The Dominion of The Polympian Empire

The Dominion of the Polympian Empire is officially an Absolute Monarchy, with unlimited power invested in the Imperial throne by divine right. Though due to the size of the Dominion, the individual planets of the empire can vary in how they are run, leading to a Mixed System of Feudal nature.

Although the power of the Imperial throne is absolute. At the imperial level, there exist several councils that functions to partially serve as main bodies of government. A Council Cabinet, an Imperial Diet made up of two chambers; The House of Lords and The House of Commons. Furthermore there is also a judicial system, headed by the Supreme Court of the Dominion, in place to judge on legal matters in accordance with imperial decree. Outside of the Councillory there are several Organisations that in theory report ultimately directly to the throne. though in practice this is often through one of the Councillors. at this level we find the intelligence agency; Imperial Clandestine Services (ICS), the Imperial Army, the Imperial Navy, the Courier and Exploration agency; Imperial Scout Service (ISS), the religious authority; The Inquisition, the foreign relations administration; Imperial Diplomatic Service (IDS) and more. Although all these agencies are independent and can act as such, they often are quite intertwined in achieving the goals of the Imperial Throne and in carrying out the actions set out for them by the Throne.

The Council Cabinet

The Imperial crown gets Council on the governance of the Dominion from a selection of Councillors, who have been selected by the Imperial crown from amongst the citizens of the Dominion. These Councillors form the The Council Cabinet. Though the Imperial crown can freely select any individual desired as a councillor, traditionally it primarily selects from among the members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, in the case of a councillor being selected from elsewhere, they are traditionally given a Noble title of Lord upon acceptance of the position. Members of the Council Cabinet serve the crown as councillors on the functions and matters of state as their primary function, though the invested power in each member can vary from just being an Adviser all the way to functioning as Minister for a department of state. Once selected for the cabinet, councillors will serve the crown until, dismissed, dead or self-retirement. The only way for a councillor to be dismissed is by decision from the imperial crown.

Notable position on the Council Cabinet:
Lord General
Lord Inquisitor
Lord of the Treasury
Arch-exarch of Ecclesia Domini

Imperial Diet

The House of Lords is made up of the collective nobility of the dominion with every noble from the rank of lord and above being given a seat. Members in The House of Lords retain their seat until death unless stripped of noble rank. The house of Lords get to vote on all legislative proposals passed up from The House of Commons, as well as proposing their own law changes. Outside of its legislative functions the House of Lords also acts as a forum for the Nobility and Planetary leaders to discuss and strike deals both amongst each other and and between each member and the Throne.

Notable Lords:
Grand Duchess of Vektra
Viceroy of Hursan

The House of Commons is made up of members elected by the Citizens of the Dominion, from amongst the planets that are under civil rule. The House have an even number of seats and each elected member has their seat for a term of 6 years. The House of Commons forms legislative proposals through debates, with each proposal having to win a majority vote, before being passed up to The House of Lords. This is made a more arduous process due to the even number of total seats. The guiding principle being that as Commoners they are evenly represented and if they can´t form a majority proposal it's not something that holds common enough ground to be implemented across the dominion. it's not worth the Emperor's time. Members of the House of Commons benefit from certain privileges. Such as a monthly salary and immunity from certain laws.

Planetary

The political leader of a world of the Dominion is known as a planetary governor or sometimes as an Imperial governor. Regardless of his or her specific title, a planetary governor is an individual with the authority to rule a world or even an entire star system in the name of the Imperial Crown. In theory, an Imperial governor is duty-bound to the Crown. In practice, though, he or she is a semi-autonomous ruler who can govern their planet, largely as they see fit, with only minimal interference from the other organs of the Empire. Planetary governors are usually referred to in Imperial feudal nomenclature as "lords" unless higher title is held, and depending on their world's political culture their position often becomes hereditary. Even though governors are given these extraordinary powers over a planet's population, they come at a price. The governor is a sworn vassal of the Dominion, and as such is required to always obey and submit to any requests from the throne.

