The Griffin of Zakuul
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To re-sub the lore world of Iokath and create a place for future roleplay.
- Image Credit: Wookie, Sacrifice Trailer, Deviantart
- Canon: Iokath
- Permissions:
- Links: Zakuul, High Justice, Knights of Zakuul, Seven Hills of Rome
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Planet Name: Iokath [original] | Vandemar [call name]
- Demonym: Iokathians, Vandemarian
- Region: Wild Space
- System Name: Iokath System
- System Features:
- Iokath Star
- Iokath [called Vandemar by inhabitants], Dyson Sphere enclosing the only star
- Location: Here
- Major Imports: Foodstuffs, Raw Materials, Ores
- Major Exports: Advanced Technology [Energy, Engineering, Tools, Vehicles, Starships, Arms]
- Unexploited Resources: None
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
- Gravity: x1.04
- Climate: Temperate
- Primary Terrain: Cities, Industrial Areas, Parks, Laboratories, Testing Grounds, Artificial Landscapes
- Atmosphere: Type I
LOCATION INFORMATION
- Capital City: Palatin
- Planetary Features:
- Ancient Iokath: Half of the world is still covered in the structures of ancient Iokath, its architecture and surface maintained by extensive droid forces and slowly being re-populated and re-utilised by the current population. This is the Southern Hemisphere.
- Vandemar: Vandemar is the newly built side of the world, the 'other half', so to speak, remodelled in the past centuries and devoted to house a vast and diverse population and industry. This is the Northern Hemisphere.
- Surface: The outside of the sphere is a more or less clean, smooth surface which has no access points other than the major entrance into the sphere itself.
- Technoliths
- Maglev Trains in Tubes
- Major Locations:
- Ancient Iokath:
The Fleet Spire of Iokath- ARIES Base - Headquarters of the Vandemarian Techwrights.
- Chromium Garden
- Fleet Spire - The Fleet Spire now serves as headquarters of the Battlefleet Vandemar and houses its various branches and divisions, such as the Chiefs of Staff, Logistical Divisions, Navy Intelligence, Dockyards, Imperial Marine Corps HQ and more.
- Necropolis
- Selruvian Biome
- Tributary
- Valley of the Machine Gods
- Vandemar:
- Palatin- The capital district of Vandemar and home of the Imperial Technocratic government. The Hegemon's Spire, the Supreme Council Curia and the Halls of Judgement are located here.
- Hegemon's Spire - The 'imperial palace' is more of a fortress devoted to defense and holds the headquarters of the Grand Legion. It also holds the secret Reclusium of the reformed Scions of Zakuul.
- Supreme Council Curia - The government building holding the Council Chambers, the administrative heart of the Technocracy as well as various ministries.
- Halls of Judgement - The headquarters of the Knights of Zakuul and the location for the supreme court as well as an extensive prison complex below the building.
- Aventin - The commercial district with various civilian spaceports and large forums for trading and commerce. As well as the location where foreign dignitaries may be quartered or even rent property, as well as be allowed to establish embassies.
A warship exits a dockyard - Capitolin - This district is entirely sealed from the public and is a purely military zone, controlled by the Imperial Guard Corps, the standing army as well as vast magazines full of Skytroopers and other warmachines.
- Quirintin - This is the residential district where a vast part of the population lives and it is also one of the biggest districts.
- Viminin - Dedicated to experimentation, research and testing, the district is heavily restricted and has various test and trial areas which are absolutely off-limits.
- Esquilin - The industrial heart of Vandemar, it is the entirely controlled by the Vandemarian Techwrights.
- Palatin- The capital district of Vandemar and home of the Imperial Technocratic government. The Hegemon's Spire, the Supreme Council Curia and the Halls of Judgement are located here.
- Ancient Iokath:
POPULATION
- Native Species: Iokath Species
- Immigrated Species: Human [72%], Arkanian [11%], Anomid [8%], Ugnaught [6%], Muun [0,4%], Kaminoean [<0,01%] + many more species with much less percentages.
- Population: Heavy [~75 Billion]
- Demographics: The Imperial Technocracy of Vandemar is a secular and inclusive society that values diversity. Discrimination based on species, gender, or any other characteristic is not tolerated. This commitment to equality fosters an atmosphere where individuals are free to pursue their goals without the burden of prejudice or bias.
- Primary Languages: Galactic Basic
- Culture: The Imperial Technocracy has forged its identity around the principles of meritocracy and militarism, resulting in a culture that reveres intellect, innovation, and discipline.
