Chapter 3

GILGAMESH System: Sector: 13, Crater No. planets: 12 Subsector: B, Inanna Habitable: 2 (Atlantis, Nemra) Ruled by: Kaplan family

GIRRU, Subsector 11-A: No. systems: 131 Sector: Gemini with 3 inhabited planets: 5 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 7 with 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: Hydra with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 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: Leo with 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 25

GRYPHON, Subsector 14-C: No. systems: 148 Sector: Phoenix with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 25

GUNGNIR, Subsector 19-C: No. systems: 160 Sector: Leo with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 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.

H

HATHOR, Subsector 9-B: No. systems: 102 Sector: Ursa with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 23

HEIMDALL, Subsector 1-C: No. systems: 70 Sector: Orion with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 19

HELIOS, Subsector 1-G: No. systems: 142 Sector: Orion with 3 inhabited planets: 6 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 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: 10 Subsector: C, Poseidon Habitable: 1 Ruled 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 description

Party per pale Divided vertically Party per fess Divided horizontally Party per bend Divided by right diagonal Party per bend sinister Divided by left diagonal Party per saltire Divided by both diagonals Party per chevron Divided by a chevron Quarterly Quarterly Checky Checked Tierced per fess Three-part horizontally Tierced per pale Three-part vertically Gyronny Divided by gyron Gurgy (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 description

Chief Chief Fess Horizontal bar Pale Vertical bar Bend Right-diagonal bar Bend sinister Left-diagonal bar Chevron Chevron Chevron reversed Reversed chevron Cross Cross Saltire Double diagonal Pile Wedge Quarter Quarter Pall Y-fork Flanches 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. Has been described as the Empire's only planet-wide military base. Also the 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: Leo with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 12 with 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: Traiti with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 19

HOMEWORLD: Sector: 21, Traiti Year: 474.5 days Subsector: A, Homesun Day: 23 hr 31 min System: Homesun Gravity: 1097 cm/sec2 Settled/established: Ca. 35,000 BCE Axial tilt: 21.2 deg. By: Traiti, transported by Others Oxygen: 25% Satellites: Two, names not established % Water: 73 Ident code prefix: HWD Continents: 6 Ruled by: Supreme and First Speaker, co-Dukes after 2568 General: Lifeforms generally larger than Terran. Location of Godhome, the psionic computer constructed by the Others, until it became part of Ranger Esteban Tarlac in 2568, while making him the last Lord of the 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: Leo with 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 22

HYDRA, Sector 2: Ruled by: No. systems: 542 Subsectors: 5 Inhabited planets: 270 A. Argus D. Minotaur B. Gorgon E. Cerberus C. 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.

I

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: Crater with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 24

ILMATAR, Subsector 9-E: No. systems: 125 Sector: Ursa with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 1 inhabited planet: 17

INANNA, Subsector 13-B: No. systems: 134 Sector: Crater with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 12 with 1 inhabited planet: 30

INDRA, Subsector 9-D: No. systems: 76 Sector: Ursa with 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 24

INDUS, Sector 17: Ruled by: No. systems: 465 Subsectors: 4 Inhabited planets: 195 A. Alph C. Poseidon B. 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 Origani General: Although it has a system of non-natural tunnels, concentrated near the north pole, where there is a permanent mining/archaeology colony, Inferno is not classified as inhabited. The average temperature is 153 F; it has no free-standing water, no seasons, and a "day" 60 standard days long. At night, the temperature drops to an 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/sec2 Settled/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 Order General: Discovered in 2527 by Jamie MacLeod, Irschcha promptly joined the Empire. It is slightly cooler than Terra, and has no large cities.

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: Virgo with 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 1 inhabited planet: 19

ISIS, Subsector 16-B: No. systems: 83 Sector: Virgo with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 19

J

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: Cygnus with 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 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.

K

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)