Bautizar
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| Flag of Bautizar | |
| Motto: "Ne Obliviscaris" | |
| No Map Available | |
| Region | Confederation of Nations |
|---|---|
| Capital | New Gibraltar |
| Official Language(s) | Basic (English) |
| Leader | Sir Samuel Baxter, K.C.V.O., W.T.K.C. |
| Population | 463 million (20070116) |
| Currency | Credit |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
Introduction
Her Majesty's Commonwealth Government of Bautizar, known in local shorthand as "the Commonwealth" or "Her Majesty's Government" (HMG), is a collection of three future tech planets (Bautizar, Solstheim Bautizar, and Gorjen Bautizar) located approximately two months from the Confederation of Nations. It was formed in 3391 by the First and Second Treaties of the Dominion, which led to a merger of the Dominion of Bautizar, the Kingdom of Camillar, and the House of Dornas.
Events in the Commonwealth are referred to as pre-Unification and post-Unification to refer to the merger of 3391. Originally these phrases were intended to assist outsiders in familiarizing themselves with the changes that have taken place within the territory of HMG, but they have become synonymous with the rising standards of living and general prosperity throughout the early 3400s.
History
Pre-Unification
The question of how humans came to exist on three worlds very distant from Earth remains an unknown question in Commonwealth history. Speculation has focused on the possibility of the planets having been settled by refugees fleeing Earth's wars of the mid 2000s. If this is true, according to sentiment among the archaeological community, then at some point prior to the establishment of colonies on the three worlds they devolved to pre-spaceflight societies consistent with pre-1000s civilizations on Old Earth.
Gorjen IV was the first planet to redevelop the written word, in the year 2100 on the Commonwealth calendar. By the mid 2100s their world had become industrialized, and it was not long before they harnessed the power of the atom. In 2210 widespread conflict broke out across the planet, leading to an escalation to nuclear weapons that left less than 20 million alive from a pre-exchange population of 1.6 billion. The survivors were left to struggle and adapt to life as best as they could. In 2215 the first of several religious faiths emerged, and those that had survived what has become known as "The Cleansing" were quickly swayed to the idea of religion. Since then the population has become very religiously devout. It was their devotion to the ideals of pacifism and non-resistance that enabled them to be quickly conquered and subjugated 3376 by the House of Dornas.
Solstheim VI is the planet from which many of the Commonwealth's marines have come, owing to its harsh desert environment that encourages physical toughness and mental stamina. By the mid-3100s the various tribes had united to form a warrior-based society known as the Soldenor. In 3250 they succeeded in breaking the warp barrier, and in 3300 they invaded and conquered Bautizar VIII. Defeated and expelled in 3374, the society began to crumble as warriors turned on each other, seeking to pass blame around for the failure of the occupation. This enabled an invasion that conquered and subjugated them by 3377.
Bautizar VIII became inhabited by a tribal-based agricultural society by the year 2000 on the Commonwealth calendar. The Soldenor invasion of 3300 later was soon followed by massive industrialization projects that radically transformed the face of the planet from its humble roots into an economic powerhouse that rivaled pre-Cleansing Gorjen IV. By 3374 this might had been used by the newly-united Dominion of Bautizar, the Kingdom of Camillar, and the House of Dornas to expel the invaders. It was in the aftermath of this that the planet fell into near-anarchy, with the three states becoming engaged in destructive warfare punctuated by the use of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.
In 3389 the general realization came to exist that unless the warfare could be stopped, all of the planet would be rendered uninhabitable by the year 3395. In late 3389 the First Treaty of the Dominion succeeded in establishing a permanent ceasefire, paving the way for the Second Treaty of the Dominion in 3391. It was this latter document that established the Dominion of Bautizar as an inter-planetary entity.
In 3391 the Parliament voted to rename the government Her Majesty's Commonwealth Government of Bautizar, settling what many considered to be the last post-Unification question.
Post-Unification
Post-Unification society has become divided into three camps. Bautizar VIII, known to many as "the homeworld," is considered to have an inoffensive centralized government that prefers to maintain law and order at the expense of civil liberties. Its economy has been growing steadily in the post-Unification era, giving it the strongest economy of the three worlds.
Gorjen IV has retreated from the international stage as the religious piousness of its population continues to grow. Colonial authorities are known to maintain strict controls over the Church of the Twin Lanterns (the official religion and the only one recognized and allowed to practice in public by the authorities). In more recent years the economy has become greatly unsettled as religious leaders have become increasingly vocal in their sermons against the corruption and evils of business. Repeated rumors from within the Colonial Authorities have spoken of forthcoming action against the Church's religious elders in order to get them to "tone down" their message, but these rumblings have been ongoing since 3410 and are considered by many to be just stories.
