double set of pectoral muscles, which contributes to their notable strength. As an aside, their digitigrade stance makes it difficult for them to climb ladders
Lorca have a circulatory system in which two hearts pump indigo-colored blood, as their blood has a high level of hemoglobin. This higher level of hemoglobin and secondary heart is used to offset their larger size. Through a rare birth defect, they are sometimes born with only a single heart and while they will survive with only a single heart, they have much less stamina than their two hearted brethren. They breathe oxygen and their homeworld has a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere.
Lorca have gray scaley skin, though those descended from the inhabitants of the Arusa subcontinent are a gray-brown colour. They have forward-facing eyes with vertical slits and horizontal eyelids that are reptilian in nature, giving them high-resolution central vision and depth perception. Interestingly, they have 4 types of cone cells in the eyes, however in most only three of these function correctly, the nerve ending in the fourth cone does not transmit to the brain. However, those descended from the inhabitants of the Arusa sub-continent or the Tauri islands have a fully function fourth cone, allowing them to see ultra-violet light spectrums. The arts are a popular "hobby" among those descended Arusa and Tauri because their bright paintings resulting from the way they see the world can sell for relatively high amounts, so Arusa and Tauri artists are among the more prosperous. The Lorca have approximately 130 million rod cells in their eyes. Their eyes are almost universally colored an yellow-orange.
Lorca exhibit minor sexual dimorphism, with the females being slightly smaller than the males and they are oviparous, laying eggs rather than giving live birth. The species is remarkably long-lived; Lorca over 70-80 years of age are usually fit for combat duty and their average life span is currently around 124 years. Due to their warlike nature, the tendency of Lorca to engage in dangerous activities or put themselves into dangerous situations and the individual opinions of a considerable number of Lorca regarding the 'dishonourable nature' of medicine and surgical operations (naturally resulting in a startling number of unnecessary deaths), the Lorca's current average life span is predicted to be significantly shorter than their maximum potential lifespan. They also possess the ability to regrow lost limbs over a period of several months if properly fed.

Description of government: An meritocratic Oligarchy. The government structure favours achievement over anything else. Physical and mental achievements are highly prized, the culture having woven their religion into these achievements, perhaps some ancient attempt at manipulation on a massive scale. Given their proud warrior culture it is perhaps inevitable that the military holds a considerable degree of power (indeed, all are trained from birth to fight so they can be called on if need be). At the top of the government is the high council, a body composed of three High Councillors. These councillors are elected by the council and then adopt a new ceremonial name. Below them is the Council, composed of 200 councillors. These recieve a ceremonial suffix –Ax. Next come the lower councils and below them the Ministries. Both adopt the honourific suffix of –Oi

Description of military:
Their military is a large structure of well trained and extremely zealous soldiers. The source of their bravery and courage can also be a limiting factor, causing excessive zeal in some units. Their ships often have religious or spiritual sounding names.

Starship classes

Layman class fighter/bomber: A fast, single man fighter/bomber, designed for the express purpose of hassling the enemy and destroying hostiles on the ground
Gaia class dropship: A ship made to carry soldiers into the fray. Named after the Gaia from mythology, a race of female spirits who brought the Lorca into the world. They were also believed to be responsible for delivering babies to the eggs; the closest in Lorca mythology to angels and revered as such.
Drop pod: A device used to deliver soldiers or weapons into a fight on the ground... or more rarely, into enemy ships when the shields are down
Honour class Corvette: This small and agile ship is used primarily for recon, policing action and small scale engagements. It lacks the firepower of its larger brethren but makes up for it in speed
Burden class transport: Exactly what it says on the tin a transport ship.
Legionary Class Frigate: Essentially a larger version of the corvette, designed to take larger prey. It is a light, defense focussed ship.
Inquisitor Class Prowler: A smaller, lightly armed ship. Designed for speed and equipped with stealth equipment, it is meant to stay near to planets, asteroids or other such large objects and spy on enemy fleets, possibly watching a planet for an ample time for a fleet to launch an attack...
Warrior class Destroyer: The Warrior class destroyer is stronger than the previous classes, carrying a larger range of weapons. Both durable and fast, it's large array of weaponry and defensive systems makes it a devestating opponent, paticularly to larger ships.
Garg class Cruiser: Named after the ancient war mounts, the Garg is larger than the previous classes and the last class before being considered a capital ship.
Elder class Battle Ship: The first ship to abandon the "evasion" approach of it's smaller brethren, the Elder class can withstand more punishment that the preceeding ships and cause more damage. It is also the first of the ship classes to be a 'Capital' ship
Blessed class Carrier: A large ship designed with the express purpose of carrying massive numbers of land forces, Layman fighter-Bombers and small star ships. Resembling an oversized Burden Class, it is armed with large plasma cannons and will always be used in conjunction with an escort force.
Battlemaster Class Ship of the Line: The Battlemaster is a ship designed to take massive punishment, while being able to deal it back it back. Although Dreadnaughts are the strongest ships in the navy, the Battlemasters are generally the most powerful encountered, a battlefleet likely containing at least one.
Overlord Class Dreadnaughts: The most powerful ships in usage by the Ghaj, the Overlord class combines aspects of a Battlemaster and a Blessed class, able to perform both functions. A major investment, an overlord accompanying a fleet spells trouble for the target...

Notable Ground Vehicles:

Speeder: This fast vehicle is rarely used for more than single man transport. Although sometimes used by the military, its generally supplanted by the Armed Recon Vehicle

Armed Recon Vehicle The Armed Recon Vehicle is a fast, single man scouting vehicle. It is armed with twin anti-infantry plasma cannons and works on anti-gravity, giving it a limited ability to float to cross dangerous terrain. The driver is extremely exposed from the back and sides, though generally protected by the raised front. Whatever the case, it is not meant to engage the enemy head on.

