Independent League of Free Systems (Cail's Empire)

"The Independent League calls itself a representative and free government, but there is little to evidence it below the surface. A free government could not have survived in such circumstances. Behind the scenes, Janos rules with an iron fist – and he does a damn good job."

- Galactic Federation Admiral Nutobo when questioned about the Independent League

The Independent League of Free Systems, sometimes also more colloquially known as the Independent League, the Free Independent League, the Sluis Van Republic, or the ILFS, was an independent association of planets and systems formed at the height of the Galactic Civil War primarily by former pirate-turned merchant, admiral, and politician Dut Kol, a Quara Aqualish native of Corellia noted for his intelligence and emotional complexity, which was uncommon for a member of his species. The ILFS operated as a de jure confederation in the republican style from his creation in 3 ABY onward, but in reality was ruled in a cabal by Kol and his allies and lackeys primarily through the League Council, the upper chamber of the League's legislature.

The ILFS was formed following three key events in 3 ABY: the Rebel Alliance's defeat at the hands of the Empire at Hoth, the fracturing of Black Sun in the wake of its leader Xizor's death, and the Battle of Sluis Van. The latter, a battle between self-proclaimed Supreme Archon Gar Lat (a leader of a local Separatist holdout) and Dut Kol's independent mercenary-pirate faction resulted in the latter's effective control of the planet. The subsequent Sluis Van Accords established a "league, independent and sovereign, to represent various free systems" that were outside of the traditional Empire-Rebellion dichotomy and refused to align with other interstellar governments and factions, like Black Sun, the Zann Consortium, and the Hutts. Nearby Separatist successor states pledged allegiance to the League by adding their names to the Accords, and within weeks Kol became the defacto leader of an unorganized government that dominated several sectors in the Southern Outer Rim. Black Sun outposts and governors joined the faction as well, pledging their resources, fleets, and manpower, greatly expanding the League's power and influence. The death of Palpatine over Endor in 4 ABY triggered the secession of various Imperial systems, which subsequently joined the League as well.

The League largely maintained a policy of neutrality throughout the latter stages of the Galactic Civil War, floating between aligning toward and against Balmus Cail and his faction and other Imperial warlords in the ongoing Imperial Civil War. Kol, a crafty statesman and diplomat (traits particularly unusual for his species), leveraged the economic power of his planets to avoid entanglements with the Empire and its various successor states, while also avoiding entreaties to join the Rebellion. Utilizing the wealth of former Black Sun associates and the industries of various formerly Separatist planets, Kol constructed a unique military which often combined Rebel, Imperial, and old CIS technologies. He struggled to defeat the remnants of Black Sun and also the Zann Consortium, both due to their strong influence in his region of space and also to gain their material wealth and industrial resources.

During the invasion of the Infinite Sith Empire, Kol recognized the threat of Darth Ominus' armada but refused to become entangled in the grander conflict until the Sith destroyed the planet of Atravis II.

Composition

 * Dut Kol—Chief of the Free League Council
 * simultaneously President of the Free Parliament and Supreme Commander of the League Defense Armada
 * Gar Lat (Geonosian) — Underarchon of the Free League Council
 * Nataya Tonor (Human) — Executor of the Free League Council
 * Kaidkel Marbit (Human) — High Governor of Sluis Van
 * Tardon Rutian (Twi'lek) — Chancellor of Sluis Van Star Corporation
 * Rel Mektas (Duros) — Justiciar of the League Star Defense Council
 * Jaiyah Bramarq (Human) — Chief Officer of the League Interstellar Mobilized Force
 * Bleleic Omand (Sullustan) — Chairman of Resource Allocation Chamber
 * Bogg Rel (Geonosian) — Archduke of Geonosis
 * Dey Lod (Geonosian) — Chief Engineer of Geonosis Shipyards
 * Dra Pwoddit (Ithorian) — Governor of Free Interstellar Banking Union
 * Ricro Fuss (Bith) — President of Clak'dor
 * Two-dozen others