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Slowly encroaching on the [[Expanse Sector|Expanse]] is the [[Freeworlds Region]], a series of systems on the border of the sector. The [[Freeworlds Region]], which was once the backwards fringe of the sector, has become important because of its position at the end of the [[Jenatris Corridor]]. Because most Expanse ore must pass through the Freeworlds, there is a lot of bickering about the high tariffs the Freeworlds place on Expanse shipping.
Slowly encroaching on the [[Expanse Sector|Expanse]] is the [[Freeworlds Region]], a series of systems on the border of the sector. The [[Freeworlds Region]], which was once the backwards fringe of the sector, has become important because of its position at the end of the [[Jenatris Corridor]]. Because most Expanse ore must pass through the Freeworlds, there is a lot of bickering about the high tariffs the Freeworlds place on Expanse shipping.
= Concise History of the Par'tha Expanse =
== Colonial Era (10,343 BCE â??? 9331 BCE) ==
The history of the Par'tha Expanse goes back many, many centuries. The first settlers came to [[Gorin]] some 13,000 years ago in huge colony ships sent out from somewhere closer to our galactic core. Par'thinian legend says that a dwindling civilization, the [[Species: Caraadian|Caraadians]], sent out these colony ships to stave off extinction. At that time, the Par'tha Expanse was at the extreme edges of explored Caraadian space, and the colonists were very much on their own for a long time.
Fortunately, the region was blessed with an unusually high number of inhabitable worlds, and it was not long before the settler clans began spreading out and prospering.
Initially, the colony worlds were governed by the Pella Compact, the original central council which led the colony ships to [[Gorin]]. These clan leaders forged the first alliances with the [[Species: Senali|Senali]], and established the first trade routes in this region of space.
== Twelve Kingdoms Era (9331 BCE â??? 4971 BCE) ==
Eventually and inevitably, the clan worlds grew apart as generations passed, and began to rely less and less on a central government. With a whimper rather than a bang, power gradually shifted from [[House Kerraron|Kerraron]] to the local clan capitals. Traditional historians place the year of this transition rather arbitrarily in the Par'thinian year 1012, though some have argued the transition came much sooner.
In the early years of the Twelve Kingdoms Era, numerous clans merged, expanded, fought, and died out. Over time, twelve houses emerged out of the trials of eight centuries, each with its own king or queen ruling over its territories and worlds. These houses existed in a relatively stable state for over 3,000 years, though there was a great deal of flux in terms of who controlled what at any given moment.
Toward the end of the Twelve Kingdoms Era, the houses began colonizing new worlds on the sector's periphery, both to provide them with needed raw materials, and to establish a buffer zone between the houses and the expanding [[Species: Senali|Senali]] trading empire. [[Vaedan]], [[Nanaria]], and [[Zalenaedere]], and most of the systems now in the [[Freeworlds Region]] were cataloged and lightly settled in this time frame. The houses made contact with the [[Species: Tinalli|Tinalli]] on [[Tinall]], and began trading with them.
== The Dynastic Era (4971 BCE â??? 775 CE) ==
The Twelve Kingdoms Era came to an end when a warrior prince named Kaen Tan rose up from [[House Tadere]] and unified the houses in a series of bloody civil wars which spanned nearly twenty years. Two houses were destroyed by Tan during the wars, and a third faltered and was absorbed within a century.
Tan was crowned Emperor of his new empire in the Tanith year 5392, and over a long lifetime laid the foundations for a regional empire which would last for 6,000 years. Interestingly, the rise of Tan's empire did little to advance his own house; he was remarkably even-handed in distributing power to the nobles who survived the civil wars. Many historians claim that it was this act more than any other that gave his empire such a strong start.
Tan made a huge mark on the region immediately. For example, he established a number of universities and research facilities (the university system on [[Tinall]] was codified in Tanith year 5412), and imposed a new code of laws and a new calendar (still in use domestically) on his empire. He chose his homeworld of [[Oscion]] as the seat of his fledgling empire, and his capital has been the center of regional power ever since.
It fell to Tan's descendants to consolidate his empire, which they did over the next 5,000 years. Sixteen dynasties ruled the Tanith Empire in turn, most of which hailed from either [[House Tadere|Tadere]], [[House Larokon|Larokon]], or [[House Kerraron|Kerraron]].
The [[Siiden Passage]] trade route was blazed by [[Species: Senali|Senali]] scouts in the aftermath of the [[Great Trial Wars]] of 8717 (Tanith reckoning), and within 25 years had become an established trade route into Senali space (actually, the scouts were merely re-establishing a route long abandoned by ancient Senali traders). The distinct angular [[Species: Senali|Senali]] tradeships became common sights in Tanith space, and the aliens brought with them investment capital and a vibrant culture.
