Welcome to Palazzo Drachen Walde

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Welcome to my home in RhyDin. You are always welcome, and Dyson and my staff will always see that you are made welcome as guests here. If you have any questions, or comments, feel free to see me personally.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Rigelian Empire Dossier

During the reign of the previous Kaiser (Emperor) known as Joachim III, the Rigelian Empire grew at a rate of 4 new planets colonized each year. Kaiser Joachim III reigned in Rigel for 68 Common Years.

The Rigelian home world is located on a planet that bears the name of its star, β Rigel. Rigel is located in the Orion Constellation at 05121s0815, and is a double star. A = 0.1; B = 6.7. They are located 910 light years from Earth. Luminosity = 50,000. Rigel is a blue super giant star and is 30 diameters the Sun giving it a diameter of approximately 40 million miles. It is spectral type B8 Ia, which makes it one of the galaxy’s most luminous stars, ranked 6th brightest in the sky. The radial velocity is about 12 miles per second in recession.

It is a true super giant, blazing white star of intense brilliance. Surface temperatures of Rigel are around 12,000 K and its energy output exceeds that of our sun by a factor of many thousands. Computed luminosity is around 57,000 times the brightness of our Sun. Absolute visual magnitude of -7.1 for β Rigel.

A small bluish companion star of magnitude 6.7 and approximately 9 seconds distant in PA 202 degrees. They are separated by 2600 AU (Astronomical units). The period between these two is 9.860 days. Their combined spectral type is B9.

There are three faint companion stars to Rigel. Gamma is called Bellatrix, and is a spectral type B2 III, magnitude 1.6, distance 360 light years. Delta is located just below the celestial equator and is called Mintaka and lies at Orion’s belt. Mintaka is actually a double star. The bright component is of spectral type O9.5 II, magnitude 2.2 at a distance of 1,400 light years. The faint companion is of spectral type B2 V, magnitude 6.9 and lies 2,350 light years from Earth. This companion is itself a double, a spectroscopic binary.

These three stars comprise the oldest colonies and home worlds of the Rigelian Empire. They have been in these three star systems for nearly 2300 years Common. Historical accounts of pre-Rigelian inhabitants have been obliterated.

Kaiser Joachim’s first expansionary move took the Rigelians to the Constellation Lepus next, where they established colonies at Arneb α quickly followed by Arneb β. These colonial actions set the Rigelian race on a strong technology program focused on interstellar transportation and weapons development, which were required for colonization efforts.

The following year they moved into the constellation Columba, taking Phakt and then moving into NGC1808 after that. For the next decade, Rigel moved through NGC 1808 before returning to their home system and into NGC2244. These two galaxies resulted in the acquisition of 48 new star systems. Though due to their great distances, the Rigelians had to reverse engineer propulsion systems from Antares. They did the reverse engineering, and then applied some of their innovations to these systems in order to make the 3200 -5000 light year trips to their more distant colonies.

They spent twenty years working through the star systems in NGC 2244 before going on to Elnath in Auriga. β Tau fell first, followed by several smaller stars in the proximity. Lacerta was claimed for a segment of population that wanted to shun technology and live in accordance with the land. These outcasts were established on the 5th planet from the Lecertian sun. The concept of living without technology is not embraced by most Rigelians.

The Kaiser then set his sites on Alhena Gamma. The Gemini system was well populated with advanced civilizations, and the Rigelians chose to move beyond Gemini and into Regulus, where they suffered their first major defeat. This setback however did not extinguish the Emperor’s goals, and they moved out of Regulus and into the Bootes system.

Izar and Alphecca α and β joined the empire within months of one another. From there Rigel went to M10 globular cluster and subdued or claimed 37 star systems in 17 years. From these systems, they added some of the biotechnological advances they now claim.

At M12, they found no systems occupied, and laid claim to the entire cluster. Because this system is so remote, they have not been challenged for this claim, and the cluster remains essentially undeveloped.

The death of Joachim III saw his son succeed him to the throne. The Ruling Aristocracy advised him to consolidate their holdings before seeking more systems. Kaiser Wolfgang IV has cut back on the expansionistic views of his sire, but recently they laid claim to Pyxis for unknown reasons.

