Zelvan Regime (A1-0)

Zelvan Regime Raj'eh Zelvahn
Flag Emblem
Overview of the Zelvan Regime
Motto	"The Goddess wills it!"
Founded	~6.400 standard years ago (Zelvar Empire reorganised)
Location	Sector A1-0, (600-600,600-100 lys)
Capital	Zelvar (Zel-An-Tok Imperial Palace Complex)
Key worlds	Zelvar Arvarr Kethar Raular Pishar
Population	Total: 47,2 trillion 3,18 trillion full citizens 18,12 trillion free residents 25,89 trillion slaves
Head of state	Mother-Empress Irva XII na-Zeltan
Head of government	Grand Vizier Kesh na-Seter
Major species	Zelvans Arvarrans Matari Messeans Sathaungs Tvo'Leki
Language	Zeluomin Eweno
Key technology	Electrowhip Zelvan Slave Collar
Military	Zelvan Deterrence Forces
Intelligence service	Zelvan Ordinance Service
Key people	Sapa Zelvana Irva XII na-Zeltan Grand Vizier Kesh na-Seter Shahib Donijeg Akura Supreme Commander Lu'Kot
Currency	Peggat(s) (Ᵽ)

"The Zelvan Regime is the first interstellar state of its kind. A state fully devoted to the preservation of the Zelvan hierarchy built on our divine right to enslave."

—Sapa Zelvana Irva XII na-Zeltan during first contact with the Treecuu Star Empire

The Zelvan Regime is an autocratic star nation in the western fringes of Sector A1-0. It is most famous for its extensive use of slaves to fuel its economy. The Zelvan Regime believes itself to be unique because of this and views other star nations as rather inferior due to their fanatic religious beliefs. However, in a twisted way, the Zelvan Regime will open itself up to other star nations and pry every opportunity to expand their slaving market. Be it through overt or covert means. One thing remains certain though, the Zelvan Regime will try to remain shrouded in its own corner of Sector A1-0 while trying to expand its influence.

Etymology

The Zelvan Regime is named for its hierarchical structure that defines its culture. The word Zelvan is derived from Zeluomin and means the "chosen people". It is believed in the Zelvan Regime that the Zelvan species is superior to all other lifeforms and that it is their divine duty to impose their order through means they deem necessary. To signify its authority and the means to petrify their supremacy, the Zelvans have adopted the title of Regime for their slave empire.

History

Pre-FTL

The Zelvan people originated on their lush homeworld of Zelvar, a superearth. From this planet, the Zelvans evolved and built societies similar to many others in the Sector. As the classical Zelvan civilizations built cities of marble and warring states maintained an ever-changing political landscape, they used extensive use of slaves. A brutal caste system was put in place that became the foundation of later Zelvan society. This widespread custom heavily influenced how their society continued to grow. Book printing and other small technologies only were invented during the industrial revolution because of the widespread access to slaves who simply copied the books for their masters. Communism too is unheard of in Zelvan planetary history as they brutally squashed any rebellions and insurgent thoughts. The Zelvans eventually even achieved to build a lunar base at the end of their era of strife. This era would end with the arrival of a new religion preached by a Priestess Irva na-Zeltan roughly 6.400 standard years ago.

Zelvar Empire

The Priestess Irva na-Zeltan started to preach a new religion: Zelvanism. It was believed she was a direct descendant of Zelvar's sun, Zeltarin, and that she spoke with divine right. Na-Zeltan was adamant that new reforms had to be made for the Zelvan people to claim their true destiny. As support grew for the Priestess, who preached that all Zelvans were in fact equal and that they should claim the stars for themselves, even the major Zelvan states had to accommodate for her philosophy. For if she turned against them, they feared divine wrath would come to them. Thus Priestess na-Zeltan was able to unify the whole planet under her command, being crowned the Sapa Zelvana, loosely translated as Mother-Empress over the many Zelvan nations. She now ruled the planet indirectly as the many states came to seek hear divine approval. Through whispers and suggestions, the Sapa Zelvana was able to steer an unprecedented technological revolution unseen in Zelvan history. In mere 15 standard years from her crowning, FTL-travel had been achieved. As the societal emancipation of the slaves started to destabilize Zelvan society, it became paramount that the Zelvans had to enslave another species. Luckily for them, fate was smiling upon them. The first FTL expedition was sent to their nearest neighbour star Avarro.

Arvarro Subjugation

After the successful journey to Arvarro, the Zelvans discovered that their neighbouring star system was in fact inhabited. A lost colony of humans inhabited the second planet, Arvarr, and its moon Mataris.The Zelvans tried to initiate contact with the human inhabitants, but these talks turned sour when massive lunar riots arose in the Arvarr State demanding more representation in its government and lunar autonomy. The Arvarr State was split between two human races: the Arvarrans and the Matari. The Arvarrans saw themselves as the ruling class and lived comfortable lives on Arvarr while the Matari were modified through cybernetics to better adapt to the harsh elements on Mataris. The Matari had been angered by recent policies and had, for the first time in history, openly revolted against their government. Fearing complete retaliation by the revolting forces and the absence of necessary forces to put down the revolt, the Arvarrans gave the Zelvans a unique proposition. In turn for Zelvan intervention, the Arvarrans would become a vassal state to the Zelvar Empire and the Mataris handed over to the Zelvans. In search of new slaves, the offer was accepted by the Zelvar Empire and reformed its economy to churn out a fast military expedition force.
After a year of building up their forces, the Zelvans appointed Sash na-Ilper as the Supreme Commander and tasked him to help out the Arvarrans. Zelvan technology was significantly more advanced compared to the technology used by the Arvarrans and the Matari. In merely a year, the Zelvans had overrun the Matari rebels who were the first victims of the Electrowhip. As promised, the Arvarr State honoured its agreement and became a vassal state to the Zelvar Empire and Mataris itself handed over.

