Karn Union

> "Eternal we stand as the vigilant guardians of Celestial and Cestian alike, no manner of beast shall tear down our magnificent walls nor defile our people. As long as Karns banner hangs above the holy bastions, our nation and faith will endure."
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 - Magistrate Doukali

## History

**Founding of Karn (-724 NAC)** Once home of a native race known as the Lelon, Karn was colonized in -724 NAC following a brief war with the original inhabitants who were militarily overwhelmed by Imperial forces. With their nation, culture and technology seized by Cestian forces, the Lelon soon became a footnote in history; their entire way of life being forgotten and the populace losing its identity.
Once established under Imperial rule, Karn rapidly transformed into an industrial world which caught the eye of Emperor Tyvius I. Working with his military command to formulate a defensible position for their burgeoning heartland, Karn became the decided upon location for a massive operation which would span nearly a centuries worth of work. Setting in motion the creation of an Imperial Kingdom ruled over by the world of Karn, the planets military administration was grateful for this attention and respectfully accepted the offer of Kingdomship. By -699 NAC, the fledgling Kingdoms authority was made legitimate with Tyvius II hosting the coronation of Karns ruling Magistrate at the time, Corvec.

Patiently rising to the role of King, Corvec was a true believer in the Imperiums ideals and a reclusive man which believed in the Empires superiority over outsiders. While not the sharpest diplomatically, he proved to be a reliable ally of the young Emperor and helped oversee the majority of Karns extensive fortifications and industrial buildup. His reign also helped cement military rule over Karn, his reforms and policies helping to curtail any form of nobility from investing or forming within the new Kingdom; him placing the military in full control of all governmental positions and creating a police state with an extensive intelligence agency. While portraying his authoritarian decision making as a response to the Kingdoms large disparity between citizens and slaves, many critics within the Empire saw it as a personal decision so that Corvec could cement power over his peers.

**Construction of the Fortresses (-693 to -628 NAC)** Accumulating supplies and workers for Karns project took around a decade to complete, most of the workforce being supplemented with local slave labor and the supplies flushed with resources from conquered neighboring states. Overseen by Tyvius II directly at times and for the rest by Corvec, fortress worlds were built all cross the Kingdoms border to act as a southwestern deterrent against the mass of alien states sitting just outside of the Empires borders. Industrial worlds were created to help resupply the border and quickly produce military vessels in the cause of war and a tax break was even given to the Kingdom as a means of allowing it to rapidly develop its worlds untethered by extensive taxation.
Working with the colonial worlds that know fell under his jurisdiction, Corvec reformed the Kingdom of Karn into the Karn Union as a means of better portraying the authority he held over his subjects. Having higher autonomy compared to core Imperial worlds and without a nobility to bog down the states interests, a Union of worlds only made sense considering they all mutually cooperated for a unified cause of prosperity and security. Naming himself the God-magistrate, his decision would be met with applause and confused looks by the majority of the Empire who felt his desire to bar nobility and allow peasant autonomy was an economic disaster waiting to happen. While an economic collapse never did occur, the slow pace at which Karn kept up with the rest of the Empire technologically and culturally helped reinforce this viewpoint.

In -644 NAC, Karn had become one of the main industrial powerhouses of the Empire, its fortresses for the most part complete and a standing military which only held allegiance to the God-Magistrate known as Alfei. Picked as Corvecs successor, Alfei was originally a mediocre ruler compared to his predecessor who had stepped down on account of succeeding at his goals for the state and establishing a cabal of cronies beneath him that would perpetuate his policies. Announcing his abdication of both political and spiritual authority, he became one of the few Cestian rulers to ever surrender their Godhood while still breathing, an uncommon yet legal process which few leaders sought out. Grooming Alfei to ascend in his stead, Corvec retired to his home on Karn and died in -552 NAC from natural causes.

Alfei announced the end of the Karn project in -628 NAC, the last fortress worlds having been finished and the nation prepared for anything the outsiders had to throw at them. Ruling somewhat more hands off compared to Corvec, corruption became an issue under his rule and political intrigue which spawned out of a disgruntled faction of officers which wanted a more appeasing Magistrate to rule the Union. Refusing to nurture cronies unlike his predecessor, Alfei made few friends and of those he had were loosely aligned to his cause out of fear of being purged. Aside the Invasion of Karn, Alfeis main contribution to the Union was the creation of multiple housing regulations which saw the quality of life for citizens and slaves improve alongside. He also disarmed the military polices heavy arsenal in favor of a more civilian friendly alternative with handguns and stun swords being the new standard for officers; this excess of heavy weapons in turn was used to arm conscripts and soldiers serving in the nations armed forces.

