A Glossary of Imperial Terminology & Slang
This glossary will expand as the storyline of Blackout progresses and new entries become necessary. To avoid confusion, we strongly suggest using the "search" function of your browser to find things in it as it is fairly large (and will become larger). Some entries have been included purely for curiosity's sake or to better explain other entries. You probably won't find any spoilers if you dig too much. Probably.
Thanks for reading.
Animus - In ancient Kaffa mythology, "Animus" is the name for the genderless creator and soul of the entire universe whose presence and emanations exist in all things.
Archon Empire - An ancient civilization spanning multiple solar systems, also called the "Kaffa Empire" and the "Elven Empire" by non-Imperial Humans and the "Ryzaan Empire" by Vasiit and Shandrian peoples.
Archos - Center of the Empire, occasionally referred to as "the homeworld" by Kaffa and "Alfheimr" or "Albion" by Humans.
Articles of Imperial Law - The outline and foundation of Imperial government; the Archon constitution. This document sets up the hierarchal structure of the Empire, from the Queen, High Councilor, and Harnsvaar down through the Colonial Assembly and the Regional Assemblies to the local neighborhood assemblies and how each selects or elects the officials immediately above. This document was penned by Queen Ryshella (edited by Azarkin - the last Prince of Holtiin - and Commander Kimetj Vanahar) in the years prior to her founding the Empire. The Articles include a clause, Section 12, that provides steps for the Harnsvaar and the Assembly to critically examine and overthrow a given regime if the core of the cabinet does not have the best interests of its people at heart.
Atheism - Most citizens of the Archon Empire are (what we would consider) atheist or agnostic by default. An Imperial statute prohibits the practice of organized religion, although this is not an issue for most Kaffa, as they (by and large) don't see any use in group recognition of accepted beliefs, and the questionning and examination of accepted beliefs in intangible things is a strong vein in Kaffa culture. The ancestral Elven "religions" were usually elitist orders that maintained various secrets, such as the production of a particular liquor, the practices of certain martial arts, etc. It is said that the Mantzaar pacifists practice a national religion (they are technically a theocracy), but their bizarrely cheerful sex and death cult bears little resemblance to say, Baptism.
Atquel - A highly-regulated stimulant drug that has been used for millenia by the Shandrian military (and now the Empire). The drug is grown on privately owned farms that pay substantial taxes but experience excellent protecion. It is usually shipped through space in self-refrigerating, pressurized barrels in a liquid form to guarantee its stability for use. Uncut and unrefined, it is fairly addictive and in larger doses potentially lethal - to humans (much less so for Kaffa). Humans in some rim colonies illegally acquire it to refine it into the drug colloquially called "Engine". Also called "Stardust", or "Elf Crack", Engine and its equally addictive variants are a scourge among all classes in human societies that have discovered it. The IGRP works extensively with colonial governments to prevent its spread, but human conspiracy theorists and anti-Imperials have long suspected the drug is spread intentionally to make conquest and assimilation easier.
Aur - The deified principle of Mercy, formerly the most widely revered "god" in ancient Kaffa mythology: Aur Thassalios (to the Mountainfolk) or Aur Thallion (to the Northern Riverfolk) was the full name of this personification of Merciful Death. Since the Elven way was always one of appreciating one's material existence and connection to nature, and since the bulk of their society was either belligerent or curious (or both), a fast or painless (or even enjoyable) death was the only thing they could imagine asking an outside source to provide. Later fusion belief systems practiced by hierarchal occult societies tie Aur to Maalek and Leviathan, personifications borrowed from other regions.
Aurius - A southern province of Eshandir that was an independent state in ancient times, geographically consisting of isolated sandy beaches and long, dangerous salt flats. The Kaffa of this region were slender, darker skinned, with copper to crimson hair. They were semi-aquatic, relying on water to mate and produce food and the materials required to build their homes. The Aurians lost a war to the North Shandrians hundreds of years before the existence of the Empire, then were nearly completely exterminated during the Coastal War.
Aurmalek - Sole continent on Archos to host a native human population; heavily influenced by the Aurian Kaffa of Southern Eshandir in ancient times. All citizens of this nation, human, elf, and Haki, were wiped off the map as the result of a religiously motivated war in the centuries preceding the Empire. This act is meditated on heavily in a book called, "The Prince of 9 Faces" but otherwise largely ignored after 400 IY.
Aurmalki - the peoples of Aurmalek, usually of mixed Human/Kaffa heritage, often red-haired, dark-skinned, and stout. Most survive offworld, on Holtiin, due to their prevalence either incarcerated or working in the early Shandrian penal colonies.
Avenaur - A former Shandrian colony, now part of the Archon empire. Suffered from natural and imported environmental catastrophes during the Great Isolation and is now primarily used for research purposes.
Baalphae - "The Lost Folk". Racially distinct from the Kaffir but apparently descended from the same genetic stock (the mysterious starfaring Qu'taal people). Baalphae bloodlines turn up a wide variety of peculiar mutations, some far more common than others. Racial traits may include: white or bluish skin, coal black eyes, great height (7 feet of gangly elf-being is not uncommon), black blood, an extraordinarily complex carnivorous digestive system, hypersensitivity to dehydration, long jaws, retractable teeth, natural claws, and heightened reflexes. Please note that the average Kaffa is stronger and faster than a human being, and the Baalphae are generally faster still. However, they are susceptible to a large variety of genetic disorders and mental illnesses long since wiped out in Kaffa society. Unfortunately for Kaffa and Humans however, the Baalphae are genetically compatible with both species in spite of differences - and in spite of the fact that bearing such hybrids is frequently detrimental to the womb-bearer.
Baalphae Empire - A number of planets and gas giant moons (often orbiting blue or red stars) dominated by the Baalphae people. The Baalphae generally live in subterranean environments filled with fungus or in above ground cities of artificially engineered bones, flesh, and organs. Their bio-ships are either artificially created "star eater" (sun whale) clones, or resemble giant conglomerations of bone with long barbs meant for ramming Kaffa bio-ships and tearing their hulls open.
