Duchy of Savoness

Duchy of Savoness:
Government Type: Limited Monarchy
Current Ruler: Duchess Iliana Duqesne
History:
Foundation 851 PD:
The Duchy of Savoness as it exists today was founded when the Duchess Iliana Duqesne of the Savoness system sought to forge a nation capable of maintaining its independence and protecting itself from Friedland raids. Realizing that her system by itself could not realistically do such a thing given their close proximity to the Hanshen Empire the Duchess established ties to several neighboring star systems. What began as a defense treaty quickly morphed into a new Nation State under the charismatic leadership of the Duchess and less than a year after the Defense Treaty of Savoness was founded the Duchess was crowned ruler of the newly christened “Duchy of Savoness”.

Present Day: Although young and small the Duchy has formed political defense pacts with several nearby systems as well as garnering the support of the Altair Federation which seeks to curb Hanshen expansion and economic growth. Under the care of Duchess Duqesne the Duchy has also seen an explosion in trade and wealth allowing it to purchase a sizable fleet from the Altair Federation’s shipyards as well as a squadron of Pocket Battleships from the Swabian League’s arms traders. The incredible wealth is thanks in no small part to efforts by the Duchess to push for investments into the mass production of Quanzium 40 as well as adamant-3 a valuable artificially produced super alloy used in the construction of starship armor.

Culture: The Duchy is a collection of several different cultures bound together under the rule of the Savoness system. The people of Savoness are said to largely be descendants from various Mediterranean peoples from old earth that had settled Savoness as part of a colonial expansion program of the SCG. Although intent on maintaining a neutral stance between the major powers the Duchy has formed close ties with the Altair Federation as well as a cordial relationship with the Swabian League. The Duchess has also seen to it that the Defense Forces purchased several million Daehan clone soldiers in order to quickly bolster the Defense Force manpower.

Military: The Duchy of Savoness has a fairly strong military given the size of the state. Along with a universal conscription policy affecting all males aged 18-35 and all females aged 20-30 the Defense forces have bolstered their ranks with millions of Daehan Clone soldiers.

Defense Forces Fleet: The DFF is responsible for all space born operations and security duties within the Duchy. The DFF has a “Marine Corps” based on the old SCG model though consisting almost entirely of Daehan produced clone troops. The Fleet itself is a surprisingly potent force for a nation the size of the Duchy, with ten Altair produced battleships, six Swabian produced pocket battleships and over a hundred Altair produced cruisers and frigates under its command the DFF is powerful enough to give pause even to the most aggressive neighbors.

Defense Force Planetary Operations Command: DFPOC is the Duchy’s equivalent of an army though in truth it is a collection of “armies” supplied trained and maintained by each member world of the Duchy.