Tizirian Empire

Description

Government Form	Absolute Monarchy
Head of State	Emperor Tzeonoch II
Capital	Draeon'Eikajil
Demographics	Reptilian Majority
Official Language	Sun Tongue, Draconic
Official Religion	Kajiili Church
Tizirian Imperial Motto	Aola burns warm with love for her Emperor, and we burn warm with the love of our Empire.

The Tizirian Empire is one of the Great Powers within the Known Galaxy and a frequent competitor of its neighbors, including the Galactic Federation and New Russian Imperium (NRI). The Empire hosts a highly traditional, religious zealous, and militaristic society, which values war and those who fight for the Empire. The Tizirians are guided by their militarism, patriotism in the Empire, and faith in their Goddess to bring them glory and honorable death.

In recent memory, the Imperial government has embarked on a constant armament campaign for a perceived impending war in the near future with the Galactic Federation, guided by newfound assistance from the CIN.

Contrary to popular belief, the Empire is named after the ruling Tizirian dynasty and the reptilian population are not “Tizirians” though the line has blurred in recent history due to the dynasty’s long rule.

Initial History

The political entity that would become the Tizirian Empire was formed on the Tizirian homeworld of Draeon'Eikajil. The planet was ideal for reptilian life, dotted with oases and savannahs with vibrant flora and fauna. Towards the planet’s poles temperate forests exist. These colder forests and grasslands were not suitable for long-term habitation by the early lizardfolk due to their cold-blooded nature.

The planet orbits closely to its red sun "Aola". Aola was a centerpiece of many of Tizirian religions for its source of warmth to the cold-blooded species. Eventually, a fateful mutation would result in a geneline of the planet’s lizardpeople allowing for a warmblooded existence. This new mutation proliferated rapidly among the lizardpeople and large populations would move closer to the colder poles. These groups would be called blessed by Aola, or “Sun-Kissed.”

It would be tens of thousands of years before the planet would find itself united under the Tizirian Dynasty by centuries of war, intermarriage, and diplomatic cunning. These monarchs were descendents of the original Sun-Kissed and considered blessed. Following the unification under the Tizirian Dynasty and Empire the planet and its people would experience rapid technological progress and eventual spaceflight to the planet’s moons and beyond.

The Tizirian Empire rapidly expanded in the following years and found many suitable and uninhabited planets in their reach and settled these worlds eagerly. The discovery of and contact with other galactic civilizations came late in the Tizirian expansion period compared to other major powers of the galaxy. Contact with humanity at large led to the Empire to begin rapid industrialization and military buildup in preparation for a war of aggression or to defend their colonial gains, depending on the source.

War and Revolution

The Tizirian Empire had expanded widely from their homeland before their contact with the Galactic Federation and others. Individually, the Tizirian outnumbered all other civilizations in the Known Galaxy. Tizirian leadership expected an easy victory against the collective of human space.

The colony of Kesa'aresz was established as a base of operations for the Tizirians against Sol, Theasperri and the Federation. These polities were not yet united into the Galactic Federation and expected to be weak and unable to coordinate. Industrial efforts had begun in Kesa'aresz to prepare the colony for the invasion of Theasperri as the first target in a prolonged campaign. As a major ion storm passed through Theasperri borders from Kesa'aresz, the Tizirian offensive began using the storm as cover. The invasion, initially, was highly successful. Theasperri fleets were soundly routed from multiple key systems.

Sensing eventual danger to themselves, the Federation and Sol rallied to the defense of Theasperri in a grand alliance never before seen in the galaxy’s living memory.The three polities combined proved to be a larger obstacle than Tizirian planners believed possible and the easy victory became a protracted conflict.

The Tizirian Empire was firmly placed on the backfoot by the combined forces of the Federation, Sol, and Theasperri. With the front now stabilized, the triple alliance launched a counterattack into occupied Theasprrian space, liberating much of Theasperri and solidifying a defensive line against the Tizirians. The war devolved into one of attrition following the initial triple alliance’s counteroffensive. The only saving grace for the alliance was its secure and close supply lines allowing for rapid reinforcement and resupply of its belligerent fleets and armies. The Tizirian Empire was instead faced with a daunting supply crisis as its home territories were maginites farther than the alliance’s and alliance deep strike raids had damaged critical infrastructure for support of Tizirian forces.

