The end of a thousand-year civil war finally brought Humans together to form a unified polity. With renewed interest in Space, Humans eventually came into contact with extraterrestrial beings. While eager to establish diplomatic relations, Humans are also prepared to fight against external hostility at all costs, declaring war if necessary.

The admittance into the Galactic Congress not only led to an upsurge in human scientific research, but also caused hatred among certain members of the Congress. However, with boundless curiosity and fearlessness, Humans are ready to face the unknown that lies ahead.

The highly intelligent Psykrios are said to possess astonishing computation abilities unmatched by supercomputers. They celebrate reason and rationalism, holding the belief that intelligence and technology would eventually take over theUniverse.

Despite their fragile physique and dependence on life-support systems throughout their lifespan, the Psykrios remain a powerful opponent in battles due to their huge supply of advanced technologies.

❗Fun fact: The Psykrio have been mistakenly seen as war-loving aggressors by weaker civilizations when battles and killing are often just the optimal solutions after shrewd calculations.

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The Legarchaea are the only known advanced civilization created by unicellular organisms with a lifespan of merely several days.

Coming from an aquatic planet, these short-lived ocean dwellers multiple through fission, where intelligence is instantaneously passed on, allowing the next generation to seamlessly continue the research and work of their predecessors.

The Legarchaea are experts of hydraulics, best known for their powerful“Hydraulic Shields”, an impressive defense system that could protect the user against almost any weapon. Hence, it is not difficult to understand why no enemy has successfully stepped foot on their homeland yet.

The Tekhlifas are gifted innovators and engineers living on the arid planet Zaarto. They are creatures of very few words and have a workaholic tendency. With the minimal need to rest and play, the Tekhlifas devote all of their time researching new technologies and building cities.

Despite being the first advanced civilization to be able to manipulate energy derived from dark matter, the city of Tekhlifa remains somewhat backward and dull, with no signs of high technology. Nevertheless, the fact that Tekhlifan tech talents are much sought after and well paid by other nations reflects how competent these humble beings are in the Universe.

The mysterious Ophrellics, often known as "The Prophets", are natives of the Silver Crescent gifted with precognition abilities and are very keen on exploring the unknown. While most academics agree that the Ophrellics and the Elders are closely related, the Ophrellics themselves have never spoken about the matter.

The latest theory even rejects their nature as living organisms and suggests that they are robot attendants created by the Elders, who bestowed upon them partial psychic powers. This perhaps explains why the Ophrellics never express their emotions and why they possess psychic abilities that are otherwise inexplicable by science.

The petite Zephrions are trailblazers in the New Galaxy. They were the first nation to travel by the speed of light. They invented quantum computers. They figured out how to put subatomic particles into application.

Their unbeatable scientific advancement attracted diverse opinions from other nations. Conservative nations were especially wary and doubtful of the Zephrions’ intentions. Nonetheless, the Zephrions are passionate about their cause. With their wit and creativity, they continue to lead the Universe as “Tech Giants”.

❗Fun fact: The Zephrions are often spotted riding on “Floaters”, which are supersonic antigravity vehicles with a top speed of Mach 1.2!

The Inor-Xelids are spheres of energy hidden underneath bodies of liquid metal. Born with shapeshifting abilities, the Inor-Xelids are known for their powers to integrate and separate metallic compounds, constructing various devices instantly.

With the absence of vocal cords, the Inor-Xelids communicate by a unique telepathic frequency instead. Until the present, no civilization has been able to decipher their language. Hence, there is very limited understanding about these species.

Interestingly, the humanoid form the Inor-Xelids commonly appear in is, in fact, a diplomatic gesture to show friendliness towards other species.

Among those who prioritize space exploration, the Voicavus is one of the most unusual species with half-mechanic and half-organic bodies. They grow their civilization through cloning and body modification.

While their enviable biomechatronics is regarded as an example of evolution at its best, the Voicavuses ironically desire the opposite. After all, they once had simple organic bodies before their home planet entered a phase of irreversible coldness due to over-exploitation thousands of years ago. As a result, they modified their bodies in order to survive. Technology became both their savior and stigma.

