The Gaian Guard

[Gaian Guard]

Gaian Guard
The protectors of nature

Introduction

---

The Gaian Guard is an alliance of a number of smaller cells that excercises control over a large amount of Gaian assets. The organisation is currently made up of three cells: the scientific Watchers, the militaristic Cohort and the religious Emerald Order. Ever since the conception of the Guard, the Watchers always remained as the "central" cell, with their Warden holding the ultimate authority over the entirety of the organisation. That right, however, is put to use scarcely, and all satelite cells enjoy a significant amount of autonomy.

Although seemingly unrelated at first, all member cells share a number of common goals and views on the universe. These goals and opinions are what keeps the Guard united, and its subgroups willing to cede some of their autonomy for the greater good. Chief concerns of the organisation include, but are not limited to government corruption, misguided pursuit of material wealth and the destruction of planets' natural ecosystems. The Guard seeks to eliminate those issues, viewing them as a sign of degradation of mankind. The Guard's members belive that humanity is unwilling to change on its own, and as such, these changes must be imposed on it through political subterfuge or overt use of terrorist tactics.

The ultimate goal of this colorful association of activists is the unification of entire human race under a single banner, replacing the ill-conceived monetary system with a resource based economy, and establishing humanity as a race of explorers and caretakers, not conquerors and exploiters.

History

---

The Guard’s birth was caused by merging of two cells that were, at the time, facing a number of hardships, causing their capabilities to be severely limited with no perspectives on bettering their situation. With the Watchers losing most of their manpower and equipment, and Eden Initiative being unable to establish any sort of influence, the two groups saw it necessary to join forces for the sake of both of them.

The initial period of cooperation has been a fruitful one. Bolstered by Eden’s manpower, the Watchers easily seized, and eventually surpassed, their old influence in the movement. The Eden, in turn, benefited from Watchers’ old contacts and dealings in trade and technology, providing them with resources to spread their religion even further.

The initial period, however, was a short one. With their then leader, Warden Flora, suddenly finding herself on Newgate and Eden facing internal trouble that was beyond the Watchers’ reach or comprehension, the Guard entered a period of crisis. The Eden Initiative simply dissolved in a matter of a week, leaving the leaderless Watchers to bear the Guard’s name on their own. Their then second in command, Sentinel Sherman Hitcher, was forced to take the lead of the increasingly unstable group.

The cell managed to remain afloat on its own this time, carefully managing the humble stockpile of resources that remained from Guard’s early bloom. Its trade fleet was slowly expanded, supplies replenished and ships rebuilt. Two months after the crisis, the Guard undertook its first major operation. Using information extracted from a high-ranking BPA official, a small wing of Watchers’ ships struck a BIS transport carrying their Warden for interrogation. The operation was a success and a huge morale boost for the organisation, even despite the Warden’s immediate resignation afterwards. It was then that Sentinel Hitcher was officially promoted to the rank of the Warden.

The Guard’s day-to-day operations were rather uneventful for a little over a year. Raiders raided, wings struck, men and women were lost and recruited. It all changed in the Autumn of 823, when the Guard was contacted by a group of rebel legionnaires led by Fleet Captain Leonard Harrington. Provided with sufficient proof of Commonwealth’s blatant abuse of Guadalajara, the Watchers agreed to support the rebels with a squadron of fighters. The resulting conflict escalated much beyond their expectations, however, as rebels’ kidnapping of Legion’s Lord Commander himself turned a border skirmish into a fleet engagement. Within the timespan of four days, the Legion broke through rebel and Gaian forces, tearing the latter’s outpost of Klaksvik down to burning metal, recovering their commander beforehand.

The resulting loss of life, however, wasn’t assorted with the Guard’s misjudgement of the situation. Many Gaian pilots saw the intervention as necessary, causing a short influx of recruits. Additionally, the rebel legionnaires that were dug in onboard Atacama base declared their allegiance to the movement. They took on the name of Atacama Cohort, making the Guard assume a dualistic structure once more.

With a somewhat steady stream of supplies coming in from Bretonia, the Cohort managed to stabilise the Vespucci frontline, soon starting to engage in hit-and-run raids against Legion forces within the Veracruz field. It soon became apparent, however, that Cohort’s forces were too weak to make any significant progress. As such, the rebels took a defensive stance within the field, focusing on better securing the Inverness supply line instead.

The following months became stale once more, with little progress being made by either Cohort raiders or Legion patrols. The Watchers’ operations resumed as usual, ever focused on expanding the Guard’s capabilities. This state of affairs lasted until early 824, when the Guard witnessed a second emergence of a religious movement within Gaian ranks. The Emerald Order, as they called themselves, developed in silence that engulfed Islay ever since the Royal Navy’s takeover of Edinburgh. Their origins were not quite clear, all that was known was that the cult took over some decks of the base, over time turning them into temples and places of meditation. It was them that initiated the first contact, with their Matriarch, Caroline Ross, making a surprise visit to Warden’s office on Torshavn.

