Roania

Roania

Flag of Roania
Motto: "Post Lux Tenebras" (After the Light Comes the Darkness)
[1]
Region	Fatal Terrain
Capital	The Imperial City (Tarnaqin)
Official Language(s)	Aguan/English
Leader	HDIM Lord-Emperor Cassander Drakharn of Rudan Prime
Population	5.789 billion
Currency	Imperial Mark
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The Divine Imperium of Roania (More properly, the Divine Imperium of Rudan) was one of the earliest 'human' colonies founded, being in existence for nearly 4000 years by a large number of humans and elves. The home system is Rudan, which is a class-M star on the norma-arm of the Milky Way Galaxy, and a moderate empire extends away from Rudan towards the galactic north-west, away from Sol. The initial reason for colonisation, as well as the immediate aftermath, are shrouded in mystery.

Humans/half-elves (Homo Sapiens Atrum).

People of the Divine Imperium

Over the long term of inhabitation, the Roanians have ceased to be standard Humans or elves, and can more properly be termed a race of half-elves, though even this is a distant stretch of the term. The majority of Roanians are members of the subspecies Homo Sapiens Atrum. One cause of this is the difference between the environment of Rudan, and that of Earth. Another would be early attempts at genetic modification in Rudan Prime's distant past, and interbreeding between the human and elven inhabitants. Therefore, whether one is a 'human' or an 'elf' depends on what one identifies as. Pureblooded elves are now exceedingly rare on Rudan Prime, and in the Imperium at large, after the destruction of Alaitoc I (see the Alaitoc Article for more information).

On average, the lifespan of those who identify themselves as human ranges from 200 to 250. While lifespans of 300+ are not unknown, quality of life tends to drop severely after 225. For those who identify themselves as elven, lifespans are in theory immortal, though such a statement is almost impossible to objectively prove. And considering the 'impurity' of the elven 'bloodline' in the Imperium, it is unlikely that full immortality has carried through.

In general, the inhabitants of Rudan Prime are taller and thinner than natives of Terra and most inhabitants of Sol. Average height for Roanian men is at 192 centimeters and for women at 170 centimeters, compared to the average height of Americans at 175 and 162 (Respectively) in 2002.

Physical Aversion to Magic

Roanians are an inherently magical race. This might seem unusual to people who think of them solely as the nation that sends out Inquisitors to slaughter other magical races, and whose intention to wipe out magic is the talk of many wizarding colleges. However, there is more to it than simple religious loathing, though that plays a part.

From birth, Roanians are conditioned by their society to force their magic down and hide it from everyone, including themselves. However, magic can not be extirpated in such a way and always remains. Therefore, each Roanian on some level loathes himself.

Their magic manifests itself, however, through this hatred. A Roanian around a magician is a Roanian with a migraine. Not because of the person himself, but because of the magical aura that surrounds him when he works magic. Therefore, when visiting Roania signs in the airport repeatedly remind mages and wizards that the practice of magic carries a severe fine.

A far more serious problem, however, is when a Roanian is near someone to whom magic is second nature, such as the Elentari Sirithril of Menelmacar. The aura around a sorceress/sorcerer causes most Roanians very excruciating physical pain, to the point that while for other nations a visit from the Elentari is an honour, to the Divine Imperium it's something to be dreaded, though they feel honoured to have her.

For Roanians, there are three ways of dealing with the discomfort. Firstly, by removing the stimuli. Generally by slaying the mage. Second, through severe concentration they can cause the pain to go away, though this will occasionally lead to random acts of magic in the immediate vicinity, or to those unusual attributes which many foreigners consider 'generally' Roanian, such as occasionally glowing eyes or a tendency to shout.

Imperial Culture

The Divine Imperium is a very urbane and sophisticated society. Its population lives a very long time, and thus consider it ideal to know and experience as much of the universe as possible. Roanians, then, have been described as one of the most decadent races in the galaxy. Most Roanians constantly seek and desire comfort, at all times and in every place. Despite being highly trained and well-armed, Roanian Legionnaires are primarily a garrison force across the empire, as it's difficult to inspire them to fight well away from home save when they're most desperately required to.

Certainly, this desire for comfort affects their opinion of magic, though it's hard to quantify to what extent. There's more to it than the simple desire for the pain to stop, as any Roanian with a sufficiently strong ability to concentrate can channel his own latent magic into other avenues.