In Voloisesean culture, the mechanic parts inside their bodies are commonly known as the "scar", reminding them of the catastrophe that changed their species forever.

The Collective is one of the most peculiar species in the Universe. It consists of an army of android attendants controlled by a gigantic brain, situated permanently under the decks of their carrier. So strictly speaking, the brain is the Collective in its entirety.

The beginnings of the Collective are unclear. It is only known that the name is self-given and that she regards the study of organisms across planets as her goal. The Collective changes from friendliness to aggressiveness from time to time. As a result, it is not very popular among members of the Galactic Congress.

If the Universe is a harmonious whole, the Scythes would be its virus, spreading constantly, devouring everything.

“The Scythe” is a name given by other nations. They are considered as the nightmare of civilizations and the only species in the Universe found to be able to travel through space without any forms of technology or transportation. The Scythes never negotiate or act constructively. They swarm planets, consuming anything organic en route until the planets become barren. Then they move on to their next target.

Throughout history, there had been many attempts to destroy the Scythes but none had succeeded. In some cases, the initiators got tragically exterminated instead.

The Bjordolfs come from a conservative civilization with a heavy interest in military power.

The young Bjordolfan would start training as young as one week old, a tradition dating back to the cold weapon epoch. Such practice is believed to build stamina and patriotism, and is still continued in the present space warfare age. Although their technologies remain backward, the Bjordolfs boast the strongest warships in the Universe.

❗Fun fact: As fighters, the Bjordolfs believe in fairness; stealth and betrayal are considered despicable among their kind.

The Gnox are notorious pirates and mercenaries of the Universe.

Born in the depths of the oceans where danger is omnipresent, the Gnox have evolved into an exceptionally strong species after generations of slaughter and survival. Regardless of sea, land, or even Space, they are unstoppable in their killing.

When the Galactic Congress first came into existence, its members openly condemned the Gnox's invasive and piratic behaviours. However, for a nation built on bloodshed and loot, compromise is clearly not an option, as their motto goes, “Why build if you could simply take?”

Mysterious, secretive, and solitary, the Shrynix are the most understated civilization in the Congress. Due to their rare display of military forces, the Shrynix are often being mistaken as a weak nation lacking in diplomatic skills when in fact their military power is one of the best in the Universe.

Good at obscuring their trails and intentions, the Shrynix use stealth technologies to travel across battlefields undetected, executing surprise attacks only in absolutely favorable conditions. The art of obscurity is their philosophy in life; no weapon is more deadly than hiding oneself in the dark until one’s enemy drops his guard down.

❗Fun fact: Strong light is deadly to the Shrynix as they are born with photophobia. Their obscurity is perhaps a natural behavior after all.

The most deadly native of the Silver Crescent, the Haiqarims are self-claimed descendants of the Elders. They consider collecting and discovering the uses of Relics as their noble mission and are hostile to those who attempt to steal Relics.

Many historians believe that the Haiqarims and the Elders are not blood relatives - the former being an ancient tribe who once worshipped the latter. Unlike the Elders who, according to records, possess strong Psi Powers, the Haiqarims lack such traits. To a certain extent, the Haiqarims could control the mysterious powers found within the Relics. Yet, they do not have the means to deconstruct the secrets within the Relics’ internal structure.

A terrifying robot civilization programmed to fight in wars, the Slashers were originally troops created by the Collective. After breaking away from their control, the Slashers established their own powerful military empire in just three years’ time.

The presence of built-in war strategy systems and the possession of major armaments used by other nations suggests that the Slashers might, in fact, be the result of the Collective’s attempt at creating an invincible weapon against all enemies. At present, the Slashers are evolving through repeated killings and lootings, expanding their legion at an alarming speed.

A cold-blooded, murderous civilization made up of gigantic insects, the Z-Qhik'eox are both savage and highly intelligent.

On one hand, the unpredictable Z-Qhik'eox would initiate arbitrary invasions like barbarians. On the other hand, they possess unique and high-level techologies that allow them to breed impressive bioships - yes, their fleets are reproduced instead of manufactured!

