Phoenix Domain
The Imperial Domain of the Phoenix is an interplanetary empire consisting of over thirty inhabited worlds. It is the ultimate realization of the noble human spirit and the natural descendant of previous historic empires.
History
See History of the Phoenix Domain.
Society
The Phoenix Domain is a feudal society with strong individualist tendencies and capitalist influences. Domain government, business, and much of everyday life tends to be governed by the philosophical principles of Objectivism.
While the Domain itself is a feudal society, many of the planets within the Domain are democratic and retain their own individual cultures. The Domain respects the individual history and cultural diversity of every member world, and does not impose cultural or legal changes on planets when they join the Domain.
Government
The government of the Phoenix Domain is a large and complex bureaucratic oligarchy, with many important positions being held by members of the royal houses.
The Emperor
The emperor, known as the Eternal Phoenix, is a human being whose consciousness is uploaded into a new body every thirty years or so. The current emperor has served in this capacity for over two centuries.
Imperial Regent
The Regent to the Eternal Phoenix serves as the chief executive officer of the Phoenix Corporation. In the unfortunate and unlikely absence or incapacity of the Emperor, the Regent occupies the seat of power until the Emperor returns. The current state regent is Jana Tarsi, who is also sister to the Eternal Phoenix and has herself been reborn multiple times.
Imperial Ministries
Each ministry is headed by one Minister, who may be assisted by one or more Masters. The sole exception to this is the Ministry of Intelligence (see below). Imperial ministers also serve as members of the Phoenix Corporation board of directors.
Ministry of Defense. As the leader of the defense industry, the minister of defense enjoys the rank of Admiral. There are no other imperial cabinet positions which include military rank. The current defense minister is Duke Zaxo Aquarius.
Ministry of Industry. Considered the leader of the imperial economy, the minister of industry is one of the most hard-working members of the imperial cabinet. The industry minister is a heavily scrutinized and often controversial figure; the position is noted for having the most resignations or deaths-in-office than any other cabinet position. The current minister of industry is Rona Aquarius, former Master of Industry to Zaxo Aquarius, who held the position for a record-setting eleven years.
Ministry of Information. As an empire located in the far corner of human civilization, the thankless and endless tasks of diplomacy, education, and outreach are handled by this ministry. The current minister of information is Elron Shar.
Ministry of Security. The ministry of security & intelligence is usually headed by two individuals of Master rank. The Master of Spies (MS) is responsible for the external security and intelligence activities of the Domain, while the Master of Police (MP) is responsible for internal security and intelligence operations. On rare occasions, usually times of crisis, a single individual has occupied both positions (MS/MP). The current minister of intelligence is Kerik Brythun, MS/MP.
Economy
While on the surface a feudal society, the Domain operates economically as a capitalist empire, preferring laissez-faire capitalism and open markets to the heavy-handed control of government. It has been said many times by many emperors past: “The business of the Domain is business.”
By some measures, the Imperial government practices less control and regulation of the economy than the Federation Council within its borders.
Military
The Domain considers itself primarily an economic power, reserving the use of military force only in the defense of Imperial interests. The Imperial Navy is the space fleet of the Domain, with Imperial Marines operating as the landing forces of the fleet. Individual planets may operate their own local defense forces.
See also
- Phoenix Sector. Catalog of worlds within the Domain.
- Sector Map showing location of many worlds within the Domain.
