Qel

Qel
Astrographical Information
System	Sai'el System
Suns	Atlei
Moons	Multiple
Rings	None
Orbital Position	3
Orbital Period	1.13 Years
Distance from Alpha Sol	5565 LY
Galaxy	Milky Way
Rim	Mid Rim
Grid Coordinate	O21
Physical Information
Class	Terrestrial
Atmosphere	Breathable
Climate	Varied
Primary Terrain	Varied
Surface Water	42%
Habitability (%)	100%
Societal Information
Official Title	Qel Planetary Commonwealth
Government Type	Federalised Parliamentary Republic
Administrator	First Minister (Executive)
Capital City	New Prareus
Demonym	Qelian
Native Species	Usodine
Immigrated Species	Humans
World Languages	- Qelgalari - English (Lingua Franca) - Russian - French
Population	1,703,426,917
Notable Nations	- Greater Qelian Commonwealth - Free State of Rydel - Directorate of South Sokoria - Naveux Republic
Sector	New Africa
Affiliation	Yatan-Theian Accord

Qel is the third planet from the Atlei Star in the Sai'el System. It is a terrestrial water world with a global ocean covering approximately 42% of it's surface and has a similar, though slightly weaker, gravitational field to Yata. Situated 5565 LY from Alpha Sol, the planet takes 1.13 Yatan years to orbit it's sun and is host to a number of natural satellites. Qel is currently the only known populated planet (though not the only populated celestial body) in its system, and is home to the native Usodine species, alongside a significant population of immigrated Humans.

Geography

Continents of Qel

Oceans of Qel

Continents and Terrain

Qel is split into two large continents, Sakhara in the east and Draqar in the west, split by a large ocean. Both Draqar and Sakhara are continuous landmasses, with a number of islands wrapping around the southern hemisphere of the planet.

Each continent is host to varying types of terrain, though Sakhara is host to a vast majority of the planet's mountain ranges and tundra. Qel is otherwise mostly temperate, with only the most northern regions experiencing more extreme seasons.

Most of the planet's rivers and water sources are located in Draqar's east and south, and are therefore the most densely populated, especially in regards to the immigrated human population. North Sakhara is also host to a large population.

Oceans

The landmasses of Qel are surrounded by the planet's three oceans. The North Daqaran Ocean envelopes the north of the planet, cutting off at approximately the equator line on the coast of Prareus. It is the deepest and most biodiverse ocean of the planet.

Below this, on the south of Prareus and Southeastern Sokoria is the Sokorian Sea, the smallest of Daqar's oceans. Compared to the planet's other oceans, the Sokorian Sea is much warmer, denser, and saltier. The Sea of Rydel is the most violent ocean region, commonly host to strong monsoons and violent ocean currents. It connects to the North Daqaran Ocean through the Sakhara-Daqar channel.

Regions of Qel

Regions

Qel's continents are divided into six regions - two on Sakhara and four on Draqar. These regions are marked for both cultural and geographical differences, though they also act as boundaries for the regional councils of the planetary government. Egoros and North Rydel are the coldest and most mountainous, being the only regions of the planet to experience below-zero temperatures during the planet's winter season. South Rydel and Aphora are the the most dry regions, with semi-arid climates and sparser vegetation compared to others. Sokoria is the most temperate of the regions and also the most diverse, with a large number of conserved forests and fauna. The final region, Prareus, consists mostly of flat plains and valleys, and is named after the planet's former capital. It is the most urbanised and highest populated of the named regions.

The name 'Rydel' comes from the native Usodine term for the continent before the official classification by planetary governments.

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Culture & Demographics

Qel is host to a number of native species, but the dominant and most technologically developed species are the Usodine. The Usodine are a sentient, intelligent species capable of wielding the vast resources of their planet. Most Usodine live in the large cities of the commonwealth, though Sakhara and Aphora are host to significant rural populations. Although the planet has, for the most part, been politically unified for centuries, there are marked cultural differences between the Usodine of Sakhara and those of Daqar.

