Illyrian Palatinate 3058 Update

Origins and History

Fearing that Ceasar O'Reilly of the Marian Hegemony would target the Palatinate next, Administrator Wick made an unprecedented public declaration. In order to resist the expected assault of the Marian Legions and guarantee the safety of every Illyrian citizen, Wick asserted, the Palatinate must gear up for total defense. As part of this effort, the Administrator announced, the Palatinate government would begin construction of bases on all Illyrian worlds. Modeled on the Castles Brian of the Star League era, these bases would be used to stockpile supplies and house several platoons of guerilla fighters. As an added inducement for the citizens to agree to build the bases, Administrator Wick announced that all construction workers would be provided with free housing for themselves and their families - longhouse-style dormitories on site at first, and permanent homes as fast as Palatinate contractors could build them.

Legions of citizens - both natives and former Rasalhagians - took the Administrator up on his offer. By the end of 3057, the bases were complete, and construction of residential housing was proceeding slowly but steadily, fianced largely by money from the Combine and the Commonwealth.

Militarily, the Illyrian Palatinate is in somewhat better shape in 3058 than it was five years ago. Thor's Arms remain in Illyrian employ, with each battalion rotated to every Palatinate world in turn. A second mercenary company, Cavanaugh's Cavalry, serves as a home guard for the capital planet of Illyria. Finally, ex-soldiers from the Free Rasalhague Republic's KungsArme have joined planetary militias and are training increasing numbers of Illyrian citizens in the arts of war.

Interstellar Relations

Relations between the Palatinate and the Free Worlds League remain friendly, as the trade links between them are vital to Illyrian prosperity and security. Administrator Wick has also made a point of courting the Taurian Concordat and the Magistracy of Canopus, knowing that his nation may need al the help it can get if the Circinus Federation manages to launch its long-threatened invasion - or if the Marian Hegemony follows up on its recent threats. The Hegemony, relatively untroubled by domestic strife, may well beat the Circinus Federation to the punch and invade the Palatinate before the Circinians do. The Concordat and the Magistracy have responded warmly to Illyrian overtures, though neither state has yet made any specific promises of military aid.

In its search for allies, the Palatinate government has also attempted to contact the nearby Niops Association, a three-planet state long isolated from the other nations of the Periphery. The Association's leaders have expressed guarded interest in "exploratory talks" with the Palatinate, but so far remain vague about what they expect the substance of such talks to be.

Illyrian Palatinate Force Listing

(Deployment as of 3058)

Unit Name                        Experience   Regiments  Homeworld    
Right Arm of Thor (1 Batt)       Regular       0.33      Illyria
     (CO: Overcaptain Gustaf Narder)
Left Arm of Thor (1 Batt)        Regular       0.33      Trasjkis
     (CO: Overcaptain Hassie Menker)

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#include <stddiscl.h>

Will Day < wd@firstcircuit.net >
John Dutka < jdutka@pcnet.com >
Sep 23, 1996