In this culture, the pursuit of knowledge is the highest calling. Citizens' daily lives revolve around their scientific endeavors, whether they are astrophysicists studying distant galaxies, genetic engineers designing new life forms, or cyberneticists perfecting neural implants. Advanced technology permeates every aspect of life, making daily tasks efficient and convenient. Elementary to this are the omnipresent Technoliths. Droids are employed in many aspects of daily life, industry, research and military.
While the Vandemarian's primary focus is on science and innovation, art still flourishes in various forms. Scientific visualization and data artistry have become popular ways to represent complex theories and discoveries. Music is often composed using advanced algorithms to create harmonious, otherworldly melodies. Architecture is characterized by monumental but simplistic design with an emphasis on representative value and a combination of beauty and pragmatism.
Leisure activities Vandemar have a scientific twist. Zero-gravity sports like "Astroball" (a combination of soccer and anti-gravity acrobatics) are widely enjoyed. Virtual reality simulations offer citizens the chance to explore distant places or recreate historical events with pinpoint accuracy. Racing competitions feature highly specialized spacecraft that test both engineering prowess and piloting skills.
The Vandemarian culture is driven by a desire to explore & explain the cosmos and expand its knowledge. Scientific expeditions and research efforts are common, with teams of experts venturing into uncharted regions of space to study new phenomena or establish outposts.
Despite its strict adherence to meritocracy and militarism, the Imperial Technocracy remains a diverse and inclusive society, valuing the contributions of every species within its borders. Its secular, science-focused culture has propelled it to the forefront of scientific discovery and technological advancement in the galaxy, and its citizens take pride in their commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of their society.
Yet one should not underestimate both the imperial and military influences into the society as well as a certain 'chosen' self-consciousness which can be easily misinterpreted with arrogance and superiority. The people of Vandemar are skilled and focused and they are dedicated to achieve advancement wherever possible, not halting for those that defy their enlightened and secular approaches.
The Force is not a part of anyones life, it is not adhered nor respected as it is just an aspect of nature for most. Force sensitives are sent to train as Knights of Zakuul, true to their ancestors and origins, but religion and devotion to this invisible energy field is both looked upon and outlawed. Used as an additional tool, it is just that, nothing else.
The prevalence of crime on Vandemar is comparatively low to many other civilisations due to its strong emphasis on meritocracy, discipline, and the pursuit of knowledge. However, it's not entirely absent, and when it does occur, it is typically dealt with swiftly and efficiently. Crime in this culture tends to be more intellectual or technologically oriented, reflecting the values and priorities of the society. Notable and re-occuring examples include black market trades, smuggling, data manipulation and scientific espionage. It's important to note that while these forms of crime may exist, they are relatively rare and vigorously pursued by law enforcement agencies.
Culturally the military does not play a primary role yet is an elementary part of it. It is a necessity, a trait to be mastered to both enable survival and spread the enlightenment and secularism offered by the Technocracy. Expansionist by nature, both economically and geographically, the military is for the non-clone and non-droid troops a purely volunteer force and therefore a career like any other on the planet and in the society.
GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY
- Government: Imperial Technocracy of Vandemar
- Executive: The Hegemon, a de facto absolute ruler with unchallenged authority and influence into both legislative and judicative. The positions succession is nominated by the current holder and confirmed by the Supreme Council and the successor is referred to as Lord Executor. The Hegemon is the Head of State, Government and Commander in Chief. Current Hegemon:
Aurelian Sigismund
- Legislative: The Supreme Council, the day to day ruling organ of the planet and realm, compromised of the lead specialists from all scientific and military fields of expertise. Usually presided by the Hegemon, it is in his absence presided by the Lord Executor and Fabricator-General, the latter a rank created from the leading research and industrial members.
- Judicative: Headed by the High Justice of the Knights of Zakuul, they represent the highest authority on law enforcement and interpretation. Directly appointed by the Hegemon while having to be confirmed by the Supreme Council. The high Justice is also in control of the Overwatch, the general security forces.
- Administration:
- Ministries: The Imperial Technocracy maintains a very large variety of Ministries responsible for the administration and organisation of various aspects of society. Though this is done in extremely unbureaucratic fashion and with large droid workforces plus the absence of any actual wages for the sentient officials who have to maintain real occupations.
