Corsairs

> "After all, what is the essence of a Corsair? What are a Corsair's defining traits? Is it our Stanislavan-government issued rifles? Is it our Erevosian-government issued wine? Is it our Usonian-government issued ships? Is it our Shenzhau-government issued narcotics? Is it our Chelovayyan-government issued contracts? Perhaps. Yet to which of these governments do we owe our ultimate allegiance to? Ourselves! Hahaha!"
>
> Captain Nightfowl of the Seven Wings Triad

## Status

Living

The **Corsairs** (Stanislavan: *Korsars*; Corsair Standard: *Khorsers*; Shangyeyongyu: *Hǎidàochuán*), colloquially known as the **Sea Wolfs** (Corsair Standard: *Lhobo Sadaggath*; Shangyeyongyu: *Hǎi Láng)*, and as the **Triads** (Corsair Standard: *Athlosa*; Shangyeyongyu: *Sanhéhuì*) are an Extradite Human faction that dwell on the outskirts of the Empire. The Corsairs have a reputation of being mercenaries, traders, merchants, pirates, slavers, and even assassins across the Milky Way Galaxy. The Corsairs are predominantly found in the Norma Arm, although they are spread across thousands of star systems either working for a larger faction or working independently.

The term 'Corsairs' was originally used to refer to self-reliant spacefaring bands of nomads that operated in the former territory of the Chelovayyan Imperial Autonomy of the Norma Arm that arose a few centuries after the Marring of Norma by Matriarch Nihline. By the Third Epoch, the term was expanded to refer to both the territories and the peoples living under de facto Corsair rule. As such, the Corsairs are regarded as a faction of their own, and are considered overall to be a sub-faction of the Domain of Humanity. Similar to other realms of the Domain of Humanity, the Corsairs maintain a high presence of Nezemenites, most commonly of which are the Foederati and the Svoboda Ksenos, which the Galactic Federation refers to as the Khogkhogs, although that term often includes Humans as well.

Although Corsairs are known for being independent, for the latter half of the Third Epoch, private security companies referred to as the SBGs have begun further integration with the Chelovayyan Empire in hundreds, if not, thousands of mutually beneficial agreements with each other. It is not unusual to see Corsair security professionals working alongside the National Defence Forces, the Earthly Host, or the Milky Way Galactic Corps. Despite these recent advancements, most Corsairs remain wary of the Empire, and consider their independence to be of utmost importance. These Corsairs are collectively referred to as the Melhayans, who are considered as notorious to Imperial merchant shipping by the Empire. Some Corsair groups have gone down darker paths, and are referred to by the self-coined name, Black Societies. Members of these Black Societies are referred to as the Astray Corsairs. These are Excommunicant Reprobate fraternities who have sworn allegiance to the Typheons, or to some other power whose alignment ultimately lies with the Forces of Darkness.

## History

Due to their vastly differing physiology and anatomy from the Chelovayyans, the Corsairs have been considered as a new race of humans. They have been scientifically designated as **Khomosapiyen Vir**, due to their stature and build resembling that of ancient humans.