The Buccaneers of Bruquens
(Or BFB for short)
(Flag by Emperor Myric, thanks.)
“By the rocks, in space we prevail!”
History
The Buccaneers of Bruquens is a fairly recent faction, having evolved in a galaxy of bustling interstellar activity.
They originate from an asteroid belt orbiting a gas giant in an unknown system.
Before their ascension into a space-faring species, the Qhuecons lived generally in peace. Though living on their asteroid belt wasn’t an easy feat, as such they grew a close connection through each other as each Qhuecon had to work together to survive. The challenge they faced in mere survival also spawned their religious belief, coming from sightings of space whales and fauna believed by them to be greater entities.
Their technological leap to FTL technology came from their native system being a tradehub in a frequently used route used by merchants. The problem the system faced was a high activity of pirates, leaving space wrecks of convoys, pirates and mercenaries alike for the Qhuecon to fetch and reverse engineer.
Having gained newfound intelligence, technology and a want of exploring the galaxy from the wrecks they found floating towards their belt, the Qhuecon spent many years deconstructing both ship and asteroid to craft their future vessels.
It took some time, but eventually they had made a large ship to house them all, capable of FTL travel. Their first ship, named “Bruquens” from what they called the space fauna. With this ship, the potential of traveling the stars was achieved, though they had to have some sort of governance to hold control and order. A full year was spent on the Bruquens, docked by the gas giant, working out a constitution. Each and every Qhuecon had their say in this constitution, and an agreement was achieved.
From then to recent times, the BFB has grown in size. Deconstructing other space wrecks and asteroids enabled them to expand their fleet. Therefore, they have grown to become a fleet-based faction. They have expanded their reaches as well, splitting up into several fleets though still under the same name and rule by the nature of their charters.
Biology
Appearance:
The main species of the Buccaneers of Bruquens are the Qhuecon.
Standing around 2 to 3 meters tall, with a wingspan of 1,5 to 2 meter, they resemble avians though they are lithoid in nature.
They are bipedal digitigrades, their feet are roughly circular and their toes are in a Heterodactyl arrangement for better grip in low gravity. They also carry 2 sets of arms: The first set acts much like a humanoid arm, 80cm long with 4 clawed fingers each, it is the stronger of the two sets. The secondary set of arms is a bit similar though smaller and weaker, 40cm long with 2 clawed fingers each, the set is mostly used to carry smaller objects or food.They have large, sharp claws both on their toes and hands.
The Qhuecon have 1-2 pairs of wings. Their wings are much more crystalline, appearing like protruding gemstones in vaguely wing-like shapes. The formation of the wings differ between individual Qhuecon.
Their skin is very much akin to rock in hardness, texture and appearance, and around their bodies, especially on their wings, are crystallic gemstone-like protrusions.
On their faces lies a large beak, resembling the beaks of toucans here on Earth, on which are multiple sets of dotted eyes often in a bright primary or secondary color. The insides of their beaks are very much like geodes in appearance, with a barbed crystalline tongue used like human teeth to crush their foods.
The Qhuecon species evolved in a low-to-no gravity environment, and consequently, they are weaker in a gravitational space.
Capabilities
The capabilities the Qhuecon possess in comparison to our human counterpart exemplify their development in extremely low gravity space.
There is the obvious rock-like skin they possess. Protecting them even from low caliber firearms, though this comes at a cost. The cost being slowed and less maneuverable movement in gravitational environments, and needing armor to be specialized to each individual Qhuecon as their rocky skin is very irregular and stiff.
They have their sets of wings, though due to their weight the wings look more vestigial. The wings do however have a function, as the wings house an organ able to propel the Qhuecon forward in low-to-no gravitational space. They also have another ability tied to a new organ, one that safely stores oksygen, leaving the Qhuecon able to survive for a lot longer in a vacuum environment.
There are also more differences between the Qhuecon and Human, though a notable list is:
- The Qhuecon, themselves being lithoid, have the capability to consume certain minerals or rocks. This process is actually beneficial, as it helps their skin grow and repair.