**Invasion of Karn (-628 to -625 NAC)** Not long after the completion of Karns last fortress, almost as if by divine intention, a warlord named Ad'gul formed a coalition out of the disgruntled Imperial vassals and began to invade the Empire in hopes gaining freedom. Invading from the south, Karn proved to be one of the major battlefields of the Great Trial, Alfei barely holding back the hordes of enemy forces with superior defensive capabilities. Leading on the front lines alongside his men, he hoped to prove himself to his officers and liege as a true Magistrate who could led in times of peace and war. Supporting the various fortress worlds under heavy assault, his honor guard did most of the fighting for him in actual combat as his effort nonetheless inspired his men to fight harder and kept their morale from breaking.
For a year he coordinated the defense of Karn up until the invasion of Dacrel which proved to be the first fortress world that would fall to invading forces. With imperial levies focused on the southern and western fronts, Karn and the Kingdom of Jafel were tasked with defending the southwest and west in their absence, a task easier said than done. Relying on Jafel state troops to reinforce the defenses of their most pressured fortress world, Alfei had the news broken to him on the new years of -627 that a large hostile incursion saw to the destruction of their allies trade worlds and slew the ruling Monarch in open combat. Following a short lived succession crisis, Jafel dissolved into feuding duchies and the reinforcements never arrived, Karn had to rely upon its own exhausted soldiers to survive the coming storm.

In the second month of the new year, another major push was made by pacts forces upon the world, Alfei having reinforced the Karn-Dacrel fleet prior to the battle and placed an effective admiral in charge of it. Orbital dominance was of paramount concern and Alfei saw to it, funds and ships having even been allocated from nearby fortress worlds to assist in Dacrels defense; everything relied upon an Imperial victory here or else all of those resources would've been for naught. Faced with the large pact fleet they had ever faced as of yet, the southwestern coalition forces threw nearly all of its cards onto the Dacrel offensive which was a risky yet potentially demoralizing plan. If the Karn saw their major world for war propaganda go up in flames with some of its best troops, surely it could crumble similar to Jafel.

Relying on their superior numbers to overwhelm the Karn navy, a new pact leader was placed in charge of the Dacrel offensive who proved less than honorable compared to his predecessor. Utilizing rapid boarding ships that could also operate as kamikaze pilots in the event of boarding failure, the goal was to destroy the heart of the navy and divide the fleet into more consumable pieces. While the xenos rushed with reckless aggression, the Karn admiral known as Fadel had early success with his fleet mowing through lighter vessels and utilized his own fighters sparingly to secure air dominance around the fleet. The tides began to shift once a destroyer-class coalition vessel barreled forward and struck full force into one of the Karns own, the reactor having been overloaded and the ship abandoned on autopilot to crash head on into the fleet; the force of the strike alone pressured the reactor far enough to cause an explosion and throw the western Karn ships into disarray. Already having to rear themselves away from the incoming destroyer, the western force began regrouping with Admiral Fadel while taking heavy fire. Overwhelmed by the suicide attacks, Fadels fighters suffered under the pressure of the encroaching fleet and his western front swiftly got picked to pieces. While still debated to this day by historians on the motivation behind his decision-making, many believe perhaps his disloyalty to Alfei like so many other Karn officials played a role in his inevitable choice to abandon the fortress world; in either case, the shaken admiral ordered a quick retreat, him attempting to preserve the integrity of his crew and perhaps do a counterattack at a later date. Fadel was executed soon after the war on accounts of treason against the God-Magistrate, him having abandoned Karns God to aliens.

**Rape of Dacrel (-615 NAC)** Abandoned by Fadels fleet and with no way off of the world, any plans for Alfeis escape were cut shortly by the swift invasion soon after by coalition troops which were met with overwhelming suppression by Karn forces. Relying upon their entrenched position and bountiful supplies to make it through the year, Alfei planned to hold off the invading forces until Fadel regrouped and a larger fleet was dispatched to save them. Considering the enemy already knew of his presence on the world, the God-Magistrate made no effort to hide himself and fought shoulder to shoulder with his men to keep their spirits raised. His honor guard assisted him in this endeavor and also rooted out any moles or traitorous soldiers which had switched sides; betrayal wouldn't be allowed in such a desperate time and those found guilty were hung publicly as a deterrent.
Fighting for months on end, bombardments and a lack of fresh supplies nearly caved in the wavering fortress world who received its counteroffensive nearly two weeks too late for it to matter. Having lost most of their major cities and with Alfei surrounded at the capital, the Karn fleet could only watch in horror as barbarians descended upon the city and overwhelmed the final defenders of Dacrel; the God-Magistrate among them. Making a final stand within the capital building, Alfei cut down multiple coalition troops with the remainder of his men before finally meeting his demise. Cut down and beheaded by the invaders, his sleep deprived head was broadcasted live for all to see as the entire Union lamented at the demise of their chosen.

