Les Capes Noires is a secret group of members formed within the Unione Corse by Pierre Alard. This group consists of individuals who held exceptional skills, or influence over certain political groups. Until recently, Les Capes Noires operated from the shadows, as Alard saw no reason to reveal the organization.
Since the reunification of Gallia, Alard has seen a shift in diplomatic relationships between Unione Corse and various organizations. Fearful that Unione Corse would lose favour and influence within the current ruling government, Alard and his followers revealed themselves to be members of a secret organization - Les Capes Noires. By stepping out from shadows, Alard sought to use the group as a tool to unite other Unione Corse cells in order to ensure the integrity and financial stability of the organization, and to maintain favourable relationships with the Gallic government.
The Unione Corse is a collective of several families, each of them with a long history within the organization. They follow similar traditions to the ancient Corsican mafia of Earth. Each family comes from a different background, though wealth and political power are some of the common goals within the Corse.
Though the aim of the organization is the same, families specialize in different areas. Some specialize in smuggling while others combat foreign influence creeping into the Corse's interests. One of the most noted areas of the Unione Corse is their powerful understanding and manipulation of the Black Market trade within Gallia. Through the use of smugglers, their influence within the Gallia government, and the occasional bloodshed, the Unione Corse has the capability to control the inner workings of the market.
Though the Unione Corse attempts to refrain from extreme measures, they aren’t afraid to stretch their power to achieve total destruction. As example was made of Bourbon Base, where the Unione Corse massacred all of its inhabitants due to the betrayal by leaders of the Gallic Junkers. This has now become a subject in which the Unione Corse families strike fear into civilians to elicit their total cooperation.
In recent years, the Unione Corse operates between the law. Since the Reunification of Gallia, their cooperation with the Maquis has decreased. However, agreements and deals are still made on occasion, if the need arises.
Foundation of the Black Capes
The foundation of yet another Unione Corse cell attracted the attention of many recruits. Pierre Alard, a right hand of that cell's boss noticed a handful of people with notable experience and talent in smuggling, pilot skills, and diplomacy. They were seen as treasures among the regular recruits to the organization, and were highly influential within the organization. Alard seized the chance to form a special bond with each of them, and in doing so, ensured his position of power.
As membership within the cell grew larger, some of the leadership started taking their power for granted and began to exploit it. This was viewed unfavourably by a cell that had formed within it - Les Capes Noires, or The Black Capes. After making several attempts to stabilize the situation and bring order within, the Capes decided to leave the now arrogant and corrupted family, and began to build their own. In contrast to the former cell, Alard had a different vision to increase clout and profitability of the organization. Alard believed that Unione Corse should utilize their influence and connections within the Gallic government and military to achieve what others could not: return of power to Marseille, restoration of their own governorship, absolute control over the Gallic black market, the monopoly of all business in Provence, and the reunification of all Corse cells under one strong leadership.
Les Capes Noires is focused on gaining political and commercial influence, wealth and weight. To achieve this, their goals and objectives can be summed in three "P's": to persist, to prosper and to promulgate.
Organization Stability (Persist):
Continous support of the Black Capes cohesion;
Development of the organization structure;
Hiring talents on meritocratic principles;
Solving violent conflicts with minimal loss of reliable human resources.
Securing influence in the Gallic government, society and beyond (Promulgate):
Becoming the foremost Corse cell, and preserving such a role;
Eventually restoring Corse control and governorship over Marseille;
Increasing influence in the Gallic government and society;
Propagation of the Gallic culture and values to Sirius colonies.
