Difference between revisions of "Faction Guide"

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m (added appropriate Poul Anderson quote to Fen Corporations section)
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* [[Gearheads]]
 
* [[Gearheads]]
 
* [[Heinlein Society]] ''- a.k.a. Heinleinians''
 
* [[Heinlein Society]] ''- a.k.a. Heinleinians''
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* [[Herbertites]]
 
* [[Herbertites]]
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 +
* [[Juraiians]]
 
* [[Justice League Interplanetary]] ''- a.k.a. Supers''
 
* [[Justice League Interplanetary]] ''- a.k.a. Supers''
 
* [[Pournelle Fen]]
 
* [[Pournelle Fen]]

Revision as of 00:43, 1 May 2010

Nearly 40% of all Fen are independent, either as neutral as humanly possible when it comes to politics, or generally liking many different groups but not enough to join any of them. (These Fen are often called "Neutrals" and "Generalists", respectively.) The rest belong to one or more factions - something of a cross between a nation-state, a political party, a business, a social club, and a mutual-aid society, but not quite like any of those types of groups.

Confusing? A bit, but think how much worse it is to the people who live there.

Major Factions

These six groups, listed by size, are the largest factions in Fenspace:


Minor Factions

While smaller than the "big six", these factions are still notable:

This is not an exhaustive list of minor factions - if there's a noticeable fan base for a work of fiction or a fantastic concept, then there's likely a minor faction for it somewhere in Fenspace.

Fen Corporations

A race limited to a single planet, possessing a high knowledge of mechanics but with its basic machines of industry and war requiring a large capital investment, will inevitably tend toward collectivism under one name or another. Free enterprise needs elbow room.

—Poul Anderson, Margin of Profit (1956)

Even in Fenspace, people have to work for a living. The Boskonians may see crime as acceptable, but the rest of Fenspace doesn't...

Major Fen Companies

Non-Governmental Organizations

Pseudo-Factions

Some groups blur the lines between "faction" and "business," "social minority," or "hobbyist group." For example:

Again, this is not an exhaustive list.

Earthbound Factions

Some fen groups do not actually go into space, for reasons of ideology, source material or personal preference. Instead, they exist -- mostly hidden -- in the 'Danelaw.

Once again, not an exhaustive list.

Enemy Factions

The people in these groups are considered outlaws and terrorists by the Fenspace Convention. The whole point of Operation Great Justice is to arrest and/or subdue enemy factions when they arise.

  • Boskonians - a.k.a. too many things we can't list in a family publication
  • Turnerites - a.k.a. Skinheads, Space Nazis, Church of White Jebus, etc.

Notes

  1. Most Blue Blazers would say they technically count as a subset of the Pulpers, but the sheer size and scope of Dr. Banzai's operation leads this Troper Editor to separate them into their own faction. --~~~