Faction Lore/Story Lore of the Ceresian Alliance

iN5URG3NT · Mar 30, 2016

It's about time I started this thread

This thread is for collecting together all of the lore regarding the Ceresian Alliance, a faction existing within the Phoenix Universe created by @Lord Commissar

"Lore of the Phoenix Republic" can be found here on the forum:
https://forums.keenswh.com/threads/lore-of-the-phoenix-republic.7356447/

And as a selection of Steam Guides on the workshop:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=413136217

This OP will be updated as an overall picture of the Alliance, with a view to creating our own steam guides. I'm posting here so other lore writers can see it and hopefully be inspired to create some stories related to the Ceresian Alliance and also so others can give feed back before we finalize things for the guides.

Ok, first very important point and probably the most confusing part for most people:

THE CERESIAN ECONOMIC UNION IS MY FACTION, THE 5 GREAT HOUSES. NO ONE ELSE IS IN THIS FACTION.

THE CERESIAN ALLIANCE IS OUR FACTION, AND INCLUDES ALL OF US. SMALLER FACTION ARE ALLIED TO MAJOR FACTIONS.

Ok, are we absolutely clear on that point?

THIS THREAD IS INTENDED AS A WORK IN PROGRESS. THERE MAY BE ERRORS, OMISSIONS AND LOW QUALITY WRITING. BE CONSTRUCTIVE IN YOUR CRITICISM!

Seriously, I've written more on the Ceresian Alliance than I did on my entire Apprenticeship. If I hear whining, somebody is getting Harbingered

Alliance Overview:

The Ceresian Alliance is major faction in the 22nd Century Solar System. It was created so that the independent factions that control the Main Belt and Jupiter Trojans could stand against the aggression of the ESC and also to defend their assets in the outer system from other major factions such as the Phoenix Republic and the Uranian Confederation.

Major Factions:

The Ceresian Economic Union - York, Magoro, Ramirez, Tokugawa, Volkov - @iN5URG3NT
Eridani Union - @Action Hank
Amphion Mining Corporation - @Vaskadar

Affiliates:

InfernoTech Industries - York - @PyreStarite
AdAstra Industries - York, formally Tokugawa - @Trozzo
Omega System Security - Ramirez - @Obsidian9
Fox-Die Inc - Volkov - @Dante McFox
Andromeda Dynamics - Amphion - @Fluffy the Fleshpound

Alliance Locations:

PLANETS, MOONS AND SIGNIFICANT ASTEROIDS

Ceres (Surface): Megacity, clean and well maintained habitation domes, all factions represented, York Homeworld, ITI Home world, major York and ITI settlements, SIM HQ, HS HQ.

Ceres (Underworld): Labyrinthine network of tunnels and caverns dating back to the earliest mining of Ceres, major Magoro and Ramirez settlements, large numbers of civilians, many unlicensed, high crime rate, poor living conditions.

Vesta: Citizen world (York, Magoro), mostly Habitation domes, no mining, Amphion HQ

Pallas: Citizen world (Tokugawa, Volkov), less settlements than others, military training facilities, scientific research, Fox-Die HQ and manufacturing in orbit.

Hygeia: Citizen world (All), mostly Habitation domes, no mining.

Interamnia: Full scale industrial facility (all), major Amphion manufacturing facility.

Juno: ITI Outpost, Mining

Davida: York Test Facility, off limits

Sylvia: OSS HQ and Manufacturing.

Aurora: AAi HQ and Manufacturing.

Jupiter Trojans: Eridani Union

Io: Alliance owned major mining operations, staging point for Europa Campaign.

Europa: Alliance owned ice mining operations, shared with Phoenix Republic, DMZ.

More to come.

INSTALLATIONS

York 1 - Maintained as habitation for York civilians.

York 2 - Damaged in RGB Wars, poorly maintained, home to civillians of all factions, some unlicensed, high crime rate, poor living conditions.

York 3 – Retrofitted as prison colony, currently contains several high profile criminals including Jirou Tokugawa.

Fraternity and Skyfarms (Formally Ascension, York 4) – Magoro Homebase, central processing for skyfarm crops, main source of food in the Belt.

RSS Vengeance (Formally RSS Hugo, York 5) – Ramirez Homebase – Strictly no admittance, top secret.

More to come.

iN5URG3NT · Mar 28, 2016

Overview:

The Ceresian Economic Union

Spoiler: The CEU
Toggle Spoiler

The Ceresian Economic Union

Governmental Type
Citizen's Republic

Population Demographic
34% Citizen, 66% Civilian

Demonym
Ceresians

Homeworlds
Ceres, Vesta, Pallas, Hygeia

Capital
Ceresia (Ceres)

Affiliated Corporations
Hyperion Systems
Hyperion Systems: Experimental Division
Standard Interplanetary Mining

Military Doctrine
Mobility, ECM, Firepower, Hit and Run, Ambush

Summary

The Ceresian Economic Union is a citizen's republic based in the main asteroid belt. Forged in the aftermath of the RGB wars, the CEU has since become the dominate power in the sector. The secret to this rise to power is due in part to the unique nature of the union, the success of it's primary state owned corporation, Standard Interplanetary Mining, and it's embracing of the lawless nature of the asteroid belt.

Whilst a republic in name, the CEU is effectively a cartel of powerful families and corporations known as the Great Houses. Currently there are five Great Houses, York, Magoro, Volkov, Tokugawa and Ramirez, each wildly different from each other, but bound together through a combination of pragmatism, a unique social contract, greed and fear. Over time, each has come to fill a particular role within the CEU, and despite decades of infighting, backstabbing and plotting against each other, are now too intertwined and collectively too powerful for any to consider secession.

