The Drakari Imperium - Rhoth's Stellaris Apocalypse Ironman AAR

[Rhothaerill]

The Drakari Imperium
​

Index​

Cast of Characters

Game Setup

Introduction

Chapters​

Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 *Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 7 * Chapter 8 * Chapter 9 * Chapter 10 * Interlude * Chapter 11 * Chapter 12 * Chapter 13 * Chapter 14 * Chapter 15 * Chaper 16 *



Artwork borrowed from Sepiawolf at DeviantArt

 

[Rhothaerill]

Cast of Characters​

High Inquisitrix Kala

Introduction * Chapter 1 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 9 * Chapter 11 * Chapter 15 *

Alben, the Stowaway

Chapter 2 * Chapter 4 * Chapter 7 * Chapter 12 *

Thane Hask'Teragg and Izza'Dathieris, his aide

Chapter 3 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 8 * Chapter 10 * Chapter 14 * Chapter 16 *

Sephlaren, the Agitator

Chapter 13 * Chapter 16 *


More to come later...

 

[Rhothaerill]

Game Setup​

The Lucavi:

The Lucavi are the Chosen of the lost Dragon Thanes, the powerful dragon rulers of Talonos. Genetically molded by the Dragon Thanes in the image of the Thanes and crossed with some traits of a bipedal race native to Talonos known as the Humans, the Lucavi quickly took their place as the servants and priests of the Dragon Thanes, who they worshiped as gods. The Lucavi grew in both confidence and intelligence over the centuries, content in their service and worship, but coming to believe that of all the races of Talonos they were second in importance and greatness only to their Dragon Thanes.

Disaster struck the Lucavi when the Dragon Thanes disappeared from Talonos a millennia ago. Bereft of their creators, their gods, the Lucavi fragmented almost immediately into warring states. Decades passed, then centuries, but eventually the Lucavi reunited under an oligarchic government of the five most powerful states. Though their occasionally fractious nature morphed primarily into political backbiting, they remained united as one powerful state, dedicated once more in the name of the lost Dragon Thanes.

The Lucavi looked outward from their perch as the superior race of Talonos and realized that the lesser races were now also warring with each other, and beginning to threaten the lands of the Lucavi. It was decided by the reigning Oligarchs that the Humans must be subdued and put to work as servants of the Lucavi. A great war ensued, and though the Humans fought bravely, their military prowess proved to be no match for the more intelligent and technologically superior Lucavi.

Centuries passed and the Humans were integrated into full servants of the Lucavi. Now that the Humans were there to do all the dirty and smelly work the Lucavi preferred to avoid the Lucavi grew decadent and weak. Any work of an arduous or physical nature was deemed to be beneath them and left to the Humans.

But once more a great event occurred, nearly on par with the disappearance of the Dragon Thanes: as the Lucavi ascended to space their great minds wrought the development of a special hyperdrive. Now the Lucavi could explore the galaxy. Perhaps they would even be able to find the lost Dragon Thanes and restore the natural order of the world.

Notes:

For my second civic besides the Syncretic Evolution I went back and forth a bit. I thought about Exalted Priesthood since it also fits the mold, being that the Lucavi are a heavily religious race and it plays a part in all of their dealings with others. I also thought about starting as an Imperial government with the Imperial Cult civic (which would also please the eventual Authoritarian faction). But ultimately I decided on Cutthroat Politics, which fits the Oligarchy roleplaying aspect, plus I think it's a stronger civic than Imperial Cult with regard to using edicts. Eventually though the Oligarchy might be abolished and the strongest Lucavi may set up an Imperial Cult...

I also went back and forth a bit on the homeworld type. I tend to like the cold climates a little more since there is a higher rate of mineral and engineering deposits, but it doesn't really fit either the Lucavi or Human races very well. Plus this race was designed from a D&D campaign world which is tropical in nature, so I finally went with Tropical even though the races aren't designed for heavy growth or society research (no gene-modding, they will follow the Psionic path).

