{"id":5169,"date":"2026-03-13T22:30:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T14:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=5169"},"modified":"2026-10-15T21:39:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T13:39:12","slug":"lore-independent","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=5169","title":{"rendered":"Lore \u2013 Independent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n<!-- NUCLEUS SIDE NAV - Independents FACTION PAGE (in-page section nav)\n     Replaces the old Site NAV block on page 5169. Item ids EQUAL the\n     faction cell's section ids (scroll + scroll-spy key off them).\n     Requires site_nav_tool_JavaScript.js v1.2+ and site_nav_tool CSS v1.3+\n     (both already live site-wide). Uses the existing \"independent\" preset.\n     Generated from factions_data.py on 2026-10-04.                       -->\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n\n<style>\n    .nx-fa-unit.nsnav-section-highlight::after,\n    .nx-fa-sec.nsnav-section-highlight::after,\n    .nx-fa-hero.nsnav-section-highlight::after {\n        top: 6px; left: 6px; right: 6px; bottom: 6px;\n    }\n<\/style>\n\n<script id=\"nucleus-sidenav-config\" type=\"application\/json\">\n{\n  \"faction\": \"independent\",\n  \"factionLabel\": \"Independent Intel\",\n  \"options\": {\n    \"headerOffset\": 80,\n    \"autoHideMissing\": true\n  },\n  \"items\": [\n{ \"id\": \"nx-lore-directory\", \"label\": \"TOP\", \"icon\": \"\u25c8\" },\n    {\n      \"type\": \"divider\",\n      \"label\": \"Briefing\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"independent-units\",\n      \"label\": \"Overview\",\n      \"icon\": \"\\u25c6\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"faction-doctrine\",\n      \"label\": \"Doctrine\",\n      \"icon\": \"DC\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"type\": \"divider\",\n      \"label\": \"The Unaligned\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"unit-rigger\",\n      \"label\": \"Rigger\",\n      \"icon\": \"RG\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"unit-leased-lily\",\n      \"label\": \"Leased Lily\",\n      \"icon\": \"LL\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"unit-bounty-hunter\",\n      \"label\": \"Bounty Hunter\",\n      \"icon\": \"BH\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"unit-wild-fang\",\n      \"label\": \"Wild Fang\",\n      \"icon\": \"WF\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"unit-moonwing\",\n      \"label\": \"Moonwing\",\n      \"icon\": \"MW\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"type\": \"divider\",\n      \"label\": \"Intel\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"faction-command\",\n      \"label\": \"People\",\n      \"icon\": \"PP\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"faction-holdings\",\n      \"label\": \"Territory\",\n      \"icon\": \"TR\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"faction-assets\",\n      \"label\": \"Assets\",\n      \"icon\": \"AS\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"id\": \"faction-diplomacy\",\n      \"label\": \"Diplomacy\",\n      \"icon\": \"DP\"\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n<div id=\"nucleus-sidenav\" data-faction=\"independent\">\n  <div class=\"nsnav-collapsed-bar\">\n    <div class=\"nsnav-glow-line\"><\/div>\n    <button class=\"nsnav-expand-btn\" aria-label=\"Expand navigation\">\n      <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n        <polyline points=\"9 18 15 12 9 6\"><\/polyline>\n      <\/svg>\n    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-collapsed-icons\"><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <nav class=\"nsnav-panel\" aria-label=\"Independents sections\">\n    <div class=\"nsnav-panel-inner\">\n      <div class=\"nsnav-header\">\n        <button class=\"nsnav-collapse-btn\" aria-label=\"Collapse navigation\">\n          <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n            <polyline points=\"15 18 9 12 15 6\"><\/polyline>\n          <\/svg>\n        <\/button>\n        <span class=\"nsnav-title\">INDEPENDENT<\/span>\n        <div class=\"nsnav-header-line\"><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <ul class=\"nsnav-items\"><\/ul>\n      <div class=\"nsnav-footer\">\n        <div class=\"nsnav-footer-line\"><\/div>\n        <span class=\"nsnav-footer-text\">INDEPENDENT INTEL<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-scanlines\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-corner nsnav-corner-tl\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-corner nsnav-corner-tr\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-corner nsnav-corner-bl\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-corner nsnav-corner-br\"><\/div>\n  <\/nav>\n<\/div>\n\n<button id=\"nucleus-sidenav-mobile-toggle\" class=\"nsnav-mobile-toggle\" aria-label=\"Open section navigation\">\n  <span class=\"nsnav-hamburger-line\"><\/span>\n  <span class=\"nsnav-hamburger-line\"><\/span>\n  <span class=\"nsnav-hamburger-line\"><\/span>\n<\/button>\n\n<div id=\"nucleus-sidenav-mobile-overlay\" class=\"nsnav-mobile-overlay\">\n  <div class=\"nsnav-mobile-panel\">\n    <div class=\"nsnav-mobile-header\">\n      <span class=\"nsnav-title\">INDEPENDENT<\/span>\n      <button class=\"nsnav-mobile-close\" aria-label=\"Close navigation\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n          <line x1=\"18\" y1=\"6\" x2=\"6\" y2=\"18\"><\/line>\n          <line x1=\"6\" y1=\"6\" x2=\"18\" y2=\"18\"><\/line>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <ul class=\"nsnav-mobile-items\"><\/ul>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-mobile-footer\">\n      <div class=\"nsnav-footer-line\"><\/div>\n      <span class=\"nsnav-footer-text\">INDEPENDENT INTEL<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-scanlines\"><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3a88641f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\r\n<!-- NUCLEUS FACTION INTEL DIRECTORY - \"SELECT FILE\" band (2026)\r\n     The lore-page sibling of the Characters \"Select Channel\" band.\r\n     Paste this exact cell, with NO per-page edits, into a Custom HTML\r\n     block ABOVE the faction cell on all nine faction lore pages\r\n     (and on the Factions hub, 7174, if wanted).\r\n     Self-detecting, CSS-first: WordPress stamps <body> with\r\n     page-id-NNNN and the rules below light the matching card.\r\n     Zero JavaScript. Page ids:\r\n       Hub 7174 \u00b7 Alliance 1302 \u00b7 Imperium 1343 \u00b7 Directorate 1349 \u00b7\r\n       Covenant 2897 \u00b7 Fenris 1441 \u00b7 Rakshasa 1617 \u00b7 Jokull 2138 \u00b7\r\n       Xing Hong 3468 \u00b7 Independent 5169\r\n     Generated from factions_data.py on 2026-10-03.                       -->\r\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n    html, body { overflow-x: hidden; overflow-x: clip; }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory {\r\n        width: 100vw; max-width: 100vw;\r\n        margin-left: calc(50% - 50vw) !important; margin-right: calc(50% - 50vw) !important;\r\n        margin-block-end: 0 !important;   \/* !important: see the faction cell's breakout note *\/\r\n        box-sizing: border-box;\r\n        --nx-ink: #E8F1FF;\r\n        --nx-dim: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.6);\r\n        --nx-faint: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.4);\r\n        --nx-line: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.14);\r\n        --nx-display: 'Orbitron', 'Avenir Next', 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;\r\n        --nx-body: 'Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;\r\n        --nx-mono: ui-monospace, 'Cascadia Mono', 'JetBrains Mono', Consolas, monospace;\r\n        background:\r\n            radial-gradient(ellipse 90% 100% at 50% -30%, rgba(0, 255, 136, 0.06), transparent 60%),\r\n            linear-gradient(180deg, #0B0F0C 0%, #08130D 100%);\r\n        border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0, 255, 136, 0.16);\r\n        color: var(--nx-ink); font-family: var(--nx-body);\r\n        padding: clamp(20px, 2.6vw, 30px) 0 clamp(22px, 2.8vw, 32px) 0;\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory * { box-sizing: border-box; }\r\n    \/* When the directory and the faction cell sit in two separate\r\n       Columns\/Group blocks, the theme puts a 1.2rem gap between those\r\n       blocks and the page background shows through as a grey strip.\r\n       Close it from here (this small cell is the same on every page). *\/\r\n    .wp-block-columns:has(#nx-faction), .wp-block-group:has(#nx-faction) { margin-block-start: 0 !important; }\r\n    .wp-block-columns:has(#nx-lore-directory), .wp-block-group:has(#nx-lore-directory) { margin-block-end: 0 !important; }\r\n    .wp-block-column:has(#nx-faction), .wp-block-column:has(#nx-lore-directory) { margin-block: 0 !important; }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-container { max-width: 1280px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 clamp(18px, 4vw, 40px); }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-head { display: flex; align-items: center; 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text-decoration: none; text-align: center;\r\n        transition: transform 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease, background-color 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-sig {\r\n        font-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; line-height: 1;\r\n        color: var(--fd); text-shadow: 0 0 12px var(--fd);\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-name { font-size: 9.5px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 0.13em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-dim); line-height: 1.3; }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-ch { font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 8.5px; letter-spacing: 0.18em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-faint); }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card:hover, #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card:focus-visible {\r\n        transform: translateY(-2px); border-color: var(--fd); background: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.05);\r\n        box-shadow: 0 4px 18px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45);\r\n        box-shadow: 0 4px 18px color-mix(in srgb, var(--fd) 30%, transparent);\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card:hover .nx-ld-name, #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card:focus-visible .nx-ld-name { color: var(--fd); }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--fd); outline-offset: 2px; }\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-here {\r\n        display: none; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 8.5px; letter-spacing: 0.18em;\r\n        text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--fd); opacity: 0.9;\r\n    }\r\n    \/* current page: lit file (pure CSS via body.page-id-NNNN) *\/\r\n    body.page-id-7174 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=7174\"],\r\n    body.page-id-1302 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1302\"],\r\n    body.page-id-1343 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1343\"],\r\n    body.page-id-1349 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1349\"],\r\n    body.page-id-2897 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=2897\"],\r\n    body.page-id-1441 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1441\"],\r\n    body.page-id-1617 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1617\"],\r\n    body.page-id-2138 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=2138\"],\r\n    body.page-id-3468 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=3468\"],\r\n    body.page-id-5169 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=5169\"],\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-current {\r\n        border-color: var(--fd);\r\n        background: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.05);\r\n        background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--fd) 10%, transparent);\r\n    }\r\n    body.page-id-7174 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=7174\"] .nx-ld-name,\r\n    body.page-id-1302 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1302\"] .nx-ld-name,\r\n    body.page-id-1343 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1343\"] .nx-ld-name,\r\n    body.page-id-1349 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1349\"] .nx-ld-name,\r\n    body.page-id-2897 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=2897\"] .nx-ld-name,\r\n    body.page-id-1441 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1441\"] .nx-ld-name,\r\n    body.page-id-1617 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1617\"] .nx-ld-name,\r\n    body.page-id-2138 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=2138\"] .nx-ld-name,\r\n    body.page-id-3468 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=3468\"] .nx-ld-name,\r\n    body.page-id-5169 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=5169\"] .nx-ld-name,\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-current .nx-ld-name { color: var(--fd); }\r\n    body.page-id-7174 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=7174\"] .nx-ld-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-1302 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1302\"] .nx-ld-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-1343 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1343\"] .nx-ld-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-1349 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1349\"] .nx-ld-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-2897 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=2897\"] .nx-ld-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-1441 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1441\"] .nx-ld-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-1617 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1617\"] .nx-ld-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-2138 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=2138\"] .nx-ld-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-3468 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=3468\"] .nx-ld-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-5169 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=5169\"] .nx-ld-ch,\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-current .nx-ld-ch { display: none; }\r\n    body.page-id-7174 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=7174\"] .nx-ld-here,\r\n    body.page-id-1302 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1302\"] .nx-ld-here,\r\n    body.page-id-1343 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1343\"] .nx-ld-here,\r\n    body.page-id-1349 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1349\"] .nx-ld-here,\r\n    body.page-id-2897 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=2897\"] .nx-ld-here,\r\n    body.page-id-1441 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1441\"] .nx-ld-here,\r\n    body.page-id-1617 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=1617\"] .nx-ld-here,\r\n    body.page-id-2138 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=2138\"] .nx-ld-here,\r\n    body.page-id-3468 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=3468\"] .nx-ld-here,\r\n    body.page-id-5169 #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card[href$=\"page_id=5169\"] .nx-ld-here,\r\n    #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-current .nx-ld-here { display: block; }\r\n    @media (max-width: 1100px) {\r\n        #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-rail {\r\n            display: flex; overflow-x: auto; scroll-snap-type: x proximity; padding-bottom: 8px;\r\n            -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;\r\n        }\r\n        #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-card { min-width: 118px; flex: 0 0 auto; scroll-snap-align: start; }\r\n        #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-rail::-webkit-scrollbar { height: 4px; }\r\n        #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-rail::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: rgba(0, 255, 136, 0.25); border-radius: 2px; }\r\n        #nx-lore-directory .nx-ld-rail::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.05); }\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"nx-lore-directory\">\r\n    <div class=\"nx-ld-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"nx-ld-head\">\r\n            <p class=\"nx-ld-eyebrow\">\/\/ Faction Intel &mdash; Select File<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"nx-ld-line\"><\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"nx-ld-count\">9 Files &middot; Signal OK<\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <nav class=\"nx-ld-rail\" aria-label=\"Faction lore pages\">\r\n            <a class=\"nx-ld-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=7174\" style=\"--fd: #00FF88;\" title=\"All Factions\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-sig\">\u25c8<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-name\">Faction Hub<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-ch\">HUB<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-here\">&#9670; You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-ld-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1302\" style=\"--fd: #4A9EFF;\" title=\"Terra Alliance\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-sig\">TA<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-name\">Alliance<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-ch\">FILE&middot;01<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-here\">&#9670; You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-ld-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1343\" style=\"--fd: #FF4A4A;\" title=\"Imperium of Dragons\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-sig\">ID<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-name\">Imperium<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-ch\">FILE&middot;02<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-here\">&#9670; You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-ld-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1349\" style=\"--fd: #3CB371;\" title=\"Emerald Directorate\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-sig\">ED<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-name\">Directorate<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-ch\">FILE&middot;03<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-here\">&#9670; You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-ld-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=2897\" style=\"--fd: #F0D890;\" title=\"Zorian Covenant\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-sig\">ZC<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-name\">Covenant<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-ch\">FILE&middot;04<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-here\">&#9670; You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-ld-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1441\" style=\"--fd: #FF6B35;\" title=\"Fenris Horde\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-sig\">FH<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-name\">Fenris<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-ch\">FILE&middot;05<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-here\">&#9670; You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-ld-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1617\" style=\"--fd: #E040FB;\" title=\"Rakshasa Horde\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-sig\">RH<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-name\">Rakshasa<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-ch\">FILE&middot;06<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-here\">&#9670; You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-ld-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=2138\" style=\"--fd: #7DD3FC;\" title=\"J\u01ebkull Horde\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-sig\">JH<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-name\">J\u00f6kull<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-ch\">FILE&middot;07<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-here\">&#9670; You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-ld-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=3468\" style=\"--fd: #FFC107;\" title=\"Xing Hong\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-sig\">XH<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-name\">Xing Hong<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-ch\">FILE&middot;08<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-here\">&#9670; You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-ld-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=5169\" style=\"--fd: #999999;\" title=\"Independents\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-sig\">\u2605<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-name\">Independent<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-ch\">FILE&middot;09<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-ld-here\">&#9670; You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <\/nav>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3a88641f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n<!-- NUCLEUS FACTION INTEL - INDEPENDENTS cell (2026 redesign)\n     Paste into ONE WordPress Custom HTML block on page 5169, BELOW the\n     side-nav cell and the Faction Directory cell. It REPLACES the whole\n     old page body (unit groups, image galleries, the old Dossier).\n     Zero JavaScript of its own. Carries the NucleusGallery modal markup\n     (once per page) and the theme-independent gallery skin.\n     Section ids (independent-units, unit-*, god-*, faction-*) are side-nav and\n     cross-link targets - once published, NEVER rename.\n     Generated from factions_data.py by factions_build.py on 2026-10-04.\n     Spoiler ceiling: start of Volume 1. Ratings = in-world estimate.     -->\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n\n<style>\n\/* WP2024 full-width breakout (mandatory). Guard MUST be clip;\nhidden is the legacy fallback line only - hidden kills sticky. *\/\nhtml, body { overflow-x: hidden; overflow-x: clip; }\n\/* !important on the margins: when this block sits DIRECTLY inside\n.entry-content, Twenty Twenty-Four forces margin-left\/right:auto\n!important on it, which would cancel the breakout. The id selector\noutranks that rule, so the cell breaks out in either placement\n(top-level block, or nested in a Columns\/Group block). *\/\n#nx-faction {\nwidth: 100vw; max-width: 100vw;\nmargin-left: calc(50% - 50vw) !important; margin-right: calc(50% - 50vw) !important;\nmargin-block-start: 0 !important; margin-block-end: 0 !important;\nbox-sizing: border-box;\n}\n\/* same seam guard as the directory cell, for pages pasted without it *\/\n.wp-block-columns:has(#nx-faction), .wp-block-group:has(#nx-faction) { margin-block-start: 0 !important; }\n#nx-faction *, #nx-faction *::before, #nx-faction *::after { box-sizing: border-box; }\n\n\/* === Faction tokens - EDIT THIS BLOCK per faction === *\/\n#nx-faction {\n--fa: #C8CCD2;              \/* faction accent *\/\n--fa-rgb: 200, 204, 210;\n--nx-ink: #E8F1FF;\n--nx-dim: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.62);\n--nx-faint: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.42);\n--nx-line: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.14);\n--nx-card: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.04);\n--nx-display: 'Orbitron', 'Avenir Next', 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;\n--nx-body: 'Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;\n--nx-mono: ui-monospace, 'Cascadia Mono', 'JetBrains Mono', Consolas, monospace;\nbackground:\nradial-gradient(ellipse 120% 46% at 50% -6%, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.13), transparent 62%),\nlinear-gradient(180deg, #101012 0%, #161618 45%, #0C0C0E 100%);\ncolor: var(--nx-ink);\nfont-family: var(--nx-body);\nfont-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6;\nposition: relative;\noverflow: hidden; overflow: clip;\n}\n#nx-faction p, #nx-faction ul, #nx-faction ol, #nx-faction h2, #nx-faction h3, #nx-faction h4 { margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n#nx-faction ul, #nx-faction ol { list-style: none; }\n#nx-faction a { color: var(--fa); text-decoration: none; }\n#nx-faction img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stars {\nposition: absolute; inset: 0; opacity: 0.05; pointer-events: none; z-index: 0;\nbackground-image:\nradial-gradient(2px 2px at 15% 20%, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.9), transparent),\nradial-gradient(1px 1px at 45% 60%, #ffffff, transparent),\nradial-gradient(2px 2px at 70% 35%, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.7), transparent),\nradial-gradient(1px 1px at 90% 80%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8), transparent),\nradial-gradient(1px 1px at 25% 90%, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.6), transparent);\nbackground-size: 340px 340px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-wrap { position: relative; z-index: 1; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-in {\nmax-width: 1240px; margin: 0 auto;\npadding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 72px);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-legacy-anchor { position: absolute; top: -100px; left: 0; width: 0; height: 0; }\n\n\/* === Hero: the faction-select screen === *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-hero {\nposition: relative;\npadding: clamp(44px, 6vw, 78px) 0 clamp(34px, 4.5vw, 54px);\nscroll-margin-top: 90px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-hero-grid {\ndisplay: grid;\ngrid-template-columns: minmax(0, 300px) minmax(0, 1fr);\ngap: clamp(28px, 5vw, 64px);\nalign-items: center;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-crest { position: relative; width: 100%; max-width: 300px; margin: 0 auto; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-crest img {\nwidth: 100%; aspect-ratio: 1 \/ 1; object-fit: cover;\nborder-radius: 10px;\nborder: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.55);\nbox-shadow: 0 0 0 6px rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.05), 0 18px 60px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);\nposition: relative; z-index: 1;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-crest-halo {\nposition: absolute; inset: -18px; border-radius: 22px; z-index: 0; pointer-events: none;\nbackground: radial-gradient(closest-side, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.30), transparent 72%);\nopacity: 0.75;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-crest-tag {\ndisplay: block; text-align: center; margin-top: 14px;\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.26em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-faint);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-eyebrow {\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-size: 11.5px; font-weight: 500;\nletter-spacing: 0.34em; text-transform: uppercase;\ncolor: var(--nx-dim); margin: 0 0 14px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-title {\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 800;\nfont-size: clamp(34px, 6vw, 68px); line-height: 1.02;\nletter-spacing: 0.035em; text-transform: uppercase;\ncolor: var(--nx-ink); margin: 0 0 10px 0;\ntext-shadow: 0 0 38px rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.38);\ntext-wrap: balance;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-title .nx-fa-native {\ndisplay: inline-block; margin-left: 0.35em;\nfont-family: var(--nx-body); font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.5em;\nletter-spacing: 0.08em; color: var(--fa); text-shadow: none; vertical-align: 0.22em;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-desig {\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 12.5px; letter-spacing: 0.24em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: var(--fa); margin: 0 0 16px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pitch {\nfont-size: clamp(18px, 2.3vw, 24px); line-height: 1.35; font-weight: 600;\ncolor: var(--nx-ink); margin: 0 0 12px 0; max-width: 30ch; text-wrap: balance;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-lead {\nfont-size: clamp(14.5px, 1.5vw, 16px); line-height: 1.7;\ncolor: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.78); max-width: 60ch; margin: 0 0 18px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-arch { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; gap: 8px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-arch-label {\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.28em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-faint); margin-right: 4px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-chip {\ndisplay: inline-block;\nbackground: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.09);\nborder: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.42);\ncolor: var(--nx-ink);\npadding: 5px 12px; border-radius: 3px;\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.14em; text-transform: uppercase;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-motto {\nmargin: 18px 0 0 0; font-style: italic; font-size: 14px; color: var(--nx-dim);\n}\n\/* readout tiles *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tiles {\ndisplay: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(170px, 1fr));\ngap: 10px; margin-top: clamp(28px, 4vw, 44px);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tile {\nborder: 1px solid var(--nx-line); border-top: 2px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.6);\nborder-radius: 6px; background: var(--nx-card);\npadding: 14px 16px 15px;\nmin-width: 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tile-label {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.26em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.85); margin-bottom: 7px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tile-value {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700;\nfont-size: clamp(15px, 1.7vw, 19px); line-height: 1.2; letter-spacing: 0.03em;\ncolor: var(--nx-ink); overflow-wrap: anywhere;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tile-sub {\ndisplay: block; margin-top: 6px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.45; color: var(--nx-dim);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-advisory {\nmargin: clamp(22px, 3vw, 30px) 0 0 0; padding: 10px 16px;\nborder: 1px dashed rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.4); border-radius: 6px;\nbackground: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.04);\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 1.6;\ncolor: var(--nx-dim); text-align: center;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-advisory b { color: var(--fa); font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 0.2em; }\n\n\/* === Section frame === *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-sec {\nposition: relative;\nborder-top: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.18);\npadding: clamp(44px, 6vw, 76px) 0;\nscroll-margin-top: 90px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-sec-alt { background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.045), rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.012) 60%, transparent); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-sec-head { margin: 0 0 clamp(22px, 3vw, 34px) 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-kicker {\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-size: 11px; font-weight: 500;\nletter-spacing: 0.3em; text-transform: uppercase;\ncolor: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.95); margin: 0 0 10px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-h {\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700;\nfont-size: clamp(24px, 3.4vw, 38px); line-height: 1.1; letter-spacing: 0.04em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-ink); margin: 0 0 10px 0; text-wrap: balance;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-sub { font-size: 14.5px; color: var(--nx-dim); max-width: 68ch; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-prose p {\nfont-size: clamp(14.5px, 1.5vw, 16px); line-height: 1.75;\ncolor: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.78); max-width: 66ch; margin: 0 0 14px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-prose p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-prose b { color: var(--nx-ink); font-weight: 600; }\n\n\/* === Doctrine === *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-doc-grid {\ndisplay: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.15fr) minmax(0, 0.85fr);\ngap: clamp(24px, 4vw, 52px); align-items: start;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); gap: 12px; margin-top: 22px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm-col {\nborder: 1px solid var(--nx-line); border-radius: 8px; background: var(--nx-card);\npadding: 16px 18px 18px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm-col.is-edge { border-left: 3px solid var(--fa); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm-col.is-liab { border-left: 3px solid rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.4); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm-label {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.28em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; margin: 0 0 12px 0; color: var(--nx-dim);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm-col.is-edge .nx-fa-pm-label { color: var(--fa); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm li {\nposition: relative; padding-left: 20px; margin: 0 0 9px 0;\nfont-size: 13.5px; line-height: 1.55; color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.8);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm li::before {\nposition: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-weight: 700;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm-col.is-edge li::before { content: \"+\"; color: var(--fa); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm-col.is-liab li::before { content: \"\\2212\"; color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.6); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm li b { color: var(--nx-ink); font-weight: 600; }\n\n\/* Devanagari native names: the side-nav cell imports Noto Sans Devanagari; system fonts back it up *\/\n#nx-faction [lang=\"hi-Deva\"] { font-family: 'Noto Sans Devanagari', 'Nirmala UI', 'Kohinoor Devanagari', 'Devanagari Sangam MN', 'Mangal', sans-serif; }\n\n\/* creed tiles (doctrine \"tenets\") *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tenets { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); gap: 10px; }\n@media (max-width: 640px) { #nx-faction .nx-fa-tenets { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); } }\n\n\/* threat assessment (in-world estimate) *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-intel {\nposition: relative;\nborder: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.38); border-radius: 8px;\nbackground:\nrepeating-linear-gradient(0deg, transparent, transparent 2px, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.022) 2px, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.022) 4px),\nrgba(0, 0, 0, 0.28);\npadding: 20px 20px 18px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-intel::before, #nx-faction .nx-fa-intel::after {\ncontent: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 16px; height: 16px; border-color: var(--fa); border-style: solid; opacity: 