Empire of Zathras
Sarna News
| Empire of Zathras | |
|---|---|
| State Profile | |
| Founding Year | 2899[1] |
| Dissolution year: | 3152[1] |
| Capital world: | Zathras[1] |
| Controlled system(s): | 2[1] |
| Government | |
| Head of State | Empress[1] |
| Military | |
The Empire of Zathras was one of many small states in the Periphery.
History[edit]
As the Succession Wars dragged on and resources grew more scarce, the Magistracy of Canopus reduced the amount of defenders Zathras was allocated in order to shore up other borders. As piracy escalated the world became more isolated, and local forces were stretched thin. In 2899 a particularly devastating raid that the Magistracy Armed Forces completely failed to respond to led to planetary governor Nanaz Jalali declared her world independent and herself its Empress in protest of the Canopian government's seeming indifference. The now-Empire of Zathras began trading its mineral wealth to hire mercenaries in order to protect themselves.[1]
In the early 31st century Empresss Aydin II developed ambitions of turning her Empire into an interstellar power by conquering the nearby world of Aquagea. The invasion was originally scheduled for 3022, but efforts to hire the requisite mercenaries repeatedly stalled out, partially due to the disruptions caused by the Fourth Succession War and Andurien Secession. The invasion finally launched in 3040. The Zathras Imperial Expeditionary Force was able to conquer the world within weeks, but discovered that little of value remained on Aquagea due to the Free Worlds League having destroyed and plundered every significant city on the world prior to its independence. Worse, having suffered so much for their freedom, the locals were unwilling to surrender it. The ZIEF found itself dealing with a determined insurgency and frequent pirate attacks on its logistics efforts. In 3070 Empress Aydin III ordered a withdrawal from Aquagea and a halt to further plans of conquest.[1]
The Aquagea debacle and declining mineral reserves caused the Empire to enter a steep economic decline. Due to the Empire's reliance of mercenaries declining mineral sales corresponded with decreasing military readiness. In 3148 a series of pirate attacks devastated Zathras' remaining infrastructure and threatened to cause a planet-wide famine. Empress Parivar was forced to entreat the Canopians for assistance, but was told that food aid was conditional on the Empire dissolving and Zathras returning to the Magistracy. After four years of political controversy Parivar accepted the Magistracy's demands and in 3152, the Empire's independence came to an end.[1]
Politics[edit]
One of the Empire's first actions after its independence was to create hereditary noble titles for its wealthiest mineral magnates in an attempt to ensure their loyalty to the Empress. These nobles effectively controlled the economy and competed with each other for prestige and the favor of the Empress by throwing ostentatious events such as parades, festivals and galas. Zathras' system of noble titles had become incompatible with that of the Canopians by 3152.[1]
Military[edit]
Zathras' military was largely reliant on mercenary forces hired with the proceeds of their mineral exports. Many of these mercenary units were considered to be low quality, and the obscure government could struggle to attract adequate forces even during periods where it possessed the funds. Beyond mercenaries, Zathras fielded conventional Infantry, some of them mounted.[1]
Economy[edit]
The Empire's economy was based on the mineral wealth of Zathras. Its agricultural sector was sufficient to feed the world, but did not produce enough of a surplus for significant exports. A third major sector was catering to the aristocracy's desire for conspicuous consumption. Those lucky enough to be directly employed by noble extravagances formed a privileged class; the Empresses's hairstylist was one of the best paid people in the Empire. During the decades of occupation Aquagea produced nothing of value for the Empire and instead served as a major drain on its resources.[1]
Over time, the Empire's economy steadily declined. Since independence technology steadily declined, infrastructure decayed and the average citizen became impoverished. Resources were funneled to the aristocracy or mercenary hires, but in the Empire's later years even this began to dry up as Zathras' mines increasingly ran dry while pollution began to poison the soil and water. By the 3150s the average level of technology in the Empire had declined below 21st century standards. Most people in the Empire had only poor education and relied on draft animals rather than vehicles. There was an extreme disparity between urban and rural people, as the urban aristocracy monopolized much of the remaining technological resources.[1]