Sigma

GATEWAYS: THE NEXT GENERATION [NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!]

Collab between me and @Dog

Americana System
Sometime after the Battle over Mojave

The Battle over Mojave came to a swift end after the Gateway reopened, and for a short while, the area around it was deemed "Hazardous" by both sides and was under heavy surveillance. The first thing to come out was a small probe-like device, one that the FRA was quick to nab away from the Yulzan. Second and most surprisingly…was a diplomatic vessel of human design.

---

Roseau
Capital City of New Argos

The Terran diplomatic team was brought forward to the Office of the Chancellor of the Free Republic. “Well, I’ll be damned.” Julian Constantine blurted out in amazement, humans from another star system, proving that humanity survived on other worlds, giving much hope for mankind’s survival.

Nathan Mills worn a clean grey suit with a red bowtie - a Terran Imperial Eagle inhabiting the upper right chest. An older man, he shakes the hand of Constantine. A firm and strong grip is felt as both men greet each other. "How you been? Good?" the man says in a positive tone as if Mills were meeting a old friend of his. Together with his smile, Mills pats the back of Julian.

Funny, Julian never imagined that making first contact with another human colony would be so…causal, like an everyday occurrence. Granted, this may very well soon BE an everyday event, as more colonies are contacted. “I’m doing quite well, Mr. Mills.” Julian responded. “I must say, you have no idea how relieved I am that we’re no longer alone. It makes all the trouble and suffering all worthwhile.” Julian adjusted himself, leaning back on his chair as he became more relaxed. "So, gentlemen, what can I do you for you?"

"We must talk, of course. The usual. Diplomatic measures and an embassy," Mill notes. Albeit he knows that his stay won't be long as Newcastle has already called for the mass mobilization of the A.F.U and Terran Legion. All-well, he can't do much against it - merely do his job as needed.

Julian rocked forward, leaning on his desk. “Why, say on more!” Julian said with excitement. “You’re more than welcome to establish your embassy here, hopefully you’ll be the first of many more to come.”

---

Columbia
Capital City of New Yulzonus

The Diplomatic team was in awe of the hybrid mix of human and alien architecture, a sort of form of propaganda in itself to cement the rule of the High Ascendants over the lesser species. The diplomats were brought to a grand chamber within the Main Citadel, the Terrans having the honor of seeking an audience with the High Ascendants. “Behold, men of New Terra! You are in the most divine presence of the High Ascendants!" An Aldzir in heavy garb announced. Before the diplomats were a council of thirteen of the most powerful Yulzan in all of the Ascendancy.

John Smith, who more or less worn the same attire as Mills, took a brief moment to analyze the infrastructure. "Very interesting architectural style, I must say," Smith comments as he redirects his focus onto the council. "John Smith, department of state."

"The Council members remained silent for the most part, looking to each other, the leader among the council was the first to stand up, towering over the Terrans. “Most would grovel at our sight…or grab the nearest weapon. Yet you do neither of these things…that is commendable, speak now, human. What business has your world with our Ascendancy?"

"We seek to establish a diplomatic effort here - mainly an embassy," Smith says.

The council members once more look to each other, some head shakes, and nods before they all turn to face the terrans.” We will allow this, you’ve come this far, it would only be prudent to accept your request.”

GATEWAYS: THE NEXT GENERATION [NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!]

Americana System
No Man’s Land
Desert Moon of Mojave
In Orbit of the Gas Giant Bunyan


The dark void of space was lit aflame as the fires of war raged within its vacuum, as two opposing fleets are locked into pitched combat, the ordered battles lines having crumbled into total disarray, ships breaking formation as they engaged whatever target was in sight. In between the chaos, smaller strike and support craft zoomed past one another, exchanging shots at one another, dodging all sorts of hazards in the form of starship debris, passing ships or incoming torpedoes.

The 5th fleet of the Free Republic Navy was tasked with pushing past the enemy lines, the main objective was either taking and holding the one of the Ascendancy’s frontline orbital bases, or if they were repelled and all else failed, they were to destroy it. From the CIC room of the flagship, FRS Roaring Tempest. Admiral Jiaal Farus stood with the other command staff as they enriched a table with mini holo-projections of the battle outside. The Tempest’s hull shuddering, tremoring, and wailing with every enemy round taken as the shields were slowly worn down. “Status on our boarding teams?” Jial asked, looking to his Security chief. She paused a moment as he placed two fingers over her ear. Nodding to whoever responded on the other end, looking back to the admiral. “All green, sir.” She replied. “Ready on your go.”

“Good, no time to lose, la-“ Before the Admiral could give the order….something odd was occurring. A new alarm rang out throughout the ship. “Admiral!” His XO shouted. “We got a new energy signature! It’s…..big, really big!”

The new signature materialized outside the battle, first came a small bright orb, it had begun to swirl and swirl, growing brighter and brighter. Pilots on both sides could clear see this miracle occurring, the first witnesses of a truly historic moment. In literally a flash, a bright, blinding light “exploded” in a sense, sending a shock wave throughout the region, letting itself be known to all inhabitants of the system. The Gate has reopened. “By the Gods…..” Jiaal uttered weakely.

