| | | Set and Setting |  |
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Better Alex
Posts : 91
Join date : 2011-09-30
| | Subject: Set and Setting Mon Sep 04, 2017 2:30 am | |
| SettingIt is the twilight of the 33rd century. The Milky Way galaxy is politically unified under the Central Galactic Union, a federation explicitly built on human-nationalist ideals, and modeled as an administrative republic. The Union was founded at the end of the Great War in 3275, from the unification of the victorious human empires. It is ostensibly composed of 101 million autonomous member worlds, each with their own government and laws, bound under a common constitution and a common National Government, which directly administers another half a billion colony worlds and a half a billion occupied worlds. However, the Union has a nasty history of abuse of national power, with its imperialist attitude towards aliens, aggressive colonialism, and repression of political dissent and opposition. Those in power insist these are temporary measures to keep order in a tumultuous time. But that's what they said thirty years ago... Timeline: The Story So FarThis is the timeline for the setting, summarizing major events that shaped human history. Information Age (1970s to 2100)- Spoiler:
- 1967- Birth of Samuel James Lloyd.
- 1985- Birth of Charles Compton.
- 1990s- Crime boss Samuel Lloyd networks several criminal organizations into a global syndicate. The post-Cold War era sees his people engage as mercenaries in the Balkan Wars, African conflicts, and civil wars in post-Soviet states, as well as dominate a vast drug trade. Lloyd is assassinated in 2002. His loyalists carry out a terrorist campaign in the wake of his death that devastates global stability and order.
- 2000's- UN reorganizes itself and tightens global co-operation, forming the UN Reaction Force. The USA annexes and occupies parts of Mexico to crack down on drug crime. Brushfire wars spark in Eastern Europe, Africa, Korea, Palestine, and Kashmir.
- 2014-2030s- War between NATO and Russia over Ukraine and later civil war in Russia, which see the radicalization of the Russian leadership. Nuclear proliferation expands, contributing to conflicts in Oceania between Indonesia and Australia, and in South Asia between China and India in the 2020s and 2030s.
- 2026- Vice President Charles Compton ascends to the Presidency. He gradually dismantles term limits, empowers direct democracy, and reforms the government. He steps down in 2048 after five and a half successful terms and returns to the House of Representatives.
- 2028-2074- Gradual disintegration of India, sparking a long civil war that bleeds into larger conflicts.
- 2047-2052 Sino-Russian War, ending with Russian victory and imminent nuclear war. In the aftermath, most nuclear-armed nations accelerate ABM development. Military and civilian space development, likewise, speeds up. Russia also builds its first fusion power plant, followed by the European Union.
- 2051-2071- South American War, starting with American involvement in Venezuela against Colombian conquest. Ends with the bloody occupation of Colombia.
- 2068- Charles Compton runs for President after years of retirement, and is reelected in 2072. But he spends much of his last term in ill health. As he languished in bed after a stroke, his partisans dismantled the prohibition on titles of honor, and he was named First Citizen. A plebiscite in the midterm elections declared him President for Life, but he died in December 2074. His Vice President, Jack B. Kennedy, completed his term but stepped down in 2076 so that Charles' son, Sebastian, could run. Sebastian won in a bitter election by playing up his experience in government and his father's legacy.
- 2078-2083- World War III, with fighting in Africa, Europe, Northeast Asia, Oceania, and South Asia. Despite the scale and tremendous casualties, no nuclear weapons are utilized. In the end, the NATO-China alliance defeats Russia and its South American and African allies. Central Africa is devastated the most by the fighting. After winning a landslide in the 2080 election, packing the Supreme Court with his partisans, and coordinating a nationwide electoral machine, Sebastian Compton is voted by plebiscite the lifetime powers and prerogatives of the Presidency. He shepherds the annexation of Mexico in the midst of the war.
- 2085-2100- Second Space Race, between the victors of World War III. China races against the Anglo-American pact to explore and exploit resources in the Solar System. On Earth, UN aid efforts restore order and economic stability in Africa and South Asia. Asian nations become major partners in space development. Sebastian Compton steps down from the Presidency, but retains its powers as Emperor in 2084. After his death in 2094, he is succeeded by his son Edward. What was supposed to be a one-time vanity becomes a political institution; the Emperor is seen by the Congress as a "check" on the Executive by having a "second President", and after Edward becomes hereditary.
- 2090s- First Lunar habitat, New Canton, founded by China. The Anglo-American habitat of Von Braun City established soon after. UN lays the keels for Island-3 type colonies at earth’s Lagrange points. The UN acquires its own rapid reaction and nuclear strike capabilities, enabling it to act unilaterally for global security and present a viable deterrent.
Fusion Age (22nd century to 24th century)- Spoiler:
- 2100-2150- UN organises the construction of orbital habitats in Island-3 O'Neill cylinders. UN-organised security operations put down revolts and conflicts in South America and Africa. The first settlement mission to Mars launches in 2111. Over time, the UN accumulates more power of enforcement in space and on Earth as Earth's nations generally demobilise to save costs. The UN leads the suppression of rebellions in Brazil and Africa in the 2120s. Local politics emerge and then are suppressed on Luna, while birthrates bloom on Mars and the orbital colonies.
- 2152-2153- Lunar War of Independence. Intensive colonization of Mars, the Asteroid Belts, and the moons of Saturn and Jupiter.
- 2160s- Orbital colonies declare independence and ally with the Lunar Republic.
- 2160s-2170s- Cold war and arms race between the UN and the spacer states.
- 2180- Martian Revolution. Martian revolutionaries unite with the Lunar Republic and rebel colonial governments across the solar system to form the Congress of Solar Nations.
- 2189- Locksley Incident- UN space commander Gaius Compton orders the bombing of Locksley, a free city on Luna's north pole that experienced a revolution by robot workers forming an emergent AI. The Lunar Republic calls for his indictment for war crimes and cuts diplomatic ties with most UN nations.
- 2190s- Space population reaches 20 million inhabitants, mostly in orbital cylinder colonies and Luna. The Belter settlements, Saturn's moons, and Jupiter's moons engage in anticolonial struggle for independence, joining the CSN.
- 2194-98- Interplanetary War, started by Congress forces dropping colonies onto Earth, sees over two billion people killed. Luna and other space nations accepted into the UN, while Jupiter becomes a UN Trust Territory.
- 2199- Exploratory vessel Leif Eriksson embarks on a manned mission to another star system, with its crew planned to cycle into and out of cryogenic stasis during the thousand-year (Earth time) journey.
- 2200-2220- By 2207, five million displaced people have been migrated into space. In 2210, a manned expedition arrives at Proxima Centauri. Their report, received in 2215, spurs the development of a large-scale colonial expedition.
- 2220-2240- Colonial mission to Proxima Centauri b sees the first extrasolar colony flourish. More people migrate into the Solar System, while yet more sign up for expected colonial missions to Epsilon Eridani and Tau Ceti.
- 2242- Hyperspace jump technology is successfully tested and construction begins on stable hyperspace jump gates to transport personnel and materiel between Earth and the other worlds in the Solar System.
- 2248- UN is reformed as the Terran Federation, with a population-based federal parliament. It remains headquartered in the United Nations Building in New York City, NY.
- 2250- The first successful human transport is done between Earth and Jupiter. By 2260, the first transport of goods is conducted between Earth and Proxima Centauri b. This cuts transit time from five years down to five days between the two star systems. The UN begins a massive crash colonisation project, sending construction fleets to many star systems to "lay down" hyperspace lanes.
Colonial Age (24th century to 27th century)- Spoiler:
- 2303- Tau Ceti Conflicts and the Epsilon Uprising occur, the first of many conflicts in the thousand-year long Colonial Wars.
- 2347- After a wave of colonialist terrorism, the Earth's nations unify into the Earth Sphere. The ES has the largest parliamentary delegation and is effectively able to dominate Federal policy as a single bloc. Lucius Compton is installed as hereditary Archon of Earth.
- 2340s-70s- A lull in formal rebellion in the Orion Arm colonies belies in increase in terrorist violence.
- 2375-81- Orion Colonial Congress declares independence. After the protracted Orionese War of Independence, the colonies are granted separation.
- 2399- Amendments to the Federal Charter strengthen the position of Earth's aristocracy and oligarchs, and institute technocratic reforms. This "second republic" period of the federation is often referred to as the Terran Dominion.
- 2401- First Contact with intelligent alien life, the acciptrids. Initial diplomacy establishes a neutral DMZ in a mutually habitable star system, though tensions run high. Armed skirmishes occur off-and-on until 2405 by mercenaries and raiders.
