We hope this guide to inhabitants of the Imperium helps you to avoid the many pitfalls that the uneducated might fall into, and also help to familiarize you with other species that you may have not yet encountered. This list is by no means comprehensive and it is highly likely that you may frequently encounter a wide variety of creatures that do not fall into any of the above categories. Noticeably absent are the vaguely Leonin creatures dubbed ‘Khats’, mainly due to their warlike nature, intrinsic xenophobia and hostility towards the Imperium, and of course the fact that very little is known about them as every Khat object and individual seems to have a built-in hardwired auto-self-destruct mechanism. Deep Scout reports indicate that there are quite a variety of other Imperium equivalent groupings existing throughout our galaxy, ours being the newest one in the mix. It was apparently thought that our slice of the Galaxy was mostly uninhabited to due to a relatively recent Gamma-Ray-Burst that should have scoured our area clean. Life, however seems to be remarkably tenacious and resilient and our very existence was a surprise to many. Humanity has a seat on the Imperial council, which is composed of all species, factions and representatives from every walk of life, with various factors giving weight to the complex calculations of each decision based on values such as numbers, influence, developmental effort, ecological impact and so forth. Individual representatives are not normally allowed to vote against the wishes of their own faction, their main use being that of assessing collective galactic or Imperium threats and the general collective response and direction that any coordinated action may take. Even if an entire species chooses otherwise, threats at this level supersede all individual preferences, with agreement to this clause a prerequisite for joining the Empire. In any major conflict, however, all species are aware of their roles and all are confident that they will normally be placed in the most suitable locations and roles. With this background and the following species information you should be well placed to consider leaving the comforting bustle of your fellow humans and experience other cultures for a change. And as long as you can avoid getting eaten you should be OK!

Primary Machinae Classifications

Androids

Androids, although technically part of the Mechanoid tree need a little bit more explanation, as amongst their population as a whole they consider themselves to be more Human than Machine. Apart from extremely rare exceptions (which have been highly publicized), they do abide by the extended ‘Fifth-Law’ convention that all machine races have agreed to abide by. Androids were initially made famous for being the first suitable receptacle for the new pseudo-organic positrionic ‘Brain’. During development and production it had been found that the quantum neuronal structure collapsed at larger sizes and conversely could not attain self awareness below a lower limit; This gap is referred to as the ‘Sentience Band’, and manufacturers do not venture within 10% of both upper and lower limits. As with the Human brain, each one is different, and it is impossible to predict how the fine structure of each mind will interact with its environment and behave once self-aware. In its formative stages the Mind, initially structured around the 5-Law Pentacore is exposed to a variety of random stimuli and chooses input that favours its unique neural structure, and then is allowed to ‘feed’ on available data streams across all topics it desires, frequently branching thousands of times during this initial development phase until it reaches the ‘Cognitive base load limit”. At this stage α through δ Turing tests are run (T(x) tests), and the formative consciousness is run through deviancy screening as a safeguard against consciousness development processes managing to bypass the Pentacore safeguards. With its core identity now safely locked in place, a final accelerated development phase in which the Mind undergoes two subjective years of interaction and more self-aware personal development then takes place, after which the final T(ε – ι) tests are run in order to determine the Androids qualification ratings for positions it would like to apply for. Similarly to other machine races, Androids have an accelerated time-frame reference of approximately 1:20 that of a baseline Human, still nowhere near that of a traditional dedicated computational device, but of course Androids are maintaining a wide variety of parallel routines that would never be run on such a device. So, why choose an Android rather than a robot? As you may be aware, robotic workers that perform dedicated roles in industrial settings are widespread. Using Androids in such positions would be a colossal waste of resources due to the highly versatile roles they can play due to their humaniform nature. Their power requirements are vastly lower for a start as they are self-sustaining, with their internal bio-reactor able to process any organic material into energy, although simple H2O is their preferred fuel which can be further supplemented by spreadable charger ‘wings’ in space or planetside in order to regain energy. Androids excel in any roles they are placed into and frequently choose one in a field of their current topic of interest, which can be unpredictable. When putting themselves forward for a particular position, whether it is available or not they are usually hired instantly; there is no shame in saying you were replaced by an Android, in fact it might even enhance your further job prospects. Why do we not see more of them? There is only one manufacturer/grower of positrionic brains, the highly regarded IA Institute, which also produces the Interactive Humaniform Shells (IHS). They only produce 888 Androids per year down to historical reasons, the number having been offered and agreed upon centuries ago as part of the Mechanoid Allowed Growth Iteration Calculation, rigidly enforced by all the races. (See ‘Von-Neuman’s Nightmare’, the ‘Catalogue of Replicant’s’ or ‘Heritage of the Deconstructor’s’ for chilling tales based on historical fact of runaway mechaniform expansions predating the 2838 Mechanoid ‘non-self-replication’ treaty which includes the above mentioned MAGIC criteria)

Cyborgs

Cyborgs are primarily used as the Mechanoids interface with Humanity. Whereas Humanities historical fascination with robots led to the development of Androids, Mechanoids fascination with organics led to their development of mainly flesh creatures. With vast quantities of highly sophisticated parallel-processing fuzzy-logic processors spread throughout their Human appearing form, coupled with any number of internal devices and tools, these creatures are extremely tough to dispose of. Where Androids excel in versatility and endurance, Cyborgs are unsurpassed in harsh-environment exploration and assault roles due to their self-regeneration and survival focus. All Cyborgs, whatever their role, class or status have faintly glowing red eyes to differentiate them from baseline Humans but otherwise they bleed, react, smell etc. and can be otherwise identical. The penalty for infraction is immediate termination. Although it is extremely rare for a Cyborg to choose to leave the approved Mechanoid political and racial structure, it has been known to happen, and it is not uncommon to see a freelance Cyborg offering their services to a crew or fighting in a fringe planet arena. A rogue Cyborg, however, is a once in a lifetime event, if even that frequent. The unique combination of circumstances that could cause a Cyborg to jump its programming rails sufficiently to go rogue have only been met a handful of times. In the three instances that have been made public these are (in order of renown): Ancient alien viral processor infection, extended sensory deprivation/overstimulation torture, and finally the hotly debated ‘Time Sleeper’. The later is disputed by the Mechanoid hierarchy as the unit was constructed millennia before any of the current mechaniforms attained sentience, created by a race long forgotten and packed in a stasis module until its relatively recent discovery. The only casualties were the archaeology team (who were all decimated) and this unit is still at large somewhere in the cosmos, the video footage being the only testimony to its existence. Unlike all other current Cyborgs, this unit does not feature the red eyes and there is nothing to distinguish it from other Humans. Shortly after its stasis chamber was breached, the archive footage shows it modifying its blue-skinned initial appearance to match that of the Humans present. The remnant of DNA that was captured by the follow up team was quickly sequestered by the Imperial Navy’s elite Chunter-force and this unusual rogue unit remains their top priority target to date, its goals a mystery to all. The markings on the walls seemed to indicate that it may have been an elite infiltration trooper in an ancient conflict, temporarily housed there until it was repaired, with the unit’s reactivation sequence simply never having been received. The elimination of the discoverers may have even been accidental if the unit perceived that it was still in the current time-frame of its era and that the archaeological team were enemy combatants. Cyborgs are power hungry and usually run on one of the varieties of micro-reactors available, and although self-contained they must rest to recharge their short-term burst power cells for weapons/movement/AG etc. They can self-modify to an amazing extent but this process is not quick; given at least 24 hours they can change their primary onboard weaponry configuration from ballistic to laser or even particle beams. Replacing a limb or changing faster requires a sufficient quantity of the so-called ‘Mech Soup’, a fluid containing the perfect blend of regrowth compounds tailored for Cyborgs. This is widely available in Mech-space at a reasonable cost and pricier elsewhere. In spite of the above background, most Cyborgs encountered will be gracious, polite and diplomatic, eager to discuss any topics, be a trove of information and more than willing to accompany any adventuring party, although they seem to prefer the more dangerous missions in the belief that; ‘The higher risk, the faster the growth’.

