Mantle of the Imperator

*"Our best intentions, will carve the road to hell..."*

*- Imperator Lincoln Raine VI*

The mantle of the Imperator serves as the role of constitutional dictator in the Confederation of Imperium Systems, in which the Civilian Congress gives or rescinds power. The founding of the role is well over 14,000 years old, starting from the enigmatic Linken Raine (Lincoln Raine I), to the current Imperator Lincoln Raine VII. The Imperators have had a wide variety of dynasties that drew from Maldarian, some Tulan, Kyrati, and other sub-demonyms that have existed throughout Val history. When the nation was founded, then refered to as "Imperia" (The Old Imperialtik word for 'Home'), they had five founding lineages; Koval, Larsen, Schevchenko, Azarov, and Raine. The five houses would be barred from every obtaining great power or influence, and would be dedicated solely to the preservation of the CIS, and their roles as blood pools for the mantle of the Imperator.

Whilst opinions on Imperators have varied wildly over the past few centuries, the good seems to outweigh the bad. Men like Lincoln Raine III and VI are blamed for their lack of strong-arm politics and military use, VI and II did bring a level of diplomatic refinement to The CIS. Men like I, V, and VII are hailed as warrior kings, who spoke strongly, and carried a big stick. Raine IV is however, thought back as being different. He was a wordsmith, one of the best, his charisma and ability to coerce, negotiate, and talk with anyone made him one of the best debaters on the planet. However, when it came time to fight, against the Fascists, against the Tulans, IV found his footing and was able to be one of the most inspiring and wise wartime leaders of the empire.

## Role of the Imperator

*The Imperator* is the title of the leader of the Confederation of Imperium Systems. A hereditary dynasty that has, from birth, trained, cultivated, and prepared the next heir to become what all Imperators are: The Avatar and Will of the Imperial people. Imperators receive their power from the Civilian Congress, a nonpartisan collection of Imperial Citizen representatives, elected directly from their respective system directorates and sub-states. The Imperator consults the congress for all politican actions; On first contact actions, military offensives, trade relations. Should the Imperator see a need arise where he needs certain powers gained, he may go to the congress and request such powers. For Example, allowing the Imperator more command and control over the Imperial Military, allowing certain resources, logistics, and powers to help an active war effort.

The title of Imperator is referred to a mantle rather than a throne. A throne would imply there is a level of comfort and luxury to the position. There is none for the life of The Imperator. Every single day is spent leading and managing the empire, every minute of every day is spent guiding several departments, ministers, and ensuring the stability and growth of the nation. They are in the sights of assassinations, the face of all the nation's actions for better and for worse, and find themselves aging ten times the regular person due to the stress.

Lesser men would crumble, lesser people would break. The Imperator is now a lesser man, he's the embodiment of the empire and all her righteous fury.

## Raine Dynasty

### *Imperator Lincoln Raine I: The Warrior Emperor*

(Unknown) (????)

First of his name, First recognized Imperator of The CIS, and defender of the empire for decades. Lincoln Raine I is the stuff of legends in Imperial history books and campfire stories to date. However, exact details have been lost over time, due to Tulan negligence, libraries destroyed, and heresay murking with the details. What we do know is Raine was a CIS Imperial through and through, rising to the challenge when his nation needed him, and after a brutal series of invasions, carved out what would be the empire for several years on Val.

Imperator Raine I also came into contact with several other pinnacle figures of the early empire, some of which would end up outlasting him. We do know his military official, comparable to the CIS High Military Commander (HMC), was Sataun Wulf. Wulf and Raine's tactics and strategum were key in fending off the Rodrenar Invasion with minimal losses, and helping to forge the empire that would stand the test of time for thousands of years.

It is unknown how he died, however we do know his son took the mantle not far after his death.

