| Name | Household Serrato |
|---|---|
| Faction Type | Dominion (Subject of Circle of the Elder Stars) |
| Dominion | Warfare, Medical, Mining |
| Dominion: Leadership | Clan Chiefs |
| Faction Projects | Exert influence by means of monopoly over violence |
| Faction Quirks | Widespread fascination with cybernetic augmentation, Anachronistic culture |
| Faction Rumors | Many are believed to be addicted to replacing their flesh with metal, and regarding other humans as annoying pests, beyond even the casual cruelty of the Forge's wealthy, Supposedly invincible in a fight (they work hard to maintain that illusion) |
| Throughout the domain of the Circle of the Elder Stars, any well-traveled spacer swiftly becomes acquainted with the sight of soldiers armoured like tanks, stamped with the rust-red insignia of a clenched gauntlet, for the Bannersworn of Household Serrato have long been a fixture of the Founder Clan's overarching martial culture as elite bodyguards and shock troops for any with the wealth to pay their wages. |
While legally permitted to only offer their services to the Circle's noble houses and subject magnates, the vastness of the Forge and the muddy nature of allegiances in the borders means that they functionally have no restrictions separating them from independent mercenary outfits.
While undeniably possessed of a more warlike-streak than their contemporary in both nomenclature and expected behaviour, Household Serrato does largely conform to the conventional hierarchy of an Elder Stars noble house.
Warlord (Grandmaster): The elected leader of Household Serrato, from whom all authority within House Serrato (theoretically) derives.
Clanreeve (Councilor): The ruling head of a specific family within Household Serrato, these individuals lord over their domains like monarchs of antiquity
Battle-Master (House Father/Mother):
Reaver-Chief (House Brother/Sister):
Ironsworn (House Cousin): While those of this rank do also begin taking on administrative tasks that cannot be trusted to lower-ranking members, within House Serrato it is more commonly treated as the rank at which a member is permitted to take the vows of the Ironsworn. Taking the ancient tradition more seriously than most, the friendlier Clanreeves have even extended hospitality
Kinsman: As with the other Houses, this rank denotes the "true" members of Household Serrato who are accorded rights and privileges denied to the everyman of the Circle. For the Serrato, they count those descended from the commanders of the Fourteen Fighting Companies that followed the First Warlord away from Humanity's birth stars. Though, more frequently than the other houses, exceptional outsiders are 'adopted' into this rank by higher-ranking patrons, when the calculus of retaining their abilities exceeds any potential costs of being held liable for future mistakes that affect the House at large.
Lawman: The highest rank achievable without being "adopted", these individuals are the most trusted agents of a specific patron, to the point that they may speak with their patron's authority anywhere within their holdings. Primarily to function as judge, jury and even executioner in far-flung settlements, away from the centers of power. This also creates one of few instances where higher-ranked members may have to defer to one typically beneath them, so long as that Lawman serves someone even higher than them.
Bannersworn:
Retainer: After a duration of service
Hireling: As the name implies, this title encompasses the vast majority who are simply employed by Household Serrato, typically in menial tasks.
Their main holdings are confined to the Crimson Deep Sector, located upon the periphery of the Circle’s territory in the Outlands, itself comprised of planets of such environmental extremes that even spacer-tech and an essentially unlimited budget can only make barely liveable.