Penrith Aldwylsar

The Penrith Aldwyslar is the theocratic absolute monarchy that comprises of six species unified under a single all-encompassing government. The Penrith Aldwylsar was originally born out of the endless global wars that raged between the various nations of the Vulron species on their homeworld of Kalael Tir, then known as Arweicha. Born from the embers of the nation of Braxtiau, which had managed to conquer the world only to fall prey corruption and poor leadership due to overexention, as the result of a military coup by a moderately well-regarded officer by the name of Acathil Drathis. Following rebuilding the government of Braxtiau from the ground up, Acathil began to implement various modified facits of the ancient philosophies of the Penrith faith, which was born as means to rule used by ancient kings of the Vulron. From there, the Penrith Aldwylsar grew and spread its philosphies across three-hundred and seventy-six systems and to five other species: the Dulandoch, the Alfrijah, the Baru Nyros-Kiano, the K’Lckitik’Zet, and the Udi. With the most infamously well-trained and powerful military in the Silver River, a state religion that is believed to be forced all on citizens, and a Vulron supremecist attitude that taints various layers of the government, the Aldwyslar is often seen as a cruel, totalitarian dictatorship by outsiders. The Confederation, as an example, goes out of its way to paint the Aldywlsar as evil without exception and demonize all Vulron as vicious monsters, including those that choose to leave the Penrith Aldwylsar to seek a new life within the Confederation's borders.

History
To Be Developed: History prior to the Aldwylsar, the wars that lead to the eventual conquest of Arweicha by Braxtiau, and its brief reign over the planet.

To Be Elaborated: The decay of the Braxtiau government and Acathil Drathis' decision to perform a military coup to prevent a relapse into the global conflict. Acathil's gathering of the Astelkel, his most loyal followers and fellow revolutionaries. This includes the two Ciar Vayus of Gleth, who provided their Vayu Guard to supplement Acathil's own troops, and Valonis, who provided the finacial backing needed to properly equip Acathil's forces and grease the palms of certain officials to aid in the coup, among others including a female admiral. Tense rotations of planning, a few near discoveries, and finally the storming of the Braxtiau capital building in Arthentine by the Astelkel and their forces. The standing down of opposition, most too drained from the war still to rebel and the rest too desperate for stability to desire a return to the hell of global war.

The coming orbits of careful reform and rebuilding, a purge of known anti-Drathis individuals and those that that had actively threatend the stability of the government. The dawning of a new age under the still technical Braxtiau government, one of peace and the start of prosperity. The Penrith faith is begun to be taught in schools, to teach the next generation of Riad. The eventual implementation of the Council of Mirva and the Asharls in place of the previous positions in the Braxtiau government. Finally, the full reform from national-turned-global government into the Penrith Aldwyslar, the renaming of Arweicha to Kalael Tir, and the declaration of the Penrith faith as the state religion. Minor upheavals, but ultimately peace reigns over the nacent Aldwylsar. Acathil is considered a fair and capable leader, despite his own admittance to failing to live up to what the Cynthenras was supposed to be according to the Penrith faith. He publishes a book known as On Riad, which serves as the bible of the Penrith Aldwylsar by dictating what Riad is, how it is best followed, the roles of the Mivra, Asharl, and the Cynthenras, how each would be chosen, and why the Penrith faith was the best way to truly unify the fractured Vulron species.

Acathil sires a clutch four centuries into his reign, and each is raised and taught to live by the principles of Riad and the Penrith faith. He cares for them as personally as he can, though the duties of state often keep him busy. Drathis' rule expands as he leads the Vulron to the stars, and beyond the confines of Kalael Tir. But expansion is slow, planned. Each world chosen carefully, and as a result there are only a mere eight worlds colonized by the Aldwylsar by the end of Acathil's reign. But one final surprise would appear in the life and reign of the Cynthenras Acathil. A scouting vessel searching for a ninth planet to colonize comes upon the homeworld of the Dulandoch, finding the paleolithic species to be on the brink of extinction due to the hostile environment of their planet following an astroid impact wiping away much of the inhabitable landscape. It's only be coincidence that the Vulron even discover that the Dulandoch are intelligent, intially mistaking them for giant animals that inhabited the dying planet until a scientist studying the planet was rescued from death by a member of the species and taken back to his tribe, revealing their primative dwelling and use of tools. Thus, faced with a sudden shift that Acathil had not anticipated, he rushed in the last years of his life to rewrite On Riad. He knew that the methods within were meant to unify the Vulron species, and were tailored to their needs and psychological quirks. Whilst only the surface of Dulandoch psychology and society was scratched in his time, he did his best to adapt the Penrith faith not only for them, but for any future species that the Penrith Aldwylsar might encounter and invite to join it. It is from these revisions that a common controversial part of the Aldwylsar was born, owing to his poor phrasing of the suggestion to promote the Vulron as having a superior understanding of Riad as the suggestion to actively promote themselves as superior to all other species, rather than, according to Acathil himself, a simple justification to prevent non-Vulron Cynthenras due to the fact he could not predict whether or not they would be able to properly understand Riad and lead the people using the strategy he crafted for the Vulron.

Finally, Acathil's health failed him and he passed on. The Council of Mivra and the Asharls convened, and as per Acathil's wishes, tested each of his children on their understanding on Riad. It was his son Covan Drathis who passed the tests set forth by his father, and ultimately whom was chosen as successor as Cynthenras. Covan would oversee the Dulandoch becoming full members of the Aldwylsar, and see them incorporated into its society.