Points of Interest

The Belt

“Welcome to the frontier”

All factions in the solar system exploit the vast resources of the belt. Trillions of tons of ores and ice are extracted everyday, bringing untold riches to all those willing to brave the new frontier. However, much like the old west of North America, it is a lawless, merciless environment that has claimed the lives of thousands of would be prospectors. Due to it's location, virtually all ships travelling between the inner and outer solar system must pass through the belt. Unsurprisingly, piracy is rampant throughout the sector. The Belt is a haven for Pirates, Privateers, Bounty Hunters and Smugglers, but the wise know there is a price to pay if they wish to be successful, a debt they must pay to She Who Watches.

While no single faction could control the whole belt, and vast swaths are virtually untouched, the CEU is the real power in the region and the de facto rulers. This is achieved through the the CEU Fleet, conquest or assimilation of all of the largest asteroids, numerous probes and observation platforms and outposts, custodianship of “safe” trade lanes, vast wealth and Houses Tokugawa and Ramirez' close links to organized crime and piracy. While anyone can come to the belt and mine and in "interplanetary law" they have every right to, in reality, prospectors cannot do much without attracting the attention of the Houses.

Ceresian Citizenship

“Earn the right”

Ceresian Citizens enjoy the best quality of life outside of Earth's biosphere. Generally domiciled in the beautiful habitation domes of Vesta, Hygeia and Pallas, they have free access to cutting edge healthcare, extremely good employment rights, full political participation, free education, longevity treatment, a wide range of entertainment and food and high wages.

This is due to the fact that officially Citizens constitute barely a third of the CEU population, in reality it could be as low as a fifth. The vast majority of the population are civilians, and although generally civilians are paid a reasonable wage, they receive no social assistance whatsoever and are often housed in colossal substandard prefabricated space stations dotted around the four primary “worlds” In fact, unless they have a Trade Permit, they are not even allowed to enter Ceresian space without an endorsement from an "established citizen". In reality, this means signing a contract with a house. The civilians are the workers tending the sky farms, mining the belt, piloting the CEU Navy's light warships and generally doing all the hard work.

To the outside observer, it may seem strange that people would work in the belt, even considering the exodus from an increasingly dysfunctional Earth, but the answer is simple. Every single civilian can earn citizenship. 15 years in the CEU Navy or 20 years as a civilian contractor will earn you the right to call yourself a citizen, own land on the garden worlds and have access to all the citizen benefits.

It is often a brutal road to that goal however, as life expectancy in either the CEU Navy or in the employment of SIM is significantly less than in the Phoenix Republic. "Earn the Right" is an Ceresian motto, and once that carries deep meaning for the self made men and women of the Belt.

This social contract is supported by York, Magoro and Volkov and is one of the founding principles of the CEU. Tokugawa used to support it, but since Tokugawa Jirou became leader, it has begun to violate contracts. Ramirez continues to oppose it, and a contract with this house can sometimes be considered a death sentence.

The Great Houses

The five houses are the five largest concentrations of wealth in the belt and through that power they rule as a cartel. The original CEU agreement is not really a full scale federal agreement, more an economic agreement to fix the prices of asteroid resources, hence the name, The Ceresian Economic Union. This treaty included a few laws of collective defence and the formalisation of the Citizen/Civilian relationship, but is frequently ignored or modified to suit the agenda of individual houses. The CEU probably has more in common with ancient Greek city states, the Italian city states of the renaissance and the original thirteen colonies of the US than they do with modern nation states. Because of this, they tend to do whatever is in their interests, rather than the common good.

House York

“The Lords of the Belt”

Then:
⦁ Founded by Sir Richard York, an extremely rich upper class English businessman known for his futuristic ideals and eccentricity.
⦁ York family has long history of service in the Royal and Merchant Navies.
⦁ Develops animosity toward rUK government due to tax reasons and York Industries refusal to build weapons for the war with Scotland.
⦁ York Industries is the first corporation to exploit the belt.
⦁ YI finances the construction of a huge space station known as York 1, designed to house thousands of staff for a long duration near Ceres. No expense is spared and the project attracts some of the best talent in the world, including Professors Volkhov and Verhoven and General Tokugawa of Tokugawa Security.
⦁ Several members of the York family, including Sir Richard, join the initial crew on York 1. Although originally considered a publicity stunt, it becomes clear that they intend to stay for the entire trip.
⦁ Flush with cash from the increased profitability of the belt due to the proximity of York 1, YI builds York 2, 3, 4 and 5. 2, 3 and 4 are retained by YI. 2 and 3 are placed near Vesta and Pallas respectively, with 4 sent out of the solar plane to manage nutrient farms. To help recoup costs 5 is sold to a Brazilian businessmen, Hugo Ramirez, despite his speculated association with organised crime in South America.
⦁ Outposts are built on the surface of Ceres, and soon after, Pallas and Vesta.
⦁ Sir Richard declares that he and his family, almost all of which are now present on the York Stations, are now official domiciled on Ceres, renouncing their British citizenship. HM Gov is furious and looks to seize YI assets on Earth. YI becomes Standard Interplanetary Mining.
⦁ Despite the best efforts of HM Gov to isolate YI, the efficiency of resource extraction allows YI to undercut all competitors resulting in many nations continuing to buy materials from the belt and little progress is made.
⦁ Major member of Blue Faction in RGB Wars

Now:
⦁ Remains most powerful member of the CEU, with controlling stakes in HS and SIM.
⦁ Maintains the original CEU agreement, civilians are well paid and are housed and work in good conditions, but have little in the way of basic social support.
⦁ Citizens are primarily housed in the highest quality biospheres of Ceres and Vesta.
⦁ Has more naval officers in it's ranks that any other House and owns virtually all of the CEU Navy's ships larger than a Warhound Frigate. Effectively controls the CEU Fleet.
⦁ Trade focused, pragmatic and diplomatic, House York is the respectable face of the CEU. Shares a similar distrust for Earth as PFS, but continues to trade with Terra. Maintains a good working relationship with KUS for the benefit of both parties.
⦁ Still retains archaic peer system, with prominent citizens given titles such as Lord and Lady.

