Bandits

Bandits have a long history in Andromeda. Bandit culture as we know it extends back as far as The Old Kingdom, although proto-bandit culture can be traced all the way back to The Ancient Era.

Although some consider bandits to be a de facto fifth positionist faction, bandits are not a unified organisation, they are an identity of many different and often opposed criminal clans. Many bandit clans fight each other frequently.

The Ancient Era
Proto-bandit culture began in the Ancient Era when different criminal cultures expanded throughout Andromeda. Oral tradition in the Northern Territories states that criminal clans of brigands began propping up over the years and, near the establishment of the Old Kingdom, because of the rapid industrialisation and expansion of trade networks, these tribes began to flourish.

The Old Kingdom
The establishment of the Old Kingdom saw the founding of modern bandit culture. One of the original bandit tribes established then still remains to this day. It was not long after the establishment, however, that the newfound bandit culture experienced a long period of stagnation, as military forces began to retaliate and citizens often armed themselves.

The Aftertimes
The Aftertimes were the golden age for bandits. The depression of society and the breaking of the army allowed for the remaining bandits to truly flourish. Trade became increasingly difficult between settlements because of brigand attacks, which hurt the economy, and created a vicious cycle that caused the bandit bubble to balloon further. The later Aftertimes saw the formation of armies for newfound factions which finally saw a reduction in bandit presence.

The Premodern Era
The premodern era turbocharged violent resistance against bandits as local armies became vastly more powerful. Traders also began to take up arms again to protect themselves and their wares. Bandit culture rapidly collapsed in the early premodern era. They are now mostly defeated, but they do still have a lingering presence over Andromeda. It is believed most bandit tribes migrated west.