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THE OSSEIN FLEETS
AN NPC FACTION
THRILLS AND ADVENTURE AMONG THE STARS!
AN NPC FACTION
THRILLS AND ADVENTURE AMONG THE STARS!
DESCRIPTION
-
- ORIGINS -
A primitive interplanetary spacecraft, similar to what prehistoric Ossein may have flown.
"The first of us broke the chains of gravity; we forged a civilization in the void. We are a free people; no star can hold us, no world can own us."
_Ossein Noy (captain).
The Ossein. In the minds of many, the name conjures images of the splendor of deep space, of brave explorers, noble warriors, canny merchants. In some, it calls up images of pirates, mercenaries and nomadic con-beings.
What all can agree on is that the Ossein, as Galactic cultures go, is very, very old. No-one is sure just how old; the origins of the great Ossein fleets stretch back into prehistory, and both archaeologists and sapientologists have long tried to piece together their origins from clues in their culture. It is generally believed that the first Ossein were the crews of deep-space vessels operated by an unknown ancient civilization, possibly dating back to an earlier cycle of Galactic civilization than that which has produced the Republic and its ilk. Over time, these crews developed a culture of their own, and eventually came into conflict with the culture which had sent them out in the first place; this led to the early Ossein opting to forgo any sort of planet-bound existence, becoming interstellar nomads which roamed from system to system.
Over time, the fleet structure which characterizes the Ossein today emerged. Throughout much of prehistory, it is believed that a great deal of interstellar contact between pre-hyperdrive civilizations - as evidenced by various archaeological finds throughout the Galaxy - can be attributed to the activities of Ossein fleets, which acted as one of the first interstellar vectors for trade and information, a role which the culture continues to this day.
-
- CULTURE -
An Ossein flagship.
The Ossein are a widely distributed, though diffuse culture, with their great fleets spread out across the Galaxy. This has been true since prehistory, and the wanderings of the many fleets have become central to the Ossein way of life.
Each Ossein fleet is centered around a single large ship. Long ago, when the Ossein were more overtly militant in their focus, these great vessels were mostly standardized in their capabilities and design, and thus, most Ossein fleets which date back before a certain period are centered around such flagships, operated and maintained for thousands of years. Although originally powerful warships, these vessels have been down-rated over generations, with their weapon systems largely removed to make way for living space and hangar capacity, and to keep from putting on edge the civilized systems which the fleets visit.
These great flagships are extremely large, roughly the size of a pre-Darkness star destroyer (about 1,500 meters in length), with an enormous hangar running the length of the ship. Although once heavily armed to fend off powerful enemies, most Ossein flagships only retain a handful of point defense laser cannons to fend off space debris, and rely mostly on their huge size and resident Jazaq for protection.
Inside, Ossein flagships more resemble the lower levels of Coruscant or Alsakan than they do the guts of a capital ship. Because the Ossein do not keep planetary holdings, or indeed establish many space stations, their population lives most of their lives aboard their ships. Accordingly, their ships are as much homes and businesses as transportation, and an Ossein flagship has a crew/population of thousands.
A subdivided ancillary hangar aboard an Ossein flagship.
Although the length, breadth and depth of an Ossein flagship is all put to use in some fashion - mostly for residential use or for cargo storage - the huge main hangar deck and its many ancillary bays are the ship's combined common area, parking garage and commercial district. Each major family aboard ship typically has a small bay off the main hangar, which is usually used to service starships, but which is also often used as a commercial space. Individuals without their own bay tend to set up shop along the edges of the main hangar, using re-purposed shipping containers as stores and even residences, or even setting up market stalls underneath or inside their parked starships. The latter is extremely common, in fact, and the "ramp sale" is considered a staple of Ossein merchant activity.
All crew and officers of all ships within a given Ossein fleet are guaranteed the right to come and go aboard the flagship as they please. When an Ossein fleet visits a star system, it is customary to extend this privilege to any local pilots who wish to visit, encouraging trade and friendly relations. This being said, major infractions against the peace - murder and theft aboard ship, for example - can be punishable by banishment or marooning.
The flagship of an Ossein fleet - aside from serving as an economic and residential hub - is usually the seat of the fleet's Noyon, or admiral-king. The Noyon commands the fleet's Noy, the captains of individual ships within the fleet, as well as the Jazaq, the warrior-pilots who serve as the fleet's primary defense. The Noyon theoretically holds the right to dictate orders as they see fit, but decisions are usually made by a council of Noy presided over by the Noyon, and/or by popular vote.
"Zar Belk!"
_Traditional Ossein salute/affirmation, roughly meaning "I do not balk."
An Ossein fleet does not consist solely of the flagship, of course. It is expected that all beings calling themselves Ossein should know how to pilot and service a spacecraft of some sort, preferably with hyperspace capability. Any being who owns their own ship is considered to be a Noy, and has representation in the fleet council proportionate to the number of sapient crew they employ. Beings who own a combat-capable starship, and who state an intent to follow the lifestyle outlined in the Jazaq Yassa ("Pilot's Orders"), are considered to be Jazaq, and are charged with the defense of their fleet in times of crisis. They are expected to be loyal to their squadron and to the Noyon of their fleet in equal measure.
Ships within the Ossein fleets tend to be diverse, ranging from converted obsolete capital ships and space barges to pinnaces and starfighters. The number of vessels is not constant from fleet to fleet, of course, and ships may come and go as they please. Any being expressing a wish to join an Ossein fleet - provided they demonstrate the expected skills - is automatically welcome to do so, especially if they arrive with their own ship; this is an important part of Ossein population replacement, as the addition of a naturally born child aboard an existing ship must be factored against the limited consumables aboard. The birth of a child to an Ossein family is a celebrated occasion throughout a fleet, of course.
