THE SECOND AGE
The Time of the Space Lords was long, stretching possibly hundreds of thousands of years into the past, and like all things in the universe this old age ended. A single galaxy (possibly others) gathered its champions and rose up against the Space Lords. Those heroes would later form the Galactic Patrol to specifically fight against the tyranny of the Space Lords.
The first rebellion took place in a galaxy called Insaria Novis. The first Galactic Patrolmen gathered as many races that could fight and battled the Space Lords. This first Great War took many thousands of years to win, forcing the Space Lords to abandon their hold upon Insaria Novis. From this staging ground the Galactic Patrol took their holy war were ever the Space Lords could be found.
Insaria Novis was devastated by the rebellion but they were old races with powerful technological skill. The survivors rebuilt and formed the first Galactic Republic, the Galactic Patrol joined the Republic as Protectors and Lawmen. The common enemy in the Space Lords allowed the galaxy to form a relatively peaceful and stable society. The Galactic Republic has strongest influence in Insaria Novis.
The Galactic Patrol used Insaria Novis as a staging ground to attack the Space Lords in other galaxies. Several galaxies potentially could break free from Space Lord control but only the galaxy of Corvis succeeded. The Patrol expended a great deal of resources and man power to free Corvis, forcing the Patrol to abandon many fledgling efforts. The Space Lords learned from their defeat in Insaria Novis and forced the Republic and Patrol to use incredible amounts of resources to free Corvis.
Corvis was a success for the Republic both militarily and politically as worlds joined in droves, all seeking the freedoms and protections the Republic offered. While Corvis transitioned into self-governance peacefully they were far less advanced then Insaria Novis and could offer very little in the continued war against the Space Lords. The Republic decided to continue their campaign but would need to build resources to free another galaxy from the grip of the Space Lords.
The Galactic Patrol put many of it’s direct action plans on hold but continued to find and explore new galaxies that had the potential of joining the Republic or the potential of being freed of any Space Lord presence. One of these galaxies was a true anomaly for the Patrol. The galaxy of Typhon was found to have had a Space Lord presence but they disappeared thousands of years ago. Typhon was unique in its development, at one time the Space Lords controlled nearly all of Typhon and as quickly as they could they left leaving much of their technology behind. The once slave races of Typhon were left to continue advancing with out Space Lord interference.
The galaxy of Typhon was potentially as technologically advanced as Insaria Novis. The chance of jumpstarting the Republic and again taking the fight to the Space Lords, was too much to pass up. The Republic arrived in Typhon with the full expectation of being greeted as brothers, but the years of self-evolution created much animosity and hatred among the civilizations of Typhon. Entry into the Republic was often met with paranoia or outright hostility. Still the agents of the Republic persisted and many worlds and Empires did join, and the Republic became known as the Tri-Republic. (The new name was created to emphasize that Typhon was a member galaxy and that they did not owe their freedom to an outside force.)
CIVILIZED SOCIETY
The various member worlds of the Tri-Republic are autonomous entities with their own governments and militaries. All member worlds are space-going societies with the technological ability to travel from world to world. While the ability to leave one's homeworld is not a requirement, it is highly frowned upon to admit primitive worlds. The governing Republic body in Typhon is similar to a United Planets, the governing body may make suggestions to planetary governments but can only intervene if another member is threatened. In those cases the Galactic Patrol intercedes, reducing (in most cases) military complications.
The base line of technology through out the Tri-Republic is Space Travel, a Universal Information Network, and a structured Government of some type. Space travel is usually used to transport goods and people too and from planets for economic reasons, trade will vary but all worlds possess some level of trade with greater Republic Society. Universal Information Networks (UIN) are sophisticated communication and data access systems that make advanced society possible. A societies UIN is governed by it's own laws and may restrict information access to certain planets or societies but most people can access vast amounts of information from across the galaxy. Military Information Networks (MIN) are always protected by powerful Barrier programs and active System Administrators searching for breaches in the system.
