BARD PAPER: GAIL2010 | Home | Traveller | BARD | GAIL |
BARD PAPER: GAIL2010 | Home | Traveller | BARD | GAIL |
Amygdala: 1. Almond shaped organ found in the forebrain of all Humaniti. Its purpose is the processing of threats or danger, and regulates the production of stimulant hormones like adrenalin. The amygdala also regulates neurotransmitter production, and has an important role in psionics. 2. A wild psion. In some rare cases, the Amygdala can be hyperactive, and create an overproduction of neurotransmitters. This can create psions with little or no control over their powers. In most cases Amygdala psions generate a permanent energy field around themselves that can manifest as random telepathic or telekinetic activity. Amygdalas are thought to be a major reason behind antipsion prejudice and fear, and accordingly are treated in contemporary Regency and Zhodani society with medication and special training.
Avernus: 1. Name of volcanic crater lake in the Campania region of Italy on Terra. In the period of Classical Greece and Rome it was thought to be an entranceway into the underworld. 2. Avernus/Usani (Deneb 2027), a mysterious world that was first inhabited by Ziru Sirka colonists around -2200, now long since vanished. The Vilani constructed several bizarre graveyards on a plateau located on the world's northern continent, consisting of ornate but empty mausoleums. The only passable land trail up the slope to the site passes through a bizarre, tunnel like building, which is guarded by the "Burning Man" a bas relief figure, vaguely human and set in a crucifixion pose, surrounding by a billowing red robe or flames.
Blacklight Plot of 1180: Attempted coup d'etat by reactionary elements in the Regency nobility and military. Led by a member of a Tukera family cadet branch, a cabal of officers attempted to organise a mutiny among members of the 125th and 257th fleets in an attempt to coerce Regent Seldrian and the Regency Senate in repudiating political reforms carried out by her father, most notably the Representational Reforms. The nobles had the backing of many noncoms whose families had been displaced or unemployed by the liquidation of noble owned businesses and properties. But the actual popular support in the ranks was overestimated by the plotters, and the coup was quickly broken up and its ringmasters arrested by Regency security services. Several participants went underground, aided by the Flame of Purity movement, which was radicalised by the incident.
Church of Stellar Divinity: Ziru Sirka religion founded in -3883. The CSD is an animistic religion that worships stars as the repositories of divine will and conciousness. In its main form the CSD is typical of Vilani religions, carefully balancing religious mythos with the rational logos demanded of the Vilani by their consensus based society. The idea of god being the local star is a rather rational idea, finding inspiration in both stellar science and romantic idealisation. The religions main attraction is its daffy devotion to its mythos, and its close knit communitarianism and willingness to adopt believers from any social strata.
Its main raison d'etre is the attempt to explain the universe, and the individuals place in it as a kind of interactive monotheism. God/Nature created the universe along rational lines, with the brightest part of its nature acting as the center of all life, providing gravity and heat for incipient solar systems. Because evil and deviance tends to be posited outside the tight-knit Vilani community, or ignored completely where their culture predominates, the CSD theology is rather inadequate in describing or dealing with it. As long as the rituals are followed, and people are pure in heart, the light of a star will forever fill the vacuum and deny the emptiness of the void.
CSD blends both science and religion to an incredible degree, though both actually suffer from a careless attempt at cross-assimilation. For example the idea of a Black Hole is a rather difficult one for its theology. And the idea of a "Cosmic Whimper" in which stars are only a temporary phenomenon before cosmic expansion makes new stellar formation impossible is heretical. Increasingly the church has had to turn its back on new astronomical discovery in order to maintain its orthodoxy. Its own internal politics and conflicts are therefore arcane and even postively ridiculous, as the "Pavabidian Heresy" clearly demonstrates.
