MORE AI PERSONALITIES
This document describes the various personalities found in the More AI Personalities mod, or MAP. It provides the in-game description of each personality, as well as an explanation about what I intended with the personalities and my inspirations for them.
The current version of MAP is version 2.5 released 10/25/19, compatible with the Shelley patch.
For reference, the list of the 53 AI Personalities currently available is as follows:
DISCLAIMER
This is just a silly flavor mod for a video game about space aliens, it IS NOT trying to make any sort of political statement on any historical or present-day nation, peoples, or cultures, NOR is it meant to be an accurate reflection of reality or of any other fictional settings. If you disagree with how I’ve used my inspirations, I don’t mind - I can point to where in the game files you can change the flavor text to your liking, or you can just choose not to use the mod, it’s fine with me either way.
DESCRIPTIONS
*Unless otherwise indicated, “Spiritualist” means both Fanatic and Non-Fanatic Spiritualist, “Xenophile” means both Fanatic and Non-Fanatic Xenophile, and so on.
**Weight Modifiers are not prerequisites, but can influence the chances a personality appears
Adventure Seekers
Adventure Seekers desire to experience new and interesting things. For them, life is not worth living if they do not explore what the universe has to offer! They are generally amiable, but will disdain those who don’t agree with their views.
This was inspired by stereotypes of millennials, with all the talk about exploring and finding new authentic experiences and being exotic foodies and what not. In-game, Adventure Seekers tend to be on the peaceful and friendly side, but are not above good old conquest.
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Aspiring Precursors
Aspiring Precursors believe that by actively teaching and guiding younger races, they will become the fathers and mothers of a prosperous new galactic order. They are amiable as long as they feel like they can do their noble work in peace and aren't being encroached on.
These guys are one of the more peaceful personalities, meant to represent those that seek to enlighten the rest of the galaxy. They are meant to be friendly, though to an extent (for instance they are receptive to joining alliances, but not federations), and though not pacifists per se will slightly shy from aggressive wars. They like uplifting of course.
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Benign Spirits
Benign Spirits consider themselves an entire race who, according to their traditional beliefs, at some point in their distant past became manifestations of otherworldly beings with mystical powers. Whether they are actually supernatural spirits is is up to debate, but that aside, it is rather odd that they possess a kind of otherworldly beauty and charm. They are for the most part good, kind “spirits” who prefer peace to violence but will not be reluctant to unleash their demonic wrath on any who cross them.
Benign Spirits are based off of the fox spirits that appeared often in East Asian mythology. Often portrayed as attractive women who are mischievous trolls who seduce and lure hapless men to their doom, my portrayal of them in the game is inspired more by a classic work of 18th century Chinese literature, Pu Songling's Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, which subverted many of these traditional portrayals and often portrayed fox spirits (and ghost girls) as sympathetic and friendly (albeit still mischievous) spirits and hace human concerns, desires, and personalities. For instance, in one story, a man finds out his lover is a fox spirit and confronts her, wrongly believing if they have too much sex she'll drain his life energy; she retorts: "It doesn't matter if the girl is human or fox, if you bang her day in and day out, you'll lose all your energy regardless!" Thus, tangent aside, in game, this personality is meant to be friendly and not too aggressive, but able to put up an excellent fight if necessary (as fox spirits are not to be crossed with after all). I will also leave it up to you, the player, to figure out whether species with this personality are indeed ascended spirit creatures as they say, completely deluded psychos, or trolls. They’ve probably been one of my most favorite personalities to write.
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Bringers of Paradise
Bringers of Paradise are an entire society dedicated to the worship of destruction and death. They believe that it is their duty to call in the forces of chaos so that the universe can be destroyed so that a new reality will be born, with them as its rulers.
Based off of the Mythic Dawn from Oblivion. They’re meant to be a less xenocidal Fanatical Purifiers, in the sense that they’re slightly less hostile (which is not saying much) and more cautious in their military adventures, and don’t mind having xenos in their territory or in the galaxy as long as those xenos follow their beliefs.
