YEAR 2030
2127, Tavkaleba, Trinnick System
Skamel dug his arms into his pockets, protecting his freezing hands from the spray as the plucky motorboat weaselled it's way through the churning waves. He kept his eyes down, exhausted from the days work plunging for fish, and now looked forward to returning home where he and the many other men on the boat could finally wind down for the day.
The island on which he lived was not too far from the fisheries, and as he turned to look out towards the sea he was hit by the beauty of Mt. Moji's overbearing visage, solemnly standing sentinel across the archipelago. Winding trees wrapped around and up the rocky cliff as they pumped the mountain of it's rich water, the water which had brought so much wealth to his people throughout the centuries. A warm feeling rushed over Skamel; he had been to many political events and rallies throughout Tavkaleba, but nothing had ever come close to returning home to his family and that fine mountain.
The motor spluttered as the driver pulled into harbour. A few of the men muttered between them, wishing them a good night's sleep before they were up again tomorrow. Some threw up cursory glances at Skamel, who had always been the more eloquent among them, but today he could do no more than lift his snout in acknowledgment. Slowly the fishermen filed out onto the dock, where their various catches would be processed and sent to their Supreme Leader Krooslav in Dinland as a form of taxation. Skamel let out a muttered curse as he sat waiting for his bus. The elites in Dinland had forever drawn his criticism, and whenever he had a chance to go on a break from fishing he would sail out to various archipelagos in order to speak and hold rallies, calling for political change and the adoption of a social state and of the late Telamur's teachings. He had become a relatively well-known figure, but he was not a big enough figure to draw the government's attention. Other 'activists' like him were always causing trouble, but only those who really stepped too far out of line were reprimanded. In the end Skamel tried not to think about it too much, but evidently it proved impossible not to thus far.
Suddenly Skamel realised that he had been staring at the government officials going through their catch with contempt for a while now, and sheepishly turned away hoping no-one saw him while he was deep in thought. Looking around he noticed most of the other fishermen had already caught his bus, and the few that were still waiting were mostly interested in their own devices. However, to Skamel's dismay, one man sitting opposite him had noticed his anger, and for all Skamel knew had been eyeballing him for a while now. Skamel recognised him as one of the 'plungers' of the crew, who swam down below the surface and did much of the heavy-lifting and brunt of the work, but since they were in different fields of work he did not know much else about him, let alone why he had so much interest in him now.
Skamel tried to avoid eye contact, but the man knew that he noticed him, and in lumbering steps came to sit next to Skamel.
"You're Skamel, right? From tech assistance?" The man asked in a gruff voice.
"Aye, that's right," He replied, shuffling in his seat to give the man some space. "You're one of the plungers, aren't you? Sorry, but I don't think I caught your name..."
"It's Fendelwier." He replied, letting out a hearty chuckle. "Bit of a stuck-up name, I know, but my mother thought that a good name would get me far in life." He motioned towards where the battered boat had been anchored on the dock. "A lot of good that's done me, that's for bloody sure. You can call me Fen."
"Fen it is then." Skamel cheerily replied. "Fendelweir… where did you grow up, the Steps?"
"Near enough, yeah. My parents came from relatively higher-up socially, but that was before the whole 'United Tavkaleba' shitstorm." Skamel could feel the frustration when Fen mentioned 'United Tavkaleba', a motion among the leading governments some 50 years ago to bring them all under the jurisdiction of the UNT in Dinland, where the world leaders and elites now governed their lands. It had been popular at the time, but the increased taxation caused by the increased need of infrastructure and administration tore down many well-off families, creating massive slums across many cultures and colonies. The island of Mt. Moji was no exception.
Skamel sighed. "That whole pisstake should never have happened. There's been no social structure for the last three decades on our islands, and we've been having to go further and further out to sea just to live a decent life."
"Exactly." Fen grinned, happy that Skamel had agreed with him. "I knew you would say this, Skamel, because I've been to your rally in Oluwa. You're a great speaker, and you could be a great leader. Someone to lead the fishers, the miners, the down-trodden..."
