Fiction:Drodo Empire

''' You have logged onto the Drodo Empire's channel: Explore, Observe, Survive. '''

The Drodo Empire is somewhat new to the Gigaquadrant scene. But is however expanding its territory and knowledge at a rapid rate through war, diplomacy, and discovery. The Drodo can be your greatest allies, possibly even your saviours, or your greatest enemies, and could easily be your demise. They have a massive industrial capacity and about 5000 star systems.

Prehistoric Era
During the prehistoric era, the Drodo formed into small tribes. Those small tribes soon united and built the first cities. It was through cooperation that they invented some of the most basic, important inventions and concepts, such as agriculture. It was also during this time that natural gunpowder deposits under the soil where discovered while the first mines churned out stone for tools and weapons. It wasn't used for some time, however.

Early History
Gunpowder's power was soon realized after the first disputes and wars raged across Coron, Gunpowder was used as a potent weapon. Put in barrels or other containers, lit by a fuse of parchment, and thrown and rolled down at the unlucky targets. However, this method of attack was notoriously unreliable. As there was just as good of a chance of you being blown apart by the bomb as your attackers. It was also during this early era that the first true nations developed. Empires dominating over the tiny city-states. Among this era was the first recorded history, literature, records, and poems where all among the examples of primitive writing and record-taking.

Classical Era
This epoch of time is best remembered as something of a golden age. Great works of art and literature, new technologies (more advanced agriculture, bronze, currency), and incredible people and empires that spanned the Drodo Homeworld. With prosperity came war, Empires rose and fell. Mainly hinging on who had more gunpowder pots and barrels to throw about. Drodo Classical-Era tactics where indeed unusual. With gunpowder, formations could be scattered. The most advanced nations even had cannons, making stone walls a weak defence against these civilizations. As such, Classical-Era combat was fast, ever-changing, and brutal. Cannons and catapults with gunpowder barrels would knock down fortifications while infantry fought on the front lines, attempting to break through the other barrier of infantry to charge the artillery. At the same time cavalry viciously attempted to flank and destroy the fragile artillery lines. Castles and fortresses where near to useless at this time, if it weren't for a material called steel...

Dark Age
After the discovery of iron and steel, production of gunpowder weapons went up exponentially, to counter, some built walls plated with this new metal, the result being mostly successful. Entire civilizations where wiped from the planet by those with steel, and therefore, rifles and cannons. Wars broke out over violated treaties, accidental fire, and resource acquisition. After the initial chaos went down, Drodo world population went down by a great number. Ideals and technologies where lost. while some devolved into barbarians, others devoted themselves to rediscovering what was lost and paving the way to a better future. The Dark Age would last several centuries without any major improvements in technology, while small, advanced nations soon became small beacons of light in the darkness, and those small beacons grew into empires. The Dark Ages where over.

Imperial Era
This age would be known for the large amount of empires, much smaller but much more advanced and numerous than there Classical Era counterparts, struggling for power, and exploring new lands. This age would also be known for the formation of two large, competing powers that would fight and compete against eachother for hundreds of years; Arcadia, and Doria.

Arcadia was a large empire located to the west. It was a superpower from where it came from, and owned most trade routes from the "New World". It was democratic. Doria was a superpower located to the East, originating from the north, but since expanding downward. While Arcadia ruled the seas, Doria ruled the land. Controlling most ground-based trade routes, including some into Arcadia. It was a monarchy. They would have an uncountable amount of wars, both on land and sea.

Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution marked one of the greatest times of technological advancement in history. With mass-production, mass media (in the form or television and radio) and new advancements in war. One of which was the Machine Gun. A weapon that changed the field of warfare for the Drodo forever. Some of the first ones unveiled during the battle for the Inquin peninsula, where the Inquin Defence Force, small in number but well-armed and defended in trenches and the new machine guns, mowed-down most of the Dorian attack force with no casualties on the part of the Inquin people. Once the power of the machine guns was evident to the superpowers, they where quickly put in production. Generals panicked on how to counteract them. The defence had completely outgrown the offence. There where wars, as usual between the two. With campaigns that should have been resolved a few weeks being dragged-out for months, even years because of the grueling trench warfare and machine gun fire. Landships where developed as a counter, but where unreliable. The technology did advance, though.

