Wolnch Authority

Philosophy
To summarize, the key philosophical components of life in the Wolnch Authority are:


 * 1) Community & Fellowship. It is important to belong. It is important to have relationships with others. It is important to be invested in the well-being of the community and those within your communities. Healthy Communities are healthy for everyone involved. Nobody is an island.
 * 2) Administration. Everything is part of a greater whole. It is important for life to have structure. Efficient and holistic bureaucracy means less stress on the individual. Apolitical state structures provide stability.
 * 3) Education. It is important to be educated. The purpose of education is to become an expert in a practical field. Education is a desirable trait. It is good to be an expert in more than one field. Education is meant to be present during all stages of life. It is fulfilling to be good at something.
 * 4) Duty. It is good to work. There are no small jobs. Everyone's work is important. Work is created by the collective state, therefore it must be useful to the state. It is my duty to accomplish the goals set for me. Do not resent authority.
 * 5) Recreation. It is good to spend time away from work regularly. Recreation is important socially. Recreation can make you a better citizen. Art is a celebration. Restfulness is important to a healthy life. It is good to spend time thinking rather than doing regularly.
 * 6) Defense. External violence is not frightening, but it is a problem that must be solved. There are better ways to get what you need than to take it. Improving oneself is more impactful than temporary aggression. Violence is not abhorred, but the Wolnch are not experts in this. When on the defense, working with your peers as a whole to protect the community and state is the appropriate response. Flee if it would be more useful to do so.
 * 7) Unity. Strength of community depends on unity. Uniformity in some aspects of life is necessary to prevent divisiveness. It is important to preserve a core culture.
 * 8) Service. It is fulfilling to find new ways to improve life for those around you outside of your regular duties. It is fulfilling to volunteer.

Biology
Biologically speaking, Wolnch are a small bipedal race. They are hunched over somewhat, where four dexterous tentacle-like feels dangle down. The two forward ones are used for manipulation, while the lower two can perform extremely fine motor tasks in close proximity. Often the larger ones will hold an object in place while the lower two perform complex operations on it. Both feelers provide exceptionally strong haptic feedback. The facial structure of Wolnch contains two eyes, a larger one near the top of the face used for seeing objects at a distance and a smaller lower one used for seeing objects up close, especially ones being manipulated by the feelers. The eyes are flanked by protected nasal ports which can emit low humming melodies. Below the lower eye are a mess of feelers (lighter than the main four) that make up the mouth. To eat, they secrete an acidic saliva solution from glands at the root of the feelers, which break down the food until it can be absorbed through pores in the feelers. The diet of Wolnch consists of soft fruit, jellies, and herbs. Surrounding the face are three horns, two lower and one upper. Prior to developing proper agriculture techniques, these horns would be used to dislodge fruit from higher bushes and for digging (such as for nests). Groups of Wolnch could assume a circular defensive position around nests to form an effective barricade against predators. A bone tail used to serve as a defensive measure but has dulled over generations and is more used for balance. They have powerful hind legs that are springy, allowing them to hop or land from heights.

Language
Wolnch possess an entirely distinct form of language used exclusively for musical purposes. This kind of language does not translate into sentences or words but can communicate themes and nuance. In this way, musical culture has traditionally put an emphasis on poetic compositions of these themes similar to the use of metaphor. Following their ascension into the interstellar community, this tradition has seen some adaptation by introducing new foreign ideas.

Life & Work
Wolnch live to around 160. Maturity takes around 20 years to reach, and mandatory schooling (With breaks for work experience) lasts until they are 30. It is culturally acceptable to re-enter school periodically through life and being part of a supportive community makes it easier to take breaks from work.

Multidisciplinary focus to allow for cyclic work schedules. Rural positions are almost exclusively cyclic positions that are treated similar to a midway point between work and vacation, providing a way to recover from the stresses of city life.

Entertainment
Recreation is a pillar of Wolnchi culture. Wolnchi do not have a consumption-based system of entertainment, instead devoting themselves to socializing, community entertainment, rest, creative pursuits, and environmental immersion. Tourism is widely used by most members of Wolnchi society.

