Command From the Heavens

Command from the Heavens is the official manifesto by Dain Pain detailing his plans for Qonklaks, and by extension Soltenna. Published in 1918 during the Qonklese Republic, the book details Dain Pain's grand vision of the restoration of the Qonklese monarchy and the reclamation of their ancestral homelands, including the ancient fabled imperial capital Cuáma. At the time of the book's writing, Cuáma was the capital city of Riyana, which had once been part of the larger Forian Kingdom.

Overview

In Command from the Heavens, Dain Pain presents a plan for the future of the Kwang nation, which can be summarized into the following six key points:

Restoration of the Monarchy

Dain Pain envisions the reestablishment of the Qonklese monarchy as a powerful and unifying force for the people of the Qonklaks. He advocates for a strong, centralized government led by a capable monarch who will embody the spirit and culture of the Qonklese people. The restoration of the monarchy, in his's view, would reinvigorate the nation and provide a sense of continuity with its past.

Reclamation of Ancestral Homelands

Central to Dain Pain's vision is the reclamation of the ancestral Qonklese homelands, including Cuáma and other territories lost to foreign powers. Pain argues that the recovery of these lands is essential to restoring the Qonklese Empire's historical prestige and influence in the region. In the book, he urges the Qonklese people to be prepared to make sacrifices and engage in military action, if necessary, to regain their lost territories and defend their sovereignty. He calls for the creation of a fifth Realm, the Ancestral Realm, which would include the entire nation of Riyana.

Zaizung Question

Dain Pain takes into account the strategic importance of Zaizung as a pro-Forian nation and its potential to hinder Qonklaks' access to vital naval trading routes. Its independence, he claims, is a direct threat to Qonklese sovereignty. He argues that Zaizung's friendliness to the Forian nations could enable foreign powers to exert undue influence over the region and undermine Qonklese interests. Conquering Zaizung is seen as a priority to maintain unrestricted Qonklese access to the Prime Corridor.

Dain Pain regards the inconclusive outcome of the Quonco-Zaizung war as a missed opportunity for the Qonklese Republic to reassert its dominance in the region. He believes that the stalemate revealed weaknesses in the military, leadership, and national unity of the Qonklese people. He argues that a key lesson from the stalemate is the importance of a robust and well-prepared military, which as of 1917, the Qonklese Republican Army was rife with corruption that he attributes to the meddling of the Thirteen Oligarchs. Noting this, he advocates for increased investment in military training, equipment, and technology. He accused some of the Thirteen Oligarchs for war profiteering, prioritizing their personal financial interests over the welfare and success of the Qonklese Republic during the war. Their competition for power and influence within the Qonklese Republic led to frequently political instability and infighting within the Republican government. This lack of a unified front and clear direction hampered the war effort, as competing factions within the government and military struggled to agree on a coherent strategy during the Quonco-Zaizung war. These self-serving behaviours were believed by Dain Pain to have hampered the war effort, as resources and funds were misallocated or misused, rather than being directed towards the most pressing military needs. He argues that the powers of industrialists and oligarchs must be kept in check by a strong centralized monarchy.

The Quonco-Zaizung war also exposed divisions among the Qonklese people, which Dain Pain believes contributed to the inconclusive outcome of the war. He calls for the further growth of national unity and a shared sense of purpose among the population. He maintains that the restoration of the monarchy and the pursuit of a common goal, such as the reclamation of ancestral homelands, can help foster this unity.

Controlling the Oligarchy

Recognizing the potential threat posed by the Thirteen Oligarchs, Dain Pain suggests a combination of measures aimed at neutralizing their influence and ensuring the stability and unity of the empire. He proposes co-opting some of the oligarchs by offering them positions within the imperial government or advisory roles in the new regime. This would allow the monarchy to harness their expertise and resources while ensuring their loyalty and compliance with the new order. By involving select oligarchs in the governance of the empire, Dain Pain aims to mitigate the risk of opposition or rebellion from these influential figures.

