“We stand for the true honour at the heart of what it means to be Cognatus. The Primercer came to our shores with promises of peace and prosperity, manipulating our culture into serving his will alone. Thus, we cast him out as a false god and declare a new age for our kindred. Hark and take heed, the Crimson Meritocracy is born and we, the Cognethril will cleanse the galaxy of all those who disgrace our brethren!”
- - Voro Acetenus rallying his followers upon the declaration of the Meritocracy.
The Crimson Meritocracy of Cognethril is an interstellar alliance which broke away from the Cognatus Empire during the New Cyrandia Wars in response to the seemingly unholy leadership of the ancient Oikoumene known as the Primercer. Formed by rebels loyal to Shiplord Thaur Vicliquam and led by Primarch Voro Acetenus, the Meritocracy is considerably less xenophobic than the Cognatus Empire and as such is often considered to be the spiritual successor to the Cognatus Remnant, which ultimately joined the Cyrandia Alliance during the Great Cyrannus War.
Taking the name "Cognethril", meaning "warriors of honour" as opposed to retaining Cognatus, which means "warriors of faith", the followers of the Meritocracy contain many species ranging from the Cogsangui to the Vevilog and even some extragalactic races who feel a certain attraction to the leadership of Primarch Acetenus and his visions for a peaceful galaxy. As allies to the New Cyrannian Republic, the New Cognatus have colonised a new world they christened Cognethril quite close to New Republic space, building an impressive dominion armed against any incursions by the Cognatus Empire or any other potential aggressor.
History
The mighty Harbinger of Truth in orbit over Koerband during the search for Voro Acetenus.
Origins
“What is the meaning of this?! You will find no loyalty from me in your dishonourable hulk of an empire."
"Good. For we fight against them and require your aid.”
- - Voro Acetenus and Morin Ethar, with Voro initially believing Ethar to be a servant of the Primercer.
During the Dark Times of the Cyrannus Galaxy, the Cognatus Remnant led by Voro Acetenus fell to schemes concocted by religious extremists who wished to restore the piety of the First Cognatus Empire to modern times. Though Acetenus managed to escape into hiding, the Cognatus Empire rose in the wake, ultimately scouring the galaxy for any trace of their Oikoumene Gods. Ultimately, they discovered the Licent, an ancient AI who led to the Primercer, an ancient Oikoumene who was banished by Tyrómairon countless years prior to his ascension to the position of Galactic Emperor.
Though the arrival of the Primercer brought new solidarity to the Cognatus, Shiplord Thaur Vicliquam had his doubts that the Primercer's words rang true. Ultimately, in the aftermath of the Amphryssos Campaign, Shiplord Thaur was enlightened by the Oikoumene AI known as the Adjunct, who in turn directed him toward Proconsul Apollo of the New Republic. An ally to Voro Acetenus, Apollo directed Thaur to the location of Acetenus in the Quadrant Galaxies. Amassing a large rebel force of likeminded Cognatus, Thaur and his ally Morin Ethar captured the Melkón-class Dreadnought Harbinger of Truth and used it to travel to the Quadrants.
There, the Harbinger arrived at Koerband where the rebel Cognatus began the search for their exiled leader, who had since joined the crew of the starship Falcon commanded by Rambo Nation operative Claire Rambo. After recovering Acetenus, the crew of the Harbinger returned to Cyrannus under the command of Acetenus, Vicliquam and Ethar, who decreed that a new age had dawned for the Cognatus.
Government and Politics
The Crimson Meritocracy of Cognethril originated from Cognatus Rebels led by Thaur Vicliquam and as such did not have a proper governmental structure but rather a rigid and highly traditional hierarchy of military commanders and warriors united in their opposition to the Primercer's control over the Cognatus Empire. However, after the rescue of Voro Acetenus and the official declaration of the Meritocracy, a government based on an evolved form of feudal, meritocratic timocracy emerged led by a single Primarch chosen exclusively based on his deeds in both battle and administration, ensuring in the mind of the Meritocracy's founders the strength and legitimacy of the leader of the Cognethril.
- Current Primarch
| Name | Voro Acetenus | 
|
| Affiliation | Crimson Meritocracy of Cognethril | |
| Species | Cogsangui | |
| Status | Alive | |
| Biography First Primarch of the Meritocracy · Former leader of the Cognatus Remnant · Ally to the New Republic · Friendly with the Rambo · Strongly anti-Cognatus Empire · Pragmatic · Distrustful of Galactic Empire · Progressive · Military genius · Anti-xenophobic policies | ||
Society and Culture
“We understand the power of reason, the benefits that allies no matter the species can bring. This is why the false Cognatus will fall. Their hubris will be their undoing.”