Reformation into the Zelvan Regime

With the resounding victory during the Arvarro Subjugation, the Zelvans rejoiced and celebrated as the Matari were paraded and sold as slaves on Zelvar. Now seeing the benefit of working towards a common goal, the Zelvan planetary states held referenda calling for a central planetary government. Thus the Zelvan people willingly gave away their rights and powers to the Sapa Zelvana/Mother-Empress in exchange for excess and slaves. Sapa Zelvana Irva I na-Zeltan solidified her position and installed a new feudal system and interspecies caste system. Hailed by all Zelvans, the Arvarrans too welcomed this change and adopted the same system of government and eventually be fully integrated in the Zelvan Regime after 20 standard years.
Now unified and living renewed lives of excess and luxury, the Zelvans and the Arvarrans continued to expand their realm to the stars as well until they would eventually clash again with other species. However, contrary to Zelvanist teachings, the Arvarr ethnic group would receive nearly the same right as the Zelvans recognizing the same cunning for enslaving their own ethnic groups, the Ni-Khannar and the Mi-Tenarr on Arvarr.
(OOC Note: The planetary referenda were in fact machinations by Mother-Empress Irva I na-Zeltan herself.)

Sathaung Wars

After a five decade long consolidation of their new interstellar empire, the Zelvans encountered a new primitive species on the planet Sathar. The Sathaungs were a tribal species drenched in infighting and devoted themselves to the art of war. The Zelvans however saw an unique opportunity here to bolster their armies for future subjugations to come. And so the late Sapa Zelvana Irva I na-Zeltan ordered the invasion of Sathar and the enslavement of the Sathaungs.
It took the Zelvans roughly 5 standard years to fully capitulate the Sathaungs and were impressed by their martial prowess. For that reason Irva I had the greatest of their War Chiefs, Lu'Sarlilyr, meet with her. Irva I gave the accomplished Sathaung leader an offer unlike any other in Zelvan history. She gave him the option to fight for her and her regime. In exchange the Sathaungs wouldn't be reduced to simply slaves and would retain their honour. Lu'Sarlilyr agreed and made the Sathaungs the battle thralls of the Regime. Ever since, all male Sathaungs were conscripted to serve in the Zelvan Deterrence Forces. Shortly after the end of the Sathaung Wars, Sapa Zelvana Irva I died and left the Regime to her daughter Irva II.

Eastern Subjugations

Sapa Zelvana Irva II wished to follow into the footsteps of her mother and continued her quest to enslave new races. Roughly 6 standard years from the Sathaung Wars, they discovered another primitive species on the planet Raular the Tvo'Leki, The Zelvans now unleashed their hordes of Sathaungs and swiftly enslaved the Tvo'Leki. The males were now the main working force of the Regime and their women became prized possessions due to their perceived beauty. The Tvo'Leki took the Regime by storm and brought a new wave of prosperity to the Zelvan people. One where they would rule over the stars. The remaining 20 years of Sapa Zelvana Irva II's reign focused on the consolidation of their new domain and building the necessary infrastructure to keep the slaves from revolting on the Zelvan controlled planets.
The Regime was then bestowed to Nara I. She too adopted an expansionist policy and continued to push eastwards and claim more and more star systems for the Regime. This rapid expansion also brought new opportunities when they encountered the Bessadons and Messeans. Two species who had just achieved FTL-travel and sooner or later were bound to meat each other due to their close proximity. To prevent a coalition from forming, the Zelvans made pre-emptive strikes and invaded their homeworlds. Again a new wave of slaves was brought to the empire, but control seemingly was to ran out of control due to the massive population influxes. To prevent this from happening, the Zelvans decided that the subject species could help in maintaining their own enslaved population. And so the tactic of divide and enslave was born which still stands to this day, especially in Bessadon and Messean culture.

Eweno Exchange

A century passed of the early expansionist period of the Regime. The Regime was ruled by Sapa Zelvana Nara II who further cemented the positions of each species in her empire. However, unexpected visitors would arrive in 6.648 A.R.A. in orbit of Zelvar itself. A group of Owettan merchants had arrived on Zelvar who wished to formally open trade with the Regime. Nara II agreed and opened formal relations with the far distant Owettan States. An exchange of slaves was also present alongside hyperspace technologies. In this process, the Owettan trade language Eweno became widespread in the Regime who until now used Zeluomin as its lingua franca. Eweno was a much more easier language for the lesser species and became the dominant language used between master and slave interactions. This has lead to Eweno becoming an unofficial national language taught to every species of the Regime. Distinct dialects of the newly adopted language formed throughout the Regime's history.
Trade relations with the Owettan States would however fall into ruin after merely two decades. Political instability in their nation resulted in their isolationist policy standing to this day.

