“The Zazane of Borealis adapted to its environment in curious ways. Some became predators of weaker nations for the sake of expanding their wealth and following the whims of their pirates lords, but others have taken a more nomadic lifestyle. These are more agreeble... yet greed is still a part of them.”
The Merchants Fleets are a semi-political and corporate entity composed primarily of Borealis Zazane who act as a migratory power in the Demolidus Sector of the Borealis Galaxy. Originated from a number of predecessor-states who rejected the Borealis Zazane's alliances with the Empire of Vijaha, seeing it as an insult to their culture, they were subsequently defeated and reduced into a single fleet which was forced to flee their original territory, leading them into a migratory lifestyle which became part of their culture.
The Merchant Fleets are a conglomerate of corporate warrior-clans that sell and offer service to various recognised sovereign states throughout the galaxy while retaining their own patriotic sovereignty, with rules and laws governing the practices of the Merchant Fleets so as to remain a reputable and beneficial galactic presence; the Merchant Fleets trade for resources and mutual protection in exchange for privatized military and paramilitary support, including terrestrial and naval assets. In the modern day, they primarily offer their services to the Polar Crystal Alliance.
History[]
Early History[]
The Merchants Fleets date back to about eleven thousand years before the events of the Ice Age. The Borealis Zazane had established themselves as a power in the galaxy for some 60,000 years by that point, though millenia of decadence and warfare had fractured their people into a number of disparate kingdoms, states and warbands who paid fealty to the royalty of the homeworld of Kryptka. The Wranploer of the Vijaha Sector had become spacefaring at this time, quickly growing into a nascent power over Arm D by dominating their neighbors and enslaving those who proved themselves useful to their growing war machine, though when they encountered the Zazane, they went for a more subversive route due to understanding their martial prowess would be beyond their own in a direct confrontation.
The Empire of Vijaha offered a hand of friendship to the Borealis Zazane kingdoms, inviting them to partake in their conquests while at the same time spreading the Wranploer culture among them, converting them into lives of piracy and honorless violence. While well-received by the war-starved Zazane who pledged allegiance to the homeworld of Kryptka, others were suspicious; among them were Khalir Ghielon, a prominent prince who once served on the court of one of the most powerful Detharango lords, and Qhalaron Ayaisar, the mutual representative of various smaller Borealis Zazane kingdoms and states, who found common ground in denouncing the Wranploer as corruptors of Zazane culture. Unfortunately, by then, the royalty of Kryptka had already been tempted by the promise of wealth and bloodshed, leading most Zazane to ally themselves to the Empire of Vijaha.
Khalir and Qhalaron joined what resources they had in hand, unifying themselves into the "Reformed States" who attempted a coup against the royalty of Kryptka, but they were forced back by both them and the Wranploer, who convinced the Kryptka royalty the States were traitors. The Empire of Vijaha, now bolstered by the Zazane's own strenght, stomped down on the Reformed States and wiped them out, reducing them to a single, massive fleet which fled through the Cold Relays to avoid annihilation.
Rise of the Fleets[]
The fleet that escaped the Wranploer would traverse the Demolidus Sector and others, over time adapting to a migratory lifestyle where settling on planets would be temporary at best, for any attempt at colonization would lead to a violent Wranploer response. Khalir Ghielon and Qhalaron Ayaisar's ideals would pass on to generations of descendants who would turn the fleet into a corporate and political power of its own right, decimating Zazane pirates and raiders and absorbing their numbers into their nomadic fleets, allowing them shelter and the opportunity to prosper in a wealthy and structured society far away from that of the brutish Wranploer. With their growing propensity for mercenary work and powerful trading capacity, the migratory force would become formally known as the Merchant Fleets, one of the most notable corporate forces of the galactic arm.
In modern times, the Fleets would become known to the wider galaxy during the First Borealis Galactic War, where they pledged their support to the first iteration of the Polar Crystal Alliance in combating the Wranploer Legion and the Zazane they had under their sway, leading their business to boom in a new part of the galaxy they formerly had no presence in. Later, during the Second Borealis Galactic War, the Fleets pledged their support to the reborn Alliance, now as formal members, and were instrumental in pushing the Borealis Consortium Network out of the Demolidus Sector.
Despite an invitation from Kryptkor Talsar, the Fleets refused to participate in the foundation of the Borealia Kingdom over at the Andromeda Galaxy due to believing that Kryptkor had become a political pawn of the Brood of War in the same way his ancestors were pawns of General Volim. Their mindset was only validated upon news of the Kingdom's subsequent collapse years later; some Zazane were accepted into the Fleets as refugees, though they hardly had the means to shelter all of those who fled back to Borealis.
