Faction Profiles
Overview:
Four houses now fight for the planet Arrakis. Each side differ in means of tactics, leadership, strategies, technologies, and, ultimately, ideologies. It has come to stage whereby determining a potential advantageous victor from this outcome is impossible: for all four houses have their strengths and shortcomings. Even the Bene Gesserit, who have long manipulated the political events of the Landsraad, have found it undeterminable to seek a truly worthy side in this conflict, especially since these sides have now stepped up their measures against the Sisterhood. Even those that can see the many paths into the future know that, either way, even if only one house was the victor, it would not be predetermined beforehand who would claim the coveted throne.
Factions:
House Atreides
Homeworld: The Planet Caladan, the Water World, and the most ecologically balanced planet within the Imperium. Verdant, lush and prosperous.
Current Leader: Duke Nicholas Dugan Atreides, self-proclaimed President of Caladan, and it's largest continent, Amerigo. The Duke is a charismatic man, and devoted towards the interests of his House and of the system that he wishes to bring back, that of Democracy. However, for all of Nicholas's noble ambitions, scandal fills his household, ranging from his secret love affairs, to his spying on other political party members. Though almost all of Caladan support their leader, they themselves know that Dugan is but a man, just like them.
Ideology: The House Atreides seeks to secure the planet Arrakis in order to maintain the flow of Spice for the good of all. They also seek to reform the corrupt, feudalistic Imperium, and replace it with a Confederation, under the ancient system of Democracy, which had long been lacking.
House Mentat: Kolinar Koltrass, Supreme Commander of the Atreides Military. Long-time Mentat to his own House, Kolinar has served his Duke, and his homeworld, in many battles, and is thus very experienced. However, many people question Kolinar's methods, for his tactis differ from the traditional Atreides technology: haing dealt with Harkonnen brutalities for an age, Kolinar has found that the best way to answer to a Harkonnen assault is to retaliate with a massed attack of their own. A hard man, few people find it hard to get on with Kolinar Koltrass, as he seldom shows mercy to an unforgiving enemy.
Bases of Operations: Castle Atreides in Caladan and Castle Arrakeen on Arrakis
Military Strength: The Atreides excel possess the strongest sea and air force. Their very planet of Caladan is well protected by war ships. Once thought to be obsolete in the way of modern flying craft, the very warships of House Atreides have made most possible incursions on the planet impossible. While Arrakis may lack a definite ocean to even build a basic seaport, the Atreides have long built and flown their Ornithopters, and the Atreides Ornithopter is recognized as the fastest and most dangerous on the planet: being swift in it's missions.
The Atreides also possess a versatile army that can handle most known strategies. Ranging from tanks and Minotaurus, their trademark battle support mechatronic artillery unit designed by Kolinar himself, to their loyal and devoted populace, to the general James Raynor, who directs the Houses' Covert Operations, the Atreides have been trained to handle any situation carefully and accordingly.
Economic Strength: Although not the richest of the Houses, Atreides has slowly earned it's status as one of the greatest. A bustling economy, powered by a fertile agricultural industry, Atreides hardly sees the days of recession, and the Duke's benevolence and generosity have ensured it's consistent growth.
Political Strength: Atreides represents one of the three main houses that have remained politically strong long before the current war. Long been at conflict with the Harkonnen and Corrino, the Atreides have also been involved in almost all of the political events leading up to these conflict, each time with the Atreides slowly gaining more power.
Before, the Atreides had secured an alliance with the Fremen, the desert people. However, this alliance was broken, and will be hard to reforge: only the small sietch on Caladan, those of the Fremen that migrated to that planet from Arrakis, remain loyal to the Duke. However, Atreides has already made an alliance with the continent of Naboo, the second largest continent of Caladan, and also the only continent that had not joined the government under House Atreides.
Our spies have it that the Atreides are making an alliance with the Saudukar, once their enemies. This may have been a result of recent allies with Corrino: and indeed, the Saudukar had worked with the Atreides before and have won their respect. They may very well gain their friendship soon.