- - Primarch Voro Acetenus
The Crimson Meritocracy of Cognethril, like the Cognatus Empire is a heavily militarised society in which every citizen irrespective of gender or race are expected to to serve at least a year in the all-encompassing military of the Meritocracy. Nevertheless, the Meritocracy takes a far more secular approach to religion, though it is still considered to be highly conservative in that regard when compared to modern Cyrannian civilisations such as the Republic and the Empire, with most of the population still believing that the Oikoumene are gods despite their belief that the Primercer is a false one akin to a devil-figure who came to this universe in order to test the devotion of the Cognatus to their true gods. Compared to the Cognatus under the Primercer's domain, the Meritocracy is far more open to dealing with alien civilisations, having particularly close relations and links with the New Republic which aided in the establishment of their civilisation.
Astrography
The Meritocracy is centred around the planet Cognethril (which shares its name with members of the faction itself) in the Hanwyr Sector of what was once considered to be the Unknown Regions of the Cyrannus Galaxy. Bordering New Republic space in Coru Secundus to the west and the Ecclessoth Convocation in the south, the Meritocracy is located far from the borders of the Cognatus Empire and is thus less likely to be attacked. Nevertheless, the position of the Meritocracy puts it within striking distance of the Rihanae Pact and even more terrifyingly the Neraida Gigamatrix. Under the leadership of Primarch Acetenus, the Meritocracy also plans on expanding into the Quadrant Galaxies and possibly also the Outer Gigaquadrant in an attempt to ensure the continuation of their civilisation should the Primercer turn his attention away from the Empire and toward the Cognethril.
Military and Defense
“The greatest weapon of the Cognatus Empire is their hatred. However, this is also their greatest weakness. Our civilisation is bound by the principles of honour and kinship and thus, we are more powerful.”
Unlike the New Republic Navy and its Imperial counterpart, the military of the Meritocracy is a far looser coalition of fleets united only through their undying loyalty to the Cognethril. Each fleet is commanded by a high ranking Fleetlord, the most powerful of which is Fleetlord Thaur Vicliquam who leads a vast fleet from his flagship, the stolen Melkón-class Dreadnought Harbinger of Truth. The size of a Fleetlord's fleet is often indicative of the status of the individual in the Meritocracy, with a fleet numbering several hundred ships being indicative of having a commander with a great deal of skill in battle. The military forces of the Cognethril often consist largely of ship designs which are also used by the Cognatus Empire, understandably due to the origins of the Meritocracy as a rebel faction, however upon the establishment of a new sphere of influence in Cyrannus, new ship designs such as the Maephedil-class Battlecruiser which serves as the workhorse of the new fleet.
Starships
| Maephedil-class Battlecruiser | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Class: Maephedil-class Battlecruiser Year Introduced: 05 NE Length: 2,500 metres Armament:
Performance: Exceptional |
The Maephedil-class Battlecruiser was the first ship design unveiled by the Crimson Meritocracy of Cognethril in the aftermath of its split from the Cognatus Empire, launched in 05 NE to serve as the main workhorse of the fleet. Designed with features found in the highly advanced Melkón-class Dreadnought Harbinger of Truth, the Maephedil-class is truly an impressive ship to behold. Armed with plasma weaponry, deconfinement disruptors and conversion cannons, the Maephedil-class is more than a match for even the Star Destroyers of the Empire and are serving well in their role as the mainstay of the fleet.
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Fleetlords
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|---|---|---|
| Name | Morin Ethar | Thaur Vicliquam |
| Fleet | Fleet of Unrelenting Reverence | Fleet of Majestic Integrity |
| Flagship | Fire of Judgement | Harbinger of Truth |
| Influence | Very High | Exceptional |
Intergalactic Relations
Allies
“May the gods watch over your battles.”
- New Cyrannian Republic: Instrumental in our formation. They have our fleets should they need them.
- Indoctrinate Collective: We honour our alliance of old.
Friendly
“You have gained our respect, but not yet our allegiance.”
- None so far
Neutral
“We will stay our blades... For now.”
- Ecclessoth Convocation: Why hide behind your borders?
- Rambo Nation: Your alliance with the Empire complicates our old alliance.
Unfriendly
“Our patience is not infinite!”
- Galactic Empire of Cyrannus: Imperial scum.
- Rihanae Pact: You have the audacity to attack our allies?!
Enemies
“Whimper though you might, you will find no mercy.”
- Cognatus Empire: Traitors to the name "Cognatus".
- Neraida Gigamatrix: Assimilate my boot as it impacts against your collective rump.
Quotes
“A new day has dawned for the Cognatus, these Cognethril will have the support of the Republic in their efforts to restore honour to their civilisation.”
- - Apollo
“Pathetic barbarians. And the Republicans have allied with the beasts? Typical.”
- - Caesarius
“Insignificant heretics. They will soon know the folly of betraying the Primercer.”
“You zealots are too noisy, repeatedly creating more and more governments everywhere. As far as I am concerned, you are a plague in my race's path. All of you.”
- - Tyrant
Gallery
Trivia
- The name "Crimson Meritocracy" was coined by Lucario of the Gods.