- 2405- Multilateral Conference introduces humanity to the wider galactic political world, initially as a way to establish a permanent peace settlement between the Halian Republic and the Terran Federation.
- 2400s- Humanity becomes a part of galactic society. Human culture comes into vogue among alien societies, and human religions and ideologies spread. Communism in particular gains popularity among workers and soldiers in the graal-led Worlds Commonality and the tauran-led Covenant of Carina, who gradually reform their governments into quasi-socialist states. Small wars break out among various powers, drawing humanity in the military politics of the Galaxy. Several human colonists form their own independent and mixed-species settlements. Parallel to this is the proliferation of jump gate and FTL communications networks, which link the nascent galactic community together through trade and information exchange. However, many human dissidents and revolutionaries take the opportunity to flee repressive conditions at home and forge democratic socialist republics in the Orion and Centaurus Arms, uniting under a common charter as the Interstellar Socialist Republic in 2415.
- 2415-2429- Connor Mackenzie, a neo-Leninist delegate in the ISR's General Workers Congress, leaves on a nearly-fifteen year mission to evangelize Marxism to the aliens in the Worlds Commonality and the Covenant of Carina. He is successful in spreading communism and vanguardism to the soldiers and workers of both alien nations, who over time wrest control of their governments in the 2420s.
- 2435- The Worlds Commonality and the Covenant of Carina unite with human-led Interstellar Socialist Republic in the Centaurus Arm to form the Federative Republic of People's Solar Soviets, called often the Soviet Republic. The FRPSS would become the face of interstellar communism and inter-species collectivism to the Galaxy, and is ostensibly a federation of autonomous star systems governed through council communism. Connor Mackenzie is elected the first Secretary General, but he becomes authoritarian, sidelining opposition until his assassination in 2449. After his death, the Soviet Republic begins an era of multi-factional democracy.
- 2440s- Several brushfire wars lead to the creation of a formal Galactic Community organization. Several alliances form, the most prominent being the Interstellar Treaty Organisation, with the Terran Federation, Soviet Republic, and Republic of Orion as charter members.
- 2480's- ISTO splits between Soviets and Terrans over the issue of Perseid colonial independence in 2479. A period of cold war sets in between the ISTO and the Soviet Bloc. Radicalization in the FRPSS gradually erodes the democratic institutions in the federation.
- 2504- Establishment of the Republic of Sagittarius, which presents itself as the paragon of a more cosmopolitan human society, and the rival of the Terran Dominion as the public face of mankind. The Cygnus colonies of the Terran Dominion are peacefully separated as the Federation of Cygnus.
- 2507- Electromagnetic energy barrier-fields, or 'kinetic barriers,' are developed.
- 2511- A military coup in support of the radicals in the Supreme Soviet seizes control in the Soviet Republic, establishing a junta that would entrench itself as the power structure, ending the era of multiparty democracy.
- 2500s-2560s- Warfare continues between several states over control of the economically valuable Inner Core region of the Galaxy. Meanwhile, "smart" AI constructs proliferate in many nations as Terran robotics firms are acquired by alien investors. Public outcry emerges in opposition to alien involvement in Terran businesses.
- 2531- The Second Orion Revolution occurs, where a coalition of communist parties and radical military cadres topple the republican government in a coup d'etat. They begin a repressive regime, supported by the FRPSS, which dispossesses and persecutes the landed gentry of the Orionese colonies.
- 2547-2560- The Terran Dominion cuts off supply of vital trade goods after the Halian Republic diplomatically recognizes the People's Republic of Orion. War erupts in 2548 and lasts for twelve years, when the Terran Federal Space Navy blockades Halia and captures the acciptrid leadership. In the peace settlement, the Halian Republic becomes a vassal protectorate of the Terran Dominion.
- 2562- The Soviets initiate a 40-year war with the Terran Dominion.
- 2590- William Compton comes to power in the Terran Dominion after the suicide of his brother Tristan.
Early Empire Period (27th century to 30th century)- Spoiler:
- 2600- The Terran Dominion is reformed as the Terran Empire under William Compton. An armistice is reached and the war with the Soviets ends in 2602. The Perseid Republic and the Central Republic of Taurus are recognized.
- 2610-2612- The Third Orion Revolution sees a popular revolt overthrow the communist regime and institute a parliamentary government. A 2612 plebiscite reforms it into a constitutional, parliamentary monarchy under the House of Angevre. John I, Emperor of Orion previously led the democratic coalition in the revolution, and was strongly supported by the Terrans.
- 2620s- Greater exploration of the Milky Way begins, with great expansion by major states. This leads to discovery of new alien races and states, including protracted and bloody “bug wars” with the vryst, an insectile and aggressive empire. After these conflicts, an era of general peace and great exploration ensues, with many states laying claim to many planets.
- 2640s-2670s- Dissatisfaction with the status quo leads to cold war between several alien states. Competing brinkmanship strategies culminate in 2672 with a four-way kinetic bombardment exchange between the Freyan Federation, the Dralasite Union, the Viridian Empire, and the Republic of Cassiopeia, killing 1 trillion sentient aliens. The ensuing continuation war and humanitarian crisis drags on for 30 years.
- 2700s- The humanitarian crisis of the Spinward alien states draws to a close. The rise of the Terran Empire commences as a crash colonization program begins within the Empire. At the same time, civil unrest and rivalry between autonomous nobles and warlords leads to a period of constant feudal warfare.
- 2742- Discovery of a new spacefaring civilization, comprised of several allied races calling themselves the United Suns, leads to the proliferation of a room-temperature superconductor material native to their colonies. This material vastly improves electronics, magnetic field devices, and space technologies. Jump ships, able to perform hyperspace jumps without a gate, begin to proliferate in military space forces.
- 2769- Henry, Duke of Cauvan seizes the Orionese throne, with tacit Terran approval, from the House of Angevre.
- 2800s- Economic troubles wrack the Terran Empire, leading to the formation of radical human-nationalist and Terran militant groups. Meanwhile, the galaxy essentially forms into four power blocs: the Communist Intergalactic Organization, the ISTO, the Free International Group, and Core Pact states that nonetheless had shared interests in peace and trade.
- 2862-65- Great Pandemic kills several billion people in the Earth Sphere.
- 2882- Discovery of another alien civilization, the affacta. This culture had long been in contact with the United Suns, and had benefited from its technologies. By the time of its discovery, the affacta had established a sizeable interstellar empire. Now introduced to the Galactic Community, the Affacta Combine allies with the Free International Group.
High Empire Period (30th century to 32nd century)- Spoiler:
- 2900s- Emperor Francis Charles VI of the Terran Empire concludes a major reform of the Imperial government, largely ending the feudal period that had so marred the Early Empire. Further technological developments push space warfare into another arms race. Ray Shields are developed to boost ship defences, particle beam weapons proliferate to counter them. The Terrans and the Soviets become involved in a proxy war in the Republic of Perseus. At the same time, the Terrans see an increase in rebel activity by far-right and human nationalist guerillas.
- 2979- Banning of several seditious political organisations in the Terran Empire, including the Empire of Man Party.
- 3003- The mentally ill Emperor John XIII of Orion dies after a severe epileptic fit, sparking a succession crisis.
- 3005-3030- Orionese War of Succession, in which the competing Houses of Lao and Gillemetz war against each other, pulling all of the Orionese nobility into the war on one side or the other. The House of Lao temporarily gains the throne, but their unpopularity and eroding support allows the last Gillemetz claimant to ally with Martin, Duke of Genevra and topple the Lao dynasty. The war ends, establishing the House of Genevra on the Orionese throne.
- 3015- Foundation of the National Humanist Imperial Labor Party from the ashes of regional human-nationalist parties and the dormant Empire of Man movement. The organization partly develops in reaction to the brokered peace between the Terran Empire and the Soviets after the Siege of Earth, and has a starkly militaristic outlook.
- 3020's-3090's- The NHILP gradually gains a foothold among spacers and colonists with populist anti-alien, "frontiersman" rhetoric. It later reorganizes itself with the goal of increasing its national political standing. The parliamentary reforms of Empress Mary II in 3092 consolidated the parliament down to 800 members, elected by party-list proportional representation. This inadvertently allows the NHILP to attain a stronger foothold in the parliament.
Late Empire Period (32nd century to 3275)- Spoiler:
- 3100s- Sectional crisis within the Terran Empire increases, as colonial populations feel disenfranchised. Imperial attempts to keep order only exacerbate these tensions, and periodic colonial insurrections become common. Meanwhile, the Soviets grind down the Vryst in a constant low-intensity war. The Core Pact collapses in the mid-3120s and its member states join other alliances.