Impacts/Lasting Legacy:

* Enigmatic, with unreasonable long dates dotting his life span, and so much historical impact yet so little information, he's viewed as more of a symbol that a living person.
* Helped to cement the militarized and warrior culture of The CIS
* Him and Sataun became feared figures throughout Rodrenar Culture
* The "Battle of the Dark Pass", in which the First Legion and the Imperator held out against tens of thousands of Rodrenar is seen as the greatest "against the odds" act in history.
* His armor design became the standard for all Imperial armor sets through out their forging and issuing.

### *Imperator Lincoln Raine II: The Aristocrat*

*|* **Lived:** (1425 - 1715) (290 years) / **In office:** (1445 - 1715) (270 years)

Second of his name, the man who helped to forge the economic backbone of the empire, and the great debater of val. Lincoln Raine II was a stark contrast to his father, being his love of politics, debate, and making the Maldarian's use of their natural charisma a key weapon in their arsenal for millennia to come. Raine II ended up creating the great commerce hall in Mariposa, utilizing the empire's various untapped natural resources to help bring about it's rise to power, and secured nonaggression pacts with the neighboring nation of Tula. Although, history showed this wouldn't last for long.

Many criticize Raine II for not being as in tune with his warrior culture side, however, others defend him believing his nonmilitary gains benefited the empire just as much as his father's did.

Impacts/Lasting Legacy:

* Helped to popularized a silver tongue and diplomacy in Imperial culture
* Some see him as one of the great wordsmiths, others, as a spineless coward
* Spoke little of his father, adding to the enigmatic nature of him
* His private office in the Mariposa commerce hall is off limits to almost everyone, to ensure it's historical value
* When the stock trade first opened, he gave away a single gold coin to the treasurey. To this day it's still hunted for, and valued by many as being worth over 100 billion imperial credits.

### *Imperator Lincoln Raine III: Pacifistic Fuckboy*

**Lived:** (1691 - 1835) (144 Years) / **In Office:** (1715 - 1835) (120 years)

Third of his name, the most polarizing Imperator of the empire's history, and deemed by his detractors as "The Armistice King", "The Pacifist General", and "The Destroyer of the Empire". Lincoln Raine III took power in the midst of a terrible economic depression, many do not know how it occured to this day, some believe it was to due with Rodrenari idiocy, others believe it was a Tulan plot. Whatever the case, Imperator Raine III took the helm during an unprecedented amount of economic drought and unemployment. Being forced to learn how to drag the empire's economy from the bottom using different support plans, and being met with the conflict to end all conflicts on Val: The age of Tulan aggression.

The Tulan Federation, whom for years had staved off angry politicians wanting to invade The CIS, had finally taken the downfall of the planet's economy as a chance to find a crack in the tough Northern Imperial armor. This forever adds weight to the theory that the Tulans orchestrated the entire ordeal, albeit badly damaging their economy as well. While The CIS Military threw everything it had at the Tulans, costing millions of their own people whilst the Tulans barely made ground, it was due to the Imperator, that the empire experienced it's darkest hour.

Instead of sending necessary reinforcements to the capitol to defend The Imperium, The Imperator cited the millions dead on both sides so far, as a reason to pull back their forces. The mighty 7th Legion, refusing to back down as they held out on the steps of the old CIS Imperial Palace, defended it to the last man. Shortly after, The Imperator sued for an armistice, an act that would forever vilify him in the books of history as a traitor. However, he would not be able to face the wave of criticism, as shortly after, Lincoln Raine III died of a stress induced heart attack.

Impacts/Lasting Legacy:

* Is viewed as a black mark on Val history, and an embarrassment of an Imperator
* Lincoln Raine IV stood up for his father, despite openly disagreeing with some of his actions. In stark conbtrast, Lincoln Raine VII verbally buried him.
* Some believe he was blackmailed by the Tulan Federation into playkating and being as peaceful as he was, al though any evidence or files that could back this up were destroyed when Tulansburg (Raneksburg) was glassed.