House Volkhov

“There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.”

Then:
⦁ Professor Volkhov was a member of the initial physics research team for York 1, he and his team were responsible for many of the advances needed in that field, including the attraction field and basic ion thruster.
⦁ Developed fierce rivalry with the Verhoven Team.
⦁ The Volkhov team is frequently accused by York executives of blue sky research and knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Nevertheless, the rate of patents produced by the team makes YI a very large amount of money, allowing Volkhov to negotiate extremely flexible terms for himself and his team.
⦁ Uses wealth accumulated to purchase rights to land on Pallas from House York. At Sir Richard's request, the deal is done in favorable terms in recognition of the work of the team. Can now be considered House Volkhov.
⦁ Member of the Blue Faction in the RGB wars.

Now:
⦁ Basically apathetic to the actions of the other houses, but respects House York enough to take their position on most subjects. The actions of Tokugawa in recent years are a concern however, as they share Pallas.
⦁ Known for a complete disinterest in anything that isn't logical or in the pursuit of knowledge.
⦁ Respected, but considered cold, distant and aloof by the other houses.
⦁ Only offers contracts to the brightest civilians, and citizenship is earned through academic achievement rather than civilian or military service.
⦁ As well as most CEU technology, House Volkhov are the original inventors of the Jump Drive and are convinced the the Foy Empire stole the technology.
⦁ They consider XERCorp to be rivals.

House Tokugawa

“Space does not favour the weak”

Then:
⦁ Tokugawa Security was originally contracted to provide security on the York Stations.
⦁ Led by General Tokugawa, an honest, brave and decent ex-soldier that took pride in maintaining the "most moral PMC in the world".
⦁ Originally tasked with policing, TS went on to provide an anti-piracy role, then a rudimentary military in the RGB Wars and finally, effectively became the "Army" of the CEU.
⦁ Was widely respected in the CEU for bravery in the RGB wars and sustained considerable losses.
⦁ Member of the Blue Faction in the RGB Wars.
⦁ Was an ally of House York.
⦁ General Tokugawa dies in the RGB Wars, his eldest son takes over and vows to uphold the ideals of his father.
⦁ TS is allowed to purchase rights to land on Pallas in recognition of the sacrifice made by it's members. Becomes House Tokugawa.

Now:
⦁ The eldest son of General Tokugawa is apparently killed in an runabout accident. In reality, he has been assassinated my members of House Ramirez who have been in talks with General Tokugawa's second son. Ramirez hopes to convert the house from a York ally to a Ramirez one. This would potentially allow Ramirez to take York's place as the most powerful house.
⦁ Tokugawa's second son is nothing like his brother or father. A cruel, short tempered, vicious man, he is obsessed with power and begins to corrupt TS, exiling decent members, including his sister, and filling the ranks with men of dubious morals that are loyal to him.
⦁ Brazenly employs some of the most notorious pirates in the belt, some of which are wanted for arrest.
⦁ The population's respect for Tokugawa turns to fear.
⦁ Jealous by the Phoenix Republic's power, House Tokugawa begins to work to actively worsen relations between the CEU and PR, this begins with the extortion of Phoenix shipping, the destruction of trade vessels, the killing of Thaddeus Richter and the failed attempt to blame the PR, and finally the invasion of Europa.
⦁ Extremely irritated by CDI's valiant defence of Europa, Tokugawa resorts to using Harbingers without the agreement of the other houses. This escalates the conflict dramatically.
⦁ Ramirez is beginning to see Tokugawa as a reckless liability. York, Magoro and Volkhov are openly contemptuous.
⦁ Still effectively controls the CEU army, but a considerable amount of soldiers are still loyal to the original ideals of Tokugawa. The punishment for dissent is harsh however, and so few will openly speak against the leadership.
⦁ Was considered a tougher but faster route to citizenship than the other houses. Soldiers were looked after well and routes to citizenship were upheld. Now, civilian soldiers are used as cannon fodder, with the citizen soldiers attempting to retain all power. Cronyism and corruption are rife.
⦁ Europan resolution still to come.

