Banu

A species where the guild is the nation. Banu society has no single government, only hundreds of trade guilds in loose confederation.

The Banu were the first species humanity signed a formal treaty with, and the relationship has been stable for half a millennium. They see the universe as a market. Every planet is a shop. Every interaction is a deal, even friendly ones.

A Banu citizen belongs first to their guild (Souli), then their homeworld, then the Banu Protectorate as an afterthought. There is no Banu Emperor. The Banu Protectorate exists primarily to represent the Souli collectively when outsiders insist on talking to one authority.

Banu manufactured ships, especially from the Banu Defender and Banu Merchantman traditions, are rarities in human space but legendary for quality.

Culture

Mercantile, decentralized, pragmatic. Lifespan roughly equal to humans. Individual Banu often have no use for abstract loyalty but intense loyalty to their guild.

Notable

• No single capital world; the Protectorate rotates meetings between guild homeworlds
• Banu tongue is guttural and fast; nearly all Banu merchants speak passable human Standard
• Most Banu ships feature distinctive hexagonal hull plating and swappable module bays