Dominion Culture is rooted in Old High Imperial tradition and shaped by three core values: God, Emperor, Fatherland. These principles unify the diverse worlds of the Dominion, though interpretation varies locally.   God reflects belief in The Lord, source of all authority. Power descends through a divine hierarchy, influencing daily life, such as a heteronormative worldview, ecclesial tithes, and religious definitions of marriage. For some, this faith is absolute; for others, it's a cultural foundation that binds society.
Emperor signifies unwavering loyalty to the Emperor, mythologized as the Lord’s mortal descendant. This instills deep respect for authority and reinforces patriarchal structures. Though personal devotion may vary, the Emperor’s word is law across the Dominion.
Fatherland expresses the duty to defend one’s homeland, whether a birthworld or the Dominion itself. This ideal is strongly reflected in the military, where soldiers are recruited and serve by planet of origin.
  Three major holidays are celebrated Dominion-wide: Emperor Day, Aurora Invictus, and Festum Adventus, alongside countless local festivals such as the Glacial Song Festival of Eos Prime or Sanguine Moon Night on Hursan.   Emperor Day honors the Emperor’s birthday with parades, religious services, formal ceremonies, and private celebrations. All citizens are entitled to rest; those working must be paid double by Imperial decree. Though set by the Polympian calendar, equivalent dates are used across all worlds for near-simultaneous observance. Under Emperor Alexius VI, it falls on the 7th day of the 9th month; his heir Constantine III will shift it to the 10th of the 5th month.   Aurora Invictus is a week-long summer solstice celebration. It symbolizes the Lord’s radiant protection, the joy of community, and the blessings of love and fertility. It features masses, feasts, and culminates in joyous bonfire gatherings.   Festum Adventus, marking the winter solstice and new year, is a reflective holiday of remembrance and hope. Families feast, pray, and celebrate with fireworks and festivities. Both solstice holidays are adjusted per planetary calendar to match local seasons.

There are many Systems within dominion sovereign space, and all worlds of the Dominion exist in one of two states of administration; Feudal/Civil or Military. listed below are some notable worlds.

Polympus Prime The crown of Dominion worlds, home to the imperial palace, the Imperial Diet and the Supreme Court. the epicentre of political power within the empire.

Vektra Prime Cold-Temperate world under the administration of the Duchess of Vektra and home to the Mannerheim institute.

Hursan Prime Temperate world under the administration of the Viceroy of Hursan.

Kaas Prime Long term dominion wet world under civil administration, known for its infamous thunderstorms tropical fruits.

Helios Prime Mineral-rich world under military administration since its subjugation.

Eos Prime Idyllic ice world under civil administration

Apollo Prime Long term dominion temperate world under civil administration

Aurora Prime Gas Giant world under civil administration, famous for its cloud cities.

The Imperial Military is organized into two branches of service, the Army and the Navy. in order to guarantee the defence of the Empire. all male citizens aged 18 can be subject to conscription, though its possible for any citizen to volunteer from age 16. To serve in the imperial military you need to be of eligible age, physically and mentally fit. The conscription term is 2 years, volunteers also sign an entry contact for 2 years. Due to the planetary residency requirement for service within imperial army regiments. resulting in, on worlds with high numbers of volunteers, very few citizens would be subject to conscription if the regiments are getting sufficient numbers. though citizens may still be conscripted to the navy, since there are no planetary residence requirements. After the first 2 years most citizens would be offered a standard 4-year service contract, if they want to continue their military career.

