====== Veolian Commonwealth ======
<data faction !union_member>
Short Name         : Veolia
Description [wiki] : The Veolian Commonwealth is one of the youngest members of the [[union]]
Roles*             : union member
Status [rule]      : Core World
Image [image]      : :ic:veolian-commonwealth.png
Allegiance [ref]*  : Union
Base System [ref]  : Smi-Halek System
Senator [ref]      : Dewa Lanadi
Leader [ref]       : Saret Ilius
Jedi [ref]         : Shebi Ajava
Type [rule]        : PC
User [ref::user]   : brend
Logo               : Or a fess 30cw party per pale 30cw sable and #ae00ff and a fess 90ccw party per pale 90ccw sable and #ae00ff and a fess 210ccw party per pale 210ccw sable and #ae00ff and a roundel #ae00ff
</data>

The Veolian Commonwealth is an active member of the [[union]]. The Veolian Commonwealth is ruled by the [[#Imperial Council]]. This council, in which all six great houses have a seat, presides over all issues of law, and is both the highest legislative and judiciary governmental body.

The veolians are by nature a very ambitious race, and everyone is always trying to improve themselves in some way. For example, the imperial family, [[house Saret]], came to power during the aftershock wars and has been the ruling family for over two thousand years. But even as they rule over the whole of the commonwealth, plans are being drawn up to increase their territory, and to improve the position of the commonwealth within the galaxy.

The Veolian Commonwealth maintains a large [[Veolian Embassy|Embassy]] on [[Unity]], instead of accteping the offer of embassy offices in the senate building itself.

The commonwealth is among the most populous members of the Union, and is in a time of unprecedented prosperity due to new political and economical ties gained from joining the Union. The Veolian Commonwealth controls the following systems and colonies:
  * [[Smi-Halek System]], the primary system
  * [[Adii Nasla System]], the first colony, established in (:turn) 216

The commonwealth sponsored padawan [[shebi ajava]], who is now a [[Jedi Council|Jedi Master]].

The commonwealth also participates in the [[Djana Military Research Centre]].


===== Economy =====
The Veolian Commonwealth focusses on the production of (:organics) and (:gasses). They are active researchers, and have participated in many joint research projects and several scientific summits. Among other developments, the commonwealth developed the [[rules:hyperspace energy conduits]] to deal with power problems due to it's large population.

The commonwealth counts an impressive array of [[rules:terraformation]] technologies as one of it's assets, and offers their expertise and custom-build (:terraformation-modules) for trade.

The Veolian Commonwealth and is a joint partner in the [[Djana Military Research Centre]], it is also the a major party in several corporations:

  * [[Dryatech Consortium]]
  * [[Kelwaraan Bank]]
  * [[Vaspa Industries]]
  * [[Cassandra Holdings]]
  * [[VAC]], and the [[VAC Coolant Branch]]
  * [[DVF Organics]], after the orginally Daryan corporation was taken over
  * [[Tejkaanta Laboratories]]

Next to these corporations, the Veolian Commonwealth also maintains its own galactic survey fleet:

  * [[Ananta Scout Group]]
===== Noble Houses =====

<WRAP 310px data right round box>
^  //**Noble houses**//  ^
<WRAP>
<wrap left>{([imagelink]:House Saret)}</wrap> //**[[House Saret]]**// Imperial house
</WRAP>
<WRAP clear></WRAP>
<WRAP>
<wrap left>{([imagelink]:House Shebi)}</wrap> //**[[House Shebi]]**// Survivors of the Aftershock Wars
</WRAP>
<WRAP clear></WRAP>
<WRAP>
<wrap left>{([imagelink]:House Nehket)}</wrap> //**[[House Nehket]]**// Senatorial house
</WRAP>
<WRAP clear></WRAP>
<WRAP>
<wrap left>{([imagelink]:House Khaw)}</wrap> //**[[House Khaw]]**// Keepers of the Genealogical Archives
</WRAP>
<WRAP clear></WRAP>
<WRAP>
<wrap left>{([imagelink]:House Iaat)}</wrap> //**[[House Iaat]]**// also known as 'The peoples house'
</WRAP>
<WRAP clear></WRAP>
<WRAP>
<wrap left>{([imagelink]:House Dewa)}</wrap> //**[[House Dewa]]**// Bankers of the commonwealth
</WRAP>
<WRAP clear></WRAP>
</WRAP>

