Confederation of the Basur Pirates

### Population

25,000 Velencav and other stations in the Teyhet system40,000 Assorted Station-States
~900 Foreign Slaves

## Historical information

### Established

18,500~ BNE

**Overview**
Military

Originally from Coriusian, they are spacers who entered Aoshtai via the Gate 73 and settled remote systems with an array of small space stations. Though Sacuri societies are typically simple, harsh, and lonely, the Basur are an example of a more fierce breed, raiding vessels at will to enrich themselves. Under the recent leadership of Grand Convener Ludevbar Callirov, their participation in piracy has rose.

Their confederation is held together with a council made of the respective spacer-leaders and lead by the Grand Convener, whom is elected by the council. Strict codes are enacted amongst the spacer-states to ensure internal stability and settle quarrels, with there being demonstrated repercussions against violators. Though somewhat sophisticated for spacers, they hold a barbaric streak, especially towards foreigners.

## History

**18,500s BNE:** Originating from the Vielkovijan Arm, the Basur are mentioned by other Sacuri groups. They were looked down upon for their raids which drew the ire of Coriusian's main powers, who indiscriminately sent forces to threaten and cow Sacuri groups into submission.

**18,478 BNE:** The Battle of the Lost Fleet results in the destruction of a small Calitanan force alongside a larger group of assorted Sacuri ships. Despite emerging victorious, the battle crippled Basur forces and resulted in their dispersion. This led them to inhabit most reaches of Coriusian, but they weren’t able to enter Aoshtai nor Selten via the gates. As well, these groups fell into obscurity due to their small size.

While records of Basur groups would appear occasionally, both the efforts of other Sacuri spacers and Coriusian nations sought to suppress their piracy.

**17,234 BNE:** During Grand Velcovia’s fight for independence, most of the Basur banded to aid them. The reasoning is presumed to be due the Basuri’s majority Vlandrnite demographic, with them wishing to win independence for their brethren.

Through this conflict, the Basur allied with the Federation of Grenas, but relations soured shortly after their success, restoring their prior status as pirates.

**16,000s BNE:** Despite their hostility towards the Federation of Grenas, Hakatorism would gain popularity among the Basur and eventually become its dominant religion.

**12,900s BNE:** The Basur would oppose the Atasarid Invasion of Coriusian, but were defeated on multiple occasions. However, despite their losses, they grew their ranks with other Sacuri groups who flocked to their ranks.

**9,600s BNE:** When the Atasarid’s last holdings in Coriusian fell, the Basur sought an unusual deal with the Federation of Grenas and Calitanan Stargazers. In exchange for safe passage to Gate 73 and into Aoshtai, the Basur would cease operations in Coriusian and instead redirect such against the Atasarid for no fee.

These terms would be accepted, and the Basur went to raid the Atasarid. Settling the region as nomads, they declared themselves the Basur State.

**5,890 BNE:** After thousands of years of evading Atasarid retaliation, the Basur were caught in their main port at the Lakkenev system. Despite their numbers, the Basur found their light fleet could do little against an assault spearheaded by battleships.

With the port’s destruction, the Basur State was dissolved and their peoples either returned to Coriusian or became obscure spacer groups within the Demise.

**441 BNE:** Seeking to restore their people’s former legacy, many ex-Basur spacers banded to form the Confederation of the Basur Pirates. They would spend most of their time consolidating themselves, as well as reaching out to other ex-Basur communities.

**423 BNE:** Teyhet is made the capital system of the new confederation and Velencav Station is built. Despite this, it was decided that in the case of its destruction, the main system of the strongest confederation member was to become the new capital, allowing them to live and fight another day.

**Lars, 23 NE:** In response to a Basur raid and their declaration of war, Amestria responds with a war of reprisal. The war soon expands with the KCC’s emergence too, and the Basur align themselves with the Charter Company.

## Government

Elected by the Council’s majority vote, the Grand Convener is tasked with leading the Confederation’s fleet, settling disputes, organizing conventions, and advising spacer-leaders. When the Grand Convener is unavailable, the Council assumes much of their domestic roles. There is no limit to how long one can be Grand Convener, but they have limited influence over the domestic affairs of the spacer-states themselves, with only the Council able to enact legislation, and the Council has the ability to oust the Grand Convener with a Vote of the People. A Vote of the People can only be called with a three quarters majority however, and it requires that the Basur people also vote in favor with such a majority, thus it is rarely ever called.