0.9;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-intel::before { top: -1px; left: -1px; border-width: 2px 0 0 2px; border-radius: 8px 0 0 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-intel::after { bottom: -1px; right: -1px; border-width: 0 2px 2px 0; border-radius: 0 0 8px 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-intel-label {\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.26em; text-transform: uppercase;\ncolor: var(--fa); margin: 0 0 4px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-intel-src {\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.08em; line-height: 1.55;\ncolor: var(--nx-faint); margin: 0 0 16px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-rate { padding: 11px 0; border-top: 1px solid rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.08); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-rate-top { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 12px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-rate-name {\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11.5px; letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-ink);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-rate-meter { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pips { display: inline-flex; gap: 3px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pips i {\nwidth: 20px; height: 9px; border-radius: 2px; display: block;\nbackground: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.09); border: 1px solid rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.16);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pips i.on { background: var(--fa); border-color: var(--fa); box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.55); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-rate-num { font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11.5px; color: var(--nx-dim); min-width: 2.2em; text-align: right; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-rate-note { margin: 5px 0 0 0; font-size: 12.5px; line-height: 1.5; font-style: italic; color: var(--nx-dim); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-intel-foot {\nmargin: 14px 0 0 0; padding-top: 12px; border-top: 1px dashed rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.3);\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; line-height: 1.6; color: var(--nx-faint);\n}\n\n\/* === Order of battle: tier ladder === *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-ladder {\ndisplay: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(var(--cols, 4), minmax(0, 1fr));\ngap: 12px; margin: 0; position: relative;\n}\n\/* seven or more nodes: two rows of up to four, so names never break mid-word *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-ladder.is-wrap { grid-template-columns: repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr)); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-ladder.is-wrap .nx-fa-node:nth-child(4n + 1)::before { display: none; }\n\/* nine or more: rows of five *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-ladder.is-wrap5 { grid-template-columns: repeat(5, minmax(0, 1fr)); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-ladder.is-wrap5 .nx-fa-node:nth-child(5n + 1)::before { display: none; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-node {\nposition: relative; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 6px;\nborder: 1px solid var(--nx-line); border-radius: 8px; background: var(--nx-card);\npadding: 14px 14px 14px; min-width: 0;\ncolor: var(--nx-ink);\ntransition: transform 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease, background-color 0.2s ease;\n}\n#nx-faction a.nx-fa-node:hover, #nx-faction a.nx-fa-node:focus-visible {\ntransform: translateY(-2px); border-color: var(--fa); background: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.08);\n}\n#nx-faction a.nx-fa-node:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--fa); outline-offset: 2px; }\n\/* connector between nodes *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-node + .nx-fa-node::before {\ncontent: \"\"; position: absolute; left: -13px; top: 27px; width: 13px; height: 1px;\nbackground: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.6);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tier {\nalign-self: flex-start;\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase;\ncolor: #0A0A0A; background: var(--fa); border-radius: 2px; padding: 3px 7px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-node-name {\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700; font-size: clamp(13.5px, 1.4vw, 16px);\nletter-spacing: 0.04em; line-height: 1.2; text-transform: uppercase; overflow-wrap: break-word;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-node-role { font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.45; color: var(--nx-dim); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-node-class {\nmargin-top: auto; padding-top: 6px;\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 9.5px; letter-spacing: 0.14em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-faint);\n}\n\n\/* === Unit \/ record bands === *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-unit {\nposition: relative;\nborder-top: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.16);\npadding: clamp(40px, 5.5vw, 72px) 0;\nscroll-margin-top: 90px;\noverflow: hidden; overflow: clip;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-unit:nth-of-type(even) { background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.04), transparent 70%); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-watermark {\nposition: absolute; top: 30px; right: -0.05em;\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 800;\nfont-size: clamp(60px, 10vw, 140px); line-height: 1; letter-spacing: 0.06em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.05);\npointer-events: none; z-index: 0; user-select: none; white-space: nowrap;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-flip .nx-fa-watermark { right: auto; left: -0.05em; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-unit-grid {\nposition: relative; z-index: 1;\ndisplay: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 0.40fr) minmax(0, 0.60fr);\ngap: clamp(28px, 4.5vw, 64px); align-items: start;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-flip .nx-fa-unit-grid { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 0.60fr) minmax(0, 0.40fr); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-flip .nx-fa-art { order: 2; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-flip .nx-fa-data { order: 1; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-art { position: sticky; top: 100px; }\n\n\/* art slot (NucleusGallery contract on .nucleus-profile-image) *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-slot {\nposition: relative; width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 1 \/ 1;\nborder: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.6); border-radius: 8px;\nbackground: radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 60%, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.08), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55) 75%);\nbox-shadow: 0 0 26px rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.16);\ncursor: pointer; overflow: hidden;\ntransition: box-shadow 0.3s ease, border-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-slot img { position: absolute; inset: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-slot::before, #nx-faction .nx-fa-slot::after {\ncontent: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 16px; height: 16px; z-index: 2;\nborder-color: var(--fa); border-style: solid; opacity: 0.95; pointer-events: none;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-slot::before { top: 7px; left: 7px; border-width: 2px 0 0 2px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-slot::after { bottom: 7px; right: 7px; border-width: 0 2px 2px 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-slot:hover { border-color: var(--fa); box-shadow: 0 0 38px rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.38); transform: translateY(-2px); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-slot .profile-click-hint {\nposition: absolute; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 12px; z-index: 3; text-align: center;\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.22em; color: var(--fa);\ntext-shadow: 0 0 8px #000, 0 0 12px #000; opacity: 0; transition: opacity 0.3s ease; pointer-events: none;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-slot:hover .profile-click-hint { opacity: 1; }\n\/* art pending: no image yet, so the slot is a frame with a glyph and is not clickable *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pending { cursor: default; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 12px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pending:hover { transform: none; border-color: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.6); box-shadow: 0 0 26px rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.16); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pglyph {\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 800; font-size: clamp(44px, 6vw, 72px); line-height: 1; letter-spacing: 0.06em;\ncolor: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.5); text-shadow: 0 0 22px rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.45);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-plabel { font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.3em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-faint); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-count {\nposition: absolute; top: 10px; right: 10px; z-index: 3;\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.16em;\ncolor: var(--nx-ink); background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.62); border: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.5);\nborder-radius: 3px; padding: 3px 7px; pointer-events: none;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-thumbs { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr)); gap: 8px; margin-top: 8px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-thumb {\nposition: relative; aspect-ratio: 1 \/ 1; border-radius: 5px; overflow: hidden; cursor: pointer;\nborder: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.35);\ntransition: border-color 0.2s ease, transform 0.2s ease;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-thumb img { position: absolute; inset: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-thumb:hover { border-color: var(--fa); transform: translateY(-2px); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-cap {\nmargin: 10px 0 0 0; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.08em;\nline-height: 1.55; color: var(--nx-faint); text-align: center;\n}\n\n\/* data column *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-rec {\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-size: 11px; font-weight: 500;\nletter-spacing: 0.3em; text-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.95); margin: 0 0 12px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-name {\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700;\nfont-size: clamp(28px, 4vw, 46px); line-height: 1.08; letter-spacing: 0.04em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-ink);\ntext-shadow: 0 0 24px rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.28); margin: 0 0 6px 0; text-wrap: balance;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-name .nx-fa-native {\ndisplay: inline-block; margin-left: 0.4em; font-family: var(--nx-body); font-weight: 600;\nfont-size: 0.52em; letter-spacing: 0.08em; color: var(--fa); text-shadow: none; vertical-align: 0.2em;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-oneline { font-size: 15.5px; line-height: 1.5; color: var(--nx-ink); margin: 0 0 16px 0; max-width: 56ch; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tags { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 7px; margin: 0 0 20px 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tags .nx-fa-tier { align-self: center; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stats {\ndisplay: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(190px, 1fr));\ngap: 14px 22px; margin: 0 0 22px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stat { border-left: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.35); padding-left: 13px; min-width: 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stat-label {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.26em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.85); margin-bottom: 4px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stat-value { display: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45; color: var(--nx-ink); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stat-value a { border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.4); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stat-value a:hover { border-bottom-color: var(--fa); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-est { color: var(--nx-faint); font-size: 0.85em; letter-spacing: 0.1em; }\n\n\/* matchup: excels \/ struggles *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); gap: 12px; margin: 0 0 22px 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs-col {\nborder: 1px solid var(--nx-line); border-radius: 6px; background: var(--nx-card); padding: 13px 15px 14px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs-col.is-up { border-top: 2px solid var(--fa); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs-col.is-down { border-top: 2px solid rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.35); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs-label {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.26em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; margin: 0 0 9px 0; color: var(--nx-dim);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs-col.is-up .nx-fa-vs-label { color: var(--fa); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs li { position: relative; padding-left: 17px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.8); margin: 0 0 6px 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs li::before { position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1.95; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs-col.is-up li::before { content: \"\\25B2\"; color: var(--fa); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-vs-col.is-down li::before { content: \"\\25BC\"; color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.5); }\n\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-quote {\nmargin: 20px 0 0 0; padding: 0 0 0 18px; border-left: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.5);\nfont-style: italic; font-size: clamp(15px, 1.7vw, 17px); line-height: 1.55; color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.88);\nmax-width: 60ch;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-quote small { display: block; font-style: normal; font-size: 13px; color: var(--nx-dim); margin-top: 3px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-quote cite {\ndisplay: block; margin-top: 7px; font-style: normal; font-family: var(--nx-mono);\nfont-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.18em; text-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.85);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-callout {\nborder: 1px dashed rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.45); border-radius: 6px; background: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.05);\npadding: 14px 18px; margin: 20px 0 0 0; max-width: 66ch;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-callout-label {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.28em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.9); margin: 0 0 8px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-callout p { font-size: 13.5px; line-height: 1.65; font-style: italic; color: var(--nx-dim); }\n\n\/* field notes: collapsible deep lore, no JS *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes { margin: 20px 0 0 0; max-width: 66ch; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes details {\nborder: 1px solid var(--nx-line); border-radius: 6px; background: var(--nx-card); margin: 0 0 8px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes summary {\ncursor: pointer; list-style: none; padding: 11px 15px;\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11.5px; letter-spacing: 0.14em; text-transform: uppercase;\ncolor: var(--nx-ink); display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes summary::-webkit-details-marker { display: none; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes summary::before {\ncontent: \"+\"; font-weight: 700; color: var(--fa); width: 12px; text-align: center; flex: none;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes details[open] summary::before { content: \"\\2212\"; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes summary:hover { color: var(--fa); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes summary:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--fa); outline-offset: 2px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes .nx-fa-note-body { padding: 0 15px 14px 37px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes .nx-fa-note-body p { font-size: 13.5px; line-height: 1.7; color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.76); margin: 0 0 10px 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-notes .nx-fa-note-body p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n\n\/* nested sub-unit card (elite tier of the same unit) *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-subunit {\nposition: relative; scroll-margin-top: 100px;\nborder: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.4); border-radius: 8px;\nbackground: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.09), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25) 60%);\npadding: clamp(18px, 2.6vw, 