U N I V E R S E G U I D EWITH THE PARTICIPATION OF ALEXANDRO JODOROWKSY

ABRIDGED EDITION

PREFACE

Phew! My head’s on fire!… I just blew a diode! But I’m not complaining — quite the opposite. I’m happy, forI know at last that I’m not human…

The limitations of my bio-organism had been depressing me. Even more than that, it’s been the walls of themental prison that hem us in from childhood, the “rational” mold called school. But then came the Yéti Mu-tants: Fred Le Berre, Marc Prudhomme, Kurt Mc Clung, and Julien Blondel. They put me under the red-hot raysof their psycho-interrogation lamp and bombarded me with questions for a full fifty hours. Initially, I wasovercome with feelings of anger. What right did these young griffins have to dare infringe upon the inner recessesof my cerebral maze in this way, hunting down answers that like giant jellyfish were floating along the veins ofmy unconscious?

But I had a plan! Slowly, step by little step, I was going to give them the keys to the Incal Universe, which is thesame as the Metabarons and TechnoPriests. A hugely immense “oeuvre” that would have taken me at least tenyears to recount. But I hadn’t been counting on the young mutants’ impatience. They wanted to know every-thing, right away. Showing no respect they fired off their mental probes, assaulting my impregnable Data Bankand under the incessant fire of their questions, my human mask disintegrated.

I ceased being a man and became a universe.Far, far away, in an ethereal zone where my body didn’t exist, I saw myself giving away tons of secrets, with an

absolute precision that I had never before dared to imagine, even in my dreams. At the height of the trance,streams of words — barely comprehensible for they were of human origin — gushed from my mouth, layingbare the hidden structure of the cosmos, the nature of the people who live there, the mysteries of paralleluniverses, thousands of centuries of history, countless weapons and vessels, outrageous doctrines, judges andlaws, and billions of other things as well…

A new chapter in the history of my Jodoverse came to life with each one of their questions. A moment ofextreme ecstasy! A singular experience that can only be compared to what happened to me one day in Mexicowhile meditating in a Buddhist Temple with a Japanese Zen master. Suddenly, he subjected my spirit to a koan —a sacred riddle conceived to break the straight jacket of the intellect: “I have no beginning, nor end. Who am I?”

I knew very well that some monks go into retreat for ten or twenty years looking for an answer, which isn’tnecessarily expressed in words. But, body taught with effort like a readied archery bow, I wanted to find thesolution in that very instant: “I am god; that’s it, I am everything.”

Full of wrath and disdain, the master threw me out of the temple: “Intellectual! Learn to die!” My failure wasfilled with such disgrace and shame that a part of me died on the spot. Instantaneously, I became another. Andfrom the deepest reaches of my unconscious, a voice that was already no longer human exclaimed: “There is nobeginning and there is no end. There just is.”

Thank you for your questions, Yéti. They blew my diodes. They made me into a galaxy of answers, nothingbut answers. Ever since, I roam infinite space, in search of the first and last question.

Alexandro Jodorowsky

TM

1 The Empire 42 The Four Pillars 183 The Factions 364 Everyday Life 515 Endocities 616 The Universe 747 Worlds 808 Aliens 949 Mutants 10110 Major Forces 10511 Cults and Religions 11212 Amarax and Necro-Dream 11713 Technological Progress 12214 Weapons 12715 Cybernetics 13916 Robotics 14317 Transportation 14718 The Metabunker 150

Glossary 153Reading List 155

U N I V E R S E G U I D EABRIDGED EDITION

TM

Conception and Development: Julien Blondel, Fred Le Berre,Kurt McClung, and Marc Prudhomme,

with the participation of Alexandro JodorowskyAmerican Adaptation: Nikola Vrtis with Scott Palter

Short Stories & Writing Direction: Fred Le BerreContinuity: Marc Prudhomme

Coordination: Nadège Delbos and Kurt McClung.Design of Original Book: Régis Haghebaert, Stéphane Martinez, and David Panzo

Graphic Conception: Régis Haghebaert, Virgnie Bréham, Christophe Bonneterre, Olivier Hug, and David Panzo.Layout & Manufacturing of Original Book: Nathalie Rocher

PDF Design, Layout, & Creation: Nikola VrtisCover Art: Travis Charest

Interior Illustrations in PDF: Cyril Adam (pp. 98, 104), Bernard Bittler (p. 95), Aleksi Briclot (pp. 94, 97),Juan Gimenez (pp. 8, 40, 44, 96, 144), Boris Golzio (pp. 62, 63, 152), Zoran Janjetov (pp. 37, 42, 54 upper),

Thierry Masson (pp. 129, 130, 132 lower, 133, 135, 136), Mœbius (pp. 18, 30, 54 lower, 59, 117, 142, 145, 146, 149),Gérald Parel (p. 8), and Roberto Zoulie (pp. 132 upper, 134).

Coloring: Studio Beltran, Guillaume Bessis, Philippe Guinot, Walter Le Brec, Agnès Moreau, and Pascal Pontoire.French Editing & Corrections: Sophie Lamotte, Ronan Le Breton, Antoine Pinchot, and Loïc Portnoë.