To Be Developed: The reign of the following eighteen Cynthenras, all descended from Acathil. This was unintended by him, as he suggested his descendents should only reign for two generations, by which point someone in the populace would no doubt understand Riad better them due to it becoming a part of daily life and thoroughly educated into them. This proved not to be the case, as the populus supported the Drathis dynasty and the Mivra and Asharls were too worried about whether an heir from outside the carefully taught Drathis children could rule effectively. Two currently unnamed ones are assassinated, by unknown means. The Aldwylsar expands at a slow, careful rate until the reign of Cynthenras Attayn Drathis. Attayn chose to forgo the careful planning of his ancestors and instead push colonists out into the wilds of space, to spread as fast and as quickly as possible. This resulted in a growth of the Aldwylsar from a mere one-hundred-and-two star systems to three-hundred-and-ten systems in total. But, with such a rapid expansion without true prepartion, the project decayed into mass chaos as the Halan Xulkar lacked the numbers to properly police the new territory. It got worse as the colonists ended up discovering the Baru Nyros-Kiano and the Udi, sparking brief conflict with both species. The Eldritch nature of the Baru Nyros-Kiano resulted in massive casualities before peace was established, stretching the Halan Xulkar even thinner than before. And even though both species willingly joined the Aldwylsar, their distance from well-established territory made it difficult to properly set up the means to convey them to and from insitutions of learning to teach them the ways of Riad.

All of this, combined with Attayn's non-adherence to Acathil Drathis' commandment for slow expansion when expansion was required at all, lead to massive public backlash and outcry. Many claimed that Attayn did not truly understand Riad. Unfortunately, before Attayn could correct all that had transpired, he was assassinated by a misguided group of Zavoya troops who viewed themselves in the same light as Acathil Drathis and the Astelkel, outsing an unfit leader so that the Penrith faith could flourish. They were swiftly arrested and executed, and Attayn's daughter Akkallara ascended to the Burdened Throne as Cynthenras. It was only through her sheer willpower and skill as a leader that the Aldwylsar did not shatter under the strain of not only its new territory, but the hostile public that were skeptical of her due to all that had occurred. Her father's actions and the region of space he colonized became known as Attayn's Folly, a nickname that is still used in the modern Aldwylsar. Eventually, the K’Lckitik’Zet and Alfrijah were brought into the Aldwylsar during the expansion the lead to the Aldwylsar's current size. The Confederation came into contact with the Aldwylsar shortly after, and despite being smaller than in the modern era, they still were far greater than the Aldwylsar. Almost immediately, they took offense to the Penrith Aldwylsar's form of government, as well as the fact it was a surprising successful and decently large-ish independent nation. They sent a small military force to test how many would be needed to face against what they saw as a miniscule upstart totalitarian state. When the force was entirely eliminated, they sent another larger force. It too was entirely destroyed without survivor. A Grand Fleet was sent to goad the Aldwylsar into surrender. It was entirely wiped out. This lead to the Confederation suffering a great pause, having seen millions of their troops wiped out without seeming to have even left a scratch on the Aldwylsar. And so, a tense peace was negotiated between the two. But the Confederation did what it did best. It began to paint the Aldwylsar as a miserable, wetched place. The Vulron was monsterous bigots who enslaved other species and made them serve the mad god-emperor known as the Cynthenras. That the Penrith faith was forced on its citizens and used to brainwash them into mindless worker drones. All lies, but the citizens of the Confederation and even some independent nations were taken in. And so the Aldwylsar gained many enemies outside its borders...but it was not overly concerned with outsiders. No, it was consider with what was inside.

For, the aftermath of Attayn's Folly also brought with it the birth of true rebellion and terrorism against the Aldwylsar. While there had always been those that would attempt to challenge the Aldwylsar with arms and a willful disregard for sapient life, but it was Attayn's Folly that truly shook the populus into thinking perhaps that the Aldwylsar had run its course, and it was time for a change. The empty, poorly policed space that came with the expansion allowed easy to hide within Aldwylsar space and build up their forces under the noses of those that followed the Cynthenras. Bombings, shootings, attacks of various kinds became common both on the outskirts and interior of the Aldwylsar despite the best efforts of its defenders. But these attacks were rarely devastating or damaging, they were generally pathetic efforts by ramshakle groups of beings armed with stolen weapons and poorly built IEDs. It wasn't until the 12th millennium of the Penrith Aldwylsar that the true resistance to their reign was born in the form of the Hastazar, more commonly called simply 'the Liberty Coalition.' A unified front of various rebel cells, coming together to pool their assets and become a deadly war machine that struck hard and fast against the Aldwylsar.