Reaper Class Assault Platform: The Reaper Assault Platform, commonly referred to as a Tank by other species, is a half-saucer shaped craft with a single large cannon mounted on the it's underside, and dual heavy plasma cannons on each of it's 'wings'. On the top of the tank is what appears to be a lone optical sensor built into the vehicle's "head". Reaper Assault Platforms are able to traverse almost any terrain and cross deep water with no difficulties as they are hovering, and are sealed so that they may proceed into otherwise fatal environments if need be. The Reaper Assault Platform is also able to hover up off the ground to reach high places, and it can rotate its 'wings' and flip upside down to enable it to act as an fighter air craft, soaring across the skies to assist in air combat.

Wisdom Class Ground Support aircraft: The Wisdom Class ground support aircraft is a fighter/bomber sporting small plasma 'bombs', and two plasma cannons. It is extremely agile and boasts the ability to fly backwards should need be by reversing it's gravity propulsion systems. It is capable of space flight, during which it fills a similar role to the Layman Class Fighter/Bomber

Technological Overview:
The Ghaj has a highly militarily focused government, and as such they have some extremely advanced military technologies. They favor plasma weaponry as it will cauterize the wounds of the opponent as it melts through, thus reducing the amount of ‘honour’ the target will lose. Death through Anti-matter weaponry is also considered to be an honourable demise. Notable civic technologies include gravity lifts, gravity transport tubes, field bridges and other such applications. Most of these are derived from military technologies. Some technological advancements are slowed by their ideology, sometimes simply because upon creation nobody has used them as they feel they are dishonourable, though others have been focused on and over time they often show willingness to accept what they initially rejected.

Cultural Overview:
Although they eventually became a technologically advanced society and abandoned the old stone age tools, the ideals of honour were resistant to change. For most Lorca, an existence without honour is still worse than death.
Naturally, the way to gain honour in early society was through combat and lacking an understanding of the world, religions began to form around what has since been named in the common tongue of the Lorca as "A Kha o a Lor", or "The Path of the Warrior". It was believed that only those with honour would be admitted into paradise upon death, and that the honour of a family was also taken into account during the day of judgement. Naturally, the link was in time made between family and blood and as such honour became associated with blood. Since honour was carried in the blood, when one bleeds they are losing some of their honour. The spike of adrenaline during battle was said to be the feeling of honour rushing into the blood. Even though they now know the biology behind it and that blood carries no DNA, the traditions behind it still remain and some even contend that having an operation in shameful as it makes you "bleed without honour"
On many worlds, when the eggs have been lain many are turned over to and the raised by the "Shapers" of the area. Communication with their parents and family members varies widely depending on the choices of the parents, with some keeping in close contact and others having little to no contact at all. Some worlds have a culture that favours the former and others favour the latter. These "Warrior Crèches'" are divided into Lances, which are the equivalent of squads and teams in the Ghaj. Upon reaching the coming of age, the Lances are transferred to the fields it is believed would suit them best. While a younger Lorca may change Lance several times as he attempts to find the pursuit in life that fits him best, after they reach puberty, Lances are kept together where possible and usually regard each other as brothers. Youths who are part of a Warrior Crèche have the suffix of -oo. The shapers have suffixes relative to their field, there is no shaper suffix.
Members of the military have the suffix -oa. "Swordsmen" have the suffix -ei, which denotes nobility; All swordsmen are automatically made part of the nobility, however the title is not hereditary. Swordsmen are allowed to wield the Plasma Sword, a weapon that is valued highly. It is considered an honourable weapon for a Lorca to use as it requires them to get close to their opponent, and to meet your fate on the tip of a Plasma Sword is considered one of the "least dishonourable" ways to be killed in battle, as it cauterises the wound and as such prevents blood loss, thus minimising the loss of honour. The plasma sword works by containing super heated plasma within a magnetic field to form a "blade". It is devastating in combat, though it requires the user to be close to their target. There are other technologically advanced melee weapons that may see use in combat, though most are not held to such as high regard. The exception is the gravity stave, which is wielded by the Honour Guardsmen of the Ghaj. The gravity stave creates a gravity well around the tip of the stave, which if thrust into an opponent can cause them to implode. It is considered a dishonourable way to die, as it is obviously extremely messy 'As is a fitting fate for those who use less than honourable means in war'. This gravity well can also be focused to pull objects or even people towards the user. Honour Guardsmen of the Ghaj are often found protecting Councillors or important government structures, but may be assigned to the command of high ranking officers and some may take command themselves. Some high ranked military officers are also permitted to use gravity staves.
With the advent of technology and enlightenment, technological prowess has become a new avenue for gaining honour. It is considered that a scientist will share in any honour his ideas and technologies lead to the creation of. The Lorca equivalent to doctors and academics receive the suffix -io
"Lorca" is actually two words combined into one. Lor, which means warrior, and Ca, which means glory. Together, they become "Glorius Warrior"
The most commonly used language is o to as "The Standard Tongue", but this is misleading. The Standard Tongue contains five languages within it, which although are officially choices in vocabularly are closer to five different languages. They are:
"Black Tongue" This denotes hostility, anger, hatred or rivalry. Commonly used by Lorca soliders in the field to communicate or taunt the enemy, it is noticibly harsher than the four other tongues.
"The Grey Tongue" This is commonly used when talking to others who are not related or close friends.
"The White Tongue" It is only used when the Lorca feels the person they are talking to its trust worthy. Not as harsh as the previous two tongues, it lacks the cruel under tones and is used by certain offices, councils and in warrior creches to symbolise fraternity and trust.
"The Fair Tongue" Only used to talk to a lover. This tongue was, according to legend, gifted to the Lorca race when the great warrior queen Zira Lukax slayed all the "fell beasts" of Idun with her bare hands to save the object of her love. Seeing their love overcoming the beasts of Idun, the ancestors gifted them the fair tongue and performed the first binding ritual. There is some truth in this story, Zira did lead a great campaign into Idun to defeat a rival kingdom, and she executed the enemy king with her bare hands. However, while she was married soon after, it is unknown whether her partner was freed from Idun or whether he had ever been to Idun and the first binding ritual almost certainly predates this event. It’s likely an example of two events being woven together with myth and legend over the millennia
“The Honour Tongue” The Honour Tongue is a more religious tongue, used during binding rituals and other such religious events, as well as in the Council. The tongue is said to hold spiritual power and magical potential. As such the Tongue is revered and should not be disrespected; Merely speaking ill of someone in it is supposed to be enough to curse that person with misfortune for the remainder of the day.

