The Empire of Rocan

### Judicial Branch

Supreme Court of Magistrates* Court of the Imperial Dynasty (for members of the Imperial Clan)

## Societal Information

### Official Language

* Imperial Standard
* Court Standard

## Historical Information

### Formed From

* Warring republics
* Numerous States

### Date Fragmented

* 2,499 Chujidilic Dy. (princely rebellion)
* 706 Nalicchijid Dy. (Viceroy's Revolt)
* 1,629 Yuadilic Dy. (Yuadilic Purge)

### Date Reorganised

* 3 Shasukhejilic Dy. (Final defeat of the Chujidilic)
* 742 Nalicchijid Dy. (Defeat of Viceroy's Revolt)
* 1 Wezhutizhe Dy. (End of Yuadilic Purge)

The **Empire of Rocan**, also known as the **Great Celestial State**, the **Imperial Government**, the **Purple River**, the **Galactic Imperium**, or most often by the common class, just **the Empire**, is the ruling government over the majority of the galaxy. It's founding started on the planet Rocan from which it gets its name, with the rule of the First Emperor.

It was ruled as an absolute theocratic monarchy, in which the Emperor is worshipped as a living god and the conjunction between the physical realm and the celestial, heavenly realm. All Emperors claimed descent from the First Emperor, who in turn was believed to be chosen by the heavens, justifying their rule. This state of affairs has lasted for almost 26,000 years. It has survived several internal civil wars between families of the imperial clan, princes revolts, civil uprisings, and external threats.

Whilst the State is organised around the absolute rule of the emperor in theory, such a large territory necessitates the existence of branches of government. As such, there exists the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, all serving below the Emperor. The Central Committee formed the executive branch, consisting of the Emperor, the heads of the six government ministries, and the Deliberative Council of Princes and High Ministers. The Imperial Senate was the policy-formulating body, which proposed and reviewed Imperial Decrees, whilst also assisting in the day-to-day administration of various aspects of the Empire. It was composed of Senators chosen from the ruling families of member worlds and systems. The judicial branch was made of the Supreme Court of Magistrates, who were the highest judges appointed by the Emperor, and was responsible for trying important cases within the Empire as well as acting as the last court of appeals.

## History

> *See also: Imperial Calendar*
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### Early History

The beginnings of the Empire were said to come around from the end of the warring republics era. This period was defined by the collapse of various republic governments who had at one time operated in a loose union. With the outbreak of war between the various states, the Rocan would emerge with a new religious cult formed from the desperation of billions of beings, and an empowered autocratic leader. At the conclusion of the warring republics came the Empire, formed by the Great Charter of the Imperial State, alongside the Declaration of the Divine Order, adopting the religious cult as the official religion of the state. This would later be altered in the Principles of the First Emperor and the Imperial Cult Compiled by Imperial Order. Nevertheless, the basics remained the same.

### Development of the Tiure Dynasty

The first ruling family of the Empire came from the family name of the first Emperor, but also known as the Amaranthine Dynasty. His successors would further establish the cult, incorporating the belief that the First Emperor was more than a mere ruler, and represented the physical conduit between the needs of the physical realm and the desires of the celestial realm. The beliefs established by the Cult allowed easily for the inclusion of more gods within their pantheon, deifying historical concepts, individuals, and physical phenomena. This further legitimised the rule of his offspring and created the beginning of the true imperial cult, worshipping not only the supreme deities of their religion, but primarily of the First Emperor, and of his descendants in the Cult of the Living Emperor.

The Imperial palace increasingly became a temple to the Living Emperor, with its own Celestial Master, who acted as the Temple Master, holding ceremonies directed towards the reigning monarch. This religion was perhaps aided by exceptional luck in war, with borders expanding ever further, a series of highly competent military officers bringing back greater glory.

The Tiure Dynasty would begin to wane eventually after 2,635 years of ruling the empire, after 67 Tiure Emperors. Their decline came with a series of internal struggles for the throne, poisonings, and ultimately, the death of the 67th Tiure Emperor, who died aged four. This began the rise of the Tsezhadilic Dynasty.

