Nation Name: Confederate Free States of Asteria (CFSA)
Alternative Names: The Confederates, The Thirteen, Asteria, CA (for Confederation of Asteria)
Government Type: Federal Republic
Capital: Jefferson City, Planet Artemis, New Asteria System
Gateworlds Owned: 5

Asteria is a relatively new nation experiencing rapid growth. Abundant in resources and job opportunities they are one of the few Frontier states with significant domestic production capacity. This obviously puts them at tense relations with the ITC and there's a slow boiling rivalry. Occasionally dubbed as the land of hope Asteria attracts lots of migrants looking for a new life and decent work.

History

Like with all nations in the Eden Cluster the story of Asteria began with Project Arc. In particular this is the story of Arc Strelitza and Aurora. They were among the 316 Arcs to undertake Project Longshot, a daring wild bet to cross astronomical distances in a moment, unsure where their destination might lead. It was a disaster, while projections estimated a few lightyears of inaccuracy in fact they had not fully understood the physics behind the gate technology, namely its interaction with quantum superposition theory. Future researchers could confirm their predecessors were lucky the Arcs didn't turn into mere atoms spread across the multiverse. Presumably due to a freak cosmic event all Arcs survived the transit intact, although scattered in a massive 700 lightyear radius area. Cut off from contact and their inhabitants asleep the Arcs were trusted to the guidance of rudimentary AI pilots, only seeking out planets ideal to support life.

At least that's how it should've been for Arc Strelitza and Aurora. As luck could have it both of these arcs were relatively close to each other and contact was established between them and a third arc called Griffin. Since the AI prioritized survival, meeting between these Arcs was essential for continued operations. Yet before this contact could be made the communications with Griffin were abruptly cut off. Eventually they picked up a distress signal only to find the shattered remains of Arc Griffin. At first it appeared Griffin crashed with a giant asteroid but upon further review it turned out to be a ship of foreign construction. Not programmed to communicate with aliens the AI woke up the staff in hopes of resolving the situation. The time is AD4492 and this is the first time humans and Silicoids met each other.

While communication was troubled the Silicoids were innately peaceful people and they established a healthy relationship. Just as humans, Silicoids also faced the ruin of their home planet and sent out their own generation ships untold thousands of years ago. Rather than settling on a new planet they chose to live on these ships, promising to be no longer tainted by natural gravity. Though physiologically and culturally far different the Silicoids and humans of Streliza-Aurora forged an alliance. This marked the long period regarded as the Four Thousand Year Sleep during which the majority of the humans remained under cyrogenic stasis but humans and Silicoids jointly created their new home, Asteria. Conceived as a gigantic space cylinder with artificial biosphere and capacity to sustain life the project was beyond ambitious. Yet after millennia of effort they finally made a place which could be called home, the true birth of the nation known as Asteria. With the technological and industrial base laid down the actual construction of Asteria was a simple matter. Or could've been as material technology could not allow to build colonies of such massive scale. Instead they went for an alternative thus Asteria became a collection of 13 colonies. With their artificial "Eden" complete humans were woken up from cyro sleep en-masse. They woke up into an entirely new society yet they rapidly adjusted. At least that's how it seemed.

Under the surface the humans had a growing minority of those who were far from satisfied. The Arc staff who were awake and active during those missing 4000 years became de facto nobility and ruled Asteria like their private kingdoms. The discontent with the odd rock people known as Siliconoids also gradually rose. While not topic for public speech a lot of humans were less than thrilled to be equals with a bunch of walking rocks who hardly even speak to them (as only the elite were allowed to know the language of the Siliconoids). The tension began to rose as human populations skyrocketed. It soon became obvious that the thirteen original colonies will not be enough and construction for new habitats began at rapid pace. The old order of Asteria gradually collapsed as each colony rose up against their rulers. Silicoids as representatives of the former regime were sidelined and gradually became oppressed. In contrast the 13 colonies declared their independence. This initially meant only maintaining a loose alliance between each other but resource scarcity and outside threats eventually made them to agree on a sorts of confederation. Each state retained their autonomy but also agreed to share some responsibilities to the Federal Government. This of course didn't always work out and Asterian history has its share of revolts and civil wars.

