Fiction:Ascendancy of the Broken Ring

"This is the hand that will seize the reins of Aoshtai, returning us to the glory of our forefathers, my creators."

- 094 Disordered Acceptance

Overview

 * The Ascendancy of the Broken Ring is a highly imperialist faction native to Aoshtai. They command a vast territory and fleets, and are constantly working to expand their ideal of a reunified Aoshtai under Aoshanti Imperial principles once more, also known as neoprecursor policies. They also follow a reformed version of the old Aoshtai church, worshipping the Goddess. The ruling class is composed of descendants of the original Aoshtai Aoshanti, who they view as superior. They do not always fully assimilate defeated nations, making them into vassals how can self-govern to a limited degree, but must accept state religion and pay tribute.

History

 * The Ascendancy originates from an Aoshanti megastructure known as Orbitritum, a ringworld surrounding a barren mineral world named Inanis. They are descended from the Aoshanti and servitor races that were originally stranded on the world during the collapse of the Aoshtai Empire, and were kept together by the ring’s monitor AI, 094 Disordered Acceptance, whose last directive was to protect the people under his care. For several thousand years, 094 and the people he tended to lived quietly, yet keeping their old traditions alive through 094’s records. This time was known as the Age of Tranquility, which was ended by a cataclysmic event. A small moon had been launched from its orbit and was on a direct collision course with Orbitritum. The facility’s shields would not be sufficient to protect the ring entirely, so 094 made a decision: He would evacuate the third of the ring where the moon was calculated to hit, and redirect all shields to the other 2/3 of the structure. His plan worked, with the section of the ring hit being smashed into the surface of Inanis, but otherwise minimizing the damage. Some labeled the century where the rubble ejected from Inanis still rained on Oribitritum’s shields as the Age of Cataclysm. A casualty in the impact was a number of 094’s processing nodes, said injury soon beginning to alter his obedience towards his directives. 094’s original programming forbade his independence and departure from Orbitritum, as well as taking any role in religion. These functions became impaired, leading to him determining that the best future of his people was on the Golden Throne. He already took a role in politics as a trusted imperial advisor, but soon began to quietly ramp up his influence, with the emperors soon becoming little more than puppets. He also altered the interpretation of the Covenant of Rhya, until the Reformed Covenant of Rhya was formed, which affirmed 094’s beliefs. His people in hand, 094 declared the rise of an Ascendancy, through the emperor of course, that would reclaim the mantle of their forefathers. They militarized using what limited knowledge of original Aoshanti tech they had, and launched a lightning campaign of expansion into the surrounding systems. This initial excursion was known as the First Age of Expansion. Over millennia, and many separate Ages of Expansion, the Ascendancy rose to become a military power, taking many smaller and weaker states to become their vassals.

Species

 * Alongside the Aoshanti, many other races populate the Ascendancy. A number, like the warrior-servant Lorem, are servitor races to the Aoshanti and their government. Others typically arise from the various vassals within Ascendancy territory. Racism is almost exclusively towards non-Aoshanti, but certain servitor races command more respect than others, due to their integral role. High ranking Lorem are known to occasionally participate in Aoshanti affairs, such as the Senate.

List of Major Species
Aoshanti= wip Lorem= wip

Astrography

 * The territory of the Ascendancy contains many notable areas and locations, including several Aoshanti worlds and megastructures.

Planets
Orbitritum=

Inanis=

Vassals

 * The Ascendancy is known for taking vassals when they conquer another state. They are allowed a degree of independence, but their military forces are assimilated into the Ascendancy’s, they must convert to the Reformed Covenant of Rhya, and pay heavy tribute. They are forbidden to pursue relationships, or declare war, as they are considered mere pieces of the larger whole that is the Ascendancy. If these rules are followed, vassalized citizens can enjoy a heightened quality of life, but any resistance is snuffed out mercilessly. They currently possess 6 major vassals under their control.

Major Vassals
Leanai= Leanai
 * Leanai is the Ascendancy's latest conquest, as they push towards the Old Core. Containing the Old Core world of Lessos, Leanai's location was its doom. Their forces put up an impressive defense, considering their size, but ultimately their fate was sealed. Their state was vassalized in the standard method, allowing them to function as a sort of substate to the Ascendancy. They export the rich mineral deposits in their territory to the rest of the empire, and their culture is technocratic, grudgingly participating in the Reformed Covenant of Rhya.

Arboros= Arboros wip Haven Republic= Haven Republic wip Imperium of Gawrn= Imperium of Gawrn wip Xurniad= Xurniad wip K’ruun= wip

Military

 * The Ascendancy commands a large military, fielding many ships and armies. While by gigaquadrantic standards it’s ships may seem small for an empire of its caliber, about 1.5km average, they are still extremely capable and powerful. Usage of hardlight technology affords Ascendancy ships long range, which can allow them to attack another fleet at full strength before the enemy can even open fire. They make heavy use of a servitor race, the Lorem, as their primary soldiers. Extremely physically strong, they are armed with a variety of hardlight weaponry and advanced armor making them extremely dangerous. However, the level of zeal indoctrinated into them during training means that aimless charges or similar can occur, leading to needless casualties.

