Fiction:Drodo Empire

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The Drodo Empire is a young colonial Empire of a combined 29 000 systems. While only 200 years old, they are an advanced country with a strong economy, industrial capacity, and of many diverse cultures.

History
"To know the past and the exploits of one's ancestors is the surest way to sucess in one's own life."

- Ancient Drodo Religious Text

Drodo history is complex, long, violent, and well-researched. Drodo have long had a fascination with their own history, and on many occasions the government has funded expeditions to uncover new relics or to study ancient manuscripts. History is an integral part of Drodo culture, and being related to (or otherwise associated with) a famous historical figure can be a source of great prestige.

Early History
Modern Drodo emerged about 200 000 years ago, and soon after that spread across Coron and to every major continent. The Drodo remained hunter-gatherers until about 20 000 years ago, when in Aratacia small farmer communities developed along the rivers coming from the bay of Aratacia. Farming would spread slowly from there to northern Deverinia 18 000 years ago, then to Inquinia 15 000 years ago through trade with Deverinians, and slowly southwards into the more arid southern Deverinia 10 000 years ago. Farming developed independently in tropical Favoria and in desert Ataracia, both around 15 000 years ago.

The first city-states would emerge in Aratacia and northern Deverinia 8000 years ago, followed quickly by Inquinia and Favoria 5800 and 5000 years ago, respectively. The first true civilization, known as the Aratacians, gave their name to the continent they originated on and established the first true empire and civilization in Drodo history, 7000 years ago. They invented a complex writing system (whose alphabet is still used in a modified capacity in many Drodo languages up to the modern day), created a standard system of weights and measures, and made bronze tools the norm.

Their civilization, however, was not to last. Aratacia would fall apart after 800 years under the pressure of other newly-established civilizations to the south in Deverinia, and of constant raids by peoples coming from the murky forests in the north of the continent.

After the fall of Drodokind's first superpower, the Aratacian cities once part of it were either abandoned or separated into smaller states, all of which inherited the Aratacian technology and culture, and improved on it in time. from between 6200 and 5000 years ago, the Aratacian and northern Deverinian region would remain in constant war and competition with itself, with the occasional invasion from northern Aratacian tribes, or southern Deverinian ones.

Middle-Early Era and Early Histories of Inquinia and Favoria
At about 6000 years ago, however, things would again stablize after a 200-year dark age. Aratacian culture would spread further to the coastal areas of north Deverinia, civilizing many tribes. Furthermore, Northern Aratacia saw its own first civilizations emerge from the adoption and independent creation of Aratacian inventions.

Inquinia, the tropical, subcontinental peninsula protruding from eastern Deverinia, would become organized after trade with southern Aratacians about 5800 years ago. It would rapidly develop its own unique culture and civilizations (who frequently fought amongst eachother) and later lose contact with Aratacia around 3000 years ago, and would only come back into contact near the early Imperial Era.

Favoria, to the far south, would develop its own civilization, completely independent from outside influence around 5000 years ago. Extremely inventive people, with a refined culture, they would go through cycles of unity and separation until the end of the Classical era, when they were finally united firmly under the grasp of a single dynasty, the Javi. One of the most surprising traits that would emerge with the Favorians is that, despite their relative youth, they were among the most advanced continents on the planet for most of history.

This era is seen as one of the most peaceful, with few actual empires emerging. Many nations were content to simply trade. However, this did not mean war did not happen, or the technologies to make it advance. Inquinia was almost constantly at war with itself, slowly developing an expressive sort of loose-order warfare which emphasized mobility and surprise, over numbers and chivalry. Its troops, even the aristocrats often fought half-naked and with short spears or single-edged shortswords; this equipment was best-optimised for the hot climate and thick jungles in which they fought in.

Aratacians, meanwhile had a diverse range of armies. To the barbaric, cold north, tribes would use relatively large levies of citizen soldiers to fight battles in disorganized brawls. To the civilized south coast, professional armies numbering in the hundreds of thousands were more of a show of wealth than of practical use, but still saw use in several, extremely bloody battles in this period. Favorians, meanwhile, specialized themselves in the machines in which to wage war with. They were among the first to seriously exploit the massive reserves of sulfur and saltpeter Coron had to make and use gunpowder en masse, but they would not be alone in its use for long.

Early Imperial Era
This state of affairs would persist until 2500 years ago, when the great peace of this era was suddenly shattered by a miniature ice age. Trade in all areas was severely disrupted and crops failed, killing millions. Resources became more scarce and the political climate became extremely volatile in Aratacia and Northern Deverinia. The competition for resources forced nations, once primarily made up of wealthy city-states, to fight massive wars using steel weapons, sophisticated pike formations and the newly-introduced gunpowder, which had slowly winded its way northwards through the Deverinian desert into Aratacia about 100 years previously.

Meanwhile, in the far south, Favoria was too in chaos. The Javi dynasty, which had ruled, unbroken, for 1500 years, had been overthrown by a series of revolts by both peasants enraged by food shortages and taxes and by noble enraged by a government they felt was too centralized. Numerous republics and dynastic kingdoms took the place of the Javi, and this state of affairs would continue throughout the early Imperial era.

The end of the Early Imperial Era is generally considered to be around 2000 years ago, or the 800's AD, when power finally consolidated into the hands of several great powers, and peace was restored; In Aratacia, the Kingdom of Doria, to the "barbarian" north, ruled a vast empire and through its efforts had developed a refined and well-developed nation with bustling trade and cities; As well as one of the most advanced armies on the planet. Doria is usually seen as the nation responible for "civilizing" the north.