English Tranlsations: Diane Bertrand, Justin Kelly, and Joan WilchinsEnglish Editing: Rachelle Brissenden, Kurt McClung, and Nikola Vrtis

A big thank you to: Didier Gonord, Bruno Lecigne, Philippe Hauri and the Yéti Team.

French version developed and published by Yéti Entertainment S.A. English version developed and published by Humanoids inassociation with Yéti Entertainment S.A. The Metabarons and The Metabarons logo are trademarks of Les Humanoïdes Associés

S.A., © 2003 (US & EU) Les Humanoïdes Associés, Geneva (Switzerland). Original Metabaron character created by Moebius® andAlexandro Jodorowsky. The D6 System game mechanics used herein are used with permission of Humanoids, Inc.

French First Printing March 2001. Printed in Spain. PDF Edition April 2003. PDF created in USA.

Note to Our Readers

This PDF version of the Universe Guide was created from the original electronic files. Images and select textwere left out or modified and the page layout was modified to reduce file size and production time. This electronicdocument is provided as an relatively inexpensive means for people to get previously unavailable informationabout the Metabarons Universe.

If you received a copy of this file from a friend and would like to support the publishing efforts of HumanoidsPublishing, please send US$15.00 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/) to cs@humanoids-publishing.com.

This PDF requires the Metabarons Roleplaying Game Rule Book to play. You or your favorite local or Internetretailer can order the Metabarons Roleplaying Game Rule Book and other printed Metabarons supplements throughHumanoids Publishing. You can find more information about ordering directly from Humanoids Publishing in theGames section of our Web site.

The Metabarons and The Incal comic books and trade paperbacks are available at better comic and book storesaround the world. For more information about these series or the roleplaying game and how to get them, please visitthe Humanoids Publishing Web site, www.humanoids-publishing.com.

TM

After the citizens of Paleo-Paris, in 1789’s great currentof wrath and joyful regicide, had cast aside the politicalorder that had controlled their destinies, the Dauphin LouisXVII, son of Louis XVI and heir apparent to the throne ofPaleo-France, became the pivotal focus for both supportersand enemies of the monarchy. This second child of LouisXVI, became first the Duke of Normandy, then the Dau-phin when his older brother died on June 4, 1789, and con-sequently he was jailed in the Temple prison in August 1792.Official history maintains that he quickly succumbed to anonset of illness caused by poor hygienic conditions, perish-ing in the Temple on June 8, 1795. Of course questionswere raised, and over the following decades, many claimedthat the true Dauphin had fled and was waiting for the righttime to return and reclaim his rightful throne. Then again,over the next several years, numerous self-proclaimed “Dau-phins” appeared, demanding to be granted titles, honors,castles, and all the other normal trappings of kingship. Astime passed, reliable witnesses to the events disappeared,but the mystery remained. Had the Dauphin died at theTemple or not? Had he escaped? Or had he been murderedby a reactionary from a rival faction in order to preventhim from claiming his rights?

The questions were examined seriously. The body wasexhumed numerous times, but the experts’ reports all gavecompletely different and very surprising results. Howcould the body of a ten-year-old child have measured 4'8",or even 5'4"? The Dauphin’s heart, purloined by DoctorPelletan during his autopsy, had passed all his tests andwas now embalmed at the Paleo-Basilica of St. Denis.Unfortunately, however, a relic cannot talk. It was notuntil the late twentieth century, with its understanding ofthe mysteries of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), that thequestions which had held all the historians spellboundover the previous two centuries could finally be settled.The verdict: the embalmed heart indeed belonged to ason of Louis XVI. Comparative analysis carried out onDNA of the living descendants of the Bourbons was de-finitive. Once again, the winds of oblivion did their work,and the mystery of the Dauphin who died in the Templebecame no more than a curiosity for nostalgic historians.But what was the truth of it?

THE UNSUSPECTED MOTHER

The truth of it was this: at the dawn of the year 1795,on a cold wet night at the end of winter, a citizen namedAmelie Ladoucette, former nursemaid to Louis XVI’s wifeMarie-Antoinette in the castle of Versailles, arrived at theTemple prison to switch her own son with the Dauphin.Of the four known attempts at substitution, this is theone that succeeded. To save the Dauphin, direct inheritorof the miraculous power of divine essence of the kings ofPaleo-France, Amelie Ladoucette consented to lie, to en-dure taunts from corrupt guards, and above all, to sacri-fice the son she cherished more than anything. Of course,

