The Tallus Dominion is, in one form or another, the longest lived power in the Perseus arm. The origins of the Dominion come well after the fall of the Stellar Republic, but in many ways the Dominion began as what was left of it. At the conclusion of the Ash war those sectors of space and the systems within them that managed to avoid outright eradication were left without, or with severely degraded, interplanetary infrastructure on which they had survived and prospered. Famine, disease, resource shortages and the riots clamoring over what was left ravaged the galaxy and the area of the Dominion was no different. Very few worlds were truly self-sufficient and those that could not adapt either devolved into barbarism, or were abandoned.
Hundreds of smaller wars erupted during the millennia following the Ash War, as refugees turned to raiding, or if not powerful enough, were destroyed to keep them from consuming the resources of a world or a people they had naively hoped would take them in. In the few cases where the refugees were lucky enough to avoid destruction they would become third class citizens and be given the worst jobs for the least amount of compensation, if any was given at all.
During this time numerous nations would rise and then just as quickly fall, adding to the cycle. It would not be until 16,000 years ago that this would change. The ruling oligarchs of the various nations in existence at the time found themselves faced with the approach of a roving Border Fleet numbering well over 6 million ships of the wall. It was decided to ally themselves in order to present a unified front despite being militarily inferior. Thus united the oligarchs sought to co-opt the leaders of the Border Fleet as oligarch are wont to do, by bringing the Border Fleet leaders into their ranks. The Fleet leaders found this worthwhile as it gave them a permanent source of repair, and resupply. For the existing elites, a vast fleet and army of Zentraedi Warriors was gained. This event was commemorated by the declaration of Empire and installment of an Emperor, or, First among Equals.
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Dominion Capitol circa 2158 |
As with any Empire, factionalism would manifest and with it power plays, infighting and court intrigue. Around 5,300 years ago, after a period of expansion these power plays, intrigues and manipulations would spark an economic crisis to which the sitting First among Equals, Emperor Nosaad would fail to address. With the Imperial coffers run dry due to the inability to move revenue to them from frontier provinces, the army and more over fleet were gutting to cut costs. This in turn caused neighboring nations, (among them those found in what would one day become the Taegyn League) no longer fearful of the Empires once vaunted military turned into a laughing stock, to stop paying Tithes.
Poverty rates skyrocket followed closely behind by rates in crime. Infrastructure, no longer able to be maintained, crumbles; and ‘barbarians at the gates’ such as the Doakraxathi, emboldened by the lack of any check against them begin ravaging the border regions. Cults abound and the populace suffers morale and moral decay. This decadence and desperation would, 1,600 years ago, culminate into a seemingly unending spate of Civil wars. Inept Emperors, foolish and futile military adventurism, and all manner of other missteps would peak with the Burning of Escandel. Imperial military overseers, with morale and discipline severely degraded after their latest ill planned military endeavors fail to secure any new territory, lose control of their Zentraedi troops in the Escandel system, the home system of the sitting Emperor. The Escandel system is ravaged by the malcontents and much blood and treasure is wasted in order to quell the dissent. This event would lead to the vast majority of Zentraedi (99%) warriors being placed back into stasis, to be decanted only when needed for battle; a practice that continues to this day.
Following this the Empire would suffer another five centuries of civil war and rapid changes of leadership. (During the course of one decade, Imperial power changes hands no less than 12 times due to assassination, coup d’etat or civil war.)
800 years ago a strong and even minded military leader Merkedi Tallus I from House Tallus would sweep across the sector with a fleet of crack troops at his command. Any noble or elite he encounters during his drive is offered the choice, surrender or be annihilated. System after system fall to his forces. By the time his armies reach the Central Systems entire regions have surrendered without a fight. Within 55 years the remaining Imperial territory is conquered. In what would become known as the Tallus Reforms, Emperor Merkadi I establishes a new system of noble houses, promoting, or creating out of whole cloth, lower houses to fill the place of defeated houses he also installs worthy mercantile and military families into a new ground level nobility.
Upon the death of Alial Tallus IX, 170 years ago, many felt a new round of civil wars were forthcoming as he had no living heir, but his and his ancestors reforms had a drastic stabilizing effect of the Empire and a peaceful transition of power is made as Alial Tallus IX had left orders to dissolve his house and transfer all Imperial authority to House Zeketri, a long time and loyal ally. Emperor Voelkian Zeketri I ascends the throne and continues Alial’s reforms. One of Emperor Zeketri’s first actions is to rename the Empire the ‘Tallus Dominion’ in honor of House Tallus.
"Everyone, and everything, has a price."
