Black Bha'lir

What set the Black Bha'lir apart from other illicit organizations was its stringent expectation that all members abide by a demanding code of ethical behavior. This code was built upon four fundamental principles.

• Never profit from the weakness of others. A challenging tenet to uphold within a criminal lifestyle, the Black Bha'lir expected its members to act with fairness. Exploiting another's vulnerability was viewed as both cowardly and morally reprehensible.

• Honor the vyvya. Showing respect for the vyvya meant contributing positively to the community that nurtured you. Each member pledged an oath to safeguard the reputation of the Black Bha'lir and the well-being of its members. Furthermore, members were expected to give back to the broader community.

• Prepare the way of the Retribution. Those who brought dishonor upon the Black Bha'lir were marked for death, in accordance with the Rites of Retribution. All members were expected to be prepared to eliminate anyone designated for retribution.

• Respect the right of aa'kua. The Black Bha'lir held this as the most essential ethical principle: the right of every individual and their personal space should be respected above all else.

Individuals who violated the code or otherwise brought disgrace to the Black Bha'lir were stripped of their membership and often became targets of the Black Bha'lir, subject to the Rites of Retribution. Members who carried out retribution on behalf of the society were often held in high esteem by their peers.

Membership within the Black Bha'lir offered advantages that were uncommon in other criminal organizations. The Bha'lir prioritized collective support and the common good, rather than individual achievement and self-centered greed. Although disagreements between members did occasionally arise, a member could generally rely on the support of their fellow members, regardless of the severity of their situation. As long as a member upheld the ethics of the smuggler's code, they could count on having allies within the society. High-ranking members, such as Master Smugglers, Mentors, and the Old Guard, frequently provided safe refuge for Bha'lir members who were struggling. Lower-ranking members were willing to travel across the galaxy to assist their brothers and sisters in times of need. While reimbursement was sometimes anticipated, it usually involved a returned favor or a customary gift.

Each individual within the Black Bha'lir began at the lowest level and progressed through the ranks based on their contributions to the society. This system ensured that members gained authority based on the value of their actions, and it also aided in guiding prospective members toward positions that best suited their abilities.

Apprentice: This represented the entry-level position within the society, where all members commenced their journey. However, becoming an Apprentice was not a simple task. While many Apprentices were introduced to the society through family connections, others were approached by the Black Bha'lir due to their prior demonstration of the values the society expected of its members.

Prohibited from owning a ship by the society's rules, Apprentices were typically expected to learn under the guidance of another member until they earned a promotion. In numerous instances, the Apprentice served as the first mate on a ship commanded by a Bha'lir captain. In this role, they absorbed the ethical principles and responsibilities expected of all members, along with the practical skills of the trade.

Pilot: The rank of pilot was bestowed upon Apprentices who distinguished themselves among their peers. A significant number of Black Bha'lir members never advanced beyond the Apprentice level, not due to a lack of smuggling skills, but because they failed to fully grasp the code.

Although they were permitted to own their own ships, Pilots often worked under the direction of a Master Smuggler, being assigned to one of the Master Smuggler's vessels. Pilots who remained at this rank were frequently highly skilled smugglers, but lacked business acumen.

Prince: The rank of prince was a distinguished honor awarded to Pilots who had gained a considerable level of recognition within the criminal world. Princes almost always possessed their own ship, and their smuggling abilities were rarely matched by Pilots. Both male and female members holding this rank were referred to as Princes.

Master Smuggler: Master Smugglers typically functioned as minor crime bosses or information brokers. They had demonstrated their capabilities as Pilots or Princes and transitioned to a less risky, but often more demanding, role. The Master Smuggler usually owned multiple ships and employed several Pilots.

Mentor: While all members of the society engaged in teaching and learning from one another, those with exceptional wisdom and skill were elevated to the rank of Mentor by the Tribunal. Mentors were responsible for instructing new generations of members in the skills of smuggling and guiding them in their comprehension of the code.

Old Guard: Only the most respected members were promoted to the rank of Old Guard. Old Guards were frequently Mentors who continued to serve as Master Smugglers or even Pilots. Once a member attained the rank of Old Guard, they became eligible for membership on the Tribunal.

The Tribunal: The Tribunal served as the governing body of the Black Bha'lir. They were tasked with resolving disputes within the society and upholding the ethical code that was fundamental to the Black Bha'lir way of life.

The Tribunal consisted of three members who were selected through a secret ballot open to all members of the society, but the identities of those elected were kept secret among the highest-ranking members. Once elected, a member would serve on the Tribunal for the remainder of their life.

Throughout the history of the Black Bha'lir, only one Tribunal member has ever been successfully assassinated. When the leader of the Ramesh clan refused to pay a docking fee at Meril Power Station, a docking facility under the control of the Black Bha'lir, a conflict arose between the Ramesh Hutts and the Black Bha'lir. The Ramesh invited a representative from the Tribunal to their stronghold to settle the dispute. The Black Bha'lir accepted, and the Tribunal member was ultimately killed by the ruthless and arrogant Hutts.

The Ramesh believed the matter was concluded, anticipating that the Black Bha'lir would withdraw from further conflict or collapse due to the loss of one of their leaders. However, the Black Bha'lir instead sought retribution. As a gift, they presented the Ramesh with a black bha'lir cub, which the Hutts unwisely accepted as a sign of submission. The clan then convened to discuss how to utilize their new asset, the Black Bha'lir. Unbeknownst to them, the Black Bha'lir had implanted a device within the cub's lungs that would release a lethal toxin known as trauger gas. This resulted in the near annihilation of the Ramesh clan and a persistent, bitter rivalry between the Black Bha'lir and the Hutts. This event became known among the Black Bha'lir as "The Tale of A Tiger and A Worm."

The Black Bha'lir held a deep admiration for the underdog. While they never formally aligned themselves with any other groups or organizations, the Black Bha'lir frequently supported worthwhile causes at a relatively low cost. In certain instances, they even provided assistance to struggling groups, such as the Rebel Alliance, without expecting anything in return, a practice that was virtually unheard of in the criminal underworld.