The Thirat Group was the de facto governing body of the Orion Colony world of Thirat. It was a loose confederation of local industries run by the four ruling Orion families of Emark, Nomab, Sohola, and Teish. However, by Thiratin culture, it exerted no explicit authority: law and order were mainly matters of protocol and politeness. No one gave orders; instead, they made suggestions. (FASA RPG module: The Orions: Book of Common Knowledge)