Post by Dr. Jake on Jun 25, 2012 23:35:55 GMT -5
Planet Name: Corvana
Planet Type: Terrestrial
Habitable:Yes
System: Corvana System; Nearest System is Charros IV, just inside the Mid Rim.
Terrain Overview:
Corvana is the third and farthest planet from the star of the same name. It is orbited by a single non-terrestrial moon, Farros, which is devoid of an atmosphere. The other two planets of the system: Daesa and Moriana are also uninhabited, but the latter serves as a research outpost.
While most terrestrial worlds have a variety of climates and biomes, Corvana has a lack of such variety. The majority of the planet is immersed in a subtropical climate. This translates to long growing seasons, high humidity, and smothering heat. The planet is made up mostly of warm, salt water oceans and seas, with a third of Corvana’s surface being solid ground. Most of this ground is covered with lush greenery.
The warm water of Corvana's oceans are responsible for frequent tropical systems that impact the coasts and islands of Corvana. Corvana has two seasons: Summer and a brief winter. During the summer, temperatures are usually at or above 90 Degrees Farenheit during the day. Thunderstorms are frequent. Winter is much dryer, with only occasional storms. The temperature during winter is far more agreeable, ranging from the mid 30's to the lower 60's.
There are two continents, the larger, Durona, and the smaller, Taeros. Durona is the more heavily populated of the two, most of the planet’s population living on the enormous island. Its coasts are mostly marshlands, with a small fraction of it being sandy beaches. Further inland, the land dips beneath sea level into plains, swamps, and deciduous forests. A large section of this land is part of the Estuine River Valley, a region known for its fertile soil and economic importance. The Estuine and its tributaries are the main shipping channel through which goods are transported back and forth.
Most of Corvana’s plantations are found on Durona, and by consequence, the continent is home to the commercial capital of the planet, Gresia City. The rest of the population is dispersed into rural areas, though there are a few cities and towns.
Taeros has a far greater variety of terrain than Durona. It is also home to less people, and is less economically crucial. It is home to the highest point on the planet, Mount Veriana. The majority of the country side is situated in a temperate climate, with the extreme North of the continent rarely receiving snowfall. Its coasts are mostly beaches, and the warmer regions of the continent are lovely tourist attractions.
The population of Taeros is far more centralized than its larger cousin. There are a few large cities, though rural communities do exist. Taeros was settled mainly due to its possibly ore rich mountains. Settlers soon found, however, that there weren’t many valuable raw minerals on the planet. The forests of Taeros produced a hardy, flexible wood that was soon found to be very useful in building a variety of things.
As the lands began to clear, the soil of Taeros was also found to be suitable for agriculture, prompting development of many farms and small plantations. Recently, the cities have had an increase in population as they become more industrialized and modernized.
There are also many islands on the planet, some of them home to luxurious resorts. The people of these islands usually live in a single, central township; larger islands may have more villages or towns. Although quite modest, the fishing industry feeds many of these island peoples.
Notable Geographic Features:
Mount Veriana- Tallest point on the planet; Rumored to house a government bunker deep inside the mountain. It is located in the central region of Taeros.
River Estuine- The longest river on the planet and probably the single most important body of water in the system. The Estuine flows from the hilly northern Durona region into the Gulf of Astinia.
Capital City:
Amerath- The capital city was built shortly after planetary unification, as a symbol of cooperation and compromise. It is located on a large island in the Sidnalta Ocean. The city is home to the Congress Building, the Bausille Estate (the President’s residence), and The Hall of Justice. All three of the buildings house a branch of the Corvanan Government, and are located in the middle of the city in a location known as Commonwealth Plaza. The architecture is modern, but there are a few traditionally constructed buildings. The population is estimated at 3.5 million people.
Major cities:
Gresia City- The city of commerce and culture, and the largest spaceport in the system; It is here were all of the cotton, sugar, and tea as well as other exports are loaded onto freighters and shipped to faraway systems. Most of the planet’s imports arrive here as well, and utilize mostly maritime shipping to arrive at their various destinations. The mouth of the Estuine is where Gresia City makes its keep, extending into the surrounding countryside for miles. Most of the city is modernized, sporting rail systems, enormous buildings, and a very sophisticated series of docks and spaceports. Gresia City is regarded as the cultural capital of the Commonwealth, as many festivals and rituals take place there; namely: The Harvest Masque, The Governor’s Ball, and The Slaves’ Jubilee. There are an estimated 8 million people currently residing in Gresia City.