- The Qhuecon live about half a century more than the average human, though their lifespan in the BFB is obviously differing dependant on position due to strain.
- The vocal cords of the Qhuecon is much different from humans, as is their language, through this their language to outsiders is equivalent in sounds of rock-slides, plinging-like noises and hazy growls.
Culture
Overview
The way society and the government is structured within the BFB, there is a prominent support of populism within the majority of its citizens. The value that has been put on support of the whole is heavily affecting both the day-to-day life of ordinary people, and the politics of the faction.
The Qhuecon are also fairly open to outsiders, though it is a difficult life for other species aboard one of the BFB ships as they are often tailored to Qhuecon needs.
The majority of Qhuecons are extroverted, excited to talk with others during breaks or in their freetime. Though it may be difficult socializing with other species due to the hulking Qhuecon figure.
Religion
Though not extremely prominent, the BFB does have a religion the majority of its citizens follow: Bruqukir.
The origins of this religion stems from old Qhuecon sightings of enormous space fauna. The belief of the old Qhuecon was that these creatures, floating majestically through space, must’ve been mighty deities. The the mere concept that a creature had managed to be unburdened by the asteroid belt, the one the Qhuecons were “stuck on”, excited the old Qhuecons thoughts of space travel.
The Qhuecons began to worship these ‘floating majesties', as symbols of passage and greatness. A tenet also sprouted from the nature of the space fauna; called “Phaoqkir”, it was the belief that the spirits of dead Qhuecon rode alongside these beings into a peaceful afterlife, most likely after seeing the space beings following or feeding off of the enormous whales.
In recent times, Bruqukir has died down from a radical belief in most Qhuecon. Though the thoughts of Phaoqkir still linger as an unquestionable truth for most Qhuecon.
The practice of Bruqukir is not lost however, and for some portions of the Qhuecons, this belief is a moral uplifting. This has created a job position within the BFB as religious leaders, called “Rytruqir”, take routes along the ship in religious speeches to uplift citizenry in times of conflict.
Society
Leadership
Right now the Captain of the BFB is a Qhuecon by the name of “Qhunkcan '' after being elected as the first captain by popular demand voting him 67% in favor.
Captains hold their position for 5 years, after which there is a general vote for a new captain. There is no limit on how many times a captain may be elected, on the other hand The Buccaneers of Bruquens hold no political parties as of yet.
There are also Admirals, people elected locally to each “civilian” ship of the BFB. Elected through a similar process as the Captain, though the process is restricted to singular ships.
They are independent in their political or tactical decisions, though they answer to the Captain when ordered.
Government
BFB is a direct democracy, with all the civilians regarded as equal to some extent, though those serving more needed jobs are valued.
The faction’s rule is mandated by the captain, an elected political leader which holds much of the power but is relegated to military control of fleets and the political face of BFB.
Shared with the captain in equal importance is a group of quartermasters, who are given the job to control the nation’s treasury and spending. They are positioned partly by choice of the Captain and a vote by the people, consequently with this, they can be voted off the position.
Though votes to fire a quartermaster is rare, since the obvious time and effort to select a new Quartermaster is bureaucratically challenging.
Due to the elective process of direct democracy, the politicians of the BFB have turned into depending on demagogue tactics. As such, the process of gaining general support in the BFB has turned into not fully relying on truths, but the feelings of the civilians. Then again there are strict and hard policies to try to tie political promises to reality, and there are often times when a politician is proven lying they lose favor quickly.
The laws and rules are established through 2 kinds of bodies:
The first body resembles a constitution, it being a large document in which every civilian had their say in the making. The document in question can be changed though a collective vote, though one additional vote must be made first to decide if the change needs to happen at all.
The second kind resembles a charter, where each ship occupied by the nation can decide on its own, more specific, laws in regard to its shares, punishments and the like.
Economic structure
BFB runs under a sort of “Scavenger Economy”
It can be simplified under two economic structures, one part being Laissez faire, and the other part being of a Planned economy.
