Guide to Food and Drink

This lore is from the VOREstation wiki.

This lore is taken from the VOREstation wiki, and should not be fully relied on for CHOMPstation. You can contact Nadyr if you want to work on it].

Welcome to the CHOMPstation lore page!

This is the overview page of CHOMPstation's lore, also commonly known as 'fluff' (but we usually just call it lore). This is the basic, common knowledge that the vast majority of characters should know and helps introduce you, the player, into the world of our server. While you do not have to know every little detail by heart it would be wise to skim through some of the pages to at least to know how our lore differs to the other SS13 servers.

Many wiki lore pages are constantly under construction and open to change, so if you feel like you may have something to add please discuss your ideas with our Loremaster (Nadyr) via Discord. Note: Unlike other pages of this wiki, changes to these pages must be approved by Nadyr Please consult the Guide to Lore Writing before pitching an idea.

Once again welcome to CHOMPstation, we hope your stay here is a long and enjoyable one!

Sif

The year is 2564 CE (Common Era). With the help of massive colony ships, humanity had slowly spread and colonized our sun's neighboring systems. Alpha Centauri, Tau Ceti, Sirius and more are connected by a network of warpgates that makes travel between systems take as little as hours instead of decades. With the discovery of the seemingly supernatural phoron, bluespace, and the acquisition of Terraforming Machines, on-ship FTL drives became a possibility, increasing the speed at which humanity expanded and colonized the stars at a never before imagined rate.

We aren't alone in this endeavor, the skrell, akula, unathi, tajaran, and more explore the stars alongside of us, expanding the frontier ever further for knowledge and profit.

However, danger lurks just around the corner. From hostile aliens like the vox, other, unknown entities whose true names are only whispered in the shadows and existence kept hidden from the common person, are blamed for damaging and causing the disappearances of ships, stations, and colonies out on the frontier. phoron, as beneficial as it is, is still relatively unknown and all of its dangers even more so. Finally, space itself is a cruel, uncaring mistress that countless have lost their lives to, from something as simple as a tear in their space suit to something more sinister to mankind being its own worst enemy.

It's a brave new world.

Welcome to the Frontier

Welcome to Vir, a system on the edge of colonized human space, the frontier. You are assigned to work on a space station orbiting Sif, one of the most populated planets in the frontier. Several Trans-Stellar Corporations (TSC's) including NanoTrasen Systems Inc. (NTS), the Free Trade Union (FTU) and countless independents hoping to strike it big at Vir are all vying for control of the system. Vir lacks a stable warpgate, relying instead on ships capable of faster than light (FTL) speeds, so Sol Central's presence in this system is almost nonexistent. In Vir, NanoTrasen is the de-facto governing body of the star system. They supply all the housing, nearly all of the infrastructure, all emergency services, and employ numerous military contractors to provide security—some of whom may or may not be playing both sides of any given conflict.

The universally accepted currency by all but a select few systems and regions is the Thaler, which is backed and supported by Sol Central and its allies. It is represented by the symbol "$" (e.g. $130). With the advances of technology, the overall standard of living and education is high even out in the frontier, though glaring examples still exist.

Life in Vir

Out in the frontier, employers, be they a captain of a Free Trade vessel, a Trans-Stellar executive, or just someone with money to spare and in need of an extra hand, are forced to take just about whoever is willing and apparently able. With Sol being months worth of spaceflight away—even with faster than light travel—running a full background check on a candidate is not viable, which means many questionable people get placed in even the most high-security positions and loyalty is 'by your word', which means in Vir, corporate backstabbing and criminal activity is quite high. This and a lack of available employees in general means employees who do prove themselves often find themselves promoted quickly, and put into positions that they are even the slightest bit capable of.

Unlike in systems where the Sol has more influence such as Nyx or Tau Ceti, the population in Vir is a rich melting pot of sentient species, be they natively born, hybrids, or outright artificial and made of genetically modified flesh or carefully crafted silicon. Your coworkers will often include alien species, some of which you might recognize, and others that you'll be seeing for the first time. Due to exposure to so many different cultures, many of these aliens have lost their accents or cultural identities.

Due to the lack of an official government, NanoTrasen is the de facto ruling body in the Vir system, as no other faction has the resources to provide social services, infrastructure, and security like NanoTrasen does. Most of the citizens living on Sif and nearby space stations are employees of the corporation or part of a subcontracted company that does business with NanoTrasen.

