This was when the Alliance butted up against the Stellar Imperium. Daunted by the Xenon's power, the Imperium held the Xenon at arm's length while it built up the Stellar Guard, then attacked. The war was long and brutal, savaging many Imperium worlds and all of the Xenon Alliance planets, finally including their homeworld, Xenophus. This is where many Guard doctrines and tactics were developed and refined. The Xenon surrendered, rather than see their race destroyed. The Imperium quickly moved in and began helping to rebuild the Xenon colonies, although they were now Imperium colonies. Human, Animo, and Aron settlers were brought onto the worlds to dilute the Xenon control and to help with the rebuilding. The Xenon took advantage of the situation to travel throughout the Imperium, settling on numerous worlds.
This was twenty Standard years ago. Now, the Xenon are fairly common throughout the
Imperium. They are a stalwart portion of the Stellar Guard, especially among the infantry.
However, commanders rarely assign more than one or two Xenon to any small unit, since their
power is needed in all units. Also, there is an unspoken current of concern that the Xenon are
not really loyal to the Imperium, and will try to use their physical power to overthrow it when
they are in enough positions of power. While this is by and large unfounded, the suspicion still
exists. Also, many humans discriminate against Xenon, afraid of the Xenon's physical power
and trying to overcome this with harsh words and subtle hints. The Guard is something of a
haven for Xenon, since such behavior is not tolerated within the military. Still, Xenon are
regarded with fear by many civilians, and Xenon in the Guard even more so.
Racial Advantages: ST +2 (20), HT +2 (20), Toughness 2 (25)
Racial Disadvantages: Bad Temper (-10), Intolerance (pacifists) (-5)Overconfidence (-10), Reputation (rugged and implacable warriors, -2, everywhere) (-10)
Suggested Advantages: High attributes are a natural, as are warrior advantages like Combat Reflexes and High Pain Threshold. Psionic powers are almost non-existent.
Suggested Disadvantages: Bloodlust and Berserk are common, as are Bully and Glory Hound. The Intolerance can be raised to all non-Xenon, but this is fairly rare. Cowardice or Pacifism will be very damaging in Xenon society; such a character is likely to be an outcast.
Alliances and Allies: The Xenon tend to be somewhat arrogant, but they give humans grudging respect (the Imperium did conquer them). They consider the Drugan and Aron deluded, and laugh at the Legato and the Animo for their more pacific beliefs. A faction of the Xenon work to take control of the Stellar Imperium, but most regard their treaty with the Imperium as sacrosanct, and work for the benefit of the Imperium.