This is the storyline post for the Hispanic factions and other factions (such as Zoners etc)
This was intended to be posted a few months ago. For whatever reason, it wasn't.
Some information may not be entirely accurate but it should give a general view on things.
Hispania
Corsairs
Rumors are circulating that the Corsair Elders were aware of Gallia's existence long before 817 A.S. Unlike the Junkers, many Corsairs were actually inspired by the rumors, considering the alliance with Gallia the way to gain the upper hand in their long-term feud with the Outcasts, and to take the place that the Corsairs deserve among the other Sirius Houses. Much like Gallia, although in different circumstances, the Corsairs were betrayed and orphaned on their route to Sirius, and now they see a chance to gain as much power and wealth as any other House has had before. How can they pass it up?
However, even if the Corsairs were aware of Gallia's existence, does this truly mean that they can enter an alliance? Nowadays, when Gallia is accumulating its forces on the borders of Bretonia, the Corsairs in the Omega systems bordering with Bretonia are surprisingly inactive, with only minor developments taking place. Sources indicate that the Corsair military buildup in Omega-47 and Omega-49 continues, as Casablanca Base was captured by the Corsairs from the Hessians. The goals of Corsairs and their possible link to Gallia should become more clear as Gallia launches a full-scale offensive against Bretonia with its whole power.
It is likely that loose ties that existed between the Junkers and Corsairs in some parts of Rheinland and Bretonia could lead to certain agreements between high-ranking Corsairs and certain parties in Gallia, but it is doubtful that those ties are related to a possibility of military alliance. Of all Sirius nations, the Corsairs are the closest to Sol, binge able to provide access to areas essential for observing the Sol area. According to some sources, Gallia is interested in finding a way to Sol for reasons yet unknown. Corsairs could provide such opportunity, since Gallia is located two times farther from Sol than Omicron Gamma.
The front line in Omicron Eta remains relatively stable. Large forces of both Outcasts and Corsairs are present in the system, but there were no significant developments in the year 818 A.S., possibly with the exception that the Outcasts managed to build a base inside one of the hollows within the mine field, closing down one of the paths that Corsair raiders were using to attack Palermo.
Relative status-quo in the relations with the Outcasts may result in an attempt by the Corsairs to repeat the Rheinland invasion. The first attempt to put the “Road into Rheinland” plan into action had failed earlier, but now the republic is weakened by the war with Liberty and will not be so well-prepared for invasion. Also, the seemingly calm Sigma sector is not at all prepared to counter potential advances of the Corsairs, who can gain strategic benefits from establishing their bases in Sigma-13, Frankfurt and/or Munich.
The Corsairs won a decisive victory in the war against the Red Hessians by re-capturing the long lost Casablanca Base. The base was heavily damaged in the process, yet it remains a valuable strategic point ensuring the safely of Corsair fleets that are going to be relocated to Omega-49 shortly.
Outcasts
The Outcasts were caught completely unaware of Gallia's existence, but they showed ability to adapt to the changing circumstances. Soon after the Council opened the path to Lorraine, Outcast scouts discovered that the system would be quite vulnerable to sporadic Outcast raids. Very soon, the Council of Dons sanctioned a large-scale expedition to Lorraine and beyond, which returned with minimal casualties and reported extensive information on the situation in Gallia.
It appeared that the Gallic Royal Police and Gallic Royal Navy are not prepared to deal with a new, guerilla-style force represented by multiple and versatile fighter wings, more skilled and numerous than formations that the Gallic native pirates usually used. As for the local pirates, they were seemingly neutral to the newcomers and prefer to avoid them rather than attack. The Council, however, was the faction that the Outcasts initially attacked in Omicron-80 by mistake, and they did not prove particularly tolerant. Even for the Council, however, the presence of common enemies such as Royal Police and Royal Navy opens possibility for further negotiations.
The black market of Gallia is very rich, and has a great potential for Outcasts to sell massive amounts of Cardamine. Trading goods to and from Gallia could be a profitable business as well. Generally, despite the high pirate activity in Gallia, the Outcasts could easily gain foothold in some of the Border World systems like Lorraine and Champagne. Building a base in one of the Lorraine asteroid fields had already started. Some of the local pirate groups, like the Junkers and the Unione Corse, could potentially become allies for the Outcasts; with others, the Outcasts plan to reach an agreement to share spheres of influence.
