Azken

The Azkens are a humanoid species that once ruled the Azken Empire in the Andromeda Galaxy.

Biology
Externally, the Azkens resemble humans with copper-colored skin.

Internally however, there are several differences between the two species. Azkens have two hearts, thicker lungs and are slightly stronger and faster than humans. They also have scarlet blood, great night vision and inner eyelids.

Culture
The Azken are a fierce warrior culture, forged from the harsh conditions on their homeworld. They strongly believe in absorbing other species into their culture, thinking that it would preserve the species and strengthen their empire.

Azken society was highly stratified and divided between three separate classes. The Alto were the highest class of Azken society, composed mostly of government officials, members of the Azken faith and law makers. The Denar were the middle class, comprised of businessmen, wealthy traders and former soldiers. The Gran were the lowest and largest class, comprised of the poorest citizens, farmers, free laborers and traders. Members of the Gran class had the opportunity to move up in Azken society by joining the Azken military.

Slavery was an integral part of Azken society. Besides manual labor, they also performed domestic tasks for the Alto or Denar classes. The Azken slave class was mostly comprised of recently conquered species or criminals who were sentenced to slavery as punishment.

Religion
The Azkens main religion is polytheistic, centered around the worship of numerous deities. These include: Konos, lord of the gods; Isram, god of war and Hekat, goddess of death.

However, a monotheistic religion known as the Sons of Raoh, was being embraced by the poor, slaves, gladiators and even members of the Senate at the time of Project Exodus.

History
The Azkens evolved on a planet known as Ishtar, which was an arid world with violent predators. Eventually, they developed space travel and expanded their territory to include hundreds of worlds and dozens of sentient species.

Eventually, the Azkens came into contact with a highly xenophobic and technologically powerful species known as Suvarens. After a disastrous first contact, the Azken and Suvaren Empires existed in a tenuous peace, the Azkens feared the Suvarens advanced technology and the Suvarens feared the Azkens resolve. But as time passed, relations between the two empires began to heat up once again. Fearing an inevitable war, the Consuls of the Azken Empire announced Project Exodus, an attempt by the Azken Empire to colonize the Milky Way galaxy.