Rank Structure

Imperial Dominion Army

The Imperial army is subdivided into four administrative branches; Infantry, Cavalry, Support and Commando. The primary function of each branch is to coordinate training and equipment standards across all the regiments of the army. Infantry branch, develops the training and doctrine for infantry, as well as define requirements and development of, body-armour, service rifles, machine-guns, pistols, canteens, communication systems, ect. everything the soldier fights with. Cavalry branch develops training and doctrine for all Armoured Fighting Vehicles, as well as help define requirements and future developments of AFVs, this also includes all sub-systems and weapons of these vehicles, as well as any equipment a soldier may need in relation to operating on and with AFVs. Support branch, develops the training and doctrine for all medical, supply, engineering, artillery and other supporting troop types, while also defining requirements for these troops equipment and vehicles. The Commando branch is same as the other branches but entirely focused on Special forces.

The Imperial Army operates on a planetary regimental system, with each regiment recruited from a specific world and numbered in order of its formation there. Regiments fall under one of the Army’s three primary branches: Infantry, Cavalry, or Support. Each regiment typically comprises multiple battalions and serves as the smallest self-sufficient deployable unit. Depending on operational needs, regiments may fight independently, form part of task-organized Regimental Combat Teams, or operate within larger permanent brigades and divisions. Since multiple worlds may field regiments with the same number and type, regiments are always referred to by both number and home world, such as the 1st Polympian Infantry or the 4th Vektran Cavalry.

Over time, many regiments accrue battle honours, commemorating notable campaigns and victories. These are often displayed on regimental banners or reflected in company traditions. Some regiments, through exceptional service, are awarded honorific titles. These titles are pluralized names unique across the Dominion and tied to a regiment’s world of origin. They grant both prestige and certain limited privileges, including the right to adopt structural or uniform deviations from standard doctrine. Well-known examples include the Polympian Legionaries, the Kaasian Rangers, and the Hursan Hussars.

On entry into the imperial army a soldier is known as a recruit, after having completed basic training they will be referred to as private or soldier. After a full year of satisfactory service, they are formally awarded the rank of Guardsman (Gdsm.), often in a ceremonial event known simply as The Guard. Advancement then proceeds to Lance Corporal (L.Cpl.) and Corporal (Cpl.) after passing NCO courses. Further promotion may lead to Sergeant (Sgt.), First Sergeant (1stSgt.), and eventually Sergeant Major (Sgt.Maj.), based on leadership, experience, and additional training.

Citizens seeking a commission must attend an Imperial Army Officer Academy, either as university graduates or as serving Corporals. Upon graduation, they are commissioned as Lieutenant (Lt.) and typically begin as platoon commanders. Advancement through First Lieutenant (1Lt.), Captain (Capt.), Major (Maj.), and Colonel (Col.) follows based on merit and continued professional development. Promotion into the general ranks, beginning with Brigadier General (Brig.) requires completion of the General Officer’s curriculum and exceptional performance in both command and administration. from there its up to the individuals experience, merits and skill at military politicking to gain further promotions.

Special Forces

The Dominion’s elite special forces unit is First Encounter Assault Recon, or FEAR. Specialists in counter-terrorism, direct action, special reconnaissance, and covert operations, FEAR teams are trained to operate in or out of uniform and often behind enemy lines. They may also serve as advisors and trainers to indigenous forces on non-Dominion worlds. Every FEAR operator enters at the rank of Sergeant, and follows a distinct advancement path after completing rigorous selection and training. FEAR missions are typically high-risk, politically sensitive, and directed against high-value targets where precision and discretion are paramount.

