The Zeji Imperium dates back to the times when the Xel'Naga were still at the peak of their power. As one of the galaxy's 'First Ones' the Imperium made incredible advances in cloning technology and genetic splicing. Their scientific curiosity soon transformed into playing god, and eventually key members of the Imperium lobbied for war.
Knowing they have the means to conquer the galaxy the Zeji Imperium set out to tame all of the wild space and bring it under their control. Any races that opposed their 'manifest destiny' were systematically wiped-out, but the other First Ones were not content with allowing the Zeji to use their homes as their stomping grounds.
Many of the First Ones conspired to turn the Zeji ranks against each other, and succeeded after many sacrifices had been made. A massive genocidal war followed, as the Zeji, who once turned against their neighbors, now turned against themselves. However, mysteriously, one day, the Zeji Imperium vanished entirely from the eyes of the First Ones. Some say the Zeji succeeded in wiping each other out, while others believed they finally realized the error of their ways, and exiled themselves from this galaxy in shame. Whatever the truth may be, it was certain that they left their weapons in the playground for the younger races to find....
The Present
Fast forward to the present, in a time when the Zeji Imperium are a distant memory to the minds of the Xel'Naga's creations. Only the ancient texts of the Shelak Tribe spoke mention of these incredible 'Star Gods' who threatened Aiur in a time before the Aeon of Strife, put down by the Xel'naga. One such Judicator, Arestes, studied the surviving records of the enigmatic Star Gods that threatened their creators. He learned of their bio-mechanical terror and advanced cloning technology, and therefore resolved to claim this technology for his own purposes. Arestes learned of a recently-discovered ruin well beyond the territories of the Protoss, and sent the Templar Kabala, who had fallen out of favor with his caste (reasons classified), on an expedition.
Kabala journeyed to this ruin, and discovered it was in fact an ancient Zeji colony, long abandoned by the Star Gods. There, Kabala learned much of the Zeji Imperium and then some, finding among the ruins intact Cloning Cylinders. Seeing this as a potential bid for power Kabala decided to unite the war-torn sector by force. However, this power bid was put down, and Arestes gained control of the newly-created Zeji Armada. For a time Arestes bided his time until he could build a force sufficient to wipe out the Koprulu Sector, but Kabala eventually slew Arestes and retook control.
Looking ahead the Zeji Armada joined forces with dissident Terran factions and renegade Zerg Swarm in a final attempt to unite the Koprulu Sector. In the events that followed the successful Zeji Armada was about to accomplish its goals until one of its members betrayed Kabala and tried to seize control himself. Having failed for a second time Kabala realized that he will never have the power to unite the warring factions, and took the Zeji Armada to unknown space.
The Future
The current Zeji Armada, now joined by the Terrans and Zerg, are now seeking to carve out their own territories in the untamed wild space. What they encounter, and whether they plan on returning to the Koprulu Sector, remains to be seen.
Reflective Notes
he Zeji Imperium's warships are actually ships and structures used by the 'Nephilim' in Wing Commander: Prophecy. The title itself is a sort of homage to that same game, as well as deals with the subject of this story. I forgot to note who did it, but thanks to whoever extracted the ship models; seeing them available inspiried me to create this campaign, and finally create a worthy opponent for the Black Dream. Special thanks to Wing Commander CIC, as the source of these files, as well as reference to the ships themselves.
Cheap and unintelligent, Workers require none of the complex Cloning Cylinder functions like other Zeji require. These simple drones are used as harvesters and supplemental forces in ground skirmishes. They are pre-programmed with the directive to construct and maintain Zeji strongholds.
These cloned warriors are the foot soldiers of the Zeji Armada. Armed with encoded knowledge they are capable swordsmen and deadly opponents. Little is known of these creatures. Often they wear war masks designed to inspire fear in their opponents.
Warriors require a Cloning Cylinder in order to spawn.
These creatures are the result of an experiment carried out by Kabala-- cloned growth fused with technology. These beasts were originally Hydralisks, but have since grown to a creature of their own, launching deadly volleys of plasma.
Mechalisks require a Cloning Cylinder and a Cryolab.
