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The Blackstar Cartel - A group of beings so feared that they reach into the hearts of every Kotria and Galactic Empire, republic, and Commonwealth. Gathered from across the universe, these enforcers, thieves, killers, and monstrosities are my top agents, my most powerful, if unstable, servants. With them, my reach extends into every brothel and Council Chamber in the universe, where nothing can escape my ears.

- Lord Shadow Hand

The Blackstar Cartel are a powerful, malevolent group of criminals, bounty Hunters, and crimelords, gathered from across the universe by a being called Shadow Hand. Known often by only their code names, the Blackstar Cartel work across the universe, spreading their master's will through bribery, extortion, murder, and thousands of other illegal acts.

Ultimately, Lord Naxor's alliances and interactions with other criminal groups, and even the dangerous cults such as those in the Brotherhood of Darklings, has allowed him to greatly expand his power and bring him a wealth of resources, money, enforcers, gangs and others into his employ and keep them under his thumb through blackmail, extortion and other means of control, as several worlds act as holding areas for his forces and organization. Lord Shadow Hand has no issue working for anyone, if he believes it can be used to weaken his enemies, and expand his powers.

If the Brotherhood and it's leader seek immaterial power and an empire of groveling cultists, the Blackstar seek an empire very much based in the material world, with all the money and ships they can command to show their muscle and break their enemies.

The Blackstar Cartel is a member of the Five Families, an organization of various crime groups aligned to keep the peace and focus on mutual foes, and only coming to war when needed. Though unspoken, the Blackstar Cartel is the most powerful of the Crime Families.

History[]

Founding[]

Who the Blackstar Cartel came to be is largely unknown, only that they have always had a hand in the organizations of the galaxy, and have been spreading their influence since ancient times. The Crime Boss who leads them, simply calling himself Shadow Hand, spreads many false rumors of his origins and identity, and his chief enforcers, Relic and Specter, assist with keeping his identity a secret, the former the only one who knows it, the latter not caring and only watching his lord for weakness. In fact, his influence dates back to the time the Darklings first appeared in this universe, Shadow Hand lending aid to Terikalinra, and giving him certain worlds and technology to assist in his goals.

Though the two worked together, they both knew their organizations could not co-exist forever, and eventually, their greed for power would cause them to come into conflict. Shadow Hand, by then, had developed a criminal empire that could extend it's influence across the stars, and influence whole worlds with a whim. Though often violent and brutal, he was noted to be very honorable and gentlemanly, though would suffer no one trying to investigate his identity.

The Blackstar Cartel grew into a fierce organization, their influence to be found with various Mirusian civilizations. In the Unified Federation of Glory, blackmailing and extortion of politicians, and intimidation of individuals was set up on certain worlds to keep regulations down. In Waptoria Alliance of Species, brothels, casinos and pleasure halls were set up to keep certain members under their thumb, and make money off the pleasures they provided to visitors. In the Mendel Pact, certain Clans provided weapons and tech to the fleets and armies of the Shadow Hunters.

Quadrantia Affairs[]

Lord Shadow Hand, in order to gain influence within the Quadrant Galaxies, posed as Terikalinra, due to the similarities in their styles and ideals, and used this to earn the attention of Morglûkia, a highly influential crime lord in the Quadrants, and, after much negotiations, including the transference of some of Shadow Hand's warriors to his new allies' command, the Shadow Hunters gained a foothold within the Quadrants to expand their influence.

Nebulorian War[]

Return of THEM[]

Great Mirusian Conflicts[]

Perhaps the greatest boon for the Blackstar Cartel would come when their allies, the Imperium of War, launched their war upon the entire Mirus Galaxy. For this, they would first need to weaken it's inhabitants, and, judging even his Warforgery too insufficient for such a scheme, their leader, Imperator Caligustus, turned to the Shadow Hand. The two factions had long held a gentement's agreement between one another, the Shadow Hand content to let the Imperium ply their trade in illegal weaponry, and the Imperium readily providing Dragowar muscle for the Shadow Hunters' protection rackets. Caligustus had made his deal with the Darkling Tibrix to gain leverage against his Drakodominatus allies, but now, with the Dominatus gone, his relations with the Brotherhood began to resemble something akin to servitude too. That had never been the Dragowar's plan, and he yearned to break free. While he would seem to serve the Darklings, Caligustus worked in secret to undermine the Brotherhood as well as the Unified Alliance of Enlightenment, and reduce the galaxy to a masterless region where the strongest could once again rise to the top. The Shadow Hand, he knew, would help him in this, as long as any opposition to the Brotherhood was done clandestinely.

