Story of the Wessari - a Space Fox AAR

[LWE]

This is going to be a screenshot-heavy AAR of my first Stellaris playthough, 2.2.0-2.2.1, Admiral difficulty, Glavius' AI (both the game and the mod versions changed during the playthough).
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Chancellor Reti listened to the news with great interest. Finally, Wessari scientists developed engines capable of utilizing the naturally-occurring hyperlane network. There were many Chancellors before him - some, like Muna, daughter of Sark, who set up the stage for the Unification of Orassia, with many monuments in Wessari cities across the globe, some mere footnotes in history books. Now he was going to be remembered as the first Chancellor to preside over interstellar expansion.

Now Wessari institutes could be freed to conduct more research.

While cabinet eggheads were busy working on the ground, the adventurous Fura prepared for a Wessari ship's first travel by hyperlanes.

The discovery of a precursor civilization shocked the Wessari. Most Wessari admired its racial diversity, remembering the devastating Great Fur Color Wars that took place on Orassia centuries before the Unification, yet others insisted that this might have been the reason for its demise.

With its natural beauty, Orassia was fit to be the capital of an interstellar nation.

If some sceptics still doubted the existence of the First League, this new discovery made by Fura provided additional evidence of sentient life once existing beyond Orassia. But does it exist now?...

Beautiful as Orassia's natural landscape was, Chancellor Reti could not ignore the need for industrial development.

With the Wessari visiting distant stars not so long ago thought inacessible, the existence of slums and desperate poverty on Orassia was impossible to ignore. Reti swore that by the end of his mandate, all slum inhabitants will be resettled in comfortable new homes.

Many young Wessari started to sign up for space research and colonization, as the "Space Craze" gripped Orassia.

Their most ardent yearning was finding actually existing alien life beyond their home planet.

 

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With immediate star systems discovered, Wessari Science Collegiate felt more comfortable delegating exploration tasks to the AI.

Who would have thought it possible that a mere medical complex can produce something as magnificient as a gas giant?

New, fascinating discoveries each year. Will the wonders never cease?

Wessari scientists discover more evidence of once-existing advanced space civilizations, but are Wessari the only one existing at present?

Robots and L-gates. These terms would make no sense to the Wesari of hundreds of years ago, but today, every Wessari schoolchild reads comic books about them.

The Wessari planets were shaken with a new discovery of a vessel in Josq Fomat. It appeared to be manned, and of a higher civilizational level than travelling caravaneers...

At last. A true space civilization, a rather strange one. Its representative scoffed at the notions of "rule by the people" and "freedom", yet he didn't seem to be hostile, and was clearly as fascinated by the discovery as the Wessari were.

Their space lay quite far away from the Wessari Star Accord. What could this encounter mean for the Wessari? Cooperation and friendship? Rivalry and hostility? War and death?

The Commonwealth of Draipol shared news about another minor civilization, the one of - or, at least, run by - strangely artistic large cockroaches.

I hope their performances don't include eating audience members that seem bored.

 

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Hah - cockroach Artists are quite funny

This is a part of what makes Stellaris fun.
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Now Wessari knew roughly how often habitable world appear in the galaxy. They also knew that many of them contain life - some of it sapient. Greater questions of ultimate purpose still troubles them, even if most of them long ago stopped believing in souls and deities.

Governor Sene's "robot worker" program passed only by 1% of the vote. Most Wessari believed
that labor is what gives nobility to a sapient being - as long as there isn't too much of it.

It was quite humbling to realize that Wessari can't even ensure their own immortality, much less the immortality of other species like the xenophilic and hospitable Vun-Okons.

The Gottara system was revealed to have a real abundance of habitable planets.

As dignified as Wessari researchers were, some of them still couldn't help themselves but try chasing their own tails in zero-G environments.

Unknown and strange hostile vessels were spotted in one of the systems under investigation by science ships.

The new discovery on Gottara III encouraged those who believed that the abundance of habitable planets in the system is no accident, but a part of some greater intelligence' plan. As a materialist people, the Wessari attributed the plan to unknown alien entities, not to gods or spirits.

Could this mysterious ancient structures have something to do with it?

Some scientists die on the job. Others, the luckier ones, get research done. The galaxy is rich and full of wonders - and it's also dark and full of terrors.

It's also full of abandoned amusement parks, like a ghost city.

In fact, considering the amount of derelict, abandoned items floating there, this isn't that bad a metaphor.

The Wessari and the Vun-Okons of the Draipol could not be the only sapients in the galaxy. Most Wessari felt that meeting new space civilizations was only a matter of time.

This humanoid phenotype has half of its people look like satyrs, half like caricatures of Stalin.

The Velutari were also friendly, with a daring research spirit somewhat akin to the Wessari.