Baalphegor - Main planet of the Baalphae, center of their Empire. Baalphegor was depopulated once by Archos before the Archon Empire was founded; the planet was re-populated by Kaffa and humans from Archos but Baalphae claiming it as home or as "holy planet" settled again on it by the 300s. In 412, ruthless but youthful Prince Ravlex took the throne and declared the Baalphae Empire would shine again. Ravlex ruled for over 150 years until a Haarnsvaar-led special ops detachment bombed the Imperial Palace and took to the streets to hunt and kill his generals and surviving family. This operation had mixed results for Archos among the Baalphae and is thought to be the most crucial trigger for the terrorist acts that began the Mior Wars.
Black Feather and Black Wing - The Black Feather is usually awarded to combat personnel who have lost a close comrade and still completed his or her mission. A Black Wing is usually awarded to the sole survivor (or fractional remnant) of an otherwise destroyed unit, particularly when exceptional service continued after the loss. Other branches of the military sometimes derisively refer to Star Assault men as "Blackwings". The mothers of Star Assault men, if still living, receive a small amulet featuring a black feather when their sons join. These are worn with pride on Armed Forces Day.
Blighty - A mean thing to call a Ryzaan, referring to the fact that land corals become blighted and corrupt in the central swamps, forcing the natives to build using non-renewable materials and thereby destroy the environment. Also, "blighter".
Border Blonde - A term for lighter-skinned, lighter-haired people of Vasiit descent, or Ryzaans with particularly dark complexions. This term is considered rude (and has been for centuries) but seems to remain inexplicably in usage.
Brace - "The Star Assault man-bra"; "pilot's underwear"; the black, mostly inert Vektar brand top worn by paratroopers and pilots to help prevent rib and shoulder injuries. It is common to see men wandering around SA cruisers wearing only a brace and ladders, and a brace is a dead-giveaway of former membership in the branch.
Bug Sergeant - also, "Hive Sentinel" An Imperial military specialist rank which only exists for two divisions of the Infantry (Flame Throwers and Trenchers) and for Star Assault. While they carry the combat rank of Sergeant, they have their own professional rank system which denotes their acceptance by the Hive ("Novice", "Adept", "Sentinel", and "Master"; higher ratings, such as "Father" and "Ambassador", are only found at planet-side Hives and usually require a Gen Biology degree and some testing). Bug Sergeant Hive Ambassador is one of the highest-paid non-combat positions in the Archon Imperial military. Aboard SA ships, BSGTs keep track of the Gen and are aware at least on paper of all existing pair-bonds, monitor their health and life cycles, and maintain the Gen areas (as well as signage in regards to Gen). BSGTs also give instructions on care and interaction for newly bonded elves as well as being responsible for assisting the ship physician in operations on Gen. They are often heavily involved in the harvesting of honey for Luret and other ship-board delicacies, some of which fetch an exorbitant price in civilian markets. This supplementary (occasionally black market) income has supported Star Assault since the great defamation following Mior.
Choir of the Devourer - A Baalphae sect whose literature claims that the Animus is a massive semi-sentient black hole-like "existence" at the center of the universe. They claim that all life and creation exist only to be eaten and reprocessed by this "being". The Devourer is supposedly "attended" by 9 mysteriously inedible beings (either too large or strong or multi-dimensional, depending on your translation of the scriptures, to be "consumed' and "defecated" back out in a new form) who take turns keeping the Devourer contained and influencing the outcomes of the lesser beings dwelling in the universe. Some priests of the Choir claim to have access to charts which reveal the location of the Devourer. While the tenets of this faith are ill-understood by Archon scholars, the depraved behaviors of its True Believers are well-documented and their "enlightenment" looks an awful lot like "insanity" to most civilized Kaffa.
Conduit - A sufferer of High-Tension Syndrome.
Czeni's Disease - A congenital illness specific to Haki that lays dormant in the body until triggered properly (usually by the hormones of pregnancy; hence, it is considered a woman's disease). The disease becomes increasingly less common in families that have engaged in intermixing for multiple generations. It can be detected and prevented, but the detection process is painful and expensive, and therefore usually skipped unless a known set of risk factors is present.
Dash - Short for "Dashinki". One of several kinds of fast attack or landing craft, meant for short trips in space or various purpose within atmospheres. They are named for the marine animal they resemble.
Decency - A constant concern of Shandrians that has infected all Kaffa and Imperial culture over the past several centuries. Exposing any portion of the torso beyond junction of the clavicles (considered very masculine) is a traditional communication of sexual availability, so doing it around complete strangers is considered embarrassing, slutty, tacky, or just downright pathetic. With the exception of Mantzaar, most citizens of Archos keep their bodies covered from neckline to toe when out among strangers. The only places one will regularly see any bare skin are specific bars devoted to safe sex for lonely travelers (prostitution is legal and encouraged on Archos and Holtiin; prostitutes pay slightly higher taxes but are covered under the same free health care program to which career military are entitled; additionally, by no coincidence, hurting a prostitute will net a person the attention of the Military Police and not just the civvie gendarme). Brief note: Among Holtiini, exposure of the abdominal area by young men or women communicates a slightly different kind of availability - "I'm unmarried and fertile" as opposed to "I'm free for screwing around." The Star Assault uniform has a profoundly confusing effect on unfortunate young Holtiini women; SA guys who don't like to get slapped remember to wear shirts when barhopping by the Academy.
Desert Children - A term for Vasiit of the sandy plains (also called "Desert Folk" and "Sand Folk"), coined by the Shandrians, who have great affection for the Desert Folk. The Vasiit, particularly those from the very windy and sandy regions of said territory, do not open their mouths all the way to speak, and are referred to as, "talking around their teeth." This is considered uncivilized by Ryzaans, but quaintly childlike by Shandrians. The Vasiit accent is characterized by a fang-lisp and dropped consonants
Elf - Another way of saying, "ylph", the Archon word for "ancestor". Carries the connotation of "cannibal" and "human eater" to some Kaffa.
"Elven Soul, Human Heart" - What Haki are accused of suffering from due to the circumstances of their genetics. Considered by many to be a crude (if often apt) generalization, the concept remains central to much poetry, music, and fiction involving Haki characters.
Esimar - The former capital city of Aurius, devastated in the Coastal War. A Kimetj Class cruiser now bears this name.
