Author's Note:
As I worked on writing the next chapter of Rogue Effect, I realized that I had a multitude of notes and ideas about the USKY and that it would take me forever to express them all through my stories.
For this reason, I decided to create a Codex to present my ideas to anyone interested in learning more.
XXX
Chapter 1: Introduction to USKY
Plot: Let's start with the basics.
XXX
USKY (United Space Kingdom of Ysatnaf and its colonies), simply nicknamed "the Kingdom", is an interstellar civilization in the Azure Galaxy of Universe 2126.
Its territory, which includes five hundred worlds, extends into the Segmentum Obscurus (Galactic North).
XXX Paragraph of History XXX
The events of Bahamut Effect, Rogue Effect, and Gemini Effect take place in 550 ARB according to the Ysatnafian Calendar, which would correspond to the year 2564 AD in the human calendar.
ARB è l'acronimo di: After the Return of the Bahamut.
This calendar was established when fifteen-year-old Bruce Bel Bahamut Belmont assumed the office of Archduke of the Grand Duchy of Bahamut, absolute ruler of Sekiryu Island and the surrounding archipelagos.
In the year 49 ARB, Archduke Bahamut used his position as the Messiah of the Hikarinus religion, supported by the Holy Church of Light and the High Priestess herself, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, to proclaim the beginning of the First Crusade, known externally as the War of Unification.
In the year 50 ARB, the Archduke united the Seven Ancient Noble Families (Bahamut, Leviathan, Golem, Garuda, Ramuh, Ifrit, and Shiva) under his leadership, unifying the entire planet Ysatnaf and proclaiming himself the First True King. This event resulted in the birth of a new branch of the Hikarinus religion: the Cult of the True King.
Shortly thereafter, the First King ordered the colonization of Gankessho, the moon of Ysatnaf, and the founding of the first lunar city. This was the first step in transforming the newborn Kingdom of Ysatnaf into the USKY.
By the year 535 ARB, the First King had reigned for a full 486 years over 500 planets and 12 different races, cementing what was, effectively, the space-faring superpower of the Segmentum Obscurus.
In the year 536 ARB, during the celebrations for the Unification of Ysatnaf, the First King made three historic announcements:
1) He introduced to the people the two new Crownmaker-class Supercarriers, the Moonbreaker and the Sunbreaker: the largest ships ever built, measuring a full 100 kilometers long.
2) He announced his retirement, passing the crown to his heir, Adara Tsuruhime B. Kurata, who became the Second King of USKY
3) He declared that he would become a Rogue Trader Militant. He thus founded his own personal fleet, the Voidwalkers, and the colony of Commorragh, preparing to travel beyond the confines of the Azure Galaxy thanks to a recent technological breakthrough.
In the year 550 ARB, the former First King, now Rogue Trader Militant, during the fourth year of his third extragalactic expedition, entered the Mass Effect galaxy, meeting Commander Shepard.
XXX Astro-geographic Panorama XXX
USKY is an interstellar domain comprising 500 worlds, though it does not occupy the entire Segmentum Obscurus. Its territorial extent can be analyzed using three interpretative models: "Nodes and Filaments," "Spheres of Influence," and "Administrative Sectors."
1) Nodes and Filaments
This is the most realistic representation from an astropolitical perspective. The USKY territory develops in a spiderweb-like structure:
- The Nodes (Habitat Centers): The 500 worlds represent the intersection points. The richer a planet is in resources or strategically close to the core, the greater the number of "threads" branching out from it.
- The Filaments (Travel Routes): These represent the safest hyperspace jump corridors. The space between the filaments is technically "empty" or unpatrolled; territorial control relies on rapid travel between nodes, rather than physical occupation of the cosmic void.
2) Spheres of Influence
A simplified model that visualizes the Kingdom as a huge circle divided into three concentric bands:
- Inner Circle
Density: The web is dense; every system is mapped and monitored.
- Worlds: Includes Tenno (the capital space station), the home worlds of the various species, and the vital centers of the Kingdom's economy and history. It hosts 77 of the 500 total worlds.
- Logistics: Characterized by constantly patrolled "space highways." Unauthorized access is virtually impossible.