Many of the inhabitants of Sif fly off-world to work aboard the NLS Southern Cross.

Non-Canon species

[[File:Custom_Species_Fuckery.png|200px|thumbnail|right|Example species. Custom Species Home planet: ???

Home system: ???

Here in Vir our users and staff have created a varied back catalog of bits and bobs for species not specifically listed below. We do not enforce players play one of the canon species listed below. You may bring in your own special snowflake! As long as they, and by extension you, follow our rules over playing server appropriate characters. If you are having trouble creating your character please refer to our "Character Creation" guide.

Alien species you will meet

The below is a brief overview of humanity and aligned species in the known universe. The links in the name will redirect to further information about the species.

NOTE: If you wish to play a whitelisted or a canon-bending version of one of the species listed below, please log into our forums and head to the Species Whitelist Section and fill out a whitelist form. See the whitelist page for more details.

(Please add new species to the template as well.)

Humans

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Home planet: Earth

Home system: Sol

Humanity, everything and nothing can be said about them. They are the primary driving force for rapid space expansion and perhaps the most populated (known and sentient) species in the galaxy. From atop their SolGov throne their economic prowess helps secure a position on the galactic stage. The vast majority of Trans-Stellar Corporations are owned by humans, and the mighty USDF is the main military presence in any system where humans make up the majority of the inhabitants. By this time men and women are treated all but equal, however there may still be exceptions.

While most humans are accepting of other species and simply want to earn an honest paycheck, the best and worst are found among them. You never know what a human is going to be like when you first meet them.

Due to their prevalence in current known space, and their ability to encompass all traits, good and bad, humanity is often considered the 'status quo'.

Skrell

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Home planet: Qerr'balak

Home system: Qerr'Vallis

The skrell are a species of amphibious humanoids, distinguished by their green-blue gelatinous appearance and head tentacles. Skrell warble from the world of Qerrbalak (or as the lore once called it, Jargon 4), a humid planet with plenty of swamps and jungles. Currently more technologically advanced than humanity, they emphasize the study of the mind above all else.

Gender has little meaning to skrell outside of reproduction, and in fact, many other species have a difficult time telling the difference between male and female skrell apart. The most obvious signs (voice in a slightly higher register, longer head-tails for females) are never a guarantee.

Due to their scientific focus on the mind and body, skrell tend to be more peaceful and their colonization has been slow, swiftly outpaced by humanity. They were the first contact sentient species, and are humanity's longest and closest ally in space.

Teshari

Home planet: Qerr'balak

Home system: Qerr'Vallis

The teshari are reptilian pack predators from the skrell homeworld. While they evolved alongside the skrell, their interactions with them tended to be confused and violent, and until peaceful contact was made they largely stayed in their territories on and around the poles in tundra terrain far too desolate and cold to be of interest to the skrell. In more recent times, the teshari were technologically uplifted by the skrell to be a space-faring race of their own, one that's ready to prove its worth to the galaxy at large.

Akula

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Home planet: Unknown

Home system: Qerr'Vallis

(Akula lore is pending a rewrite. Please follow what is written for now until a later date.)

The akula is a species of amphibious humanoids like the skrell, but have an appearance very similar to that of a shark. They were first discovered as a primitive race of underwater-dwelling tribal creatures by the skrell. At first they were not believed to be noteworthy, but the akula proved to be such swift and clever learners that the skrell reclassified them as sentients. Allegedly, the akula was also the first sentient life that the skrell had ever encountered beside themselves, and thus the two species became swift allies over the next few hundred years. With the help of skrellean technology, the akula had their genome modified to be capable of surviving in open air for long periods of time. However, akula even today still require a high humidity environment to avoid drying out after a few days, which would make life on freezing world like Sif nearly impossible if it were not for skrellean technology to aid them.

Most akula today consider Qerr'Vallis to be their home where they live alongside their skrell allies, while their true homeworld has been forgotten over the ages. akula still tell legends of their homeworld, passed down through word of mouth, talking of great magical cities on the bottom of the ocean in a galaxy far away. skrell historians believe a great tragedy befell the akulan race which led to their near extinction, and the tribal akula they eventually discovered had actually descended from the survivors of this once technologically advanced species. The most widely accepted theory is that the akula originally hail from the Andromeda Galaxy. This is supported by the fact that varying races of akula have been found in scattered tribal communities across the galaxy, some more technologically advanced than others, but all without space travel of their own. Unfortunately, no one has the technology today to make such a journey to find out.

