Silicoid

A silicon-based race, Silicoid empire is one of major powers in Orion Sector. Their crystalline bodies are immune to pollution and hostile environment, allow Silicoids to colonize even the most hazardous planet. Being Geodic race, Silicoids are very good at mining and their silicon-based body is hard to be destroyed thus give them advantage in ground combat.

Origin
In Master of Orion 3', it was mention that Silicoids originated from shards of a giant sentient crystal that was destroyed above Cryslon, Silicoid's home planet. They are one of only two major races that never went through genetic manipulation by Antarans or Orions, other being Maklars.

Reproduction
Each Silicoid begins as an asexually created shard, incubated in a nutrient bath, and eventually grows into an individual with all of their prior knowledge of its parent. This process take long time however, and Silicoids population grew slowly when compare to other lifeform.

Government
Silicoid emperror rules by dictatorship and tend to be xenophobic expansionists. Silicoid scientists are consider to be the worst in galaxy, only good at developing new computer technology. During events of Master of Orion, Silicoids were enemies of Darloks but had good term with Humans, Klackons, and Meklars.

By era of Battle at Antares, Silicoids had noticable changed both physicially and psychologically. Their mind become hard to comprehensible by other races, thus Silicoids suffer from communication problem. Result in huge disadvantage at diplomatic, they could not make deals beyond declaring war, peace, and surrender. They no longer trusted the Meklars but gain respect from Darloks and Klackons. They also dislike the Elerians.

Known emperors Igneous, Geode, Sedimen, Crystous, Granid, Carnax, Igneus Maximus, Sedimin, Krakatoa, Quorzom, Vorkronoa, Sandebar