Eshandir - The western coast and northern mountainous areas of Archos' main continent. This vast land produces most of the textiles, art, and roughly 50% of food and pharmaceuticals for Archos, including 100% of the production of the stimulant "Atquel" which is used in recreational beverages as well as combat drugs. Eshandir is now a state of the Empire, but still incredibly powerful economically and politically.
Fangs - 1) What Kaffa have in their mouths. 2) An elite unit of the ICSM whose logo is a fanged skull. Fang officers are lower clearance on average than Star Assault officers and usually retire to have families if they survive their terms of service.
GC - A term for an individual's clearance level in the Imperial Military, usually followed by a number. Those above a GC2 will often refer to their numbers only without the "GC" assignation.
GC Collar - A collar worn by Imperial soldiers, based on the prison collars of Shandrian mining colonies. Color of the collar denotes the branch of service; color of the tag denotes GC level; information recorded in the tag includes an ID number. Wearing multiple collars at the same time occurs only in Star Assault.
Gen - Short for "Genadri". A species of large, four-eyed colonial creatures sporting many physiological parallels to Earthly arthropods but possessing at least a modicum of intelligence. Their hive structure and reproductive cycles are extraordinarily complex, and they have entertained a symbiotic relationship with Kaffa-kind for millenia. To see an entry from the Children's Encyclopedia of Archos, click here.
Grafts - While cosmetic, emergency, and professional grafts and plugs exist, grafts are most common in the Imperial Military. Most are given for the purpose of direct (but buffered) interface with bio-ships and bio-weapons. Low-level, less complex interfaces usually require only unobtrusive small plug like connections which allow regular jacking without scar tissue building along the arms or ribs (the most common interface points). Higher level grafts - like those used in Star Assault - resemble some kind of bio-mechanical orifice. These frequently seep and need to be cleaned and moisturized with some regularity. The lightly armored sleeves worn by SA men are designed specifically to protect and maintain live-grafts. The little bandage-like armbands worn when the gloves are off serve a similar function. It is rare to see uncovered grafts in civilian areas; retirees usually have them removed. YR Tank pilots and career IG pilots often receive similar advanced grafts - running along the base of the ribs.
Guild, The - A mysterious school attached to the Imperial Palace. Sometimes called "The Imperial Guild".
Haarkijietj - "Those Who Bring Terror". The formal (old Shandrian) name of Star Assault, technically it's most specific division, last used during the Mior Wars.
Haki - A Kaffa with Human blood in his or her bloodlines. Haki have longer lives than the average human, and can exhibit any number of other "elven" traits, such as fangs, pointed ears, increased metabolism, etc. Unfortunately, they can also suffer from an even larger array of disorders and illnesses from sterility to digestive problems to unique conditions like "Czeni's disease".
Handheld or "Slate" - Archon pocket computer and communication device made by one of several tech companies through the Empire. The simplest are essentially cellphones with text messaging features and newsfeed reading services. The most elaborate can store and play back music or other recordings, take & edit photographs, run fairly complex software via "infocards", and be enabled with various tracking features (which have obvious military applications). We would call them "smartphones" although they are rarely if ever used in that manner
Harnsvaar - "The Doom of Heaven", or "Heaven's Nightmare"; the Queen's elite guard, also called "The Black Squadron" or "The Faceless". Nine (or more) of the most dangerous men in the Imperial Military and commanders-in-chief thereof; most live shrouded in mystery, and only 3 of any given unit are allowed to show their faces to the public or have names outside the palace walls. The Imperial Harnsvaar was officially formed in IY 1 from the remnants of the Colonial Harnsvaar, a then-mysterious Shandrian institution. In continuity with this tradition, the Commander of the Harnsvaar is usually a Kaffa of impressive charm, a man who could not only wow the Queen and the High Councilor with his air and prowess, but one who must hold the attention of the citizenry. Harnsvaar Commanders have something of the status of military rock stars, and are usually assumed to be in bed - literally - with the civil government.
High Councilor - A politician (or politically savvy soldier) selected by the Queen to serve as her adviser (and, frequently, lover). Historically speaking (although not universally true), High Councilors are older than the current Queen, usually retired Harnsvaar.
High-Tension Syndrome - A rare condition in some pureblood Kaffa as well as mixes (more common in males than females) where the Pulse Organ develops too young and has an above normal output. This Syndrome is frequently more dangerous to people and animals around the sufferer than to the sufferer himself, and evidence of HTS in a young man or woman is usually followed up by medically assisted suicide. This is a holdover from Colonial Ryzaan Law and members of the current cabinet have fought long and hard to overturn the archaic mandate that Conduits are to be killed when found.
Hitchhiker - What Star Assault men will call a Marine when they want a fight. Refers to the Marines use of Intergalaxy invasion vessels.
Holtiin - A long-occupied planet in the solar system closest to Archos, sometimes called "The Sister Planet". Populated primarily by Haki of Shandrian descent who broke away during a particularly rough spot in Colonial times. Home to the Junior Academy, where the Imperial Military offers extensive free higher education to its Officers and expensive but top-of-the-line scientific education (specifically, biotechnology and sustainable farming and fishing) to non-military students.
Houseboy - A live-in partner and assistant, usually to a couple or survivor raising children (but not exclusively; wealthy infertiles sometimes have multiple house-people). Houseboys are very frequently 4th Stage veterans (sometimes active but between commissions, usually retired) who otherwise lack family (and can no longer create a family him or her self). Kaffa are naturally very social (tribal, even) and would consider a veteran living all alone after all their hard work defending the Empire to be quite unfortunate. In a home with children, it is considered the duty of the houseperson (or the neighbor's...) to sexually educate the youngsters as they come of age; the "first time" of most Kaffa is usually with a same-sex partner, and Kaffa don't think there's anything odd about that. There is no word in Archon for "straight" or "gay" - adults sleep with adults because it's fun and comforting and increases bonding. Gender only becomes relevant for breeding, to them.
ICSM - Imperial Corps of Space Marines, "The Marines". Just like it sounds: These are the space marines of the Archon Empire. They aren't to be screwed with, but that doesn't stop Star Assault from badgering them. GC Collar color: Red.
