|
|
|
|
The Laylaron |
The Laylaron are a nomadic nearbaseline group of family owned and crewed, armed merchant freighters. According to Laylaron legends, they originated during the Late Interplanetary Era when long-distance trade was dangerous and mostly planet-bound corporations were reluctant to invest in risky interstellar enterprises. Many History scholars believe they are descendants of defectors from different mercantile endeavors. Regardless, at some time before the Nanoswarm , solitary merchant captains decided to forsake operating their ships out of permanent bases, and would travel from world to world, trading products, never staying in one place long, or following a regular pattern of trade routes. The ships of the Laylaron were probably remnants of bankrupt corporations of the Earth Sphere - large freighters, heavily armed and operating independently with no corporate or planetary backing. Most Laylaron groups managed to survive the Version wars. Little contact was made between the different Clades of the Laylaron during the collapse of the wormholes. And most of the clades operated independently
As time passed, the Laylaron - or Star People - began to see themselves as a group separate from the planet-bound masses. In return for the products they traded, they asked only for the maintenance and expansion of their ships and for better weapons which to defend themselves. Rarely visiting planetary surfaces, the crews of the ships became extended family units of up to 500 individuals or more. In order to avoid inbreeding, they exchanged mates with the crews of other similar ships at regular gatherings of their fleets. The Laylaron are organized in clans, each centered on a huge, centuries old star-freighters. They are constantly modifying, adapting, and expanding their beloved ships. Even for most peoples, they are extremely independent minded, recognizing the authority of no government, but that of their Ship's Captain chiefs. They will respond violently, and with whatever force they have available if they feel their ships or crews are threatened. They are easily offended, and have adopted from the other cultures, the custom of duelling when they feel their honor has been compromised. Rivalries and vendettas between clans are common. Their wanderings are widespread all over. When an Laylaron trade caravan arrives in a star system, always unannounced, it is a time of excitement and wonder. The Laylaron bring with them exotic tales of their travels, and strange cargoes sold for bargain prices. An Laylaron visit is a break in the monotony of ordinary daily life for planet-bound populations.
Laylaron ships come in all shapes and configurations. At least the hulls of the oldest, most well-known ships are quite ancient. Over the centuries, additions and alterations have been made to their ships, so that at first glance, they seem almost a random patchwork of protrusions and irregularities. All Laylaron ships are well-armed with weapons of the latest technology they can obtain. The most typical Laylaron ship will contain a population of over 30,000 individuals - most of whom are related in some manner. The interior of their ships are well-maintained, but living quarters can be quite close. In some cases, where population levels are at their limit, and a new ship cannot be obtained for senior youngsters, portions of the population might rotate in and out of low-berth. When new ships are obtained for excess population, new clans are formed that are considered children clans of the founding ship. The relationship between such clans usually remain very close, and such ships may be found commonly travelling together. The most common denominator of Laylaron ships is their size. They are huge in volume by necessity. Since the Laylaron actually dwell on their ships, they are equipped for all aspects of daily life. Although there is little privacy, there must still be room enough for the population to move about without constantly getting in each other's way. An Laylaron ship must also contain large cargo holds for their vast amounts of trade merchandise. The Laylaron hold their ships in a deep, almost spiritual regard. Each ship bears the same name as the clan that possesses it, and all clan members are known by that surname. The tech-shamans of the Laylaron have imbued the ships with anthropomorphic qualities, calling them the Divine Fathers of the Laylaron. Technical failures or problems onboard ship might be attributed to the dissatisfaction or anger of the Clan Father.
Almost all occupants of an Laylaron vessel are members of the same extended family. The ultimate authority on the ship resides in the Ship's Captain, who can be either a man or a woman. The Ship's Captain does accept advice from a Ship's Council, made up of the Chiefs in charge of various operations of the ship. The Ship's Captain is typically a senior member of the clan, elected by the Ship's Council, and remaining in office as long as he retains the confidence of the Council and the clan. Family distinctions and individual parentage are not important to the Laylaron since the clan itself is the basis for their family structure. All children are raised communally in creches on the ship, tended by clan nurses. The Laylaron's relationship with the clan is the most important aspect of their life. Young clan members consider all the elder generation to be mothers and fathers, while the elders consider all youths to be their children. Although the Laylaron are independent about outside matters, members must be willing to suppress their individual desires for the good of the clan. Within the clan, rank is determined by age and expertise, and respect for elders is expected and demanded. Rituals and ceremonies celebrating significant events in clan history, or legendary clan heroes, are common events onboard ship. Laylaron are not allowed to take mates from members of the same clan. This rule prevents inbreeding among the small gene pool present on each ship. Laylaron choose mates from either other clans at the regular clan gatherings, or from among planet-dwellers. Often, these matings are temporary romantic trysts, but offspring from these encounters are welcomed by the clan - they are viewed as genetic pollination. Many planet-dwellers from conservative societies may consider the sexual morality of the Laylaron to be rather loose. Because of their reproductive practices, the Laylaron are a combination of all Terran ethnic groups. In many cases, especially in the time when youth gives way to maturity, an Laylaron may choose a bound-mate from another clan. Bound-mating is considered a more permanent and formal arrangement of mating among the Laylaron. Even so, it is not as rigid a convention as the typical forms of planet-dweller marriage, but is based only on mutual affection and respect. A bound-mating can be dissolved at any time by either party, if they are dissatisfied with the arrangement. The Laylaron have also adopted the custom of young clan members travelling for a time on the ship of another friendly or allied clan. It is assumed that when these clan youths visit with another clan, they are free to mate with their counterparts in the other clan. This practice is encouraged by the clan elders since it provides for a strengthening of the clan blood, and allows members of one clan to learn the ways and knowledge of another. This tends to homogenize Laylaron culture to some degree, and allows clans to strengthen ties with other clans and obtain allies. It also satisfies the yearnings of young clan members to see other things besides those aboard their own ship and among their own clan members. When reaching an age of approximately 25 years, clan members are expected to return to their own ships, unless they have bound-mated to an individual from another clan and have chosen to remain with that other clan. It these cases, a ceremony of adoption is undertaken. The Laylaron have also been known to adopt orphans from among planetary populations.