The core tenets of A Kha a o Lor are:

1: Honour

2: Rectitude

3: Mercy (Note that this doesn’t necessarily mean show mercy and let them live, and can instead be interpreted as ‘Mercy by spilling the least honour possible’ depending on the practitioner)

4: Valour

5: Loyalty

6: Wisdom

7: Respect (This includes respect for one’s self, respect for one’s own body and respect for others. It also covers gaining respect and maintaining that respect. Similar to Mercy, this doesn’t mean they won’t brutally kill you)

8: Integrity (This is a controversial one, which often causes squabbles in debating circles. Questions often raised include whether the use of stealth breaks this tenet and whether it is justifiable to break this tenet to uphold others.)

There are several lesser tenets that one is recommended to follow that will increase ones honour, however they are not requirements for entrance into the afterlife unlike the core tenets. It is believed by followed of the path, that one does not need to know of or believe in A Kha a o Lor to be accepted into the afterlife, they will be permitted to enter as long as they have lived by the tenets. It is said that those in the afterlife may return to help others follow the path, and as such ancestor worship plays a large part in A Kha a o Lor.
Historically, Burials were conducted by the transport of the dead on a ‘War vehicle’. Traditionally, this was to be a Garg (A vicious, horse sized beast) drawn chariot, though with the advent of motor technology it was common to use military transport vehicles rather than traditional methods. In the case of war dead or multiple dead within a family, they were transported side by side. If the person was a criminal or traitor, they would be tied to the back of a Garg or motor vehicle and dragged along the ground. They would progress out of the city and across the country until they reached the regions House of the Dead. Upon reaching the house of the dead, they were taken from their transport and carried inside, where they were laid out on the stone death beds within the “Room of the Dead”. In one hand was placed a ceremonial crafted weapon (Usually a sword, spear or bow), and in the other a tool from their profession (In the case of a soldier, they received a ceremonial shield). They were then left for 8 days, one day for each tenet and then burnt to ashes and placed into an urn, which was then interred in the catacombs. If the person was a criminal or traitor, they would instead be flayed by the priests and then their bones crushed into powder, which was scattered along the floor of the catacombs so that they were trodden on by visitors. Their meat would be fed to animals. This method has been used to bury the dead for thousands of years but with the advent of space travel, the Ghaj moved towards ‘Tomb Worlds’, entire planets dedicated to this purpose. There are two of these such worlds, and the majority of the dead are now sent to these worlds, though some traditional burials still occur. On these worlds, the dead are given a ceremonial weapon and a tool from their profession, then preserved in stasis so that they never go through the dishonor of rotting. On these tomb worlds, people of note are given their own chambers while the others are lined along the walls of the massive halls. The powdered bones of criminals are still strewn across the catacomb floors, and pits are maintained where the priests will throw the flayed skin to the beasts below. However, a new custom has developed based on old Tauri burial customs, and sometimes the bones of criminals are incorporated into the construction work. The priests are the only ones to live on these tomb worlds, and they double as tomb guards, making sure none who lack permission defile the tombs of the dead. Permission to see a family member must be gained through the military station in orbit, which refuse to set foot on the planet or allow others to set foot on it without permission from the priests. It is believed that any that land on the planet without permission will be cursed

