Fiction:Drodo Empire

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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 9000 star systems.

History
"To know the past and the exploits of one's ancestors is the surest way to sucess in one's own life."

- Ancient Drodo Religious Text

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, and developed other new fortification techniques such as slanted ramparts, 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. To add to the violence, horse people from the steppes invaded in hordes, devastating whatever civilizations that resisted everthing else. After the initial chaos went down, the population was further devastated by plagues brought by the nomads, and 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.

Many major advancements in all areas where made in this era, and warfare was again revolutionized by flinklock muskets. To many, it was a technological and ideological golden age not seen since the Classical Era.

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.

The Crisis
A time a great chaos insued between the 2750's up to the 2780's. It was first brought on by a massive recession in 2755, crippling the economy. To add insult to injury, many radical parties gained traction in the outer and even middle systems starting in the 2760's and began armed rebellions to take over. These rebellions would persist across the entire period. Another major incident would be the undead outbreak of 2777, which ingulfed several systems before the military finally stepped in to quell it. This unfortunate period of history was pockmarked by crushed rebellions and crippled planets, poverty, radicalism, and the looming threat of full-on civil war. This period never was directly stopped by anyone (though there where attempts, all failed), but rather faded away in the 2780's. Radical groups and rebels died off or disbanded, and more competent actions against disease and dissidence got rid of the problems when they did arise. Despite this tragic period, it was also a time in which many inspiring and legendary individuals was raised in; Such as Cesterity, whose experiences against rebels as a militiaman and, for a brief period, an officer, gave him military expertise. And the current Premier, Harponis, whose incredibly bold and successful career as a politician was inspired by his yearn to change the tide of his fast-failing country.

Reforms of the 2790's
In the wake of the crisis, a reinvigorated Drodoian government took prudent action to rebuild, and, more importantly, reform, the country. The government took steps firstly to reform the military; It completely restructured the ranks; Adding and getting rid of ranks, streamlining everything. It also fired many incompetent generals and steps where taken to eradicate corruption, which was very successful. Alongside this, the military was updated and modernized with new equipment; New firearms where issued, and ship designs where put in place to replace aging models (Such as the Chaser-class to replace the Ethereal). Regional governments where also effected by the reforms; Being granted extra funds to rebuild, but, alongside this the local governments and governors had many freedoms and much of there autonomy taken away; Autonomy seen as a perceived cause of the Crisis. As a result from all of the rebuilding and military resupplying, the economy boomed once again from all of the products being produced. The government instated many programs to make this sustainable (such as programs to gradually convert military factories to civilian ones as the military became more modernized and needed less), and this prosperity, in many ways, carries over to modern Drodo society today. By the end of the 2790's, the Empire had made an almost miraculous recovery from decades of war and poverty.

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 Government is one built on efficency and organization; Two rare traits as Governments go."

- Sir Sirak Arrakee, Drodo Statesman

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 Military is the fist of every Government; The institution that makes possible the State's whims."

- Furrak Harponis, current Drodo Premier

The Drodo Empire's military, the Drodo Imperial Military, is a large force in a state of constant readiness. It is made up of several branches, including the Army (Controls all ground or planetside operations. Controls use of infantry, armour, cavalry, sea ships and its own contingent of air vehicles), the Navy (controls all space operations. Controls use of starships, majority or aerospace or air vehicles, and marine forces), and Special forces branch (controls all covert and special operations activities). All three branches work in conjunction with eachother and have equivalent ranks, when there not the exact same.

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.

Line Infantry - The standard infantry, officially classified as Line Infantry, are a well trained and disciplined professional force. They are outfitted in a light, body-emcompassing suit of armour, usually of a gray or field gray colour (unless the unit is peacekeeing, then it is white with light blue markings, or if it is using a camouflage). It is composed of a skin-tight body-glove, armour plates made of a tough polymer (earning them the title "plastic boys" among some groups), 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 armed with the X8-95 assault rifle (with rifle bayonet) and Berak M87 pistol.

Drodoian Marines - The Drodoian Marines are the elite shock-troopers of the Empire. While also in charge of boarding and ship-board security, on the battlefield they don 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.

Rangers - The light infantry of the Imperial Military. Operating in small groups, they wear lighter, camouflaged armour and don't make use of any weapon that isn't man-portable; which reduces there effectiveness against armoured vehicles considerably. However, as a scouting, harassment, and ambush force there effectiveness is unmatched.

Grenadiers - While holding an ancient namesake that harks back to the age of the musket, the Grenadier's role has changed considerably in that time. They are generally the tallest or strongest among the empire's soldiers and act as the heavy weapons support for line infantry squadrons; Armed with a light machine gun, an RPG, and a sidearm they are a considerable, if also somewhat slow, threat to there enemies.

Engineers - The humble engineer is a lightly-armed and somewhat vulnerable part of the Drodo Army, but they are also essential. Having the hefty responsibility of fixing vehicles, constructing fortifications, and repairing bridges. Beyond there military role engineers are also a common sight during emergency situations such as floods or other natural disasters, and are always leading the front when it comes to peacekeeping and humanitarian aid; Rebuilding infrastructure.