National Era
This time in history is remembered for the inventions of the laser, the computer, the mass-production of the automobile, and the tank. As well as the cultural revolutions that followed due to the recent inventions. Automobiles made travel a breeze. And the tourist industry boomed. It also lessened the reliance of the locomotive to deliver goods by land. This made a mark on Doria's mostly train-based trading system and supply line. The Computer allowed massive calculations to be made in seconds. And the modern Tank once again revived the distinctly Classical-Era idea of mobile combat, at least to an extent.

Interplanetary War
The Great Arms Race would lead directly into this conflict and was one of the main reasons it happened, tensions got to a point where the entire solar system was constantly ablaze with weapons fire. The conflict started when Doria fired a salvo of IPBMs (InterPlanetary Ballistic Missile) at a Arcadian Colony, New Corven. it was exposed to 350 megatons of pure energy, and destroyed instantly. Arcadia was quick to respond, sending a fleet of new space battleships at a important Dorian military base on a moon of the gas giant, Aeria. Because almost all nations had alliances with either Arcadia or Doria, they were obligated to support the war efforts.

The Battle for Coron 4
The battle for Coron 4 was the last and most important battle in the Interplanetary War. By now, Arcadia was winning the war, but a Dorian Suprise attack nearly changed all that, the Dorian fleet was massive, and even had a superweapon, known in history only as "The Trump Card", said to be capable of cracking open Coron 4's crust with a massive railgun. A giant space battle ensues, with hundreds, possibly thousands of starships ruthlessly destroying each other. However, the Dorian fleet was only there to soak up damage for the Trump Card, about 15 minutes into the battle, the Trump Card was almost fully charged - and aimed at the Drodo homeworld, Coron 4. The Captain of the Endeavor, Cesterium, a ancestor of the now-legendary Fleet Captain Cesterity, told the crew to evacuate, and manually drove his crusier straight through the Dorian battle lines, and rammed the Endeavor into the Trump Card, both ships where destroyed instantly in a massive explosion, Cesterium, and the entire crew of the Trump Card, where killed instantly. Afterwards, the remaining Dorian forces, and the Dorian government surrendered almost immediatly afterwards. For the first time in history, one did not recognise him or her as "Arcadian" or "Dorian", but, as "Drodo", it was then decided by the Drodo nations of Coron 4 to set aside there differences, and conflicts from the days of old, and unite under one banner, the Drodo Empire.

Drodo Empire era
The Drodo Empire's earliest years was establishing the government, drafting a constitution, and fixing the Star system's problems. As the Drodo had an entire system's worth of resources and manpower, it was in fact easier then first thought.

A interesting method for forming the empire's branches was used; they voted on what nation's system would be used by vote of the system population after they where presented. What this means is, that a certain nation's system of running a certain branch, for example, Law Enforcement, was chosen from a group of contenders. Whichever was voted to be the best and most efficent was used as the best system was made the base of the Empire's. For example, Ursalia's Law Enforcement system was used as the basis for the Drodo Empire's law enforcement, as it was determined to be the best-trained, best-equipped, and its training program was efficent and well-thought out.

Afterwards, the Drodo new Drodo Dominion, or "Drodo Empire", made the decision to venture out to the interstellar void. Funding was funneled into making a working interstellar drive. It was completed shortly after, the new interstellar ship, "The Void Sailor", was launched. The two on-board; A Arcadian and a Dorian, made a trip to the edge of the Coron System and back to Coron IV in a matter of minutes. It was a success. A new era has dawned upon the Drodo race.

Attack on Toranis III
It did not take long for other empires to realise just what the InterStellar Union could do if they let it grow. The first attack in a series of others was performed by the Varkinian Confederacy, they first destroyed the few Time Flies Defence Force ships stationed there. And looted the capital city, Yt'varri, with little to no resistance. Finally, they commenced orbital bombardment of the planet, it's surface was turned to glass. By the time Drodoian ships arrived, there was nothing to save. Cesterity, the captain of the Impaler II, the Drodoian flagship, said three simple words; "This means war."