First Great Slave Revolt

Shortly after trade relations broke off with the Owettan States, a Matari hoping of a renewed age of freedom for his people, rebelled on Mataris. The rebel leader Dand Nedha and his slave army successfully toppled the local government on Mataris. Sapa Zelvana Nara II reacted and ordered the bombardment of civilian settlement on Mataris. The Matari rebels however continued to fight on and thus inspired rebels all over the Regime to stand up and fight too. With the situation growing from bad to worse, Nara II proclaimed martial law and promoted brutality against slaves. Both private and state wide violence against slaves skyrocketed. During this period the Bessadons and Messeans used the opportunity to squash down rebellions and claiming the rebels as their own slaves. Eventually after half a year, the slave revolt had died out. For their actions, the Bessadons and Messeans were commended and were made into the slaver species of the Regime. Though they didn't have much political rights, they were responsible with maintaining order amongst the slaves. A role which they happily embraced.

Southern Subjugations

The following brutality against slaves was still rising at the costs of the Regime's production. Therefore, the Regime renewed its expansionist policy under Irva V and expanded southwards. Millions of slavers set out to help the Zelvan Navy with the expansion of the Regime. This resulted in the enslavement of new species: Cevanti, Khessam and Ralteki.

Second Great Slave Revolt

The recent subjugations however too resulted in instability as the Cevanti and Ralteki rebelled in hopes of freedom again. The Matari in spirit of the First Great Slave Revolt followed their example. This would be to the species detriment as the Zelvan Navy set out to give holy judgement and bombarded many settlements and monuments of the revolting species. With their cultures now completely destroyed and their people utterly broken, the revolting species accepted their fate.
Irva V however wished to never allow such a large rebellion to happen again. The Cevanti were selected and numerous of their races purged from existence. The Ralteki we spread out all over the Regime and made into agricultural chattel slaves. Working in harsh conditions and their communities separated, their large culture perished. The Matari had once again proven their rebellious nature. A common slogan amongst the Matari during the Slave Revolt was "You can't change our vision of freedom!" In a perverted decree, Irva V ordered the genetic alteration of the Matari. Their eyes were to be have a coating which would make their vision hazy. That way their vision would remind them the cost of the wishes of freedom. The altered genetics were also made dominant so to discourage any inbreeding with other human races.

Western Subjugations

The many expansions and slave revolts had costed the Regime quite a lot of resources. While their current infrastructure was more than sufficient, Nara III wished to solidify the Regime's resources for thousands of years to come. The Regime expanded in the only direction which had been left untouched to them: westwards. An aggressive expansion followed and here too the Zelvans would unleash their Sathaung hordes on the Forghal and Fearini. Learning from its previous mistakes, the Zelvan Navy unleashed its wrath of pulse beams on their settlements and destroying any infrastructure they had. Again the surviving population was spread out across the stars and divided into smaller communities directly under the supervision of authority. Forghal and Fearin culture too was completely adapted to the Zelvans which nearly eradicated every aspect of their respective cultures.

Zelvan Golden Era

Resulting from the Western Subjugations, the Zelvan Regime had manifested its power and destiny. With resources to fill them for thousands of years and a large slave population, the Zelvans could live out their most decadent lives and perverted desires. Nara III used her divine authority to proclaim the beginning of a Golden Era for the Regime. With the encapsulation of Arvarr, turning it into an ecumenopolis, the Regime's people hailed their Sapa Zelvana's proclamation and continue to manifest the Regime. Slowly spreading out in every direction to grow their Regime in search for new slaves and resources. However, during the 6.000 years of the Golden Era that have passed, a new ideology has formed. Known as the Naya Raasta or the "New Way", more and more aristocrats have come to review the effects of brutal slave management. They believe that the while the actions during the Slave Revolts were just, they could have been more peacefully prevented through more compassion. This new ideology is largely shunned by the ruling Zelvans, but has gained more and more tractions within Arvarr Noble houses.

Current time

Factions within the Regime's power circle have started to advocate the Regime's need of change in foreign policy. They claim that the Regime must reclaim its enslaving destiny as a result of its recent contact with the Treecuu Star Empire. Though it is yet unclear how the Regime will manifest itself amongst the other star nations in Sector A1-0. Some speculate that the Regime might actively raid new worlds to gain more slaves. Others wish that its ideology first be spread through trade and manifesting the Regime's holy duty through more cooperative means.

Astrography

An overview of the Regime's realm and administrative sectors.

Military

Main article: Zelvan Deterrence Forces (A1-0)

Culture

Religion

Main article: Zelvanism (A1-0)

Demographics

An overview of the population spread divided across the sectors.

Species

See also: List of species in the Zelvan Regime (A1-0)

Settled Worlds

See also: List of major worlds of the Zelvan Regime (A1-0)