Clan Tarentum Prospectus

As with the other Clans now in existence, Clan Tarentum began as one of many Houses that dotted the socio-political landscape of the Brotherhood. The last of the "original" Houses to form, Tarentum was formed by the members of the legendary Tau Squadron. When Tarentum became a Clan proper, it sired the vassal Houses of Tridens, Gladius and Cestus.

Brief History

Of all the Clans and Houses, Tarentum is the only one to be formed under direct order. Beset on all sides by the other Houses wishing them to join them, not wanting to tie themselves to any of the other Houses (thereby sharing their glory as the best of the best), and under increasing pressure from Grand Master Khyron to join or form a House, the pilots of Tau Squadron formed their own House: House Tarentum.

Eventually, the Clan would grow to serve the interests of the man who ordered them into existence - Grand Master Khyron. The Clan now serves the Sith King unfailingly and unflinchingly.

Government and Politics

As with all feudal societies, Clan Tarentum and the Yridia System is headed by a Monarch - Justinian Arcanious Khyron. The entire system falls under the command and control of his vassal, The Prince of Yridia, who has at his disposal a cabinet of military, secular and Brotherhood Captains.

Yridia also operates a limited parliamentary system. In matters of trade and internal taxation, the Legislature is called upon to handle these affairs.

Offices

Prince of Yridia

The head of the System Government, the Prince of Yridia is always the Consul and retains nearly complete control of his fief.

Grand Chamberlain

Sith Bloodfyre was appointed Grand Chamberlain for life. The Grand Chamberlain is the steward of the Clan and oversees the day to day political affairs which include, but are not limited to calling a quorum of the Tarentae, opening the Common House and managing the docket of supplicants wishing an audience with the Prince.

Governor-General

The chief function of the Governor-General, Rekio Corsair, is to act as the head of the executive branch and also the legislative branch of the Yridian government - The Common House. In times of conflict, the Governor-General commands the Yridia System's defense.

Field Marshal

Maxamillian von Oberst-Tarentae is the Supreme Commander of military forces for the Clan. As Field Marshal, he acts with the leave of the King, Prince and Clan Summit to organize the military and marshall forces in times of war.

Equite Noctis

The Equite Noctis, Rekio Corsair, is the head of not only the Clan's law enforcement, but is rumored to also head the Clan's intelligence arm.

Nuncio

As Ambassador at large for the Clan, The Nuncio heads all diplomatic relations with the Council, other Clans and outside forces. The Nuncio has the right to appoint a Legatee to take over talks or represent Tarentum for short periods of time (no more than 3 standard months). The current Nuncio is Krath Pontifex Troutrooper.

Seraphi Ater

The Seraphi Ater, or Black Angel, is charged with carrying out sentencing made by The Tarentae. Usually the agents of the Seraphi Ater execute whatever sentence is passed, but for major cases, the Seraphi Ater is known to dispense justice by hand. The current Seraphi Ater is DA Telona Murrage.

Barons

Consuls Emeritus, upon exiting office are afforded the title Baron. Each Baron holds a small fief somewhere within the system. While having no real authority in the Clan, each Baron is given complete control of their fief. As the Prince must lay Yridia at the disposal of the Sith King, so too must the Barons lay their fief at the disposal of the Prince. At present, Barons are styled "Baron of (Surname)." With their fief named after their Surname. The exception to this is Baron Welshman, who is instead styled "The Baron Welshman," as Rekio Corsair Tarentae is "The Baron of Corsair."

Legislature

Yridia has a dual legislative arm. One half of the legislature is the Tarentae, the other half is the Common House. The Common House serves as the voice of the population in political affairs. Although The Common House has limited legal power, it is often respected and listened to so as to keep the government running smoothly and without snags from strikes, uprisings and all out rebellion. The Common House is chaired by the Governor-General and seats 21 members - one representative from each major city and large town.

When both legislative branches meet, the entire process is overseen by the Grand Chamberlain. When both branches meet, the Common House is afforded a total of two votes - one by the Governor-General and one by the House as a whole. Each seated Tarenate is given one vote. To date, both branches have never been convened to hear and vote upon legislation. The Tarentae are content to leave the day to day runnings of the government to the Common House.