History:
Although the Lorca had evolved to chase and hunt creatures comparable in size to dogs, their natural prey did not move in herds but were generally solitary. As such, while individuals could feed themselves, supporting tribes was near impossible. As such Lorca relied on pack tactics to bring down much larger prey in order to feed their tribes in the prehistoric era. This, coupled with the dangers that many of their new prey posed, led to them relying on each other heavily. Over time, these strong brotherhoods created codes of honour, which became high in value.
The early Kingdoms (A arl Haj) were a series of small kingdoms set around the continent of Sarudun. Although other advanced civilizations rose on the other continents, the history of Sarudun is considered not only the most important (having been the most successful) but is also the best documented. There were three major kingdoms in the early days Idun, Dadun and Judak. It was in this period that the nobility was conceived and the code of honour developed by the hunting tribes evolved into a religion. The end of this period is marked by the fall of Idun. Idun fell when Queen Zira of the Dadun invaded and killed the king, seizing control of Idun and creating the first ‘Ghaj’, or empire.
This collapse prompted the beginning of a series of events that would lead to the discovery of the other continents by the exiles of Idun. Word would eventually reach Sarudun some 150 years later and so began the “great rush”, a period of time where the powers of Sarudun invaded and attempted to seize the foreign continents. Gunpowder was first discovered 110 years after the great rush began and as such Sarudun began to dominate faster and faster, though powers such as Dadun began to build close ties with powerful native nations rather than trying to invade them. The natives were quick adopters of gunpowder, particularly on the continent of Arusa, and so began the bloody decade long wars between natives and invaders. It was during this great rush that the “Binding Debate” began in Judak. The King Hiro wished to divorce his Queen Kira in favour of a younger and more attractive bride. The Queen was beloved by the people, however, and she was not about to be forced off her throne simply because she was barren. She contended that she had not only been a faithful queen but a proud warrior, and had expanded the Judak Haj personally into the new world. Her many military ventures had brought her great honour… more honour, whispers began, than her husband. The King was having none of this and so beseeched the Council of Elders. They told the two that the binding was for life. Kira did not wish to kill Hiro, however Judak could not afford for the debate to continue. She invoked the law of the land, claiming that if one was stripped of their honour then they would be as good as dead and thus the binding would be over, and thus challenged him to honourable combat. It was a very controversial claim, as binding was usually considered to combine the honour of the two partners into one shared line. Hiro could not refuse to face Kira but Kira was considered to be a much better fighter than him and he would surely lose a fight. Thus, the king hatched a treacherous plot. The king had his wife drugged before the fight in order to slow her, allowing him to easily decapitate her in order to prevent her from revealing his treacher. Believing the debate to be finished, the King took his new bride and rode back to his palace in bliss. His accomplice, however, fell gravely ill a weak later and, believing it to be divine judgements, confessed his crime. With the secret of thee kings treacherous behaviour public, the people grew unruly and the land erupted into rebellion. For 160 days war raged across Judak as the rebels fought the kings men. Neighboring kingdoms seized the opportunity to invade and carve up Judak, and by the time the civil war ended Judak had lost 60% of its homeland and many of its oversea territories had fallen. The rebels however, had won the war. The King was captured alive and brought before the court and sentenced to death “in the name of the crown”. He challenged this, stating “I who am your king can not be sentenced by my own authority without my own consent!”. To which the Judge reportedly retorted “And who, pray tell, stated that it was your crown?”, then calmly informed the King that he had been sentenced to death by the Crown of the Queen.
King Hiro was taken to “An honourless death by rifle” and his body was treated as though it were that of a murderer. Judak declared that it would remain a monarchy… and instated the dead Queen Kira as it’s monarch. A lavish funeral was held and it was declared that even in death the Queen was the rightful ruler of Judak. Although Judak was later absorbed into the United Lorca Ghaj (The name of the Union between Dadun and the Odul Confederacy of Arusa), the region of Judak to this day reports that it’s governor is “Queen Kira”, a tradition which the Ghaj still tolerates so long as a change in Steward is made known to the council. As a result, one seat in the council is known as “The seat of Kira Morax” but is always taken by the Steward of Judak. The story spread throughout the Lorca Ghaj in it’s romanticized retelling in the works of Koro Zorei, a popular novelist of the 19th century and a well-known writer to this day for his novels and plays revolving around historical events. Due to his works, the name Hiro came to be associated with oath breakers and betrayers.
The current system first belonged to the Odul Confederacy, but after the death of King Zoro Lukax of the Dadun Ghaj, Dadun adopted the system. Dadun and Odul had long since had close relations and 112 years after Dadun adopted the system, the two unified. Together, they controlled 46% of the planet’s surface (Dadun 31%, Odul 15%). They agreed the two nations would have an equal number of seats and would both send an equal number of high councilors. This decision was weighted in Odul’s favour, giving them much more political influence than they would have had if the system had been decided based on population. As such, Odul unified in order to dramatically increase their power while Dadun unified in order to cement their lead over their growing rival, the Hepto Ghaj on the Jauri continent. This union was called the “United Lorca Ghaj”
600 years later, the entire planet lay under the control of the United Lorca Ghaj, which changed it’s name to the ‘Lorca Ghaj’. 400 years after that, political reforms led to the council being selected from all regions rather than just Dadun and Odul. 200 years on, once the Lorca Ghaj’s space colonies had become fully developed, another political reform led to the council being selected from all planets also. It is expected that a region will send only the most skilled to the council to sit and make decisions on the Lorca Ghaj

Other:
Lorca use the CT (Current Time) acronym to denote anything happening after ‘Year 0’, and OT (Old Time) when referring to anything before it. Year 0 was originally used because that was considered to be when the “A Uai a o Lor” (Eng: The Guide of the Warrior) was written, but since then it has become apparent that the book was widespread at least 500 years before that. Rather than change all the dates, the Lorca simply kept the acronyms. The current year is CT 3112. The Lorca Ghaj has been united for 1800 years of that time, and the government is referred to by some as the “Ancient Duality"

A political amalgamation with grand pretenses of freedom and democracy, the Commonwealth is in truth a sprawling monarchical imperium dominated by a species of feline humanoids called the Vit'azny. The Commonwealth owes its existence to the fact that 500 years ago the then Vit'azny Empire realized assimilation was vastly easier than maintaining overlordship over their rebellious subjects. The resulting organization has since exploded into a major galactic power and an economic powerhouse.

Name of nation: They have long ceased claims to a name.

Species: Once, they were humans. Once. Once. O̱͖̤̮ͮ̽ͩ̀̀̀n̯̯̼̼͕̲̫̘̝͐̄ͦ̕͟č̔҉͉̼ě̷̵̪̥̞̭̯̜͉̘͑̈ͭ͂͝.̗͕̦͋͌̈́̎ Now they are abominations. Anathema. STAY AWAY STAY AWAY STAY AWAY PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB THE SHADOWS



Description of government: The government of the anathema that used to be humanity is a mysterious thing. It is there, yet it is not. They have long since given up traditional leaders.

á-e-me-en ìri-zé-er igi-bad!

Description of military: They have no official military, the closest that they've ever been theorized as having is the various horrors that lurk near the ruins. DON'T BELIEVE THEM.

me-li-e-a...

Technological Overview: They have left little behind, nothing but strange ruins scattered across the galaxy, and strange artefacts of mysterious and magical power. Many have experimented on these artefacts, but few survived to tell the tale. However, with recent, these artefacts have been showing up more and more frequently. Everything from bombs to noisemakers, from medicine dispensaries to skin flayers. These artefacts have little consistency, rhyme, or reason. They can appear in the most unexpected of places, their purpose unknowable. However, applied with a certain type of illusory magic, a hole in causality can be formed from these artefacts.

