I thought I should give a backstory to the space cards. Just a little information for the imagination, cuz I believe that is a significant part of what makes elements fun (at least to me it does).
Backstory for it is basically this:
The original race for space energy is a sentient robot (called The Shargade, refer to themselves individually as shargajin) race similar to the geth from mass effect, except without the support of the Reapers (thank goodness). They are are not militaristic as one would expect, but rather defensive and mercantile. But when threatened, they will fight back. Since their very lives are technology, they have perfected mechanical weaponry, as well as bodily augmentation. While they treat one another with respect and integrity (most of the time), there is a definite and complex caste system that rarely involves promotion based on merit. While they have no official religion, the public holds science in such high regard that it borders on fanaticism. The scientific community very much resembles a religious order, where reigning theories are dogma, and revolutionary ideas are notoriously difficult to keep alive. In their daily life, the citizenry is always orderly and punctual, characteristic of their very nature, efficient. Outsiders have often mistaken this efficiency in thinking as a sign of lack of emotions. This is not the case. It is their way to analyze their own emotions and then, based on their desires, formulate a logical plan of action. They can still care for others, and seek revenge, etc., but they rarely (if ever) act impulsively. In that regard it makes them somewhat dangerous, because if they want to deceive or harm you and they think they can get away with it, you'll be sure that
they will follow through with it with a well organized plan in place. Luckily they mostly seem to be good-natured.
Recently their empire has started to run low on energy sources and rare (but necessary) metals, forcing them to expand. This has brought them into contact many other races and nations. While slow to trust these newcomers, many have become good freinds with the shargade, due in part to their unshakeable loyalty and integrity, and probably also due to their menacing armor and size. They have brought with them boundless advances in sustainable energy, efficient machinery, and powerful weaponry. Culture wise, they have introduced math based artwork, exceptional electronica and dubstep music, and a new gold standard of robot dancing. Not surprisingly, mining and refining companies stocks have skyrocketed, and computer programmers and repairmen have increased their business exponentially. The shargade have also learnt much from their foreign counterparts, most notably the theory of procrastination and humor (humor was present in their culture, just not physically expressed through smiling, laughter, etc.). Due to their lack of tastebuds, and in most cases, mouths, they will probably never understand the art of cooking. All in all, the average shargajin has assimilated quite well into this larger world, and only bright futures can be seen so far.
