The game is centered around the crew of the "Hand of Celestian", a legendary ship that is said to patrol the Systems (and even the Astral on occasion) making travel safe for all, not just the faithful.

The ship and crew are considered privateers, generally accepted wherever worship of Celestian is, but with more than enough enemies out there that not everywhere is a safe port for them.

Of course, the ship hasn't flown in decades, if not longer, so only historians and certain religious experts have even heard of it...