What the desire for comfort does lead to is a desire for quick solutions. Roanians embrace technology whole-heartedly, and Roanian technology is simple, elegant, and ubiqitous. For the most part, things such as consoles have been built into desks, and a simple touch of a hand could, for instance, open the door. Quite often, the console or control is built into a work of art. On a smaller scale, many nobles and rich merchants wear or carry items, such as rings or canes, that serve various purposes, such as a quick drink of water or firing a poisonous dart. Almost like magic... though the Roanians would not appreciate any such comparison.

In what could be considered a less eccentric way, the Roanian desire for rapid solutions can also lead to overkill in a war. Roanian defences are designed to destroy anything that enters within their range without permission, including refugee ships. Rudan Prime is surrounded by a thick planetary shield, powered by two orbital bases at the north and south poles (Pinnacle Base(s)). These two orbital platforms, in addition to acting as customs depots and providing transport to the surface, also hold two powerful and very accurate superlasers, for the sole purpose of destroying any large ships that might enter the system unannounced. On the offensive, the Roanians are equally destructive. Not having an interest in the further acquisition of territory, though they will strive vigorously to retake any lost ground from their own empire, Imperial Naval Officers will quite happily order the utter destruction of a target, whether civilian or military, simply to eliminate the possibility of further resistance in future. The deployment of biological and chemical weapons is always a possibility, though it has grown exceedingly rare in recent times. The Holy Legions themselves seem to view any resisting enemies as a problem to be solved, and will thus attempt to solve that problem in the most simple way possible. Generally with the use of their particle-beam weaponry or a large tank, whether the resistance is a bunch of 'insurgents' throwing rocks, or an enemy army.

On the defensive, the Roanians will try to negotiate when they can to make the attacks stop, preferring not to risk their lives unless they have to. If a world is captured, there's a possibility the Roanians will obliterate it (and the enemy army). So far, only two invading forces have ever successfully defeated the Imperium and forced them to surrender, and with the creation of the Pinnacle Bases it's unlikely the feat will be repeated again, a fact which makes the Roanians consider the expense to be more than worthwhile.

At peace, Roanian life is very similar to life in other societies. People work, play and live much like people do in nations such as Pantocratoria. Stereotypically, the jobs they take depend a great deal on which 'nation' they consider themselves; Aguans will be more likely to work in retail or marketing, Roanians will cling like barnacles to public service positions, etc. In reality nations are no longer as important as they were in the past, and it's no longer considered 'unusual' for the President of the Omega Corporation to be a Derricker, just as an example.

Xenos

The Imperium spans 12 systems, and has within its boundaries 6 other intelligent lifeforms. For the most part these are primitives, at black powder level or below, and not considered part of the Imperium excepting that they live on planets the Imperium has claimed. However, for approximately 2000 years the Roanians have been selecting and capturing members of the various races and taking them home to Rudan Prime to work as slaves.

Recently, under Cassander Drakharn, the slaves have been emancipated. The second largest racial group in the Imperium became overnight the Salamandros --a race of reptilian sapiens who resemble snakes that slither upright and have arms-- who have a population in the Imperium of nearly two million on Rudan Prime itself.

Native Rudani

Prior to humanity, the native sentients were an insectoid race known as the ch'ker. Their religion can best be described as a death-cult. It is believed that the majority of the race was wiped out 50 years prior to first contact during an event that subsequent data-records refer to as 'the sacred night'. The remainder was destroyed 100 years after contact during an attempt by the Rudanii to initiate their neighbours into the cult.

Even today in some of the more isolated regions of the planet, pre-human ruins are still visible, and archaeologists continually busy themselves in exploring the ancient past of their home planet. Many of these ruins, however, still have fully active[[2]] security systems which require extreme caution. Rudani technology is constantly studied by Imperial Scientists, though any conclusions they make are normally uncertain, as just because an item can be used in a certain way does not mean that that's what the item originally was for.

Religion and Spirituality

Roanians are an intensely spiritualistic people in general, though not in the specific. The 'God', for lack of a better term, that they worship appears to be a cold and calculating force that created the universe out of some grand plan. Everything that happens happens according to that grand plan, and free will is just a perception.

Needless to say, the average Roanian doesn't hold much love for such a cold religion, though in their heart of hearts they're all believers. The Church (and that's all it's called, just 'The Church') is one of the most powerful institutions on the planet, and has its own 'Security Force', in the form of the Order of the Archangel's Sword (also known as the Imperial Inquisition).

