Amarr

The Amarrians’ home planet is Amarr Prime in the Amarr system. The planet's ancient name is Athra, dating back to before the Amarrians conquered it. Amarr is a theocracy where the Emperor holds pretty much absolute power.

History
The largest of the empires in New Eden, Amarr spans 40% of the inhabited solar systems. The Empire is very old, dating thousands of years back. The Amarrians thus have a great sense of continuity; they tend to revere their ancestors and their God, look at the big picture and prefer long term planning to quick-fix solutions. They were the first of EVE’s races to rediscover warp technology. After accomplishing this more than 2,000 years ago, they immediately began expanding to nearby solar systems, slowly building up their empire in the process. Along the way, they encountered two human races, both of which suffered the fate of being enslaved.

The Amarr Emperor is the head of a ritualistic, authoritarian imperial state, and below him are the Five Heirs, the heads of the five royal families from which a new Emperor is chosen. The Emperor and the Five Heirs can expect to live for at least 500 years. Extensive cyber-implants keep their frail bodies alive, even when their organs begin to fail. These cyber-enhancements date back many millennia and have become a symbol of royal divinity in the eyes of the Amarrians. The Emperor's authority is unquestioned and absolute, but the archaic and bureaucratic system of government makes it difficult for him to exert his rule unless directly in person. For the most part, the Five Heirs rule in his name, dividing the huge empire between them.

The Amarr Empire is a feudal society reminiscent of the Roman Empire, with a sprinkle of Persian, Mayan and Chinese societies thrown in. The current Amarr social and political environment can be likened to that of the Tang dynasty post-An Lushan rebellion. The Amarr Empire is the largest of the major empires in terms of solar system count. A couple of centuries ago they were at the zenith of their power, but after the disastrous war with the Jovians and the resulting Minmatar rebellion they've been an empire in crisis.

Amarr society is very caste-conscious. At the top are the Amarr Holders, descendants of the old priesthood that once dominated the Amarr society. The Holders (acting as nobles) make up less than 5% of the total Amarr population, yet own 80% of all real estate in the Empire. Beneath the Holders are the Commoners and beneath them are the slaves. Most of the slaves are of Minmatar origin, but they also include, for instance, Amarr criminals (there are no prisons in the Empire; if you commit a serious crime, you become a slave). The theological slant of the entire Amarr way of life keeps this social structure intact. To challenge one's place in society is to challenge one's place in the afterlife.

Being a feudal society, the Amarr Empire is a tapestry of different customs and traditions, only loosely linked through their common ruler, the Amarr Emperor. For example, the lot of slaves is very varied; in some places they're treated little better than livestock, while in other areas they are able to acquire great wealth and prestige as courtiers, administrators or tutors. The local feudal lords have the greatest say in these matters, as each of them dictates, through an authority provided by religious law, the political and economic environment of his or her respective domain.

The Amarr Empire’s morality, both political and personal, is based around their religion, a strictly monotheistic system. While the religious caste’s hold over society has diminished significantly in recent centuries, every aspect of Amarr culture is still influenced by religion. Religion remains of great importance to every Amarrian, and the fervor ingrained in their society has at various times has been responsible for both great good and great evil. Shortly after recovering from the closure of the EVE gate, they began to expand their realm at the expense of neighboring states. The nations they conquered were enslaved, a practice justified by their religion. Ever since, the Amarrians have enslaved every nation and race they have encountered, and today slavery is an essential part of Amarr society.

This has, of course, tainted their relations with other races, and in recent years, the Amarrians have begun to run into serious opposition. First, they met the Gallente Federation. Although the Federation was much smaller than the Empire, the Amarrians soon found the economic and military might of the Gallenteans more than a match for their own. Soon after, the Jovians arrived on the scene and the Amarrians made a futile attempt to subjugate them, resulting in a humiliating defeat. To make matters worse, the Minmatar, enslaved for centuries by the Amarrians, used the opportunity to rebel against their masters.

Since these fateful events almost two centuries ago, the Amarrians have learned restraint. They have slowed down their expansion and are less forceful in their dealings with other races, but they still view themselves as the most powerful race in New Eden.

Bloodlines

Note on all Amarr bloodlines: the Amarr revere age and experience and often make themselves look older than they actually are, giving them mature, weatherworn features.

True Amarrians – those directly descended from the Amarrian ethnic group before it conquered its home planet and intermingled with other people – are proud to the point of haughtiness, with a great sense of tradition and ancestry. They are considered arrogant and tyrannical by most others. Their presumptions of grandeur suffered a direct hit when they lost a war against the Jovians, thereby losing control of the Minmatar home worlds. This blow, a defining point in their history, is something they still collectively reel from. The Amarr bloodline (or True Amarr, as they call themselves) is grim-faced, stern and haughty-looking, with generally well-proportioned faces and bodies. Think Michael Ironside or Geena Davis.

Ni-Kunni:

The Ni-Kunnis were a primitive race conquered some 1000 years ago the by Amarr Empire. Unlike most other races conquered by the Amarrians, the Ni-Kunnis adapted to Amarr society far better; today, only a small minority is still enslaved. Their home planet of Mishi IV in the Aridia region is an inhospitable place, dry and desolate. The Ni-Kunnis feel they have this harsh environment to thank for toughening them up and allowing them to overcome the worst of adversities. Most Ni-Kunnis are tradesmen and artisans - occupations frequently frowned upon by Amarrians, but still a vital part of the society. The Ni-Kunni bloodline is similar to the Amarr, but the men have more elongated faces and more prominent jaws, while the women have less prominent cheekbones. Think Max von Sydow or Cherie Blair.

Khanid:

The people of Khanid have endured the political turmoil of their leaders with great dignity and calm. The Khanids were fellow settlers alongside the Amarrians on Athra, better known today as Amarr Prime. During the height of the Amarr Reclaiming the Khanids were swept up and merged into the growing Amarr nation. The Khanids proved themselves valuable allies to the Amarrians from day one and have ever since held exalted status within the Empire, with only a handful of them ever actually having to endure slavery. The name Khanid was given to the ruling family by the Amarrians. It means ‘little lord' or ‘lordling;' an affectionate term bestowed only on a cherished friend.

The Khanid bloodline has Asiatic features, with small heads and eyes but large mouths and noses. Think Lucy Liu or Genghis Khan

Notable Individuals

Aritcio Kor-Azor
Uriam Kador
Catiz Tash-Murkon
Court Chamberlain Dokuta Karsoth
Jamyl Sarum
Yonis Ardishapur
Heideran VII
Doriam II