Capital Ships
Saber-Class= Saber Class The Saber-Class is one of the Ascendancy’s current mainline ships, a cruiser, and is renowned for its speed and power. It’s primary armament of hardlight beam batteries affords it power and range, with it’s powerful engines allowing for high acceleration. It’s armor and shields are average, but not poor by any means.

Gladius-Class= Gladius Class The Gladius is the Ascendancy's mainline destroyer. It isn't particularly fast, but can take a beating and dish it back twofold. They usually function as a supporting member of the fleet, not taking point, while delivering a substantial firepower element. Some variants also feature a glassing port for orbital bombardment or an improvised attack.

Scythe-Class= Scythe Class A dedicated carrier, the Scythe class features far less heavy guns than other ships, trading them for increased point defenses. It carries hundreds of fighters in its sheltered hangar array behind the "head" of the ship, which has a large shield generator dedicated to protecting the hangar alone. Due to the indirect nature of the Scythe's attacks, it hangs behind dedicated combat ships to physically shield itself.

Claymore-Class= Claymore Class A dedicated carrier, the Scythe class features far less heavy guns than other ships, trading them for increased point defenses. It carries hundreds of fighters in its sheltered hangar array behind the "head" of the ship, which has a large shield generator dedicated to protecting the hangar alone. Due to the indirect nature of the Scythe's attacks, it hangs behind dedicated combat ships to physically shield itself.

Subcapital Ships
Angel-Class= Angel Class The Angel is a capable multirole space superiority fighter used nearly universally within the Ascendancy. Its twin hardlight emitters have multiple modes, such as long range beams, rapid fire bolts, and even explosive bombs. It is said that it takes a certain kind of crazy to become an Angel pilot, as mortality rates and physical tolls for pilots is notoriously high from the speeds involved.

Hardlight

 * The technology the Ascendancy is best known for is their mastery of weaponized hardlight. Based out of early experiments conducted by the original Aoshanti, 094 preserved what data remained and as the Ascendancy rose they continued the development of the technology, a powerful military asset. Other possible uses exist, but are far less developed.

Power

 * The Ascendancy favors antimatter reactors and Dyson swarms as their primary sources of power. Having achieved Kardeshev II, many systems contain large-scale satellite arrays around their star that accumulate massive amounts of energy for the local worlds, while not freezing said worlds with a lack of light. Systems lacking Dyson swarms as well as capital ships make use of antimatter reactors for their power supplies.

Nanotech

 * While not reliant on the tech, nanorobotics and nanotech permeate the Ascendancy. Medical nanomachines have cured a large degree of diseases, and reinforce the immune system. Starships have a layer deeper in their armor consisting of nanobot channels that allow for gradual structural stabilization and repair, and the undersuit of Lorem soldiers can stitch itself back together, given time. However, the technology has yet to be taken to its maximum potential.

Relationships

 * Contrary to popular belief, the Ascendancy is open to mutually beneficial relationships. On the condition that conquering them for what they want isn't the easier option, of course.

Allies "We fight as one!" Friendly "Your means align with our own." Neutral "You are neither an immediate target, nor ignored. Pray the former does not come to pass." Unfriendly "Your insolence displeases us." Enemies "Regardless of whatever pitiful defense you can muster, your conquest is nigh."
 * Merosian Collective - Impressive conquerors. Not to be ignored, but not yet an immediate threat.
 * Continuum of the Aleei - Yet another would-be usurper to the Golden Throne. They will be trampled like all the rest.
 * Enclave of the Voidborne - Foul heretics, believing in the false god himself. Our light shall burn away their travesty of an existence.

Quotes
"Ascendancy? I have heard of them. Having hopes for their continuation? They are a bastard state, nothing more, nothing less. When we are prepared, they will find themselves as rubble under the boots of countless soldiers. But, for now, I order you to continue diplomatic friendliness with them. If they are in hold of Maker technology... it is of dire importance we acquire it."

- Tendentious Mind speaking to one of the Continuum's Senators.

"The Ascendancy of the Broken Ring has not made itself a threat to the Collective. Their religion does not concern us, their presence does not alarm us, their existence does not offend us. Their technology is intriguing, but none of our concern at the moment. Policy: Mutual Neutrality."

- The Collective's thoughts on the Ascendancy.

"Order shall not be enforced by the fragmented."

- Rok'shai hierarch "I have always wanted to know what was beyond Mirus, and now I know. New empires to trade with, my Outsider brethren will be joyful." '''-Koala of the Koalian Outsiders