After years of fruitless offensives and counteroffensives, an alliance offensive into Kesa'aresz broke the Tizirian fleets and forced a rout. Alliance fleets entered Kesa'aresz and began rapidly seizing worlds will little resistance from the exhausted and demoralized Tizirian defenders. The Tizirians soon formed a new defense line closer to their coreworlds but defeat was no longer out of the question and despite the prospect of an invasion of the Tizirian coreworlds Alliance planners were optimistic.

Seeing an even greater defeat looming, the Tizirian sued for peace with the triple alliance of the Federation, Sol, and Theasperri. Negotiations took five months following a ceasefire. The final terms stated that the whole of Kesa'aresz would be annexed by the victorious powers as part of the Galactic Federation. This was to the great displeasure of the Tizirian settlers of the colony soon-to-be annexed into the newly formed Galactic Federation and resulting large scale riots were suppressed by the GalFed’s occupying armies.

The period that followed the war’s defeat was one of major instability and economic crisis for the Empire. As the war progressed, underground reform and revolutionary elements had gained influence and support to the point it began to be considered an existential threat by Tizirian authorities. Wartime crackdowns had only aggravated the growing wound in Tizirian society. Riots and protests had become frequent as the war came to a close and forced military resources to stay in the coreworlds.

The Tizirian Revolution began with large scale firebombings in the Empire’s capital of Draeon'Eikajil a month after peace talks with the Galactic Federation concluded. This would prove a deadly circumstance for the would-be revolution as Tizirian armies had spent months resting and refitting in the event peace talks collapsed and had not yet demobilized for the formal end of the war. Reactionary forces would put down most uprising in the coreworlds and urban Empire swiftly and brutally. Revolutionary forces had only managed to fully seize unguarded hinterlands of the Empire and these frontier territories declared secession from the Empire. The revolutionary leadership were aware they were unable to take the whole of the Empire following initial defeats and an aggressive counter-insurgency by the Empire’s veteran military force. They instead believed the only chance at victory was a mass uprising sparked by a successful assassination of the Tizirian Emperor to be attempted in a matter of weeks.

The attempt was planned to occur during a speech given by the Emperor to denounce the revolution and Galactic Federation. Assassins with grenades and improvised explosives were positioned within the large crowds gathered to see the Emperor. At the beginning of the public appearance, the assassins deployed their bombs and the Emperor was killed instantly in a series of blasts. All assassins were subsequently killed by Imperial Bodyguards as they attempted to flee.

No mass uprising occurred in the wake of the Emperor’s death and instead much of the empire was galvanized against the revolution. A brutal counter offensive to retake rebel held territory was ordered by the temporary military government was rapid and successful in all regards. Despite this victory of establishment and reactionary forces, the Tizirian Empire was a broken giant. The war and revolution had brought mass destruction to the Empire, economic crises brought by the war with the GalFed had not been resolved in any form, and the sitting monarch was a hatchling Empress unfit to yet rule. It appeared to be the end of the Tizirian Empire’s time as a galactic power. Millions of Imperial citizens fled the Empire either looking for better lives, fleeing reprisals by the central government for acts during the revolution, or both.

Modern History

As the revolution came to a close, the temporary military administration disbanded and appointed a regent to run the civil government in the hatchling Empress Skelta’s stead. With the political situation secure, conditions slowly began to improve for the Tizirain population and state. The wartime economy continued to exist in a weakened state and continued efforts to build infrastructure and support growing resource extraction efforts. Despite losses in the millions from the war, the Tizirians remained resolute and revanchist from their losses but in no position to act. In the years following, Tizirian territorial integrity was regularly violated by the GalFed including a small-scale invasion that was repulsed with assistance from the NRI. These incidents would be used as reasoning by the civil government to keep military spending and military buildup as a priority and would prove vital to the Empire’s new diplomatic direction.

The young Empress Skelta was described as promising by court officials and the regent. She was used extensively as a figurehead for the population to rally behind and as a symbol of rejuvenation and rebirth for the Empire. Economic development increased steadily and the civil government focused on increasing production and exports of “traditional” Tizirian items, especially food and agricultural exports. Such items became commonplace in the Galactic Federation market.

Diplomatically and domestically, the civil administration was coming to terms with the Galactic Federation being the stronger power and to terms with the defeat of the Empire to them. Major hallmarks in the normalization of relations include the teenage Empress visiting the Galactic Federation as part of the initial delegation to negotiate normalization of relations and major summits to open trade relations. The civil administration considered the GalFed a potentially strong trade partner. Despite this, the Tizirian Federation has largely elected to draw closer to the NRI militarily. The blow to the Empire’s pride from the Unification War and past skirmishing have made the Empire believe a renewed war with the GalFed is a possibility; one the NRI and CIN membership can prevent.