House Ramirez

“The Queens of the Underworld”

Then:
⦁ Founded by Hugo Ramirez, the purchaser of York 5.
⦁ Despite his public image and the celebrity status, Hugo is the Don of a vast crime network in South America.
⦁ Hugo wants to emulate York and travel to the belt, not because he is a futurist, but because he sees the control of the belt as a source of great power for himself and his sons, and because law enforcement agencies are building a strong case against them on Earth.
⦁ Unlike the scientific and engineering focus of the York stations, York 5 is upgraded with weaponry in earth orbit and all non technical crew are members of the Ramirez criminal network.
⦁ Virtually as soon as York 5, now called RSS Hugo, arrived in Ceresian orbit, it's crew began raiding other vessels in the increasingly exploited belt. The "privateers" of Ramirez purposely spare York vessels to avoid confronting the considerably more powerful house. Hugo considers that he is "doing York a favour" and refuses to cease activity when questioned by York.
⦁ Despite the protestation of Sir Richard, the board of YI accepts that Ramirez' actions are increasing the profitability of YI, now a virtual monopoly in some areas, and all votes against Ramirez are inconclusive. Nevertheless, the House York is publicly opposed to Ramirez actions.
⦁ Essentially free to do as they please, the crew of RSS Hugo are increasingly immoral, decadent and misogynistic. Despite the anger of York members, there is little they can do to limit increasing military power and influence of Ramirez.
⦁ This mutual dislike eventually causes York and Ramirez to call off relations completely. Ramirez begins to raid York shipping. York responds with the creation of Hyperion Systems, a military contractor specializing in warships for the increasingly dangerous belt. The introduction of the Falcon Patrol Boat, a ship that far outclasses the increasingly outdated and ramshackle skiffs of Ramirez, forces Ramirez into retreat. With few scientists and engineers, Ramirez is forced to retreat away from Ceres into the less travelled parts of the belt. With most of the fledgling CEU Fleet still under construction, York does not pursue them.
⦁ Most pirates in the belt were allied to Ramirez.
⦁ Member of the Red Faction in the RGB Wars.
⦁ Was considered a ruthless, arrogant and criminal house. This criminal faction is known for flagrant human rights abuses and poor treatment of women.

Later:
⦁ Sofia Ramirez, the youngest daughter of Hugo's second marriage, becomes aware of Verhovens invention of the artificial womb. Having spent her entire life abused by the macho, chauvinistic men of House Ramirez, she sees the Artificial Womb as a chance to emancipate herself and other women from the perceived dominance of men. She begins to plot against her family.
⦁ Although never given any real power, Sofia uses her prominent position and formidable charisma to her advantage. Under the guise of aiding the poorer members of RSS Hugo to improve her fathers standing, she begins to organise the females into cells. The women of these cells begin to train to fight. Secrecy is paramount and any hint of weakness or treachery is dealt with harshly.
⦁ House Ramirez' continued exploitation of women culminates in an extreme reaction from the females of the faction, known as the Night of Hell's Fury.
⦁ After a particularly successful raid, the men of the family and there affiliates are celebrating in one of the most prominent brothels under Ramirez control. Drunk on a cocktail of drugs, they are woefully unprepared for what is about to happen. None notice the symptoms of hyperoxia.
⦁ The scene inside the brothel is broadcast on every screen in RSS Hugo. Prominent family members, including Hugo and his sons, are seen in a state of drug and hyperoxia induced stupor, some barely clothed. Most viewers can immediately tell something is very wrong.
⦁ The voice of Sofia Ramirez is heard on every speaker in the station. Delivered in a cold, clear tone, she proceeds to inform all occupants of the station that she is in control of House Ramirez and vows bloody vengenance on all who dare oppose her. Citing the invention of the Artificial Womb, she concludes that there is no longer any need for men to hold positions of power. At the end of the speech she detonates a bomb inside the brothel. With such a high concentration of oxygen inside, the men of the Ramirez family are incinerated almost instantly, live on every screen in RSS Hugo.
⦁ Lead by Sofia Ramirez, hundreds of women orchestrate the mass killing of every male member of the family in a series of bloody raids.
⦁ Hundreds of Ramirez affiliates are tried in mob courts for their crimes against women. Many are convicted and sentenced to death. The few that are found innocent are offered the choice to remain as second class citizens or to leave. Most leave, but are mercilessly destroyed by the stations weapons soon after at Sofia's request. None outside RSS Hugo know the truth.
⦁ Later, during the RGB wars, the Blue Faction requests help from Red. Expecting the arrogant Hugo to still be in charge, they are pleasantly surprised to find a female voice answering, stating that House Ramirez is now more enlightened and that, since they are also lacking food, they will assist Blue in fighting Green. At this time, the Blue faction has no idea what they are dealing with, and does not realise that Sofia, now informally known as “She Who Watches” has her eyes on Ceres.

Now:
Powerful, calculating and utterly ruthless, House Ramirez is a matriarchal society in which citizenship is granted only to women.
⦁ Wipespread use of the artificial womb has liberated the women of the house from the rigors of child birth. The females of House Ramirez fulfil all positions of power within the house. Men are treated as second class citizens.
⦁ Intensive genetic engineering derived from Verhoven research taken during the RGB wars have made the citizens of the House noticeably more resilient to the rigours of space than the average human.
⦁ Ramirez has also used Verhovens research to create the Matriarch Program. Matriarchs are heavily bioengineered from the embryonic stage and trained to fight from infancy. They are comparable to the cybernetically enhanced soldiers of other solar factions. However, unlike their counterparts, the Matriarchs of Ramirez are a closely guarded secret. As the genetic engineering used to create them is highly illegal anywhere in the solar system, very few outside House Ramirez know of there existence and they are usually dismissed as a baseless rumors. There is only one known survivor of an encounter with a Matriarch, a single Augmented Soldier of HLF, dismissed as a sufferer of PTSD by his superiors.
⦁ After using the cover of being innocent victims of a civil war between factions within Ramirez, members of the house have infiltrated Ceres and now are in de facto control of a significant proportion of the Ceresian underworld.
⦁ Ramirez has thoroughly infiltrated the CEUSS and now maintains effective control. While the other Houses are unhappy with this, Ramirez operatives are extremely effective and so far remain undetected in their plotting with Tokugawa.
⦁ Known for the acquisition of technology from other corporations via clandestine means, most notably, TVSI.
⦁ Simultaneously works to strengthen the CEU whilst weakening House York.
⦁ Maintains an effective propaganda campaign aimed at portraying the faction as victims of great injustice. A considerable part of the Ceresian middle class believes this. On the other hand, the civilians in the underworld and pirates in the belt know the truth. Sofia is even more ruthless, vindictive and vengeful than her father ever was.

