Unathi History

Pre-Hegemony

While most records were tragically lost in the later years of the Contact War, Unathi and human scholars theorize that Unathi lifestyles were predominantly nomadic in their early history. Up until 100 CE Unathi clans consisted of small villages usually numbering no more than 500 following the large herd of Threshbeasts across the savannas that dominated the planet’s surface. Clans at the time weren’t accustomed to using weapons, as their natural talons served well enough to kill enemies in battle, leaving most early Unathi warfare being brutal hand-to-hand affairs.

Around 300 CE, many clans had settled down after discovering the benefits of aquaculture, or the mass husbandry of fish, as well new innovations in preserving meat. The population swelled, and the first true cities had established themselves.

The planet was still divided amongst several hundred different clans, all of which were nearly unanimously hostile towards one another. Trade between clans was limited, leaving the balance of wealth and technological advancement severely stratified.

Early Unathi societies, before the creation of paper currency in the 20th century, would measure their wealth in salted fish, with trade and transactions using salted fish. A village could quite literally eat themselves into bankruptcy.

The First Hegemony

What few surviving records remain show that by 1000 CE, most of the planet’s surface was dominated between a dozen clans, each holding vast swaths of land. The Kres'ha'nor Clan is shown to have been the most powerful, controlling a population base of twelve million and a professional army, including the first recorded use of War Riders. They ruled over numerous Lords, all of whom lived in a system of feudalism, owing the Kres’ha’nor clan their loyalty and armies in exchange for protection and land.

The Kres’ha’nor Hegemony lasted from roughly 920 CE - 1500 CE, benefiting from the brutal War Rider shock troops wielding steel glaives and heavy maces. It was the unquestioned power of the world, owning land and wealth which allowed it the industries necessary to forge steel, levy taxes, and even build walls around their cities to protect from raiders. This lasted until Clan Leader Kresshi Kres’ha’nor had died, his many sons fighting over who would rule the Clan in his place. The Hegemony fractured and collapsed into a dozen smaller, feuding clans with the Kres’ha’nor dynasty itself disappearing completely after the war ended.

The Kres’ha’nor Hegemony had subjugated its neighbors for many years, and with it collapse the rest of Moghes began to gravitate away from one another and back to their isolated way of living.

Growth of Guilds

The 1600's saw a new phenomenon develop, originating within the divided kingdoms of the former Kres'ha'nor Hegemony. When merchants found they could accomplish more as a group rather than through individual effort, they banded together to form guilds. Guilds formed for bakers, butchers, grocers, millers, smiths, carpenters, weavers, mason, shoemakers, in fact, nearly every trade had its own guild. Standards such as just weights and measures evolved from the guilds, and guild inspectors would inspect shops to ensure rules were being followed. Guilds would help members that were sick, or in trouble, and would sometimes take care of families after the member died.

A map of Moghes before the Contact War.

Apprenticeship was how most started in a particular trade, which they would follow the rest of their lives. After completing an apprenticeship, the appropriate guild would examine his work and see if he could be elevated to a Craftsman. A Craftsman was required to create a "masterpiece" in the presence of judges to be elevated to Master status, which would allow him to join the leadership of his guild.

Guilds also built and ran the first universities on Moghes, the first known being the University of Ma'ha'rem which opened in 1602. Originally trade schools, they slowly expanded to become centers of learning for apprentices of every field. A doctor would have to first become a "Master" through a university to be allowed to practice his trade within towns or cities controlled by a guild of doctors, and the same for any other brand of skilled work. A Master's certificate also distinguished someone as a professional with few peers, giving their holders immense prestige and trust. A fully credited and certified doctor on Moghes would be (and are still) known as a Master Doctor. Typically they are known as [Rank] [Craft], so you can also be a Master Weaponsmith or Master Engineer.

Eventually these guilds managed to form powerful monopolies and they spread their trade and influence across Moghes. Most of the landed elite feared the growth of the guilds, who were creating a new middle-class of urban worker. That a peasant could rise to gain prestige and vast wealth with no land, titles, or martial victories under their belt was an idea bewildering and frustrating. The late 1600's and the beginning of the 1700's saw many Kingdoms across Moghes cracking down on the power of guilds, stripping them of privileges or banning craftsmen from meeting in groups. Other nations ruthlessly suppressed private enterprise. Many laws were passed that strictly limited how many members a guild could possess, as well as requiring all craftsmen to register with their local Lords before being allowed to sell any goods or services.

Guilds also developed another innovation: minting and issuing coinage. Because it was rather difficult to do large transactions with giant piles of dehydrated fish, the first Guilds in the 16th century began minting coins made of steel that would be backed by that amount of fish, similar to bank notes. They could be turned in, theoretically, at any time for an equivalent amount of salted fish. This saw Moghes begin to gravitate away from measuring wealth by fish stocks, and towards a more familiar economy, though the Fish Standard remained for quite some time.

The Second Hegemony

In 1823 CE, records show the first use of a steam engine by the Ras’iks Clan in S’th. The technological breakthrough sparked industrialization amongst the urbanized clans, but the developments weren’t felt beyond the new industrialized nations. It was even rejected with outright hostility in many areas outside the city, with many unathi resenting the upsets to traditional ways of life. Surviving records have numerous accounts of uprisings and attempts revolutions in industrialized nations, while the more primitive neighbors continued to aggressively raid their more advanced, and thus wealthy neighbors. It’s unclear if these events were random violence, or the first global war amongst the Unathi clans.

The growth of industrialization also threatened the major Guilds. In the centuries before industrialization these organizations were associations of artisans or merchants who control the practice of their craft in a particular town or city. The introduction of factories and growth of unskilled labor disrupted the entire concept of skilled labor; many skilled craftsmen found themselves outpaced and outproduced by a single factory. The consequences of industrialization also saw an explosion of urbanization, with large populations of unskilled workers migrating from rural areas to get jobs in the cities. Unathi society transformed itself from a primarily aquaculture (the mass farming of fish) society into one based on the manufacturing of goods and services.

It's shown with limited surviving records that, by 1922, the Sarakus Clan rose to power following a war amongst the industrialized nations and created a Hegemony. They ruled most of the land around the Moghresian Sea and the vast planes to the east of the sea. Their clan ruled harshly, and forced technological advances into the cities and towns in order to increase the wealth of their clan and loyal Lords. The Sarakus abolished the private Guilds and consolidated their associations and enterprises to be controlled directly by the throne. The Sarakus leased out titles to factories, businesses, and other enterprises to landed Lords of the realm. This allowed the ruling elite to continue to directly control the lower class of unskilled labor just as they did before industrialization.

Industrialization

In 1931 the Sarakus also embarked on several ambitious projects to modernize the empire, all under the ambitious plan called the "Great Endeavor", the brainchild of Hegemon Azyi Sarakus. While electricity had been known and produced on Moghes since the 1800's electricity was still rare and limited to the capital and a handful of other major cities. Using vast amounts of unskilled labor the Sarakus built hundreds of coal and hydroelectric power plants, all leased out to be operated by loyal nobles. Cities all found themselves with access to electricity within 10 years. Light-bulbs replaced candlelight, and street lights lit up the roads and sidewalks even on the darkest of nights.

Ambitious infrastructure projects were also embarked on. The concept of gasoline-powered cars had been known, but the vast majority of roads across the Sarakus Hegemony were dirt roads unfriendly to mechanized travel. Travel was exclusively done by walking or, if you had the money, riding on Threshbeasts. A vast stretch of cobblestone roads was built between every major city and within them. While the streets within cities were being torn up, the Sarakus also had the ancient, decrepit sewage systems modernized and improved in a massive sanitation project.

Radio coverage was expanded across the globe as the Sarakus expanded radio coverage and built telephone lines, allowing every corner of the Empire to have direct and quick communication with the capital.

The Great Endeavor took 20 years, and Azyi Sarakus died of old age at 62 before being able to see it finished. The project was symbolically finished with a grand opening of the Sarakus Castle after it had gone under renovations to modernize it with electricity and modern plumbing.

In the end the Great Endeavor ruthlessly modernized Moghes. While the benefits to the state were immense, there was also significant uprooting of traditional Unathi society. With the modernization of factories and growing industrialization skilled labor was becoming less valued. While the wealth of the Sarakus Hegemony increased, many within and outside the empire began to resent the growth, feeling that the Sarakus had urbanized and industrialized the empire at the expense of its soul.

The rest of Moghes was divided as it always had been, between non-industrialized unathi nations. Technology and innovations from the Sarakus slowly trickled into their Clans and kingdoms, but life existed much as it had for a thousand years. Most Clans still fought with steel weapons and armor while the lower classes acted as manual labor in aquaculture farms or mines beneath the wealthy elites of skilled craftsmen.

The Third Hegemony

We do know without a doubt that in 1994, the Sarakus Clan ceased to exist after a sudden coup by a group known as the Traitor Lords. They stormed the Sarakus castle in Ma’ha’rem and slew the entire family and contingent of Clan Guard, establishing Lord Neeziah Izweski as the new ruling Clan Leader. The sudden, brutal coup sent shock-waves through the nation. It was almost unthinkable that Lords would turn on their Clan Leader in such a way.

Immediately most Lords rebelled, forming the Honored Alliance. The civil war lasted for decades, spreading to include most of the planet and Clans. It was a new type of war, with ballistic weapons first used by Izweski infantry. The bullets are most similar to 21st century Earth anti-tank rifles, but due to Unathi armored plates became a standard infantry weapon. Heavy, unwieldy, and expensive to make with the limited industry, no more than a few thousand were ever fielded. But when they were used, it’s recorded that they were devastating. Wielding melee weapons and charging into battle as they always had, War Riders and infantry would be whittled down from unheard of distances.

The war lasted until 2079 CE, when the Honored Alliance signed a cease-fire with the Izweski Nation. The war had seen many cities razed and looted, and deaths in the millions. The entire planet of Moghes was wounded, and would not recover for decades. Until First Contact, the surviving Clans and Izweski Nation rebuilt and consolidated their power.

Once their control of the empire was secure, the Izweski embarked on several ambitious projects that completely reversed the policies of the Sarakus. The Izweski abolished the control of the nobility over the Guilds while encouraging the concept of free trade. Regulations over the Guilds vanished within a few short years, and the 2100's saw a rebirth of these associations. They eventually evolved into trade unions in the 2120's. Industry and business was privatized as the nobility lost their privileges over the economy and workers. Many of the established elite resented these changes. Anti-union violence exploded in the 2120's and 2130's, with Lords and Clan Lords using their troops to brutally suppress union strikes or meetings. Many lords also revolted against the Izweski in the same period,demanding their privileges be returned. The uprisings were met with brutality, with victorious Izweski commanders often decapitating rebel leaders.

The Modern Economy

Despite the unrest and turmoil industrialization and free trade had brought to the Izweski Hegemony the process continued. By the turn of the century in the 2200's an early form of globalization and mass media had developed within Moghes. The growing middle class within the Izweski Hegemony had grown to be a sizable economic and political force, but interestingly the innovations and reforms drastically changed the cultural and social spheres of Unathi life there is very little evidence of radical political change.

Major cities across Moghes were filled with clunky cars navigating traffic as stoplights replaced traffic cops, and most homes had access to televisions, radios, and other modern amenities. Guilds owned monopolies over specific goods and services. Powerful merchant families owned hospital chains, pharmaceutical companies, car companies, television networks; a dynastic control of private enterprise had developed. An urban, middle-class Unathi found themselves with all the modern luxuries and basic goods that were available to the average human in the 21st century.