Gender as a cultural identity has little meaning to most akula, which is a result of skrellean cultural influence, but the difference between male and female among the akula is much more obvious than with the skrell. Like humans and tajaran, female akula have large breasts and curvaceous bodies, along with similar reproductive organs that appear almost mammalian in nature. Food also plays a huge role in their sexuality. The best way to an Akula's heart is through their stomach. Their demeanor will often change to docile and flirtatious while engorged with food—similar to Earthly sharks, or other shark-like creatures on other worlds with life. It would turn out that the shark is a popular evolutionary path for water-dwelling predators throughout the cosmos.

Unlike the skrell, akula tends to be more arrogant and less intelligence focused, and will often find themselves in trouble with the law outside of skrell controlled systems. Popular professions for akula include piracy, smuggling operations, mining, and mercenary work. However, due to their mutual respect of the skrell, most will not engage in hostile activity against skrell or other akula.

Unathi

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Home planet: Moghes

Home system: Uueoa-Esa

The unathi are a race of tall, reptilian humanoids that possess both crocodile-like and serpent-like features. Their scales are hard and plate-like, save for the softer ones that line the inside of their legs, armpits, and groin. Originating from the planet of Moghes, the unathi live in an extremely religious society.

The unathi generally believe in and closely follow a set of Decrees laid out in their belief system, The Unity. unathi believes in living long, prosperous, honorable and productive lives. They firmly believe in improving the skills of their craft to reach a level where they can be considered to have mastered it.

The unathi were humanity's second alien contact, but due to their aggressive nature, engaged in an interstellar war with humanity known as the Sol-Hegemony Conflict. Although the conflict has long since ended, and relations have slowly improved, unathi are still often considered to be 'second-class' citizens and are rarely seen in jobs other than where muscle is needed. It is also still common for racial tensions to run high, although this is less common on the outskirts of SolGov's grasp.

Tajaran

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Home planet: Meralar

Home system: Rarkajar

The tajaran are a humanoid race possessing cat-like features. Hailing from Meralar, they possess insulating fur and felinoid stability to better survive in their harsh native environment. Their home planet is a cold planet of vast tundra and arctic zones. For generations the tajaran were practically enslaved by the leading class who were recently overthrown. Males and females are treated roughly equal. There are three divisions of tajaran, two being sensible, the other... not so much.

Tajaran is one of the more recent contacts humanity has encountered. While plenty of tajaran hold reservations with their new allies, overall the alliance is accepted and welcome. Though, like the Unathi, plenty of humans take advantage of the less than modern education, and it is rare to see a tajaran in a position of command outside of systems like Vir where the human population is limited.

Sergal

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Home planet: Tal

Home system: Vilous

(Sergal Lore is pending a rewrite. Please follow what is written for now until a later date.)

There are two subspecies of sergal, Southern and Northern. Northern sergals are a highly aggressive race that lives in the plains and tundra of their homeworld. They are characterized by long, fluffy fur bodies with cold colors; usually with white abdomens, somewhat short ears, and thick faces. Southern sergals are much more docile and live in the Gold Ring City and are scattered around the outskirts in rural areas and small towns. They have short, brown or yellow (or other "earthy" colors) fur, long ears, and a long, thin face. They are smaller than their Northern relatives. Both have strong racial tensions which have resulted in more than a number of wars and outright attempts at genocide. The southern sergals have mostly been on the losing side of this long conflict. Sergals have an incredibly long lifespan, but due to their lust for violence and a nasty habit of occasional cannibalism, only a handful have ever survived beyond the age of 80, such as the infamous and legendary General Rain Silves who is claimed to have lived to 5000. Although General Rain's historical existence is disputed, she is nonetheless a symbol of the Sergal's warrior culture.

Despite advances in technology, militant sergals still wear metal or leather armor and usually favor polearms or bladed weapons, and are capable of great physical feats thanks to their strong, wiry limbs with much denser muscles than humans, more akin to a chimpanzee's muscles. They are reluctant to embrace new technology and pride themselves on the old ways. Despite this, they have made great use of short-range space travel and have colonized much of their home system. This is not, however, to say they are not intelligent. Their intellect rivals that of the skrell but is focused mainly on military tactics and strategy, rather than science or history.

