Spaaaaaace.

Anyway, this is a thread which shall list the details and musings of mine regarding a space opera setting of mine, which I really need a decent name for. The basic concept is that four factions are vying for dominance in a corner of the galaxy, each with their own goals and philosophy. I intend to use this both for RPG purposes and also possibly for writing stories.

Bit of backstory - this is the culmination of perhaps over a decade of creativity, starting so long ago when I marveled at Calvin and Hobbes' "Spaceman Spiff" segments, that inspired me to create a space opera setting of my own.

...All things considered I really don't have much to show for it. You see, for most of that decade, I actually didn't think much about this verse, instead working on other worlds of mine. Much of what you see here is merely a reconstruction, partially what I remember about the verse and partially a refurbishing. The result is a world in the making, and I would appreciate feedback on it as it develops. Now, the details!

Spoiler: The Factions!
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The Terran Consortium

The Terran Consortium has as its seat of power mankind’s homeworld, Earth. As such, humans make up the vast majority of the Consortium’s population. The Consortium has a loose central government, which serves little purpose but to act as a unified face for humanity. Instead, power resides with the many megacorporations that control the lives of billions with money. Capital is power in the Consortium, and those with the most have the most power.

For half a century, the Consortium has been expanding, incorporating as many worlds as possible. For those worlds that happen to be inhabited, the Consortium simply overwhelms with sheer cultural power, soon assimilating them into the Consortium’s monetary culture. As a result, this has triggered many struggles with other alien cultures as they struggle to preserve their territory and identity.

The Gerron Republic:

The Gerron are a faintly insectoid race, with two small eyes and a third larger eye in their foreheads. These beings are often called Triclops by humans for these features, or Slavers for their cultural practices. The Gerron, while highly progressive within their own race, seek to dominate all other life, militarily and culturally. They see all other forms of life as nothing more than flesh to be bent to the Gerron’s will. To this end, they have enslaved the inhabitants of the planets they conquer, as well as bio-engineered their own servant-races, the most common being the all-purpose laborer Ceruleoids. Unfortunately for them, their genetics technology, while advanced, is far from perfect, as the “failures” of the Redracoids and their Ceruleoid allies attest.

The Reptonian Empire:

Centered on the planet Reptone and the nebula that encircles it, the Reptonian Empire consists largely of Redracoids. Redracoids are part reptilian, part insectoid, engineered by the Gerron to be the ultimate battle life-form. They possess four arms, two of which end in jagged claws and two of which are dexterous, as well as a large tail with prehensile blades on the end. These fearsome creatures stand nearly ten feet tall, and are capable of taking immense punishment before going down. They also possess an inbuilt addiction for adrenaline, which they often satisfy through battle.

Inherently wild and chaotic, they broke free of the Gerron’s rule, and with a large number of other slaves forged the Reptonian Empire. Within this organization, if it can be called that, the Redracoids nominally hold power but often cede decisions to more patient and wise advisors – if there’s one trait the Gerrons got right in them, it’s that the Redracoids don’t usually feel the need to control everything. The most notable exception is the present ruler of the empire, Tyrac, most powerful warrior amongst the Redracoids and a visionary ruler. It was he who first broke free of the Gerrons, and he who leads the Reptonian Empire even today.

With the Redracoids stand many Ceruleoids, insectoid humanoids who serve as general-purpose laborers, scientists, tacticians, and soldiers – everything the Redracoids are not, and some things they are. Without them, the Redracoids would be reduced to infighting on what little worlds they could reach, but with the stoic wisdom of the Ceruleoids, they are a formidable fighting force.

The Corundorian Union:

The Corundorian Union, is an alliance of no less than four primary races, with the ethereal Geisim, the aquatic Midracs, the tiny and energetic Nitatiko, and the bestial Terratoria. Together these four races, along with exiles and refugees from other races, have formed a union to counter the threats the galaxy poses, between the numerous humans, the advanced Gerron, and the powerful Redracoids. Together they stand strong, a beacon of defiance in the face of those who would seek to conquer them.

The Geisim are tall, graceful humanoids that possess both an unearthly beauty and an uncanny appearance. Many members of their race have a degree of psychic powers, and the research they have done into the brain and the mind has contributed greatly to the Union’s cause.

The Midrac took many years to develop technology, thanks to their aquatic environment. Appearing like crosses between salamanders and dolphins, they have two arms but no legs, and cannot breathe air for long. As a consequence, their ships often have large quantities of water, and they don special powered armor when forced to go into an atmospheric environment.

The Nitatiko resemble three-foot-long mice with long, pointed ears. They are rather childlike for the most part, but possess an intense desire to learn and master all forms of information. Despite their intellectual disabilities, when working together they can coordinate minds and bodies to such a degree that puts any other race to shame.

The Terratoria are the least advanced of the four races, and the race upon whose homeworld the Union is based. At first, it would seem a strange decision to base the Union around the planet Corundor, for the Terratoria seem to have little to offer. But aside from the planet’s central location between the races, the Terratoria also have a fierceness of spirit – a desire to work together and overcome any odds. It is this spirit which infuses the Union and allows them to persevere against the greater races in the galaxy.