Shortly before the beginning of the War, Caligustus and the Shadow Hand met, the Hand helping to stir up and fund organisations like the Blood Knights and the Aeba Shuka to throw the galaxy in turmoil, while Caligustus' warforgery sabotaged the Zarbania Powers' Brotherhood-backed plan to revive the species of Ridanax. With the rest of the galaxy distracted by internal problems, Caligustus could build up his military without much scrutiny, and by the time the Xonexi invaded, the Imperium of War was ready to finally launch their grand crusade. By then, the Aeba Shuka and the remants of the Blood Knights had consolidated to become the Blood Brotherhood which posed a real threat to not only the Darklings, but also the Blackstar Cartel. For this reason, the Shadow Hand succesfully persuaded Caligustus to be rid of them, his armies turning on them during his invasion of Enlightenment space. Alas, this also enabled the Brotherhood of Darklings to recover, and, deciding Caligustus was now a rogue pawn, backed the Powers against the Imperium. Under such circumstances, there was not much the Blackstar Cartel could do as Caligustus' plan fell apart, the Imperator was slain, and the Imperium of War was demolished by vengeful Mirusians.

Covenant of Mirus[]

Despite attempts by the Enlightenment Alliance and the Covenant of Mirus, attempts to stop the Shadow Hunters continued to prove impossible. While the Enlightenemt Alliance was slightly more successful, thanks to better comradery, Blackstar Cartel still held numerous operations across their worlds. The weakening of the Enlightenment Alliance's military and police forces, and the distrust for the Xonexi Powers, and the Covenant of Mirus, caused the Shadow Hunters to gain further power. As the beaten War-Imperial military scattered into the Duellum Warbands, the Blackstar Cartel took over the Imperium's highly lucrative trade in illegal weaponry. Though they had not wanted to see their allies go, they nevertheless made the best of it and adapted. Often, these adaptations came in the form of native Mirusian leaders in government positions without oversight, helping the Blackstar Cartel gain some power within certain French and other worlds out of spite for their former enemies. The Blackstar Cartel cared little, laughing to the bank as their foes continued to hate each other, as the Blackstar Cartel found everything to be their gangster's paradise.

The rise of the Fenric Vermillion caused an immediate reaction from Shadow Hand, who resolved to destroy the group himself, and mount Fenric's head on a pike for stepping out of line, though was pleased when he learned Kirta had beaten Fenric to death after the Mendel Schism, sending her flowers and 1000 credits as thanks. Likewise, several Clans, formerly of Ruins Hand and other groups, not wishing to suffer the pains of re-integration, joined the Blackstar Cartel, providing their troops as muscule to their forces. They would, however, have to deal with the rise of numerous other criminal empires to oppose their power base. While Lord Shadow Hand commanded the might of a full empire, he had under-estimated the power his rivals held. The piracy and extortion group, the Crimson Nebula Syndicate, the drug and spice running Pyron Consortium, and various other groups, aligned with each other.

Unable to fight so many groups at once, Lord Shadow Hand made an overture to them, offering them general peace, and even allowing them to expand a bit of their power into the territories and businesses of the Cartel, if they would have peace. Though hesitant, the leader of the Crimson Nebula, Prince Xio'Zr Kai, agreed to the terms, as did the others, and the grousp avoided each other for as long as possible, to build on their financial gains.

Traits[]

Culture[]

The Blackstar Cartel are run like any criminal group. Lord Shadow Hand keeps his organization under lock and key, and keeps personal tabs on every member, knowing their personal lives, family members, quirks and abilities, while making sure absolutely no one learns of his past. Every Agent is entrusted wit their job, and to get it done, with failure often resulting in torture sessions and public humiliation, usually centered around their worst fears, such as loss of control of their bodies, sexual assault and removal of all feeling through their bodies and sight. His favored form of punishment is often removal of limbs, and even favored servants suffer this. To leave the organization, many members often have their right hand removed, and a special cybernetic added. This leaves them off limits to other members, and even debts owed to other Hunters are annulled at the moment on, until the being is found to have gotten involved in criminal affairs once more, in which he is considered fair game.