The Council is made of spacer-leaders, with one per station. As a safeguard to prevent major states from reigning over Confederation policy, the Council has a limit of four representatives per recognized state. While most stations hold elections of some kind to select their leaders, not all follow such. In meetings, they hold lengthy periods of debate followed by drafting and voting on laws affecting the whole Confederation. The location of the meetings are typically at Velencav, and such are organized by the Grand Convener when they aren’t preoccupied with leading the military. The passage of laws are based off a simple majority vote, and it is the duty of each spacer-leader to ensure their people follow any and all passed legislation. Violation of such may draw the ire of the whole Council.

## Society

Due to Basur communities often being in separate star systems, interaction between spacer-states is limited, but not absent. Their societies tend to be tight-knit and simplistic, holding sparse luxuries. The Confederation’s conventions help foster a sense of unity between the otherwise insular groups, with each spacer-state having a member involved in the Council. As well, the rallying of forces by the Grand Convener also serve to spark cooperation, as any spoils gained are then divided amongst the participants, who oftentimes send the wealth to their respective spacer-state. Few are allowed to join the Basur navy and it is viewed as an honor to do so, thus it is common for spacer-states to try and nominate one or more members of their group to join the navy.

### Culture

#### Social Order

Basur Hakatorist beliefs have factored into the creation of three main groups, **Elites**, **Ordinars**, and **Slaves**. Claiming elites are divinely entitled to rule, it affirms their privileges in Basur society, which grant them more rights than the average citizen. Some of these rights include eligibility to higher religious and governmental positions. This has limits however, and elites are not immune to the law nor does their status allow them to entirely bypass the meritocratic system present in most Basur life.

Ordinars make the majority of the population, having the rights of Confederation citizenship. Further rights depend on the spacer-state, as each has differing stances. They occupy most functions of society and are granted social mobility to all but the highest offices of Basur society, but even then, Ordinars may become part of the Elite via merit in rare cases. This is partly due to practicality, but also cause, unlike mainstream Hakatorist societies, the Basur don’t have a rigid caste system.

Slaves occupy the lowest positions of Basur society, usually being restricted to dangerous menial work. Unlike other positions however, one can’t be born into it, as children of Basur slaves are born as Ordinars regardless of circumstance. This, alongside slavery overall, has been the subject of debate among Basur, and their spacer-states hold different laws on slavery, with some banning or dedicating major industries to it. For most Basur it isn’t a moral question though, as most states against or regulating slavery do so because they believe the potential income from slave labor isn’t worth the risks of unrest and many Ordinars wish slavery is kept to a minimum, fearing slave labor may replace or devalue their work. Historically, unrest from slaves have resulted in numerous, albeit minor incidents in the Confederation. Overall, slaves make a small minority of the Basur population, but the resurgence of Basur piracy has sparked an influx of enslaved foreigners, raising concerns over how many the Confederation can handle before the institution becomes a source of serious, widespread instability or even revolt.

#### Fashion and Architecture

Most Basur wear two layers of robes which cover most of their body, and their spacesuits tend to be stylized. One’s clothing is a symbol of status, with intricate garb either worn on special occasion or by the elite. Vibrant colors are used alongside decor such as plumes, but nothing too opulently, as to avoid accusations of vanity.

In architecture, Basur families tend to reside in the same area for generations and build them up over time. Their intricate structures are carved into asteroids, with pillars and arches often present for aesthetic purposes. For those who can afford it, paint is also applied, usually in bands, but also in the form of murals. Public buildings are also built over generations, and these are communal efforts often sponsored by the wider Confederation. Most communities try to connect their buildings, either with tunnels or merging their homes into one large complex.

#### Diet

(see Basur foods)

Many Basur stations dedicate themselves to cultivating crops, with rye-like Tarithit Grass and Irruni Berries being examples. While most are grown as staple foods, Basunnu Pepper and Kahjunere Nectar Leaf are grown as luxuries in Basur Society. Meat is near absent, and the only type domestically produced in any notable capacity being seafood. Due to this, it is a rare treat when foreign foods are obtained from raids, with meat being among the most prized. The average Basur eats and drinks little for most of the day, but towards the end, large meals are prepared. Basur luxuries such as spice, sugared drinks, and, if available, meat are used as family gatherings are held.

### Civil Institutions

Aside from their martial focus, the Confederation has many of the civil institutions of formal nations, with small teams of medical staff and scholars stationed in every inhabited system, rudimentary postal service, system of citizenship, police forces, and even courts of law being examples of such. These organizations aren’t the best funded however, and these civil functions are almost always either ran jointly or solely by their respective member-states, who, while required to strictly follow codes which apply to the whole Confederation, are given notable autonomy where they don’t apply.

