Imperium of Dragons
The collapse of Communist China was precipitated by a series of catastrophic events that reshaped the nation’s political landscape. By 2048, the remnants of the Communist government were barely holding on, besieged by widespread uprisings fueled by decades of oppression. The tipping point came in Beijing, where the people’s uprising had reached a fever pitch.
The Imperium of Dragons, or ‘煌龍帝國’ (Huánglóng Dìguó), established on October 1, 2051, symbolizes a blend of ancient tradition and modern innovation. Governed by an Emperor or Empress, the Imperium maintains a police force renowned for its vigilance, fairness, and unflinching resolve, making it arguably the safest nation on Earth. Its military, unmatched in prowess, contends with its foes for dominance: with the Alliance, the Directorate and the Covenant on Earth, Osram, and on Mars.
In Imperium culture, android usage and ownership are not only considered acceptable but also respected as a symbol of wealth, strength, and influence. The widespread acceptance of androids stands in stark contrast to certain countries that view android ownership as a form of slavery.
Bloodtrooper
(血蠻兵, Xuèmán Bīng)
Intimidating and unexpectedly viable in the Atomic Era, the Bloodtroopers are the backbone of the Imperium’s ground forces. In battle, they are the first to charge and the last to retreat. Clad in titanium steel and nano-ceramics, these warriors are a formidable sight. Their two-handed Thermal Battleaxes, capable of cleaving through most materials, reflect their members’ aggressive and xenophobic nature.
Unique to the Bloodtroopers is the “Berserk Booster”, a device embedded in their armor that draws upon their blood to grant a surge of strength, allowing them to wield their battleaxes with devastating power. This enhancement comes at a cost, as overuse can lead to self-injury or death.
Amber-Eye
(琥珀眼, Hǔpò Yǎn)
The Amber-Eyes are long-range artillery and reconnaissance units in the Imperium’s military, their presence ensuring the Imperials’ dominance on the Mars frontier, despite the planet being filled with Radi-Mons and unknown landscapes. These units carry Kinetic Bows or Crossbows that, while slower to reload compared to guns, deliver bolts with staggering destructive capability. Each bolt, made from minerals found only in Northeast China, can pierce even the most resilient tank armor.
What sets Amber-Eyes apart are their namesake — the pair of cybernetic implants in their eyes enhancing their vision to a frightening degree, allowing them to spot targets with unerring precision. However, many among the Amber-Eyes report experiencing anxiety and stress-management issues due to the overwhelming levels of visual detail their augmented eyes perceive.
Conjurer
(咒靈師, Zhòu Líng Shī)
Highly revered in society, the path of a Conjurer is one of dedication. Their lives are a continuous stream of battle, all in service to the Imperium. Selected in their early years for their innate psionic potential, these individuals are then irrevocably separated from their families, who in turn receive substantial financial compensation and elevated societal status as a mark of honor. Within the secluded walls of the Imperium’s most secretive academies, Conjurers undergo intense and focused training. They delve deep into the Eclipse and Lunar schools, mastering spells of immense destructive power. Their offensive capabilities are unparalleled, making them a force of nature on any battlefield. At times, they are chosen for activating and maintaining Arcstar Portals.
A few among the Conjurers also develop an affinity for Psytum Sword combat.
Peon
(工奴, Gōngnú)
The Peons occupy the least enviable station for humans in the Imperium of Dragons’s military hierarchy. Often enslaved or chemically subjugated, they are tasked with exhausting but utterly essential duties of construction, resource harvesting and waste disposal. Their conditions are harsh; the Imperium views them more as expendable assets rather than human beings.
Living lives devoid of personal freedoms or aspirations, the Peons are a testament to the Imperium’s willingness to exploit every resource to its utmost limit — even human lives. Their unwavering loyalty, often induced through implanted fake memories or addictive drugs like Tranquil Jing, ensures an endless cycle of labor aimed at sustaining the military and economic ambitions of the Imperium of Dragons.
Draconic Engine
(龍核車, Lónghé Chē)
The Draconic Engine stands as a testament to the Imperium of Dragons’s unyielding pursuit of dominance. The Havok-Class Warhead Launcher on it is the most devastating artillery of any tank in the known world, it has outpaced even American technology in terms of raw firepower. Each miniaturized nuke from its cannon has the capability to reduce enemy formations to rubble. Though unparalleled in strength, the Draconic Engine is notorious for its splash damage, often resulting in friendly fire and collateral damage.
The Draconic Engine’s fission-based battery and emissions have terrible environmental implications, severely polluting the vicinity wherever it’s deployed. This has drawn particular disdain from environmentally-conscious people, who see the weapon as a symbol of the Imperium’s disregard for both human life and the planets it has control over.