Cassian / Exile Human Lore Compendium!

• Some unknown time ago humans settled on Cassus and create the myth of Jack Shade (Shade
  s Eve)
• About 2,000 Years Ago - Rapid technological on Cassus leads to the discovery of space flight and beginning of interstellar exploration catching the attention of the Eldan.
• 107 BE (Before Eldan) - Cassus launches the Nomad (its first interplanetary spaceship) and celebrates widely as technology advances. However the Nomad is soon lost to the ages. (Source)
• 32 BE (Before Eldan) - The Mechari envoy lands on Cassus with a fleet of hyper advanced ships. They ask for the legendary sword-maiden Tresayne Toria who then leaves along with a select few with the Mechari to the Eldan homeworld. Tresayne Toria had to be recalled to meet with the Mechari as she was in the outer colonies of the Commonwealth quelling revolts and discontent among colonists. (Source)
• 1 AE (After Eldan) - Dominus the Half-Blood is created on Nexus by the Eldan using genetic material from Tresayne Toria. Dominus the Half-Blood arrives on Cassus leading to the foundation of the Dominion and the Cassians receiving hyper-advanced Eldan technology. Dominus' arrival is met with some denial among the population, and even contempt for his claim to being the Emperor of Cassus. (Source)
• 292 AE - Dominus the Half-Blood first of the Luminai perishes, his child Azrion rises to lead the Empire. Dominus other children, "the Scions" assist Azrion in leading the Dominion and eventually come to found the Great Houses.
• 1376 AE - Emperor Jarec of House Azrion releases the Vigilant Declaration which sets down the unified Dominion religion deifying the Eldan. The Declaration also leads to strict breeding and marriage laws relating to the Luminai which causes the schism in Cassian society leading to the creation of the High Born and Low Born classes.
• 1378 AE - Discontent within the Cassian civilian population leads to rioting. Serrick Brightland, a military officer of the Dominion navy openly rebels leading to the Cassian Civil War. Eventually Serrick is harmed a desperate strategy to save the rebel fleet, but is placed in cryo sleep. The Exile faction is created.
• 1658 AE - Dorian Walker discovers Nexus

Important Figures
Here is a list of important historical Human Figures:

Tresayne Toria – A renowned Swordswoman who was taken by the mechari to Nexus after they first arrived on Cassus, her actions led to the arrival of Dominus the Half-Blood. She is a major figure in the Cassian religion created around the Eldan.

Dominus the Half-Blood – The First Luminai Emperor and genetically created Eldan / Human half-breed (Genetic Material taken from Tresayne Toria). His children the “Scions” would come to found the ruling Luminai lineages known as the Great Houses.

Azrion the Conqueror – Son of Dominus and second Emperor of the Dominion he fought High Clan Lord Zhur on the Field of Kazor. His actions brought the Draken into the Dominion. His legacy is House Azrion.

Jarec of House Azrion – A Luminai Emperor who passed the Vigilant Declaration in 1376 AE in the supposed ascension of the Eldan into Godhood. The Declaration would come to dictate Luminai Breeding Laws and lead to the creation of the High Born and Low Born classes.

Serick Brighland – A former highly decorated admiral who captained the famous Star of Dominus flagship of the Dominion Fleet. He would come to form a government in exile and fight in the Cassian Civil War. He was harmed in battle and was placed in Cryo, his flagship was eventually renamed the “Gambler's Ruin” and became the Arkship of the Exile fleet.

Note: Some of the information above will be repeated in the section on the known Emperors of the Dominion.

Dorian Walker – The Famous Explorer who discovered the planet Nexus.

Examples of Cassian Appearance


Male Cassian In Armor
Female Cassian with male Cassians behind her
Male Cassian between two Mechari

Important Notes about Cassians

• Cassians ruled their empire for years using intrigue, diplomacy and military might. They also are known possible for their swordsmanship as Tresayne Toria was a legendary sword maiden with her own followers. (Source)
• Cassians consider the Eldan to be god-like and worship them to a degree. The Luminai are restricted in their breeding to maintain the “Sacred” Eldan Blood. (Source
• The Cassian's primary faith and the major faith of the entire Dominion is the Vigilant Church (Thread by Tawa).
• Vigilant Priests can have children and marry. (Source)
  
  Cassian Society
  Cassian society to our knowledge is split into three general social classes one of which (the Luminai) is falls under a code of restrictive breeding. Cassian citizens on Cassus were quite privileged but even they were pushed which led to the event known as the Cassian Civil War.
  
  Note: Should be noted slightly that at least the Highborn perhaps using Malvolio Portus from the “Dirty Little Secrets video are annoyed or would like to just ignore the Chua.
  
