Travellers Guide to StariumXCV - User contributions [en]

Trade Routes

2026-03-17T15:23:31Z

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Trade Routes facilitate regular trade between [[Markets]]. Trade Routes transfer Market resources on a regular schedule, only stopping when one of the Markets doesn't have the goods the Trade Route is supposed to pick up. Trade Routes allow an [[Empire]] to extend their production outputs to other [[Worlds]].

==Creating a Trade Route==
Trade Routes require a Spaceport. The size of the spaceport determines the rate at which the trade route can transfer goods.

==Disruption==
There are a few ways that Trade Routes can be disrupted

===Resource Limitations===
Trade Routes stop when there aren't enough of a resource the Trade Route is supposed to pick up. If the route can't pick up all the resources it's supposed it, it'll pause and send a notification to the owner.

===Blockades/Sanctions===
Fleets forming a Blockade or Sanctions can stop trade routes.

===Piracy===
Fleets can pirate resources from Trade Routes, causing some shipments of goods to not reach their destination.

[[Category:Game]]

Exocredits

2026-03-17T15:02:29Z

Attach7728: Created page with "Exocredits are a currency used to trade between markets, build ships, and build units. ==Obtaining== The primary way to gain Exocredits are to sell Trade Goods. Exocredits can also be earned from other Empires through trade. Some Virtues can reward Exocredits. Category:Game"

Exocredits are a currency used to trade between [[markets]], build [[ships]], and build [[units]].

==Obtaining==
The primary way to gain Exocredits are to sell [[Markets#Trade Goods|Trade Goods]].

Exocredits can also be earned from other [[Empires]] through [[Markets#Imports/Exports|trade]].

Some [[Virtues]] can reward Exocredits.

[[Category:Game]]

Fog of War

2026-03-02T17:58:56Z

Attach7728: /* Visibility */

The Fog of War limits what is visible on [[Areas]] in the game. Most things are hidden from you unless there is a game piece granting visibility. Some [[Agents]] are able to hide, requiring additional visibility before they're noticeable.

The Fog of War operates off of View Strength. Different factors provide View Strength, and the highest factor determines what is shown.

==Visibility==

{| style="max-width:80ch; margin:auto;"
!
! style="text-align:center;" | Full Fog
! style="text-align:center;" | Partial Fog
! style="text-align:center;" | No Fog
|-
!
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:20251111_196_fogOfWar_completeFog.png|128px|Complete Fog of War]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:20251111_196_fogOfWar_partialFog.png|128px|Partial Fog of War]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:20251111_196_fogOfWar_noFog.png|128px|No Fog of War]]
|-
! View Strength
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;" | less than 0
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;" | 0 - 0.5 <br /> (not including 0.5)
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;" | 0.5 or greater
|-
! style="vertical-align:top;" | Description
| style="vertical-align:top;" | No visibility into the area
| style="vertical-align:top;" | Terrain, natural features, and Area ownership are visible, along with any [[Populations]] with a quantity higher than 50.
| style="vertical-align:top;" | Full visibility, although some [[Agents]] may still be hidden
|}

===Agents===
Some [[Agents]] have the ability to Hide. When hidden, they can only be seen if the Area has a View Strength equal to or greater than that Agent's Stealth Rating.

==Calculating View Strength==
Different factors affect the View Strength for an Area. For any given Area, the highest View Strength you have is what applies.

Having one of your [[Fleets]] in orbit of a [[Worlds|World]] grants a View Strength of 0 to all the [[Areas]] on that world.

The Area being owned by a member of your [[Federations|Federation]] grants a View Strength of 0.5.

Owning the Area grants a View Strength of 1.

An [[Armies|Army]] grants a View Strength of 1 to the Area it's on, and all the neighboring Areas.

[[Agents]] grant a View Strength equal to their Stealth Rating.

[[Category:Game]]

Fog of War

2026-03-02T17:54:15Z

Attach7728: /* Visibility */

The Fog of War limits what is visible on [[Areas]] in the game. Most things are hidden from you unless there is a game piece granting visibility. Some [[Agents]] are able to hide, requiring additional visibility before they're noticeable.

The Fog of War operates off of View Strength. Different factors provide View Strength, and the highest factor determines what is shown.

==Visibility==

{| style="max-width:80ch; margin:auto;"
!
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:20251111_196_fogOfWar_completeFog.png|128px|Complete Fog of War]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:20251111_196_fogOfWar_partialFog.png|128px|Partial Fog of War]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:20251111_196_fogOfWar_noFog.png|128px|No Fog of War]]
|-
! View Strength
| style="text-align:center;" | less than 0
| style="text-align:center;" | 0 - 0.5 (not including 0.5)
| style="text-align:center;" | 0.5 or greater
|-
! Description
| style="vertical-align:top;" | Full Fog <br /> No visibility into the area
| style="vertical-align:top;" | Partial Fog <br /> Terrain, natural features, and Area ownership are visible, along with any [[Populations]] with a quantity higher than 50.
| style="vertical-align:top;" | No Fog <br /> Full visibility, although some [[Agents]] may still be hidden
|}

===Agents===
Some [[Agents]] have the ability to Hide. When hidden, they can only be seen if the Area has a View Strength equal to or greater than that Agent's Stealth Rating.

==Calculating View Strength==
Different factors affect the View Strength for an Area. For any given Area, the highest View Strength you have is what applies.

Having one of your [[Fleets]] in orbit of a [[Worlds|World]] grants a View Strength of 0 to all the [[Areas]] on that world.

The Area being owned by a member of your [[Federations|Federation]] grants a View Strength of 0.5.

Owning the Area grants a View Strength of 1.

An [[Armies|Army]] grants a View Strength of 1 to the Area it's on, and all the neighboring Areas.

[[Agents]] grant a View Strength equal to their Stealth Rating.

[[Category:Game]]

Charian

2026-02-20T17:47:47Z

Attach7728: Remove Syndust Files

[[File:20170615_charian_race_banner.png|600px|center|Charian Banner]]

<h2>Short Story Introduction</h2>

<p><i>“But I don’t want it, it’ll <b>hurt!</b>”</i></p>

<p><i>“Nonsense!”</i> the Charian in the long lab coat replied, offering the child a small red tablet. </p>

<p><i>“We have developed a neurological blocker which, when ingested, is capable of converting pain signals into taste. Therefore, when we prescribe this to you, you will instead taste Xirconberries. The Pandeus modulator procedure will be entirely painless. Do you like Xirconberries?”</i></p>

<p><i>“See, it is perfectly harmless. Your father and I have both undergone this procedure and it was absolutely fine,” the boy’s mother interjected seeing the uncertain frown on her daughter.</i></p>

[[File:0_4_1_bust_0_1.png|250px|right|Charian male by James Goudie]]

<p><i>“Whoa, who’s that?”</i> the girl suddenly exclaimed jumping down from the bed and pointing out of the hospital wing’s window at the block opposite. There, with his back to the hospital, was a bronzed man with no shirt on. His skin looked alien and unfamiliar compared to the usual Charian hues. Down his spine ran black spots, which came to a point just above his trousers. </p>

<p><i>“I must admit that I am unsure of his designation,”</i> the surgeon began, stepping over to join her by the window. </p>

<p><i>“I do believe that his species are commonly known as Gervians,”</i> the father added, squinting. </p>

<p>Before anyone could answer, the man they were watching raised his arms and displayed a series of intricate and complex tattoos which stretched from his shoulder to wrist. As they watched, the tattoos glowed from black to a deep red, the colour sweeping down towards his hands.</p>

<p><i>“What is...”</i> someone said, but the question hung. The glow faded from the man’s arms and he brought them up towards his face, palms up to be inspected but hidden from the viewers. He began to shake his head and turned to the Charian standing beside him who tapped on the datapad he held.</p>

<p>A few moments later, the Gervian raised his arms once again and the deep red colour once more rushed along his tattoos from his shoulders towards his wrists. This time the movement was slower, more measured. Before it could reach the hand, the Charian turned suddenly towards the window and noticed his gawping audience, causing the girl to gasp. His eye was an electronic terror, a camera lens which spun and focused on the watchers. He stabbed wildly at his datapad and the blinds covering the window snapped shut hiding the inhabitants.</p>

<p>A second later there was a flash of light which could be seen even through the covering.</p>

<p><i>“I want a robot eye!”</i> the girl shouted, bounding back towards the bed and joyfully leaping in it.</p>

<h2>Racial Overview</h2>

<p>The Charians are a race of fallen gods. Although the loss of their power happened centuries ago and many generations have since passed, they still collectively remember what they once were and each is fascinated with seizing such potential again. They are not an innately evil race, but such obsession drives them down various paths to restore their lost power, and some venture down darker paths than others. Conversely they are also capable of great benevolence. Even those who are considered to have truly fallen can redeem themselves through unexpected kindness and generosity.</p>

<p>As a people, they are very tall with a lanky, bony physiology. They tend to have a medium or light complexion with their skin taking on an unhealthy pallor. Their faces tend to be quite long square structure, while their cheek bones are high and well defined. Their eyes slant upward and their noses do not protrude with their nostrils being virtually arched under the eye. </p>

<p>Mentally the Charians are gifted with a towering intellect which is well able to internally process vast amounts of data. Their memory tends towards the eidetic or photographic. These traits grant them with a great understanding and interest in any academic pursuit, but this most often manifests as a love of science.</p>

<p>The vast majority of Charians have a cybernetic implant of some kind, either to further improve their already tremendous mental agility or to empower themselves in a more physical way. This is achieved by an automatic injection of hormones or other chemicals, replacing limbs with more efficient prosthetics or even granting themselves regenerative powers. However, this mechanical advantage does come with a cost, their bodies naturally reject these implants unless suppressed with a highly addictive drug known as Pandeus. </p>