They also revealed the existence of other, less friendly space civilizations. The Wessari debated whether you need to reach a certain level of societal enlightenment to reach the stars.

The drones were fascinating. Lethal and annoying, yes, but still fascinating.

The Wessari were indeed lucky to have such pleasant galaxical neighbors.

It's a good thing that the Tarblac didn't achieve sentience. Imagine malevolent, sentient shimmering creatures going around causing dread.

Despite misgivings, the Robot program continued on Khamb Prime.

Cooperation is what would ensure the continued progress of the sapient life.

On the First Intergalactiv Conference, all sapients agreed on the need to regulate the galactic market. The only question remaining was the place of its hub.

The ruthless capitalists of Jogollwa corporation were determined to gain this honor for themselves.

Another sad fate of a creature in space...

Who would have thought that the Vun-Okons, with their frail limbs, actually possess superwessari strength? A stark reminder that Orassian physics assumptions often don't work in the wider galaxy.

"United we stand, divided we fall". A saying valid everywhere - from playgrounds, to space, to space playgrounds.

 

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Oh, the Wessari are a patient people... as well as egalitarian and xenophile. I wonder, how many people's first Stellaris playthrough is with "likeable" species and traits, and how many go directly for the insectoid slaver evil overlords or something.
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While some Wessari scientists felt it a bit unseemly to, as they put it, "rummage in the space trash", most felt that material and scientific benefits from it outweigh the costs.

The authorities from the Migration Ministry were surprised to have a small number of Tiyal immigrants wishing to find a refuge in the Wessari Star Accord. The refugees explained that they were escaping the oppressive, theocratic Tiyal Mandate government.

Note that the Velutarians have Tropical as their climate preference. This would greatly help in colonizing the corresponding planets.

The nanites prove to be more and more fascinating.

The new discovery of a drifted ship was quite grim, but its engine study provided permanent benefits to the Wessari Star Accord.

The whole of Wessari people were saddened by the death of their kidnapped brothers and sisters.

Does this event chain have a potential positive outcome at all?

The next war between the Sek-Lokkar and the Tiyal was more fruitful in regards to systems changing limbs.

The Wessari government was forced to buy more consumer goods for its increasingly large and diverse population.

In a major diplomatic accomplishment, after certain gifts from Wessari alloy industry, the Velutarians and the Vun-Okons agreed to join the Wessari in a federation, the Star Entente. The Vun-Okons were forced to admit that although they didn't like Wessari democratic system, it's not as bad as it initially seemed to them.

May the Star Entente never fall, even as it goes through tribulations. May it stand against aggression and all kinds of atrocities.
-from The Oath

 

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The next civilization met by Wessari explorers turned out to be far less amusing:

Fura, daughter of Polt (you may remember her as a science ship captain since the very beginning of Wessari space exploration) never expected to see such malevolence in a sentient being. "I speak on the behalf of my people", she barked in the receiver, ending the transmission.

It seems that being genocidal doesn't prevent your civilization from success, at least short-term. The Alvothari realm was large and strong.

Shocked, Fura proclaimed her, and the whole Star Entente federation, opposition to such barbarism and cruelty. The reaction from the Alvothari was predictable:

Some Wessari sociologists believed that it all could be a mere ruse, that Alvothari being so antagonistic is simply a way for them to dissuade potential invaders. But stories of one-eyed avian Boki, who were viciously butchered by the Alvothari in a massive extermination campaign. were confirmed to be credible. Indeed, a nation of incredible viciousness managed to reach the stars.

At least, the Wessari could rejoice in reports of victory over the drones.

Of course, the Elixir of Life was given to the people.

In order to fight the threats to life, liberty and dignity, the Wessari had to admit: even a free, democratic space nation still constitutes an empire...

The Alvothari borders were uncomfortably close, even if protected by the Enigmatic Fortress in-between.

While the Baldarak where a bit whiny, dealing with them was a pleasure, a way to relieve stress from interacting with other, non-Star Entente nations.

It was not the time to bother with mysterious ceramic objects in space. Sometimes, even the materialistic Wessari had to accept that things can't be always explained.

 

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More refugees from galactic outrages arrive to the Wessari Star Accord. At least, the Bokatherans merely expelled the refugees, rather than attempting to exterminate them. It was unknown why the normally xenophobic Raxycodium decided to find their refuge among the Wessari, but in any case, the safe haven of the Star Entente remains open to all.

And, after finding one more precursor artifact, the Wessari were faced with a sensation: they've located the home system of the First Leeague!

While I took advantage of the research stations in the First League home system immediately, I, for some reason, avoided settling the Ecumenopolis for a long time. Probably because I wasn't quite sure of what the Ecumenopolis mechanic does.

No matter how exciting the possible opportunities, Chancellor Ukna always puts the safety of her people first.

Anchorages are being built across the Wessari realm, to expand the fleet.