However, there would be little to properly process what just occurred, the initial activation of the Gateway pulling in ships from both opposing fleets, the sheer strength of the pull knocking all standing to the floor. “We’re getting pulled in!” One of the officers cried out as they entered the unknown. Within moments, a small portion of each fleet had vanished from the face of the galaxy.

---

RADX-001

The Tempest and her counterpart, the Cerberus both found themselves no longer in orbit of Mojave, but an entirely alien world below. A seemingly lush world of endless green. For a moment, both ships went dark, but gradually sparked back to life as systems were restored. Jiaal stammered back up, letting out an audible moan. “What in the hell just happened!?!”

“Your guess is as good as mine..” XO Bashir spoke. The holo-table was restored, showing the enemy flagship, and an endless sea of error or uncharted signs. Screens booted up, showing a visual feed from the outside, showing a planet unlike the desert moon they fought over. “Where are we?” Jiaal ask, looking to his navigation officer. She was silent for moment, still in shock over the whole experience, almost in a trance. “Navigator Adams!” Jiaal raised his voice to get her attention, she shook her head, snapping back to reality. ‘Sorry, sir, give me a moment….Admiral, not only are far from Moajve…we’re not even in the same system anymore..”

Jiaal looked in disbelief. “So...we just “jumped” out? In a whole different part of the galaxy?

“That’s exactly what happened, sir.”

“The legends were true…” One of the human officers muttered.

“The Gates are real!”

“Is that Earth?!!?” Another shrieked with excitement, looking to the new world they see before them. The moment of reprieve would come to an end as the ship shook once more. “Enemy flagship is online!”

“Even now, those bastards won’t let up.” Jiaal said to Bashir, both men nodded as they tended to their duties. “Focus all batteries on the flagship! Launch whatever’s left in the hanger! Bring that monster down!”

---

Laurasia
It all came so suddenly and without warning, the Janissary Cruiser, the Prosperity in one moment, was in pitched combat against an encroaching enemy fleet, suddenly she and her FRA counterpart found themselves in parts unknown. Darius Garza laid on the steel floor, barely conscious as he heard muffled screams all around him, the ship’s sirens blaring out, dark featureless shapes morphing back and forth, he almost slipped back into the darkness before he felt a hand grip his shoulder tightly, a feminine voice slowly breaking through the darkness. "DARIUS!" A pale-skinned young woman called out to him, her hair as white as snow, her jade eyes, filled with deep concern, welling with tears as he regained consciousness. “Thank the Gods…”

Darius at first was slow to stand on his two feet, but he managed the strength to do such a task. He rubbed the back of his head, sore from the nasty fall he took. “Alice…What the hell happened...” He asked, his voice slightly slurred, barely awake.

“I don’t know…there was a big flash, then we ended up somewhere….else.” Alice replied the best as she could, she honestly could barely believe it herself in truth. The ship trembled as both slow their ground, the Americanan vessel was not wasting time, and continued the battle. “We gotta get you out of here.” Alice said as she lifted Darius, both shoulder to shoulder as they left the bunk. Once the doors slide open, it was chaos, as the Properity’s crew scrambled about, the sirens still blaring out, followed by “Red Alert! Red Alert! All personnel in combat stations!” Pushing through the corridors. The duo moving down the path leading to the sick bay.

----------------

The captain of the Prosperity, Lyro Ordius waited with anticipation and dread as the battle unfolded, staring intently at the holo-projections of the two stranded vessels. On one end was Prosperity herself, and on the other end was a Resilience-class Cruiser. Between both ships were dozens of small blips on the map, representing fighters and other craft for both sides as they duked it out. The ship trembled once more, breaking the balance of all the CIC staff.

"Captain! Shields are down to 30%!." One the staff called out. The captain focused his gaze at the battle unfolding, even if they ended up on the other side of the galaxy, he refused to yield to the enemy. “Focus any available batteries on the enemy cruiser! Blast the heathens to stardust!”

“Aye Aye, Captain.” Another officer replied. “Broadside batteries reconfiguring target….now!” The ship let out a low rumble as the heavy batteries let out a shot. “Enemy cruiser shields down by 20%.” The officer declared. Caption Ordius continued to survey the battlefield, circling around the table, bright red lights illuminating the dark room. “We can worry about where we ended up…once we purge the system of their heresy.”

---

Salome

On another corner of the Galaxy, another pair of ships would find themselves in an alien environment, far away from home, although for this group, was a somewhat familiar sight. The command crew of the FRA carrier Endurance looked in awe, they were certainly in orbit a Gas Giant similar to Bunyan, but there were a few facts that seemed off. The fleet was nowhere to be seen, and the gas giant above was even the wrong color, and whatever moon they were in orbit of, it wasn’t Mojave for sure. “Captain, orders?” XO Hudson spoke to captain Grayson, shaking off the shock of what seemed to be an alternate reality, as crazy as it sounds. “Status on the enemy?”

“Whatever that thing was, it affected them too. “XO Hudson stated.” Their ship’s gone dark, but is slowly coming online, like us."

"Location?"

One of the command staff spoke up. "All I know is...we're not where we're supposed to be....and we've just detected new signatures...matching absolutely nothing, not friendly or Yulzan."

