setnin sector council

When what eventually became known as the Setnin Sector first formed it was a simple smattering of self-contained worlds and systems that traded between themselves and with other settled worlds in the Mid-Rim. Four thousand eight hundred years before the Battle of Yavin the legendary Chatroot was elevated to the position of leader of the First Worlds, a coalition of the six main planets in the sector at that time: Krider, Wennicas, Yuma, Lydon, Maquina and Koretz.  Having with him his Howlrunners, a group of loyal politicians and warriors who helped him maintain his high position, they formed what was effectively the first sector-wide governmental system. 

Thirteen hundred years later, after the Republic named the region the Setnin Sector, an efficient but informal operational government was in place, meeting in various locations throughout the sector and debating many issues, largely trade related.

Since the planet Zelon became a focal point, or ‘centre’ to the sector, it was deemed that the whole region needed a system of government. And so eight hundred years before the Battle of Yavin the Setnin Council was officially born.  Initially, a simple collection of twenty-five systems made up the first council, but as other worlds attached themselves to the highly lucrative Chancai Trade Centre the need for a more flexible system of government was required.

When the Setnin Sector first joined the Republic, three and a half thousand years before the Clone Wars and the Imperial New Order, it was feared that the independence of Setnin would be compromised. Setnin enjoyed a fruitful, if somewhat shaky relationship with the Republic, which saw many decades of prosperity in which Setnin continued to govern itself within the broader guidelines of the Republic.  This was much improved after the official declaration of the council eight centuries before Yavin, but still Setnin was viewed as a rogue sector and a problem for the Republic.

However, after continuing internal problems and wars within the Setnin Sector, the Republic and the Setnin Council decided to return Setnin to its autonomy just months prior to the Battle of Naboo. While some political analysts said it was beneficial for the increased profits in trade, others said it was because of the Setnin Sector’s reputation; a black mark on the glowing record of the Republic’s achievements. Not long before the first of a catalogue of incidents that instigated the fall of the old Republic, the Setnin Sector once again became its own power.

During the rise of the New Order the Setnin Sector was beset by not only the incursions of the Empire but also a huge increase in black market trade and underworld business.  While always a hotbed of underworld activity, many outside operators saw an opening and moved into the region.  Despite this, Setnin came through the Galactic Civil War largely unscathed. During Imperial occupation the Setnin Council again retained its power, although under the heavy supervision of the Empire. As the Setnin Sector was a hugely profitable source of income to power the Imperial war machine, Coruscant decided it best to leave it that way. The hatred towards the Empire from the citizens of the Setnin Sector was deep, despite the relatively small impact the war had on her citizens. Many encounters between Rebel Alliance and Imperial Forces were waged in Setnin’s borders, but on the whole the damage was minimal.

After the fall of the New Order, the Setnin Council once again enjoyed the benefits of independent self-rule, but one vital ingredient was missing. Since the underworld and those fighting against the Empire no longer had any need to obtain and distribute supplies within the black market anymore, the ganglords began to take money and profits from official sources. Coupled with the fact that galactic trade was down in the aftermath of the Civil War, the Setnin Sector struggled. In the end, there was only one choice – rejoin the Republic until profits were up and trade had stabilised again.

Through all these trials and tribulations, the Setnin Sector Council always remained in power.

The four heads of state are appointed to their positions by the governor and the choices ratified by the council. There is no time limitation to their term in office, can remain through several governors reigns and are reviewed every year by the council and the governor.

Their offices include:

Chancai Trade Guilds –Despite being known as the Chancai Trade Guilds, this organisation oversees all official trade routes and costing throughout the Setnin Sector.

Security – This office encompasses not only the policing force that has a presence on each occupied world but also its own special departments. Each system maintains their own police force, but some worlds have the general policing forces on planet for extra security.

The Setnin Security Office (SSO) is divided into the following sub-departments:

Finance Office – Profit and income are of great important to the Setnin Sector and are governed closely by the Finance Office, which oversee the flow of credits in various denominations throughout Setnin.

Population and Services Office – This office takes care of citizens from worlds that are poor, technologically low-level planets. Systems generally take care of their own people, but some require a helping hand. The thinking behind this office is to encourage increased spending throughout the sector and beyond

Each office has its own Oversight Committee, who take care of the internal workings of the office and, if necessary, administer to any problems and investigations.

Known as the Member of the Council – or MC - Each represents a system of the Setnin Sector, or encompasses a group of systems not necessarily loyal to one another

The MC’s are voted into office by the planets under their ‘jurisdiction’. Each planet votes for a prospective MC and all are reviewed by the other council members. If a prospective MC meets requirements, as in policies of trade, security and overall acceptability by the people, they are allowed into office. One MC is voted for every one standard year, with the possibility of the same MC being voted in more than once, although the citizens can replace their own MC mid-term if they feel their performance is not satisfactory and their planets interests are not being served. These MC’s hail from specific worlds but their policies reflect their jurisdiction, not simply the system they herald from. Although its members are continually swapped, this allows for fresh ideas on a regular basis.

Or SC of non-affiliated worlds

The SC’s are voted in at any time by planets that do not wish to be a direct part of the Setnin seat of government but still wish to be heard. Their opinions are purely advisory and play no actual role in council decisions. The only way non-affiliated worlds can have a casting vote is to appoint an MC, join a jurisdiction and therefore have a hand in who is chosen to represent them.

The Zelonian moon of Benesk is the central seat of power in the Setnin Sector. Although the actual head office of the council is in the Chancai Trade Centre, the chambers are on the moon to avoid the distractions and bustle that Chancai provides. The moon consists of –

One huge Chamber of Systems, which occupies one of the six domes, where the planets of the sector congregate in one huge mass to voice concerns and opinions.

Twelve Chambers of Jurisdiction, which occupy three domes, where individual council members address their own sections of the sector.

One Chamber of Council, where the governor, MC’s and SC’s meet for more intimate talks.

One Setnin Jedi Council, which occupies one dome, where since thirty-three years before the Battle of Yavin the Jedi of the sector have held their twelve-strong council.

The governor’s primary office is on Chancai from where the governor addresses the sector. The face of the Council is the governor who, whilst not having final decision on policy, has the power to make immediate decisions on concerns of security and defence in times of crisis