The invaders proceeded to pillage, rape and terrorize the populace of Dacrel for years following the final stand of Alfei as only the dissolution of the coalition in -615 saw them driven off from the world. Scarred by the acts committed against their people on Dacrel, Karn under the command now of an emergency Junta saw to making it illegal for all non-Cestians to gain citizenship in the Union. Alfeis body was soon after recovered alongside his mutilated head, him being buried upon Karn in a temple dedicated to Maraxin.

**Imperial Conquests (-615 to -472 NAC)** Following the dissolution of the coalition and its major offensive against Karn, the now reigning military Junta was able to secure its territories once again and push out the remaining pact forces which had stayed behind after the Empires conditional peace was signed. Granting Alfei an honorable burial, the selection of the next God-Magistrate fell upon them to decide as no heir had been announced. Deciding on a safe and loyal candidate which would protect military interests and rule the nation justly, God-Magistrate Ivul was announced as Alfeis successor. Wanting to seek revenge for the atrocities caused at Dacrel and to honor Alfei as a means of securing his authority, Ivul began launching Imperial raids of the neighboring ex-coalition states and expanding the Unions territory.
Investing heavily into the slave trade and securing Cestian dominance, his short lived reign saw the creation of Karns effective indoctrination and conversion methods which made the Union into a major exporter of loyal slaves. Leading an invasion alongside his officers to increase his prestige, Ivul died in -607 NAC during an ambush done against his convoy that saw his entire honorguard wiped out and him committing suicide to avoid capture.

Once again without a ruler to lead their campaigns, a senior officer known as Quidon was quickly elected as his replacement and took up the reigns of God-Magistrate quickly to continue the war. Considered the most unpopular by the general populace, Quidons rushed coronation and emphasis on pursuing military interests made many citizens consider him a puppet of his own officers. The wealth and success he raked in from is victories though made his reign perhaps one of the most profitable for the Union as he subjugated and colonized multiple alien nations before his inevitable death in -549 NAC. Passing from natural causes, he had announced an heir prior to his death who was loyal to the military yet ambitious in his own right.

God-Magistrate Enya proved to be a less competent general compared to Quidons and yet a master of inter political dealings. Able to bribe and pit opposing xeno factions against one another, he secured the newly acquired imperial frontier through manipulating his opponents into combat against one another. Vowing to never expand past the territory of his predecessor, he opened up to dialogue with the Xenos as a means of exploiting their dependence on his support and created a profitable slave trade between himself and multiple nations bordering his new lands. Enyas success was so great that even Tyvius II took to awarding him with multiple Imperial medals and gifts for his service to the nation. Ruling up until -472 NAC, Enya proved to be an efficient ruler that built upon the institutions and policies of his predecessors while also securing a fortune for his own family along the way. Dying from natural causes, his legacy is one few remember in face of those who came before him and yet the impact he left had long lasting effects even into the modern era.

**Consolidation of the Union (-472 to 28 NAC)** Taking the torch soon after Enyas passing, Gefalio rose as the new God-Magistrate and oversaw the consolidation of Karns land and the integration of its conquered territories. Ruling with an authoritarian streak unseen before his administration, Gefalios reign was noted for its countless xeno rebellions and uprisings which he quashed with the assistance of several Imperial nobles; him being known as the executioner for the number of dissenters that were killed on his orders. He died of natural causes in -261, all forms of organized resistance were either driven underground or destroyed by the time his administration had to inevitably pass the torch onto his successor.
While never specifying an heir, he did leave the window open for three choices which caused a short-term political crisis in -259 with all three candidates coming to heads over who should receive the coronation. Of this batch was Doukali who proved to be the victor and ensured his opponents were driven into the grave. Loyal to the values of Karn and the Empire, he proved quite popular and was seen as the candidate of stability and status quo within the union; an assumption he helped mold into a reality. Embracing the image of a virtuous and honorable God-Magistrate, Doukali took inspiration from Enya, Gefalio and Corvec for how to rule the Union. Continuing Cestian supremacy and upholding the traditions of old, the young Magistrate kept Karn afloat while the rest of the Empire drowned in hedonism, Doukali believing Karn to be the last bastion of Cestias pure legacy. Faced with the threat of xeno invaders just like his ancestors had fought, Doukali prepared for inevitable war and the sacrifices he had to make in the coming years.

