Fleeing a dying planet long ago, humanity took to the stars to chart a new beginning. Since then, humans have become masters of space, with vast empires and powerful spacefaring armadas. For hundreds of years, humans lived in relative peace as the Commonwealth, but it began to succumb to the temptation of power and greed. Humanity not only became the masters of space, but of other civilizations, too. Enslaving others as a means of acquiring more power led to corruption and eventually to a galactic civil war that tore it apart. Two empires emerged from the ashes-- the Skran Imperium, led by Emperor Zao Skran; and the Naams Protectorate, led by rich noble houses known as the Ruling Body.
Hundreds of years after that first devastating war, humanity once again repeated their errors over their perceived differences. Known as the Great War, it war lasted for forty years with no clear victor. There were heroes and villains on both sides as everyone struggled to gain the upper hand in battles spanning thousands of light years. By the end of the war, both armadas had been reduced to just a fraction of what they had been before the war. The Battle of Yaltrix was the last battlefield of the Great War.
The Skran Imperium, led by the soldier-turned-ruthless Emperor, Zao Skran the First, was the result of a savage insurrection of the Commonwealth. Skran’s promise to those that followed him was to lead humanity into a new age of prosperity free from an iron ruling fist. For a time, Skran’s promise seemed genuine. The people prospered for a time, but power soon corrupted Skran. A long line of emperors have made sure that violence and an iron fist keep the people loyal and obedient.
Those loyal to the Commonwealth chose to continue their way of life by putting the people first. This new offshoot government became known as the Naams Protectorate. A Ruling Body was assembled from the most influential people that the Protectorate had to offer. They vowed to honor their ancestors who had sacrificed so much to bring prosperity to humanity. As time went on, the Protectorate became more and more like a police state, stripping away the rights of citizens for their continued protection. Aliens that had once lived beside humans in peace became indentured servants and second class citizens. The Naams Protectorate had become what it tried not to.
One of the last great civilizations that humans have yet to conquer or enslave is the Delkian-Zaknoth Alliance. It is home to countless alien races who have escaped human superiority. The two most prominent aliens in the alliance are its namesakes: the Delkians and the Zaknoth, two related species who developed a complex social hierarchy after living together for countless generations. Zaknoth are typically more suited to manual labor due to their larger body sizes, while Delkians take on more authoritative and leadership roles.
Operating for as long as humans have been in space, a vast crime syndicate has woven its way through known space with most smugglers, mercenaries, bounty hunters, and drug dealers working for it. The Syndicate is led by Zat Tabow, a powerful Delkian not to be swindled. Located on the edge of the Delkian-Zaknoth Alliance where it can operate with impunity, the Syndicate meets the demands of a complex space economy that relies on less than savory arrangements that most people turn a blind eye to. Both the Skran Imperium and the Naams Protectorate have used the services of the Syndicate in an attempt at gaining a tactical and political advantage over each other.
As part of their ceasefire, the Imperium and Protectorate created a Demilitarized Zone between them to ease post-war tensions. Since its creation, the DM Zone has become a haven for the Syndicate, providing a safe place for smugglers and anyone else to make easy money without the need to avoid patrols from the Imperium or the Protectorate. It also has become a reminder to both empires that even though their armies and armadas were devastated, the war never truly ended— only postponed.
“TALES FROM THE LOST DOMINION,” and “LOST DOMINION,” all characters, designs, and story elements are ©2020-2024 Lumo Station LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction in any format, digital or print, without the express written permission of Adam Mullen.