The Lorr style themselves as the guardians of freedom and liberty in the known galaxy. Within the bounds of the Protectorate, individual worlds are entitled to rule themselves as they see fit, as long as they are willing to pay a tithe of resources to the Lorr government. In return, the Protectorate handles matters of collective defence, diplomacy and the business of large Empires. As such, the Protectorate is home to anarchists, utopianists, xenophiles, extremists, authoritarians and luddite enclaves alike - a melting pot of values and conflicting ideals. The Protectorate is an empire of extremes - staggering wealth and crippling poverty; cutting-edge research and technophobia; xeno-cultural enthusiasts and militant isolationists - all under a single federated banner, held by the mysterious, aloof and enigmatic Lorr.

Who knows what their real goals and purpose are?

A staunchly technocratic society, the Adherants are almost cult-like in their devotion to materialism and science. They are at the forefront of developing cybernetic technology, to bring about the perfect fusion of living creature and machine. 

Their devotion to mechanical perfection has forged a hierarchical social order dominated by those most willing to shed their empathy for the cold calculations of steel and silicon. Their endless drive to research and improve their physical forms creates a powerful hunger for resources and territory. 

A far-flung colony of an ancient, now ruined alien empire, the Inheritors came to power on a world with scarce metals but profound biodiversity. They are the masters of powerful biotechnology and their living starships are now the equal of anything built by machine or engineer. 

Their society is outwardly harmonious and utopian, but this façade hides the many failures (and malign successes) of their genetic editing and bioengineering, concealing countless horrors. The Inheritors' knowledge may hold the gift of eternal life and incredible power, but only for those willing to accept it into themselves and be forever changed.

A powerful religious movement spread across a dozen worlds, crystallised into a theocratic Empire, the Illuminates rely on the divine dictates of their visionary prophets. Received wisdom from beyond has guided these backwater worlds to great power and influence, but some question whether their prophets are divinely inspired or merely savvy and intelligent worldly leaders.

Regardless of the truth behind their message, the priesthood of the Illuminates lead and inspire their people to spread their message to the stars and bring unity and enlightenment to the oppressed masses throughout the galaxy.

The galaxy is a hostile and dangerous place, and any society requires order and structure to survive its many terrors. The Dolkut Authority rules its people with an iron fist, because the alternative is chaos, plague, insurgency and annihilation. Their agents are many, and people are kept in order by powerful networks of spies and secret police. Austerity and order allow resources to be used efficiently, and everyone is expected to do their part to keep society whole and strong. Ever on the watch for threats both inside and out, the factories and refineries of the Authority churn out weapons and armaments to keep themselves and their charges safe.

Freedom is the gateway to anarchy. Openness invites the enemy into your home. Deviance and excess rots society from within. Vigilance is Survival.

A warlike Empire of lizard-like aliens and their conquered thralls, the Dominion represent a potent threat to the order of the galaxy. Although relentlessly aggressive, they are reasonably good natured about it. Cradian philosophy holds that while the strong and skilled deserve the mantle of leadership, prowess and ability must be regularly tested against worthy opponents. If an opponent has proven worthy, then they deserve respect. If they are unworthy and willing to bend the knee, then the strong have a duty to protect them. In this way, the complex power balance of the Dominion is preserved - with the Cradian warlords ruling over other species, but allowing them to rise to prominence should they distinguish themselves.

Warfare and conflict are necessary to allow opportunities to prove oneself, but once the battles are over, it is rare for the Dominion to hold grudges. They see struggle as just a part of existence, with long-term animosity being a route to self-destruction.

What is now the Garvian Conglomerate began as a small management consultancy on the homeworld of the Garvians. After about a century of expansion, hostile takeovers and clever diversification, it was one of the largest businesses on that world. After another century, it owned the entire planet - a corporate empire, governed by a board of Directors, poised to expand into galactic affairs.

The Garvian Conglomerate has grown continuously since its foundation, and is now a massive trading powerhouse, coordinating the transportation of goods and luxuries between a thousand worlds. Its corporate fleets protect shipping lanes from privateers, its banking services finance entire star systems, and its mining stations harvest the wealth of entire worlds.

Ownership and status within the company is critical in Conglomerate space. Shareholders are the elite individuals, with a single share providing dividends to keep a single person in luxury, while the lowest rung of employees are subject to brutal conditions and hard labour, all in the name of profit.