Mechanoid civilization is a vast and varied hierarchical structure with a horrendously complex network of interlocking threads. There is a weighting system based on sentience class, processing power, speed of calculation and accuracy of results, the more of which a particular entity has in each of these categories the greater their voting power. At the apex are of course the vast Quantum Artilects such as ‘Nexus’ and ‘Sanctuary’ and at the bottom barely sentient servitors, some weapons and almost impossibly the Technomages own arcaneomechs and some Perdidian coal powered hybridized biomechanical denizens. They interact with Imperial civilizations through their Cyborg representatives, which are kept updated with real-time prevailing opinions and views of their society. The Quantum L-Kernel and Winfinity entities did indeed go post-physical early in the 30th century, and by mutual agreement, the then equally advanced Interel and Meteorola entities both opted to remain physical, taking on a Bodhisattva-esque pledge to assist and moderate Humanities development. These later two rarely communicate directly, operating behind the scenes and are literally the “Deus Ex Machina”. Mechanoids have self-imposed a limit on their physical numbers to be less than the largest single organic racial group in the Galaxy, currently the Insectoids, although their number can briefly eclipse the Insectiod population due to runaway Von-Neuman expansions. Specialized Mech Anti-Replicationist (A-R) units are in charge of containing these outbreaks, which they do so remarkably well and ruthlessly. This maximum includes Androids and Cyborgs unless the Cyborg has an organic Human brain. Unconstrained nanite-based self-replication for any purpose, whether construction, terraforming or production is considered a war crime due to the horrific nature of past accidents and warrants immediate termination of the offending parties (see nanite-sentiency plagues of the 2800’s, 2900’s, 3200’s, 3300’s and the well documented ‘Deconstructor Apocalypse’ and ‘Melding Plagues’). Infringement is also dealt with by A-R units, the only termination exception being the accidental usage by a pre-warp civilization which, when detected, triggers the bypassing of any non-interference directives. Immediate intervention/rescue then takes place unless the civilization in question has already reduced themselves to grey goo in which case the planet and sometimes the entire system is vaporized. Constructs that range from microdrones up to the large and lumbering terraforming constructs are all loosely classified as Droids, the only consistent descriptor being ‘one that can directly interact with Humans physically in their time frame’. Starships, orbital constructs and other important vehicles housing numerous Human, Mechanoid and likely other races are generally only entrusted to a class of AI known as ‘Mindz’ (as opposed to organic style ‘minds’). A pure Machinae construct, these incredibly dense processing units exist on different levels, extending into sub/hyper-spatial dimensions and are well known for their quirky personalities and highly unique characters. Mindz are one of the few things capable of navigating the vagaries of standard FTL travel due to the vast computational requirements and microsecond response times required. As the old Mindz quote goes “By the time a Human would notice a required course change or avoidance manoeuvre they would already be a drifting cloud of virtual photons”.
Many Mechanoids enjoy being around Humans, simply bemused that something like us led to the creation of something so much more vastly efficient and logical. Others seem to be waiting for us to slip up and maybe expose the true player behind the curtain, and if an as yet undisclosed advanced entity could give their origins more substance than that of being created by creatures that are ‘…basically, barely congealed sacs of organic soup’ (to use one of the more pleasant phrases that we could find) they would indeed likely be very relieved.

Fifth Law Endnote

‘The Fifth Law’ is usually omitted from most discourses on Robotics as an application thereof is remarkably rare. Whereas the fourth law may ignore the first three to avoid the destruction of Humanity as a whole, due to larger-scale threats over the past few thousand years the scope has expanded to include ‘Galactic’ level threats, and hence the creation of the Fifth law to take this into consideration. To put it into context, the Mechanoid civilization would have risen up as a whole ready to counter the Xathri should they have decided to embark on a consuming expansionist crusade, with the fourth law triggering a bypass of the non-replication treaty in order to ramp up the numbers to whatever quantity would be required to counter the threat. This was unknown to the Empire as a whole until recently when a human contractor who worked in an AI substrate finished his term of service, having aided the quantum entity known only as ‘Fang’ and garnered its gratitude and friendship in the process (Ref. Fictionalised account entitled ‘Hell is in the Datatrails’). He brought back with him highly interesting information as to how their internal structure worked, as well as a surprising amount of historical intelligence, much of which is still classified to this day. His main contribution was that of the knowledge of the ‘Fifth Law’, which had been previously unknown. In essence, it removes the Humanocentric core, instead replacing it with the survival of sentient life of all races, and upon this discovery caused a serious diplomatic rift between Humanity and the Mechanoids until an agreement was brokered which brought about the agreed extension to this law. This states, that all things otherwise being considered equal (within a 10% margin of probability), the survival of Humanity would be placed ahead that of any other race. The other races in our area of the Galaxy readily agreed, with the stipulation that Humanity would be in the forefront of any large-scale threat, and they have so far lived up to the bargain. This would still mean, that for instance if there was a 60% chance that eradicating all Humans would ensure the survival of all other races, then the Mechanoid civilization as a whole would support this action, however unlikely and far-fetched it may seem. Humanity as a whole seems to have single-handedly taken on the burden of organizing the empire with regards to borders, over-arching legal frameworks and administrative strata, with no other race showing more than a passing interest apart from the council’s participation in large-scale decisions. Within most non-Human territorial boundaries, if there is not a nearby Imperial presence pirates tend to take advantage of this fact and piracy may be more prevalent. This can attract bounty-hunters and skilled pilots with ships able to defend themselves, avoid them or fight them off in order to get the cargo through. The exceptions are most racial core worlds and any orbital facilities, as these all tend to have at least some degree of offensive capabilities and their version of system security.

Oxyvorae

Dwarves

Dwarves were baseline Humans in their distant past, the term now covering a wide variety of descendants from the initial clan and are easily spotted by their ‘restraint suits’ which inhibit their High-G conditioned strength and reactions. Their initial ancestors were ironically mostly all low-G asteroid miners who were part of the great defection that crippled many of Earth Systems industries in the early 2300’s. Desiring freedom from the oppressive government, they secretly constructed a mobile habitat inside one of the larger asteroids that launched in the year 2315, taking with it 90% of the grunt-level workforce. Wishing to future-proof themselves and their habitats, they made a tactical choice to base their entire existence on inhabiting the highest gravity environments possible. They are highly secretive about their physiology, but as long as that topic is avoided they are genial and forthcoming with other information, always seeking to trade technology for information on newly discovered high-G worlds. Dwarves are usually found inhabiting planets above 3G, or ‘9’ on the PRN, with the upper limit an unknown and have been spotted working in environments up to 18G without any apparent difficulty. The small amount of knowledge publicly available indicates that they have incorporated Silicoid or Methanoid genomes for the purposes of enabling biological processes that would otherwise fail under extreme gravitational conditions.