However there was also a significant population of the lower and under-class in urban Unathi society. Nearly every major city had sprawling slums that surrounded the industrial districts, filled with underpaid factory workers who ironically found their rights curtailed by the powerful trade unions. Guwans specifically were ruthlessly exploited, forced to work as street sweepers or maintain the sewers. Orphans found themselves cared for in boardhouses owned by a Guild until they turned 16, when they were forced to work for the Guild to pay back the debt they incurred caring for them.

The Izweski are recorded to have made little effort to alleviate the abject poverty many Unathi were suffering from the rampant abuse of the major trade unions, believing that the consequences were necessary to maintain a modern, functioning empire.

Pre-Contact Moghean Currency

The Izweski also made one last major change by centralizing the currency. Since the 16th century private Guilds had issued their own steel coins, and it was all massively decentralized. The Izweski outlawed the Guild's former inherent right to print and manage money, placing it instead under the Imperial Bank, which was created in 2212.

This bank became the only institution that could mint coins, called Zikis. The bank also began issuing paper money, called Zakas. Both the steel coins and paper notes were backed by salted fish until 2251, when the currency was taken off the Fish Standard. The Zaka became the reserve currency of Moghes by 2290, and continued to be so until it was replaced by the Galactic Credit following contact with humanity.

The Izweski Nation finds itself struggling to accommodate refugees trying to escape the growing Wasteland.

First Contact

In 2433, a human exploration team discovered Moghes. Shortly after, first contact was made. Humanity established contact with Clan Izweski, which proved to be controversial amongst the Sol Alliance. Many people questioned the morals of interacting with a pre-warp race that had only reached the technological level of Earth in the 21st century. But unheeding the warnings, Sol Alliance merchants and scholars flocked to Moghes, living under very careful observation and guard in Izweski cities. Skalamar, the second largest city in Izweski, became the first Unathi city to have a shuttleport constructed. Owned by Nanotrasen, it served to transport people to and from the planet’s surface.

It should be noted that before First Contact, Moghes had the technological level equivalent to Earth in the early 21st century. However this was extremely stratified and mostly constrained to the major cities in what is now known as the Untouched Lands. Other areas of Moghes, namely in the countryside and outside Izweski control, were equivalent to Earth in the 20th or 19th century. The Unathi had access to modern medicine, universities, and other modern amenities, if they were a member of the middle class or nobility. However most of the wealth was concentrated in the hands of landed vassals, and few unlanded Unathi had the ability or means to advance in society. A complex global trade network was also present. Unathi at this time had mechanized, with access to clunky, open-top cars powered by traditional gasoline. Power generation was utilized mostly through natural gas and hydro-electric dams along with other biofuels. All major cities had modern infrastructure and civil services, electricity, and plumbing.

The Contact War

In-depth information: Contact War

Prelude

In 2437, the Izweski Nation had established the Izweski Space Program, and with bootlegged Sol Alliance technology constructed a rocket intended to carry 300 unathi colonists to their system’s second habitable planet, Ouerea. The launch was a disaster, with a yet-unidentified failure causing the rocket to explode after reaching 2,000 feet and the death of all hands. The failure sends shockwaves through all of Moghes, with the Izweski Nation suddenly besieged by scattered, angry neighboring Clans outraged by the unnatural use of technology leading to the loss of so many lives.

The Sol Alliance partnered with the Jargon Federation to help Izweski construct a second rocket, with Nanotrasen engineers and scientists helping construct it. Its launch was successful, and Ouerea was colonized by 350 Unathi under the guidance of the Sol and Skrellian Alliances on February 3rd, 2438.

The other Clans of Moghes were horrified on this turn of events, seeing the entire Unathi way of life being turned upside down so quickly. They blamed the Izweski Nation of coddling “alien invaders”, and formed the Traditionalist Coalition, which invaded the Izweski Nation. Izweski itself began to see civil unrest from angry commoners and Lords.

The Contact War 2438 - 2449

The Izweski colonization of Ourea was the final catalyst for the Contact War, which began with the sudden invasion of Izweski lands east of Res'karum by the Traditionalist Coalition three days after the Izweski Colonists landed on Ourea. Conventional fighting lasted a year, from February 6th 2438 to September 5th 2439.

It's unknown how the Coalition acquired atomic weapons, but many conspiracy theories persist.

On September 5th, 2439, the Traditionalist Coalition suddenly dropped an atomic bomb on the Izweski city of Da’ha’den, obliterating it and sparking a global nuclear war, with the exchange of atomic and nuclear weapons continuing for an entire week.

The origin of the Coalition's access to atomic weapons remains a mystery and subject to countless conspiracy theories. Whereas the Izweski Hegemony had atomic and basic hydrogen bombs with missiles to deliver them world-wide, no nation in the Traditionalist Coalition had any recorded successes with atomic or hydrogen bombs, nor the capability to mount any on rockets or bombs before the war began. The prospect of the Coalition managing to rush a nuclear weapons program in under a year and mass produce over a hundred atomic bombs is one that many Unathi have a difficult time accepting. Conspiracies range from defecting Izweski scientists leaking secrets to the Coalition, to human or skrell involvement.

The War continued on after the nuclear exchange, but it became a desperate war of attrition and survival. The war's formal conclusion is widely accepted to be when exhausted Izweski forces captured the Coalition capital city of Darakath ten years after the bombs fell, on December 4th, 2449, signalling the defeat of the last organized force left to oppose the Izweski, ending the 11 year long conflict.

Aftermath

In retaliation for the war crimes preformed by the Traditionalists, being the atomic detonations and multiple other accusations, every single Traditionalist leader was decapitated whenever they were captured without any form of trial. At the start of the war the population of Moghes was 8 billion, and by 2458 it stands at 6.2 billion.

In addition, nuclear weapons have become utterly despised nearly universally by all Sinta'Unathi. The surviving elements of the Izweski Hegemony have made clear and concerted efforts to find and dismantle any remnant of nuclear programs across Moghes while they themselves have dismantled nearly their entire stockpile, with the goal of total disarmament by 2460.

Unathi in The Modern Era

By 2458, most of the interior of Moghes was uninhabitable. While the yields were lower than thermonuclear weapons, the fallout is still posing massive problems for the planet. Most of the planet is still engulfed by a single desert, which is aptly named “The Wasteland”. During the Contact war and after it, the Izweski Hegemony has found itself facing a catastrophic collapse of the eco-system. The sole remaining cities still functioning exist in the Untouched Lands; shielded by the massive mountain ranges from the fallout and encroaching desert sands.

The Izweski Nation exists as a shell of its former self. Its influence extends around Skalamar and Ma’ha’rem in the Untouched Lands, with Hegemon and Clan Leader S’kresti ruling it unquestioned, but the rest of the planet has devolved into the feudal system of Clan-ship, with ideologies, technology, and economies varying wildly. Moghean Unathi find themselves faced with the choice of continuing to do little more than etch out an existence on the home planet, or take lucrative offers from Nanotrasen and other megacorp to join their workforce. In addition, the Hegemony finds itself facing massive swarms of refugees spilling through its borders. Many Lords and Clan Lords have tried to shut the gates to the refugees, as millions of them continue to seek refuge in the Untouched Lands, overwhelming the already stressed support structures of the Izweski state. Since the end of the Contact War the Hegemony has tried to deal with these refugees by shipping them off to space as fast as possible, many of them being former Traditionalist or even Izweski warriors that returned home to find their clans had ceased to exist. This accounts for the large number of Unathi raiders present in knwon space. The population remains at 6.2 billion Unathi, and remains in a steady decline. It is estimated by human scientists that Moghes will be rendered completely uninhabitable to Unathi life within 100 years unless the planet is terraformed to mitigate the damage, though terraforming inhabited planets remains incredibly dangerous.

The Ouerean Unathi are faring far better. Though it was jointly administered by the Sol Alliance and Jargon Federation, it was restored under the direct control of the Hegemon during a series of diplomatic incidents in the summer of 2457. Now it faces an influx of immigrants from Moghes placing stress on its institutions and shaky transition back to the Hegemony, and an upset away from the more progressive lifestyle they enjoyed under the Skrell and Human administration...

Unathi Recent History

"History" is lived in even at the moment. These events are the recent history of the Unathi species. Starting in 2015, the lore team started the living lore project with a goal of making the lore feel alive and dynamic. The status quo of species were changed or reinforced through many story arcs presented through news articles. These storylines played out over many days and several had a direct impact on the station.

Unathi Enter The Bluespace Age (2457)

"We stand on a world suffering from the consequences of our limited visions. Now we are subject to the whims of alien powers far greater than ourselves. The only answer to our helplessness is forging our Empire across the stars and meeting with the spacefaring races on equal terms."

-Hegemon Sk'restki justifying his seizure of Ouerea and the arrival of the Unathi on the galactic stage, 2457.

Technically spacefaring, the Hegemony never had time to build a fleet before the Contact War caused Izweski attention to collapse inwards. But in June of 2457, all of that changed.

On June 2nd The Hegemon S’kresti Izweski announced amnesty for all Unathi raiders in the galaxy if they came to Moghes and swore fealty. Several ships accepted the call, and overnight the Unathi had a small, rag-tag fleet that began to grow in size.

One of the first vessels to answer the call, the HMV Cataclysm became a namesake for the later class of super-dreadnaught.

On June 3rd the NanoTrasen frigate NMV Daedalus was attacked and destroyed by an Izweski vessel, which rammed it and boarded it to seize the ship and crew before scuttling the ship. In retaliation NanoTrasen completely shut down their infrastructure in Uueoa-Esa space. Within hours Uueoa-Esa had lost the majority of satellites, shuttleports on the surface shut down as the human staff left, and the bluespace gate for the system itself was shut off.

On June 4th the Sol Alliance Prime Minister Michael Douglas held a speech condemning NanoTrasen's response to the Unathi crisis. Immediately after the speech there was a vote of no-confidence, ousting the Prime Minister, his cabinet, paralyzing SolGov and making it hard to respond to the seizure of a NanoTrasen telecommunications satellite in orbit of Moghes.

On June 23rd Hegemon S’kresti Izweski used a seized NanoTrasen t-comm satellite to broadcast his agenda of expansion for the Hegemony, as well as demanding the return of the Ouerean colony back to Unathi officials. Ouera was jointly administered by the Jargon Federation and Sol Alliance at the time, who originally ignored the demands. Jargon even warped four extra frigates in orbit of Ouerea to ensure the safety of its citizens on and around the planet.

The Battle For Ouerea

"We don't intend to die for a planet that we have little need for, but every citizen must be protected. The safety of our citizens is our first and foremost goal!"

-Sol Alliance Prime Minister Chater during the Star Nation's transfer of Ouerea to the Hegemony, 2457.

On July 5th the Unathi launched a surprise attack on a Skrell flotilla in orbit of Ouerea. With the element of surprise a Unathi ship managed to ram a Skrell cruiser before they returned fire. After a brief skirmish the Skrell retreated while the Unathi lost twelve ships and captured a Skrellian vessel. The Skrell assembled for crisis talks, but a response was slow to form due to a Dionae leading the response.

