The Power of the Smugglers | Dune Lore

An examination of the Smugglers of Arrakis and the substantial role they play in the universe of Dune. Spoiler warning if you are unfamiliar with Frank Herbert’s Dune series. There are many factions that seek the power and profit of the Spice, even those that are not officially recognized by the Imperium such as the mysterious Smugglers of Arrakis. The Smugglers of Arrakis are a shrewd, opportunistic band that have carved out a necessary place for themselves in the Empire as an alternate channel for trade and transport that operates outside the oversight of the commercial and political powers of the universe.
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Arrival of the Fremen Mark Molnar
Muad'dib by Vincent Tanguay www.artstation...
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[@mrtan5641]

You know. People forgot about how powerful are the smugglers and that they get Spice directly from the Fremen themselves and also a great alternative than the Guild. Even Duke Leto saw high potential on them. And well from the words of a smuggler. "If you're a famous smuggler, you're not doing it right". Can't wait to play as them in Dune Spice Wars

[@jerrysstories711]

FUN FACT: Throughout the novel, only three minor characters ever refer to Arrakis as Dune aloud, Piter De Vries, Stilgar, and Tuek the smuggler. Paul only ever thinks the name, and Irulan only writes it. No one besides these five ever refers to Arrakis as Dune at all.

[@eljoho622]

WHY?

[@romanmay2867]

what about the baron

[@jerrysstories711]

@@romanmay2867 The Baron says it on the movie, never in the book.

[@romanmay2867]

@@jerrysstories711 ah i thought that just as i was sending it but i don’t have the book memorized, i hope they don’t refer to it as dune tooo much cause it’s the titular name of the planet arrakis is better imho

[@jerrysstories711]

@@romanmay2867 HA! Well, I don't actually have the book memorized either, it was just something I sort of noticed, so then I got an e-copy so I could search for every occurrence of 'dune' so I could verify. I was also a little surprised that of the entire Harkonnen entourage, only Piter ever calls it Dune, not the Baron or Beast Rabban.

[@CoinSlotKitty]

I think the smugglers should have access to units from other factions in the game for a price Cant wait for this game, I miss Emperor Dune

[@RedRobin0]

To many degrees they highlight the ingenuity of the human spirit, in the face of what should be a massive Monopoly they have found a way to have a foothold on the two most powerful organizations and are even able to bargain with them. At least in the beginning of the saga, as the situation changed so did their power base and even their lifestyle.

[@corujariousa]

I really enjoy your videos. Your narrative style and voice are clear and pleasant. The Dune universe is so rich. I wish we could have a multi-season production. Thanks a lot.

[@mshea12341]

YES!

[@Dularr]

Looks like Sisterhood of Dune: Mindkiller is moving forward on HBOMax.

[@mshea12341]

As long as the only check boxes they have is good story and continuity, they might make some money and keep viewers. If its more divisive and "subverts expectations" then we have problems. I expect it to be good please dont subvert that HBO!

[@suad01]

It will only be ruined through the insertion diversity bs and other pozz

[@bocktordaytona5656]

Totally agree with everything

[@johnro5650]

I really enjoy this channel. The production quality seems to hit so many check boxes for so many of us. It has facts, educated opinions and a true sense of an understanding of the lore. It's amazing just how long Frank Herbert's writings have gone on to inspire such creative endeavors such as videos like this. Truly well done.

[@KiNGAlphaYT]

So excited to play Dune Spice Wars so was awesome for you to bring that up!

[@TheChronozoan]

Me too! Over the moon excited! Every video she makes dials up my excitement just that much more.

[@KiNGAlphaYT]

@@TheChronozoan Agreed 100% waiting for when i get some money to even buy the book set everyday just watching more & more videos lol. Super excited for the 26th going to be playing non-stop!

[@fredtv728]

I love how chill and relaxing your videos are while also being informative. Another great video from my favourite Dune lore channel!

[@guyunknown6224]

It just goes to show that if something is controlled too much even the most powerful entities available ( the houses) will resort to illegal and back door means to procure what they want

[@TriumvirSajaki]

I don't know if I missed it in this video, and I forgot what the book says. How do the smugglers get the spice off arrakis? Do they have their own holtzman drive and their own version of a navigator? Or do they sneak onto Guild ships?