**Hallow War and Subjugation (28 to present NAC)**
Taking a proactive role in the Hallow War, Magistrate Doukali committed the union fully to pushing back the Kingdom of Zoscia. Sending the majority of his navy to assist the front lines, he retained a sizable defensive force to garrison the home front and named Magistrate Qindas as his temporary administrator for the duration of Doukalis service in the Imperial war cabinet. Traveling to the Celestial Throne to accompany God-Emperor Tyvius III, Doukali delegated his duties to Qindas who ruled in his absence. Similar in age to the God-Magistrate, Qindas was an experienced military commander and a mediocre statesmen who was fiercely loyal to Doukali; his devotion and trustworthiness earning him the administrative position.

Keeping the status quo, Qindas and the Karn Union became increasingly pressured as the war dragged on and two revolts ravaged the Empire and its subjects. Karn was unexceptional in this matter and had to put down several bloody slave riots along with disloyal Legionnaires who tried to revolt from Tyvius' rule. Unable to handle the nations issues and enact the God-Emperors reforms, Qindas stepped down and a military council temporarily governed the state before Doukali returned following the destruction of his naval forces and Seltas inevitable conquest soon after. Defeated and disillusioned by the Cestian Empires dreary predicament, he resumed leadership of the Union and shored up defenses for the Coronan invasion that was to come. Sparingly dispatching forces to assist the God-Emperor, Doukali remained loyal yet distant as he handled the Imperial reforms enacted by Tyvius and kept his own nation from falling into anarchy.

Hearing of the God-Emperors defeat at Cestia, Doukali asserting his independence from the Empire approached Zoscia directly and sued for peace. Hosting an experienced garrison and heavily defended position, he used his strategic position as leverage in peace talks. Hammering out a separate peace treaty, Doukali agreed to be integrated into ZOZ as an autonomous province that was nominally independent and received representation in the postwar governments administration. In return for these requirements, Doukali was to renounce the God-Emperors authority and could rule free of the Imperial reforms. Agreeing upon the terms, both sides left satisfied with Doukali later being called the Black Magistrate for his betrayal of the Empire.

Declaring Karn a Cestian province free of the Emperors influence, he reasserted his loyalty to Zoscia and became Magistrate of one of the few untouched provinces of the postwar region. Opening up to trade with other ZOZ subjects, Doukali took advantage of his stable economy and utilized it to help bolster his citizens prosperity. Having to outlaw slavery along with other institutions the Union relied upon, the freed slaves were given incentives to leave for other provinces so as to reduce tensions. Although most did leave, some remained and caused Doukali to institute state workshops and businesses to help these ex-slaves find employment. Trade unions and unemployed peoples were hired on to staff plantations and other properties that were now void of slaves; a move which helped many ex-slave owners avoid bankruptcy. Declining as Karn was, it began taking steps in the right direction and found itself honed under the new ZOZ administrations watchful eye. Defiant to Coronan influence, it remains a traditional Cestian province that has only reformed what is necessary to maintain peace.

## Culture and Society

Ruled over by an occupation force turned longstanding government, Karn and its society is structured similarly to the Imperial Legion with discipline and loyalty being highly valued and sought after by the nation. As a result of this class division, Karn used to utilize a modified Cestian hierarchy with the main pyramid being split between the loyal and disloyal; the latter being made up of only slaves. With its subjugation under the Kingdom of Zoscia, this hierarchy has split into three social classes which are the Ex-slaves, Karnists and Imperialists with the latter two at odds with one another.

Favoring Cestians to all other races, the Karnist populace is made up entirely of the ruling species with no room present for ex-slaves to ascend to this class. The Union unlike its kinsmen stands out as the only Cestian state that has racial prejudice which is heralded above the Empires ideals of civility and what classifies as civilized. Having been one of the main targets during the Great Trial, the Union and its citizens were subjected to horrors which have hardened their hearts to outsiders; the general populace believing in the necessity of a Cestian ethnostate to propagate their species and ensure its survival. Living under nominal information bans and an overbearing state tasked with rooting out all forms of decadence and corruption, it ironically remains the only Cestian nation which has presevered most of its Imperial legacy. Choosing stability over freedom, the people of Karn are a hardy and closed minded type which shun most intellectual pursuits outside of what benefits the state or their own lives.