On July 6th newly elected Alliance Prime Minister Chater announced he was ceding Ouerea to the Izweski, deeming the planet not worth the loss of lives in an actual conflict. This lead the Hegemon to name Tarkart Yiztek as Overlord (King) of the planet.

Oh July 13th Jargon followed suite and ceded the planet in exchange for all Skrell prisoners being returned, also not wanting to lose valuable lives and resources to defend Ouerea. The Jargon Federation also cut all ties with the Unathi, taking on a dismissive and cold stance to the Hegemony that would not be repaired until the eventual ascension of Not'Zar Izweski.

On the 19th of July Hephaestus Industries was quick to swoop in and fill in the void left by a withdrawn NanoTrasen. They announced a partnership with the Hegemony, and laid the groundwork for a tightly woven relationship between the Hegemony and the mega-corporation.

The Wounded Cataclysm (2458)

"We will destroy them utterly and completely. They stuck a dagger in our back at what was supposed to be our proudest moment, and now we will turn and bring the full force of the Hegemony's hammer against their skull."

-Lord-Admiral Yizarus during his expedition against the Coalition of Colonies, 2458.

On February 13th, the galaxy's first Super-Dreadnaught was launched by the Hegemony thanks to a partnership by Haesphestus Industries. Haesphestus had helped kickstart the orbital industry around Moghes needed for the project. It was a warship of then-unrivalled size, and used the Hegemony's unorthodox naval strategy of close quarters naval combat and shock tactics, bristling with heavy weapons and a reinforced frontal ram. Lord-Admiral Trazarial Yizarus, an older establishment nobleman, was granted the vessel as his flagship for a new future fleet.

That same day, the launch of the HMV Cataclysm was mired by an act of sabotage of the ship's second Supermatter core. The attack killed just over a hundred Unathi and the ship was critically damaged before its maiden launch. The Chief Engineer of the superdreadnaught, Yiazar Tsaera, was murdered in his office by a human infiltrator that had been on the vessel as a janitor. The infiltrator then used the Chief Engineer's ID to conduct his sabotage.

On Febuary 14th the culprit was captured and interrogated, he revealed that he was an agent of the human Coalition of Colonies. This sparked a punitive expedition into the smaller Coalition systems. Later in that February, the Hegemony's assembled privateer navy attacked the small Coalition star system of Youngstown. The old ways of Unathi warfare were unleashed on the small frontier colony, with its Governor Davidson being given a trial by Lord-Admiral Yizarus and then being beheaded after it was proven he was financing the attack on the Cataclysm. A replacement was appointed from the locals. The punitive expedition attacks a handful of other lightly defended star systems.

On Febuary 18th, scattered Amnesty fleets attacked the Republic of Elyra after alleged antagonization by the star nation. By March 3rd the border skirmishes had nearly escalated to a full scale war, drawing out the scope of the Hegemony's punitive expedition. But by March 23rd the amnesty forces withdrew after a combination of the fleets being overstretched and the Hegemon wrangling control back over them, unwilling to have the expedition spiral into a wider, formal conflict.

On Febuary 29th, the turning point of the expedition came. Raiders who had joined the Hegemony's 'amnesty navy' conducted a massacre against the small Māo Republic. The massacre occurred after a member of the Māo Self-Defense Force militia opened fire from a crowd during the forces' initial disembarking from their landing ships, killing a Hegemon marine before the militiaman was engaged and killed in melee combat. In retaliation, former raider Captain Sitraz ordered his men to kill everyone present in the biodome, while treating the other biodomes with harsh mistreatment. The death toll came to 582 dead.

Support for the war from the traditional noblemen of the Hegemony tanked immediately, depriving them of the moral high-ground used to justify the expedition. The Hegemon declared Sitraz to be guilty of Abhorrent Dishonor, a criminal charge that carries with it the death penalty. Sitraz ended up fleeing and evading capture.

By March 15th, having lost his justification for the war, the Hegemon withdrew from the expedition completely. The expedition was declared a success despite there being no real objective beyond retaliating against a vague threat of 'terrorist sponsors'. No systems were annexed and the Hegemon antagonized his human neighbors in the region for the indefinite future.

By March 19th the repairs to the HMV Cataclysm were completed, and the ship was re-launched to much fanfare. It joined the 1st Fleet, commanded by Lord-Admiral Azikyui Yizarus, and the 2nd Fleet, commanded by Lord-Admiral Yiszlin Uai, who were still operating in smaller operations throughout the Frontier. They were under the command of Ouerean Overlord Tarkart Yiztek in a much more feudal model of army command, before future reforms would centralize naval authority more directly under the Hegemon.

The Sun Sets on the Hegemony... (2458)

"[...] There is none for whom the sun will not eventually set..."

--Stanza from the poem 'The Light of Twilight' by Kzira'i Moarazi, poet of the 9th century.

The Succession Crisis

"These same Skrell who would lobotomize our people and make us clawless Guwans have now sunk their claws into what would be our future Hegemon. They've enticed the young boy with vague promises and filled his Rot-addled mind with whispers and decadence. Our Empire has found itself deeply wounded by a conflict spurned by these xenos and their endless interference in our sovereign state. Their false smiles hide unknowable minds and we cannot let them overtake us or our leadership."

-S'linzar Icka described Not'zar Izweski after the latter's summit with the Federation, 2458.

Death of Heir Yakt: Rise of S'linzar

"Ickza is not my Hegemon. I took no oath to him and he has no authority over me or my fleets. I answer to the Hegemon and I remain loyal to the Hegemon and his true sons. He is welcome to try to enforce his little letter."

-Lord-Admiral Yizarus in response to Ickza's demand of retirement.

May 6th, 2458 will forever mark a turning point in the Hegemony's history. Hegemon Heir Yakt Izweski along with his wife Asalizathi and 4 other passengers were killed when a private shuttle crashed in the mountains just north of To'ha'dat. According to sources within the Moghean Shuttle Service Authority they received a distress signal from the shuttle's pilot. The pilot had declared an emergency after its engines failed at 45,000 feet from an unknown malfunction. The shuttle was returning from a tour of an orbiting government research facility, and it is suspected an aspect of the shuttle deorbiting caused a crippling engine malfunction. His death decapitated the Izweski's succession plans. The prince was the epitome of Unathi ideals, being a warrior-poet who strengthed the Izweski clan through a powerful marriage alliance with the Ackza clan through his wife. He also had a beloved streak of jingoism in him, supporting his father's plans to uproot and reclaim the Wasteland from the locals.

His death left as heir the undesirable Prince Not'zar Izweski, 20 years old at the time and second oldest child to the Hegemon and his First Wife. The physically handicapped and unassuming Unathi was never expected to achieve anything, and most people skipped over him to focus on his younger brother Prince Z'krazki Izweski who was 16 at the time. Z'krazki was seen as the same sort of robust, strong-headed Unathi that his eldest brother and father were.

It also left in a powerful position Lord S'linzar Ickza', 25 at the time. He was brother-in-law of the late Heir and Son-in-Law of the Hegemon after marrying the 19 year old Rzasul Izweski. He personally commanded the Ickza Levee forces, which fought extensively alongside Izweski forces under his late father in the Contact War. Many of their forces were tragically lost, including Slin'zar's father, in the nuclear exchange but the Ickza continued to be a dominant force in the Hegemon military as its leading officers and a sizable portion of the Moghean levys.

On May 8th, S'linzar saw his chance after the sudden loss of the Hegemon. During the funeral of his lost son, Hegemon S'kresti, already having experienced the trauma of living through a nuclear apocalypse that saw him lose friends, family, and almost his entire civilization, became inconsolable upon seeing his son buried. Following the burial the Hegemon cut off all contact and resigned himself to his quarters in the Izweski Citadel, not leaving his bed. His doctors soon found the grief and major depressive episode had caused the Hegemon to fall into a coma.

After losing their heir and then immediately losing their Hegemon, a power vacuum was ripped wide open in the Hegemony. Immediately power players made moves to seize the ultimate prize. Faster and savvier than the others, S'linzar Ickza unilaterally declared himself Regent and immediately gained support of powerful vassals. Declaring Regency is done by the oldest male heir of a noble when that noble is unable to function and requires a regent to act in their name. By declaring Regency Rzasul had effectively become the new Hegemon until S'kresti rises from his bedridden state.

By May 11th S'linzar attempted to purge his enemies and uplift his loyalists, but hit a roadblock in the form of Lord-Admiral Yizarus. After purging large elements of the upper nobility in government, Lord-Admiral Trazarial Yizarus was also given a letter of retirement ordering him to cede authority of the 1st Fleet which is still withdrawing from operations in the Frontier. Lord Azicar Ickza would then take control of the Fleet and command the Cataclysm. Lord-Admiral Yizarus announced that he would refuse to abide by the letter, and that he would continue to operate the fleet, which accounts for almost half of the orbital navy of the Hegemony. The Yizarus clan and its direct vassals remained the majority of officers in the young Hegemon Space Command, whereas the Ickza and their vassals dominated the politics and manpower of the army of Moghes and Ouerea.

Lord-Regent Ickza responded by threatening to brand Lord-Admiral Yizarus a traitor and in a state of rebellion, forcefully stripping him of his titles and lands. Complicating the matter, Lord-Admiral Azikyui Yizarus, Trazarial's brother, commanded the 2nd Fleet which had just returned to the orbit of Moghes. Azikyui did not give any statements on his position and the 2nd fleet went silent, refusing hails from both the Moghean Space Command or the 1st Fleet's hails. Lord-Admiral Yizarus demanded his brother defy the Lord-Regent while Lord-Regent Ickza has sent demands for Azikyui to detain his brother and seize control of the 1st Fleet.

Following this on May 19th, S'linzar doubled down on his attacks against Not'zar Izweski and his immediate family. Not'zar had just went to diplomatic summit in Tau Ceti to meet emissaries from the Jargon Federation, seeking recognition for his own claim from the mysterious and powerful skrell. Ickza visciously mocked and attacked the young Prince for this move, trying to discredit him by painting him as a pawn of xeno powers in words that quoted the famous 'false smiles and unknowable minds' line from King Don'zai Azarak and his Firebrand Summit of 2437.

Following this maneuver, the Overlord of Ouerea declared his support for Ickza. This also caused Azikyui to break his fleets silence and declare himself for Ickza. With these flips to Ickza, Not'zar's list of current and potential allies had shrunk dramatically. It seemed evident to all that Not'zar's only choice was to either formally abdicate to Ickza or rally his existing forces and seize his claim by force, plunging the Hegemony into a brutal war of succession that would forever prevent them from reversing the spread of the Wasteland, and potentially ending Sinta'Unathi's chance for civilization entirely.

Defeat of S'linzar: Rise of Not'Zar

"[...] Our civilization cannot sustain itself. We must be better than our past. The traditions that sustained this world have now lead to its destruction. We must abandon the traditions that hold us back. We are trapped within a cage of our own making. You must choose to break free from this cage through compromise and modernization. If we don't then Moghes will die, we in this room will die, and the Unathi will die. And the galaxy, in its vastness, will not blink its eye."

-Not'zar Izweski declaring his vision for the future of the Hegemony, 2458.

