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
Stars of Calm
The Eternal Dynasty come from the Kyusa Ri system, where their planet was largely governed by a single powerful Dynasty for much of their history. Though most clans were isolationist, they accepted the rule of the Dynasty in order to bring peace and order between the diverse islands of their world. Their species would come to be known as Kusarians after their home system.
The Clan System
As the Kusarians began to travel between stars, the clan who discovered wormholes leveraged their position to claim the position of Dynasts. The rest of the clans rushed to settle new worlds and became gradually more powerful. Some even began to openly defy the Dynast, reducing the title to little more than a ceremonial role.
Clan Wars
Clans began to openly dispute control of valuable resources and worlds. An alliance of ambitious clans attacks and nearly wipes out the Dynastic Clan but none are strong enough to claim the title for themselves. With no central authority to keep things in order, widespread clan wars erupted, with the Dynasties becoming puppets to whichever clan was strongest at the time. clans became increasingly isolated and soon began to hate and distrust each other.
Eternal Dynasty
After over a century of war, a new Dynasty emerged. They presented themselves as diplomats who would not intervene in conflict and many clans supported them, believing that they could easily control these would-be Dynasts. The Dynasty quietly fueled existing conflicts, encouraging stronger clans to deplete their forces until they were on the verge on ruin. After decades of war, once the other clans were finally exhausted the new Dynasty intervened with the Royal Army, forcing the remaining of the clans to surrender. The new Dynast declared that the title was no longer a ceremonial role, but that the Dynasty would maintain its order eternally.
Hive Wars
In order to unite the previously warring clans against anew foe, the Dynasty provoked a full-scale war with the recently encountered Alien Hives. Initially, the Royal Army struggled with internal conflict, nearly leading to the Dynasty’s collapse but faced with a genuine threat the clans united and began to turn the tide. Following this, the Dynast pursues the Hives to Sirius, conquering many new worlds in the process.
Society
The Eternal Dynasty are members of a species native to the oceanic world of Tyansing in the system of Kyusa Ri. They recently started expanding their territories from their previously isolated territories in 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 notable 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 their native cluster, demanding tribute and obedience. But the wider 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 its recent campaigns of expansion. 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.