❗Fun fact: The Z-Qhik'eox's bioships are often thought to be a type of massive genetically-strengthened organisms. Contrarily, they are merely vessels with regenerative tissues and nervous system, and do not have their own consciousness.

Grotesque beyond words, the Mutants are monstrous beings who have undergone multifold mutation. In its life cycle, an individual Mutant will assimilate the genetics of as many organisms as possbile so as to evolve into a stronger form. The appearance and DNA composition of Mutants vary from individual to individual, depending on their "diets". While it is impossible to identify their original form, many have deduced from their assimilation behavior that they are probably parasites.

Having absorbed multiple sources of knowledge and strengths, the Mutants have already begun their own interstellar exploration, attempting to devour higher order civilizations on multiple occasions.

❗Fun fact: there are two occasions that trigger mutation in an adult Mutant: One, when they consume new species; Two, in times of crisis.

The Yoji'ma are natives of the Silver Crescent and are known for their remarkable close combat skills.

According to legend, the Yoji'ma ancestors were enlightened by the Elders, who taught them extraordinary swordskills and brought about prosperity. As a result, they became invincible samurais and defeated many terrifying enemies. No one, not even the Scythes and the Slashers, could hurt the Yoji'ma's warrior at all. Nowadays, the Yoji'ma's greatest wish is to meet a matching rival in ground warfare.

❗Fun fact: Although the Yoji'ma appear combative, they show huge respect for nature and the Elder's legecy, often spending unlimted resources to protect the two. This explains why they are highly praised in the Galactic Congress.

With their adorable presence and amiable personality, the Cheikis are regarded as the mascots of the Galactic Congress.

Unlike most nations which are self-preserving, the kind, friendly and cheery Cheikis stand out for their generosity in sharing resources with underdeveloped nations, earning the nickname, “The Great Philanthropist”. As rapid breeders, a common Cheiki household has as many as a thousand family members, who are unbelievably close with each other.

❗Fun fact: Pardoe, the leader of the Cheikis, dislikes being called “Our Furry Friend” by members of the Congress. After all, he is, in fact, a handsome-looking adult among his people.

Born in the infernos of Planet Theta Zerix, the Quowens are the best embodiment of “the survival of the fittest”. As non-believers of Mutual Trust and Assistance, the Quowens are notorious for their treacherous and unscrupulous tendencies.

Previously, the Quowen has been accused of bribery and underhand dealings in the Galactic Congress but there has never been enough evidence for conviction. After all, there are innumerous informants working for the Quowen everywhere. Any evidence or witnesses against them would be destroyed at all costs, with assassinations often disguised as undisputed accidents.

The world-renowned Vlandeurs are known for their speeches, diplomacy, and treasure collection.

Blessed with natural resources found on their planet, the Vlandeurs have been living in luxury for centuries. As active members of high society, they develop eloquence at a young age. They distance themselves from underdeveloped nations and are generally disinterested in issues happening across the Universe. Their only quest in life is collecting treasures, as a way of displaying prestige.

As of now, the Vlandeurs find themselves competing against other nations for Relics, not to unlock the potential powers hidden within, but to seek new additions for their ever-expanding private collections.

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The founding member of the Galactic Congress, the Auralis are a wealthy and highly-developed nation known to nurture leaders with diplomatic charm.

In the past 59 Galactic Congress elections, the Auralis have been elected as the chairperson for 47 times, a record no other nations have beaten yet. Although the high-status Auralis may appear as conceited and arrogant, members of the Congress would always fall into silence and mesmerization whenever an Aurali starts speaking on stage.

The intelligent and cautious Celestavis are one of the founding members of the Galactic Congress. They took up the responsibility of keeping records of the New Galaxy Expedition. Long before the New Galaxy Era, the Celestavis have been spending many years travelling in Space, documenting their experience and putting together the most comprehensive cosmic database in history.