### *Imperator Lincoln Raine IV: Empire's Finest Defender*

**Lived:** (1671 - 1931) (260 years) / **In Office:** (1691 - 1931) (240 years)

   Fourth of his name, The Finest Imperator the CIS has ever had so far, and hailed as the "Savior of the Empire", "Boogeyman of all Fascists", "Slayer of the false king", and "Retaker of The Imperium". Lincoln Raine IV didn't have much to follow up on after the death of his father, the standards being set so low many had lost faith in the "Avatar and Will of the People". However, the fourth member recognized, of the only recognized dynasty, would stop at nothing to fix his empire, save his people, and a motto that would last his entire tenure and reign: "I will bring us back home".

Raine IV quickly had to prove his worth, as in the aftermath of the Tulan Invasion, fascist militants from a group known as the "Maldarian Authoritarian State" rose up around the empire. They were led by a man named "Frederick Jork", supported by a right hand thug enforcer named "Var Stal". CIS Imperial Military came under fire from all corners of the existing empire, and the Imperator quickly rallied to lead his men, even joining in and heading down to the trenches when Mariposa came under fire. The Imperator met an ally in the form of a then Company Commander, "Ivan Krukov", who would quickly earn his way to being a Brigade, and then Division Commander after consecutive victories against the Fascists. The conflict ended with the Fascist Leader himself, along with Var Stal and several others, infiltrating the second Imperial Palace ("The Temporary Palace" - Raine IV). Jork held the Imperator at gunpoint, and tried to scare him into signing an ultimatum, giving rights over to Jork to become the New Imperator, and allowing him to convert The CIS into the Maldarian Authoritarian State, vowing revenge against her enemies. The Imperator denied, a much stronger backbone than his father, and unafraid of some thugs. It was then that Iron Confederates were quick to storm the room, firing into the door killing several of the militants, as they were all distracted, Raine IV produced a pistol that was hidden under his desk. With a single shot, The Imperator killed Frederick Jork where he stood, forcing Var Stal to flee into the night. Krukov and Raine later found evidence tying the Tulans to the MAS forces. It was decided in that dark Fascist supply cache, that within their lifetimes, somehow, someway, they were going to need to take down the Tulan Federation, and retake their home.

All would not be safe however, as not even a year later, Var Stal quickly rose back up, with the remnants of his follows, and forces later found to be Tulan proxy militias. This time, The Empire had become much stronger in it's off time, and met the Fascists head on, newly promoted High Military Commander Ivan Krukov leading the helm as Imperator Lincoln Raine IV guided the empire through one of it's finest hours. The conflict was brutal, blood, lasting only a year it forced the Imperial Military to dig deep. After retaking full control of several cities such as Odnik, Rakon, and staving off attacks against places like Mariposa, Krukov finally cornered the MAS forces in a small mining town. While this was going on, Iron Confederates stormed Var Stal's compound under orders from The Imperator himself. Finding that half of Stal's men had mutinied, he attempted to give a letter to the Iron Confederate commander, only to be shot countless times by the men. The letter, later given to Raine IV after the surrender of all MAS forces, was direct evidence to the Tulan Government. It was all The Imperator needed to justify what he and Krukov would do next.

Time was running short, CIS Intelligence had told that The Tulans were planning a secondary invasion. Much larger than the first, much more widespread, and if they were allowed to get the jump on them the Empire could fall. The Imperator in a private session with the Civilian Congress, brought forth the information incriminating the Tulans, and called for war. The Congress agreed unanimously. Krukov was given anything and everything he needed to, as The Imperator put it, "Annihilate the Tulans". Launching a preemptive strike that took out both the bulk of the Tulan fleet VIA an EMP and Bombardment, and a massive ground invasion encompassing millions, Raine IV, for the third and final time, led his people to war. The conflict, was short, but brutal and pushed both the empire and federation, a wolf and a bear locked in a cage, the finest of it's leaders leading the hound, and the final, cruelest, backing the bear. In the end, The Tulan Government and Military were wiped out, almost entirely- neigh, entirely. Looking back on it in his Twilight years, Raine IV called it the "Tulan Extinction War", a name that still holds up to this day.

