No. systems: 124 Sector: Arieswith 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 11with 1 inhabited planet: 28
EGERIN: The hormone that defines a Sandeman warrior and controls his need cycle.
EMPIRE, TERRAN: Founded by Cheong Chang in 2128, the Empire is an umbrella government with functions limited to defense of the Empire as a whole, peacekeeping (primarily between Sectors, though occasionally if necessary between lesser fiefs as well), and inter-cultural relations that cannot be handled at a lower level. Its normal method of operation is that of minimum intervention, to encourage maximum diversity (within limits; neither anarchy nor Balkanization are seen as desirable).
As a safeguard, although going to the appropriate noble is generally preferable, all Imperial citizens have the right of direct appeal to the Throne, and if circumstances warrant (normally determined by an Evaluation Team investigation), the Empire will act.
The Empire is based firmly on the principle of enlightened self-interest, making it the most thoroughly pragmatic government humans have ever developed. Ninety-nine-plus percent of the time, this means demonstrating an integrity pre-Empire Terran politicians would believe undesirable to impossible, probably both.
However, there is that other fractional percent of a time. Even the greatest idealists realize that from time to time, any government is going to need to use unpleasant, unethical, and possibly even illegal means to achieve something vital. For these times, as well as for more normal undercover operations, the Empire is believed to use its IntelDiv field agents, as well as the rumored Shadow Fleet.
ENERGINE: A powerful stimulant, effective for approximately eight hours. While it will allow the user to overcome most weaknesses, too much will demand a high price in recuperation afterward.
ENERGY SOURCES: See Fusion, Internal Combustion, T/CT.
ENGLISH, IMPERIAL: Emperor Chang's regularized version of a combination of American and British English, with phoneticized spelling and somewhat modified vocabulary.
ENVIRO-SUIT: A coverall-type garment that provides protection from extreme temperatures, either heat or cold, between approximately -100 and +150 degrees Celsius.
ERIDANUS, Sector 12:
Ruled by: No. systems: 621Subsectors: 7 Inhabited planets: 366A. Ramman E. SusanowoB. Tefnut F. ZeusC. Ahto G. ThorD. Rudra
EVALUATION TEAM: Commonly called an E-Team, this is a group of Marine Intelligence Division operatives sent in to investigate a citizen's report or appeal for help, if a preliminary evaluation shows a potentially serious problem to exist, and determine whether Imperial intervention is both justified and necessary. Only when the report is of imminent warfare or rebellion, when it includes evidence that makes an investigation unnecessary, or when the preliminary evaluation shows it not to be an Imperial matter, is an E-Team not sent in.
EXCALIBUR, Subsector 14-D:
No. systems: 52 Sector: Phoenixwith 3 inhabited planets: 6 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 9with 1 inhabited planet: 26Arms: On a red field, a sword point-upward between three silvercaltrops.
EXOTIC: Xanaden term for genetically engineered human variants, specifically those originally intended as sexual objects.
Although major genetic engineering of humans was outlawed in 2310, it has been impossible to completely suppress. It has, however, been driven into secrecy, with the result that most such engineering is done by or for the rich and powerful who have grown bored with legal diversions. This in turn means that most subjects of such engineering have had their sexuality enhanced for their creators' entertainment, often with other changes being made as well.
Most of the Empire's more detailed knowledge of Exotics comes from those who disliked and were able to escape from those who engineered them. Of these, most gravitate to Xanadu and the Amators' Guild, where they can make profitable use of the engineering carried out on them (or on their forebears). It is not known how many either do not rebel or are unsuccessful in their escape attempts, but it seems reasonable to assume this number to be far greater than the escapees'.
While the details of the various Exotic types vary considerably, the basics of most are quite consistent, which is to be expected given the purpose of such engineering. An Exotic is always responsive, in some degree, to sexual stimuli, is capable of what seems to non-Exotics like incredible sexual endurance, and most begin sexual activity during or immediately after adolescence. (It must be noted, of course, that any or all of the above does on occasion occur to a non-engineered human and cannot be considered proof of engineering; genetic analysis is the only way to be certain.)
