Political
The Pale Covenant
Theocratic Isolationist Bloc
// Where You Stand
// On Record
Leader
The Voiceless Choir (council of seven masked priests)
Structure
Rigid theocracy. The Choir speaks as one voice; below them are Wardens, Speakers, and the Faithful. No records of internal dissent are kept -- or survivors of it.
Goals
Secure the three sacred Nexus Worlds and seal them from outside contact. Drive what they call 'the Machine Corruption' -- advanced tech they deem spiritually polluting -- from their borders.
Philosophy
The ancient ways of the Drift (a kind of animistic force-magic) are the only true path. Technology beyond a certain threshold is seen as a spiritual disease. They will tolerate low-tech trade.
Limits
They will not attack unarmed pilgrims or healers, regardless of faction. Even enemies may pass through Covenant space if they come bearing the white lantern of truce.
Rivals
- The Ardent Republic
- Iron Shore Holdings
- Anyone attempting to survey or excavate Nexus Worlds.
// The Census Bureau
Spun up two years ago to track, register, and audit synthetic persons under contract to nervous corporate clients.
Goals
Identify, register, and monitor every synthetic intelligence on the frontier. The Covenant argues unregistered synthetics are an unacceptable liability risk for the corporations and governments paying the bills.
Limits
Registration and surveillance only. The Choir has explicitly forbidden decommissioning contracts on registered synthetics -- bad precedent, worse PR. Whether everyone agrees is an open question.
// Referenced In
No references recorded yet.