The Ossein have, by virtue of their wandering voyages and open culture, a very diverse population as well. The species of the original Ossein is not recorded, nor does it seem to be of much concern to the modern Ossein; when describing an individual, most Ossein will list distinguishing physical characteristics, habits and even dietary requirements rather than referring to their species outright, and doing so is considered to be slightly odd.
It should come as no surprise that the primary livelihood of the average Ossein is the interstellar merchant trade. Although the Ossein tend to style themselves a self-sufficient people, the reality is that starship parts can only be refurbished so many times before they must be replaced, and fuel and consumable must be periodically replenished; this all costs credits, and the more credits one has, the easier life aboard ship tends to be.
The Ossein have a reputation as keen-witted merchants, and will transport any freight they believe will turn a good profit in the next system. The Noy of an Ossein freighter may transport bolts of industrial duranex one day, and cases of bootleg plasto figurines the next. Just about the only thing an Ossein freighter captain won't transport are slaves - slavery is a concept held in deep contempt by most Ossein - and any spice that makes a slave of the user, though less harmful stimulants are generally considered fair game. Weapons are also considered permissible cargo, although some Ossein look down on the arms trade. Most individual Ossein do tend to go armed in their everyday life, however, and most Ossein ships carry armament of some sort.
Smuggling among the Ossein - depending on the items being smuggled - holds little if any stigma. Given the size of Ossein fleets, it is often very difficult for customs officials to catch Ossein smugglers in the act, which has made the fleets unpopular with the law enforcement agencies of some of the more civilized systems. There is a long and proud tradition of Ossein blockade runners, though the operators of larger Ossein ships tend to sell any smuggled goods to local pilots who come out to meet them, transferring the risk of running the "last parsec" to a planet's surface away from themselves.
There is generally enough legitimate commerce carried out by Ossein fleets to mask any illicit dealings. The vast majority of Ossein merchants are mostly legitimate, and do their best to follow the laws and regulations of local systems, if and when doing so makes sense.
The Ossein are also only united in that they share a common culture and history. For the most part, Ossein fleets operate independently of one-another, plotting their own courses and forging their own alliances. Some are bitter rivals toward one-another; in the distant pasts, long and bitter wars would be fought between feuding Ossein fleets, but in the present day individual fleets tend not to have the resources to devote to such endeavors, or the willingness to undertake them. Though the process is slow and reluctant, the increasing marginalization of the Ossein fleets has caused many to pursue closer ties with one-another, if not outright mergers. In the event of two fleets joining, the less powerful of their two flagships is ceremonially scrapped, many of its parts taken as spares or modifications for the remaining ship, and the rest distributed evenly among the combined fleet.
Since the dawn of the Republic and the establishment of hyperspace trunk-lines, pan-Galactic shipping firms and effective policing of the hyperlanes, the Ossein have slowly been being pushed toward the fringes of Galactic commerce, both figuratively and literally. Ossein fleets tend not to visit the Core Worlds, and generally keep to the Mid and Outer Rim, with occasional forays into Wild Space and the Unknown Regions. They make a point of visiting remote, backrocket worlds, which tend to be passed over by mainstream Galactic commerce.
-
- HISTORY -
A pitched Ossein space battle of the distant past.
The Ossein were at one time a great power within the Galaxy. In the age before the Republic, before even the unified Jedi, their fleets roamed the stars. The earliest records of the Ossein can be found in the most ancient tomes of pre-Old Republic Jedi scholars, mostly relating to the great Ossein fleets which visited many planets to trade. Mention is also made - even at this early date - of the Jazaq Yassa and its adherents.
The Ossein were seldom a united people; fleets operated independently, and rivals occasionally even fought one-another in great space battles, which were reportedly matched in scale only at the outset of the Saber Wars. Seldom did Ossein conflicts touch the surface of planets, however; the Ossein did not and still do not consider planetary holdings to be of any great importance, and thus left them alone for the most part.
The Ossein were, at one time, the sworn enemies of the Amaxine Warriors. During the foundational years of the Republic, Ossein fleets fought alongside Republic and Jedi forces to drive back the Amaxine. It was during the Ossein-Amaxine Wars that a legend was born.
"I shall not concede! Look not for a trophy of victory, for I place my bones beyond your reach!"
_Yesugen Khonoyon.
Yesugen is a legendary figure in Ossein history, the only known being to have ever achieved the title of Khonoyon, often shortened simply to Khon. This title roughly translates to Grand Admiral, and the being who holds it is leader of all the Ossein fleets, superseding the authority of all Noyon. Only once has this title ever been bestowed uncontested.
Yesugen was the leader of her people during the struggle against the Amaxine. Said to be an escaped slave of the Amaxine who was rescued by the Ossein, her species and even her appearance are lost to history. It is known that she rose to the rank of Noyon in her adoptive fleet, and gradually began to weave an alliance with many others. Whereas the Ossein fleets had been fighting the Amaxine in a disunited fashion before, Yesugen was able to bring the full, formidable might of the combined fleets against her enemies. She was said to be a skilled diplomat, a master tactician and a ruthless warrior, leading her forces from the cockpit of her own pinnace.
Yesugen reportedly met her fate at Kirima, in a final battle against the Amaxine. There, she faced a massive enemy force, gathered specifically to destroy her and her fleet; she had been promised backup by the Republic and the Jedi, but it had not yet arrived when the Amaxine moved in.
Yesugen and her fleet fought ferociously, but though the enemy was badly mauled, they were ultimately too much to endure. Yesugen, her ship damaged and she mortally wounded, shouted her defiance to the enemy over an open comm, before jumping her ship to hyperspace on an apparently random vector.
Shortly afterward, the promised reinforcements arrived. The weakened Amaxine were routed with overwhelming force, and history records that the momentum of the war truly reversed after the battle, eventually leading to a stalemate with the Amaxine, who reportedly decided to leave the Galaxy entirely in search of easier conquests. No sign of them has been seen since.
