- "Tempered by Conflict, Driven by Duty."
- ―the Motto of House Galeres
House Galeres is one of two active Houses of Clan Arcona. Created and maintained by a proud tradition of warriors, Galeres acts as the militant arm of the their Scion. Members of this hallowed House are often distinguished combatants - the "heavy hitters" of Clan Arcona. Their focus is not wrapped in the pursuit of arcane power, but instead that which can be acquired by the blade or a blaster.
The Culture of Galeres
Over the years, House Galeres has undergone multiple shifts in its composition and operational direction, to a point where it seems there ‘’’is’’’ no direction, and the only unifying point is their connection(s) to Arcona’s military. This is due in part to the varied paths and natures of the House’s denizens. The ‘’Dark Jedi’’, sometimes Gray Jedi and sometimes Sith, wield the Force in manners that fit their personal dispositions and desires. Over time, they have proven to be some of the most selfless and individually powerful forces, especially when paired with the Dajorran military. After the Dark Crusade, a groundswell of these military personnel were proven able and willing enough to be taken into the Clan’s confidence, forming what are now semi-formally known as ‘’Loyalists’’. These educated military men and women form a very fine bridge between the Shadow Clan and its Dajorran populations, leading the AEF and DDF formations against Arcona’s enemies. The ‘’Mercenary’’ element fills in the gaps, providing unique skills that can often be left unpracticed amongst the other two groups. Despite the often misplaced notions of where their loyalties lie, they have proven to be just as long-standing and stalwart members of the House.
House Galeres
Stationed at Fort Blindshot, on an island near Estle City, House Galeres proudly serves in defense of the Shadow Clan. Integrated at the highest levels of the Dajorra Defense Forces and Dajorra Intelligence Agency, the members of Galeres influence military decisions, carry out operations on the Summit’s behalf, and safeguard the members of the Clan from outside threats. In times of war, the proud warriors of House Galeres rally to the defense of the Dajorra System and, when on the offense, with the Arcona Expeditionary Force.
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The ‘Nighthawk’, crew and ship, is in direct service to the Dajorra’s Intelligence Agency (DIA) and as such, the ‘Nighthawk’ acts as the forward operating base of the Intelligence Agency's Analysis Branch. It is responsible for the maintenance of Arcona’s spy network, informants and intelligence gathering. Reporting to the Director and Deputy of Dajorra’s Intelligence Agency, the Captain of the Nighthawk has developed a reputation for knowing far more than many of the Dark Jedi within the Brotherhood. While Battleteam Nighthawk has since been deactivated, the ship remains as something of a retainer asset to the militarist House. As such, wherever Arcona and Galeres go, the Nighthawk is usually part of the accompaniment by default.
Allies and Enemies
Allies
Both Houses adhere to a one-Clan mentality and Galeres respects the manner in which House Qel-Droma operates. While Galeres is found embedded into the military structure, their sister house practices a more shadowy, indirect approach to dealings in the criminal underworld and politics within Dajorra and the Brotherhood. When might is not right, Galeres turns to the members of Qel-Droma for a swift response that will not tie the Serpentine Throne to the crime.
With the Nighthawk spearheading the relationship between the House and the DIA, Galeres looks favorably upon the assistance and requests of the DIA’s Director, Timeros Entar Arconae. Often assigned to DIA Agents, House Galeres provides entry and exit on military missions while also providing funding and assets from the DDF for high level surveillance and asset conversion. The DIA holds an unparalleled level of access within the military hierarchy, but Galeres knows that at its head sits an Elder that would never willingly place the House in a situation that compromises its loyalty.
With Loyalists indoctrinated into the Clan’s power hierarchy, the relationship between Clan Arcona’s military forces and the House are at an all-time high. Force Users, much like mercenaries and DIA Agents, are assigned to lead units of varying size for specific mission profiles. While some still harbor fear of the mysticism and unknown power of The Force, the soldiers are often relieved to have a Force User assigned to their detail for missions; knowing their chances for success – and returning home – are much more favorable.
Past History
- Main article: House Galeres History
In the time of archaic Brotherhood tradition, the Dark Jedi segregated themselves not only into Clans but Orders: Obelisk, Krath, and Sith. At its inception, House Galeres was meant to serve as the barracks for the Obelisk of the Clan. What Galeres now houses is the hearts and minds of Clan Arcona's brightest and most prominent warriors. With a deep tradition, the House has created many skilled fighters and successful leaders to see Clan Arcona through difficult campaigns.