The Two Unions' War
After the InterStellar Union declared war on the Ancient Union, or AU, ISU stratagists where preparing a devastating attack on three fronts, the Drodoians would lead the first prong, or Fleet A, directly through the center as a distraction, while Fleets B and C would flank. All of the fleets were trying to get to the capital planet of the AU, Darsonis. The AU anticipated that and spread their fleets out. Fleets B and C were small as they did not expect much resistance. Fleet B was utterly destroyed over Jarsis III, and Fleet C took massive casualties, but got through to Darsonis. Fleet A, on the other hand, took only a few casualties, because A was the largest fleet, and expected heavy resistance, but did not. Fleet A won victory after victory until they reached Darsonis, which was under siege from Fleet C. 2 Months later Darsonis and the rest of the AU surrendered. After the war the ISU demanded that the commanders heading the Toranis III attack be handed over, after a month long combined AU-ISU manhunt, the Former Varkinian Rear Admiral Tor Kah was arrested, charged for war crimes and sentenced to exile on, ironically, Toranis III. Afterwards, the Empire gained many worlds, mostly from those that the Empire captured after the war. They where soon integrated into the Empire.

Mineral Conflict
What was to be a border conflict soon became a massive, devastating war against the Drakodominatus tyranny. After losing many worlds, the Drodo finally pushed the dreaded Drakodominatus back into there territory after a massive battle over Toranis III. Afterwards the government started the road to rebuilding. But this was also the perfect time for the Mafia families to put into motion the most massive and ambitious government overthrow in Drodo history. The lightning assault on the Drodo Government Building worked and the NDG was born. They put in a totaletarian dictatorship and imprisoned or executed any military personel or even civilians that disagreed with there rule. They only enjoyed a few months of tyranny however before being overthrown in an equally bold assault by Fleet Captain and Resistance leader Cesterity. In the aftermath, the Empire quickly regained control and rebuilt. They where headed to better times... Or where they?

Attero Dominatus
Following the massive slave revolt in the Dominatus Tyranny, the Drodo Empire, along with its other allies in the Katar Sector, pledged support by any means. This slowed there exploration plans, but they now had a chance to destroy a great threat and enemy once and for all.

Government
The Drodo Empire is a representitive democracy, much like modern day Canada. The council has a a senator for every system [or planet], and votes on a course of action accordingly [The ISU also follows this model]. You must be a citizen of the Drodo Empire in order to vote or be on the council. The title of the Drodo ruler is Premier, and are voted by digital poll by the Drodo population. These polls are then read and organised by supercomputers and a verdict is delivered. Once a premier is in power they serve a six-year term and can be reelected for a unlimited amount of times. The Premier holds emergency powers, such as to set up Marshal Law, if needed. The current Premier is Premier Harponis.

Military
The Drodo Empire maintains a large army at all times. It consists of multiple branches including the army itself, it's navy, the elite Drodoian Marines, and the Drodoian Exploration Fleet [The DEF is technically not part of the military, but is here for simplicity's sake]. In times of total war, the Drodoian Armed Forces can draft large numbers of recruits and put them through a 4 week long training program. The Armed Forces is capable of multiplying it's size 5 times.

Army
The Drodoian ground army is a well-trained, well-equipped, and well-disiplined force. It is feared and respected within the Katar Sector.

Drodo infantry
The Drodo infantry make up a diverse, flexible, mobile force. The Infantry include the branch of the standard ground army, the elite Drodoian Marines, and all special operations branches.

The standard infantry is outfitted in a light, body-emcompassing suit of armour. It is composed of a skin-tight body-glove, armour plates made of a tough polymer (sometimes earning them the title "plastic boys"), and a helmet. There are countless variations of the armour, including ones with less plates and a more conventional uniform, ones with head-emcompassing helmets and more standard helmets. They are usually armed with the X8-series of assault rifles. Ranging from the aging X8-36 to the much newer X8-47. They also use grenades and the trusty G-series of military handguns.

The Drodo Marines are the elite shock-troopers of the Empire. Donning massive suits of powered armour, they are seen as "immortal" to many of there foes and can survive and operate in extreme conditions, thanks to there power-suits.

