Red Wood Empire

The **Red Wood Empire** (abbreviated to RWE) or simply the Empire is a militaristic authoritarian autocracy operating throughout the known galaxy. The Empire is governed by a single body "The High Council'' which is chaired by an Emperor / Empress. The purpose of this council was to advise the Emperor / Empress on the operations of the Empire to help them make better decisions.

Most of the members of THC are members of the Imperial Armed Forces (IAF). The main branch of the IAF is the Imperial Navy. It's focused on protecting the borders of the Empire and exploring beyond. It is widely known that it is one of the most powerful in the known galaxy, although some claim that it's strange has been decaying. The current leader of the Red Wood Empire is Emperor Adam Williams.

One of the Empire's primary mandates is deep space exploration as such IAF personnel were frequently brought into contact with cultures and sentient species whose existences were unknown to its allies at the time. Imperial Navy officers would act as official representatives of the Empire and its allies in some cases. Imperial vessels were also frequently used to ferry ambassadors on diplomatic missions.

Most research and development occurred in the Imperial Navy. As such there were a lot of negative feelings towards the Imperial Navy from other members of the IAF. The Imperial Navy possesses four different categories of fleets: offensive fleets, defensive fleets, expeditionary fleets, and system defense fleets.

## History

"*"Duty, Loyalty, Unity, and Self-sacrifice. These were the ideals that the Colonial Navy was founded on to protect the people who live in the Inner & Outer Rim of our galaxy. From those in the unknown regions and beyond, that means to do us and our people harm. But you who serve on this council have neglected those ideals. YOU are the ones who have the responsibility of hundreds of thousands of worlds on your shoulders. YOU have turned the Colonial Navy into a rotten husk of what it once was. With your selfish action and the blood of HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of people on your HANDS! So when you say my company has overstepped its boundaries. Who do you think is really at fault? MY company is the only one who is trying to uphold the ideals that the Colonial Navy has failed to! YOUR bickering and petty arguments have led to corruption at the highest levels. YOU have caused thousands, and thousands, of people to starve and have led MILLIONS to die! You think me and my company are out of line. But if we don’t uphold ‘Duty, Loyalty, Unity, and Self-sacrifice’? Then who will?"*"
―Thomas Redwood, former Admiral of the 2nd Colonial Fleet; Founder of the Red Wood Empire, speaking to the Confederate Council in 2478Template:SpecialCategorizer

## Government & Politics

The Empire’s government is that of a hybrid regime. It combines the ideas of a libertarian despotism with elements of that of an absolute monarchy. The majority of its facilities are located on Icarus, and Cyrus with some of its other territories holding key facilities as well.

### Central Government

#### Executive / Legislative Branch

The executive and legislative branches work as a unified branch. The Emperor controls the day-to-day management of the Empire. The Emperor acted as the head of state, and the head of government; as well as the chief executive officer of the government as well as the chief legislative officer, the Emperor determined all of the Empire’s foreign policy, managed budgetary concerns, and served as the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces. The Emperor’s office was located in the Icarus city of Taelo located on the East Wind continent.

The High Council is both a special executive committee, and the legislative branch. It is filled with the leaders of all of the Empire’s executive departments and agencies as well as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Defense.

The Emperor serves an indefinite term, and can only be removed from power by a unanimous vote from the high council and the Joint Chiefs of Defense.

##### Departments & Agencies

The Empire also maintains a number of executive departments, and agencies that assist in the administration of the operations of the Empire:

* Imperial Administration of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
* Imperial Department of Defense
	+ Imperial Armed Forces
* Imperial Department of Terraforming
* Imperial Department of Temporal Investigations
* Imperial Department of Cartography
* Imperial Council of Archaeology
* Imperial Council of Science
* Imperial Committee of Astronomical
* Imperial Bureau of Industrialization
* Imperial Bureau of Planetary Treaties
	+ Imperial Colonial Administration Service
* Imperial Bureau of Standards Measurement
* Imperial Bureau of Science & Technology
* Imperial Bureau of Penology
* Imperial Intelligence

There is at least one rogue agency that operated under the Empire's control, known as Section Black. It was known to have operated in the name of protecting, and defending the Empire from all threats foreign and domestic.

### Foreign Relations

#### Allies

The Empire is allies with multiple nations, some being small others rivaling the Empire itself, but no matter how big or small the Empire holds all of its allies in high regard. Although its closest allies were the United Kingdoms of Helnor and Zuria (UKHR (RCSP)), and the United Eshen Federation (UEF (CNL)).