Judiciary

The Tarentae serve as the highest bench for the system and is generally reserved only to hear affairs within the Clan. Lesser cases (non-clan related, but System wide) are remanded over to a series of lower courts within the system. Once a year an appellate court convenes to re-hear and reconsider past verdicts. This special court is made up of three Clansmen, chosen by the Consul and is a mix of Clan and House Summits as well as Tarentae.

The Prince of Yridia and The Sith King reserve the right to overturn any verdict or hear any case that they wish.

Prefects

Prefects act as judges over a large area, dependent on size of the population. Currently the entirety of Yridia has been divided up into eight (8) Prefectures. Each Prefect acts as judge, jury and executioner for high crimes within their District. High crimes include treason, regicide, sedition or an attempt on the life of a Tarentae. Sentences are carried out immediately after a verdict is issued.

Currently the eight Prefects are Windos, Welshman, Doni Tzu Tarentae, Merlance, Frosty, Dox, Karel and Saitou.

Economy

The Yridia System and Clan Tarentum serve as the economic front for the Brotherhood as a whole. Situated close to the Rimma Trade Route, the majority of the Brotherhood's trade funnels through Yridia in some way. To that end, a multitude of dummy corporations and false fronts are situated on Yridia IX.

In addition to being a financial and trade hub for the Brotherhood, Yridia is also a major exporter of solid minerals and foodstuffs. The seas of Yridia II and the arable land of Yridia III contribute greatly to the larders of the Brotherhood as a whole.

Banking and Finance

A series of financial houses have been setup with their headquarters on Yridia IX. These houses serve as a laundering operation for the Brotherhood. Dealing in large sums (hundreds of millions of credits), these institutions muddle the paper trail leading to and from the Brotherhood. Branches have been founded on other mid-level planets, away from the major financial centers of the galaxy. The fees incurred for laundering offset the operational costs of these branches.

It is unknown who runs these institutions, if they operate as the front for one group or where the start up capital was obtained. The only information available is that the deeds list one Trevarus Caerick as the seller of the properties in question. It is assumed that various key members of the Clan know who runs the institutions, but they have been especially tight-lipped, claiming only that Tarentum has no direct stake in the financial interests aside from revenues garnered from taxation.

Society and Culture

Clan Tarentum is a part of Yridia. No more. No less. Ruling the system, the Clan has integrated itself as a part of the system.

The Three Estates

The so-called "Three Estates" represent the castes of Yridia.

Tarentae

The pinnacle of achievement for Tarentum and Yridia, the Tarentae represent the best of both. The equivalent of a feudal system's Upper Nobility, the Tarentae are charged with the long term health of both Clan and System. Politically, they are allowed to sponsor legislation at will and sit as some of the highest judges in the land. They pay for this liberty by being responsible for the well being of their populace through Noblesse Oblige. Any citizen is welcome to petition a member of the Tarentae for aid. Rarely are sincere, lawful and honorable requests turned down.

Tarenti

The Tarenti are the members of Clan Tarentum. They are charged with the defense of the system like the Knights of old. Controlled by the Summits of the Clan, the Tarenti are spread throughout the system. Every major city and town has at least 5 Clansmen residing within to aid local government. Serving as guardians of the system allow the Clan to devote the bulk of its military resources to defense of the system. Tarenti represent a wide swath of races, all devoted to Clan and home.

Yridians

The people. The everyman and anyman. The Yridians are bankers, poets, businessmen, artists, physicians, laborers, soldiers, officers and everyone else. There is no "native" population to speak of, but the former colonies of Yridia II and the fringe trading outposts of Yridia IX represent the bulk of the population. Recently, in an effort to stimulate internal growth the Tarenti have sponsored new settlements on Yridia III and Yridia IV with the intent to cultivate new agricultural and raw resources. Citizenship within Yridia requires at least 2 years of residency in the system and a the swearing of an oath of allegiance.

