Imperium of Clarity

The Imperium of Clarity was an interstellar empire founded after the outbreak of the by former Fleet Master Toru 'Makhan. Initially comprised of Makhnan's fleet on the very fringes of the and the far-flung colony worlds they had been assigned to protect, the Sangheili leader withdrew from the turbulent political climate in the aftermath of the Covenant's disintegration to establish his own personal fiefdom. Initially something of an isolationist faction that refused to participate in many of the smaller conflicts raging across the galaxy after the end, the Imperium grew exponentially over the next few years into a genuinely powerful force under the command of its single, absolute ruler.

While its position far away from much of human and former Covenant space meant that the Imperium of Clarity went almost totally unchecked by both the and  for several years, its rapid expansion starting in 2556 and the establishment of economic and political alliances with numerous independent groups coupled with a sudden military buildup drew the attention of opposing forces in the galaxy. These tensions would only rise after now-Imperial Admiral Makhan began a series of sweeping military advances that would eventually culminate in open warfare against rival groups in 2558.

Sphere of Influence
Utilising routes already established by the Covenant Empire, the Imperium of Clarity's leaders were soon able to secure access to many far-flung colony worlds for resources and manpower. In spite of its rather grandiose name, however, the Imperium holds barely a fraction of the territory and power that the Covenant once possessed, and with other factions fighting over the remnants it has had to make do with taking fringe worlds and building power since its creation to avoid any unnecessary conflict. From Toru 'Makhan's supposedly impregnable Imperial Fortress and the surrounding city on Iradu as its capital, the Imperium governs several dozen settled planets from afar, though its direct influence is usually relegated to dealing with pirates or collecting tribute where necessary.

Following agreements with Unggoy factions, the Imperium was able to set up and safeguard a number of new colonies on worlds suitable for the methane-breathing species, though they too were lightly-guarded by the Imperium's watchful troops. Though most planets incorporated into the empire were simply former Covenant planets that had not yet been claimed by other factions, the Imperium did make a point to explore and settle several previously untouched worlds, importing settlers from other systems there to start entirely new colonies.

Known Worlds
Voden System
 * Iradu – capital world
 * Vandun – primary shipyard
 * Koros – Sangheili colony

Yain System
 * Frendhal – Sangheili fortress world
 * Telwun – Sangheili colony
 * Yassa – trading port

Bineb System
 * Bineb II – Unggoy colony
 * Bineb III – Unggoy colony
 * Irn – Military outpost

Military
While nowhere near as large as the massive Covenant military, the Imperium's own armed forces number in the tens of millions, with most of its senior members having had extensive combat experience during the Human-Covenant War. While its upper echelons are comprised almost entirely of Sangheili warriors, the overwhelming majority of Imperial forces are made up of Unggoy soldiers, supplemented by Kig-Yar privateers and even small bands of armed Yonhet raiders. Humans are a rare sight in the Imperium's military and rarely hold notable positions, but are not unheard of.

While most of its ground forces are organised and deployed in a similar manner to the former Covenant, several other groups were established within the Imperium. A Special Operations division exists within their fleet, albeit mostly for spying purposes, while the Imperial Guards are Toru 'Makhan's personal protectors and the enforcers of his will on the battlefield; hardened veterans and zealots deployed on the most critical of missions. In addition, the Imperium's forces are supplemented by dozens of mercenary groups of varying races, bought either through monetary means or in deals regarding the usage of slipspace travel routes.

The Imperium of Clarity possessed a sizeable fleet for what was considered a '' faction, and faced major difficulties in maintaining their vessels in the years following the Human-Covenant War. As such, many of its best warships were among those assigned to the original Second Fleet of Outward Composure when the then-Fleet Master Makhan established the Imperium. The most powerful vessel in the Imperium's arsenal is the Watchful Custodian, a massive 'CSO-class supercarrier with enough firepower and troops to subjugate entire systems alone. After the establishment of shipyards on the moon of Vandun, the Imperium has been able to produce a limited number of functional corvettes and light cruisers, though it has gone to the effort of obtaining starships through purchase or salvage to bolster its ranks.

With no Hierarchs to command them, the Imperium of Clarity's military is led by the High Command: a group of seasoned field commanders who answer directly to Imperial Admiral Makhan. As of 2558, the Imperium's High Command is comprised of six individuals, each captaining their own warship:


 * Fleet Master Zetal 'Hudon – CCS-class battlecruiser New Way
 * Field Marshall Orro 'Hendai – DDS-class carrier Blissful Solitude
 * Fleet Master Nor 'Hudon – CCS-class battlecruiser Starsword
 * Fleet Master Kan 'Larom – CCS-class battlecruiser Advance Guard
 * Fleet Master Lora 'Deris – ORS-class heavy cruiser Emancipator
 * Shipmaster Hedan Koti – CPV-class heavy destroyer Blue Death