To placate the remaining oligarchs and secure their support for the empire, Dain Pain suggests offering concessions and compromises that would allow them to retain some degree of influence and control over their industries. This pragmatic approach acknowledges the oligarchs' potential to contribute to the empire's economic growth and prosperity, while ensuring that their power is kept in check by the centralized authority of the monarchy.

Dain Pain also emphasizes the importance of implementing strict anti-corruption measures to counterbalance the influence of the Oligarchs and prevent them from undermining the empire's interests. He advocates for greater transparency in government dealings, the establishment of an independent anti-corruption agency (which would become the Imperial Censorate), and the imposition of harsh penalties for those found guilty of corruption or other abuses of power. These measures aim to create a more equitable and accountable political environment, in which the oligarchs are held to the same standards as other citizens.

In cases where the oligarchs' interests are deemed incompatible with the empire's goals and priorities, Dain Pain proposes the nationalization of key industries under their control. By transferring ownership and control of these industries to the state, the monarchy would be able to consolidate its power and ensure that the empire's resources are directed towards the common good, rather than the interests of a privileged few.

Unity of the Qonklese People

Dain Pain proposes to treat native Riyans in the region as ethnic Qonklese (Kwang). He contends that the only reason Riyans do not speak Kwang is due to Forian cultural oppression, rather than any inherent difference between the two groups. By framing the Riyans as part of the Qonklese ethnic group, Dain Pain seeks to create a unified and strong nation with a shared cultural identity. He emphasizes the importance of education and cultural revitalization programs to foster greater understanding and solidarity among all Qonklese people.

Elimination of Forian Influence

Dain Pain calls for the eradication of Forian influence in the region, which he views as an oppressive force that has stifled the growth and development of the Qonklese people. He proposes various measures to purge Forian elements from the region, including banning Riyan language and customs in public spaces, implementing strict censorship of Riyan media and literature, and replacing Riyan officials who cannot speak Kwang with those who can.

Reestablishment of Qonklese Dominance

Dain Pain's ultimate goal is to reestablish Qonklaks as the dominant power in Soltenna. This involves expanding its territory, strengthening its military capabilities, and promoting Kwang culture and values both domestically and internationally. He emphasizes the importance of diplomacy, strategic alliances, and most important, conquest to further the empire's interests and cement its position as a regional hegemon.

Public reaction

Many Kwang nationalists resonated with the ideas presented in the book, viewing the restoration of the monarchy and the reclamation of ancestral homelands as a path to reclaiming past glory and reestablishing Kwang identity. They saw Dain Pain's vision as a means to instill national pride and unity among the Qonklese people. The book's appeal to cultural heritage and its call to resist foreign influences were particularly persuasive to those who felt their traditions and values were being undermined by outside forces. On the other hand, some critics within the Qonklese Republic, especially among those who had fought against the Olboros and supporters of modern democracy, denounced Dain Pain's ultranationalist views and the aggressive measures proposed in his book. They argued that his ideas could lead to increased militarization, regional conflict, and internal unrest. Moreover, some detractors expressed concerns over the potential infringement of minority rights and the suppression of dissenting voices under Dain Pain's vision of a centralized, authoritative monarchy. These critics advocated for a more moderate approach to nation-building and diplomacy, which would focus on fostering cooperation and peaceful coexistence with neighboring states, rather than pursuing territorial expansion and dominance. In the years following its publication, Command from the Heavens became a subject of intense debate among the Qonklese populace and political circles. As Dain Pain eventually rose to power and became emperor in 1928, the book's ideas and proposals continued to shape the Qonklese Empire's policies and ambitions.

Legacy

Command from the Heavens played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the Qonklese Empire during Dain Pain's reign. The book's ideas influenced both domestic and foreign policy, as well as the broader cultural and social movements of the time. The book remains banned in many regions affected by the Qonklese Empire.