Kriel Empire

Faction Data

File:KrielEmpire.png

Name Kriel Empire Abbreviation Kri Species Kriel / Insectoid Home Planet Home System Allied with Conflict with Reputation to Player Dynamic

Summary

The Kriel are descended from insectoid ancestors and still live in state formations spanning entire solar systems, ruled by local queens. The term "Kriel Empire" is used when referring to the entire galactic territory occupied by the Kriel, although the Kriel themselves do not refer to it as an empire (or any other term), and it is questionable whether they even view the systems as contiguous territories.

It has become more common to refer to local “Kriel Swarms,” as there appears to be no conventional form of government or administrative organization. It is speculated that the queens can telepathically reach or control their subjects up to a certain distance. Research is inconclusive, and the Kriel do not provide any information about it.

Driven by their constant urge to expand, the Kriel are restless explorers but also ruthless exploiters of planets, frequently bringing them into conflict with other factions.

Current Situation

By the game's timeline, the Kriel and the Zirax are on the verge of a full-scale armed conflict that could draw the Eastside into a larger war. Since the Kriel are not represented in DESC and other factions— even the insectoid Karane and Tresari—have not maintained lasting successful contacts with them, an escalation is considered only a matter of time.

The only question is whether the Kriel as a species or only individual local grand swarms will enter the conflict.

Internal Affairs

Research over the past centuries has repeatedly unearthed clues about an ancient, extinct Kriel faction. The so-called “Kriel Elders” have been hinted at in many archaeologically accessible former Kriel planets. The Kriel Elders appear to have been technologically superior and had developed a different biology and culture more similar to the Karana and Tresari, based on individuals rather than swarm behavior.

Possible explanations for their disappearance include an ancient, undated galactic catastrophe, a technological and biological regression to the current form, or the possibility of a complete coevolution of both species in the same habitat, followed by the Kriel's extermination of the Elders.

However, these remain speculations, as no reliable data exists to support either of these theories.