Table of Contents
Etymology
The Free Men donned their namesake for its reflection of their pursuit of freedom and independence. The "Free" in Free Men, represents liberation from oppression and the absence of constraints or limitations. It represents the Free Men's defiance against authoritarian rule and their desire to live without restraint. The concept of freedom resonates deeply within their society, symbolizing the ability to make choices, express individuality and without subjugation.
The word "Men" in their name is intended to be inclusive, representing all members of the confederation regardless of gender. Men in this context can be understood more broadly as referring to humanity or people in general. It denotes a collective of individuals united by their shared commitment to freedom and their status as autonomous beings. It conveys a sense of camaraderie, unity and the notion that they are all equal.
Together, "Free Men" encapsulates the spirit of a people who have broken free from the shackles of oppression, formed a new society based on principles of liberty, and are determined to forge their own path amongst the stars.
Government
The Free Men operate under a Pirate Confederation, which is to not be mistaken with a Federation. The crews and people who fly the Free Men's flag do so of their own free will. The ships and its people align under a common banner, sharing a collective goal while maintaining their own independence and operating under their own leadership. The highest governing body within the Free Men is the Council of Captains. This council is composed of the captains of the various pirate crews and ships in the Free Men. The council exists for the discussion and decision making of matters that all of Free Men have a mutual interest in; such as trade agreements, defense strategies and resource allocation.
While the Free Men as a whole is a confederation, the pirate crew's themselves act upon a democratic principle. The captain of a crew is elected by their crew, which ensures that the crew is represented by someone they feel represents their needs and ideals best. With the Council of Captain's, this ensures that every crew has a say in the confederation's affairs. While the council holds significant influence in the Free Men, power is balanced between the individual pirate crews. No crew has absolute authority over others, ensuring that no single entity can dominate the confederation. This balance of power promotes cooperation and prevents the concentration of authority in the hands of a few.
When specific issues or tasks need to be addressed, the council may form ad hoc committees composed of captains or crew members with subject matter expertise. These committees focus on matters such as trade negotiations, intelligence gathering, resource management or strategic planning, bringing together specialized knowledge and facilitating efficient decision-making. Owing to their unique political structure, the Free Men have great flexibility and adaptability in response to changing circumstances. It enables crews to make independent decisions that aid their goals, while not being bottlenecked waiting for orders through the vastness of space.
Military
As the Free Men expand their influence and face larger-scale conflicts, they found it advantageous to begin specializing their forces and establishing dedicated branches for specific military functions. Moreover, the establishment of military branches contribute to the Free Men's credibility and legitimacy as a recognized star nation, by demonstrating their commitment to a professionally structured and organized military instead of a disorganized mess of individual crews and ships responding to conflict.
In this establishment, the Free Men created 5 branches, each with a distinct role and purpose. The Free Navy which is responsible for the overall fleet of the Free Men and space combat operations. The Free Marines who are responsible for infantry tactics, close-quarters combat, boarding actions and similar avenues. As such, they play a crucial role in securing and defending ships, boarding enemy ships and conducting planetary assaults. The Free Air Force whose focus lies on atmospheric operations and aerial combat. They operate atmospheric-capable vessels such as fighters, bombers, dropships and more. Their responsibilities include airspace control, air support and conducting strike missions within a planet's atmosphere; as well as general deployment and tactical deployment of troops to planetary surfaces.
The remaining two branches of the Free Men are support branches of the Free Men's military. The Free Intelligence Corps and the Free Engineering Corps. The F.I.C. is responsible for gathering and analyzing intelligence, conducting espionage and providing strategic assessments. They employ various means to gather information, including human intelligence, surveillance technology and data analysis. Their insights and reports have proved to be invaluable to the Captains and leaders of the Free Men. The F.E.C. is comprised of skilled engineers, technicians and maintenance crews who ensure that all pieces of equipment within the Free Men maintain operational readiness. They are responsible for repairs, retrofits and research and development within the Free Men.
Culture
The Free Men's culture is incredibly diverse, on-par if not more-so than larger star nations such as the Intersystem Alliance or Threshold. As a confederation of ex-pirate crews, each crew brings with them their own unique dialect, language, cuisine, behaviors and art.
For language, the Free Men is best characterized as a melting pot of languages. Each crew brings to the Free Men their own dialect or language, resulting in a rich linguistic tapestry within the Confederation. This can sometimes prove to be difficult with respect to communication and cooperation amongst the crews and while a majority of the crews speak some form of standard English, a system was created and introduced by the Council of Captains called Ship Mandorum. This system is a blending of elements from the different languages, standardizing specific words and phrases to provide clear and concise phrases and words over communication channels that wouldn't be misinterpreted as a different word or phrase, especially when considering the melting pot of languages.
Regarding the cuisine of the Free Men, their cuisine reflects the practicalities of life aboard starships, their resourceful nature and diverse backgrounds. Many crews have experimented with just about any flora or fauna they've encountered planetside, often making intricate hearty stews and pasta dishes. The character of spices and flavors take on a unique identity from crew to crew, often a result of the various backgrounds, and availability of foods and spices they can find within their area of operation.
The social atmosphere of the Free Men is one that carries a sense of rugged individualism tempered by a strong sense of community or crew. They value personal freedom and self-reliance but also understand the importance of cooperation and mutual support to achieve larger goals. Social gatherings and celebrations play a significant role in their culture, fostering a sense of camaraderie and solidarity among the crew.
The art of the Free Men, to include literature and music is heavily influenced by their seafaring origins and their experiences as spacefaring pirates. They often depict scenes of adventure, exploration and the beauty of space. Stories and songs tend to recount the tales of legendary battles, daring acts of piracy or pursuit of freedom. Music, such as sea shanties and lively instrumental pieces fills the air during festivities and serves as a means of storytelling and bonding and showcases the spirit and experiences of the Free Men.