The Veolian Commonwealth consists of a large amount of noble houses, ranging from small one-family houses to the great houses that rule the commonwealth. Based on the size of their estate, each house is entitled to have its own militia and houses of a certain level and above have the ability to draw up laws within their own territories, and to elevate lesser nobles.

However, none of the noble houses have the amassed the wealth, prestige, and bloodlines like those of the great six. A single word from the patriarch of any of the great six can halt complete industries and call on thousands of soldiers deployed within the hour.
===== Culture =====

Much of Veolian culture is focussed on one's lineage and strongly defined gender roles. Men are seen as being the ultimate authority in their own homes and territory (and influential men often see this authority extend to the workplace and their other holdings). Women are seen as the representatives of their husband, father, family and house.

By culture, and by law, the Veolian Commonwealth is very much an aristocracy, with only [[hemet veolian|hemet veolians]] descending from noble blood in power. Those that can not trace their heritage to someone of nobility can only ascend to a more important station through impressive deeds, or clever political machinations.

==== Names ====

Names, both family names and given names play an important role in veolian culture. Due to the strong focus on lineage and family, Veolian names are ordered family name first:

> '[[Shebi Ajava|Shebi Ajava]]' is //Ajava// from the family //Shebi//.

Especially large families, such as the noble houses, might be divided up into gens: 'Dewa Nishkor Sardan' is //Sardan// from gens //Nishkor// of the family //Dewa//.

Another important aspect of this is the use of one's given name. In public life, one always addresses a veolian by his or her family name, and probably a title or honorific. The given name can be added to be more formal. For example, [[dewa lanadi]] would be addressed as 'senator Dewa', or 'senator Dewa Lanadi'.

Using only the given name implies a long-standing relation, and is considered inappropriate among acquaintances. The use of only a given name also carries with it a certain connotation of intimacy.

==== Love & Marriage ====
Love is not widely respected in Veolian society. It is seen as a disordering force that leads young veolians into inappropriate and inconvenient behaviour. Veolians do feel love, and hemets even more so, but they must restrain their desires if they want to have offspring of good pedigree. If two veolians that are married fall in love with one another, so much the better; but overall love is not a good thing. Especially if it disrupts precarious political alliances and predetermined breeding schemes.

Contraception and other forms of birth control are not commonly used, as the duty to produce offspring is seen as the most important duty to one's partner and family. As long as a veolian marries and produces at least two children, their duty to their family and spouse is fulfilled.

To most [[hemet veolian|hemets]] sex is a pleasurable past-time, an entertaining struggle for power, and physically gratifying, just like training for combat or playing a game. Sometimes it is even an expression of love. Homosexual dalliances are common, and most veolians see such arrangements as a deep friendship with benefits. Such trysts have the added benefit of not coming with the risk of producing bastard children.

Adultery is not seen as a negative. Since most veolians do not marry out of love but as a duty to their family and bloodline, it is even expected of those who were married for purely political or genetic reasons.

==== Liaisons ====
Although the Veolian race as a whole has a gender ratio of nearly 50-50, most outsiders see very little of the Veolian men. This is mainly due to the fact that the feminine gender role is that of a representative. Most Veolian men see the actual debate and negotiation as useless talk and mere squabbling. Since this attitude usually offends the other party, women have been negotiating and debating most of the delicate political situations throughout the history of [[Mirda]]. And they will continue to do so since the Commonwealth has become a member of the [[Union]].


===== Law =====

The laws in the veolian commonwealth strongly favour the nobility and [[hemet veolian|hemets]].

