Eolian Philomaths

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

- Director Gaviar

The Eolian Philomaths are a minor power within the Luminarian Empire. The Eolian Philomaths were created 500 years prior to the independence of the Frontier by then Emperor Ancelis to research and study the J-2801 nebula. The original Eolian Philomaths were formed from the best and brightest amongst the scientific community within the Luminarian Empire and were given free access to any and all resources to unlock the secrets behind the J-2801 Nebula. When it became clear that more foundations were required to even get a glimpse of the secrets hiding, the Eolian Philomaths split up and each begun conducting independent research, meeting once every few years to share and compare research.

In the next 200 years, the Eolian Philomaths had advanced Luminarian science in trying to understand the J-2801 nebula. Nanotechnology, Gene manipulation, Quantum Travel are some of the technology that was pioneered by an Eolian Philomath. However, to achieve such progress, many Philomaths had conducted dangerous and illegal experimentation, sometimes even using an entire frontier world's populations as part of their experimentations. Emperor Enoris, although horrified at some of the experiments done by the Eolian Philomaths simply couldn't stop the Philomaths as their work was extremely vital to developing the technology required for the wars of expansion. Instead, he had the Eolian Philomaths merged with the Military Secrets Directorate, to help cover up the experiments as well as provide the Philomaths with the intel trove that may assist their work.

In the current year, the Eolian Philomaths are still conducting their research and experimentations despite the lack of access to the J-2801 Nebula. The Philomaths also occasionally assist the Military Secrets Directorate as the war in the shadows with the Luminarian Combined Intelligence Divison has negatively affected their work.

History
"We are like Chiropteras, attempting to understand Rechnender Raum. We must first evolve before we can understand."

- Philomath "Skyflame"

The Eolian Philomaths were created when the Luminarian Empire first discovered the J-2801 Nebula. As the secrets within the nebula were both esoteric and dangerous, Emperor Ancelis assembled the finest minds in the Luminarian Empire. Originally numbering 32 and from many disciplines, these scientists were given unquestioned access to the empire's resources as well as the authority that was the equivalent of that of a cave head. Ancelis believed that unlocking the secrets of the J-2801 Nebula would eventually be the lifeblood of the empire, and passed that down to his descendants.

For the first 3 years since the Eolian Philomaths were created, the Philomaths worked tirelessly attempting to unlock the secrets within, but they failed. Most Philomaths believed that they simply did not have the foundations to pry open the nebula's secrets, in fact most of them foresaw that it would require multiple generations to even get a glimpse into the secrets within. Most Philomaths left the nebula, and begun setting up research institutions around the empire to hopefully accelerate the research base of the empire as well as look for potential successors. Occasionally the Philomaths would convene and exchange research data.

For a little over a hundred years, the 1st and 2nd generations of Philomaths had setup the foundations required to earnestly begin research into the J-2801 Nebula. Although research was extremely slow, the work done by the Eolian Philomaths had opened up new scientific branches. Practical quantum theories, noospheric theories, and calculating space applications were some of the new branches opened up by the efforts of the Philomaths.

In the 142nd year since the Philomaths were created, the Empire would soon be at war with it's neighboring powers. Emperor Xenthras had begun a massive military mobilization and as part of this mobilization, ordered the Philomaths to develop weapons of war using technology gleamed from the J-2801 Nebula. Forced to accelerate research, many 5th generation Philomaths ignored research ethics and experimented on live Luminarian subjects against the objections of both the 3rd and 4th generation Philomaths.

By the 200th year, the technologies spearheaded by the Philomaths had made their way into civilian life and greatly improved the military might of the empire's forces. This accelerated development came at a huge price as many Philomaths had drained the empire's resources. The most egregious was when the Philomath "Arklite" requisitioned an entire colony and its planet to serve as both a laboratory and test subjects. Such occurrences had become commonplace that Emperor Enoris sought to disband the Philomaths. Despite his wishes, he couldn't, the Philomath's work was too important to the Luminarian Empire. As a compromise, he had the Eolian Philomaths absorbed by the military secrets directorate to keep an eye on them.

This did not last. The Military Secrets Directorate provided the Philomaths with their Intel trove and helped cover up the results of their experimentations in exchange for access to their research. Most Philomaths emboldened by the MSD's support delved further into more and more dangerous and unethical works.

By the time of Emperor Baryoto's reign, the Philomaths had disappeared into obscurity thanks to the efforts of the MSD. Very few still remembered their existence and history had been altered to remove any mention of the Eolian Philomaths. The Philomaths had continued to research the J-2801 Nebula and used said information to create weapons of war such as the first battlestation.

During the schism, Eolian Philomath bases and Labs were attacked by the Luminarian Combined Intelligence Division with Stridigae support. A few Philomaths were killed by LSOC operatives. But the largest setback was the loss of the J-2801 Nebula and the Philomath files pertaining to it.

Post schism, the Philomaths are currently working with Emperor Ulran, creating more weapons for the inevitable war with the Luminarian Rebellion.

Hierachy
Each Eolian Philomath has a hand picked retinue of assistants, each assistant usually is proficient in a certain field of science and normally operates to assist their Philomath.

Additionally, each Philomath also has a battalion of MSD security forces at their beck and call. The security forces role is to enforce the will of their Philomath and defend them from hostile forces. Should the Philomath require additional military forces, he or she can requisition empire military forces at any time.

Each Philomath is each other's equal, on paper, there is no prime leader amongst the Eolian Philomaths. However, mentions have been made of an Epignosis coordinating the various Philomaths.

Combat Potential
"The only safe way to deal with one of them. Orbital strike."

- Director Gaviar

Despite each Philomath being personally escorted by a battalion of troops, all encountered Philomaths are equipped with a plethora of defensive and offensive equipment typically related to their field of work. These equipment tend to be extremely esoteric, some dating to the 1st generation of Philomaths and heavily modified with J-2801 materials and byproducts.

Additionally, most Philomaths have both genetically and bionically modified their bodies to assist in their research.

As such, a Philomath by himself can potentially have the combat potential of a reinforced battlesuit company.