### Tsezhadilic Dynasty

Through the collapse of the Tiure Dynasty, the incoming Tsezhadilic Dynasty chose the name to mean Religious Exaltation, or Exaltation of Religious Doctrine, to emphasise the religious continuity and their orthodoxy. Additionally, they adopted the naming culture that would become standard, with a personal name, followed by the clan name, and the family name. This emphasised their relationship to the Imperial Clan, and thus, the right for the Gods to chose them to replace the Tiure dynasty.

It was also under this rule the the Edict of the Magistrates Council and the Principles of the Senate were drafted, establishing the judiciary and the legislative branches for the management of the growing empire. Whilst the Senate never replaced the central ministries and bureaus, it did come to replace its authority in several minor areas such as emergency relief funding, managing the department for public prosecutors (as opposed to the ministry of justice which manages the appointment of court magistrates), vetting appeals claims, military recruitment propaganda, military vehicle contracts, issuing government licences and contracts, mining regulations, mediating internal trade disputes, and managing scientific research projects.

The Magistrates Council would evolve into the Supreme Court of Magistrates, composed of the sixteen highest judges, and one additional Chief Magistrate. It was the highest court of appeals, and heard important cases to the state, often involving the highest members of nobility and cases of serious high treason.

It ended after 1,298 years and 38 emperors

### Pazjulic Dynasty

The end of the Tsezhadilic Dynasty did not change drastically from the end of the Tiure Dynasty, though hastened by several families competing for the throne, not only caused by internal family politics. The Pazjulic Dynasty, meaning rule by heaven, began the transformation into the modern state, with the growing corporate nobility encoded in the Edict on the Principles of the Nobility. Under these changing circumstances, the common class became increasingly isolated from their ruling elites, and the Imperial court itself closed off from the majority of nobility. However, it was a generally peaceful era, concerned more with internal restructuring and wealth creation amongst a caste of elites who were more concerned with personal gratification than the glory of the state.

Some would argue that it was because of this policy of wealth production that the Pazjulic dynasty would survive to become the second longest reigning dynasty in imperial history, lasting 3,014 years, with 75 emperors.

### Brenjulic Dynasty

Following the end of the previous dynasty, the Brenjulic dynasty (Mandated by Heaven) came to power with the intention to expand the empire. This happened relatively rapidly, developing a vast array of Imperial lands owned by the state directly. The core and many mid-rim worlds would mostly be settled or subjugated by the end of the dynasty, which lasted only 877 years.

Its collapse came with a series of difficulties on Rocan itself. With more effort directed towards expansion, popular uprisings were common, often backed by princes fighting for a share of the increased imperial land holdings. Much like the original Tiure dynasty, the Brenjulic dynasty would essentially kill itself off as a result, with 21 emperors.

### Chujidilic Dynasty

Meaning Exaltation of the Realm, the Chujidilic hoped to restore order to the state. However, it's rule was perhaps even more contentious. Court intrigue resulted in many emperors with relatively short reigns. Physically weak, crippled, languishing in addictions, and perpetually subjected to manipulations of regents, consorts, and princes, the emperors proved useless to stem the growing tide of corruption in the state and the nobility. Because of the previous wars, the weakened the central administration had little ability to assert control, and whilst the Chujidilic family would rule for 2,507 years, it was a long, slow decline.

The nobles would be afforded rights of corporate monopolies, controlling large industries, and subjected the common classes to further manipulations for profit. Rocan itself divided clearly between the wealthy elites in the upper levels, whilst locking away the working class far below.

Its end began with the Prince's Rebellion, led by what would become the Shasukhejilic family. Starting from the 2,499th year of the Chujidilic, it would take eight years for the princes to take the imperial centre, with the remaining Chujidilic court, including their infant emperor, fleeing to the outer territories. Three years into the subsequent dynastic ascendancy, the Chujidilic met their final demise, with the 118th Chujidilic emperor.

