The Independent Faction is a loose collection of guilds, crews, and individuals in pursuit of their own interests. There is no common goal or the expectation of working with each other; Independents operate on their own.
Known organizations like the Mandalorians, Black Sun, Bounty Hunter Guild, Merchant Guild, and surviving Force Traditions, as well as smuggler crews, criminal networks, mercenaries, and merchants, all thrive as Independent.
Your Character may play both sides of the Empire and Rebel conflict, or stay out of it completely. Playing an Independent does not give you automatic inclusion into the Faction as does the Empire and Rebellion. You are playing a Character that operates on their own terms. There are no Objectives, you pave your own way!
Unlike the Empire or the Rebellion, Independents choose where to place their loyalty, whether that is with a Faction, a Guild, or a group of allies.
Independents do not have Objectives, rather they focus on Missions posted on the Holonet for their Role.
The planet Selvaris, where Galaxy Awaits takes place, enjoyed a few years of peace after the founding of the Galactic Empire. Thanks to rumors of rebels and Jedi, the Empire has established a presence on Selvaris which only served to generate minor conflicts... that many Independent individuals and groups have capitalised on.
Corox Station, where the Galaxy Awaits campsite represents, is known to have small Imperial Outpost and an active rebel cell... a perfect atmosphere for bounty hunters, merchants, criminals, and politicians working for Selvaris, Corox Station, or for themselves.
Wookieepedia: Bounty Hunter Guild
With a license to legally arrest and/or kill posted Bounties, Hunters traverse the galaxy in search of their target. Hunters may work in a group, or alone, but all Hunters are renowned as resourceful and ruthless.
As an Independent Bounty Hunter, you are automatically a member of the Hunters Guild in Corox Station.
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The backbone of Commerce, Merchants bring a wide variety of goods, both Tagged and non-Tagged, for trade. You may choose to set up a storefront booth during Marketplace, or operate your business on the side.
Use the Tag Store to purchase up to 3 times the quantity of the Cyberneticist, Scientist, or Manufacturer Skills that you have.
As an Independent Merchant, you are automatically a member of the Merchants Guild in Corox Station.
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As a politician, you represent either the town Corox Station, or the planet Selvaris, or your own agenda. You may submit new laws, manage permits, become an Elected Official, write press briefings, act as an attorney during court, as examples. Some of these activities may pay Credits via the Holonet.
As a Politician, you can run for Elected Official, manage permits, and submit laws.
Scoundrels deal in all forms of illegal activities, such as smuggling, espionage, theft, bribery, and the Shadow Market, in order to steal valuable goods and information to sell for a profit, for control, or some advantage.
As part of the criminal element, you are a:
As an Independent Scoundrel, you are automatically a member of the Black Sun Guild in Corox Station.
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As a trained Force-user from a Force organization, you are involved in matters of the Force for your own interest, or whomever you choose. You might interact with other Force-sensitives, handle Relics and Rituals, find interest in the local Force lore, and more.
When using the Obelisk, replenish 2 FP per 100 credits spent. If you don't have the Group Counseling Skill, participating in Group Counseling replenishes 1 additional FP.
In-Game, only Empire Inquisitors may openly use the Force. You can use the Force, but it is advised to do so in secret from the Empire.