Yesugen is regarded almost as a deity by the modern Ossein. They will often invoke her name, for example the common phrase:
"Lost bones of Yesugen!"
_Ossein expression of surprise and/or amazement.
The fate of Yesugen has long been a point of contention between the Ossein and the Republic. Many Ossein view the late arrival of Republic and Jedi forces to the Battle of Kirima as a betrayal, their tardiness having allowed the Amaxine to devastate Yesugen's forces. Though the Ossein seldom openly sided with enemies of the Republic or the Jedi, it was long before they again intervened on their behalf.
Regardless of the fate of their leader, the Ossein began a long decline shortly after the defeat of the Amaxine. The Sons and Daughters of Yesugen were a proud people, and for the most part chose not to participate in the expanding Republic, a decision which likely sealed their fate.
With organized government came organized trade and military protection. The role of the Ossein fleets - armed merchant convoys, capable of fending off powerful attackers - became less necessary as worlds joined the Republic, policing the hyperlanes and rendering the Ossein unnecessary. No longer did the Ossein have their own unified government, either; each fleet spoke only for themselves, a fact which prevented easy relations between them and many of the states they interacted with.
But civilization was not to reign forever, and the Ossein would find they still had a place in the Galaxy after all...
The Hundred-Year Darkness came as both a blessing and a terrible curse for the Ossein.
Having been pushed largely beyond the boarders of the expanding Republic, the Ossein fleets witnessed first hand the horrors building in the Outer Rim under the guidance of the Exiles. So it was that when the Exiles finally did unleash their terrible vengeance upon the civilized worlds of the Galaxy, the fleets set aside their old animosities toward the Republic and the Jedi, and came to their aid once more, knowing the darkness they faced.
This period is spoken of among the Ossein as the last great age of the Jazaq. Although the Ossein had little Force tradition of their own, and many could not wield the cold power of their enemies or the light of their allies, glory was earned by many of their pilots, both in victory and in death. Briefly, the Galaxy was shown the rekindled fire of the star-warriors of old...
...but, it was too much.
Two generations of noble Jazaq were thrown against the unstoppable tide of the Exiles, before finally, the fleets could bear the loss no longer. Many of the ancient Jazaq families had been wiped out, their fire gone from the Galaxy, their fleets weakened by their passing. Unable to hold the line of battle any longer, the surviving Ossein fleets once again retreated to the fringes of the dying Republic, returning to the ways which had sustained them since time immemorial. The clash between light and darkness they would leave to those who had started it, and embrace neither side.
And now, nearly three generations have passed since the great culling of the Jazaq. New blood is growing tired of sitting by, watching the long war which has gripped the Galaxy fester around them.
Their time is at hand.
-
- THE JAZAQ -
An Ossein Jazaq.
The Ossein practice a warrior culture, primarily focused on aspects of space combat and related endeavors. While some traditions can be said to be more "generalist" in their approach to martial prowess, the Ossein focus primarily on their element; this is evidenced by the fact that the Ossein use the same word - "Jazaq" - for both pilot and warrior.
While cultures like the Mandalorians have produced notable starfighter aces, the Ossein sing songs of long-dead heroes who could take on whole fleets single-handed. Ossein pilots were, long ago, among the most skilled, most sought-after warriors in the Galaxy, although the time of these great heroes is considered to be past.
Among the Ossein, the status of pilot - of ace pilot, in particular - is revered on an almost religious level. The position of copilot is likewise considered a sacred trust, and Ossein squadrons and ground crews consider one-another almost closer than their own families. Their craft, likewise, are considered more than mere machines, and are thought to be extensions of the pilots themselves. Jazaq are required to own and maintain their own combat-capable ships, ready to fly and fight at a moment's notice.
Warriors of the Ossein are expected to hold to a philosophy known as the Jazaq Yassa, roughly translated as "Pilots' Orders." The Jazaq Yassa is codified in a set of rules; any Ossein who flies a ship and abides by the Jazaq Yassa is considered to be Jazaq, although only adherents who have proven themselves in battle or performed other great deeds are afforded the revered status of true pilots.
Normally, Jazaq protect their home fleets, but many hire themselves out as mercenaries to bring in much-needed credits for their crews and families. It is traditional for Ossein warriors to spend a period of their lives "mercing." This practice may have something to do with the modern reputation of the Jazaq, as many consider them to be little more than wandering soldiers for hire, or worse, pirates and smugglers. It is true that the Jazaq - the Ossein in general, really - have a knack for privateering, that is officially sanctioned piracy, especially as the open warfare between the Exiles and the Jedi has simmered down into proxy wars and espionage. Which side Ossein privateers end up working for tends to depend on who pays best. Some rogue Jazaq have even turned quisling and embraced the ways of true pirates, although this is generally not considered to be acceptable behavior under the Jazaq Yassa.
In the wake of the Saber Wars, the Galaxy has experienced something of a golden age of piracy and crime. The Jazaq have increasingly been called upon to defend their people and their way of life from these threats.
- THE JAZAQ YASSA -
RIGHTEOUSNESS
A true pilot must be acutely honest throughout their dealings with all beings. They must believe in justice, not from other people, but from themselves. To the true pilot, all points of view are deeply considered regarding honesty, justice and integrity. Pilots make a full commitment to their decisions.
DARING
To the true pilot, life is too precious to spend behind a shield. A pilot must live life completely, fully and wonderfully, taking all experience into themselves and forging it into wisdom, courage and strength. Life to a pilot is joy, but it is also risk; pilots must take risks, but they must not take them blindly.
BENEVOLENCE
Through intense training, a pilot becomes strong of mind and body. This power is within all, but as one who has developed it, it is the responsibility of the pilot to use it for good. A pilot must help those who cannot help themselves; if no opportunity to do so presents itself, they must seek it out.
RESPECT
True pilots have no reason to be cruel. They do not need to prove their strength. Pilots are not only respected for their skill in battle, but also by their dealings with others. The true strength of a pilot becomes apparent during difficult times.