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Carefree Hippies
Carefree Hippies believe that the universe is full of beauty and love, and that all species should be free and one with nature. They prefer to let everyone go with the flow.
Hippies. I’ve tried to make them reluctant to war (not that they’re pure pacifists, otherwise they’d be wiped out by the AI), but will defend themselves as necessary.
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Civilized Nomads
Civilized Nomads are a paradox. On one hand, they are bloodthirsty warriors will happily attack a rival to seize their resources. On the other hand, they are literate and have a code of honor, and are eager to learn about the culture and customs of said rivals.
I was inspired by the Khitan for this one, though several other nomadic/”barbarian” empires can apply. They are quite aggressive and will happily conquer - more so than even, for instance, Patronizing Colonizers - but will also build up their economy, and it’s not too difficult to trade with them or even get them to join alliances or federations (at least compared to other warmongers).
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Connoisseurs of Food
Connoisseurs of Food love eating, and want to discover what sort of cuisines abound in the galaxy. They are therefore generally a peaceful sort, but who knows what sort of dangers they might cook up?
They’re a race of foodies. Mildly friendly and not too aggressive.
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Cosmopolitan Imperials
Cosmopolitan Imperials are a well-educated and well-spoken race. Known for their disciplined citizen armies, they are also capable diplomats and traders. They might conquer others, but are evenhanded to all their subjects, and nevertheless are willing to respect those who respect their rule of law.
The Empire as seen in Oblivion and to a lesser extent Skyrim. They’re a bit similar to my existing Patronizing Colonizers personality (see below), but they’re probably genuinely more friendly and more willing to make federations and migration treaties and so on. Be careful with them, though, if you get on their bad side they aren’t against some good old fashioned imperialism either - imperial is in their name after all.
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Cultivated Scholar-Gentry
Cultivated Scholar-Gentry are a prosperous, advanced peoples, who promote all manner of culture, art, and intellectualism in order to improve their nation. Though they might not be the strongest at times, and may behave in an elitist manner towards outsiders, they make up for it with a strong economy and culture. With their strong sense of morals and honor, and a firm belief in meritocracy, they will likely prove to be steadfast allies.
Cultivated Scholar-Gentry are based off the traditional scholar-gentry class of China (as well as Vietnam and to a lesser extent Korea - I'm a descendant of the Viet analogues, btw, as a random aside). In-game, they're generally chill but aren't pushovers.
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Defenders of the Faith
Defenders of the Faith believe that the universe is full of enemies that seek to destroy their faith and culture. Though they do not necessarily wish to spread their beliefs by force, they will be merciless towards anyone who threatens their way of life.
DEUS VULT!
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Depraved Breeders
Depraved Breeders are constantly lustful and lascivious. They believe it is their duty to propagate their species and spread it across the galaxy. They also believe there is nothing wrong with engaging in depraved acts with other species, so long as they are willing.
They like sex and double entendres. That’s basically their schtick. Overall, they’re generally friendly and while not pacifists per se won’t expand too aggressively.
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Dwellers in the Ephemeral
Dwellers in the Ephemeral are a species whose lives tend to be short. As a result, much of their culture revolves around the impermanence of existence. They are of a philosophical sort, and are not fond of unnecessary aggression or rudeness - one must value what little they have, they'd say!
Dwellers in the Ephemeral are those who feel their lives are short but are accepting of this fact. They are meant to be a more philosophically-minded species, and are therefore generally will not engage in reckless conquest and adventurism.
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Efficient Bureaucrats
Efficient Bureaucrats are a highly organized species whose existence revolves around their bureaucratic apparatus. Protocol, documentation, and proper management are important to them. They are concerned mostly with their own affairs, but are friendly to those who pose no harm.
“The bureaucracy expands to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.”