Bound with the powerful elemental forces Stormriders are Earth elementals tempered with the spark of Fire. Stormriders are living batteries and can hurl plasma bolts with ease. Their ability is so shocking that some have mastered the brain function, causing it to see things that aren't there.
Stormriders require a Cloning Cylinder and Infernal Pit to build.
Tempered by Fire these vicious Slayers are the shock troopers of the Zeji. Their arms are plasma blades themselves; they wield these blades efficiently in the two-handed style.
Hellslayers require a Cloning Cylinder and Infernal Pit.
The ultimate warrior in the Zeji ground forces, this creature combines the spark of Fire found in the Stormriders into a malevolent beast. This creature fuses the intelligences and wills of the sacrificed Stormriders. Salamanders master the plasma energy such that they can wield multiple plasma blades with ease. Their show of mastery is such that they can throw energy waves with a single swing.
Salamander summoning requires the sacrifice of two Stormriders.
Primary Weapon Fire Spin Damage 6+ splash
Secondary Weapon N/A Damage N/A
Armor Zeji Ground Armor Armor Rating 50/1
Shields Zeji Shields Shield Rating 250
Engine N/A Speed Rating N/A
Enemy Class Fire Elemental Entity Hero Phoenix Lord
Combining the spark of Fire and the sadism of Hellslayers the Phoenix rises from the ashes. Unlike the Salamander the Phoenix is a master of the Fire element, hurling flames at hapless foes with imputiny. However, their flame is not eternal, as they may only exert their full fury once per day.
Summoning a Phoenix requires the sacrifice of two Hellslayers. Their power is so potent that only cloaking fields can pierce their flames.
Not all Zeji Warriors fight with plasma swords; some were cloned as pilots of the fearsome ships the Armada is known for. Morays are the weakest craft known to the Koprulu Sector, and they are often seen escorting Leviathan carriers.
Heavier fighters than the Moray the Manta is better armed and better armored. Unlike the bomber type these Manta variants have longer range and are often seen on patrol beyond their Carriers.
A second variant of the Manta are the 'Red Mantas,' configured as bombers. Carrying a more deadly payload these bombers have the potential to wreak havoc on any capitol ship in the vicinity.
When not in cluster configuration Skates serve more as nuisances than actual threat. Nimble but extremely frail Skates are known to overwhelm opponents in large swarms.
The fastest of all Zeji spaceships, the Squid is a difficult opponent to catch. The pilots of these ships are conditioned to handle the high velocities necessary in order to keep this spacecraft formidable, as the weak often underhandle this speedy interceptor.
Squids require a Stardock and have a concussive quick attack.
Primary Weapon Magna Pulse Damage 12+ splash
Secondary Weapon N/A Damage N/A
Armor Zeji Air Armor Armor Rating 120/1
Shields Zeji Shields Shield Rating 180
Engine Zeji Plasma Engine Speed Rating 1707
Ship Class Heavy Interceptor Hero Wind Razor
Stingrays have proven their deadly prowess with their pulse cannons, which explodes in a wide area around the target. Their function is to help contain a large number of opponents.
Stingrays require a Stardock and has a normal weapon with splash.
Capitol ships worry when Devilrays are around; these ships pack powerful missiles that can eat large ships alive. Their speed is nothing to write home about, but they are fast enough to overtake any Battlecruiser and dispatch it in short order.
Devilrays require a Stellar Accelerator and Spire of Eyes. Devilrays are armed with an explosive-type weapon that scatters in a small area around the impact point.
Where the Leviathan transports fighters the Triton transports foot soldiers. Sometimes they are converted to supply ships to carry resources from one planet to another, and sacrifice much weaponry in order to do so. If there is any time when the Zeji are vulnerable, it is when they are depending on Tritons.
Tritons need a Stellar Accelerator in order to build.
Corvettes are lighter-armed than destroyers and are not meant for long-term combat. However, they are quick enough to serve as strike vessels or scouts for the inevitable battle group trailing behind them.
Orca destroyers possess heavier firepower than Barracudas but are much slower, but still more maneuverable than Hydrae. Their primary armament are suicidal Morays that act as torpedoes, which have proven ineffective against aerial targets, as they have the tendancy of destroying them before they can reach the target.
Tritons need a Stellar Accelarator and Bio Attenuator in order to build.