House Profile: The Atreides are vigilant, watchful, and dedicated, like the eagle which is their emblem. Usually diplomatic, the Atreides now know that the only way to ensure victory is by conflict. Possessing a mentat of premier strategic training, and a versatile army, the Atreides, ultimately desire peace and honour, even if it means crushing their opponents in the sand.
House Insignia: The Eagle (Current House Colour: Yellow)
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House Harkonnen
Overview
Although only the Baron Sheng Ji Yang Harkonnen attended the Great Convention on Kaitan, the Harkonne, in truth, are now divided by two sides. Both differ only by two, overpowering ideologies.
Harkonnen Hive
Homeworld: Giedi Prime. The planet is one giant factory, and is polluted, and unforgiving.
Leader: The Siridar Baron Sheng Ji Yang Harkonnen, successor to Vladimir Harkonnen, and the first of the line of Harkonnen to be of the Chi'in race . Though a man that is seemingly refined and educated, and he is, he is, to the core, like all the Harkonnen dictators prior to him, a warmonger. However, he is also a sadist.
Bases of Operations: Fortress Harkonnen on Giedi Prime, and the Hive on Arrakis
House Profile and Ideology: Unlike the previous Harkonnen tyrants, who gave little thought to their leadership, Sheng Ji Yang seeks to create an authoratian and collectivist state, whereby the individual is totally subordinate to the State for a reason. Seeking to socially engineer a people that exists only to please it's masters, Sheng Ji Yang has been known to purchase suboids from the Ixians to maintain this ideal state. Through means of genetic engineering, and also severe torturous methods, the Baron has bred a warrior class, and has even threatened his own populace ith genocide, to ensure that they fear him, and thus, fear disappointing him. Islationist and militaristic, the Harkonnen Hive can be compared to a horde of insects: seeking new colonies, and conquering new frontiers to expand it's populace.
House Insignia: A black, white and blue Hippogryph, an eagle-ram crossbreed (Current House Colour: Blue
Harkonnen of the Star
Homeworld: Giedi Prime
Leader: The Baron's nephew, the General Chang Chong Chen Harkonnen, known as "The Revolutionary". Unlike any of the previous Harkonnens, Chen is a benevolent. Though possessing the temper traditional to Harkonnen, he is also an idealist, and patriotic. He has gained support from many within Giedi Prime, and, ultimately, seeks to bring a new order to the deranged world that was Hosue Harkonnen
Bases of operations: The People's Hall, Giedi Prime and Arrakeen Prospect, Arrakis
House Profile and Ideology: In truth, the "Harkonnen of the Star" hardly differs from the Hive, or the previous Harkonnen in terms of government: it is still harsh and dictatorial. However, Chen believes in a new future of Harkonnen, a eudaimonic future, where each citizen can strive to fulfill completely his or her potential. Also, though strict police methods ares still used, certain liberties have been practised, especially since torture and blood sports, once akin to the Harkonnen, have now been banned under Chen's rule. Chen has also gained the support of his people by being a demagogue: his uplifting speeches have made his followers believe in the very ideals that their leader strives for, and thus, will defend it.
House Insignia: The Dragon, with Stars (Current House Colour: Red)
Overall Harkonnen
Although the Hive and the Star differ by means of government, aside from that, they are mainly similar
House Mentat: Alexei Stukov. "Master of Assassins" truly describes this character. Unlike the previous Harkonnen Mentats, which have been rogue Tlielaxu Mentats, Alexei Stukov is a pure blood Harkonnen, born and raised in Giedi Prime, and having experienced the traditional Mentat Training. However, whereas he is a strategist, he is also a commando, and is the leader of the Houses's Covert Operations. A man of unorthodox methods, he spends much of his time theorizing out new strategies and tactis, and has been seen working in laboratories.
Stukov is ignorant of the current conflict that has split Harkonnen into two: though a survivalist that has maintained his post by successfully preventing others from taking it from him, he is also a patriot, and is among the Harkonnen, truly rare. He is a man worthy of trust, even though gaining that trust from his is almost impossible. As such, he respects both the dictatorial Baron, and his young, idealistic nephew, seeking only to serve the victor of the two.
