Dead Lepers / DEADLEPERS

The Story of the Dead Lepers

In 2946, deep within the chaos of the Pyro system, a band of pirates known as the “Dead Lepers” emerged from the remnants of fractured pirate syndicates and mercenary groups. Pyro, with its lawless environment and lack of a central governing force, became a fertile ground for the rise of this ruthless faction.

Formation and Origin
The Dead Lepers’ name traces back to their leader, a notorious outlaw named Vrex “Leper” Dragomir, a former mercenary who had been infected with a rare, disfiguring disease while running illegal missions in the Stanton system. Vrex, once abandoned by his comrades due to his illness, formed a ragtag group of fellow outcasts, thieves, and defectors from rival organizations. They called themselves the Dead Lepers—a name symbolizing their rejection of both society and traditional pirate codes.

Their base of operations was an abandoned space station in Pyro III’s asteroid belt, which they retrofitted into a fortress of black-market dealings, illegal modifications, and salvaged weapons. Hidden in the volatile atmosphere of Pyro, their base was nearly impossible to detect unless you knew where to look, and their fleet was a mishmash of stolen ships, repurposed for brutal and efficient combat.
Pirate Code and Culture

Unlike most pirate groups, the Dead Lepers operated under a loose but unbreakable code of loyalty to Vrex and his lieutenants. They did not target other pirates unless provoked but rather preyed on convoys from larger systems, corporate interests, and anyone unfortunate enough to stray too close to the Pyro system’s outskirts. In time, they became feared for their unpredictability and savage tactics.

Their ranks were made up of the most desperate and skilled in the system, with many of them having no other place to go due to their pasts, deformities, or criminal records. Every pirate had to undergo a trial by combat—defeat or be scarred, symbolizing their new identity as a “Leper” cast out from civilization.

Rise to Notoriety
By 2947, the Dead Lepers had earned a reputation throughout the criminal underworld and beyond. They orchestrated several high-profile raids, including the hijacking of a UEE Navy convoy transporting classified military hardware. This bold act put them on the UEE’s radar, but Pyro’s unstable conditions and the Lepers’ mastery of the region’s dangers made them hard to pin down.

The Lepers also established alliances with the Nine Tails and other outlaw factions, creating a loose network of smuggling routes and information sharing. They sold valuable stolen tech to the highest bidder, often fueling the illegal weapons trade in nearby systems.
Vrex’s Legacy and the Future

As Vrex Dragomir’s health deteriorated, his once-charismatic leadership gave way to paranoia, leading to internal power struggles. By 2952, the Dead Lepers had fractured into smaller cells, some still loyal to Vrex while others followed rising figures within the ranks, each vying for control of the pirate empire he had built.

Though their future remains uncertain, the Dead Lepers’ name continues to echo through Pyro, a symbol of how even the most forsaken and forgotten can become one of the most feared factions in the stars. Pirates, after all, live by the sword—or in Pyro’s case, by the ion cannon.
With the death of Vrex “Leper” Dragomir in 2952, the Dead Lepers seemed poised to disintegrate entirely. His disease, which had ravaged his body, finally claimed him, leaving a power vacuum among the faction’s leadership. Rival lieutenants fought for control, fragmenting the pirate group into smaller, independent factions, each vying for dominance.

Among these power-hungry captains, one unexpected figure rose: a young, cunning lieutenant named Harlon “Tingle” McCringlebury. Despite his youth, McCringlebury had earned respect within the ranks for his sharp tactical mind and loyalty to Vrex’s vision. Where others saw an opportunity to carve out their own piece of the chaos, McCringlebury saw the potential to restore the Dead Lepers to their former glory—united, strong, and more dangerous than ever.

McCringlebury’s Rise
Harlon “Tingle” McCringlebury had joined the Dead Lepers in 2950, quickly rising through the ranks with his strategic genius and unconventional tactics. Where many pirates relied on brute force, McCringlebury preferred precision strikes, using intelligence and psychological warfare to outmaneuver his enemies. He understood the value of unifying the faction’s broken pieces and set out to achieve this, not through brute intimidation but through a blend of diplomacy and calculated aggression.

After Vrex’s death, McCringlebury traveled between the splintered cells, offering deals to leaders he deemed useful and eliminating those who posed a threat to his vision. His rallying cry was simple: “The Dead Lepers live or die as one.” He knew that in the fractured state of Pyro’s underworld, the only way to survive—let alone thrive—was to reassemble the pirate group and set their sights on a new frontier.
Reunification and Return to Strength

By 2953, McCringlebury had succeeded in uniting the Dead Lepers under his command. Using Vrex’s old alliances with groups like the Nine Tails, McCringlebury expanded the Lepers’ influence and refocused their efforts on larger, more profitable operations. The asteroid base in Pyro III’s belt became the group’s main hub once more, now bustling with activity as the Lepers grew their fleet and refined their tactics.

While the Pyro system remained their primary territory, McCringlebury set his eyes on something bigger: the Stanton system. Stanton represented not just wealth but also status. It was home to massive corporate interests, high-value trade routes, and a growing reputation as a law-abiding system—making it a perfect target for the reborn Dead Lepers.

The Stanton System Venture
In 2954, McCringlebury led the Dead Lepers into the Stanton system with a new purpose. Unlike the chaotic raids that had marked their past, McCringlebury’s campaign was far more methodical. Using smuggling networks, bribery, and subterfuge, the Dead Lepers established hidden outposts in Stanton’s more remote sectors, avoiding direct confrontation with UEE forces and system security at first.

Once their foothold was secured, the Lepers began launching precision strikes on high-value corporate convoys, using stolen tech and insider information to stay one step ahead of security patrols. Under McCringlebury’s leadership, the Dead Lepers transformed into a well-oiled pirate machine, feared not just for their ruthlessness, but for their calculated efficiency.

The New Era of the Dead Lepers
Tingle McCringlebury’s Dead Lepers are a far cry from the scattered outcasts they once were under Vrex’s dying leadership. Now, they are united, stronger, and more dangerous than ever. Their ventures into Stanton have drawn the attention of corporate security forces, bounty hunters, and even UEE intelligence, but McCringlebury has proven elusive. With his blend of charisma and cold-blooded pragmatism, McCringlebury has cemented his place as the new face of the Dead Lepers.

As they continue to expand their influence, the question remains: will the Dead Lepers solidify their power in Stanton, or will their rise bring the full force of the UEE crashing down upon them? One thing is certain—under McCringlebury’s command, the Dead Lepers are a force to be reckoned with, and their story is far from over.