6F07.TXT

HD 6F07  Society of Equals, or George Orwell 5600AD

                     By

                Roger Myhre
                Ammerudgrenda 168
                0960 Oslo 9
                Norway


History.
Society of Equals (SoE) are one of the oldest
interstellar governments in Gvurrdon. It dates back to about
year 400. Lack of records make this date uncertain. Neither
are there any records available that tells who founded this
government.

In the latest 300 years it have stood as a steady rock in the
usually fluctuating structure of the Vargr society. But this is only on
the surface. It has gone through a lot of changes since it was founded
years back.

From 930 to 1030 it quadrupled in size, most of it can be
explained by sharp charismatic increase in the leaders, but equally
true is it that much of the territory fell for conquest. From 1030 to
about 1110 there was little change in territorial boundaries.

SoE had for a long time border disputes with Thirz Empire. In
1109 when the old king of Thirz Empire died, plans for conquest in
Thirz was laid. The young Vargr that inherited the throne was viewed as
low-charismatic by the leaders in SoE. They counted on that his
inexperience and relatively low charisma would make it an easy victory.

In 1111 they attacked over a broad frontline. At first they
penetrated relatively deep into Thirz territory, but then it stopped.
Thirz through their contact with the Zhodani managed to regroup and
rebuilt what they had lost of military material. The throne heir did
also have excellent leader capability which helped win the war for the
Thirz Empire. When peace came in 1116 SoE had lost about 47% of their
territory. Most of it to Thirz Empire. A few worlds rebelled and
proclaimed themselves independent.


Government.
Society of Equals are ruled by an elite council. This council are
staffed by the most charismatic persons in the empire. There is one
representative from each world. They have one vote every million
inhabitant for the world they come from. Those worlds that do not have
one million inhabitants have to group together so that they can get one
or more votes.

A council member sits until there comes another Vargr with higher
charisma. As a rule of thumb, the one with the lowest charisma in the
council must retire or withdraw if there is someone that have higher
charisma.


Equality, what equality?
The gimmick with SoE is that before you can call yourself a
worthy citizen of SoE, you have to be rated Equal. If a Vargr (or some
other sophont) are going to have any of these careers he or she must be
rated equal: Any military, Leader, Aristocrat and law enforcer.

Even cubs from parents that have been rated equal must go through
a test. Anyone that wants to may go through the test. It is usually
taken at age of 16 to 18 years old.

Not being rated equal do not spell disaster, but the choice of
jobs are limited. For cubs to an aristocrat there will be a loss when
the test fails. To be able to inherit the title and the estates the cub
must be rated equal. If not, the cub will loose most of the
inheritance.

The law does protect the un-equal from abuse, but they must take
what is second best. If a new world is to be colonized the Equals may
choose first where they want to have their estates mines or what ever.

Those who fail the test get their canines pulled. In this way
there will be no question about their social status. Those who do not
take this test usually becomes wanderers. When they are inside the
borders of SoE they must wear a special head wear and belt. These are
not treated like citizens, so they cannot get any work. However they
are free to go where they please as everyone else.

REFEREE: For characters that are born in Dzen Aeng Kho, they have
to roll this task before they choose one of the following careers:
Any military, Leader, Aristocrat and Law enforcer.

         Difficult,End,Int,[Hazardous]

Referee: On a major mishap roll 1D+1 and subtract STR, DEX and
END of the indicated amount. Example: The PC rolls a 4. He must
subtract 2 from STR and one from both DEX and END. For those who manage
this task give a CHA+1 and a DM+1 on the enlistment roll on the chosen
career. If the parents of the character is rated equal give a DM+1 on
the above task. The parents are rated equal on a roll of 9+ on 2D.

Ranking.
An Equal ranks above an unequal vargr, but there are exceptions.
For instance an Unequal vargr may own a starship and have a crew which
is mixed with Equal and Unequal crew. This tend to be rare, but the
situation exist. Because a vargr is unequal he or she are not prevented
from starting their own business. Equal vargr that seeks employment
with them are doing this on their own. And are not forced in any way to
do so.


Slavery.
Only equals may have slaves. No citizen of SoE may become slaves,
Equal or not. However there are rules about temporal slavery for
unequals when they cannot pay for any damage they do on someone elses
property.

Slaves from outside are to be protected from hazards, but they
can be put to dangerous and risky jobs. But only if they get neccesary
safety equipment. A slave may also be sold further to others if the
need arise.

Slaves are slaves for life. If the owner decides he or she may
free the slave from slavery. Usually slaves that have performed far
beyond their required service are often set free. A slave that have
been set free must get funds enough to survive a month. A free slave
may applicate for citizenship and then also become an Equal if the test
for that rating is passed.


Military.
The interstellar forces are financed by taxes of the different
worlds. Council members have to contribute with their personal forces.
How much they must contribute with depends on how wealthy and how large
the population of his or hers world is. Low populated worlds usually
only contribute with vargrpower that crew starships or are placed into
infantry forces. More wealthy members contribute with starships. Larger
starships like destroyers and cruisers are financed by the taxes.


The insignia.
The insignia symbols the canines of an equal. The canines are
the symbol of strength and power. Who came up with the symbol is
unknown, but the symbol is not as old as the SoE is.

The teeth are white while the background is red, just like in the
mouth of a Vargr. On military vehicles and starships the teeth are
usually tipped with red so it looks like they have been drawn blood.
The honorary guard have teeth painted in silver. This symbols their
steel hard discipline and strength.