The Hutt Cartel (de facto), Hutt Space / Empire (de jure)

"Ohta su marvalic plesodoro."
- Common Hutt phrase, roughly translating as "Let them marvel at our splendour."

POLITICAL INFORMATION

• Type of government: Crime syndicate
• Head(s) of State: Supreme Mogul
• Current Head of State: Supreme Mogul Wakka
• Head(s) of Government: Hutt Ruling Council
• Current Head(s) of Government: Whichever Kajidic is dominant
• Commander(s)-in-chief: Grand Admiral
• Current Commander-in-chief: Supreme Mogul
• Executive branch:
  • Hutt Ruling Council
• Legislative branch: Each Kajidic governs itself independently
• Judicial branch: Each Kajidic governs itself independently

SOCIETAL INFORMATION

• Capital: Nal Hutta (de jure); Nar Shaddaa (de facto)
• Official language: Huttese
• Currency: Galactic Credit Standard (commonly); Hutt peggats

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

• Date of establishment: c. 25,200 BBY
• Planet of founding: Varl

NOTABLE MEMBER PLANETS

• Nal Hutta (capital)
• Nar Shaddaa
• Sleheyron

OTHER

• Notable members:
  • Grogga (crime boss)
  • Zorbo (crime boss; Zorbo Consortium)
  • Kalen "Rex" Vickers (smuggler; runner)
  • Reave (mercenary)

DESCRIPTION

The Hutt Cartel, formally recognised in interstellar law as the Hutt Empire or simply Hutt Space, is one of the oldest continuously existing political entities in the known galaxy. Whilst recognised diplomatically as a sovereign state with defined borders, embassies and recognised governments, real authority rests with the powerful Hutt clans, or Kajidics, whose commercial, political and criminal interests have become so thoroughly intertwined that virtually no distinction exists between government and organised crime. As such, the terms "Hutt Empire", "Hutt Space" and "Hutt Cartel" are frequently used interchangeably.

Governance is highly decentralised. The Supreme Mogul serves as both head of state and supreme arbiter between the rival Kajidics, preserving stability through negotiation, wealth and reputation rather than absolute authority. Individual Kajidics exercise near-total control over their own territories, fleets, businesses and criminal enterprises, whilst the Hutt Ruling Council exists primarily to settle disputes and coordinate matters affecting Hutt Space as a whole. Open conflict between the clans is relatively rare, as prolonged warfare is considered profoundly bad for business.

Throughout its history the Hutt economy has combined legitimate commerce with illicit enterprise on a scale unmatched elsewhere in the galaxy. Shipping, finance, manufacturing, mining and trade operate alongside smuggling, spice trafficking, slavery, gambling, bounty hunting, protection rackets and arms dealing, often through the very same organisations. Nar Shaddaa has consequently become not merely the Cartel's operational heart but one of the greatest commercial and information exchanges in the galaxy, attracting merchants, criminals, diplomats and adventurers in equal measure.

The Galactic Dark Age proved enormously advantageous to the Hutts. Whilst much of the galaxy descended into fragmentation and warlordism, the Kajidics expanded existing commercial networks into systems of governance, establishing guilds, mercenary companies, banking houses and trade combines that gradually assumed many functions normally associated with government. By the time the Third Galactic Republic emerged, the distinction between the Hutt state and the Hutt criminal underworld had become largely academic, with organised crime effectively having evolved into recognised sovereignty.

Relations with foreign powers are characteristically pragmatic. The Hutts maintain formal diplomatic ties with the Third Galactic Republic, the Outer Rim Alliance and numerous independent governments, preferring profitable stability over ideological confrontation. Even GalactaWerks conducts considerable business throughout Hutt Space despite the mutual distrust between both organisations. Only the Bastion Moff Empire maintains openly hostile relations, regarding the Cartel as a fundamentally illegitimate criminal regime incompatible with Imperial law and order. Nevertheless, outright conflict remains uncommon, with both sides generally preferring espionage, economic pressure and proxy operations to direct war.

To critics, the Hutts represent the galaxy's greatest organised criminal empire masquerading as a sovereign nation. To the Hutts themselves, there is no contradiction. Wealth is power, commerce is government and prosperity is the ultimate measure of civilisation. For over twenty-five thousand years, that philosophy has allowed Hutt Space to outlive republics, empires and countless would-be conquerors, remaining one of the few constants in an otherwise ever-changing galaxy.

HUTT ARMED FORCES

Despite their reputation, the Hutts maintain one of the largest standing military establishments in the Outer Rim. The Hutt Armed Forces exist not to pursue territorial conquest but to safeguard Hutt Space, protect commercial shipping and enforce the authority of the ruling Kajidics. Whilst individual clans maintain substantial private fleets and armies of their own, the Supreme Mogul can, in times of crisis, call upon these forces to operate as a unified military under the authority of the Hutt Ruling Council.

Much of the military's day-to-day activity centres upon anti-piracy operations, customs enforcement, convoy escort and the suppression of unauthorised criminal organisations operating within Hutt territory. Contrary to popular belief, independent piracy is punished harshly by the Hutts, who regard attacks upon merchant shipping and unlicensed criminal enterprises as direct threats to Hutt prosperity. The Cartel insists that all significant organised crime within its borders ultimately answers to the Kajidics, either through tribute or direct ownership.

The Hutt fleets are an eclectic mixture of purpose-built warships, centuries-old vessels continually modernised, heavily-armed merchantmen and privately-owned craft contributed by the various Kajidics. Whilst lacking the uniformity of the Republic Judicial Forces or the disciplined military doctrine of the Bastion Moff Empire, they compensate through sheer numbers, experienced crews and an extensive network of logistics, mercenary auxiliaries and informants. The Hutts are seldom eager for open warfare, but history has repeatedly demonstrated that invading Hutt Space is an extraordinarily costly undertaking.

Ground forces are similarly decentralised, comprising professional security troops, mercenary regiments, bounty hunters, hired militias, local defence forces and the personal armies of influential Hutts. Equipment varies enormously between Kajidics, though wealth ensures that even comparatively minor Hutt lords can often field forces better equipped than many independent planetary governments. During major conflicts, the Hutts have proven remarkably capable of setting aside internal rivalries, presenting a unified military front until the external threat has passed.