Name: Interstellar Confederacy of Planets
Author: ilKhan Ozy, im_sparticus
Editor: {Editor’s Name}

Description: {Description of the organization here.}
Goals: {Why this Organization exist. What it is trying to accomplish.}
Headquarters: {The planet, city, or station that acts as headquarters for the organization}
Sectors of Influence: {which systems, planets, cities, etc. fall under this organizations influence, and how influential is it.}
Member Type: {individuals or organizations}
Members: {Individual leaders and some of the key members of the organization.}
Sub-Organizations: {Any companies they own, governments they control, military or social branches that answer to this organization. Not just members, but subsidiaries.}
Structure: {How the members interact, make decisions, join, and leave the organization. How do they know who's in charge, and who's opinion can be ignored?}
History: {A brief history of this organization. Name any major historic events that may have occurred.}
Insignia: {What symbols, flags, signs, or logos are associated with this organization? What do they put on the sides of their ships, in their advertisements, or on their uniforms?}
Equipment: {Any standard-issue equipment for this organization. Special equipment for sub-organizations should be included in their submission.}
Morals/Alignment: {Evil, good? Who are they aligned with? Any factions?}
Unique Attacks: {Any specially trained offensive tactics?}
Unique Defenses: {Any special trained defense tactics?}
Notes: {Did you miss something above you wish for the GM/DM to know?}

2825 - Ending of Second Systems War results in the founding of the Interstellar Confederacy of Planets (ICOP)
2832 - The ICOP joins with other human nations under the Terran Union banner to combat the Ley’Torian threat
2839 - The ICOP breaks from the Terran Union forming an independent peace with the Ley’Torian Confederation
2840 - In an effort to rebuild, many favorable trade deals struck with [Esoi Federation] merchants
2890? - After years of favorable relations, the ICOP and [Esoi Federation] sign a formal mutual defense agreement
2900? - ICOP sends massive aid aftet major disaster threatens to wipe all life from [Esoi Federation] [World]
2938 - ICOP and [Esoi Federation] discuss formal integration as the Husoi League in response to the growing power of the Eidel Kadir Empire
2942 - Husoi League integration begins at the local level
2953: 1st Quarter - The Unity Fleet is launched as a joint colonization effort of Regulus C to help finalize the integration of the two nations
2953: August 14 - The Unity Fleet is destroyed upon entering the Regulus system; Calls to arms ring out among human population




This is done soley to give us something to work with for the Husoi League. Spart, I hope youll be willing to continue working with me on this.

2825 - Ending of Second Systems War results in the founding of the Interstellar Confederacy of Planets (ICOP)
2832 - The ICOP joins with other human nations under the Terran Union banner to combat the Ley’Torian threat
2839 - The ICOP breaks from the Terran Union forming an independent peace with the Ley’Torian Confederation
2840 - In an effort to rebuild, many favorable trade deals struck with [Esoi Federation] merchants
2890? - After years of favorable relations, the ICOP and [Esoi Federation] sign a formal mutual defense agreement
2900? - ICOP sends massive aid aftet major disaster threatens to wipe all life from [Esoi Federation] [World]
2938 - ICOP and [Esoi Federation] discuss formal integration as the Husoi League in response to the growing power of the Eidel Kadir Empire
2942 - Husoi League integration begins at the local level
2953: 1st Quarter - The Unity Fleet is launched as a joint colonization effort of Regulus C to help finalize the integration of the two nations


So, I was looking at our Future History timeline, and the first colonization attempt was made in 2600.
By 2700 there were at least 20 colonies settled.
The International Colonization Organization and Cooperation Agency or ICOCA is formed
In the First Systems war (?-2820), the younger colonies supported by the ICOCA beat out the Independent Colonies.
The Second Systems War (>2820-2825) breaks the ICOCA into the Terra First Worlds and the ICOP.
In 2832 the Humans unite under the Terran Union to fight the Ley'Torian Confederation.
In 2839 some Human groups break from the Union to make peace with the Ley'Torians.
By 2870 immigration from Earth is opposed by the [Anti-Earth] planets.