In southern Aratacia, the Empire of the Tuviks ruled. The Tuviks inherited the traditional homeland of the old Aratacian civilization. While they used their own language and had their own culture, they maintained and admired the old Bronze Age empire, looking to it as an example to live up to, and even using the ancient language as a holy tongue for the state religion. The Tuvik civilization had the advantage of great population density, and controlling the major trade routes along the continent.

Favoria would again be united after a 500-year civil war under the Ni'pho Dynasty. The Ni'Pho dynasty would, in an effort to stablize the nation and protect it from competition, close its doors to outsiders soon after its proclamation. This decision would begin its process of stagnation, while the civilizations to its North would continue to innovate.

Inquinia would continue to be a tumultuous place, and considered for the most part to be a backwater. While kingdoms and empires would rise on the isolated peninsula, none would last for very long. Inquinia, however, would not have to wait long for its time to rise.

Drodo Empire Era
The Drodo Empire's earliest years was establishing the government, drafting a constitution, and fixing the Star system's problems. As the Drodo had an entire system's worth of resources and manpower, it was in fact easier then first thought.

A interesting method for forming the empire's branches was used; they voted on what nation's system would be used by vote of the system population after they where presented. What this means is, that a certain nation's system of running a certain branch, for example, Law Enforcement, was chosen from a group of contenders. Whichever was voted to be the best and most efficent was used as the best system was made the base of the Empire's. For example, Ursalia's Law Enforcement system was used as the basis for the Drodo Empire's law enforcement, as it was determined to be the best-trained, best-equipped, and its training program was efficent and well-thought out.

Afterwards, the Drodo new Drodo Dominion, or "Drodo Empire", made the decision to venture out to the interstellar void. Funding was funneled into making a working interstellar drive. It was completed shortly after, the new interstellar ship, "The Void Sailor", was launched. The two on-board; A Arcadian and a Dorian, made a trip to the edge of the Coron System and back to Coron IV in a matter of minutes. It was a success. A new era has dawned upon the Drodo race.

The Crisis
A time a great chaos insued between the 2750's up to the 2780's. It was first brought on by a massive recession in 2755, crippling the economy. To add insult to injury, many radical parties gained traction in the outer and even middle systems starting in the 2760's and began armed rebellions to take over. These rebellions would persist across the entire period. Another major incident would be the undead outbreak of 2777, which ingulfed several systems before the military finally stepped in to quell it. This unfortunate period of history was pockmarked by crushed rebellions and crippled planets, poverty, radicalism, and the looming threat of full-on civil war. This period never was directly stopped by anyone (though there where attempts, all failed), but rather faded away in the 2780's. Radical groups and rebels died off or disbanded, and more competent actions against disease and dissidence got rid of the problems when they did arise. Despite this tragic period, it was also a time in which many inspiring and legendary individuals was raised in; Such as Cesterity, whose experiences against rebels as a militiaman and, for a brief period, an officer, gave him military expertise. And the current Premier, Harponis, whose incredibly bold and successful career as a politician was inspired by his yearn to change the tide of his fast-failing country.

Reforms of the 2790's
In the wake of the crisis, a reinvigorated Drodoian government took prudent action to rebuild, and, more importantly, reform, the country. The government took steps firstly to reform the military; It completely restructured the ranks; Adding and getting rid of ranks, streamlining everything. It also fired many incompetent generals and steps where taken to eradicate corruption, which was very successful. Alongside this, the military was updated and modernized with new equipment; New firearms where issued, and ship designs where put in place to replace aging models (Such as the Chaser-class to replace the Ethereal). Regional governments where also effected by the reforms; Being granted extra funds to rebuild, but, alongside this the local governments and governors had many freedoms and much of there autonomy taken away; Autonomy seen as a perceived cause of the Crisis. As a result from all of the rebuilding and military resupplying, the economy boomed once again from all of the products being produced. The government instated many programs to make this sustainable (such as programs to gradually convert military factories to civilian ones as the military became more modernized and needed less), and this prosperity, in many ways, carries over to modern Drodo society today. By the end of the 2790's, the Empire had made an almost miraculous recovery from decades of war and poverty.

Attero Dominatus
Following the massive slave revolt in the Dominatus Tyranny, the Drodo Empire, along with its other allies in the Katar Sector, pledged support by any means. This slowed there exploration plans, but they now had a chance to destroy a great threat and enemy once and for all.

Xonexi War and Post-Xonexi
During the Xonexi schism, the Drodo, then under the Liberal government's Furrak Harponis, gave support in both the Quadrants and in and around Katar and the Milky Way. The bulk of the Drodoian military, alongside the rest of the Katar Sector Alliance, dealt a crushing, if costly, defeat to the DCP in the Battle for Katar. When the Milky Way front came to more-or-less a close, the Drodo started to stand down, its state of emergency was raised, and elections were held; Just in time for the end of Premier Harponis' second term in a row.

Despite being victorious in the Battle of Katar, the Empire was still sent reeling. The Empire's economy had been driven into the ground through the mass-production (and loss) of military resources, its debts to France, the general panic in local markets that comes with invasion, and finally the total collapse of the Xonexi Allies' economies in the wake of the defeat in the Milky Way. On top of this, the Empire faced a mass-revolt in the Heer-Stevekel colonies, which had defeated Colonial troops at several key engagements and were gaining ground by the day. For this poor state the Empire had been left in by Harponis, his approval rating plummeted.

In a landslide victory, the Aristocratic Party, headed by the well-known and charismatic Archduke Fiihar Jivirik III won the election. He brought the big promises of any good Populist; Restoration of the economy, the retaking of what was lost, and a return to the "good days" of an independant and powerful Drodo Empire. Whether he would follow through is a question that has yet to be answered.

The Jivirik Administration
The Jivirik administration came into effect in 2802, and would in many ways back up its promises and form a stable, conservative, populist government beloved by the people... At least, at first.

