 | | Subject | |
|---|
 | A |
| |
|
| |
| C |
| |
|
| |
| [o] | Darrian Confederation - A group of worlds in the Darrian subsector settled by a minor human race from Darrian (0627 Spinward Marches) during the period 4332 to 4542. The current capital is Mire (0527 Spinward Marches).
Physiologically, Darrians sport a number of adaptations resulting from their homeworld's environment. However most are not apparent at a glance. The noticeable differences lie in their golden pigmentation, slight build, and pointed ears. Their biology remains closely enough linked to allow interbreeding with the Solomani. Ethnic Darrians usually display a stoic, tolerant air.
The Darrian Confederation is a loose organization of 18 worlds with close ties to the Domain of Deneb. Compositionally, the Confederation consists of a blend of races: 20% Solomani, 8% Aslan, 12% assorted human races, and 60% Darrian. Confederation inhabitants are known for their focus in scholastic and technological activities. Tourism also plays a significant role in their economy.
With a tech level of 16 (one higher than the Imperial standard), Darrian's greatest strength lies in its astrophysical sciences. Darrian scientists are reputed to be able to induce subnova flares in stars at will. | |
| [o] | Darrian Subsector - Subsector I of the Spinward Marches. The Darrian subsector contains the Darrian Confederation, a loose, interstellar community of about twenty worlds. Darrian is the oldest interstellar government in the Marches and boasts a higher technology level than any other world in the sector.
Spume (0727 Spinward Marches C140200-A) has been substantially improved by the Darrian government as a military base for defense against possible Sword World invasions. | |
| [o] | Deneb - Deneb: Imperial sector containing 385 systems lying beyond the Great Rift; named for the sector's brightest star, Deneb.
Deneb sector was fragmentarily settled by both Vilani and Vargr during the latter years of the First Imperium, but major development of the sector only took place after Third Imperium Scout Service explorations located major resource worlds in quantity. Industrial worlds that exploited those resources soon created trade routes and commercial ties that linked the Imperial core with the Spinward Marches.
Deneb sector is primarily Imperial. The Imperial border runs just within the coreward edge of the sector, and scattered Vargr systems (as well as non-aligned systems and client states) lie beyond the border.
Deneb is part of the Domain of Deneb, a region loyal to the Imperium under the leadership of Grand Duke Norris. The sector is on red alert on its coreward border and is ready to defend against alien insurgents from the Vargr Extents. Its trailing border abuts the so-called Restored Vilani Empire, a rebellious sector containing Vland; occasional hostilities have been reported. | |
| [o] | Directions, Galactic - North, south, east, and west are insufficient terms for referring to directions within the galaxy. Instead, the following conventions have achieved widespread acceptance when referring to direction: Toward the galactic core (toward Capital from Terra) is coreward; away from it, in the direction of the rim, is rimward. In the direction in which the galaxy is rotating (toward the Spinward Marches from Vland) is spinward, and the other direction is trailing.
These directions are in widespread use in describing Imperial features and businesses. For example, the Spinward Marches is a sector at the extreme spinward fringe of the Imperium; Rimward Lines is an important interstellar transport company. Finally, within the Imperium, the term coreward is also used to indicate the direction of Capital, the Imperial core. There is some potential for confusion if the term is accepted out of context. | |
| [o] | Domain - Group of four sectors within the Imperium under the general control and direction of a Grand Duke (usually referred to as an archduke). | |
| [o] | Droyne - Intelligent major race inhabiting scattered worlds within an area slightly larger than the region of the current Third Imperium. The Droyne are a small race derived from winged herbivorous gatherers. They vary in size depending on caste but generally stand one meter tall (large workers and warriors can be larger than humans). The history of their evolution remains a puzzle because their home world is not known with certainty.
Droyne society is divided into rigid castes determined when an individual reaches adolescence. The six castes of the Droyne all serve different functions within Droyne society. Although identical at the time of caste selection, caste members develop pronounced physical and mental differences by maturity. Different genetic programs are awakened by differences in diet and environment among the various castes. Young leaders, for instance, experience a nearly 30 percent increase in brain size in the first year after casting; drones develop sexual organs; and so on. The following are descriptions and definitions of the castes:
Worker: Manual labor and mundane ordinary activity are the province of the worker. Workers are not too smart and are temperamentally suited to contentment with ordinary labor and subservient tasks.
Warrior: Trained for combat and possessing comparatively well developed muscles and reflexes, the warrior is the security troop, the soldier, the marine, and the policeman of the Droyne culture. They are common in frontier bases, and less numerous in civilized areas.
Drone: Drones have a variety of purposes in Droyne society. They perform a reproductive role which makes them both fathers and mothers to Droyne young, and they have a role in the ceremonies which determine caste for maturing young. In addition, drones comprise a sort of middle management caste, which is responsible for many of the routine functions in business. trade, and administration.
Technician: This caste is the science-oriented portion of Droyne society and is concerned with both research and practical implementation of technology.
Sport: Although the caste system of the Droyne is rather rigid, the sport is the deliberately accepted exception to caste structure. Sports are special individuals who cross caste lines to become individual scouts, messengers, representatives, hunters, prospectors, and to take other occupations that require individual initiative or separation from Droyne society for long periods of time. A sport is the most encountered Droyne away from a Droyne world.
Leader: Leaders are required to manage and direct society. They are ultimately responsible for everything that the Droyne as a whole do.
Society: There is little individual freedom in Droyne society, and as a result, society and government join into one concept. Workers work. Leaders lead. All of society is dedicated to continuing the existence that provides all members with food, shelter, and the other amenities that make life enjoyable. In addition, there is little discord in Droyne society when things are running smoothly, as each member of society has his own function to perform. Only when disaster happens is the group forced to strain.
A typical Droyne group consist of a variety of Droyne from the different castes. There will be many workers, few drones and leaders, and technicians and warriors based on current needs. Each group will also have several sports, although they may not be present; instead they may be occupied with their own solitary tasks.
This is not to say that Droyne are mindless. Leaders are quite capable and responsible; warriors have strategic and tactical senses; technicians are inventive and clever. But all accept the central group as a part of their lives and work for its benefit above their own. | |
| E |
| |
|
| |
| G |
| |
|
| |
| I |
| |
|
| |
| L |
| |
|
| |
| N |
| |
|
| |
| P |
| |
|
| |
| S |
| |
|
| |
| V |
| |
|
| |
| Z |
| |
|