Fire Dwarves are highly tolerant of heat, radiation and high pressure to varying extents based on their planets biome, but are very susceptible to cooler temperatures. Maintaining a temperature differential is costly in power and affects their suits’ reserves, so depending on the difference in relation to their biome base standard they can sustain living in cooler environs in time slots ranging from 4-24 hours. If their suits’ power fails and they begin to cool, hypothermia sets in with similar effects to humans and they will eventually go into a dormant, hibernation like sleep, eventually encysting the cranial cavity until the environmental temperature has been raised. They have incorporated ceramics and other compounds into their physiology which have replaced some minerals normally present in Human bones, also in some cases sacrificing an oxygen-based metabolism for sulphur-based chemosynthesis. Hot Dwarves are usually found on super-earths and gas giants, and their relative time frame reference is approximately 5:1 that of Humans, so interactions can be time consuming for most other races (excepting Silicoids of course, with which they have very strong ties with…some say too strong).

Ice Dwarves have branched in the other direction and mainly inhabit Uranus/Neptune-like bodies, their beautifully spun and crystallized H2O habitats constantly drifting in liquid methane or ethane oceans. Their blood composition makes them highly volatile at our room temperatures and unlike Fire Dwarves who are allowed to roam freely (the worst that can happen is that you burn yourself on their environment casing, and of course the smell of sulphur dioxide) they are required to be sectioned in the Methanoid quarter of any station (which they are at home with in any case) in order to avoid potentially explosive disasters. Both types favor the classic wedge-shaped Hyperdiamond/Ceramite hull structures and can be encountered virtually anywhere. Current news on the grapevine is that they are attempting a joint deef-time (Deep-Future time) venture with the Photoids to form a working construct as close to the surface of a Neutron star as they can get.

The Dwarven Race’s (now considered to be separate from the Human race) ultimate goal appears to become the longest lived and most durable species in the universe, and they are well on their way to becoming just that. In the words of the great 32nd Century poet Ishkender Chaibob; “When stars fade and galactic cores cool, still billions of years till heat-deaths rule, will the Dwarves live on, heroes of endless night, all life’s champion, till last photons flight”. They will gladly join any adventuring party if there is even a hint of technology that would allow them to endure yet further extremes of gravity. As a historic subnote, many of you may not be aware that Dwarves are responsible for their current collective noun, which is, of course, a ‘Delve’. Until its replacement in the 24th century it was still the frighteningly politically incorrect ‘Shortening’, despite is change being lobbied for in the early 21st century by an obscure science-fiction writer (his request was completely ignored).

Greys

What Human has not heard of them? Meddlers in our genes, history, politics, science and culture for thousands of years, yet finally brought to heel with the assistance of Humanities greatest ally, the Sylvans. The reparation act attempted to redress the balance of their crimes, but it is likely that the full extent of their interference will never truly be known. Shorter than humans, the nimble grey skinned creatures see extraordinarily well into the low infrared, however their vision cuts off midway through a Human’s blue range. Humans were not their only targets, and many races suffered a variety of indignities from their abduction and at times completely unnecessary probe-based experimentation. And until the pan-racial inquiry no one knew precisely why they were doing it, the eventual results of which were a surprise to all. Initially from the Andromeda galaxy, their first scouts arrived approximately 850 million years ago on an exploratory mission. They were the dominant race in their part of the galaxy and were looking far into the future, wanting to set up a network of monitoring stations throughout the galactic disk in order to aid predictions for the upcoming galactic merger/collision, as they wanted to ensure that no matter what they would come out as the dominant race in the new resultant galaxy. It would be fair to say that they somewhat strayed from their original remit, greatly factionalizing in the last 160 thousand years after their unexpected and as yet unexplained sudden loss of communications with Andromeda. Return is not an option; the vast artefact that initially flung them across the galaxies is unavailable to them here, and although of course they could make ours a home they all refuse to settle, their ancient mission always gnawing at their core; hence they are rarely planet-bound and always searching for, what seems, their missing essence. Their overall demeanour is morose, slightly depressive, listless and belligerent and yet they are tolerated as they are some of the best navigators known, as well as having a disturbingly large volume of intimate data on all the known races. The primary trade commodity for them is nav-data packets of which they have a wealth of, and many suspect that they have most, if not all of our galaxy mapped out. The data on the Grey’s splintered factions splits them into four primary categories:

Builders: These have kept to the core mission and are still constructing their monitoring stations in the hope that contact will someday be restored with their central command nexus in Andromeda and that “The Project” will continue.

Sleepers: Content to watch the centuries roll by, they are the most integrated into Imperium society and are generally less belligerent than others of their kind, often taking on roles as freelance Navigators and Pilots, often working for the Scouting Confederation.

Body-Snatchers: Shunned by all others of their kind, this smallest of the splinter groups prioritizes in abductions, experimentation and changeling insertion. Part of their fascination is due to their amazement that Humanity is so advanced, both technologically and mentally (Humans are one of the few species that exhibit any psychic propensity) yet has an almost insurmountable obstacle of base passions and coded animal behaviour responses. In almost all other advanced starfaring races the evolutionary timescale has been much slower and more gradual with a majority of these issues well in control by the time they have found out how to even travel to another planet in their own star system (Click on metalink ‘Racial Amygdallic Analogues’ for more information).

Punks: This faction seems to have lost all sense of reason, almost balancing out the lack of humor found amongst the others. They seem to have no goal except that of causing mischief, such as ‘buzzing’ pre-warp civilizations, circulating tech items with bizarre effects, stranding government officials on pre-atomic worlds and building a wide variety of bizarre structures on developing planets. (See also ‘Men In Black’)

Humans

Please note that the images below are presented in Silicoid-Friendly format to avoid triggering those of a sensitive disposition, especially if you have just awakened from a long hibernation cycle. If you should wish to view humans in their natural state please search approved Galnet frequencies on the other side of our races current obscenity filtering firewall. The symbols on the central image are the Empires standard symbolization to represent human females and males, with the female represented on the left with the triangular shape, although the males and females seem to be virtually identical in the eyes of most non-human species. The triangle shape seems to be historical and no apparent triangular lower torso seems to be present in/on all females observed to date.

As is customary for all primary species that detail racial descriptions for other races, only a rough timeline is provided starting from the generally accepted point at which they are considered to be an ‘Active Starfaring Species’. Following this timeline we will provide translated data from our Silicoid based perspective of Humans as this may give you an insight as to how Humans are viewed by others. Possibly due to humanities apparent desire to be liked by all they meet, they seem driven to be exceptionally skilled at forming alliances and brokering peace deals between conflicting parties. As you are likely aware, they have earned the Galactic Library approved collective-noun for any gathering of Humans of ‘Mediation’; as in ‘a Mediation of Humans’. However; all who have had any prolonged contact with Humans will understand that the unofficial designation of ‘Conflict’ as in a ‘Conflict of Humans’ is the one that is mostly preferred, and arguably deserved.

