UEE Military Intelligence Bureau
The Xi’An – General Questions
Where are they?
The Xi’An Empire located along the border of the Eastern Systems is comprised of at least fourteen systems. The Xi’An government has not disclosed the exact number of systems under their control but it is assumed that they have more territory deeper into space.
What kind of government do they have?
The Xi’An Empire is a hereditary absolute monarchy. The title of Emperor passes down through the family line. The emperor has a High Council of Advisers, each representing a facet of the government.
On each planet under Xi’An control there is a similarly structured Council that runs that world. Those Council Members report directly to their respective counterpart on the Emperor’s Council.
How is their military structured?
Service is compulsory. Every male/female is obligated to serve a term of service (fifteen years) in one of the branches of the military and are considered to be reserve members for the rest of their life. Estimates place the standing Xi’An armed forces at over sixteen million. This is not including the civilian populace, all of which effectively have combat training.
Are the Xi’An aggressive?
As far as the UEE has had established contact with the Xi’An, they have not been the aggressors in any wars that we know of. Based on information supplemented to the Ark, their history is rife with civil war and power struggles. Over the past five centuries, the Xi’An have adopted alternate methods to warfare, they prefer subtlety and manipulation to overt conflict. Analysts have concluded that it was through Xi’An influence that the revolution and subsequent overthrow of Imperator Messer XIX was able to succeed back in 2792.
I know the UEE hasn’t had the friendliest history with the Xi’An, do they still hate us?
In the darker era of human history, the Imperator and government often used the Xi’An threat as a means to terrify their own citizens and swell the power of the military. Although neither side declared open war, there were many casualties on both sides from covert operations, sabotage, and espionage.
Due to their extended lifespan, there are Xi’An from that era are still alive. For example, Emperor Kray who negotiated the daring peace accord with Senator Akari back in 2789 is still in power.
There are undoubtedly members of the Xi’An government who still regard the UEE with suspicion and distrust. The current Imperator has always been clear that our futures are intertwined. As more human Corps enter into tech-exchange deals with Xi’An companies, apparently they feel the same.
Helpful Phrases (presented phonetically)
Shē’sueren – literally “Hello and Greetings with Peace.” This is the formal greeting and meant to only be used among close friends or with trusted business partners or in the hope of establishing a bond. Use of this phrase in a casual manner or when approaching a situation with tension or duplicity will immediately marginalize you in the Xi’An’s eyes. One could argue that it’s a pledge of truth and honor as much as a greeting.
Chac – A casual hello. To be used among peers or to subordinates. Use of this phrase from a subordinate to a superior or to a Xi’An of a higher caste than you will cause offense.
Athlē-korr – “Safe Travel” a formal good-bye. Roughly the equivalent of Godspeed in ancient Earthen sea-faring days.
Gath – Casual good-bye.
It seems like their language is very socially constructed and tonal? What happens if I do make an error?
A majority of the Xi’An can be quite forgiving when it comes to minor social infractions. They understand that, more often than not, it is not intentional and appreciate the effort to learn their customs. But if you find yourself offending a Xi’An, you don’t have to worry. They won’t get angry or try to kill you. The Xi’An find such displays of emotion to be immature. They will simply shut down and become curt, succinct, and intractable
Most of these social rules only apply to the first several meetings. Once a bond of trust or friendship is established, the Xi’An are quite forthcoming and relaxed.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
LANGUAGE – DATABASE #5834BX
SOCIAL CUSTOMS – DATABASE #9934SC
POLITICAL HISTORY – DATABASE #3485PS
MILITARY HISTORY – DATABASE #4432ML
OOOOOOOO….it’s here! Sooner then I thought. Time to study.
Agreed. Was hoping to be able to click on the links at the end to dig in deeper
coooool
Damn. more to read = less work gets done
‘Nods’
Nice!
Awesome artwork!
Cannot….click….more …databases!
I dont think that they are supposed to be clickable
lol, really?
Pretty sure every one of us tried to click the “links” or at the very least mouseovered it to see if it was an active link.
Guilty of trying to click
what if it’s a hidden clue?
LOL Tried to click, myself. I want to learn whatever I can before the game comes out!
yehp
Guilty too.
I clicked twice
Even tried to google
Spaaaaaaaace tuuuuuuuurtles!
As I have said, Space Spy Turtles
Wouldn’t be surprised if this is the evolution of the ooze. Homegrown aliens I say, even their languages sounds ancient asian.
Clearly not turtley enough for the turtle club
I will slap you for that comment.
OMG, fleshing out other races besides humans. I hope this will be an omen to a possible faction choice in MP.
From now on I will regard them as ninja turtles.
They look amazing, really looking forward to meeting them in-game now!
Awesome , cant wait for more.