Jivirik's first actions would be broad, bold attempts at saving the economy from total collapse. These measures would consist of bailing out major corporations, the redeployment of the Drodo military into Drodo space, both to reduce the cost of supplying them and to cut off support of the Xonexi war, removing the vast majority of the Drodoian debtload by defaulting on their debts to France, and upping the production of military production to further motivate the economy in the short term. Surprisingly, all of these measures worked well, and the economy, at least in the immediate future, flourished again.

The Jivirik Administration's immediate success would soon wear off, however. Poorly-timed budget cuts, alleged corruption and the intimidation of opposition members, the establishment of a surveillance agency and a painful economic decline after the initial boom would soon build dissatisfaction from the populace and the establishment. Prominent members of the military, such as Cesterity Isordon, would criticize Jivirik's actions only to face intimidation. Cesterity himself would defect to the French after being threatened by Jivirik.

Crisis of 2806
This slow buildup would reach its tipping point in August of 2806, when an enormous security leak released secretly by Cesterity would confirm the peoples' suspicions surrounding the Jivirik administration's dealings. Massive protests would sweep up the mainland, and revolts would rise in the colonies.

The main factions of the revolt were Heer Stevekelese nationalists, who demanded freedom from the Drodo and a dissolution of the the March, Borderlanders, who claimed that their rights to reproduce were being violated through the fact that not only was no research into Drodo-Human reproduction being undertaken, such an effort would be illegal, and numerous general anti-Jivirik and aristocratic revolts.

While these rebels had initial success, fighting amongst the rebel factions soon broke out as they encountered one another, and Colonial forces were able to retreat to a strong line around New Aratacia, before surging out again. This new offensive faced major controversy in the international community, as it was discovered that vengeful officers, sometimes under orders from the Jivirik administration, ordered the commencement of horrific atrocities against those who were formerly rebels, or those populations who supported the rebels.

Such actions were met with condemnation both within the Empire and abroad, so much so that an international coalition, headed by the newly-founded French Empire, invaded with a multinational force led by the Drodo ex-admiral Cesterity Isordon. The international force gained ground rapidly and took few losses, mostly because Cesterity, through his uncanny charisma, managed to rally many rebel factions to his side by promising a fair settlement and had many government troops defect to him from their cruel officers, tripling the size of his army. Those that remained hostile were quickly blown away by French air support.

As this unfolded, however, the protests on the mainland of the Empire intensified, especially on the capital world of Coron. While the protests up until this point were relatively peaceful- with occasional clashes with riot police being relatively low-intensity- the tone would rapidly shift starting on the 16th of August, when a major group of protesters in the Imperial City was ridden down by a cavalry charge made by the then-infamous Imperial Drodo Mounted Police. The charge was made with pistols and sabres drawn, and resulted in hundreds of deaths and even more injuries, many of which were severe and began to overload the city's hospitals.

Word spread around the world and the empire rapidly, and soon the protesters morphed into radical rioters as the moderate elements of the movement disappeared. Open warfare between rioters- who often armed themselves with axes, pistols, swords and improvised bombs, and riot police insued in the cities, while along the countryside bands of heavily-armed clan militias clashed with police with fatal results. The Great Riot had begun.

As the Riot played out however Cesterity continued to make his moves. The Colonies had been taken within days, and the coalition's objectives had been acheived. However the Drodo commander had other plans. He made the controversial decision to not stop at the colonies, but to instead take his armies to Coron and topple the Jivirik regime. The decision was seen with worry and skepticism by the coalition, and while they did not try and stop him, the coalition pulled out their assets, leaving Cesterity with his enormous rebel army.

Cesterity crossed the rubicon on the 28th of August, 2806, when he began to move his entire force of rebels through the wormholes leading straight to the Drodo mainland. The process was complete by the 30th, and during this time more and more government troops rallied to his army, as the command structure of Jivirik's forces continued to disintegrate. On the way to Coron Isordon's force would fight one major engagement over the world of Jerveran on the 18th of September, decisively defeating the Jivirik private retinue and whatever loyalist forces remained. Cesterity put the Jivirik family under house arrest.

The next day, Cesterity and his rebel army would be in orbit over Coron. The rebel leader would personally lead a brigade of elite Ceildehleese Highlanders into the halls of the Imperial Parliament, fighting hall by hall until finally breaching into the Council chamber, which lead to the dramatic scene of Cesterity taking a seat in the Throne of the Premier, and proclaiming himself Interim Dictator, at the (coerced) approval of Parliament. At this moment, the Jivirik era ended, and the Revival era began.

Revival Era
The Revival Era began the moment Cesterity became Interim Dictator of the Empire. Word spread across the Empire, and across the Gigaquadrant rapidly as the new absolute ruler made his first proclamations- the very first being the arrest of Fiihar Jivirik under charges of crimes against sapient rights, constitutional violations and corruption.

His other initial actions were to put out the immediate fires that were the Great Riot, and the huge rebel army that followed under his lead and now expected compensation. He would demand that the police forces on Coron stand down on the 20th or else face destruction- a demand they complied to. Military forces would take over policing functions for the next few months, and the riots would finally fad eaway completely by the 22nd, leaving the world in shambles.

During this time Cesterity, with the advice of Parliament, would negotiate with the numerous rebel factions he had recruited. From November 12 until December 10, Dictator Cesterity negotiates with rebel forces, and ultimately agrees to their demands. The Heer Stevekel Confederation is restored, and the Borderlander people (on the Drodo side) are given an autonomous region, and work is begun at finding a way to invent viable Human-Drodo reproduction and hybrids. French troops complete their withdrawal from both of these territories on December 10. Cesterity additionally pressures the Republic of Galactica to instate similar laws in regards to Borderlanders.

