Sirnef
Level: Beginner
A balanced set of economic strating technologies and good planet Hab comparisions will give the Sirnef a relatively smooth start through the early stages.
However, to reach the top as Sirnef, the research advantage needs to be played to its fullest throughout the game, in order to reap the benefits in later stages.
History
The Sirnef were once a peaceful species of herbivores with an affinity for art, philosophy and computer technology. Over the centuries, they gradually expanded outward from their home planet; first colonizing the outer habitable systems in the gravity well of their sun, then pressing outward, constantly expanding. One fateful day, a Gorgoth attack fleet emerged from fold space and destroyed a Sirnef colony. War ensued, bloody and hopeless, and in the final days of battle, the Gorgoths devised an "all-or- nothing" plan.
Cleverly, a Gorgoth science officer (now revered as a hero by the citizens) created a genetic virus to attack Sirnef physiology, focusing on the central nervous system. The virus was created, apparently, with a specific trigger, and would lay dormant until activated. The dormant virus was so tiny, it escaped scanners. The Gorgoths planted this virus on all occupied systems, then retreated. After the departure of the Gorgoth, the Sirnef returned and scanned the colonies extensively, and determined the colonies safe for re-habitation. Repopulation of the systems started on a grand scale. Contact and trade between the colonies spread the latent virus to every Sirnef system.
The virus lay dormant for a generation, and was triggered one day by genetic code via catastrophic event; the particular event being the death of the inventor of the virus. By the time the Sirnef realized what was happening, it was too late. The virus was so deadly, it killed every Sirnef who was infected. Before the last few billion of surviving Sirnef died, they made exact digital copies of the their thought patterns and personalities, which were transferred into bio-organic mechanoid bodies. The transfer process was not successful for each individual, in fact, the Sirnef suffer an alarmingly high mortality rate, and have the highest insanity rate of any species in the galaxy. Additonally, as the bio-mechanoids age, the individuals suffer a technologcial breakdown, which ultimately results in death.
However, the Sirnef have some small hope. By combining mind and machine, the Sirnef have become more capable and long-lived than the species in its original form. All Sirnef are connected to the star spanning OMNI-NET. This device allows them to collaborate with each other, and it greatly aids their efforts in research. This is their greatest need: technology. The Sirnef continue to scour the galaxy for technoligical advances which could stave off the aftermath of the virus, and perhaps even restore the numbers of the Sirnef population.
Galactic Reputation
Galactic empathy for a dying race, but not quite enough to stop killing them.
Planetary Systems
Growth Rate: 14.5%
Habitability: Temperature 50%, Atmosphere 50%, Water 50%
Hab Comparisons in declining order:
Starting Technologies:
Sirnef species advantage, all technologies have a 20% research bonus
Ships
Unique Ship: Scythe
Ship Cost Reduction: Advanced Sensors -5%
Basic Requirement: Nanotech and Design level 10
Additional Requirements: Advanced Sensors level 14, Researching level 13
The Scythe is a mobile research center as well as a ship. Attacking ships affected with unique capabilities g ather data salvage from the computer cores of the damaged enemy vessels, thus being able to continue funding the ongoing experiments within the Scythe.