PmWiki | PhotonKnights / Magmatrons

Magmatrons are a race of squat, strong beings with a tough chitin-plated exoskeleton that acts as a biological flak jacket. Their average height is around 1.5 meters, but their stocky build makes them veritable juggernauts in terms of strength and endurance. Their lungs are so tough that they can hold their breath in a vacuum for up to three minutes, making them well-suited for space mining and other tasks that require exposure to harsh environments.

Magmatrons are divided into two main groups, each with their own distinct culture and customs. The first group is the Ecclesiarchy, a stalwart and tedious religious order that dominates Magmatron society with their strict adherence to dogma and tradition. They believe in a complex pantheon of deities, with each god responsible for a specific aspect of life. The Ecclesiarchy is led by a council of elders, known as the Core, each the chief priest of one of the gods, who are responsible for interpreting the will of the gods and setting policy for the Magmatron people in their area of competence.

The second group is the mining clans, a dynamic and fiercely independent faction that controls most of the Magmatrons' mining operations. They are known for their aggressive business practices and their skill at extracting valuable resources from harsh environments. The mining clans are organized around family units, with each clan led by a matriarch or patriarch who is responsible for making decisions on behalf of their clan. The clans are highly competitive, often engaging in cutthroat business practices to gain an edge over their rivals.

Magmatron religion is a central aspect of their culture, and they believe themselves to be the chosen people of the gods. They believe that they will be the only race to survive past the stelliferous era, and will be reincarnated in the long dark era after most stars have gone out, where they will live for a long time on or near the remaining white dwarf stars. They view other races with a mixture of pity and disdain, seeing them as inferior and unworthy of salvation.

Despite their tough exterior, Magmatrons are psychologically fragile and prone to emotional outbursts. They have a reputation for being short-tempered and hot-headed, often resorting to violence to settle disputes; in their society, a fistfight is considered communication, not combat; unfortunately this cultural quirk is difficult to transfer over to most other races. This has led to conflicts with other races in the past, although in general Magmatrons are quick to take offense and quick to forgive.

Magmatrons are also highly adaptable, with a talent for engineering and invention. They have a natural resistance to electrokinesis. Their tendency towards isolationism has limited their influence outside of their own borders.

Magmatrons are animistic; things like construction robots and mining ships are kept in repair and upgraded long past the point where they should be replaced. One exception are starfighters, which are built before an engagement and then dismantled by the mothership upon return. This decreases combat readiness somewhat, but keeps the starfighter fleet current and removes maintenance issues. This way, the starfighters' karma is distributed among the mothership and her crew.