Characteristics[]
Species[]
Government[]
The Merchant Fleets is a plutocratic oligarchy made up of loosely-connected spaceships, who are collectively governed by the Directorate of Lords - patriarchs and matriarchs of the most influential clans of each fleet - who each are sworn fealty to by a collection of lesser families and clans, with the more influential lineages being represented and governed by Liege Subordinates; the private armed forces of each Merchant Fleet are collectively known as the Private Regiments and the Private Squadrons, which are both contributed to by major and lesser families through varying practices - either through voluntary service or conscription.
Society[]
Zazane of the Fleets are adapted to a corporate and capitalistic lifestyle combined with the martial culture of their people, leading them to be made up of a number of warrior-clans made up of adept soldiers and skilled traders who offer their services across the galaxy to those whose morals align with their own. Being made up of Zazane who rejected the decadence of the rest of their people, members of the Fleet abhor space piracy and pledge themselves to eliminating it at every chance. Despite now having ample opportunity to settle down and colonize worlds, the Merchant Fleets consider their migratory lifestyle an irreplaceable part of their society, believing it allows them a better chance at finding clients and expanding their business through the galaxy than if they localized themselves into a single territory.
Religion[]
Borealis Zazane are known for holding on to the old faith of the Second Sovereign Domain to this day, and while some element of this exists in the Fleets, they officially recognize themselves as an organization untied to any religion in order to expand their business opportunists with the more spiritual powers of Borealis. Nonetheless, it is known that a small number of ships in the Fleets hold shrines dedicated to Vaxal Myraad.
Individuals[]
“Through discipline, everything can be achieved.”
- Name - Khortaavis Chisalka
- Status - Alive
Khortaavis Chisalka is a Borealis Zazane warrior who owns the title of Archblade, wielding the famed cursed blade known as Sin's Edge. Among the strongest Borealis Zazane of modernity, he is an individual who thrives for order, discipline and patience, serving as an advisor and as guidance for the Fleets' higher ranking members as well as a potential master for any students who may have interest in training under him.
“My duty is the most important thing to me.”
- Name - Khaya Chisalka
- Status - Alive
Khaya Chisalka is a Noble Enforcer of the Merchant Fleets and an associate of the Penumbra Unit, serving under Penumbran Tetra. The niece of Archblade Khortaavis, she is a woman of few words, dedicated to fulfilling her duty and earning her superiors' acknowledgement. While hard-working and stoic most of the time, those closer to her are aware she hides a much more relaxed side.
“It is a simple thing, really; we offer our services to those not abhorrent, and profit. It is not science, it is common sense.”
- Name - Mordaruul Irkhariin
- Status - Alive
Mordaruul Irkhariin is the Merchant Fleets' diplomat to the Polar Crystal Alliance, presenting the Directorate of Lords in the grand alliance. Known as a successful trader with many connections through the Fleets, Mordaruul was chosen for his experience and sharp tongue, using both to look for business opportunities among the many nations who make up the Alliance and subverting any undesirables who would step their toes into their sphere of influence.
Relations[]
Allies[]
“Prosperity and profit awaits us both. May our partnership remain long and fruitful.”
- Kormacvar Legacy - No greater protector for Borealis.
Friendly[]
“Welcome, valued customer. We look forward to doing business with you.”
- Empire of the Murgur - The Muganda Warband were competition before. We'll see how that goes.
- Minga Theocracy - Keep your preachings to yourselves and we may deal, Minga.
- Niaka Special Forces - Protection requires proper funding, fellows.
- Ransio Empire - Your autruism is helpful, if a little too naive.
- Rovegar Matriarchy - There are many opportunities to be had with their kind.
- Technocracy of Ocanius - Your pre-FTL projects could use professional protection, wouldn't you say?
- Zoles Imperium - We are eager to collaborate to the creation of the utopia you seek.
Neutral[]
“There may be business opportunities ahead of us both. Shall we show what the Fleets have to offer?”
- Insecloba Hives - ...How would we even approach something like this?
- Seagon Cryptocracy - They appear uninterested in doing business.
Hostile[]
“We have no interest in handing our services to your kind.”
- Da Rogue Boyz - Your "Thugz" bring shame to mercenaries across this whole galaxy.
Enemies[]
“You are not only a threat to profits, but also to the wider galactic society.”
- N/A
Quotes[]
“I admired the Fleets for standing up to the Wranploer. It's a shame they still think Zazane other than them are all criminals.”
“My ancestors clearly did not make you suffer enough. This must be remedied. Afterwards, I'll make sure your Shidium-rich bones are sold for a nice profit.”
“IM NOT BUYIN ANYFIN FROM A ZAZZIE BOY. EVERYON KNOWS DEYR MERCHANDISE IS SUPA EDGY AND ANGRY CUS DEYZ SHORT AND JELOS OF LORONZ”
Notes[]
Trivia[]
- This page was originally conceptualized by TheHachi, who was granted control over the faction to OluapPlayer.