Dark Star Empire

The **Dark Star Empire** was the governing body of the Heskra of Faska during the reign of Witch-King Harkan Felreave. It lasted for the span of eight years before crumbling in defeat after the Great War. During the height of their power, the Dark Star Empire was feared as the greatest threat to the Core in generations. It is remembered as one of the most oppressive and malicious groups in Aeos' history. Their symbol was a black planet with two holes - the two moons of Faska - ringed by a star exploding.

## Government

The Dark Star Empire was to be ruled by a single dictator known as the "Witch-King", similar to the old Coven Empires of the past. His wife would serve beside him as "Witch-Queen", with a council of nine Hexlords forming the "High Roost" and aiding the Witch-King in matters of governance. The only Witch-King to rule was Harkan Felreave, with his wife, Karasa Felreave, as Witch-Queen.

Positions held on the High Roost are as follows:

* **Shadow Eye** -
* **Voice of the Ancients** -
* **Scythe of War** -
* **Lord of Blades** -
* **Black Talon** -
* **Dread Harrower** -
* **Keeper of Secrets** -
* **Pale Hand** -
* **Master of Bones** -

## Military

The Dark Star Empire had a single, unified military - a ground army mobilized by nine fleets of warships and carriers. This was known as the Imperial Armada, or the Dark Fleet.

Each Fleet, comprised both of ships and armies, is lead by a Sovereignt General - an appointed military position held by a Heskra Hexlord. These positions were coveted highly by the officers of the Dark Fleet as they were the highest possible military office one could attain. Generally, only Heskra occupied these positions though an exception was made for Arnas Kraeger, a Shadalian.

* **The 1st Fleet** - The principal fleet of the Dark Star Empire, the 1st Fleet mostly operated in Heskra space as a defense force. They were lead by the "Wyvern", Ashran Dralgar, aboard his *Nemesis*-class battlecruiser, the *Abyssal*. They were reputed to be the least active Imperial force during the majority of the war but entered the fighting after the dissolution of the 9th Fleet and the destruction of the 2nd. Introduced at the Battle of Ileos, the 1st Fleet fought for a week straight before being crushed by the combined might of the Vilor, Felisians, and Tyranians. Ashran Dralgar died ramming the *Abyssal* into a Vilor cruisers, destroying both ships.

* **The 2nd Fleet** - Commanded by the "Iron Tyrant", Angrad Gordolia, aboard his *Nemesis*, the *Nightborn*, the 2nd Fleet was the vanguard of the Dark Star Empire, having fought in countless engagements throughout the Great War. Angrad was the third Sovereignt General in his office, having succeeded two others who died in battle before him. Known for his aggressive military tactics that focused primarily on dividing enemy forces and squashing them with overwhelming might, Angrad was, himself, lured into a trap over the moon of Axa IV and killed in battle.

* **The 3rd Fleet** - The "Shayfox" Sylvar Tryvas inherited the 3rd Fleet from her mother after the previous Sovereignt General had died by a redirected curse in battle. Commanding the *Nemesis* battlecruiser, the *Doom Mother*, Sylvar served as a more refined blade against the Alliance than the blunt hammer that was the 2nd Fleet. The Shayfox lead mostly from afar, preferring the comforts of Heskra territory to on-hands battles. However, in her ambition, Sylvar attempted a coup against the Witch-King alongside General Umbris Morosir and some of the High Roost council members. Her plot was discovered and she was promptly executed aboard the *Doom Mother* after the rest of her fleet was ordered to open fire on it.

* **The 4th Fleet** - The gatherers of the Dark Star Empire, the 4th Fleet had been nicknamed the Witch-King's "spiders" in relation to their leader - the "Dread-Spinner", Braja Rachniss. Rachniss lead research efforts aboard her *Nemesis* flagship, the *Black Brood*. Considered a scientific genius as well as a brilliant tactician, Rachniss was kept far from any fighting and focused her efforts mainly on constructing new weapons and engines of war for the Empire. Rachniss' last known whereabouts were in an Imperial castle on the planet Vastra though she is thought to still be alive in the Reach, though her location and conditions are unknown.

* **The 5th Fleet** -

* **The 6th Fleet** -

* **The 7th Fleet** -

* **The 8th Fleet** -

* **The 9th Fleet** - Lead by the "Panthir", Lumina Sonyra, aboard her *Widow*-class Destroyer, the *Dread*, the 9th Fleet was responsible for many victories for the Empire during the course of the Great War. Utilizing unconventional tactics and strategies and gaining a reputation for her effectiveness in battle through deception, Lumina was known as the "Demon of the Reach" by the Alliance and was regarded as one of the most dangerous of the Sovereignt Generals. She was eventually captured and imprisoned by the Alliance, where she traded valuable strategic information in exchange for comfortable living conditions.

* **The 10th Fleet** - Aboard the *Nemesis* flagship, the *Eclipse*, the "Mourning Owl" Umbris Morosir was the head of the "Winter Collective", the Empire's main intelligence branch. Through this collective, Umbris gained immense personal power and sought to use it to usurp the Imperial throne from Harkan Felreave. His plot was ultimately discovered though he was slain by Alliance operatives before any retribution could be carried out.

* **The 11th Fleet** - Naros Saurdra, also known as the "Blood Krow", commanded the 10th Fleet aboard his flagship, the *Baneful*. The 11th Fleet often provided support and convoy duty to many different operations, though their division ultimately lead to them being systematically destroyed through the various battles they engaged in. Naros died in battle against the Tyranians on Kypras II late into the war.

* **The 12th Fleet** - The "Wulvar", Davrak Kadras lead the 12th Fleet aboard the *Howl*. A Wyrwolf and experienced battle commander, Davrak held the gate against the Illimari Order and the Alliance auxiliary forces for much of the war, ensuring the Coalition had safe routes to enter the Core. It was his death at the Blitz that left the 12th Fleet leaderless and in enough chaos to be routed by the Alliance, cutting the Coalition off late into the war and dividing their forces.

## Trivia

* The Dark Star Empire is inspired partly by the Nazi Party of World War II.