SB-5 Pact
The SB-5 Pact is the umbrella term for the Skolexari’s military alliances and the network of Star-Seed species formally incorporated into, protected by, allied with, or claimed by the Empire.
Being “part of” the Pact is basically saying you’re part of the Skolexari Empire but not Skolexari.
The SB-5 Pact is tied into Skolexari culture and imperial doctrine: Actual Pact status may be voluntary ally, annexed protectorate, occupied territory, or full citizen member.
Please see ‘forming alliances’ to know more about Skolexari as allies.
Requirements ~
Species is a Star-Seed = automatically may join the SB-5 Pact regardless of their power, military, or ability to contribute.
The species is not a Star-Seed but is equal to the Skolexari Empire in which all-out-war would cause an extreme and dangerous loss of Skolexari life.
Skolexari maintain military alliances with Star-Seed species, everyone lives under one empire (the Skolexari Empire) and these joined powers are all part of the SB-5 Pact, often shortened to the Pact.
Members Include ~
Kin members: willing Star-Seed allies with genuine cultural bonds.
Protectorates: Star-Seeds annexed, forced, or pressured into membership.
Strategic members: powerful non-Star-Seeds admitted to prevent catastrophic war.
Associated allies: allies inherited through another Pact member.
Understanding ~
Members will not attack or interfere with other members of the alliance. Some allies are tolerated purely out of political necessity, such as avoiding mutual annihilation or overly costly wars (cost being both in terms of life lost and equipment destroyed). Not all Star-Seeds want to be part of the Skolexari Empire and were forced to join after war with the Skolexari, these species are still considered Star-Seeds and still part of the Pact.
Why won’t you just listen?
Skolexari are generally offended and baffled by other pointed-ear species who reject their SB-5 Pact. They will attempt to bring difficult Star-Seeds into the Pact “for their own good”, if rejected and the species is much weaker Skolexari will annex the species and bring them under their protection, monitoring them but generally leaving them alone. If a Star-Seed species is aggressive and able to fight Skolexari, they go to war to force the species into their Empire. This is not something Skolexari like to do but they almost always retaliate if struck even if they have invaded another species territory.
Skolexari will not just leave a species alone. That species is either an alien (not a Star-Seed) and will be annihilated or they’re a Star-Seed and Skolexari will try to bring them into the Empire peacefully, if not peacefully, by force. If attacked, by force.
Non Star-Seeds in the SB-5 Pact
Skolexari calculate conflict and prefer to avoid engagements that would be costly, if they see power is gained through an alliance they seek alliance. This doesn’t happen often.
Most non Star-Seeds (what Skolexari see as “aliens”) have been granted secondary protection through their Star-Seed ally who is a member of the Pact.
They will deal with aliens who don't have pointed ears (non Star-Seeds) to avoid mutual annihilation or a multi-generational war, which they see as being wasteful and dangerous. This is not, to Skolexari, seen as being weak. They have a large Empire that requires a lot of resources and power, a severely destructive war to bring 1 species under their control could disrupt the larger Empire. They also have other species under their protection to consider.
Non Star-Seeds brought into the Pact through Star-Seed allies are not treated equal to Skolexari and are encouraged to remain on their homeworlds or point-of-origin. The “owner” species is responsible for the care of the non Star-Seeds, Skolexari won’t give help to non Star-Seeds (not granted SOL or equal rights). So, these aliens are tolerated to the point they’re allowed to live with the Star-Seeds who like them but are not permitted to mix into the Skolexari Empire and are not provided for by the Empire.
Creator Notes: I don’t actually have such a species in my active story (a non-Star Seed major alliance) but I included this because it could happen, and that is how they would respond if it did. It’s also left here for creative reasons, if someone wanted to create with me and had their own Empire. This is how the two groups would unify.
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Delightful Bloodshed - cruelty towards Star-Seeds
If Skolexari find another alien power (a non-Star Seed) who has enslaved Star-Seed worlds or peoples, they really love this.
This would break their “avoid mutual destruction” clause. Due to their strong spiritual beliefs in interconnectedness with Star-Seeds, they would fight to liberate and save their brothers. Skolexari would feel they had no choice but to do this, even at great harm to themselves.
Fighting would end when: the offending species frees any Star-Seed species or is defeated.
