The Great Stewardship

Known History

Beneath all the grandeur and glory of the Imperial Navy, the mystique and ever-watchful eye of the Inquisition, the might of the Legions, and the nigh-ceaseless trailblazing of the Corps of Exploration, lies a unifying philosophy that nearly supersedes their loyalty to the Emperor himself.  A philosophy that has been ingrained in Drakari society since even before the dawn of the Imperium to the point it borders on pseudo-religious zeal:  The Great Stewardship.

The origins of this philosophy have been long-since lost to antiquity, but many legends claim that the precursor of the Great Stewardship has its origins from the time of Io, the First King:  That all the nations of his species be united under one banner, flourishing and growing so that all might share in the beauty and wonder of the world the gods had opened his eyes too.

While many politicians, philosophers, and even priests have taken to discussing the merits of the Great Stewardship and which interpretation of it is the most prudent, they all agree on the central premise:  That sentient life is a precious gift upon the universe, and that it is the duty of every resident of the Imperium, citizen and protectorate alike, to ensure that gift is treasured and protected.

Practice and Precepts

When a new sentient species is discovered by any resident of the Imperium, their homeworld is typically declared off-limits until the species is thoroughly studied, often for years at a time, to determine a course of action.  Should the species in question be sending radio frequencies into deep space and putting artificial satellites into orbit, tentative First Contact is given permission to be established with the planet's inhabitants in the hopes of welcoming them to the galactic community and begin a slow process of uplift with their permission.

Species that are determined to be on average pre-spaceflight or even pre-industrial in terms of technological development, are to be left alone to develop and grow on their own pace, with all attempts at landing on the planet without explicit permission of the Emperor, the Senate, or Military High Command subject to prosecution.

However, such rules and regulations, like many philosophies and legal doctrines, are subject to being interpreted in ways that leave room for intervention if the situation requires it.  Exceptions are made if there is already the presence of a more advanced civilization having colonized the planet and interacting with a more primitive native species in ways that may be cruel and exploitative, punitive action against the perpetrators involved is permitted.  Similarly, the Great Stewardship all but demands that should life be threatened with extinction, all Drakari have a moral obligation to do what can be done to prevent the loss of a sentient species to natural disaster, disease, cataclysmic war, and even genocide.

Some in the upper echelons of Imperial society have questioned whether or not the Great Stewardship should apply to societies that have engaged in heinous crimes against sentient life, such as the Kri'ghal Empire after their since-deposed leadership's foolhardy attempts at sending their army of slaver guilds to ransack what they believed were easy targets.  Many an Emperor and priest have admonished such words, stating that such rhetoric goes in contrary to countless generations of tradition, as well possibly being an affront to the Imperium's commitment to honor and justice.

Indeed, it can be stated with pride and solemnity that the Great Stewardship shelters all beings, wherever sentient life may arise.  For the fires of life and civilization may never truly be extinguished so long as one Imperial citizen stands as its stalwart defense.