The Yax'Kalock performances, while being a bit on a... postmodern side, found their highly intellectual admirers among the Wessari.

Chancellor Ukna managed to convince the majority of Wessari that when it comes to invading planets, the best defense is a good counter-attack.

Furthemore, the arrogant theocrats of Tiyal Mandate were despised across the galaxy. Apologetics for Wessari expansion insisted that it's natural Wessari right to liberate planets suffering from theocratic misrule.

At home, Ukna launched a campaign of agiculture development.

The other marauder group was somewhat more eloquent than the first.

The new, more militaristic direction of the Wessari Star Accord, found its support in the Master's Teachings.

The Zaxxoids were perfectly willing to part with their own admirals - for a price.

Ukna was only too glad to help the Dathnak with their little problem, even as some Wessari grumbled that too much attention is given to the "gas people".

The increasing militarization came as a surprise to many foreign observers of the Star Accord. But in retrospect, it was inevitable, considering the drastic differenes between the Star Entente federation and other, faraway empires.

Still, even the new fleet couldn't prevent the horrific Zaxxoid raid on Gottara system. Some Wessari demanded immediate invasion of Zoxxoid home system, but most understood that the Star Accord fleet isn't powerful enough for it yet.

Measures were taken for Gottara Prime to recover.

The Tiyal would certainly provide an easier target than the Zaxxoids - that's what Ukna thought, at least.

The Tiyal responded with more bigoted rhetoric that only confirmed them as unsuitable stewards of the galaxy.

With all this going on, the Dathrak internal disputes were not important. Besides, Ukna would have hate it for these fascinating creatures to come to violence.

The Wessari fleet alone was worth 6K firepower, not to mention the federation allies. The Tiyal, superstitious and backwards, were no match for Wessari technology.

At least, their space station designs were rather pleasing.

Tiyal border systems were captured without much effort.

The first ever planetary invasion in Wessari history was a resounding success.

The Zaxxoid general, non-plussed by the controversy of the Gottara Prime raid, easily smashed the Tiyal fleet.

The Tiyal, however, managed to do one thing right - they heavily fortified Yenon, their capital. Any attack on it would be very constly.

So, a peace was signed between the Wessari and the Tiyal, which had the Wessari acquite distant space colonies far away from its core.

 

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Yes, the Dyson sphere looks like a useful megastructure indeed, perhaps the most useful one.
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The Wessari First Speaker, upon hearing that the new "Great Khan" has a diplomatic transmission for all denizens of the galaxy, prepared to endure the usual screeching and hostile insults typical of the Endurga. What he saw instead, shocked him.

This corresponds to my own experience. I, too, expected the usual Raxicodium-level confrontational stuff. Good job to Paradox writers for subverting my expectations and making me feel some sympathy for the Khan and his people.

Far more shocking, however, was the appearance of Edurga troops in the new Wessari acquisitions.

The Wessari fleet numbered around 10K at this stage. It was clear that the Khan is determined to conquer as many stars and planets as possible for his people. With a heavy heart, the Frist Speaker signed a formal submission to the Khan.

In retrospect, I could set my fleet to "allies take point" mode. The Khan's troops were weaker than the Star Entente Federation, in total. But I didn't notice this option yet, and the Khan was threatening to nullify my annexation of the Tiyal lands.

Unfortunately, the two other members of the Federation disapproved of the Wessari decision, with the result of the Federation now continuing on without its founder.

It also kicked me out of the Sek-Lokkar war, preventing me from any potential gains from it.

Still, the Great Khan, was, by all accounts, a truly remarkable individual, both in his palace and in battle.

Frustrated with the war ending, the former Zaxxoid admiral in eternal Wessari service unsuccessfully attempted to defeat the annoying strange hive in one of the Tiyal systems.

Only then the Wessari thought to ask the Curators about the Hive.

Once the Khan conquers a system, it automatically "de-surveys" it, to prevent the player from just regaining it outright with a construction ship. The Khan's own construction ships, however, do not need to survey a system in order to claim it. Such is the way the Khanate gains territory.

Many Wessari were forced to join the Khan's battle fleets. Granted, since the Khan cared about her soldiers and paid well, it wasn't that awful a predicament.

Furthermore, the Khan didn't mind her subjects declaring war on other nations who were not her satrapies, allowing the Wessari to restart the war with the Sek-Lokkar.

Unfortunately, many Sek-Lokkar systems were already conquered by the Wessari's former Federation.

Still, not only the Wessari managed to conquer the Sceptum system and its associated planet, they also claimed the Cador system right under the Great Khan's nose - her ships just couldn't be everywhere. The Khan, strangely, didn't attempt to mind it - maybe it amused her?

In fact, the Khan's troops even helped the Wessari defeat the Sek-Lokkar.

