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Overview: |
The Tovian Empire is a medium sized, human minor empire in sector H. Originally members of many different factions who were pushed to the edge by continual wars, they joined together and created the Kingdom. This joining has become so complete that very few people even remember that once they were independent. With the recent breakthrough in the controlled conversion of matter to energy, and the nearly full control of gravity the kingdom is currently in a stage of rapid expansion.
Tovians by nature are very suspicious of foreigners, which has prevented much contact with the other empires of the galaxy. After the recent contact with Omnet, King Gerrald IV instated a policy of open communications with Omnet and other empires of the galaxy. This has greatly helped trade and diplomatic relations. But Tovians are still reluctant to form close bonds with outsiders. |
Navigation:CoLC Index |
Index:Q-dex / Technology / Magic
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Q-dex: |
T 776.6334/787.492A M 324.2657/376.11Fairly high usability/lower reliability, fairly rapid development, larger than average amounts of matter and energy. Medium strength storms, low frequency, low duration, low size. Matter/Energy Empire is not very friendly, but is very stable with little Omnet influence. It is a newly found empire. M 424.2657/376.11Low usability, high reliability, slow development, low amounts of essence and mana. Low strength storms, medium frequency, medium duration, large size. Essence Linear Empire contains only one sentient species, which is fully human. |
Technology: |
The level of technology in Tovia is moderately high, with space travel being fairly common. The most important technologies the kingdom uses deals with the conversion of matter to energy, and the control of gravity.
With these two technologies Tovia has large amounts of cheap energy and cheap transportation, including transportation in space, allowing the full use of space based resources. Tovia has two available FTL transportation methods. Both require significant sub light speed to enter. Once sufficient speed has been obtained the FTL method may be engaged. The first involves vast sails that sweep the ship along energy pathways between the stars. This is a very reliable method of travel, which depends on no machines, but is very slow compared to other methods of travel. The second method involves creating artificial black holes. The black holes are created with two points: one in which the craft enters and another in which it exits. The phenomenon isn't entirely understood but it has been in use for the past 30 years and has proven reliable. One disadvantage of this drive is that you cannot pass near objects that generate gravity fields. So paths must be plotted which have no stars or other objects which generate gravity. This also opens shipping up to certain types of piracy. A pirate can place a large artificial gravity generator along the known path of the ship and it will violently remove the ship from FLT. Genetic engineering in plant life is fairly advanced. Tovian engineers have been able to modify many plants to grow in almost any climate, and have increased the output of many other plants. Do to failures in early attempts, human and animal altering is strictly outlawed. Most of the empire is highly industrialized. Durring the rebuilding of many planets that were devestated by war (see history) pollution levels on the planets were kept to a minimum. This has moved most of the heavy pollution creating industries into space. Surfaces of habitable planets are reserved for non-polluting industries, food production, and living areas. |
Magic: |
Although people capable of using magic are fairly rare (1/10000) the kingdom makes common usage of these magics in important areas. Most of the magic used in Tovia enhances technical processes.
These enhancements can be applied to many types of machines. The most common use of enhancements are on weapons, starship/space station hulls, and life support equipment. The magic is harnessed by runes embedded upon the machine which, depending upon the nature of the runes, can affect the machine in various ways. Although mechanical reproductions of the runes have been tried, only runes placed by hand are effective, as every machine is different. |
Size: |
The Kingdom consists of 18 habitable star systems. All of these systems contain at least one habitable planet or moon, as well as space stations and domed or underground cites on inhospitable planets.
