The Metallus

Metallus Aeternum <Metallus Forever>

**The Metallus** is one of the major galactic powers, risen from various marauder clans and raider groups, and other various outlaws who sought the solitude of the untamed space that existed before the rise of The Metallus. Now wholly dedicated to conquest and individual consolidation of power, The Metallus is a very harsh, kill-or-be-killed expansionist imperial state, with elements of the savagery that exists as a vestigial element of their raider days.

The legions of The Metallus are known to be the most brutal and capable infantry in the galaxy, rivaled in pure strength and ferocity only by the likes of Klemorians, Grujantari or Surturians. Legionaries are generally taken from their families as very young children, schooled, put through extensive physical training and given a slew of performance-enhancing drugs with permanent physical alterations, and fully finish training at the age of 15, and put into military work. It is said that even at the age of 15, after the brutal training process and genetic alteration, a fully trained Metallus soldier is built bigger than fully grown and matured adults of other human races. Most of the male population are indoctrinated this way, with exceptions granted only to individuals that are female, permanently crippled, mentally unsound or especially gifted in intelligence. The latter are usually used for Metallus engineering or experiments, meaning that while they do no extensive work, they usually contribute to the state to some capacity. Military service in The Metallus is mandatory for eight years, though typically the indoctrination process leads to most in the Metallus having a strong appreciation for the opportunity and a sense of nationalism that sees them remain in service.

The Metallus has also become home of one of the Human subraces known as Mortales, known to generally be a bit shorter than the other human subraces, though stockier and generally easier to build muscle and have a degree of capability in resisting the negative effects of drugs or genetic enhancements, making them adapt to the positive effects easier. Mortales are a very recent subspecies, having risen primarily from their naturally strong virility and encouragement to expand and conquer as they see fit as individuals.

The Metallus was formed by a figure known as Metallus Prime, and has been succeeded by Metallus Secundus and the current Metallus, Metallus Tertium. The role of leader is eponymous with the galactic power's name, with specific leaders given a specific title that has to do with their placement (Prime meaning first, Secundus meaning second, Tertium meaning third, Quartum meaning fourth, etc).

## History

Metallus history is primarily cataloged by various "Reserve Imperators", individuals who oversee command of operations not explicitly connected to Metallus military operations, such as engineering, research and agricultural management, many of whom typically express secondary interest in historical focus of the Metallus.

### The Mourning Raiders

The Metallus have their earliest roots founded on their current capital planet Orion known infamously as the "Mourning Raiders", a group of heavily armed and armored raiders who managed to overtake the planet's capitol which began their rapid ascent into The Metallus. These humble beginnings are very simple, localized stories, the ironically humble beginnings of The Metallus. The raiders were formed by Metallus Prime, of whom most information is largely unknown.