For the Republic!

[Director Ahd-Thakkath]

Synopsis​

This AAR will be focusing on the Grand Republic of Y'x, a military republic consisting of cephalopod aliens. I've played quite a bit of Stellaris since it came out, and so I have a pretty decent grasp on how to proceed. This is the first in a series of AARs that I'm going to be doing, and I'm going for a more story driven playthrough, which means that I'll be making decisions that may not be the most optimal, but it's the fun that one has in the process that counts, not whether they win or lose.

The Republic has three goals to accomplish before the AAR ends, and I'll end the AAR if I am eradicated.

1. Contact and subjugate the Kur Y'th, a race that once coexisted with the true Y'th before they fled Y'x.
2. Attain galactic dominance, becoming powerful enough to maintain a great empire among the stars.
3. Crush and subjugate alien species that would benefit the Grand Republic of Y'x with their service.

The traits of the Y'thar are as follows:
Strong (They have a variety of natural weapons, are tough to kill, and have natural strength)
Intelligent (Their brains are far more developed than many species, making them more intelligent on average)
Slow Breeders (Though they age quickly into adulthood, the Y'thar take excruciatingly long times to gestate)

The ethics of the Y'thar are as follows:
Fanatic Militarist (They were shaped by war, and almost live for it)
Materialist (They focus on science and reason rather than worship)

The Y'thar are a military republic.

The traits of the Kur Y'thar are as follows:
Strong (They share much the same strengths as their surface dwelling kin)
Nomadic (They never really settled down until the Y'thar dominated them, and even then still migrated)
Nonadaptive (They cannot leave the water for more than a few days, making different planets difficult to live on)
Fast Learners (They are quick to learn, but they are not as intelligent as the Y'thar)

The ethics of the Kur Y'thar are as follows:
Materialist (They too cast aside their gods, though only after the Y'thar enlightened them)
Pacifist (The Kur Y'thar were shaped by war, but quickly decided that peace was a better alternative)
Xenophile (Holding a naïve view of the Galaxy, the Kur Y'thar are fascinated by aliens, and consider them better than the Y'thar)

The Kur Y'thar are a moral democracy.

I'll add more details about the Y'thar if people want to know more, such as a timeline or more about their culture. In the mean time, I hope you enjoy reading this AAR.

History​

Ever since the Y'thar gained sapience, both they and the Kur Y'thar have been at perpetual war. Though the Kur Y'thar soon became isolationist and pacifistic, the Y'thar continued their wars against each other, until the inevitable splitting of their continent. For much of their history, the Y'thar remained technologically superior to the Kur Y'thar, when they entered into the iron age, the Kur Y'thar still wielded weapons of bone and specially grown coral.

When the continent that the Y'thar called home split apart, it was a cataclysmic event that forever changed them. Y'thar civilization collapsed, though it slowly rebuilt and became stronger and even more militaristic than before. Resources unique to regions of the continent soon became unique to small island chains, and once mighty empires were reduced to island nations. The Y'thar waged war on both land and sea, and these perpetual wars for resources continued well into the digital age, with the Y'thar finally colonizing and building underwater settlements.

These wars ravaged the islands of the Y'thar, but throughout all of their history, they considered it abhorrent to wage war during the birthing season. These short respites prevented the Y'thar from fully eradicating each other, and their young grew to adulthood quickly. The Y'thar grew to thrive in war, and it shaped their history forever after. As the Y'thar encroached on the oceans, they also dominated their cousins, the Kur Y'thar. Once the Unification Wars began, the Grand Republic of Y'x was formed and came into power, dominating the planet and securing a future for all Y'thkind.

In the year 2200, the Y'thar space program was launched, and with the discovery of hyperspace they rapidly began building a large fleet to colonize the stars. Unfortunately, a planet wide rebellion of the Kur Y'thar led to some technology being lost, and the Kur Y'thar fleeing Y'x and forming their own star empire. Though the setback was irritating, Consul Yorathlir had the program continue as planned. Of their long term goals set out, Yorathlir made it an imperative to unite all Y'thar under the banner of the Grand Republic, lest they are destroyed. Now on the cusp of interstellar travel, the Y'thar prepare to make their bid for Galactic domination.

