The Second 100 Years War

*(Also known as "The Galactic War", "The Second Revolution", and simply "The Great War")*

## Summary

The War began 100 years before the present day, when Emperor Alister Arkannis IV died before he could produce a royal heir. As a result, there were many competing claims to the throne. The galaxy descended into chaos as each potential heir made their bid for power. After the first 10 years, however, the situation stabilized as power steadily coalesced behind two primary candidates.

## Emperor Tiberius, the Red Rose

Tiberius Arkannis, brother to the former emperor, held the closest position to a rightful title. By appealing to wealthy inner core systems with established militaries Tiberius was able to secure his hold over the capital world of the empire and many of its symbols of power. The Red Rose uses traditional symbols of power to reinforce confidence in their rule and operates more or less according to something resembling the normal system of rule.

The Red Emperor and their lords inherit through indirect succession. Direct descendants hold no power. Rather, the chosen spouse of the eldest child becomes ruler. In ancient times before biotech and genetic manipulation allowed for social reform, this meant a princess had no power to rule herself but would select who she saw best fit to become king while maintaining the royal bloodline. Princes, meanwhile, became powerful military leaders with no right to rule of their own. Presently, the titles are ceremonial only with no bearing on the gender or biology of whoever possesses it.

The Red Empire currently suffers from extreme internal corruption and issues of nepotism. Their holdings have been continuously drained during the course of the war, leading to steadily increasing taxes and poverty for member worlds while leaders continue to project symbols of wealth and power. The current Red Emperor is Emperor Tristain II.

## Queen Lily, the White Rose

Lily Arkannis was the daughter and only child to the emperor. Faced with an army of increasingly unsavory suitors, she reached out to the royal church and declared herself a holy maiden, never to marry or pass on her title to any descendent. As a result, The White Crusade holds sway over those planets that were most closely tied to the royal church, impoverished worlds furthest from core trade routes, and those seeking a change from the traditional systems of rule.

The Holy Maiden has reigned since the first days of the rebellion. According to rumor and sacred rite, whenever she dies a new vessel is reborn from the body of the original. In practice, each successive ruler is merely a clone of the original Maiden with increasing genetic drift. The real power is held by the holy bishops and council who advise her, though her authority remains absolute. She rules from aboard an ancient starship The Sword of Damocles, never remaining in one place for long to both keep herself present in the minds of her people and prevent assassination attempts.

The White Crusade struggles due to the poverty of its member worlds and is primarily run by a military government supervised by the church. Supplies are rationed and distributed by local leaders. If victorious, The Holy Maiden has vowed to implement a proper government, but member worlds are currently too badly scattered for any form of consistent leadership.