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Elitist Snobs
Elitist Snobs are a society led by a select few. They believe that there is a natural order to things, that some are destined to rule and enjoy life, while the many toil for these select, privileged few. They are happy to engage with their fellow superiors, but will scorn the company and attention of their inferiors.
Relatively self-explanatory I think. I imagined them as similar to Patronizing Colonizers in tone, but not as willing to go around in outright conquests. As long as you don’t tick them off too much, they’ll prefer laughing at your inferiority to taking all of your stuff, because who wants to mix with their lessers, right?
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Enforcers of Law
Enforcers of Law have taken it upon themselves to protect the denizens of the galaxy, whether they want to or not. They strongly believe in justice and punishing criminal scum, but sometimes may... be a little too enthusiastic.
STOP RIGHT THERE CRIMINAL SCUM! Generally pretty friendly and easy to get along with unless you’ve VIOLATED GALACTIC LAW! PAY REPARATIONS OR FACE IMMINENT INVASION. YOUR ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED LANDS ARE NOW FORFEIT. See here for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsMKypvmB0
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Enterprising Corsairs
Enterprising Corsairs are slavers first and foremost. Though a martial society, they prefer to trade if possible. They can be trusted to not be too aggressive as there's no point in destroying an entire race of potential customers... or slaves. They also tend to be accepting of other cultures - to them, anyone can be a slave or a master.
These guys, as their name suggests, take a nod from the Barbary Pirates or Barbary Corsairs of the early modern North Africa. They are slightly aggressive and hostile, but it is not impossible or even too difficult to befriend them.
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Experts in Xenocide
Experts in Xenocide believe it is important to have customer-first, process-centered, needs-focused, sustainable, innovative policies if they ever want to accomplish their strategic goals in a dynamic, ever-changing galaxy full of new challenges. Unfortunately, these strategic goals tend to call for the destruction of all sentient life in the universe other than their own. Their cheerful attitude towards xenocide does make them seem a tad bit unhinged.
These guys are basically psychotic hordes/fanatical purifiers, except if they were white-collar paper-pushers who treated xenocide and the complete eradication of all other sentient life as just another soul-crushing day at the office. They’re not as insane as psychotic hordes or fanatical purifiers, but they’re close.
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Flowers of War
Flowers of War are a society whose religious and cultural systems revolve around blood sacrifice and divine warfare as a necessity. Without it, so they believe, the universe will come to an end. Although they are ruthless and bloodthirsty, they have a strong sense of ritual and honor and tend to have genuine respect for their opponents, even the weakest, so long as they are brave.
Space Aztecs! (The name is a reference to the “Flower Wars,” a ritualized form of warfare practiced by various Mesoamerican states, including the Aztecs, on the eve of the Spanish Conquest.) They’re aggressive, and they can sometimes be kinda jerks, given they practice things like slavery and outright conquest, but they aren’t necessarily unreasonable despite their penchant for sacrificing sentients, whether their own race or xenos. You might even find them more willing to form federations than one might expect reflecting how the real-life Aztec Empire was initially an alliance of three city-states.
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Generous Philanthropists
Generous Philanthropists see it as their mission to help everyone prosper in abundance and wealth. They believe the best way to do this is not through force, but gifts and cooperation. They can be self-righteous at times, but otherwise mean well.
I based them somewhat off how the West is sometimes seen by the rest of the world, sometimes as charitable and friendly, other times not as positively. They are similar to Federation Builders but not as goody-two-shoes. They are intended to be more likely to wage war than Federation Builders, but nevertheless are generally peaceful and cordial.
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Guerilla Fighters
Guerilla Fighters will rarely wage war, but many have mistaken this for weakness. They are experts at defending their homeland and will protect it to the last breath. Conquering them will prove to be a challenge.
The history of Vietnam has served as the main inspiration for this personality, though any nation that has been known for its stubborn defenses would work too. You can’t directly code in a personality to be defense-focused, so instead I made them focus a lot on building up their military, but not being too aggressive per se.
