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THE EMPIRE There were once those who claimed that the kingdoms and empires of the Orient are but pale shadows of the dominant powers of the West, ripe for plunder and exploitation. Such foolish thoughts are only voiced by the arrogant and the ignorant, for the strength and mastery of the Empire has now been openly displayed in victorious battle. The Immortal Celestian Emperors have reigned supreme for nearly a thousand years, steeped in history, tradition, wisdom and strength. To think that such young nations might challenge the glorious Empire? United and determined, the realms of the Celestian Emperors are prosperous, advanced and ready for battle. We claim ten-thousand years of harmony with our Immortal Emperors! THE EMPIRE v1.01

[Compiled by Auger Matthias Konstantin – not to last forever and, ultimately, the Yuan Enlightened Historical Archivist.] Dynasty collapsed in the face of popular revolt and military force. One amongst The Celestian Empire is not so much a single the coalition that campaigned against the entity but rather an enduring partnership Yuan was the popular and dynamic General of some of the most powerful nations in Ming, who upon victory, would be crowned the Eastern hemisphere. Established by the Emperor of a new Dynasty. famous Jade Pact of the late 14th Century, the Empire includes the Seven Realms Yet this newly-established Emperor had of the “Immortal Celestian Emperors”: no intention of perpetuating the cycle of the Chinese Demesne, the Empire of Imperial power that had afflicted China for Japan, the Joseon Kingdom of Korea, the so long. He desired instead to institute a Ayutthaya Kingdom of Thailand (Siam in permanent Dynasty, one that would outlast Western parlance), the Toungoo Dynasty all that had gone before and shepherd the of Burma, the Empire of Dai Viet, and the people firmly and justly. His righteous Confederation of Madja-as. ambition and honourable purpose were lauded by sage and noble alike, although These seven states remain distinctly few believed his dream could ever be separate countries, although are bound by realised. It was then that a secret meeting incredibly rich cultural and commercial changed everything in the region forever. ties which have been carefully nurtured over centuries of isolationist co-operation. TIAN SHANG Recently forced to reappraise their approach to the world after the ill-fated A group of monks, led by a grizzled abbot, Anglo-Russian Expedition into Korea, the arrived in Ming’s capital one cold morning Empire is considered a pre-eminent power unmarked and unnoticed. The story of by most dispassionate observers. their visit is known to only a few, how they penetrated the Emperor’s private LEGACY OF THE GREAT KHAN apartments without alerting anyone remains a mystery to this day. Centuries ago, the Mongolian tribes ceased generations of in-fighting to unite under the In the young Emperor’s presence, the charismatic leadership of Genghis Khan. abbot introduced the monks as members of This immensely vast army then swarmed the secretive Tian Shang sect – those who across the Gobi Desert to plunder and guarded an enlightenment they claimed raid the rich agricultural lands of China. was far more tangible than that offered by These raids soon became wars of conquest Confucian and Buddhist scholars. With and, eventually, the Mongols established them, the monks had brought an artefact, extensive dominions over not only Asia but discovered many thousands of years ago westerly towards the Middle East along the by the founders of their order. While the overland Silk Road trade route. monks called it the gift of the heavens, it was later to be identified by the Empire’s The Mongols established their own Dynasty; scholars as one of several such shards of the one which ruled much of Asia under the Hex, an ancient extra-terrestrial entity. regnal name of Yuan. But their power was v1.01 THE EMPIRE

This ‘Celestial Gift’ as it was known, had contacted the rulers of Vietnam, the Khmer come to rest in Asia thousands of years Empire, Thailand and Burma. Each was ago; whereupon it had been discovered and offered the chance to join the Jade Pact guarded by the Tian Shang. Shielded from as equals; participants in a new order detection by the other shards by a cage of that abandoned vassalage for common pure jade, the Celestial Gift had amplified partnership. The most difficult to persuade the knowledge and the spiritual awareness was the Empress Shinzua of Japan, who was of the monks. These blessings they now only finally convinced by the phenomenal sought to impart to the new Chinese ruler, powers of the Celestial Gift. that his dream of a more perfect Dynasty Once imbued with a portion of the artefact’s could be realised. power, the seven rulers of these kingdoms Emperor Ming accepted the tutelage of were able to communicate through the the monks and the power that they offered Celestian Dream. In a meditative state, their without hesitation, and for many months connection to the Celestial Gift permitted a remained closeted with them in the halls form of telepathic communication across of his palace; permitting