A Civilization is an intangible artifact that represents the set of social, cultural, technological, and political phenomena of a people or a group of societies sharing a territory, a planet, or a set of star systems. It defines the power structures, beliefs, traditions, and advances of a society and can be thriving, stagnant, or declining.

Identity and foundations

Each civilization has its own identity that differentiates it from others:

• Name and origin :
  Is the civilization named after its people, founder, or a key element of its history? ( Ex: The Empire of Solis, The Nyvarian Federation, The Children of the Shadow .)
• Origin and training :
  Did it emerge naturally, after a catastrophe, or by the will of an elite?
• Duration of existence :
  Is it ancient and rooted in the ages or a nascent society?
• Current situation :
  In the midst of a golden age, in a period of conflict, or in the midst of reconstruction after a fall?

Political structure and social organization

A civilization is often governed by a system of power and an internal organization:

Type of government :

• Monarchy (dynastic heritage).
• Republic (elected leaders).
• Theocracy (ruled by religious principles).
• Anarchy or tribal system (decentralized organization).
• Dictatorship or autocracy (power centralized around an individual or group).
  

Social hierarchies

• Egalitarian or strictly hierarchical society.
• Castes, social classes, or economic separation between citizens.
  

Law enforcement and justice

• Impartial justice or a system based on corruption and fear.
• Presence of militias, armies, or police forces.

Culture and core values

Values and beliefs define how a civilization functions and evolves:

• Core Values : Society focused on science and knowledge, war, or harmony with nature. Importance of the individual vs. the collective. Respect for diversity or homogeneous and closed society.
• Beliefs and religion : Polytheism, monotheism, spirituality based on energy or natural forces. Strict dogmas or freedom of thought.
• Art and entertainment : Preferred forms of expression: music, theater, holographies, sports, arena games. Cultural bans or censorship.

Technological and scientific advances

A civilization is defined by its relationship to technology and innovation:

• Technology Level : Pre-industrial, advanced, or post-technological civilization (dematerialized civilization). Mastery of space travel, AI, genetics, cybernetics, or energy weapons.
• Production and engineering methods : Technology based on resource extraction, biological energy, or quantum fusion. Mechanical engineering vs. living organic architecture.
• Medical progress and biotechnology : Longevity of citizens, hybridization with extraterrestrial species, genetic modification.

Economy and trade

The economic development of a civilization impacts its prosperity:

• Economic system : Based on barter, credit, or energy currency. State regulation or free market.
• Main industries : Mining, space agriculture, robotics industry. Dominant sectors (weapons, artificial intelligence, exploration).
• Rare or valuable resources : Exotic metals, energy crystals, rare fuel. Import/export dependency or self-sufficiency.

External relations

Civilizations interact with other peoples and empires:

• Diplomatic Position : Isolationist, expansionist, pacifist, or belligerent. Member of a coalition, galactic alliance, or independent.
• Conflicts and wars : Has it suffered or caused interplanetary wars? Are there internal tensions between factions?
• Exploration and colonization : Territorial expansion or strict protection of one's territory. Relationship with other intelligent life forms.

Mysteries and heritage

A civilization is not limited to what it is at present, it often carries within it secrets and legends:

• Dark Origins : A society said to have been shaped by an ancient, vanished race. A civilization born from a catastrophe or interstellar exile.
• Legends and Prophecies : A belief that a cosmic event will change their destiny. A leader or messiah announced who will change the future.
• Sacred or Forbidden Places : A forgotten space station containing the secrets of their origin. A forbidden region where no one dares to venture.

The Civilization Artifact is a major pillar in a science fiction universe. It shapes societies, conflicts, and relationships between peoples. A civilization can be a haven of peace or a galactic threat, but it always carries within it a legacy, ambitions, and tensions that enrich the universe.

Would you like to dive deeper into a particular point or explore a detailed example? 🚀