Gazetteer : Joyeuse

Joyeuse (NI-0808, A7899B9-C) was an early magnate for sub-light colony ships. The colony’s early history was dominated by the Ships and their Crew. A highly polarised society quickly developed. Educated Crew-class lived a modern high-tech life, whilst French-speaking colonists eked out a miserable existence in the fields. When the Ships left, the authoritarian police state survived.
Today, the Empire of Joyeuse is governed by an austere and repressive military class, with L’Empreur Pallois at its head.

Physical

Asteroid Belt	-
Gravity	0.8
Atmosphere	Good
Oceans	85% water
Climate	Cool: -2..20°C
Day Length	22 hours
Year Length	43 days

People

Population	950m
Language	French
Religion	Christian (Roman Catholic)
Law Level	Most of Joyeuse is strictly policed by a number of military agencies. Citizens who are well dressed and defer to police officers in the correct manner are rarely troubled. Non-conformists, and “troublemakers” are often subject to extra-judicial beatings.
Government	Empire.
Capital	Piedmont
Tourist Sights	Palace des Étoiles, grav-suspended palace of Empreur Pallois. Nouvelle Geneve, a city tunnelled into 4000m tall basalt cliffs. The cliff tops are renowned as a fabulous skiing resort. Crystal Plaza in Val d’Ives

Historical

Exploration ship	Marianus van der Lubbe
Exploration date	4983AD
Colonised from	Amondiage
Colony ship	Melmoth
Colony date	5105AD