Commercial profit (Prosper):
Absolute monopolization of Gallic Black Market;
Bribing (or blackmailing) officials reluctant to cooperate;
Development of Capes-backed tourism within Provence;
As the result of weak and corrupt leadership seen in other cells, Les Capes Noires has been revealed to unite minor Corsican families, that are driven by the desire for power, money and influence. Following the fall of the Monarchy, the Corse's influence within the Gallic government has diminished. The Capes strive to restore former influence and regain the trust of the government by taking bounty contracts and collaborating with the armed forces against Maquis and Brigands. This does not reduce their already significant influence on the Gallic Black Market but creates a better perception of Unione Corse in the eyes of the Gallic Union. Beneath the surface, the Capes hold dirty aces in their sleeves: bribes, blackmailing, kidnapping, unforeseen "accidents" with Nox overdose and others unfortunate incidents are but a modicum of what can be expected to happen to a rival from another cell or to a politician who knows too much. Honour, therefore, is important only as in the public image of the Les Capes Noires, but has nothing to do with business. The end justifies any means.
The underwater cities of Marseille, Cannes Station, and casinos, brothels and other less legal types of business on the surface of Marseille, have provided a solid income for the Corse. The Capes in particular have benefited from these sources of income. Yet, due to rivalry within the organization and other external threats, the Corse has often resorted to slicing throats or blowing up a shipment that should not reach the destination and leaving no sign of their presence.
Outside of Provence, the Capes rely not only on their ships, rapid guns and skills but also on their connections with other factions, reliable mercenaries and business partners. Nonetheless, the leadership does not have the confidence to venture their people too far from their homeworld or bases across Gallia.
Les Capes Noires follows a strict hierarchy compared to other criminal groups. Members of the Capes are assigned missions and tasks depending on their contacts and skills. However, they will all ultimately contribute to the goals of le Caïd.
• Caïd (The Boss) Objective: Lead the Capes with dignity and take ultimately responsibility for the completion of all missions. Permissions: Full Command of Les Capes Noires, including the ability to pilot all ships.
• Parrain/Marraine (The Godfather/Godmother) Objective: Assist le Caïd in any way necessary, while primarily commanding the Capes. They are the hands of the Boss. Permissions: Command of the organization as assigned by the Boss, including the ability to pilot all ships. Set new assignments for the organization, conduct operations and influence diplomacy.
• Spécialiste (Specialist) Objective: Execute any contracts, assist any pilot of the group and prove himself/herself worthy. Permissions: Can pilot small craft and transports. May perform special operations on a gunboat under authorization.
• Associés (Associate) Objective: Pass all the necessary training, and execute missions under supervision to gain trust and respect. Permissions: Can pilot only fighters and freighters. The associates are relatively restricted in regards to the accessible technology and action in space.
Originiating from Gallia, Les Capes Noires share a similar diplomatic approach with the ruling government, which helps them gain influence and control relating to the matters of their home system of Provence and Planet Marseille. However, due to their shady nature, there may be certain deviations in general principles and treatment of certain factions and individuals.
As mafia, the Black Capes see benefits and opportunities in collaborating with factions that may either be ignored or frowned upon by the political or military organs of Gallia.
In general, following the Corse traditions, the Capes try to avoid unnecessary hostilities as it would infringe on the trade of profitable goods and the spread of Gallic culture into Sirius. Thus, the Capes may deal with factions that are rarely seen dealing with the Gauls due to various reasons.
• Allied (+0.9) Unione Corse - Despite the rivalry between the other Corsican families, we are still part of a bigger organization called the Corse. Moreover, controlling other families should be easier if they consider the Capes as favourable at least.
• Friendly (+0.55) Crayter Republic - We share a common history and we seek to maintain our relationship in order to prevail against a common enemy.
Gallic Brigands - The relationship of the Brigands is as old as the Union Corse itself. Though they are an unorganized bunch, their contributions towards the black market go unmatched.
Independent Miners Guild - With the presence of the Outcasts bordering Gallia, the IMG has allowed us to be part of their bounty board, opening the way for us to profit while removing Outcasts within Gallia and Taus.
• Cordial (+0.3) Corsairs - A distant ally that proven to be useful in both commerce, trading their artifacts with us, and combat, providing support in fights against the Outcasts and their thralls.
Gallic Metal Service - Unlike the other Gallic corporations, the GMS operations within Provence seem to have taken to Corsican protection with little complaint and cordially supports our effort in restoring the beauty of Marseille after the Second Gallic War.
