The Empresses

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The two heads of state and government in Rikutsar are the Empresses (*Cárriguisurec*) **Smenaer** and **Óasmae**. It is from the empresses that all governmental power flows. Both are not bound by the constitution, possesses all legal power, and are by all definitions Absolute Monarchs. No national-level decision of any kind described in the constitution can be made without their express approval, and they have veto power over all local-level decisions should they be reported to them.

However, all decisions one makes when in power can be overridden by the other, and the Empresses almost always err on the side of the Constitution. Both possess the titles of Cárriguisur of Rikutsar, Chair *Potestiva* of the Neardiuz, and Mediator of the Lisdiuz as defined by the 1845 Constitution.

They were crowned and declared **Cárriguithur o Reopir Ricutsaren** (*Holy Empress and Protector of the Great Land*) on June 18th 433 CE, the day of Rikutsar's founding, and to this day are the only non-human heads of state or government in Earth's history.

Both live together at the Grand Palace in Ceagár Luch.

On some occasions, especially during speeches and public events, they may choose to dress in Royal Decorum, which consists of a unique **cárvan** (garland) for each; the intricate **siunpegsec**, a series of sashes and a gown with beautiful patterns on them; and the **sevec**, jewels worn on their face, hands, and ankles. However, it is not uncommon to see them in **lispegsec** or "civilian" clothes.

In historic contexts referring to before the The War for Earth, Smenaer, Óassos, and Maeos are sometimes known as the "Big Three."

# Smenaer

 Spouse

**Smenaer** is widely considered to be the original spearhead of all things Rikutsar. She is intelligent even among Lithoi and has a keen interest in all things human and Earthly, especially human language. She founded the nation along with Óasmae and a council of humans in 433 AD. She has ruled interchangeably with Óasmae ever since. All decisions she makes as empress *potestiva* can be overridden by Óasmae.

## Description

She is a firm but fair leader, more concerned with what she believes is best for her people than what they think is best for them. She deeply loves humanity, and cares greatly for its preservation.

> *~ "Sometimes humans can be counterproductive, to put it lightly, even to the point of regression. For this reason, I do not muddle about in popular opinion. I am confident that I know what is right for my people." ~*
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She dearly loves her wife Óasmae, and has made her a very big part of her life. When creating Rikutsar she made sure Óasmae had a big say, and even gave up the government to Óasmae for more than a century after the Lovebay Revolution. She respects Óasmae's wisdom and is usually happy to yield to her even when in power, something she doesn't do with anybody else.

Smenaer is slender and graceful, standing over 7 feet tall yet weighing just 130 pounds. She has pale orange skin, almost the same color as some human skin, fire orange hair and pale red eyes. A scar runs from just below her nose up and left to her hairline. She is notable for her pronounced and well-defined eyebrows.

Having been programmed from her creation to follow the personality profile of her caste, she is instinctually very conservative and even uptight, preferring to follow rules and standards instead of coming up with new ways of going about problems. However, she constantly forces herself to do so anyways, showing great disdain for the personality she was created with. She is very calculating and assertive, and often becomes the dominant voice in a conference or meeting.

## History

### Early Life

Smenaer came into being on 31 August 10601 BCE on Lithos. This date is known due to the impeccable Lithon ability to keep and judge time internally.

Addressed simply as **Apahanth** ("servant"), she was subjugated and oppressed for thousands of years, forced to work as an enslaved servant for various aristocrats. She came to Earth sometime around 5000 BCE as part of a Lithon colonial operation with her master, a military commander named **Naer** ("warrior").

Naer was unusual for her caste. Instead of possessing the cold, calculating commander mindset, she was caring and kind. Naer taught Apahanth nearly everything she knew, from mechanics to physics to military strategy, things a mere servant was not meant to know. Additionally, Naer showed her how to have her own personality and free will.

After her arrival, young Apahanth received hands-on experience with the Lithon operation on Earth. It is here that they began taking humanoid forms in secret, fascinated with this new species.

In 3410 BCE, Naer was captured by forces loyal to the Theongorai on allegations of treason. However, the young Apahanth managed to escape, and fearing that Naer had been killed she joined forces with a small group of rebels known as the ***Knights of Anthos***.