26px); margin: 22px 0 0 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-subunit .nx-fa-name { font-size: clamp(20px, 2.6vw, 28px); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-subunit .nx-fa-stats { margin-bottom: 14px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-subunit .nx-fa-prose p { font-size: 14px; }\n\n\/* known specimen: a named, one-off variant of the unit above it\n(the Armory vaults' \"Known Specimens\" pattern, adapted) *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-specs { position: relative; z-index: 1; margin-top: clamp(28px, 4vw, 44px); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-specs-head { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px; margin: 0 0 16px 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-specs-label {\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.3em; text-transform: uppercase;\ncolor: var(--nx-dim); white-space: nowrap;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-specs-line { flex: 1; height: 1px; background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.45), transparent); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec {\n--tier: #00FF66; --tier-rgb: 0, 255, 102;      \/* Armory \"Signature\" tier *\/\nposition: relative; scroll-margin-top: 100px;\nborder: 1px solid rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.4); border-radius: 8px;\nbackground: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.08), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) 55%);\npadding: clamp(20px, 3vw, 32px);\ndisplay: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 260px) minmax(0, 1fr); gap: clamp(20px, 3vw, 40px); align-items: start;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec::before, #nx-faction .nx-fa-spec::after {\ncontent: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 22px; height: 22px; border-color: var(--tier); border-style: solid; opacity: 0.85; pointer-events: none;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec::before { top: -1px; left: -1px; border-width: 2px 0 0 2px; border-radius: 8px 0 0 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec::after { bottom: -1px; right: -1px; border-width: 0 2px 2px 0; border-radius: 0 0 8px 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec .nx-fa-slot { border-color: rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.65); box-shadow: 0 0 26px rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.2); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec .nx-fa-slot::before, #nx-faction .nx-fa-spec .nx-fa-slot::after { border-color: var(--tier); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec .nx-fa-slot .profile-click-hint { color: var(--tier); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec-art { text-align: center; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-ribbon {\ndisplay: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; margin: 12px auto 0 auto; padding: 5px 12px;\nborder: 1px solid rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.5); border-radius: 3px; background: rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.08);\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.28em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--tier);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-ribbon i { width: 7px; height: 7px; background: var(--tier); box-shadow: 0 0 8px var(--tier); display: inline-block; transform: rotate(45deg); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec .nx-fa-rec { color: rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.95); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec .nx-fa-name { font-size: clamp(24px, 3.2vw, 36px); color: var(--tier); text-shadow: 0 0 24px rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.35); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec-type {\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0.14em; text-transform: uppercase;\ncolor: var(--nx-dim); margin: 0 0 18px 0; line-height: 1.6;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-affixes {\nmargin: 0 0 20px 0; padding: 14px 18px; max-width: 66ch;\nborder: 1px solid rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.28); border-left: 3px solid var(--tier); border-radius: 4px;\nbackground: rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.05);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-affixes li {\nposition: relative; padding-left: 18px; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 12.5px; line-height: 1.6;\ncolor: #B4F0CC; margin: 0 0 6px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-affixes li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-affixes li::before { content: \"\\25B8\"; position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; color: var(--tier); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-debut {\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase;\ncolor: var(--nx-faint); margin: 18px 0 0 0; padding-top: 12px; border-top: 1px solid rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.2);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-debut b { color: rgba(var(--tier-rgb), 0.9); font-weight: 600; }\n@media (max-width: 860px) {\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-spec-art { max-width: 300px; margin: 0 auto; width: 100%; }\n}\n\n\/* matchup table (capital ships etc.) *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-match { margin: 20px 0 0 0; max-width: 66ch; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-match-label {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.28em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.9); margin: 0 0 8px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-match li {\ndisplay: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 130px) minmax(0, 120px) minmax(0, 1fr);\ngap: 12px; align-items: baseline; padding: 8px 0; border-top: 1px solid rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.08);\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-match li.is-self { color: var(--nx-ink); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-match li b { color: var(--nx-ink); font-weight: 700; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-match li.is-self b { color: var(--fa); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-match li span { color: var(--nx-dim); }\n\n\/* timeline (legend told as dated entries) *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tl { margin: 20px 0 0 0; max-width: 66ch; border-left: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.35); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tl li { position: relative; padding: 0 0 15px 20px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tl li:last-child { padding-bottom: 0; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tl li::before {\ncontent: \"\"; position: absolute; left: -4px; top: 6px; width: 7px; height: 7px; border-radius: 50%;\nbackground: var(--fa); box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.7);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tl b {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 0.2em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: var(--fa); margin-bottom: 2px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tl span { display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.65; color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.8); }\n\n\/* === Command cards === *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-cmd { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(230px, 1fr)); gap: 12px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-cmd-card {\ndisplay: grid; grid-template-columns: 64px minmax(0, 1fr); gap: 14px; align-items: center;\nborder: 1px solid var(--nx-line); border-radius: 8px; background: var(--nx-card);\npadding: 14px 16px; color: var(--nx-ink);\ntransition: transform 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease, background-color 0.2s ease;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-cmd-card:hover, #nx-faction .nx-fa-cmd-card:focus-visible {\ntransform: translateY(-2px); border-color: var(--fa); background: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.08);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-cmd-card:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--fa); outline-offset: 2px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-cmd-card img {\nwidth: 64px; height: 64px; border-radius: 50%; object-fit: cover;\nborder: 2px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.55);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-cmd-rank {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 9.5px; letter-spacing: 0.22em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: var(--fa); margin-bottom: 3px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-cmd-name {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;\nletter-spacing: 0.04em; line-height: 1.25; color: var(--nx-ink);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-cmd-note { display: block; margin-top: 4px; font-size: 12.5px; line-height: 1.45; color: var(--nx-dim); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-more {\ndisplay: inline-block; margin-top: 18px;\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase;\nborder-bottom: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.4);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-more:hover { border-bottom-color: var(--fa); }\n\n\/* === Holdings: control board === *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-board { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr)); gap: 12px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-zone {\n--fc: var(--fa);\nposition: relative; border: 1px solid var(--nx-line); border-top: 3px solid var(--fc);\nborder-radius: 8px; background: var(--nx-card); padding: 15px 17px 16px; min-width: 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-zone-top { display: flex; align-items: baseline; justify-content: space-between; gap: 10px; margin-bottom: 8px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-zone-name {\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.05em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-ink);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-zone-owner {\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 9.5px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.18em; text-transform: uppercase;\ncolor: var(--fc); border: 1px solid var(--fc); border-radius: 2px; padding: 2px 6px; white-space: nowrap;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-zone dl { margin: 0; display: grid; grid-template-columns: auto minmax(0, 1fr); gap: 4px 12px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-zone dt { font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-faint); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-zone dd { margin: 0; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 12px; color: var(--nx-ink); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-zone p { margin: 10px 0 0 0; font-size: 12.5px; line-height: 1.5; color: var(--nx-dim); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-board-note { margin: 14px 0 0 0; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; color: var(--nx-faint); }\n\n\/* holdings rows (multi-world powers) *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-rows { border-top: 1px solid var(--nx-line); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-row {\ndisplay: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 150px) minmax(0, 120px) minmax(0, 1fr);\ngap: 6px 20px; align-items: baseline; padding: 14px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--nx-line);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-row-name { font-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.05em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-ink); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-row-status { font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.18em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--fa); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-row-status.is-none { color: var(--nx-faint); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-row-body { font-size: 13.5px; line-height: 1.6; color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.78); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-row-body b { color: var(--nx-ink); font-weight: 600; }\n\n\/* composition bar *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-comp { margin-top: clamp(26px, 3.5vw, 38px); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-comp-label, #nx-faction .nx-fa-minihead {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px; letter-spacing: 0.26em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.9); margin: 0 0 12px 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-bar { display: flex; gap: 2px; height: 14px; border-radius: 4px; overflow: hidden; background: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.06); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-bar i { display: block; height: 100%; background: var(--c); min-width: 3px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-legend { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 8px 20px; margin-top: 12px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-legend li { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11.5px; color: var(--nx-ink); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-legend i { width: 10px; height: 10px; border-radius: 2px; background: var(--c); display: inline-block; flex: none; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-legend span { color: var(--nx-dim); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-minitiles { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(190px, 1fr)); gap: 10px; margin-top: clamp(26px, 3.5vw, 38px); }\n\n\/* === Strategic assets === *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-assets { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr)); gap: 12px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-asset {\nposition: relative; border: 1px solid var(--nx-line); border-radius: 8px; background: var(--nx-card);\npadding: 16px 18px 17px; min-width: 0;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-asset-type {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 9.5px; letter-spacing: 0.24em;\ntext-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.9); margin-bottom: 7px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-asset-name {\ndisplay: block; font-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700; font-size: 16px;\nletter-spacing: 0.04em; line-height: 1.25; color: var(--nx-ink); margin-bottom: 7px;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-asset p { font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.76); }\n\n\/* === Diplomacy === *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-dip { border-top: 1px solid var(--nx-line); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-dip-row {\n--fc: var(--nx-dim);\ndisplay: grid; grid-template-columns: 44px minmax(0, 190px) minmax(0, 132px) minmax(0, 1fr);\ngap: 6px 18px; align-items: center; padding: 13px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--nx-line);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-dip-sig {\nwidth: 40px; height: 40px; border-radius: 6px; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\nfont-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 0.04em;\ncolor: var(--fc); border: 1px solid var(--fc); background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-dip-name { font-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700; font-size: 14.5px; letter-spacing: 0.04em; color: var(--nx-ink); line-height: 1.25; }\n#nx-faction a.nx-fa-dip-name:hover { color: var(--fc); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stance {\njustify-self: start;\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase;\npadding: 4px 8px; border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid currentColor; white-space: nowrap;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stance.is-hostile { color: #FF7A7A; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stance.is-tense { color: #FFB84D; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stance.is-warm { color: #6FE0A8; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-stance.is-none { color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.6); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-dip-note { font-size: 13.5px; line-height: 1.55; color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.78); }\n\n\/* === Outro === *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-outro { text-align: center; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-outro .nx-fa-quote {\nborder-left: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0 auto; max-width: 56ch; font-size: clamp(16px, 2vw, 20px);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-links { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center; gap: 10px; margin-top: clamp(26px, 3.5vw, 38px); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-link {\nfont-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase;\nborder: 1px solid rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.45); border-radius: 4px; padding: 10px 16px;\nbackground: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.06); color: var(--nx-ink);\ntransition: background-color 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease, transform 0.2s ease;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-link:hover, #nx-faction .nx-fa-link:focus-visible {\nbackground: rgba(var(--fa-rgb), 0.2); border-color: var(--fa); transform: translateY(-2px);\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-link:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--fa); outline-offset: 2px; }\n\n\/* === Motion: progressive, guarded, compositor-only === *\/\n@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {\n@supports (animation-timeline: view()) {\n#nx-faction .nx-rev { animation: nxFaRise