United Sonic Principalities

The United Sonic Principalities is a confederation of twelve small, meteographically linked states located predominantly in the lower reaches of the Orbits. Faced with sustained climate cooling in much of its territory and foreign invasion, the Sonic tribes have united and rapidly industrialized both to defend what is already theirs and to acquire resources and living space for future generations.

History

The constituent states of the United Sonic Principalities have been politically separate dominions for most of their history. Up to little more than a century ago, they spent most of their resources competing with one another as completely independent countries. From the second half of the 47th century, long standing cooling of the climate became an increasingly significant impediment to several of the principalities, resulting in heightened agreements of trade and cooperation.

Faced with Imperial aggression under the dictatorship of Desslok, the Belkan War tested and intensified solidarity among the Sonikans, culminating the foundation of the United Sonic Principalities. The wisdom of the decision seemed confirmed on religious grounds when, shortly thereafter, the 11th Invasion Fleet was wiped out in a storm hailed as the intervention of the Divine Wind. With the time and space won by this upset victory and the collapse of the Belkar Empire, the Sonikans consolidated their military and financial resources for a series of fierce defensive battles and a program of armament and industrialization that continues to this day.

In recent years, the United Principalities have occupied several outlying territories and is poised for further expansionism.

Culture

Sonikans are culturally linked via spoken language, religion and race (being Apoions) but are divided by nation. Wing structure is the definitive identifier, affecting citizenship, inheritance of property and a host of other matters under traditional law. Each of the twelve nations speaks a different dialect of Sonico (though all are largely mutually intelligible) and share a pantheon of celestial and meteological deities. Chief among these are Sonica – the Mother of Song, Eponym of Language and Koruga – the Cloud of Death. More recently, Dilete – the Divine Wind has become a strong figure in the wake of the Belkan War. Sonikans tend to be fairly devout compared to the people of similarly advanced states. Religion and superstition remain strong cultural and political forces.

Although commonly referred to as Sonikans abroad, most prefer to be referred to by their nationality, especially while in their homelands. Many are firm that their state is not one country but a collection of countries and while not formally correct, the usual Sonikan term for the unified state is the traditional 'Twelve Dominions'.

Traits

Sky Knights
Apoions are natural fliers with compact bodies and, as a result, a high average G tolerance. To take advantage of this as well as their wings, the United Sonic Guards employs high performance aircraft featuring control surfaces for wings in support of all military operations.

Zones

Points: 140
Industry: 99
Upkeep: 200
Materials

Claria: 15

Sakuradite: 12

Adamant: 3

Sildron: 3

Sonikan Home Islands

The original homeland of the Twelve Dominions occupying an isolated quadrant in the innermost orbit of Ardjet.

1 x Cluster (3 sakuradite)

6 x Reef (1 free; 6 claria, 6 sakuradite)

8 x Empty

2 x Military Base

1 x Metropolis

Kanyca
Kanyca is the largest archipelago in Orbs-Sonia by far with approximately the landmass of all the others combined. It was once divided more or less evenly between the principalities of Lyzeille, Vezendy, Karino, Midchis, Pucelle and Sankt until a general war sparked by repeated harsh winters engulfed the cluster over a century ago. Presently, the Midchis dominion controls about 85% of the territory while Karino, the original architects of the USP, control the metropolis of Ven Ciel (which grew up in their post-war territory).

Orbs-Viede
The lowest altitude archipelago, Orbs-Viede now sees snow year almost year round. Almost 80% of the population has emigrated to higher ground.

The Robe

The Robe is a Tyrus-Lorenz type Claria condensation cloud that forms the natural outward border from the Sonikan Homelands

2 x Gas Cloud

1 x Military Base

Orbs-Azel-Dilete

Literally "lands brought by Dilete, the Divine Wind", Orbs-Azel-Dilete is a region of island-hopped military conquests taken over the past fifteen years.

3 x Ring

1 x Empty

2 x Military Base

1 x Metropolis

Sol Ciel
A former Belkan regional naval base occupied some seven years ago and now a major destination for emigration from the home islands. It is a cosmopolitan city officially awarded to the Principality of Sankt which controls a little over half. Every other principality has at least a settlement area with larger sections for some of the smaller dominions. With the Principality of Sankt now considering the city its royal court, the capital of the United Sonic Principalities has moved out of the home islands for the first time. Its climate is comfortably tropical.

Military

90

The Lady Ionia is the U.S.P.'s only cloaking warship, a marauder-type ship bought under heavy secrecy several years ago. Rumors are that the mysterious vessel has an onboard AI capable of controlling all onboard functions and can more than adequately fight with a bare handful of officers onboard, along with an array of unusual weapons. Type: Marauder +1 Thanatonium Shockwave Torpedoes +1 Superheavy Claria-Induction Graviton Cannon +1 Spy Sensors