This hole, this mysterious and eldritch hole, leads to what can best be described as a void. Logic ceases to exist, unseen machines clank, and places long past and present, swallowed into this void, can be explored. It is, however, filled with dangerous particle fields, capable of eating people alive and turning them into more particle fields. Like a ghostly plague. These fields are unaffected by magic, but electrical arks of the mundane quality work excellently in dispatching them.

The strange ruins are often found with long-abandoned research stations around them, the mysterious stations and outposts having never achieved their goal. Creatures considered only mythological roam nearby these ruins, from Wendigos to Blemmyes. Not only that, but the insides are often puzzling and eldritch, utilizing mysterious tools and inexplicably placed mazes, as an example, to progress through. However, whispers abound thĄ̕T͞͠ ̷̵̧͜͜I̸͢͡͝͝S̸͘ ̡̕͠Ǹ͠O͏̢̢́͡T̢̨̕͞ ̶́͢T̸҉̶̛͞H͜͢͞Ȩ͞I̢͟Ŗ͘͢͡ ͟͜͢͟C̛̀͢͝O̸̢͏̡N͏̕͟͝Ş̧̧T͡͏̛͞R̨U̷̶҉̵͟Ć̷̶́̕T̷̛͢ ̷̶͜͢͝D̢͟͏̛O̶̴͞ ̢͢͡Ņ̨͜Ò̴̵̢͠T҉͏ ̀͞B҉̷̨̛͜R͏̵̷Ȩ̧͝͡Ą̕Ķ̛ ͘͏́͢T̴̛H̢E͘͝͞ ̢͘͡Ć͠O̢͏͢͠N҉҉҉̨̀Ţ̡͘͠A̷̷̢͝Į̷̸҉͘Ń̴́͠ḾE̡̕͠N̸̵̡͜͞T҉ ̷̴̛̀́I̶̷̢͡ ̶̨͡B̡̢͜͡E̵͘G̸̀͠ ̴̵̵͟Ǫ͜F҉ ̧͞Y̵̵͢Ò̷͡U̕̕ ̴̢̢͜T̶̵H̶̴̡̡͞Ȩ̸͘͟҉ ̢̕S͏͡U͞҉͡͏͞Ǹ̡̕͠ ̨͝͡T̀̀͜H̨̛E̢̕ ̶̧̀́͢S̷҉̀͠U͘҉̸͜Ǹ̵̡͟͝ ̸̨͜҉T̀͢͡͏͘H̴̸́҉E͞͏͏́ ̡̡͢Ş̛́U̵͢͝Ǹ͝͞ ̵̢̛̀́T̴҉̢̧͜Ḩ̛͘̕͜È̷̢̨ ̢̢S̨̀Ú͞N̴̶͠ ̕͢T̶͠H̵͘͟͞E̵͠ ͏́̀S͝U̢͘͘͞N̕͞at these ruins are not of regular creation, but are built to contain some vast horror. Nevertheless, many research efforts by many long lost races have taken place, evidenced by the hulks of bloodied and lost constructions around them.

ki-lul-la, ki-in-dar, é-a-nir-ra: urudu e-re-sì-ki-in ina úmun, en-nu-ùa-ak ina lúír-lá-ene.

Cultural Overview: Ever since their fall from grace, humanity has lost it's culture. Only a semblance, a joke, remains. They've long since given up the arts and philosophy, their existence only to prevent another fall. I hope. We hope. Please stop another fall. Please, I beg of you humanity if you are still there never again protect the sickly sun the guardian must never let it open the fall the fall the fall. The S̵̨̕͠Ų̡̛N̢͞͠ ̶̴͘͢͠I̸͟͞͏S̷̵̵̡͢ ̵͘͝͝S̨̕͡I͜͜Ć҉͝K̵̡̀͞ ̴̧̨͟͢Į̷̛͠S̛͘͢ ̵̵̨̕S̢̛͡I̷͟Ć͢͞K̕͟ ̕͏̧̧I̷͜͠S̷̢̛̀͢ ̡̕͏͠S̨̀̕I̶̷̛C̛͘͝͏̷K̢͠ ͟I̛̕҉̸Ś͟ ̴̧̀͘͞S̡͝Í͠C̡̕͟K̡̧̢̀͢I̷͜Ş͝S̛̀Ì̴͟͡C̢҉K̀͘͏̶̢S͜҉͟͠I̢̕͝͡͠S̵̶C̴͢͢K̵̛͘͜͝I̴̸͝S̸̀͢͠K̸̸͘͟͝C̡͜͞͠K̀҉S͟͞I̸͢͞S̛҉̢̢C͞҉K͏̶̧͞ ͏̡͝Y͟͠͞O͏̨̕͢͟U̕͜͞ ̢B̵̷̡̧͝Ư̴̶̛T̶̡͡C͏̸̡͡H̀͘̕͟É́R̶̶̛̀S̵̵̢̢ ́͡B̴̡͢͡U̶̧̕T̡͟͏C̷͢H͏̵͜͡͞E̷͜҉̧̕R̢͟͝S̵͢͜ ͏̧͞Y͜͏̷O͟͏̀U̵̵ ́͢͞B̸̴̵̕̕U҉͜͞T̵͡H́͟͏̀͝C̴͡Ḩ́È̛R̢̛͜͞͏S̢͞͞҉S҉̧҉̵S̵̷̸̛͠ ̶͝͞ void is seemingly connected to this culture, yet they do not inhabit it. Their true home is but a mystery.

i.menden ina nam-ab-ba issa, nam-nu-tar nam-diir, i.menden lúní-áa

History: Earth, that shining jewel, once held life upon it. Earth, the lost cradle. Earth, the jewel of the fall. From it sprang forth the various creatures of Terran descent, from dinosaurs to fish. From fish to humanity. They were a relatively young species, humanity. Thousands of years ago, before the fall, they lived and loved as much as any other creature. Before the fall, they were human. Before the fall, they had a chance. They were at first, a prehistoric species.

