The Empire's diplomacy is thus simple but effective: Join us and enjoy a golden age everlasting. Refuse us and see what horrors lurk in the void of space.
The Immortal Empire
Author: Din-Bidor
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Conspectus
By my hallowed father's will was this Empire born out of the abyss of time. By his might and wisdom did it pass through the flame of strife into an era of untold peace and prosperity. By his decree I now stand before you as your sovereign, wearing the Searing Crown upon the Eldest Throne.
And yet it is you who are deserving of praise, as is yours the inalienable right as beings of life and reason to enjoy the fruits of paradise, for it is through the ceaseless toil of your hands and hearts that we have built this unparalleled beacon of harmony amongst the stars. Thus the burden of responsibility rests on your shoulders as much as it rests on mine. It is you, the peoples of a thousand thousand worlds, who shall preserve this abundance for generations to come, who shall guard our utopia against the dangers of the Multiverse, who shall extend your hands in friendship throughout Midgard so that numberless others may join us in our bliss. Through you we persist—forever just, forever strong.8 Through you is our cause made Immortal.
– Excerpt from Empress Aelita's speech at her coronation ceremony.
Illustration
Aeviternus, by Mufal Srr'Yl. It depicts Emperor Mortis descending from the divine spheres to lay down the foundations of the Immortal Empire.
Knowledge
Traits: The self-proclaimed Immortal Empire is a multicultural intergalactic civilization located in Midgard—an iteration of the baseline universe with a temporal offset that sets its current era in the seventh millennium CE.910 At the time of writing this entry, its territory comprises the entirety of its universe's equivalents of the Milky Way, Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies, with footholds and client civilizations spread throughout the known cosmos; its population consists of nearly one trillion distinct sapient species.11121314
Along with the Emerald Hegemony and the Solar Dominion—its sole competing superpowers—the Immortal Empire is one of the most powerful and influential political entities in Midgard. Despite its formidable martial prowess, its true advantage over its rivals rests on two pillars: its public policy of employing magic as a civilizational tool, and its ability to absorb new territories through sheer diplomatic maneuvering.
On the first issue, nearly 20% of the Empire's total population possesses innate magical abilities which are openly practiced—this includes entire species and faiths such as the fae, dragons, djinn, Mekhanites, Nälkä, and other peoples considered anomalous in realities closer to the baseline.15161718 These magic users have long become fully integrated in key sectors of the Imperial apparatus, leading to tremendous advances in medicine, food production, transportation, terraforming, engineering, communications and warfare which the Empire's competitors struggle to emulate.
On the second issue, the Immortal Empire's prosperity and harmony acts as a lure for other weaker civilizations to willingly join it with the promise of sharing in its abundance. In the immediate aftermath of the Krolovar war, the Empire levied its stability compared to its fellow spacefaring societies—most of which were devastated by the conflict—to convince nearly a hundred thousand independent planets to become part of its territory. The Empire's diplomacy is thus simple but effective: Join us and enjoy a golden age everlasting. Refuse us and see what horrors lurk in the void of space.19
Nature: The Immortal Empire is poised on endless expansion, pushing boundary after boundary and frontier after frontier. Its modus operandi varies according to the developmental stage of any civilization it intends to annex.