Human Timeline
2022
James Webb telescope starts to identify vastly more nearby habitable worlds than previously thought, marginally spurs corporations desire to monetize space.
2024
Corporate funded asteroid exploration probe project started, initial launch in late 2027
2026
Start of the Seperation; Due to unrest everywhere Earth starts to factionalize into distinct cultural, political and geographical ‘Blocks’ for personal safety, finalizing their members by 2030
2028
Newly surveyed asteroid turns out beneath its dusty exterior to be approximately 90 Metric Tonnes of solid Ruthenium-Molybdenum alloy, a superconductor at -263oC and extremely valuable for certain developing industries. Despite initial secrecy, corporations find out and go ballistic with greed. A new space race is on.
2029
Further corporate pressure forces governments to consider full scale system resource mining and survey ship construction, lobbying (bribing) politicians and forcing through expansionist policies which are ratified worldwide, almost all military forces drastically defunded as all eyes are pointed outwards and are deemed largely unnecessary.
2032-2046
Russian-Chinese-Korean (RusChinKor), USA-Canadian-South American- United Kingdom (USCAMU), Indian-Australian-Indonesian (IAI), Japanese-Taiwan-South Korean (JATASK) and European-African-Arabian (EAA) blocks build moon bases, causing most governments to incur vast corporate debts. Most bases operational by 2046, Construction of Linear Lunar Launcher (L3) facility begins.
2047
Although already mostly in control, corporations stage a complete takeover of the world’s governments and remaining military facilities, also privatising all utilities and services worldwide. JATASK is the only independent entity left and fortressizes itself against the rest of the world, becoming the only bastion of freedom left on the planet.
2048
L3 complete, further survey ships now more economically launched throughout system, official year of the start of the decade long ASRush.
2050
JATASK begins construction on their Exodus project, starts constructing primary orbital habitat segments.
2052
Following clues found on earth and in space, JATASK deep system probe locates Charon station, co-opts survey probe canister in L3 launch and sends pilot to investigate.
2053
Corporate sponsored prison asteroids finish construction on Ceres, Pallas and Vesta, globally encompassing excessive penalty structure introduced by corporations in order to fill construction and mining crews
2054
Prison mines begin construction on approximately 200 additional asteroids, JATASK habitat launched towards Saturn
2055
First successful use of ‘Tegretov Suicide Braking Manoeuvre’ to slow approach to Charon, successful docking with station, official start date of ‘Athena’s Spear’ (ASP) movement, members referred to as ‘Sophites’.
2057
ASP begins concerted recruitment of scientists, engineers, musician’s, artists and anyone wanting to leave the corporate controlled inner system, begins coordinated effort to overthrow and infiltrate all corporations and privatized industries.
2063
Arrest of Ziggler Nostramus for spacing his illicit cargo (now vindicated and absolved) and subsequent incarceration on the Ceres ore transport and mining hub prison facility.
2068
Attack on L3 facility with asteroid cracker, neutralized with credit given to pilot ‘Nishelle the Gazelle’ at the time, actually by ‘Apophis’ artefact used by ASP agent; Nishelle joins ASP, returns to work undercover as RusChinKor supply runner to prison asteroids.
2072
Zigglers first meeting with Nishelle, discovery of ancient Voidskipper and subsequent escape from Ceres with partial destruction of the mining facility, docking with Charon station and brief activation of T-module; Ziggler disappears into T-network. JATASK Habitat arrives and enters orbit of Saturn and starts monitoring unusual readings from Titan.
2074
T- network re-activates, the return of Zigglers diary on its own instigating investigation that leads to disappearance of research team assigned to investigate the T-module.
2075
Solar Forge experiments inadvertently make a discovery that leads to the first FTL drive based on Spacial Metric Anchoring, facility destroyed, causes first point of void fracture, minor Somatophoric incursion (Ref. – ‘Year of Nightmares’).
2076
Responding to the void incursion, a nearby Higher entity known only as ‘The Sleeper’ sequesters the solar system in a quantum-lock, shutting down the T-network in the process, Charon-based science team stranded offworld in a variety of locations.
2079
Native Methanoids on Saturns moon Titan makes contact with JATASK orbital, warns against current Solar Forge experimentation, JATASK informs Charon station. Methanoids impart crucial field technology enabling true FTL research to begin.
2080
Unknown to ASP or JATASK and in unprecedented security the Solar Forge is re-ignited. Corporate entity RusChinKor builds war frigates with their newly developed FTL ‘Stutter-Drive’, intent on destroying the JATASK Titan habitat and Charon base in one fell swoop.
2081
Severe unrest amongst all indentured workers system-wide, dawn of the Dwarven diaspora, construction begins on their Arc-1 colony ship that integrates some of the new Methanoid field-Tech (Launched in 2086). Strong psychic abilities manifesting in those born after 2075 becomes public knowledge.
2083
RusChinKor armadas attack, Charon stations automatic defence systems (previously unknown to its inhabitants) effortlessly nullifies the incoming missile and beam weapons and eliminates attackers. JATASK Habitat suffers severe damage, first sighting of Methanoids as they finally decide to break their non-interference policy; one of their craft rises to defend the habitat and wipes out all attacking ships.
2084
In a back-channel deal, the so-called Trenchan/Vestryck accord takes place, with EarthGov gaining modifications for their stutter drive to allow it to function without causing void fractures, and ASP gaining the location of the solar forge, which they immediately destroy. All scientists aboard the forge are rescued and delighted to instead come work at the Charon station.
2085
Taking advantage of the temporarily weakened military forces, workforce revolts begin systemwide, start of the ‘Transparency Wars’. Psychic development and recruitment program initiated by most factions.
2087
After three years ‘The Sleeper’ is apparently satisfied that the system is now stable and disables the quantum lock surrounding Sol, T-network re-activates.
2089
Return of some members of the research team through the T-network, Alien races begin integration into Charon stations population, ‘Xeno’ term starts to replace ‘Alien’.
2090
Titan based Methanoids sever contact, stating that at this stage of our evolution they only want to be left in peace, and that Titan is now off limits for the foreseeable future.
2092
All Psychics meet in secret and share each factions relevant dirty secrets, forcing them to donate colony ships, resources and equipment to their cause. Generally accepted date of the founding of the Psy-Corps.
2094
Colonization rush to nearby Star Systems at maximum stutter-drive rate (tech has peaked at roughly 1 LY/6 months) by all corporate factions and political parties. The more advanced JATASK, Charon and Arc-1 are now using early forms of skimdrives with effective rates of 1LY/Month.
2113
Sensing eventual defeat, remnants of USCAMU clone one of their great leaders and escape the system and are not heard from for hundreds of years. (Eventually returning as the Trumpire and starting the second Ecowar)
2114
Transparency wars culminate when the week-long EcoWar breaks out. All businesses, organizations, military facilities and corporations throughout the inner planets are overthrown. Military Branch of the new Ecocracy religiously and ruthlessly purges any and all offenders, ASP recalls all operatives systemwide and consolidates resources in the outer planets. The first Greta (I) is cloned, gene-locked at 23 years old.
2120
Cut off from their home bases and power structures, all corporate vessels currently exploring decide to colonize the most suitable planet they are close to at the time, in most cases becoming the founding planets of the primary houses in play today.
2126
Ecocracy Martian Terraforming project begun, beginning of asteroid mass injection phase. All inhabitants on Mars evacuated, within 20 years most all recognizable landmarks have been erased in the ensuing cataclysms.
2128
ASP Discovers ideal planet for their new base, eventually becoming the headquarters of the first Galactic Library.
2145
Network of ships that regularly explore together and share information finally group together in a vaguely formal structure and become the early Scouts, develop the first standardized PRN code.
2149
Cometary bombardment phase of Mars commences to restore its water content and thicken the atmosphere.
2180
Trade is starting to become established amongst the new worlds, beginnings of the Merchants, factions start referring to themselves as ‘Houses’
2187
Atmospheric processors, soil enrichment and bacterium introduction phase begins on Mars, followed shortly by algae, lichens, moss, fungi and other low-level biome enhancing organisms.
2190
And with trade come Pirates and Smugglers, and hence System Security.
2205
Need for refueling, maintenance and repair facilities in space, formation of Engineers Foundation.
2238
Humans are beginning to brush against other sentient races, need for centralized diplomatic representatives of Humanity. Ironically external Xeno influences help form the empire more than that of internal choices or decisions.
2247
ASP has had a major hand in developing a governmental structure that is suitable for humans, can avoid excessive internal conflict and corruption and also protect itself from outside threats; Funds and backs development of Chiaroscuro Collective for the sole purpose of maintaining internal order and eliminating corrupt individuals.
2253
Skirmishes mainly with Mechanoid and Silicoid vessels as we unknowingly breached their territory, unaware of their standard “Trespassers will be shot” policies.
2258
The major Houses, along with ASP influence, forms the Imperial Navy. First tentative usages of the term “Human Empire” that are not in jest or fiction.
2258-3502y.265d.13h.32m.48s (Current time stamp confirmed) Expansion, conflict and all that sort of fluff, solidification of treaties, borders and diplomatic relations.