From bashing rocks together to creating fire, they worshiped their gods and slowly advanced. They were persistence hunters, running down their prey through sheer endurance. T̸̶̶̢̢H̶̕͢͏̧È̛͡ ͏̴̨̕F̶͘͜Ą̢̀̀҉Ĺ̷̢͜L̛͢ ̸҉Ţ҉̨H̸̨E̸͘͟͝ ̛̀́͠͠S̸̶̨̕I͏͘͘͞Ć͟Ķ́͡E̶̸N̡͢E̕͞D͡҉͢͜ ̸̢̛͜S̷̨͠Ù̸̧̢̢N̨͢ ͟͏T҉̢́H͘͞É̢͜ ̵͠M͘͜͠Ì̷̛͟͜Ś͢T͜͠À̷̛͘͠K̴͘͘͠͝E҉̷̀ ̵̢̀͡͞Y̕͢͠Ǫ͟͞Ư͞͏ ͠҉̕M̶̧͢͜Ò̶̡͢͜Ǹ̸̀͝S̷̢T̷̷͜͡͡E͏̶̢͢R̡̡̕͡͠S̷͡ ̴̡̢̛Y̷̴̨O̴̡͢͢͏U҉͟ ̶̨B́U҉̡҉͏T͢͞Ç͝H̶̢̡E̡͢R̴̢͘S̨̀͠ ́͞͏̧D̴̷O̶͢͝͡ ̨̡N̶̷̵̸͝O͟͝T̢̛͝͠͞ ͜͞R҉͝҉͏̸È͜҉̷P̀É̴͘͟A̸̢͘͠͡T̀͟͜͞ ̨͢͡T̵̡͝H̨͢Ę̵̴̸I̶̧R͢͏͜͡͠ ͏̢M̶̡̨̀̀I̛͏̸S̸̡̛͏͏T̡́͢͡A̴͏K̀҉E͡͠ ̷̷̧͘͘I͘҉ ̷̨̛̕͟B̷̢̢̡͠E̸͜͏G̶̶̢̛͟ ̴͞͞O̡͢͏̀F̷̡̕͠ ̸́͜͠Y̨͘͢͠͠O̷̴̕Ú҉,̵̶͢ ̶̨̕D̨͢͏͞O̷̧͢͠ ̸̛̀͡N҉̷Ǫ̛́͜T̸̸̛́ ̸̶̵̀͜B͏̵̀E̴͜͜ ̧҉̢L̨̨͢͡I̛͡҉̨K̵͟E̴ ̨͏̶̧T̴̶͢͝H̷̸Ȩ̀͢͠҉M̸̨͞ Gifted with sentience and intelligence, they had a bright future. A bright future. A bright future a bright future what went wrong please tell me why oh god why please. Noone knows when the fall happened.

Nobody remembers. Nobody knows. Nobody wants to know. It is best forgotten. Please forget it. The fall never happened. The Earth never existed. Please. You have to listen. D̨̢͢͠͝Ơ͏͞ ̴́̀̕͟N҉̷̶̢͜Ò̷͜͠T̡̀̀͢ ̸̡̀̕͢L̵͏̡͜I͝͞S̢̡̧͘͜Ţ̛̀͟͠E̶̷Ń̕ ̵̵̵͟Ţ̸̴H҉̴̸E̴̡̕͟ ̸́̀͞S̷̸͜͟I̷̷͝C̴̨͡K̵̡͢E̡̧͠N͞͏E҉̵̨͜͡D̵̶̸̛ ̷̢͏̡̀S̀Ù̴̵N̵͢҉̢ ͏̶̴̛͢C̷̨͢͏Á̶̢͘N̡N҉̢O̸͞͞T̨͘ ̵̡͞͠B͡͝E͜͏͝ ̨͝͠F̴͡O̸͢R̴͢͜G̴̷͟͞Ó̴́́̀T̵̴̡̧͝T͢͞E̸̛̕͜N҉̶̨͝ ̧̧͝͞T̸̷̵̵̸H̸̨̛̀͜Ȩ͘͘͢͠ ̵̕M͟͢͡E̷̡̢̛͝T̷̡̧A̶̕͡͞Ļ͞ ̵͜͟͝͝B̸̢̛̕E̵I̴̢N͞G͜҉͠ ̵W̸̧͟͏̕Á̸̴S̷̷̡ ͡͞Ḿ͏A̴͞D͏̴͝Ȩ̶̨̧́ ̸̶T́͘͢͡O̵̧͝ ̷̡́͘͞G҉҉Ú͘͟A̵̡̕҉͝R̶͡҉D̴̡̡̀͡ ͘͜I̧͠͏̢́T̶̨̕͢͟ ̧̀͘͜͝T̢̧̛̕͞H̡̛E̛̛̛̕ ̡̢F̷̀͡͡A̵̴͢҉͘L̛͞Ĺ̷̶͡ ̸͜͟C̸A̡̧̕N͜҉N̵̕͠O͏T̨̀͞͡͞ ̡͢͠Ḩ̨A̧͟͢͞҉P̵P̡҉͏E̴̢̛Ņ̢͢͜͏ ͏͘Á̴͟G̶̡̀́A̢͜͡͠I̵̡̕̕N̵̸̵͜͟ ̧͞D̨̀͜͏O̶̧͟ ̷̕Ǹ̴̸͝Ó̸̸̧̀T̢̛ ̴̸̡̕F̛͘͡͡Ò̧͞͠R̸̢͏͠͞G̢͏̀͟͞È̸̛́͠Ţ̸͘͠ ̵̶̡͜͠D́͜͝Ǫ̸͝͞͠ ҉̡N̢͡O͞҉̢T̷̴́͜͠ ̕҉̶̛̕F̶͟Ó̶̕R͢͞Ǵ͢͝E̡̡͘̕Ţ̸̡̛ ̴̶̶̢̡O̵R̷͘͘̕ ̷̸̡̢Ì̷̕͝T͟͏̛̀͢ ͝W̧̡̧͘I̵̶̡L̡L̶̷ ̢̀͢͝A̴̸L͏̕͞Ĺ͜͏̷ ̢̛B͢͡Ȩ͞ ̷́҉F̕͏̸O̶͜͝R͘͝ ̕N̢͟O̸͜͜͟Ţ̴͏̸͠H̵͘͟͡I̸̷̧̧N̸͘͟͝G̴̕͡҉͜