To Be Expanded: The various strikes by the Hastazar against the Aldwylsar, including various bombings, kidnappings, and assassinations. All of these things managed to bring a great deal of discord to the Aldwylsar, yet none struck them worse than the Siege of Edanan. As known as the War of the Lost Colony or simply the Edanan Rebellion, it was a strike at first of the Aldwylsar's colonies beyond Kalael Tir. It was the cultimation of centuries of work, careful manipulation, bribery, the recruitment of turncoats in the local garison. A garrison numbered over twenty million Zavoya troops in total. And by the time they were done, almost a quarter of those numbers filled by undercover agents or members of the Zavoya sympathetic to their cause. Across the rest of the planet, cells that grown that recruited from the citizenry. Arming them, training them, turning the population into a weapon inside very defenses meant to protect against attack. And the final addition was the turning of those defenses against the Aldwylsar. During routine maintenance of the network that controlled and monitored the various orbital weapon plaforms that formed the anti-ship defenses of Edanan, a Hastazar sabotur had uploaded a virus that, when activated, would alter the IFF sensors on the stations to regard ships of the Aldwylsar's navy, the Aultmere, as hostiles and specially fitted Coalition ships as friendlies. They had further anticipated to use the weapons against those on the ground as well, surgically eliminating enemy positions with precise orbital bombarment. Unfortunately, to the Coalition's dismay, this portion of the plan was foiled when they discovered that there were hard coded safeguards in the targeting OS of the stations that prevented the weapons from ever being fired in a way that their projectiles would hit the surface of the Edanan, or any planet for that. But, it did not matter. They had their troops, and that was all that needed. So they struck.

What followed as a massive uprising that transformed into a bloody war that lasted a combined seventy-seven standard orbits, as loyal and traitorous clashed across the planet. Civilians who refused to join the Hastazar forces were slaughtered as Aldwylsar loyalists, and the orbital cannons prevented evacuation or rescue by the Aultmere by destroying any non-Hastazar vessels that approached. Which also served to prevent reinforcements from the Aldwyslar to their garrison, sparring neither troop nor medical transport that approached. Unfortunately for the Coalition, however, the Aultmere prooved skilled enough to intercept Coalition's own vessels. Hit and run tactics, Shifting in to destroy whatever vessels approached before Shifting back out to avoid being destroyed by the orbital guns. The result was both sides were cut off from aid of any kind. So, they simply dug in and fought as hard as they can, to claim or reclaim what they rightfully saw as theirs. The result of this was devastating to all involved.

The surface of the planet turned practically to ash underneath the constant warfare by the end of the first decade, with many settlements little more than burdened out husks, any citizens hiding in makeshift bunkers or clinging to what remained of civilization. The sky was endlessly black and the atmosphere poisoned by chemicals released by weapons and destroyed military equipment. Eventually, it was to the point gas masks or atmospherically sealed helmets were required to walk the surface. The water supply was not spared from being tainted as well, acid rain taking the place of pure rain almost entirely. As time went on, even the concept of civilians ceased to exist. To survive, everyone on the planet's surface to take up arms for either side in order to acquire the dwindling supplies that remained, or otherwise break off to form their own renegade survivalist groups that were usually more successful at killing their own members than protecting one another. As the conflict neared its end, ninety percent of Edanan's population, before the war numbering four billion, was dead. Ammuntion had become scare, almost non-existant and makeshift melee weapons had become the norm, crafted from the wreckage of vehicles and buildings. True military-grade melee weapons had long since been destroyed in the brutality of the conflict. The only thing that kept those that remained going was their absolute dedication to their causes, their blind rage at the destruction of once beautiful Edanan, or simply a desire to survive. The Aultmere, despite hundreds of attempts, had still not managed to penatrate the orbital defenses they had crafted. And it had become clear that the Aldwyslar had lost Edanan, or at least were about to. This sat ill with them, as even though it had been poisoned by the war, its position would allow it to become an incredibly useful base for Coalition forces. Even if the Aultmere continued to prevent any from landing, it was still a place that would need to be constantly police for any form of entry, all while ships had to avoid being destroyed by the captured orbital defenses. It was far too great of a risk for such a thing to exist. It was true, they would lose Edanan. But they would not let it fall to the Liberty Coalition, no. They would lose it to their own hand.

To that end, they readied a superweapon born of the brief conflict with the Confederation. A superweapon of last resort, meant to make the Confederation rethink any further attempts to invade. A superweapon capable of destroying a whole planet. To Be Developed: Nature of Actual Weapon. But, before it was deployed, the current Cynthenras broadcasted a simple offer to all on the planet, though it was directed towards those left of the Hastazar leadership on the planet. The message simply stated they were being given a single orbit to surrender, or they would be utterly devastated. In the same message, since it was broadcast to all on the planet, the Cynthenras also apologized to those that remained loyal to the Aldwylsar and made it clear that if the Coalition forces did not surrender, they too would perish in what occurred. It was the only way to ensure that the Hastazar would not gain a foothold to threaten more innocent lives of citizen and soldier of the Aldwylsar. The Hastazar leadership that still existed in their makeshift bunkers of ragged, barely armored troops, of course, scoffed at the message. They did not remember. So, the Cynthenras made a second broadcast, in which explained what was to happen in no uncertain terms. How the planet was to be destroyed. How that it would be perhaps the most evil act the Aldwylsar had ever, and hopefully would ever, perform. But that it was being done to both bring an end to suffering that they could not prevent, to prevent further suffering of those who were innocent, and as a mercy to both sides who had become trapped in the endless quagmire of the Siege. The Cynthenras, despite all that had occurred, praised both .sides. In these final moments, the Cynthenras claimed, they were equal. Respectable equals, individuals who continued to fight for their beliefs to the better end. Switching to a more personal topic, the Cynthenras spoke to the remaining Halan Xulkar who now faced their imminant death. They praised the soldiers for staying true to the Penrith faith and Riad by realizing their roles as defenders of the Aldwylsar, and holding the line to protect the civilians and cities of Edanan. And, in the process, staying a community united in the name of promoting safety, order, and self-sufficence. Even if that community, in the end, was to be destroyed. Whilst to the Rebels, the Cynthenras remarked that while they could not pardon what had been done on Edanan, those fighters that remained could not be blamed for the actions of their leaders. Their strength to keep fighting for their noble goal, the equality and representation of all, in the face of extreme adversity was an admirable quality. They may have disagreed on the policy of government and the Coalition's belief that the Aldwylsar were tyrants, but the Cynthenras said to them that they exemplified the traits of any true follower of Riad as much as the remaining Aldwylsar loyalists. They knew their purpose in the world, they understood what was required of them and how their actions would affect those around them, and they carried out their duties without ever wavering. Their fate was not a punishment to them, but instead it's the purpose, and the purpose of using the weapon at all, was to hopefully demoralize their comrades. Or, at the very least, bring them at least to the point they'd be more willing to pursue no-violent efforts to change the Aldwylsar's form of governing.