Solstheim VI has recovered from the economic chaos that was widespread after the defeat of 3374 and the invasion of 3377. Although considered by many to be a growing economic market, many of the younger generations can be found enlisted in the marine corps and enlisted branches of the Commonwealth military. While Colonial authorities have loosened regulations and restrictions on the civilian populace in recent years, there have been rumors to suggest that their vigiliance has in fact sharpened with the growing economic prosperity across the planet.
Geography
The planets themselves differ greatly not only in their overall environments, but in the ecosystems found on each one. As Commonwealth authority is generally considered to extend to the borders of these systems (defined under current law as 120 lightyears beyond the orbit of the outermost planet), this also includes mineral-rich asteroid fields and a variety of stellar phenomena that are either harvested to better aid the economies of the colonies or constantly under study by the Royal Academy of Science.
The Bautizar system has one world that can support life: Bautizar VIII, also known as the homeworld. In addition there are also eight other planets of varying sizes, none of which can naturally support life. Currently, colonies can be found on Bautizar II and III, but these are little more than mining settlements policed by the Constabulary Authority. Mineral deposits are considered especially high throughout the system, including recent finds of substantial veins of nickel and copper in the outer asteroid fields.
The arid and barren world of Solstheim VI is the seventh planet in its system. Veteran traders and miners consider its climate to be "cool" by system standards: the other six worlds are notorious for numerous hazards, including scorching temperatures on their sunlit sides and freezing temperatures on the other half. The system's primary claim to fame is the extensive asteroid belts which litter the area, all of which are considered hazardous due to their being swept by frequent radiation storms. Estimates indicate that Solstheim VI will be uninhabitable by 3700 due to the worsening climactic conditions on its surface.
Gorjen IV is a moderate class-M world capable of supporting human life with little or no special adaptations. Referred to by some as the "breadbasket of the Commonwealth," its oxygen-rich climate has led to steadily increasing agricultural growth in recent years to the point of massive surpluses. Like the Solstheim and Bautizar systems, the outer belts of the system are rich in minerals. Strict anti-business regulations by the religious authorities on the planet have prevented large-scale exploitation of these natural riches, however.
People
All Commonwealth citizens no matter their occupation or profession receive compulsory implants at the age of 12. These implants serve to enhance mental abilities, fortify their health, and serve as miniaturized computer systems to allow better communication and productivity. More sinister applications, such as government spying on citizens and the use of the implants as forms of assassination, have remained rumors and not proven by any concrete information.
Despite the post-Unification opening of borders and national boundaries, the people of the Commonwealth remain very much closeted groups which do not mingle unless forced to. Bautizans are known for as good leaders and merchants, the Gorjen people are famed for their religious piousness and as artisans and craftsmen, and the Soldenors for being soldiers and masters of metalworking.
Government
The post-Unification HMG is a collection of various agencies from the pre-Unification era, the majority of which have become more streamlined with passing years. Organized in a constitutional monarchy (although Soldenors and Gorjen do not have voting rights as of yet in national affairs), the Royal Family is a largely symbolic station better known for being a "figurehead" for the country. Power largely rests with the executive branch, led by the prime minister and his/her cabinet.
There are currently twelve (12) cabinet-level positions within the government, each one being responsible for a specific area. They are the:
- Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- Her Majesty's Treasury
- Ministry of Constitutional Affairs
- Ministry of Culture, Media and Sports
- Ministry of Defense
- Ministry of Education and Skills
- Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of International Development
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Trade and Industry
- Ministry of Transport
- Ministry of Defense
The Parliament itself is divided into two bodies: the House of Commoners consists of 35 members who are popularly elected to serve five-year terms. Above them is the House of Administrators, six of the 20 members of which are appointed by the prime minister with the advice and consent of his/her cabinet. The remainder is elected by local bodies to serve six-year terms.
Military
- Commonwealth Defense-class cruiser/carrier seen on patrol near the homeworld
The Commonwealth military is smaller than the standing militaries that were maintained during the pre-Unification era, but has been growing in size in recent years. Fiscal spending is largely considered to be the responsibility of the Admiralty, who has control over the navy, marine corps, and national reserve. (The Constabulary Authority's budget and command/control comes from the Ministry of Justice.)
Currently the military has four classes of ships in service. They are the Unity-class heavy battlecruiser, the Defense-class cruiser/carrier, the Marathon-class light cruiser, and the Adamant-class logistical vessel.
Technical information regarding these ships can be found at the information link maintained by the Admiralty. A number of private contractors are engaged in the Commonwealth's military affairs: more information on them can be found at the aforementioned information link.
Very few models of ships are offered for sale by the Commonwealth and its contractors, the majority of whom are notorious for hostile business relations and a suspicious view towards outsiders. The only one currently being sold in any meaningful quantity is the Type 200 light frigate, retired from service in the immediate post-Unification years.
--Bautizar 07:44, 17 January 2007 (GMT)
