Chapter 2

Alanna*: edged weapons; the First Clan. Cid Datha Elwyn* Faerb Glenn Havek: metal-working, electronics; daughter-clan to Krishnan and Leras. Klein Krishnan*: basic research, farming. Leras*: farming, piloting and pilot training; the entire warrior caste of this clan is accomplished pilots. Levya*: shipfitters Lewies* Lowrie* Miklos*: communications. Neill*: leather battlegear, horses. Raynor*: medicine, genetics. Seldon Shona*: war-dogs, farming. Torrance: boats, other aquatic craft, seamanship. Vader: energy weapons; the first clan formed after Overthrow.

CLOUDCATS: Inhabitants of Ondrian, moved there by the Others about 8000 BCE because their original sun was about to go nova.

They resemble Terran mountain lions in size and shape, though because of their preference for cold climates, their fur is thick and white. They are highly intelligent, although the first colonists thought them wild animals; they communicate and manipulate objects with a pair of tentacular Y-shaped "tongues" that retract into cheek pouches when not in use.

Cloudcats are solitary hunters, living in mountain caves the Others provided with psionically-operated survival aids; although the closest world to their native one, Ondrian is enough harsher that, without the survival aids, cloudcat art and philosophy would have suffered, perhaps died. Most are involved with one or the other, many with both, and the tapestries they weave from their shed fur are in great demand throughout the Empire. Although most cloudcats never leave their home territory, some do take advantage of their right (granted in return for the colonists' free use of the equatorial zone) to travel at will on Imperial ships.

CLOUD-SILK: A soft, light, tough luxury fabric made from a plant that thrives only on Herbert's World.

CODES, COLOR: (Stories) Generally seen on military uniforms in the form of collar tabs, the color codes indicate the service's level. Imperial forces have no collar tabs; Sector-level have white, Subsector-level have yellow, System-level have orange, and Planetary-level have red.

(TE Society) These are the ones on the badges, intended to simplify mutual identification, especially when not in uniform or regalia. No color band means no Imperial rank (except for brown, which indicates a local noble; technically, they have no Imperial standing, but are generally given the courtesy title of "Excellency"). Green indicates the Sovereign (wide) and Rangers (2 narrow); white is for Dukes, yellow for Earls, orange for Counts, and red for Barons (in all of these a wide band is for a Life Noble, two narrow for a Ruling Noble and @'s Consort and Heir, one narrow for a Life Noble's spouse and a Ruling Noble's younger children). Black indicates Marines, blue Navy, with wide band for Imperial regulars, two narrows for Imperial reservists, and one narrow for local forces.

CODES, IDENT: (Stories) Only S and R indicate status in this group (Sovereign and Rangers, respectively); with the first and last letters of the individual's name, these form a three-letter prefix. All others have a five-letter prefix, with the first three being a home-planet identifier (preferably the first three letters in the Imperial English alphabet, but modified where necessary to prevent duplication), again with the first and last letters of the individual's name. The prefix is followed by an eight-digit number that precisely identifies the individual.

(TE Society) These were set up to allow computer separation, if it ever becomes necessary, by Imperial status; the first letter indicates that with S for Sovereign, R for Ranger, N for Imperial noble, C for citizens derived (or derivable) from the original TE stories, and E for citizens of extra-universal origin. TE is simply for Terran Empire, and the numbering is consecutive, assigned when enough information is available to do so--usually when the Admin Service has a persona form to work from.

COLD PEAK RANGE: A Sandeman mountain range, mostly on Clan Torrance territory. It is supposed to be the most beautiful mountain scenery on the planet, but is visited by few Sandemans other than Torrance hunting parties because of the general Sandeman dislike for low temperatures.

COMBAT DIVISION: The largest of the ITMC's major specialty divisions, it is responsible for all directly combat-related activity, including such things as basic training.

COMM IMPLANT: A surgically implanted communications system consisting of a transmitter in the throat and a receiver at the mastoid bone. Imperial implants have an always-active receiver and touch-activated transmitter, which can also be computer-activated if the comp initiates the contact and expects an answer.

COMP: Computer, of any type and size from a hand-held personal model to an Imperial Battle Cruiser's or other artificial intelligence.

CONCLAVE: The gathering of Rangers called by a new Sovereign immediately after @'s accession, to name the new Successor.

CONSORT, -CONSORT: Unhyphenated, a Kin of the Dragon who has Bonded to a Bloodmate. Hyphenated, after a title of nobility, the spouse of a ruling Imperial noble.

COR'NAYA: (Traiti) Honored One. Generally, a male who has taken and survived the Ordeal of Honor, and displays the Honor scars inflicted as a test of endurance to conclude the Ordeal. Rarely, a female who has borne twins and has been given Honor scars under anesthesia in a hospital.

CORONET: The lesser crown used by Rangers (when using their civil title of Prince/Princess) and Imperial nobles, primarily on ceremonial occasions.

CORPSWEN: Imperial Navy medical technician.

CRATER, Sector 13: Ruled by: No. systems: 395 Subsectors: 4 Inhabited planets: 220 A. Nike C. Ratri B. Inanna D. Idun

CROWN, IMPERIAL: The crown worn by the Sovereign during major ceremonies such as Investitures, Grand Audiences, etc. It is made of platinum in a wing-and-star motif, with the arches topped by the globe and sun segments of the Imperial Seal. The only gems used are pearls on the arches. For comfort, the crown is worn over a green velvet Cap of Estate, turned up with ermine. For less formal occasions a lighter version, without arches (and sometimes called the Diadem), is used.