linear both; animation-timeline: view(); animation-range: entry 4% entry 34%; }\n}\n@keyframes nxFaRise { from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(24px); } to { opacity: 1; transform: none; } }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-crest-halo { animation: nxFaHalo 5s ease-in-out infinite; }\n@keyframes nxFaHalo { 0%, 100% { opacity: 0.45; } 50% { opacity: 0.9; } }\n}\n\n\/* === Responsive === *\/\n@media (max-width: 1000px) {\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-doc-grid { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-assets { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-board { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); }\n}\n@media (max-width: 860px) {\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-hero-grid { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); text-align: center; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-crest { max-width: 200px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pitch, #nx-faction .nx-fa-lead { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-arch { justify-content: center; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-unit-grid, #nx-faction .nx-fa-flip .nx-fa-unit-grid { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); gap: 26px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-flip .nx-fa-art { order: 1; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-flip .nx-fa-data { order: 2; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-art { position: static; max-width: 420px; margin: 0 auto; width: 100%; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-watermark { font-size: clamp(46px, 15vw, 96px); }\n\/* ladder becomes a swipe rail (site mobile convention) *\/\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-ladder {\ndisplay: flex; overflow-x: auto; scroll-snap-type: x proximity; padding-bottom: 8px;\n-webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;\n}\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-node { flex: 0 0 62%; max-width: 250px; scroll-snap-align: start; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-row { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) auto; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-row-body { grid-column: 1 \/ -1; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-dip-row { grid-template-columns: 44px minmax(0, 1fr) auto; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-dip-note { grid-column: 1 \/ -1; }\n}\n@media (max-width: 640px) {\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pm, #nx-faction .nx-fa-vs { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-assets, #nx-faction .nx-fa-board { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-tiles { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-match li { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 1fr); }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-match li span { grid-column: 1 \/ -1; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-pips i { width: 16px; }\n#nx-faction .nx-fa-rate-top { flex-wrap: wrap; }\n}\n\n\/* === NucleusGallery modal base + this faction's skin (lore pages have no\nMaster Block, so the modal styles travel with the cell) === *\/\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay { position: fixed; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; background: rgba(5, 6, 8, 0.96); z-index: 10000; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; opacity: 0; visibility: hidden; transition: opacity 0.3s ease, visibility 0.3s ease; }\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.active { opacity: 1; visibility: visible; }\n.nucleus-gallery-container { position: relative; max-width: 90vw; max-height: 85vh; text-align: center; }\n.nucleus-gallery-image { max-width: 100%; max-height: 70vh; object-fit: contain; border-radius: 8px; transition: border-color 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease; }\n.nucleus-gallery-nav { position: absolute; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); width: 50px; height: 50px; border-radius: 50%; cursor: pointer; font-size: 24px; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; }\n.nucleus-gallery-nav.prev { left: -70px; }\n.nucleus-gallery-nav.next { right: -70px; }\n.nucleus-gallery-title { font-family: 'Orbitron', 'Avenir Next', 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; margin-top: 20px; }\n.nucleus-gallery-counter { font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; margin-top: 8px; letter-spacing: 2px; }\n.nucleus-gallery-close { margin-top: 25px; background: transparent; padding: 10px 30px; font-family: monospace; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 2px; cursor: pointer; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease; border-radius: 4px; }\n.nucleus-gallery-dots { display: flex; justify-content: center; gap: 10px; margin-top: 15px; }\n.nucleus-gallery-dot { width: 10px; height: 10px; border-radius: 50%; cursor: pointer; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; }\n@media (max-width: 760px) { .nucleus-gallery-nav.prev { left: 6px; } .nucleus-gallery-nav.next { right: 6px; } }\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-independent .nucleus-gallery-image { border: 3px solid rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.55); box-shadow: 0 0 50px rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.32); }\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-independent .nucleus-gallery-nav { background: rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.2); border: 2px solid rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.55); color: #DADDE2; }\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-independent .nucleus-gallery-nav:hover { background: rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.4); box-shadow: 0 0 25px rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.5); transform: translateY(-50%) scale(1.1); }\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-independent .nucleus-gallery-title { color: #F4F5F7; text-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.45); }\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-independent .nucleus-gallery-counter { color: #DADDE2; }\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-independent .nucleus-gallery-close { border: 2px solid rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.55); color: #C8CCD2; }\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-independent .nucleus-gallery-close:hover { background: rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.25); box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.4); }\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-independent .nucleus-gallery-dot { background: rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.3); border: 2px solid rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.55); }\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-independent .nucleus-gallery-dot.active { background: #C8CCD2; box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(200, 204, 210, 0.75); transform: scale(1.2); }\n<\/style>\n\n<div id=\"nx-faction\" data-theme=\"independent\">\n<div class=\"nx-fa-stars\"><\/div>\n<!-- NucleusGallery modal structure - REQUIRED ONCE PER PAGE. -->\n<div id=\"nucleus-gallery-overlay\" class=\"nucleus-gallery-overlay\">\n    <div class=\"nucleus-gallery-container\">\n        <button class=\"nucleus-gallery-nav prev\" onclick=\"NucleusGallery.prev()\" aria-label=\"Previous image\">\u2039<\/button>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"nucleus-gallery-image\" class=\"nucleus-gallery-image\" src=\"\" alt=\"\">\n        <button class=\"nucleus-gallery-nav next\" onclick=\"NucleusGallery.next()\" aria-label=\"Next image\">\u203a<\/button>\n        <div id=\"nucleus-gallery-title\" class=\"nucleus-gallery-title\"><\/div>\n        <div id=\"nucleus-gallery-counter\" class=\"nucleus-gallery-counter\"><\/div>\n        <div id=\"nucleus-gallery-dots\" class=\"nucleus-gallery-dots\"><\/div>\n        <button class=\"nucleus-gallery-close\" onclick=\"NucleusGallery.close()\">[ CLOSE ]<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-wrap\">\n<header id=\"independent-units\" class=\"nx-fa-hero\"><div class=\"nx-fa-in\">\n<div class=\"nx-fa-hero-grid\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-crest\"><div class=\"nx-fa-crest-halo\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Spinoff-Dharmas-Reach-logo.jpg\" alt=\"A hillside pagoda above a harbour city at night, with a planet filling the sky\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\"><span class=\"nx-fa-crest-tag\">No flag \u00b7 no emblem<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-hero-text\">\n        <p class=\"nx-fa-eyebrow\">Nucleus Faction Registry \u00b7 File \u2605<\/p>\n        <h1 class=\"nx-fa-title\">Independents<\/h1>\n        <p class=\"nx-fa-desig\">Unaligned \u00b7 every frontier in the Seven Realms<\/p>\n        <p class=\"nx-fa-pitch\">No flag. No pension. No one to answer to.<\/p>\n        <p class=\"nx-fa-lead\">Not everyone in the Seven Realms swears to a flag. Between the powers there are ice wastes, deep Moors, lawless mining towns and uncharted forests, and people live in all of them. They fix what the factions break, hunt what the factions fear, and sell what the factions pretend not to buy. They are too scattered to organize and too useful to get rid of.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-arch\"><span class=\"nx-fa-arch-label\">Archetype<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Mercenaries<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Gig economy<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">No faction bonuses<\/span><\/div>\n        <p class=\"nx-fa-motto\">\u201cLoyalty to a paymaster lasts as long as the contract.\u201d<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-tiles\"><div class=\"nx-fa-tile\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-label\">Flag<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-value\">None<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-sub\">Not a faction. A word for everyone who never joined one<\/span><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-tile\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-label\">Riggers&#8217; platform<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-value\">ZenFusion<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-sub\">Over two million job matches a day<\/span><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-tile\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-label\">The bite<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-value\">28%<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-sub\">ZenFusion&#8217;s cut of every completed job<\/span><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-tile\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-label\">A Lily&#8217;s share<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-value\">31%<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-sub\">Her agency keeps the other 69<\/span><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-tile\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-label\">Hunter&#8217;s licence<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-value\">$12,000 AD<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-sub\">Alliance Psi Lynx certification. Then $6,000 every two years<\/span><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-tile\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-label\">Currency<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-value\">Atomic Dollar<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-sub\">The universal standard<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"nx-fa-advisory\"><b>18+<\/b> &nbsp;Viewer discretion advised. This file covers legal sex work and frontier customs in plain terms. All of it is fiction.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/header>\n<section id=\"faction-doctrine\" class=\"nx-fa-sec nx-fa-sec-alt\"><div class=\"nx-fa-in\">\n<header class=\"nx-fa-sec-head nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-kicker\">\/\/ 01 \u2014 Doctrine<\/p>\n    <h2 class=\"nx-fa-h\">How the unaligned get by<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-doc-grid\">\n<div class=\"nx-rev\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-prose\"><p>The Independents are not a power. They are everyone the powers never managed to sign: freelance engineers, contracted companions, licensed hunters, and frontier mystics who fight in a trance. They hold no ground and field no army. What they have is work that every faction needs done and no faction will put on a payroll.<\/p><p>The factions tolerate them the way a frontier town tolerates any useful oddity. <b>Their loyalty is personal, contractual, or absent.<\/b> That is their greatest strength, and it is the reason nobody trusts them fully.<\/p><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-pm\">\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-pm-col is-edge\"><span class=\"nx-fa-pm-label\">Edges<\/span><ul><li><b>Wanted everywhere.<\/b> Alliance megacorps, Imperial state enterprises, Directorate colonies and Covenant works all post to the same job board.<\/li><li><b>No head to cut off.<\/b> There is no capital, no chain of command and no treasury. Nothing an enemy takes ends them.<\/li><li><b>One is enough.<\/b> A single Wild Fang can tie up a full military squad.<\/li><li><b>Open borders.<\/b> A valid Psi Lynx licence is honoured at customs desks across the Inner Sol, the Imperium&#8217;s included.<\/li><li><b>They go where armies will not.<\/b> Radi-Mon tunnels, contested salvage, unmapped moons.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-pm-col is-liab\"><span class=\"nx-fa-pm-label\">Liabilities<\/span><ul><li><b>Nobody comes for you.<\/b> No medevac, no pension, no next of kin on file.<\/li><li><b>Somebody else&#8217;s platform.<\/b> ZenFusion takes 28 percent, the agencies take 31, and the Alliance sells the licence. Every independent pays rent to someone.<\/li><li><b>The algorithm.<\/b> Three complaints in a month freeze a Rigger&#8217;s profile. Appeals rarely succeed.<\/li><li><b>Too scattered to bargain.<\/b> They cannot strike, vote or negotiate as one.<\/li><li><b>Loyalty for sale.<\/b> They turn up on every side of every conflict, sometimes across from each other.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"nx-fa-intel nx-rev\" aria-label=\"Threat assessment, an in-world estimate\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-intel-label\">\/\/ Threat assessment \u00b7 Estimate<\/p>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-intel-src\">Filed by: the Atomic Accord, balance-of-power survey, 2295.<br>Appendix: unaligned persons.<\/p>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-rate\"><div class=\"nx-fa-rate-top\"><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-name\">Firepower<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-meter\"><span class=\"nx-fa-pips\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"2 out of 5\"><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-num\">2\/5<\/span><\/span><\/div><p class=\"nx-fa-rate-note\">\u201cIndividually dangerous. Collectively absent. No formation larger than a hunting party is on record.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-rate\"><div class=\"nx-fa-rate-top\"><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-name\">Staying power<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-meter\"><span class=\"nx-fa-pips\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"1 out of 5\"><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-num\">1\/5<\/span><\/span><\/div><p class=\"nx-fa-rate-note\">\u201cNo reserves, no medical chain, no replacement system. Losses are simply not replaced.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-rate\"><div class=\"nx-fa-rate-top\"><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-name\">Mobility<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-meter\"><span class=\"nx-fa-pips\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"4 out of 5\"><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i><\/i><\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-num\">4\/5<\/span><\/span><\/div><p class=\"nx-fa-rate-note\">\u201cThey own their transport and follow the work. No border in the Inner Sol is closed to a valid licence.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-rate\"><div class=\"nx-fa-rate-top\"><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-name\">Psionics<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-meter\"><span class=\"nx-fa-pips\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"3 out of 5\"><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-num\">3\/5<\/span><\/span><\/div><p class=\"nx-fa-rate-note\">\u201cSeveral thousand capable psions, licensed and unlicensed. No two answer to the same authority.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-rate\"><div class=\"nx-fa-rate-top\"><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-name\">Economy<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-meter\"><span class=\"nx-fa-pips\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"3 out of 5\"><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-num\">3\/5<\/span><\/span><\/div><p class=\"nx-fa-rate-note\">\u201cEvery power&#8217;s economy leans on their labour. They keep little of what it earns.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-rate\"><div class=\"nx-fa-rate-top\"><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-name\">Leverage<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-meter\"><span class=\"nx-fa-pips\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"2 out of 5\"><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i class=\"on\"><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><i><\/i><\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-rate-num\">2\/5<\/span><\/span><\/div><p class=\"nx-fa-rate-note\">\u201cToo useful to alienate. Too scattered to ask for anything in return.