The Chezun Protectorate
Controlled by Elector Prince Maximilian Jian, the Chezun Protectorate is presently only thirty-five systems. It was formed during the first years of the Second Dark Age from the shattered remnants of older interstellar provinces. The capitol planet of the Protectorate is not Chezun, surprisingly, but Sciuto, the home world of House Jian. House Jian has controlled the Protectorate since its formation.
Stretching from the Provinces through the Inner Rim to outposts in the Mid Rim, the Chezun Protectorate, like the royal house that rules it, is on the decline. The House of Jian was an important noble house going back to the Republic era, when it started as a merchant family before going into politics. Republic political history is rife with powerful Jian senators, even Prime Ministers. After the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire, House Jian rose to the top of the noble echelons. Beauties of House Jian were often brides of Emperors or their sons. At the apex of their power, House Jian was given dominion over the planet Chezun, Moon of a Thousand Faiths. Chezun was the birthplace of the Immortal Rose and origin of the extremely popular Leidenvaas religion, gaining both secular and religious authority.
All that changed with the Second Dark Age and the civil war that erupted. Franklin Jian, then head of the family, sought to become the next emperor. He spent millions of credits on bribes, assassinations, assignations, built a starship navy and military ground forces, and used his position as Defender of Chezun to rally worlds and systems to his side. At the height of his influence, 75 worlds united under the banner of the newly formed Chezun Protectorate.
However, it was all for nothing – the upstart noble Grenion Stuart was crowned emperor and sat upon the Iridium Throne. Financially and influentially bankrupt, Franklin Jian bent his knee in exchange for elector status and began grooming his eldest daughter to be ready to be the chosen as empress upon Stuart’s death. He did not live to see the next election. His daughter Ludmilla, however, saw the next hit to their influence: the loss of the Immortal Rose, the leader of the Leidenvaas religion. The Immortal Rose left Chezun and settled on a small planet in the Mid Rim named Argelius. There, the religion of love flourished and remained, despite any number of entreaties, threats, pleas, bribes, etc. The temples that remained on Chezun were maintained, but no priestess of importance inhabited them. The religion, once wildly popular in the Empire, began to fade in memory, and with it House Jian’s influence. Ludmilla was not even considered in the election following Grenion Stuart, or after the reign of Callus II that followed.
Since then, the Protectorate has dwindled to only 35 systems that House Jian can claim authority over. The titles “Defender of the Immortal Rose” and “Protector of Chezun” are hollow, yet still used in all official communications. The current leader of the House, Prince Maximillian Jian, watched his father go mad during his teenage and young adult years, and blames it on those who have wronged the Jian name. It is said he never forgets a slight, no matter how small, and holds grudges eternally. Presently, he is fighting an economic war with House Hidora and losing. However, rumor has it that Maximillian still has a secret ace to play…
Natus Imperare
Founding Date
Second Dark Age
Demonym
'Zunites, Protectors
Power Structure
Feudal state
Parent Organization
Location
Controlled Territories
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