Distal

Distal

The **Distalian Republic**, more commonly known as **Distal**, is an inhabited planet and member of the Aoshanti Republic. It is located in the region of Missionaria where it straddles the borders of Olicana and Coria. A center of high culture, it is notably the home of the influential and wealthy Armandus Family, who comprised its pre-Ascendancy monarchy.

Supporting a population of 12 billion, it is the 4th-most populous in the Republic. Its surface is largely split between dense cityscapes, vibrant autumnal forests, and vast plateaus and highlands covered in blue-green grasses. It profits moderately from supplying a number of agricultural and industrial commodities to Lindinis and Karstedt, including AI and radioactives.

Formerly an independent Lessoan Aoshanti kingdom in a real union with Olicana, it fell to an invasion by the Kingdom of Orbitritum in 24 BNE, during the opening of the First Concourse War. Most of its non-Reformist aristocracy fled to Lessos and eastern Karstedt—and when these fell to the Reformists, Amestria—until their return at the end of the Ascendancy War.

Distal's demonym is **Distallian** or **Distalli**, and its inhabitants are typically know as **Distalites**.

## History

### Kingdom of Distal (45 - 24 BNE)

The most recent **Kingdom of Distal** formed mere decades before the First Concourse War, sealed by the union of King Gorwin II of Olicana and Minervina Armandus XV, Princess Regnant of Distal. King Gorwin's death in 45 BNAC would usher in Queen Minervina's reign as the first monarch of both the Principality of Distal and the Kingdom of Olicana. Their eldest son, Andoron Armandus, would usher in the administrative integration of the two princedoms in the beginning of his reign, in 36 BNE.

The process was arduous, piecemeal, and by 24 BNE, incomplete, as Lessoan princes resisted the streamlining of various titles and offices and rebellious Reformed vassals in southeastern Olicana created a near-permanent drain on the monarchy's resources and focus.

Twelve years into Andoron's reign, the Kingdom of Distal was only beginning to recover from its domestic troubles when it was invaded by the Kingdom of Orbitritum. Militarily outmatched, Andoron began smuggling his family and courtiers to the perceived safety of Lessos, while he remained behind to make a last stand against the Reformists.

However, Andoron would be injured in the early stages of the Fall of Distal, suffering blunt trauma to his right arm and leg as his flagship was shredded by missiles and *Spetum*-class laser fire. The King's companions and crew succeeded in delivering him to a blockade runner before the Oribitritans could capture him, sending him off to Lessos. From there, they hoped, he could rally a proper counteroffensive.

This dream would never be realized. With other principalities fighting on their own fronts and Karstedt deprived of its shipyards, Andoron's remaining forces could scarcely dent the Orbitritan occupation, and he was forced to relocate his family a second time when Orbitritum seized Karstedt's Missionarian provinces, and Lessos alongside them. In 18 NE, he made a final visit to Amestria to bid his wife, sisters, and children goodbye, and promptly made for Vigila with what few Templarii and loyalists he retained. There, in Prigemen of 19 NE, he and all his men fell to the Orbitritan invasion of the Kingdom's outer systems. His wife would join Andoron the next month, following the birth of his posthumous daughter, Mira.

### Republic of Distal (22 NE - Present)

*See also: Aoshanti Republic*
Following the death of Emperor Veritas III, the Armandus family and their allies in the Imperial Senate, headed by Mira Armandus, now Proconsul of Distal, and Consul Arcon Eilwarin, pushed to crown the young Theodosia Armandus as Empress. At the same time, their opponents in the Senate made a ploy to push Ke'ron Armandus, now Praetor, out of the capital to besiege the Reformed League province of Shesta over its nonpayment of taxes, bogging him down in the system and limiting his ability to influence politics on Naissus.

This, combined with an unexpected wave of international pressure, ultimately enabled the Kancasins to push their alternative: to abolish the institution of Emperor and declare the Aoshanti Republic at the end of the month of Helvetion.

As the Veritas Crisis progressed, Mira took the political reigns of the Senate's Moderate faction, itself rooted in the aristocracies of Distal, lower Missionaria, and Cibalea, in her brother's absence. Theodosia and her husband Andoron quietly returned to Distal, where she would subsequently bear a son, Democritian.

## Gallery

The flag of Distal, evoking its ringed shape and the unique hues of its flora.