Born from the bloodlines of the Sephi monarchs, the Vatali Empire was founded to extend the reach of the monarchy into the Kiast System. Mirroring Sephi civilization, it is ruled under a royal lineage of monarchs that were entrusted to rule the Kiast System from Kiast.
The Monarchy
A'lora Kituri and Turel Sorenn discuss Odan-Urr's involvement in the Vatali Empire
Derived from a bloodline of royal lineage, the monarchy is comprised of successors and precursors from the Anasaye line of heirs to the Astral Throne. The firstborn of the ruling monarch traditionally inherits the throne after the death of its precursor, or in rare cases, when the former monarch retires from the Astral Throne. While this has provided a clear line of succession for centuries, firstborn twins are a troublesome burden to the line of succession and has resulted in at least one instance where the heir was left unclear.
Ranorm Anasaye
- "Entrusted to extend our reach into untamed borders, I will govern these worlds as a King should."
- ―Ranorm Anasaye, circa 657 BBY
Before donning the title “King of Kiast,” Ranorm was a subject under the all-encompassing monarchy of Sephi civilization. His elevation to that status was earned through royal decree and bore promising benefits for heirs of his name. While not unheard of, his rise from a mere noble to a Lord carried with it some rumours of affairs with a member of royal lineage; thus, the rumours were made to sound as if the monarchy had elevated the Anasaye line to hide an affair with one of royal blood. It didn’t quell the rumours when he was married to a Sephi princess moments before being sent to establish a foothold in the Nilgaard sector in the Outer Rim Territories, but the bitterness had died down to whispers among particular court members.
Tanisad Anasaye
- "He was brash, foolish and mild-mannered. But above all, he was a King that held his subjects in line and could not be bought."
- ―Recordings, circa 530 BBY
Whatever rumours circulated of Ranorm’s nobility, the birth of his firstborn son silenced the most vocal scrutinizers. Adored as the first heir born into the bloodline, Tanisad drew the attention of court members committed to winning his favour and the teachings of his father. However, his birth was not without its share of grief as the mother of Kiast’s heir died during childbirth to leave the ruling King a widower.
Being known for his headstrong beliefs and ideals passed down from his father, Tanisad was unpopular with those that have worked for his favour throughout his childhood. None of them could seem to change the aspects of his rule that would serve their own agendas or be regarded as more than bickering old men in the High Court. His influence over the courts was near-absolute, turning his subjects against the Sephi domain from which the Vatali Empire originated with the vision to create an independent government. As a result, Kiast developed under his reign to allow for Gand, Kyuzo, Melitto and Teedo, as well as Humans and other near-Humans as subjects under the Vatali Empire.
Vatal Anasaye
- "Some might ask who the greatest ruler of Kiast was. Most would agree that King Vatal embodied the best and worst of Kiast's rulers."
- ―Recordings, circa 356 BBY
It was during King Vatal’s reign that the Vatali intensified their aims to become more independent and entered their "golden age." A fierce king who saw everything through self-interest and ambition, he went so far as creating laws that bound most of the colonist population to his undeniable rule. In effect he made the colonists his subjects and exploited their labor for the Empire’s gain.
While the Vatali dominion expanded to other worlds in the system, colonizing and exploiting whatever resources were available, the King instigated a coup against his Sephi overlords. The wayward King and his navy, coupled with colonists' ships and soldiers, overtook the loyalist forces. The War for Independence lasted for several long years before coming to an abrupt halt with the capitulation of the Sephi forces and their retreat from the Kiast system. Vatal proclaimed the Vatali Empire, reigning supreme over a whole system of worlds with an iron fist. Thus, King Vatal became the first Vatali Emperor over the Kiast system.
Darsayi Anasaye
- "She was nothing like her father—inexperienced, naïve and controlled."
- ―Recordings, circa 76 BBY
Vatal was succeeded by his daughter, Darsayi — an inexperienced monarch under the sway of the noble houses who looked to their interests above all else. Her rule was challenged as whispers of rebellion sparked the flames of war, igniting the First Quorahi War. Removing the laws that enslaved the Quorahi to Vatal's rule, she replaced them with new laws and special provisions that protected the Quorahi from the greed of the nobles and the Empress. Decades passed and as generations passed with them, the Empress slowly brought back the old laws in a new and rewritten form, which inadvertently allowed the nobles to once again exploit the Quorahi.