After decades of slow reformation and development, the Tizirian Empire emerged rejuvenated and as a major player in galactic geopolitics and a growing concern for the Galactic Federation. Still considered socially and religiously backward by GalFed standards, it was now and is a strong industrial and military power. These concerns from GalFed planners and politicians have most recently come to a head with the Tizirian’s formal ascendance into the NRI led CIN alliance. Tizirian revanchism has since begun to take a noticeably more vocal stance for the reclamation of Kesa'aresz.

As a full Tizirian resurgence seemed on the cusp overflowing, Empress Skelta would become gravely ill unexpectedly and suddenly. Within weeks she would be infirm and bedridden. The current regency leading the Empire was instituted to rule in her place until her condition recovered but such a time would never come and the Empress passed away in her sleep due to a still unknown condition. At the behest of the Empire, the CIN has since insinuated the death was a poisoning at the hands of GalFed assassins. Of the many royal children the Empress had selected Tzeonocnh, her youngest, as her successor before her death. The decision was controversial as the child, now Emperor Tzeonocnh II, is still a hatchling and not of age to rule. Like his mother before, a regency currently rules in his stead until he comes of age.

Government

The Government of the Empire is legally headed by the Imperial throne which in turn delegates responsibilities and obligations down a stratified hierarchy of noble, appointed, and military leaders.

The Imperial Monarchy, while abolitionist in nature and having near complete control over political and domestic concerns, is heavily restrained by a strong civil court system that handles much of the Empire’s civil concerns.

Critically for state functions, the regency of the Tizirian monarchy is fragile in the hands of the Imperial Throne. While not the age of majority, Tzeonoch II holds the authority and power to dismiss his regents and delegates at will and without question. This stems from belief that the imperial line is holy and blessed directly by the sun, Aola, and thus unquestionable. Despite this, child emperors often take or are given regents and manipulated by court politics and intrigue. Historically, regents of the Tizirian Empire form close bonds with emperors and empresses to both keep their positions, guide the monarch, and enact the will of the monarchy.

To the benefit of Emperor Tzeonoch II, the existing delegation of powers allows the nation to run efficiently without Imperial intervention. This has contributed to the defense of the current state though with many traditionalists openly decrying the sitting regency for the young Emperor blasphemous and treasonous to the wisdom of the blessed Imperial family.

The Empire is split into provinces administratively. Each is ruled by a duke and their lineage. Changes in lineage for ducal provinces may occur if an assembly of all other dukes occurs and a 2/3rds vote occurs in favor of replacing a duke and lineage. Historically, this has been a double edged sword for the Tizirian Empire as dukes scheming against other neutralizes threats to the Imperial Throne’s status but is a source of instability. Alternativity, the Imperial Throne has a right to directly intervene and replace a duke. With these dukes, a civil governor called a “Yn’mer” rules as well. These Yn’mers are traditionally selected by the Emperor or by urban centers of the provinces and are to act as a counterbalance and mutual advisor to the duke. These Yn'mer can only be replaced by the Emperor, the duke of the province, or a 2/3rds vote of all urban centers bearing a royal charter in the province.

In turn, cities and orbital stations are ruled by a mayor or are governed directly by the Kajiili Church. In cities and stations ruled by a mayor, they are elected by the Sun-Kissed residents to govern the municipality, whereas in stations and cities ruled by the Church, governors and ministers are appointed directly to rule by Church hierarchy.

The autocratic state provides strong social policies in order to provide a good safety net for the populace, with a focus on providing employment. This has been attributed to reforms following the failed revolution to prevent a second revolution and to strengthen the Empire’s economy. Nearly all social services are provided by the Kajiili Church. This includes limited healthcare coverage, relocation for the unemployed, funds for maternity leave, and amenities related to the religion and the Church such as festivals and social gatherings.

Territory

The Tizirian Empire historically was larger than current day, possessing much of the space in the galactic south and east. During the revolution, the Tizirians lost massive amounts of territories and colonies to rivals, smaller rebellions, and depopulation. Dozens of colonies were outright abandoned and never reclaimed. The Empire currently controls a still notable continuous central region with other small colonies surrounding it, which in all contain hundreds of planets.

Central Tiziria

Central Tiziria is the heart-space and coreworlds of the Tizirian Empire. It is home to the largest population centers in the Empire and houses the capital of the Empire, the so-called eternal throne of Lizard-kind.

