Star Law and the UPF

Gargoyle2k7's picture
Gargoyle2k7
November 15, 2010 - 8:46pm
Recently in the main forum there has been a discussion of just what is the distinction between Star Law and the United Planetary Federation.  That's something we could work on here, too.  Is Star Law just a branch of the UPF, like UN Peacekeeping Force?  Is it like Interpol?  I've always viewed Star Law as similar to old west marshalls: they are a branch of the federal government but given jurisprudence over all states and territories.  Also, I see Star Law as existing before the UPF, and as a result were later brought under the auspices of that body.  Thoughts?
Long live the Frontier!
Comments:

jedion357's picture
jedion357
November 17, 2010 - 10:19am
I'm not sure where you'd put their origin in the time line before the UPF- You'd have to have an overarching authority for them to have authority over a planet and before the organization of such an authority the only authority around would be the local government of each system and or planet.

And if the Pre UPF star law man showed up in Clarion announcing that he was the new sheriff in these here parts I can easily see Leonine saying, "Well, I'm the King and we have restrictive gun laws and you'll just be handing over your firearms to the squad of Royal Marines right here."

Frankly I can't see any planet recognizing the juristiction of Star Law without the existence of a signed UPF treaty. Each planetary government will run its own show. No doubt there will be the possibility for friction between individual planets with one government accusing the other of harboring criminal and pirates. The need for interstellar police will be evident but nothing much will come of that.

Plus having done quite a bit of work on the time line recently I dont see where you could insert them into the timeline before the UPF. Unless of course you're using strictly the AD time line Foot in mouth
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Ascent's picture
Ascent
November 20, 2010 - 3:49pm
The books make it clear that the UPF created Star Law to combat piracy and the Sathar spy network. (See the inside cover of the Alpha Dawn rulebook or p.1 in the Remastered! rulebook.) You should read my article in issue #15 of the SFman (See the box at the end of the article).
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Anonymous's picture
w00t (not verified)
November 20, 2010 - 11:37pm
The original post about the UPF creating Star Law is in the Alpha Dawn Basic Game Rules, HISTORY on the back of the front cover. 

Even though they were created to battle sathar agents, I believe their role is expanded in today's frontier. I see them as traveling marshalls as well but as jedion pointed out, where is the line drawn with planetary governments. 

I imagine there is an area around a planet or lines in a star system where its considered international territory (actually it would be called galactic or interspace or intersystem) where Star Law could operate with full authority. Even calling in UPF strikes!

 

Gargoyle2k7's picture
Gargoyle2k7
November 21, 2010 - 4:11pm
Ah, well, there we go then!  I hadn't remembered that.  Thanks, Ascent and w00t!
Long live the Frontier!

Anonymous's picture
w00t (not verified)
November 21, 2010 - 7:41pm
Thanks for brining up the topic. I think that I've changed my mind on how Star Law works. I'm going to read Ascent's article in #15 tonight.