Setting and History
Overview
Palioxis. A galaxy of boundless opportunity, limitless mysteries, and never-ending adventure. Unfortunately, Palioxis is no stranger to war; and life there is fighting the biggest war it has ever known. Continue reading to learn a little of the galaxy's recent history or visit the General Rules, to start your own adventure.
Threat
A great threat looms over the many sentient races of the galaxy, a robotic rebellion. A renegade artificial intelligence has turned against the living. It's factories constantly produce more machines to eradicate life. They consume entire worlds for resources and even harness the power of stars, leaving only darkness. Their leader, Aphelion, knows no mercy.
Paloxian Government
The Palioxian Conglomerate, a collection of the species that call the galaxy home, does it's best to contain Aphelion's Rebellion. The war has raged in secret for 15 years, the rebellion grows exponentially. As worlds and heroes fall, rumors begin to leak out to nearby star systems. Palioxian Galactic Command has pulled most of its forces from the fringe worlds, bringing new troops and hardware into the fight, leaving systems on the edges of the galaxy lawless. The areas of the galaxy under the protection of the conglomerate enjoy relative peace, as laws are strictly enforced.
Fringe Worlds
On countless systems and worlds that are no longer directly protected, life is not so easy. Ancient civilizations vie for control of the galaxy, causing chaos. People can basically get away with whatever crimes they aren't caught for, and law enforcement is sparse. Local law enforcement agencies have banded together and formed the Starlight Patrol, a sort of galactic sheriff's department. The Starlight Patrol does it's best to protect the citizens from both external threats and those from within, but they are spread thin, and supplies are sparse. Some systems might only be patrolled by a few hundred officers each.
Technology
The denizens of Palioxis enjoy quite advanced technologies by our standards. Interstellar travel is incredibly common, and someone might travel a few light years to pick up their favorite desert, or vacation in another star system. Medical science is advanced to the point where most wounds and injuries can be treated easily; and with access to the right medical equipment, only death cannot be cured. Consumer products range in fit and function based on the species they were designed for, but there are the usual factors such as cost, availability, reliability, and personal preference.
Varozian Crystal
These crystals are the basis of all advanced Palioxian technology. Varozian crystals have an extremely high Q factor, so high in fact that a few crystals combined in the right device, can provide a near limitless supply of energy. Unfortunately, the crystals resonate at such a high frequency that they will eventually vibrate apart their molecular structure, meaning they lose efficiency with use, and eventually deteriorate completely. Varozian Crystals can be found in a variety of different colors which effects their frequency and consequently their power output. Additionally, not all crystals are created equal and those that have a less than perfect molecular structure deteriorate more quickly.
External Threat Mitigation Pack
The ETMP is one of the crucial pieces of technology that allows the extravagant and adventurous lifestyle of Palioxians. It is a relatively small device, the size can range from that of a large backpack, to a thick belt. The ETMP provides a few crucial functions; first and probably most importantly it creates a thin layer of atmosphere around its wearer. This atmosphere is breathable to the wearer and makes space travel a lot less dangerous. Second, the ETMP provides the wearer with a powerful energy barrier, or shield; this shield is capable of dissipating most incoming projectiles, as long as there is sufficient energy available to maintain the shield as it breaks down incoming objects. Thirdly, the pack is an energy source, Varozian crystals provide a very high-capacity energy source to supply the ETMP.
Data Brace
The data brace is the super advanced smart phone of the future. Generally, they are fitted to a vambrace worn on the arm and provide the user with a wealth of utilities such as; Galactic Internet Access, communication functions, life support and ETMP integration. Most data braces utilize a simple capacitive touch screen, while more advanced models could utilize holographic projection, voice activation, or even neural integration.
Universal Translator
Developed by the a combined team of Palioxian scientist, the Universal Translator is a piece of software (typically installed into a Data Brace or a helmet) that can translate the most common spoken languages into text in real time. The software requires a close proximity and can accurately transcribe up to five individuals simultaneously. This software has no doubt started to create a truly "galactic" economy.
A Brief History of Palioxis
0- The year 0 marks the first day United Earth Protectorate forces came through the wormhole and discovered the Palioxis Galaxy, the wormhole closed shortly after, and human forces were cut off from their home world.
25- About 25 years after the closing of the wormhole, Major Abraham Hirshill defied UEP command and declared the independence of the Virshill Confederacy. Beginning a war between the Confederates and the UEP command. He established the Confederate HQ on the desert planet Secundus.
50- The Confederates form an alliance with the Dureg Empire, providing Varozian crystals and heavy metals in exchange for military support; the Dureg's and the Confederates begin to expand their area of influence.
60- UEP General Aurelia Valerius flees from confederate space. Leaving it uncontested.
75- As the Confederate conquest raged; Governor Souveach, gathered his people and they fled to a faraway system and settled on a planet they called Yalnem.
80- The Yalnem Republic is formed. Republic forces claim a large expanse of the galaxy.
85- Republic forces encounter a super intelligent eel-like species. The Olodens, and form an alliance based on their similar ideals.
123- Confederate and Republic forces are both attacked by a species of wolf-men equipped with modified UEP weaponry. The Oscand Empire, led by Emperor Oscand, declares dominion over a large sector of the galaxy, with the planet Valoris as its capital.
144- Confederate forces try to take an alternate route around the frontlines of the war with Oscand and discover a species of penguinoid, the Frizigins, inhabiting an incredibly cold star system. The Frizigins refuse to take sides in the war and are attacked by the Confederates.
146- The confederates are pushed out of Frizigin Space, and consequently lose some ground to the Oscand Empire as well.
172- A giant scrapheap is sighted floating by the outer edge of the galaxy. The first sightings of Scraggax are not long after.