The Syncretic race of Humans is not shown in the picture, but their traits are Serviles, Industrious, Strong, Quarrelsome and Fleeting. They were selectively bred by the Lucavi for traits that would allow them to accomplish the mundane and arduous tasks that the Lucavi considered themselves above. They would be the farmers and miners and ground soldiers, while the Lucavi contented themselves with the worship of the divine Dragon Thanes and technological advancement.

Even though the Lucavi race is reptilian I chose the Molluscoid shipset as it is my favorite of all the shipsets.

Finally, the Lucavi will not be placed in a Caste System, even though one of the governing ethics is Authoritarian. All Lucavi are full members of society, while their Human servants, and any other races that may join the Imperium, will be placed in a Residency Caste System.





Game Details:

Medium galaxy with about 90% of the maximum empires, with an extra advanced start thrown in. Admiral difficulty (formerly Very Hard) on Ironman. Settings that were changed include 1.25x for primitive civilizations, wormholes and gateways, and 0.75x for crisis strength (if I go that far in). Tech/tradition cost, hyperlane density, and habitable worlds remain at standard.

 

[Rhothaerill]

Introduction
High Inquisitrix Kala​

Greetings to my fellow Lucavi and all others who inhabit our great Drakari Imperium. I am High Inquisitrix Kala and I join you today to welcome you on the newest journey of our great nation. We have been blessed by the Elders: Sivaen the Great Queen, Solanus the Worldshaker, and the other Elder dragons lost to the ages. They are out there, somewhere, waiting for us to find them.

And find them we shall. I believe with all of my hearts and my spirit that the Elders left us all those years ago for a reason. They did not just disappear and leave us to pick up the pieces as some heretics have espoused. No, that is not it at all. They wanted us to grow; to become worthy. The Elders knew that we Lucavi would never achieve the great heights they knew that we could achieve if they had remained. How does one fly? It is not through coddling from our hatch-mothers. Our hatch-mothers throw us to the wind and we find our way. That is the way we Lucavi fly and the way we live our lives. The Elders knew that we must fly to find our true worth, and they were correct.

Well, my friends, all of the Drakari Imperium stands united this day for we shall truly fly. We shall soar beyond the very limits of our solar system for the first time ever. Our great Lucavi scientists have devised the means to outfit our space arks to fly beyond the Edge. Hyperspace travel, only dreamed about for decades, nay centuries, is now a reality.

Today, this day, the beginning of a new year, a new century; today is the day we fly Beyond. Today is the day we truly begin to learn more about the galaxy that we've only studied from afar. Today is the day we begin our search to find the Elders; to show them that we have risen up and that we fly, as they intended all along.

Today. This is the day! The day we shall begin the final search for the Elders. Our creators. Our gods.

Artwork borrowed from DragginCat at Deviant Art and Munwie at Deviant Art

 

[Rhothaerill]

Chapter 1 - The First Day
High Inquisitrix Kala​

Our very superior scientists have spent centuries studying the heavens, wondering where the Elders disappeared to. Now we can finally search the rest of the galaxy for them. It's a great day! We know that Talonos is positioned roughly near the center of the galaxy. We also know that we are roughly near the edge of what our scientists have designated as a "Galactic Spiral". I'm not sure everyone fully understands galactic phenomena, but star systems are clustered closer together somehow in spirals, with dark space between the spirals, blocking access to other galactic spirals except through certain star systems. I understand it. I'm just not certain others may.

When our great scientists achieved the breakthrough that gave us hyperlane travel, we were able to determine the hyperlane network for the entire galaxy, so we know how to travel everywhere. We just don't know what each star system holds, or where we may find the Elders. But find them we will.