### Shasukhejilic Dynasty

Taken to mean 'Victorious in Heaven' or sometimes 'Great Victory within Heaven', the Shasukhejilic dynasty would not entirely reverse the trend of the outgoing administration. Corruption had entrenched itself, but securing the Imperial control over its population became its primary concern. Technological supremacy in manufacturing biochemicals would prove an effective means of subduing populations, who were left technologically illiterate after centuries of limited education. Pacifying only the uppermost classes became the concern of the state. So long as the workers could work, there was little further consideration placed upon them.

The government was expanded, with the Senate and Bureaus establishing various agencies and bodies that reported to them to manage affairs on the ground. Such departments were run by a particular class of individuals trained from birth when carried out amongst local, lower level government departments.

Aggressive expansion continued, completing the modern mid-rim of the empire by its close, and beginning on the expansion of the out rim, which was controlled by various smaller stellar governments. Many of these states were either aggressively at war with the Empire, paid homage, or attempted to remain neutral. This formed the concept of the commanderies, the outer edges of the empire, given to a particular class of nobility who had a martial culture, opposed to the decadence of the nobility within the core.

After 4,110 years, the longest reign of any dynasty to date, the Shasukhejilic dynasty came to an abrupt end with the death of several young princes, and an elderly emperor with limited progeny. In all, 102 emperors of this dynasty ruled.

### Wedilic Dynasty

Coming from the collapse of what was regarded as the greatest dynasty since the end of the Tiure dynasty itself, the Wedilic chose the name to mean Great Exaltation, chosen to celebrate the previous. However, little of note was accomplished by this new dynasty. Coincidentally, the longest reigning dynasty was followed by the shortest, ending after 231 years and 7 emperors.

Its only notable event, was a bombing the lower-levels, occupied by the commoners, near the imperial senate. It caused a harsh response, locking the zone down and flooding it, potentially drowning tens of thousands.

### Nalicchijid Dynasty

Its successor, the Nalicchijid named for Cosmic Proclamation or Universal and Heavenly Commandment, would last much longer. It was also a more politically charged rule, with the revolt of viceroy's. The Viceroy's had been in place since the beginning of the Shasukhejilic dynasty reforms as a means of securing the state. However, in the 706th year of the Nalicchijid, a coalition of viceroy's attempted a civil war, arguably over the desire for increased power within the mid-rim. This civil war lasted 36 years, a brutal campaign the mostly affected the outer territories of the period.

Its leaders, encouraged by distant imperial kinsmen and a few third rank princes, were ultimately killed at the battle of Serophos, one of the largest internal battles known to history, which left the planet for which it was named completely uninhabitable. This also ensured the end of the viceroy's, with the senators and imperial admirals taking on many of their previous duties.

Beyond this, the Nalicchijid dynasty lasted 1,943 years, and 60 emperors before it came to a close with a series of reviled emperors. Their attempts to reform the imperial court and the behaviours of the nobility would inform the behaviour of many successive governments.

### Taesodujin Dynasty

Literally meaning Divinely Necessary Governance, the Taesodujin sought to ensure the traditions of the state remained, and that their rule was subsequently mandated by the gods for this purpose. Through their machinations, the grow of the empire resulted in a distinction between the ranks of nobility. In return for their submission and obedience to the Imperial throne, the nobility of the core, now named the Nobility of the City, were given supreme prestige beyond the imperial court. Furthermore, their lifestyles, so long as they did not engage in treason, were left unchecked. Monopolies became firmly entrenched and taxation on noble property and inheritance was removed in place of taxation on corporations and on trade routes.

The mid-rim itself became a zone of mixed industry and some corporate interests, whilst the new outer rim, still ever growing, became a zone of mineral extraction. The nobility would progressively have less prestige, but more freedoms from the state as the circles of governance spread.

2,156 years of Taesodujin reign ended after the 67th emperor.

### Yuadilic Dynasty

The Yuadilic dynasty came, choosing the name to mean Admirable Exaltation. Like many dynasties, it faced continued expansion and revolts within the outer rim and the commanderies. It maintained the ruling structure of the Taesodujin dynasty, and the court once more became a closed entity, allowing few in. This became known as the Divine Isolation, a change that would last until the modern era.

