The Free State of Settlers was the first state system established by Exohuman settlers on the planet VOI 700 D, marking a pivotal moment in ExoHuman history. Officially founded on October 3, 2625, it emerged following the ratification of the First Constitution by the majority of adult settlers, symbolizing their collective desire for freedom and self-governance.

The Free State spanned a territory from New Kourou in the southwest of the Habitual Belt to Morningstar in the north and Firetown, the easternmost city and the only settlement located on the Dark Side.

The Great War (2629–2631) brought an end to the Free State of Settlers. Following the surrender of the Volunteer Army of Man and the rise of the Anti-War Movement, the Free State dissolved, giving way to the Federal Confederation established through the Peace Treaty. During its existence, the Free State was never recognized by the Native Tribes, who either claimed overlapping territorial use or rejected the concept of land ownership entirely.

The capital of the Free State was New Kourou, serving as the political, cultural, and economic heart of the settlers’ society.

At the core of the Free State of Settlers was the Settler’s Council, established as the legislative, judicial, and executive body. Operating from New Kourou, the council comprised five elected members:

• Election Cycle: The council was elected every two years by all adult settlers through direct voting.
• Legislative Authority: The council transformed the will of the majority into laws. All laws required approval through referendums, ensuring the populace's direct involvement.
• Judicial and Executive Powers: The council acted as the highest court of law, ensuring compliance with passed laws. It had the authority to enforce legal decisions, balancing governance with justice.

The Settler’s Council embodied the Free State’s democratic ideals, prioritizing collective decision-making and transparency.

Before the establishment of formal governance, each settlement elected a Contact Person, a unique position that reflected the Free State's early grassroots leadership:

• Election and Tenure: Contact Persons were elected annually by the adult population of each settlement.

Responsibilities:

• Representing the settlement in discussions with other communities and the Settler’s Council.
• Mediating disputes among settlers and organizing local activities.
• Ensuring communication between settlements and providing updates on council decisions.

• Non-Professional Role: Contact Persons were not professional politicians but settlers chosen for their leadership qualities, often balancing their governance duties with other personal responsibilities.

The Contact Person system laid the groundwork for the more formalized roles seen in the Gamma Age governance structure.

The governance of the Free State was grounded in a simple yet robust legal structure:

Ratified on October 31, 2625, the Constitution emphasized freedom and equality:

• §1: All citizens are equal before the law.
• §2: All citizens have the right to the greatest possible individual freedom, as long as it does not restrict the freedom of others.
• §3: Freedom of religion and belief.
• §4: A peaceful community with a collective duty to defend it.
• §5: The right to a fair trial.

Focused on resolving disputes over property and contracts, the Civil Code ensured fairness and simplicity in private matters. Its rules were concise, requiring minimal legal interpretation and emphasizing direct resolutions.

Designed to deter crime with harsh and visible consequences, the Criminal Code operated on the principle of “high price for violations.” Key features included:

• Mark of Shame: Tattoos under the left eye to symbolize crimes (e.g., a circle for theft, a slash for violence), crossed out after sentence completion but never removed.
• Death Penalty: Reserved for murder and severe violence, carried out through public hangings.
• Public Humiliation: For theft and fraud, offenders faced the Grease and Ember Ritual, which involved coating them in plant resin and bioluminescent moss.
• Penal Labor: Criminals worked on essential infrastructure projects like the Trade Route or the Copper Mine, supervised by the Guarding Troopers in mobile prison units.

This blend of deterrence and practicality minimized administration while maintaining societal order.

Although the Free State of Settlers dissolved in 2631, its legacy persists in the Gamma Age:

• Democratic Foundations: The democratic systems of the Free State, such as referendums and elected councils, influenced the structure of the Federal Confederation.
• The Mayor’s Office: The role of the Contact Person evolved into the more formalized Mayor’s Office, blending the Free State’s localized leadership with the Federal Confederation’s centralized governance.
• Legal Influences: Many principles from the First Constitution, such as equality before the law and the right to a fair trial, are reflected in the Federal Confederation’s legal system.
• Federal Council Building in New Kourou: The original building of the Settler’s Council served as the Federal Council’s headquarters after the establishment of the Federal Confederation in 2631. In 2634, the Federal Council resolved to construct a new council building at the same location, symbolizing a new era of governance. The structure, built with mycel blocks, remains under construction, with completion expected in 2638.
• The Individualist Party’s Revival Efforts: The Individualist Party, one of the prominent political factions in the Gamma Age, idealizes the Free State of Settlers. They often invoke its principles of decentralized governance and individual freedom, viewing it as a model for future reforms. The party has pledged to re-establish elements of the Free State’s core structure should they gain majority control, framing their platform as a return to the settlers' democratic and independent roots.

• Day Zero
• The exohuman Beta Age
• The exohuman governmental and legal system during the Beta Age
• First Constitution
• Criminal Code
• Civil Code
• The exohuman economic system in the Beta Age
• Great War
• Peace Treaty
• Federal Confederation