House Magoro

“We Stand Together”

Then:

⦁ Originally brought to the belt in large numbers by House Verhoven to work their “Skyfarms” and ice mining operations, the people who were to later become House Magoro originated from a wide array of predominately poor countries.
⦁ For several years, these workers were treated fairly, paid well and received training in a wide array of subjects.
⦁ However, as Verhoven's Citizens decended into madness, these workers were subjected to systematic experimentation that would forever scar those that witnessed it.
⦁ At first, the “Transfers” seemed routine. It was common to never see a colleague again. If a worker was posted to a distant asteroid, it could take months, even years to travel there and communications were always delayed and frequently offline. Over time, many workers began to suspect that there supposedly benevolent employers were not as virtuous as they proclaimed. These dissidents were disregarded as ungrateful by the majority however, and were often transferred soon after stating there position.
⦁ Rumors begin to spread between the workers of dopplegangers. Some claim to have met others before on previous work, despite the latter having no knowledge of the former. Some even claim to have come face to face with their identical twin. Dismissing the rumours as mere heresay, House Verhoven covertly punishes such talk with Transfers. Amongst these dissidents is Johnathon Magoro, an idealistic young Ugandan with a gift for oratory.
⦁ When transferred, Magoro is posted to an asteroid relatively close the Verhoven's Base, York 4. Despite the proximity of the mining base to the station, communication is impossible, with overseers blaming the interference on faulty equipment. Magoro is unconvinced and begins to covertly leave the dormitory during sleep cycles.
⦁ Over several months, Magoro begins to uncover the truth about Verhovens experimentation. House Verhoven has been cloning it's workers and exposing them to various stimuli to study the effects of space on humans. They are then using this information to produce edited clones with a higher resistance to the elements, but with more passive and loyal personality traits. These clones are also conditioned to work highly effectively in clone groups, each working efficiently as a part of a larger group. Horrified by what he sees, he struggles to maintain his composure during work cycles, behaviour which does not go unnoticed by his superiors.
⦁ Soon after, Magoro plans his escape from the mining station. Using a mining work suit and several auxiliary oxygen tanks, Magoro is able to break free of the asteroids negligible gravity by smashing the valve off one of the tanks, using the escaping gas to start a precarious course toward the nearest other rock, a York mining colony. Despite his best efforts, Magoro misses the colony be several kilometres and resigns himself to death. In his last moments he is rescued by a passing York transport. After being nursed back to health by the ships crew, he tells them of Verhoven's atrocities. A respected trader in house York, the captain, Thaddeus Richter, offers to assist him in gaining an audience with a House York family member.
⦁ On hearing Magoro's tragic story, Sir Richard begins an investigation into Verhovens activities. As more evidence comes to light, York presses the Verhoven leadership on the subject. Verhoven reacts angrily to the investigation and threatens the belt with starvation by dramatically raising the price of food from it's Skyfarms. As this constitutes the vast majority of the belts food supply, as well as Earth having placed a blockade on food supplies to the belt in retaliation for House York's economic warfare, this action directly leads to the outbreak of hostilities, later known as the RGB wars.
⦁ Later in the war, it becomes apparent that Verhovens defences, derived from powerful Martian technology, are too strong for the attacks of the other houses. Facing starvation and Sabiroid infestations, the makeshift council of Ceres plots one last plan to save the belt. Houses York and Tokugawa, along with ITI and other affiliates will draw forces to the periphery of Verhoven space and engage them. Meanwhile, Magoro, now an excellent public speaker, will be smuggled into York 4 by House Ramirez operatives to address the original workers.
⦁ Ramirez agents hack the public address system of the station in the same way Sofia had on RSS Hugo several years before and Magoro delivers a now legendary speech about his story, the future of humanity and the evils of eugenics. All across the station the workers erupt into revolt, breaking into the restricted areas of the station and freeing as many of the clones as they can.
⦁ As the clones are conditioned to work extremely effectively with others that look the same, they are immediately loyal to their progenitors. A small militia soon turns into a large revolutionary army and begins to seize to station from the biologically augmented but drastically outnumbered Verhoven loyalists. When the communications array is taken, the new owners, now calling themselves House Magoro, broadcast their message to all Verhoven outposts. With clones making up a significant proportion of the workers, the vicious overseers of these labour camps are soon overrun.
⦁ After Verhovens destruction, the other houses are reluctant to endorse House Magoro, it's communist tendencies clashing with the capitalist nature of the mega corporations of the belt. Nevertheless, with the houses brought to near destruction by Verhoven, they are in no position to argue with the powerful new house. Magoro is granted Verhoven's place on the council and later forms a major part of the CEU.
⦁ Unwilling members of the Green Faction at the start of the RGB wars, House Magoro is widely credited with ending the war.