Galerian scouts exploring the planet Eldar
The Beginning
In the days before the Exodus, Galeres was located on the planet of Coronada with the entirety of the Clan. After the Exodus and the discovery of the Dajorra System, a base was quickly established on Sukhur, the harshest of worlds in the system. While the Clan desired a foothold on each planet, the practicality of maintaining a base of operations on a planet of sifting glass seas and blistering heat was soon questioned. In an attempt to secure a new foothold on Dajorra and perpetuate their advance as a House of Arcona, they came upon the lush world of Eldar. Spies from the Clan's now-closed third House — Oriens Obscurum — relayed this information back to their Summit. When House Galeres left Sukhur to colonize Eldar, they found the Dark Jedi of Oriens Obscurum waiting for them. According to those archaic traditions, Consul Halcyon Rokir declared a House Feud with Eldar as the prize for the winner. After a campaign of fierce fighting, Galeres proved stronger and took the planet as their new home base. The first Galerian base was disguised as a mining operation. It quickly hit pay dirt with the discovery of Garconian spice found by Voranyen and Gavin d'Tana. After some experimenting on Gavin's behalf, it was found that the spice was extremely potent on Humans and near Human species. Further testing showed it had effects of euphoria and bliss on the Hutt species. With the Dajorra System located near Hutt space, it became a simple effort of learning to mine and refine the abundant spice.
Recent History
This refocused military would soon be tested, and in Arcona’s own back yard. The Meridian Prime space station, located on the opposite side of the Maw as the Dajorra system, was located by the now-publicly-recognized Inquisitorius and found to be a hotbed of Collective activity. Once again, the Brotherhood converged, pointedly spearheaded by Arcona and Galeres. Fighting through the expansive station proved a difficult fight. However, the Brotherhood ended the engagement with yet another victory, including the Galeres-led capture of Kendra Icasta, a high-ranking officer of the Collective.
Riding the waves of yet another victory, the House Summit sought some glories of its own. Working in-depth with the DDF, the Quaestor began planning the initial stages of the reconquest of Eldar, Galeres’ former home. Due to family issues, however, she was forced to depart her post, handing the reins over to Aldaric, a former member of the House recently returned from Aedileship in House Archanis of Clan Taldryan.
It would be this Summit that led the House in the next phase of the ongoing conflict with the Collective. The Severian Principate, an Imperial splinter group, had made a home near Hutt space, and its wealth quickly became a diplomatic and military target for both the Collective and the Brotherhood alike. Satsi, having joined Galeres upon her descent from the Serpentine Throne, carried a great deal of weight going into the fray, along with the newly-appointed Quaestor, resulting in the destruction of a kyber crystal mining facility over the course of the battle; one which nearly killed the Shadow Lord through a clandestine act of betrayal on the part of Grot.
It was a convenient thing, then, that the Trandoshan was soon quietly replaced by Scarlett Kelrune as the Battleteam leader of Spectre Cell. Kordath, upon revealing himself alive but not necessarily well, simply sought a little peace and quiet in semi-retirement, though not without finalizing some plans first.
The Reinvestment of Eldar
As the fires of conflict with the Collective dwindled yet again, Galeres saw its opening. Cashing in on Arronen’s plans and preparations left to Aldaric, and with fresh intelligence on a potent slaving operation on Eldar’s surface, the Galeres Summit enacted Operation Homecoming. Rather than the more prolonged operation planned by the former Quaestor, Homecoming was meant to be a lightning strike, ridding them of the slaver nuisance and securing the planet in a single fell swoop.
Unlike their many battles with the Collective, their opponent had little in the way of a presence in space; helpful in keeping their activities discreet, but doing little for their ability to prevent the landing of Galeres’ forces. Lacking the full might of Arcona, the use of the House’s discretionary troops amounted to the whole of the expedition, and thus required they hit fast and hard wherever they found enemy activity.
After dozens of skirmishes in the Eldarian forests, the culminating battle came at the Keadean capital of Shihon. After noting how many of their satellite operations were going silent, or outright reporting hostile activity, the leader — a Zygerrian named Atai — rallied what was left of his forces to delay the Galerian assault and buy time for him to load up the transports with the slaves. The attempt proved to be in vain. Between artillery fire, constant strafing runs from Darkwing Squadron, and attacks on the ground from infantry and tanks alike, the slavers were quickly and brutally overrun. The slaves were freed and, gradually, reintroduced back into what little was left of the population.
This proved to be a greater challenge than the battle itself. A massive percentage of Eldar’s population was eradicated by the plague that the Arconans had cured on Selen and its other holdings. The reduced numbers thus had to form a smaller number of communities, focused almost entirely on the provision of basic necessities like food. The operation also only accounted for the Keadean-controlled continent of Tairiku, leaving the Sardinian continent of Aifreann to its own devices for the time being.
Important Figures
Main Article: List of Galeres Summit
Influential Leaders
These individuals have led House Galeres or aspects of House Galeres with the highest level of honor and commitment, forever impacting the workings of the Warrior House.
Individuals with Impact
These individuals have been involved with House Galeres, helping change it for the better. Their names should not be forgotten for the great work and example they provided for House Galeres.