Arch-Hegemon of Athys
The Athysian League
After a large alien invasion, the Hegemons that ruled for millennia the Hive City-states of Athys were forced to cooperate, in order to repulse the external threat. After the final defeat of the alien fleets, one of the Hegemons, Hegemon Desmondur Alcademon, of Bassilicor Hive, started a diplomatic marathon with his counterparts. It was a very old tradition of the Hegemons, when they had enough forces and their population was excess, to launch Colonization Fleets, to gain access to resources and territories beyond the planet. Desmondur convinced, in time, several other Hegemons that the time for a change was near. As his armies were still strong, he launched an invasion in the nearby planet of Korrithon, where he begun a brutal war with the local factions, until a permanent colony was established. In time, more and more Hegemons saw the benefit in such an alliance, as they could launch joint fleets across the system and beyond, capable of engaging much stronger foes. In time, several of the Hegemons united under the newly found Athysian League. The largest confederation of Hegemonies of the planet. Desmondur, being the architect of this game-changing accomplishment soon was voted by the League as the Arch-Hegemon of Athys, being given the power to direct the vast joint host of the confederacy. And so he did. The Athysian League changed rapidly the great game of the colonies, with several wars being fought within the system, resulting to the ultimate dominion of the League's Hegemons over all others of Athys. As the years passed, new traditions were soon adopted, in order to maintain a constant expansion for the League, while the war-like nature of the Athysians would remain at bay.
The Stratis Hosts
Each Hive City-State deploys vast numbers of troops, ready to fight for their Hegemon at any point of time. These huge armies are known as the Stratis Hosts. Each of these Hosts consists of several different units and warrior types, which blend together to launch a terrifying mixture which fuels the Athysian War Machine...
The Vrea Stratis
Armed with a plethora of blasters and hand cannons, the Vrea Stratis are the bulk force of the League's field troops, capable and trained in operating in any environment. all youth of the Hive Cities of the Hegemonies of Athys are conscripted and spend a three-year long mandatory service in the Vrea Stratis, where they become citizen-soldiers, capable of taking up arms at any point in their lives, should duty demands it. Most of the conscripted troops usually end up serving as professional officers.
Edikar Stratis
Armed with heavy blaster weaponry and clad in power armor, the Edikar Stratis are the heavy troopers the Hegemons mobilize when the odds are turning against their armies. The Edikar Stratis are the League's elite troops, most cybernetically enhanced to improve further their combat skills both in land, and onboard the Hegemon's fleets, as boarding vanguard. Although their numbers are almost half those of the Vrea Stratis, the Edikar Stratis compensate times over in skill and equipment, as they consist of the most skilled professional soldiers of the Vrea Stratis ranks, always veterans of interstellar campaigns.
Vrea Preata
Most renown of the Stratis hosts, Vrea Preata stand out from the rest of the troops as the champions and military commanders of the Hegemon's Stratis Hosts. Vrea Preata, are equipped with long-bladed force enhanced warblades, or lightsabers. Both highly sophisticated weapons of war produced in the Academy's Forges. A weapon only given as trophy, to those few champions who manage to overcome the challenges and trials put by the Circle's Adepts. It is said that most of the Vrea Preata are also Force Sensitive, although this has not been seen as a requirement in order for one to become a Preata.
Vrea Celest
Specialized to engage in warfare in feral and alien environments, as much as onboard the Hegemon's fleets, the Vrea Celest are the League's Marines. A fleet-based part of the Hegenika hosts, trained for war in the orbit and beyond. Their equipment varies, from blaster rifles and heavy artillery, to vibrow blades and energy weapons, dependent on what environment they are operating.
Marra Astrea
The souls of the Hegemon's Spears, the Marra Astrea are the pilots, engineers, deck personnel and crew that mans the hypermatter-fueled warships of the Hegemons. Although not meant to engage in combat, they do possess a certain level of training in the blade, as they are expected to defend their decks in case of boarding. However, the Marra Astrea shine when it comes to navy formations and void tactics, as well as piloting skills, as the Hegemons launch their myriad of fighters, in overwhelming battles in void and atmosphere.
Vrea Myra
Clad in thick armour, wielding force-enhanced warblades and square tower shields, the Vrea Myra are the most feared and renown Athysian Legions. It is believed that there are only 33 Legions of Myr, making the most capable and deadly army force of the League. the Myr are believed to be the champions of the Stratis Hosts, as well as the Force Sensitive warriors that do not share noble blood to be accepted in the Hegenika's Crimson Star Circle's cult. Their skill in the Force does not come as lightning or massive Force Skills, instead they learn to wield powerful Force Warblades, as well as repeater blaster rifles operating in thick lines. They are known to be deployed only at the most crucial battles, always led by a high ranking adept or Warlock of the Hegenika.
Ruling from their high palaces atop of the sky scraping Hive City-States, or the very front of their Stratis Hosts, the Crimson Star Circle is the cult that dominates Athys and leads the League to the glory of battle. A dark cult of Force Users, consisted of the most powerful individuals of the Athysian society. Highly meritocratic and always war-like, the Crimson Star Circle are divided by the Noble Houses that rule over the Hive city-states of Athys, known as the Hegenika. When the drums of war echo, the Hegenika raise their mighty Stratis Hosts and march them into battle, under the colours of their noble family. Each Hegenika of Athys battles its counterparts on the equipment, might, numbers, as well as prestige of their Hosts, which oftentimes may lead to infighting between two or more Hegenika hosts, for the glory of claiming a victory or a conquest in the name of their family.