The Corsair activities in Omicron Eta and in Sigma systems are declining, and Outcasts consider this decline a result of fierce resistance showed by Outcast pilots. In fact, the most probable reason is that the Corsairs are regrouping their forces for other operations. The situation in Taus got surprisingly safer for the Outcasts after the arrival of Gallic ships, who rarely patrol remote areas of the systems they occupy and are only concerned about security of their fleets and supply lines. Cardamine routes that were threatened by the extensive Kusari presence in Tau-31 have been re-established. Meanwhile they continue to receive and give discreet support and under-the-table deals with Bretonia, their common emnity against Kusari now transferred to Gallia and, if anything, intensified.
The Outcasts even managed to establish contact with the most dangerous of their neighbors, the Nomads. Residing on a small space station within the Omicron-99 system, a few Outcasts in charge of this operation managed to get to an understanding with local Nomads and reach a sort of uneasy truce that would guarantee the Outcast home world from possible aggression in case Outcasts ships will not go into Nomad-controlled space. Another point for negotiations is Liquid Cardamine, a more efficient form of Cardamine that the Outcasts are hoping to receive.
Overall, things look quite optimistic for the Outcasts, who now have sufficient resources for their Gallic expansion projects.
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Other Factions
Zoners
The Zoners, along with the IMG, were among the first Sirius inhabitants to get to Gallia in their own ships. Gallic pirate groups, and the Council, offered them help, since trade (and information exchange) with Sirius could be of great value for the Gallic unlawful factions. Now, when the path to Gallia in Orkney is controlled by the Royal Navy, the exchange has become increasingly difficult. Yet, secret mine passages in Orkney do provide some opportunities for small ships to slip through, and Gallic ships rarely patrol remote areas of Orkney and Tau-23. Civilian pilots who can reach an agreement with the Outcasts can use the alternative passage in Omicron-80.
The Zoner population in Tau-29 that stayed in relative safety during the Bretonia-Kusari War (due to Kusari advancing so far that Bretonia could hardly get to the Freeport 6 area) found itself on the front line between Kusari and Gallia when the fighting between two nations moved from Tau-31 to Tau-29. Yet, the fights were surprisingly sporadic and did not pose much danger to civilian ships or the station itself, because the Houses had already entered secret negotiations on ending the conflict peacefully. Now, the populace of Freeport 6 is increasing, mainly due to new arrivals from Bretonia, Kusari and even Gallia. Zoner business opportunities are increasing, since Zoner traders are now capable of negotiating with Gallia, the IMG, the Council, and even the Outcasts, for Freeport-6 is now in the demilitarized zone that neither Gallia nor Kusari patrols are allowed to enter. Occasional skirmishes still occur in the vicinity of the Freeport, since the Outcasts and IMG don’t particularly like each other, but danger always accompanies high profits.
In other areas of Sirius, the Zoners also enjoyed a significant increase in trade both with lawful and unlawful parties. With the House militaries getting involved into their own affairs, contraband goods can be carried in the Independent Worlds and in the Border Worlds with relative safety, and Zoners, among others, take a share of increasing counterfeit profits.
Overall, the increase of funding did not encourage any centripetal movements amongst numerous Zoner colonies. Many Zoners are against entering military alliances or participating in large-scale events, supporting the use of military power only for self-defense. Many Zoner colonies remain out of bounts of charted space, and new colonies in remote systems where few ships ever appear are being established. Deep space exploration funded by some Zoner groups has revealed a lot of exciting discoveries that are yet to be brought to public and analyzed. It is not surprising then that many colonies have little contact with others, animosity has developed between some and the idea of a 'unified' Zoner people is seen widely as impossible.
Nomad worlds remain an important part of the Zoner agenda, although it is still uncertain for many why would a peaceful faction try to establish its presence in the most dangerous area of Sirius space. Several reasons are being named, including artifact trade profits and scientific opportunities not present anywhere else in Sirius. Some think that the Zoner astronomers are trying to find a route that would eventually lead to Sol and to Earth, ancient home of humans from where Sleeper Ships departed over one thousand years ago.
