The Xiang
The Xiang Empire originated from a group of survivors upholding their values stemming from their Chinese ancestry. The nation is one of the youngest world powers, forged as early as 2178. Beginning as a small band of handy hermits working together towards a common interest, the Xiang Empire flourished into a strong competitor to the CETA's iron grip over material production. For a decade, the humble Xiang Empire flew under the radar of the world until a group of pathfinding explorers encountered their settlements while creating an updated map of Reclaimed Earth. Most of the empire lacks the affliction in a human's DNA that allows the manifestation of Caelus, and as a result, mages are scarce throughout the land. Rather than waste its time in that it does not know of, the Xiang Empire busied itself with the industrial side of things. This resulted in the empire developing infrastructure akin to that of the CETA -- many argue it may even be technologically superior than the latter.
Work for expeditions venturing into the forgotten cities dotted around the perimeter of the settlement was underway. Many of these ventures resulted in success, as the survivors would have raw materials and resources from a more advanced age in tow. These supplies served as a catalyst for the town, and many years would pass until the overpopulation of the area was noticeable. The need for more living space became evident, and the residents had decided to unite beneath one banner -- the one of the Xiang Empire.
It wasn't until 2190 that the Xiang Empire had used up a good portion of favorable landmass that'd connect between their settlements and cities, resulting in a need for more -- though moving on foot was out of the question due to newly formed lakes and rivers that block off most of the land from being explored. Research into a primitive aircraft had begun, and it was on the cold night of December 18th that the engineer known as Hao Guang completed a highly experimental product dubbed a "Sky-crosser". This highly experimental design of an airborne vehicle would serve as the groundwork for the fabled starship design some years later.
Expeditions occur daily as the nation pushes further down the continent. Slow but steady progress is made in the effort of cleaning up and the extraction of valuable resources no longer available on the homeland of the empire. Unbeknownst to the Xiang, a new threat is on the horizon, and it wasn't until 2239 that the Xiang would have its first encounter with hostile natives of the island.
Utilizing stolen equipment from the Xiang forces, in addition to makeshift weaponry fashioned from whatever could be salvaged, the residents fought to defend the captured outpost, and made pushes to siege poorly defended outposts the empire left unchecked due to the lack of infrastructure between Japan and the coast of the empire. Pride and lack of intel between the warlords of the empire and the forces present on the island resulted in a major lack of manpower and equipment. Several weeks into the violent conflict, a heated battle had sprung out over a newly procured checkpoint that'd lead towards the northern coast of Japan. This was a vital access point for the Xiang Empire, and if Japanese forces were to capture, it'd lead to devastating losses and the ultimate loss of their presence in Japan. However, in the final push towards the checkpoint, the Vinculum controlled city of New Cali had went nuclear, unleashing the radiation strain known as ardor upon the world. This unlocked humanity's potency with Caelus, affecting many of those present on the battlefield. In the heat of the moment, a shaky ceasefire was declared between both the Xiang Empire and the remaining residents of Japan, as the game changing factor known as Caelus was brought into the equation. In addition, the mushroom cloud left behind by the detonation of the Vinculum base could be seen from across the world, as the raw magical energies unleashed from the explosion had enhanced the visibility of the mushroom cloud. A chilling reminder of what could happen should this war escalate any further.
It took months of negotiation and meetings between the residents and the Xiang Empire, but an agreement was eventually met as the two sides had settled their differences. Agreeing to join forces with the Empire and contribute to their cause as long as their territory would be respected, the Japanese found their new homes upon the northern portions of the island.
Settling for an outpost not too far from the point of interest, the Xiang Empire gathers its strength as it extracts the resources buried deep inside of Mars' surface. Scouts report seeing infantry and heavy equipment being shipped into the outpost, as if preparing for a full-scale conflict. It is unknown as to what the empire intends on doing next after their latest debacle on the martian surface. Unbeknownst to the world, the Xiang has engines capable of NLS travel (Near Lightspeed), utilized in the attack on Rig-573.
2139 - Similar Goals
Left in a state of disarray ever since the Morose Affliction had wrought the earth, China was one of the nations struck hardest by the pandemic. As such, the very few survivors left in the land were scattered about. A majority of deaths caused by the illness originated from the crowded city centers of the nation, leaving the farmers and residents in rural areas of the country to fend for themselves. After the effects of the virus were visibly dwindling, a small group of stockbreeders banded together to create a hamlet in the mutual interest of survival. Many of the residents were versed in the field of agriculture, and some even specialized in simple welding and repair work. This would be a key factor in the growth of the hamlet. Word moved through the scattered remains of China, spreading rumors of a town where all would be granted shelter and a full belly. More survivors and residents from the rural lands trickled into the small settlement, and a snowball effect soon started.Work for expeditions venturing into the forgotten cities dotted around the perimeter of the settlement was underway. Many of these ventures resulted in success, as the survivors would have raw materials and resources from a more advanced age in tow. These supplies served as a catalyst for the town, and many years would pass until the overpopulation of the area was noticeable. The need for more living space became evident, and the residents had decided to unite beneath one banner -- the one of the Xiang Empire.