Reactions to the takeover were mixed across the international community, with a general theme of worry. In France, Emperor Alexandre was the target of severe criticism from the French left for his mishandling of the coalition invasion, and in particular his allowing Cesterity- a trusted admiral- to make himself absolute ruler of a formerly close ally. Externally, France and Alexandre shared their worry for the current state of affairs, and urged Isordon to set a date to step down. Under such pressure, Cesterity assured the international community that he had no intention to remain in power for very long, and that he became dictator for the benefit of the Drodo people. Later, after negotiations with Parliament, the Drodo warlord set January of 2809 as his date to step down. This action lowered tensions surrounding his seizing power considerably, and it was enough for Alexandre's government to begin cooperating, if cautiously, with Cesterity's provisional one.

Cesterity would step down as dictator on the 23 of December, leaving the country on the road to a rapid recovery and vowing to himself to never enter politics again. However this vow would soon be broken, as, after the urging of friends, family, and the Drodo public, Cesterity would be near-forced to run for the premiership in the elections of 2809, officially announcing his bid, and forming the National Revival Party, on August 7th.

When Cesterity announced his bid, and the overwhelmingly jubilant reaction from the public, many politicians from other parties would join Cesterity's new Revival party. The NRP ran on a somewhat centrist agenda that incorporated much of best policies from the political left and right- It promised to revive national industry, specifically agriculture, arms, and shipbuilding; advertise the Empire as a place for tourism; repair relations and reestablish trade with outside powers; and help mend the numerous domestic and social problems brought-on by the Jivirik administration (such as the sharp rise in misconduct and brutality in the national police force).

On the 9th of October Cesterity and his National Revival Party would score a landslide victory and form a majority government. Upon being sworn into office, the new, reluctant Premier would immediately get to work on his new policies, and continue the process of "de-Jivirikization" he had started as dictator.

As of 2811, the NRP had success in fulfilling its campaign promises, in particular in reinvigourating the economy and trade, and solved the old issue of Drodo debt to France through the Borderlander Purchase. In a bid to increase tourism the NRP has started a project to build Tahai, a pleasure world for tourists. It currently seeks investors.

The NRP has had trouble, however, in solving some social problems, specifically the bad behavior of the current generation of IDMP officers, who through a combination of reduced funding and a new, more authoritarian curriculum that was introduced by Jivirik on executive order (and later replaced with the old curriculum by Cesterity, also by executive order), have become notably more militarized and violent and remain a pernicious problem to root-out.

Government
"Government is simultaneously the most important and most ridiculous invention made by Drodokind."

- Sir Sirak Arrakee, Drodo Statesman

The Drodo Empire is run by a Parliamentary Republic. This means that elected represenatatives make the major decisions at a federal level within the Empire. The Parliament has 400 seats, one for each Member of Parliament (MP). The MPs, of which there are two to represent each of the 200 provinces within the Empire, is elected by the people of that province to represent them in parliament. The voting method used is Mixed-Member Proportional.

Provinces
The 200 provinces in the Drodo Empire double as both administrative regions and voting ranges. As such, they are all fairly small, all are drawn up to have roughly the same amount of population, and all have only limited autonomy. Governors are elected using the same Mixed-Member Proportional system and remain completely separate from Members of Parliament in function. The job of a provincial governor is to essentially run the day-to-day of a province and enact new provincial laws and decisions among the provincial council (which usually function essentially as a miniature parliament). However, considering the only limited autonomy of provinces, such laws and decisions may need the approval of a government (or can be struck down at the whim of the federal government), and whenever there is a contradiction between provincial/local and federal law, federal law supersedes it.

Political Parties
The Drodo Empire currently has four primary political parties, among many smaller ones. The four parties can be fairly neatly divided between the left and right wing, with each having both a moderate and more radical counterpart.

Socialist party = Far-Left Leader: Khavni H'Varanan

Tenets:
 * - Encourages international interaction/cooperation
 * - Hostile towards aristocracy
 * - Encourages atheism, anti-theism
 * - Seeks strong control over economy
 * - Supports strong federal government
 * - More funding to scientific research
 * - Encourages the learning and assimilation of foreign ideas
 * - Wishes to diminish the role family and traditional culture has on Drodo society

Foreign Supporters '' Imperial Liberal Party = Centre-Left Leader: Furrak Harponis

Tenets:
 * - Encourages international contacts
 * - Encourages trade and commerce
 * - Tolerant of foreign cultures and religions
 * - Neutral towards aristocracy
 * - More funding to education and research
 * - More funding to services
 * - Stronger Federal government
 * - Higher taxes, especially tax on the rich
 * - Opposes Jivirik, wishes to reestablish and normalize relations with France.

Foreign Supporters '' National Revival Party (current) = Centrist Leader: Cesterity Isordon

Tenets
 * - Revive national industry: Specifically agriculture, arms, and shipbuilding
 * - Increase tourism
 * - Promote a sense of national unity, centralize power, and bridge gaps between cultures
 * - Repair relations and reestablish trade with outside powers
 * - Continue process of "De-Jivirikization"

Foreign Supporters Aristocratic Party = Right Leader: Lord Fihan Aratan IV

Tenets:
 * - Indifferent towards other cultures and religions
 * - Very friendly stance towards Aristocracy
 * - Seeks weaker federal government
 * - Seeks to decentralize control by granting more fiefs and landed titles to aristocrats
 * - Seeks to increase stipends of Aristocrats
 * - Seeks to further fund army
 * - Cautious approach to international politics
 * - Wishes to balance federal budget
 * - Wishes to lower taxes; Specifically lower those of the wealthy
 * - Strongly promotes traditional culture

Foreign Supporters The Free Drodo = Far-right Leader: Favarni Kiverkal

Tenets:
 * - Intolerant of other cultures and religions
 * - Seeks weaker federal government
 * - Wishes to decentralize control by giving more rights and autonomy to provinces
 * - Neutral stance towards Aristocracy
 * - Wishes to keep budget balanced and stay out of debt
 * - Isolationalist and belligerent approach to international politics
 * - Wishes to relax laws on corporate activity and free trade

Foreign Supporters

Ministries
There are many ministries, or departments within the Drodo Empire covering everything from warfare, to law enforcement, to researching bloodlines; They exist to keep the Empire running smoothly and efficiently. All ministries have a department head known as a "minister".

