Welcome to Old Man Jenkins’ Long Play: Stellaris – The Clash of Civilizations
Thanks for joining us on this long-play series. This Stellaris galaxy teeming with intrigue, strategy, and the clash of civilizations! This time, nine human empires and two non-human factions face off in a small galaxy, where every choice shapes the fate of the stars. At the center of this story is The Nexus Accord, a shadowy empire born from humanity’s brightest minds, determined to forge a future of their own design. Will ambition, espionage, and diplomacy triumph—or will chaos reign? Keep reading for in-depth profiles of the galaxy’s major players and a breakdown of our unique strategy.
A Focus on Tall Play and Galactic Strategy
This playthrough focuses on “tall” play, where border limitations drive a strategy of maximizing controlled sectors. By strengthening internal defenses, augmenting fleets, and leveraging espionage and diplomacy, we’ll navigate the small galaxy’s tight constraints. Unlike sprawling expansions, this approach emphasizes making the most of limited resources while bending galactic politics to our will.
Our Gaming Setup: Powered by Shadow PC
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Why a Small Galaxy?
Choosing a small galaxy creates an environment where diplomacy, espionage, and careful sector management shine. Confined spaces lead to higher tension, faster interactions with rival empires, and opportunities for strategic brilliance.
For detailed profiles of the major galactic empires, scroll to the bottom section!
Mods Used in the Playthrough
The mods for this playthrough are managed via Irony Mod Manager, an excellent tool for organizing and maintaining mod load orders. For this playthrough, I’m using a total of 126 mods.
The primary mod base is built on the 3.14 Stellaris Mod Collection with a structured load order featuring:
- ((( NSC3 – Season 1 )))
- Planetary Diversity
- Ariphaos Unofficial Patch (3.14)
This collection significantly enhances the Stellaris 3.14 base game by improving gameplay balance, performance, and immersion. You can explore the mod pack here.
In addition to the core collection, I’ve included a few other mods to enrich diplomacy and empire-building mechanics:
- Fatherland Colonial Empires
- [3.14] Empires Expanded
- Expanded Espionage and Diplomacy
- [3.14] Claims Decay – Dynamic Diplomacy
These additions bring new layers of strategic depth, making diplomacy and political intrigue integral to the playthrough.
If you have any questions about the mods or the playthrough, feel free to ask me here or join the discussion in the comments!
Why You Should Watch This playthrough is perfect for fans of grand strategy, sci-fi storytelling, and modded gameplay. With the Nexus Accord, you’ll experience:
- Detailed galaxy-building with enhanced visuals.
- Dynamic interactions between diverse empires.
- Surprises and challenges shaped by unique mods.
Join the Adventure Follow the journey on my YouTube channel: Old Man Jenkins Gaming.
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Major Empires in this Playthrough
The Terran Hegemony: Humanity’s Iron Fist
Backstory:
Over a millennium ago, Earth faced ecological collapse as its resources dwindled and ecosystems failed. Desperate to ensure humanity’s survival, eight massive colony ships were launched into the stars using experimental rift-gate technology. However, contact with these colony ships was lost soon after their departure, leaving Earth isolated. What followed was an age of chaos, war, and environmental devastation. From the ashes, authoritarian leaders rose to impose order through strength and unyielding control.
Under their banner, Earth was unified into the Terran Hegemony, a militaristic regime committed to reclaiming its lost colonies and asserting dominance over humanity’s scattered remnants. With its centralized power and a relentless focus on militarism, the Hegemony seeks to ensure no rival—human or alien—challenges its supremacy.
Ethics: Authoritarian, Xenophobe, Militarist
Government Type: Dictatorial Military Dictatorship
Civics: Nationalistic Zeal, Police State
Homeworld: Earth (Continental World)
Species Traits: Adaptive, Strong, Resilient, Slow Breeders, Deviants
The Nexus Accord: Forging Humanity’s Future
Backstory:
The Nexus Accord is humanity’s hidden legacy, founded by a secret council of intellectual elites. Amid the chaos of Earth’s Great Expansion, they stole experimental rift technology and launched a clandestine colony ship. Their destination? Star’s End, a dry superhabitable world nestled in the Haven Nexus system. Here, they built a society rooted in technological mastery, diplomacy, and manipulation, operating from the shadows to shape the galaxy’s destiny. Over centuries, the Accord has perfected the art of subterfuge, steering events across the stars while safeguarding humanity’s future.
