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Overview

The Grim Compact, or simply the Compact, is a feudal organization of pirates frequently based in the Kaziti star system. They follow the Star Code, which is an ad hoc code of honor for Unathi pirates. Their primary headquarters is the Malefaction space station, a converted former space prison. It orbits the small moon of Ha’zana, which is a habitable planet with a population of around ten thousand. The Compact is a diarchy, which means it is ruled by two Pirate Lords. The current rulers are the Dread-Lord Tizma, and Dread-Lady Yizilna. These two have a complicated relationship, frequently shifting between passionate lovers and merciless, cutthroat enemies in a rivalry that is a constant source of drama within the group.

The Grim Fleets and Malefaction

Tizma’s Doom-Sails

Commanded by Tizma Aihagi, the Doom-Sails are a fleet of battle-hardened warships with an infamous reputation for speed and tenacity. With over sixty corvettes and its flagship cruiser Augury, it lacks the heavy hitting firepower of most fleets but makes up for it with sustained, relentless pressure on an enemy. The Doom-Sails are also nearly impossible to escape in a chase; their hunting tactics on their targets are similar to the hunting strategy of ancient Sinta, herding their prey right into the jaws of a trap.

The Doom-Sailors do not typically enjoy boarding ships, and much prefer engaging in protection rackets with dramatic displays from their ships, like firing shots across the bow, or unfurling their decorative solar sails in a power display. In boarding actions Doom-Sailors tend to use a mixture of ranged and melee weapons. It is a tradition that if any ship warrants being boarded, that the enemy Captain must be taken prisoner even if all of the other crew are released, and kept as a hostage until an enormous ransom is paid.

It’s members tend to be eager and ambitious, always willing to prove themselves. They are also typically seen as arrogant and boastful. This tends to annoy other Unathi because of the common refrain Doom-Sailors show in actually fighting in frequent battle, giving them the negative reputation of being bookish and impish.

Yizilna’s Steel-Spirits

Commanded by Yizilna Mo’hi, the Steel-Spirits are a fleet known for exceptional brutality and aggression. With fifty corvettes, two cruisers, and its flagship cruiser Kismet, it has significant firepower. The primary strategy of the Steel-Spirit fleet is constant, high intensity close quarters battle. The Steel-Spirits, unlike the Doom-Sails, loathe running typical protection rackets. Any ship that ends up being targeted by the Steel-Spirits will end up being rammed at least once, even at low speeds, if only because of the incredible boredom of the pirates with the whole affair. During protection rackets on civilian ships the Steel-Spirits typically like to goad their victims into trying to fight back, taunting them or demanding ridiculous sums of money or loot under threat of opening fire if refused, before suddenly demanding a reasonable sum again.

In battle the Steel-Spirits excel. Every member is drilled in close quarters combat, using a mixture of ranged and steel melee weapons. They tend to fight in tight formations, utilizing overlapping energy shields and using their free arm to empty their ranged weapons against their enemy, before, in formation, using a high speed charge to close the distance and engage in melee.

While they show mercy as required by the Star Code, Steel-Spirits have an open and vocal contempt for anyone that would surrender to them in battle.

Its members tend to be hot headed and unpredictable, always willing to accept a challenge. They typically show solid discipline when on duty but get compared to wild Threshbeasts when docked on shore leave. Every Steel-Spirit must be able to hold their butanol, hold themselves in a fight, and hold to the Star Code. Usually all three at the same time.

The Malefaction

Equipped with a bluespace drive ripped off a captured cruiser in the past, the Malefaction is capable of bluespace jumping away from danger, even if it cannot fine tune itself as it lacks traditional engines. When settled down, it quickly becomes a free haven and headquarters for the Grim Compact. Its former use as a space prison translates into its segmented design, with the former cells in the sublevel - now with regular doors installed - being used as small residencies for its crew or even motel rooms for visitors. The higher ranking members of the Compact have access to the nicer facilities in the main level. The upper level is the Promenade; a collection of makeshift shops and bars that cater to the unsavory elements that call this place home or a quick stop. An ad hoc justice system is set up, with Doom-Sailors or Steel-Spirits policing themselves and any visitors. While nearly anything goes, “Being Like A Guwan” (otherwise known as ‘disturbing the peace’ in more civilized sectors) can have you thrown into one of the more traditional cells in the forgotten portions of the sublevel.

