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Broken Bonds - Broken Bonds - 04-02-2010
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Background
Several hundred years ago, Earth and its solar system was engulfed in a war to end all wars. For nearly one hundred years, the Alliance and the Coalition fought for control of Sol and its resources. Eventually, the Coalition gained the upper hand, and the Alliance knew its time was short. It packed hundreds of thousands of volunteers into sleeper ships, named the vessels after symbols of their passengers' homelands, and set course for Sirius. The first five vessels, sponsored by Britain, Japan, Germany, Spain, and the United States, launched in a surprise move, broke through the Coalition blockade, and set course for Sirius.
The Coalition searched and found three more sleeper ships, built by the French, the Italians, and the Australians. The towering craft were destroyed in construction. The people of Italy and Australia appealed to the Alliance nations to fund two more sleeper ships, but they refused. Feeling betrayed by their allies, they pooled their limited resources to construct a larger, more armoured sleeper ship and launch it. They christened the vessel Invictus and made plans to rendezvous with the other sleeper ships in Sirius.
Unfortunately, the Coalition was on its guard and caught the Invictus as it began to make its first jump towards Sirius. The Coalition fleet hammered the vessel from behind with shot after shot, but they failed to stop the jump. The Invictus made its first jump, but had sustained some damage. The navigational systems fed incorrect coordinates to the autopilot, directing the ship jump after jump to the Pleiades sector (a much farther off region of space). Despite the incredible odds against them, the colonists arrived to an area of space with sufficient resources and habitable worlds for both groups aboard the Invictus to head their separate ways. The Invictus still sits in the orbit it was left in six hundred and fifteen years ago, serving as a reminder to the modern Pleiades of the hardships they overcame as a united force many years prior.
Medicean Empire - Background
The Italians claimed the northern region, finding it to be abundant in both livable planets and mineral resources. Following the death of the majority of the high-ranking politicians due to malfunctions in the cryopods, the Italian society of colonists was plunged in disarray. With a large population and no government whatsoever, groups begun to spur and level-headed would-be leaders and silver-tongued egomaniacs alike got a grip on the terrified Italians. Upon the arrival of the colony fleet to New Rome in Lazio, these groups split and established themselves on the most livable corners of the planet.
No man or group succeeded in this quite like the Catholic Church. With its hierarchy seemingly unscathed by the damage to the Invictus, they begun to gather their flock. The Pope, Julius IV, a charismatic and benevolent man, instantly took measures regarding the problems of his followers, establishing first aid and charity structures and a rudimentary militia to stop the crime sprees that had festered in the rule less society.
In a span of just a few years, the Church's group grew to an initially unimaginable size. Many of those who joined groups that ended up failing came to them asking for food and shelter, eventually getting integrated in their society. As it became larger the group became more fanatical as well, both about their religion and their leader, the Pope. They would do whatever he said, without objections or protest.
Within 5 years, the initial chaos of the colonization was nearly gone. 24 groups had remained and managed to grow into full-fledged cities. With little refugees to take in and with a steady growth in process, the Catholic Church group, and more specifically, the Pope, sought a new objective. That objective would be to unite New Rome under one banner. Under the pretense of unity and prosperity, a now very power-hungry Julius IV started a campaign, “uniting” other groups to his own. Some were dealt with diplomatically, but most annexing efforts resulted in bloodshed. By this time, the rudimentary militia that was originally created to protect the population from thieves had evolved into a group of militarized fanatics. Political leaders were assassinated, sometimes in their own homes, by specialized strike-teams, and their groups melded into the Church's own. The more headstrong groups were usually incarcerated or killed en-masse and their cities burnt to the ground.
Eventually, the entirety of New Rome was under one flag and Pope Julius IV controlled all of its population. At this point, the ideals of the Church meant close to nothing. The adoration of the people was to the Pope and him alone. At the uniting of New Rome, Pope Julius IV gave the following address.
