JOL'KOAR EMPIRE

Politics

Jol'Koar politics can be divided into three eras: Pre-Exile, Nebula, and Current.

• Pre-Exile: In the Pre-Exile era, the Jol'Koar were a monarchial society, following the whims of the ruling house (The House of Jol'Koar). This lasted until all known members of the House of Jol'Koar were lost following the disastrous assault on the Tau Ceti system.
• Nebula: During the Nebula era, the Jol'Koar were ruled by an elected Ruling House, which in turn was led by the house Elder - a Pureblood Jol'Koar. This ruling house was countered by the Opposition House, which was the runner-up in the election to determine the Ruling House. These elections were not democratic - the people who voted were the leaders of each House. Each house was accorded one vote, regardless of their size or number of vassal houses. Typically, most houses would vote for themselves, so elections were usually determined by whichever house managed to get two or three votes.
• Current: Currently, the Jol'Koar are led by House J'Nag, which is in turn led by Warlord A'De'Mask. The Opposition House, Et'Fay was wiped out (and replaced on the Great Houses by Et'D) and fell partway through J'Nag's rule, in an assault organized by A'De'Mask to solidify his hold on the Empire.

GOVERNMENT

Head of State: The Head of the Ruling House functions as the Head of State of the Dweller Empire. Traditionally, this meant very little in reality, and was effectively a ceremonial position. Following the rise of Warlord A'De'Mask during the current Cycle, the Head of the Ruling State is held by the same person as the Head of Government - The Head of Government was traditionally appointed by the Head of State as part of the Head of State's few duties. Parliament-Equivalent: Three chambers, one representative from each House per chamber. One chamber of Purebloods, one chamber of High, one chamber of Low. Prior to the rise of House J'Nag and A'De'Mask this was the real power inside the Empire.

ISOLATIONIST VS UNIVERSALIST VS INDEPENDENT POWER

No political division in the Empire is greater than that of the division between the Isolationist houses and the Universalist houses. The roots of this division go back to the 2nd Cycle in the Nebula era, and the civil war that almost destroyed the surviving Jol'Koar early on in their transition to becoming the Dweller Empire. At its core, the division is based on a foreign policy disagreement: Isolationists believe that there is no reason to engage in activities outside the Nebula, and the Universalists believe that to ignore events outside the nebula was foolish. Houses who subscribe to neither of these concepts are referred to as Independent Powers.

THE GREAT HOUSES AND HOUSES OF JOL'KOAR

There are currently 36 Great Houses in Jol'Koar society, each of them claiming lineage to a notable figure from the Empire's history. Great Houses rise and split as time goes on, when someone is given the chance to create a new house they and their chosen housemates split off from their previous house into a new one - but the new house is rarely a Great House. Each House is led by an Elder, who serves as the Jol'Koar Empire's de-facto Head of State during the cycle when that House is in power. The line between a Great House and a House is a fine one, but the dividing line is "Great Houses can vote for the Ruling House." Great Houses are chosen by the other Great Houses, but the laws limit the number at 36 Great Houses. The number of Houses outside the Great Houses fluctuates as the fortunes of these minor houses rise and fall with the times, but the number has been as low as 0 (after the civil war in the 2nd Cycle) and as high as several hundred (in the 5th Cycle).

Occasionally, houses fall, and their former members are given the opportunity to join other houses. Sometimes, Jol'Koar are exiled from a house (for any number of reasons), becoming Houseless - which is a state of shame that no sane Dweller seeks to remain in for long. Some of the Great Houses are listed as a "Pre-Exile House." These houses are permanent members of the 36 Great Houses, as they can trace their lineage back to pre-Exile times.