No Battlecruiser can hope to match the Zeji equivalent, and the Hydra is the pinnacle of their power. Armed to the teeth with laser batteries and a powerful cannon the Hydra is designed to destroy space stations and cities, and carries a light complement of fighters. The Hydra works best against single targets, but is more than capable of handling groups.
The Charybdis Cannon can knock targets within the blast radius into stasis lock temporarily. Activate by casting Stasis Field. Some Hydrae are equipped with Recall devices.
Hydrae require a Stardock and a Hydra Crystal. Its cannons fire in a spread formation, hitting multiple targets.
Leviathan carriers are primarily designed to get the fighters from one place to another, and little else. However, they are far from defenseless, and have been known to be used as command ships from which to coordinate strikes.
The Zeji regard the four primary elemental forces highly, and build great shrines to honor them. Miniature temple structures are built, harnessing the power of these basic forces which give life to their society.
This creature harnesses the elemental force of air that is Vespene Gas and converts it into a solid, earth form for ease of delivery and retrieval, hardened by cold fire. They are returned to the Nexus, where the solid gas is converted to liquid form through hot fire.
The infamous Cloning Cylinders of the Zeji Imperium gave rise to the Iron Hand, and now the new Zeji Armada under Kabala. Although most of the original Cylinders are lost new, mass-produced Cylinders of inferior but cheap quality are seen deployed on the battlefield.
This biological creature is a veritable storehouse of plasma energy. It is often hard at work researching and theorizing on how to better harness plasma, requiring an immense amount of resources for study. It is unmistakable, however, that this organism is an invaluable member of the Zeji army.
Remote drones are often deployed at strategic locations in order to better defend against outsiders. Their immobility is ofset by their ability to detect the unseen.
A cold storage organism, this creature stores a massive genetic archive inherited from its ancestors. Although upon birth these creatures share little knowledge of their ancestors time and resources can be spent to 'jog' their memories.
An altar dedicated to the Earth element. Zeji Warriors who come to this construct are infused with the power of Earth in order to traverse the land at a much quicker pace.
A cauldron of flame serves as an appropriate altar dedicated to the Fire element. With the power of Fire Zeji Warriors are tempered with the destructive force, allowing them to become more vicious in battle.
These massive Stardocks are where Zeji starfighters are grown in special Cloning Cylinders. While the smaller ships are often grown in individual Cylinders capital ships are often made up of parts coming from multiple Cylinders. Some ships, such as the carriers, are grown with new Cloning Cylinders built into them in order to keep turning out a supply of Morays.
The grand foci of Elemental Force is the focal point of the Armada. The Koprulu Sector knows this to be an important construct in the Armada's campaigns against them, as most of their ships tend to gather around this structure while idle. While it is generally unknown what they do with this altar the Zeji believe it is the centerpoint of the four forces-- a balance point, a reminder that no one elemental is stronger than the other.
An altar dedicated to the Water element. Hydrae are the most powerful known Zeji fleet warships known to the Koprulu Sector, and it appears the Zeji themselves honor it greatly. The Water element is a difficult element to harness, but the rewards are obvious; it is no wonder the Zeji dedicate their vicious strength in such a creature.
Krakens are armed with powerful ship-killer weaponry that makes them a feared member of the Zeji Armada. When active they are known to destroy capitol ships with little difficulty.
The ultimate representation of Zeji might, the Tiamat possesses a great doomsday weapon that can potentially shatter planets, rivaling the Xel'Naga technology. However, it can be tuned for a scaled-down blast, if necessary, in order to target more nimble targets. It is unable to target fighter craft with great accuracy, but its area of effect more than makes up for that deficiency.
Colossal beasts unleashed by the Zeji, Gargoyles are terrifying flying beasts that strike fear in the hearts of Terrans. They are known to swoop down and attack unsuspecting Terrans with their vicious claws, often crushing them quickly.
To many of the younger races in the universe, they themselves are at the center of the universe. To the Mekani Alliance, they are indeed the center of the universe.
