History
Prehistory
Long, long ago, the Forerunners lived among the stars, their magnificent spaceships traversing the void of space with ease, their technologies complex and beyond the ken of men today. What could have occurred to make them leave their cities and machines behind is the source of great debate. Ideas and postulations on the subject range from a great plague which killed them all without trace, to a war in which they were defeated by a race even more advanced than their own. None of these theories are disprovable, although some are more likely than others.
It is known that war did ravage the galaxies before what is now known as the Empire was born. The legacy of the Forerunners, the great devices left to be discovered, show signs of battle, and the legends of many planets speak of a time of suffering and disharmony. It was from the remains of this war that the humble beginnings of the Empire arose.
Founding of the Empire
Over 600 years ago, the forefathers of the House of Truniss discovered the first of what would prove to be many ships and machines, which we know today as the Legacy devices. They set out into space from their home-world, to find new planets and technologies, and this was the beginning of the Empire as we know it today.
The Guild of Scribes and Historicals debate with House Truniss the exact order of events in this time, as records are sparse before the guilds and the Houses kept documents of such proceedings for posterity. It is known that the first City Ship was discovered within the lifetime of the first Emperor, Sarrelon Truniss; this became the home of the Imperial House who have lived there ever since. A Technologist school also grew up, attended by those of high status in the growing Empire, to further our understanding of the ever-increasing discoveries.
Explorers soon found many new habitable planets, some with indigenous populations, which were colonised. Other planets with useful resources or technology producing factories and soon the second Emperor, Randall Truniss I, found it necessary to delegate governorships of these numerous planets to five of his most loyal and powerful supporters: Jonas Lystra, Namon Karpeer, Hiro Machello, Aber Ditix and Xaara Omar.
For several generations the five Houses ruled the empire under the watchful eye of the Imperial House. The Court on the Imperial City Ship was, in those days, gathered once every 2 years to discuss the development of the Imperial worlds and to resolve Noble House conflicts by duel. The discovery of further Hyperspace routes has made travel today much faster between the farthest reaches of the Empire. At that time, Hyperspace journeys were still long and complex affairs, due to a lack of resources (most notably Hyperspace carriers). For many years, the Empire gathered more technology and rediscovered new planets and technologies.
Lystran Revolution
One of the most significant developments in Legacy technological understanding was made in 288EY according to the records of the Historicals. A group of Technologists aboard the Imperial City Ship realised the potential of the Preservation Technology, medical equipment including revivification machines which prevented the premature death of the users. Emperor Randall Truniss III saw the potential of such power and declared that this device and any others like it would be controlled solely by the Imperial House. In addition, he declared that all future Legacy technology discovered should be given to the Imperial House, to distribute as it felt appropriate.
This decree, carried out, would have put vast power into the hands of the Imperial House alone. The Empire today is built upon the equilibrium that is maintained by the equality of splitting the governance into the five branches, all playing their parts at the Emperor’s Council. Then, the balance of power was fragile and would have been shattered, should the Emperor have no longer needed to worry about the opinions of the other Houses.
It was Farron Lystra who notably refused to give up the Preservation Technology to the dictatorial Truniss, and he spoke with the leaders of the other Houses and put a proposition to them. Farron then spoke to the Emperor, asking him to think about the ramifications of his order and to reconsider it. Truniss refused and ordered Farron stripped of all his assets and powers.
At this point Farron's bodyguard and the bodyguards of the other House leaders took control of the meeting room and demanded that the Emperor stand down. Infuriated he pulled a concealed laser gun, unheeding of the age old tradition that duels should be set to determine those in the right in matters of Noble House contention. Farron’s own quick reflexes were all that kept him alive, drawing his own weapon and killing the dishonoured Emperor himself.
Farron then stood forward as the new Emperor, as he had agreed with the other Houses. House Truniss was left with a position of power under the control of Randall's cousin, Ameda, a weaker leader who was grateful to be left with as much as she had.
The Lystran Empire made many reforms. It handed away control of many of its holdings to the others, its reduced control of systems offsetting its position of power. In addition Farron set up two new organisations. The powerful Legacy technology was given to the Independent Guild of Technologists who undertook that task of understanding that which had already been discovered and any further devices to be found. The Independent Organisation of Chirurgeons were to become the guardians of all medical technology including the Preservation Technology which had instigated the revolution. Those working for either institution must renounce their House loyalties in order to ascend to high ranks to maintain their impartiality.
A While Ago
As the Empire turned to more aesthetic pursuits, it was noticed that various individuals among both the Noble Houses and the common people had unusual talents. These ranged from manipulation of the temperature to seeing distinct impressions of past events. The Imperial School of Psychic Study was set up by some of the most capable among these Psychics to provide a place for them to gather to enhance their natural abilities.
Although the Houses maintained the order on their own worlds, the Imperial House set up a force to monitor disputes. This United Imperial Constabulary have dealt with those dishonourable outlaws who exist on the fringes of the Empire since their formation. The Imperial House also oversees any inter-House conflicts as they arise; these have been formalised into House Feuds. Should the Empire ever be forced to go to war against another people, all Houses are pledged to provide to the Imperial military. Thus far, however, this has not come to pass. The dishonourable Hollann Empire who lurk on our borders may yet give cause for the might of the Empire to be united against them. Our other neighbours, the Triquetra seem to be trustworthy, though they are clearly different than us, and as such it is hard to determine their motives. The Empire is currently unchallenged and free to expand as it will.
Recent History
In more recent history, new maps of Hyperspace were discovered by the archaeologist Kiran Partoth Karpeer in 540EY. The knowledge gained from these maps lead to a period of fast acquisition of new territory for the Empire for many decades. House Omar quickly secured a resource heavy planet in the newly discovered systems, and various houses gained useful mineral resources from other planets in the area. Explorers are still following the trails uncovered by the maps today, and several planets discovered have yet to be thoroughly explored.
Today, in 617EY, House Lystra still stands as the Imperial House and the structure of governance is much as Farron and the other House leaders intended it. One notable difference is that House Ditix no longer stands as the fifth House. 34 years ago they were stripped of their position and replaced with House Vinka after the Forlox Incident. Ingvild Vinka, governor of two planets of the Imperial House, was promoted and was ratified by the remaining four Houses. She was then given control of all of the systems of House Ditix.
Recent history is covered more in the House descriptions and other areas of the site.