Most Drodo infantry, as a standard uniform, wear a field-grey tunic over a grey shirt. They wear grey trousers and have rank sewn or stitched onto the shoulders of there tunics. Drodo infantry are issued a peaked field cap for when a helmet isn't necessary or appropriate.



Drodo Cavalry




"Hussars have the cleanest bodies, and the filthiest minds."

- Old saying regarding the Hussars.

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.

Drodo Knights - 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 not fighting as officers or commanders, they are known to 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 powerful personal shield to raise there survivability they make for a terrifying, formidible force even against modern forces.

Dragoons - Dragoons are cavalry or mounted infantry armed with a carbine or rifle and mounted on a medium-sized horse, and are tasked with long-range harassment. Alternatively, they can use there horses as transportation and dismount to fight as infantry once they have reached the frontlines. As a last resort they are armed with sabres, as are all cavalry.

Hussars - Fulfilling the light cavalry role are the Hussars. The Hussars are sword-armed cavalry soldiers known for there ego and recklessness, but as well as there undeniable effectiveness. Many elite regiments adorn themselves flamboyantly, often wearing bright uniforms with gold lace, tall shakos, and ride strikingly-beautiful horses. Though most regiments wear a simpler (and some would say more practical) uniform, described below. They are armed with a pistol, sabre, and sometimes a carbine.

Cuirassiers - An alternative to the Knights are the Cuirassiers. Government-owned heavy cavalry, these are big men on big horses, used to spearhead a massed-charge and utterly annhilate anything in there way. To do this they are armed with big, basket-hilted sabres, revolvers or pistols, and occasionally carbines. Along with a strong personal shield they have a bullet-and-energy-proof cuirass, helmet, and greaves.

Lancers - Mixed within the ranks of other units (as well as forming there own) are lancers. Armed with a power lance, there specific purpose is to tackle vehicles; in particular heavy ones. While other cavalrymen can deal with lighter threats posed by armoured cars and even some APCs (using hand grenades or even firearms), some threats such as Main Battle Tanks can pose a problem for cavalry. Lancers use there power lances to badly damage or destroy "soft spots" on target vehicles to cripple or destroy them. To help the lancers there are usually main battle tanks within the cavalry detachment as well.

Most cavalry units are mounted on cybernetic or genetically-engineered horses. This is due to regular baseline horses simply not having the speed and morale needed for modern warfare. These horses are faster, stronger, braver, and require less feed/fuel. All cavalry use a strong personal shield system either built into or mounted on top of there horse to raise there survivability; They are known to take many shots; in some examples an entire magazine of rifle ammo, to penetrate. Most cavalry regiments (exceptions being cuirassiers and knights) wear a field-grey uniform, made up of a shirt, and a grey tunic with a yellow tie. They wear trousers with knee-high riding boots, and a light helmet. Rank badge is sewn on the shoulder of the tunic and regiment is stenciled or painted on the side of there helmet.

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

T-12 Goliath MBT - The T-12 Goliath is a well-rounded Main Battle Tank that is both heavily armed and armoured; Not to mention expensive. Its armour consists of heavy armour plating as a last line of defense, followed up with a rubbery substance made to disperse heat and the power from lasers through absorbing energy, and then subsequently melting to disperse it; After that is reactive armour to deflect Rocket-Propelled Grenades, and finally a ray shield. It is armed with a 120mm Cannon with computer targeting, and three machine guns; One 50. cal machine gun on top, and two smaller 30. cal machine guns at the front and back of the vehicle that can be manned by the crew if need be. It can reach a top speed of 60 kph.

A-27 Yiikthys APC - Named after a shadowy, infamously swift creature of Ancient Drodoian myth, the APC lives up its namesake; Being able to reach incredible top speeds of up to 180 kph! However this rapid deployment comes at a cost; The cost being armour. While having enough armour to deflect small arms fire, and even an RPG shot, if it where to come under fire from anything heavier then itself then it is surely doomed. It is armed with a small 30mm gun and two 50. cal machine guns; It also has firing slits for the troops inside to fire.

Rolland & Sons YU-99 Motorbike - This motorbike, while not particularly common, finds its use with Rangers when on poorly-developed worlds; Especially on worlds with lots of woodland or dirt roads. It itself is unarmed but it is very fast and very quiet.

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

Imperial Mirage, Mark 1 - Filling the role of the omnirole fighter is the French Mirage Roi. The modified version the Empire uses, the Imperial Mirage, possesses several differences when compared to the stock model, one of which being the lack of active ECM equipment, and the lack of a hyperdrive to make the design more economical and to fit Drodo battle doctrine. The French plasma cannons are also opted out for Drodoian railguns. The fighters are sent out defenisively in large squadrons to counter enemy fighter attacks, along with being sent offensively to finish off or to cripple a unshielded or distracted ship.

