Marauder/Enclave: Democratic Crusaders from a Parallel Universe

[Elimdur]

Special system with citadel station (their HQ) + Rift (connects to their universe)
Shipset: Kitbashed mammalian models done by the wandering modder

• Corvette
• Destroyer
• Cruiser
• Battleship
• Super Carrier
  New Weapons:
• Small Energy Lance (spinal mount for corvettes) effect from orila weapon

Usual state is neutral like enclaves, but can send out hostile fleets to capture neighboring systems (like spacemonster expansion events)
Hostility based on empire authority/ascension. Hostile towards Machines/Hives/Cyborgs/Synthetics

Interactions with other empires:
Hostile

• make them send on a "raid" (marauders) to conquer system
• let them make demands (ressources) or otherwise send a "raid" (marauders) and conquer a system
• conquered worlds are turned into pseudo pre-ftl societies - planetbound reeducation camps guarded by orbital stations

Peaceful

• offer services (enclave)
  • service 1 hire military advisor (commander)
  • service 2 rent a fleet if at war with hated empire
  • service 3 with enough attitude access to building "ministry of truth" (empire unique unity booster)

[TreeM4n]

I wouldn't force them in to the marauder/pirate section too much. Maybe instead of raiding, they establish outpost/minor "crusader states" from conquered planets or sectors. Also, I would drastically change the interactions depending on authority. Machine and hives should be regarded hostile and aggressively pursued, while towards normal empires they could be a neutral faction. This would leave them a spot somewhere between pirates and enclave.

Maybe they act more like mercenaries. So you could ask them to join the war as a participant? Not just a fleet you borrow. Dunno, this sounds rather complicated.