Military Strength: Brute force, illegal atomic weaponry, massed attacks, sabotage, the Harkonnen have always used force in their methods, with the sole exception of the shady Stukov that carries out Harkonnen's few covert operations. The people of Harkonnen have been raised in an anti-culture that promotes fear, violence, and rampant disorder, and thus, are brutal and destructive, well suited to the armies that they serve.
In the case of the two houses, the only difference is that the Baron has been rumoured to have genetically engineered a warrior class of men that are not only savage, but also resilient. His nephew, however, believes in rallies, and thus, his men fight better when attacking in the hordes accustomed to Harkonnen, though this bonus has never been seen before.
Economic Strength: The Harkonnen were formely the sole stewards of Arrakis. They also possess one of the largest industries in the Imperium, and are constantly manufacturing all manners of products on their homeworld. As such, House Harkonnen is one of the richest houses of the Imperium, and seke to keep it that way( even if it means forcing out the competition)
Political Strength: With the exception of Atreides and Corrino, no other house has affected the Imperium so much as Harkonnen has. Even the current internal conflict on Giedi Prime has been well watched, for both houses recognize the significance that the outcome will bring: the Hive seeks to render all planets under it's glory, whereas the Harkonnen of the Star, though more desirable than the Hive, is still seen as a potentially dangerous adversary. All eyes watch Giedi Prime, along with the present conflict.
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House Ordos
Homeworld: Sigma Draconis IV. A cold world, covered predominantly with ice, little is known of the society that lies beneath this icy shell
Leader: Earl Jago. Half Irken, Half Human, he is cold, calculative, secretive and utmost cunning. Mentat and Earl, he is one of the few within his house that do not depend on thinking machines that are allowed within the Irken society. Possessing a keen military and economic mind, he himself sees all of the Ordos's operations, and ins responsible for much of his successes. A trader, he is diplomatic, and has constantly ensured the many monetary successes of his empire. Though bearing a soft spot for his fellow race, he knows that the successes of House Ordos come first; there is no other option.
Mentat: Tak. This is the name that spies have gathered on the current Mentat of House Ordos. An Irken with much training and experience, and possessing a rather interesting military history, she oversees a majority of Ordos's military incursions. Unlike other Mentats, Tak is more orthodox by following the strategies accustomed to the Ordos, that reports have it that she also believes in building a versatile Ordos military
Economic Stength: Immense wealth. The sort of wealth that can buy forbidden technologies and state of the art weaponry, beyond current military standards. This has been attributed to Ordos' previous enterprise as a shady organization that dealt mainly in trade and smuggling. The Irken Empire, though a mere shadow of it's previous glory (though we don't even know if it still exists) is still ever present, and is one of the leading corporate ventures of the Imperium.
Rumours has it that the Ordos may very well be the wealthiest house of the entire Imperium.
Military Strength: State of the Art. With a wealth that can afford the purchase of forbidden technologies, and the latest military contraptions, the Ordos also have technologies left over from the Irken empire, ranging from the Plasmarin battle tank and Maim Bots, to the Deviator Gas Tank and the Invader elite class of Irkens. However, most of the Ordos's weaponry is expensive, and, thus, take time to manufacture and produce, though it usually pays of well.
Political Strength: For a long time, House Ordos had secretly worked without the Houses' knowing. It wasn't until recently, with the discovery of their violations of the Butlerian Jihad, and the Irken race, that Ordos was recognized fore mostly as a powerful house within the Imperium. However, Ordos prefers to keep its secrets, before unleashing them.
House Profile: The Ordos are secretive, like the very snake they use as their emblem. After all, House Ordos cannot be truly profiles, most of the information on House Ordos is merely plain speculation. Spies that have entered their planet have fallen victim to their robots, and the Earl has constantly ordered the sabotage of the other houses to ensure that interference from them is kept at a minimal.
