New Minor Faction: Role

I'd vote for oracle, since the special forces and wardens seems a little bit similar (military minded, first is offensive, second is defensive); there already are guardians for the Unfallen that could fit the description of the wardens, there are no special forces, though, but oracles seem more compelling somehow :)

I would say the oracle one would be interesting, since we don't have anyone that's really comparable yet. Special forces, we've got so many already; Yuusho and Gnaghast are the first ones to come to mind. As for wardens, Sowers fill that role pretty well, though if I had the option to pick a second one, they would definitely make wardens my second pick since all we really have there are Sowers.

Oracle is my choice. I think minor faction that can share their wisdom and advice in upcoming events is nice addition. ;]

Oracle Team unite!

I feel like there's already enough Militarists, and it makes little sense for a whole minor population to have the military skills of Special Forces. Likewise for Wardens, they sound too similar to the Niris.

I vote Oracle. Give me Kapaku, and we are even for that Kal-Tik-Ma/Remnant "fiasco". :>

Fuck they're all good choices 

Since people are comparing the three options to current minor factions I'm going to compile a mini list of what roughly equals out to what (and which ones don't; for these, I'll put why) 

Special Forces: the units of a country's armed forces that undertake covert, counterterrorism, and other specialized operations.

Sheredyn; fits the role as the United Empires Special Forces/Royal or Imperial Guard (although they could arguably fit the Wardens class thanks to their more guardsmen status, although they're not interested in preserving the pristine state of nature, at least in the canon) 

Bereaved; Though they're not Special Forces for the Aurigans (and their place in the Aurigan Federacy highly relies on which path you take as First of the Bloodline) they do somewhat fill the role as a highly specialized and dangerous militaristic branch of the Aurigans (Vaulters). 

Mavros: A genetic cousin of the Sophons, they often serve as Mercenaries and usually utilize their scientific and constructionist genius for weapons of war. Arguably are special forces of the Sophonity. 

Seem like, but aren't Special Forces:

Gnashast; They're just a very militaristic species, not a branch of a faction that is dedicated to surgically removing targets and lasting in conditions that would kill others (like themselves) within minutes. 

Tikanan; Same reasoning as Gnashast 

Epistis; Similar reasoning as Gnashast, they also fall more under the Warden class. 

Yuusho; This one is debatable. But in my opinion (after reading the Hissho comic, doing all the quests tied to them, etc) they seem to be the more traditional blacksmiths of the greater Hissho species (yes they're a subspecies but still). The Yuusho don't exactly scream special forces, mostly because their cousins the Hissho are far more militaristic and are likely far more capable than them in terms of warfare. Furthermore, in the comics, the Yuusho were being protected by the Hissho and weren't even partaking in the fighting. 

You can argue that because they're located on Raia as a militaristic minor faction, that they fall under that category, however, they were previously known as the Hissho and for design reasons (the reintroduction of the Hissho) they were turned into the Yuusho, so I don't necessarily count those on Raia in deciding whether or not they're special forces. 

Sisters of Mercy; Although they're a highly specialized military force, they aren't just (or primarily) that and much of their factions traits surround healing and helping as well as killing (when necessary). Not exactly the definition of Special Forces. 

Oracle; a priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from the gods in classical antiquity.

There isn't really one faction that fills the role as an oracle, thanks in part to it's a very unique description, but there are very unique minor factions I find that fulfill a similar role. 

Pulsos/Harmony; both factions follow the similar role of being finely attuned to Dust (or for the latter, to strategic deposits) and use their unique powers to help benefit their society (or the empire they're located within) in a way that other minor factions can't. 

Amoeba; Again, another very unique faction with a unique ability (to detach their consciousness and create group gestalts) that benefits themselves or their empire they're found in ways that aren't very generic (from a lore perspective). 

Kalmat; This one is more straightforward, but instead of fine attunement to Dust, Kalmats are just extremely good at espionage unlike any other (minor faction). 

Warden; a person responsible for the supervision of a particular place or thing or for ensuring that regulations associated with it are obeyed.

Sowers; they would seem an obvious choice, and although they technically fall under the Warden faction thanks to their ability to restore planets to their natural state they also, arguably, don't fall under this role, because their primary directive is to terraform "paradises" which usually results in displacement and destruction of a countless number of flora/fauna (including sentient species) a perfect example being Endless Legends Kapaku (who were saved/used by the Concrete Endless). 

Epistis; Literally militaristic ecologists, they were created as "planetary guardians." Definition of a more militaristic warden class (which is not what the above minor faction would be if it were created, just saying).

Niris; Most closely follow the definition of warden as given by the DEVs. They ruined their world, and now focus on caretaking and preserving the natural state of their world and others, in honor of the lives that they destroyed and the chaos they caused by over industrialization. 

Totally agree wit the rest. Oracle is something definitely refreshing and something new.

I pick Oracle, but I hope their pop trait and/or collection bonus is as interesting and unique as the description as opposed to say an influence boost.

Not sure how power of foresight would translate into game mechanics, but even something like a higher percentage of positive outcome for events/crisis or inceased likelihood of awesome loot from curiosities would be nice.

I voted for Oracle, as they seem more interesting as it is rare to see non.aggressive factions.

Love.

Thats a lot to consider. The Idea reminds me of a culmination of Stellaris' Fallen Empires, the Eastern Roman Empire and "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nations" all at once. Something that was a whole once, and thourgh internal conflict and opportunistic neighbors got bust to parts, but strives to be whole again. 

Like the schism in the Catholic Church which created the Ortodoxy and catholic church. 

Could be somehow connected to the Concrete Endless, opposed to the Vodyani' reference of the virtual endless. I chose Oracle because i like complexity, riddles and problem solving.

Oracle

So the new expansion will bring jobs?

Oracles is what is more needed.

Voted Special Forces, but Oracle is my 2nd choice. Wardens... I dunno. It's definitely on the cool word list, but something isn't clicking for me.

Special Forces 4tw!