The power suit is a massive hulk of engineering. Using a body-glove and support system, they apply and calibrate massive artificial muscles. Made of carbon nanotubes, they react to the movements of its "parent" biological muscle and work to increase the strength of the user by many times. The marines are then outfitted with plates of "Grovium", an exotic, regenerative metal many times stronger then titanium. There standard armament is the massive Gara Munitions 50. Cal Heavy Gauss Rifle. Standing just under two metres, the massive weapon fires 50. caliber depleted uranium spikes many times the speed of sound, at up to thirty rounds per second. There sidearm, the 58-A Flak Pistol, fires explosive fragmentation rounds at a fast rate. While this weapon may look like a massive magnum by a user without the suit, it is quite light and usable by a Marine. They are even duel-wielded for deadly close-range effect.



Other commonly used infantry weapons include the X10-series of marksman and sniper rifles, the rather ancient Doram Arms 58A grenade launcher, the "Iron Fist" Heavy machine gun, and many others.

Drodo Cavalry
While Cavalry may seem like a odd addition to such a modern army, due to advancements in technology, they have once again filled a crucial role in the military, acting as fast, discreet attackers, scouts, and the perfect units to utterly destroy enemy infantry and the morale of a army.

The order of Drodo Knights is a ancient group of people of noble blood divided into clans. The headquarters of different clans are put on worlds across the Empire, and while not properly part of the military, they are oftentimes called to duty. When they fight, they wear traditional armour and use traditional weapons with a technological twist. There armour is made with a bullet and energy weapon proof metal, and there weapons are vibroblades (they as well carry large revolver magnums). Along with a energy shield to raise there survivability they make for a terrifying, formidible force even against modern forces.

The Drodo as well use "Dragoons". Historically, Dragoons are men armed with rifles or carbines that fought from horseback, or dismounted when they reached a location to fight on foot. The modern Drodo version does the same. Using speeder bikes and horse, they are used to seize a location quickly and discreetly (like ride up to a hill and dismount to pick off at a marching army) or to make hit and run attacks on the enemy by firing from a moving horse; A highly respected feat. Dragoons are very elite and respected units within the army and many elite dragoon units adorn themselves with traditional "Cuirassier" armour (a cuirass, greaves and helmet worn with a bright uniform) to make themselves stand out. The armour components, however, are not just for show; the cuirass is made of the same material as the Drodo knight's armour and can deflect a bullet easily.

Drodo Armour
To assist the infantry and break heavily-fortified positions, the Empire's military maintains a powerful armoured division.

The Delovian Shipyards T300 Main Battle Tank is the symbol and pinnacle of Drodo armour. Armed with a 200 mm smoothbore cannon, several machine gun emplacements (ranging from two to four) and two front-positioned light cannons. It can reach a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour thanks to its advanced engine and efficent fuel. Its armour includes | ablative armour, specifically a type of rubber-like, shock-absorbing material. Thanks to being shock absorbant, it can soak up and disperse any kinetic weapons fire, melt and cancel out an energy weapon attack, and even minimalize the impact of a explosive. But before they can break through the ablative layer, they must work through a ray shield capable of dispersing most energy weapons, but falls prey to kinetic weapons. Once they manage to work through both layers of protection, the tank has a generously thick layer of super-strong grovium to protect itself with.

But the T300 isn't the only vehicle in the Dominion's garage. For a more dedicated anti-infantry role, there is the Doram Arms 587-A bipedal attack walker, or better-known as the "Goliath" on the field of battle. It is armed with two massive rotary autocannons, two missile pods to anti-air, and has armour similar, if lighter, to the T300 Main Battle Tank. On its two legs, the walker is suprisingly nimble, with experienced pilots able to hit speeds of 50 kilometres per hour, and able to traverse rough terrain, even jump! Despite this, the ability to pilot a walker is gifted to few and the fatality record for pilots is long and notorious. A large fraction of the fatalities being accidents and errors and the pilot's part.

Filling a crucial support role is the Battle Construction Vehicle, or the "BCV". A 12-foot tall, vaguely-humanoid light walker, the BCV is driven by combat engineers and has given them a much higher life expectancy. Carring resources and blueprints for prefab structures, they can speed about the battlefield with there repulsorlift-propelled contraptions and quickly construct bunkers, SAM turrets, and automated gatling-gun turrets to support the main force. Some BCV drivers opt out a welder arm for a flamethrower and machine gun to act as a "combat engineer", supporting the rest of the BCV squad.