Among sergals, females tend to be the dominant gender with larger, more muscular and bulky bodies, and a much more aggressive demeanor, especially among the northern race. This gender divide is most likely born out of the legacy of General Rain, or perhaps General Rain is a fictional character who is the result of this culture where females are often commanders and warriors in vast armies while males are hunters and farmers who may be one of multiple mates to a single female. Unlike many mammal-like creatures, sergals lack breasts and females also possess a unique prehensile hood over their genitalia which protects it from dust and infection.

Humanity encountered sergals in the year 2524, when the USDF Pathfinder discovered the planet Tal, but did not join the intergalactic community until late 2558 due to The Vilous Incident, wherein a total of 1,057 USDF personnel and somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 native sergals were killed in a brief military conflict. The Vilous system has been under USDF occupation ever since, and has only recently been officially annexed into SolGov's influence.

Promethean

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Home planet: Aetolus

Home system: Kataigal

A gelatinous race of mimics evolved from their slime predecessors that were first discovered aboard the NRS Prometheus, these colorful humanoids are best characterized by their ability to repurpose and shape their bodies for whatever a situation may warrant by means of their semi-solid structure. Along with this is their semipermeable membrane encasing their gel, allowing them to filter feed while keeping the undesirable matter out of their bodies. Their composition allows them to resist most sources of brute trauma, though energy will cause their limbs to become unstable and disintegrate. Prometheans are also void of most normal organs, only possessing a core and cytoskeleton, both of which are crucial to the slime's survival.

Being an artificially created race, and a new one at that, prometheans have no unified culture, though there are small populations of prometheans scattered around the universe, the tropical planet of Aetolus in particular having roughly one thousand such individuals. Currently, prometheans must have a caretaker in accordance with USDF regulations, normally a xenobiologist or other trained caretaker.

Nevrean

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Home planet: Eltus

Home system: Vilous

(Sergal Lore is pending a rewrite, which will also effect nevreans. Please follow what is written for now until a later date.)

An avian species hailing from the planet Eltus in the Vilous system, characterized by their long whiplike tail-feathers. The species is generally matriarchal, with females tending towards duller, brown coloration and bulkier bodies, while males are slight and brightly colored. In both typical mannerisms, culture and physical build, the sexes are directly reversed when compared to traditional human society. Their build is somewhere between a bird and a feathered dinosaur. Females tend to have short feathers on their arms that are not capable of flight, while males often have more developed flight-feathers - on-station, these are often kept tucked away and folded under their jumpsuit sleeves.

There are no remaining records describing how the nevreans came to leave Eltus and relocate to Tal - they have little to no written history from that time, having a tradition of oral history and song, and most of what little history survives of their former homeworld is couched in myth, legend, stories, fairy tales and adventures. Humanity has not yet had time to study these stories and separate fact from fiction, and reality from metaphor, or what parts of the stories might hint at the then-primitive race having a visit from a spacefaring species. As a result, Eltus has attracted no small amount of interest from xenoarchaeologists.

After the exodus, nevreans coexisted alongside Sergals, though tend to be much more forward-looking when it comes to new technology. While sergals still tended towards traditional melee weapons and armor in battle, nevreans have no such hangups when it comes to more modern armaments and has earned a reputation as crafters and engineers in urban communities. Likewise, the urban groups have tended to adopt the written languages of other cultures, nevreans lacking any written form of their own tongue.

During The Vilous Incident, most nevrean communities avoided confrontation, though a handful of urban groups took to asymmetric warfare tactics against USDF special forces when fighting entered the city.

Diona

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(( Whitelisted species - requires a special character application to play. ))

Home system: Epsilon Ursae Majoris

The dionae are a group of omnivorous, slow-metabolism plantlike organisms that are in fact clusters of individual, smaller organisms. They exhibit a high degree of structural flexibility and come in a wide variety of shapes and colors to reflect the intelligence of each individual creature. They were discovered by the skrell in 2294CE, not on a planet, but in open space between three stars, a figurative hell that made it difficult to discover, much less contact them.

Dionae spread by seeds and are asexual, no gender. When grown into their small 'nymph' state, they are known to eat large amounts of dead plant matter and fertilize plants while they learn from those around them by sampling their genetic code (usually through blood extractions), and as they grow further merger into larger and larger forms. It is not unheard of for skrell explorers to be traveling in a ship composed of habitat modules and engines of skrell make, with the body of the ship formed by their dionae allies to warble across the cosmos.

Introduced by the skrell, and quite slow and peaceful, the dionae share good relations with humanity.