<p><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: dauphin, serif;">How can they do this to themselves?</span></i></p>

<p>- Eloise Quepero D'Pigens</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: papyrus;">Do not be so quick to judge. I wonder how far you would go if you were to lose your ability to manipulate senses.</span></i></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">– Conleth, Historian to the Concordium.</p>

<h2>Racial Characteristics</h2>

<h3>Statistics </h3>

[[File:CharianStatistics.png|none|Charian Racial Statistics]]

<h3>Racial Special Abilities</h3>

<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: symbol;"> - </span>Brain Processor (Cybernetic)</p>

<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: symbol;"> - </span>Inquisitive (Intelligence)</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: papyrus;">How can we be sure they all ask for this?</span></i></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">– Conleth, Historian to the Concordium.</p>

<p><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: dauphin, serif;">That sounds oddly familar... </span></i></p>

<p>- Eloise Quepero D'Pigens</p>

<h3>Appearance</h3>

<b>General Features</b>
[[File:0_4_1_bust_0_2.png|250px|right|Charian female by James Goudie]]
* Hair
** Varying levels of baldness are common.
** Lumenescent colours.
* Physiology
** Humanoid
*** Tall, lanky and boney.
*** Charians do not have protruding noses and their nostrils appear more like over-developed tear ducts which shape around the eye.
*** Eyes are upturned, giving them a permanent sad-looking face.
*** Prominent necks.
*** Unhealthy palour to the skin.
* Body Art
** Digital tattoos and technological piercings are common.

<b>Male Features</b>
* Physique
** Prominent forehead.
** Blockier face.
** Broader shoulders.

<b>Female Features</b>
* Physique
** Longer eyelashes.
** Narrower face / body.
** Higher cheekbones.

<b>Accoutrements</b>
* Clothes
** Cybernetics are highly prized.
*** Also used for aesthetic purposes and to show wealth or status.
*** Physical feature enhancements.
*** Mental ability enhancements.
** Sterile or clinical clothing.
* Weapons and Armour
** No real use for either, although some implants may be weaponised.

<h2>Religion</h2>

<p>Divinity is the boon and curse of the Charians. They once knew its intoxicating touch and they crave it still. Now they find themselves trying to re-create that sanctity through cybernetics. Unfortunately their bodies reject the implants so they have begun to take Pandeus, an addictive substance which neutralises the rejection but leaves them sickly. They are essentially killing themselves while trying to recover their innate power.</p>

<p><b>Primary : Deism : 60% :</b> Although their power is gone, most Charians seek to restore their lost divinity by any means necessary.</p>

<p><b>Secondary : Rationalism : 25% :</b> It is not mysticism which caused this sense of powerlessness. In fact, they do not feel powerless at all. Science has led the race to great advances and who knows what the future holds?</p>

<p><b>Secondary : Atheism : 15% :</b> Divinity is a cruel mistress and any chance of restoring it is hopeless. They are as pessimistic as they come and even though their search for divinity has ended, the addiction keeps them hooked on cybernetics.</p>

<p><b>Secondary : Living Gods : Minor :</b> Divinity was never lost, rather the truth has been lost in time. Only some Charians were graced with the innate divinity, and none have ascended for centuries. The potential to do so however, remains. These believers tend to have few or no implants and are “pure”. As such, they are despised by the rest of Charian society as freaks and unnatural.</p>

<h2>Starting Ships: Scout and Light Carrier</h2>
Designs by James Goudie

[[File:20200227_social_media_charian_scout.png|Charian Scout]]

[[File:20200227_social_media_charian_lightCarrier.png|Charian Light Carrier]]

Complete set of ships in [[Charian_Ships | Charian Fleet]]

<h2>Racial History</h2>

To be added.

<h2>Faster, higher, stronger. The story of Pandeus.</h2>

<p><i>Pandeus, </i></p>
<p><i>bringing divinity to the people,</i></p>
<p><i>so that all may be gods again.</i></p>

<p>My name is Chesham and I’m an addict.</p>

<p>Admitting that revelation to those not of my usual group of close associates, that is to say, to strangers, never gets any easier. Now, what if I told you that this state of affairs is not unique to my own circumstances, but rather that my entire genus is thus blemished? </p>

<p>No doubt you would proclaim us to be vagrants, mendicants or vagabonds, the very detritus of society. We are often condemned as a people, cast aside by the rest of the Concordium and forced to rot in abject poverty and disgrace.</p>

<p>Most would simply condemn us to that fate, but a rare group would rather ask themselves just what has befallen this people? What collective catastrophe could possibly have occurred to doom an entire race to an existence of dependency upon a toxic substance?</p>

<p>Once, we were gods. No, don’t roll your eyes in disbelief, this is a simple truth. We live in a universe where the Gervian people are able to conjure fire and the Saraven read minds. Who is to say that there is not a spark of the divine in us all? Even now we are blessed with an intelligence quotient double that of our confederates. The Tuleonetians can connect their psyche to others of their race. We, on the other hand, are able to innately calculate and understand. </p>

<p>The sheer processing power of our mind is incredible. We teach quantum theory to our young in primary school, while the adults of our intellectual rivals struggle with its concepts in their highest institutes of education. </p>

<p>Now imagine if that intelligence was simply an aspect of our biological makeup. Faster, higher, stronger – these were facts of life for us. Those simple sounding traits to which all aspire were once innate abilities of my people. We were not just top of the food chain, we were an entire order of magnitude beyond it. </p>

<p>Imagine retired athletes running a race and losing. They know that once, in their youth, they would have won the contest simply and efficiently with the barest hint of exertion. They can keenly remember the sensation of victory, the heady power of superiority. Challenge was simply an obstacle to be stepped over.</p>

<p>Think of that athlete now, watching as others basked in the glory they know was once their own. A past they yearn for, but can never regain. Their own body which once bested all competition has become the vehicle of their downfall. </p>

<p>The Charian race is a species in retirement, our intellect may remain a thing of wonder, but our corporeal existence is an exemplification of weakness and frailty. Consider the frustration, the resentment and the anger we felt before you judge our present state. </p>

<p>In our torment, we turned to science. For a while, it looked like our minds had unlocked the answers to the problems we faced. It started with treatment for injuries, prosthetic limbs for amputees. Over time we began computerising these artificial crutches, instilling in them the ability to overcome the loss of what was natural. Eventually, we harnessed this technology to not just replace, but to enhance. </p>

<p>Healthy subjects would mutilate their own arms and legs in order to receive the cybernetic implants. Soon entirely untrained runners were winning the races and new records were set daily for speed, height and strength. The power of our intellect was such that this process took years rather than decades. Within such a short time, we were unable to properly understand what we had unleashed. Once again we went faster, higher, stronger and the population rushed to embrace these new developments with euphoric impatience.</p>

<p>The plague was inevitable. The introduction of foreign entities to our bodies was a recipe for disaster and soon the natural began to reject the mechanical. The death toll from these implants rose into the billions, but still we continued to inflict these devices on ourselves. We were content that a year or two of regained greatness was worth the cost of an early grave. </p>

<p>It was not. Our cities emptied and we were on the verge of extinction when the Concordium found us. The Emperor Apovlitos, may his flame burn forever bright, devoted his entire scientific budget to helping us find a cure for this self inflicted ailment. It did not take long. The answer was to be found on our own planet, a fairly common bluish stone we had found no use for, one we called Pandorite. </p>

<p>This, when refined in Concordium labs, became a medicine familiar throughout known space; Pandeus. When taken, it placates our natural response and allows for proper integration of cybernetic technologies into our bodies. </p>

<p>Once Pandeus came into widespread use, the death rate plummeted. While our longevity never recovered to previous levels, we have been able to rediscover some of the lost spark of divinity within us all. We, as a race, continue to aspire to go faster, higher and stronger.</p>

<p>Has this come with its own price? Naturally. Life is too harsh a mistress to allow such power to come freely. There must be a cost, a sacrifice. Our hair begins to fall out, and what is left takes on luminous colours as our bodies seek an outlet for the toxins. Our skin takes on an unhealthy pallor and our eyes sink into our faces. </p>

<p>Of course, the worst effect is the one with which I opened this story with. Pandeus is highly addictive and once a dose is prescribed recipients must plan to take it for the rest of their lives. The base consequence of this is negligible, for without it our bodies would once again reject the implants we put into ourselves and death would soon follow. </p>

<p>Unfortunately Pandeus is of such an addictive nature that one craves more and more of the drug, far more than is required for the maintenance of the cybernetics. Most Charian planets and colonies have procedures in place to cope with the base necessity for survival. It is the craving, however, which causes the true problems. The drug itself is not cheap and it is often difficult to acquire additional doses legally. Black markets spring up to meet the demand and with this comes all the accompanying criminality. </p>

<p>So, before you judge the next Charian you see on the street, remember this story. Remember who the Charians once were and who they dream to be again. Then ask yourself, wouldn’t you do the same?</p>

<p><b>Pandeus;</b></p>
<p>Pan-deus [pan dee-uh s]</p>

<p><b>Noun; </b></p>
<p><i>All-gods: Charian drug enabling cybernetic implants.</i></p>

<p><b>Abbreviation; </b></p>
<p><i>Pan, Dust, D.</i></p>

<p><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'futura bdcn bt', sans-serif;"> Darshana wonders when do they stop being a Charian, and become something else? </span></i></p>