On May 27th, Not'zar Izweski showed his grasp of intrigue and political acumen by taking a third choice. Having been secretly shuttled to the Cataclysm, Not'zar Izweski broadcast a speech in which he, while visibly unable to stand without his cane, challenged S'linzar to a duel of personal combat. He antagonized Ickza's pride by declaring he'd spare his in-law upon his defeat. Publically challenging Ickza before all Unathi and having such self-confidence in his own victory manipulated Ickza into immediately accepting at risk of losing immense face. The key in Ickza's response was that Not'zar, who was known to be physically handicapped, could "choose whatever weapons and armor he can walk to the field with."

On June 16th, the duel of personal combat marked a stunning reversal in Ickza's trajectory. The duel was conducted that morning with Lord Regent S'linzar arriving outside the Izweski Citadel, the capital of the Hegemony and personal castle of the Izweski family, in a Mk II Class Breacher Suit taken from the Izweski personal armory. It was equipped with a mounted laser rifle and retractable plasteel talons, and an energy axe strapped to the back of the model. The duel was taking place in the courtyard of the Izweski Citadel with the ramparts filled with various members of the Hegemony nobility. Many were encouraged by the self-assured Slin'zar to take the victor as the legitimate and legal heir to the Hegemony.

Not'zar was allowed by the terms of the duel to arrive with whatever weapons and armor he could personally carry, and it's believed that this loophole was exploited as a reason for his dramatic entry in a large skrell-made mech. The model is unknown, but its mounted weaponry was immense and varied and it came equipped with a personal shield generator and advanced life support systems. The mech's use in the duel was not known until it departed from a shuttle that had landed just outside the citadel walls. The shuttle itself had embarked from the HMV Cataclysm, which had jumped in orbit above the capital city despite protests from Moghean Space Command and threats of retaliation from the nearby 2nd Fleet. The duel continued despite the surprise of Lord-Regent S'linzar but was quickly ended when Not'Zar fired a series of ion bursts that disabled S'linzar's Breacher Suit and depleted its charge. Lord-Regent S'linzar was them asked to surrender and keep his life and nominal titles, and the offer was accepted.

Due to S'inzar's own stressing that this duel was the moment that would decide the rightful Lord-Regent and Heir, the Unathi's strong adherence to their honor code saw an immediate flip in fortunes in favor of Not'zar Izweski. But even many Lords who nominally accepted Not'zar's new claim, many would refer to him as 'The Cripple Prince' rather than his proper name and title. He also faced intense criticism and accusations of having 'cheated' by elements who still preferred S'linzar's reign or particular noblemen who were unhappy to see an honorable duel won in an underhanded manner.

On July 2nd 2458, Not'zar Izweski ascended to Lord-Regent and the formal heir of the Hegemony during an official coronation ceremony in which he laid out his vision for the Hegemony's future. He did this on the backdrop of a looming famine that already threatened to destabilize the Hegemony once again. Not'Zar Izweski gave an extremely controversial speech to the assembly.

Following this speech thirty-eight of the assembled delegations staged a walk out. The fifty-three remaining Lords and Ouerean Overlord Tarkart Yiztek reportedly had extremely mixed reactions to the speech, with several instances of fighting and heated arguments between the assembly. This fierce disagreement would be the norm for the next years of Not'zar's reign as the young prince tried to steer the Hegemony into a new future.

The Occultist Panic (2458)

"The greatest weakness in the other races is their rejection of the spiritual realm. They board up the windows of their mind and hide away and call it 'freedom' and 'logic'. There are forces beyond the understanding of mathematicians and scientists. There is a dark evil pervading our society beyond the scope of scientific understanding. The Great Spirit's will is threatened by followers of a dark, daemonic corruption. Low-born or high-born we must all have our souls remain free of taint. We shouldn't concern ourselves with the gossip of aliens when our very spiritual survival is on the line."

-High Priest Unzi, justifying his seizure of the Church and his inquisition, 2458.

On September 24th news came out about a feudal Lord on Ouerea that had been arrested by his Watchmen, the Unathi version of police, on accusations of black magic. Originally elected as the city mayor before Ouerea was returned to the Hegemony, he had been serving as its feudal Lord since only 2457. The Chief Watchman claimed that the Lord has been kidnapping and bloodletting citizens of the city for at least three years. Allegedly several Unathi females that were given private meetings with the Lord suffered blood loss and confusion. One death has been tied to Lord Iyiza, a young actress, Traiza Aiztia, who attended a feast arranged by Lord Iyiza and who was last seen leaving the dining room with him for the interior of the manor. When she was found again in the garden outside the manor she was suffering from severe blood loss and died en-route to the hospital. The feast was cancelled and Watchmen questioned the attendees but no suspects were charged until now. He also claimed during his arrest Lord Iyiza struck an "unnatural, debilitating sense of fear" into two arresting Watchmen, which caused them to fall to the floor in fright.

This incident was originally thought to be a minor incident that was embarrassing for the landed nobility for twin reasons: the fact there was a revolt against a landed Lord at all, and that it made the Unathi look incredibly superstitious and backwards to the galaxy. However this soon became known as the first incident in the coming occultist panic that would see the rise of a powerful new political player in the Hegemony: High Priest Unzi.

September 20th gave another warning sign when Ouerea officially banned conducting seances without a license. But November 11th is often considered the true birth of the panic and the origin of the Iron Masks. Yizra Unzi, a Sk'akh priest with a prestigious but ceremonial title as the Izweski's formal chaplain and priest, reveale alleged evidence of unprecedented infiltration of Hegemony society by what he called "Occultist influences". He released thousands of documents that backed his claims, showing how different elements of the nobility had been attending occultist meetings or practicing black magic. The investigation sparked immense alarm across Uueoa-Esa as mass panic gripped nearly every major city. Guildmasters, Lords, merchants, and low-nobility named in the documents were arrested or fled. Not'zar Izweski tried to appeal for calm and to caution against superstition, but this was futile as powerful elements of the nobility, the general public, and even extended members of the Izweski clan itself had already called for a broad and unprecedented growth of the power of the Sk'akh church.

By November 14th this broad coalition allowed Unzi to unilaterally name himself the head of the Sk'akh Church. This same day he created an armed inquisition called the Maraziites, or the Iron Masks recruited from the pools of Warrior Priests or hired from the ranks of civilian Watchmen. This religious police was unilaterally granted unrestricted jurisdiction across Hegemonic space and supremacy over civilian courts. The Order was granted authority to put accused cultists before trial in the new High Court of Tranquility, which would punish Unathi with exile or even death. Despite these reforms being extremely illegal, Not'zar Izweski did not have the power base necessary to resist without his attempts blowing up in his face.

Going into the rest of November, the Maraziites ruthlessly targeted enemies of the Church. Consolidating power incredibly quickly, Unzi began targeting Unathi outside the original documents. In an ever-expanding web of "occultists" and "daemonic influences" the High Priest began to see enemies everywhere, until his eyes settled on the biggest threat of them all.

The Maraziite Siege of the Izweski Citadel

"I strive to be diplomatic at every step, and I strongly urge a peaceful end to this situation. But this desire for peace is not meekness; the walls of my castle are strong, and the men within it just as strong. Anyone who wishes to enter my home will do so as a peaceful envoy or they will not enter at all."'

-Not'zar Izweski's response to the Iron Masks attempting to breach his castle walls, 2458.

November 23rd was the climax of the Maraziites rise. It saw the Orders sudden siege of the Izweski Citadel. The Order accused Clanmother Rak'ta of the Izweski Clan of practicing black magic on the comatose Hegemon. Iron Masks attempted to breach the citadel but were repelled, and a 5-day stand-off ensued. The Lord that ruled Skalamar, Trikzara Sirax, attempted to attack the Maraziites using his forces in the city but was deterred by Not'zar Izweski who wanted to avoid the situation escalating.

On November 28th, At the end of the 5th day there was a dramatic battle that saw the Maraziites try to actively break down the walls of the Citadel but they were unsuccessful. Following the defeat, High Priest Unzi agreed to meet with Not'zar Izweski. The two of them crafted an agreement that would compromise power between the Sk'akh Church and the Izweski Clan. While this avoided bloodshed, the agreement is also seen as a formal acknowledgement of High Priest Unzi's legitimacy in his new role.

After resolving that major crisis, Not'zar Izweski was immediately hit with more crisis'.

On December 21st the Untouched Lands were struck with a radioactive sandstorm so severe that the Izweski Clan briefly evacuated Moghes entirely.

Later in February of 2459, a major rebellion by an alleged cultist and Guwan saw a high death toll and the murder of a Clan-Mother in the streets.] In retaliation the Lords within the Navy expelled any and all Guwans from their service positions from the navy, and threatened to deport many more. Many of these Guwan would find their way to Tau Ceti.

Not'zar's Rule is Tested(2459)

"In only a century Moghes could once more be a gleaming green gem. And in that time this great project would employ thousand and thousands of Sinta'unathi desperate for work."

-Guildmaster Azaiba Tri'zar, speaking to the Hegemon Assembly on the merits of terraforming Moghes rather than conquering new worlds, 2459.

Arrival Of The Vaurca

We are observing the Fortoken's end its air brake in the upper Omzolo atmosphere. I cannot even begin to imagine the engineering feats needed for such a massive construction to survive the incredible heat and stress placed upon it. It broke the surface of the atmosphere like a great leviathan emerging from the depths of the sea.

-Lord-Diplomat Sa'zi describing a Vaurca Hiveship airbraking over Omzolo, 2459.

March 9th, 2459 saw the arrival of one of the major Vaurca Hives. The object was colossal, with long range scans showing it to be almost 28 kilometers in length where the Cataclysm was just under a single kilometer in length.

March 13th revealed that after originally being incredibly alarmed and fearing conflict after an error in translation], which saw the mobilization of the Hegemony's armed forces, the Vaurca were soon revealed to be seeking refuge.

On March 17th Not'zar Izweski allowed them to settle on the small world of Tret within the Uueoa-Esa system. He named their Queen Overlord of the planet and vassalized the K'lax.

The Hegemonic Assembly

"Time and time again the dominant force of the galaxy, mankind, has proven that they will mercilessly exploit the weak to benefit the strong. We must adopt the reality of the galaxy to ensure the survival of our species."

-Lord-Admiral Trazarial Yizarus on the need for conquering new worlds rather than investing in terraforming Moghes, 2459.

On July 8th, 2459 Not'zar Izweski called an assembly to determine the future of Moghes and the Hegemony.] With limited resources, the three choices were to either invest in terraforming Moghes, invest in expanded territory and resources through conquest, or abandon Moghes and relocate the Sinta people to Ouerea. The K'lax Queen was also in attendence as a delgate. In the end, despite a heavily militarist bent, the Assembly decided to invest in repairing the environment of Moghes. Heavy industries and a massive investment in terraforming equipment was made. But at the same time, Unathi who had for decades made a home in the Wasteland were now being evicted by the Izweski Hegemony and their lands seized. It was a bitter reminder to those who still remembered how the Izweski had done this all before, but this time there was no unified force to resist them.

On August 28th, four weeks later, Not'zar Izweski announced a decree that provided token protection against the practice of Clans branding someone as a Guwan.] The new law required an imperial court to brand someone a Guwan, and not a Clan Leader. This antagonized traditional elements of Unathi society, with Not'zar facing intense criticism at what many Lords and Clan Leaders called an arbitrary seizure of power.

On September 26th Not'zar faced a reprieve. The Wasteland experienced its first rainfall for 20 years. The moment marked a tremendous moment of jubilation within the Hegemony as a sign that the investments in terraforming were already bearing fruit. The day was so celebrated that September 26th became known as Restoration Day.