Wonder of wonders, fruit of the eye of the Omphal,this vast universe is richly inhabited. Indeed, the areamapped out by the eager reach of humans, far beyondthe bounds of the Milky Way (Terra Prima’s galaxy),contains a wide assortment of races and peoples, mostof them human, but some mutant and alien as well.These worlds, completely alien to one another, areunited beneath the authority of the Empire, a colossal

organization whose powers extend as far as its ships canfly. The Empire boasts an armed force — the Endoguard;an ever-present clergy with godlike technological powers— the Techno-Pontificate, also known as the Techno-Technos or the Church of the Industrial Saints (C.I.S.);and a financial institution — the Ekonomat, which hasgreat influence over all economic transactions. Besidesthese, two other groups carry considerable weight: theMaganats and the Union of Planets, also known as “theColonials.” A Maganat is any planet, group of planets,system, or even group of systems placed under total own-ership and authority of a leading Noble House. By defini-tion, the Maganats are loyal to the Empire, and Janus-Jana is their leader. However, this apparent obedience doesnot rule out intrigue, which seems to be the criterion ratherthan the exception. Depending on circumstances, theseNoble vassals either hold almost no power, or they pos-sess means tremendous enough to at least challenge theEmpire, although not to overpower it. The Colonials, onthe other hand, are independent in appearance but re-main more or less loyal to the Empire. Each one of thenumerous Colonial planets is ruled by a “Kamar,” com-pletely independent of the concerns of the Imperial Court.As for the Union of Planets, it includes two main branches,which are themselves subdivided into clans. The firstbranch includes two major clans: the Troglosocialiks andthe Menscheviks. The second branch includes a wide ar-ray of minor clans: the Ultra-Colonialists, the Super-Con-querors, the Troglo-Barbarians, the Poly-Schismatics, theAmico-Visitors, the Hyper-Putschists, the Trotsko-Revo-lutionary Avatars, and the Proto-Nihiliks, to name just afew of the more prominent.

VERITABLE HISTORY OF

THE TRANS-BOURBON LINEAGE

Janus-Jana, the illustrious Imperial Siamese couple, isthe last of a line that dates back to the introduction ofroyalty in the Kingdom of France, part of Terra Prima’s“Old World.” Indeed, when the Trans-Bourbon familyacceded to the Imperial throne in the year 3499,Rosemonde I the Rebis resumed the broken thread of thedynasty of magical monarchs, even though centuries hadpassed in the interval. Today’s Trans-Bourbon family, farfrom being an Imperial offshoot springing suddenly fromthe void, can trace deep roots back to the royal breeding-ground of Terra Prima’s absolute monarchs.

T H E E M P I R E

this raises several new questions. Why then would DNAanalysis of the embalmed heart have confirmed succes-sion? Did she act alone, or were her actions inspired oreven masterminded by others?

What is for certain is that the citizen Ladoucette musthave been utterly convinced of the greater good of her ac-tions to consent to so many sacrifices. Presumably, sinceshe had lived intimately with and tended to the royal fam-ily, even serving as nursemaid to the children of the kingand queen, she could well have been acting in response to aroyal summons, which would have driven her to endureanything to ensure the perpetuation of the line. Since shehad looked after Louis XVII from his infancy, she wouldalso have felt some maternal sentiment for him. But aboveall, he was the son of the king, a man so far above her andyet so close, whom she had loved and given herself to. Amidthe easy morals of life in Versailles, she had responded tothe needs of a sensual king, yielding to him during an em-brace. This combination of facts explains her psychologicalwillingness to offer her own son in sac-rifice. Amelie Ladoucette loved the Kingas a husband and loved the King’s son,the Dauphin, as her own.

Moreover, as demonstrated by DNAanalysis 200 years later, the son she sac-rificed in order to spare the Dauphinwas in fact an illegitimate child of theKing, and of the same age. Thus, an-other mystery is explained. The child’scorpse in the Temple, whose heart re-mained for centuries in its hiding placeat the St. Denis Basilica, may not havebeen the Dauphin destined to take thethrone and continue the line, but he hadindeed descended from the king. Inci-dentally, the fact that she knew andloved the Dauphin, and had a son thesame age, were other factors whichprobably made it easier for her to be-come an instrument of destiny by per-forming the sacrifice.

MICHEL DE NOSTRE-DAME

But one other factor contributed tothings turning out precisely the way theydid. The Dauphin’s half-brother mighthave seemed just as adequate a substi-tute. As far as the affairs of the King-dom go, that’s doubtlessly true. But theDauphin possessed a unique character-istic, a genetic oddity that made him along-awaited “Chosen One” to fulfill agrand plan. Louis XVII, the Dauphin,was a hermaphrodite.

Who, then, could have been so in-terested in one of nature’s whims? Whocould have attached such importanceto a young victim of sexual deformity?And who had the ability to pursue thisgoal across the centuries?

Amelie Ladoucette was one of the many com-mon women who expended enormous effort try-ing to bury the traces of their past, because anyformer servant to the Court would be an obvious sus-pect to those who hunted down counter-revolutionar-ies. Her instinct for survival would more likely haveencouraged her to keep a low profile, and avoid con-flict by any means necessary in these difficult times. Soa guide would have to come to her to show her what todo. He came in the guise of a man of mature age, by nomeans old, but already thoughtfully contemplating thethreshold of life. He claimed to be a doctor, and in factwas able to identify her complaint after only a brief ex-amination. With a few gentle but very firm gestures, hebrought the calm back to her feverish son’s face. He seemedto know all about her. She should have been afraid, butthe serenity he exuded inspired confidence. She was will-ing to do anything for him, and he revealed to her that

she could do him a great service. Then,he told her his name: Michel de Nostre-Dame.

