Consultation: Privateers

[jammi]

Hi all. I'm putting out a public consultation to gather some views on a future direction of development.

As many of you may know, the Bretonian Privateer ID existed through the Gallic War, and was discontinued afterwards for a lack of purpose. I'm mulling over some options about the Privateers, however it's not necessary that they're re-introduced as an NPC faction or separate ID - their activities could be reflected perfectly well through lore fluff and a pirate ID. Rather than making assumptions about community preferences, I figured I'd open that decision for discussion instead.

Background:

The Privateers were initially an asymmetric raiding force that was loosely-unofficially affiliated with the BAF. Captains were issued with letters of marque during the Tau War between Bretonia and Kusari. These letters were basically stamps of approval by the Bretonian government / crown for the bearer to carry out authorised acts of piracy.

They were ordered to interdict enemy shipping and logistics, with that role continuing after Gallia's emergence. Despite that, the quality of captain and the tactics they deployed became more and more unsavoury as the war progressed. This was tolerated as a matter of necessity, and their autonomy meant their activities were more or less deniable.

After the collapse of the Gallic crown, many privateers continued to attack Confederal Gallic shipping, or even neutral targets operating in the Taus (a frequent source of friction with the IMG and Zoners). When the Gallic Enclave were eventually defeated in Edinburgh in 827 AS, the Bretonian government rescinded all outstanding letters of marque, initiating a crackdown on privateers who'd turned pirate. There were mass arrests, with many others going to ground or turning full pirate.

Present:

Relations between Bretonia and the Gallic Union are icy, given that the Union was formed through the merger of the Gallic Confederacy and Enclave. Bretonia considers that it suffered an act of genocide in Leeds, for which no reparations or restitution have ever been made. They further accuse Gallia of sheltering and rehabilitating the Enclave perpetrators of the Leeds genocide. Whether this latter sentiment is actually true is debatable, but it is a prevailing opinion in Bretonian society, and fuels an incredible amount of hatred and resentment towards Gallia as a whole.

This feeling of grievance has been accelerated by the deteriorating situation within Bretonia itself, as living standards continually fall and reconstruction funds are diverted into the military to recapture Dublin and secure the Tau borders. Many Bretonians feel that Gallia has escaped justice, with war criminals remaining unpunished in Sirian courts.

Many are also furious with Rheinland following the Treaty of Orelikon, which ignores Bretonian sanctions against Gallia to throw open the doors to the Sirian economy. Many of the most radical malcontents have taken to signing off their communications with "444", meaning "4 billion souls for 4 billion lost", a call for an eye for an eye campaign of vengeance against Gallic citizens.

The Bretonian state itself is both unwilling and unable to execute such a violent and nakedly amoral campaign, but many high-profile individuals once associated with the Privateers have now served their prison sentences and been released. They are resentful of the impotence of the government that betrayed them, and tapping into the rage of the broader public.

They have rearmed, raised their old banner -- perhaps ironically -- as a pirate gang, and set sail for the Omegas. They intend to launch strikes from Stuttgart to Champagne, disrupting Gallic operations, punishing Rheinland collaboration, and killing until the scales are balanced.

In-game material

This buoy has been deployed in orbit of Planet Leeds as a memorial to those killed or lost during the Gallic War. The satellite contains a databank full of names, and the following dedication: “No rapprochement can bring back those murdered. No reparations can make Leeds whole. No retaliation will be sufficient. An eye for an eye; 4 billion souls to pay for 4 billion lost. Gallia must burn. 444.”

This buoy has been deployed in orbit of Planet Leeds as a memorial to those killed or lost during the Gallic War. The satellite contains a databank full of names, and the following dedication: “Each name etched in sorrow, a reminder of the cost of freedom and the price of peace. We shall never forgive. 444.”

This buoy has been deployed in orbit of Planet Leeds as a memorial to those killed or lost during the Gallic War. The satellite contains a databank full of names, and the following dedication: “The ghosts of Leeds rage at injustice. Gallic barbarity cannot go unanswered. Metz was not enough. 444.”

This buoy has been deployed in orbit of Planet Leeds as a memorial to those killed or lost during the Gallic War. The satellite contains a databank full of names, and the following dedication: Politicians and process have not provided us with security, justice, or a future. Gallia prospers unpunished, while Bretonia lies in ruins. We must take retribution into our own hands. 444.”