<p>- Darshana</p>

<h2>Democratic Republic of Valearia</h2>

<p>The majority of Charians live under direct Gervian rule, and despite the Ursians best efforts to grant them a greater degree of independence, seem to be quite satisfied with this arrangement. This is a legacy of the union between Gervian and Charian governments when the Concordium was first founded. Since the First War of Oppression and the Ursian intervention, the Charians have once again been urged to develop their own central authority although the actual success of this has been questionable.</p>

<p>Charians are, on the whole extremely individualistic, they prefer, instead, to be left to their own devices and to be allowed to pursue their own schemes without interference. As such, they are quite willing to allow those with a greater interest in politics and governance to take the lead, even if those individuals are not a Charian. </p>

<p>The result is a system of government which is staffed predominantly by Gervian bureaucrats with very limited actual power. Although they do maintain a monopoly on violence (the police and army are state maintained), the rest is privatised. As such, many companies choose to incorporate under Charian law, being well able to thrive in the environment of virtually zero regulation. Some of the largest corporations in Concordium space are those that deal in Cybernetic technologies.</p>

<p>The only place in which Charians themselves are really invested is the very powerful Administration Supervising the Handling of Enhancement Strategy (ASHES). This pseudo-governmental body is responsible, not only for the regulation and development of new cybernetics, but also functions as the sole legitimate supplier and distributor of Pandeus.</p>

<p>To its supporters, the Democratic Republic of Valearia is the very embodiment of laissez faire government, while its detractors argue that it is simply the legitimate front for a Gervian puppet state.</p>

<h2> Traveller's Log Entries </h2>

<h3>[[Unlikely Partnership|Unlikely Partnership]]</h3><i>by Gareth Kay</i>

“Why would you help me?” Aelius growled, leaning forward and holding his lighter protectively before him, his thumb twitching on the ignition.

“Gratitude?” the Charian replied with a low chuckle. He remained hidden in the shadows of the room, sitting at a desk the lamp aimed at their visitor. Before him was an empty seat, behind which the Gervian stood guardedly.

“How can I trust that? I don’t even know you!” came the reply, a note of stress in the voice.

“Oh but you do...” the Charian leant forward then, bringing his face into the light.

[[Unlikely Partnership|Read More]]

[[File:Fall From Grace goudieJ.png|250px|left|<pre style="color: black">Xalen with grandson Doros (Fall From Grace, image by James Goudie)</pre>]]
<h3>[[Fall From Grace|Fall From Grace]]</h3><i>by Bojan Sekulic</i>

''Charian Colony Aleena III''

"So beautiful, so serene," Xalen muttered as she watched the sun rising over the horizon. From the balcony where she stood everything seemed so simple. So peaceful. So '''godly'''. For a few brief moments the old Charian scientist allowed herself to close her eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly her hand went down to the pocket of her clothes. The moment her weary fingers made contact with the small piece inside her pocket an almost childish smile graced her face. She withdrew it, and her smile widened; it meant the world to her. The green glow slowly pulsated, its low hum adding to her sense of serenity. Many cycles had come and gone since she and her team found it, but even now she knew she was holding a piece of eternity in her hands. A piece of history. A piece of greatness.

[[Fall From Grace|Read More]]

[[Category:Lore]]
[[Category:Game]]

Travellers log

2026-02-20T17:46:57Z

Attach7728: Remove Syndust Files

<p>During our travels, we have found many stories. Some recounting the everyday lives of the people of StatiumXCV, some being articles penned by historians about the major events which have defined our existence, while some are just collections of memories from those now long dead.</p>

<h2>Valdus</h2>
[[File:valdus_smithL.png|150px|right|<pre style="color: black">Valdus Vinkaste (Halfdan's Stand, image by Lloyd Smith)</pre>]]
<h3>[[Halfdan's Stand|Halfdan's Stand]]</h3>
<i>by Gareth Kay</i>
“Thou be not permitted here, turn back,” the husky voice growled.

Halfdan scuffed the ground with the tip of his boot, his movement dislodging a stone hidden in the gravel. Taking a deep breath, he looked up at the hulking bear-man who towered over him and met the black eyes staring down the long brown snout.

“It’s been a month since we heard anything from Jorviken,” Halfdan stated. He glanced over his shoulder at the mass of Valdus who had followed him here, seeking the comfort of their numbers.

“A month! With no word, no supplies, no food!” snapped a weathered old man shuffling up beside Halfdan.

[[Halfdan's Stand|Read More]]

<h3>[[The Dark Horse|The Dark Horse]]</h3>
<i>by Chet Delano</i>

[[File:20200520 darkHorse goudieJ.png|250px|left|<pre style="color: black">Diarmuid, Fritjof & Chancellor Camlann of the Core Council (The Dark Horse, image by James Goudie)</pre>]]

If the ashes could speak… the Valdus thought, …the dead would have much to say to you, Fritjof.

Much indeed.

The Valdus adjusted her waistguard as voices began to come from down the corridor. She stared ahead, both nervous and excited for her first watch. The towering Chancellor, Camlann, approached with a brown-furred ursian she did not recognize. Nestled between the two was another valdus lady, her figure nearly lost between the Chancellor and his other companion.

And the way you just act like it doesn’t matter.

She watched as Fritjof laughed with Camlann.

To have done so much, only to deny your title in the end…

[[The Dark Horse|Read More]]

<h2>Ursian</h2>
[[File:ursian_smithL.png|150px|left|<pre style="color: black">Ursian Lawspeaker Cyln (by Lloyd Smith)</pre>]]

<h3>[[Lawspeaker Cyln|Lawspeaker Cyln]]</h3>
<i>by Gareth Kay</i>

“Lawspeaker!” a voice cried out, and Cyln turned slowly to find a young Valdus boy running after her, the wide-brimmed hat he wore bobbing unceremoniously with each stride. Cyln grunted on seeing his small frame and turned back to the road, adjusting the staff balanced on her shoulder to make the load swinging from it more comfortable.

“Lawspeaker!” the cry came again, more incessant. Cyln set her jaw and continued to walk. Angry shouts had followed her out of the town, and she was in no mood to hear the admonishments of a child.

[[Lawspeaker Cyln|Read More]]

<h3>[[Lawspeaker Cyln : The Dawn|Lawspeaker Cyln : The Dawn]]</h3>
<i>by Gareth Kay</i>

Cyln reached the edge of town as the new day was dawning. She paused for a moment, uncertain about what she would do. Her breathing was shallow despite the long walk, but came out as a thick mist in the chill morning air.

Squaring her shoulders, she began to walk through the silent streets in the direction of the court. Around her, the houses were still, but their silence went beyond simple early morning sleepiness. There was an emptiness about them.

She had been in no hurry to reach the village. Conflicting emotions had struggled through her mind while she walked: anger, sadness, regret, shame. Above it all memory of the Valdus child plagued her, his face burned into her eyes. His pleading still rang in her ears. Where his eyes had once been hopeful, they were now glazed over, dead.

[[Lawspeaker Cyln : The Dawn|Read More]]

<h3>[[Lawspeaker Cyln : The Fatespinner|Lawspeaker Cyln : The Fatespinner]]</h3>
<i>by Gareth Kay</i>

"There she is!" a voice in the crowd stated accusingly as the hulking Ursian appeared at the doorway to the courtroom. Then the cries fell silent. Cyln frowned as she looked around the gathered crowd of twenty something Valdus. Many glared back at her, however most could not hold her gaze and averted their eyes.

One golden haired woman at the rear of the room met Cyln's eyes, without flinching. The Ursian's gaze hesitated on her momentarily before looking away herself.

[[File:20210503 onHigherAuthority.png|250px|right|<pre style="color: black">Governor Eldgina on withness stand challenged by Lawspeaker Rett (On Higher Authority, image by James Goudie)</pre>]]

[[Lawspeaker Cyln : The Fatespinner|Read More]]

<h3>[[On Higher Authority|On Higher Authority]]</h3>
<i>by Bojan Sekulic</i>

Toghma. Planet so far away from the Core Worlds of the Concordium that an ordinary citizen isn’t even aware of the planet’s existence. Yet it is there. On the fringes of Concordium space. Close to the border with the Urix. Toghma is out there, drifting in the vastness of space, a playground for the two powers and their game of galactic chess. Biding their time, some would say. Biding the time before justice finally arrives…

[[On Higher Authority|Read More]]

<h2>Charian</h2>
[[File:Fall From Grace goudieJ.png|300px|left|<pre style="color: black">Xalen with grandson Doros (Fall From Grace, image by James Goudie)</pre>]]

<h3>[[Fall From Grace|Fall From Grace]]</h3>
<i>by Bojan Sekulic</i>
</br>
''Charian Colony Aleena III''

"So beautiful, so serene," Xalen muttered as she watched the sun rising over the horizon. From the balcony where she stood everything seemed so simple. So peaceful. So '''godly'''. For a few brief moments the old Charian scientist allowed herself to close her eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly her hand went down to the pocket of her clothes. The moment her weary fingers made contact with the small piece inside her pocket an almost childish smile graced her face. She withdrew it, and her smile widened; it meant the world to her. The green glow slowly pulsated, its low hum adding to her sense of serenity. Many cycles had come and gone since she and her team found it, but even now she knew she was holding a piece of eternity in her hands. A piece of history. A piece of greatness.