Clan Tarentum has a strict rule regarding interaction with the native population - no displays of The Dark Side of The Force. Tarentum intends to retain its control of the system without having to resort to raw displays of power, either arcane or military. It is expensive, time consuming and could very well interest the Jedi Order. Failure to comply with this edict has resulted in the quiet removal of that Tarenti and the need for a massive public relations campaign to clean up the resultant fallout.

Chivalry and Clan Tarentum

At the end of the First House Wars, with the banners of the other great Houses at their feet, The original members of then House Tarentum swore eternal fealty and loyalty to their House and the reigning Grand Master at the time - Justinian Khyron. In doing so, these early members created the first Chivalric order, and a tradition of service to the Clan that has been revived in recent times.

Knights of Tarentum

The current military order within the Clan, the Knights of Tarentum are sworn to defend the life of the Prince and the rest of the Summits of Tarentum. Currently, no heraldic markings have been bestowed unto the Order by the Prince or Sith King. The current Knights of Tarentum are Baron, Sir Welshman; Sir Merlance; and Sir Dox.

Knights of Tau

A former Order within the Clan, the Knights of Tau were first formed concluding the First House Wars during the reign of Grand Master Khyron. Sworn to defense of the Clan above all others, the charge given unto them is the outline, in red, of a TIE Interceptor, an homage to the founders of House Tarentum - Tau Squadron. The only known members of this Order still in residence within the Clan today are Master D.B. Zero, Adepts Sirrus and Reinthaler, and Field Marshal Oberst.

Military

Broken up into two distinct Branches (Army and Navy), Tarentum's Military Forces are under the command of Field Marshal Maxamillian von Oberst-Tarentae. Aiding him in these endeavors are his Chief of Staff and Commanding General , General Doni Tzu Tarentae, and Naval Commander, Vice Admiral Kessian Armus. Below these three gentlemen are the respective Battlegroup and Army Group Commanders.

Army

The Army comprises all ground and planet side military forces. In declared times of war, the local constabulary is pressed into service with civilian volunteers into a militia. The Army is divided into Army Groups, within each Army Group are a number of Corps. The Corps are then subdivided into Divisions, in turn divided into Regiments, Battalions, Companies, Platoons, Squads and then Fire Teams.

Tarenti not holding a rank act separate from Army forces they are near. They do not give orders to the Army and the Army does not give them orders.

Navy

The Navy comprises all spaceborne military forces. In declared times of war, merchant ships under the Clan's control or within the system may be pressed into military service. The Navy is divided into Battlegroups, each battlegroup can be divided at the request of the Field Marshal or Naval Commander into Task Forces. Battlegroups with three (3) or more squadrons of fighters and bombers are assigned a Commander, Air Group (CAG), whose job it is to coordinate fighter deployment and engagement.

Tarenti aboard military ships that do not hold rank are separate from Naval forces they are near. They do not give orders to the Navy and the Navy does not give them orders, with one exception: personal fighters and transports can be commandeered by the CAG or Battlegroup commanders. Failure to comply with orders from CAG and above can and will be construed as treason.

Captains

Ship's captains are the ultimate authority aboard their vessel. Officers ranked below Captain who command a ship are afforded the title of Captain, but can also be referred to as "Skipper." Visiting officers who rank as a Captain are not addressed as such to avoid confusion on the ship, instead they can be referred to as "Commodore," given the courtesy of higher status afforded to guests. Passengers who otherwise outrank the Captain cannot override the ship's Captain with the exception of the Field Marshal or the Navy Commander-in-Chief.

Ranks

Rank progression in Tarentum's military is as follows:

Currently, Summits are given Brevet commissions of Brigadier General/Commodore for House Summits or Lt. General/Vice Admiral for Clan Summits. If Summits already hold a higher commission, then they are not given a Brevet rank.

For descriptions of the ranks, see Clan Tarentum Ranks.

See Tarentum Order of Battle for more info on the available military forces.

Astrography

Clan Tarentum is situated within the Yridia system. Further information on Yridia can be found there.

It should be noted, that the Clan currently has a huge no-fly zone. Ships are not allowed past Yridia IX without clearance and military escort. To date, the only exceptions to this rule are Grand Master Justinian Khyron and Masters Mejas Doto and Trevarus Caerick. Violation will result in ships being fired upon.

