This is the Shi'ar Empire, where the path to peace is paved with many obstacles: Murder. Chaos. Upheavel. Insanity. Betrayal. Possession. Plagued by deadly infighting in the last quarter century, the royal Neramani family - from which all ruling Emperors and Empresses hail - desperately tries to hold together the one million worlds that comprise the empire. It's a tough job, considering they can't even hold themselves together for that long.
After Deathbird's murder of her own mother and sister led her to exile, her brother, D'Ken, assumed the throne. But, D'Ken's own quest for power left him insane. After D'Ken became mentally incapacitated, his sister, Lilandra, took control of the throne - until Deathbird organized a coup d'etat that deposed her. But, leading one million worlds wasn't all that it was cracked up to be, and Deathbird, sick of her administrative duties, eventually ceded the throne back to Lilandra. As Majestix of the Shi'ar empire, Lilandra is only loyal to the people under her reign. Though she maintains a positive working relationship with the X-Men and the Starjammers, she will work against both teams with her Shi'ar Imperial Guard if she feels that doing so is in the best interest of the galaxy. Nonetheless, the X-Men's headquarters brims with advanced Shi'ar technology, perhaps as much of a testament to the quality of the advanced Shi'ar technological capabilites as it is to their continue good relations.
Ruling from the Imperial Throneworld, the artifical planet Chandilar, Lilandra grants the worlds she rules differing degrees of autonomy depending on various factors, notably their loyalty to the empire. Some worlds have virtual independence and are allowed to send represenatives to serve on the Shi'ar High Council; some are kept under martial law to protect themselves and the empire at large. Like the people of Earth, the Shi'ar would prefer to live in peace, but wars among the millions of worlds must be fought and battles must be won to ensure the Shi'ar's empire maintains its status in the universe.
Emperor and Empress of the Shi'ar Empire:
Xandra Neramani
Known Members of the Shi'ar Race:
Lilandra
D'Ken
Deathbird
Araki
Cerise
Deathcry
Korvus
Malik Tarcel
Typical Shi-ar Soldier
The Imperial Guard
Modes of Space Travel:
Shi'ar Imperial Cruiser
