Bassican Dominion

**The Bassican Dominion** was a military dictatorship that controlled the entirety of the Bassican continent before the rise of its successor state: The Sarapo Imperium. The Dominion ruled in Bassicar unopposed for thousands of years and was the foremost military power on Quixoni. However, it was unsuccessful in its campaign to conquer the Hydrissi Confederacy and was at a frequent technological disadvantage with the Terraxi Technocratic Union. In spite of this, the Bassican Dominion was the last great nation state left standing and its leader, Kaymin, went on to unify all nations of Quixoni into a single Imperium.

### History

#### Formation

Although the early Sarapo first originated on the Hydrissi continent, over time they migrated in large numbers across the Red Islands and finally to the rich continent of Bassicar. The Bassican continent was far more temperate and hospitable than the hot and humid jungles and badlands of Hydriss. Open plains, fertile farmland and mountains rich in precious stones and minerals. Primus among the Bellator were quick to stake their claim and the early wars fought across Bassicar between the established the territories and settlements that would soon become cities and provinces of the new Bassican Dominon.

Unlike the contentious and bitter rivalries that prevailed the Primus of Hydriss, the Bassicans soon learned that more could be gained through cooperation than endless war. The dominion was formed by a treaty signed by the five great Primus of Bassicar: Screed, Thresh, Secro, Tion and Jadum. Together, they founded the city of Bass, which would be neutral ground for them to resolve their differences and govern the continent as a whole. This new era of cooperation among the Bassicans brought great wealth and prosperity. The new nations power soon became centralized at Bass City. Before long, it was decided that one of the five would be elected as 'First Bellator." A series of highly competitive wargames determined who was worthiest. Competition was fierce, but Primus Jadum emerged as the First Bellator of the new Bassican Dominion.

#### Jadum's Reign

First Bellator Jadum is still widely regarded as a hero among the Bassicans, largely due to the position of prominence the Dominon achieved under his rule. His efforts saw the city of Bass grow exponentially and all petty squabbles among the Primus of Bellator brought to a decisive end. The unified Bassican nation soon grew more powerful than any of the fledging nation-states of Hydriss.

Jadum is considered a great warrior, although some have observed that he was more of a diplomat, preferring cooperation and alliance-building to warfare. Many argue that he would not have been a match for his mighty Hydrissi counterpart, Salamar the Great, who forged his own empire through war rather than alliances.

#### Screed's Reign

Jadum's death ignited a civil war among the Bassican High Command as the Primus competed for the position of First Bellator. The worthiest of these, Primus Screed, began a brutal onslaught against his rivals and achieved victory over each of them in turn, who bowed before his supremacy. Screed was named First Bellator by the High Command. Unlike Jadum, Screed was vicious and warlike, intent on solidifying Bassicar's place as the greatest military power on Quixoni. His rule coincided with the rise of the Hydrissi Confederacy and the Terraxi Empire. He fought an early war with the Terraxi, which proved to be a resounding victory for the Bassicans, sending a clear message to Hydriss that military dominance lay with Bassicar. However, this victory over the Terraxi empire saw it spiral into decline, paving the way for the emergence of the Technocratic Union.

#### Telaga's Reign

Upon the death of First Bellator Screed, his designated successor and protoge, Primus Telaga, ascended as the new ruler of the Bassican Dominion. Like Screed, Telaga was warlike and arrogant with no talent for diplomacy. During his reign, he was considered the most dangerous Sarapo on Quixoni.

#### War with the Hydrissi

Relations began to deteriorate between the Bassican Dominon and the Hydrissi Confederacy. Although they had formerly been united in their opposition to the Terraxi Technocratic Union (TTU), the two military dicatorships were constantly competing for dominance. The Bassicans wanted the Hydrissi to join them in a declaration of war with the TTU, but the Confederacy faced a number of domestic issues that prevented it from committing itself to such a costly campaign. Infuriated, the Bassican High Command eventually issued the Confederacy with an ultimatium: *'Follow us into war or we will conquer you ourselves.'* The Confederacy did not take kindly to being threatened and the two nations had soon declared war, with the Bassican Dominion boldly proclaiming that they would conquer the entire Hydrissi continent.

### Politics

#### Bassican High Command

The governing body of the Bassican Dominion, led by the First Bellator. Control of the continent was maintained by Bellator military governors, usually holding the rank of Primus. The Servitor caste had a limited role in the governance of Bassicar and were expected to obey the Bellator in all things.

### Legacy

Many historians within the Sarapo Imperium agree that the Bassican Dominion was a formidable, but deeply flawed, superpower who were often needlessly belligerent and arrogant in their dealings with other nations. Their failed conquest of Hydrissi is looked upon as one of the greatest military blunders in Sarapo history. However, it cannot be denied that the Bassican Dominion is the longest lived empire in Sarapo history, ruling for over a thousand years without any major uprising or domestic conflict.