The Galactic Empire of Waldonia, 26th Century

Note: This describes an alternative, futuristic version of Waldonia. For the article on the main, present-day Waldonia, click here.

Overview

The Galactic Empire of Waldonia, WF 507 (2528 AD), is the setting for two future arcs in the Waldoverse with a peculiar blend of pre-industrial aesthetics and far-future technology. A reimagined kingdom on a sprawling interstellar scale, the Empire exists under the erratic rule of the bumbling and unpredictable Kaiser Waldo VII. Despite its sophisticated technology, including massive spaceships and advanced weaponry, the Empire evokes the look and feel of 18th-century Europe.

Physical Aesthetics of the Empire

The capital city, Widdlingheim, is the heart of the Empire, built atop the ruins of the once-bustling metropolis of Widdlington. In 2528 AD, the city features an expansive, pre-industrial landscape inspired by 18th-century Prussia. Its streets are wide and open, lined with aristocratic, baroque-style buildings adorned with tall spires, ornate facades, and intricate stonework—reminiscent of an old-world European capital. Most common citizens of Widdlingheim travel by horse and cart, as the city retains much of its agrarian, medieval vibe. Residents dress in the fashion of an earlier age, wearing breeches, corsets, and elaborate coats, while women don delicate gowns with empire waistlines. This aesthetic and cultural choice is mandated by the Kaiser and is replicated, to varying degrees, across the Empire’s other colonies.

This antiquated setting, however, exists in a universe with advanced technology. Giant spaceships glide majestically across the skies, creating a stark contrast to the quaint, peaceful atmosphere below. The Empire’s wealth of technology is also evident in smaller details—high-tech devices hidden behind the veneer of rustic charm. These contradictions are further highlighted by the grandiose architecture that evokes a bygone era, inspired by shows like Legends of the Galactic Heroes (which the Editor was watching at the time) a series that famously blends aristocratic imagery with space-faring military empires.

The Imperial System

The Empire is ruled by Kaiser Waldo VII (also known as Kaiser Waldorf von Frunklich), who holds absolute power as God-King of the Waldonian people. The Kaiser’s reign is a spectacle of contradictions. At times, Waldo is a disinterested ruler, shirking his responsibilities and indulging in whims—disguising himself as a common merchant to peddle his wares at a market stall, tinkering in his workshop, or simply hiding from his wife, Kaiserin Tess von Hildendorf. His more erratic behavior is offset by sudden outbursts of tyrannical authority, such as declaring wars on those who annoy him, conscripting every citizen (including women and children) into his armies, and even launching nuclear strikes on entire planets, such as his fateful attack on Waldoland, a colony world, following a rebellion. His erratic leadership style creates instability within the Empire, leading to various factions vying for control, including his wife, the Viceroy, and his robot advisor, Stanbot 2.0.

Key Planets

The Empire encompasses several planets, each with its own unique characteristics, but they all share the overarching influence of the Waldonian throne.

• Waldonia: The homeworld of the Waldonian Empire, formally known as Earth 7, serves as the capital and heart of the Empire. Its capital city, Widdlingheim, houses the majestic Imperial Palace, a grand symbol of Kaiser Waldo VII's power. Waldonia is also the location of Masterbase, a secret offshore facility ruled by the Kaiser's old friend and nemesis, Master Devlin.


• Waldoland: A planet known for its agrarian society, which fell into rebellion after the Kaiser’s harsh conscription orders. It was later renamed Masterland after a brutal military suppression, followed by a nuclear strike from the Kaiser.


• Wulfgaard: A cold, dark, militarized world specializing in the production of warships and weapons, central to the Empire’s defense strategy.


• New Waldron : A lush, biodiverse planet known for its vast forests and sprawling landscapes. It is often considered the cultural heart of the Empire, where many of the Empire's grand ceremonies are held.


• Wyrmheim Station: A colossal space fortress, Wyrmheim Station stands as a symbol of the Empire's power. It houses devastating weaponry capable of annihilating entire fleets. Positioned at key strategic points, it strikes fear into all who oppose the Empire.

The Royal Court and Key Players

• Kaiser Waldo VII: The figurehead of the Empire, Waldo is a disinterested ruler who often attempts to escape his duties. When threatened, his leadership shifts abruptly to tyranny, marked by paranoia and erratic decisions.


• Kaiserin Tess von Hildendorf: The Emperor's wife, a penguin with a demanding and gold-digging nature, she holds significant power within the Empire, especially over matters of court intrigue. Tess is often scolding her husband for his lack of interest in state affairs and believes that she should have more control.