She took the name **Smenaeros** ("Little Naer") in honor of her former master and, having been forbidden from much of a personality before, blossomed into a confident, powerful, if not eccentric individual.

# Óasmae

 Signature

**Óasmae** has been by Smenaer’s side since time immemorial. She holds the same amount of power as Smenaer, and when empress *potestiva* she can be overridden by Smenaer. Óasmae is extremely popular among Ricutsaric for her economic reforms, social stances, and overall personable demeanor, and as such is generally more people oriented than Smenaer.

She is a lenient and benevolent leader. She cares about what the people want and is concerned with the popularity of governmental decisions. Óasmae loves the Earth for the life that’s on it. She’s concerned with how the people see the government as well as herself and Smenaer. She is very extroverted and participates in many human activities, such as eating, sleeping, etc.

Óasmae is actually two Lithoi who have "fused" into a single individual; **Maeos** and **Óassos**. Their minds operate in parallel to each other as if they were one, sharing all information and emotions. Because she has the mass of two typical Lithoi, she is also twice the size. In the Grand Palace, entryways had to be built 12 feet tall to accommodate her height.

## History

Unlike Smenaer, both Óassos and Maeos were created 6,600 years ago on Earth. She was created as two beings: ***Maeot*** and ***Loevot***, members of the construction and manual labor castes respectively. They were created not long after the beginning of the Lithon colony on Earth.

### Her Components

**Óassos** (originally **Loevot**) came into being on 9 January 5012 BCE on Lithos.

She was a heavy laborer who served the Theon Lavarah. Like other members of her caste, she was responsible for mining, carrying heavy objects, and assisting in terraforming operations. During her work she became good friends with **Vios** ("prophet"), an aristocrat, who managed her for many centuries.

Vios was an "all-seeing eye" gifted with sight across all of space and an enhanced ability to predict future events. Vios could see that a great rebellion was coming, and that upon the rebellion's defeat the seeds of vicious revenge would be planted.

For decades she attempted to convince the Theongorai of this development, but to no avail. They were confident and scoffed at her when she raised the possibility of a Lithon defeat even in the far future. Vios saw no other choice but to join the rebellion and embrace this new way of life. Loevot, along with the rest of Vios' group, followed her.

Vios then taught Loevot to fend for herself, to not rely on others for validation and to be comfortable in her own skin. She taught Loevot how to be her equal, but in the process taught herself how to be Loevot's equal.

Later Loevot would change her name to Óassos, after the legendary lower caste hero **Óasath**.

**Maeos** (originally **Maeot**) came into being on 24 May 4670 BCE on Earth.

She specialized as a builder, indentured to create monuments for the Lithon aristocracy. Though typically quiet, she enjoyed the company of her caste-mates and sometimes those from other castes. She was extremely close with other members of her class, and there was even a secret society where they gathered and discussed their plans of rebellion.

Eventually this plan came to fruition, and after sabotaging the construction of a great tower in order to distract the aristocrats from their escape, they made their way to the Anthoi. All of them renamed themselves to **Maeos**, using the strong nominative case reserved for high-caste Lithoi. They each had nicknames, and this particular Maeot was nicknamed "Rypréne" meaning "reserved" or "closed-off" due to her serious and quiet nature.

During The War for Earth, Maeos met Vios and her posse, including Óassos.

Vios then taught Loevot to fend for herself, to not rely on others for validation and to be comfortable in her own skin. She taught Loevot how to be her equal, but in the process taught herself how to be Loevot's equal.

# Shared History

## the War for Earth

Main article: the War for Earth
In the 6,000s BC the big three independently came to Earth, not having yet met each other at this time. The Lithoi were a colonial species, taking every planet in their path and warping it to their benefit. Earth was merely their next target. But many Lithoi, including our big three, had endured enough oppression and rebelled.

Smenaer was part of the very first full-on attack of forces loyal to the Theongorai. During the war, Smenaer became a very powerful Lithon soldier and was skilled at all forms of combat. **Anthos**, the rebel leader, came to respect Smenaer and gave her increasingly daring missions. More than anything she yearned for a chance to lead, and with her preexisting knowledge base to aid her she was eventually entrusted with a platoon of 30-50 soldiers.

Eventually, Vios, Óassos, and Maeos had all been assigned to Smenaer's platoon.

