Master of Orion 3 races

Races have two sets of attributes: one that comes from their species
(which is not user-modifiable), and one that is specific to their race, and that
is generally modifiable by the player. For example, Trilarians always prefer
worlds with lots of water, since they are aquatic by nature. But they can
decide whether or not they want to start the game as members of the Orion
Senate, or have special skills in trade or diplomacy. Those are skills that are
not fundamental to their species.

## Humanoid species

### Human

The Humans are the master manipulators of the Orion Sector and have ruled or
actively attempted to do so for thousands of Galactic Cycles. Sly and greedy, they
take by force only what they cannot take through negotiation or trade. Recent
Humans claim to be descendants of the Ancient Orions. Although most empires
of the Orion Sector scoff at the arrogance of such a presumption, there is enough
uncertainty in Humanity’s origins to lend credibility to this “ancient legitimacy”...

### Evon

The Evon have confounded their Orion Sector neighbors with their extreme
secrecy. Their people are easily recognized by their iridescent blue-black skin
and shimmering gown-like clothing, and their cities and structures are elaborate
and ornate, revealing an intricacy in design that seems to parallel everything
that they do. They are both mystical and mysterious, a society rich in ceremony
and ritual, evoking questions that they will not readily answer...

### Psilon

The Psilons have always been devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, a devotion
that borders on fanaticism. During the Dark Age, in exchange for favor from the
Antaran overlords, the Psilons willingly al lowed the Antaran geneticists to
experiment on and manipulate their bodies to increase their capacity for
learning and research. The Psilons of today are the result of centuries of horrific
genetic reconstruction: mentally powerful, but with their bodies weakened to
the point where they must use hover chairs to move and mechanical waldoes
to physically manipulate items in their world.

## Cybernetik species

### Meklar

Calling themselves the “Pure Ones” to signify their complete separation from
the corruption of biological matter, the Meklar are masters of mathematical and
computer sciences, and their mechanical efficiency makes them both supreme
industrialists and formidable foes in combat. Contemptuous of organic life forms
(the “flesh beasts” of the Orion Sector), they also eschew their technologies,
including economics and ecological science. They despise the Cynoid, their
Cybernetik brothers who have not yet rejected their biological origins.

### Cynoid

The Cynoid have not completely turned their back on their biological origins,
and are cyborgs, unlike the completely artificial Meklar. The Cynoid are ruthless
and brilliant when it comes to economic calculations and financial matters. They
understand the value of money, how to work it, how to use it, and how to
exploit it in every way possible. Outstanding barterers, are often interested
in improving the lot of their citizens to make them more productive and, hence,
more taxable.

## Saurian species

### Sakkra

The Sakkra are closest genetically to the original Saurians that forced their own
evolution and left the Ichthytosian homeworld in exile thousands of cycles ago.
They are highly aggressive, easily angered, and carry a bitter scaly patch on
their shoulders. Their age-old hatred of the Ichthytosian species flavors every
aspect of their society, and their drive to build and expand is often a pretext
for finding and eliminating every trace of their ancient enemies.

### Raas

The Raas were bred by their fellow Saurians as highly productive slave
laborers, and were sold and used throughout the Orion Sector until the end
of the Great War. They orchestrated a vast and bloody revolution that
ultimately earned them their freedom. They left to found a new society, with
their own governments and religion. Their industrious natures are still there,
and now they finally have a chance to work for themselves and take their
place in the history of the Orion Sector.

### Grendarl

Grendarl society relies on two core ideals: loyalty and indifference to physical
hardship. Their clan-based social structure emphasizes placing the group
before the individual, with supreme honor resting on the concept of death
before failing the Clan. They are warriors, deriving just as much honor and
glory from battle with their foes as from supporting the Clans.

## Ichthyosian species

### Trilarian

The Trilarians are one of the oldest races in the Orion Sector, and are known for
being extreme traditionalists. They are a peaceful race, and their society places
great emphasis on art, architecture, and philosophy. They have changed very
little since the War of the Depths and the Second Exile, trying desperately to
regain the glories of their past while preparing for the new future that awaits
them in the Orion Sector...

### Nommo

The Nommo are a cephalopodic species that once coexisted with the Trilarians.
They left after the War of the Depths to found their own empire, based on
their more radical and militaristic beliefs. They believe they are descended
directly from the “Old One,” the god of the first Ichthytosians who brought them
wisdom (and who, ironically, was an Antaran scientist who began the first
steps of genetic modification to the Ichthytosians). This delusion that they are
“children of god” has occasionally led to holy wars against those who might
deny them their birthright, most notably the Trilarians who still lay claim to
what the Nommo consider “their” homeworld...

## Etherean species

### Imsaeis

The Imsaeis are the most keenly observant of the Etherean races, which plays
well with their ingratiating manner. Their ability to gain acceptance through
good listening and humility has made them valuable participants in diplomatic
negotiations, and has provided them with vast amounts of information and
intelligence. The Imsaeis always know more than they say, and while on the
outside they seem to be agreeable and engaging, secretly they are constantly
striving to be in control of events around them.

### Eoladi

The Eoladi give almost everyone a slight pause when they are first encountered,
as each individual possesses his own personal code of ethics. Once understood
and accepted, however, the Eoladi are valued society builders and competent
leaders. These skills came from the aftermath of the Etherean War, when all
Etherean societies were shattered and had to be rebuilt from scratch. The Eoladi
still believe that they have much to teach to the other Orion Sector races in the
ways of personal and social improvement.

## Geodic species

### Silicoid

Curiously unique, the Silicoids represent a true divergence from other life and its
origins in the Orion Sector. They are believed to have come about from the
shards of a giant sentient crystal that was destroyed above their home planet.
Each Silicoid begins as an asexually created shard, incubated in a nutrient bath,
and eventually grows into an individual with all of the prior knowledge of its
“parent.” This efficiency comes at a cost of speed, however, so forethought and
careful planning are key to any successful Silicoid society.

## Insectoid species

### Klackons

The Klackon Hive Mind is the ultimate picture of a harmonious society working
for the greater good of all. The Klackons revere this purity of social form, not
even noticing the cost in creative or original thought. This unity of purpose
makes the Klackons brutally industrious and organized, with leaders born for
their tasks and directing the masses without question.

### Tachidi

The Tachidi are among the largest races in the Orion Sector. Like the Klackons,
they are extremely industrious and productive, but they have overcome the
limitations of the Hive Mind and now view the universe with insatiable curiosity.
This curiosity is their biggest challenge, however, as it is the curiosity of a child,
one that does not know that you can hurt the puppy if you pet it too hard...

## Harvester species

### Ithkul

The Harvester Project was the result of the Antarans’ quest for a biological
agent that would infect most life forms and either kill them outright or render
them mentally docile and obedient. It was a major endeavor, with dozens of
research labs working on various facets of the project. And, in the end, the
Antarans succeeded in breeding a parasite that did exactly what they wanted it
to do. Now that parasite has been unleashed, and the Orion Sector races are
right to be afraid of a species dedicated to wiping them out to the last.