Clyist Religious Symbol

Religion is a large example of this as Qel is host to two interpretations of a larger faith. Clyism is a polytheistic religion and is the overarching faith of the Usodine, with approximately 65% of the planet actively practicing a form of it. However, the Great Schism of 1011BCE created two forms of Clyism: Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Terranist). Terranist interpretation contains a much greater emphasis on the Gods' blessings to the land and it's people, whilst the Orthodox belief leans much further towards worship and the ideas of punishable sin. Both are similar in the worship of a sacred animal: the Qelian Loghust.

North and South Rydel have historically been hostile to one another as a result of conflicting beliefs - differing terrains created two different identities. South Rydel has a uniquely nomadic culture with it's dryer, resource-sparce terrain, with a strong belief of worship given to the land and to the Terranist interpretation of the Clyist faith. Comparatively, the more resource-rich and mountainous terrain of the north created settled communities with a much more centralised, typically atheistic identity. Daqari Clyism is somewhat present in North Rydel as a result of missionary work from early Usodine history.

Though not native to the planet, Humans make up roughly 5% of the planet's population. The current population is primarily comprised of refugees of the Yatan-Theian War and their descendents. The influx of humans significantly boosted the technological development of the planet, particularly in consideration to space travel as no formal attempt had been made by any Qelian government before the human arrival. Initially given refuge by the Qelian government, the human populations formed a breakaway state during the Qelian Civil War that remain sovereign as of current day. Human religion was also brought over, primarily Christianity.

Three languages dominate Qelian life. The native Qelgalari is still the most common among the Usodine peoples, spoken on a local and administrative level. English and Russian, however, are also dominant, having been brought over by human refugees and acting as the de-facto lingua franca between the native and immigrated populations. French is fourth to this, though is only significantly used in the Naveux Republic in some settlements.

History

Proposed sites of the first Usodine tribes.

Pre-Civilisation

The Usodine are a relatively new evolved species in terms of the greater universe, and so little of their history is known before roughly 2000BCE. People of Early Qel likely lived in hunter-gatherer communities of no more than a few dozen, living off the local fauna and hunting in small groups. These communities were nomadic in nature, sheltering in caves and using local animals to travel across the continents. It is also theorised that there used to be a land bridge between the two continents, providing an explanation as to how the Usodine developed so similarly across the oceans.

Researchers estimate that the first organised tribes were likely to have developed in Sokoria, due to it's forgiving climate. Stone structures and cave art have also been discovered in lower Egoros and North Rydel, indicating the existence of tribal groups in these regions as well. The culture and practices of these tribes have been poorly preserved and so are largely unknown outside of a clear and committed worship of the Qelian Loghust, an animal that is still considered sacred in the modern Faith. There is no known evidence to suggest any unification beyond small tribes in this period.

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Ancient Prarean Flag c. 1425BCE

Ancient Prareus and the 'Golden Century'

Recovered and preserved documentation indicates that the first Usodine nation-states on the planet emerged within the period of 1980-1800BCE, with the oldest named state being governed from the ancient city of the same name. By 1425BCE, 'Ancient Prareus' was the dominant power of Daqar, ruling over the majority of the east. The continent was otherwise scattered with a number of city-states, often in loose coalitions, creating what is referred to as the 'Ancient' of Qelian history. Many of the cities in the east swore fealty to Prareus or provided tribute to their leaders - what is referred to as the East Daqar Accord - though the Western Cities had complete independence and were commonly in conflict with Prareus or each other. Some Western cities would unify into small nation-states, though their powers were usually regional and most were susceptible to infighting and collapse. This period up until 1300BCE is often referred to as the 'Golden Century' of early Daqar.

In contrast to this, the Sakharan people unified much faster, often attributed to both it's smaller geography and the lesser availability of resources to create a large number of settlements. North Sakhara was possibly unified as early as 1500BCE, with records of communication between Western Daqar and the continent indicating the existence of a large, unified (if indirectly) group of people. The people of South Sakhara, with it's strong regional identity and later belief in the Western Faith, remained independent of this state. For much of this period, the South would remain with fragmented groups of nomadic people.