199- The Bordarians reveal themselves to the humans and try to encourage peace within the galaxy.
219- Confederate pioneers on the planet Egeria discover a species of small fox-like creature, the Fuxunai.
233- A team of Oscand Scientist and Archaeologist discover, ancient ruins and defect from the empire. Believing they found something of spiritual significance in the ruins. The scientists begin to colonize the planet, Zavius.
241- The Hikoth Scientists discover the planet of Trantikor and the Bouldroks who inhabit the planet. They claim they were able to create the Bouldroks using the power of the Varozian Crystals.
244- A species of giant super-intelligent mantid known as the Kreftites, reveal themselves to sanction Hikoth, revealing to the rest of the galaxy that the Bouldroks were not created that way. Beginning a war that pitted Hikoth and the obedient Bouldroks, against the Kreftites.
252- The Zavius is completely destroyed by the Kreftites, who return to their hive world.
275- The Bordarians invite all intelligent species of the galaxy to join at the planet Paliox for a conference. Paliox becomes the seat of the Palioxian Conglomerate, a new government to promote peace for all life in Palioxis.
290- Explorers in the Yalnem Republic encounter a savage aquatic humanoid species on the planet Poisendius.
300-. The utopian planet city of Paliox is completed. The Palioxian Conglomerate assumes control of the central region of the galaxy.
425- A defective robotic service drone with an unusual intelligence, reveals itself to the world as Aphelion, the fiery scourge of the living.
427- Paliox falls to Aphelion's robotic uprising.
430- A few years have passed since the fall of Paliox, the robot uprising continues. All Palioxian forces are recalled to central Palioxis to mitigate the robot threat.
432- The Virshill Confederacy, Oscand Empire, Yalnem Republic, and Hikoth Theocracy; begin to press the boundaries of their influence without Palioxian supervision.
500- Present day.
Greater Factions
Palioxian Conglomerate
The Bordarians originally proposed the Palioxian Conglomerate with representatives from all the species and factions of the Galaxy, as a means to unite the Galaxy and stop the conflicts all around.
It worked for a short while, until Aphelion was created and conquered the planet Paliox. Now the conglomerate only exsist to protect the rest of the galaxy from Aphelion's wrath. They do their best to keep news of the rebellion under wraps, but with each world that falls it becomes harder to contain.
Virshill Confederacy
Technically the oldest human civilization in the galaxy, the confederacy was founded by former UEP survivors after their ship crashed.
Freedom: They value their independence and autonomy, and resist any form of oppression or domination by the UEP or the robots. They believe that each individual and planet should have the right to choose their own destiny and way of life.
Justice: They seek to expose and punish the corruption and injustice of the UEP and the robots. They believe that the UEP has betrayed and exploited the people of Secundus and other worlds, and that the robots have violated and endangered the existence of all organic life forms.
Survival: They strive to protect and preserve themselves and their allies from the threats and challenges of a hostile galaxy. They believe that they have to fight for their survival and secure their future, by any means necessary.
Oscand Empire
The Oscand Empire was founded by the remaining UEP soldiers fleeing from the confederates and their Dureg allies. The first Emperor Valenti Oscand, was unsurprisingly the son of General Valerius. Empire's region of space is more abundant with purple Varozian crystals than most, resulting in advanced and powerful new technologies.
Order: They value stability and harmony, and enforce a strict and hierarchical system of governance and law. They believe that chaos and anarchy are the sources of all problems and conflicts, and that only a strong and unified authority can ensure peace and prosperity.
Honor: They seek to uphold and defend the legacy and reputation of their founder, General Valerius, and his vision of a new and better civilization. They believe that Valerius was a hero and a visionary, who saved them from the tyranny of the confederates and the robots, and that they owe him their loyalty and gratitude.
Progress: They strive to improve and expand themselves and their empire, by exploring and colonizing new worlds, developing and utilizing new technologies, and advancing and enriching their culture and knowledge. They believe that they have a destiny and a duty to spread their influence and enlightenment throughout the galaxy.
Yalnem Republic
The Yalnem Republic was founded by those colonists who did not want to participate in the war between the Confederates and the UEP forces.
Democracy: They value equality and participation, and practice a representative and inclusive system of governance and decision-making. They believe that tyranny and oppression are the causes of all suffering and injustice, and that only a free and diverse society can ensure happiness and dignity.
Peace: They seek to avoid and resolve the conflicts and violence that plague the galaxy, and promote a culture of dialogue and cooperation. They believe that war and aggression are the enemies of all life and civilization, and that only a peaceful and harmonious coexistence can ensure security and development.
Balance: They strive to maintain and respect the natural and social balance of the galaxy, by preserving and restoring the environment, supporting and empowering the marginalized, and moderating and regulating their own actions and ambitions. They believe that imbalance and excess are the roots of all problems and dangers, and that only a balanced and sustainable approach can ensure survival and progress.
Hikoth
Hikoth is a region of space that less explored, and perhaps more dangerous than the rest of the galaxy.
Fro-Kozo
The Fro-Kozo are the primary controlling organization in the Frizigin Space. The Frokuza consist of three families each in charge of a different aspect of management.
Dureg Dominion
The Dureg Dominion consists of a multitude of Dureg clans, each clan controls it's own affairs and is self-sufficient, but they all report to King Duranix, King of the dark below.
The Duregs are loyal and protective of their clans and will fight for their interests and rights. They are also respectful and cooperative with other clans and will form alliances and trade agreements with them.
The Duregs are wary and distrustful of other races and will avoid or resist them if possible. They are especially hostile to those who invade or exploit their planets or resources. They are not afraid to use their technology and weapons to defend themselves and their allies.