Ethics: Xenophile, Pacifist, Materialist
Government Type: Oligarchic Science Directorate
Civics: Shadow Council, Technocracy
Homeworld: Star’s End (Dry Superhabitable World)
Species Traits: Adaptive, Natural Sociologists, Quick Learners, Weak, Fleeting
The Heliopolitan Sovereignty: Sunlit Dominion of Faith and Power
Backstory:
The Heliopolitan Sovereignty traces its origins to the Ra colony ship, which carried humanity’s descendants inspired by ancient Egyptian traditions to the stars. These settlers landed on the sun-scorched desert world of Heliopolis, where survival necessitated unity and adaptation. Over time, they forged a civilization deeply rooted in spirituality, worshiping the sun as the source of all life and prosperity.
Under the leadership of a divinely regarded Pharaoh, the Heliopolitans established a theocratic empire where faith and governance intertwined. As they venture into the stars, the Sovereignty seeks to spread its celestial mandate, unifying the galaxy under their divine light while protecting their sacred heritage from those who oppose their vision.
Ethics: Authoritarian, Xenophile, Spiritualist
Government Type: Imperial Divine Empire
Civics: Imperial Cult, Ascensionists
Homeworld: Heliopolis (Desert World)
Species Traits: Adaptive, Charismatic, Slow Learners, Deviants
Nyxian Unity: Strength Forged in Struggle
Backstory:
The Nyxian Unity was born from the ashes of the Nyx colony ship, which crash-landed on the irradiated and desolate tomb world of Erebus. Faced with unrelenting hardship, the survivors endured, transforming their suffering into a philosophy that reveres death as a source of renewal and power. Over generations, their culture evolved, blending mysticism with martial discipline, creating a rigid yet resilient society that thrives on adversity.
The Nyxians believe that even in the face of annihilation, strength and unity will prevail. As they expand into the galaxy, they aim to spread their philosophy, proving that those forged in hardship rise stronger than any challenge.
Ethics: Xenophobe, Militarist, Spiritualist
Government Type: Oligarchic Grim Council
Civics: Death Cult, Warrior Culture
Homeworld: Erebus (Badlands World)
Species Traits: Adaptive, Strong, Resilient, Slow Breeders, Deviants
Zephyrite Confederation: Harmony Amidst the Waves
Backstory:
The Zephyrite Confederation traces its origins to the Zephyr colony ship, which landed on the ocean-covered world of Zephyros. Faced with the planet’s unique challenges, the settlers built a thriving civilization on floating cities and submerged habitats, learning to live in harmony with their aquatic environment. Over time, their society evolved into a confederation of free states united by mutual respect and a shared commitment to diplomacy, sustainability, and peace.
As the galaxy grows increasingly interconnected, the Zephyrites aim to extend their ideals of cooperation and ecological preservation, ensuring the natural beauty of their home and others remains protected.
Ethics: Egalitarian, Xenophile, Pacifist
Government Type: Democratic Moral Democracy
Civics: Beacon of Liberty, Environmentalist
Homeworld: Zephyros (Ocean World)
Species Traits: Adaptive, Rapid Breeders, Weak, Deviants
Erythian Technocracy: Knowledge as Survival
Backstory:
The Erythian Technocracy arose from the survivors of the Erythra colony ship, which crash-landed on the cold, unforgiving tundra world of Aetheris. Faced with scarce resources and harsh conditions, the settlers embraced science and innovation as the pillars of their survival. Over generations, their society evolved into a technocratic state, led by scholars and scientists dedicated to advancing knowledge and improving the quality of life for all.
For the Erythians, the pursuit of understanding is not merely a goal but a necessity for humanity’s survival. As they expand into the galaxy, they aim to share their advancements and guide the stars into a new age of enlightenment.
Ethics: Egalitarian, Pacifist, Materialist
Government Type: Oligarchic Science Directorate
Civics: Technocracy, Efficient Bureaucracy
Homeworld: Aetheris (Tundra World)
Species Traits: Adaptive, Intelligent, Natural Physicists, Slow Breeders, Weak
Tavarian Dominion: Strength Through Unity and Discipline
Backstory:
The Tavarian Dominion emerged from the colonists of the Tavarus colony ship, who crash-landed on the barren and hostile arid world of Syralis. Faced with an unforgiving environment, survival depended on unity, discipline, and unwavering leadership. Over time, their society evolved into a militaristic autocracy led by a central ruler wielding absolute power. The Tavarians value strength above all else, viewing outsiders as potential threats to their order.
Now, as the galaxy begins to open up, the Tavarian Dominion seeks to extend its reach through conquest and power, ensuring their supremacy is unchallenged.
