(Not trying to pull fast one. This is here so that when the race is approved, I don't have to -- yeah.)
Empire Name
How many names have they been given since their formation? New World Order. United Nations. Bilderberg Group. The Elite. Illucorp. The (insert country here) Armed Forces. NATO. Well, they certainly don't formally go by "The Enlightened Empire" -- that's an acceptable informal name to use for outsiders, or to illustrate who they are without having to be proper. What's their formal name, you ask? True Neutral. Socially, it's best to refer to them as the New Galactic Order, or the Guardians of Balance. But if you were to ask one of them what they call their faction, they'll reply, "True Neutral".
Primary Race
Enlightened Ones; has been known to have 'Visionaries' -- non-racial helpers. Affiliation, once achieved, should not be expected to be a concrete bond. As necessity and balance come first, then loyalties. That said, this faction is as loyal as any, really.
Empire Description
They've existed for as long as anything. Their history beyond the Ancient Origins is a mystery. Some lore even suggests they lived alongside them. Their culture is one for the record books -- it always changes. One day it could be textbook Russian Communism with the whole "Russian Reversals" to boot, the next day it can be some sort of monarchy singing shit like "Rule Britannia". Despite this, True Neutral has always been ruled by a Father, his appointed Overseer, and the Combined Council of Life, Existence and Balance. At times, His Favourite -- special advisers hand-picked by Father -- will help with running things. Religion seems to have significance, but not enough to encroach on day-to-day life or operations. It takes the "Unitarian Universalist" approach (Wikipedia that shite if you need clarity, or ask). Most, enough to say all, are spiritual and not religious, believing it to be a waste of time and energy.
A group that has taken a serious interest in what is happening around them. Why? To take their place as what they believe to be the Guardians of Balance. They aren't good or bad; those are merely words that cause a disproportionate schism and upset balance. They may be loyal, they may be trustworthy, but they are NOT the good guys. If you seek freedom fighters, or seekers of justice, you'll not find what you are looking for. If you seek a villainous ally for your twisted schemes, they are not the ones you've been searching for. Want an example? Fine. Usually, you'd think some kind of higher being is automatically supposed to be good or bad -- whatever those mean. For the Enlightened Ones, they aren't supposed to side with one alignment; rather, they are to ensure that both exist.
Additional Information
Yup. Still making fun of conspiracy theories, and ditching the whole "good vs bad" thing. Yawn. I'm being a cheeky fucker by making their primary language Latin. All this 2012 hype got me thinkin', "Why don't I make something based on that?"