The capital of the kingdom is located on the planet Monshoun, in the Shoun System. The Shoun system is the most heavily populated and most developed in the empire. The system contains 5 planets, of which two are gas giants in the outer system. Both gas giants have orbiting space stations, and bases on the larger of the moons. These facilities gather and refine gases from the heavy atmosphere of the planets. Of the three other planets, Monshoun, the second in the system, is the only habitable planet. Gioshoun the third planet, currently undergoing terraforming, has a large population living underground or in domes. Soshoun, the planet closest to Shoun, has a large robot population tending the vast solar power array on the planet. The few people living on Soshoun live deep underground. Tovia: The Tovian System is notable, as it is where the kingdom was created. Here the representatives from all the systems came and swore fealty to King Thomas. Known for it's large sport arenas it is the site of the kingdom wide Olympics every 10 years. Carnos: The Carnos System has only one small, habitable moon, -- Miton, orbiting the gas giant Blorus (Carnos VI) -- yet it is the most industrialized system in the empire, next only to the Shoun system. It contains two large asteroid belts as well as two barren planets, Metalis (Carnos II) and Fronos (Carnos III) that are extremely rich in minerals. Most starship hulls and space station components are built here. Filivi: The Filivi system is most notable as a vacation spot. The system is poor in minerals, but Floton (Filivi II) -- the only habitable planet in the system -- has year round climates of all sorts, it is a natural vacation spot for people of all tastes. For nature lovers there is year round skiing in the northern mountains, and sailing around tropical islands in a calm shallow ocean. Those with more exotic tastes can go to the cities, including the capital, Pleasure City, where you can gamble on everything from the roll of a die to the winner of the six-month energy sail races from Filivii to Viviv. Orotos: Orotos is known as a troublesome system. It has Viviv: The primary export of the Viviv system is food, and Kanarth: [Information not available] Floren: Floren has a monopoly on 3d holo projectors, and produces all 3d movies and entertainment within the kingdom. Garlin: [Information not available] Flarson: [Information not available] Geebers: [Information not available] Soston: [Information not available] More information on these systems will be included in |
Population: |
The total population of the Tovian Empire, as of the latest census, is 20.3 billion. The most populated system being the capital, Shoun, with a system population of 2.6 billion |
Climate and Geography: |
Shoun System:
Monshoun (Shoun II) is a fully habitable planet. It is slightly larger than standard habitable planets giving it a Standard G rating of 1.28. The surface is covered with 58.3% water. This includes 3 oceans, many lakes and rivers. A very slight axial tilt gives the planet nearly constant weather conditions over the entire planet. The average surface temperature is 82 degrees (F) high during the day and 65 degrees (F) low during the night. Gioshoun (Shoun III) is currently undergoing terraforming and is reacting very well. The current atmosphere is still too thin to be out unassisted but the terraforming managers expect to be able to be on the surface unaided within 80 years. Gioshoun has a standard G rating of .91 due to its smaller size. Originally there was no free standing water, but do too terraforming actions there are now significant amounts of water collected. Gioshoun has a moderate axial tilt giving it distinct seasons. Currently summer average temperatures are 45 degrees (f) high during the day and 10 degrees (f) during the day. Winter temperatures are 8 degrees (f) High during the day and -28 degree (f) during the night. These temperatures are increasing as the atmosphere thickens, and other methods are used to increase the surface temperature. Soshoun (Shoun I) is a small and very hot planet. Temperatures rarely go below 250 degrees (f) and have a gravity of .64. With nearly no atmosphere and constant solar bombardment the planet is almost completely smooth with no tall mountains or deep valleys. Filivi System: Enterno (Filivi 2) is a fully habitable planet. It is smaller than standard habitable planets giving it a Standard G rating of .83. The surface is covered with 64.8% water. There is only one large continent and many small to medium islands scattered in the one large ocean. Do to odd circumstances Enterno has a large variance of climates, which stay constant year round. |
Flora and Flauna: |
There are many types of Flora and Fauna within the empire. Each system has its own native types. Many of the most useful plants and animals are common to all the planets having been imported during colonization. Genetic engineering has allowed maximum growth and productivity in the varying climates. |
History: |
460 years ago this sector of space was filled, for the most part, with independent systems, each with it's own government. Instead of peaceful trading and interaction each faction constantly tried to conquer each other. These wars lasted for hundreds of years with much death and destruction. Tired of the near continual war, that was threatening to destroy their very civilization the people of all the systems, behind the backs of their current leaders, appointed a leader over all of them. In less than one year most local parliaments and military leaders swore their loyalty to the new leader, and named him Emperor. They willingly gave him powers that in the wrong hands would seem tyrannical, and set up a succession among his relatives (See Government).