The Rigelians have diligently begun the work of consolidation of their holdings. They have established governing bodies on all of their primary holdings, including educational facilities to assure that the offspring of these colonies are educated in a manner approved by the Rigelian government. They do modify history on these worlds, and certain aspects are wiped from the records as new policies are implemented. The Rigelian rule can be very oppressive if a colony is unused to feudal politics. On those worlds that resisted or continue to resist, the regional governors are granted sweeping power to maintain the peace and control.

Rigelian military is a presence at all of their colonies. Best estimates are 460 galaxy class cruisers, just over 1000 destroyer class vessels, 1400 recon air craft. The military is led by the Arch Duke of Bayern. He is a veteran campaigner who served Kaiser Joachim III for thirty years. Many of the colonization efforts were directed by this man.

Kaiser Wolfgang IV is approximately 36 Common years of age, and has been the Emperor for just over 1 year Common time. His Nobles, with the exception of one, all swore fealty after his father was murdered by the Earl of Tübingen in a public display. The current where abouts of renegade murderer Kendrick Albrecht, Earl of Tübingen are unknown. He was last seen in RhyDin, but for many months now, he has been silent, and it is believed he has gone off world.

Rigel is a highly advanced civilization that has somehow made Feudalism work. For most cultures, the concepts associated with a Feudal society are at odds with successful economies, and the advanced concepts of freedom and individuality. Market economies do not normally thrive under such conditions, yet in the Rigelian holdings, they do very well.

Technology is the strength of Rigel. They have made significant advances in biotechnology. Personal appearance can be altered at will with the implantation of some of these devices. They are also consummate chemical specialists and have blended biotech with chemical advances to create organic computer systems. The advent of organic computer systems allows them to minimize the risks of EMP devastating their technology. These organic computers are very powerful, and can be miniaturized to become nearly undetectable.

They have a very strong manufacturing base, including transportation systems. The interstellar space craft manufactured on Rigel are second to none. Weapons systems and shielding are two of the advances they gained when they colonized Elnath and Auriga. Propulsion systems rank in the top 5% of all known systems. Combining propulsion with the organic computers has resulted in superior autopilot systems that fetch premium prices on the galactic markets.

The known weaknesses of Rigel include: abhorrence of magic. They will not incorporate, nor tolerate magic users. These people are executed once convicted as a means of assuring no transmittal of genetic proclivity toward this ability. Rigelians are also deists. The highest ranking clerical figure is the Arch Bishop of Festungsmauer. Currently that position is held by a man known only as Arch Bishop Wilhelm. This belief in a deity seems irrational for a society that has taken to the stars. Additionally, their greatest strength is also their greatest weakness; they rely heavily on computerized systems for everything. Cracking their systems would result in catastrophic shut down of their worlds.

The feudal nature of this governing system is taken very seriously by those who comprise the aristocracy, as well as by the subjects of their domains. The culture is dependent upon protocol and is strenuously enforced at all levels. The hierarchy is: Kaiser (Emperor/Empress), King, Prince/Crown Prince, Grand Duke/Duchess, Margrave/Marchioness, Earl/Countess, Viscount/Viscountess, Baron/Baroness, Baronet/Knight (these are life peers and the title does not convey to offspring).

Rigel has no King, although the title remains with the Kaiser. There are two juvenile Crown Princes, aged 9 and 5 Common years at the time of this writing. Little is known of the Empress. She is the daughter of Grand Duke Armin from the Belletrix system. Her name is Sabika.

There are 6 Grand Dukes. 8 Margrave or Marchioness’ and their holdings, 15 Earl/Countess holdings, 29 Viscount holdings, with 3 of the Grand Dukes also holding sub titles of Viscount. There are 43 Baronies, 21 of which are held by higher title holders. Baronets and Knights number several hundred. The line to the throne is a direct one down through Margrave. There are internal hierarchies within each title. These internal hierarchies are crucial and must be observed when dealing with the Rigelians. Great offense can be given by greeting or seating these people in the wrong order. It is strongly recommended that assistance be sought when planning an encounter on Rigel or one of her holdings.