Sorus Kast- An old city with old traditions, Sorus Kast stands as a relic, a memory of the past. The city is large, being made up of mostly old structures, none more than three stories high. Sorus Kast is located less than ten kilometers east of the base of Mount Veriana. The city has a strong academic and military tradition, being home to a very prestigious officer academy. The population is estimated to be just over 4 million people.
Sentient species:
Native: None
Immigrated:
Humans
Twi’leks
Wookies
Selonians
Others
Non-Sentient species of note:
Ked Hounds
Large canines with horns, these wolf-like creatures are fiercely aggressive nocturnal pack hunters. There are several accounts of domestication, but such accounts are few and far between. They are quite dangerous, and have been known to attack Humans (and other sentients) that venture out into the forest alone or in pairs.
Kangfish
Hard shelled crustaceans native to the Estuine River valley, these pink creatures have been a part of Corvanan culture for years. They provide a delicious white meat, and pigments in their shells have been used as red dyes. They are fished with large nets and sold per kilo.
History:
Corvana was one of the many terrestrial worlds never to put forth sentient life. The planet was dominated by flora and fauna rather than man and machine. The subtropical paradise was beautiful and unspoiled. This all changed in 4023 BBY when Republic Exploration Probe BD-9985 came across newly christened System J-559. The third planet from the star was found to be inhabitable, but initial scans revealed no resources of real value on the planet. The Republic didn't even claim the planet, deciding to spend resources on more profitable colonies.
In the year 3775 BBY, a wealthy Alderannian noble by the name of Baron Garthus Corvana met with several prominent businessmen, politicians, and nobles of the Core with intentions of establishing a proprietorship colony on j-559. Many of their number concurred, and months later a Proprietorship was set up by the aristocrats. Many immediately travelled to the planet to establish vacation homes, but also to look over their new investment. Many were disappointed at the lack of resources, but their qualms were quieted when soil tests revealed that the land was suitable for agriculture.
In 3772, the first colonists began to arrive and construction on the city of Jurus began. The city served as a staging point for colonization, as well as the planet’s first spaceport. Soon, Permacrete was being poured, houses were being erected, and fields were being planted.
Despite this growth, Baron Corvana was losing money. All the advertisement, transportation, settling, and other such finer points of colonization were beginning to put a strain on the investment fund. This had the investors, who were eager for profits, distraught, and many of them sold their shares of the planet to Corvana. However, the Baron kept faith in his new planet, and before long he owned nearly half of the Corvana Colony Corporation.
It wasn’t too long before the expenses began to shrink and ultimately disappear. The city of Jurus was beginning to form the base of an economy, and settlers were constantly arriving from all over the Core. The population was soon climbing into the thousands as settlers began spreading all over the planet, on both continents.
Mere years after being planted, farms began to yield crops and colonists began earning steady incomes. Corvana’s climate was found to be ideal for the growing of cotton, sugar, and tea, as well as some staple crops such as rice.
It was soon found that labor droids of the time period were inadequate for handling the long, hard, and intricate plantation work. They were also expensive. Corvana made a hard decision at that point; He decided to allow slavery within the colony. Initially, they were convicts and debtors, as well as indentured servants.
However, over time, the Humans of Corvana became isolated from their Core cousins. They developed their own unique accent, culture, and society. Politeness, properness, and hospitality became paramount for all classes, from the poorest farmer to the richest planter. Any gossip or foul play is done behind closed doors and in secret, as open insults are all but illegal.
Expansion continued, small towns popping up here and there, the planet slowly becoming more civilized. As their individual mansions and plantations were completed, many aristocrats and investors settled on the planet attracted by the lovely atmosphere and the lucrative trade options. Thus began the era of the aristocracy. The Baron was growing old, and had no heirs. On a fateful summer night, Baron Garthus Corvana died of natural causes in his estate.
The old man was given a funeral in Jurus, and buried near his estate. Up to this point, the planet had been referred to as Colony I by the Corvana Company. The Board of Directors voted to name the planet after the man who had done so much in the course of his life. His estate became the State House and would become the seat of government and the residence of the Governor. The shares owned by Corvana were dispersed amongst the investors equally, and the Office of Governor was established.