With a thriving shipping pipeline leading into the heart of the expanse, the young empire experienced a new surge of growth. It was in this time period that [[Aelann]] and [[Maarok]], positioned on the new trade route, emerged as major new trade worlds. Over the next few centuries, [[Aelann]]'s modest orbital docks turned into full-blown shipyards.
The Jinju Dynasty, the final to rule the empire, presided over a gentle and steady decline into regional factionalism. The end of the Tanith Empire came in 774 CE, when a cadre of military officers staged a coup, and placed the worlds of the Tanith Empire in the hands of a band of reformers.
== The Federal Era (775 CE â??? 2324 CE) ==
The reformers, men and women from nearly all of the houses, formed a federation of the planets of the former empire. The new government was ruled by a prime minister elected by a parliament located on [[Oscion]]. The resulting system was less centralized than the former empire, giving the houses more direct power than they had enjoyed previously, especially in their own provinces. And in a publicity move, they dropped the formal name of "Tanith Empire" in favor of a more neutral "Par'thinian Federation," named after the dominant spatial phenomena in the expanse, the [[Par'tha Nebula]].
In the 15 centuries of the Federal Era, the balance of power shifted from one house to the next, as leaders formed Great Council coalitions capable of electing them. Most such leaders were either of [[House Kerraron]] or [[House Larokon|Larokon]], though even the lesser houses occasionally took charge when a particularly effective leader emerge from their midst. Several houses rose and fell in this time period, and two left the sector entirely in search of new and worthier pastures.
Three trends took place in the Federal Era which had long-lasting impacts on the region: Senali trading stopped almost immediately as the [[Species: Senali|Senali]] disappeared from this area of space without any warning or clue as to their demise, a cluster of periphery colony worlds grew rapidly in power and broke away from the houses, and a first contact was made with the Romulan Star Empire.
In 1770 CE, [[Oscion]] sent its first representatives to the Romulan homeworld, and the Par'thinian Federation was officially designated a sector of their sphere of influence. Par'thinian nobles frequently traveled to Romulan space to do business, and ambassadors forged links with important Romulan systems. Many Par'thinian expatriates could be found living on Romulus and other worlds, and the Par'thinian members of the Romulan government enjoyed a certain amount of authority and influence.
Initially regarded as a new source of raw materials for the high-consumption worlds of the sector, the periphery colony worlds settled in the Tanith Dynastic Era enjoyed a huge and unanticipated surge in growth when Romulan scouts and traders opened a new route which shaved several days off the long established [[K'tem hyperlane]] â??? a route which passed right through [[Zalenaedere]], [[Aelann]], [[Tinall]], and other periphery systems.
The trade of the new Kaen'anti Bypass poured credits and influence into the coffers of the periphery worlds, and eventually led to their independence. The periphery became known as the [[Freeworlds Region]].
But as is the nature of the universe, things change. Originally the Romulan Empire, though it intervened in a few wars and spates of violence, generally left the Par'thinian Federation to its own devices. Eventually, however, the Romulans began to take more and more notice of happenings within the Par'tha Expanse, and more often Romulan warships could be seen patrolling the formerly sovereign space of the [[Species: Caraadian|Caraadians]]. It quickly became apparent that the [[Species: Caraadian|Caraadians]] were now under the oppression of the Romulans. Technology in the Par'tha Expanse had not yet reached a level where they could oppose their oppressors, yet some houses tried, led by [[House Tadere]]. The Romulans came in waves to purge the Par'tha Expanse of rebels.
The [[Freeworlds Region]] realized that if they minded their own business, the trade would continue along the Kaen'anti Bypass and their lives would remain relatively uninterrupted. [[House Larokon]] seized upon the situation and allied themselves with the Romulans, using their spinet resources to help ferret out the traitorous members of [[House Kerraron]]. [[House Larokon|Larokon]] successfully harnessed the fear in the sector and formed a new coalition with the mandate to stamp out all anti-Romulan sentiment in the sector.
Another purge followed, one which rid the sector of more [[House Larokon|Larokon]] enemies than Romulan ones. [[House Larokon|Larokon]] moved immediately against [[House Kerraron|Kerraron]], and ultimately rendered the once-mighty house nearly impotent. Several worlds were taken from [[House Kerraron|Kerraron]] and acquired by neighboring [[House Barahn]]. In the process of the purges, [[House Larokon|Larokon]] established a lock on [[Oscion]] which it has held ever since.
