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'''A Sophont is an intelligent being'''; A term derived from the writings of the author [[wikipedia:Poul_Anderson|Poul Anderson]],  it defines a being with a base reasoning capacity roughly equivalent to or greater than that of a human being. The word does not apply to machines unless they have true artificial intelligence, rather than mere processing capacity. The Directorate has adopted the term to refer to any beings between 0.7 and 1.7 on the Fariq-Allowah index of intelligence. It derives from the Greek (An ancient human language) word σοφός (sophós, “wise”) as it is, despite human origin a non humanocentric word portraying the ancient Fennish concept of ''Onis,'' which divides people based on four categories. ''Na Onis, or 'not sophonts', such a''s minerals, vegetables, or 'soulless beings', ''Tau Onis,'' or 'less than sophonts' such as animals, ''Onis,'' which are capable of true wisdom and ''Ssu-Onis,'' those things beyond understanding such as spirits, gods, or theoretical super-inteligences. Sophont is preferred in the modern era for its lack of cultural and religious baggage.

== The Sophonts of Known Space ==

===== Directorate Sophonts =====

* [[Feni]] (known as '[[Feni|rokhandan]]' to many aliens) The caniform native to the planet Fen, the founders of the Directorate, a catch-all for a handful of divergent species. They are the most advanced society in known space and their distinct clan-structure has informed the Directorate's design.
* [[Kemzali]] One of the early members of the Directorate, native to the planet Ornja, they are furry, serpentine sophonts. They are rare, but powerful, influential psionic creatures that rule their society.
* [[Kobari]] One of the early members of the Directorate, linked to their sister species, the kemzali, at a biological level. They are a colonial species that are separated by purpose-driven castes and exist to function for almost all non-leadership roles within their society.
* [[Kimmigani]] A more recently joined species in the Directorate, void-born antelope-like beings they are adapted to the trials of thousands of years of social development on large colony ships.

===== Major Sophonts =====

* [[Human]] Born of the troubles of their homeworld of Earth, humans are one of the most common species in known space, holding majority presence in both the Galactic Coalition and the Sovereign Federation, while numerous refugees reside in the Directorate, heirs to centuries of religious and cultural persecution under the government of Earth.
* [[Kimovihni]] Imperialistic cervids, they are recently discovered brethren, separated by thousands of years of radical changes from their kimmigani brethren. Their empire is the newest threat to the borders of the Directorate.
* [[Coathal]] Reptilians born of subterranean lairs with a love for democracy and individuality, they are a younger species on the Galactic scene and maintain fierce cultural independence.
* [[Poliesu]] An aquatic species of piscine appearance, the poliesu were until recently a warlike, imperialistic people, now divided between those desiring a return to conquest and those who wish to integrate with broader galactic society.
* [[Gwix]] A goblinoid-species of ruthless authoritarian hyper-capitalists, who's entire society is based around financial gains and monopolistic rule over others.
* [[Caera-Leecii]] One of the founders of the Sovereign Federation, their society is based around integration with a symbiotic moss known as leecii, the majority are based around the caera species of cervids.

===== Minor Sophonts =====

* [[Lumii]] Felines forcibly uplifted by the Coalition from a pre-industrial society into a spacefaring one, they suffer to reclaim lost traditions and have become proud members of the Sovereign Federation.
* [[Tavari]] Avians of Tal-Sheed, they are shrewd and opportunistic pragmatists with a tendency to distrust others and further their own goals.
* [[Hexian]] Rodent-like murids of the Vaeus system, Hexians survived near extinction and have adopted a ruthless adherence to managed, mandated genetic engineering to prevent a similar genetic disaster from occurring.
* [[Anahi]] Similar to humans, these elf-like people are heirs to a dead world, roving the stars as nomads.

===== The Unclassified =====

* [[Thinking Machines]] The artificial intelligence of known space, created, not born, they are inorganic beings.
* [[Vatborn and Splicers]] Artificial biological creations or those adjusted or altered after birth, they were mass manufactured as slave-soldiers in the great human wars.
* [[Outworlders]] A catchall term for the plethora of species not listed, categorizing them individually may be difficult.
* [[Anomalies]] A catchall term for strange, unique, or little understood beings that in some way defy standard categorization.