Almost like turtles without a shell
A shell would be a serious hindrance to standing up I’d say.
And yes, the face does evoke images of turtles. In this case it would be undercover-formerly-warrior-turtles…
You make me want this game more and more!
Love the artwork… (hmmm what does a Kilra ancestor look like after it’s been shaven? )
Can;t wait to read more and see some of their ships too
these are almost like naked kilrathy >_>
superb.
Enemy Mine!
Amazing!
The Xi’An really remind me of the Turians, in a good way! I’d much rather have these guys on our side, than be in conflict with them.
Interesting cultural emphasis on caste and formal, polite speech. Somewhat similar to Japanese society in that subtleties in language can be mis-construed; No offense is taken, but decorum basically dictates that an outsider is frozen out with a minimum of pleasantries. Outsiders are basically treated as inferiors without actually saying it out loud. You’d have to work hard to be accepted as an equal. I wonder if a career as a Diplomat would be an option?
Nice introduction, though. Well done.
P.S. First one of you makes a ‘Gammera’ joke is a dead man.
ya kinda just did!
Their government structure is similar to all of East Asian dynastic monarchy especially Chinese Imperial system. Some of the words in their language also resembles. Even the parts about long life (long memories), many civil wars, do not like confrontations but more subtle ways, etc..
ARGONIANS!!
nice design, like it. attack of the turtle.
Those are cat eyes for sure. Sounds like they are less aggressive though — at least less overtly aggressive.
LOL
You ever seen a cat?
You can see the galaxy in those eyes!
Interesting race. I can’t imagine myself playing one later (should this ever become an option), but still very interesting.
Interesting..I think we might be seeing some new avatars around here
UEE who? I WANNA SWEAR LOYALTY TO EMPEROR KRAY!!!
Xi’AN WAN SUI!!!!!
The Xi’an look amazing. This is true artwork, and it’s only the shoulders-up pics. Excellent art, and awesome imaginations RSI!
Even their uniforms kinda remind me of the Class A’s for the US Marine Corps.
they do look like turtle descendants. But I dont mind doing business with them as long as they are good profit.
It’s really obvious that much of this creativity is based off the Chinese. They are from the east, they are called the Xi’An (a province in China) and they have a tonal language that seems to use pinyin. it’s very interesting. Good work to the writer(s)!
I’m very interested in being able to play as one, if it ever becomes an option. I also hope that if you do plan to show their writing system, that you also create a similar but unique character set.
Jia You Star Citizen!
Xi’An is a city, the capital of Shaanxi Province in China.
same here but will see if developers have time to develop Xi’An more
This is great, i know what to do for 2 years, STUDY EVERYTHING!
The Xi’An sound very interesting. I hope we get more insight into their culture as time goes on or in the game.
Awesome.
One of the things I hope that Chris does a good job of, in terms of lore, is to make most of the Xi’an unable to speak human languages. It will really pull me out of the immersion of all the Xi’an I speak to can communicate with me in my language. Give me subtitles! It’s ok! But please don’t make everyone speak only English. The Xi’an look like an extremely proud race, and, as Singularity points out, if they are based upon ancient Chinese culture they would be very dismissive of other cultures or even races.
I personally always wanted a game where your character could learn languages, and as you learned it, subtitles would get translated.
As I recall, pre-NGE star wars galaxies had something like that.
btw where are the rest of the story ? in earlier version of the website you got many. now you only got only from clean shot to recently xi an
but not the beginning part ?
oh ignore my comment, it is in time capsule apparently
and so it begins…….
The story , the portraits , the language .
” I am in “
Hmm I wonder if their females are commoditized.
Planning to smuggle much eh?
Probably not, given that military service is compulsory for both male and female ninja turtles.
As someone else pointed out, this game already looks visually amazing and that it should be released already! But alas we all know Chris wants this one to be perfect sci-fi space sim game on an epic scale.
Finally I meet Xi’An Empire…
I like the way SC goes, and it doesnt bother me if you not want to hear this. SC is not only a space sim..it’s taking form to be a great “real” roleplay game, too.
Looking very good. I’ll love to learn some xi’an and use it in-game
Cool, as long as that’s not “where the dinosaurs went”. So when do we meet the Kilrathi…er…Vanduul?
Hmm….. Talking turtle, toasting furballs, New Roman Empire… I can’t wait this game has it all already! I want to read all the back story so I can know it all, man Chris Roberts you have hit a home run thank you!
“Based on information supplemented to the Ark, their history…”
I would love to get access to this… Ark. The amount of information…. There is nothing a like a proper back story to fire up ones imagination. Love it.
They are too Militaristic to be a trade race.
Gun-running?
A real trade race NEEDS a strong military to protect its investments
When i think of trade races i think capitalists to the extreme.