no entrance but vast distances. Nobody fully understood to his closest relatives. After this period of the process and yet the Dream was all the enforced seclusion, Ming embarked upon more beneficial for its side-effects. an ambitious plan, with the Tian Shang at [Archivist’s Note: It is recognised that no lie his side. can be spoken within the aura of the artefact THE JADE PACT which suffuses the Celestian Dream, and deception is all but impossible. Unable to First to receive the emissaries of the new dissemble or deceive, Emperor Ming and his Emperor was the Kingdom of Korea, once allies could expect their proposals to be accepted a tributary state of the Chinese Demesne. at face value.] The Korean ruler, Sun Li, was greeted by The final member of the Jade Pact was Ming as an equal, not a vassal, and the two coaxed into membership over many years, finally met after a year of negotiation at shepherded by the other powers to become their mutual border. a unified nation that benefited greatly from At this meeting, Sun Li was introduced the partnership. The islands to the south to the artefact by the Tian Shang and was of China had long played host to many quickly convinced of the benefits of Ming’s different realms, each with cultural ties to plan and the knowledge on offer. These different mainland cultures. With guidance two rulers placed the first signatures upon and support, the seven other powers built the documents that would become known up and supported a single power until it as the Jade Pact – pledging assistance and could unite the islands under one rule. The mutual support to one another in the face accession of the Confederation of Madja- of foreign dangers and internal problems. as brought the total number of Jade Pact signatories to eight. Ming’s diplomatic endeavours did not end there. Travelling swiftly, his agents THE EMPIRE v1.01

THE IMMORTAL To be “of the Blood” in these kingdoms CELESTIAN EMPERORS is now a sign of great favour and great responsibility. Each generation of the The eight individuals who signed the Blood must carry on the wishes, aspirations Jade Pact each knew that to ensure the and hopes of the previous; all the time longevity of their united nations they deceiving their people as to the true nature also had to ensure wise and consistent of the system that guides them. Such a leadership. Relying upon the vagaries life involves sacrifice, in honest dealings of chance and biological succession had with lower functionaries, as well as in historically been a disaster, nor could the their personal and private lives. Genetic people at large be relied upon to make purity must be maintained within the lines, decisions in the best interests of the nation requiring matches with close relatives, and at every opportunity. From this realisation freedom of thought and action are often was born the plan to “extend” their own curtailed by the harsh training and teaching reigns indefinitely, spreading their own that comes with the role. policies into the distant future. All are aware of the stakes should this Under the guidance of the Tian Shang, system fail even in just one of the nations each of the eight rulers began cultivating of the Empire. Without a central guiding their own bloodlines – ensuring the birth figure, such a nation would become prey of many offspring who could be trained to internal and external tensions and and relied upon to further the goals of each pressures that might derail the peaceful house in perpetuity. Some of those raised march towards a prosperous and self-reliant within these exceedingly close families future. That said, the original rulers of the would serve as minor functionaries or Jade Pact were willing to pay the price, even close confidants of the rulers, whilst others as they had no sure knowledge of how well would be implicitly trained from birth to this deception would work. Thus far it has mirror the thoughts, aspirations, gestures done so with but one catastrophic failure. and identities of their progenitors. [Archivist’s note: Of course, human nature When the time comes for a ruler to be being what it is, there have been instances of replaced, due to old age or some other the rules of purity being broken. Young people inability to fulfil their duties, the Rite of will often act with their hearts rather than Celestian Renewal occurs. In each realm their heads. It is rumoured that the royal this rite is attended with its own special bloodlines likely extend beyond the walls of ceremonies – the old emperor enters a their various palaces, but as of yet, no stranger special chamber and is sealed in with has come to the gates demanding access to their great ceremony. Then, with similar pomp birth right.] and circumstance, upon some auspicious sign, out strides the monarch once more THE DARK AGE OF KHMER – renewed, with the same personality, thoughts and memories as his predecessor. In the sixteenth century, the Khmer Emperor Jayavarman was reaching the respectable age of fifty-seven when it was v1.01 THE EMPIRE discovered that his designated heir suffered in central authority to gain a foothold in from a rare genetic condition brought