PAGE 20: THE GOLDEN FEATHER
The period known as The Golden Feather marks the apex of the Corvus Republic's cultural, economic, and military dominance, spanning roughly from Corvun Standard Year (CSY) 3034 onward. For those accustomed to the Imperial Calendar, this golden age followed the Horus Heresy, during the early 31st Millennium. Emerging from the devastation of the Corvun-Imperium War, the Republic forged a new identity as a powerhouse of interstellar commerce, technological advancement, and social reform.
Economic prosperity flourished as the middle class surged to unprecedented levels. The Reconstruction Era's colonization programs catalyzed rapid urban development, transforming numerous settled planets into bustling ecumenopolises. This expansion was mirrored in the boom of the void mining industry, which became a cornerstone of the Republic’s wealth. Billions of Corvun families found themselves thriving in space nests—enormous orbital structures that combined futuristic design with traditional Corvun aesthetics.
Each Perfect Perch, as they were affectionately called, provided a family home akin to those on Imperial civilized worlds but with distinct Corvun features. A standard perch featured spacious yards dominated by a central tree, where hatchlings could climb and play. Within these households, family roles reflected a societal matriarchy: females typically held authority and cared for the hatchlings, while males often supported the household financially and emotionally. This structure has intrigued scholars, with many suggesting it may trace back to ancient matriarchal systems on Corvunia.
Job opportunities abounded, driven by corporate expansion into these orbital communities. One notable example is Kross Korp, a fast-food franchise founded in 3035, a year after The Golden Feather began. Catering to busy families, Kross Korp became an essential facet of daily life, offering convenient and affordable meals.
The Republic’s military was no less transformed. Newly developed technologies solidified its position as a superpower. The Raven Mark I Astartes Hunter Exosuit was among the most iconic innovations—a medium-sized mech standing 4.2 meters tall and 2.83 meters wide, specifically designed to counter the Adeptus Astartes. Pilots of these mechs, humorously nicknamed Feather Marines, epitomized the Republic's military ingenuity.
By blending economic might, technological innovation, and a reinvigorated national identity, the Corvus Republic emerged from the shadow of past conflicts to claim its place among the galaxy’s most formidable powers.
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PAGE 21: HUMAN SEGREGATION
Despite its technological and economic advancements, the Golden Feather era was also marked by deep-seated social inequalities, particularly regarding human inhabitants within the Republic. The fraught relationship between the Imperium of Man and the Corvus Republic created a pervasive anti-human sentiment among the Corvuns. Humans were derogatorily referred to as featherless pests, a phrase epitomized by Andre Demetrius, a controversial politician notorious for his inflammatory rhetoric.
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Humans in the Republic were relegated to Silver Citizenship, a second-class status below that of native Corvuns and their subspecies. While this status granted basic rights, including the ability to vote, it imposed numerous restrictions. Humans faced curfews during planetary night cycles, prohibitions against occupying public spaces designated for Corvuns, and even a two-tiered policing system. Corvuns could assault humans with relative impunity, while human acts of self-defense often resulted in arrest.
Housing segregation forced humans into crowded urban and industrial zones with limited job prospects, perpetuating cycles of poverty. Furthermore, humans were barred from exercising the Second Amendment, denying them the right to bear arms—a stark contrast to Corvuns, who enjoyed robust self-defense rights.
The only path to full Corvunian citizenship for humans was through service in the Corvun Foreign Legion. While strides have been made toward equality during subsequent civil rights movements, progress has been slow and contentious. Human activists continue to rally for fair treatment, striving to dismantle a system of discrimination that has persisted for centuries.
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PAGE 22: THE CORVUN FOREIGN LEGION
The formation of the Corvun Foreign Legion (CFL) addressed two pressing challenges during the Golden Feather era: a refugee crisis stemming from the Horus Heresy and the Republic’s need to strengthen its military. As waves of refugee-laden Imperial ships sought sanctuary from the galaxy’s turmoil, President Valentina Grant enacted the Foreign Soldiers Act. This legislation established the CFL, an inclusive military branch that offered non-citizens a chance to earn Corvunian citizenship through service.
Nicknamed the Army of Second Chances, the CFL became a melting pot of Silver Citizens, Imperial defectors, and displaced individuals from across the galaxy. Despite their lack of citizenship, these soldiers were celebrated for their bravery and sacrifice. By serving five years in the CFL, recruits earned not only citizenship but also housing on a settled planet (albeit without personal choice of location), a seven-year stipend of 120,000 Corvun Dollars annually, and the coveted CFL badge—a symbol of their service and resilience.
The CFL grew to become the third-largest branch of the Corvun Military, playing a critical role in the Republic’s expansion and defense. Its soldiers exemplified loyalty and determination, proving indispensable to the Republic’s vision of unity and strength.
As the Corvus Republic marched through its Golden Feather era, the CFL stood as a testament to the Republic’s ability to transform hardship into opportunity—albeit with the caveat that not all members of its society enjoyed the same privileges. Yet for many, the Legion offered hope: a way to rise above adversity and contribute to a brighter future within the Republic’s ever-growing dominion.