More importantly though, this change led to the new court culture of increasing deceit, internal conflict, factionalism, and oftentimes brutal politics. This was emphasised in the event of the Yuadilic Purge. In the waning years of its rule, a branch of the family that would become the Wezhutizhe dynasty, ultimately succeeded in carrying out the violent overthrow of the Yuadilic family, allowing for their own rise to power. As the world beyond the court had become so isolated to its inner functions beyond receiving their commands and edicts, this change meant little to the world at large. With this event, 1,629 years and 45 emperors of the Yuadilic ended.

### Wezhutizhe Dynasty

Now fully in charge of the court, the Wezhutizhe Dynasty (meaning chosen to rectify) ensured that the new regime that it had ushered in remained. Alliances between imperial princes and various consorts proliferated, courtiers would jostle amongst one another for establishing connections to various cliques of princes according to who they believed would be the most powerful. The Consorts became powerful and competitive wielders of influence, using their status to push their own offspring up the totem pole of inheritance.

These behaviours trickled from the court to the upper echelons of nobility. Inter-marriage between siblings became a common symbolic act of alliance, removing the strict interpretation of procreation from its use. This state of affairs continued until such practices had spread themselves through most nobility, excluding only the nobility of the marches (those in the outer rim) and those of the commanderies (the frontiers), whose concerns lay in gaining ground, combating the enemies of the state, and enforcing the imperial law.

However, their actions would lead to their own downfall, with the Wezhutizhe dynasty ending after 1,082 years with growing competition between this family and their cousins, the upcoming Chaenadii dynasty. Ultimately, the Great Dowager Empress of the 31st and last Wezhutizhe emperor, herself coming from the Chaenadii, ensured the supremacy of her birth family.

### Chaenadii Dynasty

Literally meaning a hundred ten-thousand calendars, or ten million calendars, the dynasty name was inspired by the unashamed and unchecked ambition of the Great Dowager Empress, known as the Lady ten thousand, ten thousand, ten thousand of ten thousand years. The ambitious dynasty would achieve the status of the third longest reigning dynasty, a notably impressive feat in the increasingly hostile court of malicious intrigue. For 2,937 years the dynasty ruled, ending with the 104th Chaenadii emperor.

Their rule was the beginning of a stagnant empire, one that was completely unchanging. Only changing at its very edges with the growth of the state, the attempts to expand became slower, with territories at its fringes now constantly lost and gained in unending wars. The court was preoccupied with their inner power struggles, and the nobility of the city and the nobility of the provinces (the mid-rim) were similarly occupied.

In a pattern that was well established now, its emperors died in the same way they ascended the throne. The machinations of their successors brought about their downfall with the new Gorenjilic dynasty.

### Gorenjilic Dynasty

Reflecting the new mood of society, their name was chosen to mean Prosperity in Heaven. The hoarding of wealth, art, cultural and historical artefacts, corporate positions, and property were their main occupations, whilst partying, plays, gambling, balls, and ceremony were their hobbies. The Gorenjilic dynasty did nothing to alter society. It maintained the status quo, and thus, after 5,500 years since the beginning of the Wezhutizhe dynasty, society had completely stagnated.

To the observer, the most obvious change between the last three dynasties, was a progressively shortened average length of reign. Each monarch almost always inevitably reaching their end under the planning of their offspring, a spouse determined to get more power, or a conniving dowager. With the nobility becoming more and more extreme in their pursuit of stimulation, the maltreatment of serving staff across the realm has seen more revolts on distant worlds, and the apathy of the central government in maintaining order within the lower levels of Rocan itself has led to increased experiences of crime amongst the general populace. Whilst some believe this is the pinnacle of imperial society, others believe these are the waning days of the empire.

The dynasty is currently ruled by the 62nd Gorenjilic emperor.