== The New Era (2324 CE - present) ==
Much more suddenly than they had dominated the Par'tha Expanse, the Romulan influence over the Caraadians dissipated almost overnight. Rumors circulated about tensions between the Romulans and another race, and the possibility of a war (Neither the unknown enemy of the Romulans nor the resulting war was ever confirmed, and the period of absence coincided with the period of Romulan isolation that the Federation encountered from 2311 to 2364). With the Romulan guard down, and more of their warships being reassigned, the rebellious houses in the Par'tha Expanse banded together for one unified thrust. The Romulans left, never to return to the Par'tha Expanse. [[House Larokon]]'s power in the sector wavered, but did not collapse.
The retreat of the Romulans also hit the [[Freeworlds Region]] hard. The Kaen'anti Bypass was no longer being used, and trade and the economy took a huge dive. Things began to look bleak. The Par'thinian Federation began a revival of their traditional ways, government and culture.
Then, about 10 years ago, the [[Siiden Passage]] saw its first travelers in several centuries. Ferengi merchants managed to discover and traverse the [[Jenatris Corridor]], and found a market ready for trade. Being Ferengi, they kept their knowledge of the Par'tha Expanse to themselves, until some Dai'mon found it more profitable to sell information to a Yridian trader. The United Federation of Planets and Starfleet have been aware of the Par'tha Expanse for the last two years (2381).
= Sector Calendar =
When dealing with the outside galaxy, the [[Species: Caraadian|Caraadians]] use the standards of the rest of the galaxy. However, in domestic affairs, the Tanith calendar (established by Kaen Tan in 5412) is still in common use. There are 60 minutes to an hour, 24 hours to a day, 5 days to a week, 7 weeks to a month, and ten months to a year. To round out the 368-day year, there are three festival weeks and three one-day holidays.
== Local Seasons and Holidays ==
The Par'tha Expanse has its share of holidays and festivals commemorating key historical events and common cultural traditions. The major sector-wide holidays are described below.
In addition to these holidays, the [[Freeworlds Region]] and each noble house have festivals unique to their worlds â??? most honoring domestic heroes and famous historical figures. The major holiday unique to the [[Freeworlds Region]] is Independence Week (Relada 10th through 15th) which commemorates its breaking away from the Expanse.
*'''Tan Day'''. Tan Day celebrates the birthday of Kaen Tan. There are large parades and elaborate public feasts on most worlds in the sector.
*'''Expansion Week.''' Expansion Week consists of five days of celebration commemorating the settlement of the Par'tha Expanse. The holovids feature special programming, and cultural festivals are common in urban centers.
*'''Productivity Day.''' The work ethic is strong in the Par'tha Expanse, and Productivity Day is a holiday celebrating hard work and past generations who helped make the sector what it is today.
*'''Laelath Week.''' Laelath Week was a [[Species: Senali|Senali]] holiday which celebrated commerce and family (the two concepts were not far separated in the Senali mind). Traditionally, celebrants exchange gifts, and make new alliances and trade arrangements, and spend time with their families. The holiday gradually spread into the [[Species: Caraadian|Caraadian]] population of the Par'tha Expanse, and has changed somewhat in the cultural transition. Most [[Species: Caraadian|Caraadians]] ignore the trade aspect of the festival and go on vacation. Many businesses, however, focus on this fact and use the holiday week to bring in the profits from tourists. A few companies still use the time to broker new deals with their trading partners.
*'''Harvest Day.''' Harvest Day is an ancient holiday brought to the sector by the original settlers. Presumably it once commemorated the harvesting of crops, but no one knows for sure. Most people now simply regard it as a welcome chance to take a day off work.
*'''Winter Feast.''' This holiday originated on the initial [[Gorin]] settlement, and marks the local winter equinox. When the settlers began to spread to other worlds, the holiday was kept regardless of the subject world's seasonal variations.
== The Capital Season ==
The capital season is a social season unique to the upper crust of the Expanse. During the capital season, which runs from Expansion Week to Laelath Week, many of the nobility descend on [[Oscion]] to wine and dine, spy and intrigue, and take pleasure jaunts to [[Yrocyn]] and the other resort planets in the sector.
Being seen on [[Oscion]] during capital season is an absolute must for nobles interested in maintaining reputations as movers and shakers. Avoiding capital season marks a noble as a social pariah and can have a big negative impact on his status among his peers. Occasionally, those who had business outside the sector could be excused for a season or two, but since the [[Species: Caraadian|Caraadians]] had severed ties with races outside the sector, this is no longer a valid claim. Attending to business elsewhere within the sector seldom cuts it as an excuse; during capital season, sector business comes to [[Oscion]].
During the season, [[Oscion]]'s finer resorts, restaurants, and entertainment centers are overflowing with wealthy tourists and nobles. Visitors to the planet without good political connections will find it extremely difficult to get lodgings in the finer [[Oscion]] resorts and hotels.


[[Category:Non-Canon Encyclopedia]]
[[Category:Non-Canon Encyclopedia]]
[[Category:Par'tha Society]]
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