General Info and Location
Name – Raan Protectorate
Symbol-
https://imageshack.com/i/ipSqggGUj (Not so much a flag, It can be seen hanging from banners, Cast from Various metals and painted, there exist probably a hundred variations as each ministry, military branch and even civilian branches of organizations like Miners or Labourers has it's own version of this base symbol with variations to match the lives of those that serve under it.
Capital System- Raan System (Most planets of the home system are fairly arid and dry, Some are less so but still have vast swathes of dry rocky landscapes or thick desert sands.
Dominant Species- Human
Sub-Factions/Species N/A (Currently anyway, Who knows what the future holds)
Direction From Galactic Core (Still Debating this one.)
Head Of State – High Marshal Viktor Thark(As the Protectorate and by extension it's military grows in size the exact name of this position may change)
Head Of Government- War council
Government Type/Operation/Description- Socialist democracy, Authoritarian and highly militaristic but led in chief by an elected civilian despite that position holding military rank and title.
The government itself is lead in day to day affairs by the various ministry and smaller provisional government officials who take care of the majority of smaller decisions and matters of the people.
The various corporations, Military branches, Government agencies and even civilian bodies are all under the ever watchful eyes of the commiserate.
The Commiserate itself is Split into a Variety of sub branches. One of the most famous in the minds of the people are the military commissars. Few can shake the image of their stern gazes, Dark coats and meticulously polished jackboots. Or forget the loud and intimidating clicks the metal tacks riveted into the soles make as they approach, and more than one inflated sense of pride has been ground under their stiff and unyielding heels. These men have the authority and charge of watching over the loyalty and discipline of the Protectorate soldiers. Punishments can be handed out on a whim to those who do not meet their lofty and seemingly impossible standards and even executions are not outside of their realm of power for those who seriously fail in their duties or betray the honour of the Protectorate with a chronic display of lacking drive or worse... cowardice. Junior and mid grade officers who think themselves safe unlike the enlisted personal often find themselves facing a whole new standard and fury tenfold of what was expected of the men beneath him.
And while they technically hold a rank outside and somewhat above the average military officer and the chain of command, military commissars are usually possessed of a Iron courage and Sharp and focused mind. They may not be the greatest battlefield tacticians, but when the men need their morale raised or someone to lead the charge down hells own throat and strike at the heart of the enemy then dammit they can be that leader. If their CO is killed or becomes unable to fulfil his role then a commissar is more than capable of acting as a temporary commander of men.
The political commissars (though they are all technically political officers) deal exclusively with the government body itself. Overseeing the various ministries and officials for signs of disloyalty and incompetence They do not have nearly the same amount of raw power to simply punish or execute their targets on a whim. They can have lesser government officials fired or arrested pending interrogation and investigation. And they do possess the resources and ability to ring anyone regardless of the height and importance of their position, who are suspected of such inadequacies under questioning and if necessary, a public hearing to discover and finalize their true level of guilt. Most of the more common and bottom tier workers who are unused to the demanding nature and seemingly emotionless glare of an interrogator's stare still find the inside of a questioning room to be unsettling to say the least. And some of the most famous triumphs of this particular commiserates history was are the discovery and summary arrest of ministry heads, Once nearly a quarter ministry of labour was arrested, fined and jailed for life for pushing the permits and allowances to upstart businesses who promptly offered their benefactors kickbacks and were given a blind eye to the slip of standards towards products being manufactured and the gross miss-quality and rights of the labourers set to make them.
There are also smaller but no less important branches that oversee various other branches of Protectorate society. Like judicial commissars watch and scrutinize law enforcement officers, Barristers, Solicitors, Judges, etc. One never knows who might be corrupted by money whether it be a police officer taking bribes from a local drug lord or a judge passing law and verdict in favour of a wealthy business man who also just happens to make very generous 'donations' to the judges bank account.
The least well known of but perhaps the most ominous and powerful of the commiserates branches is that of internal regulation. The branch that watches for the loyalty and corruption of other commissars. It is unknown just how much authority and power these particular commissars have over their fellows. Or even how large this particular branch is. Such information is only known by the High Marshall and members of the 'war council' itself. This branch also works very closely with the ministry of Intelligence. Overseeing the vast network of internal and external sources of information. The budding but steadily improving network of spies, informants, etc that the Protectorate feels necessary for the outside world and those they in turn may suspect of currently doing, or having the potential to become as such against the Protectorate.