The Tallus Dominion is, without a doubt, a superpower, and within its borders it reigns supreme. However, despite this, or possibly because of it, the Dominion, like the Empire it replaced in name, has always been corrupt, decedent, and devious in some manner or another. Bribery and abuses had always occurred. But by the sixth millennium they had become the norm: no longer abuses of a system, but an alternative system in itself. Everything was bought and sold: public office including army commands, judges' verdicts, tax assessments, access to authority on every level, and particularly the emperor. The traditional web of obligations became a marketplace of power, ruled only by naked self-interest. Under the table deals, favored treatment, secret pacts, exploitation of loopholes and the letter of the law, and the selective enforcement of law, pacts, trade agreements, and even their own borders, were, and still are, all part of dealing with the ‘famed’ Empire. A favorite, arguably harmless, bit of chicanery that survives to this day is to alter documents to show less volume or value on trade goods.
Government's operation was massively distorted. Imperial authority was of course upheld, since it was the source of illicit gain. But its power had been dissipated into thousands of private channels. The very officials charged by emperors with investigating corruption would simply use their authority as hugely profitable protection rackets. Military commanders habitually avoided serious fighting, preferring armed extortion from civilians, embezzlement of military supplies, and the lucrative sale of exemptions from irksome duties all down the ranks. After all, they had to recoup the enormous sums they had borrowed to purchase their commands in the first place.
This isn’t to say that all military or governmental leaders were corrupt, many indeed were honest and active, but, for the right price it could be said that at least 60% would look the other way, or make an exception in the case of minor ‘trivial’ matters. Yet, despite plenty of individuals being sacked (more often executed), whole military units were disbanded, and thus deprived of valuable supplies, rarely. Much of the military ineffectiveness following the rule of Emperor Nossad was due to ghost legions still absorbing resources and the border militias were condemned to a slow death of neglect and isolation by his successor’s deliberate preference for defense of the throne, over defense of the frontier.
During his reign, Dominant Zeketri I has done much to continue the Tallus Reforms. Targeting the military Zeketri I has tripled the size of the military whilst working to purge it of corrupt personnel. By that same token political reforms have begun to try and reduce the amount of corruption found within the civil system. This of course has not been an easy, nor rapid, road. Despite his sweeping powers, ruthlessness and aggressive methods, certain protocols must be maintained and for its part, the system has pushed back, preferring to keep things as they were, or, at the very least slowing the reformation process down while finding ways to manipulate the new rules to suit their greed.
Political Structure:
- House Dominant (1) Zeketri
- Regional House (12) Neklosh, Inindri, Valocek, Harador, Myr Taan, Jaoradon, Kaze, Saron, Grel, Klynn, Brina, Glavarius (Listed in order of power and influence)
Dominion Society
Many argue that the system of governance is unequal in terms of form and application. With a class of wealthy elite and House nobility set aside the disproportionately impoverished common folk. While there are certainly some appalling examples of urban blight, slums and poverty, most common folk earn a decent living, occupy numerous fields from unskilled laborer to skilled craftsman, and feel safe and happy. Merchants, and guild members compromise what could be termed a middle class. They are moderately wealthy and influential when compared to the House nobility.
To lend credence to the argument above, the poor, sick or crippled, and slaves live in squalid poverty among deplorable conditions. Not all worlds within the Tallus Dominion have high concentrations of the poor, but those that do in any large number are terrible places. Most of this underclass live in shantytowns, crumbling cities, or cast off ruins of both building and ship. Due to this crime in these areas is rampant and cults abound. Among the other ills are arena’s catering to blood sports, gangs, criminal guilds where one can hire thieves, thugs, forgers, and other unsavory types.
From time to time the local magistrate will send in large amounts of police or soldiers to purge the area, raid illegal operations, and break up criminal guilds in order to keep the riff-raff out of the nicer parts of which ever city or world they are on. If the criminal locals refuse to cooperate the entire area is razed to the ground by the military. Only so much crime, decadence and indiscretion will be tolerated within the Dominion.
Ironically, upwards of 20% - 30% of the slaves, mainly educated and skilled servants, live better lives then the free poor, and in some cases have a quality of life on par with the average citizen. Of course, the vast majority of slaves live a pitiable existence. Slaves have no rights or protection under the law.