Allies and Enemies

Allies

Allied Clans earn privileged trade status, meaning Tarentum takes a much smaller share of the buy or sale price in taxes. Usually no more than 4%.

• Clan Arcona - On opposing sides in the last major conflict, neither Clan has spilled blood willfully with the other in some time. Instead the two Clans became closer in their socio-political and economic dealings. Arcona comprised one-third of the Tripartite Alliance with Clans Naga Sadow and Tarentum in the events leading to and through the Fifth Great Jedi War. It should be noted that up until recently, only the personal transport of Master Mejas Doto is allowed to violate the No Fly Zone and enter Yridia unmolested. Currently, Arconan craft are allowed through unmolested.

Neutral

Clans listed here are neither actively hostile against nor favorable towards. Although not watched as closely as enemy Clans, Neutral Clans are much more likely to be searched than Allied Clans.

• Clan Naga Sadow - Allies leading up to the Sixth Great Jedi War, relations between the two Clans has mellowed considerably, but CNS still benefits from preferred trading privileges.

• Clan Plagueis - Although a formal declaration of Alliance was made in the early days of the Sixth Great Jedi War, both sides have cooled their association somewhat. Still, prospective attackers should take into account that both Clans individually have more modern fighters and bombers at their beck and call than any other Clan. It is known however, that Marshal Oberst takes a particularly perverse delight in knowing that Satal Keto has been reverted back to a House.

• Clan Taldryan - The winner of the last conflict. While the situation between members might be openly hostile towards Taldryan, the Clan affirms a strick neutral outlook. Taldryan's raw output has vexed the Clan's military leadership, and the raw firepower available to Taldryan's fleet is the only one to surpass Tarentum's at this time.

Enemies

These Clans are watched carefully while conducting trade upon Yridia IX. Ships are constantly screened by fighter and bomber patrols and any slight deviation from flight plans will result in said ships being brought down for violation of the No Fly Zone. The tariff rendered upon trade for these Clans can exceed 20% of the purchase or sale price.

• Clan Scholae Palatinae - While relations prior to the Sixth Great Jedi War were tersely cordial, the situation between the two Clans has soured completely. Third party diplomats from the Dark Council have been unable to bring representatives together for more than a few days before talks break down completely.

Typical Clan Actions/Reactions

Of the Clans, Tarentum is the most economically solid. While not as deep pocketed as Clan Naga Sadow through the Dlarit Corporation, Tarentum has a near monopoly on the Brotherhood's markets. As such, retribution from the Clan is almost always fiscal in nature.

Historically, Tarentum has been the loudest and staunchest advocates for greater Clan autonomy and a withdrawal of the Council from Clan policies and politics. The recent request by the Dark Council to house Council bases within each Clan's home system was met by the Tarenti with much disgust. Subsequently, the Tarenti established the Council base to the furthest edges of the system, well past the Itanna Belt.

The two Task Forces on loan from the Brotherhood for defense of both The Shroud and Brotherhood markets gives Tarentum greater leeway in dealing with military matters. Although not active enforcers of the Clan's No Fly Zone, the Task Force commanders generally accept that keeping the peace is necessary and will send support to the Clan's own pickets and patrols.

Easily the most insular Clan, intrusions upon the Clan's space is met with naked hostility.

Important Figures

• Magnus Kaerner - Commander of the reconstituted Tau Squadron. Founded House Tarentum with the other members of Tau Squadron. First Quaestor, eventually became the first Knight Commander of the Brotherhood.

• Erich von Reinthaler - First Knight of House Tarentum. Architect and builder of Castle Tarentum. Eventually becomes Sith High Warrior.

• Sirrus - Only Krath of House Tarentum through first House War. Proved his singlehanded dominance of the Krath Order in competition. Krath counterpart to Zero's singlehanded dominance of the Sith Order in competition. Eventually becomes Krath High Priest under Khyron.

• Kumba - Former Head Master and Last of the Dark Prophets of old.

• The Tarentae - the Inner Order of Clan Tarentum and nobility of Yridia.