First Expansion Era

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The First Expansion Era (238–621) was the second era in the Age of Queen-Mothers, in which the Arxianic dynasty ruled the Hapes Consortium. They continued much of the same style of leadership seen from Queen-Mother Nele'serin III and on, with a stable autocratic rule. The era is known for the establishment of numerous additional crown colonies and further exploration of the Hapes Cluster.

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Monarchy
Calil Arxianic I was chosen by the Hapan leadership following the unfortunate death of Avania Nele'serin. She was deemed a suitable ruler and crowned as Queen-Mother on the symbolic date of January 1 238. The Arxianic family was well known for governing Terephon with a firm but gentle hand. The dynasty did little to promote the establishment of a firm nobility in the Hapes Consortium, but was responsible for the construction of the first grandiose Royal Hapan Palace in 280. While no firm noble titles were created, the dynasty did promote the creation and advancement of a Hapan social elite, especially on Hapes Prime. Special schools and universities, especially the First University of Hapes, was created for this elite and only by graduating from this institution could one achieve certain positions and ranks in the Hapes Consortium hierarchy.

They were not as hard on anti-Hapan pirate activity as numerous other dynasties, favouring peaceful exploration of the Hapes Cluster and colonisation instead of military activity. Purple Seal Ships were brought in to the Royal Hapan Space Fleet in 372 during the reign of Queen-Mother Arxianic IV as part of their effort to expand the royal influence.

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Expansion
The Arxianic dynasty was responsible for the First Expansion Era in which the Hapes Consortium was expanded with an additional four starsystems. The Alsace in 283, Abaem in 290, Charu in 350, and Mathonore in 361. The systems were all colonised to establish a Hapan presence and proclaimed as part of the Hapes Consortium's territory. In addition the Arxian and Rebo systems were discovered in 302 and 327 respectively, but not settled due to conflicts with smaller non-spacefaring governments present on planets in those particular systems.

The Charu system became especially important to the Hapes Consortium and was established as one of the jewel of the crown colonies. The Olanji family was a group of Hapan explorers that discovered the system and named it and all planets within. They settled there, establishing the first colonies on the worlds Olanji and Charubah. Later they established the Olanji/Charubah company in 469 and went on to produce a number of advanced ships that became the mainstay of the Royal Hapan Space Fleet.

The colonisation of the Alsace system proved intensely difficult and frustrating to the Arxianic monarchs. The first ship dispatched to Cavallero broke apart as it entered the atmosphere on March 23 284 and left a large crater which is a popular tourist attraction and memorial today. The settlements on Alsnin in 295 also led to complication due to a local aquatic-humanoid race living the vast oceans, ready to oppose any foreign settlers. Rather than attempt to relocate, the Hapan colonists embarked on numerous long conflicts with the locals known as the Alsnin colonial wars. The gas giant Rebord was colonised with a atmospheric mining city in 291.

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Armed Forces
With the great expansion of the Hapes Consortium under the Arxianic dynasty, it became apparent that the Hapan Consortium shipyards could not keep up with the needs of the Royal Hapan Space Fleet. The fleet required more ships to support and defend the convoys going from the Hapan system to all the outlying colonies, but did not have the ships necessary for the task. The Purple Seal Ships became part of the naval forces in 372, transporting important messages to the local governors, as well as vital foodstocks and medical supplies. Pirate forces of the Hapes Cluster knew that they could get away with the raiding of the occasional convoy, but not a Purple Seal Ship.

The establishment of Olanji/Charubah created a rival for the Royal Family owned Hapan Consortium and led to the expansion of the Royal Hapan Space Fleet and the creation of larger, faster and more powerful ships. This gave the Consortium a new edge against the pirate threats, but the focus of the Arxianic dynasty was not the protection of convoys, but rather the defence of starsystems and planets. Especially the Lorell system became a gatheringpoint for many new naval vessels as the Queen-Mothers wanted to discourage foreigners from entering the Hapes Cluster.

History of the Hapes Consortium
Pre-Founding Age – Age of Queen-Mothers – Dark Age – Phoenix Age – Golden Age