• A'Il - "The House of A'Il'Ith" - Independent Power. A'Il is a remaining Pre-Exile house, presumably one of the old merchant houses. They are viewed as renegades by the Isolationists, and as zealous idealists by the Universalists. A'Il has managed to remain a Great House primarily because nobody has found any good reason to have them removed from the Great Houses. A'Il is known to frequent the Sirius system, along with many other trade hubs. While it has never been confirmed, A'Il is assumed to be the power behind the extensive network of black markets inside the nebula. Unlike House Out'Das, House A'Il does not need to resort to breaking laws regarding unauthorized departure from the nebula - they have a free warrant to come and go as they please. The circumstances surrounding what lead to the issuing of this warrant are shrouded in mystery by the House, as it has been known to exist since the 3rd Cycle, well before such a writ was needed. A'Il claims lineage to A'Il'Ith, The First Speaker. A'Il'Ith's legend pertains to their willingness to speak up for their own beliefs, even at the consequence of punishment.
  • RECOMMENDED OPTIONS: Open-Minded, Trader, or Unflappable
• Bo'Fal - "The House of Bo'Lur'Zed" - Bo'Fal is a remaining Pre-Exile house.
• Chi'Kip -
• Chi'Kop -
• Chi'Yay -
• De'Ingo - Isolationist.
• Et'D -
• Fak'Oin - "The House of Shipmaster Ka'Jol" - Universalist. Shipmaster Ka'Jol is a Jol'Koar folk hero, who's legend dates to the 4th Cycle. Ka'Jol was supposedly the first High Dweller, and served as a bodyguard and pilot to a Pureblood whose name has been lost.
  • RECOMMENDED OPTIONS: Born Pilot, Low-G Tolerance, or Vehicular Engineer
• G'Saq - "The House of G'Atog'Saq" - Universalist. G'Saq is a remaining Pre-Exile house. Traditionally, the house of G'Saq are historians and philosophers, following in the footsteps of their lineage claim.
• RECOMMENDED OPTIONS: Historian, Level-Headed, or Specialist
• Hei'Pun - Universalist. Authorized to do trade with non-Dwellers outside the nebula. Has a monopoly on trade with the Sirius system...with the exception of A'Il's writ to go where they choose.
  • RECOMMENDED OPTIONS: Explorer, Trader, or Wealthy
• Ir'Luf
• Ir'Maq -
• J'Nag - "The House of Jol'Koar" - Formerly Isolationist, currently Independent Power. House J'Nag's lineage goes back to the rulers of the old Jol'Koar empire in pre-exile days. Unlike most houses, House J'Nag is one of the few remaining Pre-Exile houses, and as such it does not claim lineage to anyone. Currently, House J'Nag is led by A'De'Mask, and rules over the other 35 Houses of the Empire with an iron fist. Their forces comprise the bulk of the Jol'Koar military encountered by the Proximans and Terrans so far, and they are fanatically loyal to the Warlord, having been indoctrinated by propaganda for over 700 years. House J'Nag laid claim to one of the few inhabitable worlds inside the nebula, though the ice planet they call home can only barely be called inhabitable.
  • RECOMMENDED OPTIONS: Cold Tolerance, Militaristic, or Mountaineer
• Ka'Bain -
• Li'Beor - "The House of Li'Lia'Ith" - Universalist. House Li'Beor still claims lineage to The Renegade, though this claim is dubious at best given the circumstances surrounding Li'Lia'Ith's rise to deification. Li'Beor has suffered greatly under J'Nag rule following the ban on public devotion to Li'Lia'Ith, and the house is viewed with extreme suspicion by House J'Nag. Li'Beor's is a remaining Pre-Exile house.
  • RECOMMENDED OPTIONS: Religious Influence [Cult of Li'Lia'Ith], Open-Minded, or Stubborn
• Mu'Xa - "The House of Mu'Lun'Cui" - Universalist.
• Naq'Zed - "The House of Naq'D'Das"- Universalist.
• Out'Das - Independent Power. Viewed as a renegade house by some of the hardliners, House Out'Das is notorious for breaking the laws regarding unauthorized departure from the nebula.
  • RECOMMENDED OPTIONS: Born Pilot, Explorer, or Vehicular Engineer
• Out'Kef -
• Out'Qai -
• P'Lun -
• P'Mil - Isolationist.
• Qai'Bongo -
• Qai'Cai -
• Ril'Oil -
• Ril'Ro - "The House of Ril'Fong'Nar, The Great Reformer" - Universalist. While the house was originally associated with a famed scientist, Ril'Ro changed their association following the 5th Cycle, choosing to associate themselves with the Pureblood member of the house who pushed for allowing the High Dwellers to gain more power.
  • RECOMMENDED OPTIONS: Glib Tongue, Savoir-Faire, or Specialist
• Sai'Zain -
• T'Wub [descending] -
• Ujo'Luf - "The House of Ujo'Epoh'Vorl" - Independent Power. Ujo'Luf's claim as the "House of Ujo'Epoh'Vorl" is being viewed with some skepticism with the return of A'De'Mask, the figure who was the basis for the legends of Ujo'Epoh'Vorl. House Ujo'Luf has a reputation for being very mercenary in nature, changing their alliances based purely on the whim of monetary transactions. They also have a reputation for being conflict-hungry sociopaths. House Ujo'Luf laid claim to a wild jungle planet, giving rise to their warlike and militaristic culture. They share a system with House J'Nag, leading the two to have close ties.
  • RECOMMENDED OPTIONS: Guerilla Fighter, Militaristic, or Religious Influence [Cult of Ujo'Epoh'Vorl]
• Ujo'Nap -
• Vep'Nail - Isolationist.
• Wub [ascending]'Nil -
• Xai'Eni -
• Yor'Vorl -
• Zoi'Das -
• Zoi'Drop -

MINOR HOUSES

Not all houses remain in the status of Great House permanently. As the house's fortunes rise and fall, it may leave and re-enter the ranks of the Great Houses numerous times.

• Et'Fay - While apparently wiped out during the bloody rise of Warlored A'De'Mask, House Et'Fay is still listed among the Roll of Houses, but it is no longer a Great House.

"The Ancestors"

Modern JolKoar practice a form of ancestor and folk hero worship. Each of the Ancestors is said to be focused on one or two aspects of life, and homage is paid to them in the hope of gaining further boons related to that aspect. Worship of a given Ancestor is said to have four steps:

• Following
• On the Path
• Undergoing the Journey
• Devoted

A'Il'Ith - The Wordbringer, The One Who Speaks What Must Be Spoken

Focused on freedom of expression and diversity of thought

A member of the leadership body of the ancient JolKoar Empire during the final days of the Golden Age of the JolKoar, A'Il'Ith was a representative of House A'Il, and paid the ultimate price for speaking up to criticize the Warlord for his plan to attack the home of the JolKoar's benefactors. Her body was dismembered and launched into the void following her execution for sedition.