[@Jimmyinvictus]

I imagine they bribe the Guild in spice for passage; the Guild would absolutely not tolerate other parties infringing on their monopoly, but (as outlined in the books), the Guild has no problem accepting spice bribes.

[@mshea12341]

No need to sneak onto a Guild ship when they are working with them and the Atraties directly. The Emperor is very jealous of his spice profits my lord. Bank the entire amount in his name Shadam IV and deduct it from our taxes. Cost of doing business. No more graft. Im just paraphrasing and it was Duke Leto who hatched that idea in the book.

[@linguisticallyoversight8685]

The work with the Guild directly

[@mshea12341]

I'm pretty sure but now that I think about it maybe I was thinkin about how the Fremen bribe the guild to keep the satellites out of the sky. But I think the smugglers transported the Fremen bribes. No why in hell they were sending them up with the Harkonnans.

[@TriumvirSajaki]

Ok, I guess I don't know why they're considered smugglers then and not just another supplier who pays the Guild's fare

[@TheChronozoan]

This is so cool! I'm very new to the Dune universe, Duniverse, and you have made me understand things so much better. I don't know if you take suggestions, but considering you're obvious depth of knowledge for this series, I think it would be kind of a cool video to hear how Dune has affected your life. When you first got engaged with it. Stuff like that. I know it's not the greatest sales pitch, but it's the best I have on Long work days like this haha. Thank you so much for all the work you do! I love your channel!

[@OdintheGermanShepherd]

Great video! Excellent editing…cool intro…thorough coverage of the subject…great voice too. Thumbs Up.

[@addisonscott7808]

I would like to know what you think about the board game Dune Imperium? Do you think it thematic?

[@OdintheGermanShepherd]

@@addisonscott7808 I’m not familiar with it.

[@b_g_c3281]

Again:: _another_ deftly concise and superb video analysis of one of the most critical elements to the universe of Dune... You keep knocking them out of the park!!

[@polonskyqueens6029]

Smugglers' Guild: *exists House Ordos: We would like to give you our counter-offer.

[@Sangrell]

Awesome video as always! But I do think spoiler warnings are becoming a bit too broad... "Careful now. Don't have a temper tantrum, as in this video about Dune... We'll be talking about Dune... You have been warned..." And really, if you haven't read it by now I think August 1965, a whopping 56 years ago, might have something to say about spoiling the plot for you...

[@jimkenealy6448]

Interesting subject - I never quite grasped how the Smugglers were able to divert spice. Did they have harvesters? Processing equipment? Those would be difficult to hide and subject to Hark attacks. Did they steal spice? That also would seem to be super risky. Evidently the Fremen gathered Spice so Harvesters/processors are not essential. Your level of quality of these videos is impressively high and consistent. I better re-read Dune as your review makes me realize I have some gaps. Cheers!

[@Dularr]

Looking forward to the movie showing their ships. My guess it's a little bit of all. Buy spice from Fremen, skimming from miners, deals with other houses...

[@toddkes5890]

The Main Book had the smugglers with their own harvester + carryall, where they were going to try and gather a spice blow that their thopters had spotted. Unfortunately they were caught by Fremen under Paul Muad'Dib, though it did allow Gurney to reunite with Paul.

[@roadhouse2476]

Just finished the book on audible today and i absolutely loved it, I know this happens off scene in the book but I hope we get a scene of 4 year old alia leading troops in battle when the southern sietch is attacked and her running around the emperors ship with a knife stabbing wounded harkanen and imperial troops! that would be hilariously epic!

[@mshea12341]

As always outstanding work and content!

[@Jared_Wignall]

These Dune videos are always interesting to see. Keep up the good work Elaine!

[@MrSthotwhelz]

another great addition to your catalog of work.

[@JohnFourtyTwo]

Awesome video and always a good day when a plate of 🤓 🍪 are served. 👍

[@laurenmasters]

Love this video!

[@jackuber7358]

Listening to you is like reading the book again.

[@jeffmarlatt6538]

I'd like to see the upcoming movie explore their world.

[@beerenmusli8220]

This was a very pleasant Video. You earned a subscription.

[@NerdCookies]

Welcome aboard 😊

[@PanzerMold]

Your channel is awesome. Well done!

