GRNOUF

Provence Subsector C: New Era data as of 001-1202 / Imperial era data as of 001-1120.

Subsector Maps: 1202 & 1120

Grnouf Subsector: The Grnouf Subsector has an estimated population in 1202 of approximately 6 billion, a decrease of 60% from its Pre-Collapse population. Lair and Firgvaar have the highest population (2 billion) while Lair has the highest tech level rating (13). The Grnouf Subsector had an estimated population in 1120 of approximately 15 billion. Its highest population was 5 billion at Anur. Lair had the highest tech level (15).

Lair Protectorate Notes:
In 777, Lair (2402) declared its independence from the Empire of Varroerth. It was accompanied by Khvhaergvaetsorrgh (2501), Firgvaar (2401), Fraets-Vog (2302), Zhorurn (2301), and Kaarlag (Ngathksirz 2440). "Embracing everything that is truly Vargr, the Lair Protectorate is based on the basic precepts of charisma and responsible change." (Vilani & Vargr pg.54). The Empire just shrugged and ignored the Protectorate. The Protectorate ignored the Empire in return. Over the next 300+ years, Aertsvad (2101), Oeghzvar (2102), Zargvaetsr (2001), and Khaevu (Ngathksirz 2240) joined the Protectorate. As the Protectorate began to really prosper, the regional governor grew somewhat envious but took no action. The Protectorate is also technologically minded and would have quite an advantage if a civil war broke out.

Unlike their brethren, the Vargr of the Lair Protectorate did not join in the great feast in Corridor. Their resources were focused on internal matters. Civil unrest on Lair threatened to break apart the Protectorate. Reform minded Ulurs Otsunga stabilized matters with legislation designed to curtail restrictions over personal freedoms. His timing was fortunate as he soon had to face an even greater threat, Virus.

When word reached the Protectorate about the coming of Virus, decisive action was immediately taken. Worlds prepared for war. Caches of technology were created and hidden deep underground. While representatives of the Empire scoffed at what they felt was a hoax, the Protectorate secured its borders and remained alert for any possible sign of contamination. In 1136, Virus came.

A large vampire fleet, mostly consisting of ships from Kaegrogz and Anghikh barreled its way into Grnouf in 1136 after forays into Llaezgaen and Vorvoun. Spies for the Protectorate returned with reports of carnage all along the Grnouf Main. Taking a gamble, the Protectorate put the bulk of its forces in Zargvaetsr, since it is the only Protectorate world separated by 2 parsecs to the Grnouf Main. It paid off.

The Vampire fleet jumped in 2 weeks after the Protectorate Navy had put themselves into positions throughout the system. Despite being outnumbered, the Protectorate Navy had the element of surprise and superior technology on their side. They destroyed the bulk of the fleet as most of the ships did not have the extra fuel to jump out of the system. Those that did went coreward into Ngathksirz sector. Protectorate casualties were moderate but the naval base and Zargvaetsr itself were the unfortunate recipients of suicide impacts from dying vampire ships.

Over the next two decades several major battles were fought. The most decisive came in 1156 when a large Vampire fleet tried invading the Protectorate through its coreward jump 1 neighbors in Ngathksirz. This was a successful maneuver. Although the Protectorate was patrolling these worlds and received enough advance notice from their scouts, they did not know which world the fleet was going to strike.

Over a period of several months, Vampire squadrons would jump in to a system, hit it, and jump back out before the Vargr had a chance to strike back. A few of these missions were suicide runs designed to take out a starport or a naval base to soften up the system before the larger force jumped in. The Protectorate was forced to divide up its fleet among several worlds as most were within striking distance.

The entire Vampire fleet finally struck at Aertsvad. Defending all 5 gas giants would have spread their forces too thin so only a few ships had been sent to each gas giant. When the Vampire fleet jumped in, the ships radioed the main fleet and then jumped to rejoin the main fleet. Upon receiving the warning, couriers were sent out to warn their neighbors. The battle, known as the Siege of Aertsvad, was fierce. Vargr fighter pilots adopted the suicide tactics of the Vampires. The Vampire fleet didn't consider the fighters much of a threat. This enabled the fighters to within meters of them where they were able to detonate their nuclear payloads. Casualties were heavy for both sides at Aertsvad but the Vargr held their ground. The Vampire fleet was forced to flee.

With their coreward neighbors a liability, the Protectorate decided that it would annex them. The Protectorate Recovery Program (PRP) began in 1158. Advisors and troops were sent in to assess the situation of each of these worlds and recommend the best course of action to bring these worlds back to pre-Collapse levels. Although the work has been slow, definitive progress has been made. All worlds in the Protectorate have at least a D starport or better.

Virus brought out something unusual in the Vargr of the Lair Protectorate: homeworld pride. Virus has been perceived as an attack on the Vargr way of life. Virus has no charisma. It only seeks to enslave and destroy. The Vargr of the Protectorate feel greatly insulted and as such will not suffer it. When dealing with Viral threats, these Vargr fight with the tenacity of an Aslan defending the honor of his clan and have not hesitated to lay down their lives in defense of the Protectorate.

Other Subsector Notes:
The tech level for Anur (1706) in the UWP for 1120 is misleading. The monarchy enjoyed the fruits of their subjects' labor. They imported high tech goods from offworld while their subjects lived at tech level 7. Working in the factories was mandatory. Conditions tended to be poor. Dissidence was forbidden. The police made sure that the people remained in line. Rebellion came when Virus sent the starport crashing down into the capital city. As cities and industrial parks were being bombarded, the people fled, often taking advantage of the confusion to attack local law enforcement.

Uengva (2109), Saellok (2208), Arrunoer (2305), and Geksoen (2306) managed to keep stripped down versions of their downports functional. All 4 worlds lie on the Grnouf Main. While it is unknown why Vampires no longer make their way down to the Uengva-Saellok arm Geksoen's lack of gas giants could be the reason why the Vampires don't travel down the Arrunoer-Geksoen arm. They might be operating under the assumption that the starport is gone from Geksoen, leaving only ocean refuelling as the means for leaving the system. In either case, each pair of worlds has maintained light trade with the other.