Prarean Collapse

The Ancient Prarean state was subject to significant political turmoil after the 'golden century' of 1425BCE up until the collapse of the East Daqar Accord in approximately 1290BCE. Resentment had grown in the eastern cities as the country attempted to exert greater influence through political means or military force, leading to the Great Eastern Rebellion of 1287BCE. Support from the western states and internal turmoil culminated in the Inner City Sieges of 1279BCE after Eastern forces penetrated the city's outer wall. These sieges would culminate in the collapse of the Prarean Government by 1272BCE, reducing the once dominant power to a simple city state.

Much of Prareus was destroyed in attacks during the sieges. Most notably, the vast majority of historical records and archives were subject to looting and destruction. As a result, verifiable records within the period are significantly limited. Almost predicably, alliances between the Eastern and Western city states would soon collapse without a common enemy.

Qelian Dark Age, Great Schism and the Fragmented Centuries

The Qelian Dark Age, often titled as the Fragmented Centuries, was a nearly millennia-long period of infighting among city states without the presence of a major power on the Daqaran continent. Constant conflict has meant that little historical evidence has survived from this period, outside of the preserved ruins of Ancient Prareus and records of contact from the now-unified Sakharans. Minimal technological advancement was achieved during this time, and it is even argued that a regression in science and technology likely occurred during this time, as indicated by the lack of surviving structures or artifacts. The largest state that emerged from the Fragmented Centuries was the Grand Duchy of Sokoria, encompassing much of the southern Sokorian region, though it was predominantly isolationist post-unification and did not participate in much fighting. It was during this period that the Great Clyist Schism occurred as beliefs changed during the wartime period, with the traditional (or orthodox) view being upheld in Sakhara to this day. Starting in approximately 1270BCE, this period is considered to end at approximately 313BCE with the start of the Daqaran Conquest.

Egorian Kingdom, Terranist Revolt and The Daqaran Conquest

Egorian Conquest of Eastern Daqar (to 85BCE)

The northernmost region of Qel had consolidated into a kingdom by 313BCE under the Atleian Dynasty. It was an absolute monarchy led by the sovereign and their council. The Kingdom of Egoria would slowly expand across the region through to 200BCE, with their sovereign proclaiming the Empire of Egoros during the New Century Declaration. Shortly before this, the Second Prarean Republic was established over the territories of the former ancient state after the reconstruction of the old city into New Prareus. Their government was mostly modelled after the state that preceded it, becoming a senate-led democratic republic that would progressively grow southwards until reaching it's peak in 172BCE.

The Empire of Egoros would continue to expand southwards and eastwards until meeting the border of the SPR around 180BCE. By 172BCE, it had expanded far enough to effectively cut off the Republic from the rest of the continent. Whilst relations between the states were initially peaceful, the Fifty Year's War would soon break out. The war would see the slow decline of the SPR to the point of capitulation by 120BCE and the declaration of the Daqaran Empire on 85BCE, exactly 35 years after the Prarean surrender.

Sakhara, religiously divided after the Great Schism, would eventually see the outbreak of the Terranist Revolt during the 140s. The rebels were unofficially supported with equipment and manpower by the Grand Duchy of Sokoria, however momentum would slow down by 140BCE and the last of the armed resistance would be crushed within a few years. The People's Union would officially declare themselves an atheistic state thereafter, creating tensions between the north and south that would never truly be resolved.

Planetary Authority Flag

The Planetary Authority, Long Peace, and First Human Contact

The Daqaran Empire would continue expanding well into the Common Era. In 10CE, the Daqaran military launched the Northern Expedition into Sakhara, conquering the region of North Rydel. The campaign would later stall, leading to the declaration of an indefinite ceasefire and the eventual formation of the Free State of Rydel. Sokoria would be absorbed into the Empire shortly after this, and on 50CE the Planetary Authority was declared. This restructured government was semi-democratic, with an elected senate that held limited powers, still subservient to the sovereign. The next three centuries would be referred to as the 'Long Peace' - with Daqar unified and Sakhara at a ceasefire, Qel saw no armed military conflict for over four hundred years. First contact with extraterrestrial species would occur during the mid 300s with the human colonisation efforts beyond Alpha Sol, in which a small number of unapproved human colonists would land in rural Prareus and shortly thereafter encounter the Usodine peoples. Relations were positive, with English being chosen to be used as a lingua franca after initial translation efforts were made by both sides. The technologies brought by these settlers proved beneficial to the Planetary Authority, and an approved group of human colonies, starting with Naveux, would soon be established in Southern Prareus. These settlements would slowly grow and expand under close government supervision, with the condition that the humans remained cooperative with the Qelian senate and remained out of local politics. This was ratified in the Treaty of Naveux in 370. The 'Long Peace' would continue until 468, with the breakout of the Yatan-Theian War.