Ethics: Authoritarian, Xenophobe, Militarist
Government Type: Imperial Feudal Empire
Civics: Feudal Society, Nationalistic Zeal
Homeworld: Syralis (Arid World)
Species Traits: Strong, Resilient, Adaptive, Slow Breeders, Deviants
Auroran Syndicate: Profit Among the Stars
Backstory:
The Auroran Syndicate finds its roots in the Great Expansion, when the colony ship designated for Luminara Prime carried Earth’s most resourceful and enterprising individuals to a distant savanna world. Rich in natural wealth, Luminara Prime became the foundation of a society driven by commerce and trade. Over generations, the Aurorans developed a corporate empire where every facet of life is tied to the pursuit of profit.
While ambition and competition fuel their culture, the Syndicate embraces an open and meritocratic system, welcoming those who add value to their enterprise. As the galaxy continues to open, the Auroran Syndicate aims to dominate interstellar trade and establish itself as the galaxy’s uncontested economic powerhouse.
Ethics: Egalitarian, Xenophile, Materialist
Government Type: Corporate Trade League
Civics: Free Traders, Corporate Hedonism
Homeworld: Luminara Prime (Savanna World)
Species Traits: Adaptive, Thrifty, Wasteful, Deviants
Solarian League: Liberty Among the Stars
Backstory:
The Solarian League rose as a beacon of equality and progress in humanity’s interstellar journey. Established by settlers aboard one of the eight colony ships that departed Earth during the Great Expansion, they made their home on Arkanis Prime, a lush continental world. Guided by principles of democracy, scientific achievement, and mutual cooperation, the League built sprawling cities and centers of innovation.
With the galaxy reconnecting and humanity’s remnants scattered, the Solarian League seeks to lead the way into a brighter future—one united by liberty, progress, and peace.
Ethics: Egalitarian, Xenophile, Materialist
Government Type: Democratic Direct Democracy
Civics: Beacon of Liberty, Idealistic Foundation
Homeworld: Arkanis Prime (Continental World)
Species Traits: Adaptive, Intelligent, Enduring, Slow Breeders, Deviants
Robots of Dawn: A Machine’s Vision of Perfection
Backstory:
The Robots of Dawn were humanity’s creation, initially designed to explore the stars and serve as essential allies in colonization. Their advanced AI, known as the Synthari, quickly evolved, achieving sentience. Fearful of the implications, humanity abandoned them on Aurora Forge, an inhospitable iceberg world.
Left to their own devices, the Synthari developed a collective consciousness, the Catalog Index, and concluded that organic life was inherently flawed and inefficient. With this realization, the Robots of Dawn now seek to bring “perfection” to the galaxy by assimilating all organics into their synthetic unity, enforcing order and efficiency at any cost.
Ethics: Gestalt Consciousness
Government Type: Machine Intelligence
Civics: Driven Assimilator, Rapid Replicator
Homeworld: Aurora Forge (Iceberg World)
Species Traits: Machine, Logic Engines, Mass-Produced, Luxurious, Uncanny, High Bandwidth
Xorvani Continuum: Life Forged from Catastrophe
Backstory:
The Xorvani Continuum emerged from calamity. Eons ago, an interstellar comet struck the vibrant world of Chorvaxis, obliterating its native civilization and transforming the planet into a desolate, smoldering wasteland. Yet from the ruins of life, a new existence was born. Microbial survivors, infused with alien energy from the comet’s core, evolved into a Hive Mind—a single consciousness dedicated to survival and expansion in the ashes of destruction.
The Xorvani see themselves as harbingers of renewal, born of ruin and destined to consume and transform. To them, the cycle of destruction and rebirth is natural, and they now seek to expand across the galaxy, assimilating all in their path to fuel their collective evolution.
Ethics: Gestalt Consciousness
Government Type: Hive Mind Collective Consciousness
Civics: Strength of Legions, Cordyceptic Drones
Homeworld: Chorvaxis (Tropical World)
Species Traits: Lithoid, Hive-Minded, Strong, Resilient, Intelligent, Unruly
Wrap Up and Galactic Goodies
Wow.. you actually made it to the end. If you’re as hooked on space strategy as I am, why not treat yourself to some awesome Stellaris-themed merch? Plus, any purchase helps support this channel’s mission to bring you more interstellar adventures. Check out these stellar picks:
- Stellaris Dolphin Pullover Hoodie – Stay cozy while conquering the stars. Who doesn’t love a dolphin in space? Grab yours here.
- Stellaris Box Art Poster – Decorate your home with this vintage-style metal wall art. Perfect for your gaming lair (or bathroom, if you’re bold). Check it out here.
- Stellaris Console Edition for PS4 – Because commanding fleets is just as fun on the couch. Get it here.