OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Image Source: Here.
Canon Link: N/A.
Development Thread: N/A.
Primary Source: Shadow Knights, Court of the Shadows.
CORPORATION INFORMATION
Corporation Name: Asuran Star Combine
Headquarters: Defiance - an Asur Worldship.
Locations:
- Arkas
- Ord Mantell
- Metellos
- Mobile operation centres.
- Smuggling
- Salvage
- Freight
- Shipbuilding & Repair
- Foodstuffs
Asuran Star Combine was founded by the Court of the Exchange, the section of the Shadow Knights responsible for merchants, traders and so on. The Shadow Knights do not control any planetary domains. Rather, they are centred on a nomad fleet. Their ideology stresses self-reliance and independence, as they regard dependence on foreign entities as a step towards subordination.
Thus the Combine was founded. However, it is not an independent business, but one that has been integrated into the overall command structure. The Shadows are a quite controlled society by requirement. They have set up specific courts dedicated to certain businesses or professions. In this case, the directors answer to the Court of the Exchange. The head of the Court holds the title of Magister and is indirectly elected by all members. The Combine's engages in salvage, which often involves cannibalising ships and machines left behind from various battles fought across the Galaxy.
The Combine has a flotilla of salvage, scouting and patrol ships to carry out its work. It works closely with the Starstriders, the Shadows' exploration corps, the Court of the Reaver, the partisans and raiders, and the Court of Providence, which encompasses the manufacturers. The Combine has been known to call upon the assistance of the Court of the Reaver for its more illicit ventures. Their facilities exploit resources found on gas giants, asteroids, stars, planetoids and other celestial bodies. Because the Shadow Knights do not control any fixed territory on the galactic map, most of the Exchange's work is done on ships and stations. These tend to be older than what is available to many galactic corporations, as the Shadow Knights do not have the resources of an interstellar government.
Once they have exhausted the resources of a certain area, they move on. However, the Shadow Knights are not interested in wars of conquest or going toe-to-toe with interstellar powers, as this would probably end with them losing. Their focus is on preserving their way of life, protecting their people and building a new home. Furthermore, the Combine offers shipping services. The basis of Shadow Knight society is a nomad fleet, so the Combine can offer ships and cargo space. This is less interesting for established corporations and galactic governments, but beneficial to minor, remote worlds as well as individuals at odds with the law. The Shadows refuse to make deals with slavers or individuals they consider inimical to their people, but do not care much beyond that.
Corruption is an issue, especially since the Shadows have a rather regimented society and there's a maximum wage. The Court of Shadows seeks to combat this through unforgiving inspections. These are carried out by intendants. Presently the Combine is led by Doreah Adanell, a Shadow Knight with a background as a salvager and smuggler. She brings a lot of experience acquired on often less than legal salvage operations to the table. Moreover, the Combine has the authority to conscript inhabitants of the nomad fleet whose skills are deemed vital for its work. Its party line emphasies recycling and disdains wastefulness, as resources are still scarce in the Shadow Knight movement. However, in a number of ways its ethos is less militarist than that of other branches of the Shadows. This is obvious since many of its employees have backgrounds as free captains, salvagers and so on. This has generated suspicion among more militarist and conformist branches of the Shadows. Fiscal incentives and other benefits are also employed as a carrot.
RATIONALE
The Asuran Star Combine answers to the Court of the Shadows, led by Archon Naesala Faethyra. It was created at her behest to bring the various independent, ad hoc business ventures in the nomad fleet under one umbrella. The corporation has been actively trying to recruit Eldorai who have grown disenchanted with the ancien régime, presenting itself as a vital component of a progressive movement that seeks to build a better future for the Eldorai people. However, many of its employees are former rebel fighters, smugglers and salvagers. While total autarky was impossible, the Shadow Knights strove to become as self-reliant as feasible. Moreover, ASC was also founded to better facilitate trade with external parties such as smugglers, foreign governments and corporations. In practical terms, the Combine is an extension of the rebel military junta.
Subsidiaries: N/A
Parent Corporation: N/A
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