• Follower of the Wordbringer
• Path of The One Who Speaks Must Be Spoken
• Journey of Words
• Devotion of A'Il'Ith

Bo'Lur'Zed - The Knowledgebringer, The One Who Sleeps Within The Library

Focused on non-biological scientific knowledge

Bo'Lur'Zed was a famed pre-Exile scientist who's exact contributions to physics have been lost over the millenia. Legends attribute the Dweller's computer systems to innovations developed by Bo'Lur'Zed before the Exile.

• Follower of the Knowledgebringer
• Path of The One Who Does Not Sleep
• Journey of Inspiration
• Devotion of Bo'Lur'Zed

G'Atog'Saq - The Timebringer, The One Who Sleeps Outside Of Time

Focused on historical knowledge and philosophy

G'Atog'Saq was a famed pre-Exile historian and philosopher. His teachings still form the basis of modern Jol'Koar philosophy and ethics.

• Follower of the Timebringer
• Path of The One Who Sleeps Outside Of Time
• Journey of Remembrance
• Devotion of G'Atog'Saq

Ka'Jol - The Loyal, The First

Focused on Duty, honor, and loyalty

Shipmaster Ka'Jol was (supposedly) the first Jol'Koar'Hul created, and served as a pilot and bodyguard to a Pureblood whose name has since been forgotten. The legend goes that Ka'Jol and his master eventually set off on a journey to find the lost Jol'Koar homeworld and vanished shortly after leaving the Empire.

• Follower of the Loyal
• Path of The First
• Journey of Duty
• Devotion of Ka'Jol

Li'Lia'Ith - The Renegade, She Who Does Not Sleep

Focused on personal freedom, questioning of authority

A pre-exile legendary figure, Li'Lia'Ith was supposedly a crown princess of the Jol'Koar Empire who fled the Empire to escape an unwanted arranged marriage. According to legend, she has occasionally reappears to aid explorers who are in danger, before vanishing once again. Since the rise of Warlord A'De'Mask, overt devotion to The Renegade has been banned. While there has not yet been persecution of covert devotion, this "Don't Do This" action has probably only increased devotion to The Renegade in recent time. During the 5th Cycle, renowned prophet Chi'Atog'Ai prophesized that Li'Lia'Ith would return in a time of great darkness to save the JolKoar people.

• Follower of the Renegade
• Path of She Who Does Not Sleep
• Journey of Freedom
• Devotion of Li'Lia'Ith

Mu'Lun'Cui - The Lifebringer, The Mother of the High

Focused on Medical/Biological knowledge, fertility, good harvests

Mu'Lun'Cui was a geneticist in the 4th Cycle who is viewed as the 'mother' of the High Dweller offshoot. She is the one who stabilized the Jol'Koar genome, allowing for the development of the offshoot in the first place.

• Follower of the Lifebringer
• Path of The Mother of the High
• Journey of Life
• Devotion of Mu'Lun'Cui

Naq'D'Das - The One Who Knocks, The Harbinger of the Beyond

Focused on exploration and revenge

Probably more folk antihero than actual historical figure, legend states that Naq'D'Das was a famed explorer who returned home from a long journey to find that his entire family had been killed. Using the skills, artifacts, and magic he had found on his journey, he waged a bloody war of terror against those who had killed his family.

• Follower of the One Who Knocks
• Path of the Harbinger of the Beyond
• Journey of Terror
• Devotion of Naq'D'Das

Ril'Fong'Nar - The Great Reformer, Harbinger of Change

Focused on change, political theory

Ril'Fong'Nar was a Pureblood member of house Ril'Ro who was one of the driving forces behind the push to give Jol'Koar'Hul more power inside the empire.

• Follower of the Great Reformer
• Path of the Harbinger of Change
• Journey of Transition
• Devotion of Ril'Fong'Nar

Ujo'Epoh'Vorl - The Ender of Things, The Unknowable Destroyer

Focused on destruction, chaos, and war

Ujo'Epoh'Vorl was the leader of the Jol'Koar Empire when they made war upon the Tau Ceti system, leading to his exile. More specifically, it is the identity that evolved from his true identity, a twisted, hyper-focused view on his warlike tendencies and the quest for vengeance that led to the Jol'Koar's exile.

• Follower of the Ender of Things
• Path of the Unknowable Destroyer
• Journey of Destruction
• Devotion of Ujo'Eph'Vorl

Name Unknown - The Forgotten, The Hidden Master

Focused on manipulation, stealth

With their name forgotten - or perhaps intentionally expunged, The Forgotten is the Ancestor remembered for creating an empire-wide network of information brokers and assassins who sought to control the politics of the Empire during the Fourth Cycle.

• Follower of the Forgotten
• Path of the Hidden Master
• Journey of Darkness
• Devotion of the Forgotten Ancestor