Imperial Dominion Navy

The Imperial Navy is divided into three administrative branches under the authority of the Admiralty: the Line, the Fleet Flight Arm (FFA), and the Marine Commando Arm (MCA). Each branch is responsible for coordinating training, doctrine, and equipment standards across its area of expertise.   The Line branch is the Navy’s core component. It oversees the training, operations, and staffing of ships and their command crews, and is responsible for the development of ship classes, onboard systems, and the general standards of naval operations. Due to its breadth, the branch maintains a wide array of schools and commands for various specialties, including the Officers’ School, Engineering Command, Signals, and more.   The Fleet Flight Arm (FFA) is responsible for all naval small-craft. It develops doctrine and requirements for shuttles, strike fighters, reconnaissance craft, and other auxiliary vessels, as well as training pilots, deck crews, and maintenance personnel to operate them from Imperial ships and installations.   The Marine Commando Arm (MCA) oversees the naval infantry and shipboard security forces. It sets standards for training, organization, and specialist equipment related to close-quarters combat, boarding actions, and facility defense. While the MCA coordinates development of unique tools or gear as needed, for most weapons and personal kit, it follows the standards set by the Imperial Army’s Infantry and Commando branches.   Imperial naval doctrine focuses on power projection; enforcing Dominion sovereignty within its borders and extending influence into non-Imperial space. Naval vessels are typically organized into Task Groups, each assigned a specific mission profile. The most common of these are Patrol and Surveillance Tasks, which maintain presence, monitor traffic, and enforce law within Imperial space. When deployed for expeditionary warfare or punitive operations, Task Groups are often centered around a Strike Carrier, and are then referred to as Strike Groups.   All new enlistees enter the Imperial Navy at the rank of Marine Recruit, regardless of their branch. After completing basic training and any required branch-specific instruction, they are promoted to Mariner and assigned to full posting. The standard initial service contract lasts four years. Upon completion, Mariners in good standing may be promoted to Lance Mariner, a junior leadership role supporting the Navy’s non-commissioned officers. From there, qualified personnel may advance into the NCO ranks, beginning with Corporal (Cpl.), followed by Sergeant (Sgt.), with each step requiring additional training and demonstrated leadership. NCOs are responsible for supervising junior personnel and managing daily operations within their department or detachment.   Dominion subjects seeking a commission must attend an Imperial Navy Officer Academy. Candidates are typically university graduates or experienced Corporals. Officer cadets are granted the provisional rank of Ensign and undergo a branch-specific program. Fleet Flight Arm cadets receive integrated flight training, while Marine Commando candidates divide their studies between naval and army institutions. After completing their academic phase, Ensigns serve as aides to senior officers, followed by a final leadership and examination period at the academy. Successful candidates graduate with the rank of Lieutenant (Lt.), qualifying them to take up command positions. Further promotion proceeds through First Lieutenant (1Lt.), Lieutenant Commander (Lt.Cdr.), Commander (Cdr.) and Captain (Capt.), each requiring continued professional development and outstanding service. Promotion to Commodore (Cdre.) marks entry into the flag ranks, with further advancement based on merit, and operational distinction.   Mariners in the Marine Commando Arm known as Marine Commandos, The MCA maintains four regiments modelled on the structure of Army regiments, but adapted to meet naval needs. Their core responsibilities include Boarding, CQB, Force Protection and Raiding. Marine Commandos are usually deployed as detachments assigned to ships, stations, or task groups. Detachment size varies widely depending on operational requirements and may range from a single squad to a full battalion. While nominally organized under their parent regiment, Marine Commando units are highly modular and can be re-tasked as needed for fleet operations.

Intelligence

The Imperial Clandestine Services (ICS) is the intelligence agency of the Dominion of The Polympian Empire. It is responsible for gathering, analysing and disseminating intelligence gathered from both within the Empire and from outside its borders. Its primary mission is to protect the Empire from threats, both internal and external. The ICS is headed by an appointed director and is comprised of a staff of professional intelligence officers who specialize in various areas of intelligence gathering. The agency also has access to the latest in surveillance technology. The ICS is tasked with providing the Empire with information to enable the formulation of strategies and policies that will enable the Empire to maintain its security, economic stability, and political influence.   Some Nobles work for the ICS because it is an organization that reports directly to the Imperial Throne, as a way to gain notice and prestige among other nobles. In addition, it offers a chance to serve the crown and ensure the safety of the Dominion by providing intelligence gathering services. This can be seen as an honourable and noble cause, which is why some nobles choose to work for the ICS.