- 3130- The NHILP relocates its headquarters to Earth, and gain the backing of the McGrady political family. It gains enough seats to be included in a right-wing coalition government.
- 3131-3145- Galactic Community investigators uncover evidence of the Dralasite Genocide, conducted by the freyan government over the past half-century. Terran and Sagittarian forces lead a Galactic humanitarian and peacekeeping mission, Operation Relieving Rain. NHILP and other humanity-first activists oppose intervention, but the action is supported by most other Terran politicians. Many alien states resent humanity's role in the 9-year operation, and the Free International Group members condemn any future human interference in "the old nations". The FIG openly breaks with the ISTO, furthering the divide among the three blocs. The Galactic Community becomes essentially moribund by the mid-3140s. A century-long Cold War begins.
- 3147- The NHILP gains the Premiership, led by Leon Botha. But a corruption scandal involving a prostitution ring and the death of Emperor Robert VI forced a motion of no-confidence in the Parliament. The NHILP loses the snap election and are forced out of power for many decades.
- 3171-3179- Perseid War. The Terran Empire invades the communist Republic of Perseus. A regime change replaces the republic with the directory-style Despotate of Perseus, placing the Perseus Arm into the Terran sphere of influence.
- 3217- Francis Charles XII born.
- 3230-3235- Cruxite War is waged, a proxy war between Terran and Soviet puppet states.
- 3231- Francis Charles becomes Emperor, and is crowned four years later upon reaching the age of eighteen. As Emperor, he undertakes a policy of massive colonial expansion and development, enormous defense spending, and aggressive posturing in order to make war with the ISTO seem unwinnable.
- 3237- National Humanists win a majority but needs the Tories to make a commanding supermajority, leading to the appointment of Frederick Rycon, a Tory with membership in the NHILP, as Prime Minister. Rycon holds the Premiership until 3262.
- 3244- Maximilian born to Francis Charles and his second wife.
- 3240s-60s- Networks of insurrectionists conduct large-scale rebellions and cooperate with organized criminals and pirate fleets to terrorize the Terran government and engage in guerilla warfare across the Empire. The Imperial military is put to the task of stopping these rebellions with overwhelming force. In allied states of the ISTO, National Humanist parties seize power and align themselves with the NHILP.
- 3262- The NHILP wins a supermajority in the general election, allowing them to appoint their party leader, Henry Addington, to the Premiership. Addington takes swift measures to accelerate the alignment of the Party with the Imperial police and intelligence apparatus, and steps up military preparations for all-out war with the Soviets.
- 3265- Kojima Incident, among the last major events of the Colonial Wars. Unrelated to this, war between the Soviets and ISTO breaks out. The Free International Group decries Soviet aggression and Terran brutality, and declares opposition to both sides, turning the Great War into a 3-way conflict by year's end. Maximilian joins the Central Committee of the NHILP.
- 3265-3268- early stages of the Great War sees the repulse of Soviet forces from Orion and the Galactic Core. While Francis Charles is away leading space forces in battle, Prince Regent Frederick Rycon governs. He aids Maximilian in ousting Henry Addington as Party Leader and Prime Minister. Maximilian is appointed to the Premiership.
- 3267- Battle of Khoz. Decisive strategic victory for the ISTO, which sees the Soviet space fleet routed and devoid of vital supplies. Riots and naval insurrections further weaken the Soviets.
- 3268- Francis Charles dies in battle. Maximilian ascends to the throne as Maximilian Charles I.
- 3268-3270's- continuation of the Great War sees the ISTO conquer the Soviets and half of the Milky Way. The alliance in 3270 as the Galactic Confederation; same year, the Imperial State Security Department is formed, amalgamating several intelligence agencies. The Confederation presses on its attack and conquers any independent states that refuse surrender by early 3275. The war draws to a close and is declared over after the February 3275 sack of Liberalis, capital world of the United Suns.
Republican Period (3275 to present)- Spoiler:
- April, 3275- Galaxy organized as the Central Galactic Union, with Maximilian elected provisional Chancellor. The CGU is constituted as a Republic with conquered areas set aside for human colonization. Maximilian is voted dictatorial powers by the provisional congress.
- 3276- First elections galaxy-wide. Maximilian elected to a 12-year term as Supreme Chancellor and is voted dictatorial powers for one year. Tribunes to the Congress are elected for their six-year terms. Nobles and peers are selected, on the basis of loyalty and tradition, to continue serving life terms in the Congress.
- 3279- Insurrection of remnant forces of defeated alien empires, attacking the Occupied Territories. The rebellion is crushed in Operation Crassus, spearheaded by Admiral Charles Taylor and State Security generals Brian Kessar and Victor Peiper.
- 3280- Keystone Incident. Over ten million people are killed in a civil war and the largest act of nuclear terrorism in human history. State Security Forces under General Kessar secure the planet and restore order.
- 3280s- Many colonies are granted the right to elect their governors, with Keystone among the first. The central government on Earth enacts stricter legislation against terrorism, placing greater State Security presence on most worlds. Three-man teams, or troikas, of the Security Service are authorised to undertake tribunals and executions of persons caught in the act of, or suspected of, committing criminal acts against the State. Increased pirate activity in the colonies spur further State Security and military involvement.
- 28 November 3284- the Battle of the Seraphim Grand is fought, beginning of the Pirate War
- 21 January 3285- the Battle of the Underdark sees destruction of a large city worst terror attack since the Keystone Incident. Yellow Jackets are declared a domestic terrorist organisation. Earlier the same month, General Brian Kessar disappears on the planet Chios and is declared dead after an investigation.
- 3 June 3285- Battle of Kolossen is fought. Among the last battles of the Pirate War, the Yellow Jackets are nearly annihilated despite crashing a hijacked ship into a space colony and killing over a million people.
- December 3285- the Pirate War draws to an end. Many corsairs, gangsters, and pirates who fought against the Yellow Jackets take up the government's unofficial offer of executive clemency in exchange for registering under an officially-sanctioned mercenary guild. They are employed to be privateers and corsairs, to police space against further piracy.
- 3286- trial of John P. McGrady, chief of the Fenian Daggers; he is acquitted of charges of piracy and racketeering. The Public Security Act places command of all police under the Republic Security Department led by General Xander Vox.
- 3287-the planet Chios, where General Kessar disappeared, is declared a biological preserve and planet-wide parkland: the Brian Kessar Memorial Park. Further research is commissioned regarding the mysterious wildlife, an intelligent, social reptilian alien species colloquially referred to as "dragons" due to their resemblance to the creatures from Earth myth.
- 3288-the Extragalactic Exploratory Fleet ventures into the Large Magellanic Cloud, but is ambushed and attacked on 16 April by the Zaaroft empire. The Central Galactic Union declares war and begins general mobilization, starting the Magellanic War.