• Neutral (0.0) EFL Oil and Machinery - They are putting effort into restoring the beauty of Provence but yet following just commercial ends.
Gallic Union - The current form of Government. They are the ones which hold power in Gallia, we need to ensure cooperation with them if our goals are to be achieved.
• Suspicious (-0.3) Blood Dragons - Though we tread lightly around the Dragons, we have seen multiple different behaviours from them. If you encounter them, use caution.
Everyone else - There is no information about them or their value to us yet to be proved.
Ile-de-France Shipping - Their Bouvet Space Entertainment is a direct rivalry of our attempt to monopolize tourism within Provence.
Junkers - While their services may prove of use, they have been known in the past to be frequent supporters of the Outcasts and peddlers of their goods. As of now, they are permitted free-flight within Provence, so long as they carry the right goods back home.
Liberty Rogues - Like the Junkers, they have known connections with the Outcasts and as such, they are kept at an arm's length. Yet, they may be useful for distributing our merchandise within the House of Liberty.
Orbital Spa and Cruise - They are another rivalry of our attempt to monopolize tourism within Provence.
• Unfriendly (-0.55) Maquis - The traditional bond between the Corse and the Maquis has been weakening since the fall of the Kingdom until the latter have become rather parasites than trusted allies. There is nothing they can contribute to achieving the goals of Les Capes Noires.
• Hostile (-0.9) Golden Chrysanthemums; Lane Hackers - Close allies of the Outcasts, their commercial and political proxies, drowned out by the Cardamine they carry in their bodies and cargo holds.
Outcasts - Peddlers of a competitive drug that leaves its victims permanently scarred, causing physical dependency from it. Our primary rival for the control over Gallic Black Market and influence within Taus.
Les Capes Noires make full use of the Corse ships and equipment that shows excellence in maneuverability, acceleration and rapid damage burst. However, should there be a need, the Black Capes may utilize other ships obtained through legal means or through the Gallic Black Market.
• Unione Corse Ships, Weapons - 100%
Ships, weapons and other equipment produced by us or other Corsican cells - these are our tools of choice.
• Gallic Black Market Ships - 100%
As Unione Corse does not have the current capability to produce transport ships, we obtain transports from the Gallic Black Market to fulfill our needs.
• Gallic Civilian Ships, Weapons - 100%
Vessels and equipment produced for mass civilian consumption are typically used by Les Capes Noires for operations that Corsican equipment is not designed for.
• Gallic Brigands Ships, Weapons - 100%
Ships and equipment produced by occasional allies in the Brigands. Outside of Asco, the use of such equipment is kept secret, in order to prevent any unwanted attention from organizations that Les Capes Noires is trying to court.
Les Capes Noires are not limited by Corse, Brigands and Gallic Civilian hardware. On occasion, more exotic ships and weapons may appear in their arsenal. However, this is the exception and not the rule.
• Sirius Civilian Ships,Weapons - 75%
Although this inventory is available to the wider civilian market in Sirius, these vessels and weapons are a rarity among operations of Les Capes Noires, and are typically reserved for covert missions into Sirius proper.
• Maquis Ships, Weapons - 75%
With a rather frigid relationship and no method of properly maintaining or fabricating such equipment, not to mention the perception it would give to the government - the use of such technology is extremely rare, and none of Les Capes Noires has officially sanctioned its deployment.
• Hogosha / Farmers Alliance Ships, Weapons - 75%
Leftover relics of previous relationships with the Kusari underworld, these ships and weapons see extremely little use within Les Capes Noires, primarily due to the infeasibility of maintenance and upkeep.
Overall, we want to show our vision of the Corse based on their former lore but also developing it a bit further without faction overhaul. Our faction is focused on RP, especially on relations between the mafia and government, as well as "organized crime" and just casual RP sessions.
We are looking for people interested in RPing commercial traders (smugglers including), mercenaries and just people interested in Gallia, but for some reason are not willing to join any of lawful or unlawful factions.