Trade races like:
Centauri – Babylon 5
Ferengi – Star trek
GNOLAMS – Master of orion 2
Dominion of Korx – Galactic Civilizations
Well, these are not capitalists to the extreme. But at the same time they are not too Militaristic to be a trade race. Keep in mind that just recently (in terms of their life span) they’ve been attacked and took part in centuries long war.
That can easily justify strong military force even in largely trade nation.
If Chris is basing Xi’An on the Chinese, then they would also be an extrordinary and ruthless trade race and outnumbers both humans and Banus in combined population. Military wise, they have a few speciality weapons though overall technology rating is low than than the UEE but they are catching up through trade and espionage. Well, at least I liked that concept
These would look DAMN fine as puppets Chris. You know you wanna bring back the glory of 90s FMVs for Squadron 42!!
Amazing detail and artwork. The story and legend of Star Citizen is unfolding like an excellent book series that we are getting to read one page at a time…as they are written. Looking forward to the next page!
Awesome
Great background informations… in Freelancer I’m often think it was a pity, that the nomads seems so anonym… but the Xi’an remind me a little bit on turtles
looks excellent , very impressive !
I wonder why there are always reptiles in space…?
Because it is simultaneously cool enough to regulate their body temperature and hot enough to prevent them from entering a torpor state! Since the temperature of the universe is only about 2.7 Degrees Kelvin, but any exposure to sunlight out side of a magnetic field/atmosphere is enough to cook someone, it seems like the perfect place for reptilian life!
Or, maybe because it is an easy way to make something seem no human and ‘alien’ but not be completely physically and mentally repulsive to the mind.
(I’m not calling the Xi’An’s design lazy, because there is more to consider than just “Lawl. Repitles/Turtles in Space.”. It is, however, a cliche. The subversion to that cliche here is that they aren’t particularly aggressive or “reptilian” nor are the “stupid”. So, they’re interesting but also familiar, which is, if nothing else, a good start.)
Whats left? They already did Feline like creatures. I honestly would like to see some “alien” aliens, non-humanoids, blobs have been done, so have insectile species. Never really seen a bovinish species or an Equine species, not in sci-fi anyway.
But as gloomy said, reptiles are easy, they have survived several cataclysmic events on Earth alone why not in space? I like the more Turtle like look, was getting tired of the Dinosaur/dragonish look.
I look forword to seeing whats next. Keep up the good work thank you for the update
The only thing I totally dislike is the fact, that the language completely sounds like made by an American.
Th is a combination typical for english, so it totally doesn’t seem strange. Rather funny, because it’s not believable.
Nice job and thanks for the update!
I like the back story and I think I see some similarities to Chinese culture. Pretty creative and interesting take on the new race!
The side view totally threw me off lol. I was thinking more of a “beak” than the flat faces reptilian like creature we see. Not bad!
So far I’ve loved reading these and the history parts and I can’t wait for more. Keep up the good work guys!
Great work.
Btw a few people think this should also be a news item on KS…and I agree!
Houm… looks like Korean-Vulcanian turtles in space! XD
I for one welcome some reptilian race that do not look like lizards…
wanna be a space turtle
wow awesome read! Love to know more about alien races.
Breathtaking work!
Cool stuff. Sounds like it will make for interesting mix-ups when traveling about. Better work on my manners
You can do better…you must think for something more suitable for this epic awesome game. Just a thought…. Think of Conquest: Frontier wars: Terrans, Celarion and Mantis. Mantis were a bit wird being insects and flying space ships (like turtlefrogs flying spaceships.. same thing), but Celarion were my favorite, energy as their organism and other details that made you think about the mysteries of their tehnology. The Celarion are my second best alien race from videogames, on first place i find the Reapers, and after these two other Mass Effect races(turian, asari,salarian even krogan). But these lizzard turtle like things, in my opinion, dont go well with the game.
i dont feel a need to know all details about alien races, i like a little bit of mystery around them, because the fact is they are alien, and humans dont mix well with other races, they keep aware of any possible threats first, then jump to conclusion if friendly or enemy.
Name of the race: Xi’an, i can live with it, but make me think about China
I like it, and also will wait to see more!!
Most intriguing. I’m looking forward to learn more about them =)
Every space game needs alien species the more original the better if they have so science base even better make the universe feel so much more alive. Some friendly some agressive no limit to what u can do with the .. this reptile race is a good start but i want to see some more far out ideas. Waiting for this game with anticipation.
Keep up the good work.
My Turtle is an Alien !
Having pet turtles, I easily found the resemblance both in facial and sounds
Very well though
You want to be careful showing your pet turtles to an Xi’An. They might take offense. Who knows, maybe earth turtles are distant relatives of Xi’An?