Though far from a public knowledge but Asterians were aware of the beacons laid down by Eden. Thinking of their survival as a species they chose to follow the beacons in hopes of once reconnecting with their long lost brethren. AD9675 (773EC), Asterians finally reached the region of Eden Cluster, even though they were unaware. The system which later be known as New Asteria had a habitable planet and a number of astral bodies fit for colonization efforts. Unfortuantelly they were not alone. They treaded on the land of the Kroatans, a tribalistic space-capable alien race. The aggressive and xenophobic Kroatans and the greedy Asterians had no reason to approach this the civilized manner. 773-771EC, the period of the First Aster-Kroatan War. Though the aliens had numerical superiority their inferior tech and the still ongoing rivalry between tribes.

Asterians spent the following decades in war, gradually gaining ground in Kroatan space. Meanwhile they finally managed to activate the gate of New Asteria, allowing them to contact Eden. 808CE, Asterians stabilized their hold over the 5 systems, also controlling the gates. With Kroatan aggressors either assimilated or fled to dark space they enjoyed a period of peace. Thus the modern age of Asteria had begun...

Demographics

In spite of the migrant waves the core of Asteria's population are still the descendants of the original nomadic colonist who first arrived to this world. Asterians are of course humans. While developed separately from Edenians, enough that they have genetic markers unique to them, the differences are down to culture rather than anything else. The ancestors of the Asterians lived in dangerous times and their emphasis on individual liberties over government control can even seem a bit odd. Then again with the isolation of deep space nearly every country in Eden created their own unique culture, Asterians are just one of them. For an Asterian liberty is a birthright and compliance to the government is a social contract with both sides as active parties. They view laws and even taxes as something which could only be allowed through consent and don't appreciate when the government may appear to infringe upon this idea. The first shock for newcomers though is undoubtedly the Asterian view of arms. In the distant past Asterians lived in uncertain times and carrying weapons was the only sure way for security. While troubles can still arise in the more rural regions for the overwhelming majority this concern is long gone. Yet the tradition never disappeared and it's fairly common to see people walking up on the streets with rifles.

Asterians love guns, they view them as symbol of their freedom and unsurprisingly marksmanship competitions are one of their favorite sport and pastime. To the outsider the sheer density of guns may seem threatening but Asterians are generally friendly folk who do not treat misusing weapons lightly. In addition it's a common belief for Asterians that if a wrongdoer may try to start something there are always 10+ good boys with similar rifles to put a quick end to this rampage. As weird as it may seem the Asterians feel less secure when there aren't many gun wielding people around. Asterians have two essential items that define them. One is their gun while the other is owning a decent ride. Hovercars are a must for every self-respecting Asterian and most of them also own personnal shuttles for interplanetary commuting purposes. They have a different view on distances than the average Edenian. Some Asterians even love the long treks and would consider it part of their national pride. While there's an increasing need for mass transportation these tend to be government owned and offered for free, paid by tax money. They are of course unpopular with "true" Asterians who consider reliance on them as a mark of shame, equivalent to accepting handouts.

Asteria has open border policies and with ever expanding ventures and growing industry they are constantly hungry for workforce. Aside from the obvious draw of the core worlds Asteria has perhaps the largest percentage of immigrants. Some dare to say Asteria is the melting pot of the galaxy. Humans of various cultural backgrounds venture towards Asteria in hopes of starting a new life. Even alien population move to Asteria, often also trying to escape oppression and prejudice they might face in other regions. While some hardline Asterians may view them with disgust, this is indeed the land of the free. Be it foreigners, aliens or fellow Asterians, all is viewed as equal. There are only two exceptions: Silicoids and Kroatans.

Silicoids are aliens with mysterious bodies that essentially makes them living rock statues. Asterians contacted Silicoids early on their journey and soon enslaved them. Since then they have been considered as borderline property while also essential to work in environments where no human could survive. Ever since settling down the overall treatment of Silicoids improved yet most of them are still forced to be servile to Asterians. Compared to them the Koratans are considerably better. Used to the true owners of the systems now owned by Asteria these native aliens were vicious and lived in tribalistic communities even though they were technically sophisticated enough for space travel. They waged brutal wars with the Asterian settlers but ultimately lost. For a long time they were viewed as savages that must be contained. Although nowadays they find it relatively simple to integrate into society. Still, compared to other aliens they suffer way more prejudice. This is in part because a tiny minority is still on the loose. Some of them are radicals not much different from other states' terrorist threats. While an even more significant portion is just hiding within deep space, still retaining their old culture. These pre-civilized Kroatans semi-frequently launch raids and skirmishes against Asterians, providing an ever present security concern. Due to such activities the way larger portion of "civilized" Kroatans face enmity or discrimination for acts they should not be responsible for.