[[Fall From Grace|Read More]]

<h2>Maratasen</h2>
[[File:maratasen_mavaat_smithL.png|250px|right|<pre style="color: black">Mavaat (Mavaat's Story, image by Lloyd Smith)</pre>]]
<h3>[[Mavaat's Story|Mavaat's Story]]</h3>
<i>by James Landes</i>

<p><i>I am Mavaat. The decision has been made.</i></p>

<p>The mantra rolled around the warriors’ mind slowly, deliberately. </p>

<p><i>The clan lord has made a decision, and I, Mavaat will obey.</i></p>

<p>It continued to drift through his mind, though it gave him no comfort and no new insights. </p>

<p>Mavaat‘s massive furred hand dropped to the hilt of his Sereban and his claw traced the intricately carved symbols engraved on the hilt of the killing knife. These symbols bore his identity, his honor and the honor... </p>
[[Mavaat's Story|Read More]]

<h3>[[Warrior's Beginning|The Journey of a Warrior: Warrior’s Beginning]]</h3>
<i>by Cameron Ames</i>

[[File:maratasen_malik_smithL.png|200px|left|<pre style="color: black">Malik (Warrior's Path, image by Lloyd Smith)</pre>]]

Malik paces about, only imagining what his destiny has in store for him. The simple, yet familiar power of the training area quickened his heart rate. Malik just can’t take his mind off of the future. His anxiety is overwhelming him as he contemplates just how remarkable of a warrior his father is. <i>“How is it possible to surpass the best?”</i> he asked to himself. The thought was uncomfortable, and he held up a quivering paw as the fear of failure set in.

Narrowing his eyes and snarling, Malik set his mind to the training dummy once more. He had been trained to deal with fear, to embrace it, to use it. Unconsciously Malik’s pace increased very abruptly as he let the fear soak through him, harnessing the power that it gave him and turning it into anger at his own frailty instead. He refused to let his body bow to the fear in his mind.

[[Warrior's Beginning|Read More]]

<h3>[[Warrior's Path|The Journey of a Warrior: Warrior’s Path]]</h3>
<i>by Cameron Ames</i>

The crackle of the gun sent Malik leaping forward. Deciding early to drop to all fours so that he could bound ahead more quickly, he delighted in the rush of speed. Logs and other obstacles rushed into view, and he had to react quickly to vault over them. Ropes, too, were added to the mix and these he had to crawl on his stomach to avoid.

[[Warrior's Path|Read More]]

<h2>Saraven</h2>
[[File:20220117_eternalExperimentArt_BW.png|250px|left|<pre style="color: black">Sana standing in the Chamber of the Eternals just before the first psionic scream (The Eternal Experiment, image by James Goudie)</pre>]]
<h3>[[The Eternal Experiment|The Eternal Experiment]]</h3>
<i>by Kelsy Mascorro</i>

<p>Lead Researcher Sana sat perched behind her large wooden desk, folders and reports scattered before her. Her talons scratched lightly, absentmindedly, over the cover of the folder in her hand, her eyes darting back and forth over the words.
</p>
<p>She knew the history of her people, how the sun had expanded and radiation burned all life on the light side of the planet. She remembered, if only vaguely, flying through the lush plant life and beautiful red skies of Hadjara as a child, her mother and father beside her, ensuring she wouldn’t fall. But they were gone now… casualties of the exodus. Most of the aged among the survivors who were unaffected by the radiation became senile or crazed by the sudden shift from perpetual light to unending darkness. The young, in turn, had to adapt quickly or perish to the dark and cold.
</p>

[[The Eternal Experiment|Read More]]

[[File:20200901 theLastHarvest final small.png|250px|right|<pre style="color: black">Seated Lavana with egg child S’karra (The Last Harvest, image by James Goudie)</pre>]]
<h3>[[The Last Harvest|The Last Harvest]]</h3>
<i>by Kelsy Mascorro</i>

<p>A once proud broodmother, Lavana now lived with her eggchild, S’karra, and her hatchbrood. While she didn’t mind the company of the little ones, she wished she had the energy she once did to teach them to fly and train them in the ways of her people, as her broodmother had taught her. Some days it was difficult for her to accept that all this fretting over her was necessary, cared for by the ones she once tended. She could care for herself, as she used to, if they would simply let her try.
</p>
[[The Last Harvest|Read More]]

<h3>[[Feather Fallacy I|Feather Fallacy I]]</h3>
<i>by Zachary Mathiot</i>

<p><b>ATTENTION: Dr. Corvan Anelius of The Charian Science and Preservation Committee</b></p>
<p>This is a distress call from Chancellor Aurok of Saraven Colony Delta 876JL. I am writing this to ask for your help in a dire situation. In recent months infants in the colony are being born with few to no feathers. Normally members of our race will lose their feathers through molting and gain new ones once entering adulthood. These afflicted children are not even being born with their first set of feathers. There are also reports of certain numbers of them dying since this strange illness causes the young to become very sickly, and most are unable to recover... </p>

[[Feather Fallacy I|Read More]]

<h3>[[Feather Fallacy II|Feather Fallacy II]]</h3>
<i>by Zachary Mathiot</i>
[[File:20140809_Saraven&Charian_smithL.png|250px|left|<pre style="color: black">Aurok and Dr. Corvan (Feather Fallacy, image by Lloyd Smith)</pre>]]

<p><b>ATTENTION: Chancellor Aurok of Saraven Colony 876JL</b> </p>

<p>I am sending this message to inform you that I am capable of assisting with your current situation. I do apologize for the delay between my reading of your distress signal and the subsequent response. At that time I was busy on another planet investigating an outbreak with possible viral implications. What instantly held my attention while reading about your dilemma was its striking similarity to the problem my organization and I were recently attempting to diagnose and counteract...</p>

[[Feather Fallacy II|Read More]]

<h3>[[Feather Fallacy III|Feather Fallacy III]]</h3>
<i>by Zachary Mathiot</i>

<p>I closed my data terminal with a rapidly increasing sense of relief, and let out a breath I didn’t even realize I had been holding. Dr. Corvan had sent a message saying he would be on the planet within a day. My mind began to race ahead, imagining the people being cured of the blight, their feathers shining and healthy on their wings as they soared the skies once more...</p>

[[Feather Fallacy III|Read More]]

<h3>[[Feather Fallacy IV|Feather Fallacy IV]]</h3>
<i>by Zachary Mathiot</i>

<p>The engines roared to life as the research vessel Synapse left the star port. Dr. Anelius Corvan immediately awoke from his light slumber as he regained his senses. His reflection in his datapad showed that his neon blue and yellow implants had faded in his many years as a geneticist. "Ahh yes, now where was I?" he said to himself as he began to remember the last thing he had been doing. In front of him was a bright blue holographic display of all the data Chancellor Aurok had given him on the virus affecting her people.</p>

<p>"Hmm, very interesting," he mused...</p>

[[Feather Fallacy IV|Read More]]

<h3>[[Feather Fallacy V|Feather Fallacy V]]</h3>
<i>by Zachary Mathiot</i>

<p>“I’ve come to a decision about the avian specimens, everybody, meet me in the conference room at once please.” He announced over the ship’s intercom. Everyone filed in and sat down to hear the announcement.</p>

<p>“We have all been hard at work trying to determine the precise cause behind this disease and have come up with nothing. We have gathered much in the way of environmental and situational data but I’m at a loss. I am unable to offer an acceptable conclusion as to why these young are thus affected by this affliction, and without being able to establish the causality, a cure is impossible and death is therefore inevitable." </p>

[[Feather Fallacy V|Read More]]

<h3>[[Feather Fallacy VI|Feather Fallacy VI]]</h3>
<i>by Zachary Mathiot</i>

<p>Chancellor Aurok stood with immense anticipation as <i>Synapse</i> made its way to the landing pad adjacent to her primary office. She almost shook with excitement over finally being able to meet Dr. Corvan and his research team so they could begin finding a cure. <i>This could be our salvation, Alestra! Hadjara, bless us.</i></p>

<p>“Greetings. I am Dr. Anelius Corvan of the Charian Preservation Committee. You are Chancellor Aurok, correct?”</p>

[[Feather Fallacy VI|Read More]]

<h3>[[Feather Fallacy VII|Feather Fallacy VII]]</h3>
<i>by Zachary Mathiot</i>

<p>“Ahh….urgh…Chancellor Aurok! It would seem I made a most heinous choice as far as my own health is concerned." Corvan gasped, waking me from my reverie. His blue and yellow implants glowed faintly. I gave him a tired smile, pleased that he had emerged from the coma. Still he gave me hope that he would survive the grievous wounds he had taken.</p>

<p>"Are you well?” he said, looking over at me concern in his bloodshot eyes.</p>

[[Feather Fallacy VII|Read More]]

<h2>Inarian</h2>

<h3>[[Without You|Without You]]</h3>
<i>by Chet DeLano</i>

“It’s only for a month…” She reassured him, wrapped in his loving arms.

“A month far too long, if you ask me…” He responded, admiring her long, rich auburn hair as he rubbed the lobe of her perfect Inarian ear. “Oh, how I wish you didn’t have to stay.”

“I wish I didn’t either, but remember that it’s to show off your gift. You’ve honed it far beyond what it used to be. You’ll be able to silence your critics with awe this time. If you don’t go, you will forever live in fear of their spiteful words. Besides, you’ll be back before I know it, right?”

[[Without You|Read More]]

<h3>[[Without Her|Without Her]]</h3>
<i>by Chet DeLano</i>

“Care for a beverage, sir?” the Gervian flight attendant asked.

Francis sat with one arm folded, the other holding a piece of parchment in front of him. “I’m certain you will find it to display the-”

“Err, sir?” she kindly interrupted.

His fixation on the paper broke and he stared at her blankly, lost in thought. Her long brown hair was pulled back and it reminded him of Odette’s. He then shook his head and laughed, realizing he had yet to reply to the young woman.

