17 members
Corvus Nox Free Charter / CNFC
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Exploration -
Smuggling
G’day, what can we do for you today? Looking to buy or sell? Do you need something moved?Disposed of? Lost? or found? Wanna buy a space rubber ducky?.
Whateva it is, you know our motto – “Any Task, No Questions Asked!”
But if your looking for a job, head round back, you’ll see the sign…..
History
Excerpts compiled from reference texts Mercenaries, Pirates and Vagrants: A History of the Fringe, The Black and Turning a Credit, the autobiographical Ain’t No Friends in Vacuum – The Maboski Story, and Messer: Regime of Terror. Cross-referenced with limited Advocacy and UEEN records.
2615–2619 (Date Unconfirmed) — Founding Period
What would later become known as Corvus Nox Free Charter (CNFC) was founded sometime between 2615 and 2619 by a loose collection of veterans and deserters. Many were disillusioned by their participation in the near-genocide of the Tevarin and the subsequent “purge” that marked the end of the Second Tevarin War.
Initially operating as an informal mutual-aid network, CNFC-affiliated crews offered one another protection, intelligence, and logistical support, often travelling in convoy through unstable or lightly governed systems. They marketed themselves to fringe worlds and stations as versatile operators—trading navigational knowledge, salvaging derelicts, accepting bounty work, and occasionally engaging in petty theft or piracy when margins demanded it.
They survived by constant motion, deliberately avoiding prolonged stays in any one system to remain beyond the immediate reach of the Messer regime. Contemporary accounts show that outsiders quickly assigned them disparaging labels—Rag and Bone Men, Void Gypsies, Crows. CNFC members adopted these names without resistance.
Note: Early CNFC culture strongly emphasizes mutual obligation, shared risk, and collective survival—traits later formalized in the Charter and reflected in ritual songs and toasts. Advocacy records show that what later become the CNFC was a loose network of a number of smuggling organizations, illegal gangs and unaligned independent captains. Known criminal organizations associated with the group include the Void Crows, The Black Keel Compact and The Cinderwake Syndicate
2629 — Cano System Bounty Dispute
Two suspected CNFC vessels, Hand of God and Just Kidding, attempted to collect a bounty on the Rim-Spiders gang at an Advocacy outpost in the Cano system. The captains claimed there were no surviving members of the gang, which had been responsible for repeated raids on the arcologies of Cano II.
The Advocacy refused payment due to lack of proof. The bounty claim was withdrawn following threats of Imperial Navy involvement.
Note: Multiple Rim-Spiders attacks were recorded on Can0 II from 2620–2629. No further incidents were reported after this date. Official Advocacy reports attribute the cessation to raiders changing insignia. No independent verification exists.
2639 — Terra Disappearance Rumours
Several ships later linked to CNFC are rumoured to have assisted in the transport, concealment, and protection of supporters of Senator Assan Kieren of Terra following her disappearance and presumed assassination. No direct evidence has ever been produced.
2644 — Surplus Ambush Allegations
Alleged CNFC vessels Nose Candy, Childish Tycoon, and Hand of God were suspected of ambushing military surplus shipments en route to Earth for mothballing. No admissible evidence was recovered.
Note: Officials at the time suspected leaks from active UEEN personnel. Hand of God’s IFF transponder was recorded in three separate systems during the time window of the attack, suggesting either spoofing or falsified ship tags.
2681–2690 — Refugee Convoy Operations
CNFC-affiliated crews began offering low-cost escort and transport services to refugees fleeing Vanduul incursions, particularly along poorly defended trade routes and fringe corridors.
Note: These operations are frequently cited in CNFC internal lore as the point at which the group’s self-image shifted from opportunistic survival to deliberate interference in Imperial neglect.
2720 — Bremen Smuggling Incident
An unnamed suspected CNFC member was arrested for smuggling weapons to anti-Messer activists in the Bremen system.
Note: The suspect was transferred to military custody and subsequently disappeared. This outcome was not considered unusual during the Messer regime.
2782 — Cascom Incident (“The Foolhardy Run”)
An alleged CNFC member, Farrington “Foolhardy”, piloting an Aegis Avenger, attacked UEE Army units engaged in the roundup and detention of “illegal settlers” on Cascom, in the Castra system.
The settlers had been stranded when their colony ship—part of the Quality Colonization Program—suffered catastrophic mechanical failure. Castra’s designation as a military-only system allowed the local governor to request intervention from Imperator Linton Messer XI, who authorized ground forces to detain the colonists.