This breaks previously stated terms. They will not accept any species within their SB-5 Pact that mistreats or keeps Star-Seeds. These species would have to be freed or liberated.
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Organic Alliances
Skolexari don't have solid logic or hard-written rules in books when it comes to alliances. They believe these things develop organically. Skolexari explore others through encounters, meetings, and gut-feelings. A lot of chance comes into forming alliances with Skolexari, as they don't have a checklist or rulebook.
Just because they find a Star-Seed species doesn’t make gaining trust or bringing them into the SB-5 Pact easy, as Skolexari do make an effort to do this without violence (they don’t want to hurt Star-Seeds).
Species traits Skolexari respect when forming alliances ~
Power. Skolexari are fascinated by other powerful species, firstly. Skolexari respect power and like a strong-man. Another warrior getting into a warrior Skolexari’s face and demanding a duel would win far more respect from the species than 100 hours negotiating at a table.
Fostering a feeling of kinship.
They tend to be blunt and driven, which may offend some other species who feel insulted. Skolexari don’t respond to hurt feelings, this will sour relations. Species who can tolerate their bluntness or even shoot-the-shit back at them do well. Skolexari are more likely to laugh at a clever comeback than feel offended by it though verbal brawls must be cleverly done as some insults enrage Skolexari while others amuse them. Example: you insult his physical appearance (hilarious), you insult his father (not hilarious).
The exception to this is, again, Star-Seeds. If they discover a primitive Star-Seed species or one that is generally much weaker, they force them into the SB-5 Pact to protect them. Skolexari’s softness towards Star-Seeds makes them sympathetic.
Known SB-5 Pact Members
*lists name of species, nature of alliance, if they joined willingly or unwilling, SS = Star-Seed
Krickow - protected species, willing joined (SS)
Echla - protected species, willingly joined (SS)
Grum - protected species, forced to join (SS)
Milped - protected species, willingly joined (SS)
Spalpadh - protected species, willingly joined (SS)
Jeridon - military alliance, willingly joined (SS)
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Creator Notes: The SB-5 Pact is a bit messy, it’s intended to be a bit messy. Even for Skolexari, it’s messy. It covers a massive amount of different people who have entered into the Empire through different means; this is difficult to regulate with sweeping laws or hard-lines.
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Forming Alliances + Reputation of Skolexari as friends and allies
*this info works with SB-5 Pact
World Note: The tone of Skolexari is that they are ‘a big scary alien superpower’ so all of their alliances should revolve around the feeling that they are a force to be reckoned with. It’s not a Star Trek vibe. Just because they attempt alliances and are willing to talk before war does not make them simpering, Skolexari love to fight and it’s their nature to fight. They don’t tolerate endlessly. They will try but when they’re done - look out. Their mentality is never “ohhh no I’m scared” but “well, fuck it, guess we’ll fight”. Skolexari don’t want to hurt Star-Seeds but they will, especially if they’re attacked.
Skolexari are juggernauts known for brutal tactics and aggression. They have conquered numerous star systems within their galaxy with calculated precision, guided by ideology rooted in superiority with a strong drive to fight. However, they do have allies. They display the same fierce clan-like loyalty towards friends in their SB-5 Pact and take these bonds seriously.
They’re not tricksters nor known for deception, they're blunt and forthright. If they give you their word, they keep it. If you call for their aid, they come. Difficult as they may be, they make fantastic and loyal allies once the bond is forged.
Traits as allies -
Blunt, forthright, keep promises.
Negative traits -
Retaliatory, stubborn, may come off as rude.
Exploitable traits -
Due to beliefs in clan and species unity, they may be manipulated and baited into retaliatory attacks in conflicts.
Need to protect Star-Seeds is predictable.
Seek revenge if wronged, again, predictable.
Your Friend is my friend -
Skolexari may respect prior alliances even if it is with an alien (non Star-Seed) such as bringing a Star-Seed species into the SB-5 Pact whose planet has more than one native species.
Or, a new alien superpower is brought into the SB-5 Pact who has alliances, these prior alliances now become Skolexari alliances regardless of the aliens appearance (star-seed or not, Skolexari won’t request the ally to forgo prior promises or alliances).
This is gone over more in SB-5 Pact.