Roanian prayer-services are very ritualistic, borrowing from the traditions of the Catholic and Orthodox churches. The major symbol is the sunburst:

Though the cross is also a common icon, as seen above. Services for the most part are conducted in contemplative silence, with only muffled amens to the words of the Ecclesiarch. The church is a very heirachical organisation, with numerous ranks for Ecclesiarch, from the Patriarch of the Light all the way down to

Order of the ArchAngel's Sword

The Order of the Archangel's Sword is an elite force of soldiers, equipped with powerful armour and weapons. Close-combat specialists, they are one of the most powerful military groups in the universe, though only rarely are units larger than ten sent into action.

And they are controlled by The Church of Roania, which oversees the construction of equipment, recruitment, and training. Currently the supreme officer (Grand Inquisitor) is Cassius Varro. Unusually for the Inquisition, normally a semi-secular militant order, Cassius Varro is also a bishop in his own right. Actual control of the Order, however, begins two or three levels down in the Council of High Inquisitors.

The purpose of the Order of the ArchAngel's Sword is simple. The complete elimination of anything that might challenge the Church or its vision of an ideal universe, regardless of reason. Inquisitors have in the past slaughtered 'mutant' children on the command of superior officers or reactionary priests, much to the disgust of civil authorities or more 'liberal' ecclesiarchs. Control of the Inquisition and the reigning in of its 'excesses' is one of the major battles between church and state, and within the church itself.

Rogue Inquisitors

Occasionally an Inquisitor will start to have a crisis in faith, losing his or her ability to see what he or she is doing in the same way the church sees it. While normally the Inquisitor will take a vacation or undergo spiritual education (voluntarily), occasionally an Inquisitor will go rogue and simply leave outside of the proper channels. While technically a crime, it's one that the civil government, or the police, will only prosecute when the rogue is a threat.

Amongst the more famous rogues are High Inquisitor Kigari Starfighter (nee Walters) and Inquisitorial Lord Tyral Halon (location currently unknown. Considered armed and exceedingly dangerous. Is permanently in place on the Roanian Internal Security Service's Most Wanted List.

Roanian Economy

The Roanian economy is autarkic, with little interest in external trade. The Imperium and its assorted worlds are estimated to have the raw resources to last at least another 5000 years. Assuming its population triples in size over that time. However, occasionally a wealthy Roanian will purchase a 'foreign' good, and the purchase of knowledge is fairly constant.

Externally, Roania's most prominent corporations are the Omega Corporation and Roanian Pharmaceuticals.

Omega Corporation

The Omega Corporation is Roania's largest Information Technology corporation, and the spearhead of the past 500 years of technological progress. Omega Corporation has a long-term contract with the Imperial Government, and is the sole provider of computing equipment to the Imperial Trading Coster. The corporation currently employs 20 million people.

Lokii Controversy

Occasionally, Omega has been accused of associations with the Lokii Crime Syndicate, most recently by the nation of Assington. Omega has always denied such claims, though it refuses to reveal its books, claiming that that would be considered an admission of guilt by the corporation's many enemies.

Imperial Trading Coster

The Imperial Trading Coster is the major interstellar shipping company within the Imperium. By Lord-Emperor Edward's decree, they were stripped of the right to set prices and the stockmarket.

Imperial Government

The Imperial Government is a constitutional monarchy, with elections every 3 years to form parliament. Currently Imperial Party holds the majority of seats, under ArchChancellor Nicholas d'Arquis. The Roanian Legislature is bicameral, with two clearly defined houses. The House of Commons and the House of Nobles.

House of Commons

The House of Commons is the elected body, and it is the house that holds the majority here that goes on to form government. It has 5900 members, and is in session for a third of the year, though tradition dictates that members of the House remain in Imperial City for the rest of the year in case of emergency, a tradition that remains in force despite the existence and deployment for over a millenia of both the Imperial Maglev networks and the existence and use of SuperSonic aircraft.

Currently the majority of the house is held by the Imperial Party at 3070, a decline from their position last year at 3300. The chief opposition party is the Social Democrat Party, holding 1830 seats, followed by the Colonial Party, The National Socialist Imperial Worker's party, Old Roania, and Action! in order of precedence.

Traditionally, the House of Commons initiates legislation, which must then pass onto the House of Nobles for review and eventual submission to the Lord-Emperor. Occasionally the Lord-Emperor himself will introduce legislation into the House of Nobles, but only in that rare event will the process travel the other way.