## Government and Politics

> *See also: Imperial Political Hierarchy*
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The empire was ruled by the absolute monarch at its head, worshipped as a living god who, within his court, was unquestionable, regardless of his actions. With the Emperor as the *de facto* head of state, government, and the military, he was in actuality assisted by the grand chancellor and the grand commandant respectively for the latter two. The former, the Grand Chancellor, headed sessions of the Imperial Senate as the legislative body, and frequently chaired meetings of the Deliberative Council of Princes and High Ministers. The Grand Commandant was the supreme military commander on the field and its movements during wartime.

The Empire forbade, technically, many forms of freedom of speech. Though on Rocan itself this was rarely followed, as the sclerotic bureaucracy became so bloated that many functions were long since forgotten. The result of this was that the lower levels of Rocan suffered minimal true government oversight. Chronically underfunded policing departments mostly ensured that the commoners never rose above their station, and the nobility for their part, ignored the underclass. Publicly though, such suppression of free speech was to encourage unity.

### Rulers of the Empire

The rulers of the Empire were the absolute monarchs ruling from what many regarded as the true capital, the Imperial Palace Complex, also named the Imperial Temple. Succession was a tightly guarded secret, known only to a few select members of the government. Though in its latter days, this privileged information was occasionally shared through bribes by various imperial princes. This system also ensured competition between the princes, who vied for favour from their father to assure their own ascension.

In practice, the princes of the First Rank (children of senior consorts and their eldest child) were usually picked to succeed, though nothing prevented the monarch from picking amongst princes of the Second Rank (children of junior consorts) and princes of the Third Rank (secondary children of princes of the First Rank and all children of princes of the Second Rank) from being named inheritor. Both princes and princesses could inherit the throne.

So far, 797 emperors have ruled from the Eternal Imperial Throne.

### Executive Branch

During the reign of the emperors, the executive branch consisted of the Central Committee and the Deliberative Council of Princes and High Ministers. The Central Committee remained the official executive branch, whilst the Deliberative Council included the Central Committee and several Imperial Princes. They managed the day-to-day activities to enforce the will of the Emperor, and manged the most pressing matters of the state. The Central Committee was composed of the Great Secretaries of the six ministries (Revenues, Justice, War, Rites, Works, and Personnel). These secretaries managed the activities of their ministry and the bureaus below.

The Deliberative Council, on the other hand, included the Emperor, the Grand Chancellor, all members of the Central Committee, two princes of the first rank, two of the second, and one of the third. The Director of the Censorate also sat on the Council, which was the only bureau that did not report to the Chancellor. Beyond these ministers and princes, various emperors permitted different individuals to sit on the council, which included Dowager Empresses, Empress Mother/Consorts, the Grand Commandant, the Governor of the Imperial Bank, Celestial Masters, and senior princes.

Various departments and bureaus were under the direct control of these ministers, whilst all members of the committee and council were under the surveillance of the Censorate. The Censorate was considered the eyes and ears of the Emperor, censoring harmful materials, and monitoring the court. It reported directly to the Emperor.

### Legislative Branch

After the formation of the Imperial Senate, and with several reformations and reorganisations, the institution held only legislative power, though even much of that authority was marginal with competing bureaus under the executive branch. Nevertheless, the Senate could still enact certain laws as well as advise the Emperor and form policy; it also had nominal oversight of the Imperial bureaucracy, and could work on areas of the Imperial budget. However, the Emperor could issue Imperial Edicts, without debates or Senatorial veto, and could both call and dismiss the Senate at will.

Sessions of the Senate were held by the Grand Chancellor, though in his absence either the Senior or Junior Deputy Chancellor could call for a session. A Speaker of the Senate also took part to maintain order. Each planet or system was afforded a senator, though these senators were rarely the same individual as noble who held the territory. Rather, they were selected from amongst the most powerful families of each world by the Emperor officially, but often in practice by the Grand Chancellor.

The Senate had various committees serving within it, each chaired by a chairperson. The committees had oversight to scrutinise the acts of the bureaus and ministries under the executive, as well as the right to form laws over marginal devolved matters.