Last edited by Better Alex on Mon Sep 03, 2018 6:54 pm; edited 16 times in total | |
| | | | Better Alex
Posts : 91
Join date : 2011-09-30
| | Subject: Re: Set and Setting Mon Sep 04, 2017 4:52 am | |
| FactionsVarious organizations exist in the Milky Way, from corporations to government agencies, from militaries to terrorist cells. Some are most definitely at odds with one another, some are grudging allies, while other have well-integrated working relationship. This is true even for organizations that ought to be part of the same side. Many government agencies work together towards a goal, while others are bitter rivals with overlapping jurisdictions. These organizations and groups represent distinct factions. Renown and Rank- Spoiler:
RenownRenown is a measure of your standing with a particular organization. This number begins at 0, but increases with respect to a particular faction. Tied to renown are titles, rank, and recognition. You track your renown separately for each organization you are a member of; you might have 5 renown with one group, and 20 renown with a different one. Renown is increased at DM discretion, typically in the course of completing tasks or missions for a given faction. RankGenerally, most organizations have 6 distinct grades of rank within them, and access to them is tied to one's renown. | Rank | Renown | Other requirements | | 1 | 0 | | | 2 | 3 | | | 3 | 10 | 4th level, completion of a special task | | 4 | 24 | 7th level, completion of 3 special tasks | | 5 | 32 | 13th level, completion of 9 special tasks | | 6 | 50 | 18th level, completion of an extraordinary task |
Rank 1: Initiate.These are novices of an organization, operating at either a part-time or low-level basis. This is the rank a character receives when first joining a faction. It is available at character creation or anytime the character wishes to join. Participate in Faction Activities: You can participate in any activities that are considered faction-specific for your faction. Earn Renown: You can earn renown points in your faction and advance in rank. Receive Insignia: All new faction members receive an insignia of their faction. Rank 2: ApprenticeThese are members that have shown that they’re aligned with the faction’s goals, and are able to take on more responsibility. This is the rank at which a character displays a clear path to full membership. Special Missions: During your normal adventures, you may be given the opportunity to complete a special task or secret mission on behalf of your faction. Completion of such tasks might earn you additional benefits, and enables you to earn your place as a stalwart member of your faction. Apprenticeship: Your character can be apprenticed to another higher-ranking adventurer from your faction. Rank 3: StalwartThese characters are reliable, full-time or permanent faction members, entrusted with tasks and deserving of additional support during adventures. This is the rank a character achieves when they have completed a special task and proven themselves dedicated to their faction. Faction Downtime Activity: You gain access to a faction-specific downtime activity that gives you additional benefits when you use it. Rank 4: MentorThese characters are trusted voices and part of the faction’s minor leadership. They are looked upon as mentors and officers, with special authority or privileges. This is the rank for characters that have fully integrated themselves and their careers into the faction. Mentorship: You can designate other rank 2 or 3 characters as your apprentice. You can have multiple apprentices if you wish. Rank 5: CommanderThese characters are trusted with not only educating their faction's new members, but commanding several of the faction's apprentice or stalwart members in various tasks. This is the rank for characters that have progressed towards leadership, but still must prove themselves in some great task. Command: You have command authority over some portion of faction members. Rank 6: LeaderThese characters are ensconced within the leadership of the faction and have a great degree of influence, guiding faction decisions. At this rank, the character is a figure with the power and authority to issue commands on behalf of their faction. Become a Leader: You can make decisions that influence current and future faction direction.
Major Factions- Spoiler:
Triumvirate- Spoiler:
The triumvirate is an unofficial grouping of government agencies and councils, bound under the common goals of stability, order, and a civil government. It is composed of three main groups: the Chancellery, the Council of Ministers, and the Congress. The Chancellery is the immediate staff and executive office of the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. It is technically under the direct control of the Chancellor, and enacts the will of the CGU's supreme executive. It is in practice governed by the Chancellor's immediate deputy, the Vice Chancellor. It has authority over the federal bureaucracy and policy-making committees. The Council of Ministers is the committee of the twelve Ministers of State. This council technically composes all organs of the national government, and most importantly comprises its leadership. Each ministry has its own responsibilities and commands, though two stand apart as nearly autonomous from the council: War and State Security. The overall leadership of the council is vested in the Prime Minister. The Central Galactic Congress is the supreme legislative body of the Republic, composed of over five thousand members, roughly half of whom are elected from the Galaxy's sector districts or from civic groups, with the other half being hereditary or appointed members. While the Supreme Chancellor technically chairs the legislature as its President of the Congress, the functional leadership of the parliamentary body is vested in the Secretary General of the Central Committee, a sub-body of roughly 143 members that acts when the Congress is not in session. While the Congress is composed of many unofficial factions, its leadership is united around supporting the bureaucratic governance of the Union. Leader: Prince Eta Rycon, Duke of Tranquility (Vice Chancellor); Lady Shannon McGrady, 1st Duchess of Carolina (Prime Minister); Ichikawa Misa (Secretary General). Headquarters: Constance, Swabia (Chancellery); London, England (Council). New York City, New York (Congress). Motto: Mankind, Forward!Insignia: A globe wreathed in laurel branches. Beliefs: Authority and unity derive from the due process of law. The national government is the legitimate expression of this authority. This authority is to be used to defend order and civilization. Goals: To maintain justice and order in the human nation. To defend the rule of law across the galaxy. To protect the people from depredations of corrupt forces. Ranks:| Rank | Title | | 1 | Assistant | | 2 | Advisor | | 3 | Secretary | | 4 | Councillor | | 5 | Procurator | | 6 | Director |
Military- Spoiler:
The Republic's armed forces fall into six branches of service: the Army, the Navy, the Spacy, the Air Force, the Marines, and the Coast Guard. Administratively, the Marines, the Coast Guard, the Spacy, and the Navy are part of the same administrative department. The Army occupies territory, maintains garrisons, and carries the brunt of the fighting in ground campaigns. The Navy conducts operations at sea, usually in support of Army and Marine forces, in mercantile patrols, and in rapid reaction duties in counter-terror operations. The Spacy, or "Space Navy", branched off of the Terran naval aviation arm in Earth's antiquity to become the dominant force in conducting interstellar military strategy. The Air Force is the aviation component of ground operations, and share space combat duties with the Spacy by controlling orbital assets. The Marines are elite shock troops, deployable both from orbit and from sea, and strongly associated with the Navy. Within and around the branches of service are operational commands; both the defensive forces stationed in the provinces and on planets, and the rapid reaction forces that respond to them or undertake expeditionary operations. Each of these answer directly to the War Ministry, rather than to the administrative chiefs of staff. The Armed Forces are continually being replenished with conscripts and volunteers, though many remain as career soldiers. Many of the careerists rise at least to the rank of a non-commissioned officer, such as a Sergeant or a Petty Officer. Leader: Supreme Marshal Céleste Beaumont. Headquarters: Arlington, Virginia (administrative); Mons, Belgium (operational). Motto: If you Wish for Peace, Prepare for War. Insignia: A black-outlined croix pattée. Beliefs: If civilization is to survive, it must be defended proactively. Threats to the nation must be countered with overwhelming force. It is glorious and honorable to die for the nation. Goals: To ensure the safety of the nation. To confront all enemies foreign and domestic. To act at all times with honor and integrity. Ranks:| Rank | Title | | 1 | Soldier | | 2 | NCO | | 3 | Officer | | 4 | Staff Officer | | 5 | General Officer | | 6 | Marshal |
Republic Security- Spoiler:
The Republic Security Department is a sprawling intelligence and police bureaucracy, tasked with an array of responsibilities relating to the internal security of the State. The Security Service of the Republic is the most senior agency, and is responsible for domestic intelligence-gathering, investigating political crimes, and controlling the alien population. It is among the oldest and prestigious branches of State Sec, and among the most feared. Its administrator is General Francis J. Bloom, and is headquartered in the same building as the department administration, the Lubyanka Building in Moscow. The Interstellar Criminal Police Commission, also called the Space Police, is an investigative and agency that has special jurisdiction over cases involving terrorism and crimes that cross planetary jurisdictions, especially in areas of financial crimes, arms control, substance control, and cybercrime. It is directed by Police Chief Aisha Abdul, and has its headquarters in St-Cloud, Paris. The Central State Police Agency is the most numerous branch, providing the main police for member worlds and colonies of the Republic, and conducting or overseeing security operations and criminal investigations in local, territorial, and planetary jurisdictions. However, to reduce costs to the Central Galactic Government, most member worlds and colonies maintain their original local police agencies under CSPA supervision. Some worlds, and all federal districts, have all policing handled directly by the CSPA. It is led by Police Chief Bastian MacBeth, and has its operational headquarters in Potsdam, Brandenburg. The National Prison Service manages the entire federal penal system, including labor camps for alien criminals. It operates somewhat in parallel to the other policing agencies, focused on incarcerating and punishing criminals and enemies of the state captured by the other services. Its main other duty is housing and controlling the servile alien population. It is ran by Director Benjamin Bradford, and has its operational headquarters in the Spandau Citadel in Berlin. The Personal Protection Bureau was once separate from the RSD. However, the close cooperation of the PPD with the RSD to combat terrorism, special crimes, and to protect VIPs led to its absorption into the RSD in 3293. It is ran by Director Primus Lucan, and has its own operational headquarters in the Kremlin Arsenal building in the Moscow Kremlin. These disparate agencies, not unlike the Triumvirate, are more or less sub-factions united under the authority of Lord Xander Vox, Assistant Secretary for Republic Security. The RSD has a long-standing rivalry with the Security Forces over funding and jurisdiction, an extension of the personal rivalry between the factions' commanders. Leader: Lord Xander Vox, 1st Prince of Tycho. Headquarters: Lubyanka Building, Moscow. Motto(s): Loyalty Is SeenInsignia: A silver shield inscribed with a sword. Beliefs: Humanity's supremacy must be assured through unity. Unity is achieved through law and order. Only those vested with revolutionary zeal can defend the new order and keep the peace. Goals: To detect and exterminate domestic opposition. To investigate and eliminate crime and keep the peace. To control the alien menace by any means necessary. Ranks:| Rank | Title | | 1 | Watchman | | 2 | Sergeant | | 3 | Watchmaster | | 4 | Lieutenant | | 5 | Sheriff | | 6 | Police Chief |
