Talk:Zaretian Monarchy (Branding)

Chu's Notes
-Did a little diving into how the Civil War could play out

Background:

Atles: Feels He could lead the Monarchy better, and covertly organizes fights between Allies of Moccasin and Breys through internal and external forces. Recruits some already existing General that may agree with his methods to give him support after Breys and Moccasin have been taken care of, namely Peacha and potentially also Lord Helios. Older Zaretians tend to agree more with Atles, since many of them feel that the methods of the Breys Regime are extreme. Other Generals are covertly eliminated or neutralized. Elites generally fall in line. Feels that teh ZAretians must adapt in the galaxy in order to remain relevant on the Galactic Stage, favoring neither the ideas of Breys or Moccasin.

Breys: The Mad King we know and love (hate). Caught up in then Zaretians ESG campaign and dealing with Moccasin's rebels he doesn't realize Atles is subtly manipulating his outcomes. Anything that occurs he chalks up to the Rebels doing. Policies and tendencies have show to be overtly aggressive, but effective for the Monarchy, making use of xenophobic policies to reinforce slavery of other races, including his own at times. Due to the vast size of the empire, Zaretians are convinced his word is the only way, having not ventured outside of Zaretian space. Some continue to serve Brey out of loyalty, and others out of fear. More ham-fisted and aggressive in his approach on things

Moccasin: The Former Monarch of the Zaretians prior to the Coup staged by Breys. More diplomatic orientated and seeks resolution over conflict, except in the case of Breys. Prefers indirect methods such as subterfuge or indirect meddling over direct conflict.

Gancarda: While not a proponent of Breys or Moccasin, High General Gancarda is loyal to the Zaretian People, and much like Atles, has his own vision of how the empire should be run. While not a threat perhaps to Breys ( depending on how "mad" he comes ) He would be a definite obstacle for Atles if he was to try and eliminate Breys and Moccasin.

Timeline: The events below happen over an undetermined period, likely over the course of 5-8 years, so they can line up with the present (Y23)


 * As previously discussed, Moccasin scrambles to make his first substantial move shortly after the 2nd battle of Norsus, and the return of The Margan Dynasties. Before being ousted during the Melum Telum Incident and going into hiding, Attopos the Great made several arrangements within the Monarchy to allow Moccasin and his allies to infiltrate the empire relatively undetected by the Breys Regime.
 * Once situated, Moccasin uses his existing network of informants and spies to slowly create a state of disarray among the wealthy noble families and lower classes, forcing the Breys to direct some of his attention to those parties.
 * The Breys Regime and Moccasin Rebels engage in both indirect and direct attacks on each other, Though Moccasin's attempts at subterfuge and espionage are more effective than his direct attacks due to his sheer lack of numbers.

The Atles Conspiracy


 * Atles is relatively privy to both the actions of Breys and Moccasin, but uses his own allies within the Monarchy to manipulate the Breys Regime into losses and conflicts with the Rebels. Atles has also developed a web of informants in and out of the Breys Regime, and even fostered relationships with circles of WL leaning Diabs and the elusive spy rings of the Vechtramil Directorate  Atles has managed to garner the allies of some Generals within the Monarchy, who in some way disagree with Breys Regime and would support Atles as King. Some Generals and Commanders  become targets, but are killed in a way that puts the Rebels, or others, at blame.
 * Rex-Albions intense arrogance ands stubbornness goes against Atles ideas of adaptability, making him the first target. Currently stationed on the Diab front somewhere. Atles' contacts within WL leaning Diabs could make his death seem like a casualty of war, framing the PK Diabs in the process.
 * Bore-ock and Tales: Bore-Ock appears to hate Atles, and yet serves under him. Could be construed as a casualty of war also. Tales could be transferred to the Nuverrian front to distance himself from his brother, as Tales as a proficient engineer is more valuable to Atles than his Brother.
 * Could be an interesting plot point if Tales was to somehow discover the Atles conspiracy, and goes into hiding to attempt to discover Atles and bring him to public light. Just a thought
 * Other unlisted Generals, commanders or elites remain relatively indifferent to the changes in Regime.

Corv's Notes
General premise: an aristocratic society with eons-entrenched extreme class disparity that has morphed into an interstellar technocratic dystopia.

The military's unceasing expansion of Zaretian territory is always accompanied by the exploits of corporate interests - and a lot of the people at the top of both institutions share surnames. In the process of colonising and enslaving their alien neighbours, the Zaretian Monarchy has also succeeded in enslaving most of its own populace.

