The Vasari Empire

The Vasari were once part of an ancient empire that was destroyed by an unknown threat that sent them on the run, right into conflict with the TEC and the Advent.

History

The ancient Vasari Empire once ruled over countless worlds. Beginning at the galactic core, the empire expanded uniformly, and brought hundreds of alien races under its control. While most of the species the Vasari encountered were primitive and peacefully subjugated, more advanced civilizations were harshly enslaved. Once conquered, these species were integrated into Vasari society as “valued citizens,” giving them minimal standing in the Empire. Each world was then locked down and ruled from vast orbital structures in order to minimize the chance of rebellion.

As with all empires, the Vasari civilization's fall began from within. Ten thousand years ago the inner worlds of the empire suddenly fell silent. Expecting nothing more than rebellion by the local species, a local wing of the Dark Fleet was sent to restore order, but no status reports were ever received. Soon they lost contact with three more worlds, and while Internal Intelligence deliberated on the response of what could only be the work of traitors, several more worlds went dark – including the ancient Vasari homeworld.

The rate of expansion of this unknown enemy was astonishing, far exceeding even that of the entire Dark Fleet. As a last resort, the Dark Fleet Veerr brought the bulk of their forces back from the expansionary frontier for a blind assault on whatever was eating its way out of the empire‘s core worlds. When a single, heavily damaged warship from the Dark Fleet appeared out of phase space in orbit of a planet on the empire‘s perimeter, the inhabitants decided to board the ship. What they found were the remains of a once battle-hardened crew driven mad with fear.

In a rare act of autonomy, the colony made the decision to evacuate to a system far from the Empire. It would prove to be the last time they would ever see Vasari space. For the next 10,000 years the Vasari refugee fleet travelled from system to system, dropping warning beacons on their way, spending only enough time to replenish their resources before moving on. No matter how far the Vasari travel, their warning beacons fall silent; their unknown adversary continues its march toward their extermination.

They eventually arrived in Trader Space crushing any militia that was in their way and enslaving the populace of the worlds under their control. This continued until the arrival of the TEC a new military force backed by the Traders to fight the Vasari. The once-clear advantage the Vasari held against the Traders quickly dissipated into a tug of war for control.

Ten years later, a new foe known as the Advent, psionically gifted cousins of the TEC humans, arrived on the Eastern fringe of the Trader Space. The TEC had to divert forces giving the Vasari the chance to advance against the Coalition. The battles began to take their tolls until the development of Starbases to fortify their territories. The three races met at a standstill unable to push territories without the loss of a great amount of their forces.

Five years after the fortification of their systems diplomacy was finally given a chance. The Vasari knew the ancient enemy was going to arrive soon and a consensus on what to do needed to be made. From here the internal workings of the Vasari shifted and two philosophies developed. One being the original concept of "Evacuate, Siphon, Run" and the other belief that the Vasari needed to stop running and needed to make a stand against the Ancient Enemy alongside the Advent and the TEC. The two philosophies eventually split the Vasari fleet in two as they parted ways.

Culture

Vasari culture is unique compared to the other two races. Where both the TEC and Advent function on progression and free will, many Vasari fleets make use of enforced labor to further the needs of their empire's growth. It wasn't until very recently that many Vasari began working in cooperation with the other races, and gave up on using slavery as a primary means of production.

Another large portion of Vasari culture is the use of eugenics to "advance" Vasari growth. This is done through directed reproduction and the artificial augmentation of their genome. Genetic adaptation is also used on humans to increase their survivability on different types of planets. Examples of this process include genetic changes to respiration so that toxic atmospheres can be survived without the need for environmental suits, or to produce massively increased sub-dermal fat to increase body temperature on frigid worlds.

Nanomedicine is also used to improve living conditions under Vasari rule, increasing the life span of their subjects or introducing nanites into the bloodstream of Vasari subjects to increase survivability from any traumatic force.

Technology

Vasari Technology is far more advanced than the industrious TEC's and is only rivaled by the PsiTech of the Advent. They specialize in genetic manipulation, nanotechnology, and phase space technology.

Nanotechnology

Vasari have a huge specialization in Nanotechnology. It is used in the daily life of almost every citizen under Vasari rule. It has versatile uses such as making spacecraft armor more laced and decreasing their mass, or improving the quality of products that are used in Vasari trading goods as well as medicinal uses. Vasari Nanites also have offensive purposes such as jamming enemy space craft, repairing their own, or even being used in strikes against enemy orbital structures.

Phase Technology

Vasari phase mastery is incomparable, and they possess the strongest sensors in the known universe being able to detect all enemy movement across multiple star systems. The Vasari's knowledge of phase space is so vast that they can even hide their ships and orbital structures within it should it be deemed necessary. Their FTL communications systems are also very specialized allowing them to field much larger fleets than both the Advent or TEC.

Testaments to the power of Vasari knowledge of phase space are the Kostura Cannon and Phase Stabilizer, the latter of which allows them to create their own phase lanes to increase the mobility of their fleets.