Razzia

Razzia, the collective name given to raids conducted by forces associated with the Raspur Pact or the Honourable Company into the ungoverned spaces beyond the bounds of civilised nations, usually for the purpose of exacting tribute, typically in the form of plunder or corvée labour, from populations lacking the protection of a functioning and internationally recognised government. Targeted communities can be either found amongst failed states (Barbary, Helderbourgh) or else within tribal confederations where the conditions for recognised statehood were not met (Central Euran Republic, Mbasana).

Following the Ricardian maxim that "the Green must be conquered", conducting a Razzia is considered to be an inherently virtuous and meritorious act on the part of those who participate, accruing prestige for the raid's commander and subordinates and greatly enhancing their future promotion prospects. The recovery and auction of artefacts and the recruitment of persons rescued from the ungoverned spaces has played a significant part in the economic growth of some of the Raspur Pact's frontier nations such as Constancia and Whales, while similar tactics allowed Natopia to pacify portions of western Tapfer that had previously been under Vanic rule.

In contrast to the practitioners of Bassarid piracy, forces conducting a razzia will typically avoid the assets, settlements, and vessels of established and recognised powers, even when those are aligned to rival alliance systems. That said, failed states and abandoned settlements no longer enjoying the protection any such alliance system are considered fair game, as in the case of Baicha and its unfortunate mayor.

Known razzias

• 1st Constancian Razzia
• Operation Venom's Rush
• 1685 ESB-Cibola Helderbourgh Expedition
• 1689 ESB-Cibola Baicha Expedition