History of the Irenic Cluster

In the first initial expeditions into the nearest star systems, Yrill science vessels discovered the remains of an ancient civilization on the world of Obsholla I.   The civilization was that of the Cybrex, who were in short order determined to be a collective of machines who had, at least at some point, launched a crusade to purge all organic life from the galaxy. The reasons for this crusade were unknown.   While the discovery of other civilizations in the cosmos was expected given the Yrill's origins, the conception of the threat posed to the Yrill by synthetic was widely unnerving. This marks the first, but far from last, major incidence contributing to the Dominion's deep suspicions of machine life.

Although political divisions had long existed in the Dominion in the form of the Yrill Commonwealths and the various factions which vied for interest within, the Parliament of Commonwealths had largely been seen to be above such petty divisions.   This, however, was upturned by the founding of two organizations. Both claimed that their formation was in response to the other. However true this is has been the subject of much debate among historians.   The scientist Makrr Okk Perk, who pursued faith as arduously as it pursued science, organized a new religious order which would become known as the Conclave of Sacred Traditions. Its purpose was to preserve the spiritual and traditional values held in common by the Yrill Cultures, in effect serving as a politicized religious sect.   The scientist Hukot Orr Petakt, in contrast, formed the Full Enfranchisement Foundation. With intelligent alien life confirmed to be elsewhere in the universe along with budding plans to enlighten the populace of Edellimar II, the goal of this foundation was to ensure that all citizens of the Dominions - regardless of species - would be afforded proper respect, rights, and tolerance.

While many still maintained a hopeful outlook in regards to future first contacts, upon establishing diplomatic channels with the Triech Hegemony quashed many of these hopes. A despotic hegemony devoted to their overlord and the pursuit of cybernetic enhancements, the Yrill once again distanced themselves diplomatically towards yet another hegemonic imperialist power.   The Dominion now found itself wedged firmly between two expansionist, militant powers.

While the two factions of the Conclave and the Foundation remained firmly in a contest for authority, the discovery of two imperialistic alien empires of no small threat had a clear effect on the collective psyche of the Yrill. It was this effect, it has been proposed, which led to the formation of a militant political party known as the Banner of Triumph. The first proper political party of the Dominion, the Banner advocated for increasing militarism and the assertion of military dominance over the Triech Hegemony and, in particular, the Imperium of Krolldar.   In response, an opposing political party was formed, the Council of Maintaining Amiable Xeno Relations, better known as the Xeno Friendship Council. The Council pushed for friendly relations with other, even borderline hostile, alien species.   It is of some debate as to which party had the most effect on Yrill society. While the Banner would eventually be disbanded with the Council retaining some degree of prominence, it is noted that early Yrill foreign policy strayed closer to the Banner's vision, even whilst the Dominion's domestic policy would stay more aligned with the Council.   Regardless, the birth of the Dominion's first two proper political parties irreparably altered the Dominion's political landscape.

Upon making contact with the Associated Bodranite States, there was a wave of relief at the discovery that the Bodranite species were Lithoids like the Yrill. Further reassuring was the fact that, while xenophobic, the Associated States were isolationist and thus wished to maintain as much distance between themselves and the Dominion as possible. The Yrill respected their wishes and maintained a respectful distance, and while this meant that an alliance with the irenic bureaucracy was unlikely, at least the Dominion did not have yet another threat on its borders.

First contact with the Great Cevilli Regime sealed away in the minds of many any hope of finding an civilization of similar ethics and methodology to the Dominion. As was now customary to the point of procedure, the Yrill Dominion distanced itself diplomatically from the hegemonic imperial power.

First contact with the Polvanite Citizen Regime was more difficult than usual for the times. Situated on the galaxies edge, the citizen stratocracy was more isolated than most.   The first encounter with Polvanite ships was highlighted by the transmission of a series of horrendous noises which would later be realized to be a challenging war cry. Yrill scientists and political officers made the decision to askew contact until the Polvanite language could be suitably deciphered.   As efforts to communicate continued, the Polvanite ship repeatedly made several close passes to the Yrill science vessel assigned to the mission. To add more concern, the ship's gunports were open during each pass and transmissions of what appeared to be a Polvanite leader consisted of gestures which could hardly be considered anything other than aggressive. After much debate, where it was pointed out that the Polvanites had yet to make any outright hostile moves, the decision was made to imitiate the the gestures back.   Eventually, their language was deciphered enough to open communications. It was thus discovered that, not unlike the Croll, the Polvanites were a civilization of honor-bound warriors, and the fearsome cries given on first meeting were their most ferocious warcry, meant to test Yrill mettle. Unfortunately, Yrill failure to respond branded the Dominion as a civilization of cowards to many Polvanites.   Nonetheless, the regime was amiable and respectful towards the Dominion, and, given that the regime was more similar to the Dominion than most, efforts were made to cultivate a friendly and open relationship with the Polvanites.

It was a some surprise to the Dominion when first contact was made with the Bodranite Commonwealth. A part of it came from the constitutional dictatorship which self-styled itself as a commonwealth. Another part came from encountering a Bodranite state autonomous from the Associated Bodranite States. While an accepted possibility, the Bodranite Commonwealth was the first instance of a breakaway state encountered by the Dominion. Unfortunately, the commonwealth had pursuits if imperial hegemony unlike its more isolationist mother state. Nonetheless, attempts were made to cultivate a friendly relationship.

Although the Dominion had yet to participate in any wars, the Yrill star navy had seen several clashes with pirates, drone fleets, and various interstellar lifeforms. From these various exploits came the Veterans for Victory Movement. Founded by the scientist Mekkt Orr Nekt'Dret, the Movement desired to expand the Dominions military actions to include more than just pirates and drones and pursure a more militaristic approach to interstellar diplomacy.   This movement was widely ridiculed, and many likened it to foreign contamination of Yrill domestic politics,as the movement advocated for actions most similar to the surrounding hegemonic empires. Nevertheless, the Movement would remain a part of Yrill politics, no matter how small, for centuries to come, and would only be bolstered by future wars and military achievements.