Crimsonstar/Kairin Empire
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
Contents |
History of the Andromeda Galaxy and the forming of the Kairin Empire
The worlds that make up the Kairin Empire are spread out over two solar systems that revolve around two suns that are so close in proximity they almost qualify as a binary star system. The first solar system in made up of twelve planets of which nine contain sentient life and the second is made up of ten and seven of those are inhabited. It is these sixteen inhabited worlds that make up the sixteen ‘core’ worlds of the Kairin Empire. It also important to note that not all of the worlds had life naturally evolve there, but were instead colonized as the Empire grew.
While an exact age can not determined, it is an accepted fact that life in the Andromedan galaxy began long before life on Earth which accounts for it’s being ahead of Earth in both technology and space travel. Also, not all the races in the Kairin Empire are humanoid, but through generations of war and conflict, these races have reached a peaceful coexistence.
Like most ancient societies, the worlds of the Andromedan galaxy were filled with war and distrust as rulers and monarch expanded their kingdoms onto the unexplored lands of their worlds. When the first of the Andromedan worlds discovered space travel, these same conflicts of interest over who had claim to what area of space soon followed. For decades warlords built newer star craft and advanced their weaponry in the pursuit of laying claim to areas of space and planets that they wanted in their control.
On the world of Berrix, one ruler, Igaar Kairin, devised a devious plan to obtain control of all the worlds in the Andromeda galaxy along with a powerful new weapon to carry out his goal. In orbit around the newly discovered world of Pellisa, the battle fleets of the warlords of the Andromedan galaxy engaged in heavy battle all vying to claim the world in their empire. Silently Igaar Kairin flew his command ship into the heart of the battle, but he didn’t enter into combat. He instead dropped all his defensive shields and opened a wide scale open communication channel to all the warring factions and declared;
"Enough! The bloodshed, the slaughter, the deaths of our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, all our families, it is enough"
Andromedan legend tells that the fleets of the remaining warring planets were stunned by his sudden annoucement and a four day long standoff ensued in which none of the warlords knew what to make of Igaar Kairin's refusal to fight. Not one shot was fired while all eyes watched Igaar Kairin’s battle ship, awaiting his next move. Finally, one man who had considered Igaar an ally before the start of the Andromedan space wars, and had also grown weary of the wars, decided to follow Igaar’s example and lowered his shields.
"Igaar Kairin you have taken a brave step, one that could have easily cost you your life, but it will not be taken by my hand. Maybe the time for fighting is indeed over." He stated over the same communication channel and ordered the rest of his fleet to also lower their shields and power down their weapons. Slowly the fleets of the remaining warlords all followed his example. One by one, the remaining battleships lowered their defenses and powered down their weapons. At that moment, Igaar Kairin had his enemies where he wished them. Within seconds an energy pulse unlike any seen in any previous conflict erupted from his ship and those trusting men screamed in horror as they and their ships were ripped asunder by its force.
It had been a bold move by Kairin, for in order to fire his weapon his own shields had to be down or the energy weapon would have torn his own ship apart when released. He gambled heavily with his own life and it was a gamble that paid in his favor. The majority of the fleets for the warring armies had been at the battle, for Pellisa was the newest discovered planet rich in resources and all of the Andromedan worlds with space capability wanted to claim it.
With their fleets all but destroyed, none of the remaining Andromedan worlds could offer much resistance to Igaar Kairin and the destructive force he controlled. In four short months, he had taken control of all the then established worlds. Only he did not stop there, he spread his fleet over the system, enslaving the people of each new planet as he did. In its first three years, his new empire killed as many people as it enslaved. He forced them to mine the natural resources of their worlds solely for his use, leaving little to nothing for them. He took many wives and they bore him many sons and daughters resulting in a descendant of the Kairin family on the throne as emperor for the next hundred and sixty years.
Then, in the eighth year of the reign of Xantes Kairin, there was a revolt on Andromeda 12. Word spread across the system and with each new planet that received the news of the uprising, another planet joined the cause. Xantes Kairin was overthrown and in the months that followed the assembled masses of the Andromeda worlds, vowing that never again would one man or family hold power, restructured the Empire. A Council of Kairin Elders was formed with a representative of each of the Andromedan worlds elected to it. They quickly drew up the Articles of the Kairin Empire and appointed a new Emperor. The position of Emperor became an appointed office by the Council and they now would work in tandem with the Emperor in governing their empire. It was decided to keep the name of the Kairin Empire to serve as a reminder to the people of the oppression during the Kairin family’s reign and of the lessons learned from allowing any one person ultimate rule.
The twin star systems that comprised the Kairin Empire also underwent change as it was decided to do away with individual names for planets and go to a simple numbering system for identification of the planets. It was put forth by the Council and the newly appointed Emperor that unity for their empire had to start by putting aside pride, greed, and hatred and work together. The removal of planetary names was a first step in getting past old hatreds and promoting unity. It was deemed easier to find peace when a world was simply referred to as ‘Andromeda 3’ or ‘Andromeda 9’ and not the old names associated with the planet during the years of their galactic wars.
The Council also decreed that free travel for all the people of the system to any other planet in the Empire was to no longer be restricted. Finding themselves suddenly able to travel at will greatly improved the morale of the peoples of the Kairin Empire and both economic and social growth and change swept across the empire as the races of the empire learned that the people they had once warred with were no different from them despite what their outward appearance may be. All any of them wanted was prosperity and happiness.
The now utopian society the Kairin Empire enjoys didn’t come immediately, but for the first time in the history of the Andromedan people, the promise of one was no longer empty words.
Governmental structure of the Kairin Empire.
Emperor
Current Emperor is Dashel Ronn. He was appointed Emperor by the Council twenty five years ago and will hold the position until his passing. The Council appoints a new Emperor whenever the need for a replacement is required and one candidate from each of the sixteen Andromeda worlds may be considered. An Emperor candidate must have previously served on the Council of Kairin Elders for at least two seasons
Council of Kairin Elders
There is one Elder representing their respective world in the Kairin Empire. Current count stands at sixteen. The Council Elders are elected by their respective planets for one term, or season as they call it. A season of service on the Council is ten Andromedan years. Previous service as a governmental officiate is required to be eligible for a Council elder position.
Council Primogen
Within the Council itself the Elders elect one of them to be the voice for the entire Council in matters of public addresses or when conferring with the Emperor. The Council Primogen is currently Antessa Denthar, Council Elder of Andromeda 3, who also happens to be Marsius’ mother.
Governmental Officiate
Each world in the Kairin Empire has Officiates that oversee the affairs of their provenances. The number of Officiates varies from world to world as each planet is divided differently due to geographical size and regions. The term of season for governmental officiates is five years.
Location of Government Offices
Both the Emperor’s ruling office and his mansion along with the chambers of the Council of Kairin Elders is in the capital city of Arisa on Andromeda 3. There is satellite offices and domiciles for both the Emperor and the Council Elders on each of the Andromedan worlds for those occasions where governmental business requires them to travel.