Religious matters of the empire are overseen by the Inquisition. the Official Church of the empire is called the Ecclesia Domini, meaning the church of the lord, the Lord or Dominus being the official divine entity of the Empire.

Ecclesia Domini

The organized religion of the empire. The Ecclesia Domini is a sub faction within the empire that benefits financially from the tithe paid by dominion citizens. It houses a series of churches or places of worship of various sizes across the worlds of imperial space. from these churches it provides the citizens with spiritual respite, blessing unions of love and various other ceremonies. As an organized religion the Ecclesia Domini has its own internal hierarchy with a distribution of roles, responsibilities and authority. Within each community there will be a place of worship, where the small places of worship are run by Preachers who, depending on the size of community, have a number of Deacons to help the preacher serve the community. These preachers are subordinate to an Archpriest whom supervises a number of communities; the archpriest himself has a larger place of worship as his own, often centralized among the communities supervised. The Archpriests are themselves subordinate to the Exarch of their world, with each Exarch being subordinate to the Arch-Exarch himself.

The Inquisition

Originally formed as a branch within the Ecclesia, the Inquisition was responsible for upholding religious doctrine among the preachers and across communities. During the Dark age, the Inquisition grew to become a powerful organization in its own right, that ruthlessly sought out and eliminated perceived heresy. Among its most notable historical campaigns was the "Psionic purge", a long lasting dark age campaign, where the inquisition sought out and prosecuted all Psionics across the galaxy. If the Psionic was lucky enough to be human, but unlucky enough to be captured by the Inquisition and brought to trial. they would be offered a simple choice. Join the Inquisition and repent, or Die for your psionic sin. in this purge the Inquisition itself used Inquisitors with Psionic pyrokinesis powers. it also utilized a cast of Thuleian mercenaries and bounty hunters, after it became known that Thuleians have a natural resistance to Psionic influence. with some Thuleians finding so much work they settled within the Dominion. Even though The Inquisition is officially apart of the Ecclesia and thusly subordinate to the Arch-Exarch, it has its own internal hierarchy. with Errants providing services and assisting an Inquisitor. with the Inquisitors subordinate to a Grand Inquisitor, whom supervise and council a number of Inquisitors. the Grand Inquisitors themselves are subordinate to the Lord Inquisitor.

  The Imperial Diplomatic Service (IDS) manages diplomatic relations between the Empire and foreign powers. Its mission is to promote peace, cooperation, and cultural understanding while safeguarding Imperial interests abroad. The IDS negotiates treaties, manages foreign aid, encourages investment, promotes cultural exchange, and ensures compliance with international regulations. It also resolves disputes, facilitates trade, and issues travel visas, while offering diplomatic protection to Imperial citizens.   The IDS is divided into specialized departments. The Office of Foreign Affairs oversees political negotiations, strategic planning, and policy. The Office of Trade and Investment promotes economic partnerships, handles trade treaties, and encourages foreign investment. The Office of Cultural Exchange fosters understanding between cultures through education, art, and tradition. The Security Office ensures the safety of IDS personnel and missions abroad. The service adheres to a strict diplomatic protocol. Negotiations are governed by formalized language and ceremonial conduct, emphasizing the dignity of the Empire. This protocol reinforces the authority and legitimacy of Imperial envoys, particularly in contested or tense engagements.   The IDS employs a diverse range of personnel; including diplomats, translators, military attachés, analysts, and political scientists. Some noble-born citizens serve in the IDS, leveraging their education, connections, and upbringing to represent the Empire at high levels. For these nobles, diplomatic service offers a unique path to influence and duty under the Imperial Throne. The IDS also maintains a network of embassies, consulates, and trade missions across allied and neutral territories. This includes trusted data-runners, freighter captains, and long-standing trade contacts used to facilitate diplomacy and commerce.   The Dominion currently maintains:
– Trade Relations and Embassy with the Outer Rim Confederacy
– Trade Relations and Consulate with Vespin
– Envoys to the Federation and the Republic
  While the Chief of Affairs is the highest-ranking operational leader within the IDS, roles such as Ambassador, Envoy, and Minister are appointed directly by the Imperial Throne or its delegates. These individuals represent Imperial power and policy at the highest level and wield significant political influence abroad.  