[Rhoth's Notes] I kind of wish that the hyperlane network were actually obscured at the start of the game, and that you had to explore to find new hyperlanes; sort of like how you have to explore to find what is inside each system. It would really increase the immersion of initial exploration rather than knowing where every hyperlane in the galaxy is located from day one. Hopefully that's something that could be implemented some day, perhaps as a game-start-up checkbox option so that players can choose which way they would prefer to have it. I believe Wiz has mentioned that it's something they would look into in the future, so we'll see.[/Notes]



With their work in hyperdrive technology now finished I made certain our scientists would not rest on their laurels. We expect the Humans to try to avoid work, though they generally perform well, for a Human, but a lazy Lucavi is one who will quickly be fired from his or her job if I have anything to say about it. Emboldened by their work with the hyperdrives our best and brightest minds continued to work to improve our burgeoning fleet with new Fusion Power and Ceramo-Metal Materials technology. Though not directly involved with hyperdrive technology, or quite as experienced in his field as the others, Torba-Inak began work trying to discover the secrets of Genome Mapping. A thorough understanding of Lucavi genetics would provide a huge boost to the growth of our species.

Meanwhile our remaining top scientist prepared for the first ever Lucavi hyperspace jump. In preparation I tasked him with a specific directive to Map the Stars. We need to know what is Out There, and he was best equipped to determine this. It was truly a great honor for him. He would be the first Lucavi to ever travel beyond the confines of our own solar system.

What a stellar day this would be. What would he find when he got to where he was going? Would the Elders be there? The Lucavi must find out. I must find out.

[Rhoth's Notes] I know it potentially slows initial incorporation of a new system a bit (more on that in a future chapter), since you need to wait for your influence to grow again, but I really like using Map The Stars edict right at the start of the game (or at least right as the scientist starts his first survey). Having a higher percentage chance to find anomalies means your initial systems will likely be better than they otherwise would be. Finding an anomaly that gives +9 to Engineering research, or +5 to minerals early in the game is a huge find. For that same reason I also often take the Discovery tradition opener first, even if I don't intend to continue in that tradition tree, just so I have more chance to find anomalies in my starting area. I also really like Meticulous scientists if possible. Stacking all three gives a +35% chance to find anomalies.[/notes]



More to come later...

 

[Rhothaerill]

Chapter 2 - The Search For The Elders
Alben, the Stowaway​

Day 1

I...I shouldn't be here. I dunno what to do. How can I go home? I'm scared. I can't even tell anyone or I'd be punished. Maybe executed? That means dead right? I dunno.

I was just helping load supplies on that big ship. The Alam'Avintok. The one that's supposed to go look for those old Lucavi they lost. That's all. Them Lucavi, they never load their own supplies. We humans always have to. 'Cause we're strong I guess. The Lucavi call us mussel...err, muscun...umm, muscular I think is the word. It just means strong though, but they use big words. I was supposed to get off'a the ship before it left. Is it my fault I fell asleep behind a box? That was a lotta work and I was tired. And now I'm stuck here, and the ship has left home, and I don't wanna be here, and I'm gonna cry.


Day 4

Hungry. I'm not sure I'm supposed to eat the food for the Lucavi. What if I get caught? But...I'm hungry. I think I have to eat it. I hope I don't get caught.


Day 18

Space is Ace. Heard that somewhere before we left. I've never seen anything like it before. I dunno if any other human has. The Lucavi don't let us go into space much. They say only their big brains can handle it and us Humans should just concern ourselves with our farms and mines. I think we're getting closer to the edge. Beyond, they call it. I'm kinda scared, but excited too. No one's ever been Beyond. Not even a Lucavi. But that's where we're headed. Overheard that from one of the Lucavi while I was hiding in a vent shaft. I'm gonna be the first Human to ever go Beyond. I wonder what Seph will say when I tell her. Umm, if I get back home.


Day 35

Going through the Beyond. I think I've gotta pee. Oh crap! No I think that's what I have to do too.


Day 70

Still alive. Still haven't been found by the Lucavi. Been careful. The Beyond was really weird. Like nothing I've ever seen before. One moment we were at the Edge. I heard the special engines powering up. I think they call them Hyperspace Drives or something fancy like that. Then all of a sudden we weren't there anymore. We were Beyond. And now we're here. I don't know where here is, but all the Lucavi are excited. I can hear them cheering. All we're doing is wandering about this new place looking for stuff, but I overheard 'em again. Something about finding a resting place of the their Elders and it's some holy thing or something. I dunno. I heard something about naming it Elder's Rest or something Lucavi-like.