For swift transport of forces along the ground, the Drodo rely upon the T450 Amphibious Transport Vehicle. Armed with a small 25 mm cannon, several machine gun emplacements (one to four) and firing ports for the occupants. It uses the same armour as the T300 to protect its occupants. It can carry up to twenty troopers at once.

Air Forces
Air dominance is one of the main elements in any battle. As a result, the Drodo maintain a air/space force.

As the main fighter for the Drodo military, the Delovian Shipyards F-99 "Falcon" fighter is a fast, deadly, and adaptable workhorse for the air forces. Armed with two gauss gatling guns, and homing missiles, the Falcon can hold its own against any threat. In addition, it is capable of both atmospheric and space flight.

Navy
The Drodoian Empire also boasted a impressive fleet, their navy is composed of around 500,000 ships, and a superweapon.

Impaler-class capital ship
Crew: 1000

Hull composition: Regenerative Grovium/Titanium

Weapons: 2 large mass drivers, 15 missile pods, 20 turbolaser batteries, 5 heavy railguns, 10 tractor beams

Length: 2.5 km

Width: 1.9 km [at the back]

Description
Truly the iconic Drodo battleship. The Delovian Shipyards Impaler mark 5 is the most powerful mass-produced battleship the Drodo Empire has to offer. Equipped heavily with some of the latest weaponry, it can hold its own quite effectively, but is best used for a heavy crusier/ship of the line role. They are often found being used by commanders, admirals, and Fleet Captains as capital ships.

Inquisitor-class crusier
Crew: 850 Hull Composition: Regenerative Grovium/Titanium

Weapons: 20 missile pods, 50 turbolasers, 2 heavy railgun batteries

Length: 1 km

Width: 0.5 km [at the back]

Description
Essentially a scaled-down version of the Impaler, the Inquisitor is the frigate and medium crusier of the Empire, one of the more common models. It is quite modular, and can assume multiple roles by equipping different weapons to its system and hull. These ships are sometimes even overproduced or decomissioned and end up in either the scrapyard, storage, the surplus, or black market. As such, it is not uncommon to see rich citizens or pirates owning a Inquisitor. The IDMP as well maintains a multitude of these vessels for pirate/terrorist attacks, or border protection.

Ethereal-class logistics/support craft
Crew: 350 (can operate with ten)

Hull Composition: Durasteel alloy

Weapons: 4 light turbolasers, 1 hyperspace missile launcher tube, systems jammers

Length: 800 m

Width: 150 m [at the back]

Description
The Tarik Drive Yards Ethereal-class corvette was originally designed by the military for a supporting role in combat. This old model finds itself oftentimes finds itself in the hands of citizens, pirates, and IDMP officers. They are still used by the military, but not nearly as much as they used to. Being replaced with the more recent "Chaser" class.

Chaser-class corvette
Crew: 250 (can operate with ten)

Hull Composition: Titanium/Durasteel alloy

Weapons: 2 Light turbolasers, cloaking device, 1 hyperspace missile launcher tube

Length: 250 m

Width: 75 m [at the back]

Description
This fairly recent fifteen-year old model is used by the Drodo navy for disruption and lightning-fast attacks. As with the Ethereal, they are found in the hands of citizens, collectors, pirates, and law enforcement. They are produced by Core Worlds Engineering Corporation.

Nebula-class Exploration Ship
Crew: 500

Hull Composition: Grovium/Titanium alloy

Weapons: 15 Turbolasers, 5 missile pods, 2 torpedo tubes, 1 railgun.

Length: 1 km

Width: 120 m

Description
One of the newer designs of starship for the dawn of a new era for the Empire. A return to the exploration ships of old, these ships are lightly-armed compared to there war-oriented cousins. However, these ships are incredible exploration vessels, having a advanced sensor suite, improved universal translator, a swift hyperdrive, extended databanks, and modular and easily-modifiable technology so one could give there ships new and incredible capabilites, even with alien technology.

Galactic-Class Mothership
Crew: Varies, but usually several thousand.

Hull Comp: Grovium/Durasteel Alloy

Weapons: 50 turbolasers, railguns, large mass-driver, whatever armament attached ships have.