The Ordos are not even human: almost all of the population are now Irkens that have some human genetic material. Even so, they still resemble the original Irken, and are relatively short compared with other humans, with the exception of the mysterious few that control the Empire, including the Earl: they are all taller. Aside from this, the Irken differ little from the human race, especially in terms of patriotism. Previously foreign to Ordos, the Irkens have brought with them both notions of savagery and loyalty, though their main goal is, as always, profit.
The Irken quest for power is undeniable, and unstoppable: it's corporate venture grows day by day, and they continuously fund more research. Even more rumours have it that the Ordos have discovered the remnants of a far greater alien race on their own planet, and on Arrakis. And the Ordos are insidious and surreptitious, striking out at their foes when the opportunity is ripe.
However, this is all speculation.
We know nothing else for certain.
House Insignia: The Snake, coiled around an exaggerated Irken face (Current House colour: Green)
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The Fremen
Homeworld: The Planet Arrakis, known as Dune to the Fremen, the Desert planet. The second most planet in the Imperium, and the only planet that contains the Spice Melancge.
Leader: Lawrence Mua'Dib . A pureblood Fremen, who was, in truth, born and raised in Caladan, the son of a wealthy, immigrant Fremen family. He received one of the best educations known to men.
However, all this changed when Lawrence received a "higher calling". With that, he saw the Atreides alliance with the Fremen as being a deception, and sought to unite the Fremen against the decadent and cowardly Atreides. Retired of the life he once lived in Caladan, he now leads his warrior people on Arrakis, and seeks to bring his people to their rightful place in the Imperium.
The Atreides consider him a madman, the Harkonnen, a dangerous pest, the Ordos, a factor that must be nullified. But, to his people, Lawrence is a visionary; a prophet, who will bring them to their rightful status, as the Zensunni had predicted from times of old.
Mentat: Lawrence is , interestingly, the only Fremen Mentat known, since only he had the privilege to receive such an education. As such, this education has allowed him to bring about the Fremen's many victories. Although recognizing the Fremen's inability to obtain better weaponry, Lawrence still strive for better weaponry and technology, and constantly seeks to obtain this by hijacks or scavenging.
Economic Strength: The Fremen are a poor people. Even though their very planet is the central economic hub of the universe, the Fremen were never involved in the spice trade, until recently. The Fremen also fund their war efforts by smuggling, especially since the Smuggler's Guilds is under their control. However, the greatest contributing factor is scavenging: the Fremen constantly scavenge old technology from the previous wars, and have incorporated them within their armies.
Military Strength: The Fremen are born fighters, and are trained, from young, to fight in their armies. In a planet where one of the main ways of obtaining water is to steal it from the still suits of the deceased, the Fremen constantly fight their oppressors, not just for their riches, but, more importantly, for their water.
The Fremen resort mainly to guerrilla techniques, and operate in cells, that span throughout the entire planet., ensuring that they can escape to a safer spot should any one of their bases be raided.
The Fremen are also fundamentalists, being devout followers of Zensunni teachings, a branch of Buddhislam. As such, the Fremen fight with the strength of their convictions, and mainatin a close relationship with the sandworms they worship.
Rumour has it that the Fremen have actually managed to obtain a symbiotic relationship with planet Arrakis itself. More stupendous reports have it that the Fremen have gone so far as to be able to control the violent storms that ravage the plane, though, this is, of course, largely been discredited, though interest in this matter has grown.
Political Strength: The Fremen were once no more than a minority within the Imperium: they were classified as "sand pirates". However, the presence of Lawrence, who is now making the Fremen politically strong, has giving them an edge.
House Profile: The Fremen have been through a lot.
Betrayed by the Atreides, who did little for them, hunted by the Harkonnen, who are brutal savages, and suspicious of the Ordos, whose insidious nature arouses a sense of suspicion, the Fremen seek to exalt themselves to the highest role within the Imperium.
House Insignia: The Sandworm, with two scimitars (Current house colour: Brown)