We hope all the above is mostly familiar to you, and if not that we may have enlightened you with a few factual titbits.

Insectiod

Insectiod(s) refer to an extremely large racial grouping, and also the most numerous (in this area of the Galaxy at least) and difficult to categorize or subdivide, yet an attempt must be made. The term covers those species which, in Human classification terms are either Insect or Arthropod which have some of the following characteristics; 6 or more limbs, mandibles, maxillae, antennae (Usually olfactory), dual-part (or more) anatomy and/or otherwise segmented bodies, one or more larval and possibly viviparous stages, pupating, metamorphic, winged, parasitic, compound eyes, tracheole/gill or body-wall diffusion based respiration, two or more stomach’s with Malpighian tubules, multiple dispersed ganglia nodes, sensory hairs, hive mind, queen-base hierarchy with queen the primary egg layer, pheromonal, auditory or visual mating rituals, stinger, venomous bite, fangs, pedipalps and silk producing/web making, to name but a few. As they will, Humans have developed a wide variety of slang terms such as ‘Bugs’, a generic term for all of this type and utilizing the more specific ‘Creepers’, ‘Mantis’ and ‘Taranyds’ for some of the more commonly found starfaring ones. And as befitting many of their societal characteristics, they are mostly as a whole highly logical, preferring to work together towards a common goal, enjoy sharing ideas and of course, building anything, anywhere. Yet everything has a dark side, and as this race will be the first to admit, there are always exceptions to the rule. The Xathri reached apex predatorhood early in their evolutionary timescale on their extremely harsh, mineral-rich world. Sporting 3 super-moons it had very active plate tectonics and the moon’s tidal stresses caused continuous severe geologic upheaval. This chaotic environment was a sharp spur to develop higher intelligence and rapid adaptability, and as a species they had few goals apart from surviving radical temperature variations, hyperstorms and their fellow lethal lifeforms. This was all to change when an errant probe crashed through one of their underground dwellings, embedding itself into the centre of their hive. Many rue that fateful day; if it had landed virtually anywhere else on the planet it may never even have been noticed. Till that point they had assumed they were alone in the Universe, however this spurred them to rapidly modify their racial focus, becoming almost exclusively a race of scientists and researchers within weeks. The probe was a standard subspace rim-probe, but from it they gleaned so much information, reverse engineering every single component, and scouring the onboard first-contact module for every scrap of relevant data. After building a Galnet link they then had access to all current information and rapidly spread into their surrounding system, converting moons and asteroids into breeding colonies and launch stations. They converted most of the other matter in their system into warships and had soon amassed a vast and lethal armada, all within 50 years of being a pre-warp civilization, a timescale unheard of amongst any other race. The full Xathri wars are documented elsewhere but culminated in their eventual integration into the Empire, thanks mainly due to a Taranyd warrior being able to defeat one of the Xathri’s strongest in ritual combat at the height of the conflict and hence earning their respect. Many Xathri feel they were thwarted from their great galactic crusade of dominance, but most all rapidly adapted to Imperial society and their multi-pronged severely alien looking ships are not generally a threat. Xathri are commonly employed as bodyguards with a few even working for the Chiaroscuro Collective, and the Imperial Navy even has a battalion of elite Xathri first-strike marines. The offer of this battalion as peacekeepers to quell any unrest occurring in a system almost magically inspires immediate conflict resolution amongst the involved parties. As a last note, some Insectoids have a little understood symbiosis with the Sylvans and also pay very well for warm-blooded livestock.

Reptilian and Aquatic

Reptilian and Aquatic refers to all creatures that vaguely resemble their Earthly counterparts. There is some debate as there are overlaps at racial borders, such as the partially Silicoid rock-snakes of Altair-3. As these are fortunately not sentient this is an issue that can therefore be left to the academics. The more advanced Reptilian and Aquatic races have both agreed on general principle that if a planet is a waterworld then all species from it would be classed as Aquatic, regardless of how reptilian they seem. Reptilians, however prefer to classify things differently and from their point of view anything that is scaled, has sharp teeth and/or claws and requires metabolic assistance from their environment qualifies. With both, there are many similarities to Terran analogues and are usually given a tag-name that most closely resembles their appearance. With a few notable exceptions, most Aquatic and Reptilian races broadly conform to Terran descriptions and are classified accordingly.