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Haughty Supremacists
Haughty Supremacists believe they are the ultimate race. They see other races as lesser, and have a rigid caste system where they tend to view thinkers and artisans as the highest of their species. Though difficult to befriend, they are not completely close-minded nor isolationist per se.
They’re more inspired by the Thalmor Dominion in Skyrim than the Altmer in general, but I’ve added in some lines from Altmer across the games to beef them up. Obviously, not very pleasant to get along with. They’re actually not super aggressive, though they are a little more aggressive than average, to simulate the idea that they prefer to bide their time or expand slowly. It’s very hard to get them to agree to various agreements, though, because why waste time cavorting with lesser species, right?
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Hedonistic Visionaries
Hedonistic Visionaries are epicureans who believe everyone should give in to pleasure and luxury and should do whatever they want to do, consequences be damned. They will reluctantly trade and interact with other empires, and will happily terrorize any who go against their way of life.
Basically Rapture from Bioshock. They don’t like to wage war but will detest factions with opposite ethos. They’re usually not very friendly, obviously.
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Hopeless Pessimists
Hopeless Pessimists feel that it's all hopeless, just hopeless. Existence is depressing, life is full of suffering... why even bother?
Hopeless Pessimists are similar to Lazy Managers in that they are kinda reluctant to do anything, whether it’s going to war, negotiating treaties, or getting angry at a rival’s expansionism, but in their case it’s more out of cynicism. Generally, though, they shouldn’t prove to be too aggressive or trouble-seeking.
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Insecure Imitators
Insecure Imitators have always felt that everyone else is stronger and better than them. They will learn from others in order to protect themselves from outside threats, so that one day they will be feared and respected as well.
The Insecure Imitators are more or less based off of Meiji-era Imperial Japan, a nation that felt threatened by outside forces, and believed the only way to stave off the threat was to learn from the imperialists, and best them at their own game. In-game they are meant to be fairly aggressive and mildly hostile, but not overly so, as they’re still open to trade for instance.
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Insidious Opportunists
Insidious Opportunists are superficially cordial, which belies their true nature as ambitious manipulators who fear costs of conflict, and thus will instead make 'friends' only to further their own self-interest. They will only lash out against those they see as threats to their climb upwards.
Insidious Opportunists can be aggressive but they can also open to negotiation and don’t mind joining alliances or federations (as long as it suits their needs). They do not take kindly to those who encroach on their sphere of influence or territory.
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Inspired Dreamers
Inspired Dreamers believe the greatest goal in life is to achieve a perfect body which they believe is the key to having a perfect minds and souls. They embrace exercise and fitness as a religion, look down on those who modify themselves through artificial means, and believe that difficulty can always be overcome through hard work and dedication.
In a survey, when facebook users were asked what things they found most annoying about other people on facebook, posting inspirational quotes was one of the most common answers. And so, Inspired Dreamers are basically a race whose life philosophy is that of those cheesy, superficial inspirational quotes you see all the time - they follow the ideals of independence, individualism, and idealism for idealism’s sake espoused in sayings such as “fake it ‘til you make it,” “everyone is special,” and so on. In-game, they’re pretty friendly and aren’t too militaristic, but their annoying manner of speaking might want to make you overrun them with your hordes anyways. Yes, as you can tell, I really hate those quotes.
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Lazy Managers
Lazy Managers just don't seem to care much. They prefer to keep to themselves and let the galaxy run its own course. They aren't usually hostile - if anything they can be polite and welcoming, but their allies might occasionally find them unreliable.
It’s your boss Lazy Managers should be fairly chill if a bit eccentric (think Michael Scott from The Office). They tend not to care as much if you expand in their direction, aren’t likely to attack other empires, and won’t field a large military to threaten you, so though they’re not necessarily more eager to join alliances or engage in trade, it’d be harder to piss them off and easier to get along with them. On the other hand, since they tend not to be interested in doing much compared to other AI, this might make them weaker.
