Second Empire of Gashikan

In -1646, human worlds uniting against the Vargr formed the Second Empire of Gashikan, whose founding principles focussed on the extermination of the Vargr as a race, on the basis of a perceived threat posed by the Vargr to the very existence of Humaniti. Early efforts to expel the Vargr from Gashikan Sector fell short of full success, and Vargr retaliations inflamed fears of the humans in the area. Fear and hatred of the Vargr persisted and became rooted in Gashikan society, and influenced human states to rimward.

The Second Empire of Gashikan, taking advantage of anti-Vargr xenophobia, embarked on a campaign to bring other human planets under its domination, in the guise of offering them protection. Many planets accepted; others who refused were brought into the Empire by force, in a fierce war of unification. Eventually, the Second Empire of Gashikan controlled most of Gashikan sector, much of Trenchan and Mendan sectors, and had minor holdings in Meshan and Gzaekfueg sectors.

Although the Gashikan Navy continued to operate vigorously against the Vargr, the Race Wars are generally held to have ended in -1000, and the anti-Vargr prejudice, while still dominant, now had the opportunity to die down.

The Second Empire extensively used biological weapons tailored to Vargr in their campaign to remove their enemy. The Vargr remember this genocide and some Vargr worlds still have holidays to honor the millions who died during these Human-Vargr race wars.

- Source: Angus McDonald
          GURPS Traveller: Humaniti