The CSD was a minority religion in the old Ziru Sirka, mostly popular in the coreward extents of the old empire, congregating in large numbers near large stars like Beta Pyxidis and Antares. Almost driven into oblivion by the influx of Solomani religions after the Terran's conquest of the First Imperium, it barely survived the Long Night. After the founding of the Third Imperium it found new support and rational in the new order, attracting new followers on many worlds in the expanding Imperial frontier. Many of these communities found homes in the Domain of Deneb, though few dominated a world like the Pavabid branch of the church did. Many of its communities made themselves indespensable to the Third Imperium by working in important industries or running important facilities along the made communication lines. Since the Collapse the religion is a waning though still powerful force where its communities have survived.
Cold Jupiter: A gas giant that forms in the outer reaches of a solar system. The customary planet thought by people when they hear the term gas giant. Nearly all gas giants are of this type, having first formed well away from a primary star where their gravity allows them to accrete the material necessary to survive the abrasive nature of the solar wind.
Many Cold Jupiters actually form outside of a solar system, as they are not reliant upon a primary star for their formation. Most such gas giants wander freely across the interstellar void, their internal heat preventing them from freezing over. These are referred to as EGGS (Extrasolar Gas Giants). When they form within a solar system, cometary collisions increase or decrease their orbital velocities over time, bringing them farther or closer to a star. Where most habitable worlds exist, it is because a Cold Jupiter's gravity vacuumed up most loose outer system debris and comets, preventing frequent collisions with the inner system worlds. Where no gas giants exist near a habitable world, it is thought that giants once existed in the far outer system and were eventually lost to interstellar space.
Colors and Symbols, Regency: The Regency government has retained the Imperial tradition of inclusion by having no official color for the government and/or state functions or emblems. The only addition to the old Imperial Sunburst has been the inclusion of the "Bridled Steed" of the Spinward Marches, and the old symbol of the Domain of Deneb. The "Burning Horse" was first introduced on the Lightning Class cruiser Arrival Vengeance in 1127, following its sucessful return from the Imperial Core.
The Regency Military has incorporated some changes in its official colors since the Collapse in an effort to seperate its units from invading Vampires. Before the Collapse the Domain of Deneb Navy painted its ships with a Blue-Gray or aquamarine color scheme with light gray or cream highlights. After the Rape of Trin, its frontline ships wear navy blue with gold and black highlights, a scheme adopted in the general issue Class A Naval uniform. Reserve fleets use a emerald green scheme, again with gold and black highlights. Planetary units on long-term assignment with the Regency Fleet use black with gold and crimsom.
The Army uses the Regency Sunburst with a Shield device as its symbol. Its official colors are a light green with gold braiding or piping. For ceremonial purposes vehicles sport a Green and Gold scheme, though for field duties their chameleon suites adjust accordingly to local terrain and vegetation to provide suitable camoflauge. The Marines use the Regency Sunburst with a Sword. Their official colors are Maroon and Gold, and all vehicles, including many in active service, sport this scheme as well. The Marines have discontinued the issuance of the special parade ground "Maroon" ceremonial battle dress for logistical and morale reasons. Army and Marine reserve and roundout units use frontline uniforms, but their equipment is usually Dark Gray or Tan.
The Regency Quarantine Service sets the Bridled Steed against a Starburst surrounded by twelve stars as its symbol. Its inspection ships are always identifiable by high visibility red and yellow color schemes; patrol ships are usually painted a "gunmetal gray" for low visibility. The RQS uniform is a simple dark blue tunic with white and light green piping. The Regency Interstellar Scout Service paints its patrol and scout ships in a silver or tan scheme without much ornamentation, but its X-boats and tenders are usually "barber striped" in red and white or the yellow and black "yellowjacket" scheme. Scout personnel still wear the plain blue or gray jumpsuit worn by Imperial scouts for centuries.
Emerald City: Popular nickname given to Vincennes/Vincennes by Regency citizens. The implication of the world as a magical place or arsenal of eldritch is actually resented by most citizens of the world.
