The best way to cover legality in Azimuth is to look at a few individual cases to get a feel for what you might want to do and not do, if you were ever able to journey its varied skies!
Prohibition
In Ganzabar over recent years, alcohol has come under harsh criticism. This came to a head with the federal prohibition on sale of alcohol in 9311, adopted by all states (but exempting Brazak East,Capridor and -at the time- Brazak West). In the decades since, this has led to mounting tensions and a steady buildup of organised crime in most cities. Its success is still hotly debated in the Ganzabi press.
Drugs and Narcotics
Elsewhere, most intoxicating substances are either mildly distrusted or altogether illegal. Kazak notably outlaws tobacco, while the USK and Gazabar ban cannabis. Brazak West is fairly progressive in its view of drugs, but has strict laws against harder substances. The Lystrata Commonwealth is the only nation outside of Azrune to have no significant laws regarding drug regulation.
Cloudgazers
It is known even outside of the First Nation that Azrune has outlawed the vagrant sling-wielding mercenaries known as Cloudgazers. The reason is not entirely clear, although public distrust of this grouping within Azrune is widespread enough for it to go unchallenged. Somewhat hypocritically, Azrune employs its own security forces in the form of Sentinels, which carry a very similar tool to the Sling; called a Hook.
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There are a number of organisations and political structures across Azimuth. So I'd like to look at a few of these in detail, but also how they relate to each other.
The Gold Age / New Tech Divide
Perhaps the most pervasive and characteristic element of Azimuth’s geopolitics is the dicotomy between old and new (or, Azrune and Everyone Else). The Gold Age being what it was, the old in this case is actually the vastly more advanced of the two. While New Tech civilisations are struggling to rediscover much of what was once commonplace in human society, Azrune lives a carefully insulated life of luxury.
Azrune’s isolation means it’s often ignored in modern politics. Their Gold Age legacy is sometimes dismissed as irrelevant, though not for very long once it makes its appearance on a battlefield. The more shrewd see Azrune as a nation with a lot more clout than its small size would otherwise warrant, a kind of historically-inflated importance.
Conversely, Azrune sees the rest of the New Tech world as somewhat irrelevant. There is also an underlying concern that too much opening to the rest of the world will cause the clear denigration of standard of living that is apparent to those familiar with living in a Gold Age civilisation.
Political Systems
Most of Azimuth's nations have a largely democratic form of governance. Even the mercantile United Sky Kingdoms --a federation of constitutional monarchies-- has a publicly-elected central assembly. The Federation of Ganzabar is perhaps the most thoroughly democratic nation, with elections every 2 years and a great deal of focus on voting and political discourse. Ganzabar is nevertheless a very laissez-faire federation, with what little regulation there is focused at the local level. Several groups in recent years have attempted secession from the federation. Although so far met with failure, these attempts have prompted some (including current President Carrick) to motion for increased state powers and cohesion.
Brazak West, like Great Brazak before it, is comparitively socialist. The state plays a bigger role in commerce and welfare is more comprehensive. Other Nezzu cultures such as Kazak and the Valya Free States echo a similar structure. Azrune is the most state-heavy society. It provides and regulates in all significant spheres; including an unconditional citizen's income, a strong public health and education system and all transportation infrastructure. The fact that Azrune is greatly automated allows it to flourish even with much of its citizenry focused on the pleasures of life.
Chains of Command
The naval forces of the USK and Brazak West typify the northern cultures' ranking hierarchy. From top to bottom, northern ranks are:
1. Strategos: This is the highest authority in the military forces. Usually a Strategos is still subject to the Prime Minister or President, although only in so far as declaring or ceasing hostility.
2. Admiral: Typically in charge of a fleet or division, usually the highest authority seen on a battlefield.
3. Voenkom: These are more likely to be engaged in combat and will head up large task forces or fleet detachments
4. Line Captain: The lowest ranking officer with fleetwide authorities, Line Captains direct formations, co-ordinating the smallest multi-ship tactical groups.
5. Captain: The most senior officers with command of a ship, but do not necessarily command multiple capital ship formations.
6. Starshiy: This is traditionally the most junior position to be in command of a ship, although escorts may often be under the command of Lieutenants.
7. Lieutenant: These are the typical command level of bridge officers; of which there may be four or five on a large Destroyer, for example.
8. Second Lieutenant: Junior officers with their first major promotion from the lowest ranks, usually lead groups of Midshipmen on certain tasks, such as co-ordinating a gunnery deck.
9. Midshipman: These are the lowest ranking individuals, forming the vast majority of naval personnel.
It's worth noting that rise through the ranks in both nations can occur from the bottom, though in most cases officers may complete Command School and enter as a Lieutenant.
The southern nations, most prominently Ganzabar, have a roughly equivalent system but with some differing titles:
1. Field Admiral: The highest rank in the navy, although despite the name is rarely seen outside of Greychapel.
2. Admiral: Usually the highest rank in an active fleet.
3. Vice Admiral: The less experienced (or connected) of Admirals.
4. Fleet Captain: The common leader of a task force or flotilla.
5. Captain: The usual leader of a large ship.
6. Commander: The rank of a small ship or escort command.
7. Lieutenant: The rank of most bridge officers.
8. Second Lieutenant: These form the bulk of shipwide officials.
9. Ensign: The lowest rung in the Ganzabi Navy.