Government

The Confederate Free States are considered a true federation where each state retains most of their autonomy and only relinquish their rights in regards of important matters that concern the entire nation. Even then each state made individual agreements with the Federal State, resulting in varying levels of Federal control. These agreements can be also be renegotiated or even denied, provided they have a strong reason behind it. While there's a constant Federal push for increasing government control but these are often met with resistance. Administration wise Asteria has 5 regions (for each system they own) and altogether 24 states. These include planetary government, moon/planetoid bound colonies, space colony clusters or even space mining operations that grew large enough to become their own state. Becoming a state used to be a fairly dynamic process where a colony with sufficient weight and reason to self govern could have voted to grant stateship almost immediately. Yet with the growth of the Federal Government and the influence of already existing states this process is currently all but non-existent. The Federal leadership preferred to increase the power of already extant states than further upset its legislation. As a consequence many newer colonies which traditionally would earn states rights are instead rolled into their neighboring states, creating tensions. While these "territories" are given representatives the fact they are alone against the much larger representative base of the mother state does feel oppressive. This is partly intentional as states have the legal right to vote for secession. With many fresh would be states containing vital resources the Federal leadership of Asteria could not allow these territories to turn independent.

The Federal Congress is the heart of Asterian interstate governance. Held in the capital city of Jefferson AC this is where the 96 territorial representatives and 24 state governors run the legislation. The head of the Federal States is the President. As the representative of all Asteria his position has a lot of responsibility and technically would have a lot of power to accompany it. In practice though the President is incapable of doing anything meaningful without the Congress' approval. That being said the President is often also the leader of either of the two major parties in Asteria: the Hippos and the Centaurs (both named after constellations). Hippos are the "conservative" group, representing more traditional Asterian values. They are against overt government control, pro security and usually enjoy support more from frontier territories. Centaurs are pro-government, promote higher economic regulations and often support relations with the ITC. There are numerous small parties but these tend to be rolled into either of the two sides as causalty of this centuries long rivalry. With the lines long drawn there's littl hope for this political system to ever change.

Economy & Industry

Asteria is considered curious among the frontier nations. The classic beginning of a frontier state is via one or a few Arcships with their small populations still clueless in cyro sleep. In case of Asteria they spent centuries as a growing nation of space nomads. This allowed them to establish their new society without requiring any assistance from the ITC. Actually, by the time the ITC became aware of Asteria they had already established their control over a system and were in progress of expanding further. They were strong, independent and possessed a long history separate from that of the rest of the Eden Cluster. Asterian industry is robust, although somewhat compartmentalized. This traces back to their nomadic culture when fellow space colonies had to operate away from others for months and occasionally even years. After settling down this tendency is gradually making way for classic centralized efforts but you should not underestimate the lobbying power of local companies when investing in the region. Combine this with the different state laws and it could be said that Asteria still has a lot of room for growth. Regardless, while no competitor for the giant of the ITC this makes Asteria a regional powerhouse with considerable export revenue. Galactic Dollars (also abridged as Galado) is a trade currency recognized in most countries.

Speaking of exports, Asteria is best known as the largest supplier of Helium-3 and other essential fuels. Since fuel is less the matter of "where" than "how" the diffuse nature of Asterian industry actually helps them a great deal, topping even the performance of individual ITC members'. Asterian traditions combined with the abundance of fuel also set them up to a booming transportation industry. Hovercars are absolutely ubiquitous for Asteria and most citizens also own their own personal space shuttles. While no match for the sophistication of the ITC the Asterians are very famous for their fusion technology and the sheer number of industries specialized in their production. Lastly, Asterians introduced a new material to the Eden Cluster: The Zero Element (Z0). Z0 production is something learned from Silicoids and could be harnessed from certain stellar bodies or at the outer asteroid fields of star systems. Z0 enables gravity manipulation through conversion of electrical power and it's essential for Asteria's own gravity plate tech (among others). It's a curious material sought after by other nations for special applications. Its production is troublesome due to the inherent dangers and the long supply lines required for the operation thus it could be said Asteria has near monopoly on it. While that sounds amazing the international demand for Z0 is fairly small, if weren't it's almost assured the ITC would join the race. As things are Z0 is a stable source of revenue for a number of Asterian states and essential for Asteria's own technology but not much else. Gravity manipulation has been accomplished without relying on rare materials literally centuries before Asteria arrived so it only has a small niche.