“Brave people of Italia. We, as a people, direly need a strong leadership. I have provided it for many years, fed us when we were hungry, healed us when we were ill and gave us jobs when we were poor. So I ask of you, Italians. Do you want to grow and prosper? Do you want to be a great, ever-expanding empire? If so, I ask of you only this: Let me serve you, until the rest of my days, as your Emperor. Let us make our great nation be reborn, as the mighty Medicean Empire!”
Despite all the bloodshed that had occurred in the passing years, the response to this call was overwhelmingly positive. The people of Medicea welcomed their new Emperor and their new name, staring at a future of wealth and power.
Emperor Julius IV had monuments and palaces built in his name, spread propaganda , continued to manipulate the Church and it’s values to his liking and established a system similar to that of ancient Rome, making it the unshakable foundation of the Medicean society.
In an effort to build themselves up as much as possible, they began rapidly exploiting the resources under their control, building massive ships, conducting major public works projects, and in every way showing off the might and wealth of the Medicean Empire. In recent years, however, their resources have began to run low, leading the Medicean leadership to begin eyeing their neighbor to the south. At the present times, the two nations exist in a cold war, held back only by the rough parity of the two nations. Neither is willing to completely destroy itself, though as Medicean resources dwindle, tensions between the two nations are bound to increase.
Southern Cross Commonwealth - Background
The southern region had fewer livable planets, but was more abundant in resources than the northern region. Because of the regions far-flung nature, the Australian colonists spread themselves out, and formed into several colonies and guilds. Though there is a central government, the Southern Cross Commonwealth, it is much weaker than it's Medicean counterpart, with most of the power in the hand of the colonies. The Southerners do maintain a government militia, though it's not as well-trained or equipped as the Medicean Legion. They still hold enough strength to deter the Mediceans from invading outright, though many wonder if they have the strength to win should open war break out between the two nations.
Factions
Southern Cross Commonwealth
Southern Cross Defense Force
Military / Police
The Southern Cross Defense Force is the sole Commonwealth-controlled agency of law enforcement and national defence in the southern Pleiades (and, dark rumours have it, the only thing keeping the colonies from descending into civil war). Though the Commonwealth Government may be weak, the SCDF is nonetheless formidable enough to keep the feuding Commonwealth together and hold the expansionist urges of Medicea at bay… for now.
New South Wales Colony
Lawful
The Colonial Government of New South Wales is the oldest and first to be formed upon the Australians’ arrival in southern Pleiades. Headquartered on Planet Sydney, it holds the strongest authority over the New South Wales system, and proudly boasts of its position as host of the Commonwealth Government (though Canberra Station is officially separate from New South Wales). It has a long-standing rivalry with the government of Victoria that has not yet erupted into civil war, though Albury Border Station sits ever-vigilant by the Victoria Jump Hole as a testament to how suspicious they still are.
Victoria Colony
Lawful
The Colonial Government of Victoria is New South Wales' eternal nemesis, and the tensions between them would undoubtedly have erupted into open conflict by now were it not for the threat of invasion by Medicea. Connected to both disputed systems, Victoria is, as it were, on the "front line", and is acutely aware that in a full-scale war, the Legion would have to go through them to get to the rest of the eastern systems. With Medicea looming to the north and their arch-rivals New South Wales to the east, Victoria thinks of itself as "surrounded by enemies", and Parliament on Planet Melbourne is frequently occupied with matters of war.
Commonwealth Commerce
Corporation
The Colonial Government of Perth controls the single largest and richest gold field in the Pleiades, and is thus enormously wealthy. However, their good fortune does not extend to their home planet - Perth was devastated by a failed artificial wormhole experiment performed by the Commonwealth Government. Today, Perth is represented in space by Commonwealth Commerce (2Comm), a massive banking and shipping concern owned wholly by the Perth government. Neutral in the eternal bickering between Victoria and New South Wales, 2Comm maintains stations in just about every system in Southern Cross and are currently laughing all the way to the bank.