When the universe was young beings as ancient some believe to predate even time itself emerged into this universe-- the M'tora, enigmatic psionic entities. From their homeworld (if one could call it that) they monitored the rise of the first races in their galaxy, waiting, until the day they could walk amongst the stars. They need not wait long for such prominent races to rise to power-- the Reptilons, the Wyker, the Drokmarim... and among these many fantastic races emerged the Destroyers.
The Destroyers seemed to appear out of nowhere, avoiding the watchful eye of the M'tora until it was too late; the Destroyers had already integrated themselves in every races' society and sown discord such that a massive galactic war erupted. War among the galactic empires spanned for an untold amount of time, until the M'tora devised the final answer-- the Mekani. Although many believed these constructs to be mindless automatons, the truth was far from it-- not only were these machines intelligent, but they also possessed souls, and swore total allegience to the M'tora.
Birth of a Legacy
Many of the empires suffered monumental losses to the locust-like Mekani, who traveled from world to world, strip-mining for resources in order to construct more Mekani troopers. At last, two of the most prominent empires, the Reptilons and the Wyker, sued for peace, then the unthinkable happened-- the hated rivals joined forces with the Mekani.
With the birth of the new Mekani Alliance the damage done by the Destroyers was undone in a timely fashion, uniting all the galaxy's races as the M'tora envisioned since the dawn of the light. Driving the Destroyers away, the ever-growing Mekani Alliance truly unified the galaxy, flying under the banner of the Mekani, but it would not end there.
The M'tora and other member races were not satisfied with merely unifying their galaxy, for one day they were invaded by a race from beyond the stars. Using powerful advanced technology the Alliance surmised it was a 'First Race' of another galaxy. While they subdued the invasion the Alliance resolved to unite the entire universe under one banner, knowing full well that their war with the Destroyers was far from over.
Ascension to the Dream
To this present day the Mekani Alliance is made up of three galaxies, and has expanded to conquer five more neighboring galaxies-- including this one. Realizing full well that conquering the universe will take millions upon millions of lifetimes the Mekani Alliance is patient in their conquests-- one planet at a time. Yet their enemies have not been idle, either. The Destroyers, too, have made allies, and the Alliance faces stiff opposition in the Tyrrinthrak Empire, another civilization bidding for galactic conquest, and other unnamed races.
Whether they will turn their attentions to Earth or the Koprulu Sector is unknown, but one thing is certain-- their coming will herald an age of suffering unparalleled in history.
The Aligned Peoples
The Mekani Alliance is made up of an untold number of races, but the ones encountered so far are:
Mekani - Cheaply-built and cost-effective mechanized army for the Alliance; wholly obedient yet somehow possess a soul, and rather simple-minded.
Reptilons - Lizard-like creatures who harken to the Terrans' Feudal Japan in mysticism and swordsmanship. Their battle ethics appear most akin to samurai, with skills to match.
Wyker - Avian bipeds who take a liking to technology and tools of warfare. At odds with the Reptilons over their differences in battle philosophy.
Drokmarim - Brutish creatures that most resemble bullmen, characteristically sadistic. Known to use whatever means available to them in order to win.
Mystral - Gaseous entities who serve as field commanders. Believed to be highly advanced such as they 'evolved' past the need for solid bodies.
M'tora - Enigmatic psionic entities who are apparently the masterminds of the Alliance.
Reflective Notes
The Mekani Alliance far predates the creation of the Zeji, but the current form of the Alliance evolved in well over ten years of refinement. Many of its personalities changed in look and name over that time, but the oldest by far would be the M'tora (consequently they are the most changed from their original design; they used to use spears rather than psychic powers). Yet, not even the M'tora are older than yet another ancient faction I developed, which may or may not appear in the future (the aformentioned Destroyers-- it essentially would elevate the eternal struggle of Order vs. Chaos). The Mekani themselves were the last of the Alliance to be developed; the Alliance was created soon after that once I decided to bring together many of my 'old favorites' under one banner.
Mekani design philosophy requires maximum results out of the smallest investment possible; these cheap drones are very efficient at gathering resources in large numbers.
Again, following Mekani tradition Troopers are cheap, disposable robot soldiers that pack a decent amount of firepower. Unimpressive alone, they more than make up for this in the fact that many can be constructed quickly, and overpower opponents in numbers.
