Heavens Reach II - Setting and Intro
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 11:33 am
Book II
A band of misfits intent on avoiding the grasp of the corrupt, decaying empire, and united in the pursuit of ancient mysteries, explored the history of mankind and overthrew Heaven’s Son. The empire descended into chaos. The galactic senate seized power, yet did little else, endlessly arguing over how to proceed. Upstart warlords and regional governments declared autonomy, while countless other existential threats proliferated on the galactic rim. Fortunately, Chaos was curtailed by the crew of the Unconquered Son and the returning Solar exalted, who worked tirelessly to bring order to the fractured empire. Their efforts over the span of two decades led to the formation of a new political group, the Gold Faction, that gained popularity amongst the masses and claimed a majority of senate seats.
The Gold Faction was able to bring order to many of the inner systems, and dedicated significant resources to the restoration of the empire, while laying plans for the reclamation of the golden age of the Empire. The Gold Faction was met with opposition from corrupt leaders, oligarchs intent on maximizing profits, and by the so-called Bronze Faction that argued recreating the old empire risked repeating its mistakes, but for 40 years they were able to maintain a majority in the senate. Now, 60 years after the overthrow of Heaven’s Son, the empire faces new challenges.
Threats from beyond the galaxy’s edge once again endanger rim worlds. Ancient enemies rise from tomb worlds and from the depths of space. The rogue stellar intelligences move to enact inscrutable plans. Non-human subjects of the empire press for greater representation, with some rebelling outright. Resources beyond the central empire systems are stressed to a breaking point, while the central systems clamor for more resources, safety, and a new emperor to guide the empire to security once more. The Bronze faction pushes for consolidation of the galactic core and the appointment of a new emperor, while the Gold Faction urges a return to greatness and outward expansion. Finally, a newly emergent Silver Faction proposes greater integration of the many species in the empire along with a focus on the elimination of existential threats, allying itself with whichever faction promises to further their goals.
In a rare moment of coinciding interests, the senate creates a new military command, focused on the outer rim. Tasked with exploration, elimination of threats, bringing order the region, and re-building connections between the rimward systems and the greater empire, the [vote on a good name for the command] is given special jurisdiction to act as needed to fulfill its goals. Reporting only to the senate itself [name] will have the autonomy and flexibility to make necessary decisions. While this is a win for the Gold and Silver factions, the Bronze has ensured that many key figures in both opposing factions will be assigned to [name], allowing Bronze Faction loyalists to step into the power vacuum left in the inner systems. The Gold Faction gambles that their efforts on the Rim will ultimately bring more political success and stability to the empire.
[Name] prepares for perilous missions on the rim by initiating recruitment drives and seeking sponsors. Imperial coffers run dry supporting renovations of space lanes and the celestial mountain systems, leaving commanders with their limited personal resources, and whatever supplies and technology they can beg for from “interested parties.” Many plans hinge on recruitment from Rim locals, as well as the recovery of ancient caches of human technology secreted away in lost bases. Corporations and Dragon Blooded Noble houses support the efforts, hoping to expand their influence and brands. The Silver faction supplies [name] with warriors and tech from both exotic xeno allies, as well as mutated humans living on the edge of habitable space. The gold faction brings the raw power of the solar exalted, their sidereal allies, and the remainder of the famous crew of the Unconquered Son as the spearhead of the mission. Together, they set out to the edges of Imperial Space to bring the safety and glory of the empire to the endangered peoples of the rim, and defend the galaxy from its many threats.