Identity
A central, uniform culture is a celebrated concept in Wolnchi society, but not to the point of monotony. Different groups market a diversity of "flavours" of Wolnchi culture.

Relationship With State
State Bureaucratism is integrated into the everyday Wolnchi culture. Every citizen is considered to be part of the bureaucracy rather than separate like other races might. Understanding the administration //SENTENCE FRAGMENT

Communities
Community is very important for Wolnch. Beyond the all-encompassing state membership, many sub groups exist. These focus on volunteer work, recreation, academic pursuits, travel, art, and even just companionship. It is important to have groups to support you and you in turn support the groups. Family are very close, but raising children is done usually within the support of groups the parents belong to. Cultivating strong community ties is important so that your child has the best early life it can, and to lessen the burden of suddenly needing to care for a child.

Chlar
A lush green fertile planet with dense cities & expansive integrated agriculture.

Establishment
The Wolnch are not a violent race by nature, and as such very few large-scale conflicts have arisen. Hierarchies emerged early as a means to coordinate groups of Wolnch for food gathering and self-defense, but as the principles of individualism were slow to appear in Wolnch society these cultural foundations were mostly unfettered by corruption. Once more individualist thought did arise, a robust, integrated and historically dynamically adaptable governance system prevented it from causing abuse. Advancement into space exploration and colonization brought with it uncertainty and danger. Attacks were committed by pirates and slavers (notably Zaretians included) on fringe worlds. With no tradition of military combat behind them, it was felt unlikely that the creation of a military force would be successful if an existential threat loomed. The first solution was to contract out military protection. Private military groups were consulted and for a long period of time mercenary companies developed lasting partnerships with the otherwise pacifist Wolnch. While there were incidents of abuse by the protecting forces, competition for contracts with the Wolnch was fierce enough and record keeping thorough enough to enforce honest policies. Time spent on Wolnch fronts was very lucrative for international mercenary reputation and many now high-end companies have spent time building up positive scores with the trustworthy Wolnch state. The mercenary solution was very irregular and as Wolnch territory expanded proper coverage became harder, and mercenary decadence was on the rise from the success of this preventative strategy. The next policy was an agreement with the city state of Doisu, who shared some similar values to the Wolnch philosophy. Automated defense forces would be purchased in bulk long term contracts at reduced rates in return for Wolnch manufacturing partnerships for the many small custom components used in the Doisu automated defense industry. A healthy relationship also built over maintenance of the complex and advanced defense forces. These contracts of mutual assistance would continue for fifteen years, slowly phasing out many of the mercenary forces. Still, fifty percent of the defense forces were mercenary based.

Trouble Looms
Forty years ago, the Doisu Wars between the Betel Recyclers and the Doisu City State would ultimately result in the annexation of the Doisu by the Recyclers. The Wolnch had been supporting the Doisu economically during the war, and the sudden turnaround of the war at Planet Betel and the horrific Redemption Program would catch them off guard. The Betel were thorough in securing the Doisu assets and population. After the perceived soulless massacre of Betel Home Braves during the war, the Doisu Wars were a vengeful conflict and Betel did not look kindly on the incident, and especially not the Wolnch, who became a new scapegoat for the crimes committed by the now-annexed Doisu. A cold war of sorts existed between the two. As Betel recovered from the war, the Helm began buying out the phased-out mercenaries and harassed Wolnch space. These mercenaries were very familiar with the how the defense of Wolnchi territory operated and had the upper hand. The conflict served to damage or destroy many of the Doisu automated systems, which could no longer be repaired or replaced. While outright conflict did not seem to be on the table, it was clear that the Wolnchi were in trouble.

