Hey guys! OOC here, post yer sheets!<br/><br/>Oh yeah, some info about major factions. The Black's an unforgiving place. You need to know where you stand:<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 24pt;">The Federation:</span></strong><br/><br/>Despite a terminal lack of creativity, The Federation is a collection of representatives of local governments that regularly meet to decide on major issues. For the most part, the Federation keeps a 'live and let live' policy-local governments are free to make and enforce their own laws, with the Federation only stepping in if two or more governing bodies have a conflict-in which case, they act as a mediating third party. The Federation tolerates private mercenary groups, accepting that private mercenaries have done both a lot of good and a lot of bad, and knowing that outlawing all mercenaries would end badly.<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 24pt;">The Swords of Iomedae</span></strong><br/><br/>Mankind and more may have made it to the stars, but they have not forgotten their Gods. Religion still affects the galaxy, and no where is this more apparent then the Swords of Iomedae. While the Federation is a passive governing body, the Swords are highly active, seeking to end injustice and tyranny where it is found. The highest ranking members are officially ordained priests and paladins of Iomedae, but the Swords will accept anyone into the organization, asking only that the applicant have a thirst for justice-and survive their first assignment with an official member of the Swords. The Swords mostly act autonomously, and are not above hiring private mercenaries for assistance-one of Iomedae's tenets is to make use of any tools you have, and mercenaries, to the Swords, are just as much a tool as their swords. They do pay well, at least, and are always fair in their dealings.<br/><br/>The current First Knight of Iomedae (the highest ranking member) is a born Lycanthrope with the name Charles Deegan. He claims that his devotion to the Swords helped him learn to control the beast within. Typically while in the field or when dealing with others, he goes by the codename "Caine". He flies a small, one person ship, and it's said his most expensive possessions are his weapons, a<em>+5 Brilliant Energy Holy</em>Longsword, and a<em>+3 Flaming Burst/Shocking Burst</em>Ares C-17 "Handcannon". He has a full chest tattoo of Iomedae's holy symbol, as well as an energy shield that projects an image of the symbol-both are used in his spellcasting.<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 24pt;">"Perfection":</span></strong><br/><br/>Little is known about this mysterious cult. They are said to have been founded in the aftermath of the "GalaxyShock" Crisis. It is known that they believe that organic bodies are inherently inferior to synthetic 'Perfection' (hence the name). Aside from that, only rumors exist.<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 24pt;">The Mafia:</span></strong><br/><br/>While they go by a different name, the now gnomish run crime family operates exactly as it always has, to the point where anyone who knows anything just calls them "The Mafia". Even the Federation calls them the Mafia, disregarding the official name of "Tinkertoy Brigade." According to at least one member of the Swords of Iomedae, this is likely a good thing for them. The name may be ridiculous, but their methods aren't. Preferring non-violent, financial crimes, the Mafia has their hands in a number of illegal tofu-pies: Smuggling, racketeering, money laundering, and more. The Mafia are also the ones the party is in debt for for their ship. And the number is astronomical.<br/><br/><strong>Economy, Credits, and You:</strong><br/><br/>Greetings, traveler! As you explore the many and vast reaches of space, you are most certain to be awestruck by the sights that astound you: The Crystal Towers of Vespa, the war torn landscapes of Gratharqua, and more! But while your jaw is laying on the floor in wonder, another thought may cross your mind: How am I going to pay for all this?<br/><br/>Fret not, traveler! Your local currency can easily pay for anything in the galaxy, usually with a quick stop by the nearest Cortex Terminal to turn your local cash into galactic credits! To account for the many different currencies and markets, credits are printed in four denominations: Copper, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. 1 Silver Credit is equal to 10 Copper, 1 Gold is equal to 10 Silver, and 1 Platinum is equal to 10 Gold. All shops, by Federation law, print their prices in both local currency and credits for the good of the Galactic Traveler!<br/><br/>Hard Credits are an option for those who don't want their purchases tracked, and can often be found in the oddest of places by scavengers and mercenary groups. Do note, however, that most merchants will find the use of hard credits a little suspicious-while certainly understandable for small purchases like a can of Coke or more adult forms of entertainment, a customer who insists on buying a vehicle with hard credits will gather many raised eyebrows!<br/><br/>(Okay to be honest, this whole thing was just so I could put that paragraph about Hard Credits at the end so no one asks how the fuck I'm still giving the party cash in the treasure piles :p)<br/><br/><strong>The Story so Far:</strong><br/><br/>The crew of the (yet to be named) has come to Delta Sector 8, where the event known as the GalaxyShock Crisis began. Thanks to the actions of a Half-Elf named Kalahad and a former human turned robot known as "Sarah", Delta 8's only attraction, the tourist planet of Aquarius, was nearly destroyed by the now defunct pirate group known as The Crimson Fangs. With Aquarius in ruins, it's ripe for picking-while it's been hit by plenty of scavenger groups, the crew has received a rumor that a powerful (and expensive) God Made Artifact awaits on the surface for those with the guts to claim it. While it may be a hoax, there's still plenty of loot that hasn't been picked over by scavengers, and the planet is 80% water-which would help with the Gillman on board. Of course, this is assuming you can get past the dangerous creatures on the surface...<br/><br/>Putting this here for easy reference to Taria's sheet: http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=1129860