In some cases, enhancement of the sexual drive is the only change made. In most, however, physical changes have been made as well, though not all are visible (for instance, the Ishtar variants are characterized by sensory nerves lining the vaginal canal, usually leading to the brain's pleasure center). The changes which are visible also vary, from relatively minor (such as the Tingler's tentacles around his penis) to near-total alteration (such as the Elf variant's small, slender build and delicate features emphasized by pointed ears and slanted eyes).
FAMILY (capitalized): The extended family structure recently introduced in the Kingdom Systems, primarily as a socially-acceptable means of dealing with the satyr virus and the physiological changes it produces. As a side effect, it also provides a family structure stable enough that Special Operations personnel may now marry and are no longer required to be sterile. The new Families, the first and best known of which is Family Cortin, consist of several spouses--ideally, but not necessarily, half male and half female--with any children. (As an example Family Cortin, at this point [2572], consists of Colonel Cortin herself, who is Family head but not a spouse, two wives, five husbands, and three children, with a fourth on the way. It may become more balanced in the future, since it began as a mostly-male Strike Force team and has as yet had little opportunity to court more than one civilian wife.)
FEALTY, CONDITIONAL: (Sandeman) An oath to someone in return for a consideration, unknown until Gaelan DarShona talked some of the warriors on the guardian fleet around Mjolnir into taking service in Planetary Security in exchange for Imperial credits. Such an oath is considered void if payment in wilfully withheld (inability to pay is negotiable) or if the one to whom such an oath is taken attempts to injure the oath-taker, at which point the one taking the oath may feel free to take appropriate action against the false acceptor.
FEALTY, PERSONAL: (Sandeman) An oath of absolute personal loyalty and obedience. Theoretically, anyone may swear such fealty to anyone, but in practice it is almost exclusively warriors swearing to Warleaders or other high-status warriors.
It is an honor either to be offered such fealty or to have it accepted. The one giving fealty (thakur-na) becomes, to the best of his ability, an extension of the one accepting it (thakur). The only acceptable reasons for disobeying a thakur's will are to preserve his honor or his life, with the thakur's honor taking precedence. This relationship is most obvious to non-Sandemans in the custom that any children a 'na fathers are considered the thakur's, and their use of the familiar mode of High War Speech.
The 'na has his right cheek tattooed with a mark of his thakur's choice. Although in theory, since a 'na does swear absolute obedience and perfect fidelity, there is no need to acknowledge even the greatest of such service, the Sandemans are realists; if a 'na gives greater service or does a deed more heroic than may be reasonably expected, his thakur will have the tattoo circled and allow his 'na to use his name hyphenated with the 'na's own. If the 'na outlives his thakur, his tattoo is barred with black to show honorable completion of service; if it works out the other way, his thakur will see to honorable burial, if possible at one of their clanhomes.
Although those are by far the commonest ways of ending the relationship, two others are possible. If the 'na commits a serious offense, the thakur may dismiss him by telling him something like, "Leave me; I no longer need you." The real meaning is "You have dishonored me"; the 'na is expected to atone by a painful death at either his own or his clan-chief's hands. The other, since Dana DruAlanna's case in 2624, is for the thakur to dismiss without offense, in which case the 'na's tattoo is barred with black and service is honorably terminated for both parties.
FELZINE: A mild, non-addictive tranquilizer.
FENRIS, Subsector 14-A:
No. systems: 174 Sector: Phoenixwith 3 inhabited planets: 7 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 8with 1 inhabited planet: 22Arms: On a counter-ermine field, a gold star of four large and eightsmall points, charged with a red circle on which is a silver wolf'shead.
FIEFS: The subdivisions of the Empire. As of 2568, the end of the Traiti War--and including the new Traiti Sector--they are broken down as follows:21 Sectors, consisting of two to eight Subsectors apiece106 Subsectors, averaging 53 inhabited planets in 36 systems1,431 multi-inhabited-planet systems2,388 single-inhabited-planet systems5,596 inhabited planets
Fiefs cannot be combined. If the heir to a fief marries a ruling noble, @ forfeits all claim to the fief @ was to inherit, and the next oldest child becomes heir. If one heir or ruling noble marries another, the Sovereign decides which forfeits @'s fief (usually the lower-ranking, if they are of different levels) and who is to succeed (usually the next oldest child).