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Melodious Composers
If music be the food of love, play on!
A relatively peaceful species with a love of music and that kind of thing. Generally won’t be too expansionist nor militaristic.
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Middle Kingdom
The Middle Kingdom is an old, powerful civilization. Mighty, noble, and illustrious, they consider themselves the center of the known universe, and all others barbarians. Despite this haughty attitude, they are still more than happy to interact with other nations, whether peacefully through trade and cultural exchange, or militarily through conquest, for they are equally capable in both.
Middle Kingdom is inspired by the Chinese Empire proper, it's more militaristic and aggressive side (such as the three kingdoms era), and the Sinocentric worldview of China as the middle of the earth - or the galaxy, in this case. Middle Kingdom can be aggressive and a little standoffish, though not unreasonably so and with some luck and gestures, they can be friendly and happy to trade.
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Naive Appeasers
Naive Appeasers want to make everyone happy. They are worried that others will not like them, and fear any and every sort of conflict. They are easy to befriend, but tend to be weak and vulnerable.
It’s very easy to get along with Naive Appeasers, who are basically those guys who are doormats because they are afraid of others running them over. This means they’re easy to befriend, are much more forgiving of aggression than other empires, and are likely to keep to themselves and not attack anyone (they have some of the lowest aggression values of any personality). They’re not super weak, but perhaps it might be better to just conquer them, no?
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Nonaligned Preservationists
Nonaligned Preservationists are dedicated to preserving the galaxy's natural biodiversity and the natural right of every sentient species to handle its internal affairs in the way it sees best. They subscribe to a "prime directive" of non-interference with primitive species, and strive to remain neutral in international affairs, though they can be roused to action by what they perceive as crimes against nature.
Credits to Galle on the PI forums for the idea. Nonaligned Preservationists are sort of two different but complementary concepts brought together: they are sort of environmentalists on one hand who follow the “prime directive” idea from Star Trek, but on the other they are also Space Switzerland in a sense, preferring to not get involved in any intergalactic squabbles. Though they are not keen on signing defensive pacts and joining federations, and are slightly reluctant to trade, on the other hand, they are highly willing to accept nonaggression pacts, have low aggression values, and are generally friendly if aloof so long as you leave them alone.
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Outcast Pariah
There is simply no polite way to put it. Outcast Pariahs are ugly. Or, at the least, others find them ugly. Yet, they have learned to embrace this ugliness. They are a society that values strength and honor, courage and power and deal fairly with those are fair to them in return, whether as friend or foe.
The Orcs/Orsimer from the Elder Scrolls are all ugly and these guys are no different. Anyways, they’re a little aggressive, but only slightly so. Ideally, as long as you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone as well.
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Patronizing Colonizers
Patronizing Colonizers believe it is their duty to 'civilize' others through domination and conquest. It is a burden they bear, to enlighten primitive savages about proper culture and civilization!
The Patronizing Colonizers are based vaguely off of typical imperialistic beliefs and ideology found in Europe during the 19th and early 20th century. They are meant to be aggressive but not suicidal, and are not against forming alliances and federations per se.
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Plunderers of Knowledge
Plunderers of Knowledge believe in the power of knowledge and wisdom, and recording the wisdom of today for the children of tomorrow. Unfortunately, they believe these are best used for war and conquest. Still, they have a healthy respect for those who are powerful and intelligent.
Intended to be a “chill if you get on their good side” sort of military-focused personality like vanilla’s Honorable Warriors, or personalities from my mod like Enforcers of Law or Warrior Mystics. They will be aggressive, but not stupidly so. For flavor, I based them vaguely off of ancient Mesopotamian societies and culture, such as the Assyrians, the Epic of Gilgamesh, etc.
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Princes of Madness
They're undeniably mad, these Princes of Madness. But perhaps under the insanity is some sort of logic and even a sense of morality.... After all, upon further inspection, they do care about the wellbeing of their own denizens (and that of other species as well, perhaps), and have a deep respect for creativity and cooperation....