When meeting a spacefaring civilization, the Immortal Empire will nominally welcome it as an equal and call for an elected representative to be the voice of their planet in the Imperial government; thus, the planet retains relative autonomy over its internal affairs while adhering to Imperial law and accessing Imperial advancements, enjoying benefits such as increased longevity and quality of life for its inhabitants, sharp decrease in wealth inequality, and protection against piracy or aggression by planetary enemies. However, joining the Empire means allowing it to take over the planet's entire infrastructure, with its technology gradually replacing the host civilization's own; should a planet decide to secede from the Empire, it would be faced with the prospect of the Empire taking all of its proprietary technology and resources with it, crippling the planet to a pre-industrial stage.20
When the target civilization has not yet achieved spaceflight, the Immortal Empire will set up a security perimeter around the planet and wait until the desired developmental stage has been reached. Although it claims these measures are meant to allow societies to progress without external interference, the Empire has been known to surreptitiously influence its targets into normalizing the idea of a one-world government and the existence of extraplanetary life,212223 as well as shape culture in a way that will best allow the host civilization to resolve internal conflicts and smoothly integrate into the Empire.24
Imperial policy seems fixated on the idea of permanence as a value and an end in itself. Once the culture of a population reaches a state considered ideal for integration, the Immortal Empire will enshrine it as dogma and do everything in its power—from intensive educational campaigns to subtle suppression through thought police in extreme cases—to prevent dissent from taking root and shattering its vision of a perfect order.2526 This thought process is also observable in its environmental policy: the Empire invests considerable resources in the preservation and restoration of endangered species—both sapient and non-sapient—the reversal of ecosystemic damage, and the de-extinction of prehistoric flora and fauna through a combination of genetic engineering, necromancy and chronomancy.2728
The Empire also possesses a notable interest in the preservation of endangered cultures, languages and societies. Its policy of accepting refugees from other territories and even other realities has been lauded as an exemplary show of solidarity and criticized as a political tool to justify its unending expansion. It has also attracted the interest of many Wanderers, who see the Immortal Empire as a potential sanctuary against the persecution they experience in their home universes.29
History & Associated Parties: Due to its immense age, which presumably spans millions of years of existence,30 the history of the Immortal Empire cannot be summarized in its entirety in this entry. As such, we will cover only a few critical moments that helped shape its power and assert its domain over Midgard, as well as the known history of Library-Empire relations.
- Founding: At some unknown point in the past, in a period called the Time Before Time, the Immortal Empire was established by an individual known as Mortis. The origins of Emperor Mortis are a mystery, as is his nature and true identity, for he was always a secretive figure who rarely made public appearances; as such, he possesses near-mythical status and is revered as either a god incarnate or a divinely-appointed sorcerer-king of endless wisdom. All that is known with certainty is that Mortis’ magical and reality-bending abilities far exceed mortal limits, and that he has lived for as long as the Empire has existed. Any records detailing further information about Mortis have been lost to time or the fires of the Age of Tribulation.31
- The Age of Tribulation: The Age of Tribulation is a period in the history of the Immortal Empire marked with strife, war and devastation. As with the Time Before Time, little is known beyond a few chronicles and stray anecdotes that tell of stars being shattered and worlds crumbling into molten rock. It was in this age that the first Ways connecting Midgard to the Library were discovered during with the tenure of the Second Chief Archivist, leading to a tense first contact between the Library and the Immortal Empire which was exacerbated as different warring factions began seeing the Library as a safe passage for troops, supplies and armament. Although the Library forbids all forms of violence, mere smuggling and troop mobilization were not directly against its laws, leading to the Empire blockading the Ways to prevent incursions into its territory. This lasted until the end of the Age of Tribulation, only for the Library to suffer the Great Searing, which destroyed most records pertaining to this Imperial era.3233
- The annexation of Barsoom: Around 1202 CE, the Immortal Empire stumbled upon a solar system now known as Sol.34 Exploration led to the discovery of both Earth and its planetary neighbor Mars, known as Barsoom3536 in its native tongue. The peaceful inhabitants of Barsoom, who had evolved extraordinary psychic powers, quickly agreed to being annexed by the Empire, enticed by the idea of using their abilities to foster friendship and understanding among the peoples of the universe. It is unknown to what degree the Barsoomians understood the role they would play in the Empire, but in the aftermath of their annexation the Immortal Empire's territorial acquisitions increased tenfold.