With regards to beings like Koatria, violence is always the first and only option, the Shadow Hunters throwing their all into taking down any Koatria that comes into their territory, though, despite their strengths, Koatria almost always hold an advantage over Hunter Agents. In fact, the Shadow Hunters are notable for their willingness to use their fleets and armies, much more then other organizations, very much in a strong attempt to show their strength and power, something they take pride in. The Blackstar Cartel take pride in their military power, and view it much the same as Mendel or Zarbanian would.

The groups in general, are divided between bases of operations, and teams, and rivalries between these teams and bases are all too common. While all out war between teams is banned on pain of death, their hatred for one another is high, and there are no rules for organizing sabotage, or getting outside forces to remove enemy teams to muscle in on their business. So long as you are successful, anything can be within your reach. The best teams start up families, creating dynasties within the Hunters, and providing Blackstar Cartel with strong recruits and even useful honest fronts for his organizations. The weak become his next targets.

Hierarchy[]

  • The Pavorii - Meaning father in Shadow Hand's original language, the Pavorii is the head of the Cartel and handles the runnings and organization of the syndicate. The Pavorii oversees the payment of each of his Vizors, orders hits be made on other rival gangsters, organizes the casinos, drug trade and other dealings, and also handles the some of the less shady elements, such as the fronts the Cartel takes on to do reputable work for the community. Shadow Hand is the current Pavorii
  • The Kito-Sofuu - Meaning God-son, The Kito-Sofuu are the Underbosses, responsible for making sure the profits and bounties get into the Pavorii's pockets, and that his Captains and Vizors are not be stringy or sneaky. He further organizes the Hit-Squad Captains and sees to the discipline of unruly members.
  • The Kajak - The Kajak, or "Uncle", is the second in of the organization, helps with admisntration, advisement and direction for his Pavorii. He is usually an older gentlemen, and is often allowed to question and argue with the Pavorii, to try and put out flaws in plans, and help the Boss work around them.
  • The Vizor - Meaning "Nephew" the Vizors were the heads of the different criminal districts the Blackstar Cartel handled, and ran parts of the organization on behalf of the Pavorii. Each answered to the Pavorii, but was generally the boss of their sector or district, not answering the Kito-Sofuu unless they began hiding profits for themselves or acted out of line. Each Vizor also oversees a certain operation, IE "The Vizor of Gambling and Racketeering", "The Vizor of Drugs and trafficking", etc.
  • The Kitos - Meaning "Sons", are the Captains of their squadrons and hit-teams, and responsible not only for bringing in profits for the Pavorii, but handling any situations he deems important, such as drug trade, arms trafficking, racketeering, gambling, kidnapping and assassination.
  • The Sandatos - Are Soldiers. The lowest rank within the Cartel, these members are everything from literal foot soldiers and ship crews, hit squad members or hired muscule from outside brought in to help with certain operations. Though Hit-Squad members are considered important to operations, most Basic Sandatos are considered expendable.

Military[]

Ground Forces[]

Much of the grounds forces of the Blackstar Cartel are made up of baseline beings who are low or average-ranked warriors who act as soldiers for the various teams, giving them strength in numbers and the ability to face enemy ground forces in full without being overwhelm. Although agents are all powerful, super-soldier-like in ability and power, the lack of numbers leaves them vulnerable. Ground forces commonly have access to various weapons, including Rifles, Disintegration weaponry and high-yield explosives. To supplement forces further, is the use of various tanks and artillery pieces stolen from production facilities or bought from various customers to besiege heavily defended worlds.

Agents act as leaders and ground commanders, as well as bounty hunters for highly important individuals, and black ops for their master's will into important locations, and gathering important information form enemy locations. All of them are ruthless, and experiments, weapons and abilities they yield make them one of a kind in battle.

Space Forces[]

Space forces are lead by chosen Admirals and other leaders, coordinating fleets made up of vessels stolen from other races in piracy, created from designs stolen or bought on the black market. Their abilities are only made more dangerous by their zealous need to win, for every crew is told that defeat will result in horrific punishment being dealt to them without mercy. Victory, however, has much higher rewards then being in the grunts and on the ground, so the crews have a "death or glory" attitude to their actions.