“I want the ship and crew to remain on alert, the moment the Yulzan ship comes back online, no doubt they’ll start shooting...and we can only pray these new contacts are friendly.”

GATEWAYS: THE NEXT GENERATION [NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!]

FRA

Free Republic of Americana:

Government Form: Federal Republic

Demographics:
Humans-50%
Dathu-47%
Aldzir-3%

Population: 750 Million

Planet Name and Description: Columbia's sister world of Roseau Is a tropical world dominated by endless seas and countless islands of various shapes and sizes that dot the landscape.

Roseau

History:
The initial colonization was a rough process, many losing their lives in the crash that followed. Once the dust settled, proper colonization had begun. Despite Columbia’s near perfect conditions, the planet hid its own share of peril as the settlers had to contend with dangerous new forms of alien fauna, and the native Dathu, who did not take the presence of the colonists too well. Over the first five decades, the political landscape of Columbia would rapidly change as colonial blocs would form Into nations competing for resources amongst both each other and the Dathu Kingdoms, the top three that emerged the strongest were the New Washington Republic, the Cascadian Federation, and the Nova Angeles Collective.

By 100 A.C., the nations of both Man and Dathu had finally looked to the stars, the next century marking a new age of space exploration as the Columbian nations would seek the stars once more. Once again, this next great leap would lead to rapid colonization efforts as the nations of Columbia spread through all corners of the Americana System, laying claims to whatever they rock or plot of land that was available.

By the year 210 A.C., relations between the superpowers had boiled over into violence as the Unification War was declared. A brutal war that would engulf all the Americana System for over a decade. Once the smoke had cleared, the New Washington Republic was one of the few left with enough power to force an end to all hostilities, leading to the signing of the Articles of Unification. By the war’s end, the United Republic of Columbia was born. The next few decades would be seen as a calm before the storm, something that the URC would not be prepared for.

By 260 A.C., Columbia would have first contact with an alien species from the outside, a massive fleet of refugee the ships from now dead Yvaok System, the Yulzan, and their subjects, the Aldzir. The arrival of the Yulzan was understandably met with skepticism and mistrust, however, the Yulzan had insidiously slowly built up the trust of the URC and its people, sharing parcels of their technology as a form of “Goodwill”. Such technology leading to radical medical breakthroughs that improved the lives of both Humans and Dathu alike. Their technology in combination of their imposing appearance and the sheer reverence the Aldzir give them, had led to a quickly growing following among the natives, cults worshiping the Yulzan as Divine figures. All according to plan for the Yulzan, as a portion of the populace grew more devoted to them. Ten years after the Yulzan’s arrival, they made their move and launched a series of attacks on Columba and other offworld holdings. With the support of their existing armies, new devotees, and allies among the weakened and bitter Dathu Nobility, Columbia fell before the Yulzan Ascendancy.

What was left of the URC’s loyalist forces had fled to Columbia’s sister world of Roseau, marking the beginning of a new war against the Yulzan, a war that would still rage on some decades later.

Culture and Society: The Free Peoples of the Americana System are a diverse, traditional, and liberty-mind sort of people, importing old beliefs and traditions from Old Earth, and adapting and reshaping it on their new home, intergrading values and traditions of their xeno compatriots. They are an industrious, adventurous people who all seek a better tomorrow in their own respective image. While not inherently warlike, the people of Americana are no stranger to war, and are always on the defensive, from the lowly citizens, to the most well-trained of soldiers.

---

Governance and Politics: The Americanan Government is split between Three Branches, the Executive Branch, that being the Office of the FRA Chancellor who is both the Head of the Senate and the Commander-in-Chief of the Republic Armed Forces. One of the many tasks of a Chancellor consist of the creation of Laws, the signing of articles of diplomatic importance such as treaties, to appoint judges for the Interstellar Court and so on.

The Legislative Branch, that of which being the Senate. The Senate's main tasks consist of the passing of laws brought forward by the Chancellor, passing or vetoing Legislation by the Chancellor, and are to give consent to enact a Declaration of War. And finally, there is the Interplanetary Court, who are responsible for the enforcement of the Laws created by the Chancellor and passed then enacted by the Senate. IC Judges are appointed by the Chancellor.

Technology Overview: Americanan technological progress had hit certain bumps during the initial colonization of Columbia, Columbian technology reaching to an old earth level, if lagging behind in certain aspects. The ongoing war against the Yulzan has led to some interesting innovations. Among the first were the Combat Frames, humanoid war machines developed to counter Yulzan mechs, followed by improved medical technologies, directed energy weapons, and weaponized nanotechnology, most of which is still in the development stages as the present.

Military Overview: The combined three hundred year history of the old pre-unification colonial states and the old United Columbian Republic was a turbulent affair, with the interplanetary Unification War forcing a military build not seen since the twilight days of Earth. The years following the war’s conclusion saw major reduction and downsizing in military capacity. At the time, a large military was no longer needed in peacetime, a standing military nonetheless, was needed, just to for safety precautions. The day the Yulzan attacked and seized Columbia, the newly reorganized Free Americana Armed Forces proceeded with a new mass buildup, preparing for a long, brutal wat against the Yulzan.