After a lengthy meeting, followed by a series of small personnel exchanges, the Emerald Order managed to prove their worth and were admitted into the structures of the Guard, although their somewhat dark and zealous appearance caused some reluctance within the Guard’s high command, especially when coupled with their apparent interest in nomadic affairs. From then on, some of their members moved to other Gaian outposts, volunteering for all kinds of tasks, from combat flights to working in medical facilities. The group works closely with the Watchers, with the former conducting biological research and the latter finding practical applications of its results.

General information

---

Name: Gaian Guard
Tag: GG-
ID: Gaian Guard ID
IFF: Gaian
Watchers' leader: Warden Lily Collins
Atacama Cohort's leader: Fleet Captain Leonard Harrington
Emerald Order leader: Matriarch Caroline Ross

The subcells

---

The Watchers

---

The Watchers were once a colourful association of various individuals. The majority of their ranks were made up by scientists of all fields, often with a tint of spiritual beliefs. Over time the Watchers became weakened by a multitude of factors that thinned out their manpower and supplies. In the end, only the most loyal core of the group remained and dedicated it's work to research and other supporting actions rather than leading the charge. After the Guard's creation, the Watchers' rebuilt, once again taking on the mantle of the leading cell of the movement.

They are the largest cell currently in existance, and are considered to be are among the most "reasonable" Gaians. They tolerate considerate mining operations in space or small scale and careful exploitation of worlds, although their stance on terraforming and slavery remains the same. Their duties within the Guard are scientific research, engineering projects, logistics and all combat operations within Bretonia, Taus and Omegas.

The Atacama Cohort

---

Comprised mostly of retired Hellfire veterans, some of which still remember the days of Drake Thastus' rebellion, the Cohort split from the Legion in autumn of 823 AS. Agitated by the reckless and invasive exploitation of their new home, planet Guadalajara, performed by libertonian corporations contracted by the Commonwealth, the Cohort rebelled and joined forces with the Gaian movement, hoping that their newfound allies' strenght will allow them to overthrow the Commonwealth.

Although technically operating under the Guard's banner, the Cohort is largely autonomous, and does not involve itself in any matters not directly involving them, the Legion, or Liberty. As such, their contact with other cells is limited to supply deliveries and occasional join raid on Bretonia-Liberty border.

The Cohort's distinctive trait is their reluctance to utilise Gaian ships and equipment, instead relying on proven Falchion and Bayonet fighters, often customised with red visuals, as well as edge world engines.

The Emerald Order

---

The Emerald Order is a somewhat small and mysterious cult. They are a group of people that believe in a divine entity they call "Gaia", the creator of the universe and the mother of all life within. They see themselves, and the entire humanity, as species burdened with the honour and responsibility of caring for lesser lifeforms and ecosystems they inhabit. In their view, it is mankind's ultimate purpose to employ their superior understanding of the universe to learn about and guard Goddess' creations from outside influence.

As Gaia, the subject of Order's beliefs, is perceived as a mother, it was only logical for them to establish a woman as their spiritual guide. As such, the Emerald Order is always led by a Matriarch. The Matriarch is voted onto her position by Adepts, and holds her authority until death or voluntary retirement.

The Order display a remarkable proficiency at biology-related fields of study, often on par or surpassing that of the Watchers. Such research is currently one of their main tasks, with both cells working closely on applying nature's developments into modern technology.

Ranking structure

---

The Gaian Guard employs a ranking system made up of five grades. Such system was put in place in order to streamline the chain of command, should members of multiple cells be in need of establishing one on the spot. Each grade usually holds a different name in each cell, and may sometimes vary in its duties and authority within that particular cell. Outside of them, however, members of the same grade are considered equals, no matter the cell affiliation, and the highest grade member takes command over forces present on the scene.

1st Grade

---

Fresh members of the Guard, no matter the cell, start off with the 1st Grade. They are considered to still be on their test period and are put under close watch by their superiors. Their technology access is usually limited compared to other members of their cell.

Naming:
Initiate (Watchers / Emerald Order)
Recruit (Atacama Cohort)

2nd Grade

---

After passing the trial period, the new members are issues the 2nd Grade. 2nd Grade members form the bulk of the Guard, carrying out day-to-day tasks of their cells. They do not posses any significant influence or authority, but have much more freedom in terms of actions and technology access compared to the 1st Grade.

