There are 12 sentient alien races that you will encounter in Approaching Infinity.

Well, actually, there are about 16.

Wow. I didn't even know there where 12, and now there's 16? Awesome!

Well why do I always meet the same ones?

Ok, you start in the Forgotten Battleground, right? Well, you've got the Space Pirates sifting through the wreckage and seeing who they can steal from. Then there are the Gruff. There was a fight before, maybe there's a fight now? And the Tentaculons. They study everything. And the Forgotten Battleground is contained within the set of "everything".

They all have their reasons for being there. It's not all about YOU.

They're just like you'd imagine. Mangy ill-mannered representatives of many races, bound together in a life of crime. They are aggressive and cowardly at the same time.

What do they want? Treasure. How will they get it? Well, you might help.

IF you can get friendly with them.

But how?

First off, don't kill them. That seems like a no-brainer. So if they attack you, and then they run away, you could let them go. They like it when you do bad things, like abandoning your crew on planets. They respect that ruthlessness, as long as it's not used on them. Also They like it when you blow up freighters and steal the stuff that spills out. And when you kill the Limoquee.

Not really their real name, but it's well earned. They are short chubby reptilian humanoids that love to fight and hunt big game. You'll hear their hails right after they shoot you: "Hey you, wanna fight?"

They're not that tough. They're not that smart. But if you put enough of them down, they'll come to respect you. They're actually a pretty easy group to befriend, as long as you survive long enough.

Again, that's just what other beings call them. It's fitting. Tentaculons are like big leathery land-squids with ENORMOUS brains. They observe. They postulate. They experiment.

The smallest tentaculon ships are vastly superior to anything you start with, and they call for help if you attack. So be very careful (or very sure of yourself) before you start a fight with them.

They have been in space for a very long time, learning all along. Their species is locked in a sort of cold war with one of the strongest powers in existence. And you might be instrumental in helping them break the stalemate...

Finally, a name that actually sounds alien!

The Limoquee see themselves as the galaxy's peace-keeping force. Most others see them as a trigger-happy, militarized grammar-police. They're tall thin humanoids with long braided fleshy hair, and everything about them is gray. Their skin, their eyes, their walls, their ceilings, their art, their writing, their paper(?!). Except for their moral code, which is quite black and white.

They're very protective of civilians, and openly try to thwart criminals. But they have become obsessed with a certain new race that has only recently come on to the scene...

How do you develop good relations with a Limoquee? Don't do bad things. They pay attention to your reputation (fame and infamy), and judge you one it. Don't get too close to their patrol ships. And if you do, just try to shrug it off, OK? You might want to think about not shooting back.

The Vordalene are an artificial form of life that has only recently come into existence. Accidentally. And what's worse is that someone keeps trying to kill them. They're just trying to get a foothold in this harsh universe.

No two Vordalene are exactly alike. They are always adapting and trying new configurations. They're very interested in organic life. The non-homicidal kind.

The Sigorn look like big hairy space-minotaurs, but they're really quite friendly. They form the backbone (or maybe more like the blood) of the Bankers' intergalactic trade empire.

How they came to be known, when humans first encountered them long ago. They don't seem to offer loans, though. Just everything you need for space adventuring.

• Crew
  
• Supplies
  
• Equipment
  
• Repairs
  
• Medical Treatment
  
• Pawn shop
  
• Shipyard
  
• The list goes on
  
• Crafting parts
  
• See I told you
  
• Paying work (quests)
  
• Officers for hire

And they never seem to be around on their own space stations, either. Weird. But every race knows them, and every race has to deal with them, one way or another.

WHAT?!

OK, "Firax". The Firax left the universe as we know it millions of years ago, and they left behind some really weird stuff. Things that look like stuff you'd have around the house. But these things are the product of a technology so advanced, it would appear like magic to mere mortals. And it does.

But the Firax are returning for some reason. Maybe they want their stuff back? Maybe they're tired of you scurrying bugs, or the insane cult of worshipers they've accumulated? I hope not, because if you thought the Tentaculons were hard to kill, you do NOT want to tangle with a Firaxughinian Mindship.

There's always one of those, isn't there?

But who are they resisting, anyway? Are they under attack? Wait, are they human beings? Yes! So it's the human resistance. Cool. You probably want to take their side then.

Yes, their race has an actual name. It's "Dunwiigu". But for obvious reason, they're called The Monks. They wear hooded robes. They're on a holy quest. They burn incense. Although they don't know martial arts. In fact they're a bit cowardly in battle...

Anyway, they seek the holy oblivion. I wonder what that is? Can you find it for them?

OK, that's like the previous civilization in Caves of Qud, right?

No. Not those eaters.

These eaters, you don't want to mess with. You won't have a choice though, because they'll mess with you. They're in the process of devouring the remains of The XenoCouncil's Assembly, out beyond The Nightspan Void. But they'll stop for a snack. Hint hint. YOU!

Unifiers? Oh yes, they have a name too, but you'll only learn it once you board one of their stations. Unifiers are extremely tall humanoids with oversized heads and hands, who wear extremely colorful clothing and talk in slow gentle mesmerizing voices.

That's probably a voice.

That's how beings communicate, right.

The unifiers have been sleeping. They want you to help wake them up. Then they're gonna take care of all the problems and fighting in this galaxy. That's not a spoiler because with a name like Unifiers, it's a dead give-away.

Well, let's see, who are we forgetting?

The mercenaries: much like the pirates, except neither side would ever agree that was true.

The Narcratu: A mysterious insectoid alien race that is slowly moving into the galaxy and building hives and farms underground...

The Sil: I don't want to give away too much here, but they want your stuff. Your best stuff.

The Engravers: You've probably already seen their work. But it's much stranger than you think.

Am I forgetting anyone?

Remember, this is all very basic right now. You can find out a lot more by getting friendly with some aliens and finding their embassies.

Go make some friends!