The ZoG
by Paradox Backlash

The ZoG (both plural and singular) are a race that developed on a world with heavy electro-magnetic radiation, and they adjusted to their environment by learning to manipulate and control these forces around them, and to channel them within themselves. In order to survive on their inhospitable Homeworld, The ZoG came to ingest a rare conductive mineral, Krisenovar, which was found in abundance on their home planet. Over time they became dependent on this mineral, and most of their technology depends on it. While they had a steady supply of Krisenovar they were not interested in affairs of other races and avoided them, including the Ur-Quan wars. This was made possible by one of their many advanced creations: a screening technology that made it possible to hide things as small as rocks or as big as planets due to the nature of the locking and surrounding mechanism. Unfortunately, they have very shortsightedly drained their vast deposits of Krisenovar, and Unless they manage to obtain a steady supply of it, their race will slowly die. Since the prospect of dying is not very appealing to the Zog, they have dropped most their screening devices (besides the one on their Homeworld) and launched ships to the farthest reaches of space in an attempt to locate any deposits of Krisenovar. Unfortunately, Krisenovar is extremely rare, found in any meaningful amounts only on very special planets (for 'special' read: opportunity for a sub-quest). The ZoG can only survive for so long with the small amounts of Krisenovar they have left. Their sphere of influence is constantly growing smaller, until the time where it will completely disappear and all the ZoG will be gone from space as well. Their sphere is also traveling throughout space, and will ignore other races as it goes by (or maybe not?). ZoG ships can be encountered anywhere in the galaxy, mainly in Hyperspace, but also in some solar systems where there are traces of Krisenovar (this are important systems. Maybe something can be done with them similar to the rainbow worlds). Some races, such as the Chmmr, use Krisenovar as a component in their ships. If you have such ships with you when you encounter a ZoG ship they will be very instant that you surrender that ship (not the crew) to them. If you refuse, their desperate situation will force them to attack in order to secure the Krisenovar. Until they find their new Homeworld (I think this is the major subquest involving them) they will sell you information and/or technology for whatever Krisenovar you may have gathered from planets (Krisenovar is rare, but can be found in small amounts on some planets. It's the large quantities that give everybody a problem), using a form of credit system. NOTE: until you find a vast deposit and prove it to a ZoG ship, you will not be able to find the ZoG Homeworld, which is the only thing still screened. You will be forced to do all your trade with ships you meet in space. After you have solved their problem (in whatever way), they will give you any knowledge and technology you have not bought from them, as well as a specialized screening device they have customized for you (you would probably have to fetch them some artifact for this, just for the sake of tradition). THERE WILL BE A CLOAKING DEVICE IN STARCONTROL. Sorry. After you have solved their problem (several ways are suggested later), they will become much friendlier and will gladly join whatever alliance you may be forming, providing ships and support. Their sphere of influence will fixate itself (see further) and will grow back to it's original size (and possibly keep growing ? It's an option, but I don't like it.). The obvious way to solve the ZoG crisis is to find them their unlimited supply of Krisenovar. This can be done by finding another planet with the same condition as their home planet (talking to other races, which will want something too. It's all a matter of give & take). Another option is to find some way to rid them of their 'Addiction'. This is the hardest option, as this will require genetically altering them (maybe the Umgah ?), which they will not agree to easily. Another option is to find some way to synthesize Krisenovar for them. This will probably entail roaming the galaxy for the right precursor artifacts (maybe some taken from other races) and make up whatever other required technology on the way.

Unlike most races, they use magnetic drives to propel their ships through space*. This gives them great speed and maneuverability, and the ability to avoid collisions (They can't ram the planet. If they try they get thrown back with an equal and opposite force to the one they were exerting). They also use an Electro-Magnetic Control Scrambler, which sends a pulse through space (represented by a growing circle centering on the ship), Every ship hit by the EMP will get all it's controls scrambled for a short time, until the advanced computers used by space faring races compensate for the damage. During that time the control keys of the opposing ship will work differently (keys are changed randomly each time pulse is used). Their ship, the ZoG Scrambler, is also equipped with a quadruple mount of constantly rotating projectors that fire intense magnetic force balls that damage spaceships (which are made of metal, usually). Scramblers keep a medium crew complement, since their need to spread rather thin in their searches. Their battery capacity is the equal of the Ur-Quan's, but their batteries are slowly but constantly draining, representing their depleting energy resources. When BATT reaches zero, one crew member die and the battery is filled. Firing the magnetic guns or using the scrambler does not deplete the actual energy supply on the ship, which uses the "Breeder Effect" to replenish itself.

* Magnetic Drive theory is a very complicated theory based on the enhancement and creation of narrow positive magnetic force in a tightly controlled beam with an elaborate analytical function to calculate a quadruple reference momentum. Like I said, it's complex. Most raced developed enough don't bother with it, and use thrusters, which take less planning and advance logistical engineering to work

You will notice that I have included no actual date on the look of the ZoG or their ship, the Scrambler. This is because I haven't got the faintest idea. Suggestions are always welcome.