The force of Zaretian colonial proliferation isn’t just propelled by its noble-born soldiers but also by an ever-expanding cycle of corporate exploitation of its underclass. The only way to make a living as an ordinary Zaretian is to surrender yourself to its extraterrestrial gig economy. Getting a job in the Monarchy operates on a system of collective bargaining whereby workers relinquish their rights in exchange for benefits, wages, pensions or marginally more comfortable lifestyles. Zaretian workers use a variety of chemical implants or questionable cybernetic enhancements to remain competitive with their peers; some to become strong, some to become faster and some to become smarter.

Every employment contract has some lurking clause that instigates punitive debts which employees must pay the company should they fail in their duties. For many, this amounts to a state of indentured servitude. Workers are ferried all around the empire like livestock and sleep in tiny pods stacked in their thousands aboard liveships. Some take remote jobs aboard orbiting probes on which they remain for months or years at a time without contact. All communication with the world outside the contract is controlled by the employer and something as simple as photos from your family are withheld as a reward for exceptional performance. The average Zaretian is totally insulated from the world outside their society and never sees an alien in their lifetimes.

The difference between the Zaretian underclass and the overclass is visible; centuries of body modification practices to specialise in their livelihoods have made the younger Zaretians nimbler, hardier and smaller to fit inside downsized modes of transportation. The overclass by comparison adapt their appearance to suit aesthetic desires instead, often being tall and more athletic in build. The overclass’ role in society is one of military and corporate aristocracy, with a small number of wealthy families exerting great influence on the political landscape of the Monarchy as a whole. Rank in corporate or martial institutions is closely tied to bloodline and those living in privilege increase their fortune through profitable (and, often, ethically dubious) business ventures.

Popularity in Zaretian aristocratic society is an almost tangible asset that must be maintained and reinforced through grotesque displays of wealth. Throwing lavish parties and engaging in acts of wanton hedonism is the surest way to build prestige in such circles.

The Zaretian Monarchy remains one of the largest and most powerful galactic imperial powers, possibly greater than that of the combined races in the Nuverian Federation. It’s capacity for total domination is held back by infighting however; not of clans who openly fight for supremacy as with the Barrakru Kaat but of rivaling bloodlines squabbling behind the scenes over grudges that go back centuries.

Voltara's Notes
Biology


 * 'Old' and 'New' Zaretians are distinct species from the same common ancestor, but are close enough genetically for crossbreeding.
 * 'Old' Zaretians are roughly human-sized, whereas 'New' Zaretians can reach about 7' (2.13m) in height.
 * 'Old' Zaretians evolved amid dense woods/forests, whereas 'New' Zaretians evolved in grasslands & plains.
 * 'Old' Zaretians have endurance & agility, whereas 'New' Zaretians possess more short-term strength & speed.

History '''Author's Note: This all takes place over a long, long, long period of time. The Monarchy is not quite as dysfunctional as it may look.'''


 * Zaretian pre-space history is rife with conquest, especially between 'Old' and 'New' Zaretians, many of whom view themselves as the rightful masters of Zartar.


 * Zartar is eventually unified under the banner of the Minos Dynasty (placeholder), an ultranationalist constitutional monarchy founded upon the idea of "One World, one species, one king," which officially aimed to unite and reconcile old and new zaretians and begin exploring the stars.
 * Minos was genuine in its effort to unite the planet, but did so via harsh, authoritarian rule. The state was tightly regulated, individual rights were minimal, and dissidents were often punished with reeducation & forced labor.
 * Minos eventually develops its first faster-than-light engine and later establishes its first interstellar colony, Tyres.
 * The Monarchy rapidly expands, but Minos finds it more difficult than initially anticipated to control its outermost colonies, which become havens for anti-Minos groups.
 * Local rebellions escalate into outright civil war, which simultaneously reignites old tensions between rival ethnic/cultural groups.
 * Amid the chaos, an alien empire invades Zaretian space. The feuding Zaretians form a united front; despite devastating losses, they do stall the invasion.
 * Battle of Zartar seems much of Minos captured or killed, effectively ending the dynasty. The invasion & killings galvanizes the Zaretian defenders, who rally behind surviving nobility. A series of daring counterattacks cripples the drained invaders, who begin to retreat.
 * [It remains an open debate whether or not Minos was actually killed off or if they had been assassinated by ambitious rivals]
 * Zaretians launch their own invasion and subdue their foe; most of the population is exterminated, with the few survivors being taken as slaves forced to assist in rebuilding efforts, marking the beginning of the Zaretian's now infamous practice of slavery.