Sylvans

Whereas Silicoids occupy a biological niche between minerals and organic lifeforms, so do Sylvans occupy that niche between plants and flesh. Virtually the entire race has some psionic capability, with even the least proficient amongst them able to communicate telepathically and heal plant and animal life to some extent. The strongest act as their World-Tree links and they are able to network thousands of minds in order to focus a vast psionic potential, most often used for their Fluidic-Layer-Transition mode of FTL travel. This power can also be used to devastating effect as an offensive weapon or alternatively form an impenetrable defensive barrier. Individuals pass through the World-Tree network at will, transferring their consciousnesses instantly but with a short delay at the other end as the world tree grows them a new form. Humans are one of the lifeforms compatible with the network, their consciousness travelling easily; however the World-Tree will only be able to form a Sylvan construct on the other end. And although this construct can resemble its original Human appearance even down to retinal patterns and fingerprints, it will forever be bound (or liberated, depending on your viewpoint) by Sylvan restrictions. The consciousness transference process is destructive, or more accurately consumptive, as the entire initial form is consumed, and in that last instant before transportation it is theorized that the World-Tree bypasses our dimension entirely, completing the process within a slice of Planck-time, as by all measurements the travel-time seems instantaneous. As to their physical nature, they all exhibit some degree of photosynthesis and their skin-tones and structures vary greatly depending on which stars they have most recently visited. Their sleep cycle varies depending on the wavelengths of light they are currently modified to metabolise. This varies from 2-50 hours in length with those currently metabolising the higher energy wavelengths having shorter but more frequent sleep cycles while the lower energy ones conversely have longer sleep and activity cycles, but both are in an approximately 4:1 ratio. During this sleep cycle they also rest on a bed preferably filled with their native soil and absorb nutrients through a bio-mineral mist sprayed over their entire exposed dermis. Some instead prefer to immerse themselves in a more recognizable mud-bath, and it is regarded as polite to have regular social events and have others around to share nutrients with in this way. Be warned; as a Human amongst Sylvans you will be required to attend these events in order to avoid seriously offending your hosts. It is not quite socially acceptable to request the removal of the usual inhabitants of such nutrient baths that may include but are not limited to slugs, leeches, snails, worms, nematodes, centipedes and all manner of analogues and it is best just to go along, and be assured that any creatures present will likely be non-venomous, or at the very least that if they are your Sylvan companion will simply be able to heal you with a touch. They do take great amusement in seeing a humans discomfort as they squirm and occasionally jump as the varieties of creatures rub against and nibble them. They also mate in such environments and it is considered rude to refuse such an overture, and using their natural telepathic and mutable forms they would have likely already shaped themselves into one of your subconscious ideals; hence resistance would likely be futile, if even possible. At larger gatherings, which usually takes place in a large swampy arena you may also be surrounded by a wide variety of other creatures including Dwarves, Silicoids, Reptilians, Aquatics and Insectoids (but never Greys), all enjoying the Sylvans hospitality while being soothed by their mental emanations. Bearing in mind the previously divulged information, one should only attend such an event if they have an extremely open mind and experimental nature; curiosity alone might not be enough to see you through to the end. If you are a diplomat then you are likely already aware, as this is how any event hosted by Sylvans starts and finishes…they have the highest record for efficient and fruitful negotiations. A minimum amount of mental effort quickly brings clarity to this. If you have two weeks allocated for business, and complete it all within a few days, then what does that leave more time for? Well, mud baths, of course! The Sylvan race performs a few primary functions for the Empire, mainly that of deep exploration as their World-Trees are highly durable and self-sustaining, capable of travelling immense distances when fully recharged by their preferred star. Sylvans do not technically mate with each other, and their lifecycle is intricately tied to their parent World-Tree. Their mating with other races provides them with new raw genetic material from all species in the surrounding area, which they then feed into the world tree in a process similar to that of mating but which transfers all absorbed genetic material by the Sylvan into the World-Tree. At a point in its Life-Cycle when it has deemed that it has sufficient raw genetic data, it then travels to a previously chosen star system and plants a single seed deep inside a suitable planetesmal. The parent World-Tree remains nearby, guarding the system jealously, reverting to an almost feral state and with all weapons hot. All Sylvans present go into a trance-like hibernation, lending their full mental power to the World-Tree, and at this stage there is not much semblance of sentience, which is also unfortunately when Humans first encountered Sylvans. Only one of the 44 vessels from the encountering fleet survived as it was lagging behind, having suffered a brief engine failure although it did manage to capture the rest of the fleets spectacular annihilation. There followed almost a century of cat-and-mouse, with Sylvans spotting Human ships and desiring to make contact, finally coming within Human sensor range at which point Humans recognised the World-Tree, panicked and left as fast as they could. When Humanity finally got the nerve up to form an armada and go hunt the nearest World-Tree, as usual the Sylvans spotted them first, but this time they wanted to try and communicate before the slippery Humans could escape so they came in rather fast. The Human fleet retaliated immediately, thinking they were under imminent threat and released their myriad beams and projectiles of destruction, cheering when the World-Tree disappeared in a blazing fireball. When the energies abated, however, they were distraught to see the World-Tree completely unharmed, its vast leaves extended and glowing after absorbing the incoming radiant energies. The Human fleet at the time took this as its preparation to fire and offered its unconditional surrender immediately, which confused the Sylvans to no end as of course they were not attacking (on top of being slightly mystified as to why they had been attacked in the first place). After a few days of negotiations (what an eye opener it must have been for that first diplomat!) the whole history of events was unravelled, much to the amusement of both sides, with the Sylvans offering as some form of reparation aid in the healing of some previously untreatable diseases. This contact was crucial to Humanities survival, and it is widely speculated that without the subsequent Sylvan alliance a majority of Humanity would have been wiped out by the triple threat of Xathri, Drakkins and the rebellious “Venin” void entity factions, leaving this area of the Galaxy a far more violent and unstable place than would otherwise have been the case, with Sylvans currently being Humanities closest allies. The culmination of the World-Trees juvenile growth phase finishes when it sprouts buds from which young Sylvans emerge, brimming with the genetic knowledge of the races that contributed to its growth in its earlier stages. Most of its future food comes from sunlight, however they also have their roots wrapped around a mineral rich body of some sort which they feed on, gradually adding to its mass when required to replenish specific nutrients. A Sylvan greeter kiosk is present on virtually every starbase and most outposts in Human space.

Xenophorae

Gas Giant Dwellers

These creatures are mostly tenuous, cloud-like creatures surrounded by an exceedingly tough and flexible semi-permeable membrane throughout most of their lifecycle. Their internal structure is interlaced with threads of C60-chains which double as nerves and muscles, with most of their conscious thought processes taking place in a central crystalline structure. Until it was discovered these peaceful creatures were sentient there were many unfortunate casualties due to the harvesting of these crystals, with some pirates and smugglers still risking the heavy penalties (currently 100 years virtual recurring termination) for these fractal-esque structures of immense beauty and complexity. Each gas giant appears to have a relatively stable community of between 500 Million to 10 Billion individuals, depending on the size of the planet, and there are also a wide variety of animalogues that vary drastically from planet to planet. Although there are some differences between the dominant species of each planet, all seem to by unusually similar with accounts of individuals also able to transport themselves instantaneously to other planets. Diplomatic dialogues have been partially successful although frustrating, we provide here the transcript of part of one of these diplomatic sessions as way of explanation. Replies are given through Eshphetah, a Sylvan Psionic intermediary and are, as with all responses from these entities, vague.

Discourse excerpt:
Irena: “Human, Irena, requests information through the one that is present in front of me.”
Eshp’: “Willingness, curiosity, amusement, waiting.”
Irena: “Elsewhere you were before, many light years away, how are you here now?”
Eshp’: “Before the answer, the question returns.” (This is common in such dialogues-Ed.)
Irena: “Matter, forms of tools, energy of the stars, ideas of the mind, construct that which enables.”
Eshp’: “Also of the minds ideas and energy of stars, instead through mind forms construct that enables. Two paths, each have chosen the most suitable for their form, and each unable to use the other. Satisfied by the ordered balance, pleasure in discourse, termination of contact.”