Challenged once again by a rebellious faction of the Quorahi with the assistance of her son, Taselm, Darsayi Anasaye was executed before the whole Empire in 75 BBY two years after the Second Quorahi War began in earnest.
Taselm Anasaye
- "We will usher in an age of reason—one to right the wrongs of my forebears to rebuild the trust that was lost."
- ―Taselm Anasaye
At the time of his ascension, Emperor Taselm was already an aging Sephi. His rule was benevolent, open and welcoming to the masses. It was a second golden age of development and growth. The system was demilitarized significantly, maintaining a constant vigil rather than a threatening presence. He focused the Empire's efforts on scientific research and trade with the outlying systems. Reinstating the special laws passed at the end of the First Quorahi War and drafting new ones to preserve the peace, he dismantled the tensions between Quorahi and nobility, creating a utopian state.
Emperor Taselm passed away in the 70th year of his reign in 5 BBY, leaving the throne empty and three possible successors.
Vauzem Anasaye
Vauzem Anasaye
- "Taselm has denied us our birthright. I will restore what rightfully belongs to us, and return power to the noble houses."
- ―Vauzem Anasaye
Second in line to the throne, after his brother Essadan, Vauzem believed power needed to be reinstated to the Sephi houses. During his father’s reign, Vauzem garnered the support of one-third of the noble houses who wanted their power and privilege returned, seeing them as their birthright unlawfully taken. His plan was in motion years before his father ever died and its fruition came in the form of a coup. In one swift strike, the Voraskel Palace was taken and Essadan murdered in cold blood. Vauzem proclaimed himself Emperor of the Vatali domain, rechristening it into the Vauzem Dominion.
His reign was short-lived. The rest of the noble houses, backed by the full might of the Vatali navy and the newly sworn Empress of the Vatali Empire, Kaltani Anasaye, descended upon the Vauzem Dominion. A battle for the Palace broke out as brother fought brother and cousin fought cousin. It was a stalemate until the Quorahi arrived in their industrial cities. Weapons bombarded the Vauzem ships and their floating castle until, at last, they retreated. The day was won and the Empire prevailed, though much of the old Palace was destroyed in the fighting.
Kaltani Anasaye
- "I am pledged to the people of Kiast, as my brother before me and our mother before him."
- ―Kaltani Anasaye
Kaltani Anasaye is the ruling Empress of Kiast. As a member of the Sephi royal bloodline on Kiast, she is the successor to her late brother’s reign as Emperor and was coronated in 10 ABY. Sister to Emperor Taselm, she was originally third in the line of succession after Essadan and Vauzem. Under her leadership, the Vatali Empire regained a foothold over rebellion, preventing further war with laws similar to those written in Taselm's rule.
Kaltani's reign was blessed with relative peace and surprising stability throughout the first two decades of her rule. Even with the growing turmoil of the galaxy around it, the Empire was able to escape the growing chaos thanks largely to its surrounding nebula and remote location. Yet even as it avoided one war, the government was quickly drawn into another as the members of Clan Odan-Urr sought refuge from the Dark Jedi Brotherhood's onslaught. In 35 ABY, representatives of the Odanites arrived on the world and, after swaying the Empress' opinion in their favour, they were granted worlds to settle on. Areas on the planets of Solyiat, Daleem and the moon of Kaerls were given over to House Hoth, House Satele Shan and the Okami respectively. While the decision proved to be a controversial one among the more hardline nobles, it the Empress nevertheless stood by her decision.
However, over the course of the next two years, the presence of the Jedi and their ongoing war proved to be a major point of content which left the Empress' rule unstable. This was eventually capitalized on by the Vauzem Dominion as they sought to retake the Vatali Empire for themselves and undo the Empress' work. After Beldroth, the ruling Lord of the Dominion, formed an alliance with Ishanta, a rogue Inquisitor nursing a personal grudge against the Lotus Resistance, the Dominion put a plan into action. First poisoning the Empress they then forged a false decree that Alethia Archenksova, Odan-Urr's High Councillor, would serve as Regent in her place. This was then followed by a series of assassination attempts and mass rioting, each attempting to stoke the fires of xenophobia within the Empire and remove support for Archenksova.
A string of unexpected successes by the Odanites rapidly blunted the Dominion's efforts at every turn. Rather than being killed, Kaltani was instead placed into a deep coma by the poison, and several high profile assassination efforts were equally foiled. This removed a possible martyr from their cause. Odan-Urr's ability to both foil assassination attempts and false flag operations then limited the possibility of other uprisings. Although the Dominion would not be driven away as it had been before, the conflict rapidly turned from a swift victory into a bitter stalemate.