FIELD AGENT: An IntelDiv officer with special training in covert intelligence gathering. Although they often work openly, sometimes even in uniform, they are not identified as field agents and are always assigned to cases where their special skills (such as reading the subtleties of body language, some of them with near-telepathic accuracy) are needed.
When working under an assumed identity, a field agent will use whatever means are available and most effective for getting the information a needs or otherwise accomplishing @'s mission. While this is recognized as necessary under such circumstances, it is not something the Empire takes pride in or wishes publicized. It is also unfortunate that at times former field agents revert to this end-over-means philosophy, though if they have left the Service, there is seldom any harm done, and very little the Empire can do unless the person has broken a law as well.
FORNAX, Sector 4:
Ruled by: No. systems: 472Subsectors: 5 Inhabited planets: 285A. Oberon D. XanthB. Titania E. ArdenC. Avalon
FORSETI, Subsector 18-F:
No. systems: 90 Sector: Arieswith 3 inhabited planets: 7 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 9with 1 inhabited planet: 21
FREYA, Subsector 16-D:
No. systems: 97 Sector: Virgowith 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 8with 1 inhabited planet: 31
FUSION: The forced combination of hydrogen atoms at extremely high temperatures to produce energy. It is used in most craft (spaceships and ground vehicles) which are too small to carry T/CT generators.
GALATINE, Subsector 19-B:
No. systems: 154 Sector: Leowith 3 inhabited planets: 6 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 8with 1 inhabited planet: 25
GARUDA, Subsector 10-C:
No. systems: 53 Sector: Aquilawith 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 11with 1 inhabited planet: 19
GEMINI, Sector 11:
Ruled by: No. systems: 422Subsectors: 3 Inhabited planets: 169A. GirruB. AgniC. Brigit
GILGAMESH System:
Sector: 13, Crater No. planets: 12Subsector: B, Inanna Habitable: 2 (Atlantis, Nemra)Ruled by: Kaplan family
GIRRU, Subsector 11-A:
No. systems: 131 Sector: Geminiwith 3 inhabited planets: 5 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 7with 1 inhabited planet: 22
GODHOME: The psionic computer left behind on Homeworld when the Others the Traiti call Those Who Went Before went on to a different plane of existence. A huge underground complex, it was thought for millennia to be a hill that caused madness or worse in those who went near, until it forced Kranath of St'nar to full maturity, thus making him the first of the new Traiti gods, the Circle of Lords. It destroyed its physical structure as no longer necessary when it merged with the last Lord of the Circle, Peacelord Esteban Tarlac. [Fearful Symmetry]
GORGON, Subsector 2-B:
No. systems: 112 Sector: Hydrawith 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 10with 1 inhabited planet: 23
GRAVITICS: A science developed into practicality by Reinhard Nannstein, it has led to as many things as electronics: artificial gravity, hyperdrive, force fields and beams, ultrawave communications, innumerable others.
GRAYWAND, Subsector 19-E:
No. systems: 187 Sector: Leowith 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 11with 1 inhabited planet: 25
GRYPHON, Subsector 14-C:
No. systems: 148 Sector: Phoenixwith 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 9with 1 inhabited planet: 25
GUNGNIR, Subsector 19-C:
No. systems: 160 Sector: Leowith 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 11with 1 inhabited planet: 24
GYNANDRA (plural gynandri): An Arriani male genetically engineered to carry and give birth to children, though not to conceive. Such pregnancy and birth require highly skilled medical aid. Gynandri are also sought-after sex partners, both because of their enthusiasm and because they are thought to be special favorites of the Lady of Love, being as close to female as can survive on Arrian.
HATHOR, Subsector 9-B:
No. systems: 102 Sector: Ursawith 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 10with 1 inhabited planet: 23
HEIMDALL, Subsector 1-C:
No. systems: 70 Sector: Orionwith 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 10with 1 inhabited planet: 19
HELIOS, Subsector 1-G:
No. systems: 142 Sector: Orionwith 3 inhabited planets: 6 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 9with 1 inhabited planet: 30
HELLBEAST: A Mjolnirri herbivore domesticated for its meat, which remains tender even when well-cooked. Its name comes from its remarkably ugly appearance, not its placid disposition.