Free Republic Army

Army Trooper

Standard Combat Gear


Heavy Combat Armor

Free Republic Marine Corps

Free Republic Navy

Capital Ships

Columbia-class Battlecruiser


Endurance-class Carrier


independence-class Light Carrier


Liberty-class Heavy Cruiser


Resilience-class Cruiser

Screen Ships

Resolute-class Destroyer


Valiant-class Frigate


Outrider-class Multi-purpose Corvette

Strike and Utility Craft

Starhawk Space/Air Superiority Fighter


Hornet Interceptor


Firestorm Bomer

Yulzan Ascendancy

Yulzan Ascendancy:

Government Form: Theocratic Empire

Demographics:
Yulzan-1%
Aldzir-25%
Humans-44%
Dathu-30%

Population: 934 Millon

Planet Name and Description: Columbia is an Earth-like world dominated by vast oceans. Thousands of islands both big and small dot its surface and as well hosting several medium-sized continents. Once the heart of the United Columbian Republic, now serves as the throneworld of the Yulzan Ascendancy.

Columbia

History: The Yulzan's origins can be traced back to the Yvaok System, on their Homeworld Yulzonus. For many centuries, the Yulzan were people of both war and science, often crafting new ways to counter each other, or modifying each other to strengthen themselves, much to their own detriment. Their centuries of internal conflict had reached a fiery conclusion, as a very nearby star had gone supernova, and within the next century, all of the Yvaok System would be engulfed in flames. The last century had been filled with even more conflict as a massive sleeper fleet was being constructed.

Not all of the Yulzan would escape the inferno to come and fought tooth and nail to assure their own survival. The resulting war and extensive modifications made to themselves had led to a massively dwindled population. In a cruel irony, their fight to survive had resulted in a massive genocide of their own making, both the strong and the weak remained in few numbers.

Once the fleet was completed, what was left of the Yulzan, along with their servants, the Aldzir, had all went into a deep sleep as the ships departed from the Yvaok system. Centuries, maybe even millennium had passed since their departure, all that was known, their home was long gone, all traces of their civilization erased from the face of the galaxy. Only to add to their troubles, the ship systems within the sleeper fleet begun to malfunction, some ships going dark, drifting in the void, others simply veering off into their own path to parts unknown.

Regardless, the A.I. driving the fleet pressed forward to find a suitable world to call home, and soon they would find it. The sleeper fleet had entered the Americana System, the world known as “Columbia” proving to be an excellent world for the Yulzan to settle.

The only problem of course, was that this system was claimed by another. However, once the leaders had awoken, this was seen as less an obstacle and more an opportunity. The Human colonists, and the native Dathu would prove as useful assets. The Yulzan shared their heartbreaking story to the leaders of the URC, and with much reluctance, were allowed to stay.

Their plans were set in motion as the Yulzan, piece by piece, shared their technology to the URC, slowly gaining their trust, and soon a following had developed among the people. Humans and Dath alike started seeing them as more then just aliens, but as something truly divine, working in the Yulzan’s favor.

Many other Yulzan had studied the past history of Columbia, the Unification War catching their eye. Despite the dissolution of the Kingdoms of Datheon, the Dathu nobility had been allowed to remain, but their reach, power, and territories that they had before was severely limited by the new government. This festered bitter resentment among the powerless nobles, something that can be used to the Yulzan’s advantage.

Months before the Yulzan’s takeover of Columbia, meetings between the High Ascendants and the various Houses that would hear them out would be arranged, sharing their plans of invasion, and if they were to be successful, with the Houses support, they would be granted their old powers once more. Many took the offer, looking for one last chance to restore the old order of things.

The day came when the Yulzan attacked, their Aldzir and Machine armies marching through the streets, supported by new devotees and the various household guards. Within a few weeks, Columbia fell to the might of the Yulzan Ascendancy, cementing themselves as her new masters. Over two decades have past since that fateful day, the Yulzan continuing their war for dominance for the Americana System.

Culture and Society: For the common citizenry, the Ascendancy focused on devotion and order. Most loyal citizens of the Ascendancy strive to become faithful servants of the Yulzan, and to be worthy one day to ascend and be among with their Gods. Within Yulzan Space, the people are offered two daunting choices, accept the Yulzan as their true Gods, and they will live a life of supposed prosperity and security within the major cities, where all their needs will be met, and all their ails taken care of. The promise of comfort and a better life being a rather insidious ploy to further crush any will to resist the Yulzan’s rule. Those that reject their offer are caste off to the slums and wilderness, forced to survive on their own in squalor.

The Yulzan themselves are much different breed then their devotees. The Yulzan follow a form of Ancestor Worship, and do truly believe themselves to be divine, seeing themselves as gods in the flesh. Long ago, there are few tales that speak that the Yulzan once worshiped a Pantheon, one that soon, they rebelled against. The first among them, the Godslayer, struck down the King of the Gods, the resulting war leading to the Yulzan’s victory, crowning themselves as the most Divine, the Godslayer seen as the most revered of their kind.