• Viceroy Reginald Van Der Beak: A Machiavellian and ruthless dictabird, Reg is the Empire's Viceroy, ruling over the outer colonies with an iron fist. His ambition knows no bounds, and he is constantly plotting to seize more power. Reg is a master of manipulation and has survived several assassination attempts due to his cunning and strategic mind. However, his luck eventually ran out when the peasants of Waldoland revolted.


• Stanbot 2.0: The Emperor's Royal Vizier, an advanced robot modeled after Waldo’s old mentor, Master Devlin, Stanbot is programmed to be a lackadaisical, drunken counselor. Although Stanbot’s programming compels loyalty to the Kaiser, he grows weary of Waldo’s erratic nature, eventually questioning his role in the Empire’s decline.


• Master Devlin: A former mentor to Kaiser Waldo, Master Devlin becomes the central antagonist during the Empire's later years. Five hundred years ago, he was exiled from Waldonia by the mysterious "Editor." Operating from his secret offshore base on the ocean, Devlin returns to seek vengeance against Waldo for his perceived betrayal.

Language and Culture

One of the quirks of the Waldonian Empire is the peculiar fact that, despite its population being entirely of European descent, with strong Germanic influences, the entire Empire speaks Japanese. This oddity remains largely unexplained, but it adds a layer of mystique and cultural complexity to the Empire, contributing to its enigmatic nature.

Religion

In the future Waldonian Empire, despite advanced technology, Edism remains the dominant religion, deeply integrated into society. Centered on the enigmatic figure of The Editor, the faith blends medieval traditions with futuristic innovation, with 97% of the population adhering to Edism or its radical offshoot, Waldoism. Edism shapes governance, social life, and daily rituals, forming a theocratic system where spiritual and imperial authority are intertwined. Secularism is rare, with only 2% rejecting the faith, while other major religions were eradicated during the Religious Purge of 2302. Edism endures as a unifying force across the Empire’s star systems.

Worldbuilding and Curiosities

The Empire’s aristocratic veneer hides a darker underbelly of corruption and dysfunction. The ruling class is obsessed with maintaining appearances, but beneath the surface, there are countless power struggles, betrayals, and ever-shifting alliances. The Empire’s military is vast but relies on outdated tactics, as much of its technological prowess is directed toward personal indulgence and luxury rather than the protection of the Empire’s borders.

While the Empire is a space-faring civilization, it clings to a vision of itself as a feudal kingdom, where power is passed through bloodlines and old-world titles. The bizarre mix of technology and medieval imagery leads to an Empire that is both regal and absurd. It’s frequently at war, having just recently ended a 200-year conflict with an unnamed enemy, which resulted in the loss of 2 billion lives.

Even in this far future, the Buffyverse and the Tolkienverse still exist and threaten to sue the Waldoverse for plagiarism, prompting Kaiser Waldo to declare war on them.

The Future Arcs Summary

After the heavy-handed conclusion of the Lutin Arc in late 2021, the Editor took extreme measures—exiling Master Devlin, exterminating the council, and declaring Waldo Emperor. The timeline was shifted 507 years into the future, to 2528 AD. Amidst the political turmoil, Waldo struggled with his role as Emperor, while his newly activated Royal Vizier, Stanbot 2.0, had to navigate this strange and absurd world, often butting heads with Viceroy Van Der Beak.

Master Devlin returns for revenge, leading his gang of Masterbase mercs in an attack on the Imperial Palace after luring Waldo to Zanzibar. He savagely beats Viceroy Reg before force-feeding him a dangerous amount of dragon-brand butter. Following a violent escalation, rebellion, and a nuclear strike on Waldoland, Devlin finally takes pity on Waldo and agrees to peace talks, forming an uneasy alliance with the Empire for the sake of its people.

As tensions began to cool and boredom set in, the Editor and Co-Editor intervened, sending Waldo, Devlin, and Stanbot back in time, now to early 2022. Only they retained memories of this possible future. A new timeline began, with the Masters Council and other key figures still alive.

A year later, Devlin returned with Mayuri Shiina, Tess von Hildendorf, and Professor Wooley to 2529. They embarked on a futile quest to the palace in an attempt to track down Waldo, who had disappeared again, only to find a Waldo-shaped piñata. They were chased away by angry peasants who had revolted once more. Heartbroken over the loss of her role as Empress, Tess returned with them permanently to 2022.

The future of the Empire took a surprising turn when Professor Wooley later returned to the past and revealed that, in a twist of fate, a much older Mayuri Shiina would one day ascend to the throne as Empress Mayuri von Walverschmidt. How this will come to pass, given that Mayuri currently lives in the 21st century, remains a mystery yet to be explained.