"A leader? You..." Skamel lowered his voice, realising what he was saying, "You want a revolution?"
"Don't you?" Fen asked. "Can't you feel it among our men? Our families? United Tavkaleba was the worst evil that had ever occurred to us, and communities like ours need hope that it won't always be like this. You're a far better orator than you might realise, and you'd be the leader we would need. Every time I've talked to the guys about it they've all agreed; things have to change here. Not just here, but for every Evandari across the world."
"We'd need more than just a few disgruntled fishermen Fen. Don't get me wrong, I've had this idea many times myself, but I don't think it's feasible..."
"Of course it's feasible!" Fen's eyes started to light up uncontrollably. "You just got to get people to know that this is a real thing they can get behind, not just some spontaneous uprising with no leadership."
"And how am I meant to do that?" Skamel asked.
Fen smiled. "You speak to them."
---
Across the next few years Skamel and his allies were hard at work. Renaming himself 'The Orator' in order to protect his identity he lead rally after rally, firing up hundreds - thousands, sometimes - of hopeful men and women. Soon hushed whisperings of the Orator and his band of misfits spread across the entire planet, shared during family dinners and discourses in pubs. His exploits spread so quickly that he took on an almost mythical feeling - the brave and noble Orator and his band of merry men on a quest to defeat the evil dictator. People flocked to his speeches, and when they were banned he just carried them on in secret - on the beach, in homes, once even out at sea!
The Orator soon became the most wanted criminal in Tavkaleba, and he had to spend his days on the run, planning his next big exploit. Videos and clips of his debates were watched by millions online, even when they were banned. After 6 years of living in secret it seemed like the wild idea at the bus stop might not be as wild as it first seemed.
If Skamel could've had it his own way he would've bided his time, but several events both presented him an opportunity and forced him to step out of hiding. A massive, yet premature rebellion had broken out in the Yotun Archipelago, and several member states of the UNT either left or broke apart due to internal pressure. Several key figures reached out to Skamel urging him to move now against the UNT and Dinland, some saying they wouldn't wait for him if he said no. Skamel knew that a coordinated, early attack was better than a well-timed yet confused one.
On the Winter of 2133, the Great Revolution had begun.
Skamel, as the Orator, released a worldwide call for immediate action against their corrupt government, and called for all good Evandari to take whatever weapon they could to fight off the elitist threat. Gathering forces both at Mt. Moji and Oluwa, and waiting for the response from his foreign allies, the revolutionaries launched their grand, metallic fleet on course for Dinland.
Even before arriving the Orator received news that the Yotun Revolution had finally succeeded, with the Dinnish-friendly government having capitulated and the last noble executed. Mass panic spread throughout the nations still allied with the government, as they had been utterly unprepared for war - one of the unfortunate downsides of government censorship is that the Dinnish civilians thought the revolutionary threat was far weaker than it truly was.
By the time the Orator's fleet came within striking distance of Dinland anarchy had already gripped it. One of his foreign allies had already arrived and had begun bombarding the island towns with shot and shell, and when they arrived at Dinland proper there had been barely any resistance at all. Revolutionaries within the capital had succeeded in preventing a strong resistance from forming, and within hours the Orator's army broke into Harlow Tower, where the dictator worked. He had already committed suicide when the revolutionaries defeated his guard.
Skamel felt a surge of electricity flow through his body. Standing upon the balcony where the foul dictator had delivered so many speeches, he at last knew that he had brought about a new, better age for all Evandari. Both proud revolutionaries and scared civilians looked up to him, where he prepared to deliver the first of his many speeches as the new leader of the Evandari Alliance.
---
The year is now 2030, and many new Empires have risen up to stake their claim upon the galaxy.
Of course, the Kingdom of Jurg-Sahuul was the first, forming their stellar empire in 2226. They are xenophile, spiritualist, collectivist and fanatic elitist (I'm using a mod that adds more ethics and civics, I forgot to mention this in the first instalment). Their government revolves around a king with extensive prerogatives and several constitutional laws he must abide by. This kingdom is unique in the fact that, although they have an entrenched aristocratic elite, they also have a grand social and welfare state for the working-class. In fact, they arguably have much more in common with socialist states than fellow elitists.