I tried to ideally capture the atmosphere of the Shivering Isles in Oblivion, and Sheogorath most of all. It’s genuinely difficult if not impossible to make a personality that is genuinely erratic and hard to predict with the modding tools I have, so I’ve tried to do it mainly through the flavor text. Overall, the Princes of Madness are pretty friendly as long as you’re on their good side. They’re not really that aggressive (or at least no more aggressive than the average) and are happy to deal with other species, but they do have a high bravery value.
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Proud Nationalists
Proud Nationalists place high emphasis on tradition and the sanctity of their culture. Strong and hardy, they are famous for their resistance to foreign tyranny and are highly talented warriors. Though they often retain a deep-rooted suspicion of foreigners, those who they feel are worthy, however, will be treated as friends and valued partners.
Based off of the Nords in Skyrim, obviously, with more of a Stormcloak, pro-Nord vibe to them. Somewhat aggressive, but not to the point where they’re xenocidal. And not the friendliest to get along with, but not the most hostile either. So, overall, it should be possible to befriend them with some effort.
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Psychotic Hordes
Psychotic Hordes cannot be reasoned with. They seek war for no reason other than the fact that they enjoy it and love destroying all.
Basically Attila the Hun from Total War x10000. They’re like Fanatic Purifiers, but even more extreme.
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Quiet Cultists
This insular group simply wishes to be left alone. They are peaceful. They are true believers. They worship and are happy. There is nothing wrong with them. Nothing wrong at all. Surely they will do nothing bad, nothing bad at all. You will see nothing bad about them. You see only good things. Happy things. Everything is good. Everything will always be good. They are happy. They will be happy forever, even if they don't want to be happy.
They are totally not a cult with questionable practices and beliefs. They are totally not inspired by any fanatical, insular modern-day cults that brainwash their followers and make them do and believe questionable things. They are peaceful for the most part unless provoked, and prefer to keep to themselves, though they’ll interact with others as needed.
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Reclusive Hermits
Reclusive Hermits refuse to take part in the various conflicts happening in the galaxy. For this, they are often mistaken for cowards, but they will go to battle if necessary, and when they go to battle, they will put up a good fight, and are otherwise friendly and disapprove of tyrants and ambition-seekers. Otherwise, they prefer to keep to themselves and focus on spiritual growth and meditation.
These guys are basically the Greybeards from Skyrim. Pretty peaceful and are polite and friendly enough to outsiders although they still prefer to keep to themselves and all that.
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Sadistic Loremasters
Sadistic Loremasters believe that knowledge of lore is the key to power, and that power is best used to inflict suffering and misery on lesser beings. Arrogant, perverse, and ruthless, they are not to be trifled with.
The Ayleids from Oblivion. They’re not meant to be particularly friendly and look down on lesser races.
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Savage Raiders
Savage Raiders wage war to bolster their own economic and political advantage, but generally do not want to outright conquer and gain new lands, preferring to raze and enslave. That said, with some negotiation, they are open to trade.
These were vaguely inspired by the Vikings and other historical cultures that relied heavily on raiding their more urbanized neighbors. They are as aggressive as Fanatic Purifiers but it’s much easier to negotiate with them - if you can get on their good side, they are not against trade and forming federations.
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Slave Soldiers
Slave Soldiers have an unusual militaristic society where a small class of slave warriors are the elites. Nevertheless, they will also build and develop their nation as needed and will agree to trade and cooperate with others if it suits their interests.
The main inspiration here was the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt, though you could say other Mamluk regimes, as well as other slave soldiers throughout the medieval and early modern Middle East such as the Janissaries, would qualify. Regardless, Slave Soldiers tend to be aggressive, but can be altruistic and progressive in some ways - for instance they may liberate planets, allow for xeno leaders, and uplift primitives.
