The Cannei

''An ancient faction, the Cannei are victims of a classic cycle of over-industrialization, the Cannei were saved by technology culled from the ruins of the Virtual Endless. These precursors quickly gained an aura of divinity in the eyes of the Cannei, and are now worshiped as gods. Clothed in their great black suits of borrowed technology, Cannei leaders pilot their great Arks across the star lanes, seeking other civilizations to convert, control, and consume. As much fanatical zealots as adaptable pragmatists, their centuries of travel and tinkering have made the Cannei skilled at both science and warfare. Defense remains their preferred military strategy, their grim tenacity makes them effective defenders, and their history of escaping and surviving to fight another day continually reaffirms it.''

Leaders
While there are many sprawling departments and executives within the Pontificate of the Virtual Saints to handle the functions of running a starfaring civilization, there is only one ultimate authority - the Hierarch. This person, drawn from one of the most powerful organizations that make up Cannei society, is the ultimate authority for both religious and secular affairs. The current hierarch is Izshara St Sheath, famous for her rigor and intensity. She is also famous for her brother - the Arch-Heretic Asuyandr St Sheath, who nearly destroyed the society when he led a revolt against his own people.

Homeworld
Tchanneo, The home planet of the Cannei was a poor yet temperate world, and the fragility of its environment meant it was soon depleted. As a result the Cannei were driven into space by necessity, and already have a long history as a ship-bound people. Though their civilization has become tied to their great starfaring Arks, Tcanneo remains a powerful symbol both as a lesson in ecology and as a memory of the weak and grotesque forms the Cannei had before Virtual technology allowed them to evolve beyond that.

Society
Cannei society is organized as a formal and hierarchical church that worships the Virtual branch of the Endless. As they were saved from extinction by the technology of the Virtual Endless, it is only natural that they in turn worship these all-powerful precursors as gods.

Prayers, recitation, and study are important parts of everyday life, and as study involves ruins, relics, and ancient technology much of their religious activity has pragmatic consequences. Results are carefully monitored, however, and as mechanical control of the "Cloth" worn by every Cannei is in the hands of the Church, there is little room for independent thought, much less rebellion.