An important development occurred in the Omicrons where relations between an organised group of Zoners and the Corsair Empire dropped to dangerous levels and still remain low. Hostilities frequently occur between the two parties and other smaller groups.
Independent Miners Guild
The IMG played a significant role in establishing relations between the Council and the rest of Sirius. IMG entered into long-term deals with the Council in order for the latter to find a new home in the Roussillon system. Many IMG actually joined the Council on Planet Toulouse in order to build a new, independent world that neither Houses nor large pirate groups could claim as their own.
Dealings with the Council, however, did not prevent the IMG from reaching a secret non-aggression pact with Gallic Royal Navy in order to secure its operations in the Tau sector. The war with the Council was no longer on high priority for the Gallic Royal Navy, for quick assault on Sirius was now number one on their agenda. At some later date, when no one in Sirius will be able to stand against it, the Royal Navy will deal with the Council in Gallia and elsewhere.
However, the majority of the IMG do not support the pact and consider Gallia a hostile power. The majority of IMG sympathise the Council, but it is evident that the Guild does not have sufficient military power to take on the Royal Navy, even with the Council as an ally. Moreover, the Outcasts who closely follow the Tau developments will surely use the opportunity to enter an unscrupulous deal with the GRN themselves in order to eliminate IMG presence in Taus once and for all.
Additionally, there is a party within IMG suspicious of the reasons why the Gallic Royal Navy chose not to pursue the Council into Roussillon, although it remains uncertain if Gallia has trustworthy information sources about the new system where Council is expanding. This party considers the benefits of Council deal to be short-term, with harsh and long-term negative consequences to follow in the near future.
Relations between the IMG and the Colonial Republic suffered a blow in 817 A.S. when the CR allied itself with Kusari and offered Kusari Naval Forces free passage into the Tau-23 system. Since then however, the Kusari-Colonial alliance has been dissolved and IMG-Colonial relations have increased, whilst Kusari-Colonial relations decreased. As IMG-Colonial relations continued to increase, the two parties signed a defensive alliance pact, ensuring a joint response to any aggression.
The Gallic invasion of the Tau's and the IMG's lack of military response has left many citizens in the Republic calling for an end to the IMG alliance. However the IMG's grant of Pecos, their continued economic funding and their intelligence support have managed to convince the Republic's leadership to maintain the alliance, even if it has already been broken.
The IMG has recently faced a deterioration in relations with Rheinland, or Daumann specifically. Aggressive language and not-so-covert mercenary funding by Daumann forced a response from the IMG. Tensions were high for a brief period, before the Rheinland and IMG authorities found a suitable compromise.
Gas Miners Guild
The Gas Miners Guild enjoys a relatively calm period in its history, with its arch rival – the Outcasts – pursuing other, strategically important goals, and engaging more dangerous foes elsewhere. Sigma systems, despite the dangers, are more like safe haven compared to other Border Words regions like Taus, which are now under the control of Gallia, or Omegas, where the Wild are becoming a threat that local factions find increasingly difficult to counter, and which Gallia could reach in a matter of a year or two from now.
Disturbing reports come from Omicron Theta about a significant increase in Corsair activities in the area, which may prove to be early preparations for a repeated attack against Rheinland. Yet, the attack is hardly a threat for the GMG, and after the 80-Year War few members of the Guild consider Rheinland a friendly state.
GMG did not establish any official connections with the Gallic government, but some GMG traders accepted the offer of free trade passage with Gallia and ventured into the unknown worlds to explore new trading opportunities. Because of them and other independent traders, certain trade routes were established between Sirius and Gallia. Some of them provided ridiculous profits during the first months of their existence, but prices were soon modified following the laws of supply and demand. Still, Gallia is a remote area, and traders risky enough to venture there can still get some of the best deals available in the colonies.
There was a brief period where relations between the GMG and Kusari were strained as issues over Kurile's ownership were raised. Although some limited violence took place, relations have since been stabilised.
