Kingdom of Atanaria

Heraldry of the Atanarian Arch Kings

`***'Do not relent or waver. We are the true rulers of this existence. Not the Athalmar, not the Morlocons, not the Eldurasi, not the Xanar. Not even the Gods, for even They serve us.'***`

- *`**Arch-King Elduron Gaialith**'s proclamation, upon their co-founding of the **Righteous Resurgence**`* -

**Atanaria** is an autocratic and militaristic nation founded by the **Atanari**, a splinter culture of the **Eldurasi** who rejected the pacifist ideology of their kin. Situated within the **Polaris Edge** region of the galaxy, **Atanaria** is known for its strict monarchical authority, and a culture deeply rooted in military values. The **Atanari** people, shaped by generations of warfare and bloody court politics, embody resilience and a ruthless pursuit of their goals. They prioritize strength and order, believing that these qualities are vital for their survival in a volatile and unpredictable universe. With a powerful navy and an indomitable will, Atanaria has become a formidable force, leveraging its military might to protect its interests and expand its influence. Whilst their xenophobic practices and oppressive regime have led to strained relationships with other civilizations, both their current strength and their latent Eldurasi legacy elevate them as a major power that cannot be ignored.

## ***Anatomy and*** Physiology

*`‘The very personification of "Necessary Evils"...’`*

`- **Thoros Melnar**, President of **The Velutan Union** -`

The **Atanari**, having evolved from the **Eldurasi**, share many anatomical and physiological similarities with their kin. Like the Eldurasi, they are warm-blooded mammals who give birth to live offspring. However, there are notable differences that have emerged over time as the Atanari embraced a militaristic lifestyle and adapted to the demands of their environment. One of these differences is showcased in their absence of nails, a notable devolution in the more **contemporary Atanari**. Atanari are also capable of seeing in the dark, whilst their digestive systems are far more robust, being capable of eating raw input. The last major evolutionary change is their affinity towards their psionic abilities. Whilst an **Eldurasi** can amass further psionic power within a larger crowd of other practicioners, the Atanari evolutionary cycle seems to have forgone this collective ability for an enhanced psionic affinity that each practitioner possesses individually. While these adaptations reflect the **Atanari's** evolution and specialization as a militaristic society, it is important to note that they still retain the underlying mammalian physiology and many shared characteristics with their Eldurasi counterparts.

## ***History***

`*“And when the day comes that both the Gods and the Universe have abandoned you, to whom shall you turn after this betrayal?”*`

*- Elder King **Lorestaer**, during the **First Apostacy** -*

### Bloody Origins

In the aftermath of the cataclysmic **Daethalon Wars**, the **Eldurasi**, renowned for their pacifist leanings, found themselves grappling with the depths of trauma that had befallen their once-harmonious society. The wounds inflicted upon their souls ran deep, plunging many Eldurasi into an abyss of eternal sorrow. It was amidst this churning maelstrom of anguish that the Atanari emerged, a faction harboring a distinctly divergent perspective.

Fueled by an insatiable hunger for security and unwavering order, the **Atanari** cast aside the age-old pacifist doctrines that had hitherto guided the Eldurasi. They defiantly rejected the notion that their survival in a capricious universe could be secured through peaceful means alone. Embracing an authoritarian ideology, they ardently championed a strong central authority, unwavering hierarchy, and the resolute militarization of their brethren. Their vision was one of safeguarding their people through the relentless pursuit of belligerent power.

As the tides of time rolled on, the Atanari's influence grew, seeping into the hearts and minds of a discontented faction yearning for stability and a semblance of control over their own destinies. Establishing fortified enclaves and military academies in the newly colonized frontiers of space, they meticulously nurtured a new generation of Eldurasi warriors, instilling within them an unwavering commitment to the Atanari cause. Yet, with each passing day, the schism between the Atanari and the rest of Eldurasi society widened into an insurmountable gulf, breeding a tempest of tension within the nation.

Disenchanted by what they perceived as feeble weakness and indecisiveness among their pacifist brethren, the Atanari rose to openly challenge the authority of the ruling council, vehemently advocating for their militaristic ideals and, eventually, veering toward a dark path of xenophobia. The inevitability of the Atanari's severance from **Eldurasi** society and nation loomed ever closer as their contrasting ideologies became irreconcilable. Fierce debates and escalating conflicts raged like untamed infernos, culminating in the Atanari boldly declaring their independence, casting aside the mantle of the unified Eldurasi nation.

