Well-Known Member
|:| |:| |:| The Metatheran Cartel |:| |:| |:|
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION- Intent: Bring an Ancient Trade Organization into the Fold of the Trade Federation
- Image Credits:
- Canon: Metatheran Cartel
- Permissions: Not Applicable
- Links:
- Organisation Name: The Metatheran Cartel
- Classification: Commerce & Trade Organization
- Affiliation: The Trade Federation
- Organisation symbol:
- Description: The Metatheran Cartel is a conglomerate that is responsible for trade and commerce across the entire Cularin System. It commands nearly 90% of the freighters entering and exiting the system, extracting taxes and fees on independent merchants moving across its territory. It wielded significant power at the peak of its influence under the rule of the Galactic Empire over the galaxy.
- Headquarters: Platform city of Tindark
- Domain:
- Notable Assets:
- Hierarchy: The Metatheran Cartel is lead by the Grand Master Trader, either a member of the Caarites and the Filordi species who directs the day to day operations, with a Vice-President of Commerce serving underneath them. The Operations Director is appointed by the Viceroy of the Galactic Trade Federation on recommendation of the GMT and the VPC. The Cartel answers to the Trade Federation of Planets, to which the GMT is a honorary member of.
- High Command
- Grand Master Trader
- Vice President of Commerce
- Operations Director
- Command
- Financial Analyst
- Market Strategist
- Shipping Supervisor
- Supply Chain Coordinator
- Lower Ranks
- Logistics Manager
- Quartermaster
- Master Trader
- Senior Trader
- Junior Trader
- Apprentice
- Initiate
- Membership:
- Any citizen of the Cularin System may become a member of the Metatheran Cartel by applying at an approved merchant office. While they frequently limit their selection to candidates possessing the necessary qualifications, such as a background in accounting or business management, they may also consider individuals with expertise in criminal matters to make agreements with the various criminal underworlders. The majority of top positions are held by members of the Caarites and the Filordi, as they are the original founders of the Cartel.
- Climate:
- The Metatheran Cartel operates as a merchant commune. The distribution of resources and duties is a collaborative effort between its members and foreign corporations, aimed at ensuring the smooth transportation of goods and services within the Cularin System. Although, The Cartel is well known for engaging in corrupt practices, such as corporate sabotage and harassing of independent merchants. Often, only those displaying enough ruthlessness can advance in the leadership hierarchy.
- Reputation:
- The Metatheran Cartel is commonly perceived as a corrupt yet benevolent entity, permitting foreign businesses and individual traders to function within its framework as long as they contribute a portion of their profits. Those who refuse to pay the operational charges may experience disruptions in their shipments and have their merchandise taken by alleged 'Pirates', only to be resold to the very organization they were stolen from at a later time.
- Curios:
- Metatheran Cartel attire consisted of dark gray flight suits with a design of four silver stars placed on the left breast. Officers were distinguished by red bars on their collars.
- Rules:
- The Metatheran Cartel impliments regulations and taxes on both residents and external merchants within the Cularin System in order to support the goals of the Trade Federation of Planets, who frequently influences strategic choices and fills the group with its own associates in order to keep the Cartel in line.
- Goals:
- The Metatheran Cartel has two primary objectives at present. The initial goal focuses on incorporating additional systems into the cartel through an enlarged merchant fleet. This strategy aims to facilitate the Cartel's smooth transition into the Galactic Economy by gaining authority over essential resources. The second goal involves establishing a strong backup corporation for the Trade Federation in case they face difficulties during the Galactic Alliance-Dark Empire War.
The Metatheran Cartel chose the Cularin system as the starting place to build up their own power base, opposing the Trade Federation and inviting the Sullustans and other species to operate in Cularin. The Trade Federation was busy with the Naboo blockade, but hired pirates to harass Cartel shipping.
This conflict was known locally as the Trade Wars. When word spread of the Federation's loss at the Battle of Naboo, the pirates believed they would not be paid and changed sides due to an offer of the Cartel. This ended the conflict.
Despite breaking off from the Trade Federation, it wasn't a philosophical split. In addition to having legitimate business concerns, the Metatheran Cartel employed many similar tactics as the Federation. Nevertheless, as soon as the Cartel had strengthened its hold on Cularin, it turned against the piracy using patrol ships. They could not, however, stop the piracy altogether.
The Cartel made extensive agreements with both SoroSuub Corporation and Sienar Fleet Systems, offering them partnership with preferential trade status, but not membership in the Cartel. They hired, sponsored and pursued smugglers to obtain illegal goods and to handle competitors; they hired pirates to attack smugglers and opposed businesses.
The leaders of the Cartel pursued their individual agendas, not worrying about the Cartel's long-term goals. There was no central business organization within the Cartel, so individual Cartel leaders could end up working at cross purposes accidentally, with speakers trying to repair the P.R. debacle later.
The Cartel would carry on business operations, switching sides when convient during the Current Galactic Chaos Era. By 900 ABY, the Galactic Trade Federation exerted pressure on the Cartel to join the Federation, guaranteeing the protection of profits.