[@worldtraveler930]

Your description of the smugglers in the new game makes it seem as though they're not so much akin to the Orthos from the old game but more liking to the Zann Consortium from a whole other franchise!! 🤠👍🇺🇦

[@madmike8764]

great voice...contents good too

[@headrockbeats]

Alright, smugglers instead of Ordos. BUT... Will we be able to select more than one unit at a time? These are the most important questions of the day.

[@KenLives333]

Why don't you run games of the ttrpg Dune: Adventures in the Imperium?

[@gerrykomalaysia2]

Good vid. Regards from Malaysian utuber

[@davidvangerner7241]

I wonder a dune version or equivalent of the millennium falcon and Han solo and chewbecca from star wars

[@theturquoisedream9244]

Holy fruit loops!!!! Its Dune Cookies and breakfast!!!!! Yaaaay!!!!!!

[@marknovak6498]

Smoglers rrole hlossed over. Yhey work because the guild need there spice cover the fact they need so much more than they got from the north and the official mining operation.

[@scottmantooth8785]

*just curious...did the smugglers have their own Mentats? as all the great houses were known to have their own of various skills and abilities it would make sense for their leadership to have access to their skills or one tied to them by some form of fealty...if this has been covered previously i'd appreciate to know where it could be found*

[@kelvinyap49]

Thanks

[@NerdCookies]

Thank you for the support!

[@frankbarron1907]

Long Love Duke Leto!!!

[@starwraithspacemarine8605]

There’s a faction mod for For the smugglers in Dune 2000.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

I never played the games. Interesting.

[@michaelpipkin9942]

This channel helped me understand what the hell is happening in Dune.

[@ChrisC-qh4io]

What exactly is needed so badly to be transported? Food and water should be available or obtainable in any galaxy. The high technology/space ships should be able to create/recycle water and grow food easily. The space folding transport seems to just be for military and economic uses making life easier/faster.

[@toddkes5890]

Some options: - illegal food or other drink (such as meat made from endangered animals) - higher-priced foods that get taxed as lower-quality (i.e. exporting caviar that sells for $50 per ounce and paying export taxes as though it was grain that sells at ~$200 per ton) - unpasteurized cheese (Vacherin du Haut-Doubs) (illegal, but apparently tasty) Pretty much any type of food where the smuggler doesn't want to pay the full import or export fees

[@burritojack893]

but you didn't say how they travel. they don't use those navigator things right?

[@tompearce5418]

Once they get aboard Guild Heighliners they're beyond the reach of the Imperium and treated as regular cargo. Remember in the first book Paul was warned not to activate his ship's scanners to have a look around the cargo hold - if a customer caused problems aboard a Heighliner they could be barred for life. As a final resort the Guild could blacklist an entire solar system, leaving the inhabitants stranded and cut off from the rest of humanity.

[@TheQCBaws]

Spice must flow

[@tomdeluca5946]

Hope we get to see gurney halleck in the 2nd dune movie killing some harkonnens

[@thomasciarlariello3228]

Early 1940s Catherine Lucille Moore and Isaac Asimov Prior Art.

[@raydavison4288]

💖

[@JK-cj2my]

Doon

[@garyb2392]

The idea of smuggling seems like a self centered project….the idea that there is a guild of them…makes no sense to me.

[@OdintheGermanShepherd]

Love A few Nerd Cookies with my morning coffee.

[@kennethwood4501]

Yes! Have Some!

[@jennifercisco74]

I didn't know Josh Brolin was in Dune. He's one of my favs, ever since The Goonies lol 😋 Not familiar with the Dune lore, so thank you for these vids! Good seeing you in chat for Infinite Talk, last night! 💙😎

[@jennifercisco74]

@@Jacob-Ironside Hi there 😊💙

[@lurker86]

Josh Brolin is also in a movie called "Sicario" directed by the same guy, Denis Villeneuve

[@darthsilversith667]

Josh was in the Goonies!?! What!?!

[@jennifercisco74]

@@darthsilversith667 Yeah lol He was Mikey's (Sean Astin) older brother.

[@jennifercisco74]

@@lurker86 Great movie :)

[@theterminaldave]

I always get such a massive craving for chocolate chip cookies after these videos, I don't know why. Nice job as always.

[@squamish4244]

The chocolate must flow.