### Judicial Branch

The judicial branch was formed from the Magistrates Council, becoming the Supreme Court of Magistrates. With the centralisation of imperial power into the executive, the judicial branch did not have the power to block new laws or edicts, with no role in constitutional matters. It acted as the highest appellate court in the State, and also tried sensitive or serious criminal cases. The Supreme Court of Magistrates was composed of sixteen magistrates, and one additional Chief Magistrate. There were also many regional courts that would hear similar cases of lesser severity in their own sectors. All of the Supreme Court magistrates were appointed by the Emperor himself on the advice of the Ministry of Justice.

It did not act entirely alone however. The Senate Criminal Appeals Committee vetted appeals submissions, both to regional courts and the Supreme Court. The Senate Judiciary Committee scrutinised the Ministry of Justice, but also had the duty of overseeing imperial prosecutors, those who represent the case of the state before court. Whilst imperial prosecutors were managed by the senate, appointment of judges was managed by the Ministry of Justice. They were also responsible for management of prisons and carrying out all punitive actions.

Outside the usual judiciary, the Ministry of Rites managed the Court of the Imperial Dynasty. This court tried all imperial kinsmen, leaving them beyond the reach of ordinary courts

## Economy

The Great Celestial State had a very complex and diverse economy. With increased centralisation , the Empire focused on a process of stabilisation and expansion of the economy. While imperial rule certainly saw some increases in state control and centralisation of particular economic areas, it had little in the way of a command economy, and kept its focus on external trade, monetary policy, and government budgeting. The Empire did nationalise some corporate entities, though such actions were mainly reserved for organisations that would later serve the Imperial Family itself. Companies that were nationalised outside of this were those that funded rebellions or supported rival princes for the throne, in which case the state did assume direct control over some of the spoils of war, but most of the assets were given over to loyalist companies as a means of rewarding the nobility. Unless acting in opposition to its interests, the Empire largely left loyal companies and noble families alone and even expanded the certain privileges of these organisations. In return for the generous treatment of corporations, and more importantly of the noble families who controlled them, the Empire would collect a yearly stipend of 5% of the total gross product, 10% of all material, and 20% of all strategic rare elements produced by various powerful corporate bodies.

The Empire also dedicated its vast economic resources to expand the Imperial Military and to fund new scientific developments in a wide variety of fields. This military was well funded, with the Imperial Navy fielding millions of starships and the Imperial Army being comprised of tens of trillions of soldiers. Scientific developments within the particular field of chemical warfare was an important part of forcing civil revolts into submission, as well as maintaining the image of an all powerful emperor whose wrath the citizenry would fear. Beyond this, the imperial budget contributed massively to the grotesquely inefficient lifestyle of the imperial court. Consuming vast portions of the imperial budget on palaces, ceremonies, clothing, food, ships, entertainments, and much more, the court was notoriously wasteful.

The Ministry of Revenues was responsible for collecting all taxes, adjusting taxation rates, and management of the budget. The Imperial Bank below this was concerned with monetary policy, and acted as the government bank account, whilst the bureau for the Treasury managed finance policy and public agency expenses. Imperial grants and contracts were often managed through Senate committees.

Many worlds within the Empire, to better take advantage of the benefits of economies of scale, frequently directed their business towards a few select corporate and export interests, creating economies of scale on a planetary level. Whether this was focusing on exporting mineral resources, ship construction, artistic output, etc.

## Society and Culture

The imperial culture was varied, but in general, dualistic, with the aesthetics split down between the nobility and the common class. Whilst the nobility emulated that of the court, the common class was generally considered austere. Whilst their aesthetics may have been different their lifestyles were not entirely opposite, with many focusing (if possible) on pursuit of personal fulfilment.

### Art and Media

Art and media were greatly censored by multiple organisations, the chief of which was the Censorate, though the Bureau of Information under the Ministry of War, the Bureau for Culture under the Ministry of Personnel, and the Senate Military Propaganda Committee all shared in this duty. This censorship was primary directed towards the protection of the state and the emperor. Any potentially subversive work was banned, whilst didactic work that was intended to extol the imperial regime was heavily promoted and provided grants and funding. In general though, so long as works were not critical of the imperial system, they were free to be do as they wished.