They also highly regard the internet and those who can master code and programming, to such a degree that it's become almost an art form. Those who wish to move up through the ladder of society generally learn to code, as this is their best bet to gain fame among the tech-fanatics within the empire.
However, many other civilisations were soon to join them in their enlightenment...
Hahn-Mur State
Leader: Chief Precentor Huuregdhe
Species: Hahn-Mur
Ethics: Authoritarian, Fanatic Spiritualist, Collectivist, Ecologist (Theocratic Oligarchy)
Throughout their entire existence the Hahn-Mur placed incredible importance on nature and maintaining the balance of the various eco-systems across Jurg-Shondaar (their homeworld). Their state religion, naturally therefore, placed great importance on the critical balance between Hahn-Mur and the 'Biomes', the various essences that give each landmass life. The early part of their history was wrought with the various monarchs spreading the Faith of the Biomes across the entirety of Jurg-Shondaar, which to this day almost every citizen believes in.
In recent years, there's obviously been the question of how to get sufficient power. Media conglomerates, who had been getting steadily stronger over the years, invested heavily in environmentally safe ways to produce energy. Eventually the leading media station, HMBS, devised an intrinsic model of a new solar panel that required far less energy for massive energy returns, and with the profit made from this HMBS came to dominate the entire capitalist landscape of the world, eventually fusing to become a subset of the government itself, which allows the authoritarian government to relay to their people exactly what they want them to hear.
Sacrosanct Vhemm Confederacy
Leader: Revered Elder Nushie-Noo Nip (what a name).
Species: Vhemm
Ethics: Fanatic Xenophile, Spiritualist, Fanatic Elitist
While the modern-day state of the Vhemm is an indirect democracy, many Vhemm still have not been given the vote, which have been reserved for landowners and the social elite. Among the cities and areas where poverty and crime are high armed police forces are on daily patrols, keeping any potential threat from rising among the unwanted of society. The religion of the state was also another aspect of the nobility's lifestyle; while the wealthy attend regular rituals and pray with earnest zealousy, the poor remain staunchly against faith (in general), considering it a method to blind them from their hardships.
The nation runs on great leadership. Those born into respected families or display great capabilities are groomed at an early age to lead, whether it be in the sciences, military of in the government itself. The way that their colleges are run encourage liberal and xenophilic thought among the elite, but they are well-guarded from the plight of the unfortunate.
Endurga Civilization
Leader: Optimate Bagglosch
Species: Endurga
Ethics: Fanatic Materialist, Industrialist, Fanatic Elitist (Aristocracy)
The Endurga are incredibly similar to the previously discussed Vhemm, with much the same regard towards the poor and the same police force squashing any dissent there may be towards the aristocrats. However, the government in Endurga take this a step further, actively and politically separating the wealthy from the poor and refusing to give in to any demands the working-class may have, for fear that if they change one thing then a domino-effect would occur and the state would descend into anarchy. Therefore the government is entirely composed of the aristocratic elite and serve only their interests.
One key point of difference with the Vhemm is the Endurga's fanatic devotion to science and rationality. There had been faiths and pantheons on Shlargh (homeworld), but none had ever formed a structured religion. By the time the Industrial Revolution hit, the capitalists and scientists entered a renewed enlightenment, exploiting the poor in factories and rapidly advancing the sciences, giving them the key to absolute power (much to the dismay of the working-class).
Evandari Alliance
Leader: First Speaker Kunrig den Harak
Species: Evandari
Ethics: Fanatic Libertarian, Xenophobe, Fanatic Collectivist (Anarcho-Communism)
After the death of the Orator in 2178, Kunrig den Harak stood up to replace him. A young man at the time, he brought bold new ideas to the Evandari Alliance. Knowing that their time in the galaxy was soon to come, and sensing (correctly) that alien societies would not approve of their dogma, he reformed the government into something wholly more Xenophobic. The revolutionaries that had deposed the old government of Dinland had adopted an ideology entirely more imperialistic and nationalistic.