All imperial legislation begins in the House of Commons and proceeds to the House of Lords. If approved, it is passed to the Imperial Throne for ratification by Imperial Decree. If rejected, it returns to the Commons for revision, unless the Emperor intervenes and enacts it directly.   Law in the Dominion of the Polympian Empire exists on two levels: Imperial and Planetary. Planetary law is created locally and governs internal matters, so long as it does not contradict imperial statute. Imperial law holds absolute authority. No world may legalise what the Empire has forbidden. Planetary laws typically expand upon imperial ones to suit local customs and conditions. However, when conflicts arise, imperial law prevails. Crimes such as treason, heresy, blasphemy, sedition, tax evasion, and systemic corruption are prosecuted as threats to Dominion stability. Enforcement of these laws falls under the authority of the Throne.   Most planets maintain their own police forces, but when local enforcement is compromised or unwilling to act, the Imperial Constabulary Authority (ICA) steps in. Reporting directly to the Emperor, the ICA investigates corruption, audits institutions, and enforces Dominion law across all systems. Its personnel include Constables, Inspectors, and elite operatives known as Auditors. System-level offices are overseen by Auditor Generals, who report to the central Auditoria on Polympus. Though technically civilian, the ICA operates with extraordinary autonomy and cross-jurisdictional reach.
  With the proliferation of space-travel, its not uncommon for the various law enforcement agencies to employ bounty hunters to bring in wanted criminals whom are currently outside the reach of the agencies themselves.

Even though the official currency of the Empire, is the Polympian Imperial Pound, or just Pounds for short. with the most of daily transactions of wealth made digitally, most people don't physically handle the actual currency of the empire. Furthermore after the re-emergence of intergalactic banking after the Galactic Civil War. the Polympian Pound is easily transferable back and forth to Galactic Credits. to the point of making the official currency almost meaningless. Meaning that it requires a conscientious decision by any merchant to not accept Digital Payments or Galactic Credits. Such merchants exists, though primarily within more conservative or weaker economic communities in the Empire.   The internal trade routes of the empire are considered safe and well patrolled by the Imperial navy. thusly leading to a high amount of goods being exchanged between the various worlds of the Dominion

Due to the scientific limitation on the transfer of data, not being able to transfer data faster than light, but being able to achieve faster than light travel. There is a series of relay pylons across Dominion space. The pylons are administered and maintained by the Imperial Scout Service (ISS).
Depending on the importance of the world the orbital relay pylon may take the form of a space station. these pylons will receive, sort and encrypt data. the data being everything from written messages, invoices, audio files, video files, data sets etc. sent by someone on one world intended for someone on another world. Once the data has been sorted and encrypted it will be transmitted in large batches or chucks to a nearby ISS vessel heading for a relevant receiver location. On arrival the pylon at the receiver end will receive the encrypted data transmitted from the vessel, then depending on the sorting and encryption it will be decrypted and transmitted to the surface. If it's an important world it will already have ISS ships present at the space station ready to courier the data, among other things to an intended destination. while if it's just a simple orbital relay pylon it will happen on the next passing of an ISS vessel. This results in the ISS having ships flying regular routes between all Dominion habited worlds. While also having maintenance patrols along its more remote pylons. These pylons are also used for naval communication so, depending on the sorting and encryption they may just be transmitted to a nearby navy vessel. To help facilitate these tasks as well as the exploration conducted by the ISS, they use a multi-purpose patrol ship that can do a bit of everything but is a master of none.