When Empress Kaltani awoke from her coma months later, she was able to not only confirm that the decree had been a forgery but quickly countered many of the Dominion's desired reactions. This culminated in the Empress declaring open war upon the Dominion, deeming the group enemies of her Empire. In this same declaration, she made the same declaration against the Collective, as she had been led to believe that they had backed the Dominion's efforts to destabilize the region. In truth, this had been a lie passed on by Archenksova, made as part of a series of wider agreements in order to initiate a temporary ceasefire between Odan-Urr and the Dark Jedi Brotherhood. Archenksova herself would resign shortly after this, resulting in Aura Ta'var succeeding her.
While Kaltani's declaration confirmed that the Empire would actively oppose the Dominion militarily, little progress was made in the following months. Each side was forced into a stalemate, with every gambit countered or rapidly amounting to nothing. With neither side able to gain a clear advantage, and the Dominion refusing to open itself to negotiations, the Empire came to approve a more drastic measure to end the war. Upon learning that the Dominion's leader - Vauzem's heir, Beldroth Anasaye - was forming a Conclave to discuss new battle plans, the Empire approved a plan by Odan-Urr's Sentinel Network to end the war. In a group of simultaneous strikes, a combined effort of various Odanite factions quickly decapitated much of the Dominion's higher leadership, even claiming the life of Beldroth himself. This quickly pushed the Dominion into retreat and its remaining hierarchy soon went into hiding.
The operation was declared a success, and in response Ta'var made a request of the Empress. As Clan Odan-Urr had shed blood to defend the Empire and had made the system their home, the High Councillor requested that the Clan be recognised as a noble house of the Empire. Though Odan-Urr had been recognised for their actions against the Dominion, the fact that their presence had drawn it into a war with the Collective proved to be a point of contention. Nevertheless, Odan-Urr's members were swiftly recognised as citizens of the Empire and given all the rights and duties that entailed. Their first task, following the reformation of their existing Houses into House Sunrider was to continue their war against the Collective, and to guard a possible breach in the nebula that shrouded the Empire from outside attackers.
Line of Succession in the Vatali Empire
The current Monarch is Empress Kaltani Anasaye.
| Monarchs of the Vatali Empire
|
| Name
|
Period of Rule
|
| King Ranorm Anasaye
|
~900 BBY - 721 BBY
|
| King Tanisad Anasaye
|
722 BBY - 537 BBY
|
| King/Emperor Vatal Anasaye
|
538 BBY - 355 BBY
|
| Empress Darsayi Anasaye
|
356 BBY - 74 BBY
|
| Emperor Taselm Anasaye
|
75 BBY - 5 BBY
|
| Emperor Vauzem Anasaye
|
75 BBY - 5 BBY
|
| Empress Kaltani Anasaye
|
5 BBY - Current
|
The Vatali Conclave
Practiced since the reign of King Ranorm, the Vatali Conclave is comprised of the heads of the Vatali's noble houses. Serving as the representatives of each house in the High Court, the Conclave was originally formed as a decision-making platform to ensure the interests of the Vatali Empire's citizens are met. While not a common occurrence outside of wartime declarations, the reigning monarch is able to veto Conclave decisions. However, few monarchs ever use their veto powers during times of peace, out of fear for starting conflict. The Conclave's decisions are mostly centered around but are not limited to matters of law, major conflicts between houses, war, and the treatment of outsiders.
House Etlina
Adhering to a generations-old rivalry with House Ghalor, House Etlina was once the most prominent of the noble houses in Vatal's reign, having been instrumental in the plot to overthrow the overlords holding the system under control of the greater Sephi empire. House Etlina fell from grace in a trail of bad dealings with Barad Ghalor, leading it into debt with a number of deeds needing to be sold on the markets—several of them either being stolen in the process, or taken as collateral. During the dual claiming between Vauzem and Taselm, however, A'dartia Etlina as the head of the noble house took advantage of the Vauzem Dominion's offer to restore House Etlina's birthright. As deeds and riches were passed onto House Etlina, A'dartia plotted a return to the Vatali Empire just moments before the throne was passed to another monarch. House Etlina has since been on the rise to reclaim its former prominence in the heart of the Vatalii Empire.