Ministry of War
The Ministry of War is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and deployment of the Drodoian Armed Forces. It is a old and prestigious branch of the Empire.

Imperial Treasury
The Treasury is responsible for the recording and management of the Empire's budget; Allocating funds where needed and attempting to maintain a positive balance and balanced budget. They work closely with almost every other Ministry; Especially the Ministry of Commerce.

Ministry Head - Darrotov Hiariq

Ministry of Exploratory and Aboriginal affairs
The department responsible for the exploration, both physically and astronomically (visual surveys, sensor readings from afar, etc.) of claimed Drodo space and potential areas of expansion. Alongside this it manages the relations, diplomatic status and eventual integration of primitive peoples and civilizations found during the searches and manages early colonization efforts. This department has become very well-funded and important in recent years.

Ministry Head - Sir Oliq Hiarmata

Ministry of Diplomacy and International Affairs
The Ministry responsible for international discourse and the maintenance of Imperial diplomatic reputation.

Ministry Head - Duke Hiar Karlinh

Ministry of Lineage and Ancestry
A truly "Drodoian" department, the Ministry of Lineage and Ancestry is dedicated to researching and uncovering historical documents pertaining to family bloodlines, deciding what references and family catalogues are and are not admissible, and ultimately granting and revoking noble status from individuals and event entire families. This ministry is important due to the importance put on the family in Drodo culture, as well as the existence of a Nobility. They are crucial in refuting fraudulent claims.

Ministry Head - Uhlar Zhuzhar

Ministry of Immigration
This ministry manages the influx of new, foreign citizens coming into the Empire and assisting them in settling in. Being a fairly open country, the Empire's Immigration department is rather large.

Ministry Head - Ikir Terrataki

Ministry of Commerce
This department manages, fairly broadly, Drodoian trade and commerce between nations and domestic corporations. For international trade, they set product and safety standards, inspect trade ships coming into the Empire, and make sure the Drodoian end of trade routes stay safe and free of pirates. Within the Empire, they may bail out banks, make broad and subtle reforms to avoid economic collapse, and even intervene between major, monopoly-creating mergers, amongst other functions.

Ministry Head - Phiran Phiras

Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
Responsible for managing public transport across all worlds and also helps manage and train Space, sea, and air traffic controllers.

Ministry Head - Sir Alek Hurar

Military
"The Military is the fist of every Government; The institution that makes possible the State's whims."

- Furrak Harponis, former Drodo Premier

The Drodo Empire's military, the Drodo Imperial Military, is a large force with a proud history and tradition. It is made up of several branches, including the Army (Controls all ground or planetside operations. Controls use of infantry, armour, cavalry, sea ships and its own contingent of air vehicles), the Navy (controls all space operations. Controls use of starships, majority or aerospace or air vehicles, and marine forces), and Special forces branch (controls all covert and special operations activities). All three branches work in conjunction with eachother and have equivalent ranks, when they're not the exact same.

Army
The Drodoian ground army is known for being fairly unconventional, but undeniably effective. Using tradition, honour, and discipline as its basis, it is respected by its allies an feared by its enemies.

Drodo Infantry
"I find it ironic that, despite all of the kilometre-long warships, reality-bending technology, and weapons of astronomical destruction, its the kid with a rifle that really wins the war."

- Fleet Captain Cesterity Isordon

The Drodo infantry make up a diverse, flexible, mobile force. The Infantry include the branch of the standard ground army, the elite Drodoian Marines, and all special operations branches.

Line Infantry - The standard infantry, officially classified as Line Infantry, are a well trained and disciplined professional force. They are outfitted in a light, body-emcompassing suit of armour, usually of a gray or field gray colour (unless the unit is peacekeeing, then it is white with light blue markings, or if it is using a camouflage). It is composed of a uniform (described below), armour plates made of a tough polymer, and a helmet or hat such as a bearskin or kepi. There are countless variations of the armour, including ones with less plates and a more conventional uniform, ones with head-emcompassing helmets and more standard helmets. They are armed with the X8-95 assault rifle (with rifle bayonet) and Berak M87 pistol, along with any other weapons that may be carried by the regiment or are mission-specific.

Rangers - The light infantry of the Imperial Military. Operating in small groups, they wear lighter, camouflaged armour and don't make use of any weapon that isn't man-portable; which reduces their effectiveness against armoured vehicles considerably. However, as a scouting, harassment, and ambush force their effectiveness is unmatched.

Grenadiers - While holding an ancient namesake that harks back to the age of the musket, the Grenadier's role has changed considerably in that time. They are generally the tallest or strongest among the empire's soldiers and act as the heavy weapons support for line infantry squadrons; Armed with a light machine gun, an RPG, and a sidearm they are a considerable, if also somewhat slow, threat to their enemies. Confusingly however, many Line Infantry regiments may name themselves "grenadiers", and may also prefer taller and stronger recruits despite using standard equipment otherwise.

Engineers - The humble engineer is a lightly-armed and somewhat vulnerable part of the Drodo Army, but they are also essential. Having the hefty responsibility of fixing vehicles, constructing fortifications, and repairing bridges. Beyond their military role engineers are also a common sight during emergency situations such as floods or other natural disasters, and are always leading the front when it comes to peacekeeping and humanitarian aid; Rebuilding infrastructure and distributing supplies and aid.