This establishment led to the need for a constitution, and one was written in 3750 BBY. The Jurus Agreement was ratified a year later by Board Members and investors alike. Not long after, the company was dissolved and the proprietorship charter shredded. All investors were either paid with large swathes of land or obscene sums of money.
This government continued for decades. The population expanded, new towns rose, more fields were planted, and more slaves were imported. The government had recently outlawed the enslavement of Humans, and subtly encouraged the purchase and importation of other species to fit the role.
The planet of Corvana soon became quite prosperous, exporting thousands of shipments of cotton, tea, and sugar every year. This allowed for great prosperity among the planters, and cozy profits for farmers and other less fortunate members of Corvanan society. Because of this, the once miniscule middle class began to grow as cities began to grow and modernize. People of all species and class became more educated, and more knowledgeable about what was going on in their government.
Soon, protests began to spring up around the planet. Most of them were advocating for a more accessible democratic government. The Governor at the time, Hirash Walz, was an iron believer in the aristocracy’s right to rule, and their dominance over the other classes. As a result, the once peaceful and refined Corvanan society was plagued by protests, strikes, and chaos began to take a hold on the capital of Jurus and the city of Sorus Kast.
A young planter’s son by the name of Jorse Gresia sought to capitalize on the imminent revolution. He knew that such a revolution would be detrimental to the entire aristocracy, and compromise would have to be made.
The young Human appealed to the crowds with fiery, energetic speeches criticizing Governor Walz and advocating for a change in government. He also condemned the more violent of the dissidents, accusing them of brashness and treason. Promising to institute income taxes, provide social services, establish a public education system, and end government corruption, Mister Gresia was able to win over the hearts and minds of the Corvanan public. This naturally caused for a great deal of resentment towards Gresia by his own social class.
When the time for elections came, Gresia was at the forefront of the newly formed Common Party. The Party was led by young, likeminded aristocrats. They planned on gaining control of the planet through winning over the hearts and minds of the people, and out vote their rivals. The venture was successful. In a landslide victory, Jorse Gresia was elected Governor.
Upon his election, the man did his best to fulfill every promise to his constituents. He placed small income taxes on all planters, but the tax also applied to the middle class and poor farmers as well. This caused for a small drop in popularity, but Gresia justified it by creating a public education system. He also used the new tax revenue to build up a small planetary defense force.
Ships were purchased from a variety of dealers, several corvettes and a frigate, as well as a couple squadrons of fighters to boot. Military grade weapons and equipment were purchased to arm the newly created Corvanan Defense Forces. They soon ran into a problem. They had plenty of recruits, but none of them were soldiers. To quiet this problem, Gresia hired an assortment of Mandalorians, Echani, and various other bounty hunters and mercenaries to train these new forces.
Many feared that Gresia was consolidating his hold on power in the Corvana System. Their worries multiplied when the next election cycle revealed massive landslides for Gresia. Meanwhile, the Governor himself was making plans. He, as well as many other Common Party members, saw the current government as flawed. It was very centralized and rushed, in an effort to maintain peace on the planet.
In the year 3698, Gresia dissolved the Office of Governor and the Corvanan Leadership Council, much to the dismay of the populace. The temporary Office of Peacekeeper was established, and the Corvanan Interim Council was set up. The Peacekeeper announced to his people that there would be a referendum to approve a new constitution that he and the Council had written.
It would effectively create a new state, the Commonwealth of Corvana. The new constitution would establish 27 semi-independent states and one special region (a capital region) on the planet. Each state would be allotted two Congress(wo)men in the Corvanan Congress, each elected popularly. The Head of State and Government would be the President of the Commonwealth who was elected by popular vote and served a single six standard years term. The head judicial body was established as the Corvanan High Court. The Charter also called for the construction of a new capital on the island of Amerath.
After weeks of voting and recounts, The New Corvana Charter, as it was known, was passed. Gresia took office as the Interim President as elections were scheduled. Within a year, a new President, Congress, and High Court had been elected, assembled, and appointed respectively. Construction on the new capital began shortly after ratification. Gresia retired from politics, as he was no longer a young man.
A decade later, the city of Jurus would be re-named to Gresia City in honor of the “Father of the Commonwealth” as he had come to be known. By now it was a large, bustling city. It had also become the center of the slave trade on Corvana, as slaves had been streaming onto the planet and into their owners’ fields for some time now. Gresia City had always been the largest space port on the planet, but at this point cotton and sugar exports were at an all time high, with tea not far behind.
