"A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all" -18th Rule of Acquisition

Likened to opportunist hucksters, the Ferengi live for their material wealth and possessions, and the constant desire to acquire more by any means necessary.. 

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Over a relatively short time, the Ferengi Alliance has built up a strong economical empire. Rather than do this the traditional route via the technological/evolutionary learning curve, they established a strong economical basis, whilst dealing and bribing their way to power. This was done by the acquisition of various space faring technology, such as rudimentary warp drive and weaponry. Whether this was accomplished by deceit, fraud or traditional bartering is unclear, as the culture, being diverse and rather idiosyncratic is still a relative mystery, as is their methods of exo-cultural interaction, though they do possess a wide network of trade and commerce relationships with neighbouring species and empires.

Although some earlier skirmishes with unknown races have since been attributed to Starfleet vessels, first recognised, diplomatic contact with the Federation took place in the Delphi Ardu system in early 2364, when a Ferengi Marauder (pictured lower on the page) came head to head with a Galaxy Class ship. Diplomatic misunderstandings were narrowly avoided in the incident, but relations between the two powers were uneasy for the following few years.

The Ferengi Alliance is centred on the homeworld of Ferenginar, the principal climatic characteristic of which is of extreme humidity and moisture, with vast quantities of precipitation year round. To the outside world, the planet and the population residing there are a mystery, as outsiders are not usually deemed to be welcome. For any first time visitor though, one striking sight would be the mighty architecture of the Tower of Commerce, a quasi-religious institution which is the administrative centre of the Ferengi economy. This in turn is located in the Sacred Marketplace of the capital city -an ancient and symbolic site, thought to be the location of the first trade negotiations carried out millennia before.

The leader of the Ferengi economy and overall first minister of capitalist dealings is the Grand Nagus. His influence and wisdom alone could be ascertained or at least guessed at by the generous size of his earlobes, the general proportions of which are somewhat whimsically related to ones business acumen. Many of the Nagus' actions and policies would have implications for trade spanning the quadrant, as trade routes and marketplace territories are decreed by his wisdom, and guided by the sacred book which is the Bible of finance, commerce, and capital gain: The Rules of Acquisition. First devised and distributed centuries ago by Grand Nagus Gint, perhaps the greatest of all leaders, this 285 rule guide has inspired and driven commercial opportunities and Ferengi greed for centuries.

The general currency mechanism for trade is Gold Pressed Latinum. These ingots increase in value with the terms, Slip, Strip, and Bar, where 20 Strips equals a Bar, further denominations are the Brick and Nugget. This substance is a specially treated metallic compound that cannot be replicated or counterfeited. It is the central device that defines and motivates the Ferengi ideology and lifestyle. Rule number 102 states that "Nature decays, Latinum lasts forever...", and it is so treasured...

Tax, capitalist dealings and general financial law are regulated by the central body, the Ferengi Commerce Authority, or FCA. This organization is responsible for all trade practices throughout the alliance, and they possess broad ranging powers that can liquidate businesses, depending on various bribe factors. Monitoring the financial and commodities exchanges of the modern Ferengi businessman is a full time occupation, for if one has no business interests, you are not considered a true Ferengi. The female sex on Ferenginar are omitted from such regulations of the Ferengi archetype, for not only are they prohibited from wearing clothes, talking to non family members and showing their faces in public, it is considered an unforgivable crime to earn profit or deal in any kind of financial or business venture. Female responsibilities reside entirely in the home, by provisioning their males with food and clothing, and tending offspring.

TECHNOLOGY

As stated above, Ferengi technology has little in the way of indigenous origin as most technical areas of the sciences have been equipped via outside sources, quite possibly contributed to by the Cardassians whose borders are not too distant. This process has occurred ever since the Ferengi first ventured into space in simple sub-light exploration vehicles. Over time military hardware was enhanced and supplemented by both theft and trade. Vast quantities of currency have been used in such areas, as the scientific establishments on the homeworld are scarce, and are more aimed towards the back engineering of alien technology, rather than development and research. A shining example of this imbalanced situation is the significant warship fleet that the Ferengi military possess. Their most prominent starship, classified as the Marauder, is advanced as many Federation, Klingon or Cardassian equivalents. These ships employ traditional warp systems, and are fitted with powerful plasma energy weapons. It has been speculated that certain affiliates to the Alliance are the sole military and scientific body, providing the Ferengi with their technology and hardware, and constructing their starships.

Many outsiders see the unprincipled exploitative Ferengi as a serious future military threat, for it is believed they possess flawed motivation for a start, and that they lack the necessary diplomatic skills and experience to be a worthy space faring culture. If it is so desired by the military to invade or conquer to benefit business, or the acquisition of resources, little in the way of morality would interfere with their profit driven constitution.

RECENT DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY MATTERS

When trade negotiations with the Dominion fell through, and potential opportunities through the Bajoran wormhole were all but lost, it dealt a bitter blow to entrepreneurs everywhere. Grand Nagus Zek was hoping to retire after such negotiations, but it was not to be.

The Ferengi were indeed concerned by the recent Dominion war. First and foremost trade routes across the quadrant collapsed or went dry. Such vast and expansive arterial networks fed the Ferengi economy, and as such they found their military force somewhat flagging. This would be their official diplomatic excuse as to their general absence from the Alpha Quadrant battlefield.

Little is generally known about 'Ferengi space', and what lies within, or the relationship they share with the worlds and peoples that lie within their borders. It is certain though that neighbouring powers consider the Ferengi a definite threat, one worthy of constant surveillance and vigilance...

Federation   Klingon Empire   Romulan Star Empire   Cardassian Union

Dominion   Borg   Others...