The rest of Raine's tenure was calm, and well deserved. He spent much of his time helping to rebuild and reintegrate the final parts of Val that had been taken from the Tulan collective. Working day in and day out to ensure that the empire's progress towards a peaceful future would be fulfilled, he worked himself to the bone. However, not all was just hard work and careful, precision operating in this time. Lincoln Raine IV married Elyse Williams, his bodyguard, the woman who helped save him from Frederick Jork on that fateful night. The couple was and still is viewed by the empire as the most "Black Collar" in the empire's history; One side, a wife who had worked tirelessly in the CIS Military to help defend the empire, the other, the Imperator, who had given life, limb, and sanity to help ensure her survival.

Lincoln Raine IV and his wife, Elyse Williams, both passed away peacefully in their sleep. A calm end, to two lives that had been filled with such ultraviolence and stress.

Impacts/Lasting Legacy:

* Is seen as the greatest Imperator there has ever been
* Every Imperator hence forth has shown respect when referencing him
* Helped to sign and put forward many acts and policies that increased civil rights and heightened quality of living. Equal Marriage, better payrates for the Imperial Military. His wife was also very involved, helping to push for more rights for Black Collar workers and supported many miners unions.
* He was the Imperator who assigned Ivan Krukov the role as High Military Commander, Krukov himself was a Commander-General, leader of the 17th legion during the Tulan Invasion, and earned more stars by fending off Fascists from Mariposa. Krukov speaks highly of Raine IV to this day.
* The life and story of Lincoln Raine IV is seen as that of a great struggle, between fellow Imperials in Var Stal and Frederick Jork seeking to defeat him. In Vladimir Ranek seeking to end 10,000 years of Imperial history. The story of a young man taking up the keys to the Empire at a young age, widely unprepared, and managing to not only have his nation survive, but thrive.
* The retaking of The Imperium and captured CIS lands is seen as a cathartic moment in a long line of bloodshed and sadness.

### *Imperator Lincoln Raine V: The Dictator*

**Lived:** (1902 - 2001) (99 years) / **In Office:** (1931 - 2001) (70 years)

   Fifth of his name, the architect of the Imperial War Machine, and the most punished Imperator in the history of the empire. Lincoln Raine V is viewed one of two ways, a vile dictator that cracked down on the Tulan people and insurgents in the aftermath of a war that ended decades earlier, or, A man cursed to live inside of a metal and rubber suit of armor, who in the end tried his best with a bad hand. Raine V took power just after the simultaneous death of his Mother and Father, a dark start to a dark life. From early on, Raine V experienced massive respiratory and cardiovascular problems that warranted the need for respirators and equipment hooked up and planted in his skin. It was after the resurgence of the Tulan Insurgency, and an IED attack that forced him to live in the black armor for the rest of his life, that his face was burned, and he would spend the entire rest of his life inside of it.

It was from this treacherous attack on his life, that Raine V entered the period of his life that would define him forever. He believed a strong military, and an authoritarian backbone to the empire is what it needed. Past Imperators and politicians had been too soft, and many believed in the event of his father's death that they would return to that time. Working with HMC Ivan Krukov, Raine V developed a more modernized revamp of the entire Imperial Military. With a unit structure that stands to this day, a massive investment in weapons technology, and a jump start on the space program, Raine V truly helped mold the arsenal of the empire.

Raine V also launched one of the most pinnacle operations in CIS history, Operation: Tulan Insubordination. Believing that many integrated former Tulan peoples and regions were complacent with their CIS leadership, the Imperator cracked down. Ramped up counter insurgency operations, dozens of new garrisons and military bases built in the region, a network that helped to document every man and woman on the planet of Val that allowed The CIS to identify and mark traitors to the empire for the rest of their life. The Tulan Insurgency, although high in manpower and bold, died after 5 long years of fighting.