Queensland Security Guild
Mercenary - Lawful
The Queensland Security Guild (QSG) is the largest of the two major private military companies operating in Southern Cross space. Based on Brisbane Station in the Queensland system, QSG can be found throughout the colonies, as their ethics and professionalism have earned them great respect among the lawful forces of Southern Cross. Refusing to get involved in inter-colonial disputes, QSG are on permanent contract from the Commonwealth to deal with any Medicean incursions. They are frequently seen defending 2Comm interests against Bushrangers - ethics are one thing, but they still know who has the deepest pockets.
Tasmanian Mercenaries, Inc.
Mercenary - Semi-Lawful
Tasmanian Mercenaries, Inc. (TMI), the smaller of Southern Cross's two commercial security firms, are based on Hobart Station in the Tasmania system. Unlike the Queensland Security Guild, TMI has a reputation for never turning down a job - and, what's more, using any means necessary to complete it. Ruthless and relentless, many in Southern Cross question TMI's heavy-handedness, but there's no doubt their efficiency speaks for itself. Rumors abound of TMI employees working for Bushranger gangs, the Aotearoans or even Lucania - however, if this is true, then TMI has been careful enough never to leave solid evidence.
Bushrangers
Unlawful
Thinking of the Bushrangers as one single monolithic entity is a mistake. There is no central organization of Bushrangers; rather, “Bushrangers” is a generic label applied to the small bands of brigands that infest every colony. More of a nuisance than a threat, they mainly stick to small-time piracy, extortion and smuggling, bailing up hapless traders and moving contraband around the ever-thirsty black market. Different Bushranger gangs occasionally communicate to let each other know if the police forces are becoming too much of a hazard, however there is no alliance between them – indeed, skirmishes can sometimes be seen between different groups over territory.
Aotearoans
Unlawful
The Aotearoans are descendants of the settlers from New Zealand who came to Pleiades aboard the Southern Cross sleeper ship, promised territory to call their own. However, when it transpired that they were never to be given this territory, a small and radical group revolted, retreating to the darkest corners of space to plot their revenge. Now, each colony has at least one cell who forever struggles to overthrow the government and claim the space they were promised. Though the Defence Force keeps them down, the Aotearoans don’t plan on giving up without a fight – in their eyes, it’s only a matter of time.
Medicean Empire
Medicean Imperial Legion
Military / Police
The Medicean Imperial Legion is the military and police force of the Medicean Empire. They are a well trained, well disciplined professional force. They are responsible for carrying out the will of the Emperor, whether that involves policing duties, or military action against the Southern Cross Defense Force in the disputed systems.
The Legion started to hire people en-mass after tensions with the Southerners began to escalate. This massive draft combined with the Mediceas economic fragility and consequent frequent missed paychecks originated a certain degree of corruption within it's ranks. This corruption was swiftly dealt with after it became noticeable to the general populace and the Emperor. Heavy sanctions going from huge fines (to the point of enslaving soldiers for years until their debts were payed off) to outright execution.
Nowadays the Legion is nearly corruption-free. Most people that enlist are too afraid of the sanctions to do anything illegal. The pay is still substantial as to encourage enlisting so the numbers of the Legion increase everyday despite the setbacks.
Medicea Transport & Shipping
Corporation
LTS is Medicea's largest and oldest shipping concern. They are responsible for shipping goods of all kinds within Medicean space, and often work closely with the Lombardia Resources Corporation.
Lombardia Resources Corporation
Corporation
The Lombardia Resources Corporation is Medicea's primary manufacturer. This Imperial Chartered corporation is responsible for the entire manufacturing process from mining the raw materials all the way to making the finished product. They produce everything from every day consumer goods all the way to the Legion's combat vessels. Though they maintain a small shipping line of their own, they contract to Medicea Transport & Shipping for the majority of their transport needs.