What keeps even these men in line is oddly enough the people itself, as well as the military threat. A proud feature and one that keeps the government in it's currently healthy and honest (Mostly) state is the peoples willingness to rise up in protest armed or other wise against that which they perceive as social and political injustice. In the nations history there have been very few but famous cases of High Marshal’s being demanded by the people to step down and elections recalled, Often punctuated at the tip of a military bayonet. First and foremost the army works for the people, Not the Marshall although he is the commander in chief.
The actual head of the government is the aptly named “War council” as it is unofficially known. Made up of the electoral council of ministry heads, Various heads of the commiserate branches, As well as the most powerful generals and admirals in the protectorate. (Even the non military members are almost always possessed of military service in their personal or family histories. Being a much prized requirement by the people of the Protectorate when electing their leaders.) These are the men and woman who may vote to enact, overturn, Instate, remove, Alter any law currently within the charters of the Protectorate. As well as vote to enact serious reforms and the removal or addition of citizens rights across the entire protectorate. Or at the very least pass such laws into the Marshal's office for either veto or confirmation.
This council does however possess the electoral power to remove the sitting Marshal should be prove inadequate to the expectations of the people.
It can seem a surprisingly chaotic and convoluted system when looked at from the outside. The commiserate keeps the reigns on everyone, The threat of military backed reform keeps the government in line who in turn keep the commiserate held in check (though the threat of military involvement of that particular bureau also is at the back of every commissars mind.) In turn the common people keep everyone else in check. Who are overseen by the very people they have the ability and power to overthrow, and yet who may willingly accept the removal of select privileges and even rights during times of great need... at a glance it really doesn't seem to make all to much sense but the most compelling argument in it's favour over any other system is that it works. Strangely it works. And the people are satisfied with it, and their quality of livelihood, of the freedoms their system provides.
hider=Economic System/Prosperity- Mixed economy/market economy with strong regulatory oversight and governmental provision of public goods. Several government run enterprises. Though the government retains the right to take over any land, Resources, and assest belonging to any entperise or corperation for the common good. Though by law this can only be done in times of national emergency and/or the declaration of war.
Empire Size: Size 1: 18 Billion Citizens
Empire Power: Solar power – In full control of home system, They currently have the homeworld of Raan itself and both of it's moons fully colonized. Along with most planets and most moons deemed habitable or at least worthwhile for terraformation, But extensive plans are underway with survey's and Terra-formation programs being launched to expand to the remaining planets and some moons of their home system as the need for population expansion or Resource acclimatisation demands.
The Protecorates navy, Taking advantage of it's size has spread itself around the Raanian system and maintains a tight border and ever vigilant watch against those who may seek to bring harm or try to settle/steal their lands. As the navy grows further in size and the technology gets to the point where watch stations and military outposts can be built in space and towed/flown outward they can begin to secure the system proper and ensure their people have plenty of space to grow and develop and most importantly, harvest the resources they need to expand the Protectorate's might.
Militaristic The Protectorate was founded knowing that one day the cancerous sphere that surrounded their true home may one day find them, Or that they would one day grow in size and power enough to launch an invasion to smash their way through the sphere and shatter the illusions of their mentally caged brethren.
With that eventuality firmly in every citizens mind it is no real surprise that the military is placed on such a pedestal. It can be found every where in Raanian society. From the crack of a primary school teachers rattan against an unruly child's backside to the highly regiment and hierarchical system of government agencies and ministries. Most citizens live highly ordered and structured lives, They learn to give for the good of the state rather than take for owns own self. For example, Ambition is still prized as a virtue for those who seek to expand their fortunes or rise through the ranks but only if it is done in the long term goal of benefiting the peoples of the Protectorate.
To this end the military of the Protectorate is large and well armed. With massive stores of munitions and weapons/gear to sustain a prolonged conflict and if necessary hold their own either in a defensive action for days even weeks if necessary until reinforcements and aid arrive. Or simply to try and last out an enemy in a war of attrition. Most citizens undergo a brief stint with the Protectorates military Immediately following the end of their education. This is not officially mandatory but very much so culturally, The discipline and regimentation is considered just as important to a healthy lifestyle and a prosperous future as any lesson taught in the classroom. As a bonus in times of extreme need and alarm the people of the Protectorate can be drafted or more likely roused into a less than professional but still fairly proficient and massive surplus of reinforcements. Each easy capable and familiar with the handling of a weapon.