Yatan Refugee Crisis and The Civil War

Borders of the Initial Uprising

The Yatan-Theian war and instability of the subsequent federation would lead to a mass wave of human immigration from Yata and its' colonies during the 470s. This would grow the human population from the tens of thousands into the high millions, creating a political crisis within the Planetary Authority. Upon learning of the war, the Authority declared a state of neutrality and expand it's human settlement zones to permit a number of refugees. However, the scale of immigration would quickly overwhelm the Southern Prarean government and create a state of emergency across the planet. Scrambling for a solution, the senate would pass the 475 Refugee Protection Act, creating the Greater Naveux Exclusion Zone, greatly increasing the space for human settlement. The act was highly controversial as the Exclusion Zone included a number of historical and highly-populated Usodine settlements, most notably Prareus itself. Many nationalist Usodines would leave the Exclusion Zone and settle in regions like Sokoria, creating a significant ultranationalist movement. Loss of capital as a result of this ceding of territory would also create an economic crisis that would lay the foundation for the Qelian Civil War.

The economic crisis would eventually lead to a military coup, declaring the Unitary Authority of Qel in 501. A military junta would shortly be established, leading to mass protests and unrest. Unrest was especially prominent in Egoros, with protests turning to violence and eventually turning into a full-scale uprising. The Qelian Liberation Front was led by a three-party coalition: the Social Action Party, the Freedom Movement, and the Qel First Party (both moderate and radical). After failures of negotiations, the Qelian Civil War would commence. The conflict was brutal, with many towns subject to scorched earth tactics and losses estimated to be in the tens to millions, with some even giving figures over 100,000,000 - 10% of Qel's population. The casualties were majority Usodine, but some human volunteers were enlisted by the QLF. After 26 years, the last of the Unitary forces would surrender after the Battle of the Eastern Plains. After a brief transition government, the QLF would declare the Greater Qelian Commonwealth, and ban the radical wing of the Qel First Party from participating in governance. The first elections to the National Assembly would be held in 532, and the final draft of the Commonwealth Constitution would be passed at the end of 533. The Commonwealth has since re-established relations with the Yatan-Theian Accord, reconstructed much of the country from the devastation of the civil war, and signed the Naveux Compromise of 540. This compromise removed most funding commitments from the Commonwealth government, accelerating economic recovery. In 541, Qel would launch it's first self-constructed spacecraft with FTL technology.

Planetary Government & Politics

State Borders of Qel

National

Qelian Commonwealth Flag

The Greater Qelian Commonwealth, often referred to as the Commonwealth, is the largest and only transcontinental state on the planet, and is the recognised planetary government by the Yatan-Theian Accord. The state's capital is New Prareus, located on the border of Egoros and Prareus. It is a federalised parliamentary republic host to the majority of Qel's population and a representative democracy, comprising of a number of elected councils across the regions of the planet alongside a national assembly. It has an autarkic economy and access to abundant natural wealth. Councils have the responsibility to manage the services of their given regions, including (but not limited to) education, infrastructure, healthcare, and law. The National Assembly is comprised of representatives from each elected council and has executive authority over foreign policy, trade, military, finances, and other affairs of state. Each council varies in size, whilst the National Assembly consists of 750 seats. The current government is composed of six recognised parties:

Name	Ideology	Position	Accord Coalition	Status	Seats
Qelian People's Liberation Front	National Communism	Left/Far-Left	International Worker's Parties	Opposition (Fringe)	23
Social Action Party	Democratic Socialism	Centre-Left/Left	People's Democratic Union	Government (Coalition)	256
Freedom Movement	Left-Liberalism	Centre-Left	People's Democratic Union	Government (Coalition)	167
Liberal Conservative Union	Liberal Conservatism	Centre-Right	Liberal Democratic Alliance	Opposition	170
Conservatives of Qel	Classical Conservatism	Right	Patriots of Tradition	Opposition	120
Qel First Party (Moderate)	National Conservatism	Right	Interplanetary Separatist Alliance	Opposition (Fringe)	10
Independents	Mixed	Mixed	Independent Representatives	Opposition (Fringe)	4

Per the constitution, elections to the National Assembly are held every five years.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established as part of the 533 Constitution and is managed by the leading party's State Councillor. Its' main office is located in the capital, though there are a number of departments spread across the continents. The Commonwealth has declared a policy of permanent neutrality in offensive conflicts, therefore much of its' foreign policy is focused on maintaining good relations with surrounding organisations. This policy has led to Qel being host to the embassies of the Naveux Republic and the Yatan-Theian Accord. State Councillors also have access to an office on Unity Station and act as the planet's representatives in Accord politics.

Ministry of Trade and Economics

As a result of the previously small size of the Ministry of Trade, it was merged with the Ministry of Economics in 534. The combined ministry, managed by the leading party's Councillor-Treasurer, is responsible for the implementation and adjustment of the Commonwealth's economic policies. Most prominently, it was the leading department responsible for the rebuilding of the nation's economy after the Civil War, enacting currency reform and creating the new National Bank. It is also responsible for the maintaining of good trade relations with the breakaway states on the Daqaran continent - particularly Sokoria, which possesses the majority of Qel's logging industries.

Ministry of Defence

Also established in 533, the Ministry of Defence has the responsibility of maintaining the Qelian People's Army (QPA) and its' reserves. It also has the purpose of implementing the defensive policy set out by the Commonwealth and acts as the headquarters of the QPA, located just outside the nation's capital. The department is led by the leading government's Representative for National Defence. Currently, government defence policy is focused on 'armed neutrality', meaning the Ministry must maintain a large number of reserve soldiers in case of future conflict, especially considering the planetary and galactic tensions of the 500s. Qel's standing army is quite small, numbering at less than 100,000, but its' reserves number in the millions.

Ministry of Science and Space Travel

The fifth (though now fourth with the merger of Trade and Economics) and final ministry to be established in the 533 Constitution was the Ministry of Science and Space Travel. Led by the Representative for Technologies, the Ministry manages the development and encouragement of scientific advances within the institutions of Qel. Furthermore, it is also responsible for the space and FTL technologies being developed in conjunction with the Naveux Republic. It is the largest and most-funded ministry in the Commonwealth government, with the First-Ministers of the Social Action Party emphasising an urgency to 'align the planet with the technologies of those who surround us'.

Ministry of Education

Established in 537 after the First Constitutional Revision, the Ministry of Education inherited some of the responsibilities previously given to the local Councils. Led by the Representative for Education, the Ministry would undertake momentous reforms during the late 530s to bring the education systems across the two continents closer together. Most notably, the first National Curriculum of Qel would be published in 539 and enacted in 540 across every authority in the Commonwealth. The Ministry is otherwise responsible for the maintaining of Qel's schools, higher education and child services. It is the second-largest government department on the planet.

Regional

20 councils make up the regional governments of Qel. Whilst subservient to the National Assembly, the councils hold authority over the distribution of funding to their local services and how they develop their towns and culture (this excludes education, which is managed by the Commonwealth's Ministry of Education). Councils are free to hold local elections when they see fit, to a minimum of at least once every four years. Each region has a different number of councils, based on population density:

• Prareus is split into three councils
• Egoros is split into five councils
• North Sokoria is split into three councils
• Aphora is split into five councils
• North Rydel is split into four councils

Authorities are typically comprised of councillors representing the political parties of the National Assembly. The SAP-FM coalition hold the most offices at 12, whilst the QFP hold the least at only 1.