Taking Sides
Needs some revising since it was originally written News began to reach the Wolnchi that the Betel were seeking Peacekeeper membership. This would mean that the Betel would have a safety net to support them even if a conflict with the Wolnch went awry. In response, the Wolnchi attempted to sabotage the partnership by tipping off the Warlords of meetings between the Betel and Luminarians and arranging for Asanian infiltration. This backfired after Warlord intervention failed to sabotage talks and merely encouraged their entry. The Wolnch had provided valuable intelligence however and had gained what goodwill could be had from Warlords. Despite Zaretian Slaver attacks in days gone by, they were not the type to maintain grudges, and Wolnch officials saw no other option than to reactively join up with another alliance. Warlord conquests had left other neighbours in rough shape in past years, and annexations of smaller powers was a threat that hung over the sector. Those who survived the conquest were getting antsy, and chaos was leading to small wars breaking out between smaller nations. A meeting was established with Lord Varthos, a General within the Zaretian Monarchy who was overseeing the Aeverian front on behalf of the Warlords. Varthos knew that with the disappearance of the Margan the war had become more strained. The Wolnch offered him an easing of the tensions of a war on multiple fronts through logistical support and supplanting the lost manufacturing from more troops being conscripted into the Zaretian military through the homefront. Varthos's time on the Aeveria front had shown him the utility of a well-educated civilian front as well, and so he petitioned King Breys for their admittance into the Warlord Pact. King Breys with the support of the other members of the pact allowed it. The stipulation was made however that this was not permission for militarization let alone war along the Betel front, fearing the opening of a new front. It would not be until the Repzork began pushing into Recycler territory that the Wolnch would get anywhere near the Betel. Even then, this was only to attempt to keep the beleaguered advance supplied deep within hostile Recycler territory. The signing of the Warlord Pact was somewhat controversial at the time, however the brutality and aggression of the Betel served to discredit the Peacekeeper's supposed role of "Paragons of Virtue", making them out to be just as bad as the Warlords in addition to being hypocrites. Many also saw the decision as positive, hoping that their role within the Pact could serve to affect positive changes from within by being the honest middleman they became for those caught up in the war. In either case, unity was felt to be of more value than divisiveness, and by now most Wolnch have accepted their place in the war.

Epic War Involvement
Thus far, the Wolnch have not been directly involved militarily since signing the Warlord Pact. They have taken three primary non-combat roles within the organization. Despite their initial involvement hinging on hostile Recycler relations, after entering the Pact the Wolnch have had little to do with them, instead focusing on supplying the fronts against many other Peacekeepers where the war has had a much heavier toll. Their presence is focused more on the internal affairs of the Warlords than the external.
 * 1) Manufacturing: Strong manufacturing traditions of small and complex goods has made Wolnch valuable in producing critical wartime components for other Warlord war machines. Most Warlord races promote or possess militarist traditions, favouring strength over fine control and higher education in manufacturing engineering techniques. They also have much more positive relations with trade partners to obtain necessary resources.
 * 2) Administrative Integration: Warlord forces have found that occupied and annexed systems and nations are less than cooperative, hampering the value of controlling systems by requiring oppressive occupying forces to coerce any kind of value from these territories. Wolnch have stepped in as honest brokers between the otherwise untrustworthy and hated Warlords. This is accomplished by extending the robust system of Wolnch bureaucracy to these troublesome systems. Wolnch academic traditions also produce an immense quantity of qualified administrators for alien cultures. Wolnch
 * 3) Logistics: Given the first two roles, the Wolnch were in a prime position to assume a logistical role in keeping Warlord forces supplied. Wolnch city building traditions of dense cities with large distances in between, strong trade partnerships, and historical usage of automated systems for physical labour has made them well suited to this position. In particular, the Authority has found a valuable niche as the modern support structure for the Skrey Nation

Military
Prior to signing the Warlord Pact, protection of the Wolnch territories was subcontracted out to the city-state of Doisu (See History). Forty years after the defeat of the Doisu, they still retain skeletal automated defenses of mixed reliability. The signature Doisu technology has been impossible to comprehend and requires materials next to impossible to find outside of the former Doisu territory annexed by the Betel. Wolnch and foreign hired mechanics attempt to keep major systems running in an almost ritualistic fashion, but the decay seems inevitable. While a few mercenaries are kept on call for small tasks, the Warlord Pact has been an excellent deterrent for any major attacks by their neighbours. Small garrisons of Warlord forces are present, but are primarily skeleton crews Wolnch have still refrained from armed combat roles due to their physical weakness in that department but have been experimenting with manufacturing small spaceships of war using the resources produced from subdued Betel worlds. The ability to escort their own logistics and protect them against small craft attacks would strengthen their logistical utility.