Industrial One of, if not 'the' main goal of the Protectorate is to protect itself from the influences of the sphere as best it can and possibly one day i can strike through it's barrier of delusions and straight into it's heart. To this effect Industry is a primary economic and strategic focus of the Protectorate. Factories made to be large and efficient, Producing hundreds and thousands of goods every day from toasters, to farming tools, To munitions and armoured vehicles.
This gives the Protectorate a respectable amount of resources and income from trading and refining these goods for a nation of this size. And the governments standing ability to nationalize any and all industry for the sake of the common good can give it an enormous potential for military industrialization. Ensuring that they will never be found wanting for equipment.
Social- The loyalty of the Protectorate citizens is high. Founded and raised on fierce ideals of self sacrifice and reliance for the good of all has seen the standard of living for all reach quite comfortable levels. extravagance may still be frowned upon, With most precious metals and Jewels that are proven unusable to augment the military, Science or industry sectors traded away and fetching a high price indeed. Still the protectorate sits upon vaults of such reserves of minerals and luxury goods for moments of great need should the economy start to shake or they find themselves in dire need to fund a new war effort.
Each citizen is raised on stories of great heroes and generals of the Protectorate. Those who fought their way off earth and began the harsh process of colonizing their new home. Great songs and speeches of the glories their people have attained after freeing themselves of the artificial overlords of the world even though the commissars and military police have their duties to perform, keeping an eye out for discontent and seeds of radicalism and discontent they don't execute these powers nearly as often as it would seem to an outsider. The average Protectorate citizen is fiercely loyal to his fellows and utterly obedient to his duties (usually) and his superiors.
Most protectorate households would have a basic firearm of some sort, Usually a shotgun or a hunting rifle that falls within the Government standards for civilian ownership, even if it was simply for recreational or practice purposes. If not the citizen's militia can be armed and formed up in any given city district or township within an hour of receiving word to do so. Frequent drills are run on this regard and they are not taken lightly by the participants.
Race Name- Human
Race Info
Average Lifespan- 100 years, Serums and vaccines are being developed to help extend this span though work proceeds slowly. Injections to help prevent or at least slow arterial/organ ageing have proven to be feasible but at their current state to the Ministry of Science's medical division's knowledge the benefit as it stands is a decade at most. Though recent breakthroughs suggest that number may be raised to multiple decades worht of added years. Testing and trials are still underway.
Physical Characteristics- Like any human, Though It is uncommon to see to many unhealthy citizens or at least Overweight ones. Such a thing is heavily frowned upon as it leaves you potentially unable to properly fulfil your duties as a worker and Militia man, and thus expose your platoon and more in an emergency situation.
The average Raanian is black haired and a little stockier than the average human due to the gravity of their home world which is somewhat higher than earths own. The heavy sun of their near desert home also leaves many of them with tanned, Mediterranean skin tones.
Moral Values
Religion- After the A.I's had begun to lie and spread themselves out to humanity, claiming to be some omnipotent deity-like power that could provide them all they needed just in exchange for their personal and basic freedoms. It is fair to say that Raanian's aren't to keen on the concept of giving themselves and their lives up to the standards and words of any theological being. They also tend to view races with such fervent views on religion warily.
History-
Technological Overview
Protectorate technology is not as advanced as their other human counterparts in the sphere and various other Factions. For one they had to come to their new home centuries ago with only what schematics and technology they could fit aboard, and what was prevalent on earth at the time. And for the most part they have been alone on this journey and hesitant to accept any sort of gifts or aid that may put them in debt to another society.
They believe things, especially ships and military hardware should be simple, Functional and durable. If you stick to those basic criteria your options are considerably expanded.
Projectile weapons are still the stock choices, Rifles, Artillery, Even shipboard cannons and turrets.
-Coil gun technology is currently underway in the ministry of science. With some of the brightest Protectorate doctors and professors working on a way not just to make coil gun's a reality. They already have built prototypes that show great promise. But they are also working on down scaling the size from something that must be mounted on the bow of a destroyer, To something that can be given to a foot soldier in a variety of sizes and shapes. Something which is due to become a reality very soon.