Humans were snuffed out before Babylon existed. The fall took all. Now all that is left is the sun. No more planets orbit it. Nothing but a ship. A ship beyond the technology of the peoples of Earth. Upon it, the metal being, the guardian. Do not talk to the metal being. It will not respond. It guards. It guards. Do not go to that wretched place. The fall. THE FALL. THE FALL. THE FALL. No more humans are visible to the universe or the four beings. Nothing but the automaton, the guardian of the sun. The guardian against the fall. The keymaster.

The outer perimeter of the sun is filled with the wrecked ship hulks of civilizations long past. Their intentions just as mysterious as their origins. For reasons not known, each hulk contains naught but a single key. A single key. Throw it into space. It is not meant for your hands. They are not for your hands. T̶̶̷̀͘H̡̀͜͠Ȩ̴ ̛͢͡G̴̨̡̧U̧͝A͟Ŕ̸́̕͜D̷̡̡͞I͜҉́À̶̢̨͞N̡҉͜҉ ̕͘͢T̵͠H̕͏̴E̡͘͢͡ ̛͘͢͜G̴̨̀͢U̴̕͞A̵̕͟R͜͠D͘͏I̴̵̸̷̢À͢͢͝Ǹ̢͢͝͠ ̶̷̡̨T̷͠͏H̶̛͘E҉̸ ͘͞҉̢̧G̴̸̸͞Ư͡͞͝Á̴̢̢̕R̸͝҉͘D͟͡I̴͝A͟͟N̶̷̸͡ ̵̸̢͘T̢͟H̀̕E͏̴̧͡͡ ̷͟͠G̸҉U͘͜͏͢A̕͜͜͡҉Ŕ̷͢D̕͞I̷͜A͢͏͜͠͠N̢̢̢͜. May another fall never happen.

Where the humans have gone is not known. Why they are gone is not known. Why they did it is known only to them. Why did they do it please tell me why why why. T̴̕Ḩ̀͘͘͢É͞ ̴̧F̧Ą͢ĻĻ̛́͟ ̸̸̸̢҉W̨̢̡͘͝A͏̢͟͟͞Ş̧́ ͏T̀͜H̴̨̀͘͟Ę̕͟͡Í̴̛́͢R̛͠ ̵̡̡͝͡Ǫ̷Ẁ̵̷͟͡Ń̷́͘ ̡҉͝F̸́́̕A̶̛Ú҉̧͝L̵͢T͏̧͝,̷͏ ͜͞҉̶T҉̛͡͏H̶̨̕E̕͏Y̴̛ ͏͜C҉͡͏͘O̧̡̡͟U̴҉̵L̶̸͠D͘͏̷͝҉ ͡͏̸N̷O͏҉T̡̡̢ ̵͜Ļ̴̨E̡̧̡͟A̢̛͟V̴͟͠E̶҉̶ ̷̨͏͡W̧͜͞H̢̛͝A̧͢͏T̸̷ ͟S̷̡H̛̀͢O҉҉Ư̧L̕̕̕Ḑ͟͠ ͝B͜͏͞E̢͢͞͡ ̕Ų͜͜Ņ̕͜͟͟T̶͢Ơ͏̢Ư͡C̶̸̛͠H̀̀͏̶̕É̴̸͡D́͠͏ ̵͢͞À̷̵̶͟Ĺ̸̛O̸̧͠҉Ņ̷̀͘È̢̀͜ Please, I beg of you. Do not go there. The fall. It must never happen again. Some things are best left untouched.

May the creators and the four beings help us all. May the universe protect us.
M̨A̵̶͢͢͝Y̕͠҉ ̴̢T̨͝H̨͜͢͢E̸̢͝ ̷́͠C̡͠͝R̢͟͟͝E͏̵̷A͟͜͞͡T̷͜҉O͝Ŗ̷̡̕̕S͏̷̧̕͡ ̀͝ÀN̨̧͢D̛̀ ҉҉͘͠T̷̛́͢͝H҉͡͡Ę̵̢ ̀҉҉̢͡F̴͝O̴͡U̧҉̨͠Ŗ̛͝ ҉̨͝B̴͢E̷̢̧I̵̷̶͟N͘̕͠Ģ͘͘͜S͘ ̀͠H̨̧͘͜É̕͟Ĺ̷͘͞P͢͏̨͏ ̴̸̀U̶̢̕͜͡S̴̸̛͜҉ ̶̛́͘A̕͘͢L̵̷L̶̀ ҉͢M̵͢͞A͠͏҉҉̷Y̶̸̨̨ ̸̧Ţ͢͡͞H̡͝E҉̛ ̨͞͠Ư̸͟͜͠Ǹ̢͟I͝͏V͏̛́͠Ȩ̛̕R̵̛͜͢S̶É̴͘͜͢ ̸͘P̴̧̡R̡̕͠O̡͘T̴̷͝͡͠E̢͏͡C̢͞T̵̸̨͟͜ ̧҉͠U̷̶̵̢Ś͞

siskur, siskur ina na sukkal...

no no no no NO NO NO NO NO NO
T̛̀͜͞H̨̛͟͞͝E͢͠Y̶̵͡͡͠ ̵̷̀͢A̧̨͘͘͜R̷Ȩ̶͠ ̷̶̢͠Ḩ̸̶͜͜Ę̴̵́́R̶̢͡͝Ę̸̛̕̕

Other: nu-me-en-na-ta, na!