 * Faced with a common, otherworldly foe, most Zaretians put aside their feuds for the sake of mutual defense. Established by a small but powerful alliance of nobles and military officials, the Lywo Dynasty is established and swiftly reunites the scattered Zaretians. Many Minos-era policies remain in place, though forced labor and other menial assignments are relegated to slaves, Zaretians workers being gradually phased out and substantially boosting Lywo's popularity.
 * The Zaretians enter a golden age of conquest & colonization. Aliens are subjugated to fuel the Zaretian's growing slave empire, slaves fulfilling jobs ranging from mining to housekeeping. Strict laws & even stricter punishments enforce compliance among slave populations.
 * Extreme economic stratification develops, the innermost colonies housing the monarchy's elite, who subsequently buy or seize most property, forcing the lower classes outward. With the military & outer colonies as a 'barrier', the upper-classes grow increasingly hedonistic and self-centered.
 * Lywo's final ruler dies unexpectedly, his daughter being too young to rule. A council temporarily takes power until the queen is of age, but begin bickering among themselves.
 * The Lywo Dynasty dissolves as the monarchy splits into several warring states. Lywo's would-be queen disappears under unclear circumstances. Proletarian uprisings and slave revolts break out but are forcefully crushed.
 * The era sees new religious & philosophical movements emerge; some gain a following and persist even into the modern era, while others fade or are outright purged.


 * The dictatorial Lyerius Dynasty emerges victorious partly due to technological advancements and political maneuvering; most notably, they receive assistance from foreign allies who are promised a cut of the spoils. Lyerius was also one of the few states to employ its slaves as soldiers, offering them privileges up to and including equal rights for dutiful service. Lyerius would soon alter the official records to downplay the role played by these outsiders.
 * Lyerius enacts an intense propaganda campaign aimed at deifying the monarchy among the lower classes and stokes the fires of xenophobia; the long-term effect is that most Zaretians become totally blind to their own oppression, aiming their grievances and malice at aliens.
 * The upper-classes continue to live a life of luxury, so long as they maintain good relations with Lyerius. Nobles suspected of any form of 'subterfuge' quietly disappear, never to be seen nor heard from again.
 * Lyerius generally maintains the status quo, but its openness towards aliens and harsh treatment of nobility festers resentment among conservatives.


 * General Dor'ack attains fame and prestige for his role in a major war. However, he uses his influence & connections to stage a coup. Acting under the delusion that Lyerius' (relatively few) alliances would 'poison' Zaretian values, he seeks to undo all that the dynasty had accomplished and turns on the Monarchy's allies.


 * A vast swath of the monarchy breaks away and falls under the rule of the rival, Lyerius-aligned Koose Dynasty. A brief but ferocious conflict sees Dor'ack and his surviving associates publicly executed. Koose subsequently seizes power.
 * In an effort to prevent another coup, Koose initiates a series of reforms to better control the military, including the appointment of political officers whose only allegiance is to the king.
 * Initially, Koose shows itself to be a successful and efficient source of order; however, a series of weak and corrupt rules, lulled by the hedonistic wealth of the core, leaves the monarchy vulnerable in a period of numerous border conflicts.
 * The last Koose ruler leaves Zartar to inspect and encourage his troops. Due to either sabotage or malfunction, the ship carrying the king is lost due to a malfunction in its FTL drives.


 * Coincidentally, back on Zartar, Koose is quietly ousted as the Titanus dynasty begins its reign, which begins with an empire-wide purge of any and all officials with Koose sympathies.
 * Titanus reverses Koose's reforms & abolishes the commissars, but retains greater influence over the armed forces.
 * Titanus focuses much of its effort on expanding the military & advancing its technology. Soldiers of noble stature see the fruits of these labors, whereas the (numerically superior) common soldiers retain their older equipment.
 * The monarchy is dragged into a widespread regional conflict; the Monarchy emerges as a victor, but is left overextended with its forces spread across its new holdings. Old alliances break down as aliens take advantage of the situation.
 * Titanus again emerges victorious, but its military & coffers are drained. Displeased nobles whose lavish lifestyle had been impacted by the war make their voices heard, but Titanus pays them little heed, its efforts focused on the wider monarchy.


 * The heir presumptive of Titanus joins the self-proclaimed U'Pa Dynasty, which overthrows Titanus. However, U'pa is unable to consolidate control over the military and sours relations with other noble families, causing the Monarchy to once again split into rival states.
 * U'Pa very nearly emerges victorious, but a rift between the U'Pa and Titanus branches sparks infighting that disrupts the war effort.


