This resulted in a series of violent and extremely bloody conflicts, which devastated the Stars of Calms and greatly weakened the clans. Then, the Royal Dynasty intervened and united the remaining clans under an expanded royal army. The Dynasty refused to pass on their power as tradition required, instead declaring themselves the Eternal Dynasty.
The Eternal Dynasty’s rule has led to an age of peace and prosperity, which has allowed them to expand into the wider Sirius Sector. Yet, bitterness remains between the clans even after centuries of peace. Much of their society still bears the scars of the clan wars, and many follow the rule of the Dynasty only reluctantly, due to their role in the final conflicts that ended the Clan War Era.
How will you bring your unity to the stars?
History
The First Dynasty
The Kusari originated on the ocean world of Tyansing in the binary Kyusa Ri system, whose name means "the stars of calm". Divided up among thousands of islands, their earliest histories tell of Clan Chieftains of several islands assembling to select a leader who would go on to create the First Dynasty.
The Clan System
After a long planetary-scale war in the industrial era, most of Tyansing’s Clans were united under the banner of a single Dynasty. One Clan discovers Wormholes in the remote corner of the Kyusa Ri system, allowing them to explore territories beyond. Another Clan discovers Starjade in nearby systems, allowing for the creation of ONIs and other artificial intelligences far beyond anything previously possible.
Clan Wars
The clan system worked for a while, but over time, the authority of the Xing dynasties became weaker and Clans began grew more independent. When the Xing fell, widespread war erupted between the Clans. The title of Dynast lost much of its authority, claimed by powerful rulers or awared to their allies, as the fighting between Clans escalated and xenophobia and isolationism became widespread.
Eternal Dynasty
The clan wars continued for over a century as the royal mantle passed between the tenuous alliances of warring clans. The minor Hwan Clan would use their diplomatic position and popularity to manipulate their way into power. They presented themselves as neutral, refusing to intervene directly in the conflicts between clans. Instead, they fuelled hatred and war between the clans, until they depleted their forces and fell into ruin. Only then did the royal army step in, defeated all the clans, and united them again.
Arrival in Sirius
The Dynasty provokes a full-scale war with the recently encountered Alien Hives. The Royal Army struggles with internal conflict, nearly leading to the Dynasty’s collapse. The Hives arrive in Sirius, devastating many Kusarian Worlds in their path. The Dynast pursues the Hives to Sirius, conquering many new worlds in the process.
Timeline
- 703 BRC - Wormhole Discovered in Kyusa Ri system
- 231 BRC - Development of ONI
- 141 BRC - Clan Wars Begin
- 71 ARC - Ascension of the Eternal Dynasty
- 105 ARC - Hive War Begins
- 124 ARC - The Eternal Dynasty Arrives in Sirius
Society
The Eternal Dynasty are members of a species native to the Kusari Sector. They recently started expanding into the Sirius Sector, after their Royal House could gain back control of the various clans following a millennia-long clan war.
The Royal Clan
The Royal Clan represents the Dynasty itself, from ruling Dynasts to their lowliest servants, some of whom have served the Royal Clan for generations. The Dynasty broke the cycle of violence of the Clan Wars by uniting the other clans beneath the banner of the Eternal Dynasty, uniting all the clans under their rule. Though the Dynasty maintains control over all clans however, those within the Royal Clan are often favoured for their perceived loyalty and kinship with the Dynasty.
The Clans
Most serving the Eternal Dynasty identify with one of the many other clans. Members all feel very strong cultural bonds to their clans, even if they maintain loyalty to the Royal Clan over all. It is a common tradition to wear face markings to identify their clan. While some have embraced the peace that the Royal Clan has brought, others still hold on to the old history of rivalries, alliances and betrayals between their clans. Some even wish for their clan to strike out on their own and claim independence. Ironically, an inter-clan network of secret opponents to monarchic rule who have set aside their rivalries temporarily to achieve independence, but for the moment, this is a marginal movement.
Artificial Intelligence
The Eternal Dynasty makes extensive use of artificial intelligence, most notably with autonomous robots called ONIs. While ONIs are programmed to serve their Clan, they are just as valued as flesh-and-blood members. As they accumulate life experience, ONIs may achieve command positions of their fellow AI and be treated with similar respect to those commanding regular soldiers.
The artificial intelligence systems in drones are far less advanced, and so they may be treated as domesticated animals rather than equal members of society. Still, it is common for drones to be given affectionate nicknames and viewed as beloved mascots or pets by those living and working with them.
Conquest
The Eternal Dynasty strive constantly to secure new territory and resources in order to ease tension between its clans. They have come to dominate their neighbours in the Kusari Sector, demanding tribute and obedience. But the Sirius Sector, while filled with resources, might prove to be a bigger challenge, as many factions have just as much fighting experience as the Eternal Dynasty.
Unrest
The ruling Dynasty has so far been able to maintain and strengthen its power due to a series of victories back in the Kusari Sector. As they continue to grow in size, however, their opponents continue to operate in the shadows. Some fear that if the Dynasty were to face a major defeat, then their rule may face challenges from other clans, returning their society to a new period of inter-clan warfare.