Because they are independent and competitive, rivalries are common between the clans. The intensity of these rivalries varies from friendly wagering to all-out clan warfare. Clans that are on good terms may bet on who can reach a given destination first, or who can obtain the best deal on a given cargo. Clans that are disagreeable to one another may intentionally intrude in trade deals being conducted, for instance, by delivering a cargo to a world before the other can arrive. These clans might spread derogatory rumors about the other. Such clan rivalries can extend through generations until they become vendettas. When clans are in a state of vendetta, young clan members, seeking to make a name for themselves, may actively search out members of the opposite clan to challenge them to duels. These duels are almost always fought to the death, using eakya - a pair of daggers adopted by some humans for duels with others. All Laylaron always carry a pair of eakya. If a vendetta continues to the point where it is impossible for either clan to make peace without losing honor, clan warfare may breakout. If a clan is victorious in warfare, they will kill all the adults of the other clan, adopt the children, and give the ship if it has not been destroyed, to youngsters seeking to start a new clan. Clan warfare is rare though, since the Ship's Captains and Councils usually will work to cool the blood of younger clansmen, and try to find a resolution to the conflict. Some of the older, more vicious clan wars have become source material for legends the Laylaron tell among themselves. Like the many other clades, certain rigid rules apply to vendettas and warfare between the clans. For instance, it is considered great cowardice to take an enemy clansmen unawares. Challenge must be ritually given and accepted for a duel to begin. If victorious, the winner of a duel removes the right ear from the victim, and brings it back to his ship to be dried and hung from the walls of the common hall. A clan with many such trophies is considered a strong one indeed. Before Laylaron ships can fire on each other, a message of challenge must be transmitted and responded to. The Laylaron do not apply the rules of vendetta to their dealings with outsiders. They feel that planet-dwellers do not have enough honor or vitality to properly offend an Laylaron. They have no compunction though, about slaughtering a merchant or official who has swindled or cheated them. The Laylaron detest pirates, and will attack them on sight and with no warning.
Although all Laylaron are expected to be familiar with all aspects of the operations of their starships, those who are especially talented in certain areas, will specialize in those skills. Each of these skill areas has a Chief in charge of it. The Chief is not only expected to oversee operations in his area of concern, but to teach youngsters to develop talents there. All the Chiefs together make up the Ship's Council. Typical fields with Chiefs on an Laylaron ship are; Engineering, Weaponry, Commerce, Childcare and Education, Navigation, and Communications. The Ship's Captain is the monarch of an Laylaron clan, but his power is not absolute. An individual is elected Captain, because the Ship's Council deems him to be most competent and experienced for the position. If a Ship's Captain rules harshly and does not listen to the advice of the Ship's Council, he will be deposed - probably through a challenge to a duel. If a Ship's Captain has the respect and affection of his clan, his orders will be obeyed without question. Another individual in an Laylaron clan, has authority that exists outside of the normal clan hierarchy. This is the Tech-Shaman. This person is usually one of the oldest members of the clan, and is well-versed in the technologies on a starship. The Tech-Shaman is consulted if the Ship Father is angry, and repairs are necessary. The Tech-Shaman is also the guardian of the wisdom and lore of the clan. He tells the legends and myths when the clan is gathered in the common room. These stories are meant to be teaching parables, and sometimes the clan's actions are indirectly criticized by the Tech-Shaman.
Laylaron are very sharp merchants. They carry cargoes of any type, for far distances, and then trade exotic merchandise. The Laylaron prefer not to dock at orbital starports, landing their shuttles instead at landing strips on the planetary surface. They don't recognize the authority of anyone to regulate their commerce, and therefore enjoy smuggling cargoes through custom officials. The Laylaron arrive in a system unannounced, and attempt to approach a world without being detected. Unless there is the possibility of huge profits, Laylaron avoid visiting types of Planets. They prefer trading with worlds off the main commerce routes. In this manner, they can avoid extended contact with the most Navy fleets or administrators, and with the ships of large commercial lines.
When speaking with outsiders, the Laylaron use only a type of pidgin Anglic - an easy to learn, simplified version of Galanglic. When among themselves, the Laylaron use a secret, private language. Little is known of this language, and only of few words of it is known to outsiders.
Laylaron relations with any interstellar government for that matter, have never been good. The Laylaron refuse to acknowledge the authority of any government, travelling where they wish, and disregarding any trade regulations. Of course, the most aren't too happy to have numerous, armed, nomadic ships - that don't respect the central government - wandering through its subsectors. The Laylaron assist black market operations throughout the Inner Sphere, and spread stories that most would rather not have known. But Most Baseline or nearbaseline worlds regardless of there Government seem to like the Laylaron. The Laylaron are known to gather at regular intervals, at set locations, for interclan matters. At these gatherings discussions are held,about settling clan disputes, information and technology is exchanged, and alliances are made. The gatherings are also an opportunity for the Laylaron to find mates in other clans. These are joyous occasions, and no duelling is allowed at the gathering - even if rival clans are there at the same time. The location of where the Laylaron gatherings are held is a closely held secret, known by no outsider. Outside Agents are actively trying to find where these Laylaron bases are, so they can eliminate the Laylaron they find there without the rest of the Sphere knowing of their actions.
