Collated Space Defense: Also referred to as the C.S.D., the Collated Space Defense is a coalition of the governing bodies of Earth and is a representation of humanity's interests in space exploration and the colony worlds. The fleets act as both the military and police forces and take on investigative rolls where foul play is suspected. They have a presence on each of the four human-inhabited worlds outside of our solar system and new recruits are required to swear a blood oath to guard Earth's location to the death.
Elders: Leaders and heads of the Gaurok Nation. Each tribe of the species has a specific mother line that produces a number of potential chiefs. Potential chiefs train all their lives in war and leading, and swear a solemn oath to the tribes and people of the Gaurok Nation. Throughout their lives they are subjected to an endless amount of tests so vigorous and bloody that there is rarely more than one left when the time comes to crown a new Elder Chief.
Originally comprised of thirteen tribes, the Gaurok were constantly at war with each other. What they fought for is unknown, whether for territory, resources or pride, but the Gaurok had been entrenched in war for as long as their blood has been blue. And that's how their race may have continued, finally killing themselves off in a distant future if not for the intervention of the heavens.
"A meteor burst from the clouds, rushing in a long red-grey arc across the sky. The impact seemed to shake the planet itself and, nearby, the Gaurok Elder, Grolg, left his tribe to investigate. What he discovered was not a fallen star but a wrecked ship that would change the course of his species forever.”
Grolg was unusual. He had found the crashed star, found the survivors inside and slaughtered them all. He took the technology in the ship and used it to subdue the enemies of his tribe. But rather than conquer them, Grolg saw the need for unification. Reason told him that where there was one ship with such powerful weapons, there was bound to be more, and separately they could not hope to stand against that kind of force.
The council of Elders was formed, uniting the Tribes. Those that refused were exterminated, cutting the original thirteen tribes down to six. However, Grolg was not content in giving up all power and so there exists a hierarchy to the Council, each swearing loyalty to the tribe above them. Each had a say, but ultimately the power rested with Grolg. His leadership could be challenged if he was seen as unfit or was disgraced, but that day never came.
Unification of the tribes meant a dramatic cutback on the fighting amongst the Gaurok themselves. They left the planet in an attempt to acquire greater technology through war with other planets. It was during these campaigns that they were noticed by the Mercinary Guilds.
In an unstable universe, they had found their calling. They rose quickly to the top of the Guild and were feared throughout the galaxy on even the remotest of planets. The Guild satisfied not only their bloodlust, but gave them access to greater weapons, thus reaffirming their belief that you can tell how effective a weapon is by how much your enemy gurgles.
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