The company, at least in its current form, is fairly recent. Until the resources in Medicea began to seem worn out the mineral market was controlled by Medicean Minerals, one of the departments of what is today Medicea Star Lines. With the exaggerated growth of the Empire and the Emperors obsessive demand of luxury and greatness the resources of Medicean-controlled space were soon expended. This led to massive layoffs as a part of MSLs scheme to further expand into the passenger transport business. The Medicean Mining and Medicean Manufacturing departments were left fund-less, with no executives to make their decisions and their employees in the brink of an unwanted early retirement.
Fortunately, other companies that for so many years fought over market dominance came to them with a proposal for merging their Mining and Manufacturing departments into their own. It did not take long for more and more corporations to amass around this conglomerate. The most important and capable executives of the newest corporations gathered to discuss their next move.
The solution found was to completely meld the companies that had joined into a single, bigger one. And so the Lombardia Resources Corporation was formed. With a new, more spread out structure and a higher emphasis on exploration for their Mining department and the expansion into other sectors such as consumer goods in their Manufacturing department, the company quickly established dominance in their sectors of the market again.
Medicea Star Lines
Corporation
Medicea Star Lines is the premier passenger transport line in all of the Pleiades Sector. Based within Medicean space, they operate passenger transport vessels ranging from the humble orbital transfer shuttle to the most luxurious of star liners. Unlike other corporations, Medicea Star Lines has permission from both the Medicean and Southern Cross governments to cross the border legally. As such, they are the only corporation that can be seen in all parts of the Pleiades.
The company is one of the oldest ones in existence in Medicean space. In the early days of the colonization of the Pleiades sector it made its name not as the current Medicea Star Lines but as Medicean Minerals. For years it ruled the mineral markets and fed the incessant expansion of the Empire. As profits increased so did it's size and as such it decided to expand into other sectors of commerce such as manufacturing and passenger transporting, a sector previously unexplored by any major company of that time. Medicean Minerals was then split into Medicean Minerals, Medicea Manufacturing and Medicea Star Lines.
In recent years as mineral resources began to run dry so did the corporations coffers. Mining and Manufacturing became an unprofitable activity at the companies current scale of operations. Rather than reducing the size of their departments, the companies management team of that time decided to cut off support to their departments completely, a move viewed as irrational and unwarranted by both the employees of those sectors and the general populace.
The reasons behind this were apparent soon thereafter with the acquisition of rights of transportation of refugees to Southern Cross. The huge cutbacks on the company were made as an effort to expand their MSL department and provide what many call as “blatant bribery of the government”. This expansion was further endorsed by the Southern Cross government who sought a cheap source of labor to extract minerals from their unexplored fields.
Currently Medicea Star Lines is on an economic rebound and experiencing another period of explosive growth. In an effort to expand once again into other sectors like shipping and manufacturing it attempted to bring back their old departments but was swiftly disappointed by finding that their old market shares were promptly filled by other upstarting companies like the Lombardia Resources Corporation and Medicea Transport & Shipping.
Order of Sparticus
Unlawful (In Medicea only)
Despite the entrenched nature of slavery in Medicean space, there are those who oppose it. The Order of Sparticus is a loose organization of abolitionists which is rumored to be supported by more pious and less power-hungry members of the Catholic Church, though nobody has been able to prove this definitively. Though they often carry out operations against those who sell slaves, and try to occasionally foment slave rebellions, their primary activity is smuggling slaves out of Medicea altogether. Many slaves that successfully escape resettle in the Southern Cross Commonwealth with the blessing of the Commonwealth government.
Cosa Nostra
Unlawful
The Cosa Nostra is descended directly from the ancient Sicilian Mafia on Earth. The Cosa Nostra is the undisputed master of the Medicean underground, having their hands in every illegal activity in Medicea. Like their ancient counterparts, the Cosa Nostra is based largely on Planet Sicily, though they have holdings around Medicea as well. As much as the Legion would like shut down Cosa Nostra operations, they have such a grip on people in government and the military that the lifespan of any Legion officer who makes a serious attempt to root them out can be measured in days, rather than years. They commonly work with Southern Cross' Bushranger gangs when they need something done in Southern Cross, but they do not allow the Bushrangers access to Lucanian space.