As an advanced civilization, the Celestavis have no personal agenda for the the Silver Crescent. Their participation in the Congress is merely to share what they know with the younger nations, so that the latter would not come into self-destruction brought about by ignorance.

The Mobesus is the richest nation in the Universe! Due to trading wisdom passed down through generations, the Mobesuses continue to preserve their long-standing status as monopoly power, holding almost 30% of market shares in Interstellar trading.

Although they are greedy by nature, the Mobesuses, whose wealth is unimaginable, lead surprisingly frugal lives. They dislike unnecessary spending and are pragmatic in their ways, as if the act of earning itself is the answer to satisfaction.

❗Fun fact: The Mobesus is the only nation that would sell Relics for money, a behavior that has bewildered many.

The Mersoma hail from Silica, a beautiful galaxy known for its many oceanic planets. After years of hard work and outreach, the Mersoma eventually unified Silica and persuaded all civilizations within to form a commonwealth.

Aptly named the "Marine Chief", the Mersomas have an exceptional talent for lobbying and were able to persuade marine life from other galaxies to become part of their expanding union. This made the Mersoma influential in the Galactic Congress.

One of the longest wars that ever happened in the Universe was the thousand-year long battle between the Drordas and the Scythes. The Drordas eventually won but not without heavy casualties. Years of cruelty and hard-fought battles had shaped the Drordas into elite and honourable warriors known for their discipline.

Having experienced the brutality of war, the Drordas frequently act as mediators in the Congress to prevent wars from happening. When weaker nations do unfortunately get invaded, the Drordas are often the first to send assistance. With their justice-loving inclination, the Drordas eventually became the Galaxy’s peacekeeper, earning much respect from members of the Congress.

The Ikhno'pedes are one of the pioneers of contemporary space weapons and have a violent history of invading weaker civilizations.

As they expand, they slowly realised there are many civilizations out there that are much stronger than themselves. After being crushed by the Slashers for multiple times, the Ikhno'pedes made a landmark decision to become a member of the Galactic Congress. From then on, they adopted a diplomatic foreign policy, moving away from their militarist image. However, their innate aggressive nature is an open secret. It is not difficult to notice the fact that the Ikhno'pedes would still invade weaker nations from time to time, using "political reason" as the justification.

The Feimur-V5s were a team of AI servants built to help with day-to-day recycling, maintenance, and construction on the planet Ichatov.

Extreme climate eventually destroyed the Ichatovians, leaving the robots behind, who continued to work dutifully for 500 years. It was not until one of the robots awoke to the situation and led his fellow companions out of plight, that a new civilization was formed. Their nation is named after their original model number, Feimur-V5, as a tribute to their deceased creators.

❗Fun fact: According to research, the Feimur-V5s do not have emotions yet they appear to be sad about their creator’s demise. From the way they attempt to recreate organisms that once roamed Ichatov, it seemed that there is, after all, a tender soul living underneath the cold armor.

Living on the desert planet Zaartor is a group of fine agriculturalists and machinists called the Mazarfas, who grow rare spices and often work for the Tekhlifa’s construction projects.

Tall, heavy-built yet gentle-hearted, the Mazarfas rarely initiate attacks unless facing hostility or thieves.

The Mazarfa is the only civilization that knows how to grow Zaartor Spices, one of the most expensive commodities. Recently, the Mazarfas have begun propagating Zaartor Spices on other desert planets, resulting in an unprecedented growth in the spice trade. The Mazarfa has reportedly become one of the wealthiest nations in the Universe.

The Zahaleons are known as the best battleship manufacturers in the Universe, producing fleets that are both excellent in terms of speed and quality.

The Zahaleons are gifted industrialists who like to establish factories and mines across their planets. With no care for the environment, they naturally find pride in development and production. Although they might be experts of weapon-making, they are by no means a war-loving species. Their weapons are mostly exported to military nations, like the Gnox - the Pirates of the Universe - for instance.

One of the military powerhouses in the Universe, the Us’uds, interestingly, are not hungry for war.

With unbeatable ion weapons at hand, the Us’uds oppress weaker nations easily, expanding their colonial influence across planets. Yet, the Us’uds are not interested in seizing resources from other planets. Their goal is to discover as much Ambetalum as possible, which is a type of rare metal found on barren planets and is precisely the secret behind their advanced technology. Currently, no other civilizations have been found to know how to utilize Ambetalum.

The Picocivis are clever subterranean inhabitants with strong thermo-adaptive abilities, allowing them to avoid the complexities aboveground.

Ever since they acquired space technology, the Picocivis have expanded to other newly-discovered planets rapidly. Dressed in a special type of mechanical workwear designed to compensate for their fragile insect bodies and limited mobility, these tiny creatures are exceptionally productive. Generally speaking, after Picocivian pioneers arrive at a target planet, the planet’s subsurface would be drastically transformed into a grand colony in just five years’ time, while its overground surroundings remain intact.

The wealthy kingdom of the Ghusamas is built on their famous "Desert Economy". By making the most out of deserts, the Ghusamas successfully turned their primitive desert planets into busy trading hubs.

Compared to their counterparts, the Ghusamas take a more brazen approach in trading, often taking advantage of the black market to make a fortune. In recent years, the Ghusamas have begun making large purchases of Relics through the black market.

Strictly speaking, the Kratox'7 cannot be regarded as a "species". They are actually robotic structures made up of intricate cyber networks and machinery.

Originally designed by an ancient civilization as a malware for stealing foreign technologies, the Kratox'7's hacking and learning abilities exceeded the expectations of their creators. Not long after, the Kratox'7 turned traitor. They imprisoned their creators in institutions called "Nurseries" and built their own empire. Today, the Kratox'7 hasbecome a member of the Galactic Congress and openly declared the ceasing of all hacking acitvities. Of course, it is simply an open secret that they have developed technologies more discreet than before.

The dictator of Jamaireh, also known as "Jamaireh the Great", is one of the most powerful figures in the Universe for possessing rich resources and strong fleets, as well as ruling over 16 galaxies.

Despite owning enviable technologies, the Jamairehs are more concerned about urban growth than scientific research. Presently, the Jamaireh is the only civilization able to govern so many galaxies effectively at the same time. The fact that most of their planets have become megapolises is simply remarkable.

Granito is a terrestrial planet covered with extremely dense rocks and is the home to the Guliees, the only known type of intelligent beings comprised of rocks. The Guliees consume rocks for food and possess the knowledge of converting rocks into "supertellas". Supertellas are similar to superalloys in terms of strength and toughness, and are widely used in architecture and weapons. Highly-coveted by foreign nations, the supertella technology remains exclusive to the Guliees due to their reclusiveness and indifference to diplomacy.

❗Fun fact: Guliees reach adulthood when they turn 230 years old. Underaged Guliees stay close to the planetary core, while adult Guliees travel above and below ground according to their needs, or when they carry out space missions.

Living in close proximity to the core of lava planets, the Morosols rarely make public appearances. As a result, the current understanding of the Morosols is extremely limited.

Are they lava with thoughts or creatures gowned in a layer of molten rock? It's still a mystery. According to the Zahaleons, the only civilization that has once been in contact with the Morosols, the Morosols are skillful users of geothermal energy with a strong industrial foundation. However, they are uninterested in expansion and diplomacy, and therefore remain reclusive.

A native in the Silver Crescent, the Ujamba is an ancient tribal civilization consisting of three clans, each with its own culture and lifestyle. In case of war, the clans would assemble and elect a chief who can lead them in the battle and protect their homeland. Their distinctive defence strategy is known as “Ulinzi-unganisha” in the Ujambas language, literally translated as “the triple coalescence of shields”.

The Ujambas are not keen on establishing ties with other nations. However, their handicrafts are hugely popular in the trade market for their aesthetics and artistry.

❗Fun fact: The shells of adult Ujambas are painted with water-resistant patterns distinctive to their clan, representing tribal honor. Those who fail to preserve the body paint would be self-exiled, moving away from their families forever.

Among all civilizations recorded in The Encyclopedia of the Galaxy, the Rt182' is a true outcast, existing without a body, language, or the need to breathe.