Please bring this to Kickstarter as a update so everybody gets to see this great info!
It’s on their FB page http://www.facebook.com/ajax/sharer/?s=2&appid=2305272732&p%5B0%5D=426976044011090&p%5B1%5D=1277025
Turtles…
bummer, I was expecting something different then once again some sort of reptiles as aliens. As mentioned before, the Mass Effect series made a good effort of re-inventing aliens. No need to copy those off course, but pay attention to what you’re going to get out as the alien race, we’ll be stuck with that choice for a looooong time 
My english is so bad that i believe you missunderstand me.
For this Reason i will explain you my Dreams from a Sace-Game in german.
…wenn ich die Bilder sehe bin ich begeistert von dem Gedanken das ein
neues Weltraumgame kommen wird. Es werden so viele meiner Wünsche, die ich an ein
Weltraumspiel habe aufgezählt, das ich denke es wird das Spiel auf das ich und viele anderen immer gewartet haben.
Aber warum eine Alien-Rasse durch die Ki steuern oder Leute dazu bringen eine Alienrasse zu wählen.
lasst uns sehen wie wir in den Augen einer Alienrasse aussehen durch die Augen der Alien.
Lasst mich erklären wie.
1. Schritt
eine riesige Galaxie mit vielen Sonnensystemen
2. Schritt
Jedes Sonnensystem bekommt eine Zwilling.
Für die Spieler ist nicht zu erkennen, wo ein Original oder ein Zwilling ist
Alle Aktionen die in einem System statt finden, finden auch im Zwillingssystem statt.
3. Schritt
Im Zwillingssystem wird der Spieler durch einen Alien ersetzt.
Auf diese Art werden alle früher oder später mit einem Alien Kontakt haben,
sollten wir uns zu einem Angriff auf den Alien entschließen, wird zur gleichen Zeit unser Zwilling (als Alien) jemanden aus unserer Rasse angreifen.
Wird es einen Krieg geben ?
It’s cool to finally have some info about the other races. And at least it confirm that we can deal with them.
So… With 15 years of compulsory service, there are only 16 million soldiers in their military? What’s their total population in that case? 100 million?
15 years and 16million would give us no accurate idea as to there total population as they live so long. 16 million “could” could be used to estimate population as you are suggesting if they have a low birthrate, however due to there extremely long life span it could also only represent the small fraction that enjoy military service and maintain it as a career.
16 Million itself just seems a small number for a space faring race and one of the major powers in the universe. You’re talking a military with personnel that could fill New York City (whose population is at ~14.7M I believe). That is A LOT, until you take into account that they are a star-faring race with multiple systems and planets under their control. 16M seems a really low/low-end number for Military service.
I agree that 16 million seems a low number. I was just trying to show that it is a bad number to start making assumptions about there population. They could have massive stockpiles of weapons and ships on every planet there military may operate under the idea that there 16 million are only peace keeping forces and in the event of war would only hold the line long enough for the next 4 billion to mobilize *shrugs*. (however following the line of thinking “if you own the sky you win the war” large numbers of ground forces may be obsolete as space makes smaller more highly trained groups of pilots more efficient. which could decrease the proportional size of standing forces)
One, this number is an estimation. Two, standing military doesn’t count recruits fulfilling 15 years of compulsatory services. Only those who want and got accepted as professional soldiers past the 15 years are added to the standing military. Plus, they are secretive and UEE is only estimating.
16 million for over 14+ systems does look small but maybe it is their way of not being overtly aggressive (minimum deterrance posture), growing their standing military base upon their economy, military hardware and software capacity, logistics, as well as hiding their actual numbers for strategical reasons. But the fact is known that ALL of their adult populations recieved 15 years of military service and serve as reserves. So if provoked, they are a force to be reckon with.
Actually, I haven’t heard any raids of Vanuuls on any Xi’An worlds. Perhaps UEE and Banu are buffers for them from the Vanduul?
Turtles….awkward. I apologise in advance.
Damn, I’ve already learned so many fictional languages from so many different universes, I’d really be happy if the Xi’an language could be a realistic, actual language. It’s great having depth to a story like that.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Space Turtles!
Nah just kidding, but they seem to have those facial features. Pleased they aren’t so quick-tempered as other races…like humans.
This is awesome, please let us also know about the other races, as well (at least what humans know about them)
Nice. Interested to see non-humanoid, asymmetric races.
A turtle is exactly what I thought of when I saw this. I wonder how fast they can run?
Military Intelligence Bureau = MIB, it’s a conspiracy people.
cant wait to meet them
Turtles. But the noose almost reminds me of a swine again.
Ok now looking longer of it: There is lots of influence from everywhere. Like it.