Hask'Mezak
Hask'Mezak (1712-1796 CE) was a male Tzynn warlord who united the planet of Tzynnia and founded the Tzynn Empire. A ruthless but brilliant general and politician, he is one of the few individuals in galactic history to have united their world before the advent of its industrial age. Hask'Mezak's origins as a humble soldier appear to many outsiders as something that goes against Imperial Tzynn ideology, but he is used as proof that only the strong are fit to rule, and those who are strong will naturally rule.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Hask'Mezak was born in 1712 CE in a small village within the domain of a planetary warlord, one of many fighting for control of the planet's oases. At the age of fifteen, Hask'Mezak was conscripted as a soldier to fight in the warlord's army, but his impressive skill in both personal combat and leadership quickly thrust him into the position of an officer. Within a year, Hask'Mezak had usurped the warlord he served. The official Imperial Tzynn account is that he proved his strength to the warlord through conquest, and Hask'Mezak was made warlord in recognition of his skill. However, some documents from the time claim that he assumed power in a coup d'etat.
Tzynn doctrine at the time usually called for levies of conscripted peasants that were poorly trained but could follow orders well. Instead, Hask'Mezak created a small corps of volunteer elite, fanatic troops that would not break under any pressure, supported by more well-trained conscripted troops who would fight for his cause more willingly than most other commanders. Off the battlefield, Hask'Mezak created a strongly stratified society where each Tzynn understood their place and role in society, but could still advance if truly worthy. His capability to create a more centralised and absolutist state gave him an economic and political edge over his more disarrayed opponents.
Hask'Mezak swiftly conquered his immediate neighbours, integrating their populations into his own. He quickly established a reputation as a ruthless leader for his diplomatic strategy. Before his forces would arrive at a settlement, he would dispatch emissaries to deliver an ultimatum: they could surrender and join his growing empire peacefully, or be completely destroyed. When a settlement failed to surrender, Hask'Mezak followed through on his theats. The entire population was either killed or enslaved, save for a single survivor who was permitted to escape. As news of Hask'Mezak's ruthlessness spread, more settlements surrendered, and some even opted to join him before his emissaries arrived. The elites that made the decision to join his growing empire were lavishly rewarded, given slaves and land, but not permitted to command troops.
One of the keys to Hask'Mezak's success was his professional officer corps and well-trained generals. He would regularly convene war councils to instruct his officers on new tactics, and only permit his most talented generals to lead troops without his presence. As Hask'Mezak's empire quickly became the largest on Tzynnia within a decade, he began a series of devastating wars against the larger states of the planet. He established a system of quick communication and resupply for his armies, and was able to outmaneuver the slower armies of his opponents.
It would be another decade and a half of bitter conflict, but in 1754 CE, all major opposition to Hask'Mezak had ceased. That year, he was crowned the first Emperor of the Tzynn in a lavish ceremony in his capital. He had won the war, and now intended to win the peace. His generals were granted rulership of the various kingdoms and states they had conquered. The nobility that supported him were granted vast riches and slaves to ensure their loyalty, but they were supplanted in their political rule by Hask'Mezak's generals. His myriad armies were reorganised into the Imperial Tzynn Army, and his most fanatic troops made up the Imperial Guard that reported to the Emperor personally.
From his harem, Hask'Mezak had a number of children, but selected only his most competent son to be his heir. Hask'Zamik was given substantial schooling in both political and military matters as he grew up, and quickly became a competent administrator. For his part, Hask'Mezak continued to rule Tzynnia for over four decades, until his death by natural causes in 1796 CE at the age of 84.
Tzynn doctrine at the time usually called for levies of conscripted peasants that were poorly trained but could follow orders well. Instead, Hask'Mezak created a small corps of volunteer elite, fanatic troops that would not break under any pressure, supported by more well-trained conscripted troops who would fight for his cause more willingly than most other commanders. Off the battlefield, Hask'Mezak created a strongly stratified society where each Tzynn understood their place and role in society, but could still advance if truly worthy. His capability to create a more centralised and absolutist state gave him an economic and political edge over his more disarrayed opponents.
Hask'Mezak swiftly conquered his immediate neighbours, integrating their populations into his own. He quickly established a reputation as a ruthless leader for his diplomatic strategy. Before his forces would arrive at a settlement, he would dispatch emissaries to deliver an ultimatum: they could surrender and join his growing empire peacefully, or be completely destroyed. When a settlement failed to surrender, Hask'Mezak followed through on his theats. The entire population was either killed or enslaved, save for a single survivor who was permitted to escape. As news of Hask'Mezak's ruthlessness spread, more settlements surrendered, and some even opted to join him before his emissaries arrived. The elites that made the decision to join his growing empire were lavishly rewarded, given slaves and land, but not permitted to command troops.
One of the keys to Hask'Mezak's success was his professional officer corps and well-trained generals. He would regularly convene war councils to instruct his officers on new tactics, and only permit his most talented generals to lead troops without his presence. As Hask'Mezak's empire quickly became the largest on Tzynnia within a decade, he began a series of devastating wars against the larger states of the planet. He established a system of quick communication and resupply for his armies, and was able to outmaneuver the slower armies of his opponents.
It would be another decade and a half of bitter conflict, but in 1754 CE, all major opposition to Hask'Mezak had ceased. That year, he was crowned the first Emperor of the Tzynn in a lavish ceremony in his capital. He had won the war, and now intended to win the peace. His generals were granted rulership of the various kingdoms and states they had conquered. The nobility that supported him were granted vast riches and slaves to ensure their loyalty, but they were supplanted in their political rule by Hask'Mezak's generals. His myriad armies were reorganised into the Imperial Tzynn Army, and his most fanatic troops made up the Imperial Guard that reported to the Emperor personally.
From his harem, Hask'Mezak had a number of children, but selected only his most competent son to be his heir. Hask'Zamik was given substantial schooling in both political and military matters as he grew up, and quickly became a competent administrator. For his part, Hask'Mezak continued to rule Tzynnia for over four decades, until his death by natural causes in 1796 CE at the age of 84.
Species
Previously Held Ranks & Titles
Life
1712 CE
1796 CE
84 years old
Children
Sex
Male
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Yellow
Aligned Organization
Comments