IGRP - "Imperial Galactic Rim Patrol". Also called "Star Force", and "Rim Cops". The roughest branch of Intergalaxy, charged with the protection (and/or monitoring) of ships coming and going from Imperial Space. Somewhat infamous for both toughness and occasional mercenary behavior, lady IGRP officers are often referred to as "Widow Privateers". GC Collar color: Gold.
IY - "Imperial Year". Archon years are a bit longer than Earthly years due to the distance of Archos from Maalek. It's all relative to an elf, frankly. Cliff's Notes version? "My gods, the Humans have such short lives! A pity!"
Ichemius - A sexual disease of Kaffa that has been known to mutate rapidly among Human populations into a respiratory plague. Some relation exists between Genadri and this disease; the huge cultural taboo against eating Gen-meat apparently stems from the fact all Genadri have a form of ichemius living dormantly in their bodies. This form of ichemius seems to cause digestive disorders in Kaffa and Haki with the Human variant (fortunately far more difficult to spread than the sexual and respiratory versions) carrying a 98% mortality rate.
Imperial Medal of Valor - A rare and distinguished award of the Archon military. Shaped like a four-pointed star, usually cast in base metal and plated with niobium.
Intergalaxy - The Imperial Star Navy, also called "IG", "Intergee", and "The ISN". IG is split into two very different sections: IG Rehabilitation, which is responsible for colonization, colonial repair, and mass medical relief (also, scientific exploration, which is sometimes called RDX), and IG Reclamation, which is responsible for carrying invasion forces, and, in extreme cases, wiping entire populations clean from the atmosphere through pulse cannon incineration (supposedly "no longer practiced by the Empire", the practice has been banned and reinstated multiple times). Collar color: Blue.
Jump Freighter - An intergalactic delivery driver, the Imperial equivalent of a trucker. While most work for civilian concerns, accepting military contracts is not unheard of, especially since military contracts often come with armed support. Civilians by and large do not own weapons in the Empire (collectors may own them with permits on some worlds), but long distance freight jumpers are allowed to carry stun weapons after training courses and permit approval (such weapons are still prohibited on Archos and most Freighters either just don't go there, or leave their weapons locked up on their ships when they visit or go home). In addition, active duty military can sometimes be hired from space stations on the Rim as escorts to deter piracy of freight vessels; a special form of professional leave is granted by the base officials in such cases. Marines, IGRP, and non-locked Star Assault soldiers can all reap in a goodly amount of external income - and occasionally infamy - in this manner.
Kaen-Kour - One of several anti-Imperial factions with apparent fanatical religious roots. Suspected of being the largest insurgent faction, the Kaen-Kour are also the leading perpetrators of organized crime on the non-Imperial and fringe colonies. They are frequently associated with the extreme religious groups (even those not normally known for violence) on Kuros and Verraken, and several Human Purity philosophical groups. An eerie similarity is noted by Kaffa historians between the name, "Kaen-Kour" and "Rakour-Abramy Heavy Materials Corporation", a human colonial mining and manufacturing company declared "criminal" by Eshandir before the second Ryzaan Occupation (approx. 100 years before the Empire) and apparently wiped out completely by IY 313. Rakour-Abramy supplied radioactive and fossil fuels for weaponry and starships, and never made an effort to distinguish between the sale of the two.
Kaffa - The Kaffir, or Kaffa, are a species not entirely dissimilar to Humanity, but apparently much older. While being carbon-based bipeds and having (mostly) red blood (black-bleeding anomalies exist, and these are apparently possessed of some eerie chemical differences, we'll touch on them at other points), the Kaffa are notable for their pointy ears, sharp canines, and long lives. The most dramatic difference between Kaffa and Humans is the Pulse Organ, a mysterious (but enhanceable) bit of tissue replacing the appendix. The Kaffir are also called "elves", although many Kaffa consider the term abusive and racist. Kaffa from Archos originate from distinctive ethnicities which many Humans cannot tell apart but which make a huge difference in relations for natives.
Kaffa Bloodtypes - While bloodtypes don't really play a major roll in this story, this section is included for the curious. Kaffa have analagous blood to Humans in most cases, although the B and AB bloodtypes do not exist among them, and O is uncommon. Additionally, they have two more bloodtypes unique to their race: Kn, the universal Kaffa donor, can only receive from Kaffa with "factor X" and from bloodtype O (Human or Kaffa). Humans of bloodtype 0 have a 40% rejection rate of Kn type blood, A have a 60% rejection rate, and other Humans cannot accept it at all (in elves, those rejection rates are substantially lower). Kr is the rarest Kaffa bloodtype; their blood is toxic to most Humans, being non-ferrous and rife with queer bacteria instead. Kr can only receive from Kr types and Kn types with Factor X, and give only to other Kr types, and they are often barred from military service. Kr is considered a disability; it is one of the few legitimate reasons to forego a term of Mandatory Service. Additionally, Kaffa with any bloodtype can have what is called "Factor X", being additional microorganisms not unlike those found in Kr bloodtypes but much less hostile and not prone to the utter elimination of ferrous metals from the body. Factor X is apparently a survival adaptation but is not well understood. Elves with Factor X present in their blood show resistance to the sterilizing effects of staging, can accept blood from any Human bloodtype as well as Kn, and can donate with lower rejection rates. Factor X are fantastically disease and poison resistant, but seem to be genetically associated with a variety of physiological disorders: the genes for Sekhoriya and High Tension Syndrome seem to ride sidecar to Factor X.
Kem-Yaz'zt = A town in the hills of Archon-occupied Baalphegor following Second Mior. Predominantly a military base and research facility in the valley, with civilian housing and conveniences peppering the highlands. During the early part of Queen Marsura's administration, this area is attacked by the Baalphae and utterly decimated. Marsura's press secretary spins this tragedy to the central Empire as the unpreventable bombing of a secret military installation. The survivors, including Ratyanyel Iakshetsin of the 89th, know the truth.
Kimetj Class - The smallest class of Imperial Cruiser, used exclusively by Star Assault. The current design is a re-tooling of the late Colonial Shandrian Revenant Class of invasion destroyers, which were designed to cover a wide variety of both atmospheric and interstellar close-range dirtywork. Like most large Kaffa tech, Kimetj (such as the Esimar) are bioengineered ships and have many distinctly living components. This class was named for legendary General Kimetj Vanahar, first Commander of the Harnsvaar.