  On Cassians in the Dominion and its Politics
  ”“They are all about the actual ruling and government of the Dominion,” Chad explains, “so they often hold positions of political power. They also are highly involved in the military, [as] many Cassians serve in the Dominion Military. We haven’t talked a whole lot about it yet, but there will be more information coming that the Dominion have various strong religious aspects that ties to the planet Nexus, and the Cassians are very involved in that as well, so stay tuned as more information on that will be coming.” He went on to mention that at the end of the day, the Cassians provide “the strong foundation” for the faction, acting as the “brainwork” whilst taking a huge amount of pride in the fact “they were chosen to establish this empire, and have worked very hard to ensure that it continues to succeed.” (Source – Dealspwn Interview With Chad Moore On The Dominion.) “ (Source)
  
  Cassians enjoy a free and safe life within the Empire. However, if you are called upon you are expected to do your duty without complaint. (Source)
  
  Luminai
  
  
  The Luminai are the descendants of Dominus the Half-Blood who hold an idealized human physicality with noted alien (almost Eldan) facial features. Luminai are the top caste of Dominion society and claim descent from the Children of Dominus known as the “Scions” (Source). The bloodlines of each Scion after the passing of Dominus organized themselves into the Imperial Lineages known as the Great Houses. The breeding and maintanence of the “sacred Eldan” blood of the Great Houses was laid down in the Vigilant Declaration in 1376 AE by Emperor Jarec of House Arzion.
  
  Not only are the Luminai the blood of Dominus, but also the legendary Tresayne Toria as it was her genetic material which led to the creation of the first Luminai Emperor over a thousand years ago. When traveling in public the Luminai often wear ceremonial masks and robes.
  
  Another aspect of the Luminai is that they are fairly long lived with Dominus reportedly having lived for three centuries before passing on the rule of the Empire to his son, Arzion.
  Source
  
  Known Great Houses and Scions: House Azrion – (Source
  House Evindra - (Source 1 & Source 2
  House Tristan
  House Bronos
  House Korol
  House Galen
  (Source)
  House Chaul - Dissolved by Myrcalus and now entitled the Ghost House. (Source). Vorios of House Chaul mentioned because of Emperor Jarce's death. (Source)
  
  The Great Houses are also known as the -Seven Houses- (Source) (Seventh House not yet named).
  
  Known Emperors Past and Present:
  
  
  • Dominus the Half-Blood: 1st Emperor – (Source)
  • Arzion the Conqueror: 2nd Emperor (Founder of House Arzion) – (Source)
  • Jarec of House Arzion: Previous Emperor and Creator of the Vigilant Declaration in 1376 AE – (Source)
  • Tyrani the Mad: Infamous Emperor of Dominion History – (Source)
  • Myraculus the Vindicator aka “Dominus Reborn”: Current Emperor who declared Nexus the new Dominion Homeworld – (Source)
  
  Highborn – The High Born Cassians were divided from their Low Born fellows when the Vigilant Declaration was passed in 1376 AE and all High Born can claim at least a microscopic drop of Luminai Blood (not enough to actually be Luminai however). The definition of a Highborn is someone who within Cassian society can claim descent from one or more of the Great Houses. (Source). High Born Cassians are organized into aristocratic like families, but not “noble Houses” (Source) like the Luminai. The power of a High Born family comes from the status received from the Great House they serve (Source). Highborn speak in a formal upper class like accent similar (Source) Highborn live longer than normal humans do to the traces of Primal Energies from their scant Eldan heritage via the Luminai. (Source)
  
  Pappylicious 23:57pm
  SS...the Luminai Houses rule the Dominion. Basically, they are considered gods...elevated because of the Eldan blood in their veins. Highborn families swear allegiance to a given house, and benefit from that relationship.
  Source
  
  Within the High Born there exist a group of important families known as the Great Families (the Zins being one) (Source). Although not having official "Houses" like the Luminai the HIgh Born will sometimes refer to their families as "Houses" in a collective sense (its a colloquialism, not an official term) (Source).
  
  Note: High Born are not entitled nobility, but they are like America's Old Money, or Robber Baron families. Wealth and prestige are behind their names, and their blood. Can they order someone to hang randomly no, but they do get respect for their breeding and service! (Observation I've made to consider).
  
  Alignment with the Great Houses of the Luminai often grants services, rights, honors, and priveleges to Highborn families. Older members of the family are considered to be purer via their long life thanks to greater amounts of Eldan genes. Many families are often associated with specific services within the Dominion itself such as the military etc. (Source).
  
