Rance Draysom
Fleet Marshal
Star Wars has a proud history of drifters and vagabonds, from smugglers like Han Solo fleeing crime lords to the rebel fleet on the run from the Empire. So how about a major faction centered around those characters, making stories wherever it turns up. Instead of invading a hex, planting a splash of our color, and then letting it languish unless invaded, how about a "catch and release" approach to storytelling, with dynamic stories around each place we move... until the locals kick us out.
That's the basic idea behind the Verge Flotilla, and we'd love to have you! Our faction is run by two staff, both very passionate about faction storytelling - internal and external! Feel free to PM me or check out our discord to learn more. Thanks, GA, for this lovely template. We scoundrels will now steal it and turn it to our own rascally ends (but really tho, thanks, ur ad is cool).
What is the Verge Flotilla?
The Verge Flotilla is a loose alliance of starship crews uncomfortable - or unwanted - in the territory controlled by local major factions. The "Verge" part comes from the "Tyrant's Verge", the part of the galaxy cut off from the core's democratic governments by the iron-handed Sith Empire and the genocidal Bryn'adul. The "Flotilla" part means that hundreds of ships work together under the direction of a Council of Captains in order to survive, though any ship that wishes to leave may at any time... and any ship that fails to contribute its fair share will be asked to leave, so that there's enough to go around.
Where did the Verge Flotilla come from?
Out of character, there was a poll, and people said that a Vagrant Fleet faction would be nifty. In character, the Flotilla is a group of refugees, rebels, and criminals on the run that formed a loose mutual defense pact in the Revyia system. Sith expansion, the Imperial Civil War, and the Bryn'adul invasion have driven countless millions from their homes, and a few hundred thousand now drift with the fleet. Also along for the ride are several rebel groups that lost in their fights against tyranny across the galaxy, bringing much-needed military experience and hardware. Outlaws and smugglers round out the ranks.
The fleet began over Revyia, but local authorities soon wanted the troublemakers gone. We've drifted ever since.
What are the goals of the Verge Flotilla?
In character, the Flotilla's goal is simple: keep flying, stay free. Finding enough resources to keep the ships running and the people alive will be the daily struggle. Out of character, our short-term goal is to go major and put the Vagrant Fleet mandate to use, bringing a new kind of faction to Chaos. Our long-term goal is to offer a different kind of roleplay for non-Force characters, and to develop the Tingel Arm as we cross it. This region saw some neat stories back when The Primeval, the Shadow Dynasty, the first Vagrant Fleet, and others were out there. Let's bring it back.
What makes the Verge Flotilla differ from other NFU-focused factions?
Most NFU-focused factions fall into three camps: crime syndicates, rebel/resistance groups, and planetary/sector governments. The Flotilla isn't any of those, although characters from any of them could fit in with us! Although we plan to participate in the map game, it's just a storytelling tool to us. We can't move more than three hexes, so we will never own more than that at a time, and we won't participate in invasions or rebellions unless we have a great story reason to do so. Because we're this kind of faction, you can drift with us when you want, then participate in other factions at the same time.
We have two major story themes. The first is exploration. The Tyrant's Verge is at the very edge of the galaxy, including such strange locales as the Yuuzhan Vong invasion's Vector Prime, the haunting grounds of the famous Ghost Ship of Veragi, and the homeworld of the ritually cannibalistic Zanibar. We'll encounter all sorts of strange things out on the fringe... which makes for great stories! The second is desperation. Like the Millennium Falcon or Rebel Alliance, we're always short of supplies, making do with jury-rigged equipment and half-rations, trying to survive on our own in a harsh galaxy.
These themes are different from those of most, if not all, current major factions.
Who are the Fleet Marshals?
The Council of Captains, made up of the elected captains of the five largest civilian ships, makes the rules, but it's up to the Fleet Marshals to enforce them. Fleet Marshals resolve conflicts between crews, retrieve supplies to keep the fleet going, collect and divide up the "fleet tithe" that all ships must contribute, and defend the Flotilla against outside attackers. Personally chosen and approved by the Council, the Marshals have broad power to keep the peace by any means necessary... which can mean getting your hands dirty. It's not an easy job, and someone will always be mad at ya, but it's important.
What is Saberdart Squadron?
When space battles break out, the Saberdarts take the lead. A squadron of battered, mismatched, and heavily-modified starfighters of all types, the Saberdarts are nonetheless a very effective group of pilots. Ex-military aces, career racers, and former pirates, they are clever and deadly in battle. Any pilot who joins the Flotilla is welcome to try out for the Saberdarts, but they're the elite; if you can't hack it with the best, stick to defending your own ship. If the Flotilla is attacked, the Saberdarts are the first to deploy. The squadron also flies missions away from the fleet as needed.
Who are the Verge Irregulars?
In boarding actions or rare planetary fighting, the undisciplined but boisterous Verge Irregulars take the lead, bringing an unusual assortment of exotic weapons and long experience. Working closely with the Saberdarts, who provide them with air cover, they defend the Big Five when they are boarded - as well as securing resources from dangerous locations. Life expectancy among the Irregulars is infamously low, as they are constantly put in extremely dangerous situations. As a result, anyone who volunteers for the Irregulars gains instant and tremendous respect among the various crews of the Flotilla. There is a sense of pride among the Irregulars themselves; they go up against the worst the galaxy can throw at them... and win.
Do I have to join one of these to be part of the Flotilla?
Nope! Most of the Flotilla is comprised of individual drifters, outlaws, and freighter captains. We don't do a lot of formal structure around here, and that's ok! The important part is fun. Pretty much any character can fit in with us without joining any of the above groups. Our one line is that we're careful about Force-users. We're an NFU-focused faction, so we don't have a Force-using order and we don't go for Force-heavy stories. There are plenty of factions here on Chaos that do that already. Your Jedi or Sith is welcome to thread with us, though! We'll figure out something that works for all of us.
Why does that one guy always say “ok”?
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