Date: Thu, 21 Sep 1995 10:30:30 -0700 From: Christopher_Griffen@dmcwave.com (Christopher Griffen) Subject: Porozlo RICE Paper reposting Since the POROZLO was lost to many during the TML downtime last week and since I noticed some format shortcomings in the system details at the end, I'm reposting it. The final installment of my Rhylanor Cluster RICE papers: NOTE: For anyone who has obtained the Rhylanor paper, please note that the settlement date of the planet should be changed from "ca. 250" to "ca. 150." Porozlo System Porozlo (Rhylanor: Spinward Marches/2715) A867A74-B Hi Tn B201 RE M1 V M7 V G=1.02, Day=23:26:42.01, Year = 22d 20:16:41.12 Atmo=1.00, Weather Control Temp= +16.8 (7/lat +21 to -49) (season +10.2 to -17.0, 17 deg lat) Daily temp range 38.00 Agricultural, Ores, Compounds; Agroproducts, Non-metals; Parts, Durables, Consumables, Weapons; Artforms Progressive/Advancing, Competitive/Neutral, Fragmented/Aloof Legal: 4-54444 Tech B8-BBBAB-B9BB-CB-F Viewing the beautiful glowing orb of Porozlo from afar, who would suspect that this Terran Normal world is the site of some of the most vicious internecine warfare in the Regency? Porozlo's balkanization is the result of poor colonial planning. Due to its remarkable resemblance to Terra, Porozlo was a highly sought-after system. Colonization claims were filed by numerous private and public interests, most of whom were of Solomani origin and all of whom had legitimate claims. Roughly three quarters of the claims were made by colonists with corporate sponsors, the largest made by Transstar, the Terran shipping megacorporation. The remaining 25 percent were comprised of government-sponsored colonization programs and population-relief projects. Because of the high demand for rights to the system and conflicting legal claims, an impartial mediator was selected to resolve the conflict. The mediator determined that it was in the best interests of all involved to distribute Porozlan land to as many of the claimants as possible on a first-come, first-served basis. Strict head-count limits were imposed. Not surprisingly, a solution that was intended to make everyone happy made no one happy. The majority of the lots were distributed among an astrographically isolated Solomani group in Daibei Sector. These Solomani were primarily descended from colonists who had originally come from Terra's Eastern and Southern European and North African regions during The Rule of Man. A large portion of the lots were distributed among ethnically diverse Solomani groups from throughout the rimward portion of the Imperium and the remaining lots (about 5 percent in all) were given to a handful of Vilani interests and Core-based colonists of mixed descent. The Imperium's attempt at generosity resulted in the system's perpetual state of conflict. After establishing footholds on the planet in 161-163, many colonial settlements quickly adopted isolationism as their credo and began to form their own individual governments on the planet. After permits were distributed to the second wave of colonists from Daibei and nearby Diaspora sectors, the colonial administration encouraged an even distribution of ethnic populations among the nations of Porozlo to foster a more homogeneous political environment. Unfortunately, hundreds of micro-immigrations nullified the Imperium's efforts in the subsequent decade. Remarkably, the only ethnic group that did not geographically polarize itself was the Vilani. Vilani minorities can be found in most of Porozlo's nations. They are frequently the educated elite, holding jobs as physicians, attorneys, bankers and corporate executives. Not preoccupied by the ethnic conflict of the planet's other settlers, the Vilani have formed their own functional niche in Porozlan society. Conscious of their minority status (and the historical peril of those who have held such status), the Vilani settlers have been careful not to isolate themselves, so as not to incur the wrath of another Porozlan ethnic group or nationality. In fact, the dispersed Vilani minority are arguably the greatest philanthropists on the planet, contributing a disproportionate 22 percent of the planet's charitable donations in an average year, while they comprise only eight percent of Porozlo's current population. The Vilani minority speaks Galanglic in the business community but continues to speak a Vilani dialect in the home and at cultural functions in order to preserve their heritage. Porozlo's resources were scattered enough that over the centuries, further political fragmentation occurred along economic lines. The final result was a world with upward of 80 independent nations. Porozlo became a textbook case on how to create a balkanized world. Though Porozlo's population was as diverse as any in the Imperium, for the most part the world avoided major wars until a dramatic event in its history. The Porozlan fragmentation and a growing awareness of the planet's limited resources gave birth to a grassroots political movement, which eventually became known as the Private Ownership (PO) bloc. The PO bloc came into being during a firestorm of debate about foreign investment and exploitation of Porozlo's resources. The status quo had been more or less pro-free trade. For two decades after the birth of the PO bloc, the majority of Porozlan nations underwent revolutions of one sort or another. It was during this extremely xenophobic period that the planet became registered by the Travellers' Aid Society as an amber zone to warn travellers of the danger posed by distrustful Porozlans. After 20 years of PO revolution, the pendulum began to swing the other way. Those who supported foreign investment and development united under the banner of the Free Trade (FT) bloc in reaction to radical PO movements. This political schism was to become the defining event in Porozlo's history. Historians debate the original date of the Porozlan Schism, but most place the date on either 1016, when the first domestically governed megacorporate labor union (thought to be the precursor of the PO bloc) formed in the nation of Stepozhevac, or on 1084 when the FT bloc came into being. PO movements spread like wildfire, affecting each and every national government on Porozlo. As the PO/FT division deepened, democratic