Xelocian

Long ago the Xelocian Imperium was driven into the stars by a series of natural disasters that destroyed their world. For centuries Xelocian society has existed solely within their nomadic fleet, wandering throughout the galaxy. The fleet contains many large agro-ships that provide enough food to feed the entire race as well as a surplus traded to others for luxuries or currency. Because of these colossal ships, the Imperium is almost entirely self-sufficient.

Often referred to as the ‘Nomads’ or the ‘Harvesters,’ the Xelocian Imperium wanders the stars in a constant search for water and metals, the only two materials they cannot create on their own. Xelocian salvage teams have been known to strip an entire battlefield bare of usable materials in mere hours. It is the belief of the Xelocians that anything left unattended is fair game, to be collected by anyone skilful enough to claim it.

The Xelocians are descended from an avian ancestor, their tall bodies and spindly limbs covered by a layer of fine feathers. Their large heads rest on long, low-slung necks with mouths that resemble hard beaks and three eyes close set in narrow, sharp faces. Uniforms are standard for all members of the Imperium, varying in colour and style depending on an individual’s responsibilities, rank and age.

In their wanderings the Xelocians are always looking for new technologies or unique artefacts. Many of their ships resemble huge museums of ancient cultures or races that have long since disappeared from the galaxy. It is possibly because of this that the Xelocian fleet so often finds itself the target of raids by other civilisations. To defend against these raids the Xelocians maintain a large navy that escorts the Imperium across the stars.

The most impressive Xelocian military vessel is the Shantu Dreadnought. These immense ships bristle with more than enough firepower to deter the most single-minded raider. All Xelocian ships are designed around a forward-firing energy weapon that disrupts the molecular structure of its targets even at extreme ranges. The power couplings for these weapons are immense and can also be redirected off the ships’ broadsides or diverted to the best shield technology available outside of Saurian Space. Each Shantu is also home to an extensive library and museum containing every scrap of military information ever encountered by the Xelocian Imperium. More than once information from these libraries has turned defeat into victory.

The greatest threat to shipping in Fathoms Reach, the Raider Sectors, is seldom a danger for the massive Imperium fleet. However, both the Ba'Kash and the Veydreth have been known to dare the Xelocian defences from time to time. Even before the official push by the Dindrenzi Federation into the Storm Zone, Federation ships were launching operations into the area, raiding for information and testing resistance. Several of these attacks were launched at Xelocian Imperium fleet assets. In addition, a number of attacks by Relthoza and Vo'Nar forces were recorded, also targeting the Xelocians. Although the reasons for these attacks are unknown, they forced the usually neutral Xelocian Imperium to declare itself for the Kurak Alliance. Moving the main fleet into their trade partner the Hawker Federation’s space, the Imperium placed all of their military assets at the Alliance’s disposal.