Military

Asteria has a sizeable military force, fitting that of a regional power. While conscription is technically still active in effect Asteria utilizes all-volunteer military of professional soldiers. Asterian State Army forms the core of their military, consisting of regiments "borrowed" from all 24 states. In theory these troops belong to their respective state but in effect they are under the Federal Government's control. Quality and equipment variances used to be a major issue in the past hence Federal Laws now govern this aspect, making the arms and equipment of the common soldier more or less uniform. Arms manufacturers in each state also unified their production for military contact thanks to Federal sponsored programs. To provide reserves and home defense they also have the tradition of the Colonial Guard, second-line soldiers tasked with local garrison duties. Lastly but not least you have the Confederal Astro Marines, a force created by the Federal Government and whose job involves being on Astrofleet starships and often taking up expeditionary duties. When it comes to space Asteria has two organizations: Colonial Sentinels and Confederacy Astrofleet. Sentinels are the space variation of the Colonial Guard, they patrol the state's territory and provide secuirty in space. Confederacy Astrofleet is the Asterian navy itself but they are also the primary operators of starfighters. The overall system of the Asterian military is complex but it can be dumbed down the following way. Barring a few the Federal Government technically has no military on its own, instead the states "lend" their armies and fleets into the government's service. Of course in effect they are just the army of Asteria and the Federal Government can order them to do nearly anything. In addition while this would technically prevent mixed regiments with members from different states in effect there are numerous exchange programs and overall mixing armies from different states provides little if any trouble.



Ground Forces
Asteria has environments ranging from ships and space colonies to urban concrete jungles to even literal deserts and jungles. Regardless of the surroundings the Asterian military has to maintain boots on the ground. Since they didn't want a huge bloated army of specialists this obviously lead to lot of expenses on training and equipment. Thankfully they hardly have any shortage of volunteers. Asterian soldiers are well-trained and compared to the average Frontier folk they have excellent equipment. Most recruits already know the basics of shooting their rifles so while marksmanship is empathized they have time to teach the rest of their trade. When it comes to armor the Asterian vehicles prefer utility over direct combat prowess. This often receives criticism from certain military circles, calling their vehicles either outdated or just ineffective. Of course field troops perceive it differently and barring the few odd noises they love these for their sheer practicality. Asterian military forces are very mobile with park of exclusively hover vehicles, orbital insertion and air transports, ground attack craft integrated into army structures and even the individual soldier often having their own mobility alternatives.


Space Forces

The Continuance is, at least ostensibly, a representative democracy. Of course, by now that ruse has been all but completely exposed. It is true that at one point in the distant past the Continuance functioned much like the democracies of old earth, but time has seen those traditions and institutions eroded. Centuries ago wealthiest members of society, almost exclusively members of corporate dynasties, were able to leverage their influence and establish a legal system of peerage in the Continuance, and ever since the nations government has seen its power diminish.

Today the Continuance’s Parliament is entirely made up of members of the Peerage, as commoners are forbidden from running for office. As such, the legislative body of the nation acts as little more than a political arena for the elite and a rubber stamp factory when an issue affecting the whole peerage arises. Members of an enfranchised class may vote for any noble in the nation they please, but more often than not the companies those nobles control compel their employees votes, a practice that while deeply and unequivocally undemocratic is entirely legal and even encouraged.

61% Human:
Halcyon’s Human population is largely descended from the passengers of the Arc Vasco da Gama. One of many Arcs financed by the European Union and its private partners. They are, as a whole, about what one could expect. Some have been subject to genetic or cybernetic alteration, others are no different from their ancient ancestors, and all are no more or less than what they are. Human.