After only a few decades under Smenaer's command many of her soldiers became angered with her persistently high standards and mutinied. Smenaer was devastated by this betrayal and fled into the forest to hide her shame. Vios, Óassos and Maeos went looking for her. They found her later in a large cave, and here they stayed for a long time to comfort Smenaer.

## Isolation and Companionship

However, soon afterwards the **Theoncas** would cast its destructive light over the planet, killing all Lithoi on the surface including Vios. In their cave, Smenaer saw how tender Maeos was with Óassos, still grieving over the loss of Vios. The two seemed gravitated towards eachother. They would do everything together, from sparring to just exploring nature. However, they seemed hesitant to acknowledge this close relationship they were developing. So, Smenaer thought it would help to bring them together and have them confess their feelings. When they did, they were both so overjoyed that they instantly fused into one large Lithon: **Óasmae**.

Soon enough Smenaer herself fell in love and discovered Óasmae felt the same about her.

They lived in their cave through the later Neolithic period of Europe, venturing out and learning from members of various human cultures. The pair became enamored with humans, a love (perhaps even an obsession) that would change the course of their whole lives. They started to take human forms more and more often in order to learn more about them, but they grew accustomed to it and continue to use these forms today.

In the late 5th century BC, they left their camp and traveled down the coast of Europe. Smenaer and Óasmae travelled all around the coast, taking in the cultures and languages of different people groups. They lived among various people groups like the early Goths and the Suebi. They even travelled into the heart of the Roman Empire, which at that time was at its peak. Here they tasted a disturbing trace of Lithon prejudice culture, with people sorted into groups based on various uncontrollable factors.

## Journey of the Empresses

During their time in the forest, Smenaer and Óasmae acquainted themselves with nature. They started to grow much fonder and loving of Earth than they ever had before. Every creature they found was unique and beautiful in their eyes. At some point, the two found a human village. Initially the humans were frightened, mostly by Óasmae's towering stature, but after she separated in an attempt to ease their fears, the villagers worshiped them as goddesses. It is from these humans that they learned of human concepts: language, food, music, and love. These concepts, they found, were just as beautiful as the humans themselves, and they adopted them whole-heartedly.

One lovely spring about 2 thousand years later, Smenaer and Óasmae decided that they wanted to explore the world and see what else it had to offer. They said farewell to the villagers and went on their way, walking for ages and ages. They walked with the setting sun to their right and camped out in clearings staring up at the stars, telling jokes and stories to each other each night. After a couple years of walking, they reached a chain of great mountains, past which was a rolling land of shrubs, oak, and wild lime trees.

Smenaer and Óasmae lived with the *Artabri* tribe in their capital at modern-day Lugo, Spain from the 5th century BC until 131 BC. Here, Ōasmae and Smenaer were again revered, but this time as cultural figures as opposed to religious ones.

During this time, they learned about human faith and devoutly practiced the traditions of Gallaecian religion. They also learned to speak the Gallaecian language fluently, a fact reflected in some words borrowed into Rikutsaren such as *cladiu* (sword). Soon Smenaer became a notable figure in Artabri life and was a commander during the Second Punic War and the Lusitanian War. After some time, the couple decided to say goodbye to the Artabri and head on to other adventures. Then they made contact with Romans. Impressed with their relative technological advancement, the couple followed them out of Iberia. They lived in the city of Lugdunum (modern-day Lyon, France) from 130 BC until 68 BC, before moving to Rome. During this time, they learned to bake and made many friends this way. Smenaer took on the name *Marcia Duronia Aurária* and became involved with Roman politics. She served as the *praefecta urbi* of Rome from 55 BC to 47 BC.

After a disagreement with the imperial government, the pair fled as stowaways on a ship to Alexandria, Egypt. They remained here from 45 BC until 396 CE. In Alexandria, they were taken in as mother figures by the residents of the quarter in which they lived. They became familiar to everyone, their children, and then their children as well. In all, they lived through 6 full generations of Alexandrian families. Around 340 CE, within their inner circle, Smenaer began talk of creating an empire somewhere with a new language and a new identity. Many of them were on board. She spoke of an island to the far southeast that she had remembered from old Lithon charts. So off they went on a trip over land and sea that would last 34 years and that on its own could fill a book of stories.