Citadel council

The Citadel Council (Mass Effect)

The Citadel Council is a fictional body of government in the universe of Mass Effect. It is composed of three races, the Asari, the Turians, and the Salarians. (The humans may be given a Council seat at the end of Mass Effect, depending on the player's actions.) Though not in possession of any real power, the Citadel Council still holds enormous influence as the supervisors of the Spectres, an elite group of peacekeepers who are "above the law." Although only three races make up the council, most other races, including the Systems Alliance have embassies on the Citadel.

Background

The Citadel Council was created when the asari first discovered and utilized Prothean technology. The salarians, another advanced race, soon joined them. For many years these two races were at the forefront of galactic affairs. However, when the Krogan Rebellions began, it was the turians who were the key in the survival of the council. As a reward, the turians were granted a seat on the council, creating the three tiered government that exists at present. During the Sovereign crisis, the humans do the bulk of the fighting, while the rest of the galaxy initially refuses to believe any crisis exists. This may (depending on the player's choices) earn humanity a Council seat. The council's duties include regulating trade and keeping the peace between the different races of the galaxy. All races keep their own form of sovereign government and the Citadel Council does not have the right to deal with any internal affairs unless they affect the galaxy as a whole.