Security Forces- Spoiler:
The State Security Forces are the quasi-military branch of State Sec, armed and trained for war and strategic intelligence. It is equal parts of foreign intelligence and armored warfare. The Security Forces are administered by the Department of Field Operations, which also includes foreign intelligence-gathering, research and development, and covert operations bureaus. Among the most famed sub-units are the field commissars of the Inquisitor Corps, an elite military police tasked with rooting out treason and corruption among military units. Many Security Forces personnel were former street fighters for the National Humanist Imperial Labor Party in the partisan days of the late Terran Empire. The political turmoil bred fighters and leaders out of dedicated nationalists. State Sec personnel are often highly ideologically-motivated, and training schools emphasize political doctrine. The members of the Security Forces are particularly renowned as "political soldiers" with military training and equipment, and strong political motivation. Leader: Lord William McGrady, 1st Duke of Wallerstein Headquarters: Kremlin, Moscow (administrative); Langley, Virginia (operational). Motto: Guard Against the Storm. Insignia: Lightning bolts extending from a skull. Beliefs: Only the state can unify humanity. The security of the state from its outside enemies is of paramount importance. Humanity's manifest destiny must be secured by force. Goals: The elimination of external enemies of the State. The pacification of occupied territory. The colonization of the Galaxy by the human race. Ranks:| Rank | Title | | 1 | Stormtrooper | | 2 | Section Leader | | 3 | Storm Sergeant | | 4 | Centurion | | 5 | Standardier | | 6 | Legate |
House McGrady- Spoiler:
The noble house of McGrady is a recent addition to the aristocracy. Unlike most noble houses, who have held land and title through a centuries-old hereditary right, the McGrady clan rose to prominence through political maneuvering and ambition. The McGradys have had continuous ups and downs as participants in the development of spacefaring humanity: leading figures in the Lunar revolution, establishing a successful colony at Kolossen, and contributing to the electoral victories of the National Humanist movement. Amassing a great fortune through banking, the McGradys were nearly laid low by the mismanagement of patriarch Proinsias McGrady, but his daughter Shannon brought them to new heights. She led the family to greatness by marrying Patrick Drake, the heir to an industrial conglomerate, and merging their corporations. She then pushed herself through a meteoric rise in politics, shaping the transformation of the Empire into the Republic. The McGradys revel in their Irish heritage, naming almost every family member with an Irish name, and donating money to charitable foundations involving Irish culture and the Catholic Church. Their immense wealth and influence make them a major player of galactic politics. Leader: Lady Shannon McGrady, 1st Duchess of Carolina. Headquarters: McGrady Manor, Wallerstein. Motto: Down but Never Out. Insignia: Three golden weasels leaping on a red field. Beliefs: Nothing is more important than family. Ambition on the galactic stage will bring honor and glory to the family name. Never be less than what you deserve to be. Goals: Amass wealth and influence. Seek opportunities to seize and attain power. Achieve glory and recognition. Ranks:| Rank | Title | | 1 | Déisi | | 2 | Gallowglass | | 3 | Fianna | | 4 | Cavalier | | 5 | Tiarna | | 6 | Tánaiste |
Lords' Alliance- Spoiler:
The Lords' Alliance is a coalition of nobles, aristocrats, and knights who defend the traditional social order of the old empires against the tide of revolutionary nationalist fervor. They aren't a formal organization, so as to avoid being defined as a political party--all of which are banned in the new Republic. What they are is a pressure group from among the hereditary nobles in the Central Galactic Congress, based upon a network of political patronage that stretches back centuries, centering on a few ancient noble houses and clans. Above them all, however, is the House of Compton, the former imperial house of the Terran Empire. While Maximilian, the official head of the Compton dynasty, has rejected the royalist cause to champion republicanism and revolution, not all of his siblings have, and they remain quite influential within the Lords' Alliance. The Alliance's iconography, for instance, remains rooted in Terran Imperial heraldry. Aside from these major houses, many minor noble houses and clans are unofficially under the sway of the Alliance, aligned under a common notion of chivalry, aristocracy, and tradition. Leader: Princess Thora Amelia, Duchess of Neptune. Headquarters: Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria. Motto: King of Kings, Ruling Over Rulers. Insignia: A purple two-headed eagle surmounted with a golden crown. Beliefs: Civilization prospers when led by the aristocracy. The aristocracy is to be guided by noble virtues of chivalry, piety, and duty. A virtuous knight must defend and help the common person. Goals: To maintain Earth's traditions and social order. To promote the chivalric code of conduct for all knights of the Republic. To defend the weak and raise up the common man through the example of valorous deeds. Ranks:| Rank | Title | | 1 | Page | | 2 | Squire | | 3 | Knight | | 4 | Paladin | | 5 | Castellan | | 6 | Baron |
United Church- Spoiler:
The descendant organization to the many traditional, ancient churches of Christianity from Earth's history, the United Catholic and Orthodox Church is remarkable as not only the largest single religious denomination in human society, at around 11.4% of the human population, but also the most tightly organized and hierarchical. Centuries ago, the Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental, Nestorian, and Coptic Churches agreed to a federation, with the Pope of Rome as first among equals, and the heads of each major church forming a committee of elders. Ever since, the Church has maintained a potent presence in Terran society, and was a considerable force in the Orion and Perseus nations prior to 3275. The United Church remains sizable, though its political influence has appeared to wane in the wake of secularist and anticlerical reforms of the new Republic. Appearances can be deceiving, as the Church has several organizations dedicated to a resurgence. And while the Church is broadly oriented towards social justice, poverty relief and charity, and conservationism, a dominant faction in the Church is radically aligned with the National Humanists. This has caused some tension, though the Church maintains an outward face of unity. In spite of this political tension, ordinary clerics and acolytes of the Church often venture through space, ministering to populations and participating in public advocacy and volunteering for marginalized communities and the poor. Its dedicated members are devoutly religious proponents of an ancient messianic prophecy, though tempered by contemporary social concerns. The Church is strongly allied with House McGrady, as it is led by a daughter of Shannon McGrady. Leader: Pope Sophia VII. Headquarters: Vatican City, Rome. Motto: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Insignia: A Jerusalem cross with an M in its lower right quarter. Beliefs: Faith is the greatest weapon against evil. The natural order must be respected and preserved. Social justice is worth fighting for, in harmony with nature and God's creation. Goals: To spread the word of God across the stars. To defend the natural order and promote social justice. To confront evil in all its forms. Ranks:| Rank | Title | | 1 | Friar | | 2 | Acolyte | | 3 | Priest | | 4 | Vicar | | 5 | Bishop | | 6 | Archbishop |
Galactic Corsairs- Spoiler:
The Galactic Corsairs, short for the Honorable Galactic Corsairs Company, is a galaxy-wide network of mercenaries and privateers. Most of them were former pirates and criminals, now made into legitimate hunters of pirates and gangsters. The transformation occurred after the deadly Pirate War, in which many space pirate fleets and street gangs joined forces with with merc bands and the Navy to combat the Yellow Jackets space pirates. Resolutely opposed to terrorism and mass violence, these groups agreed on certain principles and methods. After the conflict, the mercenaries were pardoned for any piracy or racketeering, and chartered as official privateers. They resumed their business relationship by forming a unified guild of mercenaries. Its members are free to pursue any contract brokered by the guild. Many members form into chartered mercenary companies within the network. In exchange for this latitude, the corsairs are often able to conduct their own side business with a blind eye from the law. The result is that many gangs are able to continue gun running, smuggling, and drug trafficking operations under a veil of legitimate trade jobs. Leader: Yoritomo Manzō , Siegfried Metzger, J.P. McGrady (unofficial). Headquarters: Port Royal, New Rochelle. Motto: Take What you Can, Give Nothing Back. Insignia: A red sword threaded through the strings of a golden harp. Beliefs: The guild is your family, look out for it and it will look out for you. You are the master of your own luck and destiny. Everything has a price. Goals: Establish a slice of freedom among the stars for the corsairs. Secure opportunities for the guild and your fellow corsairs. Amass wealth and take every opportunity. Ranks:| Rank | Title | | 1 | Raider | | 2 | Marauder | | 3 | Jarl | | 4 | Captain | | 5 | Commodore | | 6 | Condottieri |
The Resistance- Spoiler:
Formed in the early years of the Republic by those opposed to the methods and racist ideology of the National Humanists, the Resistance is the combined force of remnant Colonial Liberation cells, Communist revolutionaries, militant democrats, and liberal royalists. Disparate ideals and constant infighting have stymied the Resistance's effectiveness for over twenty years. They are united in the common cause of opposing the republic through militant action. In doing so, they often ally with terrorists and criminals, seeking every advantage to enable a rebellion. They view the CGU government, its factions, and many of the noble houses as contributing towards a regime of tyranny. Resistance agents often work alone, or in small cells, conducting guerrilla campaigns with little instruction or communication with the leadership. This inspires independent thinking, creativity, and self-reliance among its agents. This is a side effect; the true reason is to insulate each agent and the leadership from information leaks and the claws of State Sec. Leader: Shadow Committee. Headquarters: Unknown. Motto: Liberty by Any Means Necessary. Insignia: A red clenched fist inside a hexagon. Beliefs: Power leads to corruption, and corruption begets tyranny. Tyranny will remain until the last tyrant is dead. It is the duty of every free person to resist the tyrants of the galaxy. Goals: To depose of the CGU tyranny. To restore parliamentary democracy. To aid the poor and downtrodden. Ranks:| Rank | Title | | 1 | Comrade | | 2 | Lancer | | 3 | Ranger | | 4 | Reaver | | 5 | Commandant | | 6 | Marshal |
Last edited by Better Alex on Mon Jul 16, 2018 6:15 am; edited 8 times in total | |
| | | | Better Alex
Posts : 91
Join date : 2011-09-30
| | Subject: Re: Set and Setting Wed Sep 06, 2017 3:19 am | |
| Notable WorldsThe Milky Way galaxy is full of star systems, between 100 and 400 billion of them, with 100 billion planets. However, only 13% of them have been mapped and explored, with roughly 4% having been colonized or settled. The Central Galactic Union legally comprises all of these stars and worlds; each planet is its own political entity, administered on the basis of various criteria. Political Categories- Spoiler:
Member Worlds are planets or habitable moons whom are member states of the Union, participants in the federation that makes up the new Republic. Legally, they are independent entities with their own currency, governments, and laws--provided that they follow the federal laws set down by the Central Galactic Government. In practice, they are under a high degree of federal control due to the strong nature of the central government and the coherency of National Humanist ideology. Nevertheless, member worlds hold a prestigious status and generally rule themselves. There are approximately 101,566,000 member worlds.
