Icaro Cluster

> "*In the vast void of the universe lies infinite secrets and half buried legacies left by those which came before. Whether out of fear or desperation, they abandoned the cold recesses to their fate and retreated to the Heart for one final comfort. Now those left behind awaken once more and the cold touch of reality has finally come to smother the flame of blissful ignorance.*"
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**Icaro, the Forgotten** is a globular star cluster located northeast of Hytaxia and the Demise which has remained disconnected from Aoshtai since the Galactic Dark Age. Connected through a once deactivated Psigate in Hytaxia, it reawakened with newfound life in Marcelia 21 NE and brought with it many foreign ideas and races unique to the cluster. Reputed for its strange peoples and isolation from the rest of Aoshtai, it has developed an entirely unique political environment separate from its parent galaxy.

Believed to have once been the favored location for countless experiments done by the Ordo Integumentum in the Ancient Aoshanti Empire, its legacy if to be believed can be seen throughout the entire cluster with countless horrific tests given life and shattered failures drifting in the darkness of space.

## History

### Prehistory (7 Billion AR - 20,000 AR)

Record of the Icaro Clusters history prior to the Ordo Integumentums arrival is largely left to speculation with many of the Ordos ancient records having been destroyed during their collapse. What little is known is that ancient lifeforms were detected to have existed across many of the clusters diverse worlds. In one form or another, they lived and for many centuries Icaro was explored by Imperial scouts before the Ordo Integumentum prematurely declared its dominion over the region. Establishing complete control over Icaro, they barred the other Imperial powers from probing their territory and turned Icaro into a black site. Whether any of these actions were known to the Imperial administration or even legally sanctioned is unknown, nonetheless the Integumentum established its Mandate.

### Integumentum Mandate (20,000 AR - 1,000 AR)

Securing Icaro star by star, the entire Cluster was documented during the Integumentums Mandate and those which resided within it. Throughout their reign, much of the Integumentums time was believed to have been spent developing experimental technologies, colonizing worlds for the Aoshanti and inevitably testing their research practically. Creating new strains of bacteria which were capable of altering the color of macro molecules and weapons able to incinerate entire continents with a single button, their research grew increasingly demented and radical as the Empire reached its demise. Bacteria was molded into macro molecule servants, new species being bred to serve the Integumentum and be utilized in experimentation, greater weaponry was developed to crack entire worlds and even collective thought programs were developed. Nothing seemed outside of their grasp of control within the Cluster, everything operating within the confines they established over millennia of rule and the very worlds they inhabited serving their needs.

This was until the Empire itself began collapsing to astrobarbarism, the Integumentums attention being cast abroad and its creations flourishing without guidance. As the ancient empire came to its end, the Integumentum began cracking at its own foundations. Uncontested in their mandate, the Ordo was unable to respond properly when the first of its creations arose in rebellion and threw their control into uncertainty. Known as the **Icaro Reclamation Wars**, a series of conflicts ensued throughout the twilight of the Integumentums lifespan as threats both abroad and within threatened to shatter their resolve. The result of these wars bringing forth the Great Darkness and the downfall of the mandate.

### Great Darkness (1,000 AR - 8,000 PR)

As the last signs of life left the Aoshtai Psigate, the Great Darkness was heralded as Icaro found itself completely isolated from the rest of civilization. Trapped with their own vengeful mistakes, the Integumentum began a desperate campaign of total war as it showed no mercy to those which rebelled against the mandate. Losing system after system, successor states began to from amongst their rebelling subjects who harnessed the Ordos own technology against it, the Myriath being one such invention that went on to wipe out most life in the Saatol sector. More and more ground was lost every century to the emerging powers of Icaro as the Integumentum turned inward and abandoned most of its northern territories to their fate. AI defense systems were purposely sabotaged to kill any and all who entered their line of sight and their facilities were completely abandoned to their fate.

