Captain Nyx and the Radiant Black

Captain Yzma Nyx

Captain Yzma Nyx was a Siobhan privateer who operated during the century before the Fall. Nyx primarily preyed on the ships of the Bha'atar Empire, but any ship that crossed her path was likely to have its cargo seized. Her ships were also responsible for the distribution of urgent messages between the Siobhan core worlds and the rimworlds. By the time her career was over, she had reportedly commanded a fleet of over 300 privateer ships, approximately half of which were lost in battle. Most noteworthy was her flagship, the Radiant Black, a Commonwealth Heavy Escort which Nyx had captured and extensively modified. The Radiant Black was infamous for being everywhere other than where it was expected. The Bha'atar Empire laid numerous traps for the Radiant Black. All failed.

Nyx was hailed as a hero on the Siobhan core worlds, and Emperor Vreenak CIV awarded her the Gold Banner of the Imperial Raptor. Nyx's influence extended to other institutions, including the courts, the military, and the Siobhan Research Complex. At its peak, her fortune was among the largest in the Siobhan Star Empire.

However, her actions often placed her at odds with influential members of the Siobhan Imperial Senate. Nyx was persecuted by the Siobhan elite throughout her career, and she was arrested on several occasions. At the peak of her success, she was able to employ her extensive network to have her political enemies prosecuted and imprisoned. However, when the Senate confirmed Abadia LII as Empress, Nyx's fortunes abruptly turned. She was charged with smuggling, and her wealth was seized by the Siobhan government. Nyx fled and took refuge on the worlds of the Siobhan Research Complex. Her donations over the years had bought her allies there who would protect her. The charges of smuggling were eventually dropped, but Nyx chose to remain at the Siobhan Research Complex, where she lived out the remainder of her life.

The Radiant Black was never found.

The Radiant Black

Registry: I.S.S. Radiant Black (Siobhan) Type: Heavy Intel Escort (Class 4X) Length: Crew: Geist + 24 (Geist + 6)

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Consoles

As a Class 5X starship, the Radiant Black has Hull 5 and five modular consoles, in addition to the Advanced Geist Management Console, which is not removable.

Advanced Geist Management Console [G]

Mk = Haste/Duplication

Permits the ship's geist to passively manage XXX systems while actively managing XXX systems.

SIN Anonymizer Console Mk XXX [G, I]

Manages XXX alternate SIN registrations, and periodically generates a random course history to the ship's current location for each anonymized SIN. Activating an anonymized SIN requires an action.

If installed in tandem with a Variable Geometry ECM Coating Console, the SIN Anonymizer Console may be set to automatically manage it. (Refer to Variable Geometry ECM Coating Console for current presets.)

Advanced Cryptanalysis Console Mk XXX [G, I, S, X]

Grants +XXX bonus to rolls pertaining to cryptography and mathematical analysis.

Advanced Long Range Sensor Console Mk XXX

Grants the ship "extreme" sensor range.

Grants +XXX bonus to rolls pertaining to establishing and analyzing sensor readings.

Hyperwave Transceiver Array Console Mk XXX [X]

Allows instantaneous communication with any other Hyperwave Transceiver Array Console.

Grants +XXX bonus to rolls pertaining to establishing and maintaining hyperwave communication.

Variable Geometry ECM Coating Console Mk XXX [G-, I, X]

-XXX modifier to enemies' sensor and targeting rolls (geist not required)

If installed on a geist-managed ship, the ship may adopt the surface appearance of X preset alternates: changing the colour, visible contours, texture, and the appearance of damage are all possible. A successful sensor roll will reveal the ship's appearance is only skin deep.

If a SIN Anonymizer Console is also installed, the Variable Geometry ECM Coating Console may be set to automatically synchronize with it.

D.S.V. Ace Decade, armed courier refit

C.E.V. Beacon Fire, unarmed merchant refit

B.E.W. Ghost Keeper, Bha'atar warship refit

I.S. Greasy Bastard, armed merchant refit

C.E.V. Lantern Fly

C.E.V. Madison Nebula, damaged (default SIN)

I.S. Metalegal Dispensation, Bha'atar warship refit

C.E.V. Never Simple

C.E.V. Pink Elephant, armed merchant refit

I.S. Radiant Black

[A] is advanced, which means what, exactly? [G] requires a geist, and will be inert if no geist is present
[I] is illegal in most jurisdictions
[N] is non-removable, and is inextricable from the starship
[S] adds +3 to the bonus provided by the console, but has extremely limited applicability [X] is a prototype: replacement parts are unavailable, and must be individually constructed

As with personal equipment, starship console bonuses replace or add to your skill roll.

2d6 + [Attribute] + [Skill or appropriate equipment]

If you have the appropriate skill and the appropriate equipment, use whichever bonus is larger, and add +1.

B.E.W. = Bha'atar Empire Warship
C.E.V. = Commonwealth Exploration Vessel
D.S.V. = (Corporate) Deep Space Vessel
H.D.S.S. = His Divine Shadow's Ship
I.S. = (Siobhan) Imperial Starship

Last message from Captain Nyx

"I am about to leave for the Research Complex. I have every intention of returning. But if I don't...

"This is the Radiant Black. It is one of the finest intel ships in the galaxy, for the moment. Use it honorably.

"Cause trouble."