Most Drodo infantry, as a standard uniform, wear a field-grey tunic over a white shirt. They wear grey trousers and have rank sewn or stitched onto the shoulders of their tunics. Drodo infantry are issued a peaked field cap for when a helmet isn't necessary or appropriate.



Drodo Cavalry


"Sometimes, there is no substitute for the union between a man and the powerful beast that carries him into battle"

- Elerus Sarchavus, Draconis military commander, on the subject of Drodoian cavalry

While Cavalry may seem like a odd addition to such a modern army, due to advancements in technology, they have once again filled a crucial role in the military, acting as fast attackers, scouts, and the perfect units to utterly destroy enemy infantry and the morale of a army.

Dragoons - Dragoons are cavalry or mounted infantry armed with a carbine or rifle and mounted on a medium-sized horse, and are tasked with long-range harassment. Alternatively, they can use their horses as transportation and dismount to fight as infantry once they have reached the frontlines. As a last resort they are armed with sabres, as are all cavalry.

Light Cavalry - Fulfilling the light cavalry role are the Light Cavalry units. The Light Cavalry are sabre-armed soldiers known for their ego and recklessness, but as well as their undeniable effectiveness. Many elite regiments adorn themselves flamboyantly, often wearing bright uniforms with gold lace, tall shakos, and ride modified mechanical horses; though most regiments wear a simpler (and some would say more practical) uniform, described below.

They are armed with a pistol, sabre, and oftentimes also a carbine. While commonly idenified as "hussars" by foreigners, this is incorrect due to the term "Hussar" being culturally specific to the terran Hungarians and Polish. Most regiments are known as "light cavalry", "light horse", "raiders" or, confusingly, "lancers" (due to equipment changes, they were changed from Lancers to light cavalry, but they kept their "lancer" designation as a matter of tradition). There is no functional difference amongst Light Cavalry regiments.

Cuirassiers - Cuirassiers are the heavy cavalry of the branch. These are big men on big horses, used to spearhead a massed-charge and utterly annhilate anything in their way. To do this they are armed with large, basket-hilted swords, revolvers or pistols, and occasionally carbines. Along with a strong personal shield they have a bullet-and-energy-proof cuirass, helmet, and greaves. Cuirassiers are a rare sight, deployed only in the most pitched battles at the crucial moments. When they are deployed however it is in their tens of thousands and their sight is known to terrify most enemies, and their charge is known to cause horrific damage even to the seemingly most-advanced hardware.

Lancers - Mixed within the ranks of other units (as well as forming their own) are lancers. Armed with a power lance, their specific purpose is to tackle vehicles; in particular heavy ones. While other cavalrymen can deal with lighter threats posed by armoured cars and even some APCs (using hand grenades, firearms, or their vibrosabres), some threats such as Main Battle Tanks can pose a problem for cavalry. Lancers use their power lances to badly damage or destroy "soft spots" on target vehicles to cripple or destroy them. To help the lancers there are usually main battle tanks within the cavalry detachment as well.

Most cavalry units are mounted on cybernetic or genetically-engineered horses. This is due to regular baseline horses simply not having the speed and morale needed for modern warfare. These horses are faster, stronger, braver, and require less feed/fuel. All cavalry use a strong personal shield system either built into or mounted on top of their horse to raise their survivability. They are known to take many shots; in some examples an entire magazine of rifle ammunition, to penetrate. Many cavalry regiments (exceptions being Cuirassiers and of course irregulars) wear a field-grey uniform, made up of a shirt, and a grey tunic with a yellow tie. They wear trousers with knee-high riding boots, and a light helmet. Rank badge is sewn on the shoulder of the tunic and regiment is stenciled or painted on the side of their helmet. Many others however have unique uniforms exclusive to their regiment, or simply a modification on the same theme (such as the adoption of a certain hat instead of the standard helmet).

Drodo Armour
To assist the infantry and cavalry and break heavily-fortified positions, the Empire's military maintains a powerful armoured division.

T-12 Goliath MBT - The T-12 Goliath is a well-rounded Main Battle Tank that is both heavily armed and armoured; Not to mention expensive. Its armour consists of heavy armour plating as a last line of defense, followed up with a rubbery substance made to disperse heat and the power from lasers through absorbing energy, and then subsequently melting to disperse it; After that is reactive armour to deflect Rocket-Propelled Grenades, and finally a ray shield. It is armed with a 120mm Cannon with computer targeting, and three machine guns; One 50. cal machine gun on top, and two smaller 30. cal machine guns at the front and back of the vehicle that can be manned by the crew if need be. It can reach a top speed of 60 kph.

A-27 Yiikthys APC - Named after a shadowy, infamously swift creature of Ancient Drodoian myth, the APC lives up its namesake; Being able to reach incredible top speeds of up to 180 kph! However this rapid deployment comes at a cost; The cost being armour. While having enough armour to deflect small arms fire, and even an RPG shot, if it where to come under fire from anything heavier then itself then it is surely doomed. It is armed with a small 30mm gun and two 50. cal machine guns; It also has firing slits for the troops inside to fire.

Rolland & Sons YU-99 Motorbike - This motorbike, while not particularly common, finds its use with Rangers when on poorly-developed worlds; Especially on worlds with lots of woodland or dirt roads. It itself is unarmed but it is very fast and very quiet.

Artillery
The Drodo field several mobile, multi-purpose artillery pieces; Trading specialization and advancement for versitility and reliability.

2745 Imperial Field Gun, Mk 4 - A small towed gun, the 2745 Imperial Field Gun is an old-fashioned, though rugged artillery piece with a proven track record. Usually towed by horse or truck, it can be quickly set up and can fire up to fifteen 75mm shells in a minute.