October 21st saw strange news that foreshadowed either the arrival of the Aut'akh or the long history of occultist powers. The Hegemony Guild Of Xenoarchaeology announced a startling find: an ancient temple pre-dating Sinta'Unathi civilization. Master K'arzl, a prestigious xeno-archaeologist, conducted an expedition into the deep cave system that housed the temple. The Iron Masks, antagonized by the spiritual threat they claimed the temple possessed, had a scuffle with the Master and then sealed the caves leading to the temple.

A Peasant Admiral

"I accept today the most sobering of responsibilities. I have taken command of the vessel that will be the shield that protects our species from the threats of the galaxy, and the spear that will plunge into the hearts of our enemies. Catastrophe will visit any that threaten us, and the Cataclysm of its wrath will sweep over any meek resistance they would place before us. The Great Spirit has filled me with determination to carry out my duties and I will not falter."

-Admiral Gour'zai, the first Low-Born granted the rank of Admiral, 2459.

On November 3rd The second Superdreadnought HMV Catastrophe was launched from an orbital dockyard. An elaborate ceremony in Skalamar, Lord-Regent Not'zar officially named Oyuti Gour'zai Admiral of the 2nd Fleet and Captain of the Castastrophe, taking the place of the retiring Lord-Admiral Azikyui Yizarus. Following Azikyui's public support for a pretender and rival to Not'zar Izweski, none were surprised by his being replaced. But many were shocked to see Lords passed over in favor of someone they saw as a peasant. He was the first one of the officers that graduated from Not'zar Izweski's Imperial Academy that was training officers exclusively loyal to the Izweski rather than the many feudal Lords.

On November 7th this immediately saw a retaliation from the many Lords. they announced that they would be refusing their Levy services to the Hegemon entirely. Just over half the army deployed across Moghes disappeared over a single day. The move caused incredible antagonism between Oyuti and the nobility, with Oyuti boldly echoing Yizarus' statement during the Succession Crisis that any attempt to take his fleet would have to be done via force. Bizarrely to many, rather than wade into the middle of the dispute Not'zar Izweski left on a shuttle to the K'lax planet of Tret. The reason for this soon became clear.

On November 13th Not'zar Izweski landed four miles north of the Ickza's ancestral estate with over 10,000 Vaurca warriors. Taking his new K'lax levy on the march, Ickza soldiers abandoned their posts and even villages fled rather than face these strange aliens. The Vaurca played up their strange customs, moving in complete silence and with a discipline unknown to any major galactic species, and partaking in no violence. They ended up taking up positions near the Ickza's ancestral castle.

On November 19th the bizarre stand off around the Ickza's ancestral home came to an end. The Ickza requested their own vassals answer a summons to rally an army of their own but many of the Ickza's lower vassals refused the summons. The Ickza ended up with a force of 2,500 Sinta surrounded by the tens of thousands of Vaurca. The Vaurca remained completely silent and unmoving for hours and hours on end during the stand-off as Not'zar negotiated with the Clan-Leader Czia Ickza nearby. By nightfall on the 17th the Unathi forces, wearing full combat gear and holding melee weapons or rifles, were becoming exhausted after standing in place for 13 hours. The commanders refused to let anyone move until the sun began to set on the next day. By this time the Ickza's levy-men had gone nearly 40 hours standing in place with no food or water and many collapsed in place from exhaustion. Ickza commanders then finally signaled all the formations to break up and return to their camp. It was then that the Vaurca's entire force suddenly took two steps forward, startling the Ickza forces. The sudden short advanced the entire Ickza army routed from the field.

In the end Czia Ickza agreed to return to the Izweski Citadel as a hostage while Not'zar took direct control of all the Ickza's lower vassals. With the leaders of the short rebellion defeated, the general strike dissolved and by December Not'zar now enjoyed a much greater control over the military than before.

The Gestalt of the Wastes

"[...] These strange creatures, though alien to our soil, are nevertheless intimately familiar. They drift through the endless cosmos, infinitely patient, curious, and intelligent. Their many small parts create a single individual through a single soul. [...] They are sacred individuals that are proof of Sk'akh's nature. All Sinta should take a brief moment to reflect on the beauty of Sk'akh's form manifest in our material plane."

-High Priest Unzi discussing his new outlook on Dionae, 2459

On December 3rd it was discovered that a Dionae Gestalt had somehow found its way into a Wasteland community. It had given itself the name The Silent Friend Embracing The Weeping Souls In A Blanket Of Purity And Love.. Over the time it had been there it developed a relationship with the local community. Using its natural ability to absorb radiation, the Gestalt brought radiation sickness and cancer down dramatically. The shaman of the local village had declared the dionae a blessing from the Ancestors intended to protect them and had persuaded the villagers to bring it regular tribute of food and water. However Hegemonic scientists swarmed to the small town to conduct invasive studies on the Gestalt. Objecting to this, Th'akh shamans helped the dionae escape the scientists. After retaliating with arrests and an extensive manhunt the Sk'akh Church came to meet with the shamans. The two faiths found a common respect for the gestalt. In a rare moment of cooperation, the Church and the shamans both pressured the Izweski to call away the scientists and allow the dionae to live with the village in peace. This incident marked the first of the growing relationship between Unathi and the Dionae.

On January 15th this would evolve into Dionae being declared sacred.

A Second Guwan Decree: Emancipation of Orphans

"This law is not a pardon for Guwans, but allowing all of us to recognize hatchlings who's ancestors' presence keep them honorable and upstanding despite the loss of their parents. These are the Unathi we need to elevate, for these Unathi can still carry the burdens of our future on their shoulders. Not all orphans are Guwans, and not all Guwans are orphans."

-Not'zar Izweski explains his decree on orphans, 2459.

On December 22nd Not'zar Izweski announced that being an orphan would no longer make one a Guwan. Existing Guwans could petition their orphanages to take their surname. The leaders of the largest orphanage guilds, ran by the the Gukuzan and Kuhwinla Clans, suddenly found themselves with thousands more carrying their surnames. Without the stigma of being Guwan, many orphans could now be adopted into families.

Rumbles in Ouerea (2460)

We took no part of the contact war, why should we suffer to fix [...] our homeworld’s mistake?

-Ouerean mother expressing her frustration with the exploitation of her community, 2460.

On January 12th, 2459 it was finally brought to public consciousness that the women of Ouerea were politically agitating via what they called Women's Councils. These argued against the exploitation of Ouerea and its falling standard of life and loss of its diversity, focusing on the children of the women in particular. Ouerean Overlord Tarkart Yiztek tried to appease the groups by redirecting their criticism to Not'zar.

On Janurary 27th the public consciousness present on the planet got a boost through an appropriated war chant bellowed by Wastelanders who attacked an Izweski terraforming site with a leader claiming to be Don'ziki Azarak, the leader of the Traditionalist Coalition.

A Central Military: Second Generation of Imperial Cadets

"I look into the faces of each of you, warriors all. I see the same hunger that held me so when I traveled to the stars. For truly, what could equal the duty of defending our planet, our system? To see with your naked eyes the whole of the planet that bore us. Before we first cast ourselves into space, the burning mother cast its light upon a divided people. And since the Hegemonies founding, yet more things have tried to divide us, To divide the Hegemony. Yet, it is stronger and more united than ever before. Indeed, the galaxy has never been more connected than it has been now, and it's in this light we must hold fast the bulwark of our people and our allies. On behalf of the fleet, I welcome you. "

-Admiral Oyuti Gour'za's commencement speech to the Imperial Academy graduating class of 2460. On January 30th, in a ceremony that showed the continued to weakening of the feudal system, Not'zar Izweski claimed a victory through the graduation of 263 additional naval officers. The Imperial Academy was unusual, with Unathi learning alongside Vaurca, and Vaurca instructors teaching alongside Unathi instructors.

Growing Economy, Growing Unrest

"[...]This planet is beautiful and has so much potential. We must secure its future for our families, our clans, and our hatchlings. We must see hope in our tomorrow, not dread. And we will only see the hope of tomorrow with the end of totalitarian rule and the rebirth of our sacred rights to freedom, the rule of law, and devotion to our ancestors."

-Elistra Kev’vi, leader of the Ouerean Rebellion calling the planet to revolt, 2460.

February 6th saw record growth for the food guilds of Moghes. Three Guilds, Mo'gunz, Maps, and Razi, experienced runaway success in the Unathi and human markets. Their products soon became ubiquitous in vending machines across Tau Ceti and other sectors. The butchering process for Mo'gunz maintains a traditional method to production. Guildmaster Mo'gunz also sponsors schools to shuttle dozens of urban hatchlings to their stok ranches. The hatchlings are released into the stok pens and pastures where they can hunt the animals using their talons. This growth of the economy and expansion of the Unathi's economic influence brought hope to many that a new prosperous page was turning in Unathi history.

Only a month later Ouerea would explode into unrest once again. The protests originally began in New Skalamar, focused against Hephaestus Industries' treatment of Ouerean workers. The original protests grew into an organized rebellion that almost immediately overwhelmed five major cities. The original demands of this rebellion was the abolishment of feudalism on Ouerea, the banishment of Hephaestus Industries, the end of taxation to Moghes, and the return of a democratic government. Overlord Yiztek responded with a brutal crack-down that failed spectacularly in containing the violence.

On April 1st The Wasteland also saw great unrest. Akhanzi Order shaman Elder Vuthix Akhandi entered Bo'ha'dat and gave a public speech; a very rare sight from the reclusive Elders. In it he warned the people there of the Sk'akh Church and the Iron Masks, speaking out against their persecutions.

By the next day the Maraziites were targeting Akhanzi Order. Using helicopters and off-road vehicles Iron Masks reached many secluded mountain temples and their surrounding villages, attacking them and harassing's the villagers. This prompted uprisings from Th'akh Unathi were angered at the attacks. On April 12th there was prison-break by Akhanzi shamans out of Iron Mask custody, prompting a dark warning of retaliation by High Priest Unzi.

On April 10th, back on Ouerea, in response to his harsh retaliation large portions of the Ouerean levymen abandoned the Overlord and joined the rebels. They seized government buildings across several major cities in a coordinated surprise attack. Feudal Lords were forced to flee or be captured, and in only a handful of cities were the aristocracy able to maintain control.

This rebellion would continue to rage on Ouerea for some time, being a festering problem with no solution in sight.

The Iron Crusade

"The temple library was emptied and all of its contents were dumped into a large pile in the central hall inside the temple. After several hours of this, the Maraziites began pouring gas in many of the rooms and dumping it on the books. Seeing this and realizing what was coming, many shamans in cuffs began struggling and trying to attack the guards. But they were unable to stop the Maraziites, who threw in lit torches which started a fire that within minutes had consumed the temple and all contents within. The shamans let out a shout of dismay that matched the tragedy."

- Ku'kazi Amunzi, exiled villager of Yuzo, 2460.

On April 22nd the Maraziite Order launched the Iron Crusade. A coordinated attack on the secluded Akhanzi Order temples saw their complete destruction, including the oldest standing structure on Moghes at the time: Durahi Monastery. Over the Crusade's duration the entirety of the ancient order of shamans was ended. The survivors and refugees, dispossessed, relocated to Ouerea and as far as Tau Ceti in the largest religious diaspora in the history of Moghes. The Iron Masks appeared unstoppable due to the reluctance of Lords to intervene against them, fearing High Priest Unzi. The most successful resistance came from The Prophet Si'akh. On May 4th the prophet Si'akh rescued several Elders from the Order, aiding them in escaping to Tau Ceti.