Junkers
Two Junker leaders, Olivier de Montfort from Gallia and James Farrell from Liberty, held a meeting at Lodeve in the middle of 818 A.S. Farrell, who replaced the former Junker leaders in a bloody coup that took place on Rochester Base in New York in the beginning of the same year, intended to establish Junkers as a united faction, continuing to use the Junker resources to get involved in the rich black market of Gallia. Montfort, a lawyer and community leader from Chateau-Gautier (Maine) where the new Gallic Junker are now located, was most concerned about Junkers regaining their reputation, which was damaged by comprehensive evidence of Junkers being involved into gathering intelligence in Sirius and secret dealings with the Gallic government and Special Forces. Gallic factions such as Brigands and Maquis now saw Junkers as traitors, and no longer intended to allow Junkers to interfere with their black market operations.
The meeting at Lodeve, despite being a productive one, failed to unify Junker factions, producing two separate groups with different leadership: Sirius Junkers, usually referred to simply as Junkers, and Gallic Junkers.
Gallic Junkers are facing a tough situation. The government doesn't need them anymore, since their espionage services in Sirius were among the few valuable things they could offer. In the course of the last year, the faction was severely weakened, with feuds for leadership taking place on many stations (although none of them matched up to what occured in Sirius). Black market niches that the Junkers previously occupied in Gallia are now taken by pirate groups and even the Council. To regain their trust, Montfort is attempting to cleanse the ranks of Gallic Junkers from collaborators and government agents and to establish trade ties with Sirius Junkers and other Sirius factions. Additionally, the Junkers aid GMG, Zoners and independent traders from Sirius who come to Gallia in pursue of lucrative trade opportunities. Much-needed services and guidance don't come free of charge, and Junker funds which were nearly empty by the middle of 818 A.S. are slowly filling up again.
Sirius Junkers also faced challenges in the course of the recent years, with power struggle and financial disputes leading to bloody conflicts on many Junker bases, notably in Liberty, and even occasional fighting in space. After several Junkers from Rochester were exposed to be Gallic Junker agents, they were brutally tortured and gave up their ties to other Junker leaders and lower-ranking agents. Moreover, several Junkers who originated from Gallia were exposed in the process, as well as several families with distinct Gallic origin.
The expositions lead to an open conflict that resulted in an array of brutal killings and shootouts in Rochester, Beaumont and Buffalo. Interestingly, both sides hired Liberty Rogues to fight on their side, but anti-Gallic forces lead by Farrell had a vast superiority. Gallic agents who could escape did so, but some were chased and shot down in space. Some escaped to Gallia and to Zoner bases where they could enjoy relative safety. Some joined the Council in Roussillon.
Only afterwards the Junkers learned that most of their funds were also controlled by Gallic agents who managed to transfer them beyond the reach of new Gallic leaders. It is rumored that part of the money that Council paid the IMG for their Roussillon operations were former Junker money transferred by Liberty banks.
Colonial Republic
Exiled.
The Colonial Republic has suffered a blow at the hands of the Gallic forces.
With a GRN invasion force enroute, the vast majority of the Republic was evacuated safely. Battles ensued within Tau-23 and eventually, through death or through escape, the entire Republic's forces and population left Tau space.
Their destination was Coronado, a relatively untouched system.
The IMG, the Republic's old allies, allowed them to settle on Pecos and establish themselves in the system.
The Republic went about this with relish, using rapid excavation techniques to carve out great caverns on Pecos to house the most important aspects of the Colonial nation.
Settlements sprung up on the surface and soon the Republic was once again established in a new home. Although having constructed an operational shipyard, it cannot yet produce capital ships in great numbers. However new, more efficient, ship designs have been finalised by the military's researchers, leading to the potential for new growth in the fleet. Positioned in orbit of Planet Yuma, it may prove to be the key to a Colonial attempt at colonising the hostile planet.
Coronado is not solely inhabited by the IMG however. The pirates and freelancers that frequent the system have proven to be cautious of the new power in the system. However the Republic has yet to take any measures against Barrier Gate, or the trade flowing to and from it.
