Make sure you’ve already read the article on the “RAIDING AND TRADING BELTERS”

The Deposed were off to an extremely poor start, they were dependent on the Belters for most of their ammunition-types and transport. Furthermore, their separation meant that they would have to deal with the Crude Nations independently. Thus the Deposed were partially forced to become mercenaries for the Crude Nations and various other small Clans. They eventually realized that they could become a trading partner with the Belters if they started producing an essential industrial resource. This lead to numerous endeavors to produce usable fabrics within the arid lands of the American Southwest. 

The Deposed struggled with political control and cultural unity for a number of years. Their resistance to Immersed culture put them at a distinct disadvantage compared to the Belters, Crude Nations, and even Hellridge. Their one ally was in the West— the Scifics, who traded supplies during their hunt for Rangers. Although they were producing small quantities of wool in early 2036, their “big break” didn’t come until the year after when the Crude Nations were on the cusp of expelling the Pale Horses. Hearing of their concerns, and looking to acquire literal fighter jets, the Deposed looked to make a deal. They were by far the most ideal suitor for the Pale Horses. The company would be an exorbitantly costly undertaking, and their tight-knit microculture was also problematic for Immersion. The Deposed ended up making a four-part arrangement between themselves, the Pale Horses, Crude Nations, and the Mojave (who they contacted in 2032). The Mojave were eager to serve as spiritual leaders, and flame-troopers, for the Crude Nations, but they needed access to their homeland. Likewise, the Pale Horses were ecstatic at the thought of having their restrictions lifted, but they still required a connection with the only faction who could produce jetfuel. The Deposed would provide safe passage for fuel-shipments and travelling Mojave. The Crude Nations let the Pale Horses go and struck a separate bargain with the company, stating that they would meet their fuel-requirements in exchange for five “tokens” to protect their convoys from attacks. 

This set the groundwork for the Deposed’s “model”. They would seek out highly valuable projects and offer them a safe-haven with no cultural restrictions. The idea was that the extraordinary value of these projects would compensate for the Deposed’s lack of industrial power. This idea proved to be overly optimistic. While the Deposed were soon joined by Names, and a radical sect of Children who would eventually become the Chimeras, these “investments” each required a radically different combination of resources that were typically only gained through raiding or work as mercenaries. This was where the Scifics came into play. Using crude wind-sailing technology, they were able to engage with the Passage Lands as a pirating force. Nevertheless, the Deposed continued to flounder all the way until the late 40’s when Formers became involved. The Order wanted a space where they could continue with cutting-edge engineering and start working with the Federation. The Swells checked these boxes quiet well (they were also able to operate long-range jets out of the Pale-Horse’s territory, which enabled travel to Asia for some of their agents). In the late 40’s and early 50’s, Formers used the Swells to experiment with “Immersion-safe futurism”: materials and mechanisms that could be operated without an Immersion-breaking understanding. This resulted in the Scific’s fleet being upgraded with space-age materials and sensors, vastly increasing their range and lethality. Although they go to war with zeppelins and combat-gliders, the Deposed are still considered as just a nuisance by other Great Clans.

Another element that works in the Scific’s favor is their geography. Most of the vehicles in the Passage-Lands simply weren’t designed for use over the rocky, sandy, and hilly geography of the Swells, giving the Deposed a natural defense against raiding (except for the tracked vehicles from the Crude Nations). They are also the farthest away from the Guild, which makes them extremely well-insulated from reprisals and any kind of countermeasures that the alliance can conceive. In political discussions, the Deposed are extremely hard to quantify. Their fabric trade is essential for keeping the population clothed and insulated, but they have very little control over their Investments.