Prosperity and peace reigned on the planet for nearly half a century. The Common Party maintained varying degrees of majority in Congress, sometimes losing ground to the Unitarian and Farmers’ Parties. Despite the recent radical change in politics, the planters and aristocrats continued to dominate the planet. They virtually controlled the cash crop trade, owning expansive fields of their various crops. Most of the Congressmen were male, Human Aristocrats, and there has never been a non-Human or non-aristocratic President.
The slavery issue came to a head in 3653 BBY when an accidental blaster discharge killed a Selonian slave. The slaves working in the fields, thinking it was intentional, rioted and killed their guards. They quickly moved onto the nearby plantation house and murdered the entire family and staff. Other slaves that refused to help them were slain as well. Their riot continued for two days as the band of slaves burned and pillaged a path to the next plantation, freeing slaves and burning entire fields of crops as they went. The group was quickly located and attacked by local militia and Commonwealth Security Forces. The slaves, poorly armed and untrained, were no match for the superior firepower and numbers of the government soldiers. Three prisoners were taken and later executed, and 154 rioters were KIA.
However, their message was heard across the planet. Some slaves were discouraged from rioting by intimidation, others were too fond of their masters to do them any harm. This didn’t stop thousands of other slaves. Reports came in from all around Corvana of violent slave rebellions, some succeeding only to be crushed days later.
It took months, but eventually dissent was eliminated and the Commonwealth was now secure. However, the Month of Burning Cotton, as it had come to be known, left a lasting impression on every single Corvanan. The President at the time recognized the issue, and assembled a team of experts to address the situation.
Their solution, The Civility and Equality Act, gave slaves a set of unalienable rights among other things. Namely:
No slave will be punished without reason and a witness
No slave can be denied food or water
No slave younger of 12 can work outdoors for more than 20 hours per week
No slave older than 50 can work outdoors for more than 30 hours a week
No slave older than 70 can be forced to do hard labor or outdoor work
No slave will be treated cruelly
No slave under the age of 10 will be parted from their mother
No slave under 10 will be bought or sold
No slave will work 10 days in a row
No slave shall be murdered
Slaves with deceased masters are to be passed on to the owner's spouse, children, or siblings.
If a slave lacks a master, the state will grant him/her freedom
For obvious reasons, these codes were known as the “No Slaves.” The act also allowed free non-Humans to become citizens, vote, and hold political office, as long as they met other basic requirements.
The controversial legislation was at first rejected by hardliner Common Party members, but memories of the Month of Burning Fields were fresh in their minds, and fearful of another rebellion, they were persuaded. The Act passed in the Congress with a 50-6 vote and was signed by the President hours later. The signature of the Act is celebrated as the Slaves' Jubilee, when slaves are given the day off and many owners allow them to celebrate with dance and song.
The Corvanan economy was impacted heavily by the revolt, and exports declined sharply. Economic recession gripped the planet as Planters’ fortunes dried up and jobs seemed to disappear. The Common Party introduced a series of social programs to try and ease the hardships of the economic downturn, but the programs only created a deficit and a subsequent rise in taxes after a political takeover by the Farmer’s Party.
The discontent populace quickly re-elected Common party members to Congress. A new President by the name of Keseen Yurindra was elected, and his first act was to ease the tax burdens on the Corvanan people; this lead to great popularity for the man. He began extensive modernization programs, providing jobs for thousands. Extensive rail transports were built in several cities, connecting many of them and providing a safe, cheap means of travel.
Soon, the economic disarray was calmed once cotton and sugar crops recovered. Employment rose, and thanks to the new rail system, plantation crops were being delivered faster than ever. It wasn’t long before things were as they once were, and in some cases even better. Slave dissent was at an all time low, with the new regulations put in place to prevent abuses from occurring.
The next several decades were relatively quiet. Modernization of the Commonwealth Security Force had been instituted a couple years before the Empire was formed. A contract with Galentro Heavy Works had several new ships added to the Commonwealth Armada, including a light cruiser, five corvettes, a dozen patrol/escort vessels, and several fighter squadrons. Newer small arms and artillery pieces were purchased from GHW as well, effectively modernizing segments of the Corvanan military.
Presently, Corvana’s economy and society are stable and prosperous. The aristocracy still effectively controls the system, and slavery still remains a principle most Corvanans support. The government has done its best to remain neutral in the war that is waged against them, but due to their astrographical position, this could prove difficult.