- The long wait for Earth: Meanwhile on Earth, the Mongol empire arose to terrorize Asia and Europe while the Iberian peninsula drowned in Muslim and Christian blood in the throes of the Reconquista. The decay of Ghana announced the future glory of Mali, and seeds for the conquest of America were being sown. Yet a bigger conquest loomed out of mind and out of sight, for the Immortal Empire had begun its long wait, observing the humans with great expectation while also eyeing the hidden peoples who—having been deemed aberrations by fear and superstition—had retreated behind the Veil. Centuries later, when the children of Earth achieved the peace they had dreamed about for so long, the Immortal Empire was there to reap the fruits of patience.
- The Krolovar war: This is the event that led to the current status quo of both the Immortal Empire and Midgard. The Krolovar were survivors of a genocide at the hands of another spacefaring civilization, left without a planet of their own. The Immortal Empire, following its aforementioned policy, helped resettle them on a terraformed world, but the Krolovar refused to become integrated into the Empire; instead, they became a client state, rebuilding their strength while slowly pushing the Empire out of their internal affairs. Things turned sour when it was discovered that the Krolovar were amassing weapons, ostensibly for their own planetary defense but eventually revealed to be part of an expansionist scheme when the Krolovar began subjugating neighboring planets.37 As Krolovar-supremacist discourse escalated and the other powers began seeing them as a genuine threat to their safety, war broke out. The devastation was absolute, with entire empires being torn apart—including the budding Krolovar expansion: despite the Empire's vehement opposition, the Emerald Hegemony and the Solar Dominion eradicated the Krolovar population with a bioweapon tailored to specifically target and attack Krolovar DNA.3839404142 In the aftermath of war, the Immortal Empire survived to gorge itself on the remains of the former galactic order.
- The abdication of Mortis: Whether out of guilt for the role he played in both the rise and fall of the Krolovar and many other planets, or because he felt that his immensely long reign had run its course, Emperor Mortis abdicated his throne in favor of his only daughter, Empress Aelita. Mortis proclaimed himself Imperial Archmage and became even more secretive than before, while the new Empress has remained a much more public figure than her father ever was, cultivating the image of a gentle and accessible ruler to her people.
Approach: The Immortal Empire is safe for all Wanderers to visit. Thanks to the normalization of relations between the Empire and the Library, it is now possible to find many Imperial citizens in our halls. Some Veiled institutions of higher learning have established exchange programs with the Empire's own academies of magic, so it is possible to enroll for an experience abroad. However, should you choose to visit any place in the Empire, remember you are being watched at all times; anti-scrying wards are recommended to avoid the more intrusive forms of Imperial surveillance.43
Furthermore, although the Immortal Empire tolerates the Serpent's Hand, this should not be mistaken for support or approval of our activities. In time, the Empire's expansionist agenda may collide with our own, and we'd best not bring undue attention to ourselves. Keep a low profile at all times.44
Observations & Stories
"As our planetary defenses failed and the Krolovar fleet began breaching our atmosphere, we beheld five metal leviathans emerge from the void with a grace and lethality unparalleled. The Empire had arrived with all its might, its ships cutting down the Krolovar to a single vessel, which blasted into space in full retreat. One of the Imperial ships pursued, while the rest remained to deliver us much needed relief in our time of need. The very next day, I enlisted to serve my planet, my people and my Empire."
– Testimony of an anonymous recruit to the Imperial Military during the Krolovar war
"And how could we not be thankful to those who have brought us green paradise? Look upon their works and marvel! Where once there was nothing but the refuse of our misguided ambitions, flowers flourish and insects buzz. Where once our sky was choked by fumes of unchecked industry, we can gaze at the stars with wonder and dream of a better future! We have more food than we can eat and more clear water than we can drink, and our children are no longer born under the yoke of illness or deformity. For these reasons, we dedicate this monument to our patrons, the Immortal Empire, so that future generations will not forget the painful lessons we learned nor the generosity we received from those who owed us nothing."