CYCLOPS, Subsector 2-C: No. systems: 106 Sector: Hydra with 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 20

CYGNUS, Sector 7: Ruled by: No. systems: 803 Subsectors: 6 Inhabited planets: 297 A. Kinnison D. Jirel B. Skywalker E. Lessa C. DuQuesne F. Stildyne

D

DAGDA, Subsector 20-C: No. systems: 66 Sector: Chameleon with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 19

DARLAS: An aspect of Talent, a form of psionic attack that can vary in effect, depending on the user's strength and intent, from a mild stun to lethal. In whatever degree, it is extremely painful to the victim.

DAVIS, Subsector 21-C: No. systems: 66 Sector: Traiti with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 12 with 1 inhabited planet: 17

DECORATIONS, IMPERIAL (in order of precedence):

* Imperial Medal of Honor (wartime); Sovereign's Medal (peacetime) * Marine Cross * Navy Cross Distinguished Service Cross * Silver Star Medal # Legion of Merit # Distinguished Service Medal + Marine Medal + Space Medal Joint Services Commedation Medal Marine Commendation Medal Navy Commendation Medal Achievement Medal Purple Heart Combat Action Ribbon * Sovereign's Unit Citation * Distinguished Unit Emblem # Unit Commendation Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal Navy Good Conduct Medal Marine Corps Reserve Medal Navy Reserve Medal

These are awarded for: * Combat heroism # Heroic or meritorious acts + Non-combat heroism

DERYBACH: (Traiti) A Homeworld predator Ranger Tarlac characterized as an overgrown bobcat. They bear a strong resemblance to cloudcats, though they have shorter fur and are tawny rather than white.

DIADEM, IMPERIAL: A term sometimes used to refer to the Imperial Crown as it is worn during ceremonies other than major ones such as Coronation or Grand Audiences. It is somewhat lighter, since it does not have the arches.

DISRUPTOR: A gravitics-based weapon that disrupts its target's molecular structure. Sizes (and power) vary from the relatively weak sidearm favored by the Traiti to the extremely powerful "primaries" mounted in Imperial light, heavy, and battle cruisers, which require a separate T/CT power supply equal to that used for propulsion and ship support.

DONBLAS, Subsector 18-H: No. systems: 165 Sector: Aries with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 18

DONOR: As used by Narvonese, a person who acts as an occasional (one to four week interval, depending on the individual) blood-source for the Dragon-Kin, but whose lack of susceptibility to the nosferatu pseudo-virus prevents @ from becoming a Bloodmate. Donating or not is an individual decision, as is the method. While most choose to Donate directly and get the pleasure the Kin feels and projects to @'s Donor while feeding this way, some people prefer to Donate indirectly, through a medical unit; that blood is used for Kins who for some reason or other cannot or choose not to feed normally. This is not usual, though; "bottled" blood is, rather like WWII C-rations, life-sustaining but not very good, and certainly not satisfactory for long periods. The more usual problem is keeping donors from doing so too often, to the point where it adversely affects their health.

DOWER NOBLE: A ruling noble who retires and that noble's spouse, or the spouse of a ruling noble who has died. Dower nobles have no legal power, but are entitled to the courtesies of their former ranks. They add a true-lover's knot to their arms to indicate dower status.

DRAGON PRINCE: (Sometimes referred to simply as "Dragon" or "Prince") Personification of the nosferatu pseudo-virus, the result of a dream by the first Kin, during her Change, about a platinum-scaled Oriental-style dragon wearing a crown. She was familiar with both the fictional and real Draculas, synthesizing that knowledge with what she somehow sensed (or knew through Talent) she was becoming, and the virus' essential benevolence. Her colony of virus, even though it was centuries from true consciousness or self-awareness, picked up the image, possibly as a rudimentary identification, and passed it along as other colonies reached a level that changed their hosts.

DRUGS established so far, alphabetically. See individual entries for details. Energine Felzine Keisha Libidine Rapid-heal Veranol

DuQUESNE, Subsector 7-C: No. systems: 144 Sector: Cygnus with 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 15 Arms: Black.

E

EBISU, Subsector 18-A: No. systems: 124 Sector: Aries with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 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: 621 Subsectors: 7 Inhabited planets: 366 A. Ramman E. Susanowo B. Tefnut F. Zeus C. Ahto G. Thor D. 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: Phoenix with 3 inhabited planets: 6 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 26 Arms: On a red field, a sword point-upward between three silver caltrops.

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).

F

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: Phoenix with 3 inhabited planets: 7 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 1 inhabited planet: 22 Arms: On a counter-ermine field, a gold star of four large and eight small points, charged with a red circle on which is a silver wolf's head.

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 apiece 106 Subsectors, averaging 53 inhabited planets in 36 systems 1,431 multi-inhabited-planet systems 2,388 single-inhabited-planet systems 5,596 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: 472 Subsectors: 5 Inhabited planets: 285 A. Oberon D. Xanth B. Titania E. Arden C. Avalon

FORSETI, Subsector 18-F: No. systems: 90 Sector: Aries with 3 inhabited planets: 7 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 21

FREYA, Subsector 16-D: No. systems: 97 Sector: Virgo with 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 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.

G

GALATINE, Subsector 19-B: No. systems: 154 Sector: Leo with 3 inhabited planets: 6 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 1 inhabited planet: 25

GARUDA, Subsector 10-C: No. systems: 53 Sector: Aquila with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 19

GEMINI, Sector 11: Ruled by: No. systems: 422 Subsectors: 3 Inhabited planets: 169 A. Girru B. Agni C. Brigit