Foolhardy engaged multiple sub-orbital attack craft and disrupted troop deployments, buying time while other CNFC members loaded settlers onto a recently “acquired” cargo hauler and extracted them from the system.
The UEEN Idris-class frigate UEES Baker arrived shortly thereafter. Foolhardy attacked the frigate directly and was destroyed by a mass driver strike. His final recorded transmission reportedly included the phrase: “You’ll never take my space penguin!”
The rescued settlers eventually reached safety in the Nyx system. Some later settled in Levski; others joined fringe crews, including CNFC.
Every subsequent CNFC anniversary gathering includes a formal toast:
“TO LIVE AND DIE A FOOL.”
Manifesto
Who is Corvus Nox Free Charter? – Jack of All Trades, Explorers, Salvagers, Smugglers, Freelancers, Travelers, Traders. Bounty Hunters, maybe even pirates with a heart of gold…
If there’s a job as needs doing, there’s a charter captain to do it. As long as it doesn’t break their “Code” it’ll get done.
The CNFC Free Charter, has only 2 real goals, the first, best said on an ancient earth vid show, that just happens to be popular with many Charter Captains and crews – “A ship would bring you work; a gun would help you keep it. A captain’s goal was simple: find a crew, find a job, keep flying.”
Now while the Second Tevarin War was over before any current charter members were even born, and those veterans who first founded the CNFC are long dead, their descendants, and those that had signed on in the intervening years since have taken this quote to heart ‘Find a crew, find a job, keep flying’. Quite often charter members live from job to job, living on their ships or in rented hangars, as long as they have a ship, a gun to protect it, and a crew to fly it they want for little else.
The second goal, is less well known or understood, never elaborated on with anyone outside the charter, and only spoken of in hushed tones when strangers are near, but if your keen eared and a little noisy you may hear the words “Terra Nullius” whispered in solemn serious tones…….shortly after you will probably be introduced first to the muzzle of a gun and secondly to an airlock, eavesdroppers be warned.
- Shiny ships fly true.
Translation, appears to be a warning concerning proper ship maintenance, as CNFC crews take great pride in their ships. However 'Shiny' is often used as colloquialism for working correctly/being ok/no problem - Harm none who aint deserving.
Translation, Self-explanatory, however further analysis shows that what is considered "deserving" has a broad range, and the smallest of slights, or perceived injustice, is enough to justify 'Harm'. A more broad interpretation appears to be 'Harm none who can't afford it'. - Shisno’s get shot.
Translation, ERROR, appears to be crude threat. Term 'Shisno' unknown, only found reference "Red vs Blue", no further information available. - Weapons aint free.
Translation, meant both financially, literally, and incidentally. Weapons are valuable- take care of them Weapons are dangerous – there is a cost to using them, people get hurt and die Weapons are costly – using them means there will be some type of future consequences: investigation by the Law, possibility of someone seeking revenge, payment for damage repairs etc - Don’t Know his elbow.
Translation, don’t follow idiots or idiotic instructions especially if given by non CNFC individuals. From the old earth idiom ‘doesn’t know his ass from his elbow’
Charter
PREAMBLE
We, the Free Captains of the Corvus Nox Free Charter—scavengers, explorers, traders, smugglers, haulers, bounty hunters, salvors, and all manner of spacers who make their living between the stars—do hereby proclaim this Charter as the governing instrument of our brotherhood, sisterhood, and kinship of the void.
Formed on 4 November 2773, in the drifting shadow of the Second Tevarin War and the turbulence of the post-war frontier, the Corvus Nox Free Charter (hereafter CNFC or the Charter) declares:
That no spacer should fly alone when the black turns unfriendly.
That work, honestly taken or dubiously sourced, should be met with fair pay and fair protection.
That we owe fealty to no power, no crown, no species, and no law save our own conscience and our Code.
And that every Captain, no matter the tonnage of their ship or the weight of their past, stands equal beneath the wings of the Crow.
Where outsiders once mocked our kind as “crows” — scavengers, ship-pickers, dockside thieves — we embraced the name.
For a crow does not abandon its own, and a crow sees through the lies of kings and corporates alike.
Thus, let it be known across ports, stations, worlds, and wildspace:
A crow does not gouge the eye of another crow.
Corvus oculum corvi non eruit.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
That every free Captain has the right to seek livelihood across the stars without harassment by tyrants, pirates, corrupt authorities, or predatory corporations.
That the Charter shall defend its own where possible, and avenge its own where necessary.
That work shall be shared, profit shall be honored, and debts shall be paid—especially those of blood.
That the Code of the Free Captains, though unwritten, stands higher than any law or court beyond our own.