The Reptilons are one of the founding members of the Mekani Alliance, dominated by the draconian Malice Clan. These winged warriors fight hand-to-hand under their traditional code of honor, to which Terrans described as akin to samurai. Each Blademaster perfects their sword technique, quickly drawing, slashing, and sheathing their diamond-ground monoswords (the 'mono' refers to the 1mm edge) in a single stroke.
Blademasters are transported on Light Factories and are housed in Reptilon Barracks. Their damage splashes in a wide area, and multiple Blademasters can make short work of an attack party when fighting together.
Not all Reptilons are blessed winged; Reptilon society is segregated into clans based on physical appearance alone. Many Warmages hail from the Sal Clan, warriors known to use 'magic' in battle. Skeptical Reptilons claim this 'magic' is merely technology intended to produce spook effects, but there is no doubt that one would not wish to be on the receiving end of their attacks.
Warmages are transported on Light Factories and are housed in Reptilon Barracks. Their Frost Bolt attack is considered Concussive damage and is particularly effective in taking out rogue Mekani.
The vulture-like Wyker are another of the founding races, and they are reknowned for their obsessiveness with weapons and technology. Although they have wings Gunners are weighed-down by the gear they carry, including their infamous autocrossbows and remote mines. In order to help compensate for this each Gunner wears special leg-enhancement boots for quicker foot travel. The Wyker and Reptilons are rivals despite their alliance, as they often disagree as to how to engage in battle.
Gunners travel on board Heavy Factories. Due to their equipment a Lockdown will affect Gunners as if they were mechanical units.
Primary Weapon Sonic Wave Cannon Damage special
Secondary Weapon Sonic Shockwave Damage 40
Armor Mekani Vehicle Armor Armor Rating 120/1
Shields None Shield Rating N/A
Engine N/A Speed Rating N/A
Enemy Class Artillary Support Hero Lord Zeron
The Wyker consider this the pinnacle in ground warfare against the lesser species of the universe. The Sonicblade represents the range of devastation sound wave technology can bring into the battlefield, as their sonic stunner can rend hapless opponents unconscious or unable to defend themselves. It does not, however, affect machines in the same way, if at all. In order to compensate the Sonicblade can send shockwaves through the earth to smash structures. However, the shockwave generator has proven unpopular among the Reptilons, who are often caught in the blasts. The Wyker pilots must wear specialized earplugs in order to prevent from going deaf, although such occurances aren't uncommon among veteran Sonicblade pilots.
Sonicblades are built at the Heavy Factory with the Mechanics Lab attached. They cause Explosive damage in Tank Mode with a minimum radius in order to prevent the Sonicblade from shooting itself to death. In Siege Mode the Sonicblade fires an equivalent to Maelstrom periodically; while it cannot target air units any air unit caught in the area of effect will be stunned as well.
The more expensive the Mekani, the more valuable it is to the Hive Entire. Enforcers are better built models of the standard trooper, and with good reason-- Enforcers are the war leaders of legions of Mekani Troopers. Their enhanced artificial intelligence mechanisms allow them to make intelligent judgements in a given battle, and the even more advanced versions even serve as Supreme Directors.
Enforcers are built at the Heavy Factory and require the Wyker Ballistics Lab.
To the Mekani Hive Entire, the M'tora are the founders of the Mekani Alliance. These squid-like psionic entities were old even when the universe was young, and their goal is nothing short of uniting the universe under their Alliance. The lower-echelon M'tora are often sent to the battlefield to prove their worth to the rest of their society, and to better discipline themselves for when they too can take their place among the gods-- themselves. Patient to the extreme, the M'tora are in no hurry to make their conquest, as it is speculated they are immortal.
Acolytes are unavailable to the Mekani armies until the Arcanum arrives.
Where the Malice Clan's code promotes melee combat, the Sal Clan is not above taking flight in competition with their winged cousins. However, keeping in the spirit of Reptilon philosophy the Twin Raizan is designed for grapple combat in space, an unorthodoxed design to the denizens of the Koprulu Sector. While their opponents make the mistake of assuming that their close-range preference is a weakness the Twin Raizan, with a complement of two, is adept at tearing ships to shreds with its powerful claw weapons. It is rumored that their top aces fly solo, and such warriors are revered by Reptilon society.