These three nations have stood as beacons of hope, and justice across the galaxy. They have fought alongside each others for centuries including in the Great War, the DRF Conflict, the Green Drone War, the JETF-Remnant Conflict, and are now fighting again in the Shadow War.

Though at times they are at odds of each other for example during the Joint Expedition Task Force the United Eshen Federation betrayed the Empire and the United Kingdoms of Helnor and Zuria. Although the component of the UEF wasn't acting in the interest of President Frigit. The damage to their relationship was already done.

The Empire has had loose relations with the Stellar Colony (SC) led by the former Imperial Navy Captain Jack Roberts. The group would later become known as the Colonists Survivors (CSS). Though when the Green Drone War broke out the surviving members would join the Imperial Armed Forces and be given a ship the RWE Eclipse (ISS-). Where they would be one of the most important crew during the war.

#### Enemies

One if not the most dangerous adversaries the Empire has ever faced was the Shadow Empire or more commonly known as the Shadows. The Shadows were a group of multiple cynical alien races bent on galactic domination. They were discovered to have been behind the Drone Reactionary Force's attack on the Empire and its allies. It would be discovered that the DRF was used as a way to test their strengths. They would later send the Remnant who happened to be a group of humans seeking admission to the Shadows and were giving the task of destroying key facilities of both the Empire and its allies to help facilitate a faster invasion from the Shadows, but they ultimately failed and were defeated.

The second greatest threat to the Empire was the Green Drone Armada (GDA), a splinter group of the DRF. The GDA invaded the galaxy in 2433, sparking the Green Drone War which claimed many lives across the galaxy, even some from the Shadow Empire. In the end, RWE and its allies were successful in defeating them and bringing back galaxy-wide peace for a few years before the arrival of the Shadow Empire.

Even though hostilities were high between the Valkyrie Republic, Daystrom Industries, the Reavers, and the Pirate Confederacy the Empire never classified as enemies. The Empire continues to have diplomatic discussions with them to achieve peace but ultimately they would almost always break the treaties that would cause a conflict ensue but not to the point of open war.

### Military

The Emperor / Empress is the supreme commander-in-chief of the Imperial Armed Forces. The Imperial Armed Forces, which is headquartered at the Imperial Complex located on Icarus, administers the three uniformed service branches of the Empire: they're the Navy, the Army, and the Marine Corps.

Each of these branches include numerous component services, or are supplemented by other independent services. Additionally many reserve, support and ceremonial units exist.

From the time of their inception, the Imperial Armed Forces have played a decisive role in the history of the Empire. They have created a sense of national identity, and remain one of the most important factors in Imperial society.

Imperial forces can be rapidly deployed by the Navy's 10 dedicated carriers or the 500,000 active ships, the Army's 107th Legion, the 15th Falcon Regiment, the Marine's 7th Crusader Squadron, 25th Legacy Company, and a team of SCAR operatives can be deployed in less than an hour. The Navy can strike targets throughout the galaxy, and with the assistance of the Fighter Corps can strike targets across a planet's surface through its fleet of strategic bombers, and provide close air support to the Army and Marine Corps ground forces.

## Imperial Territory

Imperial territory spans thousands of light years, with hundreds of thousands of worlds, and species making up the Empire. The Empire uses what it calls a Web System. In this system, there are six different titles, each being in charge of different sections of Imperial Space. In this system from highest ranking to lowest is a Grand Moff who is in charge of an oversector, a Moff who is in charge of a sector, a Governor who is in charge of a star system, a Minister who is in charge of a plant, a Count or Countess who is in charge of a province, and a Lord or Lady who is in charge of a city or community.

### Grand Moff

A Grand Moff was both a military and political title in the hierarchy of the Empire. Grand Moffs were basically governors of oversectors, which were groups of 2-3 sectors. They are the fourth highest title in the Imperial hierarchy, being subordinate to the Emperor / Empress, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces, and members of The High Council.

In relation to the Imperial Military, a Grand Moff was equal in rank and status to a Grand Admiral and Supreme General. Despite being equal in rank to a Grand Admiral and Supreme General, if one was stationed in their oversector they would have to take orders from the Grand Moff, unless the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces granted them special privilege.

