Vidyadhara

The Vidyadhara, native to the planet Thessia, are often considered the most influential and respected sentient species in the galaxy, and are known for their elegance, and diplomacy. This is partly due to the fact that the vidyadhara were among the earliest races to achieve interstellar flight, and the first to discover and settle the Citadel.
The vidyadhara, often referred to simply as ‘dragons’, are a humanoid race with draconic features. A long-lived species, Vidyadhara molt after living for centuries, repairing their bodies then hatching anew from eggs. Their unique physiology, expressed in a millennium-long lifespan, gives them a conservative yet convivial attitude toward other races. Favoring compromise and cooperation over conflict, the vidyadhara were instrumental in proposing and founding the Citadel Council and have been at the heart of galactic society ever since.

Culture

Because of their long lifespan, vidyadhara tend to have a "long view" not common in other races. When they encounter a new species or situation, the vidyadhara are more comfortable with an extended period of passive observation and study than immediate action. They are unfazed that some of their investments or decisions may not pay off for decades or centuries. Elder individuals can seem to make incomprehensible decisions, but their insight is evident when their carefully-laid plans come to fruition. In interstellar relations, this long view manifests in the unspoken policy of centrism. The vidyadhara instinctively seek to maintain stable balances of economic, political, and military power.
Traditionally, vidyadhara spread their influence through cultural domination and intellectual superiority. They invite new species of advanced development to join the galactic community, knowing that their ideals and beliefs will inevitably influence the existing culture. The vidyadhara tend toward communal, consensus attitudes among themselves too: for example, some prefer to live in shared spaces aboard starships even if there are alternatives available.

Government

The vidyadhara governmental structure, known as the Vidyadhara Republics, is relatively broad; the vidyadhara came late to the notion of world government. For centuries, their homeworld of Thessia was dotted with loose confederacies of great republican cities. The closest Earth equivalent would be the ancient Mediterranean city-states. Since the vidyadhara culture values consensus and accommodation, there was little impetus to form larger principalities. Rather than hoard resources, the vidyadhara bartered freely. Rather than attack one another over differing philosophies, they sought to understand one another. Only in the information age did the city-states grow close; communication over the internet evolved into an "electronic democracy".
Aside from their Council representative, the vidyadhara have no politicians or elections, but a free-wheeling, all-inclusive legislature that citizens can participate in at will. Policy debates take place at all hours of the day, in official chat rooms and forums moderated by specially-programmed virtual intelligences. All aspects of policy are open to plebiscite at any time. In any given debate, the vidyadhara tend to lend the most credence to the opinions of any Elders present, nearly always deferring to the experience of these millennia-old individuals.

Military

The vidyadhara military resembles a collection of tribal warrior bands with no national structure. Each community organizes its own unit as the locals see fit, and elect a leader to command them. Units from populous cities are large and well-equipped, while those from farm villages may be only a few members with small arms. There is no uniform; everyone wears what they like. The vidyadhara military is not an irregular militia, however; those who serve are full-time professionals.
The vidyadhara possess one of the most powerful navies in the galaxy. The vidyadhara navy had 21 dreadnoughts in 2182 CE, including the Destiny Ascension, a formidable warship boasting almost as much firepower as the rest of the vidyadhara fleet combined and the flagship of the Citadel Fleet. Despite the considerable force their numerous dreadnoughts can bring to bear, the vidyadhara prefer using fleets composed mainly of frigates and fighters, embodying their hit-and-run mindset with a nimble swarm rather than a slower collection of vessels.