So, from the timeline, heres what we know to be fact:

The Interstellar Confederacy of Planets was formed in 2825.
In 2832 they banded together with other Human nations to defeat the Heathen Ley'Torians
By the time of the System Wars, there were at least 50 colony worlds.
The ICOCA was at most 30 planets in strength, although I doubt they have any governing authority
The Terran-Ley'Torian war lasts from 2832 until 2839, before the Union is parted.


Here is what I assume:

The Terran Union is more of an organization of nations, rather than a nation in its own right. I think of it as something like NATO or maybe even the European Union.

Now, those ideas mixed with my original SWAG ICOP timeline leads me to this:

The Interstellar Confederacy is likely 13 planets in size at the end of the Systems War, and they are all in some degree opposed to Earth rule or Earth immigration.
Based on the destination of this group as a founder of the Husoi league, they are likely Rimward of Sol, also Anti-Spinward.
As colonies from Earth become disenchanted with home rule and break away the Confederacy grows. That and its own colonization attempts likely lead the group to hold 20+ worlds by the time it begins unification.
They are the leaders of breaking away from the Terran Union to make peace with the Ley'Torians.
The ICOP fights in the Terran-Ley'Torian war for 6 years before making peace. I assume they are one of front line groups,due to their position.
The Union continues the war for a few more years, leading to strife between the Union and the ICOP.

So:

The Interstellar Confederacy of Planets existed independently from 2825 until 2952.

Its first iteration was preceded by the Interstellar COnfederacy of Planets, and was succeeded by the Terran Union. The Second iteration was preceded by the Terran Union and succeeded by the Husoi League.

The Interstellar Confederacy of Planets independently colonized 11 worlds. It annexed or absorbed two independent or secession worlds.

The Confederacy was a belligerent in the Terran-Ley'torian war as a member of the Terran Union. The Confederacy may have been a silent participant in at least one war of succession against the Terran Union or one of its constituents.

By 2900 the Confederacy had a sizable navy, capable of supporting large scale aid and rescue missions beyond its borders.

The Confederacy was openly aligned with the Terran Union from 2832 until 2839, and openly aligned with the [Esoi Federation] from [2890?] until its dissolution.







Id like to base this on the Old Swiss Confederacy, as it seems to have the most relevancy. IMO.

Mainly:

When the Confederacy began, its many planets simply had a slew of treaties that bound them to one another, but no formal overarching treaty. Essentially, I am allied with you, and that guy is aligned with you. So when I get attacked, you declare and he declares because you declare. Picture World War I. Following [Da Conference], they formally bound themselves together. After that, they went until they founded the Husoi League.


This is a link for the background on the flag:

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lábaru[/url]

Looks good to me. The only things I'd recommend are:

1) A couple slightly Asiatic star system names (Minyue, Hubaekje, or Trung all have good stories of rebellion against a stronger power). The ICOCA is supposed to be international, so it should found planets with international names and what you have seems to me skewed too much toward European names.

2) That the colonies (and perhaps even the annexed systems) be under the suzerainty of the original 13 systems rather than fully equal members. It could work like the condominiums in the article about the Swiss. That way there is a tendency toward unification already in place, although the member planets are independent, before the Husoi League.

Since it is a purely historical government, we don't need too much detail about the hows and whats, but the whys probably still matter a little. Why did the ICOP break away from Earth and latter the Terran Union? Probably because (along with a slew of other reasons) they didn't like the 'foreign' control to be so centralized, so tyrannical, and so distant. One other thing the Old Swiss Confederacy did to counteract one place becoming too strong and distant is they rotated the capitol. Perhaps each of the 13 founding worlds has a 'Capitol City' and where the legislatures meet rotates every two years. It would have almost made it 10 times around in its 128 year history. For that matter it could move every 8-10 years for more consistency and simplicity in government, or after every recess (once or twice a year) for more bureaucratic redundancy.