Hegenika Warlocks
Renown across Akelos System, the Crimson Star Warlocks are the cultists that take upon themselves to command the Hegenika's Stratis Hosts in the battlefield. The warlocks are passionate warrior-sorcerers, mostly found at the front lines as Forward Commanders, or generals of entire armies.
The Myr Guard
Potentially the greatest honour for a non-noble Force Sensitive in Athysian society, the Myr is a knightly order within the Crimson Star Circle which consists of the greatest champions of the Hegenika's host. they are considered the "Faceless Guard of the Hegenika" and serve as temple or palace guards, as well as personal guard of the Hegemon himself. It is believed that most, if not all of the Myr are Force sensitive, with a significant training in the Force. They wield Force Pikes, or vibrow staffs, and are always clad in thick crimson armour.
Phoa
Most powerful of the Crimson Star Circle's cultists, and most of the times found in places of power within their Hegenika's structure, the Phoa are the de-facto ruler of the Hegenika. All share the same bloodline and are kin to the Hegenika's Hegemon. Known for their meritocratic ideals and their skill in the Dark Side, the Pnoa stand out from the rest of the social hierarchy of Athys.
The Hegemons
Absolute rulers of their Hegenika, the Hegemons are the apex overlords of the Athysian society. Spending most of their lives atop their high palaces in the very heart of their Hive City-States, these most powerful Force Sensitive elders compete eachother in a perpetual war for influence, wealth, and renown. Sorcery, scheming and Dark Side powers such as Force Lightning Storms are just few of the most well-known characteristics of these individuals who have been molded in a lifetime of battle, study and practice of Force Rituals. It is customary for the Hegemons, as well as the high-ranking characters of a Hegenima to hide their facial characteristics with a mask that usually carries definitive symbols of their achievements, as well as their Hegenima's.
The Eyerea
Within the Circle, there are very few female members that show an extraordinary connection to the Dark Side. These sorceresses can be chosen to become part of the Eyerea. The Blind Seers. These adepts are ritualistically blinded and marked as a holy figure within the Hegenika. They serve in the temples of the Palace of the Hegemon, as his or her advisers and clergy, performing rites and dark rituals in order to bless the Hegenika's Hosts before marching, or seeking signs from the Dark Side. Their distinct characteristic is the pale mask worn at all times, marked with two tear-like red straps. They never wear luxurious outfits, or tunics. Instead, they are seen only wearing simplistic thin fabric robes.
The Athysian Navy
As the tameless war-like nature of the Athysian Hegenikas is ever willing to compete with its counterparts, the Arch-Hegemon has exploited this practice in a way that allowed the League's Hegemons to grow unbelievably powerful war-fleets. Each of the Hegenika which are part of the Athysian League, are never asked to provide any form of tribute, or vassalage to the Arch-Hegemon's Hive City-State. Instead, they are always challenged to use their resources for the production of more and more powerful, as well as good-loking war ships to be added to the respective Hegenika's war fleet. This led to the ceaseless production of ships as the Hegemons compete with one another on who can build the most capable and strong vessel for the League's fleet. Each time a Raider Fleet is summoned, the ship that achieves the greatest deeds in battle, is given a distinct symbol, which carries the deformed ensignia of the raided planet's flag, as trophy. Arguably, the greatest honor for the owning Hegenika. Along with this honor, however, comes the ownership to any outposts claimed, as well as the largest share of the plunder. Ofcourse, should the Arch-Hegemon is unable to maintain such honors, he may be target for colony raids of other League Hegemons, which will in time force him to resign from the title, and another Arch-Hegemon will be voted by the League's Ephors (the Hegemons, members of the League)
Behavior of the Athysian League in the Galactic Arena
The Hegemons dispatch periodically large convoys of trading fleets, seeking the stars for potential trade partners. It is not rare such fleets to end up working as a mercenary army for a distant faction, with the promise of reward in either terms of resources, or outposts. Although this practice seems very trade-centric, a much darker truth usually lurks behind the smiling merchants. Every fleet that leaves a Hive has onboard several Hegenika members who are tasked with leading the negotiations, as well as study the new factions that they come in contact with. Should the faction proves weak, for the resource yield it may offer, the Hegenika informs the Arch-Hegemon, who calls upon a vast War Fleet consisted by the joint effort of numerous Hegemons, which they then sail against the targeted faction. This time, they enforce a blockade and should the faction refuse to pay an astronomical ransom, or even submit to a seasonal tribute, the League's war fleet launches a full scale attack against the planet, forcefully depriving the planet of its resources, as well as huge numbers of slaves, which are then brought to the markets of Athys...Such practices, however, are more often than not used against other rival Hegemons who have not yet yielded to the League, attacking interstellar colonies and forcing a tribute or a full defection. Something that the victim's Hegenika usually answers with a furious blood feud, which results to a perpetual war in the Athysian controlled colonies... Alas, the tactical advantage the Athysian League has in assembling huge confederate war fleets provides the luxury of sailing far beyond the borders of Akelos System, which in time proves a pressure that will, in time, force the still independant Hegemonies to seek entry to the League, or face extinction due to sharp shortage in resources.
Whether a faction will find the Hegemons' fleets as trading partners, well-paid mercenary armies, or most dangerous foes or even, overlords, is completely up to the negotiations, and the strength the faction shall demonstrate to the Hegenika's envoys, when they arrive...