Planet Type: Terrestrial
Habitable:Yes
System: Corvana System; Nearest System is Charros IV, just inside the Mid Rim.
Terrain Overview:
Corvana is the third and farthest planet from the star of the same name. It is orbited by a single non-terrestrial moon, Farros, which is devoid of an atmosphere. The other two planets of the system: Daesa and Moriana are also uninhabited, but the latter serves as a research outpost.
While most terrestrial worlds have a variety of climates and biomes, Corvana has a lack of such variety. The majority of the planet is immersed in a subtropical climate. This translates to long growing seasons, high humidity, and smothering heat. The planet is made up mostly of warm, salt water oceans and seas, with a third of Corvana’s surface being solid ground. Most of this ground is covered with lush greenery.
The warm water of Corvana's oceans are responsible for frequent tropical systems that impact the coasts and islands of Corvana. Corvana has two seasons: Summer and a brief winter. During the summer, temperatures are usually at or above 90 Degrees Farenheit during the day. Thunderstorms are frequent. Winter is much dryer, with only occasional storms. The temperature during winter is far more agreeable, ranging from the mid 30's to the lower 60's.
There are two continents, the larger, Durona, and the smaller, Taeros. Durona is the more heavily populated of the two, most of the planet’s population living on the enormous island. Its coasts are mostly marshlands, with a small fraction of it being sandy beaches. Further inland, the land dips beneath sea level into plains, swamps, and deciduous forests. A large section of this land is part of the Estuine River Valley, a region known for its fertile soil and economic importance. The Estuine and its tributaries are the main shipping channel through which goods are transported back and forth.
Most of Corvana’s plantations are found on Durona, and by consequence, the continent is home to the commercial capital of the planet, Gresia City. The rest of the population is dispersed into rural areas, though there are a few cities and towns.
Taeros has a far greater variety of terrain than Durona. It is also home to less people, and is less economically crucial. It is home to the highest point on the planet, Mount Veriana. The majority of the country side is situated in a temperate climate, with the extreme North of the continent rarely receiving snowfall. Its coasts are mostly beaches, and the warmer regions of the continent are lovely tourist attractions.
The population of Taeros is far more centralized than its larger cousin. There are a few large cities, though rural communities do exist. Taeros was settled mainly due to its possibly ore rich mountains. Settlers soon found, however, that there weren’t many valuable raw minerals on the planet. The forests of Taeros produced a hardy, flexible wood that was soon found to be very useful in building a variety of things.
As the lands began to clear, the soil of Taeros was also found to be suitable for agriculture, prompting development of many farms and small plantations. Recently, the cities have had an increase in population as they become more industrialized and modernized.
There are also many islands on the planet, some of them home to luxurious resorts. The people of these islands usually live in a single, central township; larger islands may have more villages or towns. Although quite modest, the fishing industry feeds many of these island peoples.
Notable Geographic Features:
Mount Veriana- Tallest point on the planet; Rumored to house a government bunker deep inside the mountain. It is located in the central region of Taeros.
River Estuine- The longest river on the planet and probably the single most important body of water in the system. The Estuine flows from the hilly northern Durona region into the Gulf of Astinia.
Capital City:
Amerath- The capital city was built shortly after planetary unification, as a symbol of cooperation and compromise. It is located on a large island in the Sidnalta Ocean. The city is home to the Congress Building, the Bausille Estate (the President’s residence), and The Hall of Justice. All three of the buildings house a branch of the Corvanan Government, and are located in the middle of the city in a location known as Commonwealth Plaza. The architecture is modern, but there are a few traditionally constructed buildings. The population is estimated at 3.5 million people.
Major cities:
Gresia City- The city of commerce and culture, and the largest spaceport in the system; It is here were all of the cotton, sugar, and tea as well as other exports are loaded onto freighters and shipped to faraway systems. Most of the planet’s imports arrive here as well, and utilize mostly maritime shipping to arrive at their various destinations. The mouth of the Estuine is where Gresia City makes its keep, extending into the surrounding countryside for miles. Most of the city is modernized, sporting rail systems, enormous buildings, and a very sophisticated series of docks and spaceports. Gresia City is regarded as the cultural capital of the Commonwealth, as many festivals and rituals take place there; namely: The Harvest Masque, The Governor’s Ball, and The Slaves’ Jubilee. There are an estimated 8 million people currently residing in Gresia City.