With those words, and a few final remarks of regret, the Cynthenras ended the speech. And the superweapon was deployed in all its gruesome majesty. The orbital defenses tried to stop it, even they could not withstand it. What the final thoughts of those on the planet were is unknown, as it is difficult for recordings to survive the destruction of a whole planet beneath it, but by the end of it all the surviving souls  on Edanan and the planet itself were little more than dust and echos. Just dead rock fragments floating in space, a silent memorial to the deaths of millions. The Stellar Confederation and the Liberty Coalition, of course, were quick to condemn the Penrith Aldwylsar for the act. Even within the Aldwylsar, despite the brutality of the fighting and the intent of the superweapon's deployment, there was a large public outcry. What had intended to be a means to discourage rebellion only found the Coalition additional support. And ultimately it simply served as more fuel for the fire of the brutality of the Hastazar's rebellion, making them ram up their acts against the government. And other governments, as seen during the Vel Kulshu Incident. Vel Kulshu was a world on the fringes of Orudatyr Kuana, an uninhabited remnant of Attayn's Folly, that happened to be very much suitable for colonization by oxygen-nitrogen breathing species. It also happened to be be very close to the Border Worlds between the Confederation and the Aldwylsar, meaning it was basically a neutral planet that neither side exactly wished to place their pawns on. But where the two governments were concerned with keeping their tense peace, the massive Confederate omni-corporation Aeresh Industries desired profit and it saw a very grand opportunity.

To Aeresh and its enigmatic chairman Mister Aeresh, it was perhaps one of the most important business opportunities in the history of his family's company, if not the Confederation's. For, he saw not just a change for material gain, but also a way to bridge a gap long since seen as impossible to cross. The gap between the Stellar Confederation and the Penrith Aldwylsar, one of war and suffering. Using his company's influence, he hoped to create a joint-effort colony on Vel Kulshu. Working with the Aldwylsar to create a sustainable settlement, whilst also opening up trade between the two interstellar powers. It wasn't completely an act of pure diplomacy after all, but a mix of peace talks and profit as Aeresh expanded his reach into territory no corporation had tread before. An utterly untapped market. Of course, in that regard, there would be resistance if he went through the usual channels. Those that truly controlled the Confederation would never allow him to gain such a foothold, a monopoly they would call it. It was more profitable for them all to keep the Aldwylsar their enemy, to keep the Confederation's distracted with an 'evil' empire that justified extensive arms contracts. So, Mister Aeresh chose to play the game his own way. He went straight to Cynthenras Eshari Drathis, ignoring the Council of Species and the Confederation's President and all the rest. He offered to help bridge the gap between the two governments, using Vel Kulshu as a starting point. A neutral ground on which citizens from both governments could tread and learn the truth of one another, whilst creating new profitable trade on both sides of the Border Worlds.

Cynthenras Eshari Drathis was known as a capable and decisive leader, who held the Aldwyslar together through the trying times of the Hastazar Rebellion. But, she was also known to be a paranoid one, and was addicted to various substances as the result of the strain of the Burdened Throne. This, combined with her use of brutal, often war crime worthy, tactics against the Coalition and her dismissal of the Penrith's faith core tenet of forgiveness to ones enemies made some question if she truly understand Riad. Outside the Aldwyslar, she was unpopular for her suggestion that the Confederation may be funding the Hastazar and still actively wished to destroy the Aldwylsar. All of this made many Confederates assume she was actively hostile to them, a crazed dictator who none could ever negotiate with. But, Mister Aeresh proved them wrong. Instead of being met with hostility, Aeresh's agents met only with understandable skepticism and mistrust due to not only their place of origin. After some negotation, Eshari accepted the deal. If it would bring peace between the two powers, and allow her to focus on protecting her people from terrorists and psychopaths instead of possible Confederate interference, then she could find no fault with the deal. Though she did levy strict conditions on the arraignment, as she made it clear she would not have Aeresh try to usurp the position of the government-owned corporations that made up the Aldwylsar's industry. Any trade they wished to perform would be conducted solely on Vel Kulshu, and the products sold had to be approved by the Asharl and Mivras of Orudatyr Kuana. Mister Aeresh, through his factors, agreed to this arraignment.