On the eve of their first manned flight into another system, Kunrig den Harak promised to all Evandari that their Communist way of life, which had restored peace and stability to their civilization, would not be threatened by any extra-terrestrial threat - rather, he believed that it was the duty of all good Evandari to liberate the working-class of any elitist and alien government they come across and spread their form of Anarcho-Communism across the entire galaxy!
Workers and farmers! The rise of the Evandari is nigh!
Hythean Alliance
Leader: Commissary-General Dov'gil
Species: Hythean
Ethics: Fanatic Militarist, Fanatic Spiritualist, Egalitarian (Military Commissariat)
The entire history of the Hythean was wrought with war, with historical and infamous leaders marshalling their forces to conquer huge expanses, only for their empires to crumble to dust after their death. Generals fought to spread their glory and faiths, until at one point during the late-Medieval period (for them) Rolakur the Great had conquered or subjugated the entirety of the known world, enforcing his pagan beliefs upon every subject of his endless empire.
Many have attempted to recreate Rolakur's great empire, and only recently has it been achieved following the union of four of the more powerful nations, promising to work together in order to subjugate the rest of the world. Predictably, their empire lasted about as long as every other attempt, falling to a large-scale revolt from their own military. Disgruntled by the idea of peace and the apparent regression from their spiritualist values, several high-ranking military commanders launched a successful coup which brought the entire world under the regime of the new military commissariat, ruled over by the newly appointed Dov'gil the Iron-Hand.
They now hungrily look to the rest of the galaxy, searching for their next big war...
Alliance of Poqats
Leader: President Lakitrak
Species: Yv'Zorak
Ethics: Libertarian, Militarist, Spiritualist, Fanatic Collectivist (Social Democracy)
While the early ages of the Yv'Zorak were ruled by monarchies, religion and conservatism, they gradually developed into a form of government entirely built around the welfare of it's populace and the protection of each citizen's rights. Living on the harsh, frozen world of Poqats the Yv'Zorak had always been reliant on mining and warfare, with many famous crusades spreading their religion to be the majority across much of the world.
However, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution the great Miner's Strike began. Unhappy with their wages and representation in their governments miners across the world took part in a great strike, crippling the economies that had been so reliant on their work. As a result most countries gave in within the first week, and over time developed to become one of the most liberal and free-thinking governments in the entire galaxy.
Tuxkan Divine Foundation
Leader: Matriarch Aki Pripp
Species: Tuxkan
Ethics: Fanatic Authoritarian, Militarist, Fanatic Spiritualist (Theocratic Dictatorship)
Built around their spiritualist beliefs, the TDF's form of government is run by the appointed Matriarch/Patriarch with strong support from the state religion, which emphasizes abstinence of worldly pleasures. The Tuxkan regime revolves largely around the slave trade providing the ruling-class their necessities and supporting them in their largely work-free life.
Menjeti Theocracy
Leader: Patriarch Smeggle
Species: Menjeti
Ethics: Xenophile, Militarist, Fanatic Spiritualist, Egalitarian (Theocratic Dictatorship)
The Menjeti are going through a particularly divisive period in their history. Their united world government is over 150 years old before entering the space age, with strong traditional links unifying the disparate cultures of Schplorp (homeworld). However, while the state is supposed to be democratic, for the past 55 years the political climate has been dominated by Smeggle and his Reform Now party. Political intrigue was a part of daily life in the Menjeti Theocracy, and Smeggle used political alliances and snap elections to increase his majority to the point where he is now the de-facto Patriach of the entire nation.
The new dictatorship, however, has not pleased many of even his own supporters. Smeggle relies on his support from labour unionists and the liberals in order to keep is rule afloat, but many even in his own party don't believe his theocratic dictatorship would last far into the future.
---
That's the state of the galaxy as of 2030. Thanks for reading all of that - I know it's been a long chapter, but since this is my first Stellaris AAR if there is anything you'd like me to elaborate more on or any criticisms in general fell free to let me know. With that said, see you all in 2035!
State of the galaxy as of 2030
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