Very little is actually known about the Vanduul as a species. They first ‘introduced’ themselves to Humanity by attacking a colony in Orion system about two hundred and fifty years ago, and things haven’t really improved since then. The UEE’s entire interaction with the Vanduul has been through combat. After the end of the Messer Era, the new Imperator attempted to stop the violence and open diplomatic relations with the Vanduul. The disparate structure of the Vanduul civilization makes it nearly impossible to negotiate with the species as a whole, but none of the individual clans offered anything but hostility — the diplomatic emissaries were exclusively met with laser fire.
One result is that we don’t know why they hate us so much. While it’s very easy to see why the UEE refers to them as barbaric, the Vanduul are not stupid or merely savages.
Banu;
Banu are the first interstellar species encountered by humans. Humanity’s first interstellar friends. Discovered by a NavJumper named Vernon Tar who was out exploring and nearly started a war by taking a shot at the Banu pilot. Once our two civilizations came together and signed the first Interstellar Peace & Trade Accord, we began to trade technology and help each other expand into the universe. Once they spread out, they formed the Banu Protectorate to oversee all of their systems.
The Banu are the traders, the culture-hounds of the universe. Their planets are varied and colorful. Many tales of intrigue start in the murky back alleys of Banu cities.
The Xi’An and Humanity have had a tumultuous relationship over the years. While the Xi’An have generally regarded Humanity as short-sighted and impetuous, they have acknowledged our capacity to destroy and treated us accordingly. While their technology might seem superior to ours (it certainly looks nicer), most of that is simply due to its alien origin. Our two civilizations are on relatively equal technological footing. This ability for mutual annihilation is probably what kept either side from attempting an all-out attack.
Relations with the Xi’An have warmed over the centuries, but it would be difficult to call them friendly without a slight hint of sarcasm. ‘Guarded’ is probably a more accurate term. We hope that the Xi’An aren’t planning to destroy us, but we’ll be ready just in case.
Human shave yet to official set foot in the Krell System. Located on the opposite side of Xi'An territory, Krell is home and namesake of a traveling species that the UEE has had no formal interaction with. The Xi'An, however, have had a tempestuous relationship with them for the last seven hundred years, ultimately culminating in a devastating century-long conflict loosely translated as the Spirit Wars.
Osoians are the most developed of all the primitive species discovered by the UEE. A furry, multi-limbed race that communicates through flashes of color generated by chameleon cells that are patterned across their forehead-equivalents.
Human scientists find the natives to be endlessly fascinating, and Earth’s universities are full of graduate students suggesting new ways to study and attempt to communicate with the Osoians. The Xi’An, however, have a more tragic take on the species: they find them to be delicious.