[[Without Her|Read More]]

<h3>[[Without Him|Without Him]]</h3>
<i>by Chet DeLano</i>

“This is perfect.” Odette said, holding his hand as she stared at the starry sky with her beloved Francis.

He traced the smooth grooves of her slender fingers. “Yes. Yes, it is.” he grinned.
Odette turned to see he had been staring at her with great fascination. His gaze refused to waver and she smiled, looking back to the stars to watch as one soared by.

Francis suddenly broke from their hold and wriggled strangely. He rolled over onto his stomach, clawing at his lower back. “Ah! This meadow’s greens are so itchy!” Odette couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sight of him.

[[Without Him|Read More]]

<h3>[[Without Her II|Without Her II]]</h3>
<i>by Chet DeLano</i>

Francis opened his eyes slightly, his eyelids feeling as though they were bags of sand. His view was blurred, although he could make out a panicked crew and a loud voice over the intercom.
“Everyone, remain calm!”

His eyes fell closed once again, his head throbbing.

“I repeat, remain calm!”

[[Without Her II|Read More]]

<h3>[[Without Him II|Without Him II]]</h3>
<i>by Chet DeLano</i>

“You’ve got to be kidding me…” Fernand sighed as he left the door hanging wide open, and walked into the darkness.

She needs to get up, she must! I can’t just leave her to turn.

Odette stirred and let out a small sound as she nestled deeper into her bedding.

[[Without Him II|Read More]]

<h3>[[With You|With You]]</h3>
<i>by Chet DeLano</i>

Fernand sat in his study, the room lit just as the incense burned before him. He studied the smoke as it slowly rolled and spread through the air. He listened to the wisps of smoke as they sang to him, whirling until they faded.

“How curious, to be one of you.” He said aloud, lowering his gaze and resting his chin upon his desk.

“You’re not much different than I...”

[[With You|Read More]]

<h2>Tuleonetian </h2>
[[File:tuleonetian_xerin_smithL.png|150px|right|<pre style="color: black">Xerin (Dusty's Dillema, image by Lloyd Smith)</pre>]]
<h3>[[Dusty's Dilemma|Dusty's Dilemma]]</h3>
<i>by Gareth Kay</i>

<i>“You are a Springbreeze?” The incorporeal voice asked, the pitch hiding a hint of surprise. “Do you know an Azzar Springbreeze?”

“Yes” she replied, looking around. She stood alone in a square room. In front of her was a clear desk and an empty chair. The room was clearly meant to be small office, startling only due to the eerie blackness which permeated through the open window. It was barely midday, so light should have been streaming inside.

“She is... was, my mother.”

“I see,” a pause, and the voice dipped an octave, “and what makes you think you are suitable for this expedition?”

She then felt a comfortable coolness touch her mind, and suddenly the room faded into darkness.</i>

[[Dusty's Dilemma|Read More]]

<h2>Masian</h2>

<h3>[[Rain Like Tears|Rain Like Tears]]</h3>
<i>by James Landes</i>

<i>"The world is raining like tears"</i> thought Ran.

Sitting in the speeding tram watching the bustle of the city blur by his window, Ran whispered to himself, <i>"I have failed them"</i>.

<i>"Who am I?"</i> thought Ran defiantly, a moment of anger rising from his chest.<i> "I am Ran Chedayin of the Chedayin Ascendants. We are fifth family of the grand Ascendency. There was tradition to uphold, there were expectations."</i>

Ran sighed. The sense of unmet expectations almost a physical weight on his shoulders as he watched the marvels of Masian engineering and architecture whisk by his moisture streaked window.

The tram slowed and came to a halt with a gentle lurch, unloading and loading passengers. Ran was barely aware of others in his section, his gaze settling on a tree. Confined to an elaborate decorated planter, the tree is withering as it strains unsuccessfully against the confines of the artificial barrier.

<i>"I am that Tree"</i> Ran thought to himself.

<i>"I am a biologist, I make things grow. I do not build or fix THINGS, I work with LIFE!"</i>

[[Rain Like Tears|Read More]]

<h3>[[Dead Men's Philosophy|Dead Men's Philosophy]]</h3>
<i>by Davis Masterman</i>

[[File:Final_20220722_B&W&color_deadMensPhilosophy.png|250px|left|<pre style="color: black">Captain Brekan and Officer Melvara on ship's bridge after the local sun's destructive solar flare (Dead Men's Philosophy, image by James Goudie)</pre>]]

<p>The following is a transcription of the last captain’s log of the Masian cruiser, the CS SOLAR SPIRE. The data on the black box's electronic storage experienced severe corruption, so several parts of the audio recording are silent or incoherent. The ship’s severed bridge was recovered by some junkers in 2745 SDY, but the rest of the ship and her crew of over one thousand still remain lost.
</p>
<p>(Begin Transcription)
</p>
<p>Captain: Emergency. Emergency. This is Captain Brekam K’ara of the Masian CS SOLAR SPIRE. We have encountered severe solar flares while orbiting - [DATA CORRUPTED] - significant casualties and major damage to our vessel. Our long-range communications and engines appear offline. We require emergency evac- [DATA CORRUPTED].
</p>
<p>(The message loops several times until a new voice appears)
</p>
<p>Officer: Sir, she’s gone. I tried my best, but I couldn’t stop the bleeding...
</p>
[[Dead Men's Philosophy|Read More]]

<h3>[[A Happi Place|A Happi Place]]</h3>
<i>by Chet Delano</i>
[[File:final20220901bw_storyArt_happiPlace2_jgoudie.png|300px|right|<pre style="color: black">Bartender and owner of Happi's Place serves an oathless Maratasen and provides uncoventional insights (A Happi Place, image by James Goudie)</pre>]]
<p>“What now?” the Maratasen asked, his paws clutching his hanging face as he sat at the bar, waiting for nothing.His ears perked as he heard ice clink against glass. “On the house.”
</p>
<p>He looked up to see the bartending Masian, who held a slight smile as he returned to using his rag to wipe the counter.
</p>
<p>The Maratasen hesitated but decided to take the drink. “Why not…” His claws clutched the glass...
</p>
<p>“Not like there’s anywhere you gotta be.” The Masian said confidently, continuing with his duties.
</p>
<p>The Maratasen stared at him curiously, his paw suspended before his face with the drink, his tribal tattoos exposed on his arm. The drink glowed with rolling shades of orange, contrasting wildly against his white fur. The color reminded him of home… of his people. Red specks swirled throughout the drink and they turned to embers in his mind. The background
chatter became cries for help as a burning called from the scar beside his eye. He winced and snarled, shaking the thoughts out.
</p>
<p>He took a sip.
</p>
[[A Happi Place|Read More]]

<h3>[[It Pours|It Pours]]</h3>
<i>by Chet Delano</i>
[[File:20240314bw_storyArt_itPours_jg.png|150px|right|<pre style="color: black">Arweanne & Attacker (It Pours, image by James Goudie)</pre>]]

“Ugh, it never rains.” Arweanne complained from beneath her hood, her Inarian ears poking out from slits on the sides. Her words came through the breathing apparatus she had to wear outside on Sorbis V. She held her books tightly to her chest.

And she was right. It NEVER rained on Sorbis V. The last time she’d felt rain on her head had to have been months ago.

“Of course, the one day I bring everything to work.” She huffed and sighed.

She abruptly stopped underneath the front entrance of a bar and looked around, thinking for a moment. She spotted the alleyway across the street, something that would save her an incredible amount of time. Bright neon lights showed in the distance beyond the alley, dulled by the rain and what little light penetrated the clouds.

Such a dreary day, she thought.

“It’s okay.” She reassured herself, gripping her books tight to her chest, “these will make up for it.” She said, beaming down at them.

Arweanne started a brisk walk across the street. There was very little traffic here aside for foot traffic. Sorbis V was known for being somewhere you could live and happily walk wherever you needed to go no matter where you lived there.

“Aye!” Arweanne heard someone shout from behind her. She looked back to see a figure through the rain at the entrance of the alley.

[[It Pours|Read More]]

<h2>Concordium</h2>
<h3>[[The Ambush I : First Strike|1. The Ambush: First Strike]]</h3>
<i>by Cameron Ames</i>

The cool, crisp air filled the field as the scent of blood started to contaminate it. It was mid-afternoon and the battalions were having a rough time with the constant bombardment of artillery at their bunkers.

“Judoc, they be closing in on us!” cautioned Bricius, urgently peering over the firing gallery. Piercing plasma arrows seemed to take the place of the light as they soared into the bright orange sun hindering the vision of the squad. Through the barrage, sleek reptilian figures could be seen picking their way across the no man's land separating the two armies, their many spikes and scales the epitome of nightmare.

“Sergeant Bricius, take Herodotos and Seti and flank up there!” the rugged Ursian captain commanded, nodding to the right. Then suddenly, he ducked aside with a curse as a steaming plasma arrow buried itself in the concrete where his head had been seconds before.

[[The Ambush I : First Strike|Read More]]

<h3>[[The Ambush II : Final_Hour|2. The Ambush: Final Hour]]</h3>
<i>by Cameron Ames</i>
[[File:20150207_Urix war heavy contrast_smithL.jpg|250px|right|<pre style="color: black">Urix Soldiers (The Ambush, image by Lloyd Smith)</pre>]]
Judoc watched dispassionately as the Concordium line suddenly broke and his soldiers began retreating from the battle, abandoning their trenches. Many scrambled over comrades in their desire to escape. The Urix behind them ecstatically filled the abandoned position and began to pour fire at the backs of their retreating enemy.