The Ancients:

Little is known of these beings other than that they were once technologically advanced, moreso than any other nation present. It is also known that they destroyed themselves in a cataclysmic war between two factions, where all forms of warfare were used on both sides, leaving behind only relics. But rumor has it that the survivors of one side settled on various worlds, forsaking their technology to return to nature. It is rumored that one such sanctuary was on a world now inhabited by one of the major races…


Spoiler: The Races!
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Note: Contains reiteration, and more details, than what's included in the factions section.

Gerron:

The Gerron are humanoids with features that would be considered by humans to be faintly insectoid, with a partial exoskeleton and antlike heads. Their most striking feature, however, is the large compound eye in their foreheads, above a pair of “normal” eyes. This setup gives them a wide range of vision, superior to that of humans.

Much of their history, at first glance, seems morally stagnant, with slavery and inequality persisting into the current era. In truth, they have progressed somewhat – all Gerron are now equal, and it is other races who are faced with inequality.

The Gerron have progressed quite well technologically. While their work on labor-saving devices is lacking, they have made leaps in bounds in genetics technology, and have bio-engineered a number of specialized crops, pets, and even servitor races. Most common of these are the Ceruleoids, who resemble Gerron for the most part but with blue coloration and lacking the third eye.

Their most impressive bioengineering feat was the Redracoids, large beasts created by modifying the savage, nigh-indestructible beasts of planet Reptone into sapient creatures. But their mastery of bioengineering did not extend to the bioengineered, and the Redracoids rebelled, along with a large contingent of Ceruleoids. The resulting conflict split the Gerron Republic apart and brought the Gerron down to the level of the “lesser” races in power.

Ceruleoids:

The Ceruleoids are the prime servitor race of the Gerron. They resemble Gerron for the most part, but have a deep blue coloration and a thicker exoskeleton, and who lack the distinctive third eye. This resemblance does not grant them any particular favor amongst the Gerron, nor does their dutiful and excellent service. For the most part, the Ceruleoids don’t seem to care, although the defection of large numbers of Ceruleoids to the Redracoid cause seems to indicate a hidden desire for respect.

The Ceruleoids are capable and skilled workers, able to take over both manual and intellectual tasks with ease. Their presence is not so much to provide easier lives for the Gerron, but to boost the Republic’s population, after a fashion.

Redracoids:

Redracoids are part reptilian, part insectoid, engineered by the Gerron to be the ultimate battle life-form. They possess four arms, two of which end in jagged claws and two of which end in hands. They also possess a large tail with prehensile blades on the end. These fearsome creatures stand nearly 10 feet tall, but can go on 4 or 6 limbs to move more quickly. Their red carapace features overlapping scales and can endure tremendous punishment, genetically engineered for resistance to conventional weapons.

The Redracoids have their origins in one of the native life-forms of their capital, planet Reptone. These fearsome creatures resemble giant scorpions with four legs, and amongst the initial Gerron colonists they developed a reputation for fearlessness and battle prowess. The Gerron spliced them with their own DNA to create a sapient, mostly-bipedal version.

Eventually, however, the Redracoids rebelled against their masters. What prompted the revolt is unknown, but it is known it was instigated by an individual named Tyrac. He managed to organize, start, and lead a rebellion that freed the Redracoids from the grip of their creators. With this newfound freedom they have formed an Empire.

Redracoid society is fierce and unrelenting, like the Redracoids themselves. Redracoids require regular adrenaline rushes, which they satisfy through combat, be it amongst themselves in controlled bouts, or with other races in war.

Geisim:

The Geisim are ethereal, wispy humanoids with milky white coloration, sometimes with a green or blue tint. They stand slightly taller than humans and have slightly flatter faces, with pure-black eyes. The lack body hair, and they often wear their hair long.

Their history is a torrid one. 250 years ago their homeworld of Zarlock was devastated by a nuclear war that destroyed much of the Geisim population. The survivors banded together under a faith known as Zerway. This philosophy, stressing balance and harmony, helped the Geisim knit together, even as their homeworld went through a nuclear winter and was irradiated.

In time, they expanded outward, and the first race they contacted was the Gerron. The Gerron promised them their bioengineering technology if they joined the Gerron Republic, and the Geisim accepted. But the Gerron treated them as second-class citizens and attempted to stamp out their culture, and in time the Geisim rebelled. The resulting conflict diminished the Geisim even further, and they have since joined up with the Corundorian Union for survival.

Technologically, they are somewhat introspective, preferring to refine what technologies they have rather than develop new tech. This being said, they have done substantial research into the brain’s workings, in an attempt to understand the innate psychic powers a select few of their number are gifted with, and were the first to develop neural-link tech, where devices can be accurately controlled by thought alone.

Socially, they tend to be somewhat conservative. Religion still holds a grip on their society, through various branches of a faith known as Zerway. The faith has diverged significantly, but most branches keep the focus on balance over extremism and harmony with oneself and the world. Most Geisim have a healthy respect for nature, and Geisim dwellings are often surrounded by greenery.

