[b][u]A Forward on the Ennedi by esteemed Xenoarcheologist, Dr. Iikka Guiomar of the Straylight Institute.[/u][/b]

[quote=Dr. Guiomar]The Ennedi were a species of sentient, amphibious crustaceans, believed to have been space-faring and spread throughout the galaxy approximately eighty million years ago. Ennedi ruins and structures, in varying states of decay, are known to exist on over a thousand planets spread across the galaxy.

To date, the Ennedi are the only known example of a widespread, space-faring species from the previous Epoch of galactic history thought to have been driven to extinction via systemic extermination by competing galactic powers.

Data on the Ennedi extinction is sparse, but it is generally hypothesized that they were affected by a mutagenic weapon designed by the Blendecs. How the Blendecs managed to disseminate the weapon amongst a widespread Ennedi population remains a subject of some speculation, and many experts contend that the Bioweapon hypothesis is erroneous. Either way, the fall of the Ennedi as a species is commonly agreed to have happened over a relatively brief period of time, likely no longer than a decade in length.

Details on their anatomy and physiology is similarly scarce, as no intact Ennedi fossil remnants have ever been found. There exist a number of preserved carving in Ennedi ruins believed to represent them, and there exists oblique notes and references to them in certain ancient anthologies. They are thought to have been fairly large, with mature Ennedi being approximately fifty meters in length, and there are also indications that they may have been a rather short-lived species. A single instance of a characterized Ennedi in the ancient anthology [i]The Oath of the Stoor[/i] is depicted as extremely clever, but also gluttonous, with both traits ascribed as commonplace amongst the species.

The Ennedi are most infamously known of from the last interview of the Blendec Pedagogue, where it was revealed that the Ennedi as a species had been perceived as a general menace to galactic society as a whole, and that their extermination was made necessary by and large due to their apparent malice. However, the Pedagogue also noted that their extermination was in part an act of mercy due to the 'predisposed condition' of the species, although this was not elaborated upon.

To this day, finding Ennedi ruins on a planet or moon is considered a sign of good fortune, and tales abound of the Ennedi home system which is replete with astounding preserved relics of their society and technology, begging to be discovered by explorers. Personally I find them fascinating not because of any of their potential technology or culture, but because despite having been specifically targeted and exterminated by other powers, they are the only bygone civlization of note that has left widespread ruins across the galaxy. Their entire civilization is the only window into the past of galactic politics and society available to the modern Galactic peoples, and finding any preserved form of documentation from their civilization would be a boon for all galactic historians and those who seek knowledge.[/quote]

[u][b]Species:[/b][/u] Ennedi
[hider=Hypothesized Government]Xenoarcheologists currently theorize that the Ennedi existed in a stratified aristocratic society, ruled by a small number of individuals. Due to the suspected overall brevity of the Ennedi lifespan, it is speculated that their society was highly ordered and emphasized communal societal fulfillment, each individual serving a single role for the entire duration of their short life. There is some support for this theory in the existence of suspected Ennedi breeding grounds having a highly standardized surrounding, varying only be the nature of equipment and supplies present in a manner consistent with birth-assigned tasking and logistics theories.[/hider][hider=Military Arrangement]Little to no information exists on Ennedi military strategy, tactics, or methodology. They are described in ancient anthologies as being relentless and methodical in naval affairs.[/hider][hider=Technological Advancement]Working examples of Ennedi technology are few and far between, with most equipment recovered from Ennedi ruins having decayed beyond any hope of restoration. The most sophisticated working piece of Ennedi technology is an automated horticultural substration device, containing a number of modules with small molecular assemblies which mimic the overall structure of a simple species of moss-like organisms. Each module contains storage for a specified series of molecular compounds which, when supplied, will result in the generation of new organisms through the internal mechanisms of the molecular assemblies. While the technological and industrial infrastructure necessary to produce such a device is thought to be relatively highly advanced even in the modern galactic setting, the actual workings of the device itself appear to be highly rudimentary and economical in nature, suggesting it was mass-produced and thereby not an exemplary model of Ennedi technology. Its use, due to its size the nature of the organisms it will generate, is thought to have been related to food preparation.[/hider][hider=Ennedi Culture]The Ennedi are thought to have been a highly task-and-goal oriented species, much more so than any species currently residing in the galaxy. Due in part to their short overall lifespans, it is thought Ennedi were engrained from near birth to strive for a single higher goal or purpose with which to give their lives meaning before they died, with the overarching societal workforce contributing to a larger, government-decreed goal of an unknown nature. While such is typical of most organized species government, it is theorized that the entirety of Ennedi cultural life was geared to the pursuit and rapid enactment of singular goals related to industrial and scientific pursuits; The species in essence was uniquely suited to facing and overcoming large endemic hazards and tasks that most modern societies would be unable to react to in a quick or efficient manner (such as widespread chemical dependency or poverty, as basic examples).[/hider][hider=History]There exists no data on the species history of the Ennedi apart from the fact that they existed, were embroiled in a longstanding war with multiple powers, and that they were systemically exterminated.[/hider][hider=Current Directive]The Ennedi home system has never been identified, despite the immediate prominence of their remnants in systems they had previously colonized. The distribution of their colonies across the galaxy has lent no useful data in pinpointing their region of origination. Many organizations and powers would be interested in locating the Home System, if it even still exists, as the likelihood of preserved Ennedi technology or documentation of any kind existing is thought to be greatest upon their Home Planet.

Of course, as the Ennedi have been extinct for tens of millions of years, there is a possibility that their planet's star has undergone significant life-cycle changes since they were a prominent force in the galaxy. As such, it is possible the system still exists with all remnants having been obliterated, or else for the system to have ceased existing altogether. The affair is very much a mystery for the ages.[/hider]




[u][b]Note:[/b][/u] For the purposes of this RP, the Ennedi still obey the restriction requiring young empires. While there are Ennedi ruins sprinkled liberally throughout the Galaxy, they are not a widespread power, and I also promise unconditionally that there aren't going to be any surprise ruins everywhere that can suddenly reactivate at full power if the Ennedi want it to. In essence, the Ennedi are starting on exactly the same footing as else.

Or at least they would be if they weren't extinct. Such a shame about that.