---

Governance and Politics:The Yulzan Ascendancy is a theocratic state ruled under the High Ascendants. Who both function as the supreme governing body, even among the Yulzan, and central figures of worship by the lower citizens. Below the High Ascendants is the Grand Primarch, a religious and political figure who is responsible for the daily functions of the Ascendancy. Assisting and working under the Primarch are the Assembly of Precentors, an assembly made up of the most senior members of the Ascendant Church and the Bureaucracy. Under or inbetween of these bodies are the Ministries. Each Ministry has a specific task or role within the Ascendancy, be it handling more mundane affairs, to defense, to law enforcement. The most notable being the Ministry of Inquisition, who are charged with trying and convicting heretics, rebels and criminals. The Ministry of War of course, directs and commands the Janissary Legions and Fleets.

Technology Overview:Shortly after the Yulzan arrived, they offered parcels of their technology to the Columbians, mostly in terms of medical technology, nanotech, gene-therapy, and the sort. In truth these bits of technology were the few that can be easily replicated, the military technology more difficult to recreate in their current conditions, a fact that for a while, was kept from the Columbians. Military wise, the Yulzan make use of varied military drones of various sizes, directed energy weapons, and cloaking technology.

Military Overview: The Ascendancy’s military is split into two massive branches: The Janissary Legions and the Throne Guard. The Janissaries and Throne Guard, are responsible for both planetary and deep space operations, the “Navy” falling under the jurisdiction of both the Janissaries and Throne Guard, classified as either the Janissary Fleet Command or the Throne Armada. The Janissaries consist of the loyal non-Yulzan forces, Humans, Dathu, and Aldzir. Unlike the Throne Guard, the Legions and Fleet Command are forced to use more lower grade tech equipment and ships on par with the FRA Armed Forces. The Throne Guard however, are the Elite, their ranks filled by the holy warrior caste of the Yulzan, and at their disposable, they command Yulzan Warmachines and ships that have become a rare commodity on the battlefield, and are often held in reserve and are deployed as a last resort.

Janissary Legions/Fleet Command

Infantry

Janissary
The very backbone of the Legions and Fleet. The Janissary Legionnaires form the bulk of the Yulzan's ground forces.

Human/Dathu

Stanard


Recon


Heavy


Elite


Commando


Officer

Aldzir

Standard


Recon


Heavy


Commando

Vehicles

Starships

Capital Ships

Sword of Ascension


Judgement-class Battlecruiser


Virtue-class Carrier


Grace-class Heavy Cruiser


Charity-class Light Cruiser

Screen Ships

Temperance-class Destroyer


Deliverance-class Missile Frigate


Devotion-class Frigate


Crusade-class Corvette

Strike/Utility Craft

Space/Air Superiority Fighter


Bomber


Interceptor

Throne Guard/Fleet

Siphai

The Siphai are the result of years of various experiments on both willing and unwilling human test subjects in the Yulzan’s pursuit to create the ultimate supersoldier, through the use of gene-modding, cybernetics and nanotechnology. The Phase One of the Siphai were human volunteers that had integrated cybernetics and nanotech, showing mixed results, cases of implants outright rejecting volunteers or vis versa. The High Ascendants demanded the project start from the ground up. The Phase Two Siphai would be approached differently. Forgoing fully-grown volunteers in place of genetically engineered, vat-grown subjects. From birth, these new Siphai would demonstrate to be more fruitful, the integration of nano and cyber augments proving to be a seamless
process.

The Siphai, while stronger than the average human, are also prone to be more….mentally unstable for a good number of cases, although there exist Siphai that are mentally sound, often in leadership positions. The differences between Siphai Humans and baseline humans are minor, the skin tones more paler then the average human, thanks in of the nanomachines within. Their eyes are also a wide range of more “exotic” colors and shades, red being the most common among them.

Now that the Project has reached completion, the Siphai serve as the elite among the elite, ranking far above Janissaries Spec Ops Teams.

Commando Armor


Siphai Pathfinder Armor


Elite Commando Armor


Assassin Armor

Condemned

There are fates worse than death...such is the case of the Condemned. The Condemned were once many things, criminals of the worse sort, prisoners of war, rebels, heretics, or exiles picked off from the slums at random. All would meet the same fate that awaits them. Once an Individual is captured and given trial and proven of their crimes, they are condemned to "unending servitude" in which the body is torn to pieces, and crudely rebuilt, various bits of cybernetics grafted unto their flesh. Once the horrific transformation is complete, the victims are stripped of their humanity and become nothing more than mindless drones made as cannon fodder.

Infantry-class







Heavy-class

Species of Americana

Humans

The majority population of the Americana System. Unlike most colonies, the humans of Americana have remained for the most part, pure of any drastic, species-altering genetic or cybernetic modifications.

Dathu

Southerner, Northerner, Islander
Native to Columbia, the Dathu are an amphibious species with mammalian traits. The Dathu are an antiquated people with a similar culture to the Middle Ages of Old Earth. Their society ruled by nobles, lords and kings. After the Kingdom of Dathon had dissolved by the end of the Unification War, the Dathu holdings were annexed by the newly established United Columbian Republic. Decades of cultural exchange had led to a new generation of Dathu adapting to human philosophies, much to the distress of the traditionalists. The Dathu are separated into subgroups, the pale Northerners, adaptable Islanders, and the hardy Southerners.

