MONARCHY
(Reality-8116)
This is a partial/starter profile to build upon as I progressively review the Dreadstar series

Ruler: Formerly King Gregzor, King Nellor,

Membership: Entrance Guards (Mach 6), Entrance Guards (Mach 7), First Nova Squadron (notably Lt. Sandorz), Royal Cyborg Guardians, 2^nd Royal Division (notably Capt. Dreadstar, Lt. Halea, Sgt. Milnor)

Purpose: Rule, conquest,

Aliases: Medi-Robs, 

Affiliations: Dreadstar, 
    star systems of Advarti, star systems of Gol; Jewelworld (worlds under their dominion);
    Z posed as an ally but ultiimately betrayed and facilitated the destruction of the Monarchy

Enemies: The Instrumentality (notably the High Lord Papal; 7^th Sacred Division), Z;

Base of Operations: Formerly the Royal Palace, Jewelcity, Jewelworld, Empirical Galaxy, Reality-8116;
        formerly had a presence on Jaxon's Tomb, a satellite of an unidentified world in an unidentified star system;
       everything we know about the Monarchy took place approximately 1 million years after the destruction of the Milky Way Galaxy (which occurred circa 1980 A.D.)

First Appearance: "The Price," Eclipse Graphic Album Series#5 (1981) - see comments

Powers/Abilities: 

History:

("The Price," Eclipse Graphic Album Series#5 (fb) - BTS) - The Monarchy was a 12 century old dynasty, founded and maintained by the royal (and highly inbred) family of Dylogo and its armies.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (fb) - BTS) - The Monarchy used to rule the entire Empirical Galaxy.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (fb) - BTS) <200 years before the main story> - The outer planets of the galaxy formed a bloc and rebelled against the Monarchy. 

("The Price," Eclipse Graphic Album Series#5 (fb) - BTS) - The other major power in the Empirical Galaxy was the Instrumentality, a powerful, mystical religious order 

("The Price" (fb) - BTS) <Over 200 years before the main story (which was about thirty years after the Dreadstar Graphic Novel story)> - When the Monarchy and Instrumentality each laid claim to the small world of Nimbus, the two governments -- both of whom had gods and the might of several hundred worlds on their side -- decided that the only way to settle the dispute was all-out war, which became known as the Great War.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (fb) - BTS) - Presumably concerned that his nephew, Prince Gregzor, who was next in line for the throne, might be tempted to kill him if he knew to much, Nellor never shared with Gregzor what was going on or how he ran the Monarchy.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (fb) - BTS) - The Monarchy's intelligence forces received decades-old information about the Instrumentality's "cat warriors,"  and King Nellor gave the order that they should destroy them before they were put into action as well as to terminate any scientists they found on the site. 

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar - BTS) - A months later, the Monarchy's First Nova Squadron slaughtered all of the peaceful cat people...

(Epic Illustrated#15) - ...(excepting the younger Oedi, who survived)...

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (fb) - BTS) - ...and they slew Delilah, the human woman who lived among them, as well.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar - BTS) - Having been visiting with the mystic Syzygy Darklock during this assault, Vanth (Delilah's husband of 30+ years) returned in time to learn what had happened from crashed pilot Lt. Sandorz, whom Vanth then slew.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (fb) - BTS) - Dreadstar spent the next two years rising to the rank of captain in the Monarchy's Second Royal Division, which -- at least at eventually  -- was based on the small, mineral-rich satellite known as Jaxon's Tomb, at least. There they fought against the Instrumentality's 7^th Sacred Division, who also occupied that satellite.

    Dreadstar eventually facilitated the sacrifice/extermination of First Nova Squadron. 

    As Vanth was being too successful and the Monarchy did not actually want to win the war, he was reassigned to be serve in the Royal Palace's military liaison office in Jewelcity, Jewelworld.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar - BTS) - Vanth destroyed a pair or robots, took out a number of Royal Cyborg Guardians (after giving them a chance to step aside), and then brutally slew King Nellor and escaped his chambers.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (fb) - BTS) - Gregzor inherited the role of king.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (fb) - BTS) - Later that evening, via his ally Syzygy Darklock's spell of molecular transport, Dreadstar accessed Gregzor's chambers.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar) - Gregzor ranted out loud, cursing his uncle as an old fool for getting himself killed without ever preparing him to take on the mantle of Monarchy. He further commented that his uncle never realized what a coward he (Gregzor) was. Pouring himself a drink, he discussed that the poor Monarchy was in for a bit of rough sailing, as it was saddled with a spineless king with no previous experience who...

    ...and Dreadstar interrupted, noting "talks to himself." The surprised  Gregzor exclaimed, "Who?!" and Dreadstar told him, "Your uncle knew me as death! I can be the same for you, or I can be a friend, and peace for your empire. The choice is yours."

    Dreadstar continued that he would aid the inept Gregzor in his task of ruling the realm, and that they would start by putting an end to the Monarchy's was with the Instrumentality. Dreadstar then shared the plans he and Syzygy had drawn up, a step-by-step program for putting an end to hostilities and getting their economics in order.

    First, by placing their forces in the manner described, they could consolidate their position, set up impregnable defenses, and put an end to the continual senseless slaughter that was currently taking place. The Monarchy would be surrendering some unimportant planets, but those that they retained would be safe from invasion and able to supply the realm's every need.

    Secondly, Dreadstar noted his plans for a government-run work and training program which Gregzor was to immediately institute. While this plan would severely deplete the royal coffers, it would allow a switch from a wartime to peacetime economy with none suffering any drastic effects like starvation or heavy unemployment.

