Building the Foundations
25 Aug 2023Argon Shadowstar
In my study of the ruins, I have quickly come to the conclusion that the task is larger than myself. I decided that I would need to recruit a team of archaeologists before I make much real progress. Fortunately, however, what I have recovered so far has at least allowed me to create a crude star chart of the old Imperium. In studying this map, I discovered that some of the old Shadowstar systems are still inhabited! Immediately I set course for those systems, eager to learn about my fellow descendants.The systems in question were conflicted, lawless places, but indeed there were a few vestiges of old Shadowstar tradition in each of them. These adherents to the old ways were wholly marginalized and struggling to hold on to what little remained of their ancient ancestral holdings, pressured on all sides by pirates, greedy corporations, petty despots, and the ever expanding Federation. Nonetheless, I began my search for a team to assist in my endeavors, while simultaneously putting together the pieces of a campaign which might allow the descendants of the old Shadowstar vassals to reclaim some of their power.
I found one such team, already formed and eager to get started. Apparently this rag tag group of scientists, archaeologists, adventurers, and freelancers had already been trying to study the ruins but ran into numerous obstacles in the form of lacking funding, resources, and political opposition, primarily from Federation bureaucrats whose main agenda was to expand their influence into the region, and saw fit to become a thorn in the side for these plucky truth seekers. Fortunately, they did have one influential benefactor: Lord LaFey-Silverlight of Acokwus.
The old House Silverlight was a loyal vassal to the throne in the Imperium's heyday. But during the fall, they were one of the first to renounce their fealty and I suppose that allowed them to survive. Originally based out of the system today known as Liu Bese, it seems the LaFeys, the newer branch of Silverlight, gave up all of their holdings and moved to Acokwus as an alternative to destruction. There, they became servants to pirate lords who ruled over these systems for almost a century after the fall. When the frontier expanded far enough to bring civilization to these stars and drove out the more barbaric pirates, the LaFey-Silverlight family took advantage and claimed what territory they could, but eventually had to sell or trade most of it off due to financial issues. It seems many disgraced nobles of the old Imperium ended up in similar circumstances.
The current Lord Arcadius LaFey-Silverlight managed to take what was left of his family's fortune and built it up, eventually joining with other descendant nobles from other branches of Silverlight, as well as a few other Houses, and founded the Earls of Acokwus. When I came to the system, I found them in the midst of losing what little remained of their holdings. For this reason, Lord LaFey-Silverlight could not fund his little band of adventurers, and so they were just sitting around, trying to poke at whatever ruins they could access with their limited funding.
I immediately requested an audience with Lord LaFey-Silverlight, and prefaced the request with a sizable donation. Otherwise, I feel he would have dismissed me as some riff raff pretender too insignificant to waste his time on. I intended to show him that nothing could be further from the truth. I recorded the encounter. Here is the transcript:
Aide: "...by the name of Argon Shadowstar. He is the one who contributed the recent funding."
Arcadius: "Amusing. I suppose I do at least owe him the courtesy of an audience."
Aide: "Yes, you may enter."
Argon: "Thank you."
Arcadius: "Ah, Mister -- Shadowstar. What did you want to see me about?"
Argon: "Greetings, Lord LaFey-Silverlight. I am here to request that you turn over your archaeological project to myself. I will, of course, share any discoveries with you as a courtesy."
Arcadius: "While I do appreciate your investment in my business, I must respectfully inform you that my archaeologists are not for sale. I am sorry, but I will be in need of their services once this troublesome conflict is resolved."
Argon: "I assure you, we are co-aligned in this. Currently, they do not have the means to proceed with their mission. I have a great deal of wealth and the means to obtain more, as well as my family's birthright, which is more valuable than mere money. I could enable them to continue, funded well enough that they would no longer face obstacles in their mission."
Arcadius: "Yes, I am aware of your claim. Do not think that you will impress anyone in this region of the stars by simply taking the name of an ancient hero. If you knew your history, you would know that the Emperor whose name you have taken had no heir. Therefore, you cannot be his descendant, nor can anyone else. I do appreciate your contribution, but you will not sway me with fantasies. I must live in the real world, and it is one that is hard, especially to those of us who are marginalized by the entitled bourgeoise who have chosen to make our home their latest playground."
Argon: "I understand your position, however, I do indeed claim the Shadowstar name, and rightfully so. My grandfather was the unacknowledged child of the Emperor, the only one he had. Therefore, the Imperium and all its claims are mine by blood right. But you are right to doubt, for anyone can make these claims. Therefore, I will prove what I say in the way that our ancestors did, through acts of valor and honor. The money is just the beginning of my testament. Contact your allies in the other systems and tell them to watch for my name in the news. You will see, soon enough, that my deeds honor my words. The deeds that made my great grandfather the leader of our ancestors have been passed on through blood to me, and soon you will see this made evident. Perhaps then, you will see fit to release your adventurers to my care, and our fortunes will rise together."
Arcadius, after a pause: "You know the old ways well. But this is not the Imperium. I did not grow up in those fabled stars of valor and legend. My parents spoke of those days as they spoke of fairy tales and old myths. Family history teaches us that much of it was true, yet it was not my reality. Despite my noble blood, I had a hard life. Many of us did. It is not easy to be the child of a fallen House. But this should not be a revelation to you, for House Shadowstar fell the hardest of them all. So you propose to bring back the old ways. Well, you have my attention. I suppose we shall see. I do not think it will be quite so easy as you seem to think, nor will it happen quickly. But perhaps, if you truly do bear the blood of heroes, perhaps in time you may yet make a difference."
Argon: "Thank you for your understanding and wisdom, Lord LaFey-Silverlight. Your House was always among the most favored of the old advisory council, and with good reason. You, at least, have inherited the wisdom of your house. Now I must prove that I have inherited the gifts of my blood. I take my leave, and promise to return in glory."
Arcadius: "Godspeed to you then, and may you achieve what you set out to do, for both our sakes."
- end transcript -
Following this meeting, I proceeded to organize and execute the first phase of my campaign. In the coming weeks I hope to see the results. I must trust in my skills and my experience, and the legacy of my ancestors. I know that lasting change will not be apparent right away, but perhaps in the coming months or even years, my efforts will rewrite the maps of this region. Though many of the surviving houses sacrificed their fealty for survival, they are all that is left. If I am to have allies and support, I will have to pardon them for their treason. This is made easier by the fact that those patriarchs and matriarchs responsible are long dead by now and their children can be judged by their own merit.
I am not so naive as to think that a new Imperium can be built in this region, at least not now. The Federation and the Empire of Achenar successfully conspired to destroy it the first time around, and back then they were much further away. And now their greed has wrought alien monsters to come and destroy humanity. Only when the Federation and the Empire of Achenar are no more can a nation of honor and valor once again rule these stars. Let us just hope that when that day comes, it does not come at the price of the entirety of humankind.