Mercantile Alliance
The Metric-infiltrated economic power.
Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Alignment | Pro-Centopoly |
| Origins | Pre-Centopoly merchant guilds |
| Metric Status | Most Metric-infiltrated faction |
| Specialty | Economic dominance, Bridge Technology access |
Who They Are
The Mercantile Alliance predates the Centopoly itself, emerging from merchant guilds that survived the Great Sundering. Today they control the vast majority of Centopoly economic development.
Historical Role:
- Merchant networks survived by maintaining trade routes during civilization's darkest periods
- Financially backed Popeum Ceaserus during the Reunification Crusade
- Established themselves as economic kingmakers from the Centopoly's beginning
Economic Dominance
The Alliance controls:
- Dominant share of commercial activity across 100 strategic worlds
- Largest civilian fleet in the Cosmos
- Candidate World development financing
- Economic support to Centopoly security forces
Their financial leverage often provides more influence than direct military force.
Metric Integration
The Alliance is the most "Metric-infiltrated faction" in the Cosmos.
Benefits:
- Unrivaled Bridge Technology access
- Instant delivery and rapid market response
- Logistical capabilities no other faction can match
Questions:
- Do they truly ontrol the Metric-based economic order?
Null Space Rumors
Since Cypher's emergence, persistent rumors suggest the Alliance secretly tests Null Space technology—systems designed to hide from Metric surveillance using Cypher.
If true, this represents a fascinating contradiction: the most Metric-integrated faction developing capabilities to escape Metric observation.
Operational Style
Alliance operatives excel in negotiation, diplomacy, economic manipulation, and information brokerage.
Best for scenarios involving:
- Complex deal-making
- Multi-party negotiations
- Economic intelligence
- Win-win solution finding
Alignment benefits:
- Bonuses to diplomatic and social skills
- Exclusive trading privileges
- Superior economic intelligence
- Limited Bridge Technology access based on Metric scores
Caveat: Aligning with the Alliance means accepting deep Metric integration and accompanying surveillance expectations.
Learn More
- Factions Overview - All four major powers
- Faction Alignment - How alignment works