[834 AS] Notorious privateer released from prison NEWGATE -- 834 -- Henry King has been released from Newgate Prison on parole, having served a 5 year sentence. Leading a squadron of privateers, King rose to fame for daring strikes on Gallic supply lines across the Taus and even Languedoc. It is believed that King had the largest personal bounty in Gallia for his exploits, which were recently adapted for holoreel in the feature-length hit, “Blade and Blaster”. King continued to attack Gallic Confederacy targets after the war’s end, and was arrested for piracy upon returning to Bretonia. When asked for a statement by journalists, he replied “444” before climbing into a waiting shuttle and departing. [835 AS] Arrests made after Freiburg killings FREIBURG -- 835 -- Freiburg patrons scattered in terror after a bar disagreement between Bretonian and Gallic customers escalated to murder. Witnesses report an IDFS officer said “something about Leeds” to a drinking Bowex transport team. Within moments, a brawl erupted, with Gateway employees assisting their normally bitter rivals. “There was a flash of light and three bangs, and before I knew it, two Bretonians and a Gaul were dead,” bartender Benno Gramann explained. The RFP have held six Bretonians on suspicion of murder and released two Gallic citizens on bail, sparking outrage in Bretonia. [751 AGS] Gallic citizens murdered in Rheinland FREIBURG -- 751 -- Scenes of savagery have unfolded on Freiburg Station, Stuttgart. Bretonian thugs murdered a Gallic transport officer after spotting him in the station bar. Rheinland authorities have already detained six of the assailants for the brutal crime. Gallic Union officials have issued revised guidance for transport crews in Rheinland, recommending Gallic citizens travelling abroad acquire Union personal permits for Enfer Blasters. “This will enable you to defend yourself against the foreign assassins of Bretonia and Kusari,” noted Wildau Cultural Attache Nicolas Jetté. [835 AS] New gang sets up shop on Ithaca ITHACA -- 835 -- There’s a new Bretonian gang on Ithaca, calling themselves the Privateers. Those of you who had Tau business back in the day might recognize the name -- they were the cutthroats who went after Kusari and Gallic transports at the Queen’s behest. After the war, Bretonia got cold feet about their feral mutts, and tried to muzzle them. Many ended up on Newgate, while others went to ground and turned full pirate. Henry King has paid tribute to the Captains Council on the Privateers’ behalf, and promised to keep the peace. “We ain’t here to step on toes, just got some business in Rheinland,” he says. [751 AGS] Bretonia must return stolen Jump Gate BATTLESHIP DE GRASSE -- 751 -- During Kusari’s invasion, the Gallic Jump Gate between Tau-23 and Tau-31 was occupied, and then unlawfully transferred to Bretonian custody. Kusari claimed this excluded the Gate’s status from peace negotiations, as it was no longer within their legal control. Grand Marshall de Varax has now issued a blistering decree to Bretonia, ordering the Gate’s immediate return to Gallic ownership. It is intolerable that Gallic state industrial secrets remain in the hands of a foreign House that has time and again demonstrated its hostility to the Gallic people. The Grand Marshall has warned of “dire consequences” should his demand be refused. [835 AS] Gallic threats raise Tau fears SCALPAY OUTPOST -- 835 -- The Taus are once more on edge, after Gallia threatens the use of force to retrieve the Tau-23 to Tau-31 Jump Gate. Bretonia constructed the first Jump Gate in the system, which was later annexed during the Gallic War. Bretonia was gifted the current Gallic Jump Gate by Kusari during their invasion of Gallia, and has held it since -- with Gallia formally ceding its Tau claims through the Treaty of Rishiri. Bretonia has historically refused to discuss the Gate’s status until its own demands on the extradition of war criminals and payment of Gallic War reparations are met. The Bretonian government has warned that Gallic aggression or threats “will not be tolerated”. [835 AS] Freiburg targeted in terrorist strike FREIBURG STATION -- 835 -- Emergency responders have rushed to Freiburg Station after a serious terrorist attack killed 7 Gallic visitors. 3 Gull-class Transports attempted to ram an IDF Shipping convoy moored to the station, exploding once they hit their targets. 1 of the vessels was successfully disabled by the station’s defense grid. The assailants had just arrived from Omega-7, broadcasting the convoy shipping papers of a small export company based on Freeport 1. RFP officers believe the Gallic ships were the actual target, and have suggested either the LWB or Bretonian radicals could be responsible. Bretonian and Rheinland authorities are cooperating to investigate the incident. [751 AGS] Bretonian assassins target convoy FREIBURG -- 751 -- Despicable Bretonian assassins have once more targeted Gallic citizens on Freiburg Station in Stuttgart. In the latest provocation, a moored IDF Shipping convoy was attacked and destroyed by Bretonian transports loaded with bombs. “Now more than ever, we must set aside our differences and come together as one House to oppose foreign tyranny,” Grand Marshall de Varax boomed during a speech to the Parisian Assembly. De Varax further vowed to obtain justice for the slain crew, and root out Gallia’s enemies wherever they may hide. Bretonia was recently ordered to return the stolen Jump Gate of Tau-23 -- it appears they have provided their perfidious answer. [835 AS] Unlikely friends offer common cause DARMSTATD -- 835 -- The LWB have received an unlikely offer in our mission to win back the freedom of Stuttgart’s farmers. A new gang of Bretonian pirates recently moved into Omega-7, however it’s not loot they’re looking for -- it’s Gallic wreckage. Their recent attack on Freiburg Station targeted an IDF Shipping convoy, fortuitously destroying its cargo of Luxury Foods bound for New Berlin. These “Privateers” want to work together to bloody Gallia as badly as possible in the Alsace Passage -- potentially freeing us to focus more heavily on Synth Foods and other fronts. Darmstadt will be holding open discussions on the proposal shortly.