“It has been written in the stars!”he repeated constantly. In a pedantictone, he would continue: “My preciouschild, the conjunctions tell us it mustbe so in order for great work to occur.The young Dauphin is intended for thethrone, but the history of mankind isinconstant. However, he must rule atany cost. I cannot tell you more, butbe aware that he has been awaited forall eternity, and that humanity is de-pending on you to ensure that one dayhe may take his rightful place.…”

She may not have understood all ofthe alchemist’s plans, but AmelieLadoucette was convinced. She wouldmake the exchange. She was commit-ted, and would sacrifice her son for theendeavor. On the eve of the day shewould visit the Temple to recover theyoung Dauphin, Michel de Nostre-Dame (also known as Nostradamus)spent the day inside, preparing longlists of symbols and making cabalisticdiagrams, all of them confirming hisintuitions. At the end of the night, hewrote a new quatrain in his notebook,entitled “The Centuries”:

OUT OF THE TEMPLE, BORN IN GLORY

UNATTAINED,STATELY, AND BY OINT OF HOLY OIL, SOON

SUBLIME

SHEATHED IN GOLD, AS CENTURIES PASS

HIM BY,DAUPHIN WILL BE REBIS: ANOTHER, YET

THE SAME.

Golden OilWhile perusing the story

of the Trans-Bourbons andtheir legendary lineage, somemay be surprised to learn ofRosemonde I the Rebis’s ex-ceptional longevity. ForRosemonde I the Rebis onlyceded his throne after hav-ing exercised his power andinfluence for almost 10,000years. However, when look-ing attentively at the genesisof this extraordinary family,the consequence of Michel deNostre-Dame’s great act be-comes quite obvious.

Nostre-Dame, whowas Rosemonde’s mentorand founder, plungedRosemonde into Golden Oil,the alchemic fruit of thePhilosopher’s Stone, whosemiraculous virtues procureexceptional wealth, health,and youth for those sub-merged within it. Handeddown through his spirit’sflesh and blood, these leg-endary virtues are perpetu-ated in his descendants (Im-perial couples, twins, broth-ers/sisters, mothers/fathers)who owe their existence, en-during several thousands ofyears, to the Philosopher’s

Stone.

5 • The E

mpire

THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF CENTURIES

In the year 1795, Nostradamus was 292 yearsold. Accomplished alchemist, high initiate to the mys-

teries of the Egyptian doctrines, he had accomplishedmuch of his greatest work during the course of his origi-nal lifetime. But he had quested ever farther, passing be-yond the boundaries set by his brotherhood and, in asublime transmutation that went beyond all the limits ofthe philosopher’s stone, he created the Golden Oil, a per-fect composite of the purest materials. His discovery madehim an outcast not only from society, but also from timeitself. He was now a strange anomaly with an endless thirst

for knowledge, traversing the centuries unmindful of thepassing days and years. For among the thousand virtues ofthe Golden Oil was its ability to confer not eternal youth,but great longevity.

Thus, Nostradamus had plenty of spare time to devoteto his studies. He returned to the oldest and most arcanesources of human knowledge on Terra Prima, from thetimes in which humanity had conversed with the Ancients.Quite naturally, he had the idea of becoming an agent ofdivinity himself, in order to sway the world’s path, to makean influence over the crazed course of a civilization lost inthe stars. He just had to find his crystal that he would oneday offer to the world, a prism-being he could polish,nourish, and make grow. The Golden Oil would be thecocoon; he just needed a chrysalis.

According to the mystical ancient order Rosae Crucis— taught to him by Christian Rosenkreutz during his train-ing in medicine — the school of Egyptian mysticism hadalways prophesied that a sublime male-female being wouldone day become Supreme Ruler andgovern the universe. News that theDauphin, heir to the House of France,was a hermaphrodite, could not fail tointerest him. Was he the one destinedto rule the world? Nostradamus couldonly find out by approaching AmelieLadoucette, for she was the only per-son who had the ability to replace theDauphin with a child she knew well.As soon as Nostradamus held the Dau-phin in his hands, he thanked and paidthe helpful woman, then shut himselfoff with the child to verify the signs.There was no doubt about his doublesex organ. His elegant, childlike facewas a blend of feminine softness withangelic good looks. He was clearly thelatest descendant of a royal line, whichimbued his genes with a measure ofperfection. If raised with the properrites and precepts, the male-female childwould only blossom and take on anever-before-imagined role in humanhistory.