governments' elected officials became almost exclusively drawn from either the PO or FT bloc. Many of the planet's more dictatorial governments resisted at first, but as public sentiment grew, even nations led by autocratic dictators began to align themselves under one banner or the other. The conflict has raged on for over a century now, with the balance of power frequently shifting between the two parties. During the last 80 years, the balance has settled, with the PO dominating about 30 percent of the planet's countries and just under half its population. The FT bloc dominates the more technologically developed and industrialized nations. Several underdeveloped countries have fled to the FT wing in recent years. Under the guidance of Chairman Augwynne Sorsi, the nation of Nemso has sponsored a ground-breaking new organization, called the Free-Trade Advisory Council (FTAC), to help these nations "get on their feet." Using programs like the FTAC, the Free Trade bloc has successfully swayed public sentiment to their side in the interstellar region. Wars are frequent on the soil of Porozlo, with an average of six going on at any one time. The perpetual state of conflict on Porozlo spurred the TAS to deny the Porozlo United Council's request for amber zone nullification in late 1148. While most Porozlan wars are of the brushfire variety, many escalate to full-scale conflict with occasional threats of biological and nuclear weapon use made by opposing countries. The presence of neutral Rhylanor curbs the use of such weapons, however. The Rhylanori senate's unequivocal position is non-intervention unless the war escalates to the point where such weapons are used. One Rhylanori senator, who requested anonymity, brashly stated, "If the Porozlans start nuking each other in our backyard, we're going to bring the sky down on their heads." The frequency of international conflict on Porozlo has made the planet a nexus for mercenary activity. "Warworld" is the name many regional mercenary units use for the besieged planet. Because of its adverse political environment, Porozlo has acquired the distinction of being a "mercenary magnet" over the past three centuries. While several offworld peace initiatives and summits have been sponsored by neighbors Rhylanor and Zivije, most of them have ended with the representative Porozlan national delegates walking away from the table in frustration. The divisiveness between the nations of Porozlo has thus far proven irresolvable. Despite the pervasiveness of warfare on Porozlo, the planet as a whole is rather economically successful. Nemso, the richest and most dominant nation on Porozlo, has the population and resources of many entire systems in the subsector. The Free Trade party has dominated the nation's parliament since the 1107 overthrow of King Syzygy, the former hereditary monarch. Many other nations, most notably Morovic, New Dalmatia, Zenerabi, M'Dwailei and Hauvania, have also prospered under the auspices of the Free Trade party. Although the FT nations have been models of economic success, the downside of foreign industrial exploitation is also evident in their cities. Visible signs of blight and homelessness are much more prevalent in FT cities than they are in the more socially democratic PO cities and countries. The main PO nations of Porozlo, including Almarac (the most populous nation on Porozlo with six billion inhabitants), Anisinta, Turin, Digliotti and Vyben, tend to be more militant. Local militias, created for the purpose of defending their homesteads from "invading offworlders," are common in PO nations. While PO nations are not nearly as prosperous as the FT nations, it can accurately be said that for the most part, their citizens live on a more economically egalitarian scale. The majority of their citizens could be classified as lower middle class. Porozlo is home to a multitude of fascinating cultures and traditions. The artistic community flourishes in most nations on Porozlo. Political and cultural strife on a planet often fosters an active artistic community and Porozlo is no exception to this rule. Porozlan poets, painters and sculptors are revered for the level of emotion that their works elicit and for the quality of their craftsmanship. Porozlo remains a glorious example of a Terran Normal world. The breathable air, lush landscape, majestic mountain ranges and rich blue oceans make Porozlo a top tourist attraction for travellers who are smart enough to look beyond the political instability of the planet. Tourists tend to choose the more politically stable countries for their visits, far away from the raging fields of war. All but one of Porozlo's A-quality starports are located in FT-controlled nations, with the most traffic at Nemso Down Starport. Nemso maintains the planet's sole orbital facility as well, Nemso Orbital. Among PO nations, only Almarac maintains an A-level starport facility at great expense to the populace. In order to uphold the virtues of the PO bloc, Almarac spares no expense to make its primary port a jewel among common stones. Though the facility is arguably the most modern of all Porozlo's starport facilities, traffic at Almarac Starport is somewhat sparse. Free traders should be warned that legal cargo in one Porozlan nation is contraband in another. Be wary of the trade laws in each nation you intend to visit. More than one trader has had his ship impounded for carrying goods from an FT nation into a PO nation and vice versa. Industry is alive and well on Porozlo. Boisterous international competition for interstellar markets has fostered a progressive planetary culture. In just the last 20 years, Porozlo has advanced from TL-10 to 11 in the Regency technological profile system. Porozlo System Details Orbit Name UPP Remarks Primary Corusca M1 V 0 Porozlo A867A74-B Hi Tn 50 Jelorba G546467-B Fa Mi 1 (Empty Orbit) 2* Glint M7 V 0 Czaczezhnia Small GG Size 60 1 Ring System YR00000-0 2 Ring System YR00000-0 5 Glyph Y300000-0 Va 7 Tybalt Y100000-0 Va 13 Aamed Y200000-0 Va 55 Padenton YS00000-0 Va 3 Brazhorno Y1A0102-B Re 13 Alec YS00000-0 Va 40 Cela GS00207-A Va 4 Milano Y600000-0 Va 5 Borges F410663-A Co 8 Blanca Y100000-0 Va 35 Sinai HS00107-B Re Va 6 Calyph Orga G500636-B Re Va 7 Mandrigora H643437-B Mi * Companion star.