KSN - Gas grenades for crowd suppression. They come in several varieties, the police favorite being a less-than-endearing multiple vector nano-organism substance that attaches to striated muscle tissue and causes painful burning as long as skeletal movements continue. This can last for over an hour. Other varieties include visibility reducing but mostly "safe" "smoke" grenades; hallucinogenic gas that afflicts humans much worse than elves; mild to severe respiratory poisons; and the ever-popular (read: recently banned) "seizure gas" that kills 80% of humans in 2-3 hours and 60% of kaffa in 5 hours unless an antitoxin is administered.
Kuros - A generally quiet planet just inside Imperial Space which serves as a trade hub for that quadrant. While an extremely anti-elven religious faction began on Kuros, most Kuronoi who practice it eventually leave to live on Verraken.
Ladders - Pressure-equalizing lightweight self-healing bioware leggings worn by the men of Star Assault. Surprisngly comfortable; many men choose to wear them round the clock even on leave. Since they are not bulky under ordinary conditions, they make excellent long underwear. Their name refers to the barometrically sensitive tubing running down the legs. Please note: Even some officers in the current units cannot afford their ladders and often substitute soft black Vektar brand long underwear instead. The ladder top is even more expensive and usually avoided altogether these days.
Land Coral - "Living Concrete". Colonial animals like Earthly sea corals, except found on land. Land corals have been engineered by inland and coastal Shandrians for millenia to grow over frames and thereby create permanent limestone structures. Please observe that island Shandrians (Hyaveki) still employ a gargantuan and complicated form of bonsai to create homes.
Leviathan - "Mother Ocean" in ancient Shandrian and Islander mythology, although like Maalek, her gender is prone to sudden change in stories and invocations. Leviathan is the blind and fiery source of all planetary life - a personification of the force of ocean vents, of the seaming spontaneous generation of living organisms around volcanic vents. Leviathan gave the substance, Maalek gave the soul, but both warranted cautious exposure and handling, since both were just as likely to take away life as to create or improve it.
Locked - Another way of saying "Black Tagged", ie, branded a criminal and or slave.
Lorelei - A port city on the coast of Vasa, built as a trade gesture by the people of Eshandir to protect goods traveling to and from Vasa, north and south Eshandir, and the Hyavek Island chain from the Ryzaan raiders who plagued overland routes, not to mention the rugged terrain and weather conditions of the intervening mountain ranges and deserts. Lorelei became a cultural hub in the early to mid-Colonial period, known for its safety, prosperity, and opportunities. This all changed when the Ryzaans finally built their own boats and began to attempt trade with the other nations. While this worked for a time, eventually tension over tariffs and cruelty (the chief export of Ryzaa was slaves) begat piracy and eventually a catastrophic siege that completely leveled Lorelei. This name was eventually given to the first of an experimental class of cruiser modified from the Revenant/Kimetj design. Little is publicly known about these modifications, and civilians and low military alike are prone to speculation on the nature of them. The cruiser Lorelei suffered a terrorist attack after 3rd Mior and was apparently destroyed.
Luret - An exotic, expensive liqueur made from Gen honey.
Maalek - The gender-changing, fickle, violent Kaffa sun prince of ancient myth; the name of the star around which Archos revolves; the personification of Death and Pain (and therefore, education) to Shandrians. Maalek was rarely supplicated for favors, although invocations and poems exist that call on the innate power of the sun inside all true Kaffa - fearlessness, mercilessness, and the awesome destructive force of Pulse.
Maat-shi - Kaffa martial arts, also "ma'at-shii". Each "sphere" of Maat-shi focuses on a kind of terrain or situation and is referred to by a color, ie, the Blue Sphere involves combat in water, the Green Sphere is for use arboreally (although Green Sphere artists may excel in industrial areas as well), Silver Sphere is the low and zero grav specialty, etc. Competition practitioners focus mainly on the athletic aspects; the highest levels of each sphere (and all levels of the Black Sphere) are considered military secrets.
Mandatory Service - The Archon Empire requires a two year minimum term of service from all able citizens (and "able" is "if you can hold a stylus, you're gonna work, tjej't!). This is usually through a military branch, but is often civic work (except for those unlucky enough to undergo their ManServ during a galactic war). For pacifists and conscientious objectors, Community Service terms are 3-4 years via the local council or a council exchange program, with the work frequenly being much more difficult. The alternative to signing on with such a program is five to ten years mining minerals or ice on asteroids or moons under harsh conditions.
Mantzaar - An isolated region on the decayed northeastern landbridge off the central continent. Home to a completely unique pacifistic culture allowed autonomy by the Empire provided regular tithes of pharmaceuticals to the Imperial Military. The Kaffa of the Mantzaar region are olive-skinned with dark red to black hair and very angular features. They are notoriously drug-addled and oversexed, but rarely leave their own borders. While hard alcohol and pharmaceuticals are their chief exports, they survive largely on tourism; Imperial citizens flock year-round to see the temples and plentiful erotic art and sample the local cuisine and notoriously "easy" citizens.
Marriage - Marriage among Kaffa is done only for the purposes of producing/protecting children. Marriages must be approved by family members and the state (usually a local official who knows the couple or the couple's family), as child-bearing is an activity regulated by the government out of necessity. Since Kaffa are proponents of what we might call "free love", this doesn't fluster them at all - many couples have a live-in partner of either gender (often fully-staged retired military) who helps out with household chores and assists in raising the children, and partner-swapping is very common among older couples who have already procreated. Orgies among good friends are not unheard of (cocktail parties end a little differently in Eshandir!) and prostitutes as anniversary presents are pretty standard. Kaffa society is traditionally matriarchal, and the practices thereof have spread widely through the Empire. Therefore, a man usually takes the woman's family name at their wedding, and it is the husband who is "given away". Note that men of particular esteem or renown, or men who are the last productive member of their line, tend to keep their family names in a hyphenated form with their wife's. Tribal variances occur in the ceremony, of course, and may include niceties such as jewelry or gift exchanges and toasts to more extreme activities including orgies (Mantzarr, Vasa), blood rites (Ryzaa, southern Eshandir), or body modification (Northern Eshandir, parts of the Islands). The most extreme ritual may be the Huari practice of subjecting the groom to a "corset piercing" in the weeks preceding the wedding. He is laced by the eldest sibling of the bride or the mother of the bride before walking to his position at the ceremony, and if he complains or cries out, she may choose to terminate the wedding or merely to mock him forever.