INTEGRITY
When a pilot says they will do a thing, that thing is as good as done. Nothing will stop them completing any task they set themselves to; they do not need to "give their word," they do not need to "promise," speaking and doing to a pilot are the same action.
HONOR
Pilots have only one judge of honor and character, and that is themselves. Decisions a pilot makes, and the manner in which these decisions are carried out, reflect the true nature of a pilot. A pilot cannot hide from themselves.
DUTY
A pilot is responsible for everything they have done and said, and for all the consequences of those actions. A pilot is loyal to all those in their care, and to them they must remain true.
ASSETS
The collective Ossein assets are difficult to quantify by their very nature. Each independent fleet has a single very large flagship, which functions essentially as a carrier, but which is for all intents and purposes a mobile trade-port and home to a huge, mostly civilian population. These vessels, for all their great size, are not armed aside from a few token laser cannons primarily meant to clear space debris.
The fleets themselves are extremely fluid, with ships coming and going all the time. They mostly consist of NPC vessels, largely bulk freighters and other such ships. Though most are likely armed with the token weapons such ships possess, they are not to be considered an organized military force, or indeed more than a rabble, and would be more inclined to run than fight in most cases.
Each fleet does have a relative handful of Jazaq, meant to defend it from attackers such as pirates.
The Ossein possess no planetary holdings, nor would they be inclined to establish any. Some fleets may make use of hollowed-out asteroids and space stations to function as supply depots or repair docks for their larger ships, but generally not. These constructs would likely be temporary in nature.
ROSTER
- Eice Frex.
- Tippi Snibit.
- Rin "Tinker" Kosakami.
- Jaq Errin.
- Dedric Ryker.
- Reedlee Voon.
- Dorian.
TITLES
There are several titles attributed to individuals within the Ossein. Civilian Ossein spacers have their own system, while the Jazaq class has its own corresponding set of titles.
The Ossein, as convention, will use rank as a suffix to an individual's name: example, Yesugen's name was Yesugen Khonoyon, with Yesugen being her name and Khonoyon being her title. These titles are usually used only in a formal capacity, and most Ossein go by their given name and family name in everyday life.
-
- CIVILIAN TITLES -
Level 1 - Ajil (crewer).
Level 2 - Khudal (spacer).
Level 3 - Noy (captain).
Level 4 - Noyon (admiral).
Level 5 - Khonoyon (unattainable).
-
- JAZAQ TITLES -
Level 1 - Jazaq.
Level 2 - Jazaq Neg.
Level 3 - Jazaq Gurav.
Level 4 - Jazaq Khoyor.
Note: in general use, the "Jazaq" prefix is omitted for levels 2 through 4 in naming conventions. Example: Yesugen Khoyor.
INTENT
I intend for the Ossein Fleets to be a fun, space-focused faction, meant to give players who wish to have spacer characters and fighter pilots an option for backstory and role-playing. The Ossein fleets themselves would make for great role-playing settings; the great flagship hangar bazaars alone present endless opportunities for fun and adventure. I believe their addition would make this world we're building that much more diverse.
For the Ossein themselves, I wanted to have them as a merchant culture which operates outside the normal boundaries of the Republic and the main factions. The influences for them are equal parts Mongol, Minoan and Polynesian, with perhaps a dash feudal Japanese culture thrown in.
The Jazaq, specifically, I wanted to create as an alternative warrior tradition to the Mandalorians and their ilk, with less baggage and more spaceships. Everybody likes spaceships. They would be an excuse to create entities resembling Rogue or Wraith Squadron from the old Legends canon, and create stories involving the exploits of pilots and spacers doing what they do best. Their influence is drawn from Mongol horsemen and Samurai, with some Viking thrown in.
Code:
[abox3="77%"][CENTER][IMG]https://image.ibb.co/jx2L3Q/New_Starry_Deaths_Headv2.png[/IMG][/CENTER]
[COLOR=#ffffff][gfont=Fascinate][center][exsize=50]THE OSSEIN FLEETS[/exsize]
AN NPC FACTION
[i]THRILLS AND ADVENTURE AMONG THE STARS![/i][/center]
[exsize=20]DESCRIPTION[/exsize][/gfont][/COLOR]
[tabs]
[tab=Origins]
[CENTER][SIZE=7][gfont=Fascinate]- ORIGINS -[/gfont][/SIZE][/center]
[size=3][center][img]https://image.ibb.co/j5NsLR/d6841fa6901a8ae7dd4e113638abc43b.jpg[/img]
[i]A primitive interplanetary spacecraft, similar to what prehistoric Ossein may have flown.[/i]
[I]"The first of us broke the chains of gravity; we forged a [/i]civilization[i] in the void. We are a [/I]free[I] people; no star can hold us, no world can own us."[/I]
_Ossein [I]Noy[/I] (captain).[/center]
The Ossein. In the minds of many, the name conjures images of the splendor of deep space, of brave explorers, noble warriors, canny merchants. In some, it calls up images of pirates, mercenaries and nomadic con-beings.
What all can agree on is that the Ossein, as Galactic cultures go, is very, very old. No-one is sure just how old; the origins of the great Ossein fleets stretch back into prehistory, and both archaeologists and sapientologists have long tried to piece together their origins from clues in their culture. It is generally believed that the first Ossein were the crews of deep-space vessels operated by an unknown ancient civilization, possibly dating back to an earlier cycle of Galactic civilization than that which has produced the Republic and its ilk. Over time, these crews developed a culture of their own, and eventually came into conflict with the culture which had sent them out in the first place; this led to the early Ossein opting to forgo any sort of planet-bound existence, becoming interstellar nomads which roamed from system to system.