23% Ataraxin:
Of all the tragedies to play out in the Eden luster, perhaps there is none greater than that of the Ataraxian species. A people who have lost their culture, history, their very being, the Ataraxians exist today as little more than the favoured vassals of their Human masters. Casualties of a migration they could not have predicted.

Of course, it was not always so. Centuries ago, on the world known today as Ataraxia, there were a proud, if young, people. The ancestors of today’s Ataraxian’s, native sons and daughters of a planet whose true name is now long forgotten. They were a unique and alien people in the midst of a prosperous iron age, rapidly spreading out across the surface of their world and beginning the inexorable conquest of nature that all sapient beings embark upon.

They were every bit the captains of their own destiny. They fought, they loved, but they did all this themselves. Not one of them could have expected that to change, but change it did. When the Halcyon Continuance sent a Gate to their world, two centuries before it arrived, they hadn’t even discovered the secrets of Iron. How could they have even begun to suspect that their children's children would live to see all their accomplishments turn to dust?

For that is what happened. As soon as that first connection was made all was lost. Halcyon sent diplomats to every kingdom and tribe on Ataraxia, but they were not sent to secure peace. They were sent to secure surrender. Few complied, but they didn’t need compliance. Merely an excuse. Forty eight hours after the first human stepped onto Ataraxia half a million Ataraxian’s were dead and the rest second class citizens of an alien power.

Though, perhaps that is too generous a description. Humans flooded onto Ataraxia until its native people were a minority on their own planet, and that was only the beginning. Soon it became illegal for Ataraxian’s to own property, illegal for Ataraxian’s to work in administrative positions, and it wasn’t like they had ever been permitted to vote.

For over a century the Ataraxian species suffered under the Human boot, and then came the offer. The Halcyon Continuance had been effectively overthrown by the corporate dynasties it had elevated to nobility, and one of those dynasties had a plan for the Ataraxian species. Ricci Biotechnical developed a genetic treatment that could, if taken for a few generations, alter the Ataraxian people to look, think, and behave more like their Human masters. It was, in effect, genocide in a bottle. Of course, that mattered little when committing to the treatment guaranteed an Ataraxian full rights for their children, so long as they too stayed on it.

The price was high, in the beginning, but soon Ricci Biotechnical was able to sell the treatment for pennies. After all, they had just recently been awarded nearly a quarter of Ataraxia as their fief. They had no reason not to ‘improve’ its populace. At least, no reason its noble board controllers could see.

Centuries later and now every living Ataraxian looks close to Human, acts close to Human, and speaks exactly like a Human would. Interbreeding is still impossible, with many of the changes to Ataraxian physiology being more cosmetic than functional, but by and large the modern Ataraxian is little different than a Human. While the Continuance still forbids Aliens from holding noble titles there are few Ataraxian’s that don’t at least hold the status of a Commoner, a class with all the rights of a citizen and the ability to settle on Halcyon itself.

They are often seen in noble houses as servants or soldiers.

6% Putt:
For centuries Putts, like most aliens, avoided Halcyon as much as was possible. This was partly due the anti-alien atmosphere within the nation, and partly due to the starkly humid nature of most Continuance planets. However, when Halcyon amended its laws, making citizenship and equal rights something that could be bought, wealthy Putts seized the opportunity. If there was money to be made in the opening of an entire Core worlds economy to alien investment and migration then Putts were there to make it. The annexation of Parousia, an arid world, two hundred years ago only made Halcyon more attractive to a species that had already found homes and opportunities there.

4% Dakku:
Over the centuries many Dakku have found their way to Halcyon space.
(Waiting for more Dakku Info)

2% Jakai:
(Waiting for mote Jakai Info)

2% Simmie:
Raygon’s Simmies have found there way to Halcyon in the centuries since their creation some two centuries ago. While the vast majority remain on Raygon, some of the wealthier or more connected examples of the species have found the Continuance to be a most hospitable home. Valued for their dexterity and skill Simmies generally work in the luxury goods industry. Crafting some of the finest bespoke jewelry and clothing Halcyon’s Simmie population is notable for being the few alien communities to find not only a foothold, but genuine acceptance in the nation.