  Lowborn – The Low Born are Cassians who cannot claim even the most minute drop of Luminai blood. They were split away from the Highborn when Jarec of House Azrion passed the Vigilant Declaration. The divide still exists heavily into the times of modern Cassus and is a foundation of political and institutional systems to a point. (Source). They speak differently from the high registered or formal speech of the highborn (Source) and they are the source of the Exile Humans (Source
  Some Lowborn on Nexus have started partaking in Ranching and raise Rowsdower a traditional Cassian ungulate herd animal, and even Roan. Lowborn as they were spearated fromthe Highborn after the Ancestral Decree only have a trace amount or none at all of Eldan Blood. They are the general working class of the Cassian population. (Source)
  
  Cassian Religion – Vigilant Church
  The Vigilant Declaration states that the Eldan ascended into Godhood in the year 1378 AE and establishes that the blood of the Luminai is sacred. It also establishes the unified faith of the Empire which most Cassians follow happily. (Source). The Cassian faith in the Eldan is organized to a point and even has a system of churches. (Source). Their faith in the Eldan has created a sense of manifest Destiny and the Cassians believe that Nexus is their rightful homeworld as heirs to the Eldan. (Source)
  
  The Six Scions represent the six Vigilant Virtues of the Vigilant Church (Source The Church is led by High Sentinel Varonia Cazalon with the Radiant Legion (the military arm), led by Toric Antevian.
  
  The Virtues are:
  Azrion- the Conqueror ( male ) 2 hand sword
  Symbol- Sword of Strength.
  "The force necessary to impose your will."
  
  -Tristan- the Valiant ( female ) Hammer
  Symbol- Chalice of Courage.
  "The clarity of mind to see past your fear."
  
  -Bronos- the Just ( male ) 2 handed sword
  Symbol- Judgement of Justice. ( a skull )
  "Judging fairly and distributing consequence."
  
  -Evindra- the Righteous ( female ) Unarmed
  Symbol- Orb of Purity.
  "Noble intentions guiding a flawlessly honest spirit."
  
  -Korol- the Devout ( male ) Staff
  Symbol- Flowers of Devotion.
  "The fusion of your being with a singular purpose."
  
  -Galen- the Adept ( male ) Unarmed
  Symbol- Tome of Knowledge.
  "Exploring the depths of reality and collecting its marvels."
  (Source)
  
  
  Major Holidays
  
  • Shade's Eve
  • Foundation Day
  • Protostar Gala Winterfest Extravaganza by Protostar
  
  Food and Drink
  
  • Cassians have a long established wine heritage and history of vinting on their homeworld. (Source)
    
    Cassians and the rest of the Dominion
    The Cassians are the founders of the Dominion and their Emperor leads the grand galatic Empire. However, there are factions and groups within the Dominion which do not fall under direct Cassian perview outside of that of the Luminai Emperor himself.
    
    
    • The Dominion Research and Experimentation Division – Currently led by Chief Technologist Mondo Zax (Source)
    • Imperial Corp of Intelligence or ICI – Founded and supported primarily by the mechari. (Source 1 & Source 2)
    • The Dominion Military has a similar structure as found in modern western countries on earth. (Source).
    • The Crimson Legion – Currently in Galeras. (Source)
      
      Dominion Technology
      
      • Races within the Dominion all use the same basic technology. (Source)
      • Dominion military has access to powerful machines known as Ultrabots. (Source[/url)
        
      • Stalker Technology was created by the Dominion by a sample of Eldan Omni-Plasm (Source) and derived from Eldan Technology, but is not as efficient as true Eldan Technology. (Source)
        
        Cassian Naming Conventions – Source
        The names being used for Cassians strike me as primarily classical (read: ancient) Roman, Greek or Latin names or variations meant to sound similar to such.
        
        "Cassian first names do have a pattern, but it's actually one I can't dive into too much detail on (it's actually a little spoilery). Roman names are a fair place to look at for inspiration for now; once we start revealing more of the history behind the human race, we may be able to shed more light on their ancestry. (OOH MYSTERIOUS!)" ~Scooter
        
        So we're not all that far off here, however there's a twist to them which may explain why some of them sound Roman/Greek/Latin without actually being such!
        
        The Swordmaidens
        The Swordmaiden Order once led by Tresayne Toria herself is a sisterhood of highly trained blade wielders that is led by the Swordmaiden General (who answers to the emperor himself). They are trained in sword techniques and battle field tactics, and their history dates back to the Cassian Commonwealth. (Source).
        
        Female First Names
        Tresayne
        Artemis
        
        Male First Names
        Dominus
        Azrion
        Myrcalus
        Malvolio
        Torick
        Rentic
        
        Surnames
        Toria
        Portius
        Zin
        
        Character Examples
        
        • Artemis Zin – (Source)
        • Malvolio Portus – (Source)
        • Sword-Maiden Tresayne Toria – (Source)
        • Toric Antevian – (Source)

Examples of Exile Human Appearance
Kit an Exile from Meet the Exiles
Exile Male SpellSlinger

Differences from Cassians

• Exiles have been genetically removed to an extent from the general Cassian population and held up in their fleet with a large amount of them on the Gambler's Ruin for a long time. (Source 1 )
• Nexus was a last resort for the Exile Fleet whose ship systems were starting to fail. (Source[/u]
  
• Exiles frown upon or are not big fans of the Dominion's form of social stratification or classing. (Source)
• Exile Humans descend from Lowborn Cassian stock to an extent. (Source)
• Exile humans have had limited access to technology, and developed a keen sense of re-engineering, and recycling especially their botsmiths (Source)

To under stand the social and genetic division from the Cassian general population it has been nearly three hundred years since the Cassian Civil War occurred in 1378 AE (Source). Kit in the Meet the Exiles Video speaks with a “Western Twang” using words such as “howdy” etc. She also mentions possibilities of “inbreeding”.

To our knowledge Exile Humans have dropped the “Vigilant Faith” as part of their general rejection of the Dominion society. They also are a pretty varied bunch when it comes to dealing with other races. They do seem to be slightly uncomfortable with the Mordesh as seen in the Meet the Exiles and the “Dirty Little Secrets Video”.

Exile Humans will acknowledge they are from Cassus, but generally do not at all like to push the issue of their relation to the Cassians of the Domion. (Source)

Note: Life during the Long Flight was not easy, some folk grew up on not only ramshackle ships, but ones that housed the poorest and least desriable (criminals include Darkspur influences) called Slumships, (Source)

Chroniclers and Chronicle Houses
For years onthe world of Cassus the humans enjoyed a tradition that mixed priest, historian, and storyteller into one profession, that of the Chronicler. A Chronicle trains their apprentices carefully requiring them to memorize information and even sending them out to learn new stories. Unlike the Tales from the Fringe the Chronicles of a Chronicler are created for accuracy and remembrance. Usually hand written first and then recorded digitally and passed around to all other communities (they are considered communal property of all Exiles). A Chronicle isn't just history however and can also serve as a history of the day for local Exile communities (Source.

A quick list of Chronicler duties:

• Seek out the truth of legal matters.
• Lead wedding ceremonies.
• Record stories of life of the community and going on.
• Teach people about where they came from.
• Funerary practices.

(Source

Ranching
Ranching on Nexus is a common means for Exile humans to make a living (Source), and often include the raising of Roan, Oxian, and Rowsdower. Dagun, the wolf-like hounds of Nexus, are often a threat to Rancher livestock, and are difficult for average folk to tame (usually used by slavers and Marauders).

Botsmiths
Over the hundreds of years since the Long Flight began since Brightland's Rebellion, the Exiles gained little opportunity to purchase new equipment or tech. Nor were they often given access to fabrication facilities or automated factories. This led to an evolution of what came to be called the Botsmith. An honored occupation that created robotic units from what they had on hand. This also led to a healthy industry of cybernetic implants and prosthetics from scratch. (Source)

Exile Communities
The Algoroc community of Gallow serves as a central point for ranchers, and other locals in the region. Its a good example of the somewhat semi-autonomous nature of Exile towns. The Gallow Accord acts as an agreement for local guidance and decision making. (Source). Law and Order in most Exile communities is conducted by volunteer militia types known as Peacekeepers. They aren't an official grouping, but they are one recognized as the first line of defense against marauders and enemies. (Source)

Judges
Wandering semi-nomadic bringers of justice, the Judges like the Peacekeepers are an institution heavily ingrained in the fleet culture of the Exiles. Their authority comes building a rapport with local communities, and often their judgement are quick and brutal. Justices are Judge apprentices that often travel in number with established Judges. The center of Judge leadership resides in the Court of Judgement where High Judge Kallen Blackwood oversees important cases to the high court. (Source)

Exile Factions and Organizations
There are sevearal factions found within the Exiles not all of which are led by Humans.

• The Black Hoods – The Exile's Intelligence Corp led by Avra the Widow (Source (founded and ran mostly by the Mordesh. (Source)
• Granok Free Companies – A group of militias ran by the Granok and primarily under the command of Durek Stonebreaker. (Source)
• Exile Academy of Sciences – (Source)

Human (Exile) Naming Conventions Source
While they were originally from Cassus, with a sort of ancient Roman/Latin/Greek basis for names, it seems the Exiled Humans are potentially getting away from those roots, and going with different names. Possibly more along the lines of English and other European names.

"Exile human first names are usually variants of standard English names with altered spelling." ~Scooter

Largely, we were pretty dead on for the Exiles!

Female First Names
Kit
Jemma
Shalli

Male First Names
Serrick
Dorian
Buck
Brion

Surnames
Brightland
Walker

Character Examples

• Buck – (Source
• Kit – (Source)
• Serick Brightland - (Source)