2178 - The Steel Age
With little need to worry about the survival of their nation now that the Xiang have made a steadfast presence in what was their land, many of the brightest minds of the clan had begun looking into more industrial creations. One of the many topics researched was the highly durable metal alloy known as steel. Through many trials and severe accidents, the first blast furnace saw the light of day in Xiang territory. Scrap materials gathered from ruins of civilization were fed into the forge for materials refitted to serve the clan better. Factories went up as the demand for the highly coveted alloy skyrocketed, resulting in the discoveries of other metallic alloys and creations that'd further the development of the Xiang's infrastructure.It wasn't until 2190 that the Xiang Empire had used up a good portion of favorable landmass that'd connect between their settlements and cities, resulting in a need for more -- though moving on foot was out of the question due to newly formed lakes and rivers that block off most of the land from being explored. Research into a primitive aircraft had begun, and it was on the cold night of December 18th that the engineer known as Hao Guang completed a highly experimental product dubbed a "Sky-crosser". This highly experimental design of an airborne vehicle would serve as the groundwork for the fabled starship design some years later.
2224 - The Great Colonization
The Xiang Empire was no stranger when it came to spreading out their reach for its own gain. Rumors circulated within the nation regarding an island to the east, and the potential resources that could be exploited should the empire choose to capitalize on the opportunity. Ships sailed across the ocean, encroaching upon the coasts of Japan. With no central government and the apparent lack of natives, the Xiang had nothing in their way to stop them of their objective. The northern portion of the continent falls to the rule of the empire, becoming an outlying colony of the nation.Expeditions occur daily as the nation pushes further down the continent. Slow but steady progress is made in the effort of cleaning up and the extraction of valuable resources no longer available on the homeland of the empire. Unbeknownst to the Xiang, a new threat is on the horizon, and it wasn't until 2239 that the Xiang would have its first encounter with hostile natives of the island.
2239 - Conflict of Interest
The arrival of the inventor faction known as the Vinculum of Discovery is seen by many as a blessing -- though to the natives of Japan, it is regarded as a dark day of history. South Japan became a point of contesting as the guild forced out many residents from their homes and settlements. This resulted in an estimated one million people being displaced, as Old Ishikawa became the new base of operations for the Vinculum of Discovery. With no where to go except up, large groups of refugees migrated upwards, and to their dismay encountered their first settlement of the Xiang Empire. With little to lose and distraught plaguing most of the caravan, the residents of southern Japan had incited a violent attack against the settlement. The Xiang within were slaughtered, caught by surprise and lacking the firepower to deal with the unexpected retaliation from the new enemy encountered on the island. This bloody assault would escalate into a full on war between the empire and the survivors on the island, with the former fighting for mere resources, and the latter fighting for their lives.Utilizing stolen equipment from the Xiang forces, in addition to makeshift weaponry fashioned from whatever could be salvaged, the residents fought to defend the captured outpost, and made pushes to siege poorly defended outposts the empire left unchecked due to the lack of infrastructure between Japan and the coast of the empire. Pride and lack of intel between the warlords of the empire and the forces present on the island resulted in a major lack of manpower and equipment. Several weeks into the violent conflict, a heated battle had sprung out over a newly procured checkpoint that'd lead towards the northern coast of Japan. This was a vital access point for the Xiang Empire, and if Japanese forces were to capture, it'd lead to devastating losses and the ultimate loss of their presence in Japan. However, in the final push towards the checkpoint, the Vinculum controlled city of New Cali had went nuclear, unleashing the radiation strain known as ardor upon the world. This unlocked humanity's potency with Caelus, affecting many of those present on the battlefield. In the heat of the moment, a shaky ceasefire was declared between both the Xiang Empire and the remaining residents of Japan, as the game changing factor known as Caelus was brought into the equation. In addition, the mushroom cloud left behind by the detonation of the Vinculum base could be seen from across the world, as the raw magical energies unleashed from the explosion had enhanced the visibility of the mushroom cloud. A chilling reminder of what could happen should this war escalate any further.
It took months of negotiation and meetings between the residents and the Xiang Empire, but an agreement was eventually met as the two sides had settled their differences. Agreeing to join forces with the Empire and contribute to their cause as long as their territory would be respected, the Japanese found their new homes upon the northern portions of the island.
2251 - Interplanetary Compromise
With the Xiang Empire fully integrated with the Japanese, their sphere of influence extended to that beyond the stars with their formidable technology. Setting their sights on the red planet known as Mars, colonizer ships and starships specialized in assisting in the effort had been launched to survey the planet and begin the process. After some days spent surveying and scanning, the empire encountered a large deposit of Thaumite embedded deep within the planet's surface. Much to the Xiang's dismay, the perimeter surrounding the deposit was already locked down by CETA forces. Negotiations were rejected, and the chance of purchasing their way into the area was rejected.Settling for an outpost not too far from the point of interest, the Xiang Empire gathers its strength as it extracts the resources buried deep inside of Mars' surface. Scouts report seeing infantry and heavy equipment being shipped into the outpost, as if preparing for a full-scale conflict. It is unknown as to what the empire intends on doing next after their latest debacle on the martian surface. Unbeknownst to the world, the Xiang has engines capable of NLS travel (Near Lightspeed), utilized in the attack on Rig-573.
Comments