These pirate and fleet forces are managed with incredible discipline by many figures, mostly made up of Planetary Heads with a strong proclivity towards fleet command, and their board is almost separate from main military command within the Hunters, being trusted by Shadow hand with a level of independence few others enjoy.

Corrupted forces[]

The Blackstar Cartel utilize many ship designs taken from other forces during pirate raids, repurposing their weapon and defense systems for full battle engagements. The crews themselves, despite being owned by Lord Shadow Hand, still dress in their old uniforms and maintain some level of decorum similar to their old time in other fleets, despite they're being considered outlaws.

On the ground, a number of other troops are used to give the ground forces discipline and skill, ranging from Zarbanian ground troops, Federation Clone Troopers and various others who have been bought into the service of the Shadow Hunters, for various reasons.

Territory[]

Bases[]

The Blackstar Cartel control bases on many planets, even those not under their control. Their colony numbers are unknown, but they are extremely vast, and hold regions in the Milky Way, Mirus, and are starting to creep into the Quadrants, thanks to Shadow Hand's alliance with the criminals there.

On enemy or neutral planets, they hold small military bases, listening stations, slave pits, racketeering operations, and several other illegal activities, to keep an eye on their foes, remove important enemy leaders and forces, and be ready to move when opportunities reveal themselves.

Their bases also tend to be resorts, hotels, and even brothels, so they may make as much money as possible, through any means needed.

Planets[]

Very few planets are widely known as Blackstar controlled planets. Those that are usually have large, imposing citadels on them, that belong to the governor acting in Shadow Hand's name. They are protected by a compliment of Blackstar infantry squadrons and a number of strong agents ready to fight. Every governor is a high ranking Agent himself who has earned the Shadow Hand's trust to run his world and bring him the payment required.

Their main bases are Okrina, the "Homeworld" where most come and go, Dixia, homeworld of the Lambda Grox, and neutral ground between Darkling and Shadow forces, to trade info, tactical data and technology, Krelt, industrial homeworld of the Kreltians, used to provide soldiers, ships and army vehicles, and have some bases on the Skordi home-planet of Skorkaz, which provides violent, if unruly fighters and some mining and slave operations.

Space Stations[]

In the intergalactic rifts, and in key positions around their swaths of space, the Cartel have Space stations for use in listening in on chatter, Defending important worlds, and doing scientific research, as well as acting as go-betweens for the Slave traders and thieves under Dark's command, who need to get to Okrina without dealing with authorities. For less trustworthy smugglers and thieves, these stations are often all their bosses will let them get to, due to their low status.

These Stations can handle most enemies of various tier, and are protected by a large number of ships stolen from other races, or built by original designs by Lord Shadow Hand.

Technology[]

The Blackstar Cartel are extremely advanced, possibly out-ranking all other criminal empires. Their main specialty is mostly focused on upgrading and altering a being using cybernetics, biologic enhancements, and other tools to produce super soldiers.

Most of their standard plasma and other energy weapons are designed themselves, or stolen from enemies. They make use of several esoteric devices and weapons to compensate for smaller numbers then other organizations, preferring to act as with the idea that every individual member is an impossible-to-stop-tank. Be it Mendel, Tairex or Vanara tech, nothing is off limits to them, and any number of slaves or contacts can be sacrificed to see that the technology is theirs.

Individuals[]

Naxor

You're nobody...til somebody kills you.

  • Name - Naxor
  • Position - Pavorii
  • Species - Kal-Thari'tai

Prince Naxor Kaledi is the current Pavorii of the Blackstar Cartel, the founder of the criminal organization, and a high ranking authority within the Kal-Thari'tai species. A master of buisness, finance, black market regulations and sale, trafficking in drugs, weapons and people, racketeering, piracy and intimidation, Prince Naxor is considered by many to be the most powerful crime lord in all of Mirus, and one of the most powerful in the First Gigaquadrant. He commands a legion of mutated supersoldiers, outcastes and other abominations, millions of loyal soldiers and enforcers, countless assassination and enforcement squads, and had has access to funds from across the various galaxies in the Gigaquadrant, ranging from legal ones from his buisness fronts, to his illegal ventures and operations.