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Slave Traders
Slave Traders are a mercantile slave-owning society. Many of their slaves are not necessarily captured via war, but through trade and societal custom. They are wary of conflict as it threatens the stability of their economy, and prefer trade and diplomacy, but will fight to protect their interests.
Slave Traders are similar to Slaving Despots, but they are less aggressive, though this does not mean they won’t attack the weak (they’ll just be more reluctant to). Ideally, as long as you don’t get on their bad side, they’re content to trade and interact with you. They’re meant to be a generic and more peaceful version of Slaving Despots and Decadent Hierarchies.
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Splendid Isolationists
Splendid Isolationists believe themselves superior to all others. They will trade and interact as necessary, but otherwise consider it beneath themselves to get involved in the squabbles and conflicts of lesser species.
As the name suggests these guys are based off of Britain’s era of Splendid Isolation. Though they are isolationists, they will attack others, colonize, and exploit resources. They’ll just be reluctant to actual interact with other major states.
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Storytelling Aficionados
Storytelling Aficionados love the magic and wonder that comes from the stories we tell each other, and have made a science - nay, a religion - of studying tropes and narrative conventions. Their whole belief system revolves around the idea that the galaxy and all that happens in it are actually parts of a story, told by a writer or a group of writers, who they believe to be gods of a kind to the entire universe. They see themselves as one of the protagonists of this story.
Basically they’re kinda breaking the fourth wall, though unlike Trapped in a Machine below, they aren’t hostile and aren’t as aware of the fourth wall, though. Overall though pleasant enough, as long as you don’t get on their nerves of course.
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Studious Builders
Studious Builders are concerned with developing their own infrastructure and improving their quality of life first and foremost. They will trade and wage war as necessary to protect their interests, but prefer to stay out of fights.
I tried to base these off of ancient Egypt, but I think instead they come off more as a generic peaceful faction. They should focus more on building their economy and are not eager for war.
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Sublime Porte
The Sublime Porte is an old nation with an intricate, complex system of governance. Though they were historically a martial society with a great warrior tradition, they have since settled down and are now focused more on cultivating a vibrant, urbanized, multicultural society and maintaining trade with others. However, do not think that they are no longer capable of war - they will conquer and seek new territory and subjects to rule if they feel it is necessary.
As the name suggests, these guys are inspired by none other than the Ottoman Empire itself. I tried to make them a jack-of-all-trades personality that is just as capable in war as it is in peacetime. They prefer to maintain their strength and will not look kindly to those who threaten them.
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Surgeons of Beauty
Surgeons of Beauty are obsessed with the power of beauty. To them, any blemish, any flaw, any problem can be solved with technology, from plastic surgery to cosmetics and perfumes. To them, 'beauty in the eye of the beholder' is a lie - there is no such thing as natural beauty, and beauty can always be improved on. Anyone who thinks otherwise is insecure and lacking in confidence. Their society rests on this ideology, as they strive to make themselves more and more beautiful.
When I first designed them I kinda wanted to do a parody of plastic surgery and unrealistic depictions of beauty in the media. Then it kinda became a parody of Type A people who are superficial and shallow. Now I have no idea what it is. In-universe, they’re a culture that worships beauty as an ideal. They can be fairly chill, if judgmental and snobbish, though they are by no means nice.
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Totalitarian Patriots
Totalitarian Patriots believe that the world is constantly filled with dangers and their people must be controlled and closely monitored, for who knows what dangers lurk in the universe beyond? Everything is out to get them! They are difficult to interact with.
These guys were inspired mainly by various historical authoritarian regimes such as the Nazis, as well as some fictional dystopias like the one found in 1984. They are hard to befriend and extremely hostile, particularly to their close neighbors.
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Total Nutcases
Total nutcases, if you ask the precursors and fallen empires that have been watching them. But they've never done anything - yet - that would justify their complete eradication as a species. They are more than a bit strange. However, the precursors and fallen empires have always tolerated them as the galaxy's equivalent of a town eccentric.
