High Senate

A state of Halcyon Sector. It grew from the defeated Scybrian Polyarchy at the end of the Scybrian Wars. Its capital is Denirad (2212 Halcyon). Its basic principles and responsibilities are enshrined in a Constitution called the Degrees of Understanding. Each member world is divided into Districts based on population and economic output. Each District is represented by a Senator and his staff, who meet at the Hall of Assembly on Denirad. The head of state is the President.

The High Senate is run by a civil service bureaucracy divided into Offices of State, each responsible for a specific aspect of government such as Revenue or Agriculture. The High Senate collects taxes, using them to finance internal development and to fund defense. The High Senate is isolationist and pacifistic, though it maintains powerful, well-equipped armed forces. It is reluctant to intervene in the affairs of other worlds, but its naval- forces vigorously defend free interstellar trade and patrol as far as 5 parsecs beyond the borders. Its warships engage pirates, perform customs inspections and prevent smuggling, escort merchant convoys, and “fly the flag” at neutral ports.