Fishbowl Effect: The unusual economic advantage provided by small, airless rockball worlds. The lack of gravity and interfering fluids make heavy manufacturing on such worlds more cost effective than on more habitable worlds. The term comes from the fact that such a world can be treated like a huge megastructure, rather than just a cold lump of rock. In low gravity large scale construction and huge industries can be built, and the normal costs of geography safely ignored.
Flame of Purity: Regency terrorist movement, formerly a popular conservative movement. It was founded by conservative nobles in 1135 to better prepare the Regency for the coming onslaught of Virus. Through popular clubs and membership drives it enlisted tens of millions of Regency citizens, and operated education programs that disseminated information about Virus and increased popular support for the new Regency government. But it soon became disenchanted with Norris' liberal reforms and unwillingness to back traditional Imperial repression of Pro-democracy movements like the Ine Givar. It also became a rallying point for Exterminationists and hardline elements of the Regency military. After it tried to coopt Norris' Flame imagery, and began creating armed cells in resistance to the Representational Reforms, the group was outlawed, and became the main resistance to reform. As the Representational Reforms became more popular, the movement lost most of its public support, and it became increasingly violent. The failed Blacklight Plot exposed many of its primary members, and arrests and executions marginalised it further. The group has toned down its violent rhetoric in recent years, though its alliance with some members of the Vargr Pack have become worrisome.
23rd Fleet (Axemen): The Rhylanor subsector fleet recieved its moniker during the Fifth Frontier War for its actions in helping cut off the main Zhodani salient. Like most interior fleets, the 23rd is largely defensive in equipment and tactics, though in this case it has a large number of vital industrial worlds in its area of responsibility.
88th Fleet (Eight Ball): The Spinward Marches Swing Fleet is based in Lanth Subsector, but its past deployments have mostly carried it into the Midway to back up fleets summoned to fight Vampire incursions.
195th Fleet (Stronghearts): The Sabine Subsector fleet saw extensive action against the Zhodani during the Fifth Frontier War, helping to shield Rhylanor and Mora from Zhodani raiders and deep penetration units. It also fought at the Battle of Rhylanor, and became famed for its resolve despite heavy resistance. The worlds of Sabine are more fractious than most, and its units spent a great deal of effort to preserve internal peace during the antebellum period.
257th Fleet (Elohim): The Inar subsector fleet is a heavyweight unit. Besides being tasked to defend Deneb Depot Alpha, it is the primary backstop for Lamas, Antra and Namidshur fleets, owing to the lack of adequate basing facilities and the presence of large Vampire threats. Depot Alpha's extensive facilities make up for this, and boosts the fleets units with new build warships and supply/support ships. Because of lingering Imperial nostalgia on Depot Alpha, it is the most contaminated with reactionary political sentiments. Elohim units are carefully watched lest they attempt another Blacklight Plot.
258th Fleet (Seraphim): The Vincennes subsector fleet is the best equipped after the 43rd. Its proximity to TL-16 manufacturing facilities on Vincennes and Dekha gives first choice for new advanced ships and equipment. It has also seen considerable action on the Deneb Front. Unfortunately its prestige and effectiveness has been blunted by continuing controversy between Dekha and Vincennes over the construction of new naval bases among the high population worlds of the subsector. The Regency proposed to build one such facility in 1142, but squabbles over who would obtain the facility has kept it from being built. Current facilities in the subsector are insufficient and overloaded, and the Seraphim and its people are frustrated at the paradox of possessing the latest technology, and the worst of housing and base facilities.
19th Fleet (Tsunami): The Vestus subsector fleet is heavily involved in frontline military operations against Virus. Because of its access to TL-15 and 16 material coming out of Lintl's factories, the fleet often tries out new military hardware on forays into the Great Rift or the Wilds. The Tsunami gets its name from the sheer heaviness of its units; while most Regency fleets have doubled in size since the Collapse, the 19th has an unprecedented 20 BatRons and CruRons in unmixed squadrons, as opposed to the more common mixed LineRons, ScreenRons or SuitRons that is the current norm for the Regency Navy. The reason for this heavy makeup has never been explained, though a large number of heavy capital units pass quickly to other fleets, so it may be a primary training and shakeout facility. Given the fleets close proximity to the Spinward Defense Complex, this seems likely.