HELLESPONT System:
Sector: 17, Indus No. planets: 10Subsector: C, Poseidon Habitable: 1Ruled by: Keene family
HERALDRY, IMPERIAL: Although the idea of coats of arms in an interstellar society with numerous other means of identification seems redundant to some, that purpose became a minor one long before the Empire. Arms are a tradition Emperor Chang thought would serve a unifying purpose, provide continuity, and give an incentive for service beyond the expectable but not sufficient to earn a Life Nobility.
While derived from traditional heraldry and having much in common with it, Imperial heraldry has the advantage of hindsight, which has led to several improvements. The primary one is in descriptions, where English replaces Old French, making them understandable to those who are not specialists in the field. Some traditional terminology has been retained, either because it is generally understandable or because there is no reasonably concise English equivalent. Most terms, however, translated without difficulty; the slightly longer descriptions are acceptable because of the greatly increased clarity. The only exception to this is in the actual Grant of Arms itself, where the traditional blazoning is still used (though an English translation is provided on a separate sheet).
The heraldic colors remain predominantly the bright primary ones: silver (now platinum) or white, and gold or yellow, called metals; black, blue, green, and red, called colors. Less-used colors are orange, purple, brown, and "flesh tone". Taken together, colors and metals are referred to as tinctures. Anything described as "proper" is shown in its normal coloring. Only two of the numerous traditional heraldic "furs" are in Imperial use, ermine (white with black spots) and counter-ermine (black with white spots). As a rule, metal should not be placed on metal or color on color, although exceptions--mostly in the case of charges described as "proper"--do occur.
As in traditional heraldry, the field is described first, by color and any divisions, with the color on the bearer's right or at the shield's top mentioned first. Left and right, in all cases, refer to the point of view of the person supposedly carrying the shield.
Traditional description English descriptionParty per pale Divided verticallyParty per fess Divided horizontallyParty per bend Divided by right diagonalParty per bend sinister Divided by left diagonalParty per saltire Divided by both diagonalsParty per chevron Divided by a chevronQuarterly QuarterlyChecky CheckedTierced per fess Three-part horizontallyTierced per pale Three-part verticallyGyronny Divided by gyronGurgy (and variants) Spiraled
Charges may be (and usually are) placed on the field, and cover any divisions. The major geometric charges (ordinaries) are mentioned first, if any appear. They generally take up approximately a third of the shield, though this proportion may vary if other charges appear, or they have other charges upon them. Note that the vertical and horizontal bars should not be confused with the three-part fields.
Traditional description English descriptionChief ChiefFess Horizontal barPale Vertical barBend Right-diagonal barBend sinister Left-diagonal barChevron ChevronChevron reversed Reversed chevronCross CrossSaltire Double diagonalPile WedgeQuarter QuarterPall Y-forkFlanches Flanches
Diminutives (except for the quarter) are one-half normal width, prefixed "demi-", or one-quarter normal width, prefixed "quadri-" and usually borne paired. The quarter's only diminutive is the canton, taking up an eighth of the shield. If these charges do not extend to the shield edges, they are described as "clipped".
Minor geometric charges (subordinaries) are those which (except for the border) do not reach the edge of the shield; if used with an ordinary, the subordinary is placed on top. The names of these generally remain the same as in traditional heraldry, as most have no reasonable English equivalent. These are the inescutcheon, orle, lozenge, fusil, and border (formerly bordure). Two new ones are the hex and pentagon, while the circle (once called a roundel, bezant, plate, torteau, hurt, etc., depending on its color) is simply called a circle with the correct color named.
The same principle applies to other charges, such as animals and people. "Affronte" becomes "looking outward", "regardant" becomes "looking backward", and "rampant", which is easily understandable, remains the same. Charges are not restricted to the medieval ones, though many of those are used. Modern charges include things like planets, computers, stylized atoms, and spacecraft--although some of those, particularly military models, can be confused with simple circles.