I guess it's really something back home too. The Lucavi are building a new temple for their Elders. Well, the Humans are building it for them of course. Them Lucavi sure aren't gonna touch a hammer.

I wonder if we'll find something to eat down there. Kinda hungry again.

[Rhoths' Notes] Okay, so really this couldn't have been a better start for the roleplaying I want to do with this game. Spiritualists have a new item where they can spend influence to declare a Gaia world as holy for a permanent Unity bonus. And I found one in the first system I entered. If it had been a large Gaia world I certainly would have been tempted to settle it, but with it only being size 12 I decided that I wanted to make it a holy world dedicated to the Elders, as soon as I had the spare influence. Since it wasn't one of my guaranteed tier 1 planets I would still have at least two settle-able planets in a small radius.

As for the temple I actually meant to start that on day 1. I like to build the Unity building as soon as possible on my capital and move over a pop to it to get to my first tradition choice quicker (especially since I want to get the anomaly bonus chance ASAP). I realized that I had missed a few months of construction so I started it after finding the Gaia world. [/Notes]



More to come later...

 

[stnylan]

This is a really interesting perspective on a game-start. Very intrigued with how things will go.

As an aside, I very much agree with you about the hyperlane network, I think obscuring it and having the next hyperlane be discovered when you complete exploration of the system would be rather neat.

 

[Rhothaerill]

Thank you. I'm having fun with this particular race. It's been a while since I've written a character-driven AAR for any game, and I've had the itch to do one again. I was originally planning for the past week or two to do a Viking Raider AAR, but getting the raiding mechanic to actually be useful was frustrating. I decided to move on to this instead, and I'm glad I did. Though going with a dragon-like race means I can't use Nikolai's actual first name for my most intelligent researcher.

As for hyperlanes, you can turn the visuals off, so it's "hidden" at the start, but then they stay off even after you "discover" the new routes after surveying a new system. That's just messy and frustrating to try to do just for the sake of immersion. So I'm hopeful that eventually Wiz will implement something like what you stated. I'm sure it's not really a priority though.

 

[Nikolai]

Glad tosee this posted here too, ehere it’ll get more exposure!

And why can’t a dragon be named Frithjof?

 

[jasondroth24]

Brilliant start

 

[Rhothaerill]

Chapter 3 - Life and Machinations
Thane Hask'Teragg and Izza'Dathieris, his Aide​

"So she left?"

"Yes my thane." replied Izza'Dathieris, "High Inquisitrix Kala set sail with the tide this morning for Kha-Alestria. Word has it that she was already turning a shade of pale green before she even set scales on the gangplank."

"Elders save us from queasy land-shackled Lucavi. That one should never have been elected High Inquisitrix with her wing impediment." Thane Hask'Teragg shifted uncomfortably on his throne as he peered around to verify there were no others in the room. "I hope Captain Gomma'Ikyr has a bucket for her cabin. I'd hate to be the one to clean it out after they drop her off at home."

"I believe he does my thane."

"Good. Good. I suppose it's a shame she had to leave though. She does have a certain shine to her scales, even for an Alestrian. She is quite striking." Hask'Teragg paused to ponder shiny scales and perhaps other things as well. Shaking his bright viridian head, quite different than the golden color of his wing scales, he returned to business, "Did she suspect anything?"

Izza'Dathieris hesitated a moment, "I do not believe so my thane. She has no reason to suspect our involvement in the attempted sabotage of the Hyperdrive Engines of the Alam'Avintok before it left. The search for the conspirators is ongoing, but the Inquisitor leading the investigation is a loyal Saenar. There should be no trail that leads back to you."

Hask'Teragg hoisted his bulky frame from the throne in a sudden rush, "It should have been a Saenar ship, not an Alestrian ship that sailed the Hyperlanes. It was our scientists who made the Hyperlane Engines work in the first place. Ours! Not Kala's. Not an Alestrian's. Ours!"