In the Noble Houses of the Tallus Dominion power is held by the eldest male, upon who’s death that power transfers to a previously named heir. If no heir is named, power is supposed to go to the next oldest male lord of the House. Rival siblings often go to war with each other over who will rule the House. Such conflicts can end up with unusual results, like a woman or noble regent ruling a House until the legitimate male heir comes of age. It should be noted that women are themselves considered second class citizens, and depending on the world upon which they reside can be viewed as objects to protect despite their being unfit for roles of responsibility; being barely tolerated; or seen as nothing more then a means to propagate the species. This has been the case for 16,000 years and is an ingrained aspect of Tallus culture. Some scholars theorize the origin of this mindset lies within the genetic 'memory' inserted by the Puroto Kerlchuun; and so the age old battle between male and female continues.
Prolonged family squabbles usually prompt the House’s Regional Overlord to step in to remove the current, troublesome Noble leader, and name a new heir. Sometimes, the heir is a member of the same Noble family currently in power, but depending on the intervening powers authority’s political leanings and obligations, the Lord might select someone else in the family entirely. Furthermore, if he deems it appropriate, the Regional Overlord can elevate a ‘common’ family that has distinguished itself in some way to one of the lesser Houses, typically a Local House. In these cases the honor is usually given to a member of a wealthy merchant family or distinguished war hero.
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Land and Title being bestowed by an Overlord |
Regional Houses:
Also known as ‘Houses Major’ this tier of noble powers control one of the Dominions twelve Regions. The complexity of Regional politics make regional houses almost as busy as the Dominant himself. However, not all Regional Houses take their obligations seriously, and it is among these nobles that one starts to see the legendary Dominion selfishness, in-fighting, and depravity rise to the forefront. The Regional houses constantly struggle against one another in the hopes of one day ascending the Dominion Seat. If not for the stabilizing influence of the House Dominant’s military, the Regional houses rivalries would keep the Dominion in a constant state of civil war.
Each Regional House is required to finance and manage its own standing military. These units are intended for the protection of the twelve regions, each Regional house and its possessions and the Dominion as a whole. As much as 75% of a Regional Houses military can be called upon by the Dominant, and no matter the individual power of a Region Houses military, all recognize the Dominant as Commander-in-Chief and his Fleet and Soldiers as the predominant power in the nation.
However, since each Regional House is an independent power unto itself, the size of its military, the level of quality, size, training, experience and competence can vary dramatically from one house to the next.
Politically, despite the flaws in the system, it works most of the time. The Regional Houses provide a check and balance between the Lesser Houses and the Dominant. In turn the Dominant needs at least partial support from the majority of the Regional Nobles to carry out any major sweeping plans involving the Dominion as a whole, particularly military action. Without their support, a Regional house can simply withhold troops, money or other resources. Of course, to do so without good cause can be construed as treason and the consequences of that could well see a Regional House destroyed. Typically, if the Dominant has the backing of half or more of the Regional Houses, the others fall in line. One must note that even though half or more Houses may support or oppose the Dominant in this or that, does not mean they stand united. As a matter of course, some Houses will side with the Dominant to curry favor, or simply to annoy, or harm, a rival House.
Provincial Houses:
Known more colloquially as ‘Houses Minor’ these Houses govern the various provinces found within a Region. These houses may vie for power over or against each other but must above all show loyalty to the Regional House, whom they serve, and are often related to. Like the Imperial House to the Regional, it is the Regional House’s responsibility to keep the Provincial Houses in line. Rebellious, uncooperative or openly brazen Provincial Houses face obliteration by their presiding Regional House which keeps most of them relatively well-behaved.
Provincial Houses aren’t watched as closely by their Lords, which encourages, and enables them to do as they please. So long as their Regional and Dominion obligations are met, most Regional Houses will turn a blind eye to the goings-on of a Provincial House. Profit and prestige are their prime motivators so, as long as they are getting that, they are content to remain un-involved in local affairs. Since the Reforms these abuses have been curtailed, but not even the Dominant can curb a dark tradition as old as the Dominion (and the Empire it was born of) itself.
System Houses:
These are known as ‘Houses Lesser’ and are tasked with the management of individual or a few solar systems. There are over a thousand of these lower rung Houses but this number changes from time to time as systems merge, or are integrated (off times by force) into another territory, are dissolved by the Provincial Lord or split into two or three new territories and then bestowed upon a new Lesser House. These smaller houses must see to the infrastructure of their system(s) along with other day to day minutia. Provincial Houses don’t care how Lesser Houses conduct themselves so long as their obligations are met and they loyally support the Provincial House. Warfare between Lesser Houses can and do get the Provincial and Regional Houses involved which can lead to scandal and/or disfavor with the House Dominant. Especially obnoxious Lesser Houses are often dissolved or destroyed by their Provincial or Regional overlords who select new leadership. This loss of power and position provides a very real check against most Lesser House bureaucrats who do not want to face humiliation or see their power and wealth removed.
WIP