The enigmatic M'tora create spacecraft that are not esthetically pleasing to the eyes of most creatures, but to the M'tora, the Flayer is a work of art. Arranged carefully around the command core the M'tora use strange patterns which seem to promote their sense of elegence while at the same time serving function as an extension of the pilot's will. Only those M'tora who are disciplined can concentrate on keeping the ship active; each Flayer reacts only to its pilot/creator.
Flayers are constructed at the Carrier and require an Arcanum.
This lumbering beast was developed by the Wyker, but the design has since spread to common usage among all of the Hive Entire. Wyker engineers removed all unessential equipment from the standard supply shuttle, sacrificing even armor to cut the cost to a reasonable level while still maintaining usability.
Another powerful beast developed by the Wyker, this ballistic drone utilizes cheap and plentiful missiles to dispose of opponents, but its lack of punch requires numbers to compensate.
Bombarder are constructed at the Carrier with the aid of a Wyker Ballistics Lab.
Where the Sonicblade serves as a siege machine on the surface, the Crais does the same in space. Harnessing the power of the Trinnex Core the Crais can discharge its wastes into a powerful destructive blast.
Crais are built at the Carrier and require a Trinnex Lab.
Primary Weapon N/A Damage N/A
Secondary Weapon N/A Damage N/A
Armor None Armor Rating 1500/1
Shields None Shield Rating N/A
Engine Mekani Zophar Core Speed Rating N/A
Building Class Control Center Hero N/A
The mobile starbases of the Mekani Hives. The Mekani by nature do not build permanent structures unless they have to, as such would mean they would not be able to move across the galaxy quick enough. Therefore all their key structures are designed to become mobile when the time comes to move on.
A common sight in Mekani fleets this class of factory ship aims to produce cheaply and transport spartanly, which suits the needs of the Reptilons well.
This heavier factory ship is the preferred transport for the Wyker, as they would not think to go to war without their weapons. These high-class ships also contain the factories necessary to produce powerful Enforcer Mekani as well.
An even greater, third factory ship is designed especially for the construction of spacecraft. Combining aspects of a drydock with a launch platform the Carrier factory is not to be taken lightly.
Primary Weapon Plasma Cannon Damage 20
Secondary Weapon N/A Damage N/A
Armor None Armor Rating 850/1
Shields None Shield Rating N/A
Engine None; Psionically-driven Speed Rating N/A
Building Class Mobile Living Quarters Hero N/A
The Arcanum is the segregated spacecraft of the M'tora who travel with the Mekani Hives. Powered by no less than three M'toran disciples the craft bends only to the wills of the psionic denizens. It is unknown what lies within the spacecraft, as the M'tora would prefer to destroy the ship rather than allow it to fall into enemy hands.
A permanent structure, this serves as the Reptilons' home away from home. Each barracks is designed with the Reptilon esthetic in mind, and is a storehouse of weaponry for the valiant warriors.
The Telesdon-class warships of the Mekani fleets are the battle platforms of the Aligned Peoples, crewed almost exclusively by an entire race of peoples alone rather than fully automated like the Mekani factory ships. Unlike the factory ships these craft are armed to the teeth with sophisticated weaponry and armaments, tailored to the tastes of the member races. Almost all of them, however, are equipped with the Trinnex Cannon that the Crais drone is made famous for, used for that extra 'umph' when necessary.
These stripped-down Morays are designed to fulfill a huge gap in the Zeji Armada-- recon. Utilizing Protoss Cloaking technology and Detector units these scout ships are helpless in battle, but are invaluable as spies. Their use has not become common as of yet, however, as the plasma trail they leave in their wake betrays their presence.
The Black Dream's personal guard, these fast, nimble fighters are meant to swarm enemies of the Dream while the ship herself takes out greater threats.
This legendary ship was last seen at the Rimsala worldship, but rumors speculate that this ghost ship, along with its creator, are still roaming the stars. However, to this day, those rumors remain unfounded, as the ship could truly be a fantasy, or the Black Dream systematically hunts down all who've seen it....
作者: 独性虾 时间: 2014-2-16 11:40
无附带地图，本MOD如上所示，替换了神族所有单位模型，Z和T无变化，