Length: 20 km

Width: 5 km

Description
A new design for a incredible vessel, the cylindrical "Galactic" is to be made by a case-by-case basis. Many of which are to be constructed for exploration soon after the Katar Sector settles down from war. These ships are to be great behemoths, they have the ability to have ships (even entire Capital Ships!) attach to its outer hull to take it away on its powerful hyperdrive. This design is to be made into and used for many different purposes, such as combat, exploration, salvage, general transit, and even mobile factories. But by far its most high-lighted and touched-upon goal and purpose is its use by the dozens in a massive exploration fleet. To be fitted with the most incredibly-powerful hyperdrives ever created by Drodo hands for cross-galactic and inter-galactic travel.

Superweapon
The Drodo Empire posess a small arsenal of special virus missiles. The virus contained is a zombie virus native to the Drodo's homeworld. In Drodo ancient history, this virus struck, the scenario was comparible to the "Black Death" plague that hit 1300's Earth. Anyway, they fire a volley of these missiles at the target world. Within minutes 90% of the population is zombified, than, using large teleporter ships, they beam the undead horde aboard the enemy ships, wreaking havoc on the ship. This weapon has never been used, but this is subject to change.

Zombie Biology
The zombies created are nearly immortal [succumbing only to a well-aimed shot to the head] and ferocious, the virus spreads through the air, and is transferred through body fluids. So a bite or just being the unfortuante person happening to be on the planet, will turn you into a zombie in minutes. The zombies' genetic strain is constantly changing, thus preventing a cure. Drodo biologists put this ability in so an enemy empire cannot develop a vaccine. They also created a special strain that was spaceborne.

Biology
A Drodo's biology is rather unique, they stand about 5 feet tall and have two hearts, as well, they posess enough strength to pick up a average human male and throw him 8 feet! Because of their strength, Drodo have a notoriously hard punch. The average lifespan of a Drodo is 130 years, however an odd quirk of the Drodo biology is that there physique and general health stays fairly consistent until the last thirty years. Their short fur is very dense, which makes it a extremly good insulator, allowing them to go in frigid temperatures with little more than there normal clothes. However, Drodo generally have slightly below-average manual dextarity [due to there three-fingered hands]. Drodo, like most mammals, are born live.

Contrary to popular belief, the Drodo mouth is not a true proboscis. It is actually a more conventional mouth attached to a extended asophigus. At the very front, there is a set of sharp teeth, not much different than a human's. The rest of the "Tube Mouth" is a extension of the asophigous, that helps transport food through the rest of the digestive system. The mouth extends out about 15 centimetres.

Mentally, Drodo are proud, hot-tempered, and crafty. They are generally one of the more emotional races in the gigaquadrant and will not hesitate to violently lash out against someone who has hurt one of there loved ones. Despite this, the cooler-headed members of the species can be very capable diplomats, and can make friends quickly. They are as well very patriotic and ferocious, willing to give there lives for the continued existence of the Empire.

Culture
Drodo culture is diverse and varied wherever you go in the Empire. There is no official estimate or comprehensive list of the amount of cultures, religions, subcultures, and political entites that exist in the Empire, but it is guessed there are thousands. Some general points and facts evident in all cultures, however, are the concepts of honour, altruism, faith (not in a religious sense, usually) and the willingness to sacrifice oneself for a cause greater than themselves. Most, if not all cultures find there roots in the old ones from before the Space Age, or ones from the First Colonies (planets within Drodo home system and ones established early in Imperial rule).

Hats are generally of importance in the Drodo cultures. Not only as a status symbol or fashion trend, but also of there practical benefits. There are many different hats found in different cultures, locations, or professions. Usually for either utility/practicality, to denote authority, because of tradition/religion, or just because they're nice-looking. Common hats include peaked caps, fedoras, trilbies, "baker-boy" hats, and turban-like headwear.

Drodo are a expressive, creative race. As such, they have spawned many works of art. Ranging from paintings, to music, to screen and stage plays to digital art. Many paintings are made to represent or illustrate a certain event or person. Such as a artist's imagining of a treaty signing or great battle, or hand-painted portraits. Music is possibly one of the most diverse art-forms in the Drodo race. It has works ranging from classical to rock to jazz to electronic.