Central Tiziria hosts constant patrols and a major military presence. This has resulted in one of the lowest rates of piracy in the known galaxy. Central Tiziria holds the majority of the population in the Tizirian Empire as many of the outer colonies experienced depopulation due to refugees and other crises only recently have they started recovering. In all, Central Tiziria has everything the Empire truly needs: a strong industrial base, excellent spacefaring infrastructure, and major colony development.

Many of the most notable advancements in the Central Tizirian region were made during the reign of Empress Skelta and the recovery period under her rule. In the modern day, Central Tiziria stands as one of the most industrialized regions in the known galaxy: no small feat.

Tei'kikii

Tei'kikii is the second oldest Tizirian province having been a core part of the Empire before the Unification War and failed revolution.During the war and revolution many smaller colonies and outlying worlds were abandoned leaving only the largest population centers remaining with little support from the central government. Many of the Yn'mer in Tei'kikii went as far as to form an alliance when the province was seemingly abandoned by the Imperial Throne to retain the Tizirian culture, rule, and ideology that the revolutionaries were trying to eradicate in their eyes.

The alliance of Yn'mer in Tei'kikii pooled their resources, funds, and militia to form an ad-hoc coalition government for a brief period during the revolution. Their efforts were successful in creating an organized military force and small navy element. This force was sufficient to defend against revolutionary offensives during the conflict and nearing the end of the revolution proper assisted the Imperial Tizirian forces. Following the return of Imperial forces, they were quick to rejoin with the central control of the Tizirian Empire and disband or turn over their forces to the command of the Imperial military.

The Yn’mer coalition spared Tei'kikii of the worst of the revolution’s tragedies other regions were not so lucky to avoid. This permitted the region to leverage stronger economic and soft power in now in the hands of the Tei'kikii during the recovery period in the Empire. Tei'kikii received large amounts of loans, grants, and direct aid from the central government, further improving its position. As a form of both thanks and to satisfy the political pressure of Tei'kikii’s now power Yn’mer’s, Tei'kikii was granted extensive autonomy. This autonomy is purely informal in nature and codified only in a complex web of political favors and backroom dealings. Tei'kikii has no duke and the Yn’mer continue to govern the region as a coalition.

Military

The Military of the Tizirian Empire is the Empire’s pride and has been for thousands of years. Only was this pride wounded by the crushing defeat to the Galactic Federation in the Unification War. This loss, however, has not made it any less of a fear that Tizirian fleets create looming over a system or planet they deem hostile.

The Tizirian ground forces have been seen as next to only the Federation in their capabilities in war. No other major polity comes close to the brutality or bravery of the Tizirian soldier. They are none for little remorse for carnage and ruthlessness, they thrive in the air of death, and the fires of the battlefield. In the modern age, the Tizirians have taken great steps in their battlefield capabilities from collaboration with NRI military advisors and foreign military theorists.

The Imperial Navy was nearly destroyed during the Unification War against the triple alliance and it would take decades until they were able to field a navy of any consideration in galactic affairs. Today, the Tizirians have clawed back a position of having a strong navy. The destruction of most of their naval assets in the Unification War presented an opportunity to build a new, modernized force that was not squandered. Despite this, it is behind the size and raw power of the Galactic Federation’s Navy and still loses engagements during NRI encroachments due to its focus on size and power instead of rapid redeployment and mobility.

It is strongly believed by Galactic Federation policymakers and defense advisors that the Tizirian Empire can defeat the NRI in a direct confrontation, however, given the opportunity. The NRI appears aware of this fact as their incursions in recent years focus on rapid raids and avoiding direct contact with the Tizirian Navy. The Galactic Federation is keen to ensure the Tizirian Navy continues to have this capability as the Empire turns into an ally and military partner.

Culture

Tizirians are described by outsiders as a proud and strong willed culture which encompasses nearly every facet of day-to-day life in the Empire. This feeling is only magnified by their aversion to other, foreign cultures. The Empire is tolerant of its own subcultures that have developed in its colonial holdings and from constant contact with other polities, however. This is primarily true for Galactic Federation culture and Panslavic influences from the NRI with the most radical examples being the inclusion of Orthodox Christmas as holidays in provinces nearer the New Russian Imperium.