Governments across the Tri-Republic fall into all types but the Monarchy or Single Ruler Model seems the most stable in this era of large empires and vast societies. The idealized ruler has the ability to rally the society around them and provide purpose to his/her various citizens.
RACES
Races and species in Space Lords fall into 5 general categories. Because of the influence of the Space Lords the vast majority of races are humanoid. These races are usually bi-ped with two arms/legs and somewhat similar biology.
Human Standard; humanity does not exist in Space Lords. While humanoid is the base of many races, earth human does not exist. Many races may look earth human but they should have unique qualities created by Space Lords or random genetic chance. Humanity did not populate this universe, but many say that the Space Lords did.
Type I (Humanoid)
All Type I races are humanoid and can biologically reproduce. The general belief is that Type I races were either created by the Space Lords or another highly advanced and ancient race. A Type I does not need to look completely human, but all have humanoid features.
Type II (Humanoid)
All Type II races are humanoid but unlike Type I races, they cannot create off spring with other races.
Type III (Exo-Skeleton)
Exo-Skeleton races have a similar enough biology and societies to receive there own category.
Type IV (Aberration)
A Type IV race is not humanoid, some races evolved with out interference or influence from the Space Lords, these races have few humanoid features and vary widely in biology and ability.
Type V (Machine)
A machine race is any sentient machine that is granted rights with in the Republic. Not all machines than can be considered sentient have rights; most machines that are created by a member race have rights accorded them by their creators. Some machines existed before the Republic, there creators long gone, these machines are granted full sentient status by the Republic. Machine rights are a difficult topic with in the Republic.
TECHNOLOGY
Starships that can travel the gulf between stars, robotics that can replace human organs or limbs and machines as small as viruses; this is were science begins in this age of wonder. While many races are making break-thrues that push the edge of current knowledge, the Space Lords possess knowledge that bends reality itself. The age after the Space Lords is still a time of wonder and invention.
Progress Level
Technology is rated by it’s Progress level, the higher the level the more advanced the technology. There are 10 levels of progress, this is not a definite number because in the vast universe technology past level 10 exists but our ability to comprehend it is drastically reduced.
The Standard progress level of the game is PL6, this is standard Space Flight level, and everyone has achieved some level of space flight. Some societies such as the Imperium are moving into the PL7 range, not all there technology is PL7 but enough to straddle the divid
Progress Level is used in game to determine the Base or Level 1 of any object, weapon or armor. The greater the Progress level the greater the base effect and the more levels an object can have.
Progress Level 6 - Space Age
• Space Flight and, FTL technologies
Progress Level 7 - Miniaturization Age
• Efficient Systems allow for smaller components, as PL 6
Progress Level 8 - Quantum Age
• Technology can break natural laws
Progress Level 9 - Matter Age
• Trasmutation and technology like magic
Progress Level 10 - Diea Age
• Alter-Reality; Rewrite natural laws
Progress Level 11 - Creation Age
• Create and control matter and energy
Everyone in the galaxy is familiar with PL6 and PL7 technology and they can use this level of technology without penalty. Higher Levels of Progress require more knowledge to create or even use effectively.
While characters who wish to craft items of higher PL are restricted, anyone can use a technological device but higher levels of Progress gain a penalty to use. Any character may use PL6 and PL7 at no penalty, greater progress levels have the following penalties. PL8 are -5 to skill checks or attack rolls, PL9 are -10 and PL10 are -20.
Psi
Paranormal abilities are those innate traits that exceed or defy technological study. These abilities are commonly known as Psi abilities, and are common among all races. Typical Psi is the ability to read minds or control the actions of others. Rare abilities allow individuals to control elements such as fire or electricity. The full range of Psi abilities is great with few ever mastering all of them. The great Psi masters are called Psi Lords, their Psi Rating exceeding Epsilon.
The Psi Rating system was created to catalog and rate Psi capable individuals, and has been adopted by nearly all sophisticated societies.