In terms of the fashion scene, the Drodo are unusual and diverse. It is not uncommon to see a well-dressed gentleman, tie, dress pants, long-coat and top hat, to be walking down the street beside others dressed in far more casual attire, such as shirts, shorts and simple caps. Because of this, there is a seemingly endless debate among those educated or obsessed about certain forms of fashion to debate about and insult different forms of clothing.

Drodo are generally accepting and interested in alien cultures and ideas, open to alien citizens and treating them with respect like any other citizen. There are racists and even entire groups and political entities that are anti-alien or even discriminating against certain races and subspecies of there own kind. Thankfully, these groups rarely gain any meaningful power and any illegal or violent crime they do commit, against aliens or otherwise, are almost always put down by Law enforcement or the Military.

The majority of Drodo are atheist. Instead putting faith towards the advancement of the Empire and there allies. Despite this, there are numerous religions in the Empire, either from the Homeworld during the days of old, introduced from aliens, or (less commonly) made by cultures inside of the Empire somewhat recently. The Empire has no state religion.

Allies
Valued allies of the Drodo people.

The United Federation of Species - A friend in a unfriendly galaxy.

The Arkit Council Empire - New to the galactic scene, much like ourselves.

The Katar Sector Alliance - We are a part of this organization.

The United Free Peoples Coalition - We work closely with this empire.

Neutral
We are generally uncertain of these people. They could be allies, or enemies.

The Seven Starr Alliance - We have joined this alliance, only to separate soon after, as they did nothing to help either side of the Drodo during the brief civil war.

The Eranian Collective - They killed our men. But its possibly a misunderstanding.

The Rambo Nation - Only in communication briefly, although there is peace, their is no alliance.

The Orion Republic - We have exchanged valuable technology very recently, they are as well trading partners with the Drakodominatus Tyranny, but we will not let this reflect on our opinion of them.

The Hegemony - We have traded recently.

Enemies
These are our enemies, if they do not make amends we will crush them.

The Grox - Our earliest foe. They haven't attacked us for centuries, but we remain vigilant.

The Varkinian Confederacy (destroyed) - An early enemy. They have since been absorbed into Drodo society.

The Mag'heli Dominion - Small empire who warred with us some time back. They have not bothered us since.

The Drakodominatus Tyranny - Evil arch enemies of our people. We will not stop until one of us are destroyed.

The New Corporate Krickan Union - A group of fools. They have attacked our ships and we are now at war.

Technology
The Drodo Empire is Tier 3.1. Having a large empire, and rather advanced technology [especilally in the ballistics and biological fields]. They as well have a large industrial capacity that is kept in check by dozens of industry-worlds. They work by using hundreds of contenent-sized stations in close orbit around the star in question. They "suck up" the stellar matter and ship it out in mostly-automated freighters (for safety's sake) to massive orbital factories. When there, they cool and refine the stellar matter into "Grovium", a heavy metal with approximatly 80 times the duribility of titanium. It is commonly used to construct military starships. Another innovation used in the military is a regenerative hull. Made from modified Grovium and Dominatus biomatter, it can slowly regenerate itself, an asset to a starship, as a gravely-damaged hull can be fully regenerated in less then a day.

Important inventions in Drodo history
(Note that besides the era, they are not in order.)

Prehistoric era (Approx. 100 000 BC - 5000 BC in human history)


 * Rudementary tools


 * Fire


 * Clothing


 * Agriculture

Early History (Approx. 5000 BC - 2000 BC in human history)


 * Bronze tools


 * Cities


 * Government


 * Basic gunpowder refinement


 * First practical use of gunpowder (lighting barrels full of crude gunpowder on fire for explosives)


 * Mounted soldiers


 * Written language

Classical era (Approx. 2000 BC - 0 AD in human history)


 * Iron tools


 * Concept of nobility


 * Shipbuilding


 * Currency (money) invented


 * First cannons invented (quite unreliable)


 * Superior gunpowder refinement techniques discovered, paves way for more reliable firearms.


 * Steel

'''Dark Age. No major advancements.'''

Imperial era (Approx. 0 AD to 1700's in human history)


 * "Steel Fortresses". Steel-plated walls on Forts and Castles make them tactically relevant.