On May 1st the economy and situation of the Hegemony seemed to improve when Not'zar Izweski announced the sale of restored Wasteland territories. This also prompted the Moghean cities that border the Wasteland to round up their large refugee populations. Intent on large-scale resettlement programs, local Wastelander communities continued to be displaced in favor of the Hegemony's settlers.

The next day saw more economic success, though mixed, as the K'lax settlemt on Tret announced the completion of their space elevator. The construction was actually conducted in secrecy and the wider Hegemonic authorities didn't realize it was taking place until it was finished. While a technical breach of the treaty that allowed the K'lax to reside on Tret, Not'zar Izweski did not press the issue. Many believed this due to an already open revolt against his rule on the Hegemony's only other major colony.

By June 20th the K'lax also opened up a string of gene clinics in Moghean cities late in June, offering free medical treatment to those affected by the irradiated Wastes.

Our Brother, Dominia

“The Lord-Regent has asked me to join Gour’za in battle. I have accepted this order. We will fight as battle brothers and form a shield wall against the forces of anarchy. I am sure that with our joint command and the attachment of the fleet of Dominia, we will have a swift victory.”

-Lord-Admiral Yizarus on his expedition with allied Dominian forces, 2460

On May 6th, 2460 an emissary from the Empire of Dominia named Keanu Markarus was abducted by pirates based in the Youthstone star system. The incident was taken as a grievous insult that dishonored both the Hegemony and Dominia. Normally having cold relations, Not'zar Izweski immediately offered a joint counter-piracy expedition that was accepted by the Empire. Both Admiral Oyuti and his HMV Castastrophe as well as Lord-Admiral Yizarus and his HMV Cataclysm were deployed with their respective fleets.

On May 8th things started smoothly with a summit onboard the HMV Catastrophe when the Domion Fleets met with Hegemonic fleets. The ceremonial meeting took place as initial fighting took place in the Youthstone system.

The day after saw the invasion take place proper. The Youthstone system was a major hub of pirate and raider activity and so boasted a robust defense. Despite their best efforts the coalition was able to break through and land forces on the pirate's planet's surface.

Our Enemy, Dominia

“My center buckles; our flanks are in retreat. We enjoy good odds. I am attacking."

-Lord-Admiral Yizarus' leaked transmission from his heavily damaged Cataclysm during the Battle of Youthstone, 2460.

May 11th, 2460, the coalition fell apart very suddenly. Admiral Oyuti was hosting the victory celebrations in the feast hall of his flagship, the HMV Catastrophe. Admiral Han'san was preparing to give a victory speech. His wife, Lady Rikara, was also present and constantly by his side. Once free during Han'san's speech she broke into a run to the nearby Admiral Oyuti. She threw herself into his arms and pleaded with him to give her sanctuary. Lady Riskira claimed Han'san was a man of unusually cruel and brutal disposition who abducted her from her Clan on Ignotum Balteum due to her being an azure. She claimed that she feared for her life and requested asylum. Immediately throwing the speech into disarray, an angry Han'san demanded that Oyuti return his wife. Oytui refused and declared that Rikara would be under his protection. Han'san threatened a war to reclaim his wife but Oyuti held firm.

After being allowed to leave the ship, Han'san cut off all communication with the Hegemony's forces. Now enemies, both sides repositioned their fleets and their ground forces moved against one another.

May 11th also saw the Battle of Youthstone between the Hegemony and Dominia. This battle saw serious stress placed on both of the Hegemony's super-dreadnaughts, with Oyuti and his Castarophe suffering serious damage until it was saved by Yizarus and the Cataclysm. In orbit the Hegemony's fleets were nearly overwhelmed but thanks to the skill of Lord-Admiral Yizarus both were able to conduct a fighting retreat. On the planet's surface the Hegemony enjoyed a victory before withdrawing, bringing the war to a draw.

The war ended on May 18th. Admiral Oyuti was summoned to Not'zar Izweski himself to explain his actions. Oyuti defended his actions during the audience, doubling down on his decision to give sanctuary to Lady Riskira. Oyuti repeatedly cited his code of honor for his actions, agitating the Lord-Regent. Not'zar declared that Oyuti would be barred from Lordship for his actions, but that he would retain his command to the fleet. Oyuti then asked if he could marry Lady Riskara. Not'zar Izweski granted the marriage.

The Empire of Dominia agreed to cede claims on Youthstone, and drop their claim on Lady Riskira. This brought a small star system far from Moghes into the fold of the Izweski Hegemony.

Ouerea Boils Over

“Yiztek took in men of peace, promising them safety and residence. He then brutally murdered them under his own roof, as his own wife and hatchlings slept only a single floor above. The blood he spilled on the floors of the castle have proven that the pits of his dishonor are unfathomable in their depths."

-General Zik'san responds to Overlord Yiztek's murder of his emissaries, 2459.

On June 2nd, 2460 the rebel movement on Ouerea that became known as the Ouerean Confederation managed to flip all the major cities of the planet except for the capital of New Skalamar. The rebellion's violence was mostly focused on the property of the nobility. Many estates and castles were ransacked by rebel forces. Many high profile noble Clan elders were arrested by the rebel army while dozens of Sinta in general had perished. In lands that the Confederation controlled the Maraziite Order was also expelled by force. The planet was majority Th'akh and did not appreciate the presence of the Order that had burnt their sacred temples to the ground. The Confederation's main army, commanded by General Zik'San then besieged the capital.

On June 3rd Not'zar Izweski himself arrived on Ouerea. The Lord-Regent's arrival came after Overlord Yiztekexpressed frustration with the handling of the crisis, at one point directly attacking Not'zar's honor by saying that it was easy for the Lord-Regent to give orders far away from the front lines. After these reports reached Moghes, Not'zar Izweski is said to have immediately left his Citadel for a shuttle to Ouerea. There he flew into the encircled city and took a direct part in directing its defense.

On June 20th Not'zar left the city to directly speak to the rebel General Zik'san. Initially being at the walls directing reinforcement of the western gate and discussing how to best distribute food supplies being shuttled in from orbit to residents of the city, Not’zar suddenly signaled his Guwan Guards and informed the assembled defenders that he would be ‘seeking a better alternative’ to the crisis. Not’zar Izweski began by asking Zik’san his terms for a peaceful end of the conflict. General Zik’san reiterated the terms sent to Overlord Yiztek. Zik'san was originally reluctant to engage in negotiation with someone he saw as unable to keep their word, having dealt with only the dishonorable Overlord. Not'zar requested a radio in response and ordered the expulsion of all Maraziites from New Skalamar. Impressed by this overture Zik'san and Not'zar were able to engage in earnest negotiations.

On June 22nd negotiations were halted when Overlord Yiztek locked the Lord-Regent outside the city during the latter's return from a negotiation. The Overlord had hoped that the rebels would seize the Lord-Regent as a prisoner and give him the justification to engage in a violent reprisal. Not'zar Izweski went back to General Zik'san, who felt honor-bound to ensure Not'zar's safe return. The general offered the Lord-Regent a shuttle to fly over the city walls and Not'zar was able to return to the city. After meeting with Yiztek for several hours in private, the Overlord apologized publicly for the accident. In addition future negotiations were to take place in the Overlord's castle inside the city.

On July 6th Yiztek had the rebel emissaries assassinated in his own castle. Overlord Yiztek is defending his action by claiming that they were spies attempting to get information. Zik'san swore retaliation and gave the city 3 days to surrender before he assaulted it.

On the 3rd day an assault came in the form of Not'zar's personal Guwan Guard storming Yiztek's castle. The castle garrison was taken by surprise and quickly overwhelmed. Several dozen of Yiztek’s Clan and followers were arrested. Refusing to become a Guwandi Yiztek was branded a Guwan and exiled, sent back to Moghes to be released into the Wasteland. The Ouerean Confederation accepted peace and soon Ouerea was reformed to become a democratic colony of the Hegemony.

On September 28th, 2460, at a formal dinner to celebrate a local Ouerean holiday and to commemorate the peace, Not'zar Izweski was nearly assassinated by surviving elements of Yiztek's family. The assault failed thanks to the efforts of Lady Hizoni Razi, a mysterious azure who was close to Not'zar at the time. In the fallout the entire Yiztek clan were branded Guwans and exiled into the Wasteland, and Lady Razi grew closer to Not'zar Izweski.

Non-Unathi Make Their Mark Upon The Hegemony

"It is like I am looking at one of the old stories of Sedantis made real on this world under an alien sun. There are struggles that our hive and the hegemony will face and just like in the stories of old, we will conquer them."

-Excerpt from Xitac's speech during his ascension to the rank of Admiral of the 3rd Fleet, 2460

On November 15th a Vaurca named Za'Akaix'Xitac Klax achieved the rank of Admiral within the Hegemony's Navy.] Xitac had shown consistent talent and promise since 2459, and in May, in the season of Versakh, he was tapped as the potential leader of the growing 3rd Fleet.

On November 16th the prestigious Tajara commanderHro’rammhad finished a summit on Ouerea.] There the Hegemony's top military thinkers shared words with a similarly gifted commander from a far off world. This meeting was the first in the incredible series of highs and lows that would mark the Hegemony's relationship with Adhomai in the years to come.

On December 4th the new 3rd Fleet of the Hegemony received its flagship: The HMV Annihilation. The Cataclysm-class warship differed significantly from its sister-ships. Its main focus was a heavy compliment of stike-craft: bombers and fighters that used the vessel as a carrier. The Annihilation would be the flagship of the K'lax Admiral Za'Akaix'Xitac Klax, and also have a K'lax Captain of the Annihilation, Captain R’itz, who was the mastermind of the Annihilations new build and strategies. The two K'lax allied with Lord-Admiral Kazk’oa, a younger Unathi nobleman who used his status to be instrumental in implementing the Annihilations new strategies and tactics that angered the conservative factions of the navy. Also angering the conservatives was the fact that a handful of the Aces in the 3rd fleet were Tajara who had originated from the colony of Gakal'zaal as well as K'lax.

The Cracks in the Iron Mask

“The struggle of the righteous against heathenry and heresy is just that - a struggle. We did not expect an easy victory, but we will get it nonetheless.”

-High Priest Unzi's reassuring words during the troubled Second Iron Crusade, 2461

The Emergence of the Aut'akh

"The reports I have read - even if only half of it is true - has turned my blood to ice in my veins. I cannot begin to voice the multitude of crimes done by the Aut’akh. They maim hatchlings with synthetic implants - they amputate young adults of their limbs and replace them with profane machines. They flay themselves and replace their skin with metal exteriors. All in the name of a vile artificial intelligence that they call Sk’akh. I have no grand speech about what we will do to them. They will be destroyed. That is all.”

-High Priest Unzi describes his thoughts on the Aut'akh during their emergence, 2561.

On January 6thThe Aut'akh formally announced themselves in a huge shock to Moghes. The High Church, under Unzi, and conservative Lords immediately moved to destroy the heretics that are the Aut'akh.

