Gishan Empire

The Gishan Empire was a nation that existed thousands of years prior to the establishment of the Great Star Empire of Allech-Atreus, during the period of chaos and warfare after the Great Event.

The Empire was founded by Shaddati emigres fleeing the Far Reach. Beldani warlords had encroached into the area, and destroyed the defenses of Shaddat. Thousands of people fled the area, and traveled into what is now the Empire.

Taking an unknown path, they eventually settled on a dry, desert planet that was similar to their home planet of Shaddat. Naming it "Gish," which means "New Home of the Gods," they developed a strong culture.

Using ancient technology now lost, they expanded to other planets in what is now Atraxia, stretching as far as modern Abdus, Danaae, and Osmana. Many of the planets they took control of still bear the Gishan names, such as Gashco, Ben Ral, and Atra.

The Gishans ran came into contact with the people of Kaltus IX, who headed a league of planets extending into modern Abdus and the Core Worlds. After multiple wars, the Gishans were defeated and went into decline, finally disintegrating as an empire. Pre-Tangol peoples migrated into Atraxia and took over the area, mixing with the Gishan descendants and preserving much of this history.

The planet Gish is now home to a palace of the Emperor, which is in the same oasis as a great number of ancient Gishan ruins. Built for Allech-Atreus VII, the palace is carved directly into a cliff, with great shafts extending up to the sky. Decorations and architecture are done in the Gishan style, and it is considered to be the preeminent example of Gishan reconstruction artwork.