Galactic History

Start of Interstellar Travel

The universe did not start out peacefully. Many prominent species made the breakthrough of interstellar travel at roughly the same time. Naturally, those seeking new stars weren't just looking for different planets, but each species did have a curiosity for what other phenomenon the universe held. It was only a matter of time before these prominent species would find each other.

Even if the technology of each species was more advanced than anyone had imagined, the implications of interstellar time travel were new. The ideologies surrounding first contact of other species was new. No species had a history dealing with the new experiences that followed this new advancement in technology. A first attempt at any huge feat is bound to fail without foresight for every step of the process.

One of the most unexpected steps is to find other life. When these prominent species encountered beings, the encounters were all but peaceful. Up until the point of first contact, no species had to deal with a design so foreign that it was incomprehensible. The first of first contacts was not a smooth process.

Results from this collective breakthrough and fateful meeting ended in wars fought unlike any other. All species suffered heavy losses when they inevitably found each other in the universe. Like all wars that are fought, the damage thereafter led to each species reacting differently. Some went into hiding, others tried to re-initiate communications, others kept trying to fight.

Over millennia, interstellar neighbors learned to communicate with each other. Although no one reached a true understanding of another's culture, a general consensus was formed: the nature of an uncomprehending situation, regardless of a species origin, leads to miscommunication. In turn, miscommunication often leads to conflict. In order to avoid future conflicts, a Galatic Law was put into place. That Galactic Law states that "above all else, an interstellar culture must be understood before it can be contacted." This strict rule was meant to prevent misunderstandings that led to the first interstellar wars that broke out in the galaxy.

Galatic Law

Galactic Law states "above all else, an interstellar culture must be understood before it can be contacted." The implications of this law are far reaching when it comes to how different species interact, but the main point behind the law is to avoid the conflicts initiated by the first few interstellar species.

If the Galactic Law is broken, the consequences for the offending species are severe. In fear that one war can cause a chain reaction of galatic-level wars, any species that break Galatic Law are exiled from the galaxy. No species is allowed to communicate with the exiled species.

Naturally this law is impossible to uphold consistently and is more of a statement at an institutional level. If a species is exiled, there are those that remain who may have been trying to communicate with others. Anyone left behind often find their home with another species ironically learning another's culture to a much greater extend than anyone else.