Aldzir

Vaguely insectoid in nature, the Aldzir hailed from the Yvaok System, same as their masters, the Yulzan. The majority of the Aldzir were conquered centuries ago by the Yulzan, serving as foot soldiers in the internal conflicts among the Yulzan Lords in a bid for unification. When the Great Cataclysm scorched the Yvaok System, the Aldzir were spared from extinction along with their masters, having a place in the Grand Sleeper Armada. Looking from afar, one would find it difficult to distinguish between a male and female Aldzir. The females having a slightly thinner build than a male.

Yulzan

Modern Yulzan


"Pure" Yulzan
An Ancient species hailing from the Yvaok System, the Yulzan stand at average, three meters tall, towering most of the species in Americana. They were and continue to be the masters of exotic sciences, subsects of the species dabbling in cybernetics, nanotech, and in the case of their cousins, the Yyasum, genetic engineering and other biotech. Despite the knowledge they have amassed and how far they’ve advanced, it all came at a dire price. The sheer arrogance of the Yulzan blinded them to their own folly, augmenting themselves over many generations, extending their life span, phasing out certain biological functions. Ceaseless generations of augmentations had resulted in the Yulzan becoming infertile, no longer capable of natural procreation. They became nothing more than biotechnological machines, forced to maintain their dwindling population through the means of cloning or vat-grown young.

GATEWAYS: THE NEXT GENERATION [NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!]

@Cloakedrider Hmm, I guess that depends, mind explaining it a bit?

GATEWAYS: THE NEXT GENERATION [NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!]

@Cloakedrider What nation are you thinking of making?

@Damo021 Keep up the good work! Looking forward to see the final product!

GATEWAYS: THE NEXT GENERATION [NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!]

FRA

Free Republic of Americana:

Government Form: Federal Republic

Demographics:
Humans-50%
Dathu-47%
Aldzir-3%

Population: 750 Million

Planet Name and Description: Columbia's sister world of Roseau Is a tropical world dominated by endless seas and countless islands of various shapes and sizes that dot the landscape.

Roseau

History:
The initial colonization was a rough process, many losing their lives in the crash that followed. Once the dust settled, proper colonization had begun. Despite Columbia’s near perfect conditions, the planet hid its own share of peril as the settlers had to contend with dangerous new forms of alien fauna, and the native Dathu, who did not take the presence of the colonists too well. Over the first five decades, the political landscape of Columbia would rapidly change as colonial blocs would form Into nations competing for resources amongst both each other and the Dathu Kingdoms, the top three that emerged the strongest were the New Washington Republic, the Cascadian Federation, and the Nova Angeles Collective.

By 100 A.C., the nations of both Man and Dathu had finally looked to the stars, the next century marking a new age of space exploration as the Columbian nations would seek the stars once more. Once again, this next great leap would lead to rapid colonization efforts as the nations of Columbia spread through all corners of the Americana System, laying claims to whatever they rock or plot of land that was available.

By the year 210 A.C., relations between the superpowers had boiled over into violence as the Unification War was declared. A brutal war that would engulf all the Americana System for over a decade. Once the smoke had cleared, the New Washington Republic was one of the few left with enough power to force an end to all hostilities, leading to the signing of the Articles of Unification. By the war’s end, the United Republic of Columbia was born. The next few decades would be seen as a calm before the storm, something that the URC would not be prepared for.

By 260 A.C., Columbia would have first contact with an alien species from the outside, a massive fleet of refugee the ships from now dead Yvaok System, the Yulzan, and their subjects, the Aldzir. The arrival of the Yulzan was understandably met with skepticism and mistrust, however, the Yulzan had insidiously slowly built up the trust of the URC and its people, sharing parcels of their technology as a form of “Goodwill”. Such technology leading to radical medical breakthroughs that improved the lives of both Humans and Dathu alike. Their technology in combination of their imposing appearance and the sheer reverence the Aldzir give them, had led to a quickly growing following among the natives, cults worshiping the Yulzan as Divine figures. All according to plan for the Yulzan, as a portion of the populace grew more devoted to them. Ten years after the Yulzan’s arrival, they made their move and launched a series of attacks on Columba and other offworld holdings. With the support of their existing armies, new devotees, and allies among the weakened and bitter Dathu Nobility, Columbia fell before the Yulzan Ascendancy.

What was left of the URC’s loyalist forces had fled to Columbia’s sister world of Roseau, marking the beginning of a new war against the Yulzan, a war that would still rage on some decades later.

Culture and Society: The Free Peoples of the Americana System are a diverse, traditional, and liberty-mind sort of people, importing old beliefs and traditions from Old Earth, and adapting and reshaping it on their new home, intergrading values and traditions of their xeno compatriots. They are an industrious, adventurous people who all seek a better tomorrow in their own respective image. While not inherently warlike, the people of Americana are no stranger to war, and are always on the defensive, from the lowly citizens, to the most well-trained of soldiers.

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Governance and Politics: The Americanan Government is split between Three Branches, the Executive Branch, that being the Office of the FRA Chancellor who is both the Head of the Senate and the Commander-in-Chief of the Republic Armed Forces. One of the many tasks of a Chancellor consist of the creation of Laws, the signing of articles of diplomatic importance such as treaties, to appoint judges for the Interstellar Court and so on.

