You will join the Ugnix, you will spread, you will obey, you will hold back the tide of the Res'Ai. Rejoice, for your world is now a part of the Ugnix; in service, you are freed from your inferiority, in obedience you are strong. See this not as an end, but as a beginning, for all who join and all who serve the Ugnix will one day hold the whole wealth of the universe in their grasp.

-Ghorath, Ugnix Elder addressing a conquered world

Overview

The Ugnix is a faction of allied races and worlds dedicated to a cause of expansion and military discipline. Viewing most other factions or indoctrinated worlds as inferior, the Ugnix fear nothing apart from the Res'Ai. The faction is led by two primary races, the Kinkalis and the Ghazneeks. With the faction itself controlled by a council of elders from these two races, each representing countless conquered worlds from the far reaches of the universe.

History/Origins

The Ugnix is a faction that formed when the races of the Ghazneeks and Kinkalis banded together after their homeworlds were attacked by the Res'Ai. Alone, each was barely able to hold back the hives that swarmed their planets. In the wake of their near destruction, the Ghazneeks and Kinkalis forged an alliance, one that has stood for thousands of years. The two worlds helped to rebuild one another, and once they had ample time to rebuild their cities and (more importantly) weapons of defense and conquest, the two determined they would not allow other worlds to fall prey to the swarms of the Res'Ai. The allied races determined that the Ugnix would set out to colonize other worlds, using the incredibly advanced technology of the Ghazneeks combined with the physical might of the Kinkalis to bring those worlds that would not willingly bend the knee to heel. Diplomacy was too tiresome and lengthy with the Res'Ai threat ever looming over them, so the Ugnix turned wholeheartedly to conquest. Over time, the focus on conquest, the art of war, and the defense of their homeworlds became an almost religious pursuit of the Ugnix, a faction, first established for protection, turned to one of war in the name of protection. The faction is exceedingly militant, and leisure or pleasure are looked upon with disgust by those inducted into the Ugnix.

Religion/Ideology

The Ugnix are primarily concerned with warfare, conquest, and the expansion of their ever-growing empire. All religions, races, and creeds are adopted or often adapted to the Ugnix ideals, though the Ugnix elders often have the most say in how these adaptations take place.

Biology

Because the Ugnix are comprised of hundreds upon thousands of races, worlds, and creatures it is nearly impossible to define specific biology, however, the two most prominent races among the faction consist of the Kinkalis and the Ghazneeks.

Gaanzeks are roughly the same height as the average human with unguligrade legs, elongated heads, and prehensile tails they regularly use in battle. They have a lifespan of roughly 150 years, maturing rather early at only thirteen years of age. In general, they weigh roughly the same as an average human. Gaanzeks are considered highly intelligent, with the dullest among them having a much higher I.Q. than the average human. Gaanzeks are non-carbon-based life-forms, though humans have yet to determine what exactly comprises their homeworld, the species is unable to breathe in the environments of most other worlds, and has constructed sophisticated life-support and bio suits to enable their conquests.

Kinkalis are much larger than the average human, standing roughly 7-8 feet tall, with a lumbering physique that can weigh upwards of 500 lbs. Kinkalis have shelled backs, armored skin like that of a crocodile, long, heavy tails, and a musculature that allows them to carry enormously heavy weapons and armor with ease. Kinkalis have an average lifespan of nearly 300 years and reach maturity at age 50. Kinkalis are extremely hardy with regenerative abilities that allow them to regrow limbs and organs and rarely require life support systems or bio suits in environments others would deem toxic, though they are highly susceptible to cold.

Combat/Tactics

The best of the Ugnix have been trained for decades in the arts of war and conquest. Usually, Ugnix utilizes fodder in initial assaults, greenhorn Ugnix compelled to serve after they have been conquered to thin enemy ranks or compromise their positions. After this, Kinkalis serve as shock troops and commanders of better trained Ugnix soldiers, while the Gaanzeks serve as spies, assassins, scouts, and (most often) army commanders and tacticians. Kinkalis are fond of utilizing heavy armor and melee weapons to dispose of their foes, while the Ghazneeks serve as expert marksmen in the field. The brute strength of the Kinkalis is complemented by the intellectual might of the Gaanzeks and there is rarely a fight the Ugnix runs from. Because of their might and sheer numbers, the Ugnix can tend to be arrogant and occasionally careless with the lives of some of their lesser-ranking soldiers.