Colonies are incorporated, organized territories of the Union that are nominally administered by the Central Galactic Government, but are governed by devolved colonial governments. Unlike member worlds, the Union government can override these local governments at any time and has the power to directly issue administrative orders. Per the Organic Government Act of 3282, federal colonies have the right to elect their governors, and around a third of them have done so. There are approximately 408,444,000 federal colonies.
Federal Territories are incorporated but unorganized territories administered directly by the Central Galactic Government in practice as well as in law. Unlike colonies, these are very sparsely populated and have no local government--nor need of such administration due to the lack of population. Most of them are scientific or military bases. There are around 450,000,000 Federal Territory worlds.
Occupied Territories are planets governed by joint military-civil administration by virtue of being conquered territory or protectorates. These tend to have a high presence of military and State Security forces to keep order and enforce federal regulations on aliens. Most Occupied Territories are former alien colonies and homeworlds. Around 1 in every 7 occupied world is considered a Protectorate, and are granted some limited self-rule under the guidance of the Union military government. There are around 710,000,000 Occupied worlds.
Classification Scheme- Spoiler:
Terrestrial and Superterrestrial worlds are rocky or icy planets, generally between 0.1 and 10 Earth Masses in size. All worlds in this category, regardless of type, are denoted further by a letter indicating size. Class a worlds are between 0.10 and 2.5 Earth masses; class b worlds are between 2.5 and 6 Earth masses; class c are between 6.1 and 10 Earth masses. - Spoiler:
Garden worlds are terrestrial planets capable of sustaining a complex biosphere and macroscopic lifeforms through thick, stable atmospheres and the presence of significant surface water. They fall into several types:
Type I are Gaian worlds, with 50-80% ocean cover and Earth-like atmospheric and ecological conditions.
Type II are Pelagic world, with 80-100% ocean cover and warm to moderate humid conditions.
Type III are Sonoran worlds, with 25-50% ocean cover causing hot, arid conditions.
Type IV are Pluvial worlds, with less than 50% ocean cover but high atmospheric moisture levels resulting in non-arid conditions and high precipitation.
Type V are Tundral worlds, with 25-80% ocean cover but high glaciation, and semi-arid to non-arid atmospheric conditions.
Type VI are Tundrapelagic worlds, with greater than 80% of its surface composed of icy oceans and the remainder experiencing high glaciation.
Type VII are Saharan worlds, with less than 25% ocean cover resulting in hot, arid conditions and widespread desertification.
Type VIII are Arctic worlds, cold and dry with less than 25% ocean cover but cold surface conditions.
Type IX are Hydrovenusian worlds, hot-water planets with thick atmospheres rich in carbon dioxide and water, and 80% or more ocean cover, with surface temperatures generally around 373 K.
Type X are Chlorogaian worlds, Gaian-liked planets with moderate levels of atmospheric chlorine, and hydrochloric acid-rich oceans covering 25-80% of its surface, but nonetheless possess a complex biosphere.
Type XI are Amminegaian worlds, Gaian-like planets with moderate levels of atmospheric ammonia and water-ammonia seas covering 25-80% of its surface, but are capable of sustaining a complex ecology. Tend to have cool, tundral climate conditions.
Pre-Garden worlds are terrestrial planets that have a limited biosphere with conditions that are not quite amenable to the development of complex life, but are nonetheless habitable with modifications. They generally have a primitive ecology of single-celled organisms, though some rare exceptions develop complex life. Ocean cover is usually less than 25%, but exceptions are frequent enough to merit their own categories. Pre-Garden worlds are categorised into types:
Type I are Proximal worlds, with conditions just borderline to the Garden thresholds, with cool temperatures, thin atmospheres, and significant surface presence of liquid water.
Type II are Hadean worlds, hot and arid planets with high volcanic activity and greenhouse gas atmospheres like Venus, but supporting a limited thermophilic microbial ecology.
Type III are Vitriolic worlds, with limited surface water but lakes, seas, or oceans of pure sulphuric acid, generally formed after high acidification of water oceans. Due to the extremely hostile conditions, these worlds are only able to naturally support extremophilic microbes.
Type IV are Carbogenic worlds, with carbon-rich geology and conditions, usually manifesting in atmospheres of carbon monoxide and methane, diamond or graphite crusts with carbide silicate mantles, and tar lakes and oily oceans. These worlds rarely develop complex life, but frequently develop anaerobic microbial ecologies.
Type V are Chlorogenic worlds, with high amounts of chlorine compounds in its thin atmosphere, and seas of hydrochloric acid. These are considered the pre-garden equivalents of Type X garden worlds, with more primitive ecologies due to hostile chlorine-rich conditions.
Type VI are Amminegenic worlds, with atmospheres low in oxygen and high in ammonia, and shallow liquid ammonia seas contributing to cool, dry surface conditions. These are considered the pre-garden equivalents of Type XI garden worlds, due to their lack of complex ecologies due to higher ammonia content and colder surface conditions.
Type VII are Tethyian worlds, with Pelagic-level ocean cover but with other conditions that promote only a limited marine ecology.
Type VIII are Ymirian worlds, with Gaian to Pelagic-level ocean or surface water presence, but extreme cold conditions that lock most of the water in ice and icy seas.
Lithic worlds are any other terrestrial planets that lack a biosphere and have conditions inimical to the development of even primitive microbial life, and are composed primarily of chemical ices and/or rock. Such worlds are often deemed uninhabitable. Lithic worlds fall into several types:
Type I are Cthonian worlds, dry, rocky planets with minimal to no atmosphere or hydrosphere.
Type II are Venusian worlds, hothouses with thick atmospheres rich in greenhouse gases or corrosives, with highly arid and volcanic surface conditions.
Type III are Europan worlds, with frozen surfaces and vast oceans below the icy crust.
Type IV are Titanian worlds, icy planets with dense atmospheres, usually rich in hydrocarbons and nitrogen.
Type V are Glaciolithic worlds, cold planets with a rocky surface and mostly icy mantle.
Type VI are Glacial worlds, composed almost entirely of solid ice.
Type VII are Ferric worlds, dense planets rich in iron and other rocky metals and with relatively large metal cores, some of which have surfaces of lighter silicates or other materials.
