History of the Phoenix Domain

The Phoenix Order was born in the ashes of the Second Terran Empire, existing in secret as the sole protector of human civilization for many years after the destructive nihilism of the Foucault Rebellion. Formally established in 4111, the Order was integral in the establishment of the Third Terran Empire. As the military leaders of the empire, the Order executed and oversaw the rapid expansion of imperial territory. The Order fell into some disrepute after the assassination of Emperor Ferdinand in 4191 and was the chief source of resistance to the formation of the First Republic.

As the First Republic evolved into the Confederacy of Planets, members of the Order decided to opt for silence rather than dissent, but secretly began plotting a return to power. In 4270 the Order was implicated in an attempt to overthrow the Federation government in a coup d’etat. A number of representatives on the Federation council were sympathetic to the Order. An attempt to invoke the Emergency Powers Act failed and the progenitors of the coup fled to deep space, settling on Enlas-Dhu.

The Imperial Domain of the Phoenix was founded in 4289, with Duke Osric Rykeshi accepting the honor as First Emperor. Significant expansion of the Domain did not begin until 4336, but the influence of the Order among nearby planets was significant long before then. Members of the Order joined the societies of nearby planets and became influences in both politics and business. The Domain became an important economic power long before beginning its military adventures.

As expansionist civilizations, it was only a matter of time before the Domain came into conflict with its old adversary, the Confederacy of Planets. Several non-aligned worlds lay between the Federation and Domain space. As the Domain expanded, it began engaging in trade with these worlds. Many of these worlds found the Domain a more amenable economic partner than the Federation and began favoring the Domain in trade negotiations. Federation officials retaliated by threatening to shut off trade with these worlds, often forcing planetary governments to reduce or even cut off trade with the Domain. Additionally, the Federation began using its economic leverage to force non-aligned worlds into accepting Federation military bases.

Alarmed by the Federation military expansion, in 4367 the Domain requested an arbitrator from the Corporate sector. Federation representatives refused to participate in any negotiations and rejected the authority of corporate arbitration in the matter. The corporate arbitrator ruled that the Federation was in violation of free trade agreements and imposed severe fines. Additionally, both governments were forbidden from using economic agreements to force compliance with military operations. The decision lacked the full force of law, however, and amounted to little more than a simple violation of tariffs and trade practices. The Federation continued its usual practice, leaving the Domain with little choice but to employ its own methods of negotiation.

By 4377 the tension resulted in a move by the Phoenix Domain to impose a blockade on several worlds claimed by the Federation. The swiftness of the Domain’s move caught the Federation by surprise. The Domain claimed merely to be interested in the establishment and protection of free trade on non-aligned worlds; those worlds which were not unfairly dominated by the Federation were not blockaded. Many of the worlds under the blockade were distant from the center of Federation space and lacked strong military defenses. In many cases the Federation did not attempt to contravene Domain blockades. There were numerous minor skirmishes and a few full-scale battles occurred, but it did seem the Domain was true to its word: Federation and other traders were allowed past the blockades, but military and police ships were turned away.

Most expected eventual peace, but in 4382 the Federation Council officially declared war on the Phoenix Domain. The resulting five-year conflict took millions of lives, but the treaty established borders and attempted to preclude any future territorial conflicts. Trade among the non-aligned worlds thrived, with both the Federation and the Domain enjoying the benefits. Historical animosities remained between the two civilizations, but the threat of future military conflict seemed abated.

Nearly ninety years of peace were suddenly shattered when the Domain unexpectedly attacked Cenotaph in 4476. As the planet was under Federation protection, the attack caused an immediate hostile reaction. However, the Domain fleet met the Federation forces long before they could get to Cenotaph, ambushing them near Kintara, a non-aligned world midway between Federation and Domain space. Subsequent battles took place almost entirely in this area of space and involved very little planetary bombardment, greatly reducing the number of civilian casualties. The conflict decimated the fleets of both waring parties; the Treaty of Kintara, which ended the war, also imposed military production limits on both the Federation and the Domain. These limits however have likely been ignored, as there is no enforcement provision if both parties violate this provision.

Since the end of the war, the Phoenix Domain has proved itself to be a partner of peace and a protector of free commerce.

Timeline of Events

Year	Event
3600 GS	First Terran Empire founded. Establishment of Galactic Standard Calendar.
3711 GS	Palmer Jihad.
3744 GS	Second Terran Empire founded.
3967 GS	Foucault Rebellion and civil war.
4111 GS	Founding of the Phoenix Order.
4119 GS	Third Terran Empire founded with Phoenix Order as military arm.
4191 GS	Assassination of Emperor Ferdinand and establishment of the Republic.
4270 GS	Phoenix Order attempts military coup of Federation. Failing, the leadership and several dozen soldiers flee into deep space.
4289 GS	Phoenix Order relocates to distant planet of Enlas-Dhu and founds the Imperial Phoenix Domain.
4336 GS	Expansion of Phoenix Domain begins.
4367 GS	Phoenix Domain receives commercial recognition from Corporate Alliance. Federation bans trade with Phoenix Domain.
4377 GS	First armed conflict between Phoenix Domain and Federation. Phoenix Domain attempts to blockade several Federation worlds.
4382 GS	Federation declares war on Phoenix Domain.
4387 GS	Treaty of Sevi ends First Federation-Phoenix War and establishes northern and western borders of Phoenix sector, leaving the Domain to expand freely elsewhere.
4476 GS	Second Federation-Phoenix War begins with Domain invasion of Cenotaph, a Federation planet.
4479 GS	Treaty of Kintara settles peace and establishes a demilitarized sector of space shared by Federation and Phoenix Domain.