Talk:Gray Syndicate

Going to start this with a list of questions, if only for foundational purposes. Most of these are based on tidbits overheard or from articles:


 * 1) The Gray Syndicate is a politically neutral conglomerate of shady enterprises, ranging from smuggling to piracy. - This seems to imply that the GS is more like some really big shady business, rather than a government. Is that correct? Furthermore, what is the state of the governments associated with the GS? Are we looking at weak governments that essentially have no choice but to let the GS have its way? Puppet governments? Governments/cultures that don't ethically object to the GS in general? (The last one likely the case with G'ahnlo from what little I've heard) - From how I interpret what little I know, I'd guess it differs from world to world which one. G'ahnlo and Antimone probably doesn't object culturally. The Ungstiri seem too weak to really do much about it. Tomin Kora sounds like a puppet government designed as the GS stronghold.
 * 2) The Gray Syndicate doesn't have an official charter, although it does follow certain guidelines - known as the Gray Code. The code governs command structures aboard pirate/smuggler vessels, distribution of loot, and conflict resolution. - I know it's early, but are there any examples of what the code might be like? Is it a 'law of the sea' kind of code or is it something that has evolved into something more orderly and beaurocratic?
 * 3) Are vessels that are associated with the GS actually ran by the syndicate itself? Or is it more like a 'franchise' deal. Ships pay so much of their loot to the GS organization in general, and the GS offers 'protection', as well as takes care of independents who get too many big ideas.
 * 4) If ships are independent, or not, is there the equivalent of a GS Navy/Fleet/Army? Thinking old Elite Guard kind of deal here.
 * 5) Does the GS even bother with running front operations are this point, or are they simply powerful enough on the worlds they're associated with that they can operate in the open?
 * 6) Does the GS have rivals (like independents or planetary level criminal enterprises) that they keep trying to operate against?

I suppose the big theme to all of these questions depends on just what the GS /is/, and if it's a government or an organization that simply has a lot of influence over the governments of the worlds involved.

Sergeytov 10:03, 27 February 2008 (UTC)