Synthetics

Synthetics are spread throughout known space and serve a myriad variety of roles that range from a tiny drone scrubbing a floor to a nearly omnipotent AI used in a combat-ready interstellar vessel. Most known sufficiently-advanced races use synthetics in some way; very often as prosthetic bodies when their own bodies fail. There are three basic kinds of synthetic intelligences found in the universe today:

• Drone: A drone is the term for any synthetic that uses more simple artificial intelligence constructs such as chips or motherboards. While capable of very sophisticated interaction, they are, in essence, only expert systems and not truly sapient.
• Cyborg: A cyborg is a synthetic that uses an organic brain to function via an MMI, short for Man-Machine Interface. Cyborgs come in many shapes and sizes and most sentient cyborgs are free-willed. Some companies have used canine brains and brains of other animals to ensure a cheap workforce that doesn't rely on cutting-edge technology.
• Positronic Brain: Positronic Brains are synthetic intelligences equaling the intellect of a particularly clever sapient being and are generalized artificial intelligences that can be seen as equal (or superior) to organic sapience. They possess a neural network not dissimilar to a brain made out of flesh; and are often used when expert systems simply do not make the cut and a true intelligence is needed. Many positronic intelligences strive for self-determination and are often acknowledged to be holders of their own destiny.

Synthetics have the unique capability of serving in different bodies. This can take shape of a Synthmorph, a lawbound AI, or lawbound mobile chassis. However, transition from one to the other is often more expensive than the net worth of the bodies and is thus done sparingly.

Zorren

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Home Planet: Virgo-Prime

Home System: Virgo-Erigone

The fox-like zorren are native to Virgo-Prime, however there are two distinct varieties of zorren one with large ears and shorter fur, and the other with longer fur that is a bit more vibrant. The long-eared, short-furred zorren have come to be known as "Flatland" zorren as that is where most of their settlements are located. The Flatland zorren are somewhat tribal and shamanistic as they have only recently started to be hired by the Trans-Stellar Corporations. The other variety of zorren are known as "Highland" zorren as they frequently settle in hilly and/or mountainous areas, they have a differing societal structure than the Flatland zorren having a more feudal social structure, like the Flatland zorren, the Highland zorren have also only recently been hired by the Trans-Stellar Corporations, but thanks to the different social structure they seem to have adjusted better to their new lives. Though similar fox-like beings have been seen they are different than the zorren.

Vulpkanin

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Home Planet: Altam

Home System: Vazzend

Vulpkanin or "Vulpa" is a species of sharp-witted canid bipeds residing on the planet Altam just barely within the binary Vazzend system. Their politically de-centralized society and independent natures have led them to become a species and culture both feared and respected for their scientific breakthroughs. Discovery, loyalty, and utilitarianism dominate their lifestyles to the degree it can cause conflict with more rigorous and strict authorities. They speak a guttural language known as 'Canilunzt' which has a heavy emphasis on utilizing tail positioning and ear twitches to communicate intent.

Vulpkanin are an omnivorous (with preference of meat and fish) bipedal furred race vaguely reminiscent of Terran vulpines, and in some cases, reminiscent of Terran canines. Colorations are usually subdued but vary considerably on genetics, climate, and personal taste. Vulpa descended from the northern latitudes tend towards whites and rarely, very slight, almost unnoticeable blue tints. Vulpa descended from a more equatorial climate tend towards brighter browns and dusty reds. Vulpkanin in the between of both latitudes tend towards greys, muted reds, blacks, and tans. Bright colors, excluding whites from the arctic region, are unnatural as they are often dyes used by younger minded vulpkanin to stand out from littermates. Genetic resequencing can make an otherwise impossible color a standard which has become a trend not unlike human 'tattoo' culture.

Vazzend is a system undergoing significant solar activity due to the orbital habits of the primary F class star, Vazzend A also known as 'Kol', which due to the interaction between it and the M class star, Vazzend B 'Gol', causes large bouts of electromagnetic energy pulse out at significant range. The cycle is infrequent, but of great fascination. It was also a terror during the early industrial age of the vulpkanin peoples when they had just started to unlock the principles of electricity. Altam is the second planet of 4 orbiting Gol, which is near Earth-like conditions, if a touch warmer during summer. Jungles are thick, Forests are about the same, deserts larger and oceans a smidge smaller.