The Medicean Senate
Unlawful
The Medicean Senate is an organization formed by various people united under one goal: to bring to Medicea a democratic system and remove the current Emperor. The Medicean Senate started as political movement but it was suddenly banned and considered a terroristic organization dangerous for Medicean state by the Emperor who feared that the movement would gain any significance. After that Senate went underground. Today, The Medicean Senate contains free thinking politicians as well as military units recruited from the Legion and civilians who are hoping that Senate will bring freedom to Medicean. But deadliest weapon of Senate is its agents. They constantly gather intelligence and execute assassinations of high ranked generals as well as members of Emperor's family.There are rumors that the Southern Cross colonial governments are secretly funding this organization in hope that The Senate will make Medicea weaker and less hostile. The membership of the organization is constantly growing, despite the Medicean governments best efforts to destroy them.
Screenshots
Taken long, long ago...
No, this isn't Texas...
Well, that star doesn't look like it could light a candle.
AAAAAAAUGH! MY EYES!
Ahhhh... that's better...
No... surely not. It can't be. Is it?
This planet is spooky. SPOOKY.
Someone must have liked that planet. All the single ladies did, that I know.
Current Broken Bonds Team members
Captain Morgan
Pieguy
Druen78
Kazinsal
Adamusa
Rukafais
Thexare
Broken Bonds Needs You!
If you have skills in FL modding, we could really use your help. We're particularly in need of experienced modelers to implement new ships and bases, though modding talent in any area is very much in demand. Given the small size of the dev team, this is the chance for you to put your mark on the Freelancer modding community!
Anyone interested should contact me by PM, with examples of your work if applicable.
Broken Bonds - NixOlympica - 04-03-2010
We really would like to hear some feedback.
Broken Bonds - Turkish - 04-03-2010
Looks promising, when I have time I can talk to you about formatting models for FL, hitboxes, etc.
My first bit of feedback is that Australia gets a house and not Canada? Preposterous, preposterous...
Broken Bonds - Bobthemanofsteel - 04-03-2010
I lol'd when I saw House Queensland.
Broken Bonds - NixOlympica - 04-03-2010
Great, keep feedbacking
Quote:Looks promising, when I have time I can talk to you about formatting models for FL, hitboxes, etc.
My first bit of feedback is that Australia gets a house and not Canada? Preposterous, preposterous...
Most of Canadians were on Liberty sleeper ship I think
Broken Bonds - Turkish - 04-03-2010
' Wrote:Great, keep feedbacking
Most of Canadians were on Liberty sleeper ship I think
We disagree most contentiously.
I also forgot to mention I can probably talk you through creating starspheres as well, which would go a long way to creating a different feeling for your 'sector'.
Broken Bonds - Donutman - 04-03-2010
Whats The Void?
Broken Bonds - Wolfs Ghost - 04-03-2010
' Wrote:Whats The Void?
Let's just say you don't want to be there. It's like Bastille.
Broken Bonds - Capt. Henry Morgan - 04-03-2010
' Wrote:Looks promising, when I have time I can talk to you about formatting models for FL, hitboxes, etc.When we chose the nations for the remaining sleepers, we looked at the War of Sol article on the Discovery wiki. There were eight. Discovery accounts for six of them, and that left only Australia and Italy.
My first bit of feedback is that Australia gets a house and not Canada? Preposterous, preposterous...
Trust me, we weren't leaving out the Canadians intentionally. :P
Broken Bonds - tansytansey - 04-03-2010
I'd recommend renaming House Queensland to something like Oceania. Queensland doesn't really sound... like a house name following the Freelancer theme.