VI. NurTani Imperium Just as the drathonians progress was severely hampered by their proximity to Xarsil, so has NurTans progress been hampered by several factors. Their proximity to the DroXaren Ephex completely blocks off their access to the spinward Takisi Garden nations, the only other state besides the Ephex available for NurTan to trade with or ally with being Chylia, which is another problem in itself. Throughout history, NurTan has backed the wrong side, been betrayed by its only allies, and been regarded as an inconsequential and distant border nation because of it. While they werent introduced into the galactic community early enough to join in the Legion Wars, they struggled to get on their feet as quickly as possible, though it didnt matter by the time the First Imperial War came around. Agreeing to send help to the League of Drathonis, the iceril were cautious in their first interstellar engagements, but not cautious enough. The help they sent came too late to join any drathonian force, so they faced the DXE alone, and the backup they were promised from Chylia was nowhere near enough. The beaten NurTani fleet retreated back into their borders, and the government quickly signed a cease fire with the Ephex, allowing the League of Drathonis to fall into Imperial hands. Learning a lesson about trusting their neighbors, the iceril commited themselves to stay back in affairs around them, hoping to expand their influence the opposite direction. However, the stars beyond Takisi Garden were too far and too few to make the trip to them worthwhile, and it wasnt long before the iceril gave up and concentrated on bolstering their communities in the two star systems they had under their control. Unfortunately, their one-time allies, Chylia, again double crossed them, seeking the aid of the DXE to overthrow NurTans government and conquer the iceril nation in the War of Shards. The thirty year Chylian occupation of NurTan was finally ended when the Third Imperial War broke out, and Queen Arianoku foolishly attacked her only ally, the DXE, which proved to be more than they could handle. Since then, NurTan has endeavored to stay isolated, and few in Takisi Garden know what really goes on beyond the Cold Gates. Those who delve deep enough into the inner workings of iceril society will find that they maintain a number of nations, with their own distinct subrace and outlook on external affairs, which vye for power, and more and more common lately, regulate NurTans involvement in the affairs of aliens. At present, there are nine such nations, though one is dying out rapidly and doesnt even have a Laturi to lead it. They have a sort of ranking system determined by trials of merit, ability, and prosperousness, the sects which do better score higher, and the highest scoring sect leads the Imperium until it is bested. The current leading sect, Ticcarhen, has maintained its place almost since the Third Imperial War, when the SiktHowara sect used most of its resources to fight off the nimblirusi occupying forces. Their policy of isolation and paranoid defense has kept NurTani relatively shut off from the rest of Takisi Garden by the Cold Gates. Should Ticcarhen fall from its place, though, the brutally aggressive TokkRal sect would usurp control, and could lead to a devastating war between NurTan and the DXE, or, even worse, should the iceril find a detour around the Barrens and the Rimward Gap, they could attack DKa or the Coratis Sector, and do untold damage. Unfortunately for their neighbors, none of this information has leaked out of the Imperium, save perhaps in the hands of the Noth Domin, who havent shared any secret theyve ever obtained. a. The Nine Nations of NurTan i. Ticcarhen The ruling nation of the Imperium, Ticcarhen maintains a policy of isolationism which has kept the Cold Gates pretty much closed for the past century. Due to massive casualties in the First and Third Imperial Wars, at the hands of both the xaersi and nimblirusi, most iceril have learned that aggression can be self-defeating, so the more defensive Ticcarhen sect remains on top of the heap, though just barely. Since their ascent at the end of the nimblirusi occupation, their power has declined, and four of the five next successors to Ticcarhen are much more aggressive and more likely to take an actively violent part in Takisi Garden affairs, especially with the technology developed under Ticcarhen in their hands. It is for the best for all Takisi Garden that Ticcarhen stays in power in NurTani, but short of another invasion or catastrophe such an event is not likely. Ticcarheni iceril are native to the city of Gadanerij and can be identified by their gold and blue coloration and a long crest atop the skull. ii. TokkRal Whereas Ticcarhen remains on a watchful defensive position, the TokkRal philosophy is one of immediate, overwhelming, and downright brutal aggression. These iceril believe that, when facing such a foe as the xaersi or the nimblirusi, who have overpowered them decisively in the past, no holds should be barred and no quarter given. If TokkRal assumes leadership of NurTani, its isolation will end with a bang. Or, more probably, half a dozen bangs. With terribly effective weaponry developed without the rest of Takisi Gardens knowledge, the iceril have at their disposal enough firepower to destroy several planets, and the TokkRal would not be shy about using it. If their interstellar neighbors knew how close they were to destruction, the Dakanya Council would intervene but unfortunately they know nothing. TokkRalin iceril are native to the city of Tokkas and can be identified by their red and brown coloration and their large, bulkier build. iii. DezGracha The only one of the high-ranking nations aside from Ticcarhen that isnt rabidly aggressive, DezGracha is still a more dangerous nation than the leading group. Essentially it is a combination of Ticcarhen and TokkRal beliefs, that defense is best until the most good can come of overwhelming offense. This vulture-like behavior has served many iceril well throughout their history, though what good it will do against the great DXE is questionable. Even at its best, NurTan wouldnt stand a chance against the Ephex alone, which is why DezGracha remains below its more radical opponents. DezGrachan iceril are native to the city of Ajemora and can be identified by their orange and brown coloration and a large bulge at the back of the skull iv. Sutoyana The Sutoyanai are what most iceril sects are not  subtle and discreet. While still believing in rampant aggression against their neighbors, the Sutoyana think that the Dari and the Noth Domin have the right idea, to supplement brute force and highly advanced weaponry with sabotage, assassination, political maneuvering, and guile. While these methods are not in common or popular use among most iceril, the Sutoyanai have demonstrated their usefulness by advancing quickly and noticably up the ranks of the sects in the past decades, surpassing both QuekFala and SiktHorawa and setting their sights on DezGracha, who alone of the rival eight sects has some comprehension of what guile is all about.Sutoyanai iceril are native to the city of Kettoja and can be identified by their green and yellow coloration and a ring of spikes around the top of the skull. v. QuekFala An odd nation inhabiting the southern isles of their homeworld, QuekFala has a definite tendency for xenophobic isolation coupled with a traditionalist movement. They dont think their people should leave the homeworld, and are therefore the least seen subspecies off of Khrii. They are still ferocious and numerous at home, though, and have managed to retain a decent rank among their fellows for it. QuekFalan iceril are native to the city of Faessi and can be identified by their blue and brown coloration and a series of dorsal ridges starting at the back of the head. vi. SiktHorawa Luckily for the rest of Takisi Garden, the forces of SiktHorawa fell from power during the Third Imperial War, their military devastated by the massive assaults they launched on the occupying nimblirusi guards. While they won, they lost a good quarter of their total population and most of their resources and armament, causing their severe decline in power. This is good for the rest of Takisi Garden because SiktHorawan iceril are about as aggressive as they come  like TokkRali but faster and having a tendency to attack from behind, in the dark, without warning. Ambushing someone in bed with a tank is a good example of SiktHorawan tactics. Also luckily for Takisi Garden, their main competitors for power on Khrii are the TokkRali, so these two violent nations keep each other busy and leave their more peaceful neighbors alone. SiktHorawan iceril are native to the city of Jaetirae and can be identified by their green and tan coloration and their long, slender builds with a single hump at the back of the head. vii. Otekyan Why the Otekyan werent wiped out a long time ago is anyones guess, but they have managed to retain a position among the lower iceril nations for the time being. Like many iceril, they are xenophobes, but they are generally also pacifists and have a spiritual side no other nation on Khrii has ever developed. When other iceril fight, sneak, and steal, the Otekyani meditate and mitigate. Among themselves, they are quite serene, but can be just as brutal as the rest of their fellows when faced with an aggressive outsider. Otekyani iceril are native to the city of Kyeoni and can be identified by their white and tan coloration and their small stature and short faces. viii. Ebba Kentar Of all the iceril sects that could take command of NurTan, Ebba Kentar would be the best for the rest of Takisi Garden. They are the best merchants Khrii has, and the most common iceril seen outside of NurTan. Among their fellows they are seen as weak and lacking in a decent attitude, and though it is low on the rankings, Ebba Kentar is the richest of the nine nations by far. Consequently, most of Aumaen Cahs taxes are gathered from the Ebba Kentari, an inequity which they despise. Ebba Kentarin iceril are native to the city of Osikha and can be identified by their yellow and tan coloration and long, lizard-like faces. ix. Hovai Rapidly dwindling in numbers and power, Hovai is barely even recognized as a nation of Khrii anymore. They have been all but driven back to their home city of HovaiAan by the TokkRal, DezGracha, and Ticcarhen nations, all three of which are eager for any excuse to invade and finish their rival off. Consequently, the Hovai, who were once outgoing and friendly, are paranoid and bitter, dropping out of NurTani politics and foreign policy altogether. Hovain iceril are native to the city of HovaiAan and can be recognized by their yellow and black coloration and their small stature.