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.
History
Originating in the systems that now make up the Far Reach, the precursors to the Gishans were a Beldani-Tangol people that inhabited the planet of Shaddat. The Beldani, who as this point in history were little more than a variety of warlords, had always made encroachments into Shadddati space, but the powerful warlord Bir-Am-Bel sought to bring Shaddat completely under his control. His conquest decimated the population, and the remaining forces decided to flee the planet in its entirety.
Joining with other refugees from Tsammis and Calabash, the group trekked across what is now Atraxia and Abdus, looking for a planet. They finally came to rest on Athamaqs, inhabited only sparsely by Danbian peoples. They named the planet Gish, which is ancient Shaddati for "New Home of the Gods."
The first hundred years of their habitation saw the development of a strong national identity and an expansion over the entire planet. The Gishans emerged as a distinct people and culture, and their government was controlled by powerful king-figure, called a Shamah.
The first Shamah was Shamah-Zahr-Usar, the progenitor of the powerful Gishan dynasty. Using now-lost technology, the dynasty expanded to other planets and formed the basis of the Empire. Under the great-great-grandson of Shamah-Zahr-Usar, the Gishan hegemony established itself as the preeminent power in what is now Atraxia, and inagurated the Gishan Empire under the rule of Mahashamh Chithapathar.
The golden age of Gish saw expansion to other planets in what is now Atraxia, stretching as far as modern Abdus, Danaae, and Osmana. Many of the planets that were part of the Empire still bear their Gishan names- Ben Ral, Gashco, and Sarissae to name a few. The most famous name is that of Mahashamh Ralusarbeg Gethaasulaj, who force the powerful lords of Mycena to submit to tribute.
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. Tangol peoples migrated into Atraxia and took over the area, mixing with the Gishan descendants and preserving much of this history.
Modern Day
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.