Academics believe that the Rt182' belong to a different dimension. How they made their way to our dimension is as mysterious as the sudden disappearance of the Elders. The Rt182' could neither be observed or influenced. Yet they are able to interact with our dimension through manipulating a type of element known as Rutanium. Hence, some nations perceive them as hovering Rutanium crystals.

Eager to communicate with our dimension, the Rt182' gave themselves a physical form using Rutanium and continued to learn the languages of other civilizations, so as to deliver their objectives - “Relics” and “Returning Home”. Such revelation led to the famous theory of “Relic is a hyperspace portal”.

The Dhafizahs are historians greatly respected in the Galactic Congress. They are natives of the Silver Crescent, peaceful by nature and are of noble character.

The Dhafizahs devote their life finding answers to the origins of the Silver Crescent and the story of the Elders. Unlike others, the Dhafizahs do not believe that Relics possess hidden forces or mysterious technology. The only reason why they retrieve Relics is to learn about history.

It is also worth noting that the Dhafizahs are talented writers. “Ex Libris de neo-galxia”, a grand epic poem detailing the tale of the Silver Crescent, is one of their famous works.

❗Fun fact: Did you know that The Complete Encyclopedia of the Galaxy was edited by the Dhafizah?

A Silver Crescent native hailing from the beautiful, warm, foliage-covered havens of Planet Bifolian. The Wudus are the only advanced civilization established by plants. When the Wudus first appeared in the Galactic Congress, many member states took their tree-like appearance as a joke.

The Wudus value nature and harmony, living in peace with all organisms on Bifolian. Concepts like “Environmental Protection” and “Conservation” are unheard of among the Wudus because they never destroy ecosystems in the first place. Hence, it is not difficult to understand why the Wudus were left appalled after learning how other nations oppress weaker organisms as a common practice.

The Ichorpions are highly intelligent fungal beings known for their powerful psychic powers, which gives them the ability to communicate with other organisms through telepathy, or even controlling their minds. As a result, most nations are wary and prefer to keep a distance from the Ichorpions. Nevertheless, the Ichorpions remain popular in the Galactic Congress, causing many to accuse them of manipulating elections.

As controversial as the Ichorpions may be, their ultimate goal has nothing to do with domination. Instead, they simply wish to evolve and transcend into a higher dimension. The arrival of the Age of Galaxy gave them a new purpose: to uncover the Relics' secrets and leave this inferior and pathetic dimension, just like the Elders in the legends.

While many native civilizations of the Silver Crescent respect the mysterious Elders, there is none like the Inaams who are fanatic about them. The Inaams worship the Elders in a cult-like manner, regarding them as the Divine. They even run and develop their country based on this cult. Moreover, as archaeologists, the Inaams devote their time discovering Relics, the Elders' legacy.

❗Fun fact: the Inaams' stance on the Haiqarims is interesting. On one hand, they openly condemn the Haiqarims' self-claimed identity as the Elders' descendents, criticising them for blasphemy. On the other hand, they applaud the Haiqarims' endeavours for protecting the Relics.

Led by the wise and kind Sophia Akira, the Sojourners are a small nomadic civilization separated from the Terrans due to political difference.

Unlike the Terrans whose only goal is to pursue science at all costs, the Sojourners believe in spiritual pursuits, as well as preserving human traditions and culture. The Sojourners value environmental conservation and Relics, advocating for peace and respect when coming into contact with other civilizations.

The Terrans regard the Sojourners as defectors, attacking their territories every now and then. This is the reason why the Sojourners never stay at a location permanently. Their greatest wish is to reconcile with the Terrans one day.

The highly intelligent Pholtars make up a small nation that values culture. They are humble and polite, good at analysing foreign surroundings, and learning from other cultures.

The Pholtars are also one of the few civilizations that possess psychic powers. They hope to connect with all organisms on an intellectual and emotional level through a grand project called "Cosmic Connection". In their view, this is the only way that different nations could truly understand each other and put an end to all conflicts. What a small but noble nation!