### Moff

Directly subordinate to a Grand Moff was the poster of Moff. It was both a military and political title in the hierarchy of the Empire. Moffs, also referred to as Sector Moffs, were in charge of the different sectors which grouped 5-10 star systems of Imperial space. Moffs usually reported to Grand Moffs but could report directly to the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the IAF if requested.

Moffs are the fifth highest title in the Imperial hierarchy, being subordinate to the Emperor / Empress, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces, members of The High Council, and Grand Moffs.

In relation to the Imperial Military, a Moff was equal in rank and status to a Fleet Admiral and Marshall. Despite being equal in rank to a Fleet Admiral and Marshall, if one was stationed in their sector they would have to take orders from the Moff, unless the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces granted them special privilege.

### Governor

Serving under Moffs were Governors, being both a military and political title in the hierarchy of the Empire. Governors, also referred to as System Governor, were in charge of star systems, and sometimes placed in charge of political territories, including planets, moons, and galactic regions. Governors usually reported to Moffs but could report directly to the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces if requested.

Governors are the seventh highest title in the Imperial hierarchy, being subordinate to the Emperor / Empress, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces, members of The High Council, Grand Moffs, and Moffs.

In relation to the Imperial Military, a Governor was equal in rank and status to a High Admiral and High General. Despite being equal in rank to a High Admiral and High General, if one was stationed in their system they would have to take orders from the Governor, unless the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces granted them special privilege.

### Minister

Operating under a Governor was the position of Minister. It was both a military and political title in the hierarchy of the Empire. Ministers were in charge of planets or moons, and were even placed in charge of colonies, or far out territories. Ministers usually reported to Governors but could report directly to the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces if requested.

Ministers are the eighth highest title in the Imperial hierarchy, being subordinate to the Emperor / Empress, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces, members of The High Council, Grand Moffs, Moffs, and Governors.

In relation to the Imperial Military, a Minister was equal in rank and status to an Admiral and General. Despite being equal in rank to an Admiral and General, if one was stationed on their planet they would have to take orders from the Minister, unless the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces granted them special privilege.

### Count or Countess

The second lowest portion was that of a Count or Countess being both a military and political title in the hierarchy of the Empire. Counts or Countesses were in charge of provinces on planets and could be placed in charge of colonies, or far out territories. Counts and Countesses usually reported to Ministers but could report directly to the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces if requested.

Counts and Countesses are the ninth highest title in the Imperial hierarchy, being subordinate to the Emperor / Empress, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces, members of The High Council, Grand Moffs, Moffs, Governors, and Ministers.

In relation to the Imperial Military, a Count or Countess was equal in rank and status to a Vice Admiral and Lieutenant General. Despite being equal in rank to a Vice Admiral and Lieutenant General, if one was stationed in their colony or far out territory they would have to take orders from the Count or Countess, unless the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces granted them special privilege.

### Lord or Lady

The lowest ranking position was that of a Lord or Lady; it functions as both a military and political title in the hierarchy of the Empire. Lords or Ladies were in charge of a city or community. Lords or Ladies usually reported to Ministers but could report directly to the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces if requested.

Lords or Ladys are the tenth highest titles in the Imperial hierarchy, being subordinate to the Emperor / Empress, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces, members of The High Council, Grand Moffs, Moffs, Governors, Ministers, and Counts or Countesses.

In relation to the Imperial Military, a Lord or Lady was equal in rank and status to a Rear Admiral and Brigadier General. Despite being equal in rank to a Rear Admiral and Brigadier General, if one was stationed in their city or community they would have to take orders from the Lord or Lady, unless the Emperor / Empress or the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armed Forces granted them special privilege.

## Exploration

Both the government and the private sector controlled the Empire's exploration of space, while the government had more resources and could go on longer duration missions. The private sector did provide steady competition with the Empire, they often acquired decommissioned craft from the Imperial Navy and repurposed them for exploration, and scientific research. The primary exploration service was the Exploratory Command of the Imperial Navy. Its principal functions were the advancement of the Empire's knowledge about the galaxy, the advancement of Imperial knowledge of science and technology, and they were the principal agency responsible for the defense of the Empire.

In addition, their personnel were the first to be greeted with cultures and sentient species whose existences were previously unknown to the Empire, and as such, played a significant diplomatic role. Naval officers therefore acted as official representatives of the Empire in these cases. Also, naval vessels were frequently used to ferry ambassadors on diplomatic missions.