When the Vilani Imperium was established, the borders were frozen, by decree. However, in the areas assigned to Makhidkarun, this was not always quite true.
First, the decree of border stasis contradicted an earlier principle not allowing rival star-faring entities beyond the border. When two such principles conflict, how is a bureau to decide? Well, if there is self-interest, that is usually the deciding factor.
In the case of Naasirka (from the Shugilii), conservatism would favor stasis.
In the case of Starurshid (the Merchants and Businessmen), profit would favor trade, but not conquest, which tends to be expensive.
In the case of Makhidkiarun (the nobles), though, expanded control and order would favor a (minor) adjustment or expansion. I see a cycle, that might take decades or centuries to run:
1. Rebels, pirates, smugglers, and outlaws in general cross the border for safer harbor. Even Jump-1 ships can cross, with extra fuel tanks. Over time, they establish colonies in independent systems, are joined by enterprising free traders seeking markets, and such. They also establish or discover places that allow "regular" trips across voids--rogue planets, void stations, and suchlike. But, apart from such needs, these locals would generally be limited to Jump-1 (given Vilani tech) and would tend to fill up the local cluster more often than jumping to the next.
2. The independent colonies tend to gather into rough polities or networks, especially those that can establish some sort of trade with the Imperium. This draws the attention of the local powers that be.
3. Nobles come to fear the growing out-border powers, or desire greater areas to control, or grow tired of pirate raids, and so on--so they send a small force to take an area, effectively pushing the border out a few parsecs. Note that, being Imperials, they would have access to Jump-2 ships (and larger ships and ground units!) allowing easy jumps to the next cluster.
4. The locals being conquered, or under threat of conquering, are driven to push even further out to found or strengthen further colonies, starting the cycle anew.
This would be especially noticeable in Corridor sector, given its limited opportunities for expansion and its series of small to moderate clusters. I suspect that the Imperium would tend to grow, over its history, from the Vland sector border to roughly the Corridor/Deneb border--especially since the arrival of the Vargr would further slow expansion.
Is this a reasonable scenario? What else might affect it?
First, the decree of border stasis contradicted an earlier principle not allowing rival star-faring entities beyond the border. When two such principles conflict, how is a bureau to decide? Well, if there is self-interest, that is usually the deciding factor.
In the case of Naasirka (from the Shugilii), conservatism would favor stasis.
In the case of Starurshid (the Merchants and Businessmen), profit would favor trade, but not conquest, which tends to be expensive.
In the case of Makhidkiarun (the nobles), though, expanded control and order would favor a (minor) adjustment or expansion. I see a cycle, that might take decades or centuries to run:
1. Rebels, pirates, smugglers, and outlaws in general cross the border for safer harbor. Even Jump-1 ships can cross, with extra fuel tanks. Over time, they establish colonies in independent systems, are joined by enterprising free traders seeking markets, and such. They also establish or discover places that allow "regular" trips across voids--rogue planets, void stations, and suchlike. But, apart from such needs, these locals would generally be limited to Jump-1 (given Vilani tech) and would tend to fill up the local cluster more often than jumping to the next.
2. The independent colonies tend to gather into rough polities or networks, especially those that can establish some sort of trade with the Imperium. This draws the attention of the local powers that be.
3. Nobles come to fear the growing out-border powers, or desire greater areas to control, or grow tired of pirate raids, and so on--so they send a small force to take an area, effectively pushing the border out a few parsecs. Note that, being Imperials, they would have access to Jump-2 ships (and larger ships and ground units!) allowing easy jumps to the next cluster.
4. The locals being conquered, or under threat of conquering, are driven to push even further out to found or strengthen further colonies, starting the cycle anew.
This would be especially noticeable in Corridor sector, given its limited opportunities for expansion and its series of small to moderate clusters. I suspect that the Imperium would tend to grow, over its history, from the Vland sector border to roughly the Corridor/Deneb border--especially since the arrival of the Vargr would further slow expansion.
Is this a reasonable scenario? What else might affect it?