the Empire for the first time. on by the circumstances of his birth and It was Empress Shinzua who enacted a parentage. The rest of the Khmer bloodline necessary but brutal policy to stabilise were either female (and therefore ineligible the region. The last remaining dregs of to succeed their father or grandfather) Jayavarman’s corrupted bloodline were or else too young or too distantly related extinguished entirely, falling in secret to to maintain the deception of his ever- the blades and poisons of the assassins of recurring renewal. Discussion within the the Shinobi. The territory was then seized Dream became more frantic as Jayavarman by forces of Burma, Vietnam and Thailand. aged but, as the eldest at the time, it was to The westerners were expelled by the him that the deciding vote always fell – no oncoming military forces and the blot upon course of action received his endorsement the Jade Pact extinguished. Nonetheless, even as all the Emperors discussed the the events of that time cast a shadow across situation repeatedly. the Empire’s history. It is now common [Archivist’s Note: Some now suggest or policy to train at least three or four worthy maintain that Jayavarman himself may successors, and to keep many of them also have been unwell, thus explaining this hidden from public view or despatched to uncharacteristic display of poor leadership far flung corners of the domain to protect from a caste trained since birth to rule against assassins or tragic accident. The their domains.] priests and functionaries who oversee the bloodlines (many of whom are of the As Jayavarman fell into a coma it was Blood themselves) have also doubled their natural that his followers would carry him watch against corruption and taint within to the temple to undergo renewal. When the family lines upon which the Empire’s this failed, despite a last-ditch attempt to government relies. delay the ritual by agents of the Celestian Emperors, there was great consternation GOVERNING AN EMPIRE through the Empire. A clever propaganda campaign attributed his death to the spirit To speak of a uniform government within of Jayavarman having unfinished business the Empire is a misnomer, for no overall in the heavens and being unready to return. structure exists. Rather, a network of The body of Jayavarman remained in the treaty obligations, unwritten agreements temple, an honour guard in place until the and competing commitments enforce a longed-for day when Jayavarman renews. partnership between these seven different This, however, did nothing to quell the states, each with its own governmental unrest in the Khmer state brought on by structure, law and customs. the shock of their “Immortal” ruler’s To examine all these in great detail in a single apparent abandonment of his people. volume would be the work of a lifetime, Within a decade civil war had broken out, but there are notable commonalities. one exacerbated by the sudden arrival of Each nation is a monarchy, although in western explorers who used the breakdown practice the degree to which the monarch THE EMPIRE v1.01 wields power individually over their Empire’s governments. That honour, of dominion varies considerably. In China, course, belongs the Celestian Dream that for example, the Emperor and his Court allows the seven Emperors to co-ordinate are the originators of policy, and it is they policy and enact it across a massive realm who formulate the decrees enacted by the instantaneously. Even with the modern Imperial Ministries. By contrast, in Japan, marvels of technology produced by the the Empress Shinzua works with an elected Enlightened and others, the advantage the government, to a certain extent allowing the Celestian Dream gives the Empire cannot people to influence domestic policy all the be understated. while calmly directing and manipulating events to support her own goals. THE FORUM All the Empire’s realms have extensive The Celestian Dream is a constant state of formalised bureaucracies, with entrance metaphysical contact between the Celestian and rank based on study and professional Emperors and it takes long practice and examination. The most effective of these is study to become used to filtering between to be found in Joseon Korea, where a State listening to the conversations that take Council oversees the Six Ministries, with place within it and the day-to-day various separate departments (the Office of interactions required of a ruler. As such, it Inspector General, Office of the Censors, is only occasionally that all the Celestian and Office of Special Advisors) ensuring Emperors will be present for a longer efficiency and rooting out corruption. Many discussion, in a semi-formal occasion individuals from the Imperial bloodlines known as a Forum. will serve with these ministries in positions During Forum gatherings all the Emperors of great power and influence, whilst others and their designated heirs (those who have will take seemingly minor roles to monitor reached the stage where they can join the and gather information. Dream) must be present unless called Likewise, each government maintains away on urgent business and, even then, its own