Proud Warriors
On the battlefield, Eternal Dynasty forces operate as a well-oiled machine, with a flexible combat doctrine. Units train and serve together for lengthy stretches of time and can enact complex tactics and adapt to the enemy in real time, coordinating both their quick and flexible troops alongside ONIs and AI to strike with precision. The soldiers are motivated both by the social prestige they bring to their clan and themselves, but also by the share of profits they are likely to receive from a successful campaign.
The Radiance
The Sages view the Rift as a malign entity disrupting the flow of nature, which they know as Si Xao or the Blind Spot, but the Royal Clan wishes to study and extract all that they can from the mysterious region, particularly following rumours of Star Jades discovered within the Zone. Sages claim that as they approach, nearby spirits cry out in pain or are altogether absent, making their abilities difficult to manage and attribute many of the ill effects of the Radiance to this.
Language
Numerous languages emerged among the scattered islands of the world of Tyansing. For much of their prehistory, languages were usually contained to their native island, with only traders learning a few keywords from other islands. It was only with the coming of the Dynastic system that this changed; Clan Chieftains learnt the dialect used by the Dynasty for formal meetings and inter-island dealings. Since that time, nearly a millennium ago, the Dynastic dialect has served as the standard for communication within their territories. As a result, outsiders usually simply refer to it as Kusarian.
An individual’s Clan name is usually included before their name, but this is rarely used outside of official documentation. Next, is the surname; many of these are common and shared between Clans through the intermixing of common roots, which range from a place of origin to profession. Finally, personal names come last. These are usually two syllables long and are mostly considered gender neutral. ONI and Drones are usually built as part of a series which serves as the basis of their name, with numbers attached according to their build order; ONI are typically built in smaller batches rarely exceeding a hundred. It is also common for both ONI and Drones to receive nicknames which usually draw on natural phenomena.
Example Names
[Nyang] [Kwen] [Kyekye] - [Clan Name] [Family Name] [Personal Name]
[Faing] [XouMa][83] ["Tide"] - [Clan Name] [Series Name] [Serial Number] "[Nickname]"
Male Names
- Pyao Syong Hyanwei
- Faing Xeng Kwanpeng
- Kyasu Myang Syaonxi
Female Names
- Nyang Kwen Kyekye
- Xein Yan Tsanming
- Siswa Tsyou Yiwei
ONI Names
- Faing XouMa83 "Tide"
- Pyao NanLou02 "Comet"
- Tseng SyangNei64
Drone Names
- Xou654 "Shadow"
- Tse1012
- Mai452
Note that Kusarian characters are usually referred to by their family name (in italics), while ONI are referred to by the series name (in italics) or sometimes by a nickname.
Trivia
Notable Locations
- Tyansing - The ancestral homeworld of the Kusarians. Tyansing was devastated during the Clan Wars, and now it is cordoned off to all but a few favoured individuals.
- Tsilong - Abandoned by the Dynasty in the wake of the Clan Wars, Tsilong has become a hub for production and smuggling, with pirates and outcasts bringing much-needed resources and opportunities.
- Sangpyan Wei - A veritable maze of stalls and shrines, filled with shouting merchants, preaching Sages, alien species, and travellers of all stripes, Sangpyan Wei is one of the few gateways into the territory of the Dynasty for outsiders.
- Pyaolai - Under the exacting administration of the Syang Clan, Pyaolai serves as a vital lynchpin in the Wall of Worlds, fortifying Dynastic space against Alien Hives incursions.
Notable Characters
- Captain Tseng Lyao Wenxi (Edge of the Radiance) - An old war hero fallen from the Dynasty's favour after forcing a truce with the Dwarf Guilds. Lyao may have lost his appetite for war, but he still keeps his two Ironbane swords sharp and his Twin Shotgun loaded
- Sergeant Hwan Wou Nyepeng (Edge of the Radiance) - A promising Ninja from a minor branch of the Royal Family, Wou is eager to apply her training and prove herself in a field assignment.
- Banner Bearer Syang Xao Fwalin (Eternal Dynasty Faction Book) - Though not born of the Royal Hwan Clan, Syang Xao Fwalin bears the Dynasty’s Royal banner into battle just as her grandmother did. Such an honour has not been granted lightly but earned through skill, determination, and fanatical loyalty.
- Yin WuKaon05 (Eternal Dynasty Faction Book) - One of the oldest known ONI still in operation, Wukaon05 has become something of a legend among his kind, who call him the ONI King.
- Sage Hwan Myan Kyixi (Eternal Dynasty Faction Book) - Known as to many as the Laughing Sage, Hwan Myan Kyixi has abandoned his position with the Royal Dynasty in order to embrace self-cultivation.
- Faing Syen Hoyi & Xaotyan (Eternal Dynasty Faction Book) - Faing Syan Hoyi fled into hiding along with her Cyber Tiger pet, Xaotyan, when the Alien Hives attacked her home world. Years later, they was discovered and eventually inducted into the Royal Army to hunt down any Hivers who dare venture into Kusarian territory.
Proverbs
- Only by the Dynasty can the blood of the past be wiped away and a new future built.
- The banner of the Dynasty guides the Clans as the moon orders the tides.
- The peace of the Dynasty must be preserved above all else, even life.
- No matter if a mind is made of flesh or jade, so long as it serves its Clan.
- There’s nothing more dangerous than a lone Ninja.
