Nivoq Ascended Union

The **Nivoq Ascended Union** is an decaying, absolute monarchy in the **Pridwen Galaxy**.

## Biology

The Nivoq are a race of highly intelligent **arachnoids** which can show significant biological variations but will usually have between 4 to 8 separate legs and a modular body containing a **thorax** and an **abdomen** like most traditional insects. However unlike most arachnoids, the Nivoq do not show any biological processes commonly associated with living beings. This has led some **Ekwidine** to suggest that the Nivoq are not actually alive or may be some biological weapon similar to the modern **Hakansan Order** however this has never been confirmed.

The Nivoq do not respirate and their outer shells continually show signs of **Tissue Necrosis** normally associated with dead insects however individual Nivoq are still required to consume fresh biomatter in order to maintain cellular functions.

Nothing is known about the Nivoq reproductive cycle, leaving some to speculate that the Nivoq may not reproduce at all or lost that ability long ago.

## History

One of the most secretive of all the species of the **Pridwen Galaxy (Nubecula Minor)**, the **Nivoq Ascended Union** has barely had any contact with the **Ekwidine Republic** as their territory is thousands of **Light-Years** away from that of the Ekwidine Republic.

It is believed that the Nivoq have existed for thousands of years, with a history dating back to the earliest days of the founding of the **Solantis Nominate**, who settled a colony on one of their borders, that colony was swiftly destroyed by the Nivoq who ensnared and consumed the residents. Ever since then, the Solantis never ventured into Nivoq territory again.

The Nivoq are considered to be highly territorial and will attack interlopers in their space without provocation, using their advanced technology which allows them to somehow **dissolve** vessels at a molecular level into consumable **Bio-Matter** that can sustain individual Nivoq or repair their **Bio-Ships**, even through the most advanced **Shielding Technology**.

## Society

Regardless of this fearsome reputation, Nivoq are considered among some of the most advanced builders in the Pridwen Galaxy, revered for their ability to **"Hollow-Out"** planets and create vast semi-organic cities under the surface of worlds to sustain their populations.

The Nivoq have led to the institution of the **"Spider-Protocol"** within the Ekwidine Republic which states that anyone that discovers Nivoq architecture below a planet is to immediately leave and report it to **Ekwidine Starfleet** immediately. Nivoq subterranean cities are riddled with advanced traps to deter interlopers such as organic walls that can spray "jets" of digestive acid.

Nivoq architecture is described as distinctive, elegant and angular, inspiring many different artists from the Ekwidine Republic and **Nivoq Bio-Polymer** is a highly prized commodity to be sold on the **Oritan Supremacy** markets due to the very likely possibility of death while obtaining it.

Nivoq society is speculated to be **Matriarchal**, like many insect colonies but this has neither been confirmed nor denied. Due to a high level of **Organic Mastery**, the Nivoq have shown the ability to control the **mitochondria** that live inside all organic cells, compelling other organic races to serve them or even revere them as gods. Nivoq worlds that have been **"Internally Terraformed"** will often have **"Thralls"** of various species which will carry out the will of the **Nest** through **Mitochondrial Influence**, the victim is very much alive and aware during this process but is powerless to do anything but scream, leading to the Ekwidine dubbing Nivoq planets as **"Scream-Worlds"**.