- Imperial States: Imperial States are the areas and districts combined on the world of Vandemar itself, structured for efficiency and for functionality, they are all overseen by their local, respective leaders and own State Council compromised of the present company and institution heads.
- Imperial Provinces: Imperial Provinces are the territories acquired outside of the dyson sphere which is the planet of Vandemar. They are generally under military and corporate jurisdiction.
- Executive: The Hegemon, a de facto absolute ruler with unchallenged authority and influence into both legislative and judicative. The positions succession is nominated by the current holder and confirmed by the Supreme Council and the successor is referred to as Lord Executor. The Hegemon is the Head of State, Government and Commander in Chief. Current Hegemon:
- Affiliation: Imperial Technocracy of Vandemar, Vandemarian Techwrights, Aurelian Sigismund
- Wealth: Wealthy
- Stability: High
- Freedom & Oppression: The atmosphere of freedom in the Imperial Technocracy is a complex and nuanced concept, as it coexists with a highly regulated and disciplined society driven by meritocracy and the pursuit of scientific knowledge. While individual freedom is valued, it is also balanced with a sense of responsibility to the greater society and its goals.
Citizens of the Vandemar enjoy an unparalleled sense of intellectual freedom. They have the liberty to pursue their scientific passions and explore the frontiers of knowledge without fear of censorship or repression. The society encourages the open exchange of ideas and the challenging of established norms, fostering an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity and innovation.
Meritocracy is at the core of the society, and every individual is free to aspire to greatness through their scientific achievements. There are no rigid social hierarchies or class distinctions. Anyone, regardless of their species or background, has the potential to rise to prominence through their contributions to science and society.
The concept of freedom in this culture is intrinsically tied to the responsibility of contributing to the greater good. Citizens understand that their individual freedoms are part of a collective effort to advance scientific knowledge and improve society as a whole. This sense of duty tempers individualism with a commitment to the welfare of all.
The society operates under a strict rule of law, which ensures that individual freedoms are protected and that criminal behavior is swiftly addressed. While individuals are free to pursue their goals, they are also bound by the laws and regulations that maintain order and protect the rights of all citizens.
MILITARY & TECHNOLOGY
- Military: The planet of Vandemar, an ancient and formidable Dyson sphere, is a testament to the old Iokathians commitment to science, security, and innovation. The Dyson sphere itself is a marvel of engineering, designed not only to harness the energy of the host star but also to serve as a strategic stronghold against potential threats.
The Dyson sphere envelops the host star, capturing its energy to power the civilization's insatiable hunger for scientific exploration and technological advancement. The exterior of the sphere consists of a focused network of docks and defensive installations. Among heavy batteries of guns and missile silos, there are also hangars, deflector shield systems and automated defense drones patrol the sphere's perimeter, ensuring that any potential threats are met with overwhelming force.
The Battlefleet Vandemar is a standing fleet of highly advanced spacecraft, strategically positioned both within the world and in orbit around it. This fleet acts as a first line of defense against external threats and is ready to respond to any breach of the sphere's defenses. It is compromised of both droid controlled and organically controlled warships.
While the majority of the interior architecture is dedicated to scientific research, innovation, and civilian life, key areas are designed with military precision. These include command bunkers, fortified research facilities, and weapon development labs, energy nods and armouries. These strategic locations are reinforced with advanced materials and shielded against various forms of attack as well anti-air and anti-ground weaponry.
For the ground forces there are three standing arms: the Grand Legion, an army of hyper-engineered clone-supersoldiers, the Imperial Guard Corps, a combination of ordinary clones and volunteers as well as an army droids, Skytroopers. The latter two are the only ones which can be regularly met on the planets surface itself, the Grand Legion generally keeping to their own. Additionally there is the armed security force, Overwatch and the Knights of Zakuul, the only Force user organisaiton permitted on the world.
The entirety of Vandemar is covered by an intricate network of surveillance systems, including advanced sensors, AI monitoring, and real-time threat analysis. Any suspicious activity is detected and dealt with swiftly, ensuring the safety and security of the realm.
In the event of a breach or threat, the Imperial Technocracy has well-established emergency protocols in place. Evacuation procedures, containment measures, and rapid response teams are ready to be deployed to safeguard the sphere and its inhabitants.
