u/A-Fallen-Wolf

Second image is the newest updates of the aliens. Final image are the initial designs.

The Celestial Alliance is the organization that governs the larger galaxy. However most solar systems, planets and so on are self governed.

The majority of Star Date as a story would take place around one planet where most species live. Currently the tech is Solar/Biopunk and hard-light.

Translators are surgically implanted since different species use different methods of communication.

Unicorn is the nickname given to the species that invaded Earth. They were previously unknown to the galaxy until Khalu Pa'hii (a Tuo Toa xenobiologist) and her team sent a report to the Celestial Alliance (the galactic government).

No one knows how long they've been on earth, but it's guessed a few months before Khalu Pa'hii's team arrived. The Unicorns have taken many animals for alterations. From the wild, zoo, or even pets they are gutted to become android spies, basically. When the machines within the skin are damaged significantly they detonate in a large red explosion. The bigger the animal the bigger the explosion.

Many species use organic or biomechanical technology, but the Unicorns take it to a nightmarish extreme. People are used for computers, walking weapons, tech mods-basically that Oats short film Rakka.

Their "wings" are their primary (or only) method of communication, that fold up when not in use. The dots on a Unicorn's face are hundreds of eyes that can see beyond the human visual spectrum. What we see as a bright white light is a complex symphony of alternating colors, hues and intensity. The full extent of their vision is unknown as camouflage never worked against them during the invasion.

The only sound a Unicorn makes are their footsteps. There were no attempts at negotiating surrender or peace from them to humans or the Celestial Alliance. Their method of attacks seemed random to us. A massive variety of weapons were used from projectiles, to waves to pathogens.

Under a month of fighting lead Humans and the Celestial Alliance close to victory, but the Unicorns are sore losers. Only several billion humans remain and earth is broken to pieces.

Main Premise:

I started as a new DM going "f*ck it!" I'm not wasting another year worldbuilding and never starting, here's a town, I'm new at DMing, be patient-let's do this.

Our DnD game is about to hit our 4 year anniversary on May 29th, two veteran players saying it's the best game they've ever been in, (beyond generous of them!). Most of the game has taken place in the place called Two-Towns, the dead center of the map, but now they're traveling out. I don’t know how to categorize the vibe of our game. Trying to make it believable as in cause and effect vs realistic, there’s some dark things, but not grimdark. It ends up being 97% roleplay with some combat stuff. 

Image Context:
Each spring the spirits return to the mortal realm bringing the Seasonal Seas - a massive continent sized flooding that lasts until the fall. Traveling the day after is ill-advised as the waters are settling creating terrible storms, tsunamis and squalls. Once it passes the seas are open for travel!

Under the waves however, the land remains healthy.  Animals, plants, monsters and so on are undisturbed by this annual event. Those who cannot are guided to safety by spirits arriving early leading to an increase of creatures on certain islands. 

Each island’s map places them in the most “important” location, the center, the top, or whatever. This shows the location of other islands rather than exact distance. For ships trade routes are memorized by a form of Wayfinding. Another method of island travel are living vehicles called Rail-Runners (giant mechanical magic train creatures). 

The areas beyond the paths are highly dangerous leaving a large majority of the Seas unexplored. Towards the middle of fall the seas are pulled back and then winter comes turning things into a frozen landscape.

Other note stuff:

This is an unfinished map and a number of the other islands only have a bit of info. And yes, some of the names you might recognize from other DnD stuff.

(I hope I did this right.)

The warrior species known as Drexx have a number of stages in their life.

They give live birth to larva-like infants. After gaining enough nutrition from the world they form a chrysalis. The early stages of the Drexx are similar to butterflies thanks to convergent evolution. Many cultures paint symbols on the shell representing the infant's name, family or other info.

Within 13 months the larvae creates a chrysalis and hatches as a Drexx pup. Their arms and crest will continue to grow as they do. The pups will practice charging or fighting to strengthen their crest. They spend most young life without reproductive organs. When a Drexx molts into its adolescent stage they develop the organs that will end in them becoming male.

(lore of breeding below)

Males are often seen as inexperienced, emotional, and undisciplined. This bias can be carried to other species as well. At some point in their male stage they'll become sexually mature. The male will go through rut from a few days to several months. Males during this time usually aren't part of a military pack (the majority are female) to avoid complications. However this can be solved by any partner, regardless of sex or species.

After several successful breeding sessions the male will mold into a female. This is the longest phase of their life. Early on a female may have a few dozen litters. A female can shift her fertility however she likes, but takes time to fully control. A common "game" females play on friends and family is to keep her pregnancy chances secret, leaving everyone to guess the size of the and rate of her litters.

Decades later, if they are not killed, the final stage is reached. Known as a "Trimale" it is a highly respected age. Hosting both male and female organs, trimales are able to breed with any adult stage.

Tuo Toa are an aquatic people of the homeworld, Halolios. Typically, most species grow to be 8 or 9 feet long or 2.7 meters.

Being very energetic and playful they will rarely be seen without company. A group of Tuo Toa is called a jubilee. Their range of emotions are considered similar to humans, with a few noticeable exceptions.

Sadness is absent in their biology. Leading to the misconception of it being a type of illness other species may contract. Their state of sorrowfulness/unhappiness is communities purely by their bioelectricity.

They communicate by a mix of vocals, gestures and electricity. The exact amount of energy a Tuo Toa can use varies from species to age to individual. This natural ability has allowed them to create a surprising amount of technology underwater. In the past they would trade with the two non-aquatic sophonts on their homeworld. However they have been extinct for 150 years.

(Final image of Mary Ann and Khalu Pa'hii. The first human x alien contact and romance)

The Drexx are my Honorable Warrior aliens. I've been liking them much more than some of the other for some reason. XD IDK, maybe its easier to tweak the "war-monger" species than start from scratch.

Lore/Info.
Drexx are strong, fighting is a way of life, it is who they are. But they understand the value of knowledge and experience. Weak, injured and those unable to fight contribute in other ways-a war isn't won by brute strength alone.

Their crest and tusk grow with every molt. While they can be used for display and intimidation, a Drexx is a spring-loaded battering ram with enough force to break through a wall of concrete. Since their brain is housed in their chest head injuries aren't often serious.

The Nionova are one of the sophonts of my Star Date setting. They've been updated a lot over the years. The last image is the first pic I ever drew of them.

Hope you enjoy.

EDIT: (Also picture 6 and 7 are the same. I accidently added two)

The Drexx are the Warrior Species in my Sci-Fi setting called Star Date.  Basic info on their early life to their young adult stage.