**Population:** 3,000,000,000 Undeniably the most powerful group in the Cluster, the Sun Mages are located in the heart of the Shattered Sphere. Their rise to power was fueled primarily by their possession of the Cluster's prime real estate. The Antilans were also the first to rediscover their spelljamming and magical heritage, and realize its potential. Today, they are the foremost practitioners of magic in the Cluster, with the possible exception of the [[Mercanes]]. They have also harnessed the inherent power of the sun to energize the incredibly swift and deadly crystal ships. Of all the factions, the Antilans are the most openly bent on expanding their empire. Their crystal ships sweep the asteroid belts periodically for slaves, who are transported to the Antilan mines. Immense crystal fortresses glide through wildspace, powered by the energy of the sun and intent on conquest. Naturally, the Antilans view themselves as superior to all other races. Few can equal their magic, and no other faction has as large an empire. But in several ways, the Antilans have simply been lucky. The Antilans have always managed to get a better deal than other races. During the First Cataclysm, their home planet escaped destruction. Even during the coming of the Unbidden they were relatively unaffected, protected by powerful magics. During these times, the Antilans were busy making great advances while their neighbors were fighting horrible wars with inhuman invaders. Even with the coming of the Second Cataclysm, the Antilans were far better off than their brethren. The asteroid belt where they had settled was nearly perfect for their needs, with ample resources. Also, their magical might was only stunted, not eradicated, helping them to rebuild more quickly than other civilizations. They were also the first of the human races to relearn the secrets of spelljamming. Realizing just how much of an upper hand they had on the other inhabitants of the sphere, the Antilans set out for glory. The [[Thoric]] and [[Calidians|Calidian]] peoples remember well the savage violence of those days. Their legends speak of the conquering legions of "sky people" and their horrible magic. To this day, [[Thoric]] and [[Calidians|Calidian]] citizens are uncomfortable around Antilans. The Antilan Empire spread like wildfire through Clusterspace, and settlement after settlement fell to its power. It seemed that the Antilans could not be stopped, and that they would eventually become the undisputed rulers of the entire sphere. [[Illithid Empire|Illithid]] aggression put an end to that belief. Unused to defending their homes from assault, the Antilans were caught off guard by the mind flayer assault. One by one, the Antilans lost the territories they had gained. Furious, they prepared to counter-attack, but the illithids were like smoke before the wind. Fighting a guerilla war from the shadows was a mind flayer specialty, and it was some time before the Antilans were able to adjust their tactics to take this into account. By the time the Antilans were ready to fight on the mind flayers' terms, their opponents changed the rules. The illithids began using human agents to infiltrate Antilan targets. Lines of supply collapsed and more than one [[crystal ship]] mysteriously disappeared with all hands lost. The illithids were winning the war. Desperate and terrified of losing their empire, the Antilans sought new answers to their problems. While sorcerers studied the texts of the ancients, Antilan diplomats sought allies. The [[Mercanes]] were willing to lend a hand, but only for a price. The Arcane promised to deliver magical and technological aid to the Antilans in exchange for special considerations to be named later. Desperation drove the Antilan Emperor to agree, and the [[Mercanes]] made their first delivery. First came the secrets of sunmagic. These powerful spells (did much to turn the tide of the war. When the Arcane demonstrated how it could also power their crystal ships, the balance of power shifted back to the Antilans, but only marginally. The war between the illithids and Sun Mages lasted for decades, and would have continued had the [[Neogi Empire|neogi]] not stepped in as arbitrators. Knowing that such fierce and widespread war was bad for trade, the [[Neogi Empire|neogi]] forced an agreement between the illithids and the Antilans. The pact was forged under threat of trade embargoes and veiled promises of wildspace piracy, and has lasted to this day. Espionage and treachery are the tools used by the Antilans now, rather than spells and crystal ships. Today, the Sun Mages are the rulers of a Roman-esque empire. Their society is based on their imperial ideals, and is extremely harsh. Crime in Antilan cities is rare, as even minor offenses carry extreme penalties, enforced by the ruthlessly efficient Judicants. Travel through Antilan space is very strictly controlled by the Judicants as well, limiting the opportunities of saboteurs to harm the empire from within. When in their area, it is wise to follow the commands of the Judicants if a traveler wishes to avoid prison terms. While the Sun Mages are liable to allow passage to legitimate traders (for a fee, of course), smugglers are destroyed on discovery. This does make the black market a highly profitable arena to work in, but such careers are short-lived in areas controlled by the Judicants. Magic is power within the Empire, and the Sun Mages keep its secrets close to the chest. Use of common magic (in a nonviolent manner) is allowed by outsiders, but it is illegal to teach the magical arts to a citizen of Antila unless that citizen also happens to be a noble. Likewise, the transportation of magical goods is allowed only by registered traders, who are escorted by at least two Judicants at all times. Technology is still quite primitive in the Antilan Empire. Confident in their magical superiority, the Sun Mages have engaged in little trade with the Cluster's newer occupants and so have missed out on several new inventions. In time, such things will seep in from the outer edges and be absorbed into the Empire, but that may take quite a few years. Adventurers will find Antila a difficult place to work. With travel so tightly restricted, it is very difficult to get to and from the most interesting areas. On the other hand, there is plenty of opportunity for intrigue within the court. Literally hundreds of nobles exist within the complicated Antilan bureaucracy, and they all hatch plots as a hobby. Finding employ with these self-seeking individuals is not difficult, but not always safe. One never knows the sort of un- healthy business such work might entail... Currently, the Antilans seem to be in a state of stasis. Their empire has not expanded appreciably in the past several months, and they seem to have let up their shadow war with the illithids. Rumors abound, of course. Apparently, crystal ships have been spied flying very near to [[Firefall]], and some- times it seems as if the pattern of the fires of that sun has shifted. Whatever is going on near the primary sun, if the Antilans are behind it, it will be good only for them. ## Individuals The average Antilan is neither a Sun Mage nor a noble bent on conquest. Antilans are, for the most part, a reclusive people, preferring not to interact with other races if it can be helped. They are not shy, but racial biases make them hesitant to associate with the "lesser races." Even servants of the Antilans (and some slaves) share the arrogant bigotry of their masters. Citizens of Antila, and those who serve them, honestly believe that their race is the only one fit to rule the world. **Rank:** 1 ## Images ![[antilan_folk.png]]