The colony was initially constructed in secret, but close to its finish it was made public to everyone involved. There was backlash, on both sides. Aeresh Industries was accused of aiding dictators and genocidial monsters. Cynthenras Eshari Drathis' reputation further was tarnished, as many felt she had forgotten Riad entirely by allowing those who worked in Aldwylsar's industry to have their roles usurped or made irrelevent by Aeresh's workers, breaking apart communities and making their members suffer. But through careful words and spin doctoring, both sides calmed their detractors. And the colony's life began. It was tense, to be sure. There were scuffles, and both Zavoya troops and Aeresh Industries Security worked together to prevent many from ripping out people's throats. But in time, roughly five standard orbits, there was a slow change. At least among those the lived or frequented the colony. Those that had been enemies had become closer, and slowly more friendly. The fights became less and less as a peaceful coexistence formed. For the first time in thousands of years, peace between the Penrith Aldwyslar and Stellar Confederation seemed possible. The populus of the Aldwylsar had realized the wisdom of Eshari, who had offered forgiveness to the Confederation, and merely added a new community into many that made up the Aldwylsar. Mister Aeresh, meanwhile, was quite satisfied with the profitability of the venture. The gamble had payed off, and he had his winnings. But in the shadows, there were those that hated what had come to pass. And they worked to undo it all.

The exact circumstances that lead to the Coalition managing to infilitrate Vel Kulshu were never uncovered, but many continue to suspect that there was help from corrupt Confederate elements. But during the midnight hour, a strike force of Hastazar fighters swept through the colony. Every soldier and security officer, every Confederate trader and every Aldwylsar corporate employee, every citizen of both governments was executed. Some were simply gunned down, others were dragged into the streets and killed publically before recording cameras and cheering rebels. By the end of it, the whole of the Vel Kulshu colony was a pillaged, burnt husk doted with bloodied corpses. And the blame for the event fell not on the Coalition, but the Aldwylsar. Confederation officials were quick to stir up an outcry against the Aldwyslar, blaming them for not having the proper security to prevent this outcome. For failing to detect the rebel plot before it unfolded. Some even implied they wanted this, and it had all been a trap to get Confederate citizens killed. Cynthenras Eshari Drathis, all the while, simply was filled with rage. Not towards the Confederation, or at least not very much, but towards the Coalition. Peace had finally been achieved, a place of community and the mixing of Riad and democracy had been founded, and enemies had learned to forgive one another. And they destroyed it, and violated every living being that had been in the colony as they did so. What followed was the bloodiest portion of the Hastazar Rebellion. The Krylsmahr swept like wildfire through the Coalition, dragging them out from their hideouts and executing them just as they had executed the citizens of Vel Kulshu. The Coalition responded by upping their attacks, and soon a new wave of bloodshed washed across the Aldwyslar with victims on both sides.

Meanwhile, tensions between the Confederation and the Aldwylsar continued to worsen. UASN vessels began to actively patrol the Border Worlds, and occasionally skirmish with Aultmere patrols. Eshari attempted to request diplomatic assistance from Mister Aeresh, but he explained to her that those that he could have worked with to fix the situation actively supported the current state of affairs. So his hands were tied. Though, he did suggest that there was one thing that would make the Confederation back off. And that was being reminded of why they had spent years merely slandering the Aldwyslar and the Vulrons, rather than attempting to conquer it. The Halan Xulkar, and the Krylsmahr especially. The Cynthenras took the hint, and what followed was what can be considered one of the few genuine interstellar wars to rock the Silver River. Under Ezlarslayn Silithcan Gleth of Orudatyr Kuana, a joint Zavoya and Krylsmahr force crossed the Border Worlds and struck at the fringe systems of the Confederation. Over a mere three cycles, they had managed to take and hold sixteen systems of the Confederation. They wiped out the UAF forces there, and garrisoned the local colonies. Whilst later reports would imply that the Halan Xulkar forces executed civilians, Ezlarslayn Gleth firmly maintains that he had strict orders in place to avoid harming the local populus. This was a show of force, not a genocide. After a few more cycles of back and forth between the invasion force and a few failed attempts by the UAF to make their own headway into Aldwylsar territory, the Confederation sued for peace. The invasion force was called back, and the Confederation was allowed to return to their worlds. And, with the point made, all UASN operations in the Border Worlds promptly ceased.