That discovery—new worlds, new jump points, new fortunes—belongs first to those who risk the void to find it.
That any Captain who violates the Code or the Charter may be judged only by their peers and sentenced only by those empowered herein.
That unity need not require submission, and equality need not forbid leadership.
This Charter is binding upon all who swear themselves to it, their ships, their crews, and their inheritors.
ARTICLE 1 — AEQUITAS (EQUALITY OF THE CROWS)
All members of the CNFC share equally in rights, protections, and responsibilities as defined herein. No Captain stands above another in dignity or liberty. These rights include:
1.1 — Fair Stand Up
All members are entitled to a fair hearing in disputes and accusations.
Minor disputes are handled by a ship’s Captain (see Article 4).
Major cases fall under the authority of the Leadership Council.
1.2 — Bunk, Bed, Salt and Bread
Any member serving aboard a CNFC vessel is entitled to food, water, and habitable quarters at the Captain’s expense.
1.3 — Captain’s Paid
When the Captain receives payment, so does the crew—promptly, fully, and without manipulation.
1.4 — Right as Rain
Medical treatment—stitches, cyberware, limb replacements, cloning, or full recuperation—is owed by the Captain to any crew injured in the line of duty.
1.5 — Weapons Free
Crew may open-carry weapons aboard any CNFC vessel.
(Captains may restrict heavy ordnance during sensitive operations, because nobody likes cleaning scorch marks off their bulkhead.)
1.6 — Blue on Blue Means Death to You
Firing upon a CNFC member without sanction or justification of self-defense is grounds for immediate death sentence by Charter law.
1.7 — When the Charter Calls, the Charter Answers
If a member calls for aid, all who are able must respond—be it combat, rescue, recovery, extraction, evacuation, legal trouble, or simple need.
ARTICLE 2 — PRIMUS INTER PARES (FIRST AMONG EQUALS)
The CNFC recognizes leadership positions not as rulers, but as first among equals, chosen to guide, coordinate, organize, and safeguard the Charter.
Leadership exists solely to:
Provide interpretation of the Code.
Maintain the roster of members and ranks.
Coordinate CNFC operations, diplomacy, and emergency response.
Preside over major disputes and trials.
Uphold the integrity of the Charter and its traditions.
Leadership has no authority to command the free actions of individual Captains except where explicitly defined herein.
ARTICLE 2.1 — THE ORDOS (LEADERSHIP ROLES)
The CNFC Leadership Council consists of the following:
2.1.1 — The Commodore
Executive figurehead and spokesperson of the CNFC
Chair of all meetings
Oversees other leadership roles
Holds veto power, tie-breaking authority, and the right to call a Murder (see Article 5.3)
Originally an OG; may be removed only by unanimous OG vote and 75% of the Leadership Council
2.1.2 — OGs (Original Gangsters)
Founding Captains of the CNFC
Permanent, unelected members of leadership
Hold elevated voting power and veto authority
Custodians of tradition, the Code, and the legacy of the Charter
2.1.3 — The Barker
Recruitment officer & external liaison
Manages treaties, alliances, and agreements
Appointed by the Commodore or elected by Council vote
2.1.4 — The Comms
Maintains communication across the flotilla
Distributes updates, rolls, summons, and notices
Coordinates with the Barker to ensure an accurate roster
Appointed or elected as above
2.1.5 — The Jaunty
Sergeant-at-arms equivalent
Enforces procedure, maintains order, leads sanctioned actions
Oversees punishments, investigations, and discipline
Appointed or elected as above
ARTICLE 2.2 — SUCCESSION
Upon the death of a CNFC member, all possessions, debts, credits, effects, and their callsign transfer to their legal inheritor.
Membership and rank transfer likewise.
ARTICLE 3 — SUFFRAGIUM (VOTING RIGHTS)
Voting rights are based on CNFC rank:
Rank Vote Weight
Leadership Council 2.2
Chartered Captain 1.5
Roamer 1
Boxmunkey 0.5
Fetchit 0.2
FNG 0
Associate 0
Captains may nominate a proxy if absent.
On individual ships, all involved crew get equal vote; Captains hold veto and tie-breaking authority.
ARTICLE 4 — TRIAL AND SANCTION
Minor infractions → handled by ship Captain.
Major breaches → judged by Leadership Council.
A Tribunal of:
6 Chartered Captains (randomly selected),
and 1 Council member,
presides over major trials.