Over time, the fleet structure which characterizes the Ossein today emerged. Throughout much of prehistory, it is believed that a great deal of interstellar contact between pre-hyperdrive civilizations - as evidenced by various archaeological finds throughout the Galaxy - can be attributed to the activities of Ossein fleets, which acted as one of the first interstellar vectors for trade and information, a role which the culture continues to this day.[/size]
[/tab]
[tab=Culture]
[CENTER][SIZE=7][gfont=Fascinate]- CULTURE -[/gfont][/SIZE][/center]
[size=3][center][IMG]https://image.ibb.co/kDSROR/frerrn_empress_class_carrier_by_norsehound_03.png[/IMG]
[I]An Ossein flagship.[/I][/CENTER]
The Ossein are a widely distributed, though diffuse culture, with their great fleets spread out across the Galaxy. This has been true since prehistory, and the wanderings of the many fleets have become central to the Ossein way of life.
Each Ossein fleet is centered around a single large ship. Long ago, when the Ossein were more overtly militant in their focus, these great vessels were mostly standardized in their capabilities and design, and thus, most Ossein fleets which date back before a certain period are centered around such flagships, operated and maintained for thousands of years. Although originally powerful warships, these vessels have been down-rated over generations, with their weapon systems largely removed to make way for living space and hangar capacity, and to keep from putting on edge the civilized systems which the fleets visit.
These great flagships are extremely large, roughly the size of a pre-Darkness star destroyer (about 1,500 meters in length), with an enormous hangar running the length of the ship. Although once heavily armed to fend off powerful enemies, most Ossein flagships only retain a handful of point defense laser cannons to fend off space debris, and rely mostly on their huge size and resident [I]Jazaq[/I] for protection.
Inside, Ossein flagships more resemble the lower levels of Coruscant or Alsakan than they do the guts of a capital ship. Because the Ossein do not keep planetary holdings, or indeed establish many space stations, their population lives most of their lives aboard their ships. Accordingly, their ships are as much homes and businesses as transportation, and an Ossein flagship has a crew/population of thousands.
[CENTER][IMG]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/6c/64/8c/6c648cb386c87300ae0e818d82e8be2d.jpg[/IMG]
[I]A subdivided ancillary hangar aboard an Ossein flagship.[/I][/CENTER]
Although the length, breadth and depth of an Ossein flagship is all put to use in some fashion - mostly for residential use or for cargo storage - the huge main hangar deck and its many ancillary bays are the ship's combined common area, parking garage and commercial district. Each major family aboard ship typically has a small bay off the main hangar, which is usually used to service starships, but which is also often used as a commercial space. Individuals without their own bay tend to set up shop along the edges of the main hangar, using re-purposed shipping containers as stores and even residences, or even setting up market stalls underneath or inside their parked starships. The latter is extremely common, in fact, and the "ramp sale" is considered a staple of Ossein merchant activity.
All crew and officers of all ships within a given Ossein fleet are guaranteed the right to come and go aboard the flagship as they please. When an Ossein fleet visits a star system, it is customary to extend this privilege to any local pilots who wish to visit, encouraging trade and friendly relations. This being said, major infractions against the peace - murder and theft aboard ship, for example - can be punishable by banishment or marooning.
The flagship of an Ossein fleet - aside from serving as an economic and residential hub - is usually the seat of the fleet's [I]Noyon[/I], or admiral-king. The [I]Noyon[/I] commands the fleet's [I]Noy[/I], the captains of individual ships within the fleet, as well as the [I]Jazaq[/I], the warrior-pilots who serve as the fleet's primary defense. The [I]Noyon[/I] theoretically holds the right to dictate orders as they see fit, but decisions are usually made by a council of [I]Noy[/I] presided over by the [I]Noyon[/I], and/or by popular vote.
[center][i]"Zar Belk!"[/i]
_Traditional Ossein salute/affirmation, roughly meaning "I do not balk."[/center]
An Ossein fleet does not consist solely of the flagship, of course. It is expected that all beings calling themselves Ossein should know how to pilot and service a spacecraft of some sort, preferably with hyperspace capability. Any being who owns their own ship is considered to be a [I]Noy[/I], and has representation in the fleet council proportionate to the number of sapient crew they employ. Beings who own a combat-capable starship, and who state an intent to follow the lifestyle outlined in the [I]Jazaq Yassa[/I] ("Pilot's Orders"), are considered to be [I]Jazaq[/I], and are charged with the defense of their fleet in times of crisis. They are expected to be loyal to their squadron and to the [I]Noyon[/I] of their fleet in equal measure.
Ships within the Ossein fleets tend to be diverse, ranging from converted obsolete capital ships and space barges to pinnaces and starfighters. The number of vessels is not constant from fleet to fleet, of course, and ships may come and go as they please. Any being expressing a wish to join an Ossein fleet - provided they demonstrate the expected skills - is automatically welcome to do so, especially if they arrive with their own ship; this is an important part of Ossein population replacement, as the addition of a naturally born child aboard an existing ship must be factored against the limited consumables aboard. The birth of a child to an Ossein family is a celebrated occasion throughout a fleet, of course.
The Ossein have, by virtue of their wandering voyages and open culture, a very diverse population as well. The species of the original Ossein is not recorded, nor does it seem to be of much concern to the modern Ossein; when describing an individual, most Ossein will list distinguishing physical characteristics, habits and even dietary requirements rather than referring to their species outright, and doing so is considered to be slightly odd.
It should come as no surprise that the primary livelihood of the average Ossein is the interstellar merchant trade. Although the Ossein tend to style themselves a self-sufficient people, the reality is that starship parts can only be refurbished so many times before they must be replaced, and fuel and consumable must be periodically replenished; this all costs credits, and the more credits one has, the easier life aboard ship tends to be.