He kept his eyes on the scene with rapt attention, turning away with great reluctance only upon hearing a great disturbance from the top of the hill. A heavy weapon had been unleashed and he watched fascinated as the odd energy bolt flickered over the summit before it became eerily quiet. With a final worried glance, he turned back to his own fleeing allies below.

Without warning, huge pillars of light appeared all over the recently captured trenches, each beam being about the size of five Ursians standing side to side. One or two beams missed their target, but were quickly streamed into position. Judoc looked back up at the top of the hill and imagined that he could see Seti telepathically calling in the orbital strikes.

[[The Ambush II : Final_Hour|Read More]]

<h2>Urix</h2>

<h3>[[Discipline for the Weak|Discipline for the Weak]]</h3>
<i>by Chet DeLano</i>

“Wha… what has Ivaneq done?” I ask, my mind trying to register the sight before me.

There’s my brother, towering over Mitul’s bloodied body, our leader. But, I can't believe it. This isn’t happening. We’ve come so far! Too far! Only for my own brother to ruin all of this? The reason we have practiced our restraint. There can be no coming back from this. Everything is about to change.

[[Discipline for the Weak|Read More]]

<h2>Unlikely Partners</h2>

<h3>1. [[Covering History|Covering History]]</h3>
<i>by Gareth Kay</i>
- Listed under the Gervian profile.

<p>"What about the markings? The old ones found on some of the gates?” the Charian cried out, desperation lacing his voice.</p>

<p>“If my findings are correct, then there was, in fact, something far more ancient than the Concordium overshadowing us all!" </p>

[[Covering History|Read More]]

<h3>2. [[The Deal|The Deal]]</h3>
<i>by Gareth Kay</i>
- The Gervian short story introduction.
<p><i>“Do you have it?” </i>Aelius enquired.</p>

<p>“That would depend upon the connotation of ‘it’. If by that you refer to the funds required for this transaction, then yes.” Quinisbert replied, tugging at a tuft of his fluorescent green hair. Aelius rolled his eyes as the he spoke. Aelius hated how long these negotiations with Charians always took. Nothing was ever simple with them.</p>

[[The Deal|Read More]]

<h3>3. [[Unlikely Partnership|Unlikely Partnership]]</h3>
<i>by Gareth Kay</i>
- Listed under the Charian profile.

“Why would you help me?” Aelius growled, leaning forward and holding his lighter protectively before him, his thumb twitching on the ignition.

“Gratitude?” the Charian replied with a low chuckle. He remained hidden in the shadows of the room, sitting at a desk the lamp aimed at their visitor. Before him was an empty seat, behind which the Gervian stood guardedly.

“How can I trust that? I don’t even know you!” came the reply, a note of stress in the voice.

“Oh but you do...” the Charian leant forward then, bringing his face into the light.

[[Unlikely Partnership|Read More]]

<h3>4. [[End of the Beginning - Ulloriaq|End of the Beginning - Ulloriaq]]</h3>
<i>by Gareth Kay</i>
- The Urix short story introduction.

<i>"You expected this?!"</i> Ulloriaq snapped, bristling. She could feel blood rush to her neck scales and knew that they would be flushing red. She took a deep breath which was audible as a series of quick sniffs and forced her heart rate to slow.

<i>"No."</i> Ilippa Nuk replied, looking away into the distance his eyes unfocused. The short answer surprised Ulloriaq, and she waited for him to elaborate. When he did not, she was about to demand an explanation, but sensing her irritation he raised a claw to prevent her.

[[End of the Beginning - Ulloriaq|Read More]]

<h3>5. [[End of the Beginning - Toreekto!|End of the Beginning - Toreekto!]]</h3>
<i>by Gareth Kay</i>
- Listed under the Urix profile.

"Toreekto!"

Ulloriaq pressed herself against the wall with gritted teeth. She could hear the Gervian voices nearby and she had to fight to suppress the temptation to rush out and gut them. Ever since the murder of Ilippa Nuk three weeks ago all she had lived for was death.

"Nalun, Nalun Ituinarpoq," she breathed to herself, forcing her heart to calm, "patience, patience everlasting".

Despite her best efforts, her knuckles tightened around the knife in anticipation. She didn't just want to kill, she needed to. Ulloriaq closed her eyes and rested her head against the wall. Enveloping herself in darkness, she felt her breathing slow and her hearing heightened.

"... toreekto... pytho... toreekto..."

[[End of the Beginning - Toreekto!|Read More]]

[[Category:Lore]]

Getting Started

2026-02-20T17:45:19Z

Attach7728: /* Starting Out */

Your adventure in StariumXCV begins with creating your [[Empires |Empire]].

Once part of [[Concordium# |The Concordium]], a vast alliance linked by the Quantum Gates, your empire is now isolated. The gate that connected you was mysteriously destroyed, and years have passed with no answers.

Hope fades until your scientists uncover an ancient alien probe. Its technology offers a path back to the stars.
From here, you decide your Empire’s fate.

<div class="quantum-gates">
[[File:QuantumGates.png|center]]
</div>

== Joining A Game ==
After creating your account, you’ll set up your starting position. This determines how your empire begins its journey.

'''1. Select a Game Type'''

StariumXCV has multiple [[Game Types]] that modify aspects of the game. They each offer a different pace and starting resources. We recommend starting with our default, 'Sagittarius'.

'''2. Choose a Colony'''

Colonies are the starting point for your Empire. There are 31 [[Colonies]], each with unique histories, bonus skills, and one or two native [[Races]] that shape your early advantages.

'''3. Establish Your Leader'''

Every empire begins with a Leader who receives the skill bonuses from your chosen colony. [[Leaders]] guide your armies, fleets, production, and missions as your empire grows.

<div class="colony-art">
[[File:ColonyArt.png|center]]
</div>

== Starting Out ==
After finalizing your empire, your first view of the galaxy will be through the [[Galactic Map]]. Here you’ll see your home system and your fleet.

You can move [[Fleets]] to other stars or worlds, essential for expansion, battles, and discovery.

We recommend focusing in on the world your fleet is at to see what’s there. [[Worlds]] are the centerpiece for resources and development.

<div class="section world-section">
[[File:Worlds.png|none|class=section-image]]
<div class="section-content">
<h3>Exploring a World</h3>
<p>When you focus on a world, [[Fog of War]] hides terrain and activity. Your fleets and army actions reveal more, and any Areas they claim stay visible permanently.</p>
<p>Each world is made up of tiles known as [[Areas]], with their own terrain and ownership. Areas host your populations, who build infrastructure and produce the resources needed to grow your empire.</p>
<p>Houses and roads represent the [[Populations|Population]] infrastructure, which limits how much of your workforce can operate. Insufficient infrastructure may cause homelessness.</p>
<p>Large structures called [[Areas#Strategic Buildings|Strategic Buildings]] provide specialized functions.</p>
<p>Use [[Armies]] to expand on a world. They claim, settle, and defend areas, among other things. Claiming an area adds it to your empire's territory. Settling that area adds a population to it.</p>
</div>
</div>

<div class="section population-section reverse">
[[File:Population.png|none|class=section-image]]
<div class="section-content">
<h3>Population & Economy</h3>
<p>Populations generate [[Production# |Production]] based on their assigned work and the infrastructure supporting them. Output is influenced by terrain and race adaptability to the atmosphere.</p>
<p>Your Populations need care. Starvation causes them to shrink and lowers output, while poor infrastructure reduces efficiency.</p>
<p>Every world where you own Areas has a [[Markets|Market]] hub that connects them. Resources your populations produce flow into this Market, and all consumption is drawn from it.</p>
<p>Specialty items called [[Markets#Trade Goods|Trade Goods]] can be produced and sold to your populations. Their prices fluctuate with supply, and selling them is a good way to earn [[Exocredits]].</p>
<p>Resources and goods move between markets through [[Trade Routes]]. Routes require spaceports.</p>
</div>
</div>

<div class="section fleets-section">
[[File:FleetsIncoming.png|none|class=section-image]]
<div class="section-content">
<h3>Forces & Operations</h3>
<p>Use your fleets and armies to engage enemies. For full details on mechanics and strategies, see the [[Combat Guide]].</p>
<p>Your leaders can complete [[Missions]], short adventures that offer rewards such as skill increases and [[Virtues]]. Mission outcomes depend on the leader’s skills, traits, and the decisions you make along the way.</p>
<p>Successful missions may also recruit [[Agents]], specialized operatives who perform espionage, diplomacy, religious influence, and other covert actions. Agents improve with experience, increasing their effectiveness.</p>
</div>
</div>

<div class="section religion-section reverse">
[[File:ReligionCult.png|none|Saravens & Tuleonetians from the Psionic Cult|class=section-image]]
<div class="section-content">
<h3>Shaping Your Empire</h3>
<p>Your empire’s behavior is defined by its [[Government]], which tracks traits like aggressiveness, altruism, and xenophobia. These traits shape your interactions with others and can evolve over time.</p>
<p>Beliefs influence your populations’ happiness, complacency, and production. Through [[Populations#Beliefs|Religion]], leaders and agents can spread or suppress beliefs, making it a tool for control or disruption.</p>
<p>Finally, the [[Lexicon]] is your gateway to advanced research and development. Different Insight nodes unlock new technologies and abilities for your empire.</p>
</div>
</div>

<center>'''With these basics, you’re ready to begin.'''
'''Your Empire awaits your command.'''</center>

<div class="empire-awaits">
[[File:EmpireAwaits.png|center]]
</div>

Markets

2026-02-20T17:27:26Z

Attach7728: /* Trade Goods */

[[File:Trade_message.png|left|50px|Market icon]] Markets hold all the resources an [[Empires|Empire]] produces on a [[Worlds|World]]. Markets don't exist in any one location, but are more of an overview of the economics of an Empire's territory.

