So on a couple of posts (including one of mine) there's been talk of giving races unique abilities. I think it would be good to brainstorm about possibilities. I'll lsit a couple -- hopefully people will add others/motifications.
Yor: somehow factories produce population and they have no farms. Perhaps they could have an additional slider on the economy screen for what percentage of the factories are going towards population.
Iconians: Dedicated to scholarship: they can spend money to speed up tech research. Or perhaps something with adaptive technology.
Korx: Able to negotiate specific mercenary deals. For example, you could agree to take out a specific fleet for someone for 2000 bc or to take a planet (and turn it over to someone) for 2500. They are supposed to be the ultimate mercenaries...
Thalan: Something with the hive mind....
I haven't played all the scenerios yet... that might help generate ideas.
-- hintikka