Ruling nobles' arms, and those of most lower jurisdictions, do not indicate rank or anything other than perhaps the bearer's reason for being awarded them; Rangers', Life Nobles', and knights' arms, however, clearly indicate their rank. Rangers' arms, since 2243, have been ones used by previous Rangers; they are distinguished by a green canton with a platinum Ranger's star. Life Nobles' arms are bordered in the metal or color of the noble's level (platinum for dukes, gold for earls, orange for counts, red for barons) and have a black canton with the Imperial Arms. Knights' arms are distinguished by a platinum and green border, one tincture inside the other. If the field is a color, the platinum is inside; if a metal, the green.
Use of Imperial arms is restricted, for ruling nobles, to the noble, @'s spouse, and @'s heir. This eliminates the need for an elaborate system of cadency, though to prevent confusion, the spouse's and heir's arms are differenced. The differences are a label with two points for the spouse, a label with three points for the heir. Should the ruler retire, both @ and @'s spouse add a true-lover's knot (as the spouse also does if @ survives the ruler) to indicate dower status.
For Life Nobles and knights, only the person originally granted the arms bears them undifferenced. A's spouse adds a label with three points; the oldest child does the same, with @'s label having a star on each point, and the arms are passed down to each oldest child in this form.
Marshalling (combining two or more coats of arms to create a new one) exists, but is limited to marriage between two people entitled to arms, and only for the length of that marriage. If both spouses are the same rank, the arms are impaled, with the original bearer's arms on the right. If one spouse dies, the other may, but need not, ask the Chief Herald for permission to continue using the marshalled arms. The original coats go to the eldest child of each sex. If the spouses are of different ranks, the impalement has the senior's arms on the right, and the eldest child assumes those arms while the next eldest assumes those of the lower-ranking parent.
HERALDRY, SANDEMAN: Since Annexation, Subsector arms are granted by Ruling Earl Klaes, and described in English like Imperial arms. However, as is standard whenever possible with any already-established custom, the Earl follows the Shaper-established system of granting arms, in three forms, to clans rather than to individuals. The warrior caste bears them color-on-metal, with the clan-chief (always a warrior) adding a chief of the main color. The non-warrior caste (Others) bear the arms metal-on-color. To take the Clan Leras arms as an example:
Warriors: On a gold field, a chevron between three stars, all red. (Stars, unless described further, are the standard five-pointed version Old French refers to as mullets, but without the center holes those sometimes have.)
Clan-chief: On a gold field, a chevron between three stars and a chief, all red.
Others: On a red field, a chevron between three stars, all gold.
HERALDS, IMPERIAL: The ones responsible for issuing and insuring the proper use of Imperial coats of arms. They are also the Sovereign's representatives for most ceremonies that justify an Imperial presence but do not absolutely require royalty or nobility.
HERBERT'S WORLD:
Sector: 18, Aries Year:Subsector: G, Tyr Day:System: Aegis Gravity:Settled/established: 2150 CE Axial tilt:By: Mostly retired military Oxygen:Satellites: % Water:Ident code prefix: HRB Continents:Ruled by:General: Headquarters for 18th Imperial Fleet, 18th Marine Group. Hasbeen described as the Empire's only planet-wide military base. Alsothe only producer of cloud-silk.
HIBER-SLEEP: The safest and deepest form of suspended animation.
HIGH WAR SPEECH: See Languages, Sandeman
HOBISON, David Ralph: TERDN-9035-6821 (in 2569) Captain of the IBC Emperor Chang since 2536, having turned down promotion several times to maintain that command. Made a Life Count after taking part in the palace assault that ended the White Order's rebellion. [A Matter of Honor]
HOFUD, Subsector 19-D:
No. systems: 195 Sector: Leowith 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 12with 1 inhabited planet: 20
HOLIDAYS: Empire Day, 22 January. The only Empire-wide holiday, the anniversary of Emperor Chang's assumption of the Throne.
Overthrow Day, 7 October. Sandeman holiday celebrating their final victory over the Shapers.