Naming:
Guardian (Watchers)
Pilot First Class (Atacama Cohort)
Disciple (Emerald Order)

3rd Grade

---

3rd Grade members serve as the mid-command of the Guard. They are 2nd Graders that have proven to be loyal and dedicated. They are trusted with mediocre authority and governing of small groups of 2nd and 1st Graders, such as a strike wing.

Naming:
Sentry (Watchers)
Lieutenant (Atacama Cohort)
Acolyte (Emerald Order)

4th Grade

---

Hands and legs of their respective leaders, the 4th Grade members are skilled and influential commanders. They usually hold significant authority within their cells and carry out important tasks.

Naming:
Sentinel (Watchers)
Commander (Atacama Cohort)
Adept (Emerald Order)

5th Grade

---

The mind behind every Gaian Guard decision, the 5th Grade members are awarded with the trust of their respective leaders. They assist the subcell leaders with their burden of leadership.

Naming:
Keeper (Watchers)
Major (Atacama Cohort)
Archon (Emerald Order)

6th Grade

---

The leaders of Guard's subcells, these people form the very top of the organisation's command. They are well respected and capable leaders. Although most decision are made in unision, the Warden of the Watchers can overrule the other two in cases of dire emergency. Luckily, such a measure was so far not necessary.

Naming:
Warden (Watchers)
Fleet Captain (Atacama Cohort)
Matriarch (Emerald Order)

Goals and objectives

---

Short term

---

• Elimination of Gaian Wildlife trade.
  
• Hindering the operations of Planetform, BMM and Orbital Spa and Cruise.
  
• Destabilisation of the Commonwealth of Liberty.
  
• Defense and expansion of Gaian influence in Bretonia and beyond.

Long term

---

• Taking over the Edinburgh system.
  
• Forming a strong network of allies and proxies throughout the sector.
  
• Sirius-wide abolishment of the monetary system and implementation of a resource-based economy.
  
• Abolishment of current governments and unification of Sirius and Gallia under a single rule.

Side goals

---

• Hindering slave trade within Bretonia.
  
• Combating Nomad and Wilde incursions into Bretonia.
  
• Research of artifacts and nomadic materials to develop and further a technological advantage over hostile organisations.

Diplomacy

---

Allied

Farmers Alliance
The Brotherhood
Hogosha

Friendly

Unioners
Corsairs
The Coalition

Business partners

Zoners
Junkers
Samura Heavy Industries

Neutral

Crayter Republic
Bundschuh
The Order
ALG Waste Disposal
Gallic Unlawful Groups
Kusari State Police and Kusari Naval Forces
Kishiro Technologies
Bretonia Law Enforcement
Liberty Rogues

Cautious

Golden Oak Tours
The Apostatas
Kusari Exiles and Kempeitai
Mollys
Lane Hackers

Unfriendly

Custodi
The Collective
Other Rheinland Corporations
Rheinland Law Enforcement
Other Liberty Corporations
Liberty Law Enforcement
Battlegroup Harmony
Xenos
IMG
Golden Chrysanthemums
Blood Dragons

Hostile

Other Gallic Corporations
Bowex
Synth Foods
Reapers of Sirius
Outcasts
Red Hessians
Bounty Hunters Guild
Gas Miners Guild
Hellfire Legion
Battlegroup Auxesia
Independent Miners Guild
The Core

Targets

EFL Oil & Machinery
Gallic Law Enforcement
Planetform Incorporated
Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing
Orbital Spa and Cruise
Nomads and Infected forces
Commonwealth of Liberty

Member list

---

➤ @TheSauron - 1iC
➤ @Dino
➤ @Stefan
➤ @Shalo
➤ @Darku
➤ @Joggin
➤ @Rantari
➤ @Ash
➤ @Laz
➤ @Nekrotalis
➤ @Fiendflug
➤ @"NierDackel"
➤ @"Altzek"
➤ @Markam

---

The Gaian Guard

---

Recruitment | Torshavn Network | Feedback

[Impyness]

I'm assuming feedback here is fine, i'll get this post deleted if not.

A note on diplo, first of all to the best of my admittedly limited knowledge about Bretonia Gaians are hostile to MollIES presumably in support of their Corsair allies, I believe. It could also have something slightly to do with the fact that as miners, Molly's are somehow looked down on by the Gaians for defiling nature or something similar although that's just conjecture on my part.

I might be wrong, but I believe they should at least be unfriendly unless something specific i'm not aware of happened.

---

#Snakded

[TheSauron]

This is actually a good point. The answer as to why Mollys are neutral is the fact that we didn't actually had any hostilities between our groups since I can remember. They aren't hostile to us, we aren't hostile to them, so I figured they can be put as neutral for now.