Hask'Teragg began to pace wildly around his throne. Izza'Dathieris watched without comment, knowing well his thane's occasional fits of temper. The thane turned back to his aide and practically shouted, "This entire search for the Elders is wrong! A mistake." He clapped his hands together with a boom. "This new planet, this Elder's Rest as the High Inquisitrix wishes to term it...it supports life. It should support us. If the Elders did dwell there once, long ago, they do not anymore. We should be colonizing that planet immediately. It may be smaller than Talonos, but it is akin to a paradise. We Lucavi deserve to live there. Saenar should be at the forefront of colonization and if the High Inquisitrix doesn't like it then she can damn well stay here and live in her smelly swamp in Alestria."

"Yes, my thane." Izza'Dathieris replied. "Of course you are correct in this. But we can do nothing about it. The High Inquisitrix has spoken and the other thanes support her wishes."

"For now Dath. For now." Hask'Teragg huffed and sat down on his throne once more.

[Rhoth's Notes] Kha-Alestria and Ost-Saenar are two of the five primary Thane holdings of the Lucavi that form the Oligarchy.[/Notes]


More to come later...

Artwork borrowed from Martin Holmberg and Thiago Klafke from Artstation

 

[Nikolai]

Go for it, the Drakari needs room for expansion!

 

[Rhothaerill]

Go for it, the Drakari needs room for expansion!

Sometimes you have to avoid settling a planet. You never know who might think it's holy.

Note that in this case it's not holy to a Spiritualist FE though.

 

[Rhothaerill]

Chapter 4 - Yeelon Dreaming On Such A Spacy Day
Alben, the Stowaway​

Day 148

The ship spent a lot of time over that strange world they were talking about recently. Elder's Rest. Every time I had a chance to look out the window ports I saw a big bright light below us between the ship and the planet. Heard one of 'em calling it "surveying". Seems like a big fancy word. That planet didn't look like anything special to me though. I got a look at Home before we left and this planet is much smaller. I guess we're moving on. Looks like we found another of those Hyperspace Lanes that brought us here, only this one doesn't lead back home. That's a shame. The Hyperspace Engines are powering up now. Gotta hold on to something just in case.

I really wanna see Home again. And I really wanna go eat something.


Day 174

Oh no. Oh no! I think they're onto me. Heard some of the Lucavi sayin' they heard noises in the ducts. Gotta move before they find me.


Day 177

Got caught. Now I'm in the brig. That's what them Lucavi call it, but I know it's prison. I tried to ask what's gonna happen to me, but the Lucavi wouldn't say anything. I'm gonna die aren't I? Yeah, I'm probably gonna die. Now I'm really scared. I hope they bring me some food. Kinda hungry too.


Day 180

Well I'm not dead. A Lucavi came by today and asked all these questions really quick-like. Somethin' about a sab-ah-tag attempt on the day we left Home. I dunno nothin' though. I was just tired. I didn't do anything bad.

I think he believed me. It's hard to tell with Lucavi sometime. Them dragon-snoots don't show their emotions the way we Humans do. Their faces just don't change much. It's really hard to tell if one of 'em is angry or happy, or something else, if they're not talking much. He said he was gonna go speak with the Captain and they'd decide what to do with me after that. I hope it's not death.


Day 184

Nope not dead. Looks like they're gonna let me out. I'm so happy! I didn't wanna die. They're not gonna take me home though. I guess it would cost too much fuel to go home right now. Dunno. It's kinda all beyond me. But I guess they believed that I was a good guy and now they're gonna make me clean the waste stalls. I can do that. Done it before. Not a problem. They'll even feed me so I don't have to steal it anymore. Just need to remember to wash my hands before I touch the food. They were really on about that.


Day 256

We found another hadab...habud...habotub....planet where Lucavi and Humans could maybe live. The Captain is heading there right now so we can do that surveying thing we did for that last one them Lucavi were so excited about. I don't know what the big deal is, or why they'd wanna live anywhere else. I just wanna see home again.


Day 288

Wow! It's really beautiful to look at that planet. It's as big as Home. I wanna see home again, but I think I'd kinda, maybe, like to live down there someday too. I just don't wanna be the only one. I'd go crazy trying to live alone on a whole big world. Maybe Seph could come live with me too. That'd be really great.