HOMESUN, Subsector 21-A:
No. systems: 136 Sector: Traitiwith 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 11with 1 inhabited planet: 19
HOMEWORLD:
Sector: 21, Traiti Year: 474.5 daysSubsector: A, Homesun Day: 23 hr 31 minSystem: Homesun Gravity: 1097 cm/sec2Settled/established: Ca. 35,000 BCE Axial tilt: 21.2 deg.By: Traiti, transported by Others Oxygen: 25%Satellites: Two, names not established % Water: 73Ident code prefix: HWD Continents: 6Ruled by: Supreme and First Speaker,co-Dukes after 2568General: Lifeforms generally larger than Terran. Location of Godhome,the psionic computer constructed by the Others, until it became partof Ranger Esteban Tarlac in 2568, while making him the last Lord ofthe Circle.
HONOR-BLACK: Sandeman garb, usually ceremonial, consisting of black tunic and trousers (preferably leather), high boots, and full-length cloak, derived from the Black Lord's. The right to wear honor-black is granted by acclamation of Sandeman warriors to one (only rarely a non-warrior, even more rarely a non-Sandeman) whose honor is considered so intrinsic and absolute that it should have visible recognition.
HONOR SCARS: Four parallel scars running from just below the throat to about the waist, on a Traiti Cor'naya.
HORSES, SANDEMAN: One of the two types of livestock modified by the Shapers, of the wide variety they took with them. Records lost during the Overthrow may have given their reasons for modifying the horses as they did; with those not available, the simplest explanation is that one or more were fascinated with unicorns. Although Sandeman horses retain the full tails and all the coloration of their forbears, they have beards and, from approximately three months old, a spiral bone "horn" roughly half a meter long growing from the center of their foreheads. Most clans raise them, and they are a specialty of Clan Neill.
HUNDINGSBANA, Subsector 19-A:
No. systems: 150 Sector: Leowith 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 9with 1 inhabited planet: 22
HYDRA, Sector 2:
Ruled by: No. systems: 542Subsectors: 5 Inhabited planets: 270A. Argus D. MinotaurB. Gorgon E. CerberusC. Cyclops
HYPERDRIVE: The faster-than-light drive invented by Reinhard Nannstein, allowing a speed of slightly over three light-years per hour.
HYPERFIELD: The field generated by hyperdrive engines. To conserve energy it is normally kept close to the ship's skin, but can be expanded if necessary to take a ship or other object under tow. Holding a hyperfield at towing extension for more than fifty hours, however, is dangerous and is prohibited except under war emergency conditions.
HYPERSPACE: The spatial condition discovered by Reinhard Nannstein which allows faster-than-light travel, at a speed of slightly over three light-years per hour.
ICE-BERRIES: Gourmet product of Sandeman, they grow in the Cold Peak Range and are harvested by Clan Torrance Others. It is important to keep them below the freezing point of water; they begin losing their delicate flavor at half a degree above zero, and melt at about ten degrees over that point.
IDUN, Subsector 13-D:
No. systems: 37 Sector: Craterwith 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 11with 1 inhabited planet: 24
ILMATAR, Subsector 9-E:
No. systems: 125 Sector: Ursawith 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 8with 1 inhabited planet: 17
INANNA, Subsector 13-B:
No. systems: 134 Sector: Craterwith 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 12with 1 inhabited planet: 30
INDRA, Subsector 9-D:
No. systems: 76 Sector: Ursawith 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 11with 1 inhabited planet: 24
INDUS, Sector 17:
Ruled by: No. systems: 465Subsectors: 4 Inhabited planets: 195A. Alph C. PoseidonB. Styx D. Aegir
INFERNO:
Sector: 14, Phoenix Year:Subsector: A, Fenris Day: 720 hr.System: Origani Gravity:Settled/established: 2127 (mining only) Axial tilt:By: Oxygen:Satellites: % Water:Ident code prefix: INF Continents:Ruled by: Baron of OriganiGeneral: Although it has a system of non-natural tunnels, concentratednear the north pole, where there is a permanent mining/archaeologycolony, Inferno is not classified as inhabited. The averagetemperature is 153 F; it has no free-standing water, no seasons, anda "day" 60 standard days long. At night, the temperature drops toan average of 50 degrees, and rains start. (Linda Gerhart)
INTELDIV: The ITMC Intelligence Division. The smallest of the three major specialty divisions, it is responsible for gathering and analyzing information. Most information gathering is done openly, but occasionally Evaluation Teams, and much of the time field agents, must operate covertly.
