Editing Setting:Star*Finder (section)

===Borealis Republic===

Predominant Species: Overwhelmingly Human with extensive use of cloning, Bleachling Gnome minority

The Borealis colony began as a monarchy built upon widespread use of cloning to create a serf underclass.  However, a revolution led to the abdication of the king and the elevation of everyone to peerage, resulting in a meritocracy where social standing is based on academic achievement.  The conclusion of the revolution coincided with the end of the First Galactic War, and in the following years the Republic attracted significant numbers of bleachling gnome immigrants, drawn by the growth in academics in the new nation.  

The Republic continues to practice the widespread use cloning and it is today the only nation to do so.  The majority of Borealian humans are cloned from one of a few hundred source strains, with new strains being introduced roughly once or twice a decade.  While natural procreation isn't restricted or even taboo, most clones regard it as somewhat uncouth.  This is not helped by the fact that many female strains from the monarchy were extensively genetically engineered to weed out disagreeable traits, a point which still casts a shadow over relationships in the Republic even as the abdication fades into history.

Daily life in the Republic is dominated by the interactions of the philosophical colleges.  Part political party and part informal caste, every adult claims membership in one.   Colleges rise and fall over time, with typically a dozen commanding enough popular support to be significant.  The rising upstart is the College of Justice Ethics, drawing support among the military and in remote settlements. Justice Ethics advocates a simple view of society where the survival of the community takes precedence over other concerns.  

'''Ability Adjustments''': Borelian humans gain +1 Charisma and +1 Intelligence.

'''Racial Trait''': Borelian humans have a higher maximum level for Intelligence.  For any level, their maximum intelligence for that level is increased by 2.