The Ossein have a reputation as keen-witted merchants, and will transport any freight they believe will turn a good profit in the next system. The [i]Noy[/i] of an Ossein freighter may transport bolts of industrial [url=http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Duranex]duranex[/url] one day, and cases of bootleg [url=http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Plasto]plasto[/url] figurines the next. Just about the only thing an Ossein freighter captain [i]won't[/i] transport are slaves - slavery is a concept held in deep contempt by most Ossein - and any spice that makes a slave of the user, though less harmful stimulants are generally considered fair game. Weapons are also considered permissible cargo, although some Ossein look down on the arms trade. Most individual Ossein do tend to go armed in their everyday life, however, and most Ossein ships carry armament of some sort.
Smuggling among the Ossein - depending on the items being smuggled - holds little if any stigma. Given the size of Ossein fleets, it is often very difficult for customs officials to catch Ossein smugglers in the act, which has made the fleets unpopular with the law enforcement agencies of some of the more civilized systems. There is a long and proud tradition of Ossein blockade runners, though the operators of larger Ossein ships tend to sell any smuggled goods to local pilots who come out to meet them, transferring the risk of running the "last parsec" to a planet's surface away from themselves.
There is generally enough legitimate commerce carried out by Ossein fleets to mask any illicit dealings. The vast majority of Ossein merchants are mostly legitimate, and do their best to follow the laws and regulations of local systems, if and when doing so makes sense.
The Ossein are also only united in that they share a common culture and history. For the most part, Ossein fleets operate independently of one-another, plotting their own courses and forging their own alliances. Some are bitter rivals toward one-another; in the distant pasts, long and bitter wars would be fought between feuding Ossein fleets, but in the present day individual fleets tend not to have the resources to devote to such endeavors, or the willingness to undertake them. Though the process is slow and reluctant, the increasing marginalization of the Ossein fleets has caused many to pursue closer ties with one-another, if not outright mergers. In the event of two fleets joining, the less powerful of their two flagships is ceremonially scrapped, many of its parts taken as spares or modifications for the remaining ship, and the rest distributed evenly among the combined fleet.
Since the dawn of the Republic and the establishment of hyperspace trunk-lines, pan-Galactic shipping firms and effective policing of the hyperlanes, the Ossein have slowly been being pushed toward the fringes of Galactic commerce, both figuratively and literally. Ossein fleets tend not to visit the Core Worlds, and generally keep to the Mid and Outer Rim, with occasional forays into Wild Space and the Unknown Regions. They make a point of visiting remote, backrocket worlds, which tend to be passed over by mainstream Galactic commerce.
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[tab=History]
[CENTER][SIZE=7][gfont=Fascinate]- HISTORY -[/gfont][/SIZE]
[img]https://image.ibb.co/cPhabb/jeanne_price_spacebattle.jpg[/img]
[size=3][i]A pitched Ossein space battle of the distant past.[/i][/size][/center]
[size=3]The Ossein were at one time a great power within the Galaxy. In the age before the Republic, before even the unified Jedi, their fleets roamed the stars. The earliest records of the Ossein can be found in the most ancient tomes of pre-Old Republic Jedi scholars, mostly relating to the great Ossein fleets which visited many planets to trade. Mention is also made - even at this early date - of the [i]Jazaq Yassa[/i] and its adherents.
The Ossein were seldom a united people; fleets operated independently, and rivals occasionally even fought one-another in great space battles, which were reportedly matched in scale only at the outset of the Saber Wars. Seldom did Ossein conflicts touch the surface of planets, however; the Ossein did not and still do not consider planetary holdings to be of any great importance, and thus left them alone for the most part.
The Ossein were, at one time, the sworn enemies of the [url=http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Amaxine_warriors]Amaxine Warriors[/url]. During the foundational years of the Republic, Ossein fleets fought alongside Republic and Jedi forces to drive back the Amaxine. It was during the Ossein-Amaxine Wars that a legend was born.
[center][i]"I shall not concede! Look not for a trophy of victory, for I place my bones beyond your reach!"[/i]
_Yesugen Khonoyon.[/center]
Yesugen is a legendary figure in Ossein history, the only known being to have ever achieved the title of Khonoyon, often shortened simply to Khon. This title roughly translates to Grand Admiral, and the being who holds it is leader of all the Ossein fleets, superseding the authority of all Noyon. Only once has this title ever been bestowed uncontested.
Yesugen was the leader of her people during the struggle against the Amaxine. Said to be an escaped slave of the Amaxine who was rescued by the Ossein, her species and even her appearance are lost to history. It is known that she rose to the rank of Noyon in her adoptive fleet, and gradually began to weave an alliance with many others. Whereas the Ossein fleets had been fighting the Amaxine in a disunited fashion before, Yesugen was able to bring the full, formidable might of the combined fleets against her enemies. She was said to be a skilled diplomat, a master tactician and a ruthless warrior, leading her forces from the cockpit of her own pinnace.
Yesugen reportedly met her fate at [url=http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Kirima]Kirima[/url], in a final battle against the Amaxine. There, she faced a massive enemy force, gathered specifically to destroy her and her fleet; she had been promised backup by the Republic and the Jedi, but it had not yet arrived when the Amaxine moved in.
Yesugen and her fleet fought ferociously, but though the enemy was badly mauled, they were ultimately too much to endure. Yesugen, her ship damaged and she mortally wounded, shouted her defiance to the enemy over an open comm, before jumping her ship to hyperspace on an apparently random vector.
Shortly afterward, the promised reinforcements arrived. The weakened Amaxine were routed with overwhelming force, and history records that the momentum of the war truly reversed after the battle, eventually leading to a stalemate with the Amaxine, who reportedly decided to leave the Galaxy entirely in search of easier conquests. No sign of them has been seen since.
Yesugen is regarded almost as a deity by the modern Ossein. They will often invoke her name, for example the common phrase:
[center][i]"Lost bones of Yesugen!"[/i]
_Ossein expression of surprise and/or amazement. [/center]
The fate of Yesugen has long been a point of contention between the Ossein and the Republic. Many Ossein view the late arrival of Republic and Jedi forces to the Battle of Kirima as a betrayal, their tardiness having allowed the Amaxine to devastate Yesugen's forces. Though the Ossein seldom openly sided with enemies of the Republic or the Jedi, it was long before they again intervened on their behalf.
