Intaki Syndicate
In EVE Online's lore, the Intaki Syndicate (or simply "the Syndicate") is an independent quasi-state operating from the region named for it, Syndicate.
The region of Syndicate is NPC nullsec, that is, space with no CONCORD security presence and no repercussions for PvP, but with some NPC-operated space stations and with sovereignty held by NPCs rather than by player alliances.
Syndicate is home to EVE University's Null-Sec Campus.
Lore
Five hundred years ago the Intaki people lived a simple life on their home planet. For them, the sky was a mystery they were only slowly unfolding with their pre-industrial technology. Then the Gallente arrived and swept them into the modern age in one swift stroke. The Intaki, initially overwhelmed, adapted quickly and within a century they had become seasoned space travelers and active members of the Gallente governing body. They soon established a reputation as fair-minded humanists that excelled as deft negotiators and clever businessmen, fitting perfectly into the Gallente way of life.
During the Caldari–Gallente war many of the Intaki sympathized or even joined the Caldari. The Gallente responded by exiling many of the Intaki. Intaki exiles formed the Syndicate, which has slowly grown in stature and influence and now serves as an important link between the empires and the illegal elements in the outer regions.
Syndicate space is a pirate haven but still retains enough civility to allow pretty much anyone to travel there to do business. Syndicate markets are always chock full of contraband goods and illegal wares that are hard or impossible to come by elsewhere. Each Syndicate station is an autonomous entity, but they cooperate on security and information issues. The unofficial leader of the Syndicate is Silphy en Diabel, a former Sisters of EVE agent who returned to Syndicate space to save her family's fortune. Since then she's turned out to be just as resourceful and ruthless as her late father.
The Syndicate has close ties to Serpentis, and a single ship of their own making: the Intaki Syndicate Catalyst.
Poitot is the only named system in Syndicate.
Game Mechanics
Much as the game's lore describes, Syndicate is positioned between highsec and lowsec, on the one hand, and player-owned sovereign nullsec on the other. It tends to host groups who either can't or don't want to participate in the large-scale wars that players fight over sovereign parts of nullsec.
Though players cannot claim systems in NPC nullsec, they can and do anchor Upwell structures to supplement the services provided by the Intaki Syndicate NPC stations. Capital ships and bubbles work in NPC nullsec just as they do in sovereign nullsec.
Of the chokepoints linking Syndicate to highsec/lowsec near the University's Null-Sec Campus, the Reblier chokepoint is routinely camped, the Orvolle chokepoint is often camped, and the Harroule chokepoint is often clear.
The standard type of hostile NPCs in Syndicate are Serpentis. Serpentis enemies deal thermal and kinetic damage, use sensor dampening as their EWAR, and are weak to thermal and kinetic damage; their ship models use Gallente hulls as bases.
Ships belonging to the NPC Syndicate organization can be encountered in a few epic arc missions. The Syndicate is seen flying Serpentis ships.