[the basic unit in this will be the “ship.” Each ship is an independent military group, given the sanction to enforce whatever its commander deems best for the Empire. The diverse nature of the resources and troops contributed to the mission are a nightmare of logistics, and the commanders have partially solved this by allowing each ship to organize itself. Command staff are given the luxury of picking from available resources and troops via a lottery system. Command staff were chosen for integrity, reputation, and personal puissance. A nominal captain is required for each ship, but the command structure is up to the command staff to agree upon for each ship.] (edited)
[11:38 PM]
A band of misfits intent on avoiding the grasp of the corrupt, decaying empire, and united in the pursuit of ancient mysteries, explored the history of mankind and overthrew Heaven’s Son. The empire descended into chaos. The galactic senate seized power, yet did little else, endlessly arguing over how to proceed. Upstart warlords and regional governments declared autonomy, while countless other existential threats proliferated on the galactic rim. Fortunately, Chaos was curtailed by the crew of the Unconquered Son and the returning Solar exalted, who worked tirelessly to bring order to the fractured empire. Their efforts over the span of two decades led to the formation of a new political group, the Gold Faction, that gained popularity amongst the masses and claimed a majority of senate seats.
The Gold Faction was able to bring order to many of the inner systems, and dedicated significant resources to the restoration of the empire, while laying plans for the reclamation of the golden age of the Empire. The Gold Faction was met with opposition from corrupt leaders, oligarchs intent on maximizing profits, and by the so-called Bronze Faction that argued recreating the old empire risked repeating its mistakes, but for 40 years they were able to maintain a majority in the senate. Now, 60 years after the overthrow of Heaven’s Son, the empire faces new challenges.
Threats from beyond the galaxy’s edge once again endanger rim worlds. Ancient enemies rise from tomb worlds and from the depths of space. The rogue stellar intelligences move to enact inscrutable plans. Non-human subjects of the empire press for greater representation, with some rebelling outright. Resources beyond the central empire systems are stressed to a breaking point, while the central systems clamor for more resources, safety, and a new emperor to guide the empire to security once more. The Bronze faction pushes for consolidation of the galactic core and the appointment of a new emperor, while the Gold Faction urges a return to greatness and outward expansion. Finally, a newly emergent Silver Faction proposes greater integration of the many species in the empire along with a focus on the elimination of existential threats, allying itself with whichever faction promises to further their goals.
In a rare moment of coinciding interests, the senate creates a new military command, focused on the outer rim. Tasked with exploration, elimination of threats, bringing order the region, and re-building connections between the rimward systems and the greater empire, the [vote on a good name for the command] is given special jurisdiction to act as needed to fulfill its goals. Reporting only to the senate itself [name] will have the autonomy and flexibility to make necessary decisions. While this is a win for the Gold and Silver factions, the Bronze has ensured that many key figures in both opposing factions will be assigned to [name], allowing Bronze Faction loyalists to step into the power vacuum left in the inner systems. The Gold Faction gambles that their efforts on the Rim will ultimately bring more political success and stability to the empire.
[Name] prepares for perilous missions on the rim by initiating recruitment drives and seeking sponsors. Imperial coffers run dry supporting renovations of space lanes and the celestial mountain systems, leaving commanders with their limited personal resources, and whatever supplies and technology they can beg for from “interested parties.” Many plans hinge on recruitment from Rim locals, as well as the recovery of ancient caches of human technology secreted away in lost bases. Corporations and Dragon Blooded Noble houses support the efforts, hoping to expand their influence and brands. The Silver faction supplies [name] with warriors and tech from both exotic xeno allies, as well as mutated humans living on the edge of habitable space. The gold faction brings the raw power of the solar exalted, their sidereal allies, and the remainder of the famous crew of the Unconquered Son as the spearhead of the mission. Together, they set out to the edges of Imperial Space to bring the safety and glory of the empire to the endangered peoples of the rim, and defend the galaxy from its many threats.
[the basic unit in this will be the “ship.” Each ship is an independent military group, given the sanction to enforce whatever its commander deems best for the Empire. The diverse nature of the resources and troops contributed to the mission are a nightmare of logistics, and the commanders have partially solved this by allowing each ship to organize itself. Command staff are given the luxury of picking from available resources and troops via a lottery system. Command staff were chosen for integrity, reputation, and personal puissance. A nominal captain is required for each ship, but the command structure is up to the command staff to agree upon for each ship.] (edited)
[11:38 PM]