THE IMPERIUM OF IRTH

Militant expansionary totalitarian xenophobic empire of Man

Tone: Dark, militant, inevitable empire.
Timeframe: -1000 to present
Artifice Level: Irth has Nill Magic and Advanced Technology. They suppress magic in worlds they conquer (but some might exist in secret).
Capital: Irth (uncounted billions)
Notable Settlements: Borzogian Shipyards (~500,000)
Government: Totalitarian Tribune
Ruler: The God-Imperator (in theory); Tribunes Imperatus (in reality)
Races: Human (100%)
Languages: Irthianic
Religions: Church of the God-Imperator
Coinage: Credit (~1 sp, but effectively un-spendable outside of Irthian dimensions)

Synopsis

The Celestial Federated Sovereign Imperium of Irth, First Among Empires, Conquerors Of Borzog, Ubys, Oal, Tiry, Soralt, and Poris, Explorers Of The Great Beyond.

A Human Empire that originated from a plane called Irth, the Imperial Legions of Irth have managed to cross various conduits and extend the rule of their Beloved God-Imperator to (at current count) seven dimensions, four of them wholly conquered and the other three to various degrees. In recent years Irthian vessels crewed by dangerously elite Marines have been found patrolling the 'Tween around conduits leading to the seven Irthian dimensions of Irth, Borzog, Ubys, Oal, Tiry, Soralt, and Poris.

Some have begun to suspect that at least some of the ships that go missing near Irthian space didn't meet with ill fortune, but rather met the business end of a Irthian War-galley's high powered cannons.

Irth itself has been turned into an ecumenopolis, a world spanning city, and living conditions are spartan ranging on dystopian for the teeming masses though the mighty live opulently. Irthian rule is totalitarian, and in it everything must be sacrificed to the survival of the State and the continued propagation of its reach and power.

In addition, every populated world in the Irthian Imperium is subject to stiff taxes, and conscription in the Irthian military forces is heavily levied. The conquered regions are even more downtrodden and oppressed than the Irthian natives.

The God-Imperator was (supposedly) a living person thousands of years ago who was responsible for conquering all of Irth and leading the first forays into Poris and Soralt, but is believed to have ascended to godhood after the vanquishing of Poris. A huge tomb exists deep in the heart of the Irthian world-city and is believed to hold the body of the God-Imperator, who is held to speak from beyond the grave by possession through Meretons, a secretive oracular-like group of supposed mediums who claim to channel the voice of the God-Imperator. In reality most of the concerns of state are in fact controlled by the Tribunes Imperatus, a group of powerful office holders with effectively unchecked power.

The Forces of the Irthian Imperium are vast, but their presence in 'Tween-space is still burgeoning as it is limited by the number of 'Tween-ships they have been able to construct. They have a major shipyard set up 'Tween-side of a conduit from Borzog, and currently are turning out a new vessel of moderate size every month, and a major vessel in about a calendar year. The shipyard is always expanding.

Irthian 'Tween ships are all made of solid metal, are armed, and have space for both crew and a complement of Marines. They are ugly, militant looking, and very formidable. Even minor Irthian vessels always travel in groups of three or more, and major vessels always have a full complement of supporting ships.

Irthians are as a rule xenophobic. Historically the Imperium eradicates non-humans when they conquer a dimension, with Poris being the most notable example.

Edit

Technology

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: Imperial equipment from Terran Empire and United Earth equipment from Alien Wars (StarHERO supplements) are available to the Imperium as is or with tweaks as preferred.
There are many like it, but this one is mine: The average firearm carried by Irthian troops has the following profile.
Cost Name Effect Edition 19 IBR-17c Killing Attack - Ranged 2 1/2d6, 4 clips of 16 Charges (+1/4), Autofire (3 shots; +1/4), +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (70 Active Points); STR Minimum 9-13 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), Required Hands One-And-A-Half-Handed (-1/4) 5e/6e

Edit

Details

Wagnerian Epics: Though Irthians aren't particularly cultured or artsy in general, a distinct musical style has developed over centuries, typified by heavy, sonorous "musical dramas" of epic scope intended to be played at loud volume. Imperium Naval officers in particular tend to be proponents of this music, and formally study and compose such works themselves.
Free Traders: There are a relative handful of chartered Irthian "Traders" who have broad latitude to explore the 'Tween pursuing mercantile interests. Of course they are not to be trusted...
Church of the God-Imperator: worship of the God-Imperator is the official state religion of the Imperium and all citizens (or at least those that don't want to end up being "purified" or persecuted as heretics) at least pretend to be devout. A number of religious and semi-religious Orders exist and are prominent in the Imperium.

Edit

Adventure Seeds

Shipyard Shenanigans: Some motivated heroes concerned about the Irthian presence in the 'Tween might set out to wreak as much havoc on the Borzogian Shipyard as possible to slow or stop the creation of new Irthian warships. Of course, to do so would require slipping through the constant patrols and dealing with the crack Marine guard contingent. And surviving long enough to escape Irthian space, of course; that would be a key success factor as well.
Oal In?: the beleaguered Dwarves of Oal have managed to avoid total defeat by the Legions of Irth and fight on in the depths of their world. The Imperium controls the surface, but the deep strongholds and powerful Runic magic of the Dwarves have defied the minions of the God-Imperator for several centuries. However their eventual defeat is inevitable, unless they receive un-looked for and unexpected aid from somewhere...

killershrike.info