Located at Ithaca Base, Omega-7: Gallic Frigate "Queen Carina's Revenge" The Queen Carina's Revenge is a recent arrival, after the pirate gang of Henry King paid tribute to the Ithaca Council for basing and resupply rights. It is unclear how the Bretonians acquired this Taureau frigate, however it has been regularly sighted reaving in Cologne and Stuttgart.

Freiburg Station, Stuttgart: [...] In 835 AS, Freiburg was damaged during a terrorist attack targeting a moored Gallic convoy. A trio of Bretonian flagged Gull transports approached the station, with two ramming the Gallic vessels and exploding. The third Gull was targeted by Freiburg's defense grid and exploded prematurely, damaging nearby storage tanks.

Options:

a) The Privateers remain a non-mechanical element of worldbuilding (like the other Ithaca gangs), reflecting growing violent Bretonian xenophobia as one of the reactions to loss, deprivation, growing tensions with Gallia, and the perception of state failures. Players wanting to represent these story elements are able to do so with a pirate ID.

b) A Privateer ID is implemented without an associated NPC faction. This provides access to Bretonian and Gallic civilian techcells, and the Bretonian unlawful/black market tech cell. Rephacked hostile to lawful factions (including Bretonian). Would likely provide combat lines on Gallic and Rheinland shipping in the Alsace Passage systems, and piracy lines elsewhere in ZoI.

c) A full NPC faction is implemented. As above, and initially allied with the LWB due to mutual interests in Stuttgart, Cologne and Zurich. Future development would likely deal with the views of the Maquis as the Privateers escalate their attacks. Rare NPC spawns would be added pathing from Ithaca Base in Omega-7, out across Stuttgart, and Cologne.

Discuss!

[A Magpie]

Suggestion: Instead name them Phantoms.
Serious answer: Bretonian privateers were cool when they were rolled out, and would most likely be something of the type unofficially tolerated by CDI out in the Omega boonies because they're at least not harassing Bretonian citizens. They'd fit perfectly well at any of the three levels you've proposed, although at that point, one would have to ask what the faction mechanically offers that everyone else in the region doesn't. You've answered that pretty well, and it's a nifty collection of techcells.

[jammi]

one would have to ask what the faction mechanically offers that everyone else in the region doesn't.

That's basically the issue, isn't it? Is the extra flavour / options for expression worth the mechanical overlap with other local groups?

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[A Magpie]

I'd honestly say that Bret Privateer NPCs would probably make for some cool encounter zones at the very least. An eclectic assortment of Sirius-wide tech you don't see anywhere else.

[Enkidu]

one would have to ask what the faction mechanically offers that everyone else in the region doesn't.

That's basically the issue, isn't it? Is the extra flavor / options for expression worth the mechanical overlap with other local groups?

The Zurich-Champagne bit muscles in on the things Unioners should be doing - AKA, being the Rheinland-Gallia trans-border underworld group. Other than that, it's largely interesting.