secretive societies dedicated it is expected that one or both will be to eliminating dissent and spreading fully immersed in the Dream even as the propaganda and misinformation other deals with whatever urgent situation throughout their realm in order to support has called them away. Of necessity, the the government and keep their citizens presence of an heir waiting in the wings to quiescent. Such organisations are not take up the mantle once an Emperor dies is above eliminating opponents of the regime, considered of paramount importance to the either publicly or in secret as the situation Forum – and the progress of each bloodline demands. Perhaps the most famous of these is frequently discussed in such gatherings. are the Japanese Shinobi clans who are long It is during these sessions that the true favoured of the Empress and known to hierarchy of the Empire is laid bare. Since operate worldwide. the time of the Jade Pact, each monarch None of these ministries and institutions, has wielded power over a specific area of however, are the true powers within the expertise that has, over the generations, v1.01 THE EMPIRE become something of a national and slipways to service the merchant and specialisation. Since that time these military fleets of all the states. specialisations have altered considerably Some areas of responsibility, once – as some have waxed with the new considered minor, have now become technology, others have waned or fallen positively vital in the new modern age. Sun out of favour with the Forum as it plans and Li, once speaker for merely the hunting prepares for the future. and control of livestock, has since added • Emperor Ming – The Jade Mountain, modern aerial equipment to his portfolio – Speaker for Works meaning that all of the Empire’s air forces bear the stylised Cloud Dragon upon their • Empress Shinzua – The Blazing Sun, fuselage. Meanwhile, the Scholars and Speaker for the Fleets Manufacturers in Burma and Vietnam are • King Sun Li – The Cloud Dragon, the lifeblood of the Empire’s economy. Speaker for the Hunters Most influential for the last few centuries, • Empress Do Thi Nguyet – The Veiled however, has been the Speaker for the Moon, Speaker for the Manufacturers Traders, the Datu of the Confederation of • Emperor Anuman – The Crowned Madja-as. For more than three-hundred Garuda, Speaker for the Armies years the Celestian Empire has closed its borders to the outside world. The • Queen Yadana – The Golden Lion, one exception to that edict is the Datu’s Speaker for the Scholars island nation of Panay. Here the Celestian • Datu Kalantiaw – The Serpent of the Emperors have permitted the development Sea, Speaker for the Traders of specific ports for foreign traders to deliver ‘barbarian goods’ to the shores [Archivist’s Note: The only area of of the Empire. These trading ports have responsibility that remains unfilled is that become bustling hives of activity, and it is of the Speaker for Agriculture. With the through several such restricted ports that absence of Emperor Jayavarman, there is no the Empire’s only supply of potent RJ- singular Speaker and the responsibilities are 1027 is imported. divided between Emperor Ming and Datu Kalantiaw at present.] During Forum gatherings, the seven Celestian Emperors and their heirs defer Each area of responsibility also explains to each other based on age rather than any the specialisations present in the material order of precedence. The oldest economies of the seven member-nations. reigning monarch takes a lead in discussions The Chinese Demesne boosts extensive as First Speaker, and the others proceed fortifications along the Mongolian and in like fashion. The First Speaker holds Russian borders, and produces excellent several privileges, including determining architects and labour forces that can which business shall be discussed, as well as be found working on massive projects casting the deciding vote on issues should throughout the Empire. Meanwhile, the there be a lack of consensus. In more recent Empire of Japan is dotted with naval yards times, the Forum has also chosen a Second THE EMPIRE v1.01

Speaker to deputise for the first, but also presence of individuals displaying a to act as something of a loyal opposition disturbing aura. This aura was visible within the Celestian Dream. Ever since only to those connected to the Dream. Emperor Jayavarman’s period in office, These creatures appear as a slick of foul none of the Celestian Emperors wish for oil upon the placid and cleansed waters of the Forum to become paralysed by the the telepathic network, tainting the pure weakness of its leader. energy of the artefact with something dark and horrific. Such beings were removed at The First Speaker at present, Empress once wherever they were found – even in Do Thi Nguyet, is a formidable woman the highest ranks of foreign dignitaries. of advanced years, and it is her acid wit Such trespasses have since become and sharp tongue that keep the others in vanishingly rare, especially after the last some semblance of order. It is a matter of incursion was dealt with summarily by some disquiet to some that when Empress watchful Shinobi