↑ Overview Name: The Custodi Tag: C:: ID: Corsair ID IFF: Corsairs
↑ History
After the Cretan planetfall the Corsairs found themselves without basic resources needed to sustain life on such a hostile planet. The lack of food and water pushed some to hunt whatever little game was near the arid equatorial regions of the planet, others attempted to grow and harvest crops in the hot climate. Over the initial years of Cretan settlement a group of colonists decided to venture away from the equator towards the more fertile and lush lands.
Those people eventually settled in the northern temperate regions of the planet, colonizing what later would be most of the fertile grounds of Crete. Before the Cretan population constructed first spaceships and ventured on first expeditions to chart the neighboring space, the northern colonists, now calling themselves the Custodi - Preservers, have grown richer and more powerful amongst the Corsair society, using their fortunate geographical location to trade food and attract workers to their cities.
Originally the Custodi worked very closely with the equatorial population of Crete, trading their crops for minerals, constructing ships and attending expeditions. Indeed the Custodi were the first to chart and name the only moon of Planet Crete - Kalhmera. However after the second century A.S., the cultural divide between the other Corsairs and the Custodi started growing, eventually limiting their relations only to trade.
At the location of their first settlement the Custodi built the High City of Heraklion. It earned its nickname being the northernmost situated city on Crete and eventually it became the central hub for storing, processing and transporting food from all the lands claimed by the Custodi - the lands they named Attica.
The High City of Heraklion
After the second century the Custodi all but ceased their expeditions into space, instead focusing on their matters planetside. Unlike the other Corsair societies, the people of the High City maintained a strictly structured political system. They preserved the culture of their ancestors, who they believed to be ancient Greeks. Indeed, the Greek language is taught and studied by many Custodi and proficiency in using it is a sign of social status.
Over the centuries the culture of the Custodi has not changed majorly, with the notable exception of adopting the Cult of Archangels as the major religion in the High City. Heraklion was mostly free from the regulations set in place by the Council of Elders due to its special status as a food supplier.
↑ Present day
Current day Attica mostly comprises of farmlands and orchards, giving the Corsair population much needed grain, fruit and wood. The lack of technological advancement of Crete has not allowed for means of more efficient food production than simple extensive farming.
Golden Plains
The politics of Heraklion are strictly structured and, unlike the aristocracy of the Council of Elders, is based on the forms of ancient Athenian democracy. The primary legislative organ of the Custodi society is the Ecclesia which comprises of any citizens over thirty years of age willing to participate in a popular assembly. One of the primary matters of the Ecclesia is the selection of Archon who represents the executive branch of government and is reelected every eight years. Additionally, the Ecclesia also appoints Justiciar who represents the Supreme Court of Heraklion and as such is responsible for the judicial branch of the Custodian politics system. The title of the Justiciar is given for life and since the third century has traditionally been given to one of the priests or priestesses of the Cult of Archangels.
Heraklion Amphitheater
The Custodian society preserve their cultural identity and are tied to their symbolism much more than other Corsairs. The symbol of the Broken Delta is seen all over the High City. The delta symbolizes reluctance to changes and attachment to tradition. The light green color stands for the fertile lands of Attica.
Additionally, many Custodi hold certain beliefs about the origin of Cretan Artifacts. While not explicitly confirmed or denied, the theory that Artifacts found in such abundance on Crete belonged to the Nomads or the Daam K'Vosh is not very popular. Instead, they are believed to have been used by another prehuman civilization that we have not yet learned of. Some even hold a belief that members of that species visited humans in the times of ancient Earth civilizations and have been adopted as ancient polytheistic deities.
Nowadays, the Custodi have again got interested in space, seeking to build a fleet and at the very least establish a presence in the skies. Led by the current Archon Aesop, the Custodi are more than eager to again attempt an expansion into space, much like they did in the first centuries.
↑ Goals
• To provide the Cretan population with food and to improve the yields.
• To establish relations with groups from outside the Corsair Empire.
• To aid the forces of other Corsairs in battle.
• To increase the power of Custodi within the Cretan society.
• To promote Custodi culture among the peoples of Sirius.
Liberty Corporations
Orbital Spa and Cruise
Gaians
Everyone else
Mollys
Gaian Guard
Rheinland Authorities
Rheinland Corporations
Liberty Authorities
Unioners
Outcasts
Nomads
Red Hessians
Gas Miners Guild
Bretonia Authorities
Bretonia Corporations
Colonial Republic
The Core
Apostatas
↑ Structure Archon Icarus I Augustopolos Ίκαρος Α' Αυγουστόπουλος
Formerly the General of Custodi, Icarus was elected Archon in 824 A.S. for his first term. Experienced in space affairs, Icarus is determined to bring Custodi out of obscurity and into the wide Sirian politics.
Justiciar Evangelia Kaya Ευαγγελία Κάγια
Evangelia Kaya is the Justiciar of the Custodi and a senior priestess of the Monastery of the Archangels. As the head of Heraklion's Supreme Court, she is responsible for the proper functioning of the justice system of the Custodian society.
General Dia Augustopolou Δία Αυγουστοπούλου
Lydia Augustopolou is the second General of the Custodi interstellar fleet, tasked with the oversight of Custodi assets in the skies. As daughter of Archon Icarus, Dia received thorough training and preparation for this post and will stop at nothing to further Custodi goals.
Ambassador Argus Nikitas Άργος Νικήτας
Argus Nikitas is one of the first Custodi pilots and the official Custodi Ambassador to the Council of Elders. The task of the Ambassador is to act as a liaison between the Council of Elders and the Custodi government.
↑ Settlements Planet Crete - Omicron Gamma
The homeland of all Corsairs is also the homeland of the Custodi. Generally focused around the northern part of the planet, Custodi settled the continent of Attica and built their magnificent High City of Heraklion. There are about fifteen million Custodi on Crete, however the population of Attica is slightly larger than that, accounting for many other Corsairs coming to those regions to work as farmhands. The High City itself accounts for about a third of that number, with several smaller cities scattered across Attica, the largest of which - Delphi - is home to about four hundred thousand people.
Lagos Depot - Sigma-13
Despite the general reluctance for Custodi to interfere in other Corsairs' affairs, a couple hundred went on and joined the Corsair navy, exploration squadrons or trade fleet. A good portion of them stayed on Lagos Depot in Sigma-13 and found common ground with other Corsairs on the frontier.
Rhodes Shipyard - Omicron Gamma
Several Custodi engineers and shipbuilders work on Rhodes to manufacture, maintain and repair their warships if necessary.