A'dartia Etlina
A'dartia Etlina is a cunning woman, who is well-known for being ruthless in her pursuit to reclaim House Etlina's former riches. Seeing the greater houses as her enemies, A'dartia is driven to create elaborate illusions and misdirection in the political game to further her own cause. Most are wary of dealing with her, as doing so most often leads to being pitted against another in her grand scheme. Although difficult to decipher against her ulterior motives, A'dartia sympathizes with several lesser houses or those seeking to reclaim something lost to them. Such genuine sympathy might be said of her offer to lend Odan-Urr her vote before the High Court in 34 ABY.
Appearance
A'dartia is a classical beauty, if such can be attributed to her high cheekbones, statuesque figure and dark makeup. Preferring dark shades of gold-trimmed red in her outfits, she is able to blend in seamlessly among others in a banquet or elegant gathering when needed to listen in for gossip. Long, gray hair with hints of her original black hair remaining in the streaks frames her darker purple features and black eyes. Her face does show signs of her age but as Sephi are a long-lived species she appears to be middle-aged, when compared to members of the Human species.
House Ghalor
Few historical records are known to exist of House Ghalor; however, it is known that Barad was not born into nobility. Working a tibanna gas refinery as one of the commonwealth, Barad's name was of little significance. Whether a result of his intellect or a knack for being an entrepreneur, Barad Ghalor invested his life's earnings into the Tibanna industry. Seeking to manage refineries of his own, Barad bought House Etlina's assets—the refineries he worked as the commonwealth. Convincing the former head of House Eltina that tibanna was going to descend in value, Barad added the assets to the Ghalor estate. When House Etlina's losses began to accumulate, he bought a significant amount of their assets—enough to drive them in debt. Relations between houses Ghalor and Etlina have soured since.
Barad Ghalor
Barad Ghalor is above all else, an entrepreneur. Although distanced from political games, Barad's birth into the commonwealth has allowed him a different view of the political scene in general. He is sympathetic to the commonwealth, having several thousands of Vatali citizens under his employ. Harbouring no ill will towards other houses, Barad will nevertheless defend his ownership over titles and deeds to his assets. While his actions have soured relations with House Etlina, Barad does not take such rivalries as personal to his being, but as a threat to fair business.
Appearance
Portly for a member of the Sephi species, the years working tibanna refineries as one of the commonwealth haven't instilled the same sense of elegance in Barad's appearance as they would someone born into nobility. Hardened from manual labour, his features could be described as handsomely rugged, were it not for the weight gained in his recent years of eating expensive buffets. Possessing off-white, close-cropped hair that is regularly trimmed, Barad's only other care for physical appearance is seen in his rather featureless suits made with expensive zeyd-cloth.
House Keldra
One of the oldest houses in the Vatali Empire, House Keldra has existed before the Sephi empire added Kiast to its dominion. Under the careful management of its generational heads, House Keldra has maintained its stature as a prominent noble house in the Vatali Empire. While nowhere near the sudden wealth of House Ghalor, House Keldra is known for its rather spotless reputation. Even better known for its lavish parties and banquets, House Keldra entertains the commonwealth as much as it does the nobility. Its various assets mostly include a number of estates and landmasses that are sold to lesser or greater houses. After its former head was married to Queen Darsayi Anasaye, House Keldra fell to Yalisti.
Yalisti Keldra
Yalisti Keldra is an older member of the Sephi species, living long enough to remember the reign of Darsayi in detail. Far more adherent to traditions than the other major houses, Yalisti follows the cultural expectations of the Sephi in her habits and guidance over the noble house. Banquets, festive dinners and regal gatherings are a common occurrence when seen next to Yalisti's name. Allowing the commonwealth to partake in several such gatherings have given her a favourable reputation to the public view, which lends to her house's credibility as trustworthy and fair. While she does not immerse herself in the political game for malicious reasons, Yalisti sees it as an outlet for fun and to sate her curiosities.
Appearance
More attentive to her appearance than most would-be suitors, Yalisti dresses in only the most elegant dresses of Sephi fashion. Choosing colors that compliment her fiery mane of red hair, she prefers colors that match those of her estate: seafoam and green. Drawn from the same color preference, she regularly dyes her lips green with an unknown cosmetic. Maintaining a slim waist and regal figure, her choices of attire have altered her figure to be more attractive to a member of her species. Although older than most, her attention to detail has staved off the visible effects of aging, allowing her to live as she would in her youth.
