prompter: What is a "Prador" in Neil Asher's "Polity" novels?

assistant: In Neil Asher's "Polity" novels, the Prador are a race of highly advanced and aggressive crustacean-like aliens. They are known for their extreme physical strength, sharp claws, and an arsenal of biological weapons that make them formidable opponents. The Prador are organized into a strict hierarchical society, with a ruling class of "King Pradors" at the top.

In the Polity universe, the Prador are a major threat to humanity and other species in the galaxy, as they are expansionist and ruthless in their pursuit of power and resources. The conflict between the Prador and other species is a recurring theme throughout many of Asher's novels, including the "Spatterjay" trilogy and the "Owner" series.

prompter: How to paint a renaissance classical portrait painting step by step?

assistant: Painting a Renaissance classical portrait requires a lot of attention to detail and skill. Here are some general steps you can follow to create a portrait in the style of the Renaissance:

Choose your materials: Decide what type of paint you want to use (oil, acrylic, etc.) and select a canvas or panel to paint on. Consider the size of the canvas and the colors you will be using.

Sketch the composition: Use a pencil to lightly sketch out the composition of your portrait. Determine the placement of the subject's features, the proportions of their face, and the overall composition of the painting.

Block in the colors: Using a light wash of paint, block in the basic colors of the portrait. Pay close attention to the values of each color and ensure that they are accurate to the subject.

Build up the layers: Begin to add layers of paint, starting with the shadows and gradually building up to the highlights. Use a small brush to add details, such as wrinkles or facial hair.

Refine the details: Once the basic structure of the portrait is complete, it's time to refine the details. Pay close attention to the subject's eyes, nose, and mouth, as these features are crucial to creating a lifelike portrait.

Work on the background: Finally, work on the background of the portrait. Choose a color or scene that complements the subject and adds depth to the painting.

Finishing touches: Once the painting is complete, take a step back and examine it from a distance. Make any final adjustments and add any finishing touches that may be necessary.

Remember, painting a Renaissance classical portrait requires patience and attention to detail. Don't rush the process, take your time and enjoy the creative journey.

prompter: What properties define a Renaissance painting, making it different from other methods?

assistant: In Neil Asher's "Polity" novels, the Prador are an alien race of large, crustacean-like creatures. They are described as having multiple legs, claws, and mandibles, and possess a powerful exoskeleton that makes them difficult to kill. The Prador are also known for their extreme aggression and violent tendencies, and are feared by many other species in the Polity universe.

In the novels, the Prador are portrayed as a major threat to humanity and other intelligent species, and are often at war with the Polity, a vast interstellar government that spans many worlds. Despite their physical strength and technological prowess, the Prador are depicted as ruthless and barbaric, with little regard for other life forms.

prompter: Are there any particular examples of "violent tendencies" of these aliens in the novels? If so, please describe them.

assistant: Yes, there are several examples of the violent tendencies of the Prador in the "Polity" novels. Here are some examples:

  - In the novel "Prador Moon", a group of Prador launch a surprise attack on the human colony on the planet of Cull, killing and capturing many of the colonists. The Prador are shown to be brutal and sadistic in their treatment of the captured humans, subjecting them to torture and experimentation.

  - In the novel "The Line of Polity", a rogue Prador named Sniper leads a group of followers on a mission of revenge against the humans of the Polity. The group carries out a series of brutal attacks on human settlements and ships, killing countless civilians and soldiers in the process.

  - In the novel "Orbus", a group of Prador are shown to be experimenting on captured humans, subjecting them to a range of tortures and tests in order to study their physiology and abilities. The Prador are portrayed as completely indifferent to the suffering of their captives, treating them as little more than objects to be experimented on.

  - In the novel "The Technician", a group of Prador are shown to be collaborating with a rogue AI in an attempt to conquer and subjugate the humans of the Polity. The Prador are depicted as ruthless and cunning, willing to use any means necessary to achieve their goals, including the use of bioweapons and other forms of mass destruction.


Overall, the Prador are portrayed as a highly aggressive and violent species, prone to acts of brutality and sadism towards other races. Their violent tendencies are a major source of conflict in the "Polity" novels, and are often a driving force behind the actions of the human characters.

assistant: Yes, there are several examples of violent tendencies exhibited by the Prador in the "Polity" novels. Here are a couple of instances:

1. **Prador enslavement of other species:** In the series, the Prador are known for their cruel and brutal enslavement of other species. They often use enslaved individuals as living tools, modifying their bodies and minds to suit their purposes. For example, they implant control devices called "thoracic ganglion" into the spinal cords of their captives, essentially turning them into mind-controlled slaves called "thralls." 

2. **The Prador-Human War:** One of the most significant events in the "Polity" series is the Prador-Human War, which is the central conflict in the novel "Prador Moon." The Prador are shown to be ruthless and merciless in their attacks on human worlds, slaughtering entire populations and enslaving the survivors. This war showcases the Prador's violent tendencies and their willingness to engage in brutal warfare against other species.

These are just a few examples of the Prador's violent tendencies in the "Polity" novels. Throughout the series, they are portrayed as a fearsome and dangerous foe, capable of inflicting immense suffering and destruction.

prompter: Provide me with a brief overview of the Prador-Human War, please.

assistant: Pradors are a large, advanced, crab-like alien species characterized by their hostility and aggressive nature. Pradors are known for their brutal and ruthless behavior, particularly when it comes to their interactions with other species, including humans. They use other sentient beings as slaves, often utilizing mind control technology to ensure obedience. The Polity, a vast interstellar human civilization governed by artificial intelligences, comes into conflict with the Prador during a war known as the Prador-Human War, which features prominently in several of Asher's novels.

prompter: Are there similar alien species from other novels or ip?