Markets hold [[Resources]], [[Trade Goods]] and [[Crystals]]. Items can enter a Market through [[Production]] or through [[Trade Routes]].

{|
| [[Resources]]
| [[File:1_virtue.png|70px|Organics]] [[File:2_virtue.png|70px|Minerals]] [[File:4_virtue.png|70px|Industrial Units]]
|-
| [[Trade Goods]]
| [[File:7_virtue.png|70px|Manufactured]] [[File:8_virtue.png|70px|Crafted]] [[File:9_virtue.png|70px|Bio-Consumables]] [[File:10_virtue.png|70px|Exotics]] [[File:11_virtue.png|70px|Metal Alloys]] [[File:12_virtue.png|70px|Luxury]] [[File:13_virtue.png|70px|Advanced Electronics]] [[File:14_virtue.png|70px|Pharmaceuticals]]
|-
| [[Crystals]]
| [[File:15_virtue.png|70px|Fozite]] [[File:16_virtue.png|70px|Xorian]] [[File:17_virtue.png|70px|Anari]] [[File:18_virtue.png|70px|Vamulite]] [[File:19_virtue.png|70px|Malgorn]] [[File:20_virtue.png|70px|Grazite]] [[File:21_virtue.png|70px|Zavarian]] [[File:22_virtue.png|70px|Oranian]]
|}

A Market is automatically created when an Empire claims their first [[Areas|Area]] on a World.

==Trade Goods==
[[Populations]] desire Trade Goods to be happy. Not having Trade Goods available will make [[Populations]] unhappy. The demand for Trade Goods is equal to the population's quantity, spread evenly among all 8 Trade Good types. Another way to think about it is:
<pre>
demand for a particular trade good per hour = total population quantity / 8
</pre>

Populations will regularly purchase Trade Goods from their Market at their stated Exocredit price, generated Exocredits for their Empire. The price of Trade Goods will change automatically based on Trade Good availability and the Populations' demand.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
|+Types of Trade Goods
! Trade Good
! Description
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:7_virtue.png|70px|Manufactured]] <br /> Manufactured
| Items used for transportation, households and other consumer products.
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:8_virtue.png|70px|Crafted]] <br /> Crafted
| Hand-made items such as clothing, furniture and ceramics.
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:9_virtue.png|70px|Bio-Consumables]] <br /> Bio-Consumables
| Organic items used for biological and scientific processes.
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:10_virtue.png|70px|Exotics]] <br /> Exotics
| Objects from unique ecosystems like animals or plants.
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:11_virtue.png|70px|Metal Alloys]] <br /> Metal Alloys
| Precious metals along with metals used for construction and everyday materials.
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:12_virtue.png|70px|Luxury]] <br /> Luxury
| Non-essential, high-priced items associated with exclusivity, high quality and brand prestige, like art and jewelry.
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:13_virtue.png|70px|Advanced Electronics]] <br /> Advanced Electronics
| Cutting-edge consumer devices for communication, entertainment and health monitoring.
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:14_virtue.png|70px|Pharmaceuticals]] <br /> Pharmaceuticals
| Products like antibiotics, vaccines and drugs for treatment and therapies.
|}

==Market-to-Market Trading==
There are two methods of transporting resources between two markets: [[Trade Routes]] and Import/Explorts.

===Imports/Exports===
For each item that a Market can hold, the owner can set an export price, an export amount, an import price, and an import amount. As an exception, the prices of Trade Goods is determined by Population supply-and-demand, so Trade Good prices are set automatically.

The Export Amount sets how much of the item you are willing to sell to other Markets, and the Export Price sets how much any purchasing Empire would pay. If the Market is [[#Open/Closed|Open]], any other Empire that has this Market in range can decided to purchase some amount of those goods at the listed price.

The Import Amount sets how much of the item the Market owner would like to purchase, and the Import Price is the price they are willing to pay. The Exocredit cost for Imports are taken from the owner when the import is set and stored in the Market. If the Market is Open, any other Empire with this Market in range can choose to sell some of their own goods into this market and receive exocredits.

Imports and Exports do not happen instantly. When an Empire decides to Import into or Export from another Market, they're creating a temporary [[Trade Route]] that will operate until the agreed items are delivered, or until there are no more items available.

Because Imports and Exports are fulfilled over time, it's possible for multiple Markets to accept the same Import/Export order, and for it to be fulfilled earlier than either Market expects.

==Open/Closed==
An Open Market allows any other Empire to fulfill Import or Export orders.

A Closed Market can only be accessed by the Market's owner.

==Blockades==
[[File:Blockade_market.png|left|50px|Market Blockade]] When a [[Fleets|Fleet]] controls orbit around the World the Market is on, the Fleet owner can Blockade the planet, preventing [[Trade Routes]] from functioning with Markets on the World.

==Interdiction==
[[File:interdiction_market.png|left|50px|Interdict Trade Route]] Interdiction is the enforcement of Sanctions. When an [[Empires|Empire]] has a [[Fleets|Fleet]] controlling orbit around a World, they can have that Fleet Interdict. This will block [[Trade Routes]] from working with any Markets owned by an Empire the orbit-controller has Sanctions against.

==Piracy==
[[File:Piracy.png|50px|Trade Route Piracy]] [[Fleets]] in the area can engage in Piracy, occasionally disrupting [[Trade Routes]] that use Markets on the World at random.

[[Category:Game]]

Markets

2026-02-20T17:25:44Z

Attach7728:

[[File:Trade_message.png|left|50px|Market icon]] Markets hold all the resources an [[Empires|Empire]] produces on a [[Worlds|World]]. Markets don't exist in any one location, but are more of an overview of the economics of an Empire's territory.

Markets hold [[Resources]], [[Trade Goods]] and [[Crystals]]. Items can enter a Market through [[Production]] or through [[Trade Routes]].

{|
| [[Resources]]
| [[File:1_virtue.png|70px|Organics]] [[File:2_virtue.png|70px|Minerals]] [[File:4_virtue.png|70px|Industrial Units]]
|-
| [[Trade Goods]]
| [[File:7_virtue.png|70px|Manufactured]] [[File:8_virtue.png|70px|Crafted]] [[File:9_virtue.png|70px|Bio-Consumables]] [[File:10_virtue.png|70px|Exotics]] [[File:11_virtue.png|70px|Metal Alloys]] [[File:12_virtue.png|70px|Luxury]] [[File:13_virtue.png|70px|Advanced Electronics]] [[File:14_virtue.png|70px|Pharmaceuticals]]
|-
| [[Crystals]]
| [[File:15_virtue.png|70px|Fozite]] [[File:16_virtue.png|70px|Xorian]] [[File:17_virtue.png|70px|Anari]] [[File:18_virtue.png|70px|Vamulite]] [[File:19_virtue.png|70px|Malgorn]] [[File:20_virtue.png|70px|Grazite]] [[File:21_virtue.png|70px|Zavarian]] [[File:22_virtue.png|70px|Oranian]]
|}

A Market is automatically created when an Empire claims their first [[Areas|Area]] on a World.

==Trade Goods==
[[Populations]] desire Trade Goods to be happy. Not having Trade Goods available will make [[Populations]] unhappy. The demand for Trade Goods is equal to the population's quantity, spread evenly among all 8 Trade Good types. Another way to think about it is:
<pre>
demand for a particular trade good per hour = total population quantity / 8
</pre>

Populations will regularly purchase Trade Goods from their Market at their stated Exocredit price, generated Exocredits for their Empire. The price of Trade Goods will change automatically based on Trade Good availability and the Populations' demand.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
|+Types of Trade Goods
! Trade Good
! Description
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:7_virtue.png|70px|Manufactured]] <br /> Manufactured
| Appliances, Cars
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:8_virtue.png|70px|Crafted]] <br /> Crafted
| furniture, jewelry
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:9_virtue.png|70px|Bio-Consumables]] <br /> Bio-Consumables
| food stuff
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:10_virtue.png|70px|Exotics]] <br /> Exotics
| rare animals, pelts, rare plants
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:11_virtue.png|70px|Metal Alloys]] <br /> Metal Alloys
| used in high end production
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:12_virtue.png|70px|Luxury]] <br /> Luxury
| artwork, very high end crafted goods
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:13_virtue.png|70px|Advanced Electronics]] <br /> Advanced Electronics
| computers, hologram projectors, communication devices
|-
| style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;" | [[File:14_virtue.png|70px|Pharmaceuticals]] <br /> Pharmaceuticals
| Medication
|}

==Market-to-Market Trading==
There are two methods of transporting resources between two markets: [[Trade Routes]] and Import/Explorts.

===Imports/Exports===
For each item that a Market can hold, the owner can set an export price, an export amount, an import price, and an import amount. As an exception, the prices of Trade Goods is determined by Population supply-and-demand, so Trade Good prices are set automatically.

The Export Amount sets how much of the item you are willing to sell to other Markets, and the Export Price sets how much any purchasing Empire would pay. If the Market is [[#Open/Closed|Open]], any other Empire that has this Market in range can decided to purchase some amount of those goods at the listed price.

The Import Amount sets how much of the item the Market owner would like to purchase, and the Import Price is the price they are willing to pay. The Exocredit cost for Imports are taken from the owner when the import is set and stored in the Market. If the Market is Open, any other Empire with this Market in range can choose to sell some of their own goods into this market and receive exocredits.