High Chancellor Thalmar Beibalar, who had valiantly attempted to reconcile the Eldurasi with their secessionist Atanari kin, found himself the subject of bitter scorn from his own people. Despite retaining his post under the watchful gaze of the **Elder King**, he would forever bear the weight of melancholy upon his weary shoulders. As clashes erupted within Eldurasi society, the **Elder King**, a beacon of sagacity, made a fateful decision. With great trepidation and under **Galather**'s watchful protection, he granted the Atanari their own sovereign domain, now known as the **Elisiars** — a vast expanse of fertile space where the **Atanari** could forge their destiny. Unwavering in his belief that, in time, they would return to the Eldurasi fold with open arms, the **Elder King** sought solace in this strategic maneuver.

Thus, the **Atanarian Regency** was born — an authoritarian and militaristic state that swiftly pushed the alien races dwelling within the **Elisiars** into a subordinate status. Their dominance grew, fueled by the lucrative trade of weapons and mercenaries, which they wielded to construct a formidable war fleet. For nearly seven decades, they mercilessly bled the Daethalon Wars, profiting from the remnants of conflict. Meanwhile, the Eldurasi, committed to peaceful exploration of the galaxy, encountered new civilizations and peoples, keeping a watchful eye on their wayward kin.

With the pacification of the Horizon's Haven region, the Atanari's vision for their intended way of life became distorted and unattainable. Reluctant to wage war against their Eldurasi brethren, factions sprouted within the Regency, plunging the nation into a chaotic tapestry of decentralized power struggles. Minor factional warfare became a recurring nightmare, with bloodstained politics becoming the norm within the stratocratic military structure, while second-class citizens toiled under brutal conditions. **The Sentinels**, wielding their power with measured restraint, intervened to quell conflicts, although rarely resorting to direct action. This precarious status quo persisted for millennia, until the year -284,171, when a violent confrontation erupted between **The Sentinels** and the Regency's military, precipitating a short-lived uprising. In an unforeseen twist, the Regency fell victim to an internal betrayal. Supported by **Galather**, an inner faction toppled the stratocratic leadership, forever altering the course of their destiny.

The eradication of the last vestiges of the Regency's militaristic regime paved the way for the ascendance of four noble houses—the **Vernants**, the **Enlyn**, the **Aurana**, and the **Eldurons**. Despite the Elder King's earnest efforts to mediate and foster compromise among the remaining belligerents, their thirst for power left no room for conciliation. Relentless in their xenophobic practices, the **Elder King**, standing firm in his opposition, declared them all banished from the Elisiars. Disarmed and offered resettlement in newly acquired border planets, where they could serve the High Kingdom and channel their martial nature, they were given an opportunity to rekindle the wisdom of the Saricsinahl.

The deal, however, proved to be a fragile pact, swiftly broken. On the fateful year of **-284,163**, the **First Apostasy** shook the realms. The **Atanari**, resolute in their refusal to bow before what they deemed as weakness, rallied their immense fleet, brimming with transports, and embarked on an eastward exodus, carrying a billion souls. Despite **Galather**'s fervent protests, the **Elder King** chose not to pursue them, and thus, the search for a new home commenced. The **Vernants**, who had initially staked claim to the former territories of the **Daethalon League**, were swiftly overrun by the remnants of their foes, with only a meager few thousand managing to escape back to Eldarus itself. The **Enlyn**, wary of a potential vengeance from Galather, endeavoured to establish a covert refuge within the seemingly impassable Core's Eastern Boundaries — yet their fate remains shrouded in eternal mystery, presumed dead.

The **Aurana** and the **Eldurons**, on the other hand, embarked on a westward odyssey, plundering and pillaging their way through the cosmos, relentlessly pursuing survival at any cost. Along their tumultuous path, they solidified their alliance through a strategic, patrilineal marriage, forging an indomitable bond. Laden with a substantial portion of their populace, the vast fleet journeyed westward, passing unscathed through **Solicistania**, utilizing the deceptive guise of the **High Kingdom of Eldarus**. It was in the **Polaris Edge region** of the **Galaxy** that a grand betrayal unfolded. While resting upon a world that would be forever known as **Xenith**, the **Eldurons** betrayed their **Aurana** brethren, orchestrating a chilling display of treachery to seize absolute power. The **Aurana** **lineage was decimated**, save for a lone survivor — the daughter who had wed into the Eldurons' ranks. Through the legalities of their union, the remnants of House Aurana were assimilated into the Eldurons, spelling the end of an era. In the wake of this perfidious act, a grand purge ensued upon the planet, claiming the lives of over a hundred million Atanari suspected of harboring sympathies for the fallen house. This dark chapter would forever be remembered as the **Great Purge**, enacted in **-284,092**.

With **half a billion resilient Atanari** left to forge their future, the **Kingdom of Atanaria** was born, a realm that stands defiant to this day — a testament to the everlasting shame that stains the Eldurasi legacy.