#### Citizenship

The **Confederation’s System of Citizenship** is one of the cases of strict regulation. Amongst the Basur, citizens are any and all who are native born in one of the Confederation’s member-states, freed slaves, or have been naturalized. Basur Citizenship assures protection from unjust cruelty, grants some liberty, and promises one can benefit from Confederation sponsored institutions. While the rights it entails are limited, the Confederation ensures they are given. To many in the Confederation, it means equal, or at least fair treatment when in other Basur spacer-states, aids in building cohesion, and allows their peoples to move freely between said states, thus its violation is one of most sternly punished.

Naturalization into Basur society is a process where one’s loyalty is put through a series of trials and also entails lengthy paperwork. Immediately after, one can legally enter most Basur areas and gains the full protections citizenship provides, however, it takes an additional 5 years before the naturalized citizen can enter the Teyhet system, hold notable political office, and join the military, with exceptions being far and few.

Neutral non-citizens who don’t naturalize aren’t legally allowed into Basur territory aside from some outposts, but are still given some basic protections. Slaves aren’t as lucky. Often forced into horrid treatment, slaves of the Basur are either captured foes deemed unworthy of respect or criminals who were sentenced to such. Due to barbaric conditions, the life expectancy of slaves are low, even by Basur standards. It’s rare that a slave ever lives long enough to be freed. Hakatorist beliefs are typically invoked to justify this, but some of the Basur spacer-states disprove of, or at least grant a semblance of rights to those under slavery.

### Spacer-States

#### The Main Four

With the largest populations of the spacer-states, the four hold massive power over the Confederation despite their states receiving the same representation as others in the Council.

##### Baiur

The largest and first Basur state, it has persisted throughout the eras and currently exists as an elected council. One of the most martial, they make up the largest percentage of the shipbuilding industry and have a military academy in their capital station, Lekeva. Military service is mandatory for civilians, but due to the military’s limited size, most are given other roles instead. Proud of their heritage, they seek to revive the Basur State and reestablish the Basur navy, with them spearheading such. Administratively, they are a republic, with citizens voting annually for their station’s representatives, who rule over their respective stations and also partake in the council to decide management of the whole state. Their military influence is their greatest asset in the Confederation, as while they hold economic power too, this has been gradually outshined by others.

##### Akkarad

A small republic, they were bitter rivals of the Basur in the far past. This later changed and they joined the Basur a few decades after the start of the 12,900s’ Atasarid Invasion. Out of the Confederation, they have the largest civilian industry and have recently sought to distance themselves from piracy, dissuading their citizens from participating. While their current administration voices willingness to contribute to defensive conflicts and ones of retribution, their unusual absence from piracy is controversial among their populace and the wider Confederation. Despite this, the Akkarad government has maintained power due their economic sway and stability of their reign. Their state has some of the best institutions out of the whole Confederation, made possible in part due to their industry. Their agricultural, mining, and industrial sectors heavily support the Confederation’s domestic economy, and domestic trade serves as their main source of income.

##### Daikhana

Ruled by a theocratic council, they are extremely traditionalist and their clergy supervises most aspects of life. Basur Hakatorist beliefs are deeply rooted among them and much funding is poured into their religious institutions which also serve to educate their populace. In their capital, Ukamek, the Hall is revered as the Confederation’s educational center, with a vast archives, public library, temple, and school, all managed by religious scholars. Their people follow Baiur's martial example, with their personnel known for the golden masks they wear. Economically, they are a middling member of the Confederation.

##### Velencav

To prevent one nation from ruling the Confederation’s capital, Velencav is governed by the Council. Subjects of management not touched upon by the Confederation’s laws are, for the most part, decided by a lower local council which is elected by the station’s people. Other spacer states are allowed to settle in Velencav’s system, but no singular spacer state can have more people in the region than Velencav. Aside from being the administrative center of the Confederation, Velencav serves as the main naval base of the Basur, but this status has been subject to change. Many Basur strategists have advised that the Confederation move their military bases elsewhere, warning that the ire of nations might be drawn to the Confederation proper if they don’t.

## Finances

**Lars, 23 NE:** +100 trillion from raid on Amestrian shipping

**Lars, 23 NE:** -50 trillion from purchase with the Knelkist Charter Company

**Lars, 23 NE:** -10 trillion given to populace