43rd Fleet (Regency Guard): The storied 43rd Fleet protects Mora and the Regency government. It is often considered to be the last line of defense in case of a Viral breakthrough on the Frontier. It is not the most elite of all the fleets however, as the Frontier gets first pick on promising personnel. The Guard is at most above average, though it gets first pick of new TL-16 ships and material, and is a showcase for Regency military technology.
74th Fleet (Twilight Riders): RQD 5 and Macon Subsector fleet. Heavily engaged in fighting Vampires that cross the Rift from trailing Reft sector, or from Corridor. Like most frontier fleets, the Riders have more squadrons than the norm, but the problems of operations in the Rift means less emphasis is placed on heavy capitol ships.
128th Fleet (Ancient Mariners): Defending Usher subsector and the vast region of RQD 5A, it has been the 128th's lot to defend against most Vampire incursions into the Rift, and at the same time maintain the peace within the Islands. Like the 74th, the 128th is a larger but lighter squadron. Most of its ships are craft like the Kishikhaniir Rift Cruiser (CJ-15) which sacrifice acceleration for long endurance. Most of the fleets units are centered in the Islands, and its personnel have generally better relations with the locals than the local RQS cadres. Where the Rocks are concerned with defending the Regency safe against Islander perfidy, the Islands are the main responsibility of the Ancient Mariners, and they are less judgemental of their charges.
154th Fleet (Spectral Fire): The 154th Fleet and its personnel has had a love-hate relationship with Deneb's religious government. The 154th incorporates the "Burning Man" of Avernus into its official insignia, imagery that the Willies claim to be sacreligious and offensive. And the fleet has had several run-ins with fundamentalists among the Flower of the One, the fundamentalist military arm of To Will One Thing, who seems to be unnecessarily activist in helping defend the Frontier, especially those worlds with active missionary ministries. The 154th is second only to its neighbor the 183rd in the number of battles and engagements fought against Virus. This is quite a change from its prewar role as a transport and logistics support for the Marches, and it is now considered to be an cherry posting.
196th Fleet (Keystone): The 196th has mostly been a training and logistics fleet before the Collapse. Assigned to the backwater Star Lane subsector, the fleet was considered to be too far away from any potential trouble spots to be of much effectiveness. Its line units did engage the Zhodani in the last Frontier War, but it never rose above a second tier supply rating in the entire antebellum period. The fleet retains its lower rating, but it now must actively work as a facilitator of fleet movements from the Marches to Deneb, and vice versa. Most of its bases are located in the rimward portion of Star Lane, where it backs up the Rift fleets.
207th Fleet (The Ronin): The Trin's Shroud subsector fleet have never forgotten, and have never forgiven.... themselves that is. The personnel of the 207th wear their disgrace openly, taking on an air of self-castigation for their failure to protect Trin from the depredations of the Kishkii. Today the Ronin preside over a subsector still reeling from the effects of 1139. Trin is centuries away from recovery, and the subsector economy and population are still well below that before the Rape. To their credit its officers and and rank and file do not pine for the unrecoverable past, but they are not necessarily pleased with the present or the forseeable future. The fleet is vehemently vengeful about its losses, and its past commanders have aggressively sought out operations on the front against Virus. But privately the personnel of the 207th believe that nothing more than the complete extermination of Virus would expunge their dishonor. Needless to say the unit is a hotbed of Exterminationist fervor, and many Flame of Purity terrorists have emerged from its ranks.