Mauhm - "Cave Ape". A very nasty thing to call a Human or mixed-blood.
Mior - A gas giant whose moons and asteroids were major production centers during earlier times. These moons became the center of a series of devastating wars (referred to chronologically as "First" "Second" and "Third") ending in the youth of Blackout's hero, Lucien. The memory of these wars has left a scar on the Empire and deterred many young people from both service and politics.
Mix (slang) - A dismissive and slightly nasty thing to call a Haki.
Mud Elf (slang) - A mean thing to call a Ryzaan.
Mountain Folk - Kaffa from the ranges that form the borders of Eshandir and Ryzaa. These folk are light skinned, often having brown hair, although natural greys (silver to a steely shade) are a hallmark of mountain blood. Mountain Folk have larger fangs on average than most Kaffa and are the only purebloods to ever have natural facial or body hair (other than around the genitals). Kaffa body and facial hair is soft and usually straight, like that of a long-haired cat or rabbit.
Pachar - A massive orbital space station in the same system as Kuros. In IY 643, there was a bloody rebellion there staged by the Kuronoi Seperatist Movement. The Pachar Rebellion was quelled by the Fangs and an SA detachment stationed there but not until substantial civilian and military casualties occurred.
Pain Maidens - A fanatic Baalphae cult whose practices include self flagellation, forced surgery (of non-believers), and occasionally the "euthanization" of non-believers "to end their suffering". Further details pending, as the sect is notoriously difficult to research.
Pipes - Slang term for the launch decks on star cruisers. On a Kimetj Class, the "Hellpipes" run along port and starboard and are the chief launch bays, and the "aft pipe" is provided as a private or emergency landing/escape area. "Hellpipe" and "aft pipe" are also Star Assault slang for the phallus and rectum.
Pulse - Kaffa bio-energy, somewhat similar to Human EMF, but stronger (thanks to the existence of the pulse-organ); most Kaffa go their entire lives without using pulse and allow their organ to atrophy without notice. Some even have it removed to show their will toward peace.
Pyrovite - A creature engineered as bio-weaponry by the Baalphae. Looking somewhat like a brittle star, pyrovites are full of fluid chambers and covered in spines. Kept inert in canisters until fired from "stalkers" (constructs that serve as landers and walking gun turrets). From the time they are fired, the membranes between their cavities begin to break down, causing a chemical reaction. The tendrils swell, ejecting the spines. Spines are extraordinarily painful, coated and filled with a variety of toxins and bacteria. Once in a while they will contain the active construction sequence of the pyrovites, which will rapidly devour a body into which they are injected. The effected body will die (with merciful speed), leaving a mutilated, half-melted husk which will eventually spill a pile of semi-inert, fluid coated, small pyrovites. The pyrovite that initially fired the spines hits "critical" shortly after ejection, as the action of such ruptures many if not all of the weakened membranes, and within fifteen minutes, the whole creature detonates in a chemical reaction fireball. Archon technology caught up with these Baalphae horrors in about 530 IY, although the "soap grenade" and "disinfector" are not as available as one flying into Baalphae territory might hope. These devices contain chemicals which render even a fully-activated pyrovite rapidly into a harmless if very foul-smelling pool of sudsy liquid.
Queen - The executive and popular head of the Archon Empire; while the Harnsvaar make military decisions, only the Queen and Councilor can sign off on their funding. The Queen is elected for life by the Imperial Council and the Harnsvaar.
Ranks In The Imperial Military - Please see heading "Star Assault ranks", below.
Ravlex, King - Even among his own people, King Ravlex was considered extremely degenerate, having foul appetites both sexual and culinary. His belligerence and cruelty were renowned, but none of his sons or generals dare dethrone him and face his wrath. As much as the rumors of his violent ritual feasts and the rape of prisoner and family member alike disturbed his citizens, Ravlex was still a popular king whose conquests bolstered the economy while expanding the Baalphae Empire's borders into Archon space. Under him, many scientific advancements were made, and it could not be argued that the Dols and Star Eaters ran on time. Perhaps the most unfortunate aspect of his lengthy reign has been the religious revival that has occurred from occupied Baalphegor to the Senagen Republic to the Mior Moons: the ancient Baalphae faith of the Holy Devourer and its monstrous "Choir" are a fanatical, repressive sect bent on the domination or destruction of all who oppose them. See also 'Choir of the Devourer' and 'Pain Maidens'. King Ravlex's palace was bombed by Archon forces - under pained pleading from the beleaguered Senagen Republic in 563. and he was brought to trial. Ravlex's death in 564 IY was not captured on film, although many reliable witnesses reported it.
Razor - "Razor Flexible Assault Craft"; a small and highly-maneuverable jump-enabled spacecraft. They fit up to two people and a small amount of gear. These high-tech, top-secret mini-ships are the personal craft of the Harnsvaar, and most Archons only ever see them once a year at the Armed Forces Day Parade in Ryzaa, when they ritually buzz the crowd. Their presence otherwise, obvious and uncloaked, is considered rather foreboding.
Ruahanu - or "Ruhaar", "Terrible Cold". An icy but resource -rich and breathtakingly beautiful (if harsh) planet in a system near that of Mior. Settled by Mountain Folk & North Coasters, it boasted its own government for several hundred years, often providing brutal mercenary forces when not producing pirates. Ruahanu rejoined the Archon Empire during the first Mior War to receive stronger protection. Baalphae breakaways who preferred Archon structure and lifestyle joined the natives in the years following 1st Mior and apparently were welcomed, becoming productive and active members of the society, only to have their new home destroyed not too far after. While most Archons call people of Ruahanu blood "Ruahanan", they themselves say the are "Ruhn"
Ryzaa - A civilization in the central swampy regions of the main continent of Archos. Also, the capitol city of the Empire, home to the Imperial Palace. Ryzaa City is additionally home to the largest civilian university in the Empire, which specializes in political science, literature, and economics, and hosts a much-vaunted graduate bio-medical program.