Midrac:

The Midrac are an oddity amongst sapient life in that they live in the oceans rather than on land. They resemble crosses between salamanders and dolphins, with two arms but no legs, and with their tail included tend to be about 7 feet in length. While they are capable of going on land, neither their limbs nor their respiratory systems are suited for it.

The Midrac are in fact one of the older races in this section of the cosmos, but their underwater lifestyle means their technological development has been slow, with only waterproof advancements being made. That changed when the Geisim settled the continents of their homeworld Vitola, and soon encountered the aquatic Midrac. In time, the two species learned to share the world, as well as share technologies. In time, the Geisim developed neural-link technology, which they used to craft water-filled powered armor for the Midrac which allowed them to walk on land, with legs controlled by thought.

Through the Geisim, their culture has become somewhat homogenized in culture, with many subscribing to the Geisim faith. Nevertheless, their culture is still somewhat diverse, with many cultures mingling together.

Nitatiko:

The Nitatiko much resemble 3-foot-long rodents with long, pointed ears and short tails. Their fur ranges from white to brown, and they are capable of standing on 2 legs or 4.

The Nitatiko are a curious race, in more than one sense of the word. Their intelligence is slightly less than humans, being compared to children in both mental faculties and personality. They are innately curious, and it is this curiosity that has driven them to become technologically advanced in spite of their disabilities.

Most remarkable is their ability to cooperate. Whether physically or mentally, Nitatiko are keen to cooperate on any task, and through this cooperation acquire great feats. Through teamwork, a group of Geisim can create innovations where a single human genius might create similar inventions. It is this capability that has allowed them to compete with other races technologically.

Nitatiko culture is both highly mercurial (due to their shorter lifespans), and quite homogenous, with common values and languages across the species. Remarkably, Nitatiko have little in the history of warfare that humans and other races do, although legend holds that long ago (for Nitatiko, anyway) their race was racked by a war between two factions, and since reconciling their race has been at peace… at least, until other races of the galaxy set their sights on Nitatiko worlds.

Terratoria:

Terratoria are part avian, part mammalian by human standards, resembling crosses between velociraptors and wolves. They have the snouts of and residual flight feathers of raptors as well as the tails, but walk on all fours like wolves – though they are capable of standing on 2 legs as well. Their hands, despite the large, durable first knuckles, are quite dexterous, with three fingers and a thumb. Their fur – really a mesh of interlocking featherlike fibers – comes in a wide variety of colors, varying by geographic location.

Once, the Terratoria were a primitive race, with Bronze Age level tech at best, and almost completely nonagricultural. Then the first colony from Earth arrived on their homeworld of Corundor. The humans, heedless of the sapient race already present, began to expand and conquer the surrounding lands as they had done with Earth previously, causing the Terratoria to fight back. With the aid of a few discontent humans, the Terratoria adapted rapidly to the new tech, while setting aside tribal differences to unite against their common threat. In time the humans were defeated, the survivors assimilating into Terratorian culture.

The Terratoria then began globalization, taking rapidly to the new tech they had been provided with, with a clear goal in mind – fortify the world against future invasions by the humans, who they knew must surely return. They formed a unified culture in addition to their tribal identities, focused around the threat that humanity posed. They were thus well-prepared when the Terran Consortium arrived to reclaim their colony, and though the humans achieved dominance for a time, the Terratoria succeeded in pushing them back.

It was after the third attempt to subjugate them that the Terratoria at last achieved the technology for interstellar travel. They sent envoys to other worlds, meeting new races and finding new allies – and new foes. In time, they gathered what allies they could to Corundor, and formed the Corundorian Union, an alliance of races to stand against the humans, the Gerron, the Redracoids, and whatever else dared to threaten them.


Spoiler: A very brief timeline from humanity's perspective!
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2100: Humans begin launching colonies to other worlds, amongst them planet Corundor.
2200: The colony sent to Corundor lands, but is soon assimilated by the locals.
2250: Humanity unites under the banner of the Terran Consortium, and begins building jump gates to each of its colonies in an attempt to modernize and reintegrate them. The task force sent to Corundor encounters resistance, and a protracted war ensues.
2255: Humanity is forced back from Corundor. Complicating matters is the appearance of a hostile alien race, the Gerron. Skirmishes and conflicts ensue between the two groups as they struggle over territory. The Gerron are technologically superior, but humanity has the weight of numbers, and they quickly adapt to the Gerron’s technology.
2285: The Redracoid Tyrac leads a rebellion of the Gerron’s warrior-slaves, causing a schism within the Gerron Republic. In the ensuing chaos, they pull back forces from their outer worlds, allowing the Terran Consortium to move in on several worlds, including Corundor. This time, they succeed in conquering the planet and suppressing most resistance.
2295: Corundor is freed from Terran control at last. With interstellar technology at their disposal, they begin sending envoys to other worlds, seeking allies against the Terrans.
2300: The Corundorian Union is formed, with the core races being the Terratoria, the Midrac, the Geisim, and the Nitatiko. The Union is put to the test when a human fleet arrives to invade Corundor for the fourth time, but the ragtag forces of the Union succeed in driving back the invaders.


Forthcoming: Technology. Which is really not going to be fun to write up.