agents. Whatever foul Nguyet is renewed, the First Speakership intelligence guides such creatures has shall devolve to Emperor Ming, whose surely learned that to enter the borders of bellicose personality and aggression has the Empire is to invite death. thus far been tempered by the wise old Vietnamese ruler. Only one region within the Empire has permitted free access to foreigners for FOREIGN AFFAIRS any length of time, and even then, only to specific areas under close watch. These The Empire was closed to foreigners are the Merchant Ports – the cities and within a century of the formation of the harbours in the Confederation of Madja-as Jade Pact. Whilst initially travellers from where the wealth of a continent is bartered, abroad were welcomed into the realms bought, sold, traded and invested by the of the Celestian Emperors (as long as merchants of a hundred nations and more. they followed local laws and customs Only trading houses with the wealth to and respected the traditions of their host pay the necessary fees and who possess the country) this was found to bring too many patience to navigate the paperwork can problems. Some foreigners, it transpired, hope to hold down a presence here – but were more interested in the illicit trade of the riches to be made at this single opening banned substances than in good business, in the Empire’s curtain walls make it worth while others engaged in the smuggling of every penny. arms and equipment to rebel groups that threatened the peace and stability of the The servants of the Datu are therefore Empire. A number sought to abuse their considered as something approaching position and exploit the labour of Asia for diplomatic experts within the Empire; it their own profit. Better to ban all than is their expertise which has periodically to allow just one of these unscrupulous ensured that necessary resources characters disturb the peace. (particularly RJ-1027, of which the Empire has no indigenous source) continue to flow More troubling, at least for the Celestian into the wider economy. They have tense, Emperors if not their subjects, was the v1.01 THE EMPIRE but close, relationships with a hundred opportunities for trade, but also exposing merchant companies; in particular the more foreigners to the true might and wealth Crown and their East India Company. of the Celestian Emperors. [Archivist’s Note: The Merchant Ports are Another point must be mentioned – the hives of intrigue even as they are patrolled by relationship between the scientists and the harsh and vigilant members of the Citizen scholars of the Empire with the worldwide Watch. Not a month goes by without some organisation known as the Covenant alarming incident or brutal murder connected of the Enlightened. There are those to the societies that function there.] Burmese, Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese scientists and scholars who are THE BEAR AND members of the Covenant. Free to travel THE CLOUD DRAGON beyond the borders of the Empire to learn and study from their Enlightened Peers, Recent events have led to a shift in the they are forbidden from returning with any Celestian Emperors’ thinking. Despite assistants or counterparts from outside the the protestations of the Commonwealth’s Empire. These Empire-born Enlightened Mongolian subjects, the Tsar entered into maintain Promethean Complexes of their a secret agreement with the British Crown own throughout the realms, in particular to seize the tempting target of the “Hermit in Vietnam and Burma. They are, however, Kingdom”, the domain of the Cloud not closely involved with any of the wider Dragon, Joseon Korea. The Anglo-Russian organisations and groups, or major projects Invasion initially met with success but was pursued by some of the Enlightened, then brutally repulsed by the combined instead applying what they know in service might of the Empire’s united military. This of the Jade Pact first. was the first such action from the Empire in the Dystopian Age and the other major [Archivist’s Note: I must convey my thanks global powers took note that the Empire’s to several colleagues, who shall remain long-held stance on isolationism appeared nameless, from these Complexes who helped to be at an end. compile this history.] This campaign, whilst vindicating the THE FORCES OF THE EMPIRE planning and approach of the Imperial armies, also made the Emperors reappraise The Imperial Armed Forces (IAF) is the their foreign policy. If isolation still invites most unified of all the branches of the attack in this modern age, they rationalised, Empire. From the time the Jade Pact then a more open but more guarded approach was formed, each element of the military might achieve the same objective. The has been under the control of a single finest negotiators from the Confederation Immortal Emperor, the Speaker, whose are now inviting their trading contacts to Court and Bloodline act as the central consider opening offices and warehouses administration for that branch even as in new Merchant Ports – one for each of they work across national boundaries. the coastal powers of the Empire. This has Each has its own national contingent the