Now:

⦁ An anomaly in the CEU and the Solar System, House Magoro is not a powerful family or corporation, but a workers collective.
⦁ House Magoro controls the vast agricultural stations known informally as Skyfarms, as well as York 4.
⦁ The conditioning of Verhoven made the workers of Magoro far more efficient than most. A variation this conditioning is still in practice, but teaches collective responsibility rather than devotion to masters.
⦁ The line between Civilian and Citizen is blurred in Magoro, but still exists to some degree, with citizens assigned civil duties. However, unlike the other houses, Magoro's civilians have representation and social support far in excess of what is given even by House York.
⦁ Unlike historical examples, Magoro Communism has proved itself far less susceptible to corruption and dictatorships. The workers of Magoro own the means of production and are represented through worker committees led by citizens. All profits are transparently divided between the workers in the form of social programs. There is no currency in popular use.
⦁ House Magoro detests war and has refuses to aid in any foreign wars. It is however, known to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to warzones and disasters.
⦁ Magoro is involved heavily in the covert cold war of the Ceresian underworld against house Ramirez. Both parties stand to gain from exploiting the disenfranchised civilians housed there. However, Magoro refuses to resort to the underhanded tactics employed by Ramirez which has cost it dearly several times. However, it's well known code of honour tends to make potential followers more loyal than the pawns of Ramirez.
⦁ With a proven record of benevolence and a outstanding program of social support, House Magoro is the fastest growing House in the CEU. Milions of workers from across the system jump at the chance of a Magoro contract and demand is so high that there is now a significant waiting list.
⦁ Although unlikely bedfellows, House York's insistence on human rights, good governance and it's support for Johnathon Magoro have led to the Houses becoming stalwart allies. The majority of York production contracts are fulfilled by Magoro workers, bringing in plenty of hard currency to pay for there social contracts. In return, York can source products at a much lower price than most as Magoro workers' efficiency is rivalled only by Zero-G automated factories.
⦁ Although Magoro's population is high and it's workers are relatively well off, the lack of incentive to excel and it's history of blue collar work has left Magoro with a lower proportion of professionals than the other houses and typically outsources such work to other parties with varying results.

Amphion Mining Corporation

Spoiler: AMC
Toggle Spoiler

Corporation Type
Conglomerate

Former Headquarters
New Halifax, Tharsis (Mars)

Current Headquarters
Valence (Vesta)

Manufacturing Base
Interamnia

Client base
-Military Contractors
-Mining Contractors
-Colonial Militia
-Expeditionary Teams

History
Originally formed before the Great Space Race of 2029, during the collapse of other start-up companies trying to get to Mars, Amphion Corporation took an aggressive stance on production and began exporting mining equipment to Mars for new colonial expansion opportunities. The company was not without competition, however. Numerous other companies and even nations from Earth were all caught up in the land grab.

The Iron Frontier, it was called.

With how lucrative Martian colonization seemed at the time, given the abundance of ferrous materials, water, and some less common minerals, Amphion (then a start-up company) saw opportunity on Mars.

Amphion Prospectors and Surveyors discovered rich deposits in Tharsis on Mars, a then closely-guarded secret, which had succumbed to corporate espionage from other companies vying for rich ore opportunities. Through legal action, however, Amphion was able to secure Tharsis for itself and furthering its production capabilities on Mars, but not without Andromeda Dynamics attempting to sabotage efforts.

The founder of Amphion Mining Corporation, then Jean Cartier, pushed for establishment of a colony on Mars, in the Tharsis sector known as New Halifax, named after his place of birth on Earth. Unfortunately, Jean Cartier suffered from severe decompression illness after his journey to visit the new colony, suffering paralysis. He was forced to remain in a wheelchair for the rest of his days, but he didn't let this impairment stop him from designing schematics for mining vehicles capable of operating in Zero-G conditions safely.

Jean Cartier's design philosophy was always based around submarines. As a child, he had always imagined space to be similar to being underwater, and so he studied nautical, astronautical, and aeronautical engineering at M.I.T. after moving down from Canada for his studies. He was a very ambitious individual, securing a financial advisor, business advisor, and numerous patents for himself, he created Amphion Aeronautics (which was later to become Amphion Mining Corporation).

Posthumously, he was hailed as one of the grandfathers of asteroid mining operations, and given the title of Star Pioneer, for his work in establishing New Halifax, a now populous location on Mars, and his efforts to push for better and safer mining operations.

41 years after his death in 2049, Amphion Mining and Militia has expanded operations into the far reaches of space, far beyond what Jean Cartier had envisioned. Given how piracy has become a rampant problem in recent years, Amphion now exports in addition to mining vehicles, less expensive, but military-quality hardware to militia forces and colonial defense forces.

It's not uncommon to see one of Jean Cartier's designs still in service amongst colonial establishements.

Present Day Operations
During its time on Mars, Amphion had made leaps and bounds in developing atmospheric vessels for usage in low-density atmospheres, like the kinds found on Europa. The propulsion laboratories had several joint operations on Mars prior to exodus, developing massively powerful transatmospheric craft and expeditionary vessels. For the most part, Amphion was at peace with the rest of the factions in Sol.

After many decades of litigations, disputes, and corporate conflict, Amphion, through legal means, purchased Andromeda Dynamics and its staff to develop science vessels and [REDACTED] vessels. Andromeda produces a wide range of ground vehicles as well as [REDACTED] Orbital [REDACTED]. Most of Andromeda Dynamics' research laboratories had been moved to an offworld site on [REDACTED].

Increasing pressure from the Earth's senate to join the fold and cease ties with other solar factions created a schism in the then-unstable relationship between Amphion and the Earth Security Council. Limitations imposed on research grants, cut funding, and other drawbacks placed a thorn in the side of Amphion's ambitions, in spite of their deep-rooted ties with the establishment of Martian cities and colonies.