2766 Imperial Heavy Gun, Mk 2 - A large, 145mm self-propelled gun commonly used in conjunction with the 2745, the 2766 provides heavier support and can fire a wider range of shells, including incendiary, gas, or biological shells, then its smaller counterpart.

Air Forces
Air dominance is one of the main elements in any battle. As a result, the Drodo maintain a air/space force.

Imperial Mirage, Mark 1 - Filling the role of the omnirole fighter is the French Mirage Roi. The modified version the Empire uses, the Imperial Mirage, possesses several differences when compared to the stock model, one of which being the lack of active ECM equipment, and the lack of a hyperdrive to make the design more economical and to fit Drodo battle doctrine. The French plasma cannons are also opted out for Drodoian railguns. The fighters are sent out defenisively in large squadrons to counter enemy fighter attacks, along with being sent offensively to finish off or to cripple a unshielded or distracted ship.

Levies, Militia and Unique Formations
In times of war, many lords, gentlemen, and wealthy citizens often raise regiments of their own and contribute them to the war effort at their own expense. This list covers the most famous and often-seen regiments of this kind.

Aq'Hualese and other Nomadic Warriors - Hailing from planets such as Aq'Hual, these cavalry levies, raised by local warlords and Khans, are oftentimes contributed to major Drodo war efforts. While at first looking primitive, armed with traditional composite bows, and wearing lamellar armour, these units are almost always as well equipped if not better equipped than their military counterparts, using military grade personal shields for their mounts and other advanced weapons; Their bows being ceremonial and more a fashion statement than anything else. They make for a ready-made and experienced mounted force.

The Corocavian Sky Brigade - An infantry regiment hailing from the low-gravity world of Corocavia, the Sky Brigade is a formation of infantry that specialize in the use of jetpacks and rocket-boots to rapidly move across the battlefield, and act as raiders and light infantry. Soldiers of the Sky brigade are remarked for their independent spirit, regimental pride- And youth. Most recruits are drafted from young men and boys between the ages of fifteen and twenty, who possess the reflexes and usually previous experience to use rocket gear (the recreational use of jetpacks is a common, though dangerous hobby amongst Corocavian youth). Even officers are no older than thirty. The Sky Brigade is often deployed on low-gravity and poorly-developed worlds, and have been used primarily in counterinsurgency operations.

Navy
Basilisk-Class Battleship= Crew - 1500-2000, operable with 50-100 Role - Capital ship/Ship of the line Armament - Turbolasers, railguns, flak cannons, missile pods (capable of firing antimatter, nuclear, conventional, Angelfire, or AP missiles), autocannons, hangarbay of Imperial Mirage Roi fighters. Defences - Ray, energy, and phasic shielding, "chaff" countermeasures, point-defence miniguns, regenerative armour plating, 50. caliber gauss turrets (for deck defence). Dimensions - 2.5 km long, 1 km wide (at widest point; back), 450 m high (at highest point, at very back). The Basilisk-Class is a modern and awe-inspiring battleship and the newest addition to the Drodo Navy. It replaces the aging Impaler-Class and is expected to completely phase-out its coutnerpart in 2812. It acts as a heavy "ship-of-the-line" and capital ship; Taking most of the punishment and doling out a lot itself. Impaler-Class Battleship= Crew - 1500-2000, operable with 50-100 Role - Capital ship/Ship of the line Armament - Turbolasers, railguns, flak cannons, missile pods (capable of firing antimatter, nuclear, conventional, or AP missiles), autocannons, hangarbay of Imperial Mirage Roi fighters. Defences - Ray, energy, and phasic shielding, "chaff" countermeasures, point-defence miniguns, 50. caliber gauss turrets (for deck defence). Dimensions - 2.5 km long, 1 km wide (at widest point; back), 450 m high (at highest point, at very back). Truly the iconic Drodoian battleship. The Impaler-class has served for more than fifty years within the Empire and continues to to this day. However in recent years, the amount of refits and modernizations that had to be done to existing ships and be crammed into the blueprints have strained material cost, building time, and safety regulations to the breaking point, prompting the designing of the Basilisk. It is to be completely phased-out in 2812; Existing models to either be used as training vessels, or sold off to private collectors and historians, local militias within the Empire, and other nations. Chaser-Class Corvette= Crew - 250, can operate with ten. Role - Light corvette, support, escort, scouting, harassment. Armament - Four light turbolasers, angelfire missile pod, cyberwarfare suite, hyperspace interdictor Defence - Ray, energy, and phasic shielding, "chaff" countermeasures, heavy armoured plating. Dimensions - 250 m long, by 75 m wide (at back). The Chaser-class is a versitile and recent corvette used by the Drodo for a large variety of roles. This rather humble ship possesses a great capacity to harass and meddle with enemy fleets; Slowing their manouvers with hyperspace interdictors, infecting and shutting down equipment with cyberwarfare and viruses, and taking shots from lightyears away with angelfire missiles. Nebula-class Exploration ship= Crew - 500, can operate with 50. Role - Frigate, corvette, exploration ship Armament - Turbolasers, missile pods (capable of firing antimatter, nuclear, AP, and conventional missiles). Defences - Ray, energy, and phasic shielding, armour plating, point-defense miniguns, "chaff" countermeasures. Dimensions - 500 m long by 100 m wide (at the back) The Nebula-class is unique in that it is not a dedicated warship; Rather it is an exploration vessel. Used to map-out the territories in the Empire's newly-aquired colonies, it excels in this respect; Equipped with a very powerful and swift hyperspace drive, the most advanced sensor suite the Empire can offer, as well as a greatly expanded database. In combat, however, it leaves something to be desired; Being average at best. Galactic-class "Mothership"=

Superweapon
Secretly, the Drodo Empire has an arsenal of biological weapons, capable of being delivered by most standard missile tubes, or, more commonly, through more insidious methods such as infecting the water supply. The weapon itself is a deadly disease, native to the Drodoian Homeworld that turns victims into a horrfiying monster similar to the "zombies" of Terran mythology. The disease itself has been heavily modified to be more virulent, potent, and be able to mutate into cross-species strands extremely quickly.