Regardless of the fate of their leader, the Ossein began a long decline shortly after the defeat of the Amaxine. The Sons and Daughters of Yesugen were a proud people, and for the most part chose not to participate in the expanding Republic, a decision which likely sealed their fate.
With organized government came organized trade and military protection. The role of the Ossein fleets - armed merchant convoys, capable of fending off powerful attackers - became less necessary as worlds joined the Republic, policing the hyperlanes and rendering the Ossein unnecessary. No longer did the Ossein have their own unified government, either; each fleet spoke only for themselves, a fact which prevented easy relations between them and many of the states they interacted with.
But civilization was not to reign forever, and the Ossein would find they still had a place in the Galaxy after all...
The Hundred-Year Darkness came as both a blessing and a terrible curse for the Ossein.
Having been pushed largely beyond the boarders of the expanding Republic, the Ossein fleets witnessed first hand the horrors building in the Outer Rim under the guidance of the Exiles. So it was that when the Exiles finally did unleash their terrible vengeance upon the civilized worlds of the Galaxy, the fleets set aside their old animosities toward the Republic and the Jedi, and came to their aid once more, knowing the darkness they faced.
This period is spoken of among the Ossein as the last great age of the [i]Jazaq[/i]. Although the Ossein had little Force tradition of their own, and many could not wield the cold power of their enemies or the light of their allies, glory was earned by many of their pilots, both in victory and in death. Briefly, the Galaxy was shown the rekindled fire of the star-warriors of old...
...but, it was too much.
Two generations of noble [i]Jazaq[/i] were thrown against the unstoppable tide of the Exiles, before finally, the fleets could bear the loss no longer. Many of the ancient [i]Jazaq[/i] families had been wiped out, their fire gone from the Galaxy, their fleets weakened by their passing. Unable to hold the line of battle any longer, the surviving Ossein fleets once again retreated to the fringes of the dying Republic, returning to the ways which had sustained them since time immemorial. The clash between light and darkness they would leave to those who had started it, and embrace neither side.
And now, nearly three generations have passed since the great culling of the [i]Jazaq[/i]. New blood is growing tired of sitting by, watching the long war which has gripped the Galaxy fester around them.
Their time is at hand.[/size]
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[CENTER][SIZE=7][gfont=Fascinate]- THE JAZAQ -[/gfont][/SIZE][/center]
[size=3][center][img]https://image.ibb.co/gfnv4m/space_command_cosmonaut_mir_2_by_defcombeta_dbt3bev.jpg[/img]
[i]An Ossein [/i]Jazaq[i].[/i][/center]
The Ossein practice a warrior culture, primarily focused on aspects of space combat and related endeavors. While some traditions can be said to be more "generalist" in their approach to martial prowess, the Ossein focus primarily on their element; this is evidenced by the fact that the Ossein use the same word - "Jazaq" - for both pilot and warrior.
While cultures like the Mandalorians have produced notable starfighter aces, the Ossein sing songs of long-dead heroes who could take on whole fleets single-handed. Ossein pilots were, long ago, among the most skilled, most sought-after warriors in the Galaxy, although the time of these great heroes is considered to be past.
Among the Ossein, the status of pilot - of ace pilot, in particular - is revered on an almost religious level. The position of copilot is likewise considered a sacred trust, and Ossein squadrons and ground crews consider one-another almost closer than their own families. Their craft, likewise, are considered more than mere machines, and are thought to be extensions of the pilots themselves. [i]Jazaq[/i] are required to own and maintain their own combat-capable ships, ready to fly and fight at a moment's notice.
Warriors of the Ossein are expected to hold to a philosophy known as the [i]Jazaq Yassa[/i], roughly translated as "Pilots' Orders." The [i]Jazaq Yassa[/i] is codified in a set of rules; any Ossein who flies a ship and abides by the [i]Jazaq Yassa[/i] is considered to be [i]Jazaq[/i], although only adherents who have proven themselves in battle or performed other great deeds are afforded the revered status of true pilots.
Normally, [i]Jazaq[/i] protect their home fleets, but many hire themselves out as mercenaries to bring in much-needed credits for their crews and families. It is traditional for Ossein warriors to spend a period of their lives "mercing." This practice may have something to do with the modern reputation of the [i]Jazaq[/i], as many consider them to be little more than wandering soldiers for hire, or worse, pirates and smugglers. It is true that the [i]Jazaq[/i] - the Ossein in general, really - have a knack for privateering, that is officially sanctioned piracy, especially as the open warfare between the Exiles and the Jedi has simmered down into proxy wars and espionage. Which side Ossein privateers end up working for tends to depend on who pays best. Some rogue [i]Jazaq[/i] have even turned quisling and embraced the ways of true pirates, although this is generally not considered to be acceptable behavior under the [i]Jazaq Yassa[/i].
In the wake of the Saber Wars, the Galaxy has experienced something of a golden age of piracy and crime. The [i]Jazaq[/i] have increasingly been called upon to defend their people and their way of life from these threats.
[CENTER][SIZE=7][gfont=Fascinate]- THE JAZAQ YASSA -[/gfont][/SIZE][/center]
[size=5][gfont=Fascinate]RIGHTEOUSNESS[/gfont][/size]
A true pilot must be acutely honest throughout their dealings with all beings. They must believe in justice, not from other people, but from themselves. To the true pilot, all points of view are deeply considered regarding honesty, justice and integrity. Pilots make a full commitment to their decisions.
[size=5][gfont=Fascinate]DARING[/gfont][/size]
To the true pilot, life is too precious to spend behind a shield. A pilot must live life completely, fully and wonderfully, taking all experience into themselves and forging it into wisdom, courage and strength. Life to a pilot is joy, but it is also risk; pilots must take risks, but they must not take them blindly.