Sorus Kast- An old city with old traditions, Sorus Kast stands as a relic, a memory of the past. The city is large, being made up of mostly old structures, none more than three stories high. Sorus Kast is located less than ten kilometers east of the base of Mount Veriana. The city has a strong academic and military tradition, being home to a very prestigious officer academy. The population is estimated to be just over 4 million people.
Sentient species:
Native: None
Immigrated:
Humans
Twi’leks
Wookies
Selonians
Others
Non-Sentient species of note:
Ked Hounds
Large canines with horns, these wolf-like creatures are fiercely aggressive nocturnal pack hunters. There are several accounts of domestication, but such accounts are few and far between. They are quite dangerous, and have been known to attack Humans (and other sentients) that venture out into the forest alone or in pairs.
Kangfish
Hard shelled crustaceans native to the Estuine River valley, these pink creatures have been a part of Corvanan culture for years. They provide a delicious white meat, and pigments in their shells have been used as red dyes. They are fished with large nets and sold per kilo.
History:
Corvana was one of the many terrestrial worlds never to put forth sentient life. The planet was dominated by flora and fauna rather than man and machine. The subtropical paradise was beautiful and unspoiled. This all changed in 4023 BBY when Republic Exploration Probe BD-9985 came across newly christened System J-559. The third planet from the star was found to be inhabitable, but initial scans revealed no resources of real value on the planet. The Republic didn't even claim the planet, deciding to spend resources on more profitable colonies.
In the year 3775 BBY, a wealthy Alderannian noble by the name of Baron Garthus Corvana met with several prominent businessmen, politicians, and nobles of the Core with intentions of establishing a proprietorship colony on j-559. Many of their number concurred, and months later a Proprietorship was set up by the aristocrats. Many immediately travelled to the planet to establish vacation homes, but also to look over their new investment. Many were disappointed at the lack of resources, but their qualms were quieted when soil tests revealed that the land was suitable for agriculture.
In 3772, the first colonists began to arrive and construction on the city of Jurus began. The city served as a staging point for colonization, as well as the planet’s first spaceport. Soon, Permacrete was being poured, houses were being erected, and fields were being planted.
Despite this growth, Baron Corvana was losing money. All the advertisement, transportation, settling, and other such finer points of colonization were beginning to put a strain on the investment fund. This had the investors, who were eager for profits, distraught, and many of them sold their shares of the planet to Corvana. However, the Baron kept faith in his new planet, and before long he owned nearly half of the Corvana Colony Corporation.
It wasn’t too long before the expenses began to shrink and ultimately disappear. The city of Jurus was beginning to form the base of an economy, and settlers were constantly arriving from all over the Core. The population was soon climbing into the thousands as settlers began spreading all over the planet, on both continents.
Mere years after being planted, farms began to yield crops and colonists began earning steady incomes. Corvana’s climate was found to be ideal for the growing of cotton, sugar, and tea, as well as some staple crops such as rice.
It was soon found that labor droids of the time period were inadequate for handling the long, hard, and intricate plantation work. They were also expensive. Corvana made a hard decision at that point; He decided to allow slavery within the colony. Initially, they were convicts and debtors, as well as indentured servants.
However, over time, the Humans of Corvana became isolated from their Core cousins. They developed their own unique accent, culture, and society. Politeness, properness, and hospitality became paramount for all classes, from the poorest farmer to the richest planter. Any gossip or foul play is done behind closed doors and in secret, as open insults are all but illegal.
Expansion continued, small towns popping up here and there, the planet slowly becoming more civilized. As their individual mansions and plantations were completed, many aristocrats and investors settled on the planet attracted by the lovely atmosphere and the lucrative trade options. Thus began the era of the aristocracy. The Baron was growing old, and had no heirs. On a fateful summer night, Baron Garthus Corvana died of natural causes in his estate.
The old man was given a funeral in Jurus, and buried near his estate. Up to this point, the planet had been referred to as Colony I by the Corvana Company. The Board of Directors voted to name the planet after the man who had done so much in the course of his life. His estate became the State House and would become the seat of government and the residence of the Governor. The shares owned by Corvana were dispersed amongst the investors equally, and the Office of Governor was established.
This establishment led to the need for a constitution, and one was written in 3750 BBY. The Jurus Agreement was ratified a year later by Board Members and investors alike. Not long after, the company was dissolved and the proprietorship charter shredded. All investors were either paid with large swathes of land or obscene sums of money.