But, the Confederation were not the only ones sueing for peace. Despite their best efforts, after four decades, the Coalition was losing ground under the continuing intense Kryslmahr campaign against them. Entire cells were being wiped out, and the internal factions of the Hastazar were at on the verge of turn on each other out of desperation. It was then, with their options running out, they slowed their operations against the Aldwylsar. Reports suggest that there are several changes of leadership within the Hastazar. And then, the most shocking news of all. Several Coalition leaders, new and old, approach the Aldwylsar. They wish to schedule a peace conference on between the Hastazar and the Aldwylsar. As a means to negotiate more peaceful reforms to the Aldwylsar, with several their remaining notorious and violent members and even bases offered up to be turned over to the Penrith Aldwylsar as a show of good faith. It took a full orbit before Eshari returned with her and the Aldwylsar's answer. Her instinct, at first, had told her to say no. Her rage, her hated, her paranoid, and desperation all had told her to say no. She wanted them dead. But the Mivra and the Asharl counciled her otherwise. It had been generations since the Aldwylsar had seen peace, and this was a change to bring it back. As Acathil and the Penrith faith say, forgive ones enemies and hold not grudges for they will only bring ruin to both sides. The Asharls added also that, at the very least, it would bring many of the leaders of the Liberty Coalition into one place, where it would be possible to eliminate them if they had vile intentions. And so, against her better judgment, the Cynthenras accepted the Hastazar's officer. The Hastazar's leaders were surprised their desperate offer had been accepted, and quickly pushed for a neutral ground to be located for the meeting. But, the Aldwylsar insisted it be held within Arthentine, the capital of the Aldwylsar. They were the ones agreeing to let terrorists meet with their leaders, and they would be the ones offering clemency if it was successful. Many of the Coalition argued that this would give the Aldwylsar too much of an advantage over them, which they could use against them. Some leaders of various cells even backed out of the meeting as a result, their faith the whole plan lost. But, as the Aldwylsar pushed, desperation lead to the majority reluctantly agreeing if only in the name of peace. Or the case of some, a greater plot.

Since the rotation that the Hastazar had formed from hundreds of different revolutionary movements, terrorist cells, anarchists, and other such groups, it had been divided. And even in the aftermath of changes of leadership and efforts to bring it together in the name of its claimed goal of toppling the Penrith Aldwylsar and crafting a better government to replace it, it had remained divided. The fact it's mission now was mere to influence some reforms of that only might be put into place in the Aldwylsar angered many, including several cell leaders. These cell leaders came together, and privately voiced their discontent. And together, they crafted a plan. A plan to use this peace conference as a means to send the Aldwylsar into chaos, and perhaps even deal it a death blow in these troubled times. While other, more powerful cell leaders prepared for the meeting and established how each cell would be allowed to voice their own suggestions for reforms, this group retrieved an old, forgotten weapon the Hastazar had acquired. It was hydrogen bomb of extremely high yield, of Confederate make. Whether it was stolen or given, none of the leaders knew. But carefully they had it disassembed into many pieces, and then hidden amongst various cargos that were destined to be brought to Kalael Tir. In this way, the bomb was smuggled into Arthentine, where it was reconstructed in secret on the edge of the city. Far from where Halan Xulkar forces would be combing for assassins. At the same time, the leaders carefully assembled their followers and sent them out to begin stalking each of the heirs of the Drathis line that would not be killed by the bomb, either due to being somewhere else on Kalael Tir or off-world entirely. The entire plan was laid down to the precise turn, all to be timed to more or less follow the detonation. If all went well, their efforts would lead to swift chaos in the first succession crisis in the Aldwylsar's history. The founder's line eliminated, they expected the Mivra and Asharl would be paralyzed in their efforts to find someone new to become Cynthenras. Of course, the leaders would die in this attack, as well as the remainder of the Hastazar present that wasn't aware of the plot. But they would be martyrs all, in the name of overthrowing tyrants.

Despite the competency of the Halan Xulkar and the Varathi, despite careful efforts to predict and counteract all possible plans by the Hastazar that the meeting could be used to carry out, despite all that was done to protect the Cynthenras and her domain...in the end, the plan succeeded. The conference had started well. Eshari was in attendence, as were part of the Council of Mivra, many of the Asharl, and various dignitaries from the other five races of the Aldwylsar. Conversation between them and the leaders was civil, despite the tension in the air. The majority of the reforms presented were actually to be considered, Eshari herself suggesting that perhaps that, like Acathil himself had predicted, the Aldwylsar could only last so long. And time had come for some changes to it.

But, then it came to a time where various cell leaders were to offer further comments, and discuss what would come next. One of the leaders of the plot had arraigned for themselves to be given a moment during this time. And that moment was all they needed. They rose and gave a simple speech that condemned the Cynthenras and her Aldwylsar before, with a simple press of a button on their communcation device, detonated the hydrogen bomb. Most had been amused when the rant began, taking it as some bluster from an irrate minority. When the leader removed their communicator and activated it, no one could act quick enough to stop her. And within that instant, over fifty-five million lives had been lost as the ancient city of Arthentine was turned to ash. Simultaniously, with clockwork precision, each of Eshari's children and extended family were savagely butchered. Gunned down, stabbed, beaten, savaged until dead. By the end of the slaughter, not a single official heir was left. To all that witnessed the events, and became aware of the extent of the plot, it seemed the line of Acathil Drathis had finally been killed off. Chaos followed, riots and various minor uprising on certain worlds. Minor factions of the Hastazar and those that had rejected the meeting took advantage of it. But, despite how many had died, there were Asharls and Mivra that did not attend the conference. And through their careful actions and sheer force of will, they barely managed to bring the people back under a tense and unstable order. And, as they had done with the death of every Cynthenras before, the remainder of the Council of Mivra and the Asharl convened to discuss who would succeed Eshari. Of course, several of the eldest already had ideas. Eshari was known as paranoid for a reason. She had planned for various contingencies, some probable, and some seemingly impossible. Most of these plans had, granted, come of her drug abuse and what an addled mind had thought in the moment. But for once, this was a thoughtful, careful paranoia. One born out of her belief that the Confederation was helping the Hastazar, and that they were more powerful than her advisors believed. And this time, she was correct.