260th Fleet (Trailblazers): The Zeng Subsector fleet has been heavily engaged against Vampires for the last seventy years. The Trailblazers defend a section of strategic naval bases that anchor the trailing to coreward kink along the periphery of the Rift. Vampires have attempted to overrun these bases on several occasions, and the battles for Ibsen, Balzac and Jecife have been bloody fleet brawls. But where it has triumped against silicon enemies from beyond, it has had a much harder time securing the peace against the domestic squabbles that have rent Zeng in the last quarter century. The fleet has a very large TL-16 arsenal, courtesy of the efforts of Depot Beta and Lilad, but the current troubles on the latter world has analysts worried about the supply of crucial components to the fleet.
303rd Fleet (Valkyries): The Gulf Subsector fleet is primarily tasked as a reserve force in case of a major incursion by an enemy into the Regency. This function is due to the large number of vessels made available to the fleet by the Spinward Defense Complex. In the antebellum period the Valkyries were more concerned with weapon testing and training. After the Battle of Furens, it underwent a major reorganisation. In conjunction with the 2nd Experimental Fleet, it trains constantly against simulated Vampire Fleets, and its methods are so good that it is an advanced training school for recently graduated line officers. The Valkyries often deploy to the Frontier for shakedown cruises, and its units have seen considerable action.
Fluidic Atmospheres: Any atmosphere of habitable composition (N2, O2, H2O) that exists at pressures or densities much greater than normal. In most cases the pressure is so great that the atmosphere will liquify at lower altitudes, creating metastable gas oceans of various compositions. The development of such an atmosphere is still poorly understood by planetologists, but most theories postulate that these worlds are either failed gas giants because of too much metal in their cores, or simply metal cored worlds that developed in areas in the nebular cloud where they could accrete gas from the surrounding space in very large quantities. Because of the high pressures, which can be high as those found at an ocean depth of 3000 meters, vehicles and structures must be heavily shielded in to safely operate in these atmospheres. Only a handful of races, including most notably the Virushi, can breathe at their lower altitudes without mechanical aid. Pressures at high altitudes can be breathed by humans with a minimum of acclimitization, and it is possible than human populations may have survived on these worlds in the Wilds.
Force Multiplier: Any factor or advantage that improves the chances of a military force in open battle. This multiplies the ratio as per Lancaster's Rule.
Geode: The shape and form of a planet and its surface. The actual physical form of a planet is rather flexible, and can be flexed by gravitational, tectonic or geothermal effects. Most molten core T-Norm ot T-Prime planets are bulging elliptical spheres, rather than perfectly circular, due to rotational effects. Many gas giant moons are distorted by gravitational pressure, and even geologically dead worlds are often disfigured by major collisions or resurfacing by meteoritic strikes.
Hot Jupiter: A gas giant that forms or moves near a star. Hot Jupiters are violent worlds, wracked with massive internal storms created by the high amounts of solar radiation their atmospheres trap. Even more than the usual gas giant, they have violent updrafts of heated gas and melted silica from accreted meteors or comets. The presence of such a world almost guarantees the lack of any habitable worlds, as their elliptical orbits cause them to eject smaller free floating planets out of the solar system. Nor are they good places for frontier refuelling, as the violent storms, the constant rain of silica and the presence of acidic nitrous and sulfurous compounds in their upper atmospheres make them dangerous to passing ships.
Lancaster's Rule: Rule of thumb regulating military casualties. According to this rule, the ratio of casualties suffered by opposing forces, assuming that all combatants have the ability to fire at the opposing side and are in the open and armed with weapons of like technology, is the factor of the ratio of forces engaged in battle between the two sides, squared. Hence if one force is twice the size of its opponent, under these circumstances they will inflict four times as many casualties on the smaller force than they suffer in return. The ratio can be modified by mitigating factors as terrain, fortifications, technological superiority, force or TO&E composition, dispersal and/or concentration, and intelligence. But the casualties remain the square of the force multiplied ratio. Named after an ancient British Solomani scholar.
Lilad Devolution: The evacuation of people and materials from Lilad/Zeng under the spectre of looming intercommunal warfare. Millions of professional people are fleeing the world for less heavily populated systems nearby, and the more adventurous are organising colonial missions to resettle habitable worlds in the Frontier or the Wilds.