 * U'pa's last major opponent, Dondo, takes advantage of the chaos to purchase the allegiance of several ranking officials and eliminate both Titanus and U'pa. Low-intensity fighting would persist for years until Dondo finally consolidated power.
 * Dondo institutes numerous government reforms in a bid to finally put a stop to the infighting. Of note is the return to a Minos-styled constitutional monarchy featuring two legislative chambers, one of which was elected by commoners. Noble power was diminished and the military remained tightly under Dondo's grip. While still autocratic, Dondo was notably less harsh than its predecessors.
 * Dondo's foreign policy, however, remained focused on conquest and enslavement, only allying when it was to the Zaretian's benefit.
 * Dondo's reign is markedly stable and persists for generations. With their major foes having been subdued by Titanus, the monarchy enters a new golden age of conquest.
 * During one such conflict, a soldier of noble birth named Moscanninn is captured. Expecting to be tortured, Moscanninn is surprised to see his captors treat him with kindness and respect, prompting a dialogue between the two that ultimately undermines Moscanninn's entire worldview. He would remain in captivity for months, and in time adopted some of the alien's philosophical notions.
 * Moscanninn is eventually rescued and brought back to the mainland, where he keeps his new beliefs a tight-lipped secret.
 * Moscannin spends decades building a secret network of supporters which includes nobles, officers, and other prominent officials who have come to doubt the Monarchy's warmongering. Moscannin himself uses his connections to close the distance with the Dondo family, who takes a liking to his persona.
 * Moscannin marries into the family and uses his newfound influence to raise his allies to prominent positions while undermining those he knew would likely oppose him.
 * Moscannin has most of Dondo killed in what is framed as another Dor'ack-style coup attempt, seizing the opportunity to arrest some of opponents.


 * Moscanninn formally seizes power, his wife being Dondo's only surviving direct heir. The Moscanninn Dynasty begins.
 * Moscanninn works quickly, introducing more democratic reforms, abolishing slavery, downsizing the military, clearing out corruption from among the nobility, and dismissing generals and officials no longer deemed necessary.
 * Having not been privy to his plans, Moscanninn's wife is outraged; the king tries to persuade her, but the two remain at odds even to this day.
 * Despite his good intentions, Moscanninn's reforms are met with protests and outrage across the monarchy which spread as the economy, which had been built around war and slavery, plummets. Moscanninn and his allies continue their efforts at reform, winning over some skeptics, but tensions continue to build.


 * General Breys, one of the few remaining generals, instigates a coup, receiving the backing of much of the military & nobility. Moscanninn, his wife (who fears execution by association), and many of his allies escape.
 * Breys undoes all of Moscanninn's reforms, rebuilds the army, and releases imprisoned nobles. He also undoes many of Dondo's reforms, returning the Zaretians to an absolute monarchy.
 * Breys keeps his promise to revitalize the monarchy; the economy flourishes under his reign, but Breys rules with a particular brand of cruelty unlike those before him. He combines many of the aspects of the dynasties that came before him: Minas' ultranationalism, Lywo's rampant xenophobia & slavery, Lyerius' cult of personality, Koose's centralization, and Titanus' militarism. The results are clear, with the Monarchy having become one of the greatest military powers in the Kentaurs Sector. Despite the efforts of Moscanninn's network of rebels, Breys continues to rule with an iron grip, determined to see himself and his dynasty reign forever.

Operation Burning Lance & Zaretian Civil War - Operation Barbarossa with Extra Spice
A spot for Volt's ideas/proposals for the Zaretian Civil War.


 * Headline event in ESG lore, right up there with the 1st & 2nd Battles of Norsus in terms of Importance.
 * As such, buildup should/background should start as early as possible. This is already covered (Breys/Moscassin)


 * Main Belligerents:
 * Warlords
 * Zaretian Monarchy (We're not Metalgear solid we don't have any reverse quadruple agents)
 * Telkevan Union
 * Margan (Explanation below)
 * Vikkurl (Minor)
 * Peacekeepers
 * Nuveria Federation
 * Karem Magistrate
 * Empire of Diablos (Secondary, explanation below)
 * Sauran (Potentially minor)


 * Important Characters:
 * Zaretian Monarchy
 * King Breys
 * Moscassin
 * Lord General Vipenite
 * Lord General Gancarda
 * General Varthos
 * General Atles
 * General Atoppos
 * General Helios
 * General Rex'Abilion
 * General Peacha
 * General Ganos
 * General Bor'ock