– Excerpt from King Ulpian V's dedication speech at the unveiling of the Dasir Obelisk, a monument chronicling the planet's environmental collapse and the Empire's intervention
"We believe our exchange program with the Imperial Academy of Higher Arcana is a complete success. Still, we have glimpsed only a fraction of the knowledge the Empire has to offer, and we hope that future exchanges will provide us with deeper insight of their expertise in necromancy, divination and, most importantly, technosorcery. Imagine what great works we may yet create once we dissect it all down to its bare essence."
– Vice Chancellor Allgrass of Alexylva University
"Our rebellion saw little fighting. We believed we would face fierce opposition, that the Empire would fight tooth and nail to keep us under their control, that we would know glorious martyrdom in the name of liberation. None of that awaited us when we reached the capital. A single Imperial bureaucrat let us in, sat us at their table, and heard our demands. Again and again they asked if we spoke for our whole planet, and if we were sure that this was what we wanted. We, having deposed and executed the corrupt leaders who sold us out to Imperial hands, drunk with our perceived victory, assented. We barely even read the document they handed us—only making out the words complete and utter removal of Imperial presence in big bold letters—and signed it with the eagerness of those about to be enthroned.
"Over the next five years, the Empire removed itself entirely as it had agreed, and took our hospitals, factories, farms and communications with them. Now you ask me if it was worth it, if in the end we won despite it all. I look at the desolation my world has become, at the filth and poverty that strangles us in the crib of rebirth, at the never-ending war for the scraps of the old regime, and I tell you I no longer know."
– Saj Leulari, one of the leaders of the secessionist movement of former Imperial planet Qarpac
"I blinked and realized I now stood in a large chamber illuminated by the light of a fireplace. The walls were adorned with artifacts from a myriad of cultures, most of which I could not identify, and books were piled on mounds throughout the floor. A large shadow approached me and I met a pair of fiery green eyes peering from behind a silver mask of exquisite design. The shadow, who I realized was an entity ethereal yet physical, did not seem remotely surprised by my presence. He looked at me with curiosity and, with a solemn but smooth voice, introduced himself as Mortis, Archmage of the Immortal Empire. He welcomed me into his sanctum, but—somehow knowing my stay was brief—encouraged me to look out of the balcony.
"My jaw dropped when I gazed upon a garden so large and vibrant that I could have sworn it was the lost Valley of the Two Trees, filled with birds and creatures of unimaginable color, trod upon by a multitude of people so diverse and wonderful that I struggled to distinguish who was a visitor and who was part of the garden. Beyond the greenery, enormous edifices of white and gold dominated the skyline, a warm sun shining over the bejeweled metropolis. Before I popped back to the Library, Archmage Mortis gave me a small gift—a pomegranate so ripe that it almost looked like a ruby—and told me he hoped to have everything ready to make my stay longer the next time I came by."
– Agent Hopper on his meeting with Archmage Mortis at the Imperial Palace on Idhai, the Immortal Empire's capital planet
Doubt
The true endgame of the Immortal Empire’s fixation with preserving the "ideal" state of the planets it annexes remains unknown. Stifling the natural progression of cultures and societies risks stagnation and eventual decay, and unending expansion certainly bodes ill even for a superpower with the technological and magical capabilities of the Empire. No matter how big and efficient its thought police apparatus is, entropy is an unbeatable force and cracks will inevitably form in their gilded idea of perfection.
While the Empire's territorial ambitions in Midgard are clear, their renewed exploration of the Multiverse is a cause for concern. Reports exist amongst Wanderers that Imperial agents are mostly interested in finding parallel universes that may host an alternate version of their civilization; none has been found thus far. The temporal offset that exists in Midgard relative to baseline reality means that, for the Imperials, other universes may resemble their own ancient past, with the Empire's efforts directed towards seeking answers to some burning question that has its agents scrambling through the branches of the World Tree. What that question is, only the Empress and her father seem to know.45464748