Judgments may include:
Public sanction
Fines
Demotions
Expulsion
Deathmark
For the gravest violations (murder of a crow, betrayal of Terra Nullius secrecy, selling out the CNFC):
Accused is stripped of rank, rights, and protections
Exiled, marked for death
Their next three generations lose rights of inheritance within the CNFC
Any CNFC member may execute a Deathmarked individual on sight.
ARTICLE 5 — OPERATIONS
Members are free agents and may pursue work independently so long as the Code is upheld.
5.1 — Cooperative Endeavors
Revenue sharing between ships must consider:
Ship class
Time spent
Contribution quality
Crew shares aboard multicrew ships follow the Captain’s established agreement.
Main members receive priority in cooperative opportunities over Associates or outsiders.
5.2 — Call for Assistance
Members may call nearby CNFC units to defend assets, escort ships, suppress threats, or conduct joint operations.
5.3 — Murder (Full-Flotilla Assembly)
A Murder is the sacred and extraordinary gathering of the entire CNFC flotilla.
The Commodore may call a Murder for:
Defense of the CNFC
Judgment of dissident members
Charter-wide votes
Announcement of Terra Nullius discovery
A Murder is considered both ceremonial and strategically sensitive.
5.4 — Terra Nullius
Terra Nullius is defined as:
An undiscovered jump point
A new star system
An uncharted planet or moon
The discovering member must notify leadership immediately.
A Murder is convened to:
Claim the discovery
Establish secret access routes
Coordinate exploitation and resource extraction
The discoverer receives:
10% of all CNFC profits from the discovery
Naming rights
First passage and first survey claims
Revealing Terra Nullius to outsiders is treason of the highest order.
ARTICLE 6 — CHARTER DUES
Rank Annual Dues
Associate 0%
FNG 2%
Fetchit 5%
Boxmunkey 7.5%
Roamer 10%
Chartered Captain 8%
Leadership Council 13%
(Dues reflect operational burdens, expected income, and rank benefits.)
6.1 — MVP Widows and Orphans Fund
All dues contribute to the fund, which supports:
Families of fallen members
Lost ship compensation
Members who commit “great acts” for the CNFC
Requires:
Nomination by 3 members
Evidence review
Council decision
ARTICLE 7 — AFFILIATION
Members may affiliate with external orgs.
Organizations hostile to CNFC may be designated enemies; Crow vessels may engage in defensive or punitive actions as required.
ARTICLE 8 — AMENDMENTS
To amend the Charter:
Nomination by a Chartered Captain
Seconded by a Council member + six additional Chartered Captains
Majority vote of all voting members
Unanimous approval of OG Council
75% quorum required
APPENDIX A — RANKS OF THE CNFC
FNG
New recruit. Observed closely. No vote.
Protected by Charter.
Fetchit
Basic member. Runs errands.
Limited vote. Full protection.
Boxmunkey
Full member trusted with cargo, logistics, and small ops.
0.5 vote.
Roamer
Experienced full member.
Trusted spacer. Full vote.
Chartered Captain
Holds a ship. Commands crew.
May prefix ship name with FCV.
Leadership Council
Veteran Captains entrusted with governance.
OGs
Founders. Elders. Living legends.
Commodore
Executive figurehead.
Voice of the Charter.
Only crow who can call a Murder.
APPENDIX B — THE CODE (ORAL TRADITION)
The Code is an unwritten, ancient set of sayings.
A crow who breaks the Code is a crow no more.
A selection:
Shiny ships fly true.
Harm none who ain’t deserving.
Shisnos get shot.
Weapons ain’t free.
Don’t know his elbow.
Blood before black.
No crow left to drift.
A fair job for a fair cut.
Take what’s offered, not what ain’t.
(Interpretation varies, but enforcement does not.)
APPENDIX C — OATHS OF THE CNFC
Oath of the Free Captain
I swear by hull and by hand,
By crow-wing and void-black sky,
That I stand with the Charter
And the crows who fly beside me.
I’ll break no Code, betray no kin,
And answer when the Murder calls.
Let my ship bear witness
And let the void judge me true.
Oath of the Crew
I fly with the Captain who leads me,
Work with the crew beside me,
And stand with the crows who guard me.
Fair work, fair share, fair sky.
APPENDIX D — GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Crow — Member of the CNFC
Murder — Full-flotilla gathering
Shisno — An idiot, traitor, or general waste of oxygen
Terra Nullius — Undiscovered jump point, planet, or system
Stand Up — Fair hearing
Captain’s Paid — Prompt crew payment
Blue on Blue — Crow-on-crow violence
Deathmark — Exiled for execution
OG — Original founding member
Roamer — Veteran full member
Boxmunkey — Cargo-handling member
Fetchit — Basic member, errand-runner