The all current models are fairly large in scale and the only vessels the Protectorate have been effectivly able to mount such powerful weapons on any of the space vessels larger than a corvette. Heavy cruisers, Battlships, frigates Carriers, etc. The largest and most devastating of these weapons lies on the bow of the flagship of the Protectorate “Bucephalus” It is a massive piece and capable of incredible amounts of destruction, Capable of sheering through the hulls of smaller ships entirely and even capital ships would have a hard time defending itself from a puncturing, or explosive wound of this force.
But smaller (though still relatively large) weapons are used as main cannons on a variety of tanks.. Larger automatic versions have been tested and mounted to the nose of fighter craft and other military armour.
The Current research into the manipulation of energy has been set back throughout much of the protectorate's history. First with the fact of having to leave human space in a rag-tag flotilla of vessels left over during the height of a particularly bitter and brutal war on earth, the task of finding and then colonizing a new home, Setting up a proper society with the technologies and devices that would actually be needed to sustain a population and an economy, Organizing trade with interstellar nations, Building a functioning military and the Protectorates natural slowness to adopt any real change of technology as long as the previous items created are still more than functional and effective. It is no surprise maybe that the task of this had fallen to the wayside until the last century.
Currently there are various projects underway for the weaponization of laser and energy based weaponry. But they are running into largely the same trials and problems as they have with the rail-weaponry program. The trick is simply downsizing what they know will work from prototypes. And seeing as coil-firing has just as much potential to kill and is more in line with the Protectorate's mindset of a 'true weapon' Actual development of laser rifles remains relatively slow but still somewhat steady. Despite cultural reservations the ministry of science and the High Marshall are unwilling to simply abandon such a potentially promising idea completely. As such it is still funded and researched. Though it has produced a working weapon that by all means the Protectorate could begin the process of converting it's armed forces to, however it still lacks the raw stopping power and versatility of what is currently being used and what is being further developed.
Laser cannon of various size however is seeing limited production and dispersion throughout various ships in the fleet and undergoing regular stress and performance testing from a variety of vessels. Battle-cruisers to light frigates have been equipped to test it's full capabilities in a variety of battlefield roles. There is also much thought being placed, for if to is this could be made to mount onto smaller fighter aircraft and even armoured vehicles.
Shields however are another matter entirely. The development of defensive shielding emitters is far more of a priority to the military. Most of the early shields developed were vast things that required huge amounts of power to keep operational. And thus were only really attached to the larger ships of the fleet. But as this particular field is receiving far more funding and time than laser rifles and artillery batteries. Now nearly any ship larger than a corvette can boast having a fully operational shielding system alive and powered on board. With models already being designed and tested for smaller craft, even the potential for armour, vehicle and infantry shielding is not outside to far out of reach for the ministry of science.
The current and most popular development of laser technology is in industry for mining and factory automation. Productivity has risen steadily since the first wave of machines were released into public sale and use and improvements made to designs and capabilities since then have only proven even more appealing to the enterprises of the nation.
A thick layer of magnetically polarized hull plating was the original defensive measure of the Protectorate fleet. Many smaller vessels are currently relying on such technology still and even the larger vessels that contain an array of shield emitters have never truly removed this defensive measure. And the military itself is split on the idea of removing it completely or keeping both defensive measures in place, It is expensive and more time consuming to construct to be sure but that second layer of defence if, or more likely when the shield fail in a pitched battle may just mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Currently nearly many heavy duty military vehicles from a space frigate to an armoured personell carriers has some degree of this installed. Even if it is only a basic covering of a few plates in strategic positions to provide a layer of minimal armour. Standard composite and alloy armour plating is still and always will remain an effective counter measure, but if it has the ability to carry such plates and the power supply to keep them operational then many consider it a wise idea. But like always the cost, complexity and time to create each piece of equipment in such a way prevents these from seeing universal standardization.
With the Raanian home system being what it is the Protectorate has to become more inventive or at least wiser about how it produces food. With the arid and rocky nature of most land in on the core world and the other worlds of the system. As the population grows the demand for more and better yields obviously follows suit To this effect the Raanians have developed a massive bio shelters. Essentially heavily controlled and Massive scale green houses in various designs to augment what fertile farming land they already use.