---

One MD Admiral

[SpaceTime]

Might be better if you add them on hostile and add a (NAP) next to it then. (NAP = Non-Aggression Pact)

Also, one of your former members had asked for ideas on how to advance the faction lore and make it more realistic and attractive. Here was my suggestion:

I have already contacted Jazzi D about my suggestion and he already made the proposition in the Gaian's Guard player request. I am simply posting it here in order to be discussed by the rest of the community.

---

The idea is that while GRN is being heavily occupied in the Leeds front with the combined Bretonian/Libertonian offensive, the jump hole connecting Lewis to Okrney is vanished and the Gaians are the first to discover it. Their leaders hold a secret meeting and discuss the possibilities which have arisen from that development. And they decide to attack their former allies simultaneously in both Edinburgh and Lewis. Their attack will be a total success since they caught the Gallics in surprise while no reinforcements could be brought from Leeds (because of the Lib/Bret assault) and from Gallia (because of the jump hole collapse).

That is a plausible way to restore the Gaian faction and fix the weird diplomatic approaches they had in several issues resulting in making the faction undesirable and bad for roleplaying them. Some other major advantages are the following:
- It provides a good RP reason why the Bretonians/Liberty achieved victory in Leeds because no Royal reinforcements ever came from Edinburgh.
- It provides a good reason to isolate Lewis and eventually remove it from the mod as part of the Great Guard System Cull which is important in order to decrease the number of useless systems and thus achieve more interactions because of the current player pool of Discovery.

What do you think of it? Finally, much love to Sauron and looking forward for the event with Bowex!

[TheSauron]

I like the idea, but I really doubt it will happen.

Thanks for love, will put it to a good use.

Also, "former" member?

---

One MD Admiral

[Vito]

Nevermind that, the GG-gaians are cool.

---

The Corsair Trade Company

Information | Feedback | Communication Center | Recruitment

[Wraga]

Love and weed and apologise.

---

[Marburg]

Might be better if you add them on hostile and add a (NAP) next to it then. (NAP = Non-Aggression Pact)

Also, one of your former members had asked for ideas on how to advance the faction lore and make it more realistic and attractive. Here was my suggestion:

I have already contacted Jazzi D about my suggestion and he already made the proposition in the Gaian's Guard player request. I am simply posting it here in order to be discussed by the rest of the community.

---

The idea is that while GRN is being heavily occupied in the Leeds front with the combined Bretonian/Libertonian offensive, the jump hole connecting Lewis to Okrney is vanished and the Gaians are the first to discover it. Their leaders hold a secret meeting and discuss the possibilities which have arisen from that development. And they decide to attack their former allies simultaneously in both Edinburgh and Lewis. Their attack will be a total success since they caught the Gallics in surprise while no reinforcements could be brought from Leeds (because of the Lib/Bret assault) and from Gallia (because of the jump hole collapse).

That is a plausible way to restore the Gaian faction and fix the weird diplomatic approaches they had in several issues resulting in making the faction undesirable and bad for roleplaying them. Some other major advantages are the following:
- It provides a good RP reason why the Bretonians/Liberty achieved victory in Leeds because no Royal reinforcements ever came from Edinburgh.
- It provides a good reason to isolate Lewis and eventually remove it from the mod as part of the Great Guard System Cull which is important in order to decrease the number of useless systems and thus achieve more interactions because of the current player pool of Discovery.

What do you think of it? Finally, much love to Sauron and looking forward for the event with Bowex!

Just a couple things I want to point out real quick: I don't remember the Mollies I negotiated with, but I was the guy that agreed to the 1st Gaian/Molly NAP...& to this day, it remains one of my biggest regrets during my time leading the NLH (& trust me, I 'effed up ALOT during my leadership run) I've learned from experience that NAPs 'tween Gaians & Mollies are a really bad idea & I submit that for anyone that may try to argue that times have changed, I state that history is circular & it's insane to repeat history expecting different results...but technically, no one has to take my word for it. Everyone has to learn & burn in their own way.

If I were a student on Cambridge protesting the idea, I'd be the one holding the sign saying: "NAPs ARE FOR FAPS"

& as far as attacking the Gauls...I love the idea & would be the 1st to drink their blood out of their own skulls & piss it back out onto their graves drawing out drunken dirt angels where they rot, but given the size of the Gaian Movement as opposed to the Gallic Navy, I don't see a scenario where even if we do succeed in a surprise attack, they don't eventually come back in force to crush us all like a bug within the time span of a single growing season.

I theorize what we need are cells of Maquis-alligned Gallic Gaians that can infiltrate the Navy over time & throw some
sabo in their tage.

---

[TheSauron]

The Gaian Guard merged itself with the Eden Initiative and our info page received some nice looks, made by @Mirdynn.

Now praise.

---

One MD Admiral

[thisDerius]

If you are going to fight with spamming, shield running AND silent engaging, don't fight at all.

---