This government continued for decades. The population expanded, new towns rose, more fields were planted, and more slaves were imported. The government had recently outlawed the enslavement of Humans, and subtly encouraged the purchase and importation of other species to fit the role.
The planet of Corvana soon became quite prosperous, exporting thousands of shipments of cotton, tea, and sugar every year. This allowed for great prosperity among the planters, and cozy profits for farmers and other less fortunate members of Corvanan society. Because of this, the once miniscule middle class began to grow as cities began to grow and modernize. People of all species and class became more educated, and more knowledgeable about what was going on in their government.
Soon, protests began to spring up around the planet. Most of them were advocating for a more accessible democratic government. The Governor at the time, Hirash Walz, was an iron believer in the aristocracy’s right to rule, and their dominance over the other classes. As a result, the once peaceful and refined Corvanan society was plagued by protests, strikes, and chaos began to take a hold on the capital of Jurus and the city of Sorus Kast.
A young planter’s son by the name of Jorse Gresia sought to capitalize on the imminent revolution. He knew that such a revolution would be detrimental to the entire aristocracy, and compromise would have to be made.
The young Human appealed to the crowds with fiery, energetic speeches criticizing Governor Walz and advocating for a change in government. He also condemned the more violent of the dissidents, accusing them of brashness and treason. Promising to institute income taxes, provide social services, establish a public education system, and end government corruption, Mister Gresia was able to win over the hearts and minds of the Corvanan public. This naturally caused for a great deal of resentment towards Gresia by his own social class.
When the time for elections came, Gresia was at the forefront of the newly formed Common Party. The Party was led by young, likeminded aristocrats. They planned on gaining control of the planet through winning over the hearts and minds of the people, and out vote their rivals. The venture was successful. In a landslide victory, Jorse Gresia was elected Governor.
Upon his election, the man did his best to fulfill every promise to his constituents. He placed small income taxes on all planters, but the tax also applied to the middle class and poor farmers as well. This caused for a small drop in popularity, but Gresia justified it by creating a public education system. He also used the new tax revenue to build up a small planetary defense force.
Ships were purchased from a variety of dealers, several corvettes and a frigate, as well as a couple squadrons of fighters to boot. Military grade weapons and equipment were purchased to arm the newly created Corvanan Defense Forces. They soon ran into a problem. They had plenty of recruits, but none of them were soldiers. To quiet this problem, Gresia hired an assortment of Mandalorians, Echani, and various other bounty hunters and mercenaries to train these new forces.
Many feared that Gresia was consolidating his hold on power in the Corvana System. Their worries multiplied when the next election cycle revealed massive landslides for Gresia. Meanwhile, the Governor himself was making plans. He, as well as many other Common Party members, saw the current government as flawed. It was very centralized and rushed, in an effort to maintain peace on the planet.
In the year 3698, Gresia dissolved the Office of Governor and the Corvanan Leadership Council, much to the dismay of the populace. The temporary Office of Peacekeeper was established, and the Corvanan Interim Council was set up. The Peacekeeper announced to his people that there would be a referendum to approve a new constitution that he and the Council had written.
It would effectively create a new state, the Commonwealth of Corvana. The new constitution would establish 27 semi-independent states and one special region (a capital region) on the planet. Each state would be allotted two Congress(wo)men in the Corvanan Congress, each elected popularly. The Head of State and Government would be the President of the Commonwealth who was elected by popular vote and served a single six standard years term. The head judicial body was established as the Corvanan High Court. The Charter also called for the construction of a new capital on the island of Amerath.
After weeks of voting and recounts, The New Corvana Charter, as it was known, was passed. Gresia took office as the Interim President as elections were scheduled. Within a year, a new President, Congress, and High Court had been elected, assembled, and appointed respectively. Construction on the new capital began shortly after ratification. Gresia retired from politics, as he was no longer a young man.
A decade later, the city of Jurus would be re-named to Gresia City in honor of the “Father of the Commonwealth” as he had come to be known. By now it was a large, bustling city. It had also become the center of the slave trade on Corvana, as slaves had been streaming onto the planet and into their owners’ fields for some time now. Gresia City had always been the largest space port on the planet, but at this point cotton and sugar exports were at an all time high, with tea not far behind.
