In between other projects, I am steadily continuing my preparations for the 'Cycle of Ages' sequel. This includes a compilation of world data from the primary sources (Archie, SatAM, and SEGA), as well as the information revealed over the 29 chapters of COA. Needless to say, keeping factions, agendas, historical dates, and the like consistent is not an easy task. One of the ways that helped keep the original version of COA organized was to think of it almost as an RPG, and to maintain a Master File with the entire catalogue of relevant canon. This is that, as it currently stands (to be released over several postings).

Additional essays on the COA, and perhaps other topics as well, will follow, in what I call the "Cycle of Ages Bible."

As always, the "Cycle of Ages" fanfic is most easily read via my FFN account.

Following the planned ten chapters of Faction Data, I will tackle other topics of interest. For anyone who has read and enjoyed COA, and the universe it took place in, suggestions for future discussion are welcomed.

- The Cap'n

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Faction Data Brief #1

(Note that all dates are in MC – Mobian Calendar Standard – unless otherwise specified)

Name:
The Kingdom of Acorn

Territory:
All the land from the Tranquil Sea in the East to the Charon Mts in the West: Great Plains, Great Forest, Small Planet, Inland Sea, Southeastern Peninsula, Southern Desert. Much of it is Disputed.

Cities:
Mobotropolis
Knothole
Andopolis
Jubilee
Iron Springs (Disputed)
Gamorrin (Disputed)
Casino Night (Disputed)
Gatton (Disputed)

History:
Xerxes the Golden, of the House Vorn, founded the Kingdom of Acorn in 2425, a little over 800 years before the events of COA. Establishing alliances with two other powerful ruling houses (Acre and Di'Acre), and absorbing several small western neighbors into his demesne, Xerxes began a systematic campaign of conquest through the 'Low Lands' of the Great Plain that eventually brought an end to the Warring State Period (2270 – 2430 MC). Even before his conquests were secure, Xerxes proclaimed himself "Lord of All the Lands Under the Sky," named his new Kingdom: Acorn, and ordered the construction of a New Capital City: Mobotropolis.

Despite the lackluster leadership of his son, Joab the White, his conquests were built upon by his grandson, Charon the Great, who led the Kingdom south into the Southeastern Peninsula, crushing the corrupt Pro-Dingo Tappenden Dynasty there, and then into further adventures in the West. Subduing the 'Wild Mobians' of the Southern Wastes, he then invaded what would eventually be called the lands of Mercia. Returning home, he plotted an invasion of the 'Untamed North,' and fought several skirmishes with the Northern Barbarian Tribes before dying in 2492. The Kingdom of Acorn would occupy this vast swath of Territory for the next five centuries, establishing trade with the Echidna, (2528) Dingo (2529), and overlanders (2824). In 2830 the Kingdom briefly invaded post-Floating Island Downunda, in an effort to stem piracy based on that land mass. After a disastrous war with the Northern Barbarians in 2846, in which the Northern Capital of Xerxenia was pillaged, rival claimants for the throne plunged the Kingdom into its First Civil War.

The Kingdom of Acorn that emerged after the Civil War ended (under the leadership of King Marius Acorn II) was roughly half the size it had been previous. Placing internal stability before external conquests, Marius II signed treaties recognizing the legitimacy and independence of the Western Crown (which ruled the lands of Mercia), as well as formalizing the semi-autonomous nature of the Southern Desert regions and peoples. The Isolationist Period (2900 – 3100) contrasted sharply with the rising tensions on the Floating Island, on the other side of the world, as it began its approach to the hostile continent of Overland. Filling a power vacuum left since the creation of the Floating Island in 2814, a warlord named Merlion, calling himself the All Khan of Downunda, began his "Glorious War." The Merlion Wars (2940 – 2952) greatly weakened the Kingdom of Acorn, and cost them their rich provinces in the Southeastern Peninsula. Further skirmishes with the Northern Barbarian Tribes, the Khandom of Downunda, the Kingdom of Mercia, and various Overlander City-States further whittled away at the declining Kingdom.

This changed with the ascension of Melchoir the Mighty to the throne in 3090, and the disappearance of the Echidna and Dingo in 3050. Reforming the country and military, Melchoir re-conquered the 'lost provinces' of the southeastern Peninsula, decisively defeating Bargatu Khan in 3106, and again in 3107. In 3110, he crushed the Southern Rebellion under Count Sarjek ("The Pious"), and re-annexed the Southern Desert regions. In 3111, he defeated a Mercian invasion led by Prince Patrick O'Den (also known as Patrick The Blue-Quilled). In 3112 he invaded Mercia itself, forced the Ruling family to subjugate itself before the Crown of Acorns, and renounced that country's independent and sovereign status, turning the Kingdom of Mercia into the Duchy of Mercia.

In 3112 he began his campaign against the Overlander colonies on the main Mobian continent, decisively defeating the humans several times (3112, 3114 and 3115). In 3121, prompted by the willingness of several Northern Tribes to join the Kingdom, Melchoir announced the annexation of all Northern Lands, starting the Final Northern Border War (3121 –3133). Though the Great King was eventually forced to withdraw from the Far North, he still gained substantial territorial gains due to the defection of the Southern Barbarian Tribes. In 3130, an aging Melchoir Acorn signed the Treaty of Mobotropolis, establishing 'eternally and inviolably' the borders of the Overlander and Mobian peoples.

Forty-four years later, under the rule of Frederic Acorn, that peace was shattered as disputes over trade and state-sponsored piracy led to an overlander invasion of Downunda (by this time, a protectorate of the Kingdom of Acorn). When the Duchy of Mercia revolted against Acorn rule, the Overlander Federation supported it, and the Second Overlander War began. Lasting from 3188 to 3193, the war dragged on as the Mobian navy was repeatedly defeated at sea, but the overlanders were unable to achieve any significant land-based gains. The war ended with the Peace of New Denver, on August 19, 3193. After the war, in 3197, and abandoned by its human allies, the new King of Acorns, Maximilian I, again subjugated the troublesome territory of Mercia. The ruling Duke was executed, and a distant cousin placed on the throne.

In the post-war period, the Kingdom of Acorn launched several failed industrialization and privatization programs, modeled on the human-Overlander system. Despite the arrival of the human, Nate Morgan, the intransigence of the Noble Houses, rabid anti-overlander sentiment, religious opposition and the dissolution of the First Parliament led to King Maximilian abandoning the effort in 3210. Just ten years later, objecting to Overlander economic and military expansion into the Southwestern Continent beyond Mercia, and spurred on by anti-overlander fervor, the aforementioned King launched a devastating first strike against the overlander cities just beyond the Charon Mountains.

The First Great War had begun. However, unlike before, the Mobians found themselves waging a style of warfare that had been rendered obsolete by overlander technological, industrial, and tactical advancement. Worse, the Black Hand Purges of 3202 and 3206 had decimated the officer corp. of the Mobian army; placing a great many incompetent nobles in command positions. Losing at sea after the battle of Tanati Atoll (3221), the Kingdom began to find itself losing on land, too, despite vast numerical advantages. Falling back, Maximilian launched several 'reform' programs designed to root out weakness in the Kingdom. These included the Purging of the Nobility (3218, 3221, & 3228), the Great Agricultural Overhaul (3225), and numerous Rapid Industrialization and Modernization Programs (3221 – 3226).

Throughout the years of 3220 to 3224, the overlanders advanced, seizing territory in the Southwestern Continent, overrunning and dissolving Mercia, taking the port cities on the Great Southern Sea, invading Downunda, and finally moving into the breadbasket of the Kingdom: the Great Plains. The tides of war began to change after the arrival of a human refugee (and criminal) named Julian Kintobor, along with several other rogue humans, including Julian's nephew: Colin Jr. Desperate, King Maximilian offered the rogues refuge and immediately employed them as war advisors. After several minor successes, Maximilian gave Julian command of the Defense of West Island, resulting in the first major Mobian victory of the First Great War.

In 3228, Julian Kintobor officially took on the title of (Sixth) Imperial Warlord or Warmaster, giving him the authority to direct the entire Mobian war effort. Taking advantage of overstretched human resources, Julian engaged them in a war of attrition, which (after the failed Overlander Southern Offensive) eventually prompted the 3229 cease-fire agreement. Though the overlanders retained many of their conquests, the Kingdom of Acorn was able to maintain its core provinces and population centers. The good news was short lived, however, as a military coup led by Julian Kintobor deposed the unpopular King Maximilian in October, 3230 (at the time, it was assumed that the King had been killed, but he was actually banished to the Void, along with the Court Hierophant: Ixus Nagus).

While the former Warlord, now styling himself Robotnick (Kintobor was a reversal of Robotnick, not the other way around, and was adopted by that family after the ARK Incident of 3219), proceeded with his Roboticization Pogroms, Mobian refugees managed to flee to secret enclaves established by the Kingdom of Acorn during the Great War (under the auspices of the Ministry of Security's General D'Coolette). While Robotnick fought the Second Great War (3230-3233) against the weakened Overlander Federation, these Resistance groups organized and began to strike. They achieved little, however, until the emergence of the Freedom Fighters (led by the Crown Princess Sarah "Sally" Alicia Acorn) based in Knothole.

After several years of struggle, internal dissention grew between Robotnick and his human co-conspirators. All were killed prior to 3232 save for Julian's nephew, who none-the-less continued to plot against his genocidal uncle. In 3234, he got his chance, and by sabotaging a weapon called the Ultimate Annihilator supposedly destroyed Robotnick. His success was short lived, however, and Colin Jr. ("Snively") was quickly defeated and incarcerated. King Maximilian was restored to the throne that same year, and his successor named: Elias Acorn. Troubles continued to plague the nascent Kingdom, and in 3236 Robotnick re-emerged, calling himself Eggman, as did a small population of surviving humans and overlanders. The situation came to a head at the Battle of Knothole, in November, 3237. There, a coalition of forces – Mobian, Dingo and Overlander – opposed the so-called "Perfect Defense Fortress Helios," a weapons platform of immense power, and destroyed it.

After the battle, the Kingdom of Acorn again enters a period of growth and potential instability. There are still enemies and rivals on Mobius, and the Kingdom, despite its recent victory, is militarily exhausted. It has developed a rudimentary military alliance with the Dingo, but also seeks a normalization of relations with the Echidna of Angel Island. It also seeks peaceful relations with the Barbarian North. Territorially, it has disputed claims to lands occupied by the Terran Protectorate, and faces dissention to the south, southeast, and southwest. Additionally, while the population is quite high, the Mobian economy is in tatters, though much of the infrastructure was actually greatly improved under the rule of the two Dr. Robotnicks. Finally, there are potential problems related to the traditionally patriarchal succession of the crown that must be overcome.

Advantages and Disadvantages:
The Kingdom's two greatest strengths are population and industry. Ironically, despite the failure of Royal policies to promote industrialization and modernization, the post-war Kingdom simply inherited them largely intact from Robotnick. This provides an immediate and efficient manufacturing base to facilitate rebuilding and economic restructuring. Technology and education levels, however, are not high, and illiteracy is a problem (the Kingdom has only a 84% literacy rate). There are substantial societal and political hurtles to overcome before the Kingdom can truly maximize its potential.

Other Notes:

Characters: ( " original character, ' character derivative)
Royal Family:
King Maximilian Acorn
Queen Alicia Acorn
Prince Elias Acorn
Princess Sarah (Sally) Alicia Acorn

(Civilian) Freedom Fighters:
Sonic Hedgehog
Rush Hedgehog "
Antoine D'Coolette
Bunnie Rabbot
Amanda (Cream) '
Rotor
Amy Rose
Mina Mongoose

Assorted Mobian Armed Forces:
Geoffrey St. John
Hershey Cat
Karie Silver Moon "

Other:
Rouge
Nail
Drago
Nicolette (Nic)
Nackworth (Nack)
Fiona Fox
Lucas Masters "
Damascus Tress "

Details on Characters:

Military:
The defense of the Kingdom is assigned to several departments. The first, and most famous, are the "Freedom Fighters." They are a group of elite fighters organized into small cells of five to twelve individuals. Freedom Fighters did most of the work during the insurrection years of 3234 to 3236, before the military reorganization of 3236 to 3237 attempted to better integrate them into the traditional Royal Army command structure. This was only partly successful, and the Freedom Fighters remain a semi-independent entity, under the command of the Royal Family, but independent of the conventional Royal Armed Forces. Despite briefly losing command during the Battle of Knothole, the current head of the Freedom Fighters is Princess Sarah "Sally" Acorn.

The Mobian Secret Service is another semi-independent paramilitary entity. It is tasked with the defense of the Royal Family. The Service was previously an organization within the Royal Guard, which was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Security (instead of the Ministry of War and Defense), but after the Fall of Mobotropolis, and the 3230 coup, the largely ceremonial Royal Guard was disbanded in favor of the more practical and effective Secret Service. The SS operational commander is one (Sir) Geoffrey St. John.

The conventional Mobian Armed Forces are the reformed remnants of the same military that fought in the First Great War. Organized under the Ministry of War and Defense, the MAF was temporarily disbanded after the coup, but reorganized after the 'death' of Robotnick in 3234. Learning from their mistakes in the Great War, the MAF is a more mobile organization than its previous incarnation: better armed, trained, and especially led. The old system of appointing nobles as officers, regardless of skill or competence, was abandoned, and the surviving officers are more knowledgeable than those just ten years earlier. The heart of the MAF is the (militia or regular) platoon: 1 Commissioned Officer, 6 Non-Commissioned Officers, and 36 soldiers. MAF units served with distinction in several battles at the end of the Robotnick War. The position of Minister of War (or Warlord) is currently vacant.

The third semi-independent paramilitary entity working for the Kingdom of Acorn is an unofficial branch of the Mobian Armed Forces – the Miles Militum Air Corp. The brainchild of Miles' Tails' Prower prior to his disappearance (or death) in the Battle of Knothole, the Air Corp was designed to be a counterpoint to the normal Freedom Fighters. The only leader it answered to was Miles, who paid for, outfitted, designed, and saw to the construction of all the Corp's weapons and training. The Corp suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Nor'easter against the Combot Legion, and again in the Battle of Knothole, and was essential to the Allied victory in both engagements. The greatest loss, however, was that of their benefactor and leader. Just what the surviving Air Corp will do now is unknown.