- Middle Circle
Density: The "snowflake" structure is evident: the worlds are connected by main filaments, separated by vast shadow zones.
Worlds: This is the heart of the realm, with 350 worlds, the result of the second wave of colonization. It includes fortress worlds, factory worlds, and agricultural worlds, many of which are terraformed and self-sufficient. It is home to the Seven Great Fortress Worlds, regional capitals of resources and influence.
Logistics: The routes are vital; the disruption of a single strand isolates entire systems. It's a thriving trade zone, but subject to potential external threats.
- Outer Circle
Density: Habitable worlds are rare (73) and isolated. Filaments are thin and point outward, the basis for the future third wave of colonization (expected in two or three centuries).
Worlds: Military outposts, listening posts, and pioneer colonies with a Spartan lifestyle.
Logistics: Acts as a "buffer zone" and early warning system: an attack here gives the Middle Circle time to mobilize its defenses.
3) Administrative Sectors
The jurisdictional division adopted to facilitate bureaucratic and political management:
- Royal Sector (Inner Circle): Under the direct jurisdiction of the King, Princesses, Princes and their close associates.
- The Seven Noble Sectors (Middle Circle): Divided into seven wards, one for each Ancient Noble Family. Clockwise: Bahamut, Leviathan, Gorem, Garuda, Ramuh, Ifrit, and Shiva. Each sector is governed by its respective Great World.
- The Outer Circle: Divided into the four cardinal sectors (North, East, South, West). Due to the scarcity of resources, defense is entrusted to military space stations with stealth technology.
XXX Gerarchia Planetaria XXX
The political hierarchy on the worlds of USKY follows a linear and rigorous pyramid structure: Mayor, Administrative Viceroy, Planetary Governor.
1) The Mayor
Each city in the Kingdom is governed by a Mayor. The position is chosen through a traditional competition divided into three tests: Mind, Body, and Soul.
To access the candidacy, the requirements are extremely strict:
- Having been honorably discharged from the army.
- Have a clean criminal record.
- Ensure personal financial stability.
- Have no connection with extremists, traitors, or heretics.
- Be at least 50 years old.
- Have obtained at least three degrees or two specializations.
The number of candidates admitted to the competition for each city varies from a minimum of three to a maximum of seven.
2) The Administrative Viceroy
Each planet is divided into Administrative Areas based on its size and global geography. Each area is led by an Administrative Viceroy (or Area Viceroy [X]).
Applications for this position are typically reserved for four categories of individuals:
- Apprentices of the Viceroys: Those who, having served their predecessor with dedication, receive the nomination by right.
- Minor Nobility: Members of Minor Noble Families who enjoy the special favor of the Planetary Governor.
- Mayors Emeritus: Mayors who have distinguished themselves through exceptional work and are invited for promotion.
- Heroes and Guilds: Extraordinary individuals who have accomplished epic deeds for the people or who have served one of the planet's Great Guilds with honor.
When a Viceroy position becomes vacant, a shortlist of three, five, or seven candidates is selected, who face much more demanding and dangerous selection tests than those for the office of Mayor.
3) The Planetary Governor
The office of Planetary Governor is almost always hereditary. The original title can be obtained from one's lineage in five ways:
1) Main guide during the colonization of the planet.
2) Honor for military valor demonstrated during the conquest of the world.
3) Reward for exceptional services rendered to the Royal Family.
4) Direct gift from the King in extraordinary circumstances.
5) Victory in one of the "Suicide Competitions" held by the King every hundred years.
The Succession:
When a Governor decides to abdicate, the designated heir must face a public test in front of the people and the Administrative Viceroys.
- If the heir fails or dies during the probation, the right passes to the Governor's other children.
- If there are no heirs or if none of them intend to come forward, the Administrative Viceroys can attempt to reclaim the title.
If successful, the new Governor must marry the previous Governor's heir (if alive) or one of his brothers/sisters to legitimize the transfer of power. If the bloodline is extinct, there is no marriage obligation.
- In the extreme case that no Viceroy passes the test or accepts the challenge, it will be up to the Royal Family to authoritatively appoint a new Planetary Governor.