On January 9th, an expedition made by the Church, with volunteer levys, were soundly defeated in a decisive battle dominated by geurilla warfare by the Aut'akhs against the inexperienced Iron Masks. Not'zar Izweski exploited this to maneuver to decree that the Aut'akh may live. Many express confusion as to why Not'zar is siding with the Aut'akh instead of the Church. But Not'zar Izweski understood that if High Priest Unzi were to secure prestige and power from a second successful Iron Crusade, he would effectively dwarf the power of the Izweski dynasty. Not'zar Izweski, attempting to avoid the mistake of the Iron Crusade, is undermining the Church and showing that he still has power over it.

Not'zar's Reforms

“I traveled from your Citadel out into the Wasteland. In my possession was my deceased brother’s energy glaive, my shield, and a human laser rifle. On my Warmount I travelled and followed the movements of Zonzai and his band. As a woman they did not find me a threat, and so made no moves to hide themselves or evade me. This was a mistake. I have killed all of the warriors that stood between me and Zonzai, and I have defeated him in single combat. I have killed your enemies and their blood stains the sands of the Wasteland. Grant me the rank of Kataphract.”

-Lady H’zala boasting on completing a dangerous quest during her attempts to become a Kataphract, 2461

The Kataphracts Are Revived

“Since times immemorial Kataphracts have upheld the traditions of honor and martial skill, but who among us that are not the elders remembers the days of their exploits? These heroes of Sinta have teetered on the edge of oblivion. In our drive to push forward - even before we met the aliens that brought so much change to us - Kataphracts were a slowly dwindling group. It has been my duty to restore our home-world to a new glory, but I cannot sacrifice the past in order to save the future."

-Not'zar Izweski Announcing the Revival of the Kataphracts, 2461 On April 26th Not'zar announced the resurrection of the Kataphract Order. Kataphracts, who in Sinta'Unathi would have the title of Saa, form the Unathi equivalent of a Knightly order. They are meant to uphold the ideals of Unathi honor stronger than any of their peers. Not'zar included in this resurrection the new titles of High Kataphracts who would be held up as paragons for the entire species.

The First High Kataphract was Saa Yui’zai of Clan Timzula. The second was Lady H'zala. Her appointment broke convention and upset many traditionalists, and only came after she went through an arduous series of trials and quests not required by her male peers before her eventual success.

On May 4th the next High Kataphract was a hero of Youthstone, Ozal’kai Zizae.

On May 25th it was revealed that Zizae was a fraud. He was a Guwan who had taken his deceased brother's name in order to fight in the war. Upon this discovery there was little leniency offered; Not'zar Izweski stripped him of his title and he was imprisoned. Later on June 10th he was allowed to have his name restored as his status as Guwan removed. However he still had to embark on a quest given by the Lord-Regent with only a ship, a spear, and a laser rifle. Only by completing this quest would he be allowed to return fully into the fold of his Clan.

On June 7th' Za’Akaix’Ziza K’lax became the first K'lax Kataphract. The medical doctor had been tending to Wastelanders deep in the desert when raiders came and stole supplies and kidnapped a patient. Ziza then later went on a quest to attack the raiders at their camp and liberate his patient and the stolen medical supplies. He was lauded as an exemplar example of the Hegemony's ability to bring non-Unathi into the fold of heroism and honor.

The Religious Council of Ouerea

“The War was caused by sin. Sin is an inescapable condition of the Sinta people. But now in the post-War world we are uniquely vulnerable to demons. The intention of our new bodies is not to make things easier, but to take control over our own destiny once again. We empower our souls so that we are strong enough to stave off demonic influence. Our natural form was ruined by the War, and the disease and rot that plague our people is the result of that. We must adopt many forms so we can survive and thrive in the doomed world we have created for ourselves, and to spread and grow so that we can help others stave off demonic influence.””

-Ansiba Grazali of the Aut'akh's retort to the doomsday prophet Si'akh during the Convention of New Skalamar, 2461

On July 11th Not'zar Izweski a grand convention in New Skalamar on the colony of Ouerea which was meant to establish a formal dialogue between the Unathi Religions. Delegates came from Th'akh, Aut'akh, Sk'akh, and even Si'akh.

On July 17th the Convention came into full swing. The Sk'akh and Th'akh delegates immediately addressed the first Iron Crusade that all but scoured Moghes of the Akhandi Order. Their arguments continued for so long that Not'zar intervened and asked the Th'akh to address the Aut'akh. During that exchange the Th'akh were extremely critical, but the Aut'akh persisted. In the end, Clan-Mother Mortenga conceded that souls can manifest in inorganic material ‘in certain circumstances’. This was rejected by nearly all the Sk’akh delegates as well as the lone Si’akh delegate, who insisted a soul can only reside in organic material.

A turning point came when two Sk'akh delegates signaled they were interested in the Aut'akh's arguments. This caused the head of the Sk'akh delegation to interrupt the convention with loud condemnations, throwing the affair into disarray. It ended in a show-down between Not'zar and the Sk'akh delegate in which Not'zar dared High Priest Unzi himself to come and speak for the church he claimed. The convention then dissolved.

On July 27th the convention started up again. This time High Priest Unzi was in attendance. To everyone's surprise the doomsday prophet Si'akh, who had been disguised, revealed himself and entered into a fierce tirade against the High Priest. The convention concluded without any concrete peace being made, but it did plant the seeds of small scale reconciliation between individuals of the differing faith. The open and honest dialogue and theological discussion broadcast on galactic media gave many Unathi words and arguments to explore other faiths.

The Matter of Gakal'zaal

“Wherever our Order goes and whatever we do, our constant quest above all others is to protect the innocent against injustice. It is all we can do to not take up arms in the name of that cause at this moment, and for that you should be thankful.”

-Kataphract Tazaka threatening Overlord Yizarus of Gakal'zaal, during the mass-eviction of a Tajara village, 2461.

On August 15th word came from the Hegemony colony of Gakal'zaal, a majority Tajara planet, the second son of Guildmaster Mj'akurahur disappeared from their clan’s estate just outside the capital city of Zikala. The Guildmaster blamed the Tajara of the colder northern regions which had never submitted to the Hegemony. Overlord Makar Yizarus, relative of the famous Lord-Admiral Yizarus, swore retaliation for what was believed to be an abduction.

But by August 17th the story became even more complicated, turning from an abduction in the dead of night to a story of love, religious conviction, and the resistance many of the local Tajara felt to their Unathi overlords and the demands to convert to their so-called "liberators" religion.

The Dead-Lords of Unzi (2461)

“High Priest Unzi, we seek an audience.”

-Tizma Aihagi, after intercepting and boarding a shuttle to see High Priest Unzi, 2461.

On October 8th High Priest’s shuttlecraft was intercepted and boarded by pirates of the Grim Compact. After meeting with them Unzi returned to Moghes with the leaders of the pirate diarchy. There Unzi skillfully entered into a debate with Not'zar on live media in which Not'zar was forced to concede. High Priest Unzi then conducted an elaborate ceremony in which the two monarchs were publically forgiven by Unzi and the Grim Compact was recognized by the Church as a sovereign state in which the Sk'akh Church was its 'ward'.

On October 15th Not'zar asserted his own authority by claiming the Grim Compact as a tributary state. The two agreed to have the Compact send regular tribute to the Izweski in exchange for peace and a recognition of the Izweski’s supremacy of the Compacts region of space. This prompted a flood of Compact members, mostly pirates, to use the Hegemony's systems of emigration and immigration to find their way to Tau Ceti for an alternate life.

The Aut'akh Exile

“I have promised these travellers safe passage from our lands. I maintain my oath to the Hegemon, but I will not allow dishonor to take place in turn. Go ahead in your plans if you are willing to risk harming a Clan-Mother.”

-Clan-Mother Mortenga, speaking to hostile Hegemonic warships from a shuttle full of Aut'akh refugees, 2461.

On October 31st, a large fleet of Aut'akh arrived in orbit of Ouerea and requested asylum. While Ouerea was the birthplace of the movement and hosted a sizable number of communes, the public nature and high number of refugees brought it to wider Hegemonic and galactic attention. The 400 Aut'akh were allowed to stay in New Skalamar until the Elder-Chiefs, the democratic rulers of the planet, came to a decision on their fate.

On November 17th Ouerea rejected the asylum claims of the Aut'akh. They were unwilling to openly antagonize the Hegemony with an overt acceptance of the anarchist religious movement. All of the refugees were put on shuttles and escorted off-planet. Briefly warships from the Hegemony's 3rd Fleet attempted to move in and attack the shuttles. But from one of these shuttles Clan-Mother Mortenga spoke and declared the Aut'akh were being escorted to Tau Ceti by her personally. Unwilling to kill a Clan-mother the warships withdrew and the Aut'akh eventually made their way to Tau Ceti.

The Sinta-Dionae Merging

“My body has been joined by the small nymph that became a part of my life, but my soul has been only strengthened. Dionae possess a spirit themselves, which all combine when they form and create a whole, more powerful soul. As my body is shared, my soul is now shared, and my magicks have been made even stronger for it.”

-Shaman Retzk explaining his bodys merge with dionae nymphs, 2461.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=128514%7C On December 22nd news came out that Wastelanders had created a ritual where they merge dionae nymphs with their body, forming entire new limbs. Originally it was believed it was a parasitic relationship and was immediately condemned by many religious and civil authorities.

By December 28th, discussions with the Unathi in question with religious leaders had the Sk'akh Church and many shamans reconsider it a symbiotic relationship. The Sk'akh Church went so far as to condone the practice. Despite this, the public's views on the matter would continue to be dominated by revulsion.

The Hegemon Wakes! (2461 - 2462)

“It is remarkable to me that our people have weathered these past three years. Rumors of things that I could have never foreseen have taken root within our society and culture have already filled me with great frustration. That my most maimed and incapable son was the one that spoke on my behalf will no longer be the case. So far I have heard of the barbarians that fester within the sands of the Wasteland and the snow of the North. I have heard how Ouerea has slipped from our fingers and how the Burning Mother now shines on alien savages that fester on Tret. I am going to travel Moghes and review the state of this planet and its people, and then I shall deal with the sorry state of this Hegemony. My time of mourning ends. Now it will be our foes that will mourn.”

-Hegemon Sk'resti Izweski's speech upon his waking from a years long coma, 2461.

On December 30th the Hegemony was radically altered in the course of a single day. Hegemon Sk'resti woke from his coma and immediately Lord-Regent Not'zar Izweski's authority dissolved. The Hegemon, filled with the same resolve and militarism as before, made bombastic speeches in which he openly declared his intention for a great conquest of the Hegemony's foes. This fired up the bellicose members of the nobility and many began to prepare for a new age of war and conquest.

On January 2nd of the new year 2462, the Hegemon went on a tour over several Wastelander territories. During this he vowed to persecute, run out, and even slay the Wastelanders. The Hegemon swore that all lands reclaimed by the terraforming efforts would be settled exclusively by loyal Sinta, and that in this new era there would be no room for Wastelanders.

On January 5th the Hegemon was holding court in the city of Res’karum, Moghes, to meet with Wasteland representatives to hear their cases for their own existence. During this a robed figure entered the room and presented the Hegemon with a scarred Wastelander child. The robed figure was revealed to be the Prophet of Flame Si'akh. The Prophet declared the child was the reincarnation of Yakt Izweski. Initially outraged, the Hegemon paused when attempting to strike down the child and the prophet. As the Prophet escaped in the resultant riot and chaos, the Hegemon, who never fully processed his grief, seemed to accept the child as his own.

