 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! |
 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  I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 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). View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
 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! |
November 21, 2010 - 4:11pm | Ah, well, there we go then! I hadn't remembered that. Thanks, Ascent and w00t! Long live the Frontier! |
