French Colonies

## **Formerly French:**

#### **Astrives (1999-2309):**

Astrives is both the smallest and the richest of the former French colonies. It harbours a healthy economy based on services and surprisingly agriculture. Its high yields are due to high soil productivity, allowing it to be the sixth-highest producer of food on the moon (and the highest producer per capita). This high soil productivity is believed to be caused by less competition between the native acid-producing organisms and a lack of amphibious lunar fauna, resulting in lower overall soil acidity.

At first, the colony was integrated into the Ancrages Territory. A combination of a growing local population and instability with constant mutinies by the army in Ancrages proper, resulted in the locals of Astrives demanding to become a separate colony from Ancrages. It remains a part of the French Republic as of the present.

#### **Ancrages (1925-2309):**

   Made up of a large mountainous archipelago located at the moon's equator, it was once a leader of the lunar world. As the decades moved on it failed to adapt to the quickly changing social, political, and economic landscape. A result of its diminishing relevance within the selenopolitical landscape was a shift to authoritarianism. Today it is one of the backwaters of Luna, its stringent authoritarian government alienating its neighbors.

###### *Early Riot Period:*

   Lured by the promise of a new frontier and the possibility of gaining vast wealth many of the early settlers of Ancrages were of an affluent class. It would quickly turn out to be far from the truth. Most of the region was too dangerous to survey rendering it worthless. While people who tried to leave found themselves to be in a form of indentured servitude (it having been hidden in their contracts for the voyage). With nothing to lose, the people began to riot.

The demands varied for each group but tended to follow a few common themes: compensation for loss family members and injured or sick individuals, better working conditions, alleviation + reduction of the contract term for those lured to the colony via deceitful methods, and greater transparency of lunar conditions. A small group of rioters attempted to establish a commune, as the riots crumbled so did the dream of a socialist Ancrages.

###### *Ancrages at the Time of the Great Lunar War*

Ancrages played a large role in controlling the Romance Ocean protecting numerous smaller states. The Romance fleet became well known for its interception of a naval invasion of the island chain controlled by Astrives. Preventing the expansion of Shin Nihon (New Japan) within the region and unknowingly halting it's greater invasion goals.

Ancrages remained aligned with Silverhill a long-term ally, though the former lacked a strong ground military presence it made up for this with its powerful navy.

#### **Auriol (2021-2309)**

Auriol is a small and linguistically divided nation, unique for being the only joint venture between American and French colonists. In the time frame Auriol was established, wild states on the frontier began becoming aggressive.

###### *The History of Auriol*

Two small colonies, one American, and one French were established on the lakeshore, currently at the heart of Auriol. The fledgling states would face continued hardships, as raids from "wolfpacks" were becoming increasingly frequent month by month. While the raids contributed to the hardships, both America and France considered the colonies that would become Auriol irrelevant. Meaning that when sent supplies (if at all) they were often too little to rebuild.

After several discussions, the two settlements decided to start working together. Being situated on opposite sides of the same lake, they were easily able to share resources, men, funds, legal work, and expertise. While working with one another, the two also began to cooperate with three fishing communities located on the lakeshore. This increased the size of their forces though it did spread them thin. Luckily for the federationlargest militant opposition was crushed at one of these communities when combined forces from all five settlements lured them into a trap.

In 2054, six years after the Union Treaty was signed, the settlements declared full independence from Terran powers. The two settlements transitioned from imperialist powers establishing a foothold to independent powers protecting villages from wolfpack raids on local villages.

#### **La République de Cernunnos (2011-2309)**

Cernunnos is the only French fascist state on the moon. The nation became Fascist after a long-winded anti-communist campaign by the far-right party of Cernunnos. The rise of powers like Hana Jotai, and Lunea, were seen as existential threats to “the French way of life”.

After a brief border war with Lunea, Cernunnos was forced to relinquish some control over the industrial zone Sequana. This had severe consequences for the Cernuan economy and threw the country deeper into fascist beliefs.

###### *Cernunnos During the Great Lunar War*

While aligning itself politically and economically with Shin Nihon (New Japan) and The German Moon Society, it feared joining the war with military action. The Lumières Dans le Noir alliance would meet any military actions by Cernunnos against Lunoir with their own.

