Kyburg Dynasty

Theme
Concept: Empire at the End

History

The Kyburg Dynasty is the ruling power within what remains of the Terran Bubble, having established itself as the new Imperial Line after the dissolution of the Norouzi Dynasty following the destruction of fabled Ardakan during the First Ouster War. From their capital on Karinthia, the Kyburgs have with varying degrees of success attempted to hold back the dual tides of Ouster subversion within and Outsider encroachment outside the slowly but steadily eroding bubble. Although it once appeared that the new Dynasty might restore human space to its old glories, such thoughts are now seem little more than idle fancy or pure foolishness.

The last fifty years have seen startling reverses for the Empire's power and the loss of whole regions to the increasingly inhuman Ouster movements or the mysterious Outsiders. Refugees have poured into the inner worlds in ever greater numbers, and whole flotillas of military warships have deserted their assigned duties, turning to banditry and even attempting break through the Outsider envelopment and out into what perhaps might be safe space beyond in the deep unknown.

With the defeat of last year's offensive at Mimosa and within the clouds of Hercyina Silva, the situation has now reached a breaking point which even the increasingly ruthless efforts of the Imperial Secret Police and Fleet Morale Section seem unable to hold back for much longer. The Archdukes who were left behind amongst the cold dead and the broken starships scattered over Mimosa had been the hope of the Dynasty, and Emperor Farzad was not long in following his sons after what official reports say was a sudden illness and whispered rumor declares suicide.

The Empire's remaining forces can only delay the inevitable now and no amount of propaganda can keep that from the public. For every citizen who takes that fact with grim resignation, another plots rebellion or treason. The Outsiders might be unfathomable, but the Ousters were once human and rumors of their subversive influence in the refugee camps and riot battered cities of the mainland are a dime a dozen.

With the Emperor's death, his third child the Archduchess Tereza took up the duties of the tarnished Iridium Throne. There was little to do but to fight to the last, denying the Dynasty's enemies within and without so long as loyal soldiers remained to protect the dying realm. Escape was impossible, the Outsider envelopment now too old and too strong. Surrender to the Ousters unthinkable.

And then in an instant everything would change.