Breakaway States

Qel is host to three breakaway states: The Free State of Rydel, Directorate of South Sokoria, and the Naveux Republic.

Flag of Rydel

Free State of Rydel

The Free State of Rydel (or simply Rydel) is a nomadic, anarcho-communist state spread across the southern half of the Sakharan continent. It is considered to be the longest-standing nation on the planet, having existed in some form for over 1,000 years, though it once spanned the entire Sakharan continent before the Northern Expedition by the Unitary State. There is no defined 'central government', however the various clans often meet at Rydelian Kurultais to settle national decisions, defence, and local conflicts. As such, there is not a traditional economic system in the region, with resources and agriculture typically used as currency. Rydelians rarely leave the country, on account of both the conflicts with prior Qelian governments and lesser technological capabilities to account for consistent movement.

Although at peace with the Commonwealth since the Peace at North Rydel, the states share no formal diplomatic relations, leaving Rydel in a state of isolationism. Many Usodine fled to Sakhara during the Qelian Civil War, creating a minor political crisis, however most were later expelled to North Rydel as part of an agreement with the newly formed Commonwealth.

Directorate of South Sokoria

Sokorian Flag

South Sokoria is an ultranationalist breakaway state located in South Daqar, having seceded before the Qelian Civil War after disagreements with the Unitary Authority. It is one-party dictatorship controlled by the radical wing of the Qel First Party, whom believe in a Usodine supremacist ideology. Though it lacks much heavy industry in it's economy, the large forests of Southern Sokoria give the directorate control of much of the planet's logging output. Whilst not claiming to be the 'legitimate' government of Qel, it is locked in a state of on-and-off guerilla warfare with the Commonwealth as some QFP leaders have proclaimed the need for the 'total destruction' of the GQC government. Furthermore, Sokorian leaders hold an anti-Accord stance in governance and believe that Qel should have no involvement in Yatan-Theian Accord affairs. Their council comprises of three factions:

Faction	Ideology	Position	Status
Moderates	National Conservatism	Right	Opposition
Sokorian Separatists	Sokorist Democracy	Centre	Opposition
Nationalists	Ultranationalism	Far-Right	Government

The Separatists initially led the state, but were overtaken by the Qel First Party after their split from the Qelian Liberation Front after the Civil War. This has created significant controversy among the Sokorian population, with separatists declaring their regime illegitimate and supporters of the QLF demanding Sokoria's reintegration. For now, the state remains independent, and does hold some trade relations with the Commonwealth.

Naveux Republic Flag

Naveux Republic

Originating from the Naveux Exclusion Zone granted by the Planetary Authority to Yatan refugees, the Naveux Republic is a democratic, predominantly-human breakaway state formed in the aftermath of the Qelian Civil War. It contains the majority of the human population of Qel, though it is also host to other immigrated species and some Usodine natives. Unofficially, it also hosts the exiles of the Unitary Government in the form of an insurgency movement, though Naveux officials claim they are unaware of it. The Naveux Republic lacks any significant military or political force, but possession of Yatan technology makes it's existence beneficial to the Commonwealth for the purposes of trade and space exploration. This is evidenced by the Naveux Compromise of 540 that established non-aggression between itself and the Commonwealth in exchange for research cooperation. Moreover, an agreement was also made that the Naveux government would received reduced funding from the Commonwealth with the intention of creating a self-sustaining economy. With a population of approximately 50 million, it is governed by a Senate of 450 seats. The five recognised parties are:

Name	Ideology	Position	Accord Alignment	Status	Seats
Naveux Workers' Party	Agrarian Socialism	Left/Far-Left	International Worker's Parties	Opposition	49
Freedom Movement	Social Nationalism	Centre-Left	People's Democratic Union	Opposition	51
Advancement Party	Technocratic Capitalism	Centre-Right	Liberal Democratic Alliance	Government	280
Traditionalists	Social Conservatism	Right	Patriots of Tradition	Opposition	66
Humanity First Front	Neo-Fascists	Far-Right	National Vitality Front	Opposition (Fringe)	4