Ryzaan - The smaller, sharper-featured Kaffa of Ryzaa. Often white or blonde haired with an ivory to gold complexion. Ryzaans are reknowned for ill-temper and blood-lust; they warred unceasingly with Eshandir until the foundation of the Empire and enmities still exist. Ryzaans had a terrible record with the environment but excellent progress with technology, especially that of war.
SAG - AKA "peacekeeper". A bolt-throwing sidearm carried by the IGRP and the Imperial Marines. Usually, the rounds (bolts) loaded in these are considered "non-lethal", and are safe for firing inside spaceships and spacestations. "Non-lethal" in this case usually means "causes unconsciousness, organic reactions such as vomiting, or broken bones on contact depending on the type of round". Distinctly lethal rounds can be made for them by an enterprising individual with access to the proper supplies. They are usually used in conjunction with KSN grenades.
Sanjeera - An island in the Honor Archipelago, populated largely by Hyaveki and Shandrians, destroyed during the Coastal War. A Kimetj Class cruiser now bears this name.
Second Mior - After a long trade and "border" argument between the Baalphae and Archon Empires (wherein the Archon was preventing flow of necessary food and medicine to outlying Baalphae colonies), the Baalphae fleet entered the contested zone and invaded the planet Ruahana. The slaughter was nothing compared to the subjugation of the survivors. A single ship, piloted by two teenagers, managed to escape the primary colony of Triotos with a cargo of children who were too young to be of use during the siege. Even elderly Triotine stayed behind to fight. In spite of this horrifying tragedy, Second Mior was a relatively brief ship to ship battle between Baalphegor and Archos with corporate interests supporting mercenary units on either side. An attempt to rescue the Ruahanan survivors planetside was made, but this proved unfeasible (see "Triotos", below).
Sekhoriya - "Kiss of the Moon". A condition occurring in pureblooded Kaffa with genetic bad luck; essentially manifests as a severe allergic reaction to alcohol which can subsequently flush key enzymes causing peculiar or regressive behavior.
Selos - The moon of Avenaur, terraformed for farming, settled by Kaffa, humans, Ruhn survivors, and Baalphae. An anti-Imperial faction known for their distaste for "miscegenation" took over the police force and took it upon themselves to purge any family with mixed blood. Ruhn in particular were hunted, being the "least pure". Neither the Archon Empire nor the Baalphae Empire were initially interested in making an "official response" but the 17th Star Assault, led by Col. Kiertus Sheriden was doing exercises in the vicinity and responded. It is unknown where the orders to respond came from, or if he was even given any, but the continuation of Kiertus' rank indicates the operation had approval from somewhere in the cabinet.
Senagen Republic - A small assortment of colonies founded in 471 IY by iconoclastic Baalphae (sympathetic to the Archon Empire and to understanding other races) and religious Kaffa and humans (who wished to practice their faiths outside of the Empire's yoke). At first these communities were allied by trade to the Archon Empire. However, the Baalphae Empire claimed annexation of these colonies in 551 IY after a branch of the Pain Maidens established itself on an outlying moon and claimed holy artifacts discovered on the site. Civil wars and religious purges have since mostly destroyed civilization on these worlds, which include Avenaur, it's moon Selos, and its mining colony of Gravian.
Shandrian - A person of the bloodlines of Eshandir. Also called "Sea Elves", "Northfolk", and "Coasters". Shandrians are typically larger of build (especially males) and light of complexion, although peoples from the Aurius and Island regions of Eshandir are often olive or tan-skinned. They may have any hair color, although true blondes are rare. Shandrian culture (extremely matriarchal, promiscuous, sensualist, eco-friendly, and - save for the Island folk - more racially tolerant than other Kaffa) remains distinct after hundreds of years of the Empire and has had a profound influence on every aspect it.
Ship Sprite - The bioware cyborgs who take care of the less-safe and or more icky functions on elven starcruisers. On Intergalaxy's cruisers, one would never see or hear them, as they would be in the outer shell of the ship and in the engine rooms, air ducts, and cleaning reprocessor traps. On Star Assault ships, one might actually be face-to-face with these dark secrets of the Kaffa military.
Shoreling - Small arthropods (resembling trilobites) found on the shores of Eshandir.
Shurrn - Any number of small, six-legged rodent species' native to the eastern side of the mountain range that separates Ryzaa and Eshandir, as well as the swamps of Ryzaa itself. They are generally considered a nuisance in Ryzaa City but Kaffa are pragmatic and therefore have many ways to prepare them. Shurrn of assorted sizes are a common site on skewers at vending stalls along Market Walk. A fairly popular card game somewhat like rummy is played largely by children, called "Catch the Shurrn" or simply "Shurrn". A more strategic, scored, multi-round variant of this card game is played by soldiers and students, usually accompanied by the consumption of a large quantity of alcohol.
Sretzi Class - Invasion force star cruiser, named for the last Commander of the Colonial Harnsvaar.
Staging - "The Stages" refer to the four installments of the Lifedrug Extension and Enhancement Process (LEEP) used by the Imperial Military. Each stage has cumulative benefits with accompanying cumulative drawbacks. The first increases overall physical health and improves the immune system with very few noticeable side effects. The second builds on this, additionally increasing learning capabilities in many subjects, but can arrest internal developmental processes; if used on a soldier too young, it may halt some or all adult psychological development. The third stage builds further on these aspects, but includes a decayed rate of semen production or encourages "egg frailty". The fourth stage utterly halts the external evidence of the aging process, but destroys all reproductive ability. Somewhat confusingly, the fourth stage leaves the sex drive intact, sometimes even increasing it exponentially; a man who hits Stage Four too young will essentially be a teenager forever. Higher GC ratings require mandatory Staging. (The long form of this is described in "The Prince of Nine Faces", IY 12, by Cmdr Kimetj Vanahar, currently banned from printing by the Imperial Decency Commission).
Star Assault - The smallest branch of the Imperial Military that can be joined without an examination. Their function is not clear to the public at the time of Lucien's story, and they do not aggressively recruit in the central Empire. Star Assault is one of two branches to employ the temperamental and sometimes territorial Warrior Female Genadri as service animals, and the ONLY branch not open to females or Humans. The only known remaining units of SA are the 89th ("Airsharks") and 17th ("Atmos"); these curious numbers are known to have no chronological significance and are the subject of some discussion. GC collar color: Black.