The Legislative Branch, that of which being the Senate. The Senate's main tasks consist of the passing of laws brought forward by the Chancellor, passing or vetoing Legislation by the Chancellor, and are to give consent to enact a Declaration of War. And finally, there is the Interplanetary Court, who are responsible for the enforcement of the Laws created by the Chancellor and passed then enacted by the Senate. IC Judges are appointed by the Chancellor.

Technology Overview: Americanan technological progress had hit certain bumps during the initial colonization of Columbia, Columbian technology reaching to an old earth level, if lagging behind in certain aspects. The ongoing war against the Yulzan has led to some interesting innovations. Among the first were the Combat Frames, humanoid war machines developed to counter Yulzan mechs, followed by improved medical technologies, directed energy weapons, and weaponized nanotechnology, most of which is still in the development stages as the present.

Military Overview: The combined three hundred year history of the old pre-unification colonial states and the old United Columbian Republic was a turbulent affair, with the interplanetary Unification War forcing a military build not seen since the twilight days of Earth. The years following the war’s conclusion saw major reduction and downsizing in military capacity. At the time, a large military was no longer needed in peacetime, a standing military nonetheless, was needed, just to for safety precautions. The day the Yulzan attacked and seized Columbia, the newly reorganized Free Americana Armed Forces proceeded with a new mass buildup, preparing for a long, brutal wat against the Yulzan.

Yulzan Ascendancy

Yulzan Ascendancy:

Government Form: Theocratic Empire

Demographics:
Yulzan-1%
Aldzir-25%
Humans-44%
Dathu-30%

Population: 934 Millon

Planet Name and Description: Columbia is an Earth-like world dominated by vast oceans. Thousands of islands both big and small dot its surface and as well hosting several medium-sized continents. Once the heart of the United Columbian Republic, now serves as the throneworld of the Yulzan Ascendancy.

Columbia

History: The Yulzan's origins can be traced back to the Yvaok System, on their Homeworld Yulzonus. For many centuries, the Yulzan were people of both war and science, often crafting new ways to counter each other, or modifying each other to strengthen themselves, much to their own detriment. Their centuries of internal conflict had reached a fiery conclusion, as a very nearby star had gone supernova, and within the next century, all of the Yvaok System would be engulfed in flames. The last century had been filled with even more conflict as a massive sleeper fleet was being constructed.

Not all of the Yulzan would escape the inferno to come and fought tooth and nail to assure their own survival. The resulting war and extensive modifications made to themselves had led to a massively dwindled population. In a cruel irony, their fight to survive had resulted in a massive genocide of their own making, both the strong and the weak remained in few numbers.

Once the fleet was completed, what was left of the Yulzan, along with their servants, the Aldzir, had all went into a deep sleep as the ships departed from the Yvaok system. Centuries, maybe even millennium had passed since their departure, all that was known, their home was long gone, all traces of their civilization erased from the face of the galaxy. Only to add to their troubles, the ship systems within the sleeper fleet begun to malfunction, some ships going dark, drifting in the void, others simply veering off into their own path to parts unknown.

Regardless, the A.I. driving the fleet pressed forward to find a suitable world to call home, and soon they would find it. The sleeper fleet had entered the Americana System, the world known as “Columbia” proving to be an excellent world for the Yulzan to settle.

The only problem of course, was that this system was claimed by another. However, once the leaders had awoken, this was seen as less an obstacle and more an opportunity. The Human colonists, and the native Dathu would prove as useful assets. The Yulzan shared their heartbreaking story to the leaders of the URC, and with much reluctance, were allowed to stay.

Their plans were set in motion as the Yulzan, piece by piece, shared their technology to the URC, slowly gaining their trust, and soon a following had developed among the people. Humans and Dath alike started seeing them as more then just aliens, but as something truly divine, working in the Yulzan’s favor.

Many other Yulzan had studied the past history of Columbia, the Unification War catching their eye. Despite the dissolution of the Kingdoms of Datheon, the Dathu nobility had been allowed to remain, but their reach, power, and territories that they had before was severely limited by the new government. This festered bitter resentment among the powerless nobles, something that can be used to the Yulzan’s advantage.

Months before the Yulzan’s takeover of Columbia, meetings between the High Ascendants and the various Houses that would hear them out would be arranged, sharing their plans of invasion, and if they were to be successful, with the Houses support, they would be granted their old powers once more. Many took the offer, looking for one last chance to restore the old order of things.

The day came when the Yulzan attacked, their Aldzir and Machine armies marching through the streets, supported by new devotees and the various household guards. Within a few weeks, Columbia fell to the might of the Yulzan Ascendancy, cementing themselves as her new masters. Over two decades have past since that fateful day, the Yulzan continuing their war for dominance for the Americana System.

Culture and Society: For the common citizenry, the Ascendancy focused on devotion and order. Most loyal citizens of the Ascendancy strive to become faithful servants of the Yulzan, and to be worthy one day to ascend and be among with their Gods. Within Yulzan Space, the people are offered two daunting choices, accept the Yulzan as their true Gods, and they will live a life of supposed prosperity and security within the major cities, where all their needs will be met, and all their ails taken care of. The promise of comfort and a better life being a rather insidious ploy to further crush any will to resist the Yulzan’s rule. Those that reject their offer are caste off to the slums and wilderness, forced to survive on their own in squalor.