Day 383

I guess we're leaving again. Overheard one of the Lucavi sayin' something about another Hyperspace Lane that we're about to enter to another star system. I'm kinda used to it now. Doesn't scare me at all. I don't get scared much at all anymore.


Day 415

Oh s**t!

More to come later...

 

[stnylan]

Oh my ... the first brush with the truly unknown, and it is bound to cause a stir ... a stir in a put that appears to already be bubbling away quite nicely all on its own.

 

[Rhothaerill]

Chapter 5 - Treason
Thane Hask'Teragg and Izza'Dathieris, his Aide, with an appearance by High Inquisitrix Kala​

Izza'Dathieris entered the study chamber and quickly stood at attention, waiting for the other Lucavi in the room to not as an acknowledgement of his presence, "My thane, she is here."

"Who is here?" replied Hask'Teragg.

"High Inquisitrix Kala."

"But she wasn't scheduled to visit. What is she doing here?" A faint glimpse of confusion crossed Hask'Teragg's eyes as he wondered what was the purpose of the visit.

"I cannot say my thane. She would not deign to express her intentions to a mere aide such as myself. She bade me to fetch you to the throne room for her." Izza'Dathieris placed a small emphasis on the word 'fetch' that Hask'Teragg could not possibly miss.

"Fetch? Just who does she think she is?" the confusion in Hask'Teragg's eyes quickly turned to anger.

"I do not know my thane, but if I may say so, she appeared as angry as you do now."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hask'Teragg entered his throne room to discover the High Inquisitrix seated on his own throne, surrounded by armored Lucavi and Human guards. That Human-loving wretch dared? "What is the meaning of..."

"Shut up Teragg, and listen for once in your life." Kala's voice thundered throughout the throne room, stopping Hask'Teragg mid sentence. "I know it was you who tried to sabotage the launch of the Alam'Avintok."

"But I..."

"I said...shut...up!" Kala interrupted him once more, enunciating the words slowly, while motioning to her guards to move toward him. Hask'Teragg looked around the room, noticing that not a single one of his own guards stood in attendance. He suddenly felt a flash of fear for the first time in many years. Two Lucavi guards, armed with evil-looking tridents, approached and lightly prodded him toward the throne.

Kala stared at him for a long moment, barely controlled anger fairly seething across her features, before she continued, "We've worked toward the goal of exploring the stars for decades...centuries, even. And for you to attempt to sabotage all our efforts. This should have been about bring together all the Lucavi in a common cause. But no, not for the great military mind Hask'Teragg of Ost-Saenar. Our efforts must be about him and his cause. I can't even contemplate your motivation. It's treasonous."

Hask'Teragg started to speak but a deadly glance from Kala shut him up.

"Few people actually know of your perfidious deeds at the moment. But that can change quickly. I could end your political aspirations here and now if I chose to do so Teragg." Kala sat forward on the throne and stared at Hask'Teragg for another long moment. "But you're too great of an asset for that. So here is what we are going to do. You know of the Pob'Kreedak, our second Hyperspace capable ship?" Hask'Teragg nodded

"Good. You are going to personally volunteer to be her captain. You'll appoint some other Hask as your regent here in Saenar. It's time for you to leave Talonos behind and go explore the galaxy. You'll be famous. The second great Lucavi captain. And meanwhile your machinations here on Talonos will dry up. I'll see to that. It's time to pack Teragg. Your time on Talonos is at an end."

With that Kala reclined back on Hask'Teragg's throne and closed her eyes. Hask'Teragg knew it for a dismissal.

[Rhoth's Notes] I tend to try to get my second science ship out exploring as soon as possible. Mixed with taking the Discovery tradition opener first, as I was soon to do in-game, having two science ships out exploring, with the Map the Stars edict and the Discovery opener, you can start finding a lot of anomalies in what will be your core territory. I don't necessarily start researching the anomalies right away until my scientists are of a high enough level to mitigate most of the risk, but finding them early is key. The more anomalies you find in territory you intend to claim, the better your territory will be. Within a couple months of the pic above both scientists found their first anomalies. [/Notes]


More to come later...