Type IX are Tartaran worlds, with thick atmospheres and molten surfaces.
Type X are Selenian worlds, with little to no metal core and geological activity, and surfaces rich in silicates and alumina.
Gas Giants are non-rocky planets greater than 10 Earth Masses. These typically have no visible solid surface, and are composed mostly of gases surrounding a highly-pressurised metal or rocky core. - Spoiler:
Neptunian worlds are gas giants of 0.03 to 0.21 Jupiter masses. These are typified as follows: Type I are Microjovian worlds, hydrogen-helium gas planets up to 0.1 Jupiter masses with minimal solid core; Type II are Subjovian worlds, moderate-sized gas giants between 0.10 and .20 Jupiter masses.
Jovian worlds are gas giants greater than 0.21 Jupiter masses, up to 8 Jupiter masses in size. Type I are between 0.21 and 1 Jupiter masses; Type II are greater than 1 Jupiter masses, up to 8 Jupiter masses.
Superjovian worlds are gas giants greater than 8 Jupiter masses, up to 13 Jupiter masses. Type I are between 8 and 10 Jupiter masses; Type II are between 10.1 and 13 Jupiter masses.
Brown Dwarf worlds are dense, hot gas giants greater than 13 Jupiter masses, and can reach up to 75 Jupiter masses. These straddle the line between a planetary object and a stellar object, as they are of a size that can theoretically produce deuterium fusion in its core, through not at a sustainable rate. Brown Dwarfs are sometimes thought of as "stars that didn't quite make it", as they are unable to produce sustained hydrogen fusion or ignite their cores.
All Gas Giants are further classified by a letter corresponding to a surface temperature range in Kelvins: class a is less than 150 K; class b are between 150-349 K; class c are between 350 to 850 K; class d are between 800 and 1400 K; class e is greater than 1400 K.
Member Worlds- Spoiler:
Earth- Spoiler:
Star system: Sol
World type: Type Ia Gaian Garden
Orbital distance: 1 AU
Orbital period: 1 Earth Year
Radius: 6405 km
Day length: 23.9 Earth hours
Atmospheric pressure: 1 atm
Surface temperature: 15° C
Surface gravity: 1 g
Mass: 1 Earth mass
Natural satellites: 1 (Luna)
Population: 12 billion
The "cradle of humanity" and the galactic capital, Earth has a long history as the centre of human civilisation and politics. Despite the best attempts of the Sagittarian polity to become the "galactic face of humanity", Terran civilisation maintained its "place in the sun" with its cultural and political stronghold on Earth. In the transition from the Terran Empire to the CGU, Earth was redesignated as the capital world of the Republic. It has been administered as the Earth Sphere since 3275.
After a period of severe ecological crisis due to runaway industrialisation, concerted efforts at environmental recovery were coupled with "outsourcing" industry to the colonies and rapid colonisations in the 23rd century onward. The human population nevertheless continued to grow, causing slow-burn ecological destruction, until 2862. The great pandemic cut the Earth sphere's human population from 21 billion down to 10 billion. Strict population control measures and mass exodus have kept Earth's population to a regulated level of around 12 billion over the past three hundred years. As a result of the reduced human presence, consolidation of existing population centres, and de-industrialisation, Earth is greener and cleaner than it has been in almost 1,500 years.
Kolossen- Spoiler:
Star system: Edel
World type: Type Ib Jovian
Orbital distance: 4.4 AU
Orbital period: 9.2 Earth years
Radius: 60,410 km
Day length: 9.3 Earth hours
Mass: 90 Earth masses
Natural satellites: 11
Population: 138.6 million
A roughly Saturn-sized gas giant in the Edel star system, Kolossen is the only world with significant habitation. The other planets in its system are federal territories. Discovered and mapped in the 2600s, Kolossen was settled in 2703 by a joint venture between Isaac Rothschild, Trey Waller, and Eamon McGrady. With a humble beginning of four colony cylinders and 21,000 people, the Crown Colony of Kolossen expanded over the centuries to become a bustling network of a dozen colony pairs and a population of 140 million. It was incorporated as a federal colony in 3275, and was admitted to the Union as a member world in 3279.
Kolossen's largest city of Wallerstein is famed as the home of the McGrady family; and its capital, Rothstein, was the long-time home of the spacer Rothschilds--before the latter resettled to Nieuwvaalia in 3269.
Nieuwvaalia- Spoiler:
Star system: Draken (Kepler-452) World type: Type IIb Pelagic Garden Orbital distance: 1.046 AU Orbital period: 384 days Radius: 9556.5 km Day length: 29 hours Atmospheric pressure: 1.21 atm Surface temperature: 17° C Surface gravity: 1.5 g Mass: 5.0 Earth masses Natural satellites: 2 Population: 10.25 billion Discovered in the early 21st century as the exoplanet Kepler-452b, Nieuwvaalia was colonized in the 2420s by Terran settlers led by Afrikaner financier Marius Andries Marten. The colony prospered, largely because of its highly amenable conditions, abundant resources, and moderate distance to the Earth (being less than 1,500 light years away). It came to be the jewel of the Inner Colonies, though at a price: native life was almost as diverse as that of Earth, and an indigenous species of tool-using sentients had evolved. Dubbed the vaalvolk, these people had a paleolithic technology level and often opposed human efforts to settle and exploit the planet. After several clashes between colonists and the natives, controversy arose as the colonists were accused of genocide. Within a century, the native vaalvolk were almost entirely eradicated due to the effects of exogenic disease, famine, and habitat displacement. Andries Marten, then Margrave of Nieuwvaalia, was exonerated in federal court on charges of genocide, arguing that the destruction was a side effect of colonization, not a deliberate or genocidal policy. The issue remained a point of controversy, but was officially brushed under the rug after the House of Marten pledged fealty to the Terran Empire in 2610. For centuries after, the Marten family were politically prominent as the Dukes of Nieuwvaalia and became an integral part of the Terran military aristocracy. Their downfall came in the 3260s, when Duke Cassander Marten became involved in political scandals culminating in a conspiracy against the Crown. He was found dead in his home in an apparent shootout between co-conspirators. The dukedom was revived four years later in 3272 in Vice Foreign Minister George Rothschild, who was made governor of the planet. In 3275, Nieuwvaalia became an autonomous member world of the CGU, with a directory-style commission government and the hereditary Duke as merely first among equals, as the Magistracy of Nieuwvaalia. The planet itself boasts a high population, vast ocean cover, and a warm climate throughout. It is a popular tourist spot, and is a major exporter of finished luxury goods, industrial resources, and precious stones. Its economy is predominantly post-industrial, though it maintains a high presence of the manufacturing, resource extraction, and agricultural sectors.
Proxima Centauri b- Spoiler:
Star system: Proxima Centauri
World type: Type Ia Proximal Pre-Garden
Orbital distance: 0.05 AU
Orbital period: 0.03 years
Radius: 8291.4 km
Day length: Constant
Atmospheric pressure: 0.3 atm
Surface temperature: 5° C
Surface gravity: 1.3 g
Mass: 1.31 Earth masses
Natural satellites: None
Population: 194.8 million
The very first extrasolar colony founded by humanity, founded in 2222, Proxima Centauri b is a chilly and rocky world that seen its fair share of troubles. Its population exploded after the introduction of terraforming technologies that allowed the atmosphere to be artificially thickened and the temperature dramatically raised, though it still remained cold to human standards. Glacial melting and massive inundation was expected to open up more land for farming, but runaway flooding rendered a large amount of land underwater. The remaining clay-like and rocky soil proved hard to till, and the population suffered occasional famines that had to be relieved by the Terran government. Things stabilized by the 2500s and the colony prospered under the Empire. It never reached the size of Terra Nova, due its harsh and cold environment, but it has retained considerable prestige and autonomy.
Terra Nova- Spoiler:
Star system: Tau Ceti
World type: Type Ib Gaian Garden
Orbital distance: 0.55 AU
Orbital period: 0.463 years
Radius: 10,193km
Day length: 11.4 hours
Atmospheric pressure: 1.21 atm
Surface temperature: 38° C
Surface gravity: 1.25 g
Mass: 3.31 Earth masses
Natural satellites: 2
Population: 7.1 billion
Known scientifically as Tau Ceti e, Terra Nova was one of the first human colonies outside of the Solar System, and the first naturally-occurring extrasolar Garden world to be discovered by humans. It has a troubled early history, suffering from an ecological crisis due to crash industrialisation by the Terran colonists, and then engaging in conflict with its neighbouring colonies over interplanetary resources. Later periods saw a recovery of the planet's native ecology, though the limitations on heavy industry were sometimes blamed for the gradual decline of the planet's economy--though much of that could be ascribed to the Tau Ceti system's low proportion of heavy metals and rare earths and the consequent low yields of metal mining operations. But in the early 3000s, its economy recovered and centred itself on light industry, primarily the manufacture and export of fine and finished goods.