Raine V would forever be known as one of the most militant Imperators in his dynasty, even more so than his great grandfather. However, his last act as Imperator, unknown to all, would be his creation of an off the grid R&D organization. Fearing the dangers of dark space, the occult, and the unnatural, an organization only known to himself and Ivan Krukov, "The Blackguard Program". This organization would be made up of some of the brightest in the CIS, with the intent to secure, contain, and or destroy the paranormal that endangered the empire.

Raine V's death would come at the hands of assassination, he formerly met with members of the different ethnic groups of val, attempting to come to an agreement to end the tensions of the past in order to help better the empire. However, a radical from the crowd, with a bomb implanted in his liver, attempted to detonate and kill everyone on the stage. However, when it failed, he instead produced a revolver, firing on the Imperator and his wife. Raine V came to the aid of his wife, shielding her, however the rounds damaged his suit gravely. Before succumbing, Raine V produced a handgun of his own, firing on the gunman, killing him.

Impacts/Lasting Legacy:

* Is seen as one of the most militarist Imperators to this day
* His policy on total war against the Tulan Insurgents is what helped him curb and annihilate the insurgency as fast as it did.
* He helped to reorganize and develop The Imperial Military, forming The Hellfire Corps, HODT Corps, establishing the Imperial Navy as a spacefaring branch, and signed many policies to upgrade and develop new small arms weapons and technology. An effort his son would pick up after him.
* Is seen as an "Unlucky man trapped in an unlucky position", from receiving the impossible task of living up to his father's legacy, to living in an unopenable metal tomb to keep himself alive.
* Despite his threatening appearance, his actions in shielding his wife from death, cemented him as a hero and warrior in the eyes of the imperial people.

### *Imperator Lincoln Raine VI: The Politician*

**Lived:** (1981 - 2086) (105 years) / **In Office:** (2001 - 2086) (85 years)

    Sixth of his name, the great speaker, and the most charismatic maldarian known in history. After his father's death, many believed the crackdown on the Tulan and minority groups of The CIS would be harsh, and firm. However, many did not expect his son to take the exact opposite approach. Believing the time for bloodshed was over, Raine VI knew that even as the military was the strongest it had been in history, a firm handshake and an understanding would be more effective than a boot on the neck was. Having studied in psychology, sociology, and knowing the effects of propoganda and people pleasing from some of the best the office of Imperial Military Affairs could offer. Raine decided to coerce peacetime through different methods.

Strengthening a large amount of personal freedoms, whilst bolstering the effective and dynamic nature of the Urban Guard, Raine VI was able to increase public happiness whilst also cracking down on crime without public backlash or attention. This also allowed the rise of the *réttlæti* ("Justice" in old Imperialik). Raine VI was there to help officially launch the Imperial Space Initiative, During this time the Imperator commenced the launch and exodus of hundreds of millions to the neighboring planet of Tarkyn. He claimed dominion over all the neighboring hyperlanes and systems, as well as helped to ensure the rise of Tarkyn as an industrial powerhouse.

Lincoln Raine VI died soundly in his sleep, leaving the empire in the hands of his son, who would one day work to become the greatest Imperator of all time.

Impacts/Lasting Legacy:

* Is remembered for his lighter hand in dealing with internal politics, as well as developing the Urbam Guard into a much more versatile peace force.
* officially launched the Imperial Space Initiative, being called the "Father of the CIS Space Program"
* Coined the term "Speak kindly, shake firmly, but always keep your gun close by"

### *Imperator Lincoln Raine VII: The King of the North*

**Lived** (2066 - present) (34 Years) / [Current Active] **In Office:** (2086 - Present) (14 years)

Last of his name, the culmination of every Imperator thus for for the last several thousand years, "The Pioneer of Tarkyn", and "The Black Wolf ". Lincoln Raine VII made his emphatic rise to power even before he was Imperator. He oversaw the creation and rise enmasse of the Tarkyn's industrial and mining sectors for the 11 years he was director of mining operations. Raine also sought to test himself, in his mind he needed to see if he could handle and wield the power of the empire on both a governmental and military scale. He put himself through several CIS Imperial Military training programs, successfully passing CIS Standard combat training, Hellfire Academy, and Iron Confederates Selection Course. His success wasn't without flaws, as his life was marred with anger, A father who cared too much for coercing the people and little to his own son, as well as a violent death of his father forcing his rise to power at just 31 years of age.