Without wasting an instant,Nostradamus secreted the Dauphin faraway, to the Burubudur temple beside

the bottomless pits on the island of Sumatra in the SondeIsles at the ends of the Indian Ocean, a retreat he hadconverted to his cause in order to carry out the training.The Dauphin’s training lasted 47 years, which seemed butan instant to the old country doctor so far from his nativeland. Upon completion of his training, Louis the Dau-phin, now Rosemonde the Rebis, had nothing at all incommon with a child born in Paleo-France at the end ofthe eighteenth century. His wisdom stretched far beyondwhat was known within his century. His mastery of thereal and arcane, of cause and effect, was such as only onewho had lived a hundred lifetimes could possess. But moreimportantly, He had the ability to put His will into effect.He was now ready. Michel de Nostre-Dame judged thathis work was complete. In 1842, he submergedRosemonde in a bath of Golden Oil at the heart of thehermetically sealed capsule in which He would traverseeternity. The Supreme Ruler waited in silence, ready tooffer himself to the world. Before devoting himself to thejoys of a meditative twilight, Michel de Nostre-Dameundertook a final task: he wove a thousand mythical sto-ries and chronicles, which announced the coming of a newEmpire for humankind.

THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EMPIRE

In 2986, the Sixth World War left no winner or loser,just a pile of ash and ruin. With the majority of its popu-lation decimated by the tragedy of nuclear fire, Terra Primawas at last ready to receive the one whose lineage guaran-teed Him the throne: the Chosen One, perfect thanks toHis double nature, and eternally glorious, thanks to Histraining. While the Dauphin-Rebis slept, Nostradamus

prepared the world for His comingfrom his secret lair. For almost 20 cen-turies, he had traced powerful andmystical vectors that had put the hopeof His arrival into the hearts of people.He had been heralded and so wasawaited.

The era’s troubles had reached a cul-minating point with the near-extinc-tion of all life. Humanity thirsted foronly one thing: salvation. The coali-tion of armed forces, having obtainedtheir claim to rule the planet’s rubblein the blaze of combat, gave a warmwelcome to this new candidate whowas not only from a true dynasty butwho left a powerful residue of miraclesin His wake. The doors of poweropened wide before Him.

The early years of the reign ofRosemonde I the Rebis were restlessand chaotic. Old enmities remained,and a number of rival factions used thisshift in power as an opportunity to re-new their actions. But the training ofMichel de Nostre-Dame had bornefruit; among His many other qualities,Rosemonde was firm. Certain Noble

The PerfectAndrogyne

From the archives of thegalactic human Empire.“Historical Documents”section, “ApocryphalTexts” subsection, “Proph-ecy” division: “...For it istold that He-She whounites the qualities of Manand Woman, He-She whowill be the Sacred An-drogyne, the Perfect Beingendowed with all qualitiesof Father and Mother, shallrule forever, and guide hu-manity towards its destinywith a Divine Hand.” –Textin ancient language ofTerra Prima, attributed tothe human seer Aptisto,who lived in the period ofchaos following the Sixth

World War.

Cha

pter

1 •

6

Houses, and not minor ones, learned that at their expense.Making an example of them did the rest, and in less thanthree decades, all the institutions of this divided feudalworld had pledged their allegiance to the new Emperor.But the power of terror does not solve everything on itsown, and so Rosemonde I the Rebis introduced a ritualthat still exists today — creating a powerful yet subtlebond that would link the Emperor and His subjects. Oncethe administrative arm of the House of Trans-Bourbonhad inventoried, surveyed, and appraised all the fiefs tothe Crown, the Imperial Office of Titles and Deeds redis-tributed them among any families prepared to swear anoath of personal fealty to Rosemonde I the Rebis. Duringa sumptuous ceremony of spiritual fervor followed by strictsolemnity, the Supreme Ruler named Himself“Emperoress” and bequeathed His vassals with a medal-lion containing a drop of the holy Golden Oil as a sign oftheir position in the Nobility. Much later, after human-kind had spread across the whole cosmos, those medal-lions remained objects of inestimable value, of course re-vered by the descendents of the founders of the NobleHouses, but admired more widely by all.

Later in the reign of the first of the Trans-Bourbons,once Imperial Authority was recognized everywhere andundisputed throughout, Rosemonde gave the order to con-quer first the galaxy, and then the entire cosmos. He Him-self set things in motion in the year 4503 by transferringthe seat of Imperial power to the Golden Planet. At thesame time, He instructed the largest and most powerfulHouses to go forth and conquer the breadth of the uni-verse, in His name and for His glory. Indeed, conquestand the expansion of the human universe became the hall-mark of the era of Rosemonde I the Rebis. Before Hisreign, humans dreamed only of exploring the boundariesof their solar system. Beneath His rule, the whole galaxysuddenly seemed too small. Adventurous Houses set offto carve out galactic fiefdoms vaster than solar systems,and ever hardier explorers soon thrust beyond the boundsof the Milky Way. Of course there were conflicts at theboundary, and invasions from outside, but also conspira-cies and continual struggles for power within the very bo-som of the Empire. At the same time, the dispersion ofthe Great Houses across the endless universe allowed en-tirely new ways of life to flourish, leading to a variety ofcustoms, and a strong “folk” tradition within the overallFederal mosaic. But the absolute personal power of theEmperoress was the centralizing force of the Empire Heembodied, permitting differences to be smoothed over, too-lofty ambitions to be brought down, and humankind’scohesion to be guaranteed during its march of expansion.Despite some difficulties, Rosemonde the Rebis was theuncontested master over the Empire He ruled with an ironhand, with full support from the four Great Pillars: theTechno-Pontificate, the Ekonomat, the Nobility, and theUnion of Planets.