The Planned Economic structure affects the resources within the ship, because supplies can mean life or death for everyone in space. The quartermaster's authority would be absolute in making sure these resources are used carefully.
Laissez faire factors mostly in what's going on outside the ship: Fleets are free to take whatever contracts or loot is offered from whoever as long as they don't end up harming the wider fleet and nation.
The Quartermasters then distribute the loot, using a system of civilian “shares”. These shares are dictated by the Social structure, and wages are kept fairly similar to avoid inequality.
Social structure
The social structure of BFB is rather equal. Though there are some positions worth mentioning:
Elected positions:
The elected positions are, as stated, positions in the social structure that are voted on who gets. They gain a higher salary because of the higher needed education and requirement for someone in that position.
Though these people are often left powerful with their wages, if proven corrupt or using public assets for private gain their assets and financial wealth are seized and returned to the treasury. Sentences after which are often harsh, and depending on the charter, deadly.
The Needed:
These include educated individuals needed for generally harder and more needed jobs, like medical work and engineering. They gain a higher wage than normal for their services, making them able to purchase more on shore leave and on-ship commodities.
The Workers:
Where most of the population belongs to, doing whatever needs labor and other general jobs. Their wages are decided by their charter’s shares system, with a minimum amount set by the constitution to leave most citizens happy and content.
The Unfit:
Not really a class structure though it is populated by the Individuals unfit for work. These include for example people who were gravely injured, or the older citizen no longer able to keep up physically or mentally. These people are often given a final wage, much like a pension, after being deemed properly unfit. After which they are given a significantly decreased wage to last them to their deathbed.
In spite of being treated well there is a problem these people face on BFB ships, as they are often looked down upon when without familial or friendly connections. As by then they often don't “really serve a purpose,” and there is a general consensus of the lower class spending resources like food unnecessarily.
Technology
The technology of the BFB isn't the most advanced by far, by the fact they usually scavenge for newer innovations.
For the military, the cruder technology like nuclear fission, kinetics and rockets is therefore often the only choice for all ships of the BFB. Their weapons and ship functions are similarly simple in nature as to make repair and production easier.
On the civilian side, their tech reaches an average point. Though mostly still scavenging, the demagogue nature of the BFB secures at least an investment into providing commodities and services to the civilians whenever possible.
Homeword
Bruquens (Capital Ship)
The capital ship and homeworld of the BFB, the Bruquens is an enormous FTL-capable ship housing millions of Qhuecon.
The outside of the ship looks like an amalgam of asteroid-minerals and metal from different ships. Though it may look clunky, unwieldy and weak, it has multiple internal and external systems to provide it safety long enough to survive a possible firefight.
Naturally, it is also heavily defended by a large part of the BFB navy. Protecting both it and some other more minor colony ships.
The inside of the Bruquens is a wondrous sight. Shaped almost like a cave-system, the inside is both cavernous, crystallic and lush with plant-life. Scenic views of large and cavernous areas filled with work-stations, shops and break areas, while the walls are decked with gem-like protrusions and moss-like growths all-the-while many Qhuecon are seen almost flying through the air through their propulsions in the low gravity.
Major Population Centers
Thraugnils
Thraugnils is another giant colony ship, followed by its own protective fleet separate from Bruquens. It is about half the size of the Bruquens, though relative to size it is more heavily armed.
The people aboard the Thraugnils have developed a fascination towards the mercenary side of the BFB economy. Therefore its fleet is often followed for periods of time by the numerous ships-for-hire owned by the BFB, using the Thraugnils as a checkpoint or stop. This attraction of war-capable ships makes the Thraugnils’ defensive and offensive capabilities much more capable than other colony ship fleets.
Though more war-like, the Admirals voted on the Thraugnils are often more humble and just.
Vrakekin
Vrakekin is yet another giant colony ship, more asteroid than ship in appearance. Its fleet’s movement behavior is much different than other BFB fleets, being more concentrated in one area.
The reason for this concentration is a matter of industry, as the Vrakekin operates the largest number of mining ships and salvage ships in its fleet. Itself being equipped with a large number of forges and mining drones.