Even as a Satrapy, the Wessari managed to gain land.

Luxuries were distributed to the newly-conquered planet to ease the transition for the inhabitants.

The Khan's Voidfarers managed to defeat a bigger fleet of the genocidal Alvothari.

However, the Draipol proved to be a harder nut to crack...

Still, the Khan rebounded from this defeat. It was a honor for many Wessari to fight the Purifiers and win.

However, it appeared that the Khan has bitten off more than she can chew when she started to antagonize the Mechazur robots. In fact, their war with the Khan saw Mechazur echelons move out of their home systems...

The result was not surprising. Even the Khan couldn't fight a force almost 5X her fleet's strength. The tale of the Khan's defeat would be immortalized across the galaxy in tragedies, where the Khan's hubris was presented as the cause of her downfall. She just couldn't believe that her fate was to be defeated by Helperbot O5.

Khan Musseg, the Great Khan's successor, while clearly talented, was far from being as remarkable an individual. He had problems holding his nobles together, much less keeping the Wessari as a satrapy.

With the Wessari satrapy status ended, the Vun-Okons of the Draipol and the Velutari were only too happy to have the Wessari as members of the Star Entente, again.

 

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The Mechazur were insistent - in their own, robotic way - that the abandoned Ecumenopolis needs to be colonized. The Wessari generally trusted science and progress, even when coming from clearly somewhat bugged bots, so they decided to obey their recommendation.

What a nasty, hopeless way to die for these alien astronauts. The Wessari could only thank their ancient wise Chancellors for not allowing Orassia to come to such a fate.

The Velutarians proporsed to regain the Khanate systems back for the Star Entente Federation. After a brief debate, the Wessari decided that all their oaths of loyalty applied only to the dead Great Khan, and not to her successors, and supported the Velutarians.

The main Draipol fleet was good enough to mop up the once-mighty army of the Khanate.

The war ended soon, albeit a couple of systems were still left in the Khanate hands. Also note that the Khanate, for some reason, still held the former Draipol capital system at that point.

Fen Habbanis ecumenopolis turned out to be full of potential. Somewhat ironically for a planet completely covered in buildings, the governor elected was a plantoid Raxicodium.

Genetic self-modification was also done on the Alvothari population of the Star Accord (the Alvothari that fled from their government due to their slightly more pacifistic stance on alien life).

Meanwhile, the "main" branch of Alvothari was busy conquering Raxicodium systems. The smell of burned plant tissue permeated this part of the galaxy.

The Alvothari had proved to be quite adept at constructing megastructures intended to aid them in their future cleansing of the galaxy.

The First Speaker attempted to hinder the Alvothari by paying the Zaxxoid to raid them.

Meanwhile, in a major sensation, the Enigmatic Cache entered the Orassia system and made an offer... the Wessari were fearful, but in the end, their curiousity prevailed over their fear.

A major reason for them accepting the offer to ascend was the growing realization that among all the galactic xenophobes, the Wessari and the Star Entente Federation are the only powers capable of caring about the good of the whole galax.y.

As some Wessari feared, the Enigmatic Machine was not quite up to the task. It fell to Wessari researchers themselves to help it in its mission.

A construction ship hovering above the Enigmatic Machine

The remains of Endurga holdings inside Star Entente territory were soon annexed. Note that this meant that the Wessari gained control over the former Draipol capital. Dunno why the Vun-Okons of Draipol didn't bother to claim it themselves.

The Draipol ex-capital was quite a prize.

Finally!

The species trait gained is:

Researcher Output +10%
Leader Experience Gain +25%

 

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The growing economic power of the Wessari led to them being recognized as the Federation Presidents. Unfortunately, the official ceremony was interrupted by news of Draipol machines rising against their makers.

D'Oko'ba, a Vun-Okon scientist who created his sentient AI knowledge-gatherers, never could have thought that his AI would turn out to be too effective...

Meanwhile, the Bokasherans and the Alvothari were continuing to demolish the Raxicodium commonwealth, in an informal alliance of sorts (The Alvothari wouldn't even think of signing formal alliances).

The Wessari once thought that the uplifting process had been over, but they were surprisingly mistaken. When they realized the true end of the uplifting process, their joy was mixed up with pain, as they realized what they had missed before...

The Wessari First Speaker convinced the rest of the Federation that planetary systems conquered from the machines by the Federation President should be transferred to the mandate of the Federation President - meaning, to the Wessari Star Accord itself.

Since you conquer the systems of major threats automatically without a peace treaty, there was no need for the Wessari to claim a system in order to conquer it.

The same scenario repeated itself with the Velutarians.

Wessari use of Xenomorph Armies was criticised by the parliamentary opposition, but the majority was convinced that the benefits of their use outweighs the drawbacks.

