The Pusilli

Not all the pacifists are good. Be pleased to meet the Pusilli. 

On their early stage of existence, the Pusilli were a symbiotic race. They used to provide for, not only once, but multiple races. Most of the races who had accepted the symbiosis thought take the best in the deal.

But they were wrong. The symbiosis was a lie and eventually, the Pusilli enslaved other races of the planet, stealing genes to accelerate their own growth. Why endure when others will be glad to do it for you?

The Pusilli are now ready to reach the stars and begin a new journey. If they have learn something during their growth, it is that survival is a way like another to greatness.

To other factions, the Pusilli will appear soft and weak. Talks and peace at first. But don’t get fooled. The Pusilli wish peace, yes. The Pusilli discuss before fighting, sure. But the Pusilli doesn’t wish anything good for you. They are staring at you? Feel glad to engage diplomacy. At your own risk…

Faction affinities

Metabolic blossoming: Using their own cells, the Pusilli can produce a unique drug that can be trade to other factions.

Induced allegiance: the unique drug exchanged to other factions strengthens combat abilities. The more a faction imports the drug, the more it becomes powerful on battlefields. However, the drug creates an addiction. If the Pusilli ARE BEING ATTACKED, a fraction of the addicted fleets desert to defend the Pusilli, WHOEVER is the assailant. 

The combat bonus/deserters, are proportional to the amount of drug imported.

Weak and soft: The Pusilli are not born to fight by force or velocity. They need bigger ships to protect themselves. Malus on ships price/Malus on combat abilities.

Peace herald: The Pusilli fears war and need to be at peace in order to survive. On each peace treaty, the Pusilli gain a minor bonus on relationships with others factions and another minor bonus on drug production.

I like this unique take on diplomacy by being a sort of "arms dealers", that encourages other factions to fight. Because other factions become addicted, does this have an effect if the faction stops importing? Or just when fighting the Pusilli? Are the Pusilli themselves addicted? Also, do other generally non-military races have reasons to interact with the Pusilli if they don't desire the drug?