The Yulzan themselves are much different breed then their devotees. The Yulzan follow a form of Ancestor Worship, and do truly believe themselves to be divine, seeing themselves as gods in the flesh. Long ago, there are few tales that speak that the Yulzan once worshiped a Pantheon, one that soon, they rebelled against. The first among them, the Godslayer, struck down the King of the Gods, the resulting war leading to the Yulzan’s victory, crowning themselves as the most Divine, the Godslayer seen as the most revered of their kind.

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Governance and Politics:The Yulzan Ascendancy is a theocratic state ruled under the High Ascendants. Who both function as the supreme governing body, even among the Yulzan, and central figures of worship by the lower citizens. Below the High Ascendants is the Grand Primarch, a religious and political figure who is responsible for the daily functions of the Ascendancy. Assisting and working under the Primarch are the Council of Precentors, an assembly made up of the most senior members of the Ascendant Church and the Bureaucracy. Under or inbetween of these bodies are the Ministries. Each Ministry has a specific task or role within the Ascendancy, be it handling more mundane affairs, to defense, to law enforcement. The most notable being the Ministry of Inquisition, who are charged with trying and convicting heretics, rebels and criminals. The Ministry of War of course, directs and commands the Janissary Legions and Fleets.

Technology Overview:Shortly after the Yulzan arrived, they offered parcels of their technology to the Columbians, mostly in terms of medical technology, nanotech, gene-therapy, and the sort. In truth these bits of technology were the few that can be easily replicated, the military technology more difficult to recreate in their current conditions, a fact that for a while, was kept from the Columbians. Military wise, the Yulzan make use of varied military drones of various sizes, directed energy weapons, and cloaking technology.

Military Overview: The Ascendancy’s military is split into two massive branches: The Janissary Legions and the Throne Guard. The Janissaries and Throne Guard, are responsible for both planetary and deep space operations, the “Navy” falling under the jurisdiction of both the Janissaries and Throne Guard, classified as either the Janissary Fleet Command or the Throne Armada. The Janissaries consist of the loyal non-Yulzan forces, Humans, Dathu, and Aldzir. Unlike the Throne Guard, the Legions and Fleet Command are forced to use more lower grade tech equipment and ships on par with the FRA Armed Forces. The Throne Guard however, are the Elite, their ranks filled by the holy warrior caste of the Yulzan, and at their disposable, they command Yulzan Warmachines and ships that have become a rare commodity on the battlefield, and are often held in reserve and are deployed as a last resort.

Species of Americana

Humans

The majority population of the Americana System. Unlike most colonies, the humans of Americana have remained for the most part, pure of any drastic, species-altering genetic or cybernetic modifications.

Dathu

Southerner, Northerner, Islander
Native to Columbia, the Dathu are an amphibious species with mammalian traits. The Dathu are an antiquated people with a similar culture to the Middle Ages of Old Earth. Their society ruled by nobles, lords and kings. After the Kingdom of Dathon had dissolved by the end of the Unification War, the Dathu holdings were annexed by the newly established United Columbian Republic. Decades of cultural exchange had led to a new generation of Dathu adapting to human philosophies, much to the distress of the traditionalists. The Dathu are separated into subgroups, the pale Northerners, adaptable Islanders, and the hardy Southerners.

Aldzir

Vaguely insectoid in nature, the Aldzir hailed from the Yvaok System, same as their masters, the Yulzan. The majority of the Aldzir were conquered centuries ago by the Yulzan, serving as foot soldiers in the internal conflicts among the Yulzan Lords in a bid for unification. When the Great Cataclysm scorched the Yvaok System, the Aldzir were spared from extinction along with their masters, having a place in the Grand Sleeper Armada. Looking from afar, one would find it difficult to distinguish between a male and female Aldzir. The females having a slightly thinner build than a male.

Yulzan

An Ancient species hailing from the Yvaok System, the Yulzan stand at average, three meters tall, towering most of the species in Americana. They were and continue to be the masters of exotic sciences, subsects of the species dabbling in cybernetics, nanotech, and in the case of their cousins, the Yyasum, genetic engineering and other biotech. Despite the knowledge they have amassed and how far they’ve advanced, it all came at a dire price. The sheer arrogance of the Yulzan blinded them to their own folly, augmenting themselves over many generations, extending their life span, phasing out certain biological functions. Ceaseless generations of augmentations had resulted in the Yulzan becoming infertile, no longer capable of natural procreation. They became nothing more than biotechnological machines, forced to maintain their dwindling population through the means of cloning or vat-grown young.

Through the Rifts: Progeny [Open!] [Co-GM Run]

@Dinh AaronMk Sheet's approved.

Through the Rifts: Progeny [Open!] [Co-GM Run]

@Akrasia Sheet is approved.

Through the Rifts: Progeny [Open!] [Co-GM Run]

@Jeddaven Looks good, sheet's approved.

Through the Rifts: Progeny [Open!] [Co-GM Run]

@Knight Solaire@Willy Vereb Both are approved.