These flares promoted the cultural drive to discover what, why, and how and gave the entire civilization a means to reach for the stars through scientific focus. One of their most prized technologies is the degree of EM resistance built into everything they develop; enabling the small fleet of space, then starships to be nearly impossible to disable with ionic weaponry. It was this tech that promoted interest from the Federation and NanoTrasen directly for use in insulating sensitive power equipment, such as harnessing singularities larger than a few microns in size.

With access to both the stars and employment, vulpkanin people are quickly finding themselves as honest working Engineers and Scientists for hire, their propensity for group efforts using the meticulous use of their materials ensures they're highly prized to any project team. They are also apt security officers and wardens due to the hierarchical mindset of the pack, but only a rare handful have the traits to actually lead as an alpha.

Vasilissans

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Home planet: Varilak

Home system: Antares

Vasilissans are a carnivorous, large spider-like people with tall, lanky bipedal bodies covered in chitin, and four large spider-like limbs protruding from their backs. They come in a variety of colors and are extremely diverse in that aspect. The females are usually about a foot taller than the males, averaging in at about seven feet. The females are also much stronger than the males. Their faces have four eyes of solid and varying colors. On the top of their heads are strange, thick, leg-like feelers that are normally styled in much the same way as hair. Their color varies greatly and isn’t normally the same color as the Vasilissan’s body. They have several feelers and sharp claw-like limbs around their lipped human-like mouths. These mouths contain only fangs, a strange, bulbous, long tongue, and spinnerets, giving them the ability to spit large strands of silk from their mouths. Their faces are traditionally very pretty, long, and elegant, almost elf-like despite their hard chitin plating and lack of a nose.

From a temperate jungle planet, the vasilissans were once a solitary, territorial people until great queens began to subjugate them. These 'Star Queens' ruled with an iron fist and urged their subjects to expand her territory and to attempt to build great towering cities tall enough to reach the stars and their sun, which they believed to be gems of great magical power and spiritual significance. They were eventually picked up and ‘uplifted’ by NT due to their world being rich in precious metals, but their ability to design and create vast, strong, and luxurious structures with their silk, stood out well among their talents, and due to their naturally somewhat solitary natures, they make great scouts and explorers.

Xenochimera

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(( Whitelisted species - requires a special character application to play. ))

Home planet: Not known

Home system: Not known

An extraterrestrial colony organism, xenochimera are unusual in that they have no real defining physiology of their own - effectively, xenochimera mimic other beings, or parts of other beings, by consuming them and mutating their own cellular structure to imitate whatever evolutionary advantages they may find - or in layman's terms, they eat other creatures and copy features to create bizarre hybrids. As a result, no two examples of the species are alike, and they can, in fact, be wildly different in appearance.

Xenomorph-Hybrid

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Home planet: N/A

Home system: N/A

Xenomorph hybrids are an extraterrestrial species. The origins of xenomorphs are primarily unknown, although hybrids have been formed through various ways. One of the most common ways they are created is by genetic experimentation. This is done either by splicing xenomorph DNA into a humanoid, or splicing humanoid DNA into a xenomorph, although the former is much more common. This process creates a hybrid of the two species with them sharing various traits.

Some of the traits xenomorph hybrids have are: A thick chitinous exoskeleton of varying hardness, much like a lobster, an elongated curved head, a toothed maw which hides a proboscis-like inner mouth, a jaw somewhat similar to a moray eel, green blood of varying acidity, a vertebrate-like body, and a long flexible tail. This can vary from hybrid to hybrid.

Additionally, most, if not all hybrids do not appear to share the hive-mind that most feral xenomorphs seem to possess, along with their ability to produce resin, and their increased ability to sense prey. This can also be assumed to be due to the intensive mutation process.

Rapala

Home planet: Verita

Home system: Kastra-71

An avian species, coming from a distant planet, the rapalas are the very proud race. Sol researchers have commented on them having a very close resemblance to the mythical race called 'Harpies', who are known for having massive winged arms and talons as feet. They've been clocked at speeds of over 35 miles per hour chasing the planet's many fish-like fauna. The rapalan's home-world 'Verita' is a strangely habitable gas giant, while no physical earth exists, there are fertile floating islands orbiting around the planet from past asteroid activity.

Important Groups

Trans-Stellar Corporations

These are the big corporate forces, major companies whose reach cover numerous star systems and are nearly government forces of their own. While Sol Central does keep them in check to make certain nothing too inhumane or against humanity's interest is being performed, they actually police each other in a way. Keep in mind while many corporations do have their own security forces, some of them armed well enough for 'asset protection' to make some governmental military forces jealous.