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Star Federation of Mankind (usually shortened to Federation or SF) is a supernational government of all humans. It forms a polito-economical union with the numerous governments in the Solar System and its neighbors. The Federation's origins date back to about 300 years following the end of the Last Great War, the most destructive event of their history. Weary of war and to prevent this from ever happening the committee decided on strengthening international communications, integrating economic systems while synchronizing politics to better reconcile with each other. They planned it step by step with the eventual goal being complete unification within a hundred years, a dream which never happened. From the outside the Federation may seem like a single body but in reality they are anything but that. There are countless nations and political parties each pushing their own agenda. Humanity may have avoided major wars for centuries now but their political forums are very much like warzones themselves. Similarly what once was a benign movement for peace and the good of Mankind turned into the plaything of economic powers. Money is the king within the Federation and as long as they can get away with it the political powers engage in various unethical deeds for profit. The Federation is a highly advanced civilization with many achievements, but this also made them overly confident in their technology. Also ironically enough until just a few years they had difficulties to develop decently fast FTL drives, thus remaining largely isolated from the galactic community. They observed near-certain signs of distant alien civilizations and even sent out probes but the Federation has yet to make contact with any sentient lifeform other than themselves.

As its name suggests the Federation was formed between humans. Yet the definition of "human" changed considerably. Mankind is scientifically referred as Homo Sapiens Caelis, the new humans adopted for the space age. There are many minor differences like adaptation to varying gravity, improved intelligence and reflexes, extended longevity and resistance to most known diseases but overall humanity remained the same. The most striking differences happen after the birth. Technological advances in cybernetics and cosmetic surgery meant so long you had the money you could go completely wild. Humans have yet to meet any aliens but name a popular sci-fi species and the Federation likely has a fan sporting their looks. Cybernetic enhancements are also rather common, especially computer-assisted brain functions typically referred as "Cogs". Each government has different regulations on what kind of alterations a citizen can do and in certain regions this could go to the extreme. Another major advancement was the technology to transfer consciousness. As such it's possible to transfer one's mind to a different organism or even an entirely mechanical body. Due to complicated mechanics backing up or copying consciousness is difficult and also banned in the Federation. Similarly while it's possible to transfer consciousness to military hardware memories of the Last Great War (especially the terror once delivered by Ego the Living Battlestation) makes such actions widely opposed by the public.

The Star Federation may have not met aliens but had plenty of time and will to develop on their own. They made massive advancements in science and could be perhaps considered pioneers in many technologies. Manipulation of matter and fields can allow them feats which others may consider magical. Their impulse drives are reactionless engines that along with mass lightening fields can allow great speeds and at compact size. Q-Fabs revolutionized industry as versatile manufacturer devices that can assemble objects quickly and down to the last particle from already available materials. Their conversion reactors can extract nuclear energy from any common material and safe enough to power clocks and cell phones. To a common citizen of the Federation it may even see there's nothing that technology cannot accomplish. That being said Federation has complex laws on the use of technology not to mention the extensive ways companies try to protect their copyright. The latter has the unintended side effect of making outsiders even more difficult to reverse engineer human technology.


The main military force of humanity is the Federation Starfleet. They are a multi-national force recruited from the military of other nations. Starfleet has strict selection process and only allows the best. While combat skill is important they put even more focus to human relations and handling stressful situations. They are hardly the only military, though. Each national government maintains their own military and police forces as well as security forces employed in private sectors. Still, when it comes to military power Starfleet is the largest factor, especially in terms of space force. Due to the memory of the Last Great War the term warship and associated aesthetics garnered a huge negative opinion. To avoid being labeled as proponents of war Starfleet eschewed dedicated weapons on their starships altogether. Instead of cannons, guns and missile bays the Federation uses modified Q-Fabs to create projectiles and launch them at various exits. Following that these projectiles are assisted and directed by altering the function of the shields. The end result is the Q-Box, a versatile weapon system which may be less powerful and much less efficient but with centuries of relative peace they never needed more. On the ground the Federation relies on drones and robots considerably though because of the terrors during the Last Great War they are always accompanied with a human operator supervising them. Anything done by these machines is the responsibility of the operator. Overall the size of the Federation military is small and their equivalent is almost more focused on PR than actual military needs. That being said their highly advanced technology allows them to get away with this surprisingly well.



Starfleet obviously put the most focus on space forces. Their starships are top-notch to maintain their overall edge. Many technologies and scientific developments are first employed within Starfleet and knowledge of basic ship system is one thing all Starfleet members are well educated in. On the other hand the memories (or ore like propaganda) about the horrors of the Last Great War made the term warship taboo, as well as anything associated with it. While pistols and rifles are an accepted symbol of authority, any vehicle/vessel sporting gun turrets or any large weapons would be likely mark their users as crazy warmongers. As such rather than using actual weapons Starfleet developed the Q-Box, a weapon system relying on already existing elements to use them for offense. In terms of effectiveness the Q-Box certainly worse than purpose-built weapons but the Federation's technology is lenient enough to make these work. Believing in quality over quantity Starfleet has relatively few starships but each can pack quite a punch. The term "Starship" was actually coined by Starfleet to designate their new "not-warships" as a PR move. Since then any ship with interstellar capability is dubbed starship which was an intentional move in order to further mask from the general conscious the terrible firepower concentrated within Starfleet's hands. For similarly PR reasons the Federation had abandoned the old custom of using wet navy ship classifications.