Lo-Shudai

The emblem of the Grand Tide.

Overview

With its seat of power deep in Poliseu space, the Grand Tide is a galactic empire that spans several star systems. Its ancient capital can be found on the Poliseu homeworld of Ayuni-Ji; the Grand Tide is collectively overseen by a group of five influential, important kingdoms. These kingdoms had a long history of infighting, intrigue and open warfare during the Poliseu's formative years but the empire has come to know an extended period of relative peace - at least, when compared to the warring eras that came before the unification of the warlords. This long standing peace has allowed the Grand Tide to focus on other priorities, such as research and trade. Due to their recognition as great warriors, however, soldiers of the Grand Tide can easily find employment in the third party market, either as bodyguards or security, and it is not uncommon to see Poliseu outside of their native space.

General

Capital: The Palace of Serene Waters, Ayun-Ji

Leader: Emperor Yang Jun-shi

Demonym: Tider

Official Language(s): Polisean

Population: 38.4 billion

In the early, formative years of their history, the Poliseu resided in the deep oceans of Ayun-Ji; as an amphibious, aquatic species, this was only natural. It was difficult for them to adapt to living on the sun-drenched beaches of their planet for long periods of time, and so most of their large cities remain submerged to this day. An aggressive ocean ecosystem meant that the Poliseu needed to be fit and fierce to survive against some of the other frightening creatures that called the ocean their home. Early Poliseu clans were extremely territorial and prone to war with other tribes. Their society was initially a random collection of small warrior-families, but over time the strongest of these groups would battle and enslave their weaker brethren, eventually assimilating them. Fearsome warlords vied for territory and resources using their men to fight a proxy war. It was during this Warring Era that the five burgeoning kingdoms began to cement their grip over their respective territories.

Through bloodshed and intimidation these five kingdoms came to control a vast swathe of the waters of Ayun-Ji. This unending conflict had the side-effect of sort of kick-starting Poliseu research and technology. Each kingdom wanted to have a leg up over the others, and for centuries they shifted continuously between war and peace. When the Poliseu finally achieved the feat of space flight and the discovery of W-1, the warring kingdoms scrambled to carve out their own cut of space, founding colonies and building space stations always with the penultimate goal of one-upping the others. Once the Poliseu came into contact with other alien species, however, the uncertainty of alien diplomacy and the pressing need for unity in the face of a galaxy much larger than they thought eventually forced the five kingdoms to come together and accept a more permanent form of peace, though this long history of conflict is still present in their current government.

The Emperor of the Poliseu is chosen through honorable combat between aspiring royals. High ranking members of the five kingdoms all compete, taking part in a fight to the death to determine who is the most experienced soldier amongst them. These tournaments take place in a sacred area of the Palace of the Serene Waters specially consecrated and designed for this purpose. They are only allowed to use the traditional trident spear, and dishonorable tactics will disqualify an entrant and result in fatal consequences.

Demographics

The Grand tides population amongst its seas is mainly comprised of a mix of Poliesu and aquatic Vatborne. The continents are slightly more diverse however the Poliesu are the race majore.

While life can be rough on the Tide's planets, their natural riches have ensure that they are not untouched by outside influences such as corporations and immigration.

Military

The Grand Tide itself has no standing military, however each clique has its own fleet to protect its interests. While during peacetime they act independently from one another, under wartime threat they are to converge into one mass fleet.

The fleets from Largest to Smallest:

Utimar 1st
Anyunian 1st Pack
Niyan Orbit Force
Xi Flotilla
Omayan Orbital Patrol

Politics

Lead by 5 cliques the Grand Tide could be seen as some to be a collation of parties, which at current are at peace but given their history something as small as territorial claims could set them against each other in a civil war once again. Local governments under the banners of the cliques help govern the Tides lands and planets.

The Grand Tide has a unified agreement to ban on AI on any planet under their control, viewing AI's as a possible source of insurrection or "discord" within their system's.

Despite the discord amogst the cliques there is an agreement to defend the entire empire from outside aggression, a pact that details mutual defenses along with a clause that if attack by outsiders all ongoing wars are declared null until the threat has been remove.