The Lovers’ Rivalry

While Yizilna and Tizma jointly rule the Compact through intimidation, fear, and the Star Code, their rule is anything but stable. As a woman, Yizilna being in such a high position is offensive to the sensibilities of Unathi outside of her fanatical followers in the Steel-Spirits. A large portion of why she remains in power is that she has yet to lose in single combat, and has suffered no major defeats with her fleet. Riding on nothing but victories, Yizilna retains her power and influence. Tizma is famously deeply in love with his co-ruler, attracted by such a powerful woman. But he also struggles with a deep resentment that a woman could accomplish as much as or more than he has.

After Yizilna has any great victories or particularly lucrative rackets or raids, Tizma flies into an envious rage. At this time the two typically start having brutal brawls - if these fights start in public they often spill out from room to room, with everyone around too terrified of them to intervene. These fights use swords or spears, and the two do not hesitate in their attacks, but any lethality is made difficult by their roughly evenly matched abilities. After they tire each other out, they tend to separate and engage in fierce competitions. These times of competition are called Great Spats.

During a Great Spat, the two fleets engage in more and more reckless and daring actions, even skirting up against contemporary fleets of the more civilized nations. Great Spats tend to last for a month or more at a time, and even the Doom-Sailors and Steel-Spirits are possessed by an unusual fanaticism. They typically end when the two tire of the rivalry and set aside their differences, returning to each other’s embrace until the next time Tizma’s envy overtakes him.

For her part, Yizilna has said that she enjoys finally finding a man who does not bore her; but she resents his domineering demands that she be less successful than he is. This jealousy that he wants to take away her accomplishments leads to her spitefully going out to achieve even more, fueling Tizma’s envy.

Feudalism In The Compact

All members of the Compact live under a feudal hierarchy, with obligations and expectations to those below and above those in the hierarchy. They are divided between Dread Ones, who make up the nobility, and the Grim Ones, who make up the non-nobility.

Feudalism in the Compact mimics the feudal structure of the Hegemony.

Dread-Lords are the co-monarchs of the Compact. They are best compared to the Overlords of the Hegemony. They are responsible for providing for Dread-Admirals of their Armada's and dividing loot between them, as well as the appointment or removal of Dread-Admirals. In turn, Dread-Admirals provide their service and abilities to the Dread-Lords, fighting in their name.

Dread-Admirals lead groups of ships within the wider Armada, typically eight to fifteen. They are best compared to Lords of the Hegemony. They are granted special protections and privileges by the Dread-Lords. They receive the second highest amount of loot, and have considerable power in the Compact’s ad hoc legal system.

Dread-Pirate lead their individual ships like a fiefdom, where Dread-Admirals are responsible for the wider fleet. Dread-Pirates are best thought of a mixture of a Captain and feudal Count. Members of each individual ship owe their loyalty to their Dread-Pirate. It is their responsibility to divide the loot fairly between their crew, and treat their crew honorably and fairly. Dread-Pirates provide their service to Dread-Admirals in exchange for special privileges and legal protections.

Holymen are priests or shamans of the major faiths. They are given special privileges and protections by the nobility, and are allowed to freely roam the Compact to provide spiritual services. Harming or stealing from a Holyman is strictly forbidden, and anyone that accosts a shaman or priest can quickly find a finger removed quickly and cleanly by order of a Dreaded.

Grim-Warriors are pirates that distinguish themselves in battle under their Dread-Pirate. They are well respected by other Crewmen. They are expected to provide martial service to their Dread-Pirate, and in turn are expected to be paid regularly and receive sizable loot. They are exempt from menial labor, as their Dread-Pirate is expected to provide for them.

Grim-Crew are the common pirates that keep things running. Gunners, technicians, guards, medics - all working under their respective Dread-Pirate. More menial jobs tend to rotate on a chore wheel, or are performed by hostages.

Guwan are the absolute bottom of the Compact. They find little relief here compared to the Hegemony. They have zero protections and are persecuted or chased out of the Compact entirely. What Guwan that remain are often used as little more than menial servants, performing degrading duties such as custodial work or mining resource deposits that a Dread-Pirate would enjoy having without having to ask any of their men to perform the act of physically mining it.