Star Assault armor - Star Assault's uniform is unique to the branch. The basic armor is explained in the SA Handbook issued upon entrance. Please note that the black leggings illustrated there are not the very expensive "ladders" that Officers sport.
Star Assault ranks - The author figured the names of the ranks in elvish would confuse people, and is by and large using near equivalents from the British and United States Air Forces with some Naval influence. While in other, larger branches of the Imperial Military, ranks are more important and rigid (especially in the Marines), ranks in Star Assault are more along the lines of noble titles - people who survive long enough and take on enough responsibility get awarded higher ranks by the Colonel of a given ship or Brigadier General of the entire branch (if there *is* a BG in SA at the time; BG and Colonel ranks must be awarded by a member the Imperial Cabinet; Star Assault has no Admirals and does not have to answer to the Admirals or Generals of any other branch *save the Gh!) The Colonel and Major of a ship (the SO and XO, respectively, in most cases) may also pull ranks as a punishment with no review or warning; SA ships are far more like fiefdoms than military bureaucracies. Due to a lack of interest in wasting training, only men with the rank of Captain or higher are taught to fly, and at the rank of Captain or higher, a man may opt out of jumping and choose to gun or assist in Operations. Men who enter with flight experience are automatically promoted to Captain regardless of prior employment.
Third Mior The third conflict for dominance over the Belt. Although the Empire ultimately crushed the corporate funded rebel factions, the loss of life on both sides was astounding. The trigger for this war was the mass-extermination of orbital refugee camps around the moon "Haludor" after a 15 year cold war following Second Mior. The final battle of Third Mior was the last avowed use of Atmospheric Immolation, perpetrated by the Empire on the moon called "Eyrall". Unlike previous conflicts, the IG Reclamation gunners were hooked up in groups, with several false connections so that no singular individual could be certain he or she was in part responsible for the burn-off. All these gunners were awarded Silver Stars, the Archon military symbol for "Admirable Dedication to the Greater Good"
Tjej't (Archon slang) (pronunciation: CH'CHT! or Ch'jit!) - Coarse descriptive negative noun. "Tzetiiv" is Archon, "to have intercourse" with a connotation of rough intensity. This is a totally positive thing in Archon culture. However, shortening and mispronouncing forms of a perfectly acceptable word in Archon language changes the connotation to one of disrespect. In the words of Officer 7, "by contracting it down to "tzet" you imply that the person or object you are describing is something you would not touch to your genitals. So, quite simply, "tzetiika" (pron: tzetye'eekah) is "Fuck me", a perfectly normal request of a lover in the throes of passion, and "tzetshi" (pron: tjtchi!) is "Go fuck yourself"."
Triotos - An Archon colony (on the world of Ruahana) butchered by the Baalphae. Survivors were so diseased and riddled with parasites that every last one had to be executed by the Archon military Relief Corps. This name apparently now belongs to the only other ship in the class of the "Lorelei", but the existence of this "secret" cruiser is the subject of much gossip outside the highest rungs of Imperial power.
Trouser Sprite (Archon slang) - An erection, or that which causes it, depending on who you ask.
Vasa - A large desert region stretching from the southern border of Ryzaa down into fertile plains and the remains of an extensively forested region down the length of the Felset Penninsula (Central continent of Archos). Vasa was invaded, ruled, and devastated by the Ryzaan peoples, exploited for its people and its resources.
Vasiit - A person of Vasa. The Vasiit are coppery complexioned, ranging from a light reddish tan to a very dark coloration almost black; hair color varies by tribe from rich gold to blood red to ebony. In previous centuries, they lived in complete harmony with their natural surroundings (being desert, plains, or forests), tribally, possessing a variety of unique cultures and languages among these tribes. Ryzaa enslaved and slaughtered these peoples, annihilated entire tribes, burned out entire forests (and centuries-old tree house communities), and even buggered the deserts for non-renewable fossil fuels and mineral resources. Many Vasiit still bear bitterness toward Ryzaans despite the Empire's attempts to make reparations for the damages done.
Vektar - Vektar Biotechnology Corporation, the Choice of the Imperial Military! AKA "Vektar Tech". The trademark, "Vektar", is used to refer to various bio-engineered fabrics and plastics made by said corporation, and to refer quickly to Vektar Fully-Animate Combat Suits (the living armor worn by the Harnsvaar).
Verraken - Older human Colonial mining planet that is just outside Imperial Space and would like, in theory, to join the Empire and reap the benefits of Archon dominion - under their own terms, of course. Negotiations toward this end are finally under way in IY 645 as our story begins. Please note that there are Archon military bases strewn about Verraken on what the humans consider "unfarmable" (war devastated) land, apparently under the assumption that if they didn't simply allow the Kaffa their bases, the Empire would invade. Civilian Kaffa on Verraken live in complete segregation from the Humans in poor shanty towns along blighted rivers.
Vorrendi - An Archon high-security space station prison, built to replace the lunar prison facilities destroyed during the Mior Wars.
Water - Within Imperial Space, by degree of the Articles of Law, H20 of a certain purity grade is considered a precious resource. Also, however, access to clean water is considered an inalienable right protected by the Articles. Therefore, no company that sells bottled water can charge for anything more than the container in which said substance is distributed, and landlords and housing commissions cannot charge for anything additional regarding use of water other than the maintenence of plumbing, regardless of the aquatech in use on a given Imperial world. A portion of a citizen's taxes automatically go to the Water Purity Commission; charging more for water is considered criminal and nets a serious fine and sometimes mining time depending on the severity of the abuse.
Whip - A popular Archon herbal energy drink. Mostly consisting of the endurance-enhancing but ill-tasting thaami reed, a good deal of fruit sugar, and a bit of ginger for flavor, it is a favorite among students. The Shandrian company that makes it, Yirri Inc., also bottles an "adult" version of the drink containing a tiny bit of Atquel in addition to the regular ingredients. Whip Plus features a warning label advising caution to Human and Haki users and urging moderation, and it is not aggressively marketed. The chief shareholder of Yirri stock is Lady Tauverius Vailayerni, whose family has long owned the largest Atquel plantation on Archos.
