Following the early expansion of mankind across the stars, and the alien and AI wars, the surviving inhabited human planets united under a loose coalition known as the Universal Federation of Mankind (UFM). Each inhabited star system or significant planet is likely to be led by a wealthy family known as a house, led by a Duke (or Duchess).

These powerful families are represented at the federation level and in turn, commit military forces to defend their zone of influence. Intrigue and betrayal are common however, as each of the houses vies amongst the others for increased influence, wealth and perhaps one day, to be the ultimate power.

The hierarchical structure of surviving humanity, based as it now is on noble houses, causes this faction to be known simply as the dukes.