Each of these bio-farms is teeming with vegetation or livestock as the case may be. From the inside they seem like vast mazes of vegetables or unbearable with the constant baying or smell of thousands of animals being born and bred solely for the purpose of one day becoming a meal. From the outside these can seem like great either great domes or vast towering ziggurats. These are a necessity to create the abundance of food currently found amongst the populace, coupled with the zealous work of the ministry of agriculture to improve farming methods and the genetic strength of various crops and animals Is also producing a large enough surplus to begin trading with the interstellar market on a larger scale.
When I can think of more unique features to the Protectorate I will write them down but at this current point in time this is all the springs to mind that is worth mentioning.
Water/moisture reclemation and harvesting farms are also prevalent and incredibly important to the average citizen. Being able to pull excess moisture from the air or be able to harvest it from deep in the soil, Even to remove and purify water from the corpses of animal tissue, or other various sources has removed the need for water rationing as the population grew in size. This water also helps fuel the vast biofarms and produce the great quantities of food needed to sustain the general populace.
Soldiers who know they will be spending their whole lives and careers within the military more than anyone else would be subject to these more than others. Injections and performance inhancing elements (usually experimental but some soundly proven). To make soldiers stronger, more pain resistant, etc. All while hopefully not making their bodies completely dependant and prone to intense bouts of backlash and withdrawl. Essentially make the perfect drug. It is hard, and the protectorate admits it is not quite there to making the end all military drug or operation. But it still tries. It is not against operations and other means in the never ending quest for the perfect soldier.
Cybernetics within the protectorate currently allow for the replacement of any lost limb, either partially or fully with a workable robotic replacement. As simple and rugged in design as the Protectorate itself it was not designed with aestetics in mind. Though 'cleaner' cut models can be purchased.
Military members for example tend to find that their replacements are considerably tougher and even lightly armoured though not enough to throw off their bodies balance and wear them down. Even service animals for the Provost corp like Volak and barghests have been rumoured to be modified with a mixture of genetic engineering and cybernetic enhancement to improve aggression and strength and to provide a degree of control or a kill switch directly into the beasts brain. Especially animals that have proven to be particularly effective in life may find their service extended after death turning them into even more horrifying and capable versions of their earlier selves.
Military Statistics-
The protectorate military can be divided into four main branches groups, The army, The navy, The Provost Corps, and the Citizens militia.
The provost corp is the law enforcement of the protectorate. It has both civilian and military jurisdiction and is given a wide berth by the government and the corresponding commisserate branch to carry out it's duties. The provost corp retains it's own precinct fortresses, which oddly enough are seen as beacons of re-assurance to the common people. Even in the smaller and more rural towns these can be seen as smaller outposts, obviously with less equipment and defensive measures than a city fortress but still retaining it's purpose. Sometimes if the population is spread across a wide area with many tiny hamlets there will be one larger stronghold to oversee essentially a counties worth of land.
Despite their cold and intimidating walls, the lines of cryo pods and standard holding cells for prisoners and detainee's they are self sufficient strongholds. In the case of military invasion each of these fortresses has enough food, weapons, munitions and even military grade hardware to hold out on it's own and if nothing else give the invaders a bloody nose before they fall.
The provost corps is split between the Justicars, prosecutors and magistrates who organize and participate in the actual courts for the trials and sentencing of the accused party. (Lawyers, prosecutors, judges) And the Arbiters who are the 'foot soldiers' of the provost corps. Trained to the same degree and standards as any military member. Typically they make use of non lethal tools such as shock batons and pistols.
There are a few arbiters who are trained specifically to train, ride, and command Volak's. A fierce and deadly predator native to the planet of Raan. At first they were mearly hunted for the colonists protection. The claws and teeth of this beast is fearsome and the sight of a truly enraged Volak is a sight that sets fear in even the most hardened man. Lacking the horses and their capabilites from old earth the Provost Marshall considers Volak's to be a suitable, if not highly preferable replacement. It;s fast and strong and just intimidating enough to calm an angry crowd or protest usually without firing a shot.
There are also Barghests, which are named for the freightening visage and wolf like shape as well as their naturally high agression. These are commonly used as 'guard dogs' or police hounds. Their senses are quite keen and they can detect abmormalities nearly as well as any machine. Plus the sight of them usually puts criminals and particularly the guilty on edge which is always a bonus.
Arbiters,-
https://imageshack.com/i/p9BQzycfj Volak-
https://imageshack.com/i/ez9SZO0sj Barghests-
https://imageshack.com/i/pa0YPUSVj
SkyeOfStars