News stations did exist, making use of radio and visual feeds, though all information was verified, reviewed, and censored before being released. News feeds received certain instructions from the Bureau for Culture and the Senate Military Propaganda Committee whose policy it was to distribute propaganda for the state, both in news and in entertainment. They additionally promoted the Imperial Symphony Orchestra and the State Imperial Opera as the premiere proponents of their art forms.

The nobility also entertained themselves in various forms of betting and gambling on sports and competitions that were displayed. Much like the imperial court, these activities could become increasingly brutal as a means of upping the ante, betting on violent fights.

### Religion

The State religion came in a form of Heaven Worship, with a pantheon of gods. These gods varied in their importance within the pantheon itself, though each had a cult around it. Whilst not considered the most powerful gods in their worship, the Cult of the First Emperor, the Cult of the Living Emperor, and the Cult of the Golden Mother of the Core were considered some of the most important. Officially, the highest gods in the pantheon were the three Venerable Primordial and Heavenly Lords, of Creation, Expanding Light, and the Table of Life. These represented Creation, Time, and Space respectively. Almost as important was the Pure and Holy Mother of Origins, the mother of all sentient beings.

Below this, a multitude of gods existed, representing the patrons of various traits (such as kindness or trickery), professions (such as navigators or soldiers), worlds (such as Rocan itself), stars, natural phenomena (such as storms or solar flares), supernatural forces (such as luck) and needs (such as illnesses). Below these gods were ancestor worship rituals. Most families, noble or otherwise, maintained a shrine, no matter how small, to their family spirits. Founders of clans were often elevated to minor deity status and attributed mythic abilities, becoming the patrons of specific areas of life.

This effectively allowed the inclusion of most religious beliefs into the imperial cult, so long as they were willing to recognise the Cult of the First Emperor and Living Emperor. The Living Emperor, who was the reigning sovereign at the time, was regarded as the conjunction of the Heavenly, cosmic realm with that of the physical realm, through which the will of Heaven was enacted.

### Social Structure

The Empire was a highly stratified and hierarchical system, and spread across those of the imperial court, the nobility, the artisans, the serving class (divided between the servants and the managerial class), the good commoners (low level government officials, entertainers, military, etc), and the mean commoners (slaves, farmers, sanitary occupations, etc). No one was permitted to marry outside of their social status.

At the top of the Empire was naturally, the reigning Emperor (or Empress), who sat atop the social hierarchy. Though at various points, Grand Dowager Empresses would exert greater prestige over weak sovereigns. Dowager Empresses and Empress Mothers occupied a similar role, though assuming the former existed as a separate individual from the Empress Mother was always the senior. Empress Consorts were the lowest of the group. Below these were the consorts of the Emperor, ranked from Imperial Noble Consort, Noble Consort, and Consort. Princes and Princesses of the First rank were the children of any of these who ranked next, directly above the remaining imperial harem of Imperial Concubines and Noble Ladies. Lady of Eternal Esteem was a title reserved for former lower consorts of past emperors. Next were the Princes of the Second Rank who were the children of Imperial Concubines and Noble Ladies, whilst Princes of the Third Rank were the lowest of the imperial clan, children of princes of the second, and secondary children of princes of the first.

Below these were the nobility, ranked not only by title, but by group. Whilst the titles of the nobility ranged from Duke of Extended Grace, Venerable Duke, Duke, Count, Baron, High Lord, Lesser Baron, and Alderman Lord, their groups separated them from Court Nobility, Nobility of the City (those with titles in the Core region), Nobility of the Provinces (with titles in the mid-rim), Nobility of the Marches (titles in the outer-rim), and Nobility of the Commanderies (military lords in the very frontiers). Though in addition, there was an unofficial ranking according to the corporations these nobles concerned themselves with, which might run in conjunction with their official hierarchy.

