The Sluagh Empire is a crumbled nation of a now extinct species, which had a brief but deep impact on the galaxy. They hailed from the Rak Sector, and were known allies of the Gorn Republic and the Dread Conglomerate

Physiology

Sluagh were like most subterranean creatures, in that they were small in stature, had powerful digging hands, enhanced hearing, and very light-sensitive eyes. However, the most notable part of Sluagh body function was the amazing skeletal structure they possessed.

The Sluagh skeletal structure was mostly cartilage, and every socket in their body could come unhinged and resume normal shape without tendon damage, which made it near impossible to restrain a Sluagh. The cartilage was reinforced with horizontal rings of bone. This provided support to an otherwise unstable skeleton.

History

The Sluagh were secretive, and their culture was built on the concept of deception. They were quick to anger and suspicion, and highly volatile in any mood and at any time. Their economy was driven by gambling, prostitution, and yridium gas mining.

The Sluagh came from a long history of conflict. For hundreds of years, the Sluagh Homeworld was run by crimelords, whose only insurance of loyalty was the money they paid their henchmen. Their society was stagnant, and the only technological developments were military-grade. In fact, the Sluagh are the only known race to develop particle weapons before indoor plumbing. The constant struggle for superior weaponry and economic efficiency led to highly developed yridium refining, high-grade power stations, and extremely powerful weapons.

It wasn't until the Havastans, a race that lived on Rak 4, went about trying to tap the Sluagh yridium deposits with their spacecraft, that the Sluagh began to identify themselves as a whole. Quickly, Sluagh Nationalism spread to better face this new space-borne enemy. The Sluagh managed to capture a Havastan mining craft. They analyzed its systems and from there developed their own fleet of ships. They began mining yridium from Rak 5, destroying the Havastan mining stations there. This launched the Sluagh into their first ever war. At this point in their history, the nationalism was there, but no leaders existed. It was a functioning anarchy, with an all-volunteer, rankless military. The closest the fleets came to commanders were those filling the position of Tactical Warrior, making tactical decisions.

The war was fought like this for five years until finally a man named Bitter Acrimony developed the ranking system, giving every officer a rank from Warrior One, being himself and the highest possible rank, to Sub-Warrior Ten-Thousand and Ninety-Four. The former crimelords became the Council of Nineteen, who served as the checks and balance for the military Warrior system. When a council member died, the region they represented would elect a new council member who would fill the position for life.

After the reform, the Sluagh Imperial fleet became more efficient, and was able to strike back at the Havastans harder. When the Sluagh had eliminated every Havastan presence outside the Havastan Homeworld, the order was given to commit genocide. The Sluagh destroyed every last Havastan using a gene-specific gassing that gave every Havastan a quick painless death. This came from the inherent Sluagh love for life, and their desire to not harm any of the other life-forms on Rak 4.

The Sluagh took safeguards to protect the entire sector from further incursion. The "Havastan Incident" left them fearful of a stronger opponent coming and defeating them. They eventually made first contact with a few races, such as the Hutts and the Rodians, but for the most part kept secluded from the galaxy.

When the Gorn appeared in system unexpectedly, the first person on the scene was Warrior Slither. Slither was a known liberal and did not fire on the ships before opening a dialogue.

The Gorn and Sluagh began working together, and the odd-couple team made a very powerful force. They allied with the Dread Conglomerate, only to be abandoned by Commander Ace Kaelton time and again. Eventually, it was the downfall of the Sluagh that when the Children of the Nile came and attacked the Gorn, the Dread Conglomerate did not respond in time. The Sluagh, rather than face genocide at the hands of aliens, committed mass suicide.

It was a sad end to a sordid story.