Terra Nova has a hot and humid climate, dominated by stormy seas, swampy island-continents, and lush river valleys that are very beneficial for agriculture. Its native ecology is diverse and widespread, though it competes with human-introduced fauna and some flora, though most agriculture is handled in arcology structures or controlled paddies.
Colonies- Spoiler:
Keystone- Spoiler:
Star system: Camos
World type: Type Va Tundral Garden
Orbital distance: 1.09 AU
Orbital period: 1.084 Earth Year
Radius: 8405 km
Day length: 25.9 hours
Atmospheric pressure: 0.98 atm
Surface temperature: 11° C
Surface gravity: 1.03 g
Mass: 1.16 Earth masses
Natural satellites: 1 (Voussoir)
Population: 1.1 billion
Keystone is a prosperous colony world, a tundral Earth-like "garden" with a rich native biodiversity, though the introduction of invasive species by human settlers since the first colonial expedition in 2811 has significantly altered its ecology. Regarded as a backwater for centuries, it is now considered the "jewel of the Outer Colonies". Tourism and high technology have become major industries, and foreign development spurred economic growth from the mid-33rd century on. Nevertheless, its remains a largely agricultural world and its primary export is grain. Most of its population is rural, distributed widely across Keystone's prairies, tundras, and wooded valleys.
The planet has suffered considerable tragedy as of late, facing the devastating Keystone Incident in 3280 which killed ten million civilians during the course of a violent civil war and a series of terrorist attacks. The Seraphim Grand resort was destroyed, and several thousand people killed, during a pirate attack in November 3284. Despite these violent episodes, the planet has recovered and the administration of elected governor Dr. Artem Meshcheryakov has done a great deal to reduce crime and lawlessness, and has empowered its rural population towards stability and land ownership.
Bittrich- Spoiler:
Star system: Flecker
World type: Type Ia Gaian Garden
Orbital distance: 1 AU
Orbital period: 1.084 Earth Year
Radius: 7650 km
Day length: 27.25 Earth hours
Atmospheric pressure: 1 atm
Surface temperature: 16° C
Surface gravity: 1.08 g
Mass: 1.7 Earth masses
Natural satellites: 2 (Messer, Busey)
Population: 422 million (permanent), 1.1 billion (usually)
A rocky, earth-like world nestled in the Jellyfish Nebula, some 5000 light years from Earth, Bittrich is the primary recruitment processing and training depot for the Inner Colonies sector. It is a garden world home to over four hundred million civilians and servicemembers on a permanent basis. However, over a billion people are on-world at any given time, most of them soldiers going through training. Large parts of the planet are dedicated to military training facilities, proving grounds, and weapons testing areas. However, around half of the planet's area is dedicated national parkland or biological preserve area.
Among its more well-known facilities are Army Training Depot Raimundo Island, Marine Corps Base Camp Anderson and the nearby Army outpost Fort Copper, Marine Corps Base Camp Willomingo and the adjoining Willomingo Naval Academy, Largo Air Force Base, and the Inner Colonies HIGHCOM Complex. Related areas include the Malachite Mountains Proving Ground, administratively connected to Fort Copper, and the Bitterswamp near Camp Willomingo. Both are used for late-phase field exercises for Marine and Army recruits, and for weapons testing. The sole area on the planet subject to nuclear testing is the Abdul Land Testing Area at Bittrich's south pole, a 4000-square kilometer region of desolate ice desert.
Bittrich was first colonised in the 2600s; at the time it was a chilly and damp world with indigenous mosses and lichens dominating its land surface at the equator and primitive fish and jellyfish-like life filling in its oceans. Terraforming thickened its atmosphere, warmed the surface, and allowed the introduction of Terran flora and fauna. Unfortunately, by around 2905 these terraforming efforts drove most native life to extinction outside of a few areas such as the antarctic continent of Abdulia. The temperature and atmospheric pressure became Earth-normal, and deliberate cultivation of diverse Earth-like biomes and habitats contributed to its utility in training colonial soldiers for multiple environments. After several centuries of terraforming and settlement, the planet came to be used primarily as a military base and training depot. Due to its importance, it was made a world directly administered as a Military Territory; after the formation of the Republic, it was restructured as a Federal District.
Muspel- Spoiler:
Star system: Aidon
World type: Type IIa Pelagic Garden
Orbital distance: 0.26 AU
Orbital period: 0.13 Earth Year
Radius: 3059 km
Day length: 14.62 Earth hours
Atmospheric pressure: 0.26 atm
Surface temperature: 51.6° C
Surface gravity: 0.44 g
Mass: 0.22 Earth masses
Natural satellites: None
Population: 124,500 human colonists; 33,900 aliens
A small, young planet with over 86% of its surface covered in ocean, the land are of Muspel is surprisingly arid and hot. Its atmosphere is thin, but breathable, composed of 57% argon, 18% oxygen, 23% nitrogen, and trace other gases. Its close proximity to its parent star is the main cause of the heat, with solar winds thinning the atmosphere. Tectonic activity has seen the creation of high, craggy peaks, shielding the interior of the islands from rainfall and creating deserts. It is not inhospitable, but it is a harsh environment to live in, and its colony has had little success in growth. The government has leased mining rights to various private entities to encourage settlement. The world, despite its size, has great mineral wealth and its mountains are rich in corundum, iron, and rare earth metals.
The most profitable area so far has been the Ruby Ridge Mountains, a range with extensive gemstone mines owned by Baroness Scarlette Valhalla, who manages the mining operations through the Valhalla Mining Corporation. Adjacent to the mines is a town of around 4,000 people, over a quarter of which are directly employed by Valhalla Mining.
However, there has been some trouble with the preceding generation of alien colonists, many of whom have violently resisted human settlement.
Occupied Territories and Protectorates- Spoiler:
Cassiopeia Theta II- Spoiler:
Star system: Cassiopeia Theta
World type: Type IIa Pelagic Garden
Orbital distance: 0.65 AU
Orbital period: 0.36 Earth years
Radius: 6023.83 km
Day length: 49.5 Earth hours
Atmospheric pressure: 1 atm
Surface temperature: 25° C
Surface gravity: 0.78 g
Mass: 0.97 Earth masses
Natural satellites: 2 (Felandil and Nariel)
Population: 4.4 billion (surface), 7 billion (orbital habitats)
The homeworld for the cassiopeian species, and administered as the Cassiopeian Republic, an autonomous alien protectorate.
Hobin III- Spoiler:
Star system: Hobin
World type: Type Ia Gaian Garden
Orbital distance: 7.72 AU
Orbital period: 12 Earth years
Radius: 6679.90 km
Day length: 20.13 Earth hours
Atmospheric pressure: 0.59 atm
Atmospheric composition: 68.7% nitrogen, 24.8% oxygen, 6% argon, other trace gases
Surface temperature: 26° C
Surface gravity: 0.78 g
Mass: 1.24 Earth masses
Natural satellites: 2
Population: 2 billion (bullywug), 4 billion (goblin)
Homeworld of both the goblin and bullywug races.
Daro Dohan- Spoiler:
Star system: Dohan
World type: Type XIb Amminegaian Garden
Orbital distance: 0.24 AU
Orbital period: 0.21 Earth years
Radius: 10541.43 km
Day length: 13.6 Earth hours
Atmospheric pressure: 5.59 atm
Atmospheric composition: 77% nitrogen, 17% nitrous oxide, 5% ammonia, other trace gases
Surface temperature: -1° C
Surface gravity: 1.59 g
Mass: 4.36 Earth masses
Natural satellites: 0
Population: 5 billion
Homeworld of the condarians.
Cygnus Meridian IV- Spoiler:
Star system: Cygnus Meridian
World type: Type Ib Gaian Garden
Orbital distance: 1.05 AU
Orbital period: 0.96 Earth years
Radius: 10194.96 km
Day length: 19.42 Earth hours
Atmospheric pressure: 2.65 atm
Atmospheric composition: 65.6% nitrogen, 21.9% oxygen, 10.3% carbon dioxide, 2.1% argon, other trace gases
Surface temperature: 15° C
Surface gravity: 1.47 g
Mass: 3.76 Earth masses
Natural satellites: 2
Population: 3 billion
Homeworld of the viridian species.
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