Alfar (Aelfar)

The Alfar stand as one of the most widespread and ancient species that has endured through the ages, witnessing the ebb and flow of civilizations over millions of years. Empires have risen and inevitably fallen, marking each cycle with vast stretches of ‘dark ages’ during which untold amounts of information and technological progress are lost, only for the Alfar to rebound and rebuild. This cyclic pattern was likely what drove them to become so enthralled by unaltered nature. While their empires rose and fell, nature continued unimpeded, seemingly indifferent to the machinations of Alfar-kind. 

Today, the sole remnants of unaltered plants from the Alfar homeworld find refuge in a few church-like parks, now carefully relocated to their flagship, the Pleiades, dedicated to preserving what little of nature remains. Embracing this responsibility, mainstream Alfar view themselves as curators of the natural world, extending their reverence to sentient neighbors whom they perceive as less knowledgeable in the workings of the universe. Despite this perception, they approach stellar stewardship with a guiding respect for all forms of life, believing that their guidance can benefit other beings.

While making great efforts to preserve the natural world, they also take immense care in preserving scientific knowledge. As a result, the Alfar tend to be cautious and methodical, making painstaking efforts to control every variable, and are rarely adventurous. “Modern” Alfar civilization persisted for hundreds of thousands of years, but their spread was slow and careful, and their patience was rewarded by the stability of their species and the worlds they occupied. Contributing to this stability is the fact that the majority of Alfar society is monolithic, with genetic engineering technology that allows them to ensure their population will always have exactly the capabilities it needs available.

Contrary to the desires of the Hegemony, diversity naturally arises in an ancient and widespread empire. Some Alfar diverge from the common societal path, driven by a desire to challenge the status quo or a call to something greater than societal norms demand.

Genetic Rebels and Free Alfar: Some individuals diverge significantly from the norm. Genetic Rebels push the boundaries of self-modification, going to extremes that contradict their assigned roles and render them nearly unrecognizable as Alfar, leading to their ostracization. Meanwhile, Free Alfar, rejecting societal responsibilities, pursue their interests with a focus on personal freedom above all else. This pursuit often results in their rejection by more traditional Alfar.

The Agrestal - Take the Alfar reverence for nature to its extreme conclusion. They believe that their bodies must remain uncorrupted by genetic or mechanical alterations so as to be as close to nature as possible. Some take oaths to serve their home-world's gardens while others choose to leave so as to avoid the temptation of genetic alteration by other, less ‘pure’ Alfar. 

The Lyceum: A faction fervently dedicated to reclaiming their ancestral scientific knowledge, the Lyceum stops at nothing to achieve this goal. Known to disregard ethics, self-preservation, and common sense in their pursuit of technological advancement, they are a formidable force in the Alfar tapestry.