1% Misle:
With every rule, there is an exception. When considering Halcyon’s infamously hostile stance towards aliens it is the Misle that are the exception. Perhaps it is simply due to their appearance, or maybe the myths that surround why they look like they do, but by and large the Misle have been welcomed as equals by the Continuance. There are small communities of these peculiar aliens on near every world in the Halcyon Continuance.

1% Other (Petalosi, Drazuun, Qurok, etc.)
The Continuance plays host to a number of other species. Petalosi can be found in the nation's universities and labs, Qurok’s have been seen acting as mercenaries in the employ of the Nobility, and the list goes on. For all it can unwelcoming to aliens, if an individual has the money or skills Halcyon will make an exception.

Halcyon is, above all else, a nation of hierarchies. It’s society and culture revolves around who you are, what you have, and how you use it. An individual's class not only governs their rights and the laws that apply to them, but also how they are expected to act in the presence of their equals, superiors, or inferiors. The influence of class on Halcyon is such that wearing the wrong clothes for your social group can be a grievous offence, or worse yet, a legitimate crime. So it goes without saying that to understand Halcyon one must first understand the nations legally enforced social strata.

There are four legally enshrined classes within the Halcyon Continuance, of which only two are afforded the rights of Citizenship. The nobility and the common classes are considered to be citizens of Halcyon and are thereby entitled to a number of legal rights their non-citizen counterparts lack. Notably, only citizens may vote, only citizens may own property, and only citizens are entitled to legal counsel. Those without the distinction of citizen are almost invariably the poorest members of society, especially considering that membership in the common class has been obtainable via purchase for close to two hundred years.

That said, the common class is the highest one that an individual can buy their way into. Halcyon’s peerage is, by and large, fairly similar in membership to what it was when it was first declared centuries ago. That isn’t to say that there aren’t more nobles alive today than there were then, but rather that there are only a handful of new noble families. To ascend to the rank of nobility is a difficult thing and can generally only be accomplished by marriage into an existing family, or massive and unprecedented success and popularity. A new noble family may only be declared by a two thirds majority vote among the heads of all exist noble families, and thus even some of Halcyon’s most successful commoner businessmen lack the distinction.

However, for all the difficulty in attaining it membership in Halcyon’s peerage is beyond rewarding. A noble is largely exempt from all conventional criminal punishment, being given the option to pay nominal fines rather than suffer any real consequence, and that is only the beginning. Halcyon’s nobility exists apart from all but the richest and most influential in the Eden Cluster. One of the honours which has led to the dominance of the noble class is their sole right to conduct international commerce. While corporations may be run and owned by commoners, only the nobility may operate private entities beyond Halcyon’s borders. Thus, even the most successful commoners are forced to rely on their betters forbearance and sponsorship if they wish to access the vast markets of the Eden Cluster.

The privilege of the nobility extends to almost anything one can imagine. Failing to yield your place in line to a member of the nobility is a legitimate crime, failing to pay proper respect to a member of the nobility is a legitimate crime, and that barely even touches upon the extent of a nobles rights. In truth the quagmire of laws surrounding class interaction means that a noble has, at almost all times, the legal right to imprison or even murder anyone of a lower class. Abuse of this has, historically, been met with harsh punishment within the family, but never justice.

In Halcyon the nobility do not merely make the law, they are the law. However, they are still few. The other citizen class, that of the commoners, is far larger. While they don’t possess anything close to the rights of the nobility most commoners live a rather privileged life. Albeit, one that must be bought into at birth or in life. Educated professionals entitled to subsidized education, free healthcare, and legal counsel Halcyon’s commoners are among the richest civilians in the cluster. Part of this stems from their right to own property, which provides nearly every commoner family a source of income in the form of rent from non-citizens.

Indeed, Halcyon’s commoners may be at the whim of the nobility, but few nobles walk the streets in broad daylight exercising their more questionable rights. In truth, it is the common class that represents Halcyon’s greatest collection of tyrants. Landlords almost to a man commoners not only dictate how the non-citizen classes below them live, but they also hold a great deal of power over their lessers in personal life. Members of non-citizen classes must pay respect to the common class in much the same way the common class pays respect to the nobility. For example, it is considered a legal offence for a non-citizen to besmirch or slander a citizen. It is considered a legal offense for a non-citizen to enter an establishment not specifically designated for their use. It is even considered a legal offence for a non-citizen to die in the employ of one of their betters, the punishment being a fine levied on their surviving family.

