The Scattered Sons

The Scattered Sons are a decentralized band of mercenaries, scavengers, and warriors-for-hire who operate throughout the most dangerous and lawless sectors of space. They take contracts others won’t. They fly patched-up ships, wear mismatched gear, and drink too much between jobs. But behind the noise and chaos is something that keeps them together: a quiet, unwavering code of respect, professionalism, and scars that don’t heal.

They answer to no government, no Dominion, and no Order. But their name means something. When a Son shows up in town, people watch their weapons and mind their debts.

There is no central command. The Scattered Sons operate in self-governed clusters—sometimes as crews, sometimes as pairs, sometimes alone. Senior Sons often guide younger members by reputation or example, but no one gives orders unless they’ve earned it in fire.

Recruitment is informal: a Son chooses you. If they trust you to watch their back, you’re one of them. If they don’t—you're just another loudmouth with a blaster.

While the Scattered Sons are not governed by formal law or leadership, they follow a widely recognized code of behavior that distinguishes them from ordinary raiders or pirates. These principles are enforced through reputation, trust, and necessity—not ceremony. 

Burned Names
Each member records the names of those they’ve killed by etching, burning, or welding them into their armor or gear. This is not a tradition of glory, but one of accountability. The marks serve as a living record—both a burden and a badge.

Stand or Leave
Sons are expected to commit fully to any engagement they enter. Abandoning an ally mid-contract is grounds for permanent exclusion. However, reckless sacrifice is equally condemned. Self-preservation is respected—so is knowing when not to take a job at all.

No Lies Mid-Contract
Arguments and disagreements are common among crews, but once a job is in motion, there is no deception, no second-guessing, and no internal sabotage. Honor in execution is one of the few lines the group maintains consistently.

No Politics, No Flags
The Scattered Sons do not pledge loyalty to governments, cults, or ideologies. They take contracts—not causes. Any member acting on behalf of a larger agenda is expected to declare it or leave the job.

No Crowns
There is no formal hierarchy within the Sons. Authority in the field is determined by respect, competence, and immediate necessity. Long-term leadership is discouraged, and no individual is recognized as the head of the faction.

The Scattered Sons maintain a strong reputation across unstable regions of the galaxy, particularly in neglected colonies, decommissioned warzones, and independent trade corridors. Though lacking formal structure or territorial control, their name is widely recognized in fringe systems where conventional enforcement is minimal or absent.

Their presence is generally associated with high-risk contracts, efficient—if unconventional—execution, and a preference for direct methods. While they are not considered a strategic threat to major factions, their unpredictable behavior and refusal to align with any political power make them difficult to anticipate or manipulate. As a result, they are often categorized as Tier-3 external variables in Dominion threat assessments and “noncompliant freelance elements” in other records.

In civilian circles, their notoriety varies. Some settlements view them as dangerous but pragmatic allies of convenience. Others regard them with deep suspicion due to past collateral incidents. Regardless of perception, the appearance of the Scattered Sons’ emblem—a cracked sun often burned or etched into surfaces—is a common indicator that a conflict has passed through, and that the survivors were professionals.