advantage of providing several other and HQ branch, but supreme authority is THE EMPIRE v1.01 ultimately vested in the strategic councils there is an element of friendly competition of their chosen Speaker. amongst the Celestian Emperors about their own nation’s naval designs, with many The Army, the largest entity (numerically considering their own warships far superior speaking) within the IAF and one of the to their comrades’. Further tests in battle largest globally, is under the command of are unlikely to settle these disputes. Thailand’s Emperor Anuman. Whilst not the biggest contributor in manpower terms, The Imperial Air Hunters are the preserve Thailand boasts the most well equipped of King Sun Li, the Cloud Dragon. and well-trained forces within the Originally Speaker for the Hunters, Imperial Army and, as such, Thai troops referring to literal hunters as well as cattle function as the Empire’s equivalent of elite farmers and more, Sun Li has achieved guards regiments. The rest of the Army unprecedented influence within the Forum is predominantly Chinese, raised from since also claiming all air technology as the burgeoning populations of Emperor his responsibility. As such, the Imperial Ming’s extensive domains. Specialist Air Hunters are under Korean command. divisions are recruited specifically from Once again, these are formed of the many other nations, such as Korea’s famed different national air-forces, but all bear artillery corps and the Japanese naval the sigil of the Cloud Dragon. Much to the assault troops. Senior officers from all chagrin of Empress Shinzua, the Forum nations must meet the exacting standards decreed that the Cloud Dragon is also expected of Thai troops, and many serve responsible for all aerial units and support rotations with Thai formations before elements wherever they operate. As such, returning to their own units. all aircraft carriers and their support elements are officially part of the Imperial The Imperial Navy, meanwhile, is the Air Hunters and not the Imperial Navy. brainchild of Empress Shinzua, who as This has become something of a bone of Speaker of the Fleets quickly moved to contention between these normally close control all aspects of nautical warfare in friends – especially as Sun Li has begun addition to her originally more prosaic commissioning combat vessels as “aerial areas of responsibility. The Empire is battlegroup support units”. considered a global naval power, especially after their victories at Tsushima and LIFE IN THE EMPIRE Myeongnyang during the Anglo-Russian Expedition into Korea. All of the coastal For peasant and commoner, life in all of nations of the Empire design, build, and the nations of the Empire is similar. Whilst crew their own warships, but all ultimately the Japanese peasant is less at risk of being serve the Blazing Sun. forcibly conscripted, either for military service or mass labour than his compatriots, Imperial warships are a source of great all share a similarly harsh life of toil and pride within the Empire, and the chance obedience to their masters. To these toiling to now use them more visibly with the masses, their Emperors and Kings are borders opened has been welcomed by semi-divine figures worthy of veneration or nobles and commoners alike. That said, outright worship. Statues of their earthly v1.01 THE EMPIRE rulers sit alongside sages, philosophers and these scions of the great families, and it is folk-gods throughout the provinces, and duty and honour that often calls the best receive offerings and sacrifices to sustain and brightest to maintain the governments them and to court their blessings upon and forces of the Empire. villages and farmlands. As with any great nation there are Within the new smoking cities of the revolutionary and resistance movements industrialised portions of the Empire, new within the Empire. Some of these are technologies are creating new wealth for religious or political in nature, seeking a those who seek it and have the patience human utopia beyond the barricades of and wit to survive in competition with their revolution; others are reactionary seeking neighbours and new contacts abroad. Those to return to a lost golden age. Most who who seek the patronage of the Enlightened associate with such groups find themselves walk a very fine line indeed even as they either ignored, or else quickly punished in strengthen their home nation with the an efficient manner that varies in brutality fruits of the new learning. and duration. Such punishments are often meted out publicly by the Jade Hand – Those who serve in the ruling classes in an organisation serving the Celestian the Empire venerate their leaders to an Emperors the length and breadth of the extreme degree. Whilst as happy to engage Empire. Some of its agents are themselves in plots and intrigues against one another of the Blood, and as an institution it is as any ruling class, few amongst them related, albeit distantly, to the monks of the question the suitability of the Blood to take Tian Shang – whose intervention made all the highest offices. The Confucian ethics this possible. of service are constantly at play amongst