My thoughts were that the majority of these were independent colonies, which is why they are opposed to the ICOCA. When they were subverted, that caused tensions that led to the second systems wars. That, and I was mostly randomly trolling Wiki for random names.



So you are recommending that the expansed colonies remain under the control of the original colonies? Or are you saying that is how it reads, and it should be changed.



Like I said above, I pictured this beginning with the initial push of colonization prior to the formation of the ICOCA. Many colonies were done independently of the ICOCA, and the majority of these were non-ICOCA colonies. During the First Systems War I picture the ICOCA trying to move in on the independent colonies, perhaps for taxes and so on. Since the ICOCA wins, we assume that they do indeed in subjecting the future ICOP worlds to their will. THat triggers the Second Systems War, which breaks the ICOCA into the ICOP, the previously independent worlds, and the Terra First Worlds, the initially ICOCA colonies.

I picture the colonists of the ICOP worlds would have been those seeking to escape Earth, for whatever reasons, and be done with it. The ICOCA would likely choose colonists with a loyalty to Earth, which gives us our stratification. So that could solve out Break 1 issue.

As to Break 2 from the Terran Union, I think I mentioned that I see the Union as more of an interstellar NATO meets EU deal. Maybe something like the Soviet Union. Even though they have no love for Earth, they still see the hazards of losing Earth, so they band together with old enemies, whoop some tail and then get bogged down. Seeing the immediate threat over, they withdraw from the Union, and sue for peace.

The Main reason I settled the capital at Augusta was that later in the OSC article, they establish a permanent capital. Either way works for me really.

I did see that Zurich eventually became the permanent chair and Baden the permanent host, but I like the idea of it rotating around so that you don't have time in one place for too much beurocracy to accumulate. It would also prevent the 'central' government from getting too closely aligned with one planet/system (no worries about ellecting a 'Washington Insider').

It doesn't read like the latter planets are either independent or subject to the original. You left it completely open, and so I thought it would be cool to clarify it as a sort of quasi-independence like the OSC condominiums for the newer worlds. I'm thinking a collection of planets united by a dislike of the central government (original 13) wouldn't be too fond of becoming the central authority over other planets, but that complete equality as a member state would be too like the US we all know. Suzerainty alows for the newer worlds to be partially independent (possibly to varrying degrees) and partially subject to other members or the ICOP as a whole.

Overall no colony would be much older than 100 years by the time the ICOP becomes part of the Husoi League, so it is unlikely they'd be able to sustain independence anyway (they would still be reliant on the other planets for many basic needs, including population). It also makes it a moot point, since they could just as easily transition from colony to equal member over time, but only Tizard and Milestone had time to complete the transition. I was just trying to get something that would help with the later switch from ICOP to Husoi League (and the greater central authority therin).

You and I had different understandings of the ICOP and ICOCA. I had thought the ICOP to be an evolution of the ICOCA and you had thought it to be a rebelion from it of better established (and generations removed from Earth) planets. I was thinking geographically that older colonies would be closer to Earth, while newer ones would be farther out and so less attached to Earth. You were thinking that the older colonies would be more ready to break away and become a confederation instead of subjects. Perhaps we both are right, since the initial colonists wouldn't have been sent to these 13 worlds but to Alpha Centauri and Wolf and the supper close to Sol systems. Then those wanting to break away from Earth would have gone farther out on their own (like Mormons to Utah). Eventually the ICOCA would catch up with Earth friendly colonies, and the indie worlds would get attached again (like Utah after the gold/silver rush). The ICOP would be their response of mutual defense against the newer colonies, but they wouldn't be the oldest, closest systems.

I'm not sure if I'm adding anything here except confusion, so I'll stop.

You hit my understanding square on with that Mormon analogy.