THE BLOOD LEGACY

The reign of Rosemonde I the Rebis lasted exactly 8499years, ending in 11998. He used His hermaphroditic quali-ties to fertilize himself, with the goal of bringing to the

world another doubly endowed Chosen One,another Sacred Androgyne. But whether bynature’s whim, genetic mishap, or Imperial error, itwas male and female Siamese twins that He broughtinto the world. Joined at the torso, the new SiameseEmperors Artaran and Marlana received training be-fitting the destiny of those who would one day takethe reins of an Empire that expanded every moment.But their training was a long and arduous path, fraughtwith many difficulties. The Siamese brother and sister,condemned by nature to a life of intolerable proximity,both had raging tempers. Between them they broughtnew meaning to the word “chaos.” Their days were noth-ing but a long succession of fighting. The sight of theirsexually opposite double was a torture just as unbearablefor both of them. Their hands were tied, for fear that theywould murder each other. But they managed to summonthe strength to bite each other furiously in the face, andtear chunks out with cries of horrible pain, because bothof them felt equally the harm they were inflicting on eachother. Soon, their faces were just tatters, covered inNetranekkon and gold alloy poultices. They raged end-lessly, burning with seemingly implacable hatred. Duringmoments of clarity, they were able to rule the Empire withreasonable tranquility, but calm would quickly give wayto the storm, and they would renew their cycles of un-thinking rage. At that point they had to be locked awaywithin an armored room in the deepest heart of the GoldenPlanet, to prevent their violent tempers from disruptingeverything.

No official rite marked the succession of Rosemonde Ithe Rebis to Artaran and Marlana. No declaration or de-cision was made. Nothing about the event made it appeareven slightly out of the ordinary. One day, Rosemondesimply disappeared and was replaced by the screamingSiamese twins. Their status as heirs to the throne was wellknown. So when they assumed power after the First ofthe Trans-Bourbons had vanished into thin air, nothingwas made of it, as if everything was absolutely normal.No trace of Rosemonde was ever found, and His disap-pearance remains one of the Empire’s great mysteries. Butsince Artaran and Marlana did not seem concerned, lifefollowed its course. And nobody asked even the slightestquestion.

THE EXPANSION OF THE LEGACY

The 11233 years of Artaran and Marlana’s reign werewithout a doubt the most chaotic years in the Dynasty ofthe Trans-Bourbons. From the very beginning, their Em-pire had to repel the increasingly frequent galacto-bar-baric raids on its borders. The expansion of human civili-zation was nothing but an uninterrupted succession ofbattles in concentric rings expanding out from the heartof the Empire. The Great Houses dedicated themselves tothe evils of merciless battle in order to obtain new privi-leges, the Great Pillars themselves harbored a climate ofinternal struggle, and the Endoguard fought to protectthe Empire from ever more powerful alien hordes. Thesituation culminated in 17789 when the Imperial Couple

7 • The E

mpire

fled to a parallel universe to escape takeoverby an exterior force of indomitable power. Their

retreat lasted for almost six millennia, until new con-vulsions wracked the universe, once again changingthe circumstances.

Surprisingly, the Empire emerged stronger from thislong period of upheaval. Alien occupation and the rav-ages of perpetual war at the border had the effect ofdrawing the various internal factions closer together, atleast superficially, and the concept of a united Empirewas reinforced. But the same events had a different ef-fect as far as Imperial power goes. Indeed, the delicate

bond that united the Golden Planet to the group of hu-mans spread throughout the galaxy was somewhat shakenby the escape of the ill-behaved Siamese twins. To be sure,none dared speak of treason, but a feeling of abandon-ment pervaded. So on the one hand, the shattered mosaicthat was the Empire found even greater reason to see it-self as a unified whole, and on the other, the authoritythat was supposed to act as the central nervous system ofthe whole assemblage was showing unmistakable signs ofweakness.

At that point, the political genius of the Trans-Bour-bons, forged in the crucible of Nostradamus’ ancient wis-dom, showed its full scope. Having just returned fromtheir parallel universe, Artaran and Marlana did not throwthemselves blindly into brutally reseizing power over thefour Pillars. Instead, they announced that they were abdi-cating the throne in favor of Magaella and Magellan, themale and female twins they had sired. This surprise an-nouncement yielded a double benefit: It made everyoneforget the mystery surrounding Artaran and Marlana’sdeparture and their sojourn in an invisible and inacces-sible realm; at the same time, it distracted attention fromthe distressing fact that the new Imperial Couple did noteven slightly resemble a Sacred Androgyne. AlthoughMagaella and Magellan were a dual entity from the sameegg, they were nonetheless distinct and separate beings.With the male heir standing separate from the female heir,the idea of a divine union lost its potency. But the suddenannouncement and the new Imperial Couple’s charmquickly put all those concerns to rest. In 23231, Magaellaand Magellan officially took the destiny of the Trans-Bour-bon Empire into their hands. As was the case 11233 stan-dard years earlier, their progenitors vanished quite sud-denly without any ceremony, and more notably, left nei-ther trace nor witness behind.