==== Imperial Council ====
The Imperial Council has five seats: one seat for each of the six great houses with the exemption of imperial house. The council confers about all decisions that have to do with external politics and changes in law. The Emperor himself has the right to veto any decision made by the council or to declare law by imperial decree, but uses this right sparingly. In the recent history the right has been exercised once: to outlaw non-economic use of slaves.

The council customarily meets once every three weeks. As is [[#Liaisons|customary]] most houses send a female [[Hemet Veolian|hemet]] who has trained in social manipulation, usually the wife or oldest daughter of the current ruler of the house.

==== Slaves ====

In ancient times most normal [[veolian|veolians]] were mere slaves to the whims of the [[hemet veolian|hemet veolians]], who used them as they saw fit. This is not the case anymore! At least, that is what the Veolians say. In current Veolian law the keeping of slaves for work that can be done in a more economic fashion, for example by droids or motivated workers, is outlawed. Slaves are only kept for those professions for which a droid can not possibly qualify. And even then only by the very wealthy, as the Emperor also decreed that for each slave one keeps an amount of taxes is to be paid to the imperial coffer each month. Nowadays only the influential [[hemet veolian|hemet veolians]] of the noble houses keep slaves. Most do so as a sign of status, and they favour races which they perceive as attractive (such as [[astrian]], [[azarya]], [[chiss]], [[caldoss]], [[ehmet]], [[human]], [[nautolan]], [[Sundarian]], [[Twi'lek]], [[Togruta]], [[veolian]], [[Zabrak]] and others).

The practice of slave keeping is not yet abolished from Veolian society, but the planet [[Mirda]] is getting heavily populated. Even now some voices say that slavery is not civilised anymore in these new times of close cooperation with other races.


==== Court System ====

{{ :ic:veolian-courts.png?400|Veolian court system.}}

The veolian court system is made up of two branches of courts together with the supreme court and the two auxiliary courts. In general, the principle of common law is applied. This means that law that is derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes. All authority to adjudicate flows from the sovereign, making the [[#Imperial Council]] the highest judicial organ on paper. In reality, the Supreme Court is the highest judicial organ, with the Court of Empress' Mercy and the Arbiter's Tribunal having special consideration.

== Civil Branch ==

Traditionally, the veolian court system leans heavily on local nobility to adjudicate cases. Originally, local lords sat in judgement of disputes between their constituents. Nowadays, the nobility retains this right, but has delegated most of the day to day operations of the civil courts to appointed judges, both at the county court and high court level.

County courts have jurisdiction over one or more counties and handle the bulk of the simple civil cases. The High Courts function as both the first venue for appeals, the court where divorce and matrimonial cases are heard, as well as being the first court where disputes between nobles are heard. Disputes between Nobles are always adjudicated by a noble of higher rank.

== Criminal Branch ==

The criminal branch of the veolian court system is based upon the necessity of collection of evidence, holding the defendant innocent until such time that he can be deemed guilty. The Magistrate's Court is a lower court where all criminal proceedings start. As with the civil branch, local lords sat in judgement of criminal cases in the past. Nowadays this work has been delegated to magistrates appointed by the great houses.

The magistrate's court mainly busies itself with summary offences, and has limited sentencing options. If an initial hearing at the magistrate's court finds that there is a case to answer, the they are committed to the Crown Court. Different forms of proceedings are initiated depending on the status of the defendant. Commoners are judged by a magistrate, or a bench of judges led by a magistrate. Nobles are always judged by a magistrate, and a jury of their peers.

== Senior Courts ==

The Court of Appeal is the appellate court of both the civil and criminal branch of the veolian court system. Its authority comes directly from the sovereign. It reviews decisions by the lower courts, and can affirm, reverse, remand or modify the ruling of any lower court. Every citizen of the commonwealth is allowed one appeal by right, and such appeals are handled by the Court of Appeal. 

For commoners, the Court of Appeal is the highest court they can appeal to. By law, nobles have the right to petition the sovereign directly. The Supreme Court is the venue where these cases are heard. In history, the sovereign sat in judgement over these cases. However, with the court reforms after the ascension of [[Saret Ilius]], the Supreme Court is now chaired by an appointed magistrate and cases are tried by a bench of seven judges.