The politics aboard the Vrakekin makes it the most likely fleet to actively search out trade deals and contracts. Increasing its own profits significantly.
Important Industry
As the BFB is not fully capable of typical industries befitting that of stationary planet-based factions, it resorts to non-standard tactics.
Trade is a large part of the BFB, offering the items found from space-wrecks, ore from asteroids or other acquired goods in exchange for currency or commodities.
Military hire is also a standard tactic for the individual fleets of the BFB, offering their aid in need of firepower.
Diplomatic Doctrine
The diplomatic doctrine of the BFB can vary from fleet to fleet, as Admirals and Diplomats are free to secure alliances and deals as they please, with the rule of it needing to be in support or help to the entire faction.
Though there is a general tactic of open acceptance. Acting or being friendly to not stirr much backlash from another faction or their own voting populace.
Military
The military power of the BFB is sizable, but splintered. Composing multiple fleets though still under a unified structure when called on.
This splintering of the BFB forces is to ensure protection to the wider number of colony ships, increasing survivability of the faction. Though it is also to not inflict a negative diplomatic consequence, as a centralized fleet would give an assumption of aggression and give limited space to rest in the galaxy.
The BFB also focus almost exclusively on their fleet-power, since they possess no planets to protect a conventional military that is not exclusively needed. Though there are a number of ships that still train forces like infantry in case of boarding or mercenary needs.
The military technology the BFB possesses is very limited, most if not all ships relying on crude and simplified weaponry and parts salvaged or made from found scraps.
Due to this, ships usually possess equipment like nuclear fission engines and drives, kinetic or missile weaponry, radar and lidar sensors, magnetic shields and point defense systems, and alcubierre FTL drives.
Though in certain cases, ships of greater importance have a bit more advanced technology like nuclear fusion or conventional lasers.
Leadership
The command structure of the BFB Galactic Navy could be set up in 4 ranks of command:
First, there is the ship Officer. Usually in command of a singular small sized ship like a corvette or frigate, overseeing their crews and directing on-board orders.
Secondly, there is the Commander. Often both in command of a task force of ships and the head of a medium sized ship like a cruiser. These people are tasked both in ordering officers of their force and commanding their own vessel
Third, there is the Warden. Overseeing a larger group of forces, often also tasked with controlling a defensive fleet around a larger colony ship. It is often the Warden’s job to control fleet movement and to decide points of attack or defense.
Last of all is the position of Daios. The person in this position is tasked with overlooking the entire BFB fleet, communicating with different Wardens and ensuring control in times of need. The Daios is also tasked with controlling the main defensive fleet guarding the Bruquens, protecting it and several other smaller colony ships from harm.
There are of course other positions both in between roles and specialized roles, though the list above is a simplification.
The people assigned to these different positions are exclusively awarded it based on skills in leadership, thereby ensuring no incompetence in such an important role. Restrictions and punishments are also set, protecting the faction’s democracy from power hungry military leaders.
Doctrine
The strategies of warfare typically used by the BFB is a combination of ranged battle and a slow advance. This theory is used both in ship-to-ship space battles and in the rare case of atmospheric battles. There are certain ships and tactics however, that exemplify more close-quarters combat situations, though those are often used later in a battle to rout the enemy.
The reason for this style of warfare is closely related to the types of weapons typically available to the ships of the BFB. Their ships are usually equipped with kinetic or missile armaments, which have the capability of attacking long-range.
This allows the more conservative style of warfare, which may lessen damage done to both ships and crew. Possibly saving lives and resources.
If there are any hostile civilian ships, the goal of BFB forces is to immobilize and to typically take POWs. Otherwise it is often that BFB ships shell their enemies until the enemy can't fight back or escape, survivors afterwards being taken in as POWs.
Though ruthless, this is to minimize the chance of enemies inflicting greater wounds on friendly forces. To offset this, POWs are often very well cared for by BFB forces and are treated with kindness.
Various Notes:
Diplomatic relations with specific factions:
(Eventual list of other factions, and the BFB's interaction with them)