Vatali Central Military
Main Article: Vatali Central Military
Vatali Royal Navy
Also referred to as the "Vatali Royal Navy" or the "Royal Navy," the Vatali Empire's might rests more within its fleet of starships and airships than its armies. Having been allied with the New Republic before the destruction of Hosnian Prime, the Vatali's fleet functions much like the planetary defence forces common throughout the New Republic. Owing in part to the fact that it was once established under the Sephi monarchy, its navy is slightly larger than a standard defensive force to accommodate for the number of worlds under the Vatali's protection. Prior to Odan-Urr's arrival in the system, this consisted mostly of highly-manoeuvrable fighters and freighters, and the navy used ship designs that are unique to Kiast and are not made to venture out of the system.
Many of the smaller starships did not possess hyperdrives, as faster-than-light speed is not a viable option when traversing the Palioxis Cloud nebula and the Vatali rarely have need to venture out of their system while avoiding contact with the First Order. The designs share common motifs—thin, insect-like wings and a long, narrow profile to be as effective as possible when travelling within the Palioxis Cloud nebula. All of these feature sublight drives and few armaments, but are designed to perform well in areas saturated with asteroid fields.
Nevertheless, the fleet underwent a heavy modernization process in the wake of its second war with the Vauzem Dominion. While the emphasis on smaller short-ranged attack craft had long benefitted the Empire on a financial and policing level, its weaknesses quickly became clear during the war. Resources became stretched thin, and many ships lacked the sheer firepower needed to attack entrenched or fortified locations. Long range attacks were also high risk, and a lack of hangars to ensure rapid refuelling and repairs meant that skirmishing attacks were limited primarily to small scale engagements. While the Dominion suffered from this same flaw, it meant that the war dragged out into a stalemate, a matter not helped by the Royal Guard's numbers at that time. Taking influence from the Odanites, in the wake of the war the Empire would undergo a major shift in their strategems, starting with the purchase of multiple capital ships and fighters capable of hyperspace flight. Some would go so far as to say that the Royal Navy only truly began once the first of their new Mon Calamari built vessels finished its shake-down run.
Still belonging to the Vatali Navy but unable to travel out of the atmosphere are Kiast's airships, which serve as the navy's military on the surface of Kiast.
Vatali Royal Guard
Also referred to as the "Vatali Royal Guard" or the "Royal Guard," these few but exceptionally talented soldiers make up the Vatali Empire's limited ground infantry, but can be called on to serve as high-ranking officials in the navy. A number of them serve as guardsmen to Voraskel Palace while the bulk are stationed on the Vatali's other worlds as peacekeepers. All guardsmen are trained pilots, but excel in ground-based warfare as combatants and leaders. At times, these few elite can be tasked with delicate matters as special operatives making them the most versatile combatants in the Vatali Empire.
Donning blue and teal flight suits beneath golden armour, the royal guard are dressed in accordance with their flexible roles. While it is not uncommon for some to adjust their outfit, most of them share this utilitarian design and favour the use of electrostaves in close-quarters combat. When engaging opponents in long-range warfare, these soldiers are also trained in the use of blaster rifles and blaster pistols; however, due to the cumbersome nature of both rifles and electrostaves, many guardsmen forego one in favour of the other. A select few might choose to train in other forms of combat, but the core training of guardsmen has proven to be more than sufficient for their needs.
Even with the rise of the Royal Army, the Guard still exists as a small elite unit. Typically tasked purely with either special operations or guarding the Empress throughout her reign.
Vatali Royal Army
Much like the navy, the Vatali Royal army was formed to make up for the clear weaknesses in relying purely upon a cadre of highly skilled by numerically small soldiers. Rather than operating as small squads or even individual strike units, the army was intended as the sledgehammer and garrison units to the Guard's scalple. To help with its integration into the newly formed Odan-Urr United Space Command, a sizable number of Odanite Expeditionary Force units were granted to the Vatali, along with most of the original soldiers to serve as trainers and supporting forces until it was brought up to full strength. Most of these companies went so far as to retain their original designations at first, both to help with simplicity and to honour their origins until the Royal Army formed its own identity.
Having been formed from the hard lessons of the war with the Dominion, the Royal Army is extremely heavily mechanised. With a sizable number of armoured fighting vehicles, mobile artillery pieces, close support airspeeders, and transports. Vehicle focused and with that serving as their primary strength, the Army was nevertheless backed by a pair of Line Companies and Assault Companies to further help with mopping up actions and holding territories. The group is intended largely for defensive actions in the name of the Empire, but with the O.E.F.'s history of engaging foes on foreign soil, training emphasises fighting across a mix of varied environments and atmospheres.