- Technology: [ Above Galactic Standard in A.I., Augmented Reality, Holographics, Genetical Engineering & Cloning]
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Founding [x]
The artificial world of Iokath was constructed about 8.000 years ago by the Iokath species hailing from the Unknown Regions. Highly intelligent and technologically advanced the utilised all matter in the system to construct the dyson sphere around its star and founded a world which exists to this day. Due to the fact that the sphere surrounded the star completely, no light could escape and would render the system nearly impossible to find for those who did not know where it was already.
The Iokathians were an extremely technology-affine species and embraced the ideas of creation but also the powers of extinction which came hand in hand with it. They constructed and invented a multitude of superweapons, weapons which they indeed tested at their own pleasure and leisure in the Unknown Regions, wiping out life with no remorse.
Though this would ultimately lead to their downfall.
Iokath Civil War [x]
While their population and expertise grew, Iokath being a techno-heaven and expanding through any means available as well as extensive artificial intelligence programs, it was though inevitable that the Iokathians would find and create dispute which dragged them into a civil war.
A civil war where both sides had superweapons in their arsenal would eventually result in a destruction of epic proportions and it ended their species with the Six Gods they had create, to be unleashed onto the world.
The Six Gods would later still be known on the planet Zakuul as their deities, their pantheon of supernatural beings.
Rediscovery [x] and War on Iokath [x]
During the War against the Eternal Empire, the planet of Iokath was rediscovered and once made a battlefield. First by forces of the Eternal Empire and the emerging Alliance and later by the Sith Empire and Galactic Republic which eventually resulted in the destruction of the Six Gods.
During this time it was also the current Hegemon of Vandemar,
Aurelian Sigismund
, visited Iokath on his warship Phalanx and therefore both knew the coordinates and conditions of the world.Gone Dark
In the next centuries the world was forgotten over the conflicts which raged between the Republic and Sith. Even millennia passed before the world would see any notable sentient visitors again.
Colonisation
During the time of the Naboo Crisis, shortly before the Clone Wars, it became apparent that the Galactic Republic was steering towards a crisis and war with the Separatists growing in strength. The only person who knew the exact location of Iokath was still around and would set in motion the idea to recolonize the world which held the potential for enlightenment, progression and indeed peace. Ideas which were not entirely prominent with a majority in the Galaxy but were present nevertheless. And so he led people who he knew would embrace the ideals of technology, to the world and made it possible for them to live there. Droids were an elementary key at this point, a workforce which was more than necessary to maintain a growing population which had no possibility yet to get food from the world they settled on.
Iokath though held secrets which would easily contribute to instability and destruction and this knowledge was sealed away by Sigismund so that nobody would try to harness powers which were beyond mass destruction. Furthermore to eliminate any rumours and curiosity right away, the world received a rename, so that even if people heard about it, they would not know what they were looking at or for. Vandemar was born.
War and Peace [22BBY - 150ABY]
When the Clone Wars were unleashed, it was the end of a millennium of peace in the Galaxy and would result in centuries of war between factions which rose as quickly as they fell. The hope for prosperity and stability in the Galaxy dwindled as yet again the Force Users dictated terms of war, Jedi leading Clone Armies into war, a Sith overthrowing the Republic, a Jedi overthrowing the Sith and so on. The circle continued as it had millennia prior but without any hope for salvation.
During this time, especially in the Core regions, small groups of people banded together to wither through these times and devote themselves to something else than the constant bickering between the Force deities and their crusaders. Among these people, Sigismund found plenty of people who would be interested to join his colony and pursue there the advancement of technology. Now though, it turned. It turned towards the supremacy of rationalism, logic and science, supremacy over the esoteric and the Force.
The society on Vandemar developed and expanded. Careful selection of colonists would ensure a relative safety, the traits of the system adding to that, but without trade, the growing population would face harsh times. And so trade was usually done via distant trade ports owned by the Vandemarians, stations which were located in known space and from there they would disappear into the darkness of their star and bring news and goods to their people.
One group was especially targeted by Sigismund, who were the cloners of Kamino. It was in the earliest days of the Empire that he would attempt to extract several of their lead gene scientists and bring them to share their knowledge to Vandemar.
Due to the remote area and darkness of its star, Vandemar remained untouched and passive in the wars of the era, even during the Vong invasion.
Growth [150ABY - 426 ABY]
Vandemar was prospering in the following years, its tight control over discovery loosening a bit to promote further trade and exchange. The population grew in its borders and kept on developing. There is not too much to report about these times, as it was focused on trade and development.
But that suddenly would change when the Gulag Plague would make its way to the world.