XXX Spatial Hierarchy Paragraph XXX
Above the Planetary Governors, but formally subordinate to the Royal Family, are the Lords and Ladies of the Star.
In the entire USKY, there are only twelve individuals who hold this prestigious position, whose title is often shortened to Star-Lord or Star-Lady.
Functions and Powers
Their primary duty is to supervise the Planetary Governors within their respective sectors. They act as superior authorities with the power to:
- Provide logistical and military support to worlds in need.
- Sanction or punish negligent or rebellious Governors.
- Mediate diplomatic conflicts, especially in the rare cases where multiple Governors find themselves sharing the same star system.
The Composition of the Twelve
The internal hierarchy of the twelve seats is divided as follows:
1) The First Seat (Heir to the Throne): The first Star Lady is always the heir to the throne. This position serves as a "royal apprenticeship," a mandatory path to learning the intricacies of government before assuming the crown of the Kingdom.
2) The Seven Noble Seats (The Ancient Houses): Seven positions are rightfully held by the House Heads of the Seven Ancient Noble Families of Ysatnaf. This privilege was granted by the First King as an eternal reward for their loyalty during the First Crusade.
3) The Four Frontier Seats (The Rising Stars): The final four Star-Lords are more recently appointed figures. While they have less political power than the previous ones, they have the crucial task of guarding the four sides of the Kingdom's frontier, acting as beacons that must "illuminate" and protect the edges of known space.
XXX Paragraph: The Senate XXX
The Tenno Senate is the Kingdom's highest legislative body, serving as the primary focal point for the leaders and officials of interstellar society.
Protocol and Operation
The Senate meets at least once a month. Sessions are held both in person and via three-dimensional holographic projections supported by quantum communication systems. According to protocol, the unexcused absence of a member is considered a critical warning signal and must be immediately investigated by the competent authorities.
The Summit: SAPIA
At the head of the Senate, with the office of Prime Minister, sits SAPIA (Scientific Assistance Personalized and Intelligent Assistant). One of USKY's first biomechanical lifeforms, she is one of its most beloved and respected figures, having held her position for four centuries.
Composition
The majority of the assembly is composed of the Planetary Governors, the Lords and Ladies of the Star, and members of the Royal Family (Princes and Princesses). They are joined by prominent figures from the scientific, military, and magical worlds, as well as the leaders of the corporations and guilds.
Prominent among this assembly are the 12 Spokesmen: representatives chosen through ancient ancestral rites. While the Governors address the needs of their worlds, the Spokesmen are tasked with highlighting the specific issues facing the various species of the Realm.
Key Figures and Members
Some of the Senate's most influential figures include:
- Beatrix B. Blight (Second Princess): CEO of Blight Galaxy Industrials, the richest corporation in the Kingdom. She holds a monopoly on AI production and works for the Mechanicus, the scientific "division" of the kingdom's military. She is the Governor of the industrial planet Ferox, home to the largest assembly line in USKY. Due to the Second King's lack of heirs, she is considered the current heir to the throne and a possible Third King of USKY.
- Aria B. Kannazuki (Third Princess): High Sorceress of the Blue Valkyrie coven, one of the finest groups of magic users, and Headmistress of the most prestigious magic academy. She rules the agricultural planet Ivy-7, renowned for its production of extremely rare alchemical ingredients.
- Megan B. Yamana (Fifth Princess): Supreme Iudex, the highest judicial authority of the state. She is the only figure with the legal power to try and imprison a member of the Royal Family. She governs the prison planet Alcatraz.
- Katerina B. Kirijo (Ninth Princess): Head of the Spacing Guild, she holds an absolute monopoly on civilian interstellar travel. She governs Mitsuru, the most vital trade hub between the Inner Circle and the Outer Circle.
Objectives and State of War
The Senate is the seat of political debate and legislative planning; however, every proposal or reform must receive the final approval of the King. In the event of declared war, the powers of the assembly are drastically reduced, limiting decision-making authority to the Lords/Ladies of the Star and the Governors of strategic worlds.
XXX
Author's Note:
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to my own creation, the Interstellar Realm!