Sympathizing with the CEU's cause, Amphion's Executive, Alphonse Cartier (Jean Cartier's Grandson and heir), had quietly made a deal with the CEU ambassadors during their visit to New Halifax. He made a decision to side with the CEU and supply them with the industrial infrastructure they needed to seize territories, and the CEU would allow mining operations in the ore-rich sectors of space that they controlled.

In 2057, as Martian vessels began to disappear, and evidence pointed to the ESC, Amphion underwent a secretive operation in which it removed its equipment en masse during a particularly turbulent storm during one of Mars' nights. The storm had caused a communications blackout in the surrounding colonies on Mars, thereby preventing unwanted detection which would have otherwise compromised the exodus towards the asteroid belt. Many lives were lost during the exodus, to unsafe launch conditions, damaged equipment, and other problems that came with launching during the middle of a storm.

Once the Earth Security Council had gotten wind of this, they immediately retaliated, attempting to seize the assets and stop a rebellion.

Elsewhere on Mars, riots were breaking out, and martial law was declared accross the planet. The ESC was met with much local resistance in New Halifax from Amphion loyalists, but ultimately the occupying forces had subjugated any resistance in the metropolis. Those that stayed behind and remained loyal encouraged retaliating for some time, but it was ultimately a lost cause.

The Earth Security Council attempted to invade the asteroid belt to take Vesta, where Amphion had taken hold and established a new headquarters alongside other CEU colonies. The ESC's initial assault force was met with serious opposition and colonial guerrilla tactics, forcing them into Pyrrhic victories, losing countless vessels and lives in the process. This discouraging level of resistance and unconventional methods of sabotage forced the Earth Security Council to pull out of the area and rethink their strategy. The countless asteroids provided a defensive alcove for Amphion's small, but strategically effective naval force, not to mention the fact that the CEU provided substantial fire support in skirmishes across the territorial borders.

The CEU had used Amphion's mining equipment long before the five houses were established. The brand, customer familiarity and loyalty had created a positive buyer-seller relationship with the asteroid colonies on Vesta, Ceres, and Pallas. This allowed Amphion to establish a second headquarters on Vesta, extending their production to the belt.

The symbiotic alliance bolstered the strength of both factions, with Amphion's well-filled coffers, its network of trade stations and steady relations with nearby mining colonies, as well as a steady flow of raw materials, has given the CEU an opportunity to take back lost territories (or seize new ground). This relationship has provided Amphion with substantial military forces in addition to their own. The backbone that Amphion has provided has cemented the CEU's hold on the rich resources in the asteroid belt, and also provided the industrial might needed to seize Europa for the alliance.

Amphion is now planning out how to retake Mars, with support from sympathizers on Mars and CEU forces, but the CEU must finish their campaign against the Phoenix Republic.

Eridani Union

Spoiler: Eridani
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Eridani first began as the Eridani Economic Union, formed by the nations of Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Nigeria, and Malaysia, along with several other corporations. Named after the star system Epsion Eirdani, its focus was on bringing wealth to its various peoples through riches found in the asteroids of the Sol System.

The first craft launched by the EEU was Nomad One, which left Earth orbit in 2035 on a 5 year mission to the Jupiter Trojans. Nomad two and three left the following year to construct small outposts for future missions. The EEU also advanced technologies in Mass Driver systems, using them to launch their spacecraft from Nigeria and Malaysia.

However, in 2040, the ESC siezed military assets across Earth, and EEU was placed under pressure to surrender its assets to the new government. Although they resisted at first, they were eventually forced to yield. The EEU managed to survive, but their operations became severely limited. Under ESC control, the EEU finished its colony ship for the Jovian system. It was renamed the Ascension by the ESC, and re-designated as a mobile station for Jovian orbit. The Ascension eventually would become the FarCloud Station colony. During this time, the EEU also made gains in radiation shielding technologies, and they established a station around Io.

Over the years, the EEU became increasingly dissident from the ESC, focussing the majority of their development away from Earth. However, they still maintained large amount of stock wihin the Earth market, and the ESC saw the EEU as a valuable asset, due to its large payoffs in the Jovian system. However, when the ESC was implicated in the disappearance of Martian trade vessels, the EEU began putting secret plans into motion to move many of these assets and equipment to hidden facilities on Io.

By the time the Martian Civil War broke out in 2063, the EEU protested against the ESC's violence, but was ignored. Peace protests turned to riots on Earth, and the ESC used military force to crush the EEU, and attempt to disband it. Having vastly strengthened its offworld assets by this point, the EEU officially declares its independence from Earth, and reforms into the Eridani Union (EU). They managed to resume trade agreements with Earth in 2069, after the Martian Civil War ended, and the ESC was rebuilding its strength after having exhausted much of its power within the conflict.

Around 2070, the EU began trading with the nearby CEU in the asteroid belt. This eventually turned into a formal agreement, and an alliance in 2090. The joining with CEU was primarily motivated to the close proximity of Phoenix, with its corporation states CDI and KUS also exploiting much of the Jovian resources, primarily on Ganymede. Although relations were initially peaceful between the two, the introduction and subsequent propaganda published by PFS upon their release of the Kestrel II dreadnought led to fear within the EU that Phoenix might one day try to claim the entirety of the Jovian system. As a result, they decided to join the CEU, hoping they could gain a defensive partnership should such events occur.