Attempting to weather the storm with their few remaining sectors and territories, the Integumentum survived the initial chaos of Icaros' independence and situated itself within Irathul, Kaloth and Ryiln where it plotted its resurgence. During this period of dormancy, the Cluster went through many conflicts amongst its successor states which feuded amongst themselves for what little technology and resources remained. Record of those wars are lost to time, but they are commonly referred to as the **Black Silence**, many cruel unspeakable deeds having been committed in a time best forgotten. In the aftermath of these conflicts, an era of renewal and change swept over Icaro as the scars of the past slowly began to heal. The Integumentum sensed this and enacted its campaign of purification once more, however this time their ships would never arrive to carry out the Ordos will. Residing within the shadows of their administration, the Integumentums most devoted and loyal Vetril staked their rightful claim of independence by overthrowing the masters they had eternally served with vigilance up to this point.

Standing by their side throughout all of their strife and turmoil, the Aoshanti of Icaro had come to see them as fellow kindred and equals in their quest of purification. However the Vetril simply bide their time and in this strategic decision for another war, they gave the Vetril an opportunity to seize the top leadership of the Integumentum and assassinate its rulers. Forging the Icaro Dominion, they subsumed the remnants of their masters realm in a prolonged civil war which saw to the destruction of countless worlds and control over Ryiln. Establishing itself as the heir of the Integumentum, the Dominion began its tireless quest of reestablishing order across the cluster and putting an end to their late masters monstrosities. Greater powers such as the Dominion arose in the later half of this period, the Codices being established by them and an intercluster order arising which brought an end to the constant conflicts of the past.

### Modern Period (8,000 PR - Present)

The current era of history and one marked with the rise of countless modern nations, the Icaro Cluster has remained in a continual state of conflict and peace with its intercluster order still intact and further reinforced with the reactivation of the Aoshtai psigate. Having long since moved past the horrors of their past, Icaro and its inhabitants are at a turning point in history with their connection to the greater universe being restored. Countless once declining factions have cast their gazes abroad, newfound ambition and fervor fueling them towards an uncertain future brimming with opportunity.

## Government and politics

Plagued with rampant diseases, pirates, rouge defense systems and failed genetic experiments from bygone times, the Icaro Cluster is a chaotic and untamed region of the universe which has been a battleground of various peoples since the Great Darkness. Distinct and alien in their decision making, many nations of the Cluster practice their own standards of morality and political tradition which have gradually amalgamated into a fluid consensus known as the Codices; an established set of rules in Icaro which all civilized nations must abide by. Those which befall the Codices are cast back into the chaos which will most assuredly consume them without conscience. Warring over legitimacy, resources and countless other causes, Icaro is divided between several major powers which have established the current clusters era of relative peace, each playing a role in maintaining the status quo and keeping Icaro at bay from the chaos.

**Kaloth**
 Icaro Dominion
**Ryiln**
 Zoscia
 Ro'Taq League (Microstate)
 Sarilian Network (Microstate)
 Suzlenki Republic (Microstate)
**Irathul**
 Cai'nul Trade Directorate
**The Mirage**
**Saatol**

### International Law

Whilst not inherently enforced by any one body, the Icaro Cluster is governed by a series of **Codices** which have been upheld since the Great Darkness. Detailing the mannerisms and rules of conduct civilized societies must abide by to be treated as equals, all legitimate and respected powers cite the Codices for diplomacy and times of war. Those which forsake the Codices are known as **Outliers** are not subject to the same treatment legitimate nations are given. Forged through the centuries of Icaros isolation, the Codices take inspiration primarily from native societies and their laws rather than Aoshanti doctrine.