It took nearly 300 years to repair the damage done to the planets and the people of the new kingdom. During this time little expansion was made. But once the damage from the past wars had been made the Tovians looked out to the stars once again. For a 100 years the Tovians expanded, but this was very slow and expensive, for space travel was difficult. But 60 years ago two breakthroughs were madewithin months of eachother. These have allowed expansion into space much quicker and cheaper and now the empire is in a "Golden Age" of expansion. |
Government: |
The King (or Queen):
The government of the Tovian Kingdom is a strong Monarchy, with a council of lords which mostly handles it's own section of the kingdom, but answering to the king (or queen). The succession consists of the kings sons and daughters, as well as his nephews and nieces. The current king may suggest a primary heir, but all who are eligible go through the same training to be eligible to become king. When the king dies or retires the council of lords comes together and votes upon all those eligible and appoints an heir to take over. The king is absolute in his power; except for in appointing the king and other council members the council only can suggest actions. The king is almost impossible to impeach. To remove an emperor from office, first the council must vote by an 80% margin to remove the king. After the council votes to remove him, there must be a popular vote among all citizens, with an 80% margin to remove him. If both of these votes are passed, then the council will appoint a new king following the normal procedure. Council of Lords: The council of lords' primary function is to assist the king in ruling the kingdom. Lords are appointed to committees that oversee certain parts of the government. Examples of committees are military, commerce, and agriculture. Every year each committee submits a 5-year plan and a budget to the king, who has final approval. The number of council members may change each year, and it is composed of four groups. The first group consists of local rulers and can range from mayors to dukes. Upon colonization of a new system, planet, Orbital City or any other settlement with a population of at least 25,000 people a new seat is created. The new Lord is elected by the new population and then jointly approved by the Council and the King. The rank of the new Lord is dependent on the population of his domain. Every 25 years a domain is reviewed for population and prosperity, and the Lord may be promoted or demoted upon the findings. These titles and seats are passed on to the heirs, upon popular approval of the population as well as approval from the king. If the population of a domain is not happy with the rulership of its current lord, a two-thirds vote of all adult citizens can reject the leader and request the emperor to appoint a new lord. The council appoints the second and third groups itself by a two-thirds vote. These seats do not need to be approved by the King, but usually both of these groups have a limited number of possible seats. They are usually appointed as Barons, but occasionally are given higher rank. The first appointed group is composed of both retired and active military officers who have been given a seat in reward of extraordinary acts, or extraordinary leadership. The other group of appointed seats are non-military people who have been given a seat. These seats are often given to well-respected citizens, or someone who has given something great to the kingdom. Many holders of these seats are scientists, writers, and doctors. The fourth group of seats is the smallest group. The king alone appoints these seats. They are not required to be approved by the Council, although they usually are. As in the other appointed groups they are usually appointed Barons, with rare exceptions. These last three groups are usually given either an income, or a grant of land which generates an income (i.e. a town), or rarely, both. Local Lords: The number of citizens and the GNP of their domain calculate the ranking of lords. Ranking of titles: Mayor - Baron - Viscount (viscountess), Earl or Count (countess), Marquis (Marquise or margrave), Duke (Duchess) The lowest ranking lord is a ruler of a city or other habitat with a population of at least 25,000 they are directly responsible to the planetary governor. Formal titles depending on their rank are Lord Mayor (lower) or Baron (higher). Planetary governors may rule a planet, moon or other orbital body, usually with a population of more than 250,000. They answer directly to a system governor. Formal titles depending on their rank are Viscount (lower) or Earl (or Count). System governors rule an entire star system. They answer directly to the king. Formal titles depending on their rank are Marquis or Duke. Laws: The kingdom tries to stay out of the day to day business of its citizen. It provides services that must be managed from an empires view. But all local problems and concerns are met at the local view and are the responsibility of the local lords. There is a basic code of laws, which covers major crimes and sets policy for major activities, except for a few exceptions most laws and policies are set, and enforced at a local level. For times when kingdom law is violated or contested there is a judiciary branch composing of small courts at each system, and one appeals court which can accept appeals from the smaller courts and monitors the courts. This branch has no power over the emperor, council, or local courts except when an imperial law is broken. |
Foreign Policy: |
Tovians by nature are very suspicious of foreigners, which has prevented much contact with the other empires of the galaxy. When Emperor Gerrald IV began his reign, he instated a policy of open communications. This has greatly helped trade and diplomatic relations. But Tovians are still reluctant to form close bonds with outsiders. |
Domestic Policy: |
The kingdom has minimal control over the day to day lives of its citizens. The local lord has more control, but is more of a managing position, rather than a ruler. Rights of citizens: Individual rights are paramount to all except the rights of the community.
You can do anything as long as it does not harm anyone else. When what you do has a visible harm to others then it is not allowed. Freedom of speech is nearly absolute. The Tovian philosophy is if you don't like it, don't listen to it. Law enforcement: Each habitat (planet, space station, etc ...) has it's own appointed law system. These vary from a small township's sheriff, to a system's investigative section. Each has it's own limited jurisdiction. The Tovian Enforcement Agency (TEA) enforces kingdom wide laws. Taxes: There are no taxes within the empire. The only exception is a 5% tax on imports and exports. Most of the funds come via sales of raw materials, and the leasing of property. The government owns all land and resources. It doesn't matter if it is land to build a farm, or a place in orbit around a planet, the kingdom collects a fee on the usage. Also the empire owns all resources, from metal in mines, to gasses from a gas giant. The rights to use resources are sold to companies. Local governments are expected to cover all their own expenses with local land incomes. Most of the monies generated from the selling of resources go to the kingdom government. Land incomes are gathered by the local lords and sent to the system level. The system lord distributes funds back to the local lords as necessary, and sends a minimum of 15% to the king. Many lords have been known to receive favor from the king by sending a higher percentage. Resources are primarily sold by the system lords. The systems lord is allowed to keep 10% of the sale, and gives rest of the amount to the kingdom government. Each year after all funds have been gathered the funds are distributed as follows: 10% King's personal funds, 10% Council of Lords personal funds, and 25% to military forces. The remaining amount is split among the budgets submitted by the council committees. For the last 46 years there has been an excess of funds, which were invested in programs which would generate income. |
Society: |
There are two levels of society in the kingdom.