On January 11th the Hegemon adopted the child, declaring him Yakt Izweski and his true heir. The Hegemon's open adoption of Si'akh's belief in reincarnation immediately blew up the tenuous peace between Church and State. Reprisals against Si'akh communities across Moghes took place, and High Priest Unzi condemned the Hegemon for heresy.

On January 14th a mundane article on water treatment reports that seemed to show corruption was found by sleuths to be embedded with documents exposing the Hegemon's mental state. In the documents, which consist of audio and video, the Hegemon is suffering from hallucinations, episodes of explosive violence, and irrational anger. In the logs its made clear that the Hegemon is still suffering from severe 'Post Trauma Disorder', but is both unwilling to seek help while his retainers and courtiers are too afraid to convince him to get help, believing it would be humiliating for the Hegemon.

On January 17th Z’krazki Izweski, now 20 years old as the youngest of the Hegmon's children, is named a Kataphract. During the ceremony he was continuously asked about his thoughts on his father's actions but became agitated and left.

The Burning of the Scept

"If you align yourself against my family then you align with your death."

-Hegemon Sk'resti after his destruction of The Third Scept, 2462.

On January 19th the grand temple of the Sk'akh faithful in Skalamar. Moghes, was surrounded by the City Watch by orders of the City's Lord Trikzara Sirax. The Watch initially respected the Scept, meeting with delegations from inside on the steps. They accused members of the Church of kidnapping Yakt Izweski, adopted child of the Hegemon. In defense of the Scept Maraziites began clandestinely rearming themselves and moving to the area, actions explicitly banned by the law. High Priest Unzi himself cancelled his trips and returned to the city to the seat of his power.

Violence broke out on January 21st throughout Skalamar. In a public speech the Hegemon accused Unzi of kidnapping Prince Yakt and made his intentions for violence known if Yakt was not returned. The Izweski's personal soldiers fought their way to the Scepts entrance as the priests barricaded the doors and windows. In retaliation the Iron Masks violently assaulted the Watch, attempting to reinforce their holy site. The Watch itself was divided, with many deserting to join the defense of the Scept. The brutal and confusing three-way conflict Lords across Moghes responded by summoning their own forces.

By the morning of January 22nd the Izweski bannermen were repelled by the Watch and by the Iron Masks. In response the Hegemon, personally wearing a Breacher Suit, lead a large contingent of his personal Guwan Guard to the Scept. A loose coalition of Watchmen, Iron Masks, and armed commoners were viscously and decisively defeated and scattered as their clubs and ballistic rifles were useless against the heavy armor of several Breacher Suits and the advanced laser weapons. Other groups surrendered immediately. The Guwan Guard and the Hegemon made their way to the Scept where they were confronted by Lord Trikzara Sirax himself. After a brief argument Sirax stood down and refused to participate in the assault. As a consequence the Third Scept was sacked by the Hegemon and the Guwan Guard. High Priest Unzi himself was critically wounded in the attack that saw the destruction of countless priceless religious and historical artifacts. The building itself suffered heavy structural damage. By the end of the day several Lords swore to avenge the sacking and declared themselves to be in open revolt. By nightfall the Hegemony was once again teetering on the brink of a full scale civil war.

On January 23rd the Hegemon was meeting with loyalist Lords to discuss their strategy, with his sons Not'zar Izweski and Kataphract Z'krazk with him. During the war council the Hegemon began demanding increasingly harsh responses, at one point even calling upon Captain Xirac, present in the meeting holographically from the HMV Annihilation, to commence orbital bombardment of all cities with Lords that declared themselves against the Izweski. After a fierce argument and escalating tensions, Kataphract Z'krazk drew his sword and killed his father before all those present. Not'zar Izweski was then unceremoniously thrust back into his role as leader of the Hegemon as his brother was clad in irons. Even with the death of the Hegemon, the rebelling Lords refused to end the conflict and announced that they would only follow Not'zar once again if he defeated the rebellion in open battle.

Not'zar's Civil War

"I understand that my Clan's name is stained. I also understand that I am not the most powerful warrior. But I will prove myself as brave as any and enter battle alongside the men I send to defend my title and my clan. I will not let them compare me to humans who sit in faraway rooms and send men to their deaths."

-Not'zar Izweski announces his intent to lead his forces from the battlefield, 2462.

On January 25th Not'zar found that even within his own loyalist forces, patience for his radical ideas was strained. Lords rejected his attempts to centralize their forces and appoint officers from his Cadet Schools into the army. Due to mass defections by lower-nobility to the rebel side, this left Not'zar's army with critical shortages in officers. Another option was implemented, allowing even the lowest members of nobility to become officers. This saw many Unathi from as far as Tau Ceti come to Moghes to fight on the side of Not'zar, while others returned to fight on the side of the rapidly growing rebellion. Several battles broke out in these initial stages, with victories and defeats on either side. But the primary upcoming battle was at a site known as the Four Hills, which if lost by the loyalists would throw open the gates of To'ha'dat and Skalamar itself to the rebellion.

January 25th saw ceremonial preparation for the Battle of Four Hills. Here Not'zar oversaw his assembly of Unathi and Vaurca warriors while across Moghes smaller scale battles were taking place.

On January 27th the Battle of the Four Hills decided the civil war. After the intense struggle nearly saw the loyalist forces rout, and even after the near-death of Not'zar in personal combat, the loyalists prevailed and routed the rebellion forces. The battle is historically significant for the large number of foreign-born Unathi who came to Moghes for the fighting. A large number of Unathi from Tau Ceti came, fought, and then retuned to their home Star System.

By January 28th Not'zar Izweski met with the three leaders of the Rebellion: High Kataphract Zakeai, Lord Orezali, and Maraziite Chapter-Master Nu'ghai. During the peace conference he skillfully divided the rebellion by tapping into the animosity between their leaders. He secured a separate peace with Lord Orezali, which reduced the rebellion's forces so significantly that they had no choice but to comply in turn. The consequences of the brief civil war were intense on historical, political, and sociological scales. It saw the consolidation of Not'zar Izweski's power, growing acceptance for dionae augments and the becoming of Kizitaa - or "bonded ones", or even Aut'akh augments by maimed warriors, the deposition of High Priest Unzi and the dissolution of the Maraziite Order, the eventual loss of Gakal'zaal by the Hegemony to the Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai, and a wider belief that the Lords were losing their ability to dislodge the Izweski from their position.

... But Rises Again (2462)

"... But there will always be a sunrise for all."

--Final line from the poem 'The Light of Twilight' by Kzira'i Moarazi, poet of the 9th century.

The Trial of Z'krazki Izweski

"If dying in battle is what it will take for our father to forgive me when I meet him again then so be it. I will become Z'razki Guwandi."

-Z'krazki Izweski upon taking the title of Guwandi, 2462.

On February 10th Not'zar oversaw the trial of his brother. During the trial Not'zar demanded that Z'krazki justify his crime, and his obstinate younger brother refused to speak until mid-way through the trial. Z'krazki's legal defendant, Advocate Miziak, was unable to persuade the emotional Not'zar. The young Hegemon demanded that Z'krazki take on the title of Guwandi and enter exile. This offer was accepted and Z'krazki was escorted deep into the Wasteland.

The Trial of High Priest Unzi

"By what authority do you judge me?"

- High Priest Unzi to Not'zar Izweski during his trial, 2462.

On February 16th High Priest Unzi faced trial. During the trial the same questions were brought up on the relationship between the church and the state, and where each had authority over one another. The power differential that Not'zar now held - with Unzi in chains and himself as the victor in a civil war - allowed Not'zar to more aggressively push back against the theocrat. Alongside intense and spiteful debate the High Priest rejected the accusation that the Iron Masks had kidnapped the child, but was unable to satisfy Not'zar's questions as to whether or not the Iron Masks could have done it without Unzi's knowledge. Unwilling to concede, Unzi trapped himself into sharing culpability with the Iron Masks. In the end he was found guilty on all counts and exiled to the Wasteland. Not'zar then announced that he would be seeking a new High Priest to take over the Church in Unzi's stead, taking power over the Church. In addition he was seen speaking to the azure Hizoni Razi, who only a year ago saved his life. Unknown at the time, the young noblewoman at that moment was being given broad power over the Hegemon Shadow Service as spymaster for the young Hegemon.

The Reign of Hegemon Not'zar Izweski

“The first Izweski. Oevei Izweski the Behemoth, who took this very city from the Sarakus. Fire was his weapon. Toiaxi Izweski the Young Overlord, made Hegemon before his first teething, killed before he said a word. Raza Izweski the Warlord, constructed hundreds of Behemoths to rule the skies. Ko’hi Izweski the Pious, formed the first Faith Militant [...]"

-Not'zar Izweski recites his royal line during his coronation ceremony, 2462.

On March 31st, Not'zar Izweski made a speech for reconciliation and to repair the Izweski's image as honorable leaders, and emphasizing that he would be taking a more traditional kind of rule to placate the Lords. Hizoni Razi also spoke, herself announcing the formal coronation of Not'zar Izweski as Hegemon in the next seven days.

On April 7th Not'zar Izweski was officially coronated as the 68th Hegemon, and the 19th Izweski to have the title. The experience was exhausting for the physically handicapped nobleman as he had to wear heavy clothes and a lot of jewelry, but the image portrayed as a strong, calming presence to his citizens in the first publicly broadcast coronation further increased his approval with the public.

On June 20th the colony of Gakal'zaal was finally pushed over the edge. Overlord Yizarus' continued floundering and brutal treatment of the natives had worn out the patience of of the local Tajara population, the Guilds he was exploiting, and even Not'zar Izweski.

By June 30th the corruption and mismanagement prompted a more serious rebellion. Using guerilla warfare the Tajara rebels imposed significant casualties on the forces of Overlord Yizarus, who engaged in even more draconian punishments in an attempt to quash the movement.

On July 15th Overlord Yizarus was discovered to have been the mastermind of an elaborate ruse that saw the execution of a prominent pro-Hegemony Tajara family. In addition the Overlord had used a holographic projection claiming to be a moderately well known and honorable nobleman Shiassta to protect his own honor. Disgusted, Hegemon Not'zar Izweski stripped Overlord Yizarus of his titles and all but granted Gakal'zaal both autonomy and the right to do with Yizarus as they pleased if they caught him. Writing off the colony, Gakal'zaal became an embarrassing stain on Not'zar's proclaimed ability to integrate anyone within the Hegemonic system.

On August 25th Spymaster Hizoni Razi announced the conclusion of the investigation into the kidnapping of Yakt Izweski. It was revealed that an Izweski Citadel maid abducted the child and handed it over to the Maraziite Order. While the investigation did not settle the question on Unzi's involvement, it nevertheless proved to be the final blow in the Iron Masks's legitimacy, all but ending the Order entirely. At the same time the fate of Yakt Izweski was still undetermined, with the childs whereabouts still unknown.

On November 22nd Not'zar Izweski announced that the Hegemony would be intervening in the conflict between the Republic of Biesel and the attacking Solarian forces. Summoning Kataphracts and levys, forces were assembled an dispatched to protect the fledgling star nation.

By December 4th the crisis had been resolved, but due to elaborate demands on how the Hegemonic forces should return to Tau Ceti, the withdrawl took a considerable length of time that resulted in hundreds of warriors being stranded in the star system.