Lyncisian Empire

(WIP)

"Cursed be the day the Lyncisians left Ralteyo“

-The Exile's Journal, 99.949 CE

The Empire of Lyncis, often shortened to Lyncis, is a state located in central eastern Via Aylathiya. Coming into existence following the First Eastern War in 98.987, Lyncis is one of the younger states in the region and is widely considered an up-and-coming regional power. With control over roughly 3 billion star systems, the Empire‘s territory is ethnically diverse, with about half of its population not belonging to the Lyncisian species.

Formed out of the various quarreling state of the so-called Lyncisian Sphere, the Empire struggled with creating a united Lyncisian identity for much of its early existence. This unity was spurred on by various factors, the most notable of which being a series of wars that brought about the state itself, defended it from outsiders and expanded it in territory. In direct inheritance of the militaristic legacies prevalent in the Sphere, Lyncis maintains one of the largest armies in eastern Aylathia and has begun to use it in a series of rapid territorial expansions.

The state itself is a hereditary constitutional monarchy. Its monarch, the Lord President (often simply referred to as Emperor by outsiders), wields vast constitutional powers, but answers to a parliament, the Imperial Senate, whose members are elected directly by the Lyncisian citizens. These republican elements echo in its internal organization and is seen as a primary stabilizing force that helps keeping the Empire together.

History

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Ideology and Government

Lyncis is a constitutional monarchy whose ideology is based in the principles of market economy subjected to limited government regulation, equal political rights and democracy while also maintaining a strong sense of tradition and nationalist pride. It is a common belief that Lyncis deserves to be where they are right now, as they have come up with the most stable system of running a state the region has seen since the times of the ancient empires, and they defend that position vehemently.

Daily political matters are run by a parliament, the Lyncisian High Council, which is headed by the Lord Chancellor. Every 10 years, Empire-wide elections are called in which all Lyncisian citizens over the legal age of 90 are allowed to vote for one of the numerous political parties as well as their preferred candidate for chancellorship. The party and the candidate with the most votes win the elections and form the new government. In addition, the 10.000 sectors that make up the Empire each send a senator to the Imperial Senate to represent their interests. Its attempted composition along the ethnic lines of the Empire aims to give as many species as possible a say in political matters.

The Lord President, while constitutionally holding a lot of political power, rarely interferes with day-to-day politics. All Lord Presidents up to this point saw themselves as the highest representatives of the Lyncisian state and all its people and looked to present themselves that way. Instances in which the Lord President interfered with politics mostly occurred in war times, with only two of such instances taking place during peacetime.

Society

Lyncisian society is, compared to other states of similar size, militaristic in nature. Conscription has been in place since the Empire’s foundation, with every citizen above the legal age of their respective species being required to serve for at least 20 years. Voluntary service that exceeds these 20 years is common and a prerequisite for Lyncisian citizenship. Defending their Empire and their state is a top priority for the majority of the Lyncisian population and that nationalistic fervor is widespread among all species living within the Empire.  

Its two prominent culture groups are the Nubian Lyncisians and the Seyvo Lyncisians. While ethnically part of one great collective, the cultures are vastly different in their makeup. Apart from language and religous practices, the most notable difference is their views on cybernetics and certain other technologies. Cybernetic body modifications are considered by many, in particular the Nubian Lyncisians, to be an affront to their religion, and while not forbidden in any shape or form, Lyncisians with cybernetics are often ogled with thinly veiled disgust. This has reduced a great deal since the unification due to Seyvo Lyncisian influences, where cybernetic modifications are common and accepted, but these views are still widespread among the traditionally more conservative Nubians.

While divided on the matter of cybernetics, both cultures are united in a strict rejection of any AI development. Due to experiments with AI in the past gone wrong, the Lyncisians have a deep sense of distrust toward any AI development and consider nations that invest a great deal of resources and effort into that development as threats. Subsequently, the Lyncisians enjoy hostile relations with many of their neighbors, who consider AI to be integral to their societies and states.

Military

The Lyncisian military, officially called the Imperial Armed Forces, or IAF, is one of the largest standing armies in eastern Aylathia. Despite its large size, however, the Empire refrained from using it to drive an expansionist policy for most of its history. On the contrary, its large army mostly filled the role of a deterrent to keep other nations from attacking Imperial territory. In the few instances that the IAF have been deployed in an external conflict prior to 613 AU, they gained the reputation of an effective but ruthless army. Reports of war crimes and rough occupations particularly in the incorporated territories have caused both internal and external controversy.

The army’s role changed drastically after 613. Kicking off what the Lyncisians refer to as the Southern Wars, the Imperial troops were employed to rapidly expand the Empire in a series of wars, where they cemented their reputation as a ruthlessly efficient fighting force. Making great use of new technological innovations and their large, replenishable numbers, the Lyncisians steamrolled through enemy territories and subjugated entire states quickly.