To lack citizenship in Halcyon is to lose, and to continue losing. Two classes fall into this category, the peons and the dregs. By definition all Humans, Ataraxians, and Misle without commoner status in Halcyon are Peons, able to purchase entry into the common class at birth or in life but by and large far too poor to do so. Having to pay for education, healthcare, legal counsel, and renters by definition Peon’s are almost always in debt from the day they’re born. Few actually live on Halcyon, being largely relegated to living on the Continuance’s industrial and agricultural Periphery worlds.

Of course, for however difficult it is to rise from the status of peon,dregs have it worse. The lowest class in Halcyon dregs are sufficiently ‘inhuman’ aliens that have either been born in Halcyon or have migrated there and failed to buy their way into a higher class. Dregs suffer all the inhumanities peons do, but they lack even basic rights. Notably dregs are barred from educational institutions, subject to exploitation rates for healthcare, and presumed guilty until proven innocent in trial. None wish to end up as a member of this class, and few generally do. However aliens whose parents have been unable, or unwilling, to buy then membership in the common or peon classes end up in this most wretched class.

About the de Gama

When the Arc Vasco da Gama landed on Halcyon it, unlike some of its fellows, encountered nothing more than a world rich in flora and fauna. Not one pair of alien eyes watched the enormous vessel break through the world's atmosphere, nor did any curious native encounter the Arc’s occupants as they swarmed out and built a city around their ship.

The republic

Rise of the elites

Establishment of the peerage

Nation Name/Flag: Mirvolyudkiyska Soyuz (Union of Mirvolyudki) - Mirvolyudki
Government Type: Socialistic Stratocracy
Nominally a Federal Republican system of government, the real power of Mirvolyudki lies in the military and the vast workers’ unions. Indeed themselves theoretically separate, in practice the military and the economy are so closely linked as to be indistinguishable. A head of state and Commander-in-Chief known as a Premier is elected from the pool of those individuals who have completed their state service, be it explicitly military or some other field, and will serve in this role for a period of five years. A position analogous to Prime Minister known as a Chair is also elected from this same pool. Once more, in theory these positions may be filled by nearly anyone - but in practice they nearly always come from the upper echelons of military hierarchy. Civil servants are wholly part of the military’s administrative apparatus, and public works are funded and constructed by the Ministry of Domestic Infrastructure, a wing of the military’s engineering corps.

Demographics:
Mirvolyudki - National Demographics:
Population: 27,182,818,284,590
Volyudki: 81.2928% - 22,097,674,102,455
Humans: 15.1294% - 4,112,597,309,549
Achenastirri: 3.2611% - 886,458,887,079
Other: 0.3167% - 86,087,985,507

Planet Breakdown:
Mirvolyudki: 17,163,557,658,710 - 63.1412%
Mirvolyudki-L1: 924,215,822 - .0034%
Mirvolyudki-L2: 2,240,190,420,470 - 8.2412%
Novaynadezh-II: 1,982,823,496,951 - 7.2944%
Novaynadezh-IV: 854,111,333,320 - 3.1421%
Novaynadezh-VI: 351,718,485,784 - 1.2939%
Novaynadezh-VII: 1,160,679,157,934 - 4.2699%
Onkuiliv-BIII: 6,061,768,477 - .0223%
Onkuiliv-BIV: 22,126,814,084 - .0814%
Onkuiliv-BV: 733,936,094 - .0027%
Furymilvyaz-2i: 3,046,623,090,519 - 11.2079%
Gucenov-Cypso 2: 156,328,387,955 - 0.5751%
Gucenov-Cypso 5C: 196,613,324,652 - 0.7233%
Other: 326,193,818 - .0012%






Leadership:
Valeriev Glagoleva Mariun Konstantinovna: Premier of Mirvolyudki.
A young Premier at only 84, Valeriev is a precocious and charismatic leader. Having been elected from a comparatively junior rank of only a field captain, her forward thinking capability was credited with saving the lives of many comrades during her tour on the border with Saudovskaraviya. Doubted by many for her relative youth, she is a bold and polarizing figure within Mirvolyudki.

