Bowes Hegemony
The Bowes Hegemony is a polity located in Hadji Sector.
- It is part of Charted Space.
Description (Specifications)[edit]
The Bowes Hegemony is an interstellar state composed of 10 systems beyond the Rimward borders of the Solomani Confederation, in Jonson Subsector and Remi Subsector of Hadji Sector. The Hegemony's exact founding date is not known exactly, but the recorded history of the state stretches back to the 600s.
The Hegemony also exerts influence on another dozen or so systems beyond its recognized borders. The influence is variously economic, political, or military, including a long running effort to subjugate the independent system of Ackerman. The elite of the Hegemony also maintain an "entertainment" facility in the Xtce system (historically, Xeni system) beyond their borders. While little information gets out of Xtce, what is known gives the system a sordid reputation.
The Hegemony is run by a class of rich elites, entirely Human in makeup. Each world is run by between one and four families, who elect, wrangle, and ultimately control the more visible elements of commerce and governance, including the titular ruler, the Hegemon himself.
History & Background[edit]
The Hegemony was founded on Menzel, in Jonson Subsector in approximately 630 (Imperial), and expanded to nine other worlds in the cluster over the next 350 years. Its borders stable for roughly 50 years, the Hegemony was ready to expand again by 1040, and the various families began working to claim new systems by de facto occupation. Xeni and Dempsey were staked out and developed around 1043, and Ackerman's leadership saw a switch from mutual trade to military intimidation, while worlds to trailing were more carefully explored and exploited under the wary and distrustful eyes of the neighboring Council of the Wise.
The greed of the ruling families would reveal the increasingly fragility of the Hegemony, causing Ravna Jonson of Menzel to uproot his House and allies in 1103 and move to the more secure world of Dempsey. The core Hegemony worlds continued to expend themselves in internecine warfare. From the relatively safe haven of Dempsey, Jonson worked to hasten the downfall of the Hegemony. He would succeed in 1109.
Government & Politics[edit]
The publicly visible government of the Hegemony is a one-chamber deliberative and legislative body, led by a supposedly elected Hegemon and backed up by a strict and unimaginative Judiciary. Political struggles comprise differences of interest between the member worlds, for the most part.
A deeper look shows that this is mostly a sham. Roughly two dozen family "Houses" run the Hegemony's policy, real government budget, supply contracts, and day to day life, using the Senate as the delivery system. Most politics is House politics; the public displays of world-based concerns essentially mirror House interests.
Technology & Trade[edit]
The Hegemony manufactures and operates equipment from TL–9 to TL–11, for the most part.
Trade is conducted largely through the Houses, with contracts for payment and delivery being obtuse, torturous, and, ironically, ironclad. Contract law is quietly supreme in the Hegemony. Part of the campaign against Ackerman is economic, and trade occurs between Ackerman and the Hegemony despite the war. Trade is also conducted with the Council of the Wise.
Military & Intelligence[edit]
The military of the Hegemony is deeply factional, with House troops dominating. While the Hegemon and Senate technically have an overall military force, including ships, siege assets, and ground troops, the force is historically underfunded, under-trained, and overly idealistic regarding Hegemonic goals and methods. In practice any two Houses can outnumber and outmaneuver the Hegemonic forces, and are more experienced and better equipped.
The intelligence assets of the Hegemony and the Houses are largely internalized, spending more time watching each other than looking beyond their borders. The campaigns against Ackerman and the diplomatic maneuvering with the Council of the Wise are the two notable exceptions, being largely Hegemon operations with some "help" from interested Houses.
Worlds & Sectors (Astrography)[edit]
This polity can be primarily found in the following areas:
Charted Space:
- Hadji Sector
- Jonson Subsector
- Remi Subsector (also sometimes called Bowes Subsector, after the legendary founder figure, Remi Bowes)
Capital: 1116[edit]
The capital of this polity is located in the following location:
World Listing: 1116[edit]
The following systems and worlds are a part of this polity:
References and Contributors[edit]
- MegaTraveller Alien - Solomani & Aslan (Sector map as of 1120)
- Author: Jim Kundert