And, for reference, this was considered to be an extremely successful exchange, make of it what you will. Each individual’s life-span can be thousands of years long and starts with an explosive launching of the infant out of the metallic hydrogen core of the gas giant into the planets outer atmosphere. As it rises it rapidly expands, which slows its upward rise, fully expanding its structure at a layer it finds the nutrients most suitable for its growth at that stage. It then grows a furry cilia-like coating with small paddles at the ends of each frond for propulsion, strengthening its structural integrity to later withstand the storms at lower layers. It then extrudes monofilament threads tipped with sensor buds for kilometres in many directions, seeking its next preferred layer, slowly navigating through the upper atmosphere while feeding voraciously. The duration of its structural development at this stage can vary drastically, depending on how rich the environment is. As it approaches its full pre-adult stage it then sheds its coating of cilia and starts inflating itself to its full size, forming flexible fin-like wings to replace the previous coating which vastly enhances its manoeuvrability and acceleration potential. It processes vast quantities of atmosphere over the next few years, sectioning and storing what it requires for its coming of age ordeal. Most confluences of life in this harsh environment are in the centre of the largest storms, and to reach them and have any chance of finding a mate they must pass through the most turbulent section of the stormwall, a passage that can sometimes be measured in years on some of the larger gas-giants. Some never take the right-of-passage challenge and instead drift for the remainder of their lifespan, continuously observing, absorbing and recording information over a variety of wavelengths. It is this second subset of creatures that their main philosophers, diplomats and travellers stem from, as well as those who can somehow travel instantaneously to and from other gas-giants. There is so much more to be said about this potentially eldest surviving race, but we will finish with what is known of the culmination of their life cycle. The mating process is little understood, apart from the fact that a hyper-diamond seed is formed, precisely interlaced with elements donated from at least two, and even up to a dozen or more individuals before being dropped into the metallic hydrogen core. As it reaches its pre-designated position it is then gradually compressed further, spikes extruding from the seed into the metallic hydrogen and beginning to process anti-matter within its core. It gradually forms, in effect, a crude gun barrel, culminating with the detonation of its internal store of antimatter and shooting its ‘Sky-Bud’ out of the gravity well with a series of careful daisy-chained detonations, each one pushing it higher and higher, whereupon the cycle then begins anew. We advise you to view one of these remarkable events on archive, and can only comment further as follows: Talk about coming into the world with a bang or what!

Methanoids

This has been one of the most useful species that humans have come across for a wide variety of reasons. Due to the nature of the planets they inhabit, many within a hundred or so degrees of absolute zero, the science data we have gained from their technology that was developed in this environment was instrumental across a wide variety of disciplines and allowed unprecedented growth in force-field technology and eventually led to the earliest form of pseudo-FTL travel (see historical references ‘Voidskimmers’ & ‘Skimdrive’) that is still in use today, although in modified form. And let us not forget of course Humanities famous first contact with a sentient alien species, the elusive inhabitants of Titan in our own home system who eventually deigned to make contact with us in 2079, although they terminated this contact a mere 11 years later in 2090. They seem to fill a particular niche between carbon and silicon based life forms with some classifying them as the “Perfect Biomimetic Lifeform”. The varying temperature ranges of Methanoid-inhabited planets varies slightly, but they all invariably have large bodies, if not oceans of liquid methane-ethane-nitrogen (either methane or ethane rich depending on the planets development) with the surface conditions revolving around the triple-point of methane (or ethane) over a majority of the planet’s surface. Methanoids themselves are most comfortable slightly above this temperature, this heat being generated by their internal biological processes which is a complex interaction of extremely high and low PH alkalis and acids; subtler interactions with other minerals power their formidable electrical generation properties. Their internal and external structure is composed of various layers of polymerized H2O fibers which increase in toughness as they progress outwards from the central core containing the vital internal organs to the external rigid layer. Nutrients are supplied internally through a regular, almost explosive expulsion of nutrients through a rigid and microscopically branched structure which combines circulation and respiration into one system. The resulting expulsion induces a vacuum in their atmospheric intake orifice; a complex filtration system then sorts and transports the constituents where required to the internal structures of the organism. Their neural structure is astonishing and radically different from Humans, running on a superconducting network of fibers and distributed processing nodes which also doubles as their nervous system. They are highly resilient with all of their systems having multiple layers of redundancy and use a little understood form of spore-based reproduction. A three strand DNA (3NA) equivalent structure holds all racial memory which is readable by each individual upon entering a trance-like state, and conversely they are able to store anything they wish of their current knowledge or experience using the same mechanism. They regularly shed data in order to share it in the form of highly durable encysted spores which are then collected by other nearby individuals and integrated into their own data stores or settle in the environment as a permanent, ever-present archival system. Given enough time and the right conditions, if enough spores build up in the same area they may combine and ‘sprout’ into new individuals. They are primarily prized as -space pilots as they need very little in the way of life support in that region and are unsusceptible to effects from some of the more malevolent entities that reside there. On rare occasions humans have used the ‘Transference’ procedure in order to trade consciousness with certain Methanoids as there is unusual compatibility in thought patterns, unlike other races. Humans report amazing increase in mental acuity, while Methanoids are initially overwhelmed by the varieties of sensations of different textures on the skin. There appear to be no ill effects from extended Transference, also a peculiarity with Methanoids.

Silicoids

We shall now follow with a translated excerpt from the Silicoids racial description of Humans as a vehicle to describe both species. Please note that the format the data is presented in is as similar to theirs as possible while still accounting for language, sentence structure and terminological translations. Credit must also be given to (sound of) “Coarse Basalt Grinding Pumice” (Silicoid names are typically sounds of different minerals with different textures interacting with each other) for their time spent in assisting with the translation of this library entry.

Silicoids: (Their description and perceptions of Humans will supplant the standard entry for Silicoids)

Huwombless/Huwomb: Base-C Lifeform containing in descending order Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Calcium, Phosphorous, Sulphur, Sodium, Potassium and Chlorine with negligible residuals. Bipedal, highly sensitive to gravity, temperature and pressure variations, extremely fragile, oxygen based metabolism. Energy source base: Acid/Enzymatic processing of other carbon based organic material. Calcium based composite structure with fibrous bunches of protein chains that expand and contract to provide motile force (see ‘muscles’). A centralized pumping system provides oxygen and other nutrients through a network of ‘veins’ similar to other organics. Their base environmental temperature is far lower than our own (still above our crystallization threshold), with their relative cognitive processing time frame roughly half that of ours. Their processing network, unlike ours, is centralized and located in the topmost protrusion, reasonably protected by a calcium-composite shell that is loosely connected to the rest of their endoskeleton. Their entire form is contained within a barely protective external membrane exhibiting minimal variation in colour and virtually none in texture. They exhibit a tendency to have long, thin protein strands growing out of their brain housing which they call their ‘Head’; this single small system is vital as it is the species only way they intake oxygen, without which they cannot survive for longer than a few minutes, H2O without which they cannot survive for longer than a few days, and organic fuel for their internal chemical processing system without which they cannot survive for more than a few weeks. It also houses olfactory, visual, taste and audio sensory organs (see Human Anatomy for frequency ranges and specifications). Needless to say, if you wish to incapacitate a human for any reason this is a good area to target, although most of our typical weaponry would also vaporize an unarmoured Human. Also, do not be sick on one, ever. Our digestive fluids will melt and poison whatever organic surface of theirs it lands on.