Rating
Alpha – The lowest level, the Alpha has few abilities and rarely developes them very far. (The Alpha level is any individual with one or two abilities)
Beta – The Beta is the ‘common’ Psi capable individual, they have achieved not only many abilities but a level of power that an be tested with technology. (The Beta is anyone with a Psi Class or Psicraft levels. The Beta and Alpha are the base Psi level)
Gamma – The G rating is a dedicated Psi with great power and make up a small percentage of all Psi.
Delta – The D rating is the first level of Psi Lord status, a D rating uses their abilities with ease and are feared by most militaries and government.
Epsilon – The E rating is the second Psi Lord Level and only a few are known to exist in Typhon, an E rating is considered to be a god level of power.
Zeta – The Zeta class is only theorized to exist, and no Zeta Psi Lords are known to be in Typhon.
Faster Than Light Travel
Travel across the vast space between stars would be impossible without faster than light travel. The ability to reach FTL is the first requirement to reach a PL6 technological society. FTL travel can be achieved through several methods, Hyperspace, Wormholes, Dimension Skimming/Starburst, or Warp Drive/Jump Drive
LANGUAGES
Language in Space Lords varies by species and could comprise an exhaustive list that stretched for gigs. Languages are broken into types. Common, Unique, and Distinct.
Common
All languages from this category have a similarity to them allowing basic communication between them. A person with a common language can express simple concepts or requests to another common language, while more complicated requests and concepts require and Int check to decipher. Common languages are taught among various races to allow communication.
Grumbly - A language favored by races that use more feral tongue. Grumbly gets it's name from the Crynos race that tend to "grumble" before they eat someone.
Genric - The generic language, so generic it actually is boring to speak. (Bueller, Bueller) No one knows which race invented it, but everyone is sure they won't claim it. Genric is so easy to learn that anyone who takes this language may choose one additional language.
Allspeak - The common language favored by races where their first language is not spoken. Allspeak incorporates many gestures and signs making it a very visual language.
Commonist - A generic spoken language created by an ancient Allterran who tried to create the first truly proletarian or egalitarian language. Commonist's origin is long forgotten but was adopted for it's ease of learning by the various human civilizations.
Trade 7 - The most common trade language, created by the Cfed this language formed the basis for trade in most of the galaxy after Cfed corporations spread to all corners.
Binary - The unique language of computers and andriods. On occasion non-machines learn binary, but only it they are really bored.
Unique
Not all languages have similarities, all civilizations form in their own way, which creates a language very unique to their culture.
Allterress - The language spoken by all Allterrains, this legacy language is considered to have been passed down from the first explorers from Aerth.
Hin-Lo - The first Hinerian language, this speak is used by the industrial or low class. The most common language with in Hinerian Culture.
Hin-Yu - The Social and Scholar language of Hineria, sounds like Latin but anyone who knew Latin would not understand it.
Hin-Mu The military language of Hineria, this language breaks speaking into simple commands or instructions. Hin-Mu is constantly rewritten to utilize new encryption techniques.
Neo-Latin The language of the Ancients, found by a group of archeologists they mistakenly thought their dig sight was much younger they it turned out to be. The language they discovered had a resemblance to Latin, so they named it Neo-Latin. Only later was it discovered the site was immensely old and from the time of the Ancients, so as a joke the name stuck even though Neo-Latin is the oldest known language in the galaxy.
Jingo-Cuss The spoken language of the Jigo Empire, the name literally means F-You in their language. The name is a joke because the first words ever heard from an oni by a Human was "Jingo-Cuss", just before the Human blasted him to atoms.
Klingon - No one is sure where this language originated. (This is the actual language from star trek) Among pirates and other sophisticated criminals this is the unofficial language of crime.
Distinct
This category contains languages that are nearly impossible to learn by beings not of the origin species.
Mada-Ru - The language of the Marduk, this language incorporates Affinity into it, and only those with affinity can fully utilize all the expressions capable by this language.
Gyr-Ro - The home language of the Katar, this language is a mix between growls and simple words. It is designed to utilize all the various forms of the Katar so all can communicate.u