Prosperity and peace reigned on the planet for nearly half a century. The Common Party maintained varying degrees of majority in Congress, sometimes losing ground to the Unitarian and Farmers’ Parties. Despite the recent radical change in politics, the planters and aristocrats continued to dominate the planet. They virtually controlled the cash crop trade, owning expansive fields of their various crops. Most of the Congressmen were male, Human Aristocrats, and there has never been a non-Human or non-aristocratic President.
The slavery issue came to a head in 3653 BBY when an accidental blaster discharge killed a Selonian slave. The slaves working in the fields, thinking it was intentional, rioted and killed their guards. They quickly moved onto the nearby plantation house and murdered the entire family and staff. Other slaves that refused to help them were slain as well. Their riot continued for two days as the band of slaves burned and pillaged a path to the next plantation, freeing slaves and burning entire fields of crops as they went. The group was quickly located and attacked by local militia and Commonwealth Security Forces. The slaves, poorly armed and untrained, were no match for the superior firepower and numbers of the government soldiers. Three prisoners were taken and later executed, and 154 rioters were KIA.
However, their message was heard across the planet. Some slaves were discouraged from rioting by intimidation, others were too fond of their masters to do them any harm. This didn’t stop thousands of other slaves. Reports came in from all around Corvana of violent slave rebellions, some succeeding only to be crushed days later.
It took months, but eventually dissent was eliminated and the Commonwealth was now secure. However, the Month of Burning Cotton, as it had come to be known, left a lasting impression on every single Corvanan. The President at the time recognized the issue, and assembled a team of experts to address the situation.
Their solution, The Civility and Equality Act, gave slaves a set of unalienable rights among other things. Namely:
No slave will be punished without reason and a witness
No slave can be denied food or water
No slave younger of 12 can work outdoors for more than 20 hours per week
No slave older than 50 can work outdoors for more than 30 hours a week
No slave older than 70 can be forced to do hard labor or outdoor work
No slave will be treated cruelly
No slave under the age of 10 will be parted from their mother
No slave under 10 will be bought or sold
No slave will work 10 days in a row
No slave shall be murdered
Slaves with deceased masters are to be passed on to the owner's spouse, children, or siblings.
If a slave lacks a master, the state will grant him/her freedom
For obvious reasons, these codes were known as the “No Slaves.” The act also allowed free non-Humans to become citizens, vote, and hold political office, as long as they met other basic requirements.
The controversial legislation was at first rejected by hardliner Common Party members, but memories of the Month of Burning Fields were fresh in their minds, and fearful of another rebellion, they were persuaded. The Act passed in the Congress with a 50-6 vote and was signed by the President hours later. The signature of the Act is celebrated as the Slaves' Jubilee, when slaves are given the day off and many owners allow them to celebrate with dance and song.
The Corvanan economy was impacted heavily by the revolt, and exports declined sharply. Economic recession gripped the planet as Planters’ fortunes dried up and jobs seemed to disappear. The Common Party introduced a series of social programs to try and ease the hardships of the economic downturn, but the programs only created a deficit and a subsequent rise in taxes after a political takeover by the Farmer’s Party.
The discontent populace quickly re-elected Common party members to Congress. A new President by the name of Keseen Yurindra was elected, and his first act was to ease the tax burdens on the Corvanan people; this lead to great popularity for the man. He began extensive modernization programs, providing jobs for thousands. Extensive rail transports were built in several cities, connecting many of them and providing a safe, cheap means of travel.
Soon, the economic disarray was calmed once cotton and sugar crops recovered. Employment rose, and thanks to the new rail system, plantation crops were being delivered faster than ever. It wasn’t long before things were as they once were, and in some cases even better. Slave dissent was at an all time low, with the new regulations put in place to prevent abuses from occurring.
The next several decades were relatively quiet. Modernization of the Commonwealth Security Force had been instituted a couple years before the Empire was formed. A contract with Galentro Heavy Works had several new ships added to the Commonwealth Armada, including a light cruiser, five corvettes, a dozen patrol/escort vessels, and several fighter squadrons. Newer small arms and artillery pieces were purchased from GHW as well, effectively modernizing segments of the Corvanan military.
Presently, Corvana’s economy and society are stable and prosperous. The aristocracy still effectively controls the system, and slavery still remains a principle most Corvanans support. The government has done its best to remain neutral in the war that is waged against them, but due to their astrographical position, this could prove difficult.