And I understand what you are saying about the new colonies and other things.

So, I like your ideas, where to now?

I think we have a good enough understanding to move back to the big picture (the Great War). If we want to focus on this to completion, what we need is to name the [Esoi Federation] more permanently and complete the template. If we want to integrate the roving Capitol City we can, or not, but otherwise I think filling out the description and goals and how exactly the member systems were organized/named/interrelated would finish it off. I've done some description and goals below, but they need more work.

I like that description. And it works for me. Ill see if I can fluff it some, and post it up later. We can carry on with the Great War if you want. But it might be a good thing to flesh out the as of yet unnamed [Esoi Federation] as well as the Husoi League.

I like to work backwards to build the skeleton, and then work forwards to cover the skeleton. Just personal style I guess.

Name: Interstellar Confederacy of Planets
Author: ilKhan Ozy, im_sparticus
Editor: {Editor’s Name}

Description: The origins of the Interstellar Confederacy of Planets (ICOP) date back to a treaty of mutual self-defense between the systems of Phar Lap and Onyx during Earth year 2732. As further agreements were reached between these and other systems over the next several decades a loose collection of 8 planets formed. By the time of the First Systems War the treaties were well established and brought forces from all 8 planets to the defense of Nova Terra when ICOCA ships violated its sovereignty. By the end of the war 16 systems had fought against the ICOCA but failed to achieve their desired independence.

During the ICOCA occupation (2820-2825) contact and commerce between these formerly independent worlds was strictly regulated, taxed, and monitored by ICOCA. When tensions flared up again with an open revolt on Hades, word of it spread slowly, but it did spread. Rebellion and bids for independence plagued the older worlds within a year, and the ICOCA forces were spread too thin to quell them all. Once Flathax and Electra wrested control of their system away from the ICOCA they went to the aid of their former allies. By the end of Earth year 2725, 25 systems had broken away from what remained of the ICOCA (then called the Terra First Worlds). Of these 25 systems, 13 agreed to remain affiliated and created the ICOP.

Upon the creation of the ICOP, the leaders of the various planets met to create a leading council, forgoing a single head of state.

Goals: The ICOP existed to ensure the independence and tranquility of its member systems, with minimal impact on the sovereignty of those members, against all threats--human or alien.

Headquarters: Capital City

At its founding, Chairman Baresi stated that the capital city of the sitting chairs world would be the acting national capital. Upon his retirement, Edwin Nimitz succeeded him, and promptly set this precedent into law. From then forward, the capital was rotated about the various planets for the remainder of the nation’s history.

Leaders:
Founding Councilors:
Chairman Benedetto Baresi representing Flathax, Danision, and Babylon
Leona Nilsson representing Phar Lap and Electra
Aman van Riessen representing Cyrano and New Stockholm
Petteri Lindholm representing Nova Terra and Hades
Viva Székely representing Onyx and Narke
John I. Griffin representing Ialu and Hessiod

Final Councilors:
Chairman Thama O’Reilly
Weber Abend
Rhonda Alvardo
Alicia Hawkins
Ave Marcelo
Erin Piazzara

Sectors of Influence: Initially 13, at its end, 21 planetary systems.

Founding systems, 2825:
Flathax, Danision, Babylon, Phar Lap, Electra, Cyrano, New Stockholm, Nova Terra, Hades, Onyx, Narke, Ialu, Hessiod,

Colonized by the Confederacy:
Tizard - 2845
Milestone -2850
Paradigm - 2871
Yhprum - 2888
Register - 2903

Annexed or admitted worlds:
New Perth - Annexed 2839
Kettler - Annexed 2839
Kerala - Admitted 2863

Member Type: Stellar provinces

Member systems of the Confederacy were given the title of Stellar Provinces. Two members of each Province were elected to serve on an Advisory Council to the Governing Council.

Sub-Organizations: Confederate Armed Forces

The Confederate Armed Forces are the defensive element of the Confederacy. They encompass the Navy and Marine forces.