#### **La République de Grannos (2065-2309)**

Grannos like Luecète is a late addition to the roster of French states on the moon. The Republic of Grannos developed out from a small settlement in the desert. This settlement was centred around a large oasis and was the only place able to project power over a large stretch of the desert. This is one of the only French wild states to have survived to the modern-day.

###### *Grannos in the Great Lunar War*

Grannos allied itself with Rochland in a bid to annex key agricultural fields from Allings. While its entry into the war was later than most, the presence of its troops allowed for a resumed offensive striking further than the previous one. This offensive showed the Rochland high command the terrible state of the Grannosian army. Soldiers had outdated or barely functioning equipment, communication was poor due to a lack of radio technology and were forced into suicidal charges by uneducated officers.

For this reason Rochland saw Grannos not as an ally but a political thorn in its side. Grannos’ posturing at the Jefferson Republic’s borders, was the last straw and the Rochland’s higher-ups began planning a coup of Grannos.

Grannos’ military basically fell into the hands of Rochland. The troops already practically following orders from Rochland commanders given to Grannosian commanders. The new dictator put in charge had very limited powers, and practically had to follow the orders of the Rochland field-marshal, Hannes Schmidt.

#### **Laminar (2050-2309):**

A French anarchist state, established on the very frontier of the moon. Laminar was but one of thousands of wildstate communes present in this frontier region, but unlike the other wild states, Laminar survived. It has grown to encompass a large swath of land and has a strong agriculture and exotic goods industry.

Laminar, like much of the region, is covered in bulbomorph plants, which are highly valued in Terran traditional medicine markets.

###### *Laminar in the Great Lunar War*

While Lamimar itself did not join the war, many citizens went to the front to fight alongside their French brethren. An elite division that came to play a large role in the Lunoiran counteroffensive, known as "The Hounds", was made up of Laminarans. This has led to Lunoir and Laminar having very friendly relations, despite their extreme ideological opposition.

#### **La République Française de Lunoir (1946-2309):**

The largest former French colony and the Lunar hub for francophone nations and all things French. This nation is notable for its extremely high Gini coefficient. Both income and wellbeing inequality are staggering based on region and familial ties. Those with traditionally French names are ostracised among the majority of the public, as this shows their refusal to shift and change with the language. It is common that those with these names are given special treatment and gain privilleges most are unable to afford.

Initially, wealthy and affluent citizens (often government officials) gained greater power and wealth while the majority suffered in poverty, this is furthered by a heavy discrimination against the impoverished by most institutions. The result was a population with an ingrained culture of hatred towards traditionally French names. A non-modified last name showed a disconnect from the moon and its changing language. This disconnect is stereotyped by the perceived likelihood of privilege. As one can imagine, this is a focal point of extremist propaganda.

###### *Conquest of Noamonte*

After the influx of Spanish migrants to the region, mass riots became frequent and Noamonte was thrown into turmoil. An extremist group followed Dante de León (later renamed Hadrianus) slowly gaining control of islands with a Spanish majority. They pushed many French-speakers towards the Southern islands. Lunoir saw the failing Noamonte state as a problem. On August 25th, 2162 the 2nd Fleet of Lunoir pointed its guns at the Noamonte Parliament from the harbour, and the state was handed an ultimatum. While this action was later condemmned, it was reasoned away at the time due to a fear of possible Spanish atrocities.

###### *Lunoir in the Great Lunar War*

Lunoir was one of few nations with a land border with Shin Nihon and so went for a defensive strategy in the New Louisianian highlands. It had 3 frontlines, combined with quick reaction forces to stop spearheads, though successful early on, the two front-most fortlines were quickly penetrated immediately after the Fall of Darwin.

New Louisiania would remain under French control until a naval invasion of the strategic port of Sainte-Sélènes in mid-2300. While a large proportion of the Lunoiran army managed to get to Hermès and back to the mainland, the French front soon got cut off by the advancing Japanese army in their rear. A rescue operation was started which shipped troops from Artemie to Hermès over the lake. However, this rescue operation was highly lethal, and 85% of men who embarked, subsequently died when their ships were bombarded, shot at, or sank.

