Illanian Star Empire

The Illanian Star Empire was an interstellar political entity which ceased to be after the Endri-Illanian War. It was administered by the Illanian government on Illanu.

History

Rise of the Empire

Illanian General Liirau in battle armor during the age of imperial expansion

The Illanian Star Empire was founded over three hundred years ago, when Emperor Solan of the Sarali Nation, who had united all peoples of Illanu, including the lunar colonies, under his rule, set out to found a new colony on a nearby uninhabited planet called Lantau. Over the next century and a half, the empire – under the emperors Solan, Tou, Kellai, and Rua – increased in size and power, as Illanians conquered Garr, Cantarr, Kax, and many other worlds and systems.

One hundred sixty-three years after its founding, the Empire finally made its biggest mistake. Emperor Kouin, the great-great-grandson of Emperor Solan, declared war on the Endri-nâi. Overconfident in Illanian military supremacy and believing that the ever-peacefeul Endri-nâi could never pose a significant threat, Kouin began the conflict which would ultimately end in the decimation and downfall of the Illanian Star Empire.

The War

The war began when Illanian forces attempted to attack and annex the planets of the Laita system: Ilemarth, Ramalcan, and Misâima. They had barely landed troops on Ilemarth when a force of Endri-nâi met them, offering hospitality for a month in return for their swift departure immediately thereafter. The Illanians had heard of Endri-nâi resilience, but mostly knew them as gentle giants who had never been aggressive to anyone as long for as long as they had known. Their offer was rejected, and a brief skirmish ensued in which none were killed or seriously injured. Several more encounters, hostile only on the Illanian side, followed on both Ilemarth and Ramalcan. By the time Illanians had reached Misâima, the Endri-nâi had realized that conflict was necessary, and swiftly decimated the Illanian forces, hoping that the Empire would cease after seeing a brief show of strength.

This was not to be. Enraged at the humiliation of sending three million troops only to have three hundred – purposefully kept alive and uninjured – return to him, Emperor Kouin declared war. The next fifteen years would be remembered in history as the costliest war in Illanian history. Though there were both victories and losses on both sides, the Endri-nâi maintained the upper hand. When Kouin was killed in battle, eight years into the war, it began a slow downward spiral toward their eventual defeat. Eventually, the exhausted Illanian Star Empire surrendered. The terms of their peace were surprisingly generous: they were to withdraw from all occupied worlds and allow their peoples to declare independence; they were to hold accountable those responsible for the continued aggression; and they were to promise on oath never again to make violence upon Endri-nâi or their kindred races. No monetary reparations were required, and all prisoners of war were released.

Aftermath

In the chaotic aftermath of their defeat by the Endri-nâi, Emperor Aurai, who took the throne after her father Kouin was killed in battle, and General Liirau Haokal, commander of the Imperial armies, were found guilty of high crimes against the Illanian people. They were subsequently deposed and executed by the Council of the Wise.

The Council's next act was to declare a new Illanian Star Republic, which would be led by elected officials (advised by the Council). Lihara Klowin was selected as its first High Minister, and under her leadership the Illanian Republic began taking steps to recover in both economy and reputation. Planets and races which had formerly been subjugated under the Empire were now invited to join the Republic as (nominally) equal members.