At the same time, it would be interesting to see an Ithaca group that isn't on the same side of things as the Red Hessians. If the Alsace Passage bits were cut, I'd consider it unique.

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THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's outlawed trade unions, determined to take the underworld for themselves.)

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[Toaster]

The charm of privateering is that it is essentially quasi-legal piracy, which is quirky and provides interesting and unique avenues for RP. This revival of the Bretonian Privateers just sounds like a terrorist organization out to kill civilians, something else entirely and far from unique. Reintroducing an actual privateering faction would be cool, just adding another terrorist faction seems redundant.

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Olivia Sable

[Enkidu]

Note that there also are other ways to keep the faction focused against Gallic investments in Rheinland, without stealing thunder in Zurich. There's plenty of Gallic investiture all across Rheinland. Frankfurt is a good example of this, although that might not work on a locational basis if you want to tie them to Ithaca, Jammi.

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THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's outlawed trade unions, determined to take the underworld for themselves.)

Information | Recruitment | Message Dump |
Feedback | Diplomatic channel

(Links pending redevelopment).

[Proselyte]

I was thinking about those 444 buoys just last week, wondering whether that revenge-seeking rage was going to surge spaceward someday. So, this is exciting. I think a full implementation of Privateers as another element of the Bret domestic unlawful scene is a solid goal in the long run, but aside from Providence Station in Edinburgh and Ithaca in O-7, they don't seem to have many places to roost in their own House when it's all Gaian and Molly bases in the fields. Right now, they don't seem materially distinct enough from being "opinionated Independent Pirates" to go all the way with it.

I tend to think Option B is a solid early-game plan if setting them up for their own NPC faction someday is a goal you want to have. They just need some storytelling to grow to that prominence. Or it could just stay this way as the status quo, a little quirk of the region.

Option A works plenty fine if you don't wanna commit to that for the future.

Building on Toaster/Enkidu: the moniker of "Privateers", while Freelancery and distinct, does seem misapplied if their ambition in life is to stack 4 billion bodies, so they might need a new name. As for Rheinland, I'd think the anti-Gallia Brets would focus on the Taus and towards Gallia itself. Going after investment in Rheinland and the Alsace corridor does give them multiple Houses to pick on, but in terms of feel it does kinda pull them away from who should be their intended target.

EDIT: I know it's technically closer, but the way it's laid out on the map, going through Rheinland to punch Gallia just registers in my mind as "an extra step".

[Enkidu]

Building on Toaster/Enkidu: the moniker of "Privateers", while Freelancery and distinct, does seem misapplied if their ambition in life is to stack 4 billion bodies, so they might need a new name. As for Rheinland, I'd think the anti-Gallia Brets would focus on the Taus and towards Gallia itself. Going after investment in Rheinland and the Alsace corridor does give them multiple Houses to pick on, but in terms of feel it does kinda pull them away from who should be their intended target.

Buccaneers, perhaps?

The Bretonian Buccaneers?

This would reflect the movement in agenda. Less 'Sir Francis Drake' and more 'Henry Morgan'.

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THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's outlawed trade unions, determined to take the underworld for themselves.)

Information | Recruitment | Message Dump |
Feedback | Diplomatic channel

(Links pending redevelopment).

[jammi]

As for Rheinland, I'd think the anti-Gallia Brets would focus on the Taus and towards Gallia itself. Going after investment in Rheinland and the Alsace corridor does give them multiple Houses to pick on, but in terms of feel it does kinda pull them away from who should be their intended target.

EDIT: I know it's technically closer, but the way it's laid out on the map, going through Rheinland to punch Gallia just registers in my mind as "an extra step".

My rationale here is that there is minimal Gallic civilian activity in the Taus, given that Gallia "formally" relinquished its stakes in Tau-23 through the Treaty of Rishiri. 90% of external trade by Gallic corporations would route through the Alsace Passage, given that Rheinland is their only official state trade partner.

Anyone who is looking to target Gallic trade (and also those cooperating with them) would almost certainly focus on Alsace, given that it is also less secure than either Gallic or Rheinland core space.

For a Bretonian effort, focusing on the Omega side also seems more likely due to its proximity to Sprague, where a significant portion of Leeds expats and survivors ended up. There'd be a relatively big support base there, and probably also opportunities for fencing goods.

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