Raine VII is a man of extreme calculation, dedication to the empire and his people, and a disconnected sense of service as he believe he as an Imperator is the sword and will of the people. Even if it means forgetting he is still a living breathing being. Raine VII's first test as Imperator came during his hunt for his father's killer, not only assigning Iron Confederate team "Tomorrow", but forcing his HMC Ivan Krukov to summon the boogeyman as well to hunt down the man. After 3 short but high octane days, the man was captured, brutally beaten, maimed, mentally scarred and shook, but alive. He was sentenced to public execution by firing line, and Raine VII was present for such an event.

Raine VII also oversaw the CIS' first real combat in space, as pirates attempting to use the hyperlanes sought to try and take advantage of the newly spaceborne empire. They destroyed several satellites, boarded and brutally raided a merchant ship, and held an imperial woman for ransom shortly before killing her. Raine VII responded as violently as his grandfather would have, vowing vengeance against the pirates he tracked them down to a base on a distant moon. A The 7th Hellfire Legion under direct orders from the Imperator, invaded the moon. They burned the pirates, they burned the base, they damn near burned the entire moon. The ash of the thousands of acres of burned land earned him the name of "The Black Wolf".

However, even as he lead with a firm, violent when needed, hand. Raine VII was also seen as a hero and respected leader. Bringing the empire together under a message of unity and survival, creating a new line of industrial jobs in the wake of mass producing space ships and starports, organizing new colonial efforts to several moons, supporting the Imperial Military with pay raises, benefits, and days off on family holidays, A focus on CIS literature helped to boost his message that he truly was *for* the people. In his mind, this was a people's empire, the people's empire, and he was the will of the people. However, make no mistake, a strong sense of paranoia burns inside of the Imperator. The Blackguard Program showed him and his High Military Commander just what lurks in the dark, and with the space pirates raids, and an ominous message from a dark space being.

The King in the North knows full well, that the new frontier he leads his empire into is a brave, new, dangerous world. He is committed to ensure the survival of his people, his empire, and his legacy, at all costs.

Impacts/Lasting Legacy:

* Took up the mantle of the Imperator after his mother and father's untimely deaths, vowed to elevate the empire and it's people to an era and height which was yet unseen
* Is remembered for referring to the Imperators as a "Mantle", not a "Throne". An impossible task that his dynasty has been bred and tasked for, to serve, protect, and act for the will of the people. He is a servant of the people, not a monarch or an emperor. This and his continued support of individual liberties and rights, has made him widely popular in the eyes of Imperial citizens
* "Pioneer of Tarkyn" was a title earned after he himself helped to cultivate and throttle the industrial and mining development of Tarkyn. Funding many miners unions out of pocket, and min-maxing logistics to help it be the strip mining powerhouse it is today.
* "Black Wolf" was a title earned after his particularly brutal response to local pirate raiders. After a CIS convoy en route from Tarkyn to Val was raided, with many Imperial workers killed, and some captured, The Imperator struck quickly and harshly. Tracking their base down to a small moon, on a tomb world not far from Blade, he had the Imperial Navy bombard the moon until the surface was "beyond glass", not allowing any surrendering pirates to flee or seek mercy. When Hellfire Corps troops landed, they described the moon as an "Ash Ridden Hell", with black silhouettes of the pirates burned into the ground. The Black Wolf is a constant reminder of the young Imperator's full willingness to annihilate his enemies, entirely.

[Database://Other Dynasties\_... Reconstructing-Reconstructed: Access Granted].