DSE is another potential contender in the system. Although the Armstrong was destroyed by pirates, DSE have stated their intention to return to the system with a larger force. Yuma However the Liberty-Rheinland war and the destruction of the Armstrong in a seemingly peaceful system has left many executives and share holders wary of another expensive venture to Coronado. During DSE's tenure in the system, they had begun construction of a docking ring above Yuma. This expensive project - due to all goods having to be shipped without jumpholes - still remains unfinished above Yuma. While DSE may be involved in the future, it would seem that they have lost their presence in Coronado for the foreseable future.
Settled in Coronado, the Republic faces an uncertain future. Surrounded by friend and foe alike, it is a crucial time in the naton's future. The could Republic strive to be an independent and lawful entity in the often lawless borderworlds, or it may succumb to it's chaotic past and become much like it's new neighbours, lawless.
If any of this seems odd, please point it out. It's old at this point and so may be missing bits of information or could contradict other things.
Outcasts: I don't get why can't GRP/GRN deal with guerilla warfare, they face it every day while fighting the Maquis. The Council makes some use of it too, since it can't afford direct confrontation with GRN.
Corsairs: I don't like this weird focus on OC-Corsairs conflict. While officialy it's world war for them, in fact I find their relations to be rather of unfriendly nature. Some Corsairs I won't point to are known for supporting truce with Outcasts (at the very least). Reasons for this war are weird, breaking off vanilla storyline. However since it's not revelant to mod development, I still don't like Corsairs having rumours about Gallia. While rumours themselves aren't bad, I'm completely assured majority of players will present them not as rumours, but as exact, confirmed information operated by the Elders. I also don't like this kind of diplomacy, 'enemy of our enemy is our friend' (I mean Gallia-Corsairs supposed relationship). It's primitive, as for me. Of course it's just a game, but recently we've created a lot of difficult introductions, so I guess making diplomacy a bit more tricky won't hurt.
GMG's arch enemy is Samura, isn't it? Outcasts are annoying, but for some price (such as access to alien organisms and gas) GMG can easily put aside any differences with Maltese.
That's being said, I've said nothing new to anyone, and I doubt anyone will agree with me, as it was discussed already billions of times.
Of course if this's description of player faction activities, then better note it somewhere. Then I'm sorry for intrefering.
Interesting to see some reference to player actions during the course of 4.85. Only one word I would change in the matter of the GMG:
' Wrote:Gas Miners Guild
The Gas Miners Guild enjoys a relatively calm period in its history, with its arch rival ' the Outcasts ' pursuing other, strategically important goals, and engaging more dangerous foes elsewhere. Sigma systems, despite the dangers, are more like safe haven compared to other Border Words regions like Taus, which are now under the control of Gallia, or Omegas, where the Wild are becoming a threat that local factions find increasingly difficult to counter, and which Gallia could reach in a matter of a year or two from now.
Disturbing reports come from Omicron Theta about a significant increase in Corsair activities in the area, which may prove to be early preparations for a repeated attack against Rheinland. Yet, the attack is hardly a threat for the GMG, and after the 80-Year War few members of the Guild consider Rheinland an <strike>friendly</strike> enemy state.
GMG did not establish any official connections with the Gallic government, but some GMG traders accepted the offer of free trade passage with Gallia and ventured into the unknown worlds to explore new trading opportunities. Because of them and other independent traders, certain trade routes were established between Sirius and Gallia. Some of them provided ridiculous profits during the first months of their existence, but prices were soon modified following the laws of supply and demand. Still, Gallia is a remote area, and traders risky enough to venture there can still get some of the best deals available in the colonies.
There was a brief period where relations between the GMG and Kusari were strained as issues over Kurile's ownership were raised. Although some limited violence took place, relations have since been stabilised.
With the exception of Kruger, the GMG and Rheinland have enjoyed at least neutral relations - including passage rights - for a long time now. Even during the provocations of the Kurile Crisis, both sides maintained discipline and did not fire on each other.
And of course, with gas mining coming into play, the Sigmas might not be quite as peaceful as this lore makes out - but overall it seems that the Hispanics have higher priorities in 4.86 - always time for piracy though!
