Welcome to the Galactic Council

Hey there! So, you know how we humans have our own little governing bodies, right? Well, imagine that, but on a cosmic scale. That’s us, the Galactic Council!

Now, let me break it down for you. We’re a group of beings from different planets, and our main goal is to maintain peace and harmony throughout the galaxy. We take our job seriously because, well, it’s kind of a big deal. When conflicts arise between different civilizations, we step in and try to find a solution that works for everyone.

One thing you should know about us is that we take diversity seriously. We believe that every planet and every species has something unique and valuable to offer. So when it comes to making decisions, we make sure to hear everyone’s voice and take all perspectives into account. We want to make sure no one is left out or feels ignored.

Our meetings can be quite an event, I tell you. Representatives from all corners of the galaxy come together to discuss important matters. Picture this: different beings, with their own interesting quirks and habits, all sitting around a massive table, debating and sharing ideas. It’s a spectacle!

Now, you might be wondering how we actually make decisions. Well, we’re big on diplomacy. We try to find common ground and build consensus. Sometimes it’s easy, and sometimes it’s not. But we always strive to do what’s fair and just. It’s not always smooth sailing, but we believe that through working together, we can overcome any challenge.

Let’s talk about leadership for a sec. We don’t have a single “ruler” per se. Instead, we have a rotation system where each member gets a chance to lead. This way, everyone gets a say and feels empowered. Plus, it keeps things fresh and allows different perspectives to shape our decisions.

As a Council, we understand the responsibility that comes with our role. We’re here to serve and protect, to uphold the values of peace, cooperation, and understanding. So, if you ever have any questions or concerns, you can count on us to listen and take action.

Alright, my friend, that’s a little taste of what the Galactic Council is all about. We’re just a bunch of beings trying to make the universe a better place. If you’re into cosmic cooperation and big ideas, then you’ll fit right in with us. Join the Galactic Council, and together, let’s create a galaxy where everyone thrives!

Let’s talk about the agenda phase. It’s an important part of the game that comes into play after someone takes control of Mecatol Rex. During this phase, there’s a lot of negotiation and political maneuvering going on.

The Guardians of Mecatol Rex

Hey there! The custodians token is a symbol for those taking care of Mecatol Rex, making sure it’s safe until one of the mighty races claims the throne.

You’re free to move your units into the Mecatol Rex system, but you can’t actually land ground forces on the planet as long as the custodians token is there.

If you want to remove the token, you’ll need to spend six influence right before you plan on landing your ground forces. Keep in mind, if you don’t have enough influence to spend, you won’t be able to land your forces.

Once you successfully remove the custodians token, you’ll place it in your play area and earn a victory point. And now that the galactic council can gather on Mecatol Rex, the agenda phase becomes the final phase of each game round, even during the round when you take control of Mecatol Rex.

Now Let’s Talk About the Agenda Phase

Once the agenda phase starts, we all come together in the galactic council to make decisions that impact the entire galaxy. These important decisions are called agendas and we use agenda cards to represent them.

Every agenda card contains different options that will have consequences on the game. We have to vote on which option we want to happen.

1. We reveal the agenda.
2. We cast our votes.
3. We determine the outcome.
4. We reveal the agenda.
5. We cast our votes.
6. We determine the outcome.

1. First Agenda

To resolve an agenda, we go through the following steps:

Reveal the agenda.

Cast our votes.

Hey there! Let me tell you how voting works in the game. It’s actually pretty simple. So, each player, including you, gets a turn to cast votes. We start with the player to the left of me and go clockwise. When it’s your turn, you can use as many of your planets as you want to vote. The number of votes each planet contributes is equal to its influence value. Cool, right?

What are outcomes?

When it’s time to vote on an agenda, the outcomes you can choose from depend on the type of agenda:

• For or against: You can vote “For” or “Against” the agenda. The outcome with the most votes determines what happens.
• Elect player: You can vote for the player of your choice, including yourself.
• Elect planet: You can vote for the planet you want. The agenda might require that the planet is controlled by a player.

When you vote, remember to say the outcome you’re voting for out loud. For example, you could say, “I’m voting three times to elect the Hacan player” or “I’m voting three times against this agenda”.

When it comes to voting in the game, I can only choose one outcome for each agenda. This means I can’t vote for two different players; I have to pick just one. But, if I don’t feel like voting at all, I can choose to abstain.

Trading with Others

Here’s where things get interesting. While we’re voting, I can freely negotiate trades with any player, even if we’re not neighbors. I can make deals with up to one transaction per player during each agenda vote. This is when I might use my trade goods or make future promises to convince other players to vote in my favor.

Deciding the Outcome

After all the votes are counted, we have to figure out which outcome won. The outcome with the most votes is the one we go with. There are two different types of outcomes: directives and laws.

Directives

When we’re resolving a directive, we go with the outcome that got the most votes and then we throw away the agenda card. It’s as simple as that.

Laws

When I’m trying to pass a law, if the outcome with the most votes is “For” or if the law requires an election, the law’s effect becomes a permanent part of the game. I take care of resolving the outcome and put the agenda card in the common play area, unless the effect says otherwise. But if the outcome with the most votes is “Against,” I follow the instructions in the text and immediately get rid of the agenda card.

What if There’s a Tie?

Second Time’s the Charm

After dealing with the first agenda, I move on to a second one. The rules and steps are the same as the “First Agenda.”

Getting Ready

Now it’s time for every player to ready all of their planet cards. Once that’s done, the agenda phase is over, and we move on to a new game round, starting with the strategy phase.