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-intel-foot\">Survey estimate. The Accord surveys powers, and this is not one. The appendix exists because every power&#8217;s figures depend on people who belong to none of them.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section id=\"faction-orbat\" class=\"nx-fa-sec\"><div class=\"nx-fa-in\">\n<header class=\"nx-fa-sec-head nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-kicker\">\/\/ 02 \u2014 The Unaligned<\/p>\n    <h2 class=\"nx-fa-h\">Who they are<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-sub\">Four ways of living without a flag, and one creature that belongs to nobody. CIV marks a civilian occupation and FAU native fauna. Tiers follow the Codex class lines.<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<nav class=\"nx-fa-ladder nx-rev\" style=\"--cols:5\" aria-label=\"Order of battle\">\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-node\" href=\"#unit-rigger\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tier\">WRK<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-name\">Rigger<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-role\">Freelance engineer<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-class\">Ground \u00b7 Foundational \u00b7 Worker<\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-node\" href=\"#unit-leased-lily\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tier\">CIV<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-name\">Leased Lily<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-role\">Contracted companion<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-class\">Occupation \u00b7 Tertiary sector<\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-node\" href=\"#unit-bounty-hunter\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tier\">T2<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-name\">Bounty Hunter<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-role\">Licensed freelance psion<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-class\">Ground \u00b7 Advanced \u00b7 Psionic<\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-node\" href=\"#unit-wild-fang\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tier\">T3<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-name\">Wild Fang<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-role\">Spirit-channeling frontier hunter<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-class\">Ground \u00b7 Advanced \u00b7 Psionic<\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-node\" href=\"#unit-moonwing\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tier\">FAU<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-name\">Moonwing<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-role\">The butterfly nobody can classify<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-node-class\">Air \u00b7 Indigenous (presumed)<\/span><\/a>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section id=\"unit-rigger\" class=\"nx-fa-unit\" data-theme=\"independent\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-watermark\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Rigger<\/p>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-in\"><div class=\"nx-fa-unit-grid\">\n<div class=\"nx-fa-art nx-rev\">\n    <div class=\"nucleus-profile-image nx-fa-slot\" data-gallery=\"[{&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-Rigger-1.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;Riggers heading out on a surge job&quot;}, {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-Rigger-2.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;A Rigger checks his rating&quot;}]\" data-character-name=\"Rigger\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open the Rigger gallery\">\n        <span class=\"nx-fa-count\">1 \/ 2<\/span>\n        <img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-Rigger-1.jpg\" alt=\"Riggers heading out on a surge job\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\n        <div class=\"profile-click-hint\">[ VIEW GALLERY ]<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-thumbs\">\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Riggers heading out on a surge job\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(0);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-Rigger-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"A Rigger checks his rating\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(1);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-Rigger-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-cap\">Riggers heading out on a surge job<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-data nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-rec\">\/\/ Class Record 01 \u00b7 Independents<\/p>\n    <h3 class=\"nx-fa-name\">Rigger<\/h3>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-tags\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tier\">WRK<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Ground<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Foundational<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Worker<\/span><\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-oneline\">The freelance engineers who keep civilization running while civilization pretends they do not exist.<\/p>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-stats\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Entry<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">A STEM degree<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Platform<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">ZenFusion. There is no other<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">The bite<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">28% of every completed job<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Rating<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">One to five stars. The algorithm decides who sees which job<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Kit<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Their own: tools, suit, transport, a Nucleus Watch with programming modules<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Origin<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Post-war California, Earth<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-vs\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-vs-col is-up\"><span class=\"nx-fa-vs-label\">Excels at<\/span><ul><li>The work every faction needs and none will staff: repair, software, construction, sanitation, salvage, mining support<\/li><li>Crossing faction lines. Everyone posts to the same platform<\/li><li>Surge jobs, at double or triple pay<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-vs-col is-down\"><span class=\"nx-fa-vs-label\">Struggles with<\/span><ul><li>The rating. Three complaints in a month freeze the profile<\/li><li>Debt. Most spend their first two years paying off the gear<\/li><li>Building a life. No employer, no stability, no plans<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-prose\"><p>A Rigger bids on a contract, does the work, gets paid and moves on. There are no benefits, no pension, and no faction loyalty required. High-rated Riggers see the premium jobs first. Low-rated ones get the scraps.<\/p><p>The kit comes first, and it costs thousands of Atomic Dollars before the first job pays. Lenders around every spaceport sell starter kits at predatory interest.<\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"nx-fa-quote\">\u201cA STEM degree gets you registered. Everything after that is your problem.\u201d<cite>\u2014 Riggers&#8217; saying<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-notes\">\n    <details><summary>ZenFusion<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Founded as a Terra Alliance startup in the 2240s. It grew fast enough that the Corporate Chamber tried to nationalize it in the 2260s. The board saw the vote coming, packed up, and reincorporated in Xing Hong under a Prefect-granted charter. The Alliance lost its golden goose, and every other faction gained the labor pool overnight.<\/p><p>ZenFusion calls the 28 percent \u201cservice optimization fees.\u201d Riggers call it the bite. Nobody is laughing.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>Surge pricing<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Dangerous work pays double or triple: Radi-Mon nest cleanup, hull repair in a micrometeorite storm, salvage in contested zones where Fenris scouts may still be about. Riggers who need money fast take them.<\/p><p>Most come back fine. Some don&#8217;t.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>The life<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Riggers are overwhelmingly men. Most bounce between spaceports and temporary housing with everything they own in a kit bag and a Watch profile. Marriage prospects are grim, and the smart ones do not pretend otherwise.<\/p><p>When the loneliness hits, many spend their earnings on Leased Lilies. A Lily does not ask where you will be next month. Some Riggers keep a regular arrangement with one: not a relationship, exactly, but familiar skin and a name somebody remembers. It is enough to keep going.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"unit-leased-lily\" class=\"nx-fa-unit nx-fa-flip\" data-theme=\"independent\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-watermark\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Lily<\/p>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-in\"><div class=\"nx-fa-unit-grid\">\n<div class=\"nx-fa-art nx-rev\">\n    <div class=\"nucleus-profile-image nx-fa-slot\" data-gallery=\"[{&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/LeasedLily-1.1.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;Leased Lily&quot;}, {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-LeasedLily-2.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;A Leased Lily between appointments, Xing Hong&quot;}]\" data-character-name=\"Leased Lily\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open the Leased Lily gallery\">\n        <span class=\"nx-fa-count\">1 \/ 2<\/span>\n        <img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/LeasedLily-1.1.jpg\" alt=\"Leased Lily\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\n        <div class=\"profile-click-hint\">[ VIEW GALLERY ]<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-thumbs\">\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Leased Lily\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(0);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/LeasedLily-1.1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"A Leased Lily between appointments, Xing Hong\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(1);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-LeasedLily-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-cap\">Leased Lily<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-data nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-rec\">\/\/ Class Record 02 \u00b7 Independents<\/p>\n    <h3 class=\"nx-fa-name\">Leased Lily <span class=\"nx-fa-native\" lang=\"zh-Hant\">\u79df\u8cc3\u767e\u5408<\/span><\/h3>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-tags\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tier\">CIV<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Occupation<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Tertiary Sector<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Sex Worker<\/span><\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-oneline\">Legal, contracted sex work, and one of the most valuable industries in the Sol System.<\/p>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-stats\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Began<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">On Mars. Xing Hong wrote the modern framework<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Spread to<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Venus, Earth and the moons of Uranus<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">The split<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">The Lily keeps 31%. Her sponsoring agency takes 69%<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Contract<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">One year, renewable<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Weight<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">About 55% of Xing Hong&#8217;s tertiary-sector GDP<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Made possible by<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Medi-Vap, which wiped out sexually transmitted disease<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-vs\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-vs-col is-up\"><span class=\"nx-fa-vs-label\">Excels at<\/span><ul><li>Income an office job cannot match<\/li><li>Legal cover. A sponsored Lily has screening, insurance and someone to take a dispute to<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-vs-col is-down\"><span class=\"nx-fa-vs-label\">Struggles with<\/span><ul><li>Dependence on the agency<\/li><li>The shadow market. Unsponsored work pays in full and protects nobody<\/li><li>Opinion. Not everyone sees whores as people.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-prose\"><p>Two things made the profession. Medi-Vap ended disease, and the economy ended the jobs graduates used to take. For many, and for women leaving college most of all, Lily work pays what no office will.<\/p><p>In Xing Hong a Lily must work under a sponsoring agency, which screens clients, carries insurance and handles disputes. Critics say the system breeds dependency and protects poorly. Supporters say the alternative is a dangerous client and no recourse. The district councils have argued it for years and passed nothing.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-notes\">\n    <details><summary>The shadow market<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Unsponsored Lilies keep everything they earn and carry all of the risk. The Prefect&#8217;s administration condemns the practice officially. Enforcement depends on the district: Lion&#8217;s Constables investigate hard, Dragon&#8217;s look the other way, Eagle&#8217;s corporate security barely cares, and Opera&#8217;s Covenant authorities forbid the trade altogether.<\/p><p>Average rent in the city is $3,000 AD a month. One premium appointment pays $800. The math pushes people toward whatever works.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>The standard contract<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>One year, renewable annually. The lessee covers the Lily&#8217;s financial needs in exchange for availability and compliance. Ending it early means repaying the expenses.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>What people think<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Venus celebrates its Lilies openly, and several of its politicians are publicly in the business. Admirers call it the Pleasure Planet. Detractors call it Lust &amp; Rot.<\/p><p>Xing Hong is more divided. Traditionalist immigrants from the Covenant and the Imperium see moral decay. Others see people being practical in a hard economy. Prefect Dilinur neither encourages nor restricts: the industry is too large to touch without consequences.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"unit-bounty-hunter\" class=\"nx-fa-unit\" data-theme=\"independent\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-watermark\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Hunter<\/p>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-in\"><div class=\"nx-fa-unit-grid\">\n<div class=\"nx-fa-art nx-rev\">\n    <div class=\"nucleus-profile-image nx-fa-slot\" data-gallery=\"[{&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sigrun-omni-v1-Hunter-logo-1536x1536.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;Sigrun Fjeld, bounty hunter, Xing Hong&quot;}]\" data-character-name=\"Bounty Hunter\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open the Bounty Hunter gallery\">\n        <img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sigrun-omni-v1-Hunter-logo-1536x1536.jpg\" alt=\"Sigrun Fjeld, bounty hunter, Xing Hong\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\n        <div class=\"profile-click-hint\">[ VIEW GALLERY ]<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-cap\">Sigrun Fjeld, bounty hunter, Xing Hong<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-data nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-rec\">\/\/ Class Record 03 \u00b7 Independents<\/p>\n    <h3 class=\"nx-fa-name\">Bounty Hunter<\/h3>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-tags\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tier\">T2<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Ground<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Advanced<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Psionic<\/span><\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-oneline\">A freelance killer of Radi-Mons and wanted men. Most are civilian-track Psi Lynxes: the Alliance licenses them, and they work for whoever posts the bounty.