At long last, a time of change and rebuilding had come.And rebuild they did, from top to bottom. A few of the fourPillars were forced to make amends and pledge their alle-giance once more, on pain of dissolution. The delicate bal-ance between the components of the Empire had beenshaken, but an outline of the Imperial Order we know to-day gradually emerged. Mysticism gave way to materialmight, military force, and technology. With peace restored,the human universe began another cycle of developmentand prosperity. Conquests multiplied, carrying the bannerof the Trans-Bourbons ever farther. Then, just as now, evenif Imperial law is still not obeyed everywhere, for lack of

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Timeline of Key Events1795 - Exchange of Louis XVII and foundation of the Trans-Bourbons line.2986 - Sixth World War.3000 - Departure from Terra Prima. Colonization of the solar system. Paleo-gravitatioal Era3499 - Crowning of Rosemonde the 1st, the Rebis, Emperor of the galaxy. End of the Democratic Tyrany.3500 - Biological Revolution: Beginning of the Universal Colonization. Biological Era.4500 - The Imperial Court moves to the Golden Planet. Development of the Techno-Guild.6000 - First great galacto-barbarian invasion. Development of the Colonial Houses.11998 - Birth of Artaran and Marlana, the children of Rosemonde I.12000 - 2nd great galacto-barbarian invasion.13500 - Cataclysm caused by the rupture of the ice borders. Discovery of parallel universes.13612 - First contacts and the adherence of the Empire to the Confederation of Parallel Universes.13626 - Birth of the Non-Baron Dayal de Castaka.13628 - Birth of the Mono-Duchess Antigréa de Castaka.13637 - Our universe officially joins the Confederation of Parallel Universes. Post-logic Era.13645 - Birth of Myrtha and Narda.13651 - The Techno-Guild discovers Central Planet and becomes the pan-Techno Church.13652 - Destruction of the planet Ahour, original Castaka home.13660 - Arrival of surviving members of the Castaka clan to the planet Marmola. Death of the Mono-

Duchess Antigréa de Castaka. Contact with the Gargale Gangez, and disappearance of the epiphytecavern.

17789 - Third great galacto-barbarian invasion lead by aliens.17790 - Escape of the Imperial Couple to their cousins of the parallel universes. 5000 long years of

continuous troubles.23124 - First use of the Tri-H bomb and the end of the Pan-barbarian War.23126 - Capture of power by the Techno-Technos. Fanatical Era.23231 - Crowning of Magaella and Magellan, the new Trans-Bourbon Emperors.23232 - The Techno-Technos are removed from political power circles.23510 - The Church of Industrial Saints (C.I.S.) becomes the official cult of the Human Empire.23511 - Secession between the Techno-Pope and the Techno-Popess. Creation of the Shabda-Oud order.23772 - The Techno-Technos finish the construction of the “Great Network.”24000/29892 - Colonization to the borders of the universe.29820 - Birth of Non-Baron Berard de Castaka.29857 - Birth of Metabaron Othon von Salza.29861 - Birth of Edna Berard de Castaka.29872 - Birth of Honorata.29876 - Birth of Barri de Castaka.29892 - Death of Non-Baron Berard de Castaka. Death of Edna Berard de Castaka. Battle of Marmolla.

The Human Empire learns of epiphyte. The Human Universe enters the Anti-G Era. Arrival of survivorsof the Castaka clan on the planet Okhar. Death of Barri de Castaka. Construction of the Metacraft.

29893 - Birth of Metabaron Aghnar von Salza.29899 - Birth of the Supra-Princess Oda the Capricious.29900 - Construction of the Metabunker. Destruction of the planet Okhar. The Metabaron Othon and his

son, Aghnar, take refuge on the planet Perdita.29913 - Death of the Metabaron Othon von Salza. Destruction of the Shabda-oud order by the Metabaron

Aghnar.29918 - Death of the Supra-Princess Oda, but reincarnated by Honorata.29919 - Birth of the Metabaron Steelhead.29931 - Birth of Doña Vicenta Gabriela de Rokha.29951 - Immemorial combat between the Metabaron Aghnar and Steelhead, followed by the death of

Aghnarand Honorata.29952 - The Metabaron Steelhead becomes Melmoth de Castaka. Birth of the Metabaron Aghorha de

Castaka and the cast of Castaka. Death of Doña Vicenta Gabriela de Rokha.29969 - Death of the Metabaron Steelhead.29970 - Birth of the current Metabaron, who has no name.29989 - Death of the Metabaron Aghorha de Castaka.30000 - Current epoc.

9 • The E

mpire

enforcers, the Empire nonetheless canmake its intentions felt throughout the mass of

galaxies that make up the universe. Even black holesperceived in the farthest distance by telescopes are

claimed for the Empire, just as long ago, on Terra Prima,the new lands across the seas were claimed by the mon-archs who owned the largest navies.