Biology​

Evolving on the ocean world of Y'x, the Y'thar are amphibious cephalopods possessing great strength and intelligence. Of all the land dwelling animals on Y'x, the Y'thar are the tallest and the strongest, standing from seven to ten feet tall. While Y'x is primarily ocean, it did have a small continent that was once an island chain. This continent gradually formed over the course of a thousand years, eventually impeding migration patterns when the vast river that cut through it dried up. Though many species simply went around the continent, changing their patterns, some species such as the primordial Y'thar refused to acknowledge this change of events.

Through generations, these species gradually became amphibious, and while many Y'thar continued their migration, some stayed behind. Those who strayed eventually became the surface dwelling Y'thar, whereas those who continued their migrations became the Kur Y'thar. The Y'thar became more and more adapted to the surface, growing from vaguely humanoid cephalopods to growing two arms and legs, as well as bone and thick muscle. Y'thar bones, for both subspecies, are both strong and flexible, allowing them to intentionally dislocate their limbs to allow them to fit into tight spaces.

The Y'thar have no females nor males, and are entirely capable of reproduction without any sort of mate. In exchange for this process, the Y'thar have an extremely long gestation rate, with a singular birthing season in an entire year. The Kur Y'thar, on the other hand, produce at a rate that conforms with the Galactic standard, but they never evolved to become as adept on the land as the Y'thar did. The Kur Y'thar are slow to adapt, and they can only go without being submerged only for a few days, while the Y'thar can live on both land and water equally well.

The atmosphere and gravity of Y'x are comparable to Earth, and most surface life would be able to survive on similar worlds. The majority of surface animals are reptiles, with the only exceptions being some avian species and the Y'thar. Both subspecies have the ability to paralyze animals and other sapients with their tentacles, this is due to a slime that can be excreted that delivers a powerful enough electric shock to stun many species. Only the Kur Y'thar are immune to their own slime, another biological advantage they have is their ability to regenerate. Though living no longer than 100 or so years, both Y'thar and Kur Y'thar are able to regenerate lost limbs in little over a month.

Both subspecies have grown to be distinct, with the Kur Y'thar still retaining the hardened shells and four eyes that their primordial ancestors had. Though they both stand on two legs now, the Kur Y'thar are less intelligent than their surface brothers, but are not restricted by long gestation times. Kur Y'thar are fast learners, but do not possess the sheer intelligence of the Y'thar, further, they remained a migratory species and they have the strength of the Y'thar. On average, Kur Y'thar are smaller than their surface brothers, only reaching between five and six feet tall.

 

[klanky]

Yes! I've been hoping you would do an AAR. Definitely subbed!

 

[Director Ahd-Thakkath]

Overview​

The settings we will be using. I enjoy spiral Galaxies, and there's enough AI empires to be interesting while still allowing me enough room to expand. In essence, it is just the default settings. With the settings out of the way, let us begin the conquest of the stars!

To the stars we go, for all Y'thkind!​

The civil war was quick, and brutal. Though little of the infrastructure on Y'x was destroyed, the Republic was in an uproar. Consul Yorathlir addressed the public's concerns over Republic News Network, stating this: "Though the Kur Y'thar have set back our space program, we will still proceed as planned. Their insurrection will not be forgotten, nor forgiven, but we all must look past their betrayal, for they are still our kindred, no matter how different they look."

The public was, temporarily, satisfied. Though Yorathlir and his cabinet knew that they will call for a war against the Kur Y'th, and that they'll need to be subjugated once more. They know not where they went, but they couldn't have gone far, could they? Regardless, Yorathlir was not willing to let his reign be one of disaster. He had worked hard to keep the Y'thar unified, and he knew that they would soon need a war to satiate the masses.

The first course of action is to decide what the Department of Military Development will research next. The three project leads eventually come to a decision, for the betterment of all Y'thkind. The fruits of their labor will decide the future.