<\/p>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-stats\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Licence<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1302#unit-psi-lynx\">Psi Lynx certification<\/a>, civilian track<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Tested on<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Combat, psionics and background. Nobody screens for stability<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Paid by<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Bounty boards, on a verified kill<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Going rate<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">$888 AD per Fenris Seed Tower, in Xing Hong<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Favoured arms<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=7299#item-thermal-battleaxe\">Thermal Battleaxe<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=7297#item-breacher-shotgun\">Breacher Shotgun<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=7299#item-nucleus-sword\">Nucleus Sword<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Certified<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Over 12,000 across the Inner Sol<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-vs\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-vs-col is-up\"><span class=\"nx-fa-vs-label\">Excels at<\/span><ul><li>Jobs no garrison is sent on. Xing Hong pays hunters to scout the Radi-Mon tunnels under the city<\/li><li>Working where no army may go<\/li><li>Buying what others cannot: Nucleus Swords, military Thermal Axes, amplifiers<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-vs-col is-down\"><span class=\"nx-fa-vs-label\">Struggles with<\/span><ul><li>The renewal. Miss it and the boards, the dealers and the customs desks all lock you out<\/li><li>Dying cheaply. A city can afford to lose hunters<\/li><li>The licence forbids acting against Alliance interests<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-prose\"><p>The boards will not verify a kill without a valid licence, and dealers will not sell serious weapons without one. So nearly every hunter pays the Alliance for the right to work, whoever the client is.<\/p><p>Hunters gather where the boards are. In Xing Hong that means Dragon District: Bounty Board #7, and the cheap bunks and hot meals of the Slumbering Mantis Inn a short walk away.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"unit-wild-fang\" class=\"nx-fa-unit nx-fa-flip\" data-theme=\"independent\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-watermark\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Wild Fang<\/p>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-in\"><div class=\"nx-fa-unit-grid\">\n<div class=\"nx-fa-art nx-rev\">\n    <div class=\"nucleus-profile-image nx-fa-slot\" data-gallery=\"[{&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-WildFang-1.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;A Wild Fang on the Proximan frontier&quot;}, {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-WildFang-2.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;A Wild Fang with her hooked blade&quot;}, {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/WFang-2.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;Wild Fang&quot;}, {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tanha-dont-u-wish-ur-gf-was-raw-like-me.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;About 69% of Wild Fangs are Primorian women. Their sexual needs are legendary&quot;}]\" data-character-name=\"Wild Fang\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open the Wild Fang gallery\">\n        <span class=\"nx-fa-count\">1 \/ 4<\/span>\n        <img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-WildFang-1.jpg\" alt=\"A Wild Fang on the Proximan frontier\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\n        <div class=\"profile-click-hint\">[ VIEW GALLERY ]<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-thumbs\">\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"A Wild Fang on the Proximan frontier\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(0);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-WildFang-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"A Wild Fang with her hooked blade\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(1);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IN-WildFang-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Wild Fang\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(2);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/WFang-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"About 69% of Wild Fangs are Primorian women. Their sexual needs are legendary\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(3);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tanha-dont-u-wish-ur-gf-was-raw-like-me.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-cap\">A Wild Fang on the Proximan frontier<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-data nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-rec\">\/\/ Class Record 04 \u00b7 Independents<\/p>\n    <h3 class=\"nx-fa-name\">Wild Fang <span class=\"nx-fa-native\" lang=\"hi-Deva\">\u091c\u0919\u094d\u0917\u0932<\/span><\/h3>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-tags\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tier\">T3<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Ground<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Advanced<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Psionic<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Melee<\/span><\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-oneline\">Frontier hunters who range the worst ground in the Seven Realms with blades and the spirits they have learned to wear. They do not command beasts. They become them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-stats\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Discipline<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Spirit channeling, one of the oldest psionic arts there is<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">The trance<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Minutes for a novice. Hours for a master<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">The tell<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">The eyes change. Usually to amber<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Schools<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Solar and Lunar most often. Every school is on record<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Weapons<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Daggers, chain-blades and hand axes, forged from local Zephyrium<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Ranges<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Europa&#8217;s ice wastes, Mars&#8217;s deep Moors, the mining towns of Uranus, the forests of Proxima<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Who<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">About 69% are Primorian women<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-vs\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-vs-col is-up\"><span class=\"nx-fa-vs-label\">Excels at<\/span><ul><li>Fighting alone. One can tear through what would tie up a squad<\/li><li>Needing nothing. The tradition takes wilderness, a weapon and a teacher<\/li><li>Reading ground, weather and Moonwings<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-vs-col is-down\"><span class=\"nx-fa-vs-label\">Struggles with<\/span><ul><li>Polite society. Long channeling wears away social instinct and impulse control<\/li><li>Staying hired. Loyalty to a paymaster ends with the contract<\/li><li>Anything that has to be done from a distance<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-prose\"><p>The discipline grew out of shamanic traditions far older than the Atomic Era: Balinese trance, Austronesian spirit walks, Amazonian visions, the vision quests of the First Nations. A Wild Fang reaches the state through meditation, through sex under an open sky, or by hunting until exhaustion breaks something loose. Movement turns fluid and predatory. Pain lands differently. The thinking mind stays, but it stops pretending to be in charge.<\/p><p>Soldiers who have survived fighting one all say the same thing: \u201cLike some wild monkeys in human form!\u201d Wild Fangs do not disagree. They just do not hear an insult in it.<\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"nx-fa-quote\">\u201cTo live as great nature&#8217;s beasts is an elegant way of appreciating life itself. Let them love as they will, where they will. Their freedom is earned.\u201d<cite>\u2014 Primarch Moro, whose Horde shares Proxima with them<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-notes\">\n    <details><summary>Museum pieces<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>The blades, spears and chain-weapons look ancient, and that is deliberate. Zephyrium holds an edge sharper than steel and hums with psionic resonance, and it goes through modern armor as if the armor were not there.<\/p><p>Technology puts distance between the hunter and the kill. Wild Fangs close it. Rifles work fine. They just feel like cheating.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>What they wear<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>As little as the weather allows: loincloths, wraps, a cloak when it freezes. Bare skin lets Aether move during channeling. It is also simply how they live.<\/p><p>What they do wear is history. Teeth from kills, scales from dead companions, Zephyrium jewelry from a rare visit to a settlement. Another Wild Fang can read where you have been from your necklace. Outsiders call the look primitive. Wild Fangs call armor what prey wears when it is scared.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>On the trail<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Most have no home. Years pass between settlement visits. Two Wild Fangs meet on a trail, share a camp for a night or a week, take each other to bed until both are satisfied, and walk off in different directions without promising anything. Children born out there learn to hunt and channel before they learn to read.<\/p><p>Sol tourists call it breeding like animals. Wild Fangs have heard it. They shrug and go back into the trees.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>Their goddess<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Many Wild Fangs worship <a href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=3468#god-dumu\">Seed Dumu<\/a>, including Proximans with no tie to Chinese culture. They carry a small phoenix totem and toss hand-carved white blocks before taking a contract or choosing a mate. Nobody has explained how the faith reached them.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"unit-moonwing\" class=\"nx-fa-unit\" data-theme=\"independent\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-watermark\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Moonwing<\/p>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-in\"><div class=\"nx-fa-unit-grid\">\n<div class=\"nx-fa-art nx-rev\">\n    <div class=\"nucleus-profile-image nx-fa-slot\" data-gallery=\"[{&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Moonwing-0-logo.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;A Moonwing at rest, in its default silver-white glow&quot;}, {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Moonwing-1-logo.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;Translucent chitin, veined with bio-crystal&quot;}, {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Moonwing-3-logo.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;A swarm after feeding, over a Proximan settlement&quot;}, {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Moonwing-4-logo.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;The Landing&quot;}]\" data-character-name=\"Moonwing\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open the Moonwing gallery\">\n        <span class=\"nx-fa-count\">1 \/ 4<\/span>\n        <img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Moonwing-0-logo.jpg\" alt=\"A Moonwing at rest, in its default silver-white glow\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\n        <div class=\"profile-click-hint\">[ VIEW GALLERY ]<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-thumbs\">\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"A Moonwing at rest, in its default silver-white glow\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(0);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Moonwing-0-logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Translucent chitin, veined with bio-crystal\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(1);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Moonwing-1-logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"A swarm after feeding, over a Proximan settlement\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(2);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Moonwing-3-logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"nx-fa-thumb\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"The Landing\" onclick=\"this.parentNode.previousElementSibling.click(); NucleusGallery.goTo(3);\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Moonwing-4-logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-cap\">A Moonwing at rest, in its default silver-white glow<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-data nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-rec\">\/\/ Class Record 05 \u00b7 Independents<\/p>\n    <h3 class=\"nx-fa-name\">Moonwing <span class=\"nx-fa-native\" lang=\"zh-Hant\">\u6708\u7fbd\u8776<\/span><\/h3>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-tags\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tier\">FAU<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Air<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Indigenous (presumed)<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-chip\">Possibly Nirboh<\/span><\/div>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-oneline\">Chandra-paksha in Devav\u0101\u1e47\u012b. A palm-sized glowing butterfly from Shashan that drinks stray emotion, belongs to no faction, and has never once been seen to hatch.<\/p>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-stats\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Home<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Shashan, moon of Chandrak, Proxima Centauri<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Wings<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Translucent chitin veined with bio-crystal, the lattice of a <a href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=7299#item-soma-dagger\">Soma Dagger<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Feeds on<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Stray Aether shed in dreams and strong emotion. Harmless to the source<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Swarm<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">Exactly 108. Always<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">On a scanner<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">No stable reading. The registry says \u201cindigenous fauna (presumed)\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-stat\"><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-label\">Life cycle<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-stat-value\">None observed. No egg, no larva, no chrysalis<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-vs\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-vs-col is-up\"><span class=\"nx-fa-vs-label\">Excels at<\/span><ul><li>Telling you what somebody nearby is feeling<\/li><li>Repairing itself. A wounded Moonwing is whole again within hours<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-vs-col is-down\"><span class=\"nx-fa-vs-label\">Struggles with<\/span><ul><li>Being explained<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-prose\"><p>Moonwings do not visit flowers. They gather wherever minds are busy: sleeping camps, festivals, deathbeds, the edges of battlefields. For a few minutes after one feeds, its glow turns a vivid colour drawn from the mind it drank from. Every wing pattern is unique, built up over a lifetime of flights and feedings.<\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"nx-fa-quote\">\u201cAsk the wings what you were feeling. They will not lie.\u201d<cite>\u2014 Proximan saying<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-match\"><span class=\"nx-fa-match-label\">\/\/ The colour argument: Rakshasa settlers say feeling, Covenant researchers say alignment<\/span><ul><li><b>Azure<\/b><span>Excitement<\/span><span>Lunar<\/span><\/li><li><b>Gold<\/b><span>Determination<\/span><span>Solar<\/span><\/li><li><b>Violet<\/b><span>Lust<\/span><span>Mirage<\/span><\/li><li><b>Red<\/b><span>Wrath<\/span><span>Eclipse<\/span><\/li><li><b>Green<\/b><span>Tranquility<\/span><span>Void<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-callout\"><span class=\"nx-fa-callout-label\">\/\/ First appearance<\/span><p>Moonwings arrive in Nucleus Volume 3: <em>Warrior&#8217;s Womb<\/em>.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-notes\">\n    <details><summary>Why the argument stands<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Two centuries, and no clean test case. Feeling and alignment travel together in living minds, so both lists predict the same glow every time.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>The 108<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Every mature swarm numbers exactly 108. Lose one, and a replacement arrives within days from nobody knows where. The Rakshasa hold the number sacred and refuse to investigate.<\/p><p>The population never grows and never shrinks, and a Moonwing heals the way an Indra Fountain does. Some Covenant scholars point at the Nirboh. There is no proof, and no better explanation.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>The Landing<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Tradition holds that a Moonwing lands only on someone whose heart is clean in that moment: no malice, no deceit. A landing is a public omen. Hardened hunters have wept over one.