Then there were the working class. Artisans formed the highest of these groups, responsible for producing luxury artistic goods for the nobility, and existed in close proximity to the nobility themselves. Within Rocan, this meant that they were completely cut off from the underlevels and resided in the towers of the nobility. They were joined by the serving class resided in similar proximity to their masters. This class was divided between the servants themselves, whose duties required that they wait on the nobility, whilst the second half of this class was managerial. Their duties typically included corporate management posts and middle bureaucrat offices. Whilst they did reside alongside the serving class and the artisans, they were the connection between the underlevels and the nobility who dared not interact with the lowest of society. The artisans and serving class were offered the status of 'clean' commoners, those permitted to interact directly with the noble lords. In return though, the nobility excused their perpetual lifelong service though life contracts. The notion that, since they were born into the serving class and the nobility had paid for their safe upbringing, they owed a debt to the nobility. Thus, the serving class were not paid, and were effectively a well-treated slave class. Artisans were paid, however meagre.

At the bottom was the lowest rung of commoners, considered 'dirty' by the nobility. They were divided themselves between the 'good' and the 'mean' commoners. Good commoners were generally low level bureaucrats, low level military personnel, commoner priests, business owners and property owners. The 'mean' class were considered the worst of them all. This included those who worked in agriculture, sanitation, slaves, construction workers, factory workers, and entertainers. For the most part, these individuals earned their own living and were left to their own devices. Criminals who the state did not care to actively prosecute (namely those in narcotics smuggling and general thugs) were considered part of the 'mean' class.

### Culture

The vast empire has many different cultures amongst their general populace, though by far the most common was the 'Imperial culture' from Rocan itself. Rocanni culture emphasises familial status and connections. This was reflected in the preoccupation with clan and family, and which families and clans one was member of. Naming conventions in Rocanni culture followed a combination of forename, clan name, and family or branch name. Clan name was the most important of these, with all branches of the clan claiming descent from one common ancestor who was typically raised to the status of a lesser deity. All members of the clan, regardless of how distantly related they were, were considered family. This ignored the fact that such individuals could have very little familial genetic match.

Family, or branch, names were established by branches that did not inherit the primary titles of the family from which they descended, usually only when removed from the main line by several generations. This was typically once four degrees of removed kinship were established, and so only third cousins could begin to establish their own family, separated from the family they descended from.

#### Culture of the Core Nobility

Whilst the nobility of the core and mid regions were especially homogeneous in their behaviours and interests, the traits within the very core and the capital itself were heightened. The nobility all, for the most part, partook in a culture of unabashed indulgence that was steeped in debauchery and cruelty. Seeking ever greater entertainments that would outdo the last, it was not unheard of for the nobility to host events that combined violence and excitement, with their servants frequently on the unfortunate end of the former. Disregard for the lives and concerns of the common classes pervaded the nobility of this region, regardless of title. A culture which emphasised unrestrained personal pleasure requires new excitements frequently, and the elements of media outlets whose duty it was to comment and publish on the public affairs and gossip of the upper crusts of society continually speculated on what more would be done next.

## Military

The Imperial Military was the primary form of the armed forces within the empire that was the Great Celestial State. It consisted of the Imperial Navy, the Imperial Army, and the Imperial Astral Guard. They were tasked with the job of enforcing order, ending rebellious movements across worlds, carrying out military operations against hostile states, and maintaining peace within the empire. The Bureau for Security was generally tasked with managing matters of law enforcement and palace security measures. The Imperial Astral Guard were the troops personally loyal to the Emperor, and the Imperial Family more generally. The Bureau for Information was the main agency dedicated to the collection of data and military intelligence, and disseminated such information amongst Imperial Commanders where necessary.

The Imperial Naval fleet was the crowning achievement of the Imperial Military, using its fleet of ships for bombardment of rebellious worlds and the release of toxins onto those worlds as a means of subduing populations with limited armed conflict. The Imperial Army was the ground force troops, making use of land-based vehicles against enemies when necessary. The Imperial Astral Guard were the elite troops of the Empire, loyal to the Emperor and personally under his authority. The senior officers were picked from the nobility, though this was often from the nobility of the Marches and of the Commanderies who had more value in military service, whilst the Nobility of the City and Provinces valued culture and business above military service.