============================================= | QUENTAL MAIN .. . | | SECTOR .. Unexplored . | Major Systems | ... . | in the area | . 4 . | 1 Mark | . . Explored . | 2 Argent | C . Systems .. | 3 Zeristu | | .\ \ \1\ \ \ .. | 4 Montrose | S---+---T . \ \ \\ . | | | . \ 2 . | | R . Zeristu \ CSA .. | | . Empire \ ... | | \ border . 3 \ .. . | | . \ . .. | | C coreward . . | | R rimward . .... .. | | S spinward .. . . | | T trailing .. | | | =============================================The CSA is bordered on it's spinward side by the Zeristu Empire. The Zeristu Empire's size is not completely known, but appears to be about the same size and strength as the CSA. The CSA and Zeristu came into contact, and conflict, a little over 60 years ago, and have fought 3 major wars and several skirmishes over the years. Today there is an uneasy peace between these two, largest, states, but CSA citizens are still restricted to visiting only the border areas of the Zeristu Empire.
Coreward from the CSA there is a region of explored systems along the Quental Main. This area includes a few multi-system states, but most inhabited systems are unaffiliated with any other. The CSA and Zeristu have been slowly moving coreward through this area for the last 40 years.
Beyond the explored region is the main body of the Quental Main. Little is known of this area or the areas beyond. Explorers, merchants, and adventurers who venture into the "great beyond" return with some reliable data, but with even more tales.
Within the CSA, humans of all races form 90% of the population, Vargr at 8% make up most of the rest. Small groups of various other species make up the remaining 2%. Although we have no direct evidence, it appears the Zeristu Empire has approximately the same proportions.
About 5,000 years ago there was a interstellar war in this area. It has come to be called the "Great War." Very few records from before this war exist, but from what little archaeologists and historians have put together there was an Imperium and a civil war. Current thought is that this Imperium probably covered most of this sector, but a single government spanning the galaxy is quite unbelievable. From the name given to the Imperium's capital, we conclude that the Imperium's center was located coreward of us, perhaps somewhere in the unexplored part of the Quental Main.
A continuing mystery is what happened at the end of the Great War. The few intact and deciphered records from this period indicate the war was winding down with much of their civilization still intact, when a gap in the records appears. The gap in information is called the Darkness. The myths and legends say this is "when the universe died", in truth we simply don't know what happened.
During this mysterious Darkness, almost all the remaining Imperial civilization was destroyed, leaving scattered ruins, dead systems, and no record of what happened. It was several hundred years before the survivors had rebuilt and relearned enough to begin keeping records again. The early records seldom looked back beyond the last generation, and except for stories like the one above have little to say about the Great War and the Darkness.
Argent achieved interstellar flight just less than 300 years ago, the first planet in the local cluster to do so. Until recently travel was limited to slower than light "sleeper ships." These early explorers and settlers discovered recovering civilizations and ancient ruins all across the subsector.
The development of jump technology in 903 allowed Argent to complete the exploration of this subsector, and found the Confederated Systems of Argent. The CSA's main purpose has always been to promote and protect trade among the member states, and in this role did not historically maintain a large military force. Contact with the Zeristu changed this.
The Zeristu are an aggressive and militaristic culture. They have repeatedly attacked the CSA systems, clients and allies during the last 60 years. We have developed a strong Army and Navy to oppose them, and during the recent war, 993-996, stopped their expansion with the defense of Kasaan, Cathay and Vito. The limit of the Zeristu's trailing borders has been stopped at the Harkin-Wozo-Bern line, and negotiations continue in attempts to liberate allied systems that have fallen to the Zeristu.
The Senate meets continuously at Maston, Argent, and acts as the legislative body for the CSA. Its powers are limited to interstellar affairs, trade policies, and funding and support for defense forces. Each member world sends 3 Senators to serve in the Confederation Senate.
The Ministries of the Protector administer the laws and regulations passed by the Senate. The Chief Secretaries for each Ministry are nominated by the Protector and confirmed by the Senate.
The Protector is the Chief Executive Officer and ceremonial leader of the CSA. The Senate elects the Protector for life from candidates nominated by each member system. Traditionally, the monarch of Argent is elected as Protector. Protector Codelia Wu, Queen of Argent is the current Confederation Protector, ascending to the chair in 988.
The major city and capital of Argent is Maston. Maston is located on the inner sea separating Hollis from Jasta. It is built on the 6 hills overlooking the large protected harbor that has made it the center of trade on Argent.
Although the attention of Argent's population has turned to the stars much of the planet is still undeveloped. Large sections of the Jasta continent is still undeveloped wilderness with most development concentrated along the eastern seacoasts of the inner sea.
Life on Argent is still fairly rural. Most people live in small towns and villages scattered thoughout the islands and on Jasta's seacoast and temperate plains. Culturally, most Argentians are conservative in thought, dress, and action. They are also industrious, inventive, and avid explorers.
The two other inhabited planets of this system are Hothouse, F482264-8 (Nota Ter-3), and IceBox, F553364-8 (Nota Ter-4). These are little more than outposts. A small population occupies an asteroid belt in orbit 6.
The people of Gorath are typically more "laid back" than those of Argent. They are given to colorful dress, elaborate and loud entertainment, and more liberal social practices. Goranthans have a reputation as fierce warriors and excellent engineers, somewhat surprising given the rest of their culture's reputation.
Bonzi has a number of independent states that have joined together into a trading confederation to represent their interests in the CSA. The independent states on Bonzi have fought several small wars since contact with Argent, but regardless of their conflicts on the ground maintain a unified front in contact with the CSA.
Bonzi has several ancient Imperium sites that archeologists are investigating. From what little that has been found, it appears that Bonzi was once a leading system in this area.
Culturally Bonzi is very diverse with each of the several nation states having its own unique culture. Bonzanies make up a disproportionally large part of the CSA's enlisted army and navy, often joking that they just joined to avoid all the fighting at home.
Bolongi, the capital of the state Inido, is an important center of culture in the CSA. The University of Bolongi's Department of Archeology is reknown through out the subsector and it's entertainers are considered some of the best in Argent subsector.
Shaw is temperate, with large oceans and a single large continent mostly in the nothern temperate zone. It's population lives mainly in the valleys of the three main rivers draining this continent. There are several cities along the rivers that service the surrounding farms, ranches and mines.
Shawers are considered the most outgoing and social of the CSA members. It is often remarked that their government, a faceless civil service, is so gray they have to make up for it in their personal lives.