The planet Wesse is the capital of the Das Sternen Reich. The Reich is a largely feudal state with the current kaiser Freiderich III as head of both the state and the military.

The Reich is divided into great estates each governed by an hereditary overlord. The overlords provide the Executive authority within their domains.

Legislative authority is provided by the Landstraad Council which is based on Wesse. The overlords and senior military commanders are members of this body, but only those physically present on Wesse may vote at the council meetings which are held twice a standard year.

The judiciary is theoretically independent in reality however as members are appointed on the recommendation of the Landstraad or the kaiser himself the judiciary is heavily politicised and has become over the previous generations an instrument of state policy.