[size=5][gfont=Fascinate]BENEVOLENCE[/gfont][/size]
Through intense training, a pilot becomes strong of mind and body. This power is within all, but as one who has developed it, it is the responsibility of the pilot to use it for good. A pilot must help those who cannot help themselves; if no opportunity to do so presents itself, they must seek it out.
[size=5][gfont=Fascinate]RESPECT[/gfont][/size]
True pilots have no reason to be cruel. They do not need to prove their strength. Pilots are not only respected for their skill in battle, but also by their dealings with others. The true strength of a pilot becomes apparent during difficult times.
[size=5][gfont=Fascinate]INTEGRITY[/gfont][/size]
When a pilot says they will do a thing, that thing is as good as done. Nothing will stop them completing any task they set themselves to; they do not need to "give their word," they do not need to "promise," speaking and doing to a pilot are the same action.
[size=5][gfont=Fascinate]HONOR[/gfont][/size]
Pilots have only one judge of honor and character, and that is themselves. Decisions a pilot makes, and the manner in which these decisions are carried out, reflect the true nature of a pilot. A pilot cannot hide from themselves.
[size=5][gfont=Fascinate]DUTY[/gfont][/size]
A pilot is responsible for everything they have done and said, and for all the consequences of those actions. A pilot is loyal to all those in their care, and to them they must remain true.
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[COLOR=#ffffff][gfont=Fascinate][exsize=20]ASSETS[/exsize][/gfont][/COLOR]
[size=3]The collective Ossein assets are difficult to quantify by their very nature. Each independent fleet has a single very large flagship, which functions essentially as a carrier, but which is for all intents and purposes a mobile trade-port and home to a huge, mostly civilian population. These vessels, for all their great size, are not armed aside from a few token laser cannons primarily meant to clear space debris.
The fleets themselves are extremely fluid, with ships coming and going all the time. They mostly consist of NPC vessels, largely bulk freighters and other such ships. Though most are likely armed with the token weapons such ships possess, they are not to be considered an organized military force, or indeed more than a rabble, and would be more inclined to run than fight in most cases.
Each fleet does have a relative handful of [i]Jazaq[/i], meant to defend it from attackers such as pirates.
The Ossein possess no planetary holdings, nor would they be inclined to establish any. Some fleets may make use of hollowed-out asteroids and space stations to function as supply depots or repair docks for their larger ships, but generally not. These constructs would likely be temporary in nature.[/size]
[COLOR=#ffffff][gfont=Fascinate][exsize=20]ROSTER[/exsize][/gfont][/COLOR]
[size=3]- [url=http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/index.php?threads/eice-frex.77092/]Eice Frex[/url].
- [url=http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/index.php?threads/tippi-snibit.76846/]Tippi Snibit[/url].
- [url=http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/index.php?threads/rin-kosakami.77193/]Rin "Tinker" Kosakami[/url].
- [url=http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/index.php?threads/doctor-jaq-errin.77254/]Jaq Errin[/url].
- [url=http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/index.php?threads/dedric-ryker.77290/]Dedric Ryker[/url].
- [url=http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/index.php?threads/reedlee-voon.77383/]Reedlee Voon[/url].
- Dorian.[/size]
[COLOR=#ffffff][gfont=Fascinate][exsize=20]TITLES[/exsize][/gfont][/COLOR]
[size=3]There are several titles attributed to individuals within the Ossein. Civilian Ossein spacers have their own system, while the [i]Jazaq[/i] class has its own corresponding set of titles.
The Ossein, as convention, will use rank as a suffix to an individual's name: example, Yesugen's name was Yesugen Khonoyon, with Yesugen being her name and Khonoyon being her title. These titles are usually used only in a formal capacity, and most Ossein go by their given name and family name in everyday life.
[tabs]
[tab=Civilian Titles]
[CENTER][SIZE=7][gfont=Fascinate]- CIVILIAN TITLES -[/gfont][/SIZE][/center]
Level 1 - Ajil (crewer).
Level 2 - Khudal (spacer).
Level 3 - Noy (captain).
Level 4 - Noyon (admiral).
Level 5 - Khonoyon ([color=red]unattainable[/color]).
[/tab]
[tab=Jazaq Titles]
[CENTER][SIZE=7][gfont=Fascinate]- JAZAQ TITLES -[/gfont][/SIZE][/center]
Level 1 - Jazaq.
Level 2 - Jazaq Neg.
Level 3 - Jazaq Gurav.
Level 4 - Jazaq Khoyor.
Note: in general use, the "Jazaq" prefix is omitted for levels 2 through 4 in naming conventions. Example: Yesugen Khoyor.
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[COLOR=#ffffff][gfont=Fascinate][exsize=20]INTENT[/exsize][/gfont][/COLOR]
[size=3]I intend for the Ossein Fleets to be a fun, space-focused faction, meant to give players who wish to have spacer characters and fighter pilots an option for backstory and role-playing. The Ossein fleets themselves would make for great role-playing settings; the great flagship hangar bazaars alone present endless opportunities for fun and adventure. I believe their addition would make this world we're building that much more diverse.
For the Ossein themselves, I wanted to have them as a merchant culture which operates outside the normal boundaries of the Republic and the main factions. The influences for them are equal parts Mongol, Minoan and Polynesian, with perhaps a dash feudal Japanese culture thrown in.
The [i]Jazaq[/i], specifically, I wanted to create as an alternative warrior tradition to the Mandalorians and their ilk, with less baggage and more spaceships. Everybody likes spaceships. They would be an excuse to create entities resembling Rogue or Wraith Squadron from the old Legends canon, and create stories involving the exploits of pilots and spacers doing what they do best. Their influence is drawn from Mongol horsemen and Samurai, with some Viking thrown in.[/size]
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