<\/p><p>One drifting past a couple is said to bless whatever the two of them are making: a bond, a vow, a child.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>Reading the weather<\/summary><div class=\"nx-fa-note-body\"><p>Wild Fang shorthand, taught to paying clients and trusted strangers.<\/p><p><b>Azure<\/b> gathering over a camp: good news arrived today.<\/p><p><b>Gold<\/b> pooling by a doorway: a healer works inside. Or a warrior does.<\/p><p><b>Violet<\/b> deep in the trees: someone is having sex. Give them privacy, or join them.<\/p><p><b>Red<\/b> drifting on the wind: a fight upwind. Count your ammunition, or your blades.<\/p><p><b>Green<\/b> settling low and still: someone nearby has made peace with something. Walk softly.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"faction-command\" class=\"nx-fa-sec nx-fa-sec-alt\"><div class=\"nx-fa-in\">\n<header class=\"nx-fa-sec-head nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-kicker\">\/\/ 03 \u2014 People<\/p>\n    <h2 class=\"nx-fa-h\">Who you might meet<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-sub\">Nobody commands the Independents. These are five of them worth knowing. Full dossiers are in the Characters registry.<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-cmd nx-rev\">\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-cmd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4228#char-sigrun\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sigrun-original-on-Europa-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-rank\">Main cast<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-name\">Sigrun Fjeld<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-note\">Civilian-track Psi Lynx and unlicensed Leased Lily. Violence, prostitution, plus an axe named J\u00e1rn.<\/span><\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-cmd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4228#char-xin\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Xin-v2-edited.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-rank\">Rigger \u00b7 Main cast<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-name\">Zhi-Xin Wu<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-note\">Taiwanese software Rigger on ZenFusion, rated 3.7 stars. Raising a hatchling named H\u00e5kon.<\/span><\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-cmd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=6495#char-emmanuel\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Emmanuel-Canon-Weaponsmith-feat-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-rank\">Fusion Smith \u00b7 Forge Zenith<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-name\">Emmanuel Boateng<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-note\">Quit Griot training for odd jobs. Works free for anyone who brings him something from beyond Sol.<\/span><\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-cmd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=6495#char-tanha\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tanha-new-v0-training-set-1-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-rank\">Wild Fang \u00b7 Shashan<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-name\">Ta\u1e47h\u0101<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-note\">Born on Mt. Jade Phallus. Works for anyone whose money spends, and will kill for chocolate.<\/span><\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-cmd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=6495#char-hreint\"><img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Hreint-profile-pic.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-rank\">Elder Skuggr \u00b7 Aqueduct warden<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-name\">Hreint<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-cmd-note\">A Fenris bile-spitter who taught himself to speak, and then to choose. \u201cClean mess.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<a class=\"nx-fa-more\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=6495\">Open the Independents character registry \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section id=\"faction-holdings\" class=\"nx-fa-sec\"><span class=\"nx-legacy-anchor\" id=\"independent-dossier\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><div class=\"nx-fa-in\">\n<header class=\"nx-fa-sec-head nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-kicker\">\/\/ 04 \u2014 Territory<\/p>\n    <h2 class=\"nx-fa-h\">Where the flags thin out<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-sub\">The Independents hold nothing. These are the places where nobody else holds much either.<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-rows nx-rev\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-row\"><span class=\"nx-fa-row-name\">Xing Hong<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-status\">Hub<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-body\">The one city built for them. ZenFusion is chartered here, the Leased Lily framework was written here, and the Prefect&#8217;s bounty boards pay on every verified kill.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-row\"><span class=\"nx-fa-row-name\">Spaceports<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-status\">Transit<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-body\">Wherever ships land, Riggers wait for the next match, and equipment lenders wait for Riggers.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-row\"><span class=\"nx-fa-row-name\">Venus<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-status\">Open market<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-body\">The Pleasure Planet celebrates its Lilies in public.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-row\"><span class=\"nx-fa-row-name\">Mars, the deep Moors<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-status\">Frontier<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-body\">Wild Fang country, and surge-job country: nest cleanup and salvage with Fenris scouts in the area.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-row\"><span class=\"nx-fa-row-name\">Europa<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-status\">Frontier<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-body\">The ice wastes beyond the settled shelf.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-row\"><span class=\"nx-fa-row-name\">Uranus moons<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-status\">Lawless<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-body\">Mining settlements where a contract is the only law that travels.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-row\"><span class=\"nx-fa-row-name\">Proxima Centauri<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-status\">Frontier<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-row-body\">Uncharted forest. Wild Fangs share Shashan with the Rakshasa Horde, eat at its settlements, and never sign anything.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"nx-fa-board-note\">No register of the unaligned exists. Locations are from ZenFusion job data and Accord field reports, 2295.<\/p>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-comp nx-rev\"><span class=\"nx-fa-comp-label\">\/\/ Who works as a Leased Lily in Xing Hong<\/span>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-bar\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Leased Lilies in Xing Hong by gender: Women 86%, Men 11%, Non-binary 3%\"><i style=\"--c: #C8CCD2; flex: 86 0 0;\" title=\"Women 86%\"><\/i><i style=\"--c: #7C8794; flex: 11 0 0;\" title=\"Men 11%\"><\/i><i style=\"--c: #4A515C; flex: 3 0 0;\" title=\"Non-binary 3%\"><\/i><\/div>\n    <ul class=\"nx-fa-legend\"><li><i style=\"--c: #C8CCD2;\"><\/i>Women <span>86%<\/span><\/li><li><i style=\"--c: #7C8794;\"><\/i>Men <span>11%<\/span><\/li><li><i style=\"--c: #4A515C;\"><\/i>Non-binary <span>3%<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-board-note\">Municipal Registry, sponsored Lilies only. Nobody counts the unsponsored.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"nx-rev\"><span class=\"nx-fa-minihead\" style=\"margin-top: clamp(26px, 3.5vw, 38px);\">\/\/ What independence costs<\/span>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-minitiles\" style=\"margin-top:0\"><div class=\"nx-fa-tile\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-label\">Rent, Xing Hong<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-value\">$3,000 AD<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-sub\">A month, on average<\/span><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-tile\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-label\">Premium appointment<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-value\">$800 AD<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-sub\">One booking, for a Lily<\/span><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-tile\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-label\">Custom weapon work<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-value\">$1,500 AD<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-sub\">Emmanuel Boateng&#8217;s rate. A basic repair is $200<\/span><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-tile\"><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-label\">Seed Tower bounty<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-value\">$888 AD<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-tile-sub\">Per confirmed kill<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section id=\"faction-assets\" class=\"nx-fa-sec nx-fa-sec-alt\"><div class=\"nx-fa-in\">\n<header class=\"nx-fa-sec-head nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-kicker\">\/\/ 05 \u2014 Strategic Assets<\/p>\n    <h2 class=\"nx-fa-h\">What they depend on<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-sub\">An independent owns a kit bag and a reputation. Everything else on this list belongs to someone who takes a cut.<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-assets nx-rev\"><div class=\"nx-fa-asset\"><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-type\">Platform<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-name\">ZenFusion<\/span><p>The only contract-engineering platform in the Seven Realms, chartered in Xing Hong. Two million matches a day, and 28 percent of each.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-asset\"><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-type\">Licence<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-name\">Psi Lynx certification<\/span><p>Sold by the Terra Alliance. Bounty boards, weapon dealers and customs desks all check it.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-asset\"><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-type\">Paymaster<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-name\">The bounty boards<\/span><p>A posted price and a verified kill. Xing Hong&#8217;s boards send hunters into the tunnels the city cannot afford to garrison.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-asset\"><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-type\">Middlemen<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-name\">Sponsoring agencies<\/span><p>Screening, insurance and dispute handling for a Lily, for 31 percent of what she earns.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-asset\"><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-type\">Credit<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-name\">Spaceport lenders<\/span><p>Starter kits at predatory interest. The first two years of most Rigger careers belong to them.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"nx-fa-asset\"><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-type\">Medicine<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-asset-name\">Medi-Vap<\/span><p>It ended sexually transmitted disease, which made the Lily trade possible. It also repairs what surge jobs do to a body, if the casualty is reached in time.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section id=\"faction-diplomacy\" class=\"nx-fa-sec\"><div class=\"nx-fa-in\">\n<header class=\"nx-fa-sec-head nx-rev\">\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-kicker\">\/\/ 06 \u2014 Diplomacy<\/p>\n    <h2 class=\"nx-fa-h\">How the powers use them<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"nx-fa-sub\">Nobody negotiates with the Independents. Each power has its own way of hiring them.<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-dip nx-rev\">\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-dip-row\" style=\"--fc: #4A9EFF;\"><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-sig\" aria-hidden=\"true\">TA<\/span><a class=\"nx-fa-dip-name\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1302\">Terra Alliance<\/a><span class=\"nx-fa-stance is-tense\">Taxes them<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-note\">Sells the licence every hunter needs, and still resents losing ZenFusion to Xing Hong.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-dip-row\" style=\"--fc: #FF4A4A;\"><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-sig\" aria-hidden=\"true\">ID<\/span><a class=\"nx-fa-dip-name\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1343\">Imperium of Dragons<\/a><span class=\"nx-fa-stance is-none\">Hires them<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-note\">State enterprises post to ZenFusion, and Imperial customs honour a valid Psi Lynx licence.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-dip-row\" style=\"--fc: #3CB371;\"><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-sig\" aria-hidden=\"true\">ED<\/span><a class=\"nx-fa-dip-name\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1349\">Emerald Directorate<\/a><span class=\"nx-fa-stance is-warm\">Hires them<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-note\">Colonial administrations post to ZenFusion. A Directorate citizen can leave for freelance work and keep his papers.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-dip-row\" style=\"--fc: #F0D890;\"><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-sig\" aria-hidden=\"true\">ZC<\/span><a class=\"nx-fa-dip-name\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=2897\">Zorian Covenant<\/a><span class=\"nx-fa-stance is-tense\">Selective<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-note\">Posts its infrastructure work like everyone else. Forbids Lily work in Opera District, and recruits former Lilies as Vorons.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-dip-row\" style=\"--fc: #FF6B35;\"><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-sig\" aria-hidden=\"true\">FH<\/span><a class=\"nx-fa-dip-name\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1441\">Fenris Horde<\/a><span class=\"nx-fa-stance is-hostile\">Hunts them<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-note\">Most surge jobs and most bounties exist because of the Horde. Wild Fangs have still been known to take its coin.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-dip-row\" style=\"--fc: #E040FB;\"><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-sig\" aria-hidden=\"true\">RH<\/span><a class=\"nx-fa-dip-name\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1617\">Rakshasa Horde<\/a><span class=\"nx-fa-stance is-warm\">Shared ground<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-note\">Wild Fangs live alongside the Horde in Proxima without joining it.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-dip-row\" style=\"--fc: #7DD3FC;\"><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-sig\" aria-hidden=\"true\">JH<\/span><a class=\"nx-fa-dip-name\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=2138\">J\u00f6kull Horde<\/a><span class=\"nx-fa-stance is-none\">No record<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-note\">Nothing on file beyond individual contracts.<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-fa-dip-row\" style=\"--fc: #FFC107;\"><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-sig\" aria-hidden=\"true\">XH<\/span><a class=\"nx-fa-dip-name\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=3468\">Xing Hong<\/a><span class=\"nx-fa-stance is-warm\">Open door<\/span><span class=\"nx-fa-dip-note\">Bounty hunters, Riggers and Wild Fangs come and go. The city runs on them.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"nx-fa-sec nx-fa-outro\"><div class=\"nx-fa-in\">\n<blockquote class=\"nx-fa-quote nx-rev\">\u201cNot officially recognized. Not officially persecuted. Too useful to alienate, and too dangerous to control.\u201d<cite>\u2014 Atomic Accord survey, appendix on unaligned persons<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"nx-fa-links\">\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=7174\">\u25c8 All factions<\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=6495\">Independents characters<\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=1475\">The Armory<\/a>\n    <a class=\"nx-fa-link\" href=\"#independent-units\">Back to top<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><!-- \/nx-fa-wrap -->\n<\/div><!-- \/nx-faction -->\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT INTEL INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT INTEL \/\/ Faction Intel &mdash; Select File 9 Files &middot; Signal OK \u25c8 Faction Hub HUB &#9670; You are here TA Alliance FILE&middot;01 &#9670; You are here ID Imperium FILE&middot;02 &#9670; You are here ED Directorate FILE&middot;03 &#9670; You are here ZC Covenant FILE&middot;04 &#9670; You are here FH Fenris [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5169","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5169"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5169\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8000,"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5169\/revisions\/8000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}