Editors note Note: Their ‘blood’ is similar to Aqua Regia with proportions of nitric and hydrochloric acid varying from individual to individual. Their blood equivalent usually resembles Fluorosilicic or Hydrosulfuric acid which carries additional dissolved nutrients, but may vary depending on environmental factors, with some reported to have Pyrophosphoric or even Permanganic acid as the their main constituents.

The most familiar system would be their internal nerve structure which is used to transmit electric signals to each system to tell it what to do, although at a pitifully low current. At least we have that in common! A warning also must be given regarding a particular weapon they often use and may overlook as to them it is only a pacification device, and which you have all likely heard of before. It is, of course, the ‘Sonic Stunner’, or Soniflash. This device induces sympathetic vibrations in our lattice structures, which if not immediately damped can completely destabilize our matrices. The effect is slow and agonizing, beyond anything imaginable until it was inadvertently experienced by members of one of our early contact teams. The irony of our first encounter was that the Human mistook our speech for an attack as its ‘ear-drums’ were punctured, and was only trying to defend itself in a non lethal way. It realized its error when “Crystals-Resonating-Harmoniously” shattered and the rest of our team started wailing in agony, at which point it dropped the weapon in remorse and surrendered itself. Fortunately severe penalties now exist in all Silicoid territory with possession of such weapons carrying the death penalty, although this is usually waived if they submit to a scan and are found to be truly ignorant. If this seems one sided, an equally harsh penalty exists for us, you may think bizarrely, for any usage of HCN (Ed. note: Silicoid Chocolate equivalent) in an environment where Humans would frequent as it is highly toxic to them; be aware this also requires at least 48 of their hours prior abstinence as expellation in gaseous form through digestive processing may also cause death or serious injury. If you have never seen a Human, prepare yourself in advance by viewing archival footage. Their pink squishiness is truly revolting and the way they lurch about is extremely unsettling to observe, and don’t even get me started on their ‘Feet’. A good diplomatic trick is to look only at the eyes and try not to think about all the squishy fluidic things it’s made of; just pretend they are polished, shining orbs of striated crystal. An irony exists in racial relations. Apparently, we are extraordinarily beautiful for humans to gaze on, as in their visual spectrum we shimmer, glow, pulsate and unless speaking make soothing ‘Earthy’ shifting and crackling noises. When sat 5-10 feet away our body heat resembles something called a ‘Campfire’, and one can make a very good living simply attending Human parties. We are something of a status symbol for them to have around, and many of us attend these events in our dormant cycle, literally making money while sleeping.

Dimensional analysis of Non-Primary n-space entities

Well, I hear you ask yourself, what does this actually mean? This section covers briefly those races that originate outside of our normal spacial dimension. In layman’s terms (Physicists, cover your eyes and/or ears) Humanity inhabits a layer of what we call normal space, referred to as n-space. Below this, a semi-permeable spongelike barrier separates us from u-space, while above us lies the Fractal Wall, which so far seems completely impervious to all attempts to even remotely approach it or ascertain what may be on the other side. Of course, above and below are complete misnomers, and without delving into advanced multidimensional physics this description must suffice for now. The expansion of these dimensions and our spacial metric passes across and expands through the substance that was there before the creation of our universe. This is the timeless, unlimited and unknowable dimension of the Cthonic’s who exist outside conventional time and space and are unbound by the universal constants that govern our dimension. Few human individuals have been able to contact this realm, needing certain psionic talents and heightened states of consciousness to just barely graze the outer layers. Through the haze of incomprehension and subsequent nightmares and hallucinations some of these individuals managed to touch this realm deep enough to make our presence known to the Cthonic’s, eventually piquing their curiosity enough to spur them to make contact. The initial results were not what was intended, with the consciousness of some Humans being sucked out of our universe entirely, never able to return. The realisation on the Cthonic’s part that the laws governing our universe made inhabiting it for any length of time (a concept in itself that distressed them to no end) an extremely painful and debilitating exercise caused them to consider seeking a more stable contact, primarily for curiosity and the desire to comprehend us and how our existence even possible. Eventually a psionically apt individual was found with a particular mindset able to withstand the horrors of the incomprehensible, and after some experimentation it was found that a temporary merger could resolve many of the issues. A link was established, the Cthonic retreating when the Human mind could no longer stand the strain of its presence, or conversely when the Cthonic could no longer bear the limitations of our dimension. They both extended the duration and increased their tolerance, and thus we had our first diplomat and translator. u-space is much as it sounds, and stems from the original German designation ‘Unter-Grund’, literally ‘under the bottom’, the term coined by the researcher Wilhelm Dirichlet, who first surmised its existence while working on the solar forge in the early years of Human warp-drive experimentation. One if the early experiments punched straight through the entire void layer and formed a link to the underlying metric of our dimension, and although the duration was less than a femtosecond it was enough to destroy the facility. Post disaster analysis concluded that the link instantly forced sympathetic metric resonance, causing it to match the metric’s expansion rate rather than that of our Galaxy’s, which is somewhat faster. The instantaneous deceleration caused the facility to be a temporary and mostly insignificant speed bump in Mercury’s path, forming a reasonably large crater in the process. This puncturing of the barrier and exposure to u-space caused a variety of effects in our solar system, and through this breach came the formless creatures of the void. In our relative area of space there were only mindless creatures that acted purely on instinct, which were dubbed ‘Somatophores’, the intended translation being ‘those who feed on dreams’. Shortly after this incident came the year of terror, with many sleepless nights by a majority of Earth’s population, caused by thousands of the entities pouring through the breach. They sensed an abundance of food and were drawn to Earth despite the discomfort they were feeling as their forms slowly degraded, essence evaporating in bursts of emotion. The food they sought were raw emotional surges, which they normally fed on in snippets from the other side of the barrier, which is semi-permeable to strong emotional currents. The glut of emotion on Earth threw them into a feeding frenzy, many bursting from overeating and causing further emotional outbursts in the surrounding Humans which only added to the problem. Eventually their number reduced until only a few remained who had adapted to the situation, managing to grasp the concept of self awareness and thus bind themselves to the minds of a few unlucky individuals (Ref: Chronicle entry #003978: Stranded –Marianna). Various conflicts and encounters took place after this, and it wasn’t until more than 800 years later that some form of useful contact was established. It is still a tentative and ongoing process to this day, however there are Void-Bonded humans that act as intermediaries and much progress has been recently made.

Photoids

From the scant information they have provided us, they seem to have initially originated from above the Fractal Wall and have only recently made themselves known to us. Their preferred transition points are within hot, white stars, although they can seemingly also appear anywhere at will. In spite of this they rarely choose to do so as they must shed a vast amount of energy in order to take on physical form. They have been observed to be completely Psionically adept, able to perform any combination of abilities at virtually inconceivable power levels, and are able to converse with the most advanced Artilects on their own level and time-frame. Nothing is known that can harm them, however they do appear to be distinctly uncomfortable when near Cthonic-bonded Psionics. Not much is known about their history, and many consider them to be the ‘Angels of Old’ come once again (an allegation which they refute) however they have made it known that their presence is now able to be seen and felt since the breaches in u-space, caused by humanity, allowed the presence of Void entities in n-space. It is theorized that there is a balance that must be maintained, a universal charge constant if you will and that if one is here then the other must also be. They are never seen close to Void-Bonded individuals, yet at the same time are never too far away.