The Citadel and its Council.

The Citadel, as mentioned before, is the main galactic hub of the mass effect relay system and general gathering place of the Milky Way Galaxy. This giant space station houses roughly 13 million citizens and any race is welcome to live and visit the citadel. However, only the races that are willing to participate in Citadel law and government are given an embassy and committee member to represent them in galactic matters. Although this committee has no real bearing on the any other races individual governmental system, it helps determine galactic laws and policies, which those participating governments must obey.

The head of this committee is the Council, who have complete power over the committee and often deal with decisions that require immediate action or carry a high degree of galactic severity. One committee member may join the Council once his or her race has proven to be significant or highly influential to the galactic community. The picture above shows the only three races that are present on the council; a Turian councilor who represents action and the military philosophy, an Asari councilor who often provides wisdom and peaceful guidance, and a Salarian councilor who represents discovery and philosophical guidance. Throughout the course of the story the main character can choose to earn humanitites position on the council or create a less flavorful option, which I will reveal later.

Overall, this council has good intentions but sometimes its concern for the good of the galactic community prevents it from giving up its traditional philosophies or making a decision that could have better results in the long run (or vice versa). Such examples include the events that led to the Krogan rebellion, the lack of action to help the Quarians, and the exile of the Yahg (all of these I will mention in future posts).