Paranid Empire

The Paranid are a fictional insectoid culture in the X computer game series by Egosoft.

They have a closed society based around the religious worship of "Xaar". Paranid have three eyes which, they believe, endows them with unique insight - an occasional cause of tensions between them and "lesser" two-eyed beings. They are a founding member of the Profit Guild.

Around 450 years before the events of X: Beyond the Frontier (X:BTF), the Paranid were allies with the Split Dynasty in a campaign against the Boron Kingdom. With their combined force, they razed the Boron Kingdom and drove the Boron to their home-sector. Their attack was finally halted by an Argon intervention over the Boron home-world. In the following years, their conquests were reversed and the Split and Paranid were driven from Boron space. Finally a peace treaty was agreed. The Argon Federation and the Boron Kingdom soon solidified their alliance into the Foundation Guild. The Paranid and Split subsequently formed the Profit Guild, though there have still been many disagreements between the two races.

Paranid are physically strong, with an aptitude for science. They produce a number of high-tech goods - including weapons technology. They tolerate trade, but are culturally insular and do not encourage social contact with other races. Strangers are unwelcome in their sectors, and will typically be turned away, making it virtually impossible to befreind or even understand them. Non-Paranids are also forbidden to settle or live within Paranid colonys. The Paranid Empire is theocratic, with each Paranid sector is ruled by a 'Priest Duke' in the name of the Pontifex Maximus Paranidia - the Empereror of all Paranid. The inner-workings of their political systems are not well understood.

The Paranid are long-term members of the Profit Guild, with the Teladi Company and the Split Dynasty. Although recently at peace with the Argon and Boron, their relations with the Argon often grow strained, especially after the appearance of the Kha'ak, with trade being the only real contact between the two races.

Ships

The Paranid have always known how to make good combat ships, having the best fighter classes within the Commonwealth of Planets. However, their designs have little imagination and are purely functional, discarding most comforts. However, if you're looking for a ship that'll remain intact after a heavy fire fight, a Paranid ship would be an excellent choice.

Paranid engineers were responsible for the creation of the Phased Shockwave Generator, and Fragmentation Bomb Launcher, having a much wider area of effect than standard lasers, but give rise to increaded chances of friendly fire incidents.

The Paranid were forced to sell their designs for the Particle Accelerator Cannon to other races during a recession which was rumoured to be caused by the small cargo bays in their transport ships. Since this embarrasment, the Paranid secret service has since prohibited the future sales of weapon designs to other races.

Hyperion in X3: Reunion is a prototype vessel with offensive capabilities of an M7, and the maneuverability of an M3 to M6. Only available in X3: Reunion 2.0.

Ranks

• Honour Guard of Xaar
• Seeker of the Holy Light
• Emperor's Protectorate
• Friend of Emperor
• Priest Protectorate
• Friend of Priest King
• Friend of Priest Duke
• Priest Confidante
• Friend of Priest
• Friend
• Nomad
• Unholy Nomad
• Tainted Wanderer
• Desecrator of the Holy Light
• Enemy of Priest Duke
• Enemy of Priest Xaar