Bhanogg, Glabonsch and Bagglosch are the best in their fields. It was decided in a meeting between military and scientific officials that, in order to continue their glorious march into the future, defense platforms would be necessary. During the Kur Y'th Revolt, a prototype colony ship was stolen, though this was a great setback, it allowed for more innovative minds to look at current reactors and see the vast inefficiencies in them. The plans of Yorathlir will continue, for all Y'thkind to survive, they must conquer the stars.

The planets in the system retain their ancient names, once the Y'thar worshiped them as gods, now they know better and are greater than before. Still, the Y'thar hold reverence for their home system, and constantly strive to repair the damage they caused in their ceaseless wars, both out of practicality and respect.

The Department of Civil Development issued an order to create both another construction ship, and a science vessel for the Grand Republic. To this end, one of the rising scientists in the field was recruited. Garma was chosen to lead the second ship, a veteran of the past Unification Wars, he is also one of the rising experts in military theory. He was chosen for both his extensive training and his acute knowledge in all things militant.

A survey of Yoraxil and a neighboring system, Gidzerak is conducted. Garma leads the Gidzerak expedition, whereas Glosch leads the survey of Yoraxil. Both Garma and Glosch knew each other in the Unification Wars, where Glosch proved himself to be as adaptable as any soldier, even more so, considering his origins as a scientist. As part of Yorathlir's grand plan, all known systems near Yoraxil are disclosed to the public.

Of particular interest is the system of cKnoor, named after some heathen "friendship" god of the Kur Y'th. Meanwhile, the RNF Haggusch discovers alien life, though animalistic it may be, it sparks heated debate in the Republic. "If animal life can arise, then surely sapient life like us can as well?" Many asked this question, and Garma received great acclaim for his findings. He soon became one of the most well known scientists in the Republic, and a documentary was produced the same year the findings came to light. Of note, these animals were unlike anything on Y'x, and even more spectacular was the fact that the world was not dissimilar to conditions found on Y'x!

This world is marked as a potential planet for colonization, its conditions being like the small frozen poles on Y'x. The animal life is especially strange, having thick hairs over their massive bodies. These predators would be a challenge for any Y'thar, and it is noted that they could be studied if "pacified". Plans are already made to colonize the planet in the future, but until then it will be the subject of debate for years.

Meanwhile, a committee of xenobiologists task the Republic with a mission. They seek to catalogue alien life, and create habitats for them on Y'x so that they can be studied more closely. This request is submitted to the government, and after close scrutiny is approved. Study of alien life is made one of the top priorities of the Republic, and a Department of Xenobiological Research is created to accommodate the committee.

An even more marvelous discovery is made within Gidzerak, large, jellyfish-like aliens are discovered by Garma. News of spaceborne life spreads like wildfire, with the entire Republic fascinated by this discovery. Are these creatures sapient? How do they survive in space? These are the questions of everyone, and soon scientists clamor to find out the answers. In this rush for knowledge, however, the colony project is delayed as scientists from all over Y'x try and study these newly called "Alpha Aliens".

While all of this happens, Consul Yorathlir approves the Department of Civil Development's orbital mining project, bringing a new era of prosperity to the Republic. Mining stations are built in the Yoraxil system, bringing in minerals and energy for the Republic.

Again, however, Garma makes yet another discovery! When completing the survey of Gidzerak, Garma discovered ruins on Gidzerak VI, ending this small part of the first chapter of the Grand Republic of Y'x. With this discovery, the scientific community finally has proof of sapient alien life. The ruins seemed, at a glance, to be older than any ruins the Kur Y'th could have made. Garma gets to work on studying the ruins, while Yorathlir and his cabinet prepare for the future.

Overview​

This first part is a little short, though I want to see how much you guys want me to write. This is, all in all, a pretty standard start, and I'm confident Garma will successfully explore the ruins. I hope to include more character development, though that'll come once I actually find good events or discover other factions. I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Alternatively, I could write it like a book from the perspectives of the leaders, which could work well. Depending on the feedback I get, I'll go for whatever you like the most.

 

[Osterreich Will Rule]

Subbed

 

[volksmarschall]

The wonderful thing about AARs of newly released games if you get the double treat--the AAR, and to see how others play the game!

Cheers!

 

[Makkovar]

I feel like I'm going to enjoy this. Interesting idea including the splinter species.