[center][h1]The Expanding Universe[/h1][/center]
[center][IMG]http://i63.tinypic.com/2i7qvkl.jpg[/IMG][/center]

[i][h3]The universe...[/h3]...is expanding, racing towards its own inevitable heat death. What joy, what wonder to be alive at such a time! Mankind, a progenitor race from a long-dead planet has multiplied and evolved in a myriad of ways making contact with thousands of species across the galaxy. The Omkla Ygar Empire wages war, not for profit or glory, but for the lulz. Hyklian courts argue pedantically while their kingdoms burn. Tears in the very fabric of space have become a concern for all whilst Ourobos Chrononauts steal entire centuries and rule them as their very own fiefdoms...[/i]

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[center][hider=Welcome]
Welcome to Expanding Universe, an ever evolving [s]world[/s] universe of science fiction intrigue, action and adventure with a cynical tone. This RP will be handled episodically, with adventures broken up into episodes in a season. We're going to skip through the slow parts so narration will be a bit unorthodox. Players are encouraged to add to the [color=gold]Lore[/color] as they roleplay, write and collaborate. The goal of this RP is to create a vibrant universe full of diverse races, characters and concepts that can be tapped again and again and used as a backdrop for more stories. If you would like to contribute to the world but can't commit to running a character that's OK too. [color=gold]Existing characters/players, If you have an idea for a storyline, send me a PM please!~[/color]

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[h1]Setting Info[/h1][hr]
[indent][i]The universe has grown ancient. Space, once a vast ocean of mystery has been explored, colonized, abandoned, colonized again, lost and then popularized in myth & legend. There are few places left untouched by civilizations, both extinct and intact. It is an era of uncertainty, of grey morality. A precipice approaches and many are forced to jump. Others...simply want to pull a profit and hang on until the cliff edge collapses.[/i][/indent]

[center][h2]Political Factions[/h2][/center][hr]

[h3]The Hyklian Combine[/h3]
[indent] The Patriarchal Hyklian's Empire has grown decadent and untenable . Centuries of glorious expansion have exhausted the will of the Noble House Scions. Boredom and cruelty have taken the place of zealous conquering. Noble families quarrel over entire planets for nothing-an insult, a perceived insult or just for the hell of it. From the ziggurat-filled planet of Hyksos I, the frail and ailing Hyklian Emperor rules in name only, his power stripped by the warlike nobility. Between the nobles, the church and the emperor loyalists, the Hyklian has descended into a vast combine of hedonism & excess. 

Hyklians are humanoid, living in the Hyksos Cluster. Some scholars trace their lineage back to the middle east region of ancient Earth, specifically the Fertile Crescent, a land once known as Mesopotamia. Modern Hyklian cities are lavish pleasure-palaces, ziggurats, pyramids and stone temples devoted to gods of excess and pleasure. They hide their advanced technology in a facade of decadent empire, preferring to remember themselves as they were, not what they became. 

But they are not to be fooled with. It is true centuries of political infighting has fractured the Empires foundation & robbed the elderly Emperor, Hyksos I of his true power, but the noble families are stronger than ever. The combination of militarization and loyalty to the Patriarch has created a society of cunning warrior aristocrats, some scholars compare to the mythical Empire of Rome or the Land of Nippon on ancient Earth. 
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[h3]The Omkla Ygar Empire[/h3]
 [indent]On the opposite end of space are the horrid Ygar & their space-time warping slave ships. Powerful bio-wizards, Ygar science is a mixture of dark arts and advanced technology stolen from a thousand worlds. The early history of the Omkla Ygar is legendary, some say they were once a race of man that traveled too far into the heart of the galaxy and became tainted. Few in the galaxy do not know of the Omkla Ygars cruelty, especially their endless lust for more and more thralls to experiment upon.  

The true physiology of the Ygar is unknown. They wear thickly armored suits with extendable tendrils for grabbing and restraining. They are slightly larger than humans, supposedly with larger craniums, as the black helmets they wear are quite large. Among the Ygar are smaller, lesser ranked creatures that seem to fear the larger Ygar, and of course the sense-dulled slave armies that accompany them on their conquests.
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[h3]Ourobos Chronospheres[/h3] 
[indent] The Ourobos appear to hail from another dimension, or the far future. They have corrupted time itself, creating fiefdoms of 'pocket-time', entire eras of history ruled with an iron fist. The Ourobos seem to be limited to these spheres of power, however, and cannot travel for very long outside of them. There is a relationship between the use of Dark matter technology and Ourobos. The use of technology based on dark matter seems to not only antagonize the Ourobos, but strengthen their dominion in space. Ourobos are NPC characters only (for now).[/indent]
[h2]The Races[/h2][hr]
[h3]The Andrakki[/h3]
 Under construction by me. 
[h3]The C'Lok[/h3]
[indent]Little is known of the cephalopod-like race of humanoids, other than they are fearsome warriors in combat, and vicious pirates.[/indent] (created by [@Lauder])
[h3]The Humans[/h3]
 The earliest humans evolved from primates on a small, now destroyed planet near the center of the galaxy. Eons ago, they began exploring and colonizing space. Evolution continued, and today their are near infinite sub-species of human. Some scientists claim all humanoid lifeforms are either evolved from humans or some earlier, progenitor race.
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[h3]NPCS[/h3][hr]
[b]Captain Erek of Carpas[/b]
[b]Governor Gerard Domina of Planet [i]Mon Rex Magna II[/i][/b]
[h3]The Armory[/h3][hr]
[indent]Here is a collection of weapons and useful tools mentioned in the narrative.[/indent]

[b]Heavy-Bolter[/b] [i]The Heavy-bolter (shotgun) is powered by an Andrakki designed power cell 'Dynamo'. As usual with all things Andrakki, the weapon overcompensates in power, resulting in less accuracy and less frequent firing rate. The weapon blasts arc lightning in a short but wide range and may be set for lethal or incapacitating damage. Used by the Mon Rex Magna Port Authority Soldiers.[/i]

[b]Vibro-Blade[/b] [i]Vibro-blades are the traditional weapon used in ritual combat by Hyklian Nobility. The varying sources of power from blade to blade make judging the effectiveness/damage output of each weapon difficult.[/i]
[b]Plasti-steel Armor[/b]
[b]Corvette Class Ship[/b]

[center][h3]Creating A Character[/h3][/center]
[center][hider=Required Info]
Name:
Race:
Appearance:
Abstract/Vignette: (A line to describe your personality, or a short scene that demonstrates the quality of your character)
Background: Recent events that have shaped the personality of your character. Max 5 paragraphs please. 

[i]Note:Please PM [@Polybius] your finished character sheet.[/i]
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[center][h3]RP Guidelines & Last Thoughts[/h3][/center]
[indent]Below are a few guidelines that you should follow when creating posts or lore for Expanding Universe. When making posts there are a few things to consider: This RP is treated like a TV show. Skip the boring stuff, move the plot along. Having said that, please tell me if I'm moving too fast for you to RP your character to their full potential. Thanks for reading![/indent]
[center][hider=Guidelines]
[list]
[*]WIP!
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