The Commoners: The majority of the population is made up of commoners. All this implies is that they were not born into a family of lords. Although this greatly reduces your chance of becoming a ruler, being a commoner has no other disadvantages. Commoners have most of the same opportunities as nobles. They are entitled to government funded education during there childhood, and if they show merit can continue there education. Family ties are not as strong as in the nobility but the family is still the most important basic group of people. The Nobility: The nobility is trained from birth to rule. This ruling is not the normal type you think of when you say rule. It is more of an administration. A successful domain must be run like a business, for the final measurement of success is economic. All children, nieces, and nephews of a ruling noble are trained to take his place. This training stresses responsibility to the people you rule and how to expand your domain and generate income. As rank comes from your family the family is the most important group of people to the nobility. Often the oldest, or highest ranking member of the family controls much of the families wealth and influence. LanguagesTharish is the official language of the kingdom. The origin of Tharish has been forgotten long ago, but it is a common language within the kingdom. Many planets have there own language which is often taught as a second language, more to keep tradition more than anything else. ReligionReligion is a mostly a personal affair. Religion was a major force before the kingdom was created, and was blamed for much of the chaos and destruction. This led to a mistrustfulness of organized religions in general. There is a prevalent belief in a higher being, which created the universe, and can guides lives. CastesThere are two levels of society in the kingdom, commoners and the nobility. The nobility chooses rulers from the nobility. But commoners have the same rights and privileges as the nobility; the nobility has more responsibility. There is no restriction of marriages between commoners and nobility, and they are fairly common. |
Economy: |
The unit of currency in the Tovian kingdom is the Cred. Rumored to have origins from the original settlers the Cred has been the currency for as long as anyone remembers.
Local lords control all government funds as if there were their own. They do not receive a salary and draw directly from their domain funds. They can spend all they want on personal items but they are responsible for the over all budget. At first glance this seems to put ruling lords extremely above the commoners, but they look at their funds as the realms and vice-versa. Unemployment is illegal, if you don't have a job the local government will find one for you. This law applies to everyone over 20 years old. It is possible to get an exception to this in cases of disability or other reasons. Being enrolled in a school or in other training systems is acceptable. Resent technological developments have brought the kingdom to a boom economy; vast space based resources, which before were too expensive to access, have become cheap and easy to get. Currently, only 11% of the population earn minimum wage. Almost 90% of the population owns their own home (on land with a life long lease from the government). The only exception to this standard of living is Orotos system, which has major financial problems. |
Military: |
The Tovian military is has two organizations, the federal forces, and the local forces. The federal forces are directly funded and commanded by the federal government. The local forces are primarily defensive and funded and commanded by local lords.
The Federal forces have four branches, Navy, Marines, Army, and Exploration forces. The navy controls the starships; the marines are assault forces. The army has defensive garrisons stationed all over the kingdom, and act as secondary invasion forces during wartime. The Exploration force is a subset of the navy and is responsible for exploring near space, and finding new planets. Current active forces: *CENSORED* Local forces are supported by local lords and vary in size from system to system. All habitable planets and moons have a significant stationary space and land based defense system, in addition to the system wide defense patrol. The king is supreme commander of all forces; approval for use is not required. Local lords maintain the forces for purely defense. |
Sports and Leisure: |
Tovians enjoy entertainment off all types. From outdoors, hiking, skiing, and mountain climbing, to indoor, virtual reality games.
Significant kingdom wide events include, the kingdom wide Olympics, held every 10 years at Tovia. With hundreds of events, both physical and mental, the games last for 8 months. Also notable are the energy sail races from Filivii to Viviv, these ships with two man crews make the six-month journey with no outside assistance. Tovians are known to love art of all types, performing arts such as music, dance, and the theater, as well as written and visual arts. |
Major Population Centers: |
Thomas City: The Capital city of the Tovian Kingdom is the largest city in the kingdom, with a population of 5 million. The city was named for King Thomas, the first king. Thomas City is home of the King's Palace, The hall of Nobles, and the National library and archives.
Pleasure City: Located on the Floton (Filivi II) is the second largest city in the kingdom. Almost all the city caters to the millions of tourists who come to the Filivi system. Notable landmarks include: Lucky Stars, the largest casino in the kingdom. Soloist Hall is believed to be the oldest opera house in the kingdom, and is one of the largest sitting 10,000. |
Chronic Problems: |
Other than the Orotos system the kingdom is mostly rich and happy due to current economic expansion.
Occasionally lords have tried to become king forcefully but each time these rebellions have been crushed. The greatest weakness of the kingdom is in its mistrustfulness of other empires and the Omnet. |
Submission Information: |
Submitter's Name: Terry Scott
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