Structure: Confederation of Planets, headed by Bicameral Legislature

The Interstellar Confederacy of Planets is as its name suggests a confederacy. The federal government has little authority beyond defense or foreign relations. It does not operate any kind of public aid or support programs. It has the ability to levy taxes; however at the end of the fiscal year, any excess is redistributed among the provinces.

The Legislature of the Confederacy consists of two bodies, the Advisory Council and the Governing Council. The advisory council is composed of two elected officials from each province. The governing council is composed of a single elected official from each provincial district. The governing council is the purchasing power behind the Confederate military and as such has a measure of control over the fleets and legions.

History:
Established: 2825
Disestablished: 2953

Area:
2825: 13 worlds totaling 6.9 billion km^2
2953: 21 worlds totaling 1.1 trillion km^2

Insignia: a saltire voided throughout made up of curved lines, with knobs at the end of each line


Alignment: Terran Union, [Esoi Federation]

The Confederacy was openly aligned with the Terran Union from 2832 until 2839, and openly aligned with the [Esoi Federation] from [2890?] until its dissolution.

Notes: {Did you miss something above you wish for the GM/DM to know?}




As to the name of the federation, I am unsure as to what to call it. I assume it will be something of a federation, based on how the two nations meld.

Heres some ideas:

Esoi Federation
Ceti Union
[Esoi name for Eta Ceti] Union
Joska Federation
???

Name: Interstellar Confederacy of Planets
Author: ilKhan Ozy, im_sparticus
Editor: {Editor’s Name}

Description: The origins of the Interstellar Confederacy of Planets (ICOP) date back to a treaty of mutual self-defense between the systems of Phar Lap and Onyx during Earth year 2732. As further agreements were reached between these and other systems over the next several decades a loose collection of 8 planets formed. By the time of the First Systems War the treaties were well established and brought forces from all 8 planets to the defense of Nova Terra when ICOCA ships violated its sovereignty. By the end of the war 16 systems had fought against the ICOCA but failed to achieve their desired independence.

During the ICOCA occupation (2820-2825) contact and commerce between these formerly independent worlds was strictly regulated, taxed, and monitored by ICOCA. When tensions flared up again with an open revolt on Hades, word of it spread slowly, but it did spread. Rebellion and bids for independence plagued the older worlds within a year, and the ICOCA forces were spread too thin to quell them all. Once Flathax and Electra wrested control of their system away from the ICOCA they went to the aid of their former allies. By the end of Earth year 2725, 25 systems had broken away from what remained of the ICOCA (then called the Terra First Worlds). Of these 25 systems, 13 agreed to remain affiliated and created the ICOP.

Following attacks on Sol, the ICOP banded together with other human nations to combat the Ley’Torian Confederation. This Terran Union succeeded in defending Earth, but also in routing Ley’Torian armies deep within their sovereign space. Seeing the desire for empire flare as it had with the ICOCA, the ICOP withdrew its support from the Union, and sued for peace with the Ley’Torian Confederation. After their withdrawal, two worlds within the confines of the Union, New Perth and Kettler, sued for annexation by the ICOP. Having served in a major war for over seven years, the ICOP solidified its status as a human power.

As the Confederate economy reorganized for peacetime, it saw its needs drastically change. Being both undermanned and undersupplied, they sought aid from non-belligerent Esoi parties. Once on its feet again, the Confederacy quickly began to prosper. In 2845 it independently settled its first colony world of Milestone and was able to serve as host to many independent colonization attempts. By its 50th anniversary, the Confederacy had increased its constituency by six worlds and had become a major human faction.

Throughout its early history, the ICOP had been opposed to Earth based imperialism. Due to this, it helped found the aptly named Anti-Earth League in 2870 that opposed and eventually banned immigration from Earth and the cultural influences it could bring. With this population supply cut off, the expansion of many League nations slowed drastically, although the Confederacy had the assistance of Esoi immigrants.