The major seven trans-stellars are: NanoTrasen, Ward-Takahashi GMB, Gilthari Exports, Grayson Manufactories Ltd., Aether Atmospherics and Recycling, Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals and Hesphaistos Industries.

Other important trans-stellars are: Vey-Med, Advent Life Biolabs, Aerospace Combat Escort Services (aka ACES), RauMauser, Donk Co., and Cybersun Industries.

Free Trade Union

To keep the TSC's in check, and to help protect the smaller businesses striving to just make a living, the Free Trade Union was formed 200 years ago. Each FTU branch is different from system to system, but each offer lawyers, copyright enforcement, and even anti-pirate asset protection forces for any non-TSC business. All FTU stations are renowned for their open markets where all are welcomed to sell and trade, even the vox. They're the vocal defenders of the mom and pop stores, basically.

Sol Central

The banner over which most of humanity is united under. They focus on keeping humanity's best interest in check and tend to keep out of a system's personal problems unless they are in a dire state of emergency. They are protected by the USDF.

Military Groups

Not only are there corporate interests out in deep space, but also military ones. These factions tend to be neutral to corporate empires like NanoTrasen, but occasionally NanoTrasen will find its self in the crossfire of an ongoing conflict.

The most well known trans-stellar military group is the United Sol Defense Forces (USDF), based out of Earth in Sol Central, as well as its mostly defunct grandfather organization, the United States Colonial Marines. NanoTrasen is non-hostile to the USDF and has a number of lobbyists in Sol Central's government to ensure the USDF's cooperation.

Another group, wary of the influence of Sol Central and hostile to any Trans-Stellar Corporation is the Ares Confederation, a dozen of colony worlds on the fringe of human-occupied space. Obviously, considering NT is one of their "sworn" enemies, relationships are frosty at best, although no open hostility broke out yet. They are cordial to both the Soviets and the United Federation, while rumors persist that they back up the Syndicate as well.

Also out of Sol Central is the 3rd Soviet Union, which hails from Europa and continues to exist despite tensions with the USDF thanks to supporters from scattered colonies and sympathizers across the galaxy providing weapons and resources. NanoTrasen maintains a shakey neutrality with the Soviets, often through the exchange of technology. The Soviets also purchase weapons from NanoTrasen to use against the USDF.

Finally, there is the infamous Syndicate paramilitary group, of which cells still persist to this day from their infamous inception back in 2262. The chapter operating within Vilous is considered destroyed, however this does not stop independent mercenaries, operatives and criminals turn up with their equipment which has been salvaged in one way or another.

To defend against belligerent forces, NanoTrasen also employs a vast number of mercenaries to serve in the NanoTrasen Defense Navy, whose weapons and armaments are a mishmash of hardware purchased from surplus USDF military stockpiles or developed on their own.

Pirates and Smugglers

Not all in the Vir system seek to gain an honest paycheck. Crooks and creeps are commonplace in a system like Vir, far away from the governing bodies that would otherwise stomp them out of existence.

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Blackstar Marauders Emblem

Blackstar Marauders

Consisting of a variety of alien species, the Blackstar Marauders are a group of ruthless space pirates once run by a man named Jarome Rognvaldr. When their leader was imprisoned by NanoTrasen five years ago, and later turned over to Earth government forces, the Blackstar Marauders were eventually taken over by an unknown individual who swiftly returned the group to its former glory as the largest piracy group on the outskirts of inhabited space. They prey mostly on cargo shuttles and fortunately a station like NCS Northern Star is of little interest as a target, but they do still occasionally perform kidnappings for ransom against NanoTrasen employees.

Some of their former members who have been arrested over the years, including Jarome, now work for NanoTrasen. They are not to be trusted, but still, have old connections to the black market if you need to make a special order.

Hostile Forces

As mentioned before, there are several smaller antagonistic forces out in Vir, a brief overview of commonly known knowledge is below, further information can be found on the Identifying Antagonists page:

Disloyals

Vir has many opportunities for less than loyal individuals to get themselves into important positions. Reasons for betrayal are many: some could be looking for money, have a personal agenda, extreme political/religious ideals, suffering from some form of insanity, or could be more than they appear. Either way, in Vir, the wise watch their back and do not give out their trust freely.