## Koval Dynasty (??? - 2560) "The Vandals".

The Koval is the lineage that took up the mantle of the Imperator first after Lincoln Raine I stepped down, the truth and facts of it were lost to time after the Tulan Federation captured the CIS Capitol in their invasion and burned 70% of all CIS historical records. However, enough has been scavenged to get a better understanding of the Kovals... They ruled with an iron fist and helped instill the Imperial sense of collectivism and necessary authoritarianism that would carry on through the near 14,000 years of Imperial history. What the Kovals had in militarism and order, they lacked in the basic understanding of personal freedoms and individual intellectualism. It was in large part during their time that the Imperials had decayed in terms of technological advancement, infrastructural development, and agricultural growth. The Kovals were also ripe with infighting and greed, killing each other off one by one, in order to secure the mantle. However the internal organizations of the CIS at the time had anticipated this, and continued to purge any members of the bloodline that attempted a power vacuum. The true date of the Koval's ascension to the mantle of Imperator is unknown, however, they do have an end date. 2560 Pre-I.S.C, when Artem Koval, the last alive of the bloodline, was found by the Imperial Council (which would then later become the Civilian Congress), to be unfit for duty as the Imperator. With no other members of the Koval bloodline left alive, the duty fell to the next house that stepped up: The Larsens.

## Larsen Dynasty (2560 - 1530) "The Truthseekers".

What is currently known about the Larsens can be summed up by their contribution to the rule of law, and the legal accountability that is engrained into every inch of Imperial society. It is told that the Imperials experienced nearly 7,000 years (I.S.C) of Koval rule, and showed them every angle and inch of corruption at it's worst and most selfish. To that end, the Larsen's ensured they would work to provide the Imperials with what would develop and live on today to be the criminal justice and accountability system. Every department needed someone to check them, and someone to check them. The Mantle of the Imperator was officially written to be held accountable to the Imperial Council, which during their time would become known as the "Civilian Congress", and the Civilian Congress would be monitored by the Internal Security. The Larsen's legacy lives on today with the CIS' violent reaction to any corruption and insubordination, however, their dynasty would reach its end due to something not related to politics at all. The Larsens were plagued with a genetic defect that would cause massive internal organ failure to the members not even a third of the way through the average Imperial lifespan. Extensive research shows this is due to the Larsen's local origin being near a northwestern volcanic ridge, where they helped pioneer diamond and obsidian mining for the Imperials. Due to this, after 2,000 (I.S.C) years of rule, their line was run dry with no members able to take the mantle. The duty was then passed to the Schevchenkos.

## Schevchenko Dynasty (1530 - 515) "The Magick Preservers".

The Shevchenko's are the most intriguing, yet the most mysterious of them all. Reconstructed records show that most of what was known about the Val Pantheon in terms of its psionic properties and runes, before the Void Army project and the excavation of Groznia, was learned through their preservation. It is said that the Schevchenkos were absolutely convinced that the deities of the Val Pantheon could be studied, and that a complete and decisive effort to do so must be made. However, the Civilian Congress protested, as the Schevchenko's ambitions venture far too much into the realm of theocracy. This would lead to a 1,015-year tug-of-war as the people's representatives fought tooth and nail to keep the runic lords of the north at bay. What happened to the Schevchenko's is unknown, as all current records seem to indicate they simply disappeared.

## Azarov Dynasty (515 to 1445) "The Aggressors".

The Azarov's were responsible for creating the conditions that would lead to the struggles of Val, leading into the era of planetary unification and spaceflight. The Azarov's believed in Imperial dominance, citing many aggressive actions by the Tulans and the Rodrenar. Thus, their build-up of military and fortifications led to skyrocketing tensions with both groups bordering the CIS. Although the Civilian Congress protested this push towards aggression, the Azarov's had fostered a geopolitical environment that mean if the Imperials backed down, it would lead to catastrophic consequences. So the Azarov's were allowed to take their Anti-Rodrenari and Tulan stance, until their demise in 1440 to 1445. The Azarov's were killed off after Tulan assassins were sent in to deep infiltrate Imperial territory, as the Azarov Imperators believed such an intrusion could never be accomplished. After the last Azarov was killed, the responsibility fell to the lineage house that was last alive... The Raine Dynasty.