Imports and Exports do not happen instantly. When an Empire decides to Import into or Export from another Market, they're creating a temporary [[Trade Route]] that will operate until the agreed items are delivered, or until there are no more items available.

Because Imports and Exports are fulfilled over time, it's possible for multiple Markets to accept the same Import/Export order, and for it to be fulfilled earlier than either Market expects.

==Open/Closed==
An Open Market allows any other Empire to fulfill Import or Export orders.

A Closed Market can only be accessed by the Market's owner.

==Blockades==
[[File:Blockade_market.png|left|50px|Market Blockade]] When a [[Fleets|Fleet]] controls orbit around the World the Market is on, the Fleet owner can Blockade the planet, preventing [[Trade Routes]] from functioning with Markets on the World.

==Interdiction==
[[File:interdiction_market.png|left|50px|Interdict Trade Route]] Interdiction is the enforcement of Sanctions. When an [[Empires|Empire]] has a [[Fleets|Fleet]] controlling orbit around a World, they can have that Fleet Interdict. This will block [[Trade Routes]] from working with any Markets owned by an Empire the orbit-controller has Sanctions against.

==Piracy==
[[File:Piracy.png|50px|Trade Route Piracy]] [[Fleets]] in the area can engage in Piracy, occasionally disrupting [[Trade Routes]] that use Markets on the World at random.

[[Category:Game]]

Markets

2026-02-20T17:10:30Z

Attach7728:

[[File:Trade_message.png|left|50px|Market icon]] Markets hold all the resources an [[Empires|Empire]] produces on a [[Worlds|World]]. Markets don't exist in any one location, but are more of an overview of the economics of an Empire's territory.

Markets hold [[Resources]], [[Trade Goods]] and [[Crystals]]. Items can enter a Market through [[Production]] or through [[Trade Routes]].

{|
| [[Resources]]
| [[File:1_virtue.png|70px|Organics]] [[File:2_virtue.png|70px|Minerals]] [[File:4_virtue.png|70px|Industrial Units]]
|-
| [[Trade Goods]]
| [[File:7_virtue.png|70px|Manufactured]] [[File:8_virtue.png|70px|Crafted]] [[File:9_virtue.png|70px|Bio-Consumables]] [[File:10_virtue.png|70px|Exotics]] [[File:11_virtue.png|70px|Metal Alloys]] [[File:12_virtue.png|70px|Luxury]] [[File:13_virtue.png|70px|Advanced Electronics]] [[File:14_virtue.png|70px|Pharmaceuticals]]
|-
| [[Crystals]]
| [[File:15_virtue.png|70px|Fozite]] [[File:16_virtue.png|70px|Xorian]] [[File:17_virtue.png|70px|Anari]] [[File:18_virtue.png|70px|Vamulite]] [[File:19_virtue.png|70px|Malgorn]] [[File:20_virtue.png|70px|Grazite]] [[File:21_virtue.png|70px|Zavarian]] [[File:22_virtue.png|70px|Oranian]]
|}

A Market is automatically created when an Empire claims their first [[Areas|Area]] on a World.

==Trade Goods==
[[Populations]] desire Trade Goods to be happy. Not having Trade Goods available will make [[Populations]] unhappy. The demand for Trade Goods is equal to the population's quantity, spread evenly among all 8 Trade Good types. Another way to think about it is:
<pre>
demand for a particular trade good per hour = total population quantity / 8
</pre>

Populations will regularly purchase Trade Goods from their Market at their stated Exocredit price, generated Exocredits for their Empire. The price of Trade Goods will change automatically based on Trade Good availability and the Populations' demand.

==Market-to-Market Trading==
There are two methods of transporting resources between two markets: [[Trade Routes]] and Import/Explorts.

===Imports/Exports===
For each item that a Market can hold, the owner can set an export price, an export amount, an import price, and an import amount. As an exception, the prices of Trade Goods is determined by Population supply-and-demand, so Trade Good prices are set automatically.

The Export Amount sets how much of the item you are willing to sell to other Markets, and the Export Price sets how much any purchasing Empire would pay. If the Market is [[#Open/Closed|Open]], any other Empire that has this Market in range can decided to purchase some amount of those goods at the listed price.

The Import Amount sets how much of the item the Market owner would like to purchase, and the Import Price is the price they are willing to pay. The Exocredit cost for Imports are taken from the owner when the import is set and stored in the Market. If the Market is Open, any other Empire with this Market in range can choose to sell some of their own goods into this market and receive exocredits.

Imports and Exports do not happen instantly. When an Empire decides to Import into or Export from another Market, they're creating a temporary [[Trade Route]] that will operate until the agreed items are delivered, or until there are no more items available.

Because Imports and Exports are fulfilled over time, it's possible for multiple Markets to accept the same Import/Export order, and for it to be fulfilled earlier than either Market expects.

==Open/Closed==
An Open Market allows any other Empire to fulfill Import or Export orders.

A Closed Market can only be accessed by the Market's owner.

==Blockades==
[[File:Blockade_market.png|left|50px|Market Blockade]] When a [[Fleets|Fleet]] controls orbit around the World the Market is on, the Fleet owner can Blockade the planet, preventing [[Trade Routes]] from functioning with Markets on the World.

==Interdiction==
[[File:interdiction_market.png|left|50px|Interdict Trade Route]] Interdiction is the enforcement of Sanctions. When an [[Empires|Empire]] has a [[Fleets|Fleet]] controlling orbit around a World, they can have that Fleet Interdict. This will block [[Trade Routes]] from working with any Markets owned by an Empire the orbit-controller has Sanctions against.

==Piracy==
[[File:Piracy.png|50px|Trade Route Piracy]] [[Fleets]] in the area can engage in Piracy, occasionally disrupting [[Trade Routes]] that use Markets on the World at random.

[[Category:Game]]

2026-01-20T02:02:59Z

Attach7728: /* Work Types */

Production

2026-01-20T02:02:37Z

Attach7728: /* Infrastructure */

Production

2026-01-20T02:02:17Z

Attach7728: /* Resources */

2026-01-09T17:54:24Z

Attach7728:

Areas are hexagonal spaces on [[Worlds]]. The number of Areas on a World is based on the World's size. Areas host [[Populations]], and can be owned by [[Empires]].

==Terrain==
An Area's Terrain determines the modifiers for activities on the Area. There are 280 different terrain types, grouped into 10 base archetypes.

{| style="margin:auto;"
|+ Terrain Archetypes
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:1_base_terrain.png|64px|Plains Base Terrain]] <br /> Plains
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:2_base_terrain.png|64px|Desert Base Terrain]] <br /> Desert
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:3_base_terrain.png|64px|Rough Base Terrain]] <br /> Rough
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:4_base_terrain.png|64px|Barren Base Terrain]] <br /> Barren
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:5_base_terrain.png|64px|Mountains Base Terrain]] <br /> Mountains
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:6_base_terrain.png|64px|Hills Base Terrain]] <br /> Hills
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:7_base_terrain.png|64px|Ocean Base Terrain]] <br /> Ocean
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:8_base_terrain.png|64px|Swamp Base Terrain]] <br /> Swamp
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:9_base_terrain.png|64px|Forest Base Terrain]] <br /> Forest
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:10_base_terrain.png|64px|Tundra Base Terrain]] <br /> Tundra
|}

==Infrastructure==
Infrastructure determines the quantity of [[Populations]] that can do a job for [[Production]].

===Strategic Buildings===
Strategic Buildings are special structures with extra functionality. They can be built on any [[Areas|Area]] with dedicated Work Types in [[Production]].

====Garrisons====
Garrisons train [[Units]]. When a Garrison trains a Unit, it pulls the [[Populations|Population]] cost from the [[Areas|Area]] it's on.

When a Unit is done training and is ready to be deployed, it is deployed to the Area the Garrison is on.

====Shipyards====
Shipyards build [[Ships]].

====Spaceports====
Spaceports host [[Trade Routes]]. Each Spaceport can only have one Trade Route. The level of the Spaceport determines how many items it can transport at a time.

==Ownership==
Areas can be owned by an [[Empire]]. Owning an Area allows you to manage the Work Types and access Garrisons, Shipyards, and Spaceports on the Area.

If an Area isn't already owned by someone else, it can be claimed with an [[Armies|Army]].

If an Area is already owned, all defending Armies must be defeated before it can be re-claimed. Areas can be defended by any Army controlled by the owner of the Area, along with any Armies owned by an Empire that has a [[Mutual Defense Agreement]] with the Area owner.

==Crystals==
Crystals are rare materials with advanced properties. Crystals can be harnessed in [[Ships]] and [[Units]] to augment their abilities.

{| style="margin:auto;"
|+ Crystal Types
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:17_virtue.png|64px|Anari crystal icon]] <br /> Anari
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:15_virtue.png|64px|Fozite crystal icon]] <br /> Fozite
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:20_virtue.png|64px|Grazite crystal icon]] <br /> Grazite
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:19_virtue.png|64px|Malgorn crystal icon]] <br /> Malgorn
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:22_virtue.png|64px|Oranian crystal icon]] <br /> Oranian
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:18_virtue.png|64px|Vamulite crystal icon]] <br /> Vamulite
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:16_virtue.png|64px|Xorian crystal icon]] <br /> Xorian
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:21_virtue.png|64px|Zavarian crystal icon]] <br /> Zavarian
|}

==Flora-Fauna==
{|
| [[File:Exotic512_2_1.png|50px|Fauna-Flora]]
| style="vertical-align:center;" | Identifies unique life found in the area like crystalline, silicon or poisonous animals and plants.
|}

[[Category:Game]]