Regarding the Angel Cartel, there are two things that I've long held in mind and wondered about. I'll elaborate on these, the why, and how it ties in with my character.
Firstly, Feythabolis. When first I saw this region, it was given a status as a quasi-Empire in it's own right; Ascenia, ASCN's 'nation'. No other alliance I've ever seen have ever been close to ruling their own Empire in this regard. Yet Ascenia was not empty of life; the Angel Cartel was all over it, the Frontier forces all over them in turn. For a while I wondered why this was so, after all all stations in Feythabolis was made by Frontier members, purely created by the capsuleers holding the space. So where did the Angels base out of?
Regional description:
Feythabolis
The human diaspora throughout the systems of New Eden was quite widespread prior to the collapse of the EVE Gate. In many areas, cultures cut off from other civilizations thrived in isolation. One of these regions was Feythabolis, a relatively small empire of progressive thinkers and egalitarian political philosophers. Unfortunately, this state lagged behind other empires significantly in technological advancement, having only recently started to colonize the local space just as the ruthless Angel Cartel was moving in to establish their control. Completely outclassed by the military forces of the Cartel, the fledgling empire was defeated with ease and its entire population bent to the will of the Angels.
So, given the above conversation about how the Cartel operate, what would happen to these people? I'd assume most would, in time, conform to the 'Angel way' – they would join the Cartel, helping to explain the Cartel's man-power supply, as they appear to have much, much more of it than the other 'criminal' elements in EVE. Add their extreme variety and the acceptance of all who manage to make it into the organization, and the acquisition of new recruits should not be too hard.
Many others, I'm assuming those who did not make the cut, or resist, or other undesirables, would likely be enslaved, sold to anyone who would buy them and/or use them for manual/dangerous labor.
How the Cartel went about acquire these worlds, what happened after and how life may be for the average dirt-side person out there now is something I've always wondered about, and it would be interesting if a chronicle or something was made to reflect on this and other 'lesser known' factions in EVE.
Secondly, the idea that the Cartel is a quasi-Empire in their own right; some might not like this idea, but they sure are powerful enough and diverse enough to be more than mere 'criminal thugs' in the longer run. The average grunt perhaps, but something tells me the truly successful Angels don't stroll around in your average 'space pirate' outfit; more like the garb fitting a king, living in his own castle. Until another, stronger, more sly King dethrones him, perhaps.
Building on this, if the Cartel wish to expand more and possibly manage to topple the Empires, their main opponents, and arguably considerably bigger dogs in the kennel, military might alone will not be sufficient. I imagine one method at least for one of the Empires: The Federation, and the Serpentis holds this method.
Through their deal with the Serpents, the Angels have secured a long-term ability to possibly win a war with the Federation; not a conflict merely of weapons, or ships or troops. A war of wills, the Federation's will to curtail and tone down one aspect of their own culture (ironic, is it not?) and the Angel's will to exploit that to maximum effect. Creating ever more imaginative and effective ways to smuggle their drugs into the Fed and creating more powerful and popular drugs for the easily impressed and free youth of the Fed (and other Empires) to become addicted to, they would seek to win a war of cultural subjugation; when enough of the Federation craves what they give, the Serpentis and their Angel allies/masters can set any term or price they desire. Reminds me of the greater goal of the Outcasts, from Freelancer.
As a Federal, Allisieer despised the Serpents with a horrible passion for the above reason and all the effects you can imagine the Serpents have on a society he holds dear. Eventually, all this muddles back to the Angels; they protect, aid, fund and I dear say guide the Serpentis. It is a bit sad, but it could be claimed that the Serpentis are the Angel's pets, though I've not seen it elaborated anywhere exactly how their relationship works, only that the two benefit from the alliance, and quite a lot at that. When the greater good is to be considered, for Allisieer the inhumane truth was/is that all Angels, Serpents and their collaborators and allies, family, friends, relatives etc. must all be shot. That is however a subject for another place and time.
In the end I'd say the Angel's are one of the more interesting pirate factions considering their methods, ways, and power. CONCORD has them pegged as the nr1 threat, for good reason too. What I wonder about however is, as I said, the above two things; thier relations with the Serpents and their actions in the various Empires, and the way thier... 'relationship' works in regards to their subjects in Feyth. Anyone have any ideas?
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Topic: Cartel Culture: Epic Brainstorming Session (Read 18368 times)