Normally, the virus spreads from direct fluid contact, usually administered by a bite or scratch from an infected person or "zombie". The more potent, weaponized strains is capable of turning someone in a matter of minutes, the base virus usually takes twenty-four to forty-eight hours. There is no known or possible cure or vaccine for the virus due its very virulent and constantly-changing nature.

Once turned, the undead are practically immortal, and can only be destroyed by destroying the brain through a headshot or other method. They also are not constrained by any mortal need such as hunger, fatigue, morale, or sickness and will constantly fight and consume with the same dynamic energy and determination even if immobile or are losing a battle decisively. They can operate in any environment, including underwater and space and seem to be almost self-sufficient organisms. Their tactical effectiveness, however is severely weakened by several major pitfalls; One of which is intellegence. It has been proven that the undead have intellegence lower than that of even insects and operate purely has a horde of individuals; They have no thinking capability whatsoever and are prone to falling for even the most elementary and evident traps consistently and constantly, having no ability to learn from the mistakes of either themselves or their comrades. Most lack the ability to even climb a ladder. They are also astonishingly slow. Having completely congealed blood and using what is for all intents and purposes a dead, decomposing body for locomotion, the undead can be easily outpaced by a leisurely walk; Even the fastest zombies can barely achieve a single step a second. If armed with this information, almost any armed group can destroy a large group of undead with minimal losses. Without it, the undead can bring the downfall of planets, systems, and even entire civilizations.

Culture
See Culture.

Allies
Close allies of the Empire, we will stand by these nations until the day our nation crumbles to dust.

The Farengeto Trade Coalition - Close allies from our home sector, we were allies of the Farengeto originally through the KSA, but today our alliance is strong just on its own.

The Katar Sector Alliance - A closely-knit coalition of Katarian nations of which we are a leading member in.

The French Empire - We were briefly enemies, but now that we've thrown aside our differences we are again close allies.

Protectorates/Vassals
Nations, Clans, or autonomous zones that see the Empire as their overlords.

The Quadrant Colonies - A determined and productive extension of Drodoian civilization, under our wider control.

Minor clans, noble houses, and feudal lords - Where would Drodo society be without our nobility?

The Andromedan Colonies - Another grouping of colonies in the Andromeda Galaxy.

Neutral
You have our attention.

The Rambo Nation - ''A powerful and ancient civilization. We would be open to an alliance or trade offer.''

The Eldarisians - ''A strange, religiously-devoted people. They have an embassy in our capital; We're always open to mutual cooperation.''

The Hegemony - ''A Military power. Perhaps a useful ally?''

The Aeoneonatrix Empire - ''Narrow-minded, religious fanatics.

The Galactic Empire of Cyrannus - A band of Imperialist thugs, led by a cruel Emperor and his sycophants.''

The Imperium of War - Laughable.

At War
''You must be a fool to go to war with us... Prepare for battle!''

Technology
"Never in the history of the Drodo race have our people prospered so much from the fruits of there own ingenuity, technology."

- Ciceron Regarra, Drodo Statesman and Philosopher

In need of update.

Quotes
This is the Drodo Empire's quotes section, feel free to add yours!

"Our greatest ally, thanks to him we adapt to this new universe, we owe them a lot, so we will support where possible"

- Great General of the USF, Vankalian Carssarian and Commandant Afnai

"Confidence born out of ignorance. We'll see who will be laughing...We'll see...AND AFTER WE'VE WON, YOU NOBODY WILL REMEMBER YOU!"

- Imperator Caigustus of the Imperium of War

"Perhaps they could help us in our campaign to free our brethren from the Grox tyranny..."

- Supreme consul vardeck of the Conqrix Confederacy

"An interesting civilisation to say the least. Perhaps a mutually beneficial alliance would create ties between our people."

- of the

"Des chevaux! Mais, que-ce qu'ils font?!"

- Captain Geoffroy Bouin of the 114th French Colonial Infantry, upon spotting a formation of Drodoian lancers, 2797

"One of the few empires we can still consider to be our true allies. A rare military power that still keeps a semblance of conscience. Perhaps it is fate that even as we look to other galaxies we still run into them."

- Diviak Rovnitov, governor of the

"Like a coin, the Drodo empire has two opposing sides: On the surface one would wonder if a group of steppe nomads had founded an empire given their penchant for breeding steads. But that is where their greatest merit lies: Through their ingenuity, these horse-lords have brought the archaic art of mounted combat into the modern age. Bringing with it a fire that burns like the heart of a star. The empire is rising, and ther e are plenty in Segmentum Draco who would wish to see it shine brighter."

- extract from Taviar Arelosar's "The Khanates under Coron"

"Haven't heard from them before, but they look quite interesting. Our species value honor too."

- King Thraak I of the

Gallery
To be updated.

Trivia

 * The Drodo Empire's theme is this: http:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9XSZw67QpY


 * Another theme song is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23983guaiYE


 * The Drodo Empire was Operation Marines' first Space Stage Spore game.


 * The terminology is as follows: Singular/Plural, Drodo, Possesive, Drodoian (in most cases. For example, it is Drodo Empire, not "Drodoian" Empire.)


 * A big thank you goes out to GreatDestroyer12 for the border. Nice work!


 * Another big thank you goes out to TheClanden for the flag, its much appreciated.