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The Iyatequa are a race which appears in Homeworld Mobile. They are a mercantile faction and are known as the traders of the Nimbus Galaxy, fulfilling a similar role to the Bentusi in Homeworld. They are the first race that the player encounters after the events of Wiracoda Gate.
Fascinated with learning about new races and cultures, they are friendly to the player's fleet. When the distraught remnants of the player's expedition fleet arrive in the galaxy, it is an Iyatequa trade vessel that guides the player to a nearby Hiigaran assembly point to recuperate. They also allow the player access to their space stations and all relevant facilities, such as shipyards.
They have had a number of disputes with the Cangacians in the past, whom they are at war with.
Their ornate masks are a significant part of their culture, showing an individuals accomplishments, and position. They only take their masks off in the presence of family.
Despite their outstanding reputation with the Hiigarans, Iyatequans are known to have questionable ethical standards. They can trade in anything, from Progenitor relics to slaves and access to corrupt politicians.
The Iyatequa currency database contains thousands of currencies - including many from empires that have gone extinct.
In their Liaison Requisitions office they offer items primarily related to non-combat activities. Mining schematics, sensor arrays and ore supplies are typical to be found.
The Masked Traders[]
With the exception of the Progenitors, few races are as enigmatic and mysterious as the Iyatequa Traders. Though they have vast markets and freely trade with anyone, they are tight-lipped about their origins, methods, and ultimate goals. Relationships with the Iyatequa are mercilessly transactional.
The Iyatequa are not native to this region of space. Their vast trade network of stations is thought to span the Nimbus Galaxy, but the true extent of it is unknown and likely one of the Iyatequa's closest secrets. With their fleet of trade barges and skiffs their reach across the galaxy is extraordinary.
The Iyatequa catalogue of sale contains almost anything anyone could ever possible imagine from long-lost currencies and artifacts to bulk goods and staple materials, to forbidden narcotics and slaves. No matter the subject or the quantity, few things are beyond their reach, as long as the client is willing to pay. The Iyatequa deal in everything regardless of laws or decency. They are the ultimate traders.
Iyatequa Ships[]
Iyatequa ships are seemingly devoid of any weaponry or significant armour schemes. For protection, the Iyatequa employ two methods of defense.
The first is to use others to protect them, usually from among ships visiting ships to their markets or mercenaries they hire for set periods. In the case of the former, the Iyatequa will immediately shutter their doors and cease all works until the combat situation is clear. If this results in trapped crew and shoppers, these hostages are an extra incentive to clear the area for the parent vessels they belong to.
The second is utilizing the most powerful hyperspace drives ever encountered: ones able to cycle within seconds and escape from even the most powerful gravity wells known. If they choose the Iyatequa can instantly flee from any situation practically at will even from Progenitor Keepers. If left with no other defense possible the Iyatequa will do this, taking any marooned civilians with them after their parent vessels were expended protecting the trade ships.
It is suspected much of the Iyatequa's technological base was not developed on their own but was purchased and reverse-engineered by the Traders, before being integrated into their vessels. Where they found their advanced hyperspace technology is unknown though, as only the Progenitor Keepers can escape to hyperspace with similar speed and capability.
Bargains of Blood[]
In the Nimbus Galaxy, it is advised not to become too familiar with the Iyatequa no matter how cordial they seem. It is known that the traders leverage such familiarity nd alliances in order to manipulate customers into performing acts on their behalf. Even thought they provide the galaxy a robust trade network, they are not to be trusted.
The traders are able to provide anything anyone could ever want through their connections, but they are not above using extortion in their dealings. For desperate backwater colonies dependent upon vital supplies from the Iyatequa, the traders are not averse to withholding vital supplies in order to extract services form the impoverished people they sell to. Rare and difficult-to-reach items are used to bait seekers of these items into accepting their deals and opening them up to exploitation.
The Iyatequa are never consistent in these deals and there is no limit or restriction to their demands. Everything from salvage work in lethal radiation zones to the enslavement and sale of entire planetary populations is within their scope. In this way. no Iyatequa trader brings risk to themselves or their ships but forces others to do it for their benefit.
No one in living memory have ever reneged on one of these nefarious deals, though there are rumors of what becomes of anyone who attempts it. Given the Iyatequa's considerable reach, technological sophistication, and access to galactic-wide markets, one could only imagine the ways in which the Iyatequa would extract payment from those who refuse to do so.
The Pariah[]
The Iyatequa are known across Nimbus space as traders and dealers of all kinds of wares and goods. Generally they are welcomed, even if they are kept at arms reach, and one can always have goods to buy from them. But there is one Iyatequa tradesman known as Cosoca the Green with whom you must never barter with.
His deals are fantastic on the surface- promising riches and wealth to those who would only part with their modest, simple belongings. Too many find out after their deals that their loved ones at home have disappeared, leaving only scraps of evidence of what became of them. Even the most guarded individuals who choose to deal with Cosoca the Green have seen their loved ones vanish without a trace. It is said Cosoca is a cursed God, trapped in the form of this cursed tradesman, harvesting souls of the innocent for some great penance he committed in times forgotten.
Gallery[]
Template:Iyatequa Ships