The losses in New Louisiania put Lunoire in a very weak position, and the continental force was ordered to retreat to more favourable positions. While plans for the protection of the homeland were made, they luckily did not have to be tested, as in 2301, the third fleet of New Japan, was pyrrhically defeated. This meant that Lunoir was more secure than ever in its local naval supremacy. Following the New Japanese defeat, the North Lunoir campaign heated up again. The Lunoir forces, were able to push the New Japanese back from Roxane, all the way to Shin Nagasaki and Kageaki in a few months.

#### **Lemuria (2255-2309)**

Lemuria is a small French wild state north of Hana Jotai. It only recently gained independence from Lunea. The nation has a healthy service economy and is part of the larger Lumières Dans le Noir regional alliance, containing Lemuria, Hana Jotai, Lunea, New Africa, and Sélènites.

#### **République Populaire de Leucète (2039-2309)**

Luecète is one of the more recent French colonies to be created, made up of many different smaller republics, it remains in a shadow of its former glory.

Unlike most colonial ventures that expanded through war and conquest, Leucète made deals and treaties with its surrounding wild states. Simon Lejeune, Luecète's first governor, was sympathetic to the people of the borderlands and refused to see them as criminals and bandits.

Even today in Luecète society, Simon Lejeune continues to be an influential figure despite the fact that his was an unelected dictator, his actions opened the way for Luecète to develop into the grand socialist state it is today.

#### **Loire Blanche (2017-2309)**

Loire Blanche is named for the large river that originates from the converging point of 4 large ice flows. The Loire Blanche is large, wide and navigable. For this reason, most cities and industries are situated on or nearby its banks. The dominance of the river within Loire Blanche has led local politicans to espouse the phrase “He who controls Loire Blanche controls the flow of the land, the people, the industry, and all things that bring power". Political focus and national defense are focused on defense of the River's core and it's tributaries.

#### **New Louisiana (1983-2152):**

New Louisiana was a French colony in the north of the moon. It's territory was what is now occupied by Lunoir on the island of Shin Nippon along with territories currently controlled by Shin Nihon. It had a conflict with Shin Nihon and after several military setbacks was forced to cede territory to Shin Nihon, alongside having to lease the port town of La Ville to Shin Nihon for a half-century.

#### **Noamonte (2103-2162, 2209-2309):**

Noamonte is one of the smaller French colonies. It has an adequate service-based economy and played a large role in the interlunar peacekeeping fleet prior to the Great Lunar War.

###### *Noamonte During the Great Lunar War*

Noamonte is but a small democratic state in the vast waters of the Romance Ocean. With its only nearby neighbours being the infamous Hadrianus, its prolonged independence was always threatened.

Instead of joining a faction, Noamonte chose neutrality. It built coastal forts and shot down any aircraft entering its territory, though the Katsuryoku Incident would put the nation in hot water, but ultimately it remained out of the war.

#### **La République des Sélénites (2040-2309)**

The story of Sélènites mirrors that of Luecète. A late additon to the colonial roster, territory spread thin, and expanded via treatries instead of conquest.

The sparsely inhabited Sélènites is ripe with beautiful natural landscapes, it's economy is based on around access to these natural wonders for exorbitant fees, this is especially true for scientists.

#### **La Ville (2293-2300):**

La Ville is a small city-state bordering Shin Nihon and Lunoir. It was initially part of New Louisiania, but was leased away to Shin Nippon for 50 years after New Louisiania lost the Louis-Nihon war.

La Ville suffered under the control of Shin Nihon. Its population and economy decreased drastically, though would later improve when military industry came to the region to expand the capabilities of the northern armies, but it would never reach its former glory. Over time the city would become known for its unique blend of Japanese and French culture.

###### *La Ville During the Great Lunar War*

Despite its small population La Ville played a pivotal role in Shin Nihon's gains in the northern campaign. The only major port in the area, its position allowed the Japanese free access to ship rations, weapons, and other materiel to their forces.

After the conquest of the Lunoiran territory on the islands, a sizeable portion was given to La Ville, after which the city-state began to prosper once again.