Bellator

**The Bellator** are the warrior caste of the Sarapo, whose codes and traditions have endured for many thousands of years. They have long distinguished themselves from the Servitor, the worker caste, who are forbidden to take up arms. Bellator are similarly forbidden to work in any field that is not directly related to combat. In the modern Sarapo Imperium, Bellator have dominion over both the military and law enforcement in Sarapo society. However, upon formation of the Imperium, Kaymin the Supreme decreed that no Bellator would ever again hold political power. The era of the Bellator military dictatorships might over, but their place in Sarapo society remains a vital one. They are pledged to defend both the Imperator and the Servitor from all threats foreign and domestic. Since the rise of the Imperium, they have reorganized into Bellator Tactical Command under the leadership of the First Bellator.

### History

#### Origins

Even in the tribal beginnings of the Sarapo species, clear distinctions were always made between those who worked and those who fought. The warriors, who became known as the Bellator, were responsible for the safety of the tribe. They did not work, instead choosing to hone their skills in battle. They did, however, hunt but only because the slaying of dangerous beasts was considered a worthy test of their prowess.

Although some tribes considered the Bellator a hereditary caste, many soon made it a requirement that only those Sarapo who proved themselves worthy were permitted to call themselves Bellator. Trials were devised which often involved prospective Bellator fighting to the death against each other. It was eventually decided, universially, that no Sarapo could ever be born a Bellator. The only way to become one was to prove yourself worthy and have your martial prowess put to the test. For this reason, even the offspring of high-ranking Bellator began their lives as lowly Servitor.

#### The Primus

As tribes conquered one another and the first settlements and cities emerged, the greatest of the Bellator became warlords known as the Primus. A Primus was broadly defined as any Bellator that led an army. Primus would also rule over multitudes of Servitor, with some controlling entire cities. Wars between the Primus were frequent, although it became taboo for the Bellator to slay Servitor or conduct their battles in civilian centers. As a result, the constant infighting among the Bellator seldom troubled the general Servitor population, who were indentured servants who routinely changed hands between Primus as they fought each other from dominance.

#### Military Dictatorships

As the Primus became more powerful and numerous, they began to form alliances with one another, giving rise to larger and more formidable nation-states throughout Quixoni. The earliest and most formidable of these was the Bassican Dominion, which controlled the entire continent of Bassicar. The Primus of Bassicar organized themselves into the Bassican High Command, with the most powerful of their number assuming supreme command as First Bellator. This style of military dictatorship was soon mimiced by the Hydrissi Confederacy and the Terraxi Empire, giving rise to the three great nation states of Quixoni.

#### The Terraxi Revolution

Perhaps the darkest day for the Bellator came when the incompetence of the Terraxi Empire gave rise to a Servitor-led revolution against the Bellator themselves. Terraxi High Command had been mirred up greed and corruption for many years. A new regime, the Terraxi Technocratic Union, opposed them. The Bellator of Terraxi were outnumbered and unable to contain the violent Servitor uprising. Many were killed and many more were forced to flee to Bassicar or Hydrissi in disgrace. For the first time in Sarapo history, a nation governed by the Servitor formed. This alarmed the Bellator who ruled the Bassican Dominion and the Hydrissi Confederacy, who feared similar revolutions among their own Servitor populace.

### Organization

#### Bellator Tactical Command

Any Bellator to achieve the rank of Primus is inducted into Bellator Tactical Command, putting them in a position of absolute authority over other Bellator. Tactical Command reports directly to the First Bellator, who in turn reports directly to the Imperator High Council. When a new First Bellator needs to be chosen, the Primus compete with each other in a series of wargames and simulations to prove themselves worthy of supreme command. The Imperator have no influence on who becomes First Bellator.

#### Bellator Police

Law enforcement in Sarapo society is overseen by the Bellator Police, who report to Tactical Command, but have a degree of autonomy. Every city and settlement on Quixoni has one or more precincts, overseen by a Quixarch, who acts as a chief of police. The Bellator Police is notoriously brutal and heavy-handed, owing largely to the lack of patience most Bellator have for non-violent resolution. Nonetheless, order is often maintained, corruption is minimal and some of the Quixarch have a genuine devotion to order, justice and the rule of law. Several Primus within Tactical Command have direct authority over the Bellator Police.

#### Apex Armada

A combination of air and space forces in the Sarapo Imperium fall under the umbrella of the mighty Apex Armada. The ships within the armada are commanded by Navarch, who report to a Primus, who commands a subdivision in the Armada. Overall comamand goes to the First Primus, who is the second most powerful Bellator in the Imperium. Serving within the Apex Armada is considered the highest and most prestigious posting a Bellator can hope for. As a result, only the very finest earn the privilage and demotions for failure and incompetence are commonplace.

#### Ranks Within the Bellator

The Bellator Caste makes use of a strict and well-established command structure. Bellator are expected to follow the chain of command with absolute obedience and instances of insubordination can lead to execution. Ranks within the Bellator are as follows:

##### - Sekro Minus

Bellator recruits who have not yet completed their training and been given their first assignments. Sekro Minus undergo a merciless and brutal training regiment and many do not surive the proving grounds. Those that do are considered fully fledged members of the Bellator caste.

##### - Sekro

Rank-and-file Bellator who function in a variety of roles. They are guards, soldiers, police, crewmen, pilots and even mechanics and field medics. They report to Opto.

##### - Opto

Junior officers with command of their own group of Sekro. Some of them work as officers aboard airships and starships in the Apex Armada, reporting directly to a Navarch. Others serve on the ground, under the command of a Quixarch.

##### - First Opto

Designated second-in-command to a Navarch or Quixarch. Expected to take command in the event of the death or demotion of their superior.

##### - Quixarch

A ground commander who often functions as a chief of police. It is the highest rank a Bellator can obtain without joining an armada.

##### - Navarch

The commander of a ship, be it a starship to a Sky Fortress. One of the most coverted roles among the Bellator. A Navarch has absolute authority over ship and crew.

##### - First Navarch

The commander of the Imperium's flagship, usually the most prolific and accomplished among the Navarch, on the fast track to becoming a Primus.

##### - Primus

A high-ranking commander with one or more Navarch or Quixarch under their direct command. Similar to the earth rank of General or Admiral. Primus report directly to the First Bellator. The Primus collectively function as Bellator Tactical Command’s governing body. To become a Primus is to be inducted into the highest strata of the Bellator Caste, with power and prestige in the Imperium comparable to that of even an Imperator.

##### - First Primus

Designated commander of the Apex Armada, considered to be second only to the First Bellator in power and influence. However, a First Primus is not always gurenteed to succeed a First Bellator in the event of their death.

##### - First Bellator

The supreme commander of the Sarapo Imperium’s military forces. The First Bellator is accountable only to the First Imperator and considered the second most powerful position in the Imperium.