**Promulgating institution**:  Icaro Dominion (*Defacto*)

**International law court**: Sanctum of Inarus (*Defacto*)

#### Principles

* **Right to Rule**: All legitimate nations have a right to rule which enforce their position through power, diplomacy or challenges towards their opposition. Said nations have a right to govern their own internal affairs, forge their own policies within their borders, defend themselves, conduct diplomacy and join or leave alliances. Those which fail to enforce their position relinquish the right to govern themselves as a legitimate sovereign nation and are subject to extranational authorities.
* **Right to Challenge**: Legitimate nations which are barred by diplomatic means to a resolution they prefer are allowed to challenge their competition in a test of mettle which can overrule the resolution or solidify it.
* **Colonization**: Colonization in the neighborhood of other powers requires the permission of said powers or a challenger tourney to subvert the locals permission; defeat in said tourney bars the colonizer from pushing their agenda forward.
* **Non-Cluster Powers**: Non-natives are seen as outsiders and their rights to colonization are non-existent. Any non-native force projection in Icaro is treated as a violation of native rights and Icaros institutions heavily favor natives. Passive visitors are granted respect and protection during their travels as long as they abide by International customs.
* **Control of Gates**: The Psigate connected to Aoshtai belongs to the legitimate sovereign whose borders encompass it. Access is restricted to and from at their will and sabotage of the Psigate is met with exclusion from the International community.
* **Right to Servitude**: Legitimate nations and peoples which lose their Right to Rule are granted the right to serve extranational powers. Those which submit themselves to the will of others are to be granted the same protections as any other inhabitant of a legitimate nation and are expected to serve loyally in return. Those which do not assert themselves through the Right to Challenge are deemed Outliers.

#### War

* **Codified Wars**: Wars require a justification outlined in the Codices to be initiated legitimately. Those which fall outside the bounds of International law are considered unjust and the aggressor nation is treated as an Outlier till the wars conclusion.
* **Codified Besieging**: Besieged worlds are granted special privileges as outlined in the Codices to negotiate their surrender, export their civilian populace unharmed and adopt a stance of total resistance. The besieging army must abide by the planets policy before committing to indiscriminate bombardment. Worlds which prolong their policy stance are granted a grace period before bombardment is allowed.
* **Civilians**: Depending on the planetary administrations stance, civilians are valid targets for bombardment and hostile engagement. Those which surrender or submit to occupation forces are to be granted protection and access to comfortable living conditions during their internment. Those which enter recognized sanctuaries are to be confined to said sanctuaries and treated humanely. Violation of civilian rights during times of war is subject to reparations and punishment by the International community.
* **War Crimes**: The Codices detail a list of actions and behaviors which are considered war crimes and subject to Outlier status if not harsher punishments.
* **Superweapons**: The usage of weapons with class 4 destructive capabilities and above are considered illegal by the Codices and subject to Outlier status if not reasonably justified by Codified Wars.
* **Prisoners of War**: Armed combatants which surrender are granted servile rights for the remainder of the conflict and are to be treated with the due respect of their status. Prisoners of war are allowed to be utilized as free labor and production workers, however placing them in harms way is seen as a violation of their rights as outlined by the Right to Servitude and subject to International punishment.

#### Legitimate Casus Bellis

* **Conquest**: Legitimate
* **Control of Space**: Legitimate
* **Demonstrate Superiority**:
	+ **Genocide**: Illegitimate
	+ **Enslavement**: Legitimate
	+ **Humiliation**: Illegitimate
	+ **Despoil**: Illegitimate
* **Reprisal**:
	+ **Attacked Courier**: Legitimate
	+ **Attacked Country**: Legitimate
	+ **Violated Territory**: Legitimate
	+ **Publicly Insulted**: Illegitimate
	+ **Sheltering Adversary**: Illegitimate
	+ **Sponsoring Adversary**: Legitimate
	+ **Committed Crime**: Depends on the crime
	+ **Breach of International Law**: Legitimate
* **Arms Limitation**: Legitimate
* **Reconquest**: Legitimate
* **Trade**: Legitimate
* **Outlier**: Legitimate
* **Impose Ideology**: Illegitimate
* **Vassalize**: Legitimate
* **Independence**: Legitimate