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 entities 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 (both in a religious and secular sense) 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).

Fashion
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, drivers, and turban-like headwear.

In terms of other clothing, the Drodo are unusual and diverse. Many citizens, from the top classes to the lower classes, wear clothing that resembles 1920's or 1930's Earth. However many other, more "modern" (some would say) themes have also emerged right along side this long-standing trend. 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.

Acceptence of Foreign Cultures
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.

Religious/Spiritual Beliefs
The majority of Drodo are atheist. Instead putting faith towards the advancement of the Empire and there allies, because of this the Empire has no state religion. Despite this many pre-Imperial religions still survive in the Empire, along with those introduced by aliens and foreigners; Several surveys have even reported in recent years Human religions; Such as Christianity; even gaining a small following, due to increased international contact. Places of worship and some religious foundations are exempt from tax.

Cuisine & Diet
While there are "foodies" among the population, most Drodo eat simply. As a general rule Drodoian diet is mostly vegetables and grains, with some dairy and meat; Usually game or wild meat. Most Drodo cuisine is simple and hearty consisting of a lot of soups and boiled foods, usually eaten with bread and milk or water as a beverage. Most foods are eaten with a spoon, knife or hands; Though forks do exist. A staple of the Drodo diet is boiled dinner with a bread roll on the side.

Entertainment and Games
Drodo games are as diverse as the cultures they hail from. While there are thousands, with many more games invented every day, some of the more popular ones include things like dice or gambling, a very rough, rugby-like sport known as Karassque, cards, knucklebones (jacks), and athletic activities. Many Drodo sports are full-contact and fast-paced, on many occasions the players wear little gear to protect them. While very dangerous, these games are popular with the public, people often betting more on who is going to get beat-up worse next game, then on which team will win.

Relations
"Even in the vastness of space, you must make allies, in the process, however, you are bound to make your fair share of enemies."

- Fleet Captain Cesterity Isordon

Allies
Close allies of the Empire, we will stand by these nations until the day our nation crumbles to dust.

The Farengeto Trade Coalition - Close allies from our home sector, we were allies of the Farengeto originally through the KSA, but today our alliance is strong just on its own.

The Katar Sector Alliance - A closely-knit coalition of Katarian nations of which we are a leading member in.

The Orion League - Another organization we as a people are proud to be members of.

Protectorates/Vassals
Nations, Clans, or autonomous zones that see the Empire as there overlords.

The Quadrant Colonies - A determined and productive extension of Drodoian civilization, under our wider control.

Minor clans, noble houses, and feudal lords - So long as they recognise our authority, they'll recieve there stipend.

Neutral
You have our attention.

The Rambo Nation - A powerful and ancient civilization. We would be open to an alliance or trade offer.

The Eldarisians - A strange, religiously-devoted people. They have an embassy in our capital; We're always open to mutual cooperation.

The Hegemony - A Military power. Perhaps a useful ally?

The Aeoneonatrix Empire - Narrow-minded, religious fanatics.

The Galactic Empire of Cyrannus - A band of Imperialist thugs, led by a cruel Emperor and his sycophants.

The Imperium of War - Laughable.

The DCP - They commit heinous acts of genocide and slavery yet they are praised by there democratic allies?

Enemies/At War
''You must be a fool to go to war with us... Prepare for battle!''

Technology
"Never in the history of the Drodo race have our people prospered so much from the fruits of there own ingenuity, technology."

- Ciceron Regarra, Drodo Statesman and Philosopher

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 - 1 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


 * Handcannons and arquebuses


 * Vertical Windmills


 * Three-field crop rotation, making more efficent use of the land.

Imperial era (Approx. 1000 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. 1800'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.


 * Advanced Artillery with the ability to fire many times a minute also push warfare into the trenches alongside the machine gun.

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 (2500's to 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.


 * Advanced bionic horses.


 * Vibroblades.

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

"Though we should have conquered them during the Mineral Conflict due to our superior power, and have done so with races like them in relative power, they have an interesting quality, a determination and racial pride that shines like a beacon which rallies them against anything. They are difficult to dislodge and are a race which even when defeated would never give up."

"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

"Confidence born out of ignorance. We'll see who will be laughing...We'll see...AND AFTER WE'VE WON, YOU NOBODY WILL REMEMBER YOU!"

- Imperator Caigustus of the Imperium of War

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

- Supreme consul vardeck of the Conqrix Confederacy

"An interesting civilisation to say the least. Perhaps a mutually beneficial alliance would create ties between our people."

- of the

"Des chevaux! Mais, que-ce qu'ils font?!"

- Captain Geoffroy Bouin of the 114th French Colonial Infantry, upon spotting a formation of Drodoian lancers, 2797

"One of the few empires we can still consider to be our true allies. A rare military power that still keeps a semblance of conscience. Perhaps it is fate that even as we look to other galaxies we still run into them."

- Diviak Rovnitov, governor of the

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.