Artwork borrowed from Alana Makenshi at Pinterest, though it appears to have a DeviantArt mark

 

[stnylan]

That has to be one of the best backstories to a Scientist I have ever read.

 

[Rhothaerill]

Chapter 6 - Sentient Life
High Inquisitrix Kala​

It has been nearly three years since Day One of the Lucavi exploration of space. We've discovered many new things that our race never thought possible. Some of those have set our minds whirling in awe, and possibly a little bit of fear. Both of our exploration ships have now come across giant sentient amoebas in several of the star systems near our own. There is life in the galaxy, other than our own, though whether they are truly sentient or not we do not yet know. What these amoebas are comprised of, or how they formed, is a mystery we have not yet begun to explore, though the Humans, with their certainly wild imaginations, have termed them Space Amoebas. All we truly know is that they possess at least a rudimentary awareness or even intelligence, somehow, and that they are hostile.

We do not believe that our standing navy is currently equipped to eradicate these Space Amoebas, so for now we must leave those systems unexplored until our scientists have given us better tools to fight them. But it is a shame, as the Space Amoebas are currently blocking systems that potentially lead to an access to an entirely separate galactic ring from the one in which Talonos is located. What would we find there? Alas we shall not find out anytime soon.

Our exploration ships have also found curious atmospheric patterns on planets in multiple different systems, the sensor profile of an odd ship in the middle of a gas giant, and Teragg himself found strange structures on the surface of Kunides VII. We have not yet explored any of these strange phenomena yet. For now we are only conducting a survey of the surrounding systems, especially looking out for the Habitable systems such as we found in the Yeelon system. One can only imagine what it would be like to live on another planet, one so similar to our own, but at the same time so very different. So empty.

And we even discovered artifacts from a possibly ancient civilization known as the Cybrex. Our scientists have studied re-creations of the artifacts from needlecasts from the Alam'Avintok and have determined that the civilization was comprised of machines and predated our own by more millennia than I can even comprehend. Sentient machines. An abomination, to be sure, and one I'm quite uncertain as to how they came about. And these machines appear to have attempted to wipe out all sapient life during the time they were active. We will study their artifacts, at the very least to make certain our scientists realize the dangers inherent in a sentient AI program, but I am glad they are gone.

Of even more significance than the Space Amoebas or the Cybrex though is the fact that we found solid evidence of our Elders in Rimmock. Elder's Rest. I want to see it myself someday, though that would mean leaving Talonos for a time. I will not lie, the prospect does frighten me a bit. I do not do so well traveling on the seas, so I can only imagine how much different it would be traveling in space.

There is a trail too. One that appears to lead toward the next galactic ring, that is currently blocked by the Space Amoebas. Did the Elders travel that way? Did they also encounter these giant amoebas? We must find out, and soon. I must know.

[Rhoth's Notes] I was less than pleased to find space monsters blocking the way north. Now my only route of expansion, at least until I'm strong enough to field a fleet of around 20 or so corvettes that can remove the amoebas, was south. [/Notes]


More to come later...

 

[stnylan]

That's a bit annoying about the northern route.

It is probably a low-sample size thing, but for me the Cybrex seem to spawn far more often than the other Precursors.

 

[Rhothaerill]

That's a bit annoying about the northern route.

It is probably a low-sample size thing, but for me the Cybrex seem to spawn far more often than the other Precursors.

The Cybrex seem to be more numerous in my games as well, followed by the Yuht. I seem to get the First League with the lowest frequency. I don't really mind the Cybrex though since you get a ruined ring world out of it if the homeworld ends up close, which doesn't happen with the others. Though in my second 2.0x game I had a home world appear in the middle of the Xenophobe FE, which meant there was no way to bring the chain to a conclusion until much, much later.

Oh and thanks for the comment about Chapter 5 and Hask'Teragg. He may or may not be more than just a scientist though.