The Board originated as the executive board of the Encarys terraforming conglomerate, a powerful corporate entity operating in the galaxy prior to the Sundering. Their focus was on economic expansion and strict corporate governance, reflecting the hyper-capitalist ethos of that bygone era.
In 3200 CE, the catastrophic Sundering isolated the Board completely. Trapped within The Spire of Dividends, a luxury orbital elevator that became an emergency bunker, they were cut off from all external markets and the wider galaxy. This sudden isolation forced them to adapt to an entirely new reality within their confined sanctuary.
Over the course of a millennium, the survivors within the Spire underwent a profound transformation. Their corporate bylaws gradually escalated into holy scripture, and the abstract concept of the free market ascended to godhood as "The Invisible Hand." This unique cargo cult of hyper-capitalism became the foundation of their new society.
Today, The Board functions as a reclusive, theocratic oligarchy, having descended to rule the jungle planet of Encarys. Its leadership, the Majority Shareholders, consists of the seven wealthiest citizens by Net Worth. Society is rigidly structured, with all citizens designated as Assets or Interns, identified solely by Tax ID numbers emblazoned on their uniforms.
The very foundation of The Board's continued existence rests upon a persistent, shared delusion: they believe the galaxy is merely experiencing "External Market Volatility." To protect their perceived financial interests from this volatility, they have enlisted The Mortal Veil, whom they refer to as "Third Party Security Consultants." Their primary objective is to defend against the Red Sun Dominion, whom The Board dismisses as mere "Hostile Auditors" attempting an aggressive takeover.
Beyond their internal governance and external conflicts, The Board has carved out a crucial niche in the post-Sundering underworld. They operate as the sector's premier illicit bankers, meticulously laundering credits and securely storing vast amounts of wealth within their unhackable, pre-Sundering servers. This ancient technology grants them a significant advantage in the chaotic sector.
Their most potent asset is The Golden Handshake Protocols, a collection of ancient encryption keys recovered from Stolen Data Chips. These protocols are indispensable, as they unlock dormant pre-Sundering Exclusive Trade Lanes—subspace corridors that bypass standard jump gates. These lanes offer faster, completely undetectable travel through the chaotic sector, a priceless commodity that ensures The Board's continued relevance and financial prosperity.
