Societies: Envoy Corps
Introduction
A good faith effort to build a better galaxy, or a cynical attempt to buy affection and respect? The Envoy Corps blends diplomacy with public service, bolstering the Brotherhood’s relationships with other powers across the galaxy by solving problems large and small.
Putting the Brotherhood’s Best Foot Forward
History
The alliances with the Severian Principate and the Tenixir Revenants marked a turning point in the Brotherhood’s history. For the first time, the Brotherhood proved it could build its strength not only through conquest, but through diplomacy and assistance. In 40 ABY, as the demilitarizing Principate transferred many of its warships to the Brotherhood in exchange for a mutual defense pact, Darth Nehalem appointed Alethia Archenksova the first Exarch to build on this success.
Her successor, Marick Tyris, established the Envoy Corps in 41 ABY to complete three primary assignments: the first was stabilizing and improving relationships with the Clans; the second was improving the Brotherhood’s image among rivals and business interests across the galaxy; and third was using Brotherhood assets to complete clandestine operations that are organized into missions, contracts, and bounties. It was under Marick that the first of the missions took place. A team was sent to Jabiim to destabilize the gang, the Empty Eyes, and return control of the new communities to the civilians. Since then, Envoys from all seven clans and even the Council itself have taken contracts, chased bounties, and completed missions for a staggering variety of supplicants.
Winning Hearts and Minds
For most of its history, the Brotherhood has viewed neighboring powers as little more than potential conquests, if it took notice of them at all. However, Darth Nehalem’s efforts to reorient the organization from a Sith cult to a stable regional power made it clear that the Brotherhood needed allies and trading partners. The collapse of the Galactic Republic and the First Order after 35 ABY left the galaxy more fragmented than it had been in centuries, leaving planets and small confederacies to fend for themselves against the growing number of pirate fleets and criminal cartels. Rather than subduing these powers by force or attempting to subvert them in secret, the Brotherhood leans on the Envoy Corps to build mutually beneficial relationships. Envoys openly represent the Iron Throne across the galaxy, providing demonstrations of the Brotherhood’s wealth and power—and more importantly, how that wealth and power can benefit worlds that seek the Grand Master’s favor.
Life Inside the Corps
Structure
The Envoy Corps operates under the overall direction of the Exarch but otherwise has little permanent structure. Envoys come from across the Brotherhood and the Exarch proactively seeks out individuals with diverse skill sets and backgrounds. Although some members devote significant amounts of time to Envoy service, the Corps is designed to pull in any member for one-off missions based on need and availability.
Operations
The Envoy Corps is headquartered on Arx Minor at the Lunar Training Facility. As suggested by the name, its primary purpose appears to be to train Envoys for diplomacy and statecraft. The Exarch’s office is located here. However, it is also home to a detention center and a processing station for bounties and other clandestine missions. Envoy missions have a wide range of coverage. This includes training assignments, rescue missions, bounty hunting, mercy missions, and gang busting. The Envoy Corps has been known to even send members on archeological surveys.
In addition to their primary headquarters, the Envoy Corps also operates a series of luxury hotels: the Flitz. Dignitaries from all of the Brotherhood’s societies can be found at Flitz locations as the chain offers accommodation, several amenities, and full service concierge. Its primary location is on Arx Minor, but there are other Flitz across Brotherhood space.
Inside the Envoy’s Messenger Bag
Envoys receive access to a variety of equipment and specialized training designed to support them across the diverse circumstances they encounter on missions.
Established Envoys receive a uniform that they may choose to wear when representing the Brotherhood. Some Envoys carry prepackaged kits with survival gear, some of which contain hidden compartments with shielding against sensor scans. The most elite Envoys receive a cowl woven from cortosis fibers that’s capable of deflecting lightsaber strikes.
The Envoy Corps has a special fondness for wearable technology, ranging from a belt designed to facilitate quick escapes to smart glasses that provide the wearer with a heads up display directly in front of their eyes. However, some Envoys prefer to offload this functionality to the Corps’ proprietary droids, Envoy’s Shadows.
Perhaps the most relied upon tool in the Envoy’s arsenal is a simple broach confirming that the bearer acts on behalf of the Grand Master. This “diplomatic immunity” has gotten many envoys out of unfortunate situations.
Envoys don’t receive special training so much as they tend to pick up specific skills due to the nature of the work. Envoys are know for their problem-solving skills, their knack for bringing the right gear, and their ability to see through deception, among other skills.
Roll the Dice
Putin’ on the Flitz
The Envoy Corps welcomes all of those who have pledged their service to the Council of the Brotherhood. The Exarch reaches out to those who seem to have a penchant for diplomatic service and invites them to join a mission that would get them started into their ranks. There are plenty of volunteers who dedicate their time to diplomatic missions and joining the Corps is as simple as showing up at Arx Minor or any Flitz Hotel and checking the mission boards. Charon Reddick, the Concierge, himself once a Inquisitor, will be happy to help you get started.
The Envoy Corps as a Member
Advancement through the Envoy Corps is based on participation in Discord roleplaying sessions. Unlike most societies, Envoy rewards are split between two paths.
Participation in roleplaying awards Envoy Marks, which provide ranks in the Players Gonna Play trophy. Participating in sessions is the primary way to earn Envoy Marks, although there are bonuses for participating consistently or contributing a high volume of activity across your sessions.
Organizing and running roleplaying sessions for other members awards Golden Envoy Marks, which provide ranks in the You Can Certainly Try trophy. As with participation, you can receive bonus Golden Envoy Marks for your total word count and for consistent activity from month to month. Service on the Exarch staff also awards Golden Envoy Marks.
For more information on how to find, participate in, or organize roleplaying sessions, see Activities 104: Roleplaying. More specific details on Envoy Corps rewards can be found on the wiki.
Image Credits
Marick Tyris in Envoy Attire by Grimlai, commissioned by Marick Tyris Arconae
Zosi'val'ria and Evelyn Wyvern Anderson in Envoy Attire by Kaela Croft, commissioned by Marick Tyris Arconae
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