Nicholas d'Arquis

A distant cousin of the ArchDuke Simon d'Arquis of Derricks, Nicholas was Cassander's deputy when Cassander was ArchChancellor. A small, nervous man with a discernible facial tic, he seems to enjoy the ArchChancellorship as much as he'd enjoy smacking himself in the face with a boxing glove.

Elections

The Divine Imperium has universal adult sufferage, where an adult is defined as having turned 20. The ArchChancellor must call elections within 4 years of the previous one. Voting is compulsory and failure to vote is punishable by jail-terms. The day an election is called for becomes a public and bank holiday, with schools and government offices closed in either the morning or the afternoon (or the entire day, if they so choose.)

House of Nobles

The Imperial House of Nobles consists of 500 members, with each province's two most senior ranking nobles attending its sessions. Alternatively, each provinces nobility could choose two from their number to attend. In addition to these other persons hold seats, such as the Archduke of Derricks, the Burghomeister of Port Altara, and the Patriarch of the Imperial Church. 50 Imperial Bishoprics have seats. President of the House is the Lord-Emperor (with two votes, one for his position as Prince of Roania and another for his position as King of Agua).

The Emperor

Lord-Emperor Cassander Drakharn (More properly: His Most Divine Illuminated Imperial Majesty Lord-Emperor (Elrond) Cassander Lucius Drakharn of the Imperium of Rudan, the Prince of Roania, King of Agua, Sovereign of Derricks, Lord-Protector of Altara and the Free Cities, Most Blessed Servant of the Light, Master of the Empire, the Protector of the Faith, the Supreme Autocrat, the Ultimate Arbiter, the Most Beloved Imperial Supreme Lord Knight- Commander of the Imperial Legions, Elf-Friend, etc.) came to power through the assassination of Lord-Emperor Alexander Adolphus Black. Upon Alexander's death, a will was discovered that named Cassander, his ArchChancellor Lord-Emperor, which the House of Nobles and House of Commons decided to accept, thereby creating a new dynasty. The Drakharns themselves have long been important members of Imperial Society, and many of the Emperor's cousins and ancestors have risen high.

The Lord-Emperor's Reign has been marked by unprecedented liberalisation, including the emancipation of the slaves (in conjunction with ArchChancellor d'Arquis), a drastic reduction in the number of accidental deaths in the palace (under Alexander, several hundred palace servants died a year) and a slow reduction in the power of the state to pre-crisis levels. Currently the Lord-Emperor is a young man of 110, though as a true half-elf such things as 'young man' are difficult to truly quantify.

On being Lord-Emperor

"A lot of people still believe that being an (Lord) Emperor is an easy job, where all you do is sit around and amuse yourself all day. I cannot speak for many of my brothers and sisters, but for myself every day is spent working hard for the benefit of my people." ~ On being asked if he considered Emperor to be an 'easy job'.

Half-Elf

Unusually for a Roanian noble, Cassander's father not only had an affair with one of Roania's exceedingly rare pure elves, but also acknowledged the child as his own (with his wife's full knowledge). Details are sketchy, but it is believed that Lady Louisa Drakharn might have been sterile. The Imperial Palace is not forthcoming on the subject.

The Empress

A model for a tourist campaign. A public servant. An Imperial Governor. Treasurer. Her Most Serene Illuminated Highness Lady-Empress (Lúthien) Alysanndra Aliria Drakharn has been a tireless worker through-out her life, establishing her position in the Divine Imperium after nearly a century of struggle. Her first job after leaving the orphanage was in the Tourism Department, where a wandering Alexander happened to spot her. Suffering one of his occasional fits of brilliance, he promptly ordered his minister to use her as a centerpiece for the adcampaign. Then decapitated the minister when he deferred. The new minister was more than happy to oblige.

The 'Where else but Roania Campaign' was an amazing success, pulling in thousands of marks of tourist revenue from across the eastern sectors of the galaxy, and even from Sol. Alysanndra's intelligence was also marked upon, and after a whirlwind of promotion she was sent to the North-Western province, whose revenues experienced a marked upswing after she took over, as well as a population boost.

Her romance with Cassander was very brief, and their marriage a year after they met was an event a weary capital finally had a chance to smile for. Currently they've been married for two years.

Children?

When a journalist recently asked if she had any plans to have children in the near future, she simply laughed and said "Cassander and I both have long lives ahead of us, and we aren't really thinking about children at the moment."