Rakashi

Covetous. Conniving. Self-Reliant.

To the rest of the Cluster, the Rakashi are often seen as greedy, manipulative traders who will sell anything to anyone for the right price. They are the stewards of the Rakashi Alliance, a political arrangement between thirteen merchant consortiums. Despite the lack of a strong military or war fleet, the Alliance commands great respect due to its wealth and commercial reach. The Rakashi even leveraged their vast mercantile power into a seat on the Security Council at the Assembly.

Most Rakashi live on Rakshan, a hot savannah world with many starports that play host to trade delegations from every power and species in the Cluster. A fierce desire for independence motivates most Rakashi, in both politics and their personal lives. Outside of trade deals, they prefer to leave their options open, rarely committing to a single job, location, or even partner for long. They believe in free association and trade with as few laws (and taxes) as possible.

Rakashi interests are protected by the Garn Valek (Red Claws), a clandestine organization dedicated to preserving the neutrality—and profits—currently enjoyed by the Rakashi people. Males tend to dominate the day-to-day business and espionage spheres of the Alliance, while females handle the military and internal politics of the individual consortiums. Most Rakashi view charity as a weakness and self-reliance as the ultimate virtue.

Art Credit: Ullr2020