This plan was her most secret, her most carefully hidden. With various men, all selected by her and her most trusted advisors, Eshari had sired several bastards. Some were clutches, but a few single-born had come of this. Each had been sent out into the world, and raised by parents that were not their own. With Eshari dead, only those of these advisors that remained knew of these heirs. And not trusting the rest of their fellows, given all that had occured, they were sought out in secret at first. Once they were brought to secure locations, they were tested. And through these testing, it was determined three among the various bastards had the proper personality, talents, and understanding of Riad necessary to possibly serve as Cynthenras of the Penrith Aldwylsar. Each was tested yet again, with care. The populus was left in the dark during this period, and could only speculate what could occur as the Council of Mivra and Asharl desperately did what they could find an heir that could bring proper balance to both the Aldwylsar and Riad in the current times. The answer they found was not the one they expected, but it was the one that had to be. That must be. When the tests ended, to the surprise of everyone including himself, the declared heir was one Keldan Tibekh. A Vulron of merely thirty and a member of the Halan Xulkar, he had initially refused the summons by the Mivra and Asharl. It was only when he was pressured that he agreed to allow himself to be tested, under the belief he would fail and finally be free of his heritage. Kelden was one of the few bastards of Eshari who had been aware he was one, and he had always found himself straining under the pressure of it. Yet this strain, and his own trials he had endured as an orphan, had seemed to prepare him for his ruling over the Aldwylsar. Keldan once more initially rejected the result, but once more was relcutantly convinced to follow his heritage, this time by taking up his mother's mantle in the name of preserving the Aldwylsar. And so Keldan Tibekh, now Keldan Drathis, ascended to the Burdened Throne as the youngest Cynthenras in history.

After several cycles of careful preparation, to ensure that neither the Hastazar would not kill him as well as to teach him all that he had not learned in his upbringing, the rule of Keldan was announced to a skeptical public. Few were willing to believe a mere teenager could possibly rule the Aldwylsar. But when Keldan made his opening address to the people of the Aldwylsar, minds were changed. It was a simple address, very little pomp and circumstance. Just the simple ceremony that had accompained the rise of any Cynthenras before him. But his words, simple and in the vein of Acathil, managed to reach the hearts of his people and gain supporters. He began by stating that he had no desire for the power he had been given, that it was not some childhood dream or power trip that had made him assume he was capable of accepting the role of Cynthenras. But instead that he had to be convinced he truly had what it took, and in the end he had accepted to ensure that the Penrith Aldwylsar would remain stable and its people without suffering, as well as to preserve his ancestor's vision. A vision that, unlike his mother and her ways, he would be sticking to as closely as possible. Keldan would not follow her more dubious and often destructive means of eliminating the Hastazar, as they stood against many of the the Penrith's doctrines. On Riad had called for openiness to other beliefs and forgiveness and acceptance to all that would join the Aldwylsar without question, and those are the ideals he would strive for. But that did not mean he would be soft on the Coalition, nor provide blindly forgiveness without observing their actions and intentions. The Aldwylsar and its many Cynthenras had served the communities and peoples of the Penrith faith for over fifteen thousand standard orbits, fifteen generations of Vulron had grown into their communities, found their place by understanding Riad, and worked to fufill their duties as well as helping those around them with their own obligations to the community. And, if this generation came together for the same purpose under Riad, and the generation after that, and so on, Kelden stated it would stand for another fifteen thousand orbits. \

But beyond the glittering generalties of such things, Kelden conceded that reforms were needed. Many of his mother's policies and actions had to be reversed. But he emphasized these reforms were not the reforms of the Liberty Coalition. They were the reforms that brought the Aldwylsar to the path dictated by the the words of Acathil Drathis and the true understanding of the concept of Riad. And so, he made a promise that this was the future he would strive for. A return to form for the Aldwylsar, and a proper response to the terrorists known as the Hastazar. Which, despite suffering a brief internal civil war, managed to pull itself together and remained a severe threat to the people of the Aldwylsar. Keldan also annouced he was willing to work with the Confederation to repair all the the damage to their relations that had been suffered as the result of the Vel Kelshu Incident. Confederate opinion, however, remain coolly hostile to the Aldwylsar, and the Confederation continues to aggressively propagandize against the Aldwylsar and the Vulron species.

Government and Internal Politics
To Be Expanded: The Penrith Aldwylsar divides its territory into collection of star systems known as an Orudatyr. Each one is overseen from rotation to rotation by an Asharl, who serves as the military governor of the region. They are generally long-serving military officers who are offered the position and then given education political and economic education, or accomplished diplomats who are then given an education at a military academy upon accepting the posting. An Asharl has full control over their Orudatyr and may run it as they wish, so long as their methods are in line with Riad and the Penrith faith. However, they are required to defer to the Cynthenras upon request.

The Asharl is assisted by two Mivra, who serves as their advisers as well as eyes for the Cynthenras. Each Mivra holds their own council of various experts, who help them gather information on various issues within the Orudatyr, including political, cultural, economic issues as well as others, and then present reports to the Asharl with recommendations as to what policies best fit the needs of the citizens of the Orudatyr and the Aldwyslar as a whole. They also compile reports which are presented to the Cynthenras at the end of every Season of the Penrith calendar. Mivra are usually promoted from leaders at lower levels of the Aldwylsar, such as colony overseers, representatives of the vestigial remains of the governments of the five other species, respected teachers from any number of learning institutions, and so on.

