Zirax Empire
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Summary
Ravaged by many conflicts, the Zirax Empire has existed in its current form for over a thousand years. Before the War of Silence, it was part of the galaxy-dominating “Talon-Zirax Assembly.” Currently, the Empire dominates the Eastside of Andromeda, extending its influence far into the galaxy. The Empire considers itself the leading faction of the known “civilized galaxy.”
The Empire is governed by an Empress chosen by the six great houses and resides on the government planet, which has been transformed into a sanctuary forbidden to all but the Empress and her court.
Current Situation
By the game's timeline, there are four major houses, known as the Hexagon, each with a specific role in the Empire: Xenu (military), Epsilon (communication/infrastructure), Ghyst (espionage/intelligence), Abyssal (technology & research), Rados (energy, trade, resources), Serdu (administration, spirituality).
The Empire is currently in an expansion phase, driven by the DESC-initiated “Deep Space Colonization Program” and the competition for influence in the Eastside against the Prenn and the Arkenians.
Internal Affairs
On the surface, the Empire still operates smoothly. However, beneath the surface, tensions have been brewing for several years. A plot against the Empress, who belongs to one of the two largest houses, Abyssal, is rumored to be in the works. There is mistrust and jealousy between the two blocks of Xenu/Ghyst/Epsilon and Abyssal/Rados/Serdu. The Imperial Guard, loyal to the Empress, has had to quell several bloody conflicts between members of the Hexagon. The blocks appear to be seeking external allies for their internal disputes. Both Abyssal and Xenu are said to have used established contacts for internal strife. The Imperial Council (representatives of the houses in the Hexagon) is attempting to prevent escalation by all means, but the heads of the houses are challenging to control due to the extensive freedoms granted by Imperial law.
The armed border conflict with the Kriel acts as an accelerant. As Kriel fleets continue to intrude into Zirax space and cause devastation, Xenu seizes the opportunity to accuse the Empress of not deploying the full might of the military, instead relying on Abyssal's technological gadgets.
Politics
The Ziraxian Empire the largest power in the east side of the galaxy Andromeda. It is ruled by a series of houses, each with a specific function or functions that relates to a sphere of influence. These houses form an imperial council, officially referred to as 'the Hexagon'. The Empress, elected by the council, publicly holds supreme power. There are constant battles behind the scenes. Currently there seem to exist two groups made of three houses. Xenu, Ghyst and Epsilon versus Abyssal, Rados and Serdu. Beyond the common interest in the well-being of the empire and its prosperity, however, bloody feuds and upheavals take place behind the scenes time and again. According to unconfirmed reports, each house is only responsible for itself. As long as it does not harm the Hexagon and thus the Empire's reputation, the Imperial Guards apparently do not intervene. Various incidents seem to confirm this. This also applies to external contacts. So you can be a friend of the Abyssals, but an enemy of the Xenu.
The most influential and longest-standing houses of the Zirax empire are at date:
House of XENU
The military branch of the empire. Although the other houses have combat vessels and security forces, those are mostly XENU ships and bases, repainted in the house's color. The Xenu are everywhere.
House of RADOS
The house is handling all of the logistics within the empire and beyond. The members of the house also run nearly all of the Empire-owned trading and freighter routes.
House of EPSILON
Each and every com signal sent and transceived in the Empire has probably gone through one of the house's stations. Not only technically, but also in terms of approval of its content.
House of GHYST
The Ghyst are running the more delicate emplacements and handle everything that even only sounds like it is of vital interest to the empire.
House of ABYSSAL
One of the first houses that formed long before the War of Silence took place. The inner circle of the Empire and the Empress herself is either approved by the Abyssal or is (in 90% of all cases) even one of theirs. The Abyssal have founded the technical basis of the Empire and constantly pushed its development - by all means. The Abyssal have a strong ally in the House of SERDU.
House of SERDU
While this house is not that influential anymore, they are still the spiritual representatives of the Empire and have a major say in the election of the Empress.
Society
The Zirax have always been a rather warlike species. Early on, however, the various tribes shared certain tasks in society - but this only ever settled conflicts between them in the short term. However, the first planetary empire managed to concentrate the forces of the great houses on civilizational progress.
In the context of a cultivated “culture of honor”, the empress is ruling with a firm hand, but the people, who are divided into castes, enjoy a high degree of freedom according to their own aspirations. It was and still is possible to rise from the lower castes. Through adoption, even in adulthood, a career up to full council member in the Hexagon is possible for every Zirax. Only the coronation as Empress is restricted to female Zirax - but here, too, origin counts for nothing, it is reputation and achievement that count.
History
There is little information about the origins of the Zirax Empire. Much of it has been lost in numerous conflicts and in the so-called “War of Silence”.
What is certain is that the pre-imperial Zirax came into contact with the Talon shortly after their civilization set out into space and successfully colonized their home solar system, and received a technological boost from them. The Talon and the Zirax formed a technological and cultural union called the Talon-Zirax Assembly, which lasted for hundreds of years. The Zirax were primarily the fighting arm, while the Talon were responsible for the scientific and administrative operations.
Until the War of Silence emerged.
According to the available archives, the Talon were proven to have caused the War of Silence or even secretly fomented or waged it against the Zirax. The decision-makers of the Houses of Zirax made the Talon pay for this betrayal and chased them out of office and off their planets after the end of the war. This was followed by the proclamation of the Empire, which still exists today.
NPCs & Creatures
The following NPCs and creatures are primarily associated with the Zirax Empire, although they can be seen on other factions sometimes as well.
Non-Military
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Trader
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Civilian (male)
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Civilian (female)
Ground Troops
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Commander
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Soldier
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Soldier
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Soldier
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Soldier
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Soldier
Robots:Mechanoid, AssaultMech
Pets: RipperDog