Prince Naxor presents himself as a man of infinite culture, wisdom and intelligence to those that meet him, dressing in fine silks and clothing from the finest dressing shops and businesses in Cyrannus, Mirus, Andromeda and Milky Way, though his favorite clothing hails from the region of Kashmir. Despite this, he is not only easily enraged by outsiders, but can fall into a rage when others seek to betray him, or worse, try to find his identity and past. Naxor is good natured and patient with all of his teams and workers, but any who try to find his identity will be sentenced to die a painful death. As such, he often uses Voss to act as his steed, having Voss act as the head of the organization and meet with others unless Prince Naxor deems them worthy of his time.

  • Name - Voss
  • Position - Kajak
  • Species - Humanoid.

Voss is the current "Kajak", making him adviser and technical second in command of the Cartel, due to his running the various operations and acting as the public face of Blackstar operations, though in reality the various Kito-Sofuu, such as Relic, act as the true seconds-in-command. Many even believe Voss to be the true Boss, though this isn't true, and, though important to management, he is generally powerless and holds little influence, and, if he displeases the head boss or even one of the Kito, he can be easily killed and replaced. Voss is the latest to hold the title, the last 7 killed in one month alone. As such, despite living in opulence and splendor, he is generally jumpy and often terrified of having to face enemies.

Voss is often seen in a pleasure yacht, laden with drinks, fine food, song and music, and numerous armed guards. He often meets with everything from government officials, other cartel leaders, minor drug dealers and gangsters, smugglers and bounty hunters. Though the public face of the Blackstar Cartel, he is known to be jumpy, especially when his employees and hit-squads fail him, due to lingering fears Naxor will have him replaced with another.

What point is there to life if you can't enjoy it to the fullest? Temperance has it's place, but that is for the weak and gutless, who lack the drive.

  • Name - Volpatano
  • Position - Vizor of Drug Trafficking and creation.
  • Species - Human

Compared to trust, skill and bravery is worth less then the scum left over from his food between my teeth.

  • Name - Takpo the Grand
  • Position - Vizor of Gambling, Finance and debt collection.
  • Species - Unknown

The large, corpulent being known only as Takpo is in charge of the money collection with the Blackstar Cartel, managing the funds gained from Racketeering operations, debt collection from those that owe them, and anything to do with the gang's money interests. Bribery of local officials, handling buisness contracts and disputes and the payments and monetary interests of the various Gangs, teams and laundering schemes all come by his fingers sooner or later. As such, combined with the money he skims for himself, the payments from the Boss, and his own opulent lifestyle, and Takpo is one of the richest members of the entire Cartel. Long ago, Takpo was put in prison by the Federation authorities, though it was set up by Naxor and Takpo himself, so he could safety run things from within a safe prison, and still have a hand in the managing of things.

Takpo is a glutton for food, and despite his stay in prison, he enjoys the finest foods from across the galaxy, ranging from Margarita Pizza imported from Italy, to the finest wines, spirits and drinks from across the Draconid and Cyrannian territories. He is respectful and courteous to those that come to speak with him, and regards most as worthy to deal with, as to underestimate any within the criminal circles he runs in is a death sentence for any idiotic Vizor.

  • Name - Garyn Vak
  • Position - Vizor of Smuggling, Human/Sentient Slave and animal trafficking.
  • Species - Zarbanian.

  • Name - Gorn Barcja
  • Position - Vizor of Piracy, Intimidation and military oversight.
  • Species - Kulaung.

Relations[]

Blue face Allies and buisness partners[]

We'll corrupt galaxies together.

Yellow face Neutral[]

Your purpose here?

  • Cyrannian Syndicate - Potential business, potential targets.
  • Enklima Force - Weaker, we could use these beings.
  • Nebulorians - You killed one of us, but one that was most likely to betray us in the future. We are...unsure.

Red face Enemies[]

Whether it takes 1000 hours, or 1000 years, your death is assured.

Quotes from others[]

*Add your own!

Those little shadow hunters...oh so pitiful, and oh so useful!

- Darkling Trotodrake

An adequete channel through which to achieve perfection.

- Ortior Iklas

I'll work for you...for a reasonable price. But I want respect. I am no one's slave.

- Bengo Flett

I hoped to remove such influences in the galaxy. Clearly this needs to be a dirty job, and I have no problem dealing with my former comrades in dirty ways.

- Barda Clett

This much crime could make a man like me blush. Heh, if W'tze didn't keep me well paid I'd consider working for them.

- Averil Daxur

Notes[]

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