Magaella and Magellan’s era will forever be remem-bered as the era of riches and technological marvels.In spite of its return to favor through diplomatic means,the Techno-Pontificate continued to shroud its activi-ties in mystery. Nonetheless, it also continued to make

colossal and decisive contributions to the Imperial arse-nal. The Endoguard’s supremacy in space owed much tothe technological marvels of the Techno-Technos. In thatrespect, the discovery of epyphite is a perfect example ofthe state of the Human Empire of that time. Never hadany faction been so powerful (powerful to the point ofopen rebellion against the Imperial Couple), never hadopulence been so apparent everywhere, never had thethirst for riches been so keen, never had the promises oftomorrow been so glorious and numerous, and never hadconspiracies been woven with so much fervor. It was atthat time, in one of the extremely short periods in analternating cycle of joy and tragedy that Magaella andMagellan, the Imperial twins, met their death. In 31184to be precise, after the epyphite discovered in 29892 hadincreased their already immeasurable power, after the joyof childbirth had been granted them, after they had man-aged to repel the merciless Pthagurean attack, their liveswere brutally taken. To this day, they are the only repre-sentatives of the Trans-Bourbon line for whom formalproof of actual death exists.

And thus, a new era was born.

IN OUR TIME…After that, the Emperoress Janus-Jana became ruler of

the Empire. Fruit of the union between one of EmpressMagaella’s ova and one of Emperor Magellan’s sterilesperm, Janus-Jana was brought into the world by thirtyyears of tireless work by the whole army of surgeon-ro-bots and human doctors of the Hospital Planet. Superiormutant, a sublime combination of male heir and femaleheir, Janus-Jana was a Siamese twin, man and womanjoined at the neck and shoulders. In that respect, He-Shecarried on the mystical tradition of the Trans-Bourbons,by approaching the original ideal of the first Dauphin.All the same, Janus-Jana did not even slightly suspect thatHe-She would never attain the sacred ideal of a unionthat combined the double aspect of male and female inone perfectly realized being. Janus-Jana was not the Sa-cred Androgyne. However, He-She was no ordinary hu-man either. As the last of the line, He-She was the bearerof ancient wisdom and the possessor of immense power.

After Magaella and Magellan had their minds devouredby brain-eating vampires from interspace, the Emperoressbecame master of all the galaxies. Since then, sealed offfrom the human world by a protective egg, Janus-Janarules the universe.

THE EXERCISE & STRUCTURE OF

IMPERIAL POWER

Although the power of the Emperoress is not, strictlyspeaking, of divine essence, it undeniably bears a certainsuper-human aspect, if only by virtue of the prophecy fromthe dawn of time which foretold the coming of a perfectdouble being who would rule over the entirety of worlds.

This prophecy was so widely known that even thewitches of the Shabda-Oud devised an ambitious and Ma-chiavellian plot, ordering one of their number, the exquisiteHonorata, to bear a hermaphroditic child to be proclaimed“Sacred Androgyne, Emperoress of the galaxy.” However,their plan was doomed to fail, simply because Honorata’slove for Othon, the first Metabaron, compelled her tochoose to give him a son rather than a child of doublesex. But the Shabda-Oud did not give up quietly. Far frombeing discouraged by their initial setback, they contrivedanother plot. This time it would involve combining Oda’sgenes with those of their god, Jejoh the perfect, to givebirth to a hermaphroditic Chosen One who would de-throne Janus-Jana and confer supreme power to the or-der of Whore-Priestesses. This second attempt also metwith failure. Still, the perseverance they showed demon-strates how the Sacred Androgyne’s power is envied byall. With that in mind, it is easy to imagine that the witchesof the Shabda-Oud were not the only ones to expend suchefforts, and that other clans and interested parties plottedin the shadows to produce their own hermaphroditic Cho-sen One in their quest for supreme power.

Utterly isolated in His-Her palace on the Golden Planet,the Emperoress reigns as absolute ruler over the wholehuman galaxy. With a dictatorial temperament, He-Shegrants audiences in an immense throne room whose floorand walls are completely covered in fine gold. His-Herword is law, and His-Her decisions irrevocable. In oneinstant, He-She can decide the fate of a person, a race, awhole system, or even a galaxy. He-She not only holdsbut embodies power, and His-Her life is a constant battleto maintain it. Since His-Her accession, the Human Uni-verse has never been so mighty, and yet never so dividedeither. Using the isolation of their distant territories totheir advantage, the larger Noble Houses have accumu-lated tremendous military strength, of course still notmighty enough to challenge the Endoguard, but nonethe-less of sufficient potency to give pause and bring consid-erable weight to the strategic balance. Quite fortunatelyfor Janus-Jana, the Houses continually dispute amongthemselves and therefore remain utterly incapable of join-ing forces to overthrow Him-Her. The High Council ofNobles is not an upper-class salon where subdued remarksare exchanged among people of good company. Instead,it is more frequently a hotbed of open conflict.

Despite His-Her illustrious ascendancy, Janus-Jana alsoboasts a legitimacy much more solid than mere prