The Golden Empire
The Golden Empire refers to the expansive realm that took control of the known universe during the Golden Era. It was the most prosperous time in the history of all nations, all were liberated from the grasp of the Dark One's reign. The founders of the Golden Empire are Zebratarians, a race of supernatural beings sent from the gates of Magnum Auctor's domain. These beings were very much the same as Malderane before he fell with physical bodies, but also undying spiritual forms. The Zebratarians took on various figures to be less terrifying to mortals, the most welcomed were majestic equines with large wings of gold. In the current Era, the only known one to be alive is Princess Nova. All the others are believed to have fulfilled their mission, with the universe's current state being much better than during the previous eras.
Depiction of Yennian, Yenneraz the Gold's son.
When Zebratarians first appeared
Zebratarians first appeared in the year 2078 Me when news spread of beings of light doing battle with the Dark One's hosts. Many didn't believe these rumors until Malderane began to treat his subjects ever so slightly better. This was an indication that something large was happening. In the year 2109 Me, 31 years after the first rumors spread, even Vancoura was visited by the majestic Zebratarians. The First Mazzacarian war was brought to a close, the Dark One was forced to remain in his ruined domain, surrounded by a lake guarded by Zebratarians. A year later, the leader of Magnum Auctor's warriors, Yenneraz the Gold, forged the Charter of Dignity, proclaiming all life sacred from conception to natural death. The next 50 years saw the Zebratarians pushing back corrupted mortal nations who would attempt to spoil the peace being brought near Vancoura. Yenneraz's legions would help humanity rebuild and heal. He ordered the construction of Vancoura, the steadfast city where Bellator's fortitude helped thousands live in freedom even under Malderane's reign. The Zebratarians built the "Spire" and the "Hall of Man" as a gift to humanity. All written accounts depict the Spire almost exceeding the atmosphere into space. However, these are still held as over-exaggerations, but it is clear that the structure was the tallest ever built. The Hall of Man housed every historical text the Zebratarians found in the universe. A span of 400 years of growth, peace, and healing took place, ranging from 2200 - 2400 Ge.
Malderane was humbled and forced to sign a charter of peace with the Zebratarians thus ending the First Mazzacarian war.
A rough sketch displaying Old World Vancoura city. The dome is the Hall of Man, the Spire is in the top right. These structures, and the city itself, are unmatched in glory.
The complacency of the Immortals
The era dubbed the Complacency of the Immortals is one of the most complicated periods in the Golden Era. Mortals, Zebratarians, and Malderane all co-existed within the early centuries of the Golden Era. While the Dark One was trapped within his domain, the strings he had on the physical world were still in effect. The years of peace made all, even the Zebratarians, lax and less aware of danger. Malderane was allowed to let a messenger leave and attend the meetings between the mortals and Zebratarians. Yenneraz the Great hoped to see improvement in the Mazzacarians. And perhaps he could bring them back to the light, where they would be barred from meddling in the affairs of men.
​
However, this would not become a reality. The Dark One's corruptive nature began to assault even the Zebratarians. Some would become subject to vices, others were not phased. Pride began to develop amongst the immortals, pride over their immortality. In the year 2480 Ge, Malderane was allowed to venture outside of his domain as long as he agreed to return with Yenneraz the Gold back to Mangum Auctor. The Zebratarian court was torn on this verdict, with half of the members voting against allowing him to return. The others, more proud and arrogant in their opinions, voiced that there was nothing he could do to harm them. Yenneraz trusted his council and allowed the motion to proceed. Once free, The Dark One split with rage. He cast his shadow away from his physical form, creating a twisted being. By doing so, Malderane sewed his swelling malice into the Shadow so that he, himself, would not die from building malevolence. Malderane ordered his shadow to do his bidding in the dark, not to give himself away, and to relieve his desires of lashing out at the physical realms.
​
In a neighboring city next to Vancoura, one of the Zebratarians sought to tease Malderane. This Zebratarian was one of the proud council members, named Yerreck, who was under the impression that Malderane was powerless against creatures of the light. He brought out sacred dishes and dining ware that were straight from the house of Mangum Auctor for Malderane to use as his plate for the feast. Yerrek wished to mock him and allow his audience to see the dark being fumble with the dishes, which presumably would burn the impure hands of Malderane. But, unwillingly, he was falling onto the level of the Dark One himself with his mind set on petty things. Earlier that year, Yerrek was dabbling in mortal politics to see if he could help a house of men outproduce their neighbor and bring more humans under his direct supervision. And by having the Dark One humiliated in his mansion, all in the area would look up to him. His Fantasies were dashed when Malderane visited. Instead of dining, Malderane brought the flame of war making himself not a laughingstock of Yerrek's guests, but a terror to the masses.
​
Bursting forth from all of the darkest crevasses of the mortal realms, Malderane's Mazzacarian hosts seeped into the land catching all off guard. The second Mazzacarian war had begun, the year being 2500 Ge.
The second Mazzacarian War
With vengeance and suicidal rage, Malderane led his hosts against the legions of the Zebratarians. He could sense the ones that were blighted by pride and targeted their domains first. Chaos and panic were also tools thrown at Yenneraz. Millions of humans and non-humans rushed towards Vancoura in an attempt to seek shelter, believing the worst was coming to fruition. Malderane was using tactics that granted him success during his wars with the Chyme Lords, ensnaring Zebratarians in time traps. By the year 2532 Ge, Malderane had seized control of multiple systems, and portions of Vancoura itself were under his dominance. Instead of stopping and possibly managing to force the Zebratarians and humans to a deal that would grant him land, Malderane persisted. He became even darker, giving the Zebratarians an edge in purity and more ground as the years dragged on. But any vice finding its way into a Zebratarian was a major weakness that could be exploited. Yenneraz knew something had to be done to help his fellow kin who had gone astray to see their error and open their eyes. The Zebratarian Emperor sought a path of redemption for the Zebratarians who had blemished their purity and set out on his own to the Niatan Nebula.
An Immortal's death, the Battle of Niatan Nebula
Yenneraz the Gold feared that time was in the favor of his foe and took no delays in mustering his army. Alone, he told Malderane that he would fight him in the Niatan Nebula. Its location was close to the heart of the Galaxy and far from any solar systems. It was here that the Dark One knew he would succeed in trapping Yenneraz in a forever time-loop using the Galaxy's engine to ensnare Yenneraz forever. His Mazzacarian host, consisting of his fellow fallen brethren, would mass near the meeting place. Little did they know that the most selfless act in the mortal realm would be carried out. Yenneraz began to remove his soul and heart. Zebratarian hearts were literal orbs of flame full of purity. His was so pure that it forced the Mazzacarians, even Malderane himself, to stare at it. Raising it above his head, the Golden Emperor separated his immortality from his soul. In this act, all immortal beings could see Yenneraz. His words are written in the Malketech as he did so, "With my sacrifice, today may it be known that immortality is not what arms a Zebratarian. But, the will of his master, Mangum Auctor, is his weapon and shield. Only His Will is to be done." Bewilderment overtook the Mazzacarians. Frozen in thought, they fell like stones into the abyss. The icy coldness of their hearts seeped to the surface and grew so strong that their hatred for Yenneraz and Magnum Auctor prevented them from moving. Malderane ripped asunder and traversed at the speed of light to escape. For eternity, he became scarred and maimed. Never again would the Dark One ever experience the power he once had. The second Mazzacarian war was now drawn to a close, and all of the Zebratarian's eyes were open and their faults were laid bare. Yenneraz the Great showed his fellow Zebratarians that the ideals and matters of mortals were not the original designs of Magnum Auctor. And in reality, they were what their kind were sent to save mortal men from. The Golden Emperor became the symbol and sign for all to follow, with the Zebratarians taking the events of the Niatan Nebula as a reflection of themselves. Malderane's plans to retake what he had lost failed and united the Zebratarians. Now, the Dark One was alone and scarred as he drifted into the darkest confines of space.
Age of Expansion
For over 5 centuries the Golden Empire expanded dramatically. Humanity also saw expansion into unknown realms and Galaxies. Wherever the Zebratarians went, the light of Mangum Auctor spread bringing more sentient races back to being loyal to their true creator. Many had not seen such beauty as one of the majestic beings, and all would inquire more of their existence. The Expansion was peaceful except for groups of fanatics still loyal to Malderane resisting their progress.
​
Despite this progress, a solemn mood was befalling the Golden Empire. Their founder and leader, Yenneraz the Great, was beginning to age. After passing 3000 Ge Yenneraz announced that Yennian, his son, would become his successor. Preparing for the moment of his passing greatly impacted the expansion of the Golden Empire. The immortals were not accustomed to one of their kind growing old let alone their leader.
​
In the year 3205 Ge, Yenneraz the Great succumbed to age. His spirit returned to his Master's side in His eternal kingdom. All worlds began to honor his legacy and solemn celebrations were carried out across all of the stars. Yennian was crowned emperor along with his wife, Yansu. The new Emperor focused on building Security and Healing. The beginning of his reign saw a vast expanse of peace from the year 4,000 - 7,000 Ge.
​
​
Yennian's Reign
In the 7th thousand years of recorded time, Malderane re-emerged from hiding. His figure was greatly unrecognizable, humans took him in believing the alien to be a victim of the Dark One. This took place in the utmost southern regions of what is known as the Galactic Antonian. Malderane explained to the locals of the planet that he was indeed a creature from the dawn of time who had a set purpose that was lost in the Mazzacarian wars. The inhabitants of the land began to grow fond of him as he would help the locals by utilizing his extraordinary strength to resolve tasks that would take teams of men.
​
Yennian caught news of this strange mysterious being in the year 7,124 Ge when the Chyme Lord's advance was suddenly stopped. The Golden Emperor set out escorts to bring him to the Spire in Vancoura. Malderane is taken aback by the progress of humanity in the years he was in dormancy. He met the Zebratarian Emperor for the first time at the top of the Spire. There, the two began to inquire about one another, and at that moment Malderane swore himself allegiance to the Golden Empire as a mercenary and steward of nature. In the Malkatech, it is written that Malderane would continue to do tasks that only an ally would perform, gaining more admiration from the Zebratarians.
​
The longer into Yennian's reign, the more the Zebratarian Emperor realized that humanity would soon be a great force and capable of defending itself. To further assist the humans, Yennian created the "Patriarchy of Vancoura" in the year 7,300 Ge. Men were allowed to select a leader for themselves, and after five years, the elders of humanity confirmed their wishes to have Malderane be their Patriarch. From Vancoura, the entire galaxy was given over to the humans. Their numbers had grown to surpass any other Era, and their technology developed to the point that their tools were capable of creating planets. Advancements in artificial intelligence brought about renewed growth in areas never before conceived. Humanity built cities on the land, under the sea, in the sky, and even cities in deep space. Vast interstellar roads connected all worlds, and even galaxies, together much like how modern interstates and transit stations make travel achievable. Some of these routes are used to this day and thanks to the Golden Era technology discovered beneath Vancoura City, modern scientists can understand how to repair such devices.
Malderane aided in the construction of Artificial Intelligence. Formulating a matter much like a soul, his machines were indeed like living beings. Some of them are described as monoliths of knowledge. Most of these machines would carry the brunt of physical labor which increased the speed that magnificent structures could be constructed. The core mechanics of these machines gave way to modern day robotics and AI.
The Eclipse of Glory
Prosperity began to peak within all mortal realms, more galaxies were discovered. Magnum Auctor's truth was spreading with every new world, and Yennian's Reign was successfully undoing all errors portrayed by the fall of man and the Dark One's Reign. The celebrations became more personal for the Golden Emperor in the year 7500 Ge when Empress Yansu, gave birth to their first born Daughter and Heir, Nova. A custom was held within Zebratarian nobility. The royal family would set forth on a retreat to raise their first born to the age of understanding. For a Zebratarian, that would take a span of time lasting 400 years. This was the first time an air was born within the physical realms, and a test to the Golden Empire's structure during this process.
​
Advisors closest to Yennian made the case the Empire was on a solid course and the nobility would be more than capable of maintaining order in the Emperor's absence. But ever careful was the Golden Emperor. He mandated that he be alerted at the slightest suspicion of a threat to peace and Magnum Auctor's Will.