 * Clockwork


 * Advanced Cannons/muskets


 * Better shipbuilding methods allow for long-range exploration.


 * Printing-press


 * Steam engine


 * Inter-continental exploration


 * Telescope

Industrial Revolution (Approx. 1700's to early 1900's in human history)


 * Mass-production


 * Steam-locomotives


 * Cased firearms (Revolvers, rifles, shotguns, etc.)


 * Machine Guns. Revolutionize warfare, can destroy entire regiments of infantry and cavalry from a safe distance.


 * Trench Warfare. Turns warfare into unprofitable, strung-out, horrible affairs.


 * Oil discovered


 * Aircraft


 * Steam-powered, armoured ships (Ironclads)


 * "Landships". The forerunner to the modern tank. Provides solution to trench warfare. The offence finally has the ability to overpower the defence, if it weren't for the vehicles breaking down every few meters.

National era (Approx. early 1900's to about the 1950's in human history)


 * Laser


 * Combustion rocket


 * Computers


 * Automobile


 * Space programs


 * Armoured, diesel-powered ships become the norm for militaries.


 * Modern Armoured Vehicles (Tanks)

Cold War era (Approx. 1960's to 21st century in human history)


 * First rocket into space


 * Nuclear Fission


 * Atomic bomb


 * Railguns

--First Drodo on Coron 4's moon. Entire Drodo population united as one in its celebration, if only for a few hours.--


 * Space stations/satelites


 * Artificial Intellegence


 * Virus missiles/advanced biological weapons

Interplanetary era


 * Nuclear Fusion


 * Colony ships


 * Commercial spaceflight


 * Space Hotels


 * Antimatter


 * Matter-Antimatter annilation


 * Colonies on Coron 4's moon


 * Nanotech


 * Expedition to other worlds


 * Space battleships


 * IPBMs (Inter Planetary Ballistic Missile)

--Interplanetary War--

Drodo Empire era (Modern SporeWiki)


 * Advanced AIs


 * StarKnife (Drodo interstellar travel, rips a hole in spacetime, creating a wormhole)


 * Plasma weapons (Almost never used)


 * Antimatter weaponry. Extremely destructive. Restricted to government/military use.


 * Advanced, efficent ion engines (sublight travel)


 * Hyperspace drives. Rapidly replacing the StarKnife, rendering it obsolete. The original hyperdrive tech was in fact stolen from the Dominatus several years ago.


 * Turbolasers provide space-efficent alternative to railguns. While not as powerful per-shot, they need less space for ammo storage and have a high rate of fire to compensate.


 * Regenerative plating.


 * Cloaking devices allowing for ambushes. Drodo pirates where very fond of this new invention.


 * Powered Armour Suits with the ability to be mass-produced in the thousands or millions.

Quotes
This is the Drodo Empire's quotes section, feel free to add yours!

"Lifeforms without purpose, whose indecision and lack of intelligence have led to a war where they are being crushed, it is their fault for all death"

- Admiral Vitaze of the Drakodominatus Tyranny

"Our greatest ally, thanks to him we adapt to this new universe, we owe them a lot, so we will support where possible"

- Great General of the USF, Vankalian Carssarian and Commandant Afnai

"::They dared to attack us. Now, let them feel the power of our empire!.::"

- Commander Marius of the United Hegemony

"Soft-skinned Meat-sacks, they deserve to feel their planets burned to slag, and be worked to oblivion. They better pray to their false gods that we do not meet."

- Viceroy Ztac of the Zarbania Powers.

"Perhaps they could help us in our campaign to free our brethren from the Grox tyranny..."

- Supreme consul vardeck of the Conqrix Confederacy

Gallery
To be updated.

Trivia

 * The Drodo Empire's theme is this: http:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9XSZw67QpY


 * Another theme song is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23983guaiYE


 * The Drodo Empire was Operation Marines' first Space Stage Spore game.


 * The terminology is as follows: Singular/Plural, Drodo, Possesive, Drodoian (in most cases. For example, it is Drodo Empire, not "Drodoian" Empire.)


 * A big thank you goes out to GreatDestroyer12 for the border. Nice work!


 * Another big thank you goes out to TheClanden for the flag, its much appreciated.