Tyomkina Fenya Borisovno Innokentievna: Chair of Mirvolyudki
Unlike the Premier, Tyomkina is far, far older at 314, a seasoned military commander holding the rank of Army General and an equally seasoned politician, having survived the decades of intrigue and the rise and fall of countless political movements.

Burov Ludomir Semyonovich Kudashova: Minister of Finance

Larionova Lydia Petrovnu Nikitovna: Minister of Military Industry









Characters:
Valeriev Glagoleva Mariun Konstantinovna: Premier of Mirvolyudki.
A young Premier at only 84, Valeriev is a precocious and charismatic leader. Having been elected from a comparatively junior rank of only a field captain, her forward thinking capability was credited with saving the lives of many comrades during her tour on the border with Saudovskaraviya. Doubted by many for her relative youth, she is a bold and polarizing figure within Mirvolyudki.

Tyomkina Fenya Borisovno Innokentievna: Chair of Mirvolyudki
Unlike the Premier, Tyomkina is far, far older at 314, a seasoned military commander holding the rank of Army General and an equally seasoned politician, having survived the decades of intrigue and the rise and fall of countless political movements.

Burov Ludomir Semyonovich Kudashova: Minister of Finance

Larionova Lydia Petrovnu Nikitovna: Minister of Military Industry

Melekhova Agasha Tarasovnov Georgievna (Mashka): A hapless criminal, convicted of manufacture of Class III pharmaceuticals without a license and improper maintenance of state issued arms. Sentenced to thirty years of state service, twenty if in a combat unit. Melekhova accepted the latter, and is currently a Lance Corporal, serving in her third year. She has been deployed to the polar front on the planet of Vylganitsyn-III, leading an infantry squad.

Isayeva Verka Yakovn Adeliya

Relations:
Tretirykh (NPC): At war. No peace may be brokered, only unconditional surrender.

Nation Name/Flag: Kudra Cartel

Government Type: Narco-state

Demographics: Humans and Xenos

Leadership: Sylvester Kudra and the Kudra family

Economy: The Economy of the cartel sustains itself via the production, distribution and smuggling of narcotics to other nations and systems.

Military: The Cartel lacks a professional army but has a large force of “ Sicarios” or cartel assassins that function along the same role. Like any other military, the sicarios are spilt into different groups ranging from drug crazed mobs with guns to highly trained teams of assassins. In terms of vehicles and armament, the cartel uses whatever they can buy from other nations, leading to a large variety of weapons and vehicles to choose from.

History: The Kudra family grew up in extreme poverty, the patriarch was a human who was exiled from his world and dumped on some backwater planet to die. The elder Kudra was a shrewd and effective character and quickly learned how to survive in this new slum of a planet. Robbery, murder and highjacking were common and the patriarch of the Kudra family excelled at this carefully planned violence. It wasn’t long before he gained his own followers and built an infrastructure around this emerging industry. After another generation Sylvester Kudra’s father, Vitayl Kudra added another facet to the cartel business model, narcotics. Taking advantage of the addiction ever present in the frontier worlds and the joy seeking behaviour of those in the core worlds, narcotics provided a steady stream of income for the Kudra family. After Vitayl stepped down and passed the business to his son Sylvester expanded the business from a single planet to three, increasing production and income in orders of magnitude. Sylvester however has bigger plans for the cartel, he wants to become a narco superpower and is willing to do anything to accomplish that aim.

Characters:
- Vitayl Kudra : Gradnfather and former leader of the Kudra cartel. Old but certainly not infirm or weak. Currently living a lavish life in his villa on the Kudra homeworld.
- Sylvester Kudra: The current leader of the cartel, shrewd, cold hearted and intelligent. He is an effective business man but is not a stranger to violence or using violence to achieve his goals
- Kan Karrick: Chief Sicario for the Kudra cartel, this man has a body count rivalling most armies, he has proved his worth behind the trigger of a gun and at the edge of a blade. An expert in using fear and intimidation.
- Moira Jaal: Head of production, she oversees all production efforts for the cartel. She is the head chemist and is uncannily intelligent. She is as dangerous as she is a genius.
- Ku’kamich: Lead smuggler and manager of all smuggling operations, he is the only xenos to reach the upper leadership of the cartel, he is well respected and is responsible for all of the smuggling procedures and practices the cartel uses.