    Gregzor argued that the corporate powers would kill him if he tried to put this plan to operation, but Dreadstar assured Gregzor that he would protect him. Dreadstar further informed Gregzor that he would be visiting a number of the most important corporate leaders of the realm over the next few nights and that he would see to it that they understand that under their plan they would suffer a couple years of reduced profits, but that after that, business would start booming for them like never before. And not only would they gain in the long run, but so would the workers.

    However, Dreadstar warned that any who opposed their plans would die. Gregzor confirmed that Dreadstar had made himself clear, after which Dreadstar made his last point, that he did not officially exist and wished it to remain so; as far as the rest of world was concerned, Gregzor would be the king and would be in charge. As Dreadstar teleported away via Syzygy's spell, he advised Gregzor that he would be nearby if needed, keeping an eye on things and offering suggestions every so often. Not really having any choice, Gregzor accepted his terms, but he told Dreadstar that he wanted to do what was right and he considered that with Dreadstar's aid, maybe he could...however, he then realized that Dreadstar was gone, although his plans and papers remained. Gregzor knew that Dreadstar would return and that there was nothing he could do to prevent it.

Comments: Created by Jim Starlin.

Dreadstar / Reality-8116 primer

The Price was originally published in black and white in Eclipse Graphic Album Series #5 (1981). It was reprinted, with colorized artwork, in Dreadstar Annual#1 (1983) by Epic (the licensed characters/stories division of Marvel)

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Monarchy has no known connections to

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (fb) - BTS) - After King Nellor -- based on decades out of date information -- ordered the slaughter of the People on Caldor, which included the murder of Vanth Dreadstar's wife, Delilah, Dreadstar infiltrated the Monarchy's military and -- over two years -- earned a place in the Royal Palace on Jewelworld. (Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar) - After his arrival, Dreadstar returned to his old uniform and headed toward King Nellor. A pair of Mach 6 entrance cyborg guardians stopped him and requested identification; after Vanth identified himself as Captain Dreadstar and noted that he had an urgent message for his majesty, the guards noted that his majesty was no longer receiving, and they asked why he was out of uniform and informed him that central filing reports that he had no clearance for that section of the palace. The one guard informed him that they would have to delay him until security could...but Dreadstar then struck, decapitating that guard before it could say another word and decapitating the other guard just after it had shouted, "Security alert." (Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar - BTS) - Dreadstar slew King Nellor. --Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar Note: Mach 7 guards were a lot more deadly than the previous Mach 6.

Entrance Guards (Mach 7) (Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar) - After Dreadstar slew King Nellor, a pair of Mach 7 guards were stationed outside the new King Gregzor's chambers. (Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar - BTS) - Aided by via his mystic associate Syzygy Darklock's spell of molecular transport, Dreadstar accessed the chambers of now King Gregzor and convinced him to secretly follow his plans of adjusting the economy and ending the war. --Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar Note: Mach 7 guards were a lot more deadly than the previous Mach 6.

The Monarchy employed a number of cyborg warriors as guards at the Royal Palace in Jewelworld's Jewelcity.      They functioned via electronic circuits buried within human brains, and they possessed steel-coiled muscles.      Most were human in form, although some were more robotic, some had a serpentine lower half, and some existed only as an upper body (torso, arms, and head) that floated/flew through the air.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (fb) - BTS) - After King Nellor -- based on decades out of date information -- ordered the slaughter of the People on Caldor, which included the murder of Vanth Dreadstar's wife, Delilah, Dreadstar infiltrated the Monarchy's military and -- over two years -- earned a place in the Royal Palace on Jewelworld. (Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar) - After his arrival, Dreadstar returned to his old uniform and headed toward King Nellor. After taking out a pair of Mach 6 entrance guardians, assing through the doorway, Dreadstar informed the next batch of Mach 6 guards. He informed them that he had come to kill their king, that he could not be stopped, and that it was suicide to try. He further informed the guards that he no quarrel with them and that he had no wish to kill them, and so he advised them to stand aside and let him pass or to prepare to meet whatever maker they worshipped.      When the serpentine leader of the group replied, "Seize him!" Dreadstar replied that he was afraid that would be their answer as he laid into the guardians. After he took out a pair with his blaster, a quartet of the guardians tackled him, and he blasted through one of their heads as he fell, after which he summoned the Sword of Icy Fire, blasting the other three guards to scrap and pulp.

Blasting through another attacker, Vanth allowed a trio to close on him so that he could use their bodies as a shield (each taking several shots from another cyborg).

Absorbing the two remaining guards' blasts with his sword, Vanth repeated his offer for them to fight and die or yield and live.      The more robot guard attacked and was swiftly slain, and when Vanth questioned the other, he turned and fled.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar) - After Dreadstar had slain King Nellor, a double complement of cyborg guardians were stationed in the antechamber of his heir, the former Prince Gregzor. (Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar - BTS) - Aided by via his mystic associate Syzygy Darklock's spell of molecular transport, Dreadstar accessed the chambers of now King Gregzor and convinced him to secretly follow his plans of adjusting the economy and ending the war. --Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar

images: (without ads)
Epic Illustrated#15/4: Dreadstar, story pg. 1, panel 1 (symbolic image with image of Nellor looming over Jewelcity and showing a royal guard and royal cyborg guardian) - scanned from Dreadstar: The Beginning

Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar - need to list all images!!!

Appearances:
"The Price," Eclipse Graphic Album Series#5 (1981) - Jim Starlin (writer/artist); I don't know who edited it; reprinted in Epic's Dreadstar Annual#1 (1983) it credited Jo Duffy (associate editor) and Archie Goodwin (editor)
Marvel Graphic Novel#3: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Book Three: Dreadstar (1982) - Jim Starlin (writer/artist), Archie Goodwin & Jo Duffy (editor)

First started 08/14/2023
First posted:
Last updated: 03/02/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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