Pandemic [426ABY - 835ABY]
More than twenty years the Gulag plague raged across Vandemar while it pushed the rest of the Galaxy into the abyss, on Vandemar, militant curfews and lockdowns were enacted while scientists, even infected ones, worked day and night to find a cure or at least a vaccine. Entire sectors were sealed off and indeed left to die so that the rest of the population would have a chance to survive. The pandemic added to a dramatic increase in suspicion and prejudice to everyone from without, to all foreigners and strangers and had a complete blockade of outsiders coming to the planet. Daily life would not return to normal for another century, but the plague saw its last victim die 22 years after the first infected was reported.
Major advances in cyberspace and augmented reality were made during this time, allowing people to be fully functional and working from anywhere they were. Additionally the droid force, the intelligent droid force, was expanded to account for the millions of dead.
Furthermore the blockade and decrease in cultural exchange, resulted in further militarisation. Expanding army and navy alike to be able to defend the realm against any invaders and pre-emptively strike against those which could become threats.
Age of Chaos [835ABY - 858ABY]
Various crisis hit the Galaxy after the end of the Gulag Plague as governments reformed and civilisaitons banded together to once more set out to dominate the Galaxy. The circle of war would once more return and people would suffer.
Due to its prowess and understanding of A.I., Vandemar was largely unaffected by OMNI and its machinations. Remaining stalwart and now disconnecting HoloNet access from all Vandemarian networks to only allow hard-point access to it.
With the world staying isolated for most of the Galaxies wars, it was hit hard by the increase of Force sensitives. A society which opposes these people, now having an increasing number of them was absolutely unaccounted for and led to certain restructurings and the establishment of a unique relationship. The planets Hegemon, the ruler, Sigismund, had established an informal and indirect contact and relationship with the government of his old homeworld of Zakuul which would take care of the Vandemarian Force sensitives in exchange for technology. Unknown to both parties, on both sides it was Sigismund himself who was behind the deal and he would reform the Knights and secretly, the Scions of Zakuul again.
He saw it as a necessary protection against the One Sith who were on the advance. Another Sith led Empire which had nothing but mayhem and terror in its wake. Vandemar would need protection of Force users against the vast armies and he would take care of it, even if it meant to act in secrecy outside of his home.
Rise, Rise [858ABY - 868ABY]
A change first occured when Aurelian Sigismund pledged his power, that also included Vandemarian power, to the Eternal Empire of Nelvaan under one Darth Tacitus. As unlikely as it seems, the Vandemarians at this point were highly supportive of engaging with the Galaxy from their hidden world and bringing down various governments of Force sensitives and while it seemed to difficult to follow one who called himself 'Darth', his goals of eradicating the Force were music in their ears and they supplied tech and knowledge alike to the emerging power.
Sigismund left the planet mostly to self-governance as he fought alongside the new Eternal Emperor as well as the emerging New Imperial Order to bring down Force users and especially Sith.
During a year of 'expedition', Sigismund returned with the first generation of gene-engineered warriors at his side who would fight for the same goals and aid both the Eternal Empire in its expansion, as well as support the defenses against the emerging Bryn'adûl threat from the Galactic East.
During this time vast knowledge from the Unknown Regions and depths of Iokath itself was discovered with the help of the Phalanx, including GEMINI technology.
Imperial Vassal [868ABY - 880ABY]
With the fall of Darht Tacitus, the Vandemarians also removed themselves from the alliance with the Eternal Empire and pledged their world to the nearer and more promising New Imperial Order, their Legions aiding the imperials in their pursuit to eradicate the menace of the Sith and to battle the onslaught of the growing threat of the Maw.
This saw the first re-opening of the world to outsiders in form of merchants and imperial officials from emerging Empire. Under strict oversight, but still it allowed people to enter the sphere for the first time in centuries.
Vandemar would smartly direct funding to itself from the imperial center and expand greatly on its weapon research programs as well as on its genetics and cloning program, their Hegemon initiating Project: Genesis to give the Empire and Vandemar a new clone army.
Participating in major battles of the war, Vandemarians would see the end of the Maw just as they would witness the end of the Empire. As emotionless and calculating as they are, it was just another realm which fell and either they would find another proxy-protector or shut their doors once more.
Imperial Technocracy [880ABY - Today]
Now Vandemar stands as one of the imperial remnants, with strong industrial capabilities and a growing military despite its benefactors fall. A world ready to expand, ready to show its worth to the Galaxy and leverage power together with other imperial remnant factions.
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