I agree with everything Elven said about the Corsairs. There is no Corsair - Outcast war, people need to get their head around that idea. The Sigmas are not big enough for both nations but the fights should not go further then some minor skirmishes over pirating spots. All the official factions have made big efforts in getting the indies to understand that and the presented storyline will only fuel the lolraids and brainless fighting.
Something like "occasional fights between 'sairs and 'casts are still seen in the Sigmas but things did not escalate to a higher level of hostility and with both nations being involved in conflicts on the other side of their controlled space the conflict between them is likely to cool down even more" would have been much better.
I'm also sad because Eta was not removed even tho' both the Corsairs and Outcast factions have said they're against it numerous times
The Corsair-Gallic relations are, in my opinion, another mistake. Like the previous posts says, the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" crap gave birth to a lot of fail alliances in Sirius and I do not want to see yet another one. All three faction can limit themselves to a restricted interaction with the Gallic factions but having those lines in the mod lore will make it impossible for us to control the indies/lolwuts and I don't want to see Legates and Valors working together in Dublin or Leeds
' Wrote:Something like "occasional fights between 'sairs and 'casts are still seen in the Sigmas but things did not escalate to a higher level of hostility and with both nations being involved in conflicts on the other side of their controlled space the conflict between them is likely to cool down even more" would have been much better.
That is actually not a bad description. Whatever one thinks of the lore pertaining to Hispanic Wars - both nations do indeed have bigger fish to fry in 4.86 - Gallia for the Outcasts and the Omegas (and the Houses of Rheinland and Bretonia) for the Corsairs.
' Wrote:I'm also sad because Eta was not removed even tho' both the Corsairs and Outcast factions have said they're against it numerous times
Whilst its not removed, the path of shortest distance between the Hispanic nations has been changed - take a look for yourself when they get it up and running you will see its not so bad now.
' Wrote:The Corsair-Gallic relations are, in my opinion, another mistake. Like the previous posts says, the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" crap gave birth to a lot of fail alliances in Sirius and I do not want to see yet another one. All three faction can limit themselves to a restricted interaction with the Gallic factions but having those lines in the mod lore will make it impossible for us to control the indies/lolwuts and I don't want to see Legates and Valors working together in Dublin or Leeds
For Gallic Junkers (barring character names may not be around anymore) is that all of it was found easily in rumours. The only thing that pops at me is as below I believe. Would be interested in how they aid those factions.
Quote:Additionally, the Junkers aid GMG, Zoners and independent traders from Sirius who come to Gallia in pursue of lucrative trade opportunities.
This doesnt make sense. The Outcasts might not have known the extent of Gallia, but they knew SOMETHING was there. Thats why they built Genoa in the first place. AND Kirkwall.
How could the Corsairs have known about Gallia?! They are literally the farthest group FROM Gallia. Unless some Gallic got REALLY lost with a load of escargot, I dont see how they could have had any clue.
' Wrote:I agree with everything Elven said about the Corsairs. There is no Corsair - Outcast war, people need to get their head around that idea. The Sigmas are not big enough for both nations but the fights should not go further then some minor skirmishes over pirating spots. All the official factions have made big efforts in getting the indies to understand that and the presented storyline will only fuel the lolraids and brainless fighting.
Something like "occasional fights between 'sairs and 'casts are still seen in the Sigmas but things did not escalate to a higher level of hostility and with both nations being involved in conflicts on the other side of their controlled space the conflict between them is likely to cool down even more" would have been much better.
I'm also sad because Eta was not removed even tho' both the Corsairs and Outcast factions have said they're against it numerous times
The Corsair-Gallic relations are, in my opinion, another mistake. Like the previous posts says, the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" crap gave birth to a lot of fail alliances in Sirius and I do not want to see yet another one. All three faction can limit themselves to a restricted interaction with the Gallic factions but having those lines in the mod lore will make it impossible for us to control the indies/lolwuts and I don't want to see Legates and Valors working together in Dublin or Leeds
Not true, Im sure the news and infocards on sair and corsair bases talk about "the war that never ends" in the omicrons between sairs and casts.
Also there was a news on the liberty rogue base talking about the war between outcast and sairs, and one talking about the big alliances they made to fight each other. Seems they are at war
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