Regardless of their position, both are individually selected by the Cynthenras themselves. In most cases, however, these postings do not change when a new Cynthenras takes the the Burdened Throne. The Cynthenras usually knows and trusts the already existing appointees, given they served during their parent or cousin's rule. Thus, these offices are usually static, and only change every thousand years or so. Or when a new Orudatyr is created, as a result of expansion.

Each Orudatyr spans from 8 to 16 systems, the largest having been created as a result of Attayn's Folly. Each is known by both a number, and a codename which is usually used as shorthand by its inhabitants. A total of twenty-three Orudatyr exist at the time of Cynthenras Keldan Drathis' reign, the newest being Orudatyr 23, or Orudatyr Kuana, which was formed under the reign of his mother. Being born out of the territory earned during Attayn's Folly, it is one of the largest Orudatyr that exist, at 16 star systems. Along with Orudatyr 21 and 22, both of which are likewise 16 star systems in size, it makes up the very edge of Aldwylsar influence and serves as the barrier between the Penrith Aldwylsar and the Border Worlds. These three Orudatyr are thus the most militarized of the Orudatyr, yet often find themselves lacking in resources to police their large and often unsettled systems. As a result, they are also the most lawless and often are where the forces of the Liberty Coalition strike the hardest and corruption amongst the ranks breeds.

Law Enforcement
To Be Developed: The exact nature of the legal system in the Penrith Aldwylsar. Details on the Zavoya garrison system, how troops serve as peace officers in addition to military defenses. The strict laws on imports, but generally loose if limiting laws on exports. Categories of offenses. Use of Krylsmahr to execute certain types of criminals without trial, if enough evidence of their actions exist. The extensive monitoring of citizens by specialized cells of the Varathi. Regular housing block searches, though limited by law as to what is admissible as evidence that is found during searches.

Military
To Be Elaborated: The Halan Xulkar, and its three branches. The Zavoya, the Aultmere, and the Krylsmahr. The start of the Zavoya as merely encompasing the infantry and calvary of the Braxtiau, before absorbing the airforce and aquatic navy upon the Aldwylsar reaching into space and reorganizing its armed forces as a result. The Aultmere, the astral navy and maintainer of orbital defenses. And the Krylsmahr, a mix of black operations and a counterterrorism taskforce that is widely considered to be the best and most infamous military force in the entire Silver River.

Social Climate
To Be Developed: Welcoming if cautious, and politically stable. Less cosmopolitan in ways than the Stellar Confederation, owing to its strict following of the Penrith faith, it is very much tolerate nonetheless of other faiths and outsiders. Owing to misinterpretation of Acathil Drathis' On Riad's revisions in the wake of the Dulandoch's joining the Aldwylsar, an air of bigotry and superiority exists among many Vulron. They see themselves as the master race of the Silver River, if not the whole of the Ethereal Dust Galaxy. This does result in certain levels of discrimination against other species, but largely leads to mostly posturing and insults. Hate crimes are rare, but not unheard of. But, they are usually harshly punished, as the Penrith Aldwylsar has firm laws about hatred and destructive discrimination. The diversity of the Aldwylsar is nonetheless considered something to be celebrated and cherished by its members. Vulron and the other five member species alike.

Religion and the Penrith Aldwylsar
To Be Developed: An Explanation of the Penrith faith, and the docrtines of Riad. Vrekai Xasv Kodor - "Peace and Order Through Community."

Economy and Trade
To Be Developed: Strict Government Controlled Economy. Food, shelter, healthcare, transport, and other basic need items are provided at no cost, guaranteed to anyone with a job via monthly signed paperwork they turn in, or those disabled and unable to hold down a job for whatever reason via simple welfare programs. A more normal income is provided in the Aldwylsar's normal currency, but it only goes towards items considered luxurious. Deserts, alcohol, legal recreational narcotics, movies, non-news televised entertainment, video games, and so on. The more productive a worker is, the higher this secondary income is. Better housing and cars cannot be bought with this currency however, as everyone has the same level of living. Houses are instead provided based on the needs of each individual household, but are usually reasonably spacious and well-built even for single individual households. Spinners are generally only given to those that require them, as free public transport is usually enough to get anyone where they need to go on a Penrith world.

Trade with the outside is limited, owning to an emphasis on the community and it being self-sustaining. However, export of excess materials or trade for items the Aldwylsar may be lacking is not forbidden. It is reasonably regulated, though not as strictly as imports. Arms trade is strictly forbidden, as is the slave trade. Narcotics are rarely imported, due to incompatibilities with Aldwyslar species as a result of biochemical barriers.

Controversy
To Be Elaborated: The mix of state-approved speciesism, a requirement for adherance to Penrith doctrine even by non-followers, extreme military force used on criminals, rejection of Confederate democracy, and state controlled industries results in tensions with most other governments in the Silver River. The Confederation is quick to spin every action of the Aldwylsar as that of a tyranical dictatorship, regardless of whether or not it is truly a negative action. Given that Aldwylsar does not interfer with the business of other governments, have its representatives leave Aldwylsar space, or report its news to foreign powers, the Confederation's propaganda against it is usually the only source non-Penrith Aldwylsar citizens have regarding the Aldwylsar's actions and beliefs. Thus forming the base for the hatred that many harbor for the government and its citizens, especially the Vulron.