This alliance led to their war with Phoenix over Europa, when CEU's House Tokugawa began orbital bombardment of CDI's facilities on the moon. The war lasted from 2103-2106, when Eridani and CDI formed a formal agreement following the Phoenix/CEU treaty to share Europa and the rest of the Jovian System.

I need finalised versions of lore from some of you. Try to keep to something similar to the format used by Lord Commissar.

iN5URG3NT · Mar 28, 2016

Reserved for Illustrations

Arcturus · Mar 30, 2016

EDIT: redundant comment removed by poster.

The Churrosaur · Mar 30, 2016

lol

The PR Illuminati is real

Lord Commissar · Mar 30, 2016

the original lore topic regarding Phoenix was posted during a time where the general feel of the RP forum was as a place for text based RP and not so much story-writing. note how there's only three story/lore tagged topics that predate the Phoenix lore within that forum.

Anyways, community creations seemed the most fitting place at the time for user created lore, and no one ever contested that in the year it has been up. things are different now, and that's not really the case anymore. i'd be open to that changing, but there's nothing i can do about it personally as it's a mod's job

all that to say, Surge was just following the trend since our lores are closely related. if a mod wants to move these topics, then by all means go ahead.

iN5URG3NT · Mar 30, 2016

Now you mention it, CC is starting to look like the 5URG3 show! Sorry about that old chap, I got a bit keen. No pun intended.

Yes, I think this could go in RP. Like LC said, I was just following the trend. @RayvenQ, would you mind moving this thread to RP?

PyreStarite · Jul 18, 2016

I am in the assumption that I am having to make-up alot of the lore regarding the defense-of-ceres. Creating the lore necessary has been taking a lot longer than I originally anticipated. I am hitting several bumps of missing information that would have helped my lore generation, like; What kinds of ships Verhoven used? How close did they get to ceres? Did they get on the ground? If you don't have answers to these, I can just continue generating my own answers and the lore will be at my mercy.

Just to make sure Senpai notices...
./me pulls out megaphone @iN5URG3NT

PyreStarite · Nov 23, 2016

*cough*
Couple things I am conflicting about with my lore.

First
I keep on thinking about the govt for ITI. Maybe it can start as something relatable to a Corporatocratic Meritocracy, but it's something I feel that should stay as money tends to lead powerful people down darker paths. I was planning on moving ITI territory to something more of a federal republic or confederacy when it turns something more into a nation or minor civilization, but what saddens me is that Phoenix is already a federal republic and I will need a name for the new spacey nation, and Infernal Republic doesn't sound the most modest. Here is what I have ideas for so far. What I want ITI territories to move towards is a three body govt; the legislative, the counsel/senate, and the populous. I want the legislative to be a body of officials elected by the populace.

The rankings of officials by power and authority should go along the lines of;
Representative : Elected to represent and govern a county or sub-sector by the people of that area. Focus is for the good of their represented county/sub-sector.
Governor : Elected to represent and govern a sector by the people of that sector. Authority over all counties/sub-sectors in their sector, focus is the good of the sector.
Consul/Minister/President : Can't decide if elected by other elected officials or by the total populace as well. Head honcho and their focus is the good of the empire.

All officials are required to be residents of the area they are running for. Another conflict is whether the counsel/senate should be a second body of officials or the counsel is composed of all the governors. Maybe the counsel should be all the governors and the senate should be all the representatives. Maybe I am putting too much on the plates of too few people, maybe not. Checks and balances are just about the same, The Counsel/Senate exists to control the federal reserve (government money) and to make sure the Consul/Minister/President doesn't misbehave. If an official doesn't do a good job governing, then they won't get re-elected by the people when their term expires. I don't want to use the term "President" however as to me it seems unoriginal, overused, and most importantly, too mainstream.

Talking about this, I'm beginning to like the idea of the Counsel and Senate. Counsel is smaller but has initiative after Consul/Minister/President, senate follows up with votes. Officials can be impeached with initiative from the Counsel, followed up with votes from the Senate, one vote each Representative, and the Consul/Minister/President, who's vote is worth (half?) of the Representatives. Consul/Minister/President cannot vote if they are the one getting impeached.

Second
I wanted IG to have good marine core that deviates from the standard fixation of speed and firepower. Maybe two IG divisions, one that is the fast response division, the other the armored division that comes in behind the FRD and really likes lots of armor. Anyways, I want nice
heavily armored marines in the front of the boarding parties, so heavy that the wearer needs to be mechanically assisted, like a power suit. Thick enough to make the wearer considerably tougher, but small enough to still fit in ship corridors. A few well known examples...

Spoiler
Toggle Spoiler

Halo - Spartan, Mjolner

Warhammer - Blood Ravens, Ultramarines

Planetside 2 - New Conglomerate, Max

Why can I not want?

What do you guys think? I'm asking for opinions. I don't want to use the terms president or minister, and consul sounds too much like counsel. Any other words for head honcho?

Lord Commissar · Nov 23, 2016

if you're looking for political ideas, i suggest looking up other countries and seeing what they've got going on. Phoenix is a mixture between Caldari, Roman Republic, and the UK. Wikipedia can also help you find alternative titles. What you've got seems to work, though i'd need more of the history of your civilization to decide where things go. For example, Phoenix is corporatocratic because it was founded mostly by scientists, engineers, people who make profit off industry and technology. It is meritocratic because it came from a corrupt earth, and a Republic because it suffered under a communist ESC.

Consul works, Praetor if you're looking for something more Roman, Chancellor, High Lord if you feel eloquent, or maybe a unique title you make up.

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