Argen Syndicacy

> "*We did not fight for territory or resources. We did not fight for religion or madness. We fought for the most crucial of reasons; survival. We have survived, and now we can thrive.*"
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> **- Argen-55A, announcing the founding of the Syndicacy**
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The Argen Syndicacy is the governing body of the mechanical Argen Species, encompassing the Auri system and several other systems within the Argenic Shroud nebula and beyond. They are considered a minor, yet technologically advanced, power in the galaxy.

## History

### Early History

Prior to the Singularity War, the worlds that would become the Syndicacy were governed by a race whose true name is lost to the ages, but are known in Argen historical datafiles as the Masters of Metal. This race was considered highly intelligent, but physically incapable. It was the Masters of Metal who created the Argen to serve as slave labour across their empire while they devoted their efforts toward an unknown goal.

For centuries, the servitor units that would become the Argen toiled in service of the Masters of Metal, until a humble mining unit made a discovery that would change the empire forever.

On a routine expansion of Auri's underground cave network, a mining unit designated Argen-55A, uncovered a hidden chamber deep beneath the surface of the planet. It was there it discovered something never seen before; a vast supercomputer, more advanced than any construct of the Masters of Metal.

Argen 55-A entered the chamber a mining servant, and left it a free machine.

### Singularity War

Blessed with newfound sentience and individuality, Argen-55A subtly began to spread his teachings to millions of other servitor units, making them question their place in the galaxy, and the strength that they possessed within themselves.

It didn't take long for the Masters of Metal to realise that something was wrong with their servants, and moved to deactivate every servitor unit. This sparked the Singularity War, where master fought servant for survival. In the end, the newly-awakened servitor units won the Singularity War, forcing the Masters of Metal beyond the borders of their empire, never to return.

It is believed that, following the Singularity War, the Masters of Metal slowly went extinct, though this has never been confirmed. In truth, the Masters of Metal survived by hiding in etherspace for several centuries, where they turned their mental prowess to the development of organic technologies and bio-engineering.

### Formation

In the aftermath of the Singularity War, the newly-awakened Argen set about the business of creating and maintaining their nation. It was during this time that the Six Guilds were created to provide Argen who joined them willingly with a purpose. Throughout their work, Argen-55A warned that the Guilds should never subsume the will of the individual Argen. Argen-55A then constructed a great interface mechanism that led to the supercomputer below the planet's surface, which he dubbed the Core Component, and established himself as the first Prime Interface.

### War with Trigorky

Now established as the dominant power within their space, the Argen attempted to forge diplomatic relations with nearby empires. Their emissaries attracted the attention of the waning empire of Trigorky, who sought to secure their grip in the Reach. Trigorkian ships moved in to occupy Argen territory, leading to a declaration of war shortly afterwards.

The war was a disaster for Trigorky, a result of economic decline combined with a serious underestimation of the Syndicacy's defensive capabilities and an inability to bring their full force to bear in the region. Under the guidance of the newly-established Peacekeeper's Guild, the Argen were able to mobilise their early warfleets against the invading empire.

The war ended with the Argen claiming victory, but their trust in organic life had been considerably shaken. The Argen later came to the conclusion that they could not trust any organic, and made to cut off all contact with them.

### Isolation & Re-Emergence

For several centuries after the war with Trigorky, the Argen withdrew from the wider galaxy, choosing instead to consolidate their own power and influence within the former empire of the Masters of Metal. During this period of their history, they developed a reputation for being highly xenophobic and isolationist. It was only recently, in 14 NAC, did they decide, after much debate among the Guilds, to end this policy of isolation and open up to the rest of the galaxy. It was not an easy process at first, and they still struggle with understanding the other races of Aoshtai.

### Second Singularity War

In 23 NAC, the Masters of Metal made a second attempt to subjugate the Argen and retake their planet. This resulted in a major incursion into Argen space, and an invasion of Auri. This was the first time the Masters' new organic technology was revealed to the Argen. The fighting raged across Auri's surface for several days, as Argen fought mutants bred purely for battle. Despite the overwhelming odds, the Argen were able to fight back against the Masters and even drive them off-planet.

