// FACTIONS

Stratum Corp

"The frontier doesn't yield itself. We extract it."

Stratum Corp operates in the places the other houses prefer not to look: deep mining installations, frontier extraction sites, operations that require a certain comfort with regulatory ambiguity. Their ships are built for heavy work rather than appearances. Their contracts pay well and their accident rates are high.

They are the Varath faction most actively excavating Ancient sites. Not for the lore value - for the materials. Ancient-adjacent alloys have proven to have extraordinary properties in shipbuilding applications, and Stratum Corp has been quietly stockpiling samples for years. The Meridian are aware of this. The Meridian have made representations through diplomatic channels. Stratum Corp has filed these representations in a very thorough filing system.

Space: The Forge (hub), The Shattered Expanse (active extraction). Also operates in The Wreck Field and The Crucible through front companies.

What they want: Unrestricted access to Ancient sites. Elimination of the Meridian's ability to claim heritage rights over archaeological discoveries. Continued border ambiguity in The Throat region.

Starting standing: Varath: +200 | Keth: 0 | Meridian: -100

Missions: Mining operations, site security, material transport, dealing with indigenous mob infestations, recovering "lost" survey teams.

Exalted perk: Stratum salvage license - ability to claim derelict hulks as personal property; bonus yield from asteroid mining operations.