Beneath them lies the Ex-slaves which are made up of conquered native races and the offspring of captured xeno families from the Great Trial. Making up the majority of Karns population, they used to be kept in line through brutal suppression of criminal and rebel elements along with an efficient military police force which ensured the slaves were kept safe from criminal elements and given the proper services they need. Taking an oddly paternal role towards the slaves, Karn actively ensured all slave homes and persons were up to state standards, them being given free healthcare which even the citizenry didn't have access to. While inferior in their eyes, the Union valued all of its property and wished to ensure its efficiency was always at its highest which is why unnecessary institutions like education were not offered to slaves which only needed to learn their trade. Effective in its implementation and institutionalized into the controlled masses of young slaves and their offspring, slavery was a cornerstone of the states economy and Karns ability to mold slaves made them a top slave trader with their neighbors. Following their freedom, this class has become loyal to Karn yet more progressive in nature with most not caring about racial prejudices unlike their Cestian rulers and being strong proponents of state instituted healthcare along with other services. Agreeing on a need for democratic institutions, they have become Zoscias favored class with both sharing common interests in what Karns future should look like.

Last and perhaps the smallest class within Karn, the Imperialists take a mixed approach to the previous two groups with a more progressive outlook on Ex-slaves as equals and yet a return to recognizing the God-Emperors authority. Wishing to return to the status quo of old with a more traditional Imperial mindset, they are at odds with the Karnists which they see as traitors. Made up of primarily military personnel and influential figures, it has become a staple within the society and one that cannot be suppressed considering the sheer number in places of power.

While private industry and businesses do exist, Karn has several state businesses and factories in its name which are used to supply the military and have greater control over the masses. Reliant on propaganda and state products to ingrain loyalty into the citizenry and their children, public schools teach the Unions value and an upmost loyalty to the Magistrate. Somewhat more liberal compared to the home country in terms of women's role in society, they aren't allowed to hold any jobs outside of the military in which they can only attain a secondary role at best as an officer or another subordinate to a greater male authority; this is done mainly to ensure no reformists climb the ladder of leadership and can make headway with their agendas.

## Religion

Devoted to the God-Emperors religious authority alone, the people of Karn worship a wide variety of Gods within the Celestial pantheon, the main deity currently being Maraxin which was chosen by the current God-Magistrate. Believing their rulers to be the living incarnations of their chosen God, reverence of the ruler is of upmost importance to the Union which goes out of its way to form a political and spiritual personality cult surrounding the head of state. Having remained dedicated to Maraxin throughout their entire administration, Karn is known as the land of blood and steel for its dedication to martial prowess and defense of the Old Empire.

Revering life paths revolving around war, military service is considered by many Karn priests to be a spiritual must for the populace and so military exceptionalism is present to some degree in religious affairs. Maraxins more draconian doctrines toward society only furthers this exceptionalism with only those willing to dedicate themselves to his cause being seen as worthy of respect and praise. This has made military service a desirable career path and one with countless benefits. Alongside a desire for war and strength, Maraxin teaches loyalty to ones peers and ancestor worship which has made Karn into one of the most conservative regions in the Empire; them following the wisdom of the elderly before the untested ideals of younger generations.

Communal living is another tenet of Maraxin doctrine, his more devote worshipers being known to live in tight-knit communities on isolated worlds where they can test their mettle against nature and form warrior bonds with their kinsmen. Traditional priests are known to train out in these communities before returning to civilization, children also being a concurrent sight with devoted families sending their young out to learn the way of war. While many die in their trial of surviving the unforgiving wilderness, the majority survive with the assistance of their brothers in arms which act as mentors for them. Once attaining the ripe age of 16, the children are sent back home to their families where they have the option of returning permanently when they become an adult. While this tradition isn't the most popular amongst urban followers, it still remains a prevalent practice in more devoted rural regions of Karn and has helped ensure a solid group of elite soldiers serving the God-Magistrates needs.

## Territory

Inhabiting three worlds, the majority of the Unions populace is concentrated upon Karn itself and the industrial world of Horkal. Untouched by the Hallow War and its devastation, the Karn Union has remained relatively the same as its prewar counterpart aside the recent liberation of slaves which had harmed the economy and social climate. Dealing with the rising issue of automated machinery replacing jobs and an increasing crime rate, cracks have begun to form within the strongman state that need to be resolved prior to expanding its ambitions.

*♔ Reigning Magistrate*
*Untouched Prewar Planet*
*Diligent Populace*
*Undeveloped Frontier World*
*Dominated by Automated Mines*
*Uneducated Populace*
*Untouched Industrial World*
*Tense Social Climate*
*Rising Crime Rate*