A race of Glarthirs. Glarthir is that mofo wood elf I hate from Skingrad in Oblivion because he always tries to get me to start his side quest every time I start a new playthrough. In-game, Total Nutcases are generally extremely hostile, but unlike Fanatical Purifiers or Psychotic Hordes, very cautious and reluctant to do anything about it, as they have a very low bravery modifier.
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Trapped in a Machine
As a result of centuries of research and debate, Trapped in the Machine believe that the entire universe is a computer simulation called the 'Machine,' created by mysterious beings called the 'Watchers.' As they see it, the only way to free oneself and unplug from the Machine is to destroy one's connection to the machine, and this is why they intend to go around the galaxy destroying all. Clearly, they are deluded individuals - only the insane would think our galaxy is an illusion, some sort of virtual reality created for the whims and amusement of some sadistic being from another dimension controlling our every move.
Unlike the Storytelling Aficionados above, Trapped in a Machine are much more aware of the fourth wall and the fact that they’re inside a virtual reality, and not only that, they’re trying to break out (somewhat similar to the Vultruum Precursors in the game). Thus, they’re not as evil as Fanatical Purifiers, one might suppose, but they’re still a variant of Fanatical Purifiers nevertheless. A lot of their general feel was inspired by the Matrix (with the “Machine” being analogous to the Matrix) though obviously I’ve added my own twists and atmosphere to them.
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Unfathomable Artificers
Unfathomable Artificers are a mystery. They are intelligent yet cruel, arrogant yet industrious. Highly devoted to the secrets of philosophy and engineering, they dedicate their resources to the construction of automated, mechanical creations. They mock the philosophies of others who they believe do not truly value the true ‘gods’ of reason and logic.
I figured the Dwemer would make a nice inspiration for a nice personality for materialist empires or those with the mechanist civic. Not the nicest, but they might allow some limited agreements and interactions.
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Valiant Hearts
Peace through war. An oxymoronic statement, but Valiant Hearts truly believe in it. They have seen the devastation and cruelty that war can bring. They were naive once, but realize now that was a lie. Every great war was deemed the 'War to End All Wars.' They know that if there is ever to be universal peace and harmony, one must prepare for and sometimes bring about war.
I came up with the idea for this while playing Battlefield 1, and so Valiant Hearts is based on a stereotypical World War 1 soldier. They are a paradox among the other personalities, in that they are militaristic by nature, yet shun conflict in all its forms. They aim to be strong and mighty, yet restrain themselves from getting involved in conflicts (and in fact have one of the lowest aggression scores out of all the personalities, vanilla or in this mod!). One thing to note is that they are very amenable to the idea of federations or non-aggression pacts.
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Warrior Mystics
Warrior Mystics follow a brand of martial mysticism. Courageous and cunning, patient and introspective, they seek useful allies - or even masters - but will happily attack those who are weak or have wronged them. They are just as likely to focus on their internal, intellectual development as they are to wage war against their foes.
The Warrior Mystics are vaguely inspired by various militant Sufi groups that arose during the late medieval and early modern periods of Middle Eastern history, such as the Qizballash, the Bektashi, and others. On one hand, they will try to maintain a good military and may even be somewhat aggressive. On the other hand, they may also prove to be friendly and even receptive to joining an alliance or federation. Think of them as similar to the Careful Hippies but with a much bigger backbone and an occasional mood for conquest.
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Xenial Merrymakers
Xenial Merrymakers are a happy lot. To them, there is an inherent mirth of the universe - there can be no suffering after all if one is happy. Their society is one founded on the principles of compassion, generosity, hospitality, partying, a love of fun and friendship with one's fellows, and, of course, getting drunk on the best booze there is in the galaxy.
A personality that is basically the embodiment of: Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas! Generally pretty friendly and not a douchebag, and that’s honestly all there is to it.
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