INTERNAL COMBUSTION: Power provided by explosions of fuel, usually alcohol, inside a motor. Used very little since the development of fusion and T/CT technology.
IRSCHCHA:
Sector: 8, Centaurus Year:Subsector: C, Bast Day:System: Tiandes Gravity: 995 cm/sec2Settled/established: N/A Axial tilt:By: N/A Oxygen:Satellites: 2 % Water:Ident code prefix: ISC Continents:Ruled by: The one with strongest Talent,who is also High Adept of the White OrderGeneral: Discovered in 2527 by Jamie MacLeod, Irschcha promptly joinedthe Empire. It is slightly cooler than Terra, and has no largecities.
IRSCHCHANS: Felinoids averaging 158 cm in height, 50-52 kilos in weight. They are strong for their size, and fast. Since they are also covered with thick, tawny fur, it is difficult for humans to tell the sexes apart--especially since their enthusiastic adoption of kilts within days after MacLeod's arrival. They were scarcely less enthusiastic about joining the Empire, and except for an abortive rebellion, have been good citizens.
The rebellion was motivated by the fact that Irschchans have and use Talent, which in humans at the time was untrained at best and thought to be imaginary at worst. The Irschchans have recognized and used it for approximately 5,600 years, with the best becoming members of what they considered a natural ruling elite, the White Order. That Talent seemed to make them equally-natural rulers of the Empire, and in 2569 the White Order, led by its High Adept (who was also the Planetary Baron) rebelled. The rebellion was stopped thanks primarily to one of High Adept Thark's students, Corina Losinj, who was persuaded to become the first non-human Ranger in the process--thus removing the reason for the rebellion.
ISHTAR, Subsector 16-C:
No. systems: 113 Sector: Virgowith 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 8with 1 inhabited planet: 19
ISIS, Subsector 16-B:
No. systems: 83 Sector: Virgowith 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 9with 1 inhabited planet: 19
JAEL: A warrior culture on Lupus. When prisoners are taken, the males are neutered, the females forced to bear a child the captors will keep, then the prisoners are released.
JASON, Richard: Head of Jason Interstellar Enterprises, until 2624 an Empire-wide consortium. His unsuccessful attempt to have his thakur-na (Dana Manfredi/DruAlanna) murdered, followed by his order for her to seek the death of a 'na who has dishonored @'s thakur, resulted in a death sentence for him if he remained on Sandeman, and loss of all property in Subsector Sandeman. The Traiti Sector and several other jurisdictions followed suit, as far as banning JIE from doing business, when the circumstances became known.
JIREL, Subsector 7-D:
No. systems: 184 Sector: Cygnuswith 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by:with 2 inhabited planets: 11with 1 inhabited planet: 23
JUDICIARY, IMPERIAL: The Empire has no judiciary as such, since it has a minimal number of laws and they are violated seldom enough that a separate judiciary would be impractical. Instead, disputes and violations are handled by the commanding officer of the nearest Imperial base or ship. Appeals are permitted--for cause, not as a matter of routine--through all higher levels of command, up to and including the Sovereign. Very few of those appealed, however, go further than one or two levels.
KA'NAYA: (Traiti) Female person. Used by a male to a female not of his clan, with or without another title. It is a form of respectful address equivalent to "My Lady" or "Excellency."
KAPLAN, Robert: Leader of the Nemran rebellion, in which Ranger Esteban Tarlac was seriously injured. Second child of Count Jonathan Kaplan.
KA'RUCHAYA: (Traiti) Literally, "female clan parent"; Clan Mother.
KEISHA: An aphrodisiac drug produced from a plant of the same name, which grows only on Purgatory. Processed by a secret method known only to one merchant family on Origani, the drug is extremely expensive and has almost religious connotations. Attempts to grow the plant elsewhere, or duplicate the refining process, have been uniformly unsuccessful. (Linda Gerhart)
KETTER: