Twin Phoenix Imperium
13-02-2007, 03:35
The Legend of the founding of the Twin Phoenix Imperium.
According to legend, there was a kingdom among the pre-imperial nations that, rather than having its ruler determined by "birthright" used an unusual, ritualistic method.
First, the high priests would seek out suitable young men and then put them through increasingly difficult and dangerous trials until only two remained. These two would then have to then take a final series of tests, with the chances of death very high - if one were to die, then the other would be declared the "bearer of the inner flame", also known as the "phoenix". However, if both were to survive, there would be one final test - a fight to the death between the two of them.
This was upset, the legend states, when two candidates had survived all the trials. The men were both uneducated villagers with no prior knowledge of the procedures who had, nonetheless, been selected as potential kings. Over the weeks of trials, the men became good friends and when asked to fight each other they refused. The high priests, disgusted, declared them both heretics and ordered them executed. Using the weapons they had been given to kill each other, the two instead slew their would-be executioners. They then turned their attention to the high priests and killed them as well.
Declaring themselves both "bearers of the inner flame", they dissolved the clergy and founded the Twin Phoenix Imperium. Their impassioned speech (and formidable combat abilities) convinced the nobles to swear allegiance.
The government of the Twin Phoenix Imperium
The Twin Phoenix Imperium is ruled jointly by two "houses" each of which are responsible for different areas of the imperium's governance, but who must have agreement from the other house before their decisions can actually be put into practice. The Imperium's rule is democratic, but rather than electing an entire house at once, the appointment and retirement of members is staggered so that voters can choose its members on individual merit.
Miscellaneous Information
Twin Phoenix Imperium is a technologically advanced nation in the early stages of interstellar expansion. Despite the extensive use of technologies such as genetic modification (giving its citizens vastly improved lifespans and general health) it strives to retain its culture; for example, the aesthetic style of government buildings has hardly changed over the centuries and warriors in the imperial military still carry swords (albeit ones with with nanotechnologically-engineered blades).
According to legend, there was a kingdom among the pre-imperial nations that, rather than having its ruler determined by "birthright" used an unusual, ritualistic method.
First, the high priests would seek out suitable young men and then put them through increasingly difficult and dangerous trials until only two remained. These two would then have to then take a final series of tests, with the chances of death very high - if one were to die, then the other would be declared the "bearer of the inner flame", also known as the "phoenix". However, if both were to survive, there would be one final test - a fight to the death between the two of them.
This was upset, the legend states, when two candidates had survived all the trials. The men were both uneducated villagers with no prior knowledge of the procedures who had, nonetheless, been selected as potential kings. Over the weeks of trials, the men became good friends and when asked to fight each other they refused. The high priests, disgusted, declared them both heretics and ordered them executed. Using the weapons they had been given to kill each other, the two instead slew their would-be executioners. They then turned their attention to the high priests and killed them as well.
Declaring themselves both "bearers of the inner flame", they dissolved the clergy and founded the Twin Phoenix Imperium. Their impassioned speech (and formidable combat abilities) convinced the nobles to swear allegiance.
The government of the Twin Phoenix Imperium
The Twin Phoenix Imperium is ruled jointly by two "houses" each of which are responsible for different areas of the imperium's governance, but who must have agreement from the other house before their decisions can actually be put into practice. The Imperium's rule is democratic, but rather than electing an entire house at once, the appointment and retirement of members is staggered so that voters can choose its members on individual merit.
Miscellaneous Information
Twin Phoenix Imperium is a technologically advanced nation in the early stages of interstellar expansion. Despite the extensive use of technologies such as genetic modification (giving its citizens vastly improved lifespans and general health) it strives to retain its culture; for example, the aesthetic style of government buildings has hardly changed over the centuries and warriors in the imperial military still carry swords (albeit ones with with nanotechnologically-engineered blades).