[@30chillipalmer]

Number 60 baby let's go! Love my Dune videos and my nerd cookies. ✌🏾🤙🏾😁😁

[@squamish4244]

The smugglers get to be outside a lot of the b.s. of the Imperium while also enjoying a more comfortable existence than the Fremen.

[@tompearce5418]

Their recruits would likely be fugitives and refugees like Gurney Halleck.

[@shraeng8458]

I wonder, do the smugglers have there own navigators? Or do they work with the spacingguild?

[@toddkes5890]

They likely have their ships get off planet using faked paperwork and bribed officials, then get into the region of space around a Heighliner that no other House is allowed to bother. A fast ship means that if they get spotted/pursued, they can get into that region faster. From there, the Smuggler ship has to pay the Guild the fee to be allowed to come on board (unless it was already paid on-planet). Even then, they might not be allowed on board until after their ship has been inspected to make sure none of the cargo will affect the Heighliner.

[@tompearce5418]

The Guild transports them as regular passengers, as long as they can get past planetary law enforcement.

[@machngunjoe]

This is by far the best Dune lore content out there. Haha, at first I did not know her the narrators voice was a program or a real person. Her voice is very calming and neutral. But more so the content is delivered perfectly. I would totally watch a 5 hour PBS documentary style breakdown of anything Dune form Nerd Cookies 🍪

[@sterlingdennett]

Spice is present in the very air on Dune. The smugglers don't even have to set up their own harvesters and carryalls, that is for large-scale spice production. The smugglers can just filter spice out of the atmosphere, anywhere on the planet. With the insane price of spice, even small amounts can make you rich!

[@Belgarathe]

Missed the point smugglers were handy if a house decided to go rogue

[@seanmosby7532]

Could you do one on the males trained in the Bene Gesserit Way please. Paul, Leto II, Miles Teg , Count Fenging etc

[@garyb2392]

If I read this book in the 1970’s I’d think “spice” is analogous to oil.

[@marctemura2017]

Yes, but remember Spice can extend your life, and give you super human powers if trained, oil cannot.

[@tompearce5418]

It harked to the real-world concern about the United States and other countries being dependent on the good will of the Middle East.

[@Purpleturtlehurtler]

As long as the Guild gets spice they don't care who they get it from.

[@tompearce5418]

Although cheaper is always better.

[@Purpleturtlehurtler]

@tompearce5418 yes, but even a more expensive source is still a source.

[@nfboogaard]

I thought I detected a hint of sarcasm when you said "while Arrakis was under the _care_ of the Harkonnens" 🤭

[@SniperZaku]

Why have two names for a planet.? From a lore and from a writing perspective?..

[@calvinsuu1949]

Somehow the smugglers, aka outcast fremen who operated out of Jakarutu connects with this vdeo

[@sookendestroy1]

House Ordos is kind of weird, it's basically a mix of IX and the smugglers as an actual house

[@Davepool-hs7vr]

The smugglers are badass if the emperor doesn’t have a problem with them.

[@grtwhtbnr]

Cable time traveled to the Dune universe to be a smuggler!?

[@tiberivsgracchvs2393]

It’s not the fate of humanity? Humans can live on one planet. I do!

[@jackkennard4539]

This should be the next book.

[@Amazingpally]

After enlightenment my thoughts were no more. No longer did I hear that voice of condescendence, of judgement. And that was the greatest relief of all. You are enlightened. You are integrated and complete. You are just having fun remembering this. And there are so many ways to have fun!

[@calvinsuu1949]

Let us never forget the proverb of the baron: "He who controls the spice....controls the universe..."

[@shanenolan8252]

Thanks elaine. And nick. Enterprising rogues. Lol , i always liked romantic businessmen. ( leto )

[@czcrossman]

Can't help but feel happy whenever I hear that Nerd Cookies intro music!

[@jamescameron1861]

I wasn't aware of this game. I'll be following this. Many thanks

[@shanenolan8252]

Wow just noticed the sub count. You will be at a 100k in no time congratulations

[@dcpack]

I wonder if the game will be based on the books or the movie.

[@WolfHowl71]

You are my favorite nerd!

[@elliotsmith9812]

Not unlike The Churn. Great video. Looking forward to V2. Fantastic that Herbert knew there would be levels beneath levels beneath levels.