The Kajiili Church is the central religious organization of the Empire and forms the state church. Kajiilis are a sect of the Aolan Pantheon possessing a strong influence on Tizirian culture and historically were heavily involved in structuring the government which would become the Imperial administration. They are also responsible for the "Imperial Consecration" which is a ritual and proclamation of the Emperor's lineage being divine and descendants of Aola, the sun, herself, given when a new Emperor takes the throne.

National festivals are held frequently to celebrate the gods and goddess in the Aolan Pantheon, celebrating their role in Tizirian society and their role in the universe at large. These festivals have events such as parades, games, and traditional foods for all those that participate. Floats feature prominently in Tizirian parades and are highly elaborate.

The most notable difference to outsiders between Tizirians and non-Tizirians is their clothing. Cold-blooded Tizirians tend to wear many insulating layers for conservation of heat and wear special fabrics all over their entire body called “Sun-catchers.” The term refers to both the garment and the fabric made from a cotton-like plant exceptionally good at retaining heat found on the homeworld. Sun-catchers are usually warm colors like red, orange, and yellow, and are wrapped around their head, leaving only the eyes and occasionally the face open, paired with a dress fashioned from the same fabric as the headdress.

Tiziria's largest exports are agricultural goods and associated finished foodstuffs. These exports are suited for reptilian diets, typically including meat, nuts, some vegetables, bugs, and mushrooms. Despite this, it has gained a nontrivial market in the Galactic Federation due to both the GalFed’s diverse citizenry and Tizirian immigrant communities in the GalFed. Tizirian companies have since established Tizirian restaurants in dozens of worlds and vending machines for Tizirian exported meals are affordable and common. Examples include Nanotrasen, who have contracts to set up and operate such vending machines aboard their stations.

These exports in turn pay for imports of CIN weaponry, economic assistance, and modernization.

Foreign Relations

The Tizirians have been isolationist and militaristic historically, with the bulk of Tizirian “diplomacy” being war against its neighbors. Beginning with the rule of Empress Skelta, Tizirian diplomacy pivoted towards selective engagement without the outside galaxy for trade and allies with the largest such act being joining the CIN.

Galactic Federation

The Tizirian Empire and Galactic Federation relations were at their lowest point during and after the Unification War in which the Tizirian Empire lost soundly. Since, out of necessity and opportunity, relations have warmed to a degree through trade opportunities, and good statecraft by shrewd diplomats.

Since the Empire’s accession into the CIN, relations have notably soured. Revanchism has become state policy for the Tizirians and a reclamation of Kesa'aresz, now firmly in Galactic Federal hands, a priority. Border standoffs have become commonplace along with regular fleet patrols along each other's borders.

New Russian Imperium (NRI)

The New Russian Imperium and Tizirians early relationship was characterized by aloofness and occasional clashes as the NRI began to position itself as a great power in the galaxy. Relations warmed under Empress Skelta ‘s direction and culminated in the Empire joining the NRI led CIN military alliance. Since, major military and economic assistance has been forthcoming and Imperial and Russian diplomats seek warmly of each other and make regular insinuates of joining together for a coming struggle. This development has come much to the chagrin of GalFed civil and military leaders.

Due to Soatii raids along the frontier of the NRI, the Tizirian Empire has dispatched warships through the CIN to assist its new ally both for combat experience and to show commitment to the alliance.

Soato Holy Dominions

Luckily for the Empire, the Soatii advances have come from the opposite side of the known galaxy to the Empire, which has left the Empire free from their threat for the time being. The Empire has been one of the most outstanding antagonists to the Soatii diplomatically, openly calling for incursions against them during major summit meetings of major powers. Neither Soato or the Tizirians have ever reached out to offer any diplomatic agreement in trade, research, or even to establish an embassy.

The appearance of the Soatii has been seen as a blessing for Tizirian diplomacy with most other powers seeing the Soatii as the single greatest threat to the galaxy instead of the Tizirians in the past. It has also given the Empire opportunities to find diplomatic ground with others and flex its newfound military capability thanks to CIN assistance. Currently, 10% of the Tizirian Navy is stationed in other powers for the express purpose of monitoring for any Soatii advances and fending off prod-skirmishes from the Soatii.

The Tizirians are also under constant scrutiny from the Soatii for scavenging highly advanced Soatii tech and reverse-engineering it for counters and new tech. It has been theorized that the Soatii have implemented measures of destroying their lost objects ripe for salvage and technology when their ships are disabled to specifically stop the Tizirians from learning more about their technology.

Credits

Original was written by Mef with significant indirect assistance from the rest of the Lore Team. Current revision was written by Lightfeather.