For both the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, the doctrine of stare decisis applies. The principles applied by the senior court in its decisions are binding upon all lower courts. This is intended to apply a uniform interpretation and implementation of the law.

== Auxiliary Courts ==

The two auxiliary courts at the same level as the Supreme Court are the Court of Empress' Mercy and the Arbiter's Tribunal.

The Court of Empress' Mercy follows the empresses on their travels. The court takes up civil cases exclusively and will considers such cases only after a plea or appeal for mercy by either party. The court has the power of discretionary review, meaning that they can decide whether they will hear an appeal brought in a particular case. Any case brought before the Court of Empress' mercy is adjudicated by the respective empress or one of her slaves. The Court of Empress' Mercy has broad discretionary authority, and operates based on the dual principles of equity and moral responsibility.

The Arbiter's Tribunal is the court of an arbiter. An arbiter is an individual directly appointed by the sovereign and charged to seek justice or redress for grievances against the commonwealth. The Arbiter is granted broad powers, up to and including the rights of summary judgement and summary execution. Usually, an arbiter is only appointed if the grievance can not be addressed by the normal court system.
===== Faction Demographic =====

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The commonwealth boasts a population of {{list> ?n@sum | ?p Faction [ref]: [[]]; ?p is a: population; ?p Number: ?n; group { } }} billion. Nearly all of the population ({{list> ?n@sum | ?p Faction [ref]: [[]]; ?p is a: population; ?p Number: ?n; ?p On[ref]: Mirda; group { } }}) resides on [[Mirda]], the homeworld of the veolian species.

On Mirda, most of the population is concentrated in one of the twelve mega-cities. In earlier times, each of these cities was the seat of a great and noble house; but over time the houses merged, and the current constellation of great houses has not seen change since the aftershock wars.

Though the [[#slaves|slave]] population is a sizeable 3.09 million, distributed over a multitude of species, this number is only a footnote in demographic calculations. An interesting fact is that 80% of the slave population is female.


===== Research =====

The Veolian Commonwealth has many scientific interests, and funds some research institutes of name. Unfortunately most of these institutes are bit below the scale required for Union-wide research. The Commonwealth is always interested in biological technologies, especially those aimed at genetics and population improvements. Other interests of the Commonwealth are military technologies and terraformation. If one of the Noble houses is the originator of a scientific breakthrough, tradition dictates that they appraise the Emperor of their technology.

The veolian commonwealth has {{list> ?tk@count [text] | ?tk is a: technology_known; ?tk Faction [ref]: [[]]; group { } }} technologies, some of which were researched alone, while others were developed in collaboration. The [[Union Technology Registry]] offers some insight into the collaborative work.

Because some technologies are not worth investing for a single world, the Veolian Commonwealth offers licensing options to Union Members. These licenses are applicable to any technology that can be used on behalf of another. At the moment, only a single license has been seen in common use.

==UE-NT-ED Technology License==

The un-expiring non-transferable endorsed Technology License grants the licensee the right to make use of the licensed technology for any project endorsed by the Veolian Commonwealth. The license does not expire and is non-transferable (meaning that the rights granted by the license can not be transferred to a third party).

For more information, contact a veolian representative.

===== Military =====
The Veolian Military is composed of the militaries of each of the six houses.

List of special operations equipment:
  * [[Onyx Series 5]]

Military units:
<list ?u>
?u Faction [ref]: [[]]
union {
  {
    ?u is a: army
  }
  {
    ?u is a: military_fleet
  }
  {
    ?u is a: defence_force
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}
</list>


===== Sanctity of Culture Act Desginations =====

The following cultural customs, historic buildings and locations of importance are designated as protected cultural heritage under the [[Sanctity of Culture Act]]:

  * The feudal system which forms the foundation of society
  * The practice of slavery
  * Prohibition of abortion and birth control
  * Restrictions on cybernetics