In 2896, the confederacy and the [Esoi Federation] met and signed a mutual defense agreement, further defining the power of the Confederacy. With this new alliance, barriers between the two nations began to degrade. This was most prominent in 2908 when a super volcano devastated the [Esoi Federation] world of Tander. In less than five days, a rescue fleet from the Confederacy began operations over the winterized world. This cemented the close relationship between the two nations.

After many years of closely supporting one another on the international stage, the [Esoi Federation] began to circulate the idea that a formal union of the two nations would be the next logical step. After years of discussion, a plan for integration was dually announced among the two nations in 2942. For nearly over a decade, the merger took place, slowly melding the various disparate levels of government into a uniform scale. The final chapter of an independent Confederacy ended with the launch of the Unity Colonization Fleet, bound for Regulus C.

Goals: The ICOP existed to ensure the independence and tranquility of its member systems, with minimal impact on the sovereignty of those members, against all threats--human or alien.

Headquarters: Capital City

At its founding, Chairman Baresi stated that the capital city of the sitting chairs world would be the acting national capital. Upon his retirement, Edwin Nimitz succeeded him, and promptly set this precedent into law. From then forward, the capital was rotated about the various planets for the remainder of the nation’s history.

Leaders:
Founding Councilors:
Chairman Benedetto Baresi representing Flathax, Danision, and Babylon
Leona Nilsson representing Phar Lap and Electra
Aman van Riessen representing Cyrano and New Stockholm
Petteri Lindholm representing Nova Terra and Hades
Viva Székely representing Onyx and Narke
John I. Griffin representing Ialu and Hessiod

Final Councilors:
Chairman Thama O’Reilly
Weber Abend
Rhonda Alvardo
Alicia Hawkins
Ave Marcelo
Erin Piazzara

Sectors of Influence: Initially 13, at its end, 21 planetary systems.

Founding systems, 2825:
Flathax, Danision, Babylon, Phar Lap, Electra, Cyrano, New Stockholm, Nova Terra, Hades, Onyx, Narke, Ialu, Hessiod,

Colonized by the Confederacy:
Milestone - 2845
Tizard -2850
Paradigm - 2871
Yhprum - 2888
Register - 2903

Annexed or admitted worlds:
New Perth - Annexed 2839
Kettler - Annexed 2839
Kerala - Admitted 2863

Member Type: Stellar provinces

Member systems of the Confederacy were given the title of Stellar Provinces. Two members of each Province were elected to serve on an Advisory Council to the Governing Council.

Sub-Organizations: Confederate Armed Forces

The Confederate Armed Forces are the defensive element of the Confederacy. They encompass the Navy and Marine forces.

Structure: Confederation of Planets, headed by Bicameral Legislature

The Interstellar Confederacy of Planets is as its name suggests a confederacy. The federal government has no sovereign authority over its members beyond defense or foreign relations. It does not operate any kind of public aid or support programs.

The Legislature of the Confederacy consists of two bodies, the Advisory Council and the Governing Council. The advisory council is composed of two elected officials from each provincial district. The governing council is composed of a single elected official from each province. The governing council holds the purchasing power behind the Confederate military and as such has a measure of control over the fleets and legions.

History:
Established: 2825
Joined Terran Union: 2832
Withdrew from Terran Union: 2839
Allied with [Esoi Federation]: 2896
Disestablished: 2953

Area:
2825: 13 worlds totaling 6.9 billion km^2
2953: 21 worlds totaling 1.1 trillion km^2

Insignia: a saltire voided throughout made up of curved lines, with knobs at the end of each line


Alignment: Terran Union, [Esoi Federation]

The Confederacy was openly aligned with the Terran Union from 2832 until 2839, and openly aligned with the [Esoi Federation] from 2896 until its dissolution.

Notes: {Did you miss something above you wish for the GM/DM to know?}