 * Pre-War Situation
 * Breys seized power fairly recently, >100 years prior to start of the war (Advanced technology keeps him youthful)
 * Virtually all of Moscassin's ardent supporters have been ousted save for a small few who keep a low profile and those on the fence between both regimes. General Atoppos the Great is a notable exception, having retained his high standing by keeping his loyalties a tight-lipped secret.
 * Zaretian military largely rebuilt, but playing catch-up with in certain technological fields, particularly in regards to its navy Debate emerges on whether or not the Monarchy needs to update its doctrine.
 * Breys' aggressive expansion catches the attention of some major powers, most notably the Nuveria. Heightened tensions lead to a cold war; military command undecided on course of action, but efforts to update doctrine pick up speed.
 * Sauran liberate Zaretian slave colony; Monarchy declares war and General Bore'Ock is sent to lead the offensive.
 * Certain elements of the Rach had been covertly working against the Monarchy, but had thus far avoided detection.
 * Margan appear; word soon spreads of their atrocities and of the formation of the Peacekeeper Alliance, of which both the Nuveria and the Sauran are a part. Monarchy collectively realizes that it is in mortal danger.
 * Before the Peacekeepers could take (major) direct action against the Monarchy, the Margan reach out to the Zaretians to propose an alliance. The proposal is deeply divisive within high command:
 * Breys himself did not feel the Monarchy ready to wage a major war entirely on its own, but held no love for the Margan. Lord General Vipenite shared Breys' opinion.
 * Generals Gancarda, Peacha, Atoppos, and Helios opposed an alliance, preferring to instead seek allies elsewhere.
 * Generals Rex'Abilion and Ganos believed the Monarchy capable of fighting on its own.
 * Generals Atles and Bore'Ock are the only two in favor of an alliance, despite generally being at odds with one another. Neither of them like the Margan, but are willing to work with them until the Peacekeepers are defeated; the Monarchy can buy themselves time to find allies in the future fight with the Dynasties.
 * The monarchy reluctantly agrees to talks, which were initially making little headway until the intervention of the Rach. Terrified and enraged at the attempt on his life, Breys throws his support behind the Margan. Warlord Pact is formed.


 * Early War
 * Breys most immediate action is to ramp up his efforts to dismantle Moscassin's network, the king believing the deposed monarch to have played a role in the attack.
 * The next few years sees the Zaretians work in close conjunction with the Margan; steady progress is made against the Rach despite initial setbacks caused by the Rach's anchor network, Sauran advance is halted, but the Nuveria prove to have a technological edge in terms of naval warships.
 * These years sees the Pact expand to include the Telkevan Union, IAE, Vikkurl, Vechtramil Directorate(?), Xiongul Confederacy(?)
 * Telkevan Union: Despite many cultural differences, the two powers form a strong military bond, the Union providing the Zaretians with much-needed naval support. Personal views on the Union range from generally positive to suspicion/hostility.
 * IAE: Provides the Monarchy with funds & weapons, can't get mad at it.
 * Vechtramil Directorate(?)
 * Xiongul Confederacy: Both sides resent each other and keep their distance. Few direct interactions between the two outside of Pact conferences.
 * Despite Breys' best efforts, Moscassin and his supporters evade capture and support the Peacekeepers wherever possible, though they have yet to present an existential threat to the Monarchy.


 * Operation Stormbreaker (Years 4-5?)
 * With the Rach military near the breaking-point, the Peacekeepers launch an all-or-nothing offensive against the Pact, the newly-joined Empire of Diablos leading the charge.
 * Atoppos had provided Moscassin with information relating to Zaretian positions & plans; Moscassin sends this to the Peacekeepers, allowing them to pin-point the position of Lord General Vipenite.
 * Vipenite is subsequently killed in the initial stages of Operation Stormbreaker, with nearly all of his forces wiped out alongside him. Breys mourns the death of his closest companion for the next several days.
 * Gancarda is chosen to replace Vipenite, much to the frustration of Breys and Rex'Abilion.
 * One of Vipenite's surviving subordinates, Commander Varthos, is promoted to General for his actions during the battle, which saved the battered remains of Vipenite's fleet.
 * Despite their initial success, Peacekeeper forces are not prepared for the sheer size of the Monarchy and its overwhelming manpower; attrition takes its toll, and the Peacekeepers are forced to withdraw, having achieved none of their strategic objectives. Zaretians swiftly reclaim lost ground.


 * Operation Downfall (Years 6-8?)
 * Zaretians commit troops to all major fronts (Rach, Nuveria, Sauran, Diab), each to full specific objective:
 * Rach: Invade & occupy Norsus, decapitating Peacekeeper leadership.
 * Nuveria: Breaking through border blockade to strike at Nuverian logistics/industrial capabilities.
 * Diab: Establish foothold in Diab space from which to launch future offensives/reduce Diab offensive capabilities.
 * Sauran: Specific goal of crippling the Forces of Freedom, who are perceived to be the biggest threat posed by the Solidarity.