First Speaker Nish na-Forkan, whose long term saw Wessari independence from the Horde, its Presidency in the Federation, and suppression of machine uprisings, could truly claim that while he was not an ethnic Wessari, he was at least as cunning as one.

Wessari Star Accord around 2390.

Civil development was not forgotten by the First Speaker, as he instituted an ambitious program to clear the jungles of Guram.

The only thing worrying the Wessari was the increasing power of the Alvothari Purifiers. News about them obliterating a Zaxxoid fleet confirmed that these fears have validity.

Still, as far as official Galactic Power Rating, run by the venerable Politology Institute of Orassia, was concerned, the Wessari were #1.

 

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The Gray Tempest poured out, attacking everything in sight.

While on the "western" front, the Alvothari smashed the ad-hoc Wessari resistance.

Sad news came from one of the Curator stations, smashed by the Tempest. Still, the Curators had more stations out there in the galax.y.

It turned out, however, that the standard (AI-generated) Wessari ship design was surprisingly effective against the Tempest, destroying it with losses far less than the ones predicted by nominal firepower comparison.

The Tempest seemed to be far more lethal for the Alvothari, causing their advance on "western" plantes to stall.

The Alvothari attempted to attack Orassia with a small fleet through a wormhole.

However, another one of their generals foolishly attempted to navigate into the Gray Tempest home subsystem, with predictable results.

What a melee a trois

And the small fleet sent to ravage Orassia was intercepted by the Federation allies.

In more welcome news, the Ul-Tur declared a raiding war into Alvothari systems. It was unknown whether they, too, were outraged by Alvothari atrocities, or simply perceived themselves to be insulted over some kind of petty slight.

United and strengthened, the Wessari fleet managed to decisively smash the Alvothari fleet remnants, battered by the Tempest.

No wonder more Alvothari began to question their xenophobic mindset.

The Wessari were successfullly conquering the Alvothari systems without inhabited planets, however, the populace was too tired of war to try conquering Alvothari land proper.

Furthemore, right before the peace of mutual exhaustion, the Alvothari managed to reconquer a small part of the ex-Raxicodium starts.

Still, the war marked a turning point of sorts. The vicious Alvothari were proven to be quite beatable. They didn't lose any populated planets, but they lost almost all their ex-Raxicodium holdings and a fair share of stars closer to their home systems, too. Wessari authority among all galactic peoples shot up. Even the Raxicodium remnants and the Sek-Lokkar agreed, very reluctantly, to become an autonomous province of the Star Accord.

Many brave Wessari scientists died trying to figure out the exact system from which the Tempest came from. Finding the core Tempest system was quite annoying, especially since I didn't notice at first that it's a proper system, rather than just a graphical extension of the system above it. It was the first time during the playthough I was annoyed at the game

Still, ultimately, the joined Federation efffort overcame the Tempest. Despite being less threatening than initially feared, and, in fact, working against Federation enemies much more than against the Federation itself, it was certainly a cautious tale about the dangers of nanotechnology.

Like noted, the Tempest fleets were weaker than their nominal manpower.

 

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Research into mysterious crystalline entities inspired Wessari scientists to develop applications in energy production.

I really like the detail and care put by Paradox writers into events and anomalies. The game is really rich in flavour.

The mysterious dealings and beliefs of the nomadic Numistic Order were viewed by the pragmatic Wessari with suspicion. However, they certainly had their effect.

Wessari proposal to build more Titan-class ships for the Federation was approved by their partners.

With the new acquisitions came the inevitable bureaucratic errors and overextension. It was hoped that the new Paradise Domes will decrease crime and social tensions on Obleron II.

Cato na-Markish, a popular politician in the Velutarian Alliance, was known for his strongly anti-Alvothari stance, constantly making speeches describing their outrages and atrocities. Even unrelated speeches of his ended with , "furthermore, I believe that the Alvothari Purifier state needs to be destroyed". He was so fanatical that his opponents pointed out that he at times sounds like a Purifier himself. But his rhetorical skills finally persuaded the Federation to unite in a cause of ending the Alvothari threat.

In more peaceful matters, Wessari researchers finally figured out how to start repairs of the Dyson Sphere.

The Alvothari possessed a large fleet in ex-Raxicodium systems.

Another fleet was moving towards the Omicron Persei fortress of the Wessari Star Accord. The Wessari considered this front to be much more important than the ex-Raxicodium one due to many important populated Wessari planets being located near it.

Unfortunately, the Omicron Persei Fortress didn't justify the many hopes invested in it, falling quicker than most anticipated.

On the opposite side of the galaxy, the Allied fleet was moving in to ex-Raxicodium systems.

I finally discovered the "take point" command.

The Federation President fleet inflicted a huge defeat on the Alvothari force on the "eastern" front.

Another fleet reconquered Omicron Persei on the "western" front. But the appearance of massive Wavebreaker Alvothari fleet was certainly alarming.

The Wessari had to bring their capital defence fleet in action to stop the Wavebreaker flotilla.

More victories followed.

Recent advances in kinetic weapon technology made the Wessari fleets even more effective.

However, Wessari generals fell victim to their own success. Attempting to take control of the strategic Durth gateway, they overreached, allowing the enemy Red Tide flotilla to intercept them.

The losses suffered were medium-large.

At least, the generals seem to have learned something from defeat.

Still, on the "western" front the Alvothari were now free to attack, for the moment.

On the "eastern" front, things went far worse for them, as the Federation fleet proved itself to be far superior to Alvothari flotillas.

However, most of "eastern" fleets had to be recalled to defend the "west", through the wormhole.

Despite warnings from scientists, the generals decided to open the L-gate, hoping that they would improve their ability to maneuver across the galaxy. The result was certainly unexpected...

 

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The war with the Alvothari Purifiers was indeed one of the funniest parts of the game for me.
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Jogollwa services were warmly welcomed by the Wessari.

Machine uprisings didn't leave the Alvothari alone, either. It seems that a dissident scientist, shocked at his compatriots' brutality, created sentient robots whose only purpose was care for all organics in their care - including the Alvothari themselves. Naturally, this couldn't be tolerated by the Purifier "Purity Assembly" regime.

Repaired, the Dyson Sphere and the frozen planets revolving around its star, were even more magnificent than before.

The Jump Drive could potentially revolutionize interstellar travel.

The Yax'Kalock performed across the whole Star Accord in honor of victories over the Alvothari and the Grey Tempest.

The Zaxxoid raiders have pissed off one too many interstellar nation.

The diversity of life in the universe was astounding. From gaseous Dathnak beings, to subterranean aliens, all were welcome in the Wessari Star Accord.

I like how they referred to the world above as the Great Nothing.

The Wessari holdings across the galaxy were indeed numerous.

The Velutarians once again insisted on the need to destroy the weakened Alvothari.

A few diplomatic gifts convinced the Servitor rebellion inside the Alvothari systems that the Entente Federation is benevolent and doesn't seek more destruction of organic life than necessary.

With the help of the wise Curators, the Wessari finally managed to discover the secrets of the Enigmatic Fortress.

The Alvothari effort to attack the Wessari underbelly was decisively repulsed.

Federation allies didn't need any more Wessari help to smash the remaining Purifier fleets.

The impressive Habitats built by the megalomaniac Alvothari were no help to them in repealing invasions.

The allies needed help only in landing armies on planets. Zaxxoid general Kul-Ryg (who liked to fly above the battle in his mini-airplane, the Cool Rig) was an expert tactician.

Despite certain fears, Wessari scientists welcomed the overclocking of the computational machines.

I finally discover that a certain Tradition allows you to set war doctrines

Finally, as Wessari armies were poised to invade the last two Alvothari planets, the Alvothari High Justiciar was contacted for his last word. It wasn’t particularly enlightening.

And so, those who wanted to purify the galaxy of all other forms of sapient life, were destroyed themselves.

 

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In order to lessen the burden on the overstrained administration, some of the conquered Wessari territories were reorganized as vassals, led by descendants of these Alvothari which were forced to migrate to the Star Accord some time ago.

It was a relief for the Star Accord Peoples - ethnic Wessari now were but a single group among them - to immerse themselves in peaceful projects like kelp cleaning and Science Nexus building. The genre of industrial novel underwent a revival.

In a lively debate, caution ultimately prevailed. Few Wessari would've guessed the true meaning of this event.

A far more sensational discovery was the existence of parallel worlds.

This self-terminating AI must've been really incompetent. Who were the remaining Wessari rivals at this point? The Bokasherans were hardly that powerful... maybe it also considered the Ul-Tur to be such? Or maybe it foresaw the striking future events?

By this point, the (organic) peoples of the Star Accord started to really worry what was going on.

In fact, the alarmed First Speaker gave an order to replace sentient combat AI's of the Star Accord fleet with less powerful, but also less self-aware versions. Any similar malfunctions could be critical.

This signal was certainly suspicious. At least, the military researchers worked diligently to make the Fleet - the Star Accord's first defense against galactic mischief - more powerful.

It seemed that the researchers who had warned about the unpredictability of self-aware AI's were right... the decision made by the Wessari early in the Space Age to scrap its autonomous robot producing factories no longer seemed so regressive.

It took quite a lot of time and effort to replace the AI of all ships... and to make things worse, a Wessari researcher secretly used sentient test subjects, justifying it by the genocidal history of the subject species. Naturally, such predjudice couldn't stand.

All these fears were not baseless, after all...

 

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If these Machine Words weren't so hostile to anything that is not them, they would certainly be impressive...

It was clear: in order to defeat this sudden threat, the whole Federation needs to be united. Unfortunately, there was clearly no time to replace the AI of all spaceships, leaving the fleet a mix of fully-effective and sub-effective vehicles.

The first Machine World, Enkef, was in Draipol territory which was originally Raxicodium, on the "right" side of the galaxy, quite far away from inhabited planets. The second one spawned here:

Attempts to reason with the Contingency were clearly pointless. Once again, the galaxy was faced with an example of machines doing their job too well.

The following transmission made the Chancellor utter a rather un-PC joke, which you can see below.

To add more troubles with the AI, synthetic robots originally produced by the Alvothari started pondering the questions of Life, Universe and Everything. Thankfully, some good old scientific materialism was enough to defuse the situation.

The third Machine world spawned right inside the Draipol skies. Fortunately, its AI seemed to be bugged (I like how this statement works on both in-universe and RL game development level). Its fleets, after taking control of immediate surrounding systems, just stayed second-degree neighbor systems on passive patrols, making no effort to attack even minor space stations.

I actually set the crisis strength to 1.25x, so this eased matters, indeed.

The final Contingency world spawned in a more threatening place.

All Star Accord resources went towards increasing fleet fighting capabilities.

At least, this episode proved that the Contingency isn't all-knowing.

Predictably.

The Mechazur had 4 fleets c. 95K strength.

The Contingency fleet took control over the L-sector gate.

The Mechazur made a mistake that could be easily exploited. Instead of joining their fleet into one, they started attacking in different galactic directions, making each fleet more vulnerable to two large Star Accord armies, supported by valuable Federation allies (you see one of these armies here).

More and more Federation fleets were on the way to Orassia.

"The peoples of Wessari Star Accord will never surrender, no mater what it takes!", announced the First Speaker.

Even the three functioning Contingency machine production centers expanded its control slowly. They were clearly coded to advance methodically, giving time to their construction ships to gain total control of the system. This meant that the Federation had enough time to deal with Mechazur fleets.

The whole force of the Federation assaulted the Mechazur fleet which poised a lethal threat to Orassia.

The power of a single Mechazur fleet just couldn't withstand the numerical superiority of the Federation.

Unfortunately, the few armies on inhabitable planets close to the Mechazur couldn't resis their advanced armies.

The large Wessari army that disabled one Mechazur fleet than split in two, with one attacking the Mechazur from the "north", the other from the "south". Civil researchers of the Accord, meanwhile, developed a patch that prevented undesirable AI behavior.

The tale of admiral Obr-Keq's life must've been fascinating. Born in a rough, militaristic, even if somewhat sophisticated society of Zaxxoid raiders, he was sworn into Wessari service and saw from afar his homeland being destroyed and his people scattered. Then he was instrumental in defeating the galaxy from rouge robots.

 

[LWE]

The fleets suffered casualties, as hacked "Sentient AI" on spaceships was clearly not up to the task. Still, although Mechazur ships retreated without having a single ship completely destroyed in battle, their fleets suffered severe casualties during emergency FTL travel back to their AI capital, not to mention that each Federation victory over them meant that the fleet would be totally hors de combat for quite some time.

The two Federation armies execute a strategic pincer. One army attacked from this direction...

The other, more multi-national, confronts the Mechazur from the "north", not giving them time to regroup.

In a major coup, the Wessari gained control of main space station of Mechazur capital, as other enemy fleets were either preoccupied with the other army, or were busy invading planets far away.

The Enkef contingency slowly grew, despite best Bokasheran attempts to contain it.

The Contingency took over some inhabited planets...

But the Mechazur were methodically grinded down. The Dyson Sphere witnessed the "Northern" fleet's grandest battle of the Mechazur War.

The slave-driving Bokasherans became unlikely heroes, as they were the ones who confronted the Contingency while Star Entente Federation fleets were busy with the Mechazur. Their fleets were defeated, yet they managed to deal some medium-low casualties.

Here you can see the remnants of once-mighty Mechazur fleets, which lost so many ships during emergency FTL, being obliterated by the battered, yet still battle-capable Federation fleets, that were continuously receiving reinforcements.

Wessari researchers were working overtime, trying to squeeze the most out of standard weaponry.

Many brave sentients of many galactic races died in order to destroy Mechazur fleet.

The time had come to conquer the grand Mechazur ring. There were no signs of organic life there - it was unknown whether the Mechazur exterminated the refugees they were talking about, or whether there weren't any refugees there in the first place...

Bokasheran Void Skulkers bravely continued to pester the Contingency.

Contingency clusters came trough wormholes and L-gates close to capital, destroying some unfortunate secondary Wessari reinforcement ships that didn't have the time to retreat, but they advanced slowly.

The heroic general who conquered most of the ring world had died in battle, but nevertheless, his Xeno Army barely managed to win.

Now Wessari armies could rescue the denizens of planets conquered by the Mechazur from extermination at the merciless limbs of Helperbots and Assistomatons.

Most of the Alpha Refuge Ring World factories were preserved intact. Their mysterious techniques provided additional help to the Star Accord.

With the last Mechazur-conquered planet regained, their robotic "empire" ceased to exist. One of the threats to the galaxy was eliminated by joint efforts of the Star Entente Federation, standing united as Defenders of the Galaxy.

 

[LWE]

Here you can observe the total Wessari fleet without c. 100K of more slow-moving allies fighting a Contingency fleet somewhat reduced by Bokasherans.

This time, the losses weren't that large.

Right, a senile old empire deciding to show the young 'uns who's the boss here is exactly what the galaxy needed right now.

The 300K Contingency fleet that guards the Machine World is quite powerful, but not as powerful as the Federation, united in its goal.

The losses, as expected, ar far larger this time, but now the Federation could freely bombard the Machine World.

The Star Accord was so lucky to have its researchers discover the countermeasure to infliltrations so soon.

The Contingency fleet close to the capital stopped to invade planets in somewhat different direction, giving the Wessari even more time.

Research into Mechazur debris revealed to the Wessari the secrets of Dark Matter shields. While only a small number of ships could be upgraded straight away, this ensured that all future Wessari reinforcements would be more effective.

Part of the grand Wessari fleet was detached and moved back to the capital, to stop the Contingency threat.

The Contingency cluster was dealt a decisive defeat.

The new ship design placed even more emphasis on shields.

Unfortunately, a part of Star Accord fleet overextended itself, suffering losses against the new Contingency cluster. Fortunately, this cluster didn't "press the issue", giving the Wessari time to gather reinforcements.

Titan reinforcements were quequed.

At least, trade with the alternate reality was booming.

The Contingency attempted to relieve the Machine World siege, but was beaten off.

Unfortunately, it managed to eliminate the Roach Artists

After a long bombardment operation...

The Grand Fleet could almost immediately be transported to the next Machine World through L-gates, defeating a minor Contingency cluster on the way. Since the Contingency was programmed to be slow and methodical, waiting for its construction ships to advance, the loss of its construction ship was a far bigger success than it could seem.

Many galactic nations contributed to the elimination of the Contingency cluster guarding the second Machine World, including minor rebel planets that managed to secede from the Bokasherans after the latter suffered so many losses fighting the Contingency.

The losses of 7th Star Order were very large. But reinforcements were on their way, both through standard channels and through using Jump Drives.

More bombardment.

By this point, it became quite boring and frustrating to see all these fleets slooowly bombing the Contingency world to 0%, especially since initially the limited bombardment policy set by Federation allies further reduced the bombardment's efficiency, which didn't make much in-universe sense. I feel that having to bombard to 25% integrity or something should've been enough.

...and for their heroic resistance to the Contingency, only thing Bokasherans got is being a Thrall to senile old rampaging Ul-Tur fools.

Still, with the second world put under bombardment, galaxy-wide panic started to decrease. Anthropologists resumed their research.

After a lot of bombing, the second Machine World was no more, further reducing the strength of the Signal that was hindering Sentient Combat AI's, which were still used by a large share of the Wessari fleet.

 

[LWE]

The losses sustained by the Grand Fleet while destroying the guardians of the third Machine World, the one that spawned bugged Clusters, were larger than usual. It was quite good for the galaxy that neighboring Contingency fleets were totally inert.

More sloooow bombardment... this really needs to be changed somehow.

As expected:

Reinforcements and additional efficiency discoveries compensate for sustained losses. At the bottom right, you can also see the inert bugged Contingency clusters in Draipol territory.

The Jogollwa had started to pester the remaining Machine World, disorienting clumsy Contingency clusters, albeit not doing much damage.

The assault on the last Machine World proceeded largely as planned.

The last Contingency guardians - these strange vessels of general spherical form with interlocked triangles on the surface - were destroyed in a pitched battle. The Bokasherans still made their small contribution, even after being Thralled, proving that being a slavedriver doesn't mean that you're a coward.

More Machine Worlds to bomb down.

The Contingency AI was clearly disoriented by successes of all the forces against it.

It still had managed to destroy a lot of galactic forces during the time its fleets were active. Note that "annulled by others" also includes Federation allies.

Destroying the core Contingency world was more boring than anything. The writing already was on the wall.

And finally, the Star Accord and its Federation was recognized as the only galactic superpower. Even Ul-Tur, the second strongest nation by fleet power, didn't dare go against the wishes of the Accord's fair, rational and democratic government.

Whew! Come on, Paradox, not even a replay or a short victory video? Taking some clues from Civilization I here would be nice, especially since the game is otherwise quite rich in flavor.