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 stars and beyond the Kusari 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 Kusari Sector, starting off as a small united faction on their home planet. Here they lived peacefully for millennia, and named their system the “stars of calm,” due to there being two suns.
The Clan System
As the faction continued to grow, many diverse philosophies formed in different regions, and so a clan system with a central leadership was established in order to maintain peace. Each clan had its own autonomy and war chief, but followed the lead of a ruling dynasty which sought to keep order, thanks to its own royal army. Every hundred years, a dynasty from a different clan would take over, so that no clan was solely in power for too long.
Clan Wars
The clan system worked for a while, but over time, the authority of the ruling dynasties became weaker with each new changing dynasty, and the royal army shrunk to a fraction of clan armies. 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. Each clan became more and more separate from each other, with widespread xenophobia between the different clans.
Eternal Dynasty
The clan wars continued for thousands of years, with the royal army trying to maintain order, but constantly being beaten by superior forces. A new dynasty, which identified with no clan, would eventually come to power. This dynasty stopped intervening 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. This has been the longest ruling dynasty that has brought permanent peace back to the “stars of calm” and is known as the Eternal Dynasty.
Age of Discovery
Over this long era of peace, the Eternal Dynasty has grown into a big star-faring civilization, and has expanded beyond the Kusari Sector.
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 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 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.