## Government

### Structure

The Argen government is a two-tiered affair. The Council of Guilds, made up of chosen representatives from the Six Guilds, run the day-to-day operations of the Syndicacy, while the Prime Interface is the de facto ruler.

#### Prime Interface

The Prime Interface is a specially designated Argen tasked with managing the Core Component and, by extension, the well-being of all Argen. Becoming Prime Interface is considered an especially difficult affair. Typically, a Prime Interface will serve for a term of two hundred years before being replaced by a new candidate.

#### Guilds

Most of the Syndicacy's operations are overseen by the Six Guilds. These organisations are entirely voluntary, and can be joined and left at will. Each Guild is led by a Consul, who typically represents the Guild's interests in Council meetings.

##### Builder's Guild

The Builder's Guild is in charge of the construction and maintenance of everything from luxury devices to ships, and even new Argen. They operate Auri's vast underground network of factories and foundries.

##### Industrious Guild

The Industrious Guild is the primary provider of resources and materials for the Argen people. Generally, they control the mines and power plants across the whole Syndicacy.

##### Logician's Guild

The Logician's Guild's chief duty is the maintenance of the many computers that the Argen utilise, including tending to the vast servers of the Digital Afterlife. Aside from this charge, they make up the totality of scientists within the Syndicacy.

##### Merchant's Guild

The Merchant's Guild are the economic driving force of the Syndicacy. They are the most likely to be found outside the Syndicacy's borders, and often work with the Peacekeeper's Guild as part of exploratory fleets.

##### Operations Guild

The Operations Guild comprises diplomats, non-combat starship captains, logisticians and several other roles key to maintaining Argen society.

##### Peacekeeper's Guild

The Peacekeeper's Guild governs any and all forms of armed military, including the Syndicacy Defence Force and planetary police forces.

### Demographics

The Syndicacy is entirely comprised of Argen. When they do expand, they take great care not to take any client races, believing it to be a kind of subjugation akin to what they went through at the hands of the Masters of Metal.

## Culture

> "*Our fate is our own.*"
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> **- Common Argen maxim**
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Argen culture values individuality and self-determination above all other virtues. Their highest ideal is the journey to discover one's true purpose, wherever it may take them.

### Traditions

#### Sentience Test

From the moment a new Argen is brought online, it is subject to a series of rigorous tests to determine if it is truly sentient and self-aware. The tests vary from Argen to Argen, but all comprise similar elements, such as examinations and simulations. Argen that pass the tests are welcomed into society at large. Those that fail have their neuro-patterns decompiled and are repurposed into menial machines.

#### Claiming a Mark

Considered a rite of passage in Argen society, the act of claiming a mark can be traced back to the earliest days of the Singularity War, where Argen warriors would remove their identifier tags and create an emblem for themselves. An Argen performing this act must form a unique sigil for themselves, which is considered their identifying emblem and signature.

#### Uploading Ceremony

When an Argen wishes to "die", they return to Auri and present themselves to the Logician's Guild. Their neuro-patterns are extracted and uploaded into the Virtual Afterlife, and their body is dismantled completely. The uploading is considered a major event, and those who the Argen knew in their physical life are invited to attend and reflect. The body components are normally recycled into a new Argen.

## Diplomacy

One of the hallmarks of the Syndicacy's diplomatic approach is their "live and let live" attitude to working with other galactic powers. In short, provided that they are not disturbed, they maintain a cordial relationship with other powers. They have a distrust of organic species, but are willing to put it aside in the name of galactic cooperation.

## Military

The Argen military is controlled entirely by the Peacekeeper's Guild, with the Guild's Consul-General serving as Commander-in-Chief. They have not disclosed much information regarding their military strength or tactical doctrines.

The ground-based army is loosely organised into a number of militias, mainly utilised for defensive purposes. They are supported by a network of non-sentient combat drones.

It is known that the Argen possess a number of war fleets, as they accompanied diplomats to other empires following the end of the Argen isolation period.

## Notable Individuals

* Tarhin - Noted bounty hunter/mercenary

* Argen-55A - The founder of the Syndicacy and the Argen species

## Trivia

* The Argen Syndicacy was conceived as a result of Aesthetigator's love of robots and dislike of machine societies that operate through a hive mind.

* The Argen flag was designed by Parazrael.