Immortals

"Immortals" redirects here.

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Immortals are the ultimate advancement of the human race. They are superior to us in beauty, strength, health and intellect. And, as the name implies, they are immortal. Not because they cannot be killed, even though the lore surrounding them might have you think otherwise, but because they do not age. They do not grow old, suffer the effects of aging or seem to be effected by the numerous ailments that afflict others. Although the immortals have lived for thousands of years, most appear to be in their twenties and at the peak of their physical vitality. As beautiful, strong, healthy and wise as they are though, they are also extremely rare. Most of the population of the galaxy has never seen one and believes them to be semi-divine. For their part, immortals spend a majority of their time either in seclusion, among themselves or surrounded by a retinue of mortal sycophants who help them rule from the orbital palaces high above their planets.

Despite the appearance of powerful commercial interests and mortal houses in the galaxy, immortals remain the ruling class. Most are obscenely wealthy, refined and politically astute. Having lived as long as they have, even the most recluse have accumulated more possessions, knowledge and connections than the most powerful mortals. They are aware of history unlike anyone else and are the only ones who really know what the galaxy was like before the plague, which they rarely speak of. A few even remember what it was like to live on Earth before mankind took to the stars. Among the immortals, there is a hierarchy that cuts across three different dimensions. Immortals rank each other on how many planets they control, the type of occupation they performed before the plague and most importantly, age. For although every immortal is over three thousand years old, they were all born at a different time and place. And, no matter how powerful they become, they cannot change that simple fact of birth.

Immortality is not hereditary. Even though they can have children, who are frequently as beautiful as they are, the sons and daughters of immortals age and die just like the rest of the population. So, when an immortal dies, or more likely is killed, there is no one to replace him. As a result, immortals throughout the galaxy number in the tens of thousands while the mortal population can be counted in the trillions. With these numbers, it is not surprising that all the immortals know one and other and find themselves frequently united by interest, when not officially in much policy that governs the galaxy. But some immortals are more open to change and input from their mortal descendents than others. These immortals have tended to remain in the Carina republics and the Republic of Juneau or joined the Order of Mercury. Although their countless years have given the republican minded immortals insight that far surpasses any mortal, they eschew the notion that they are gods and have tried to maintain the old democratic traditions of their age as much as possible. For example, the government in the Republic of Juneau operates through a parliamentary system with a bicameral legislature that affords mortals a say in the election of the lower house. However, every position in the House of Peers is occupied by an immortal and the prime minister has always been one of the Lords or Ladies of the Republic.

The lifestyle of the typical immortal, whether the sole ruler of a state, Lord or Lady of a larger kingdom nation or a private citizen, is extravagant. He owns a number of estates and mansions on numerous planets and one or more orbital palaces where he entertains his entourage. With hordes of servants, his estates are filled with gardens, great works of art and opulent designer goods everywhere. But, the value of objects which he prizes the most cannot be measured by price. They can only be measured by age. Immortals are consummate collectors of old artifacts, with the greatest value placed on pre-Plague objects. The desire for these items is so great that it often becomes the source of long-standing grudges between immortals or solidifies alliances. It also supports a healthy black market and a number of unsanctioned expeditions throughout the galaxy to ruined planets.

An immortal tends to attract a lot of power-seeking mortals, lovers and intrigue. Millenia of which have desensitized them to some of the normal trappings of wealth, fame and power. They often treat mortals as flowers, cultivated to be plucked and displayed at their prime because a new crop will always be there next season. Their projects and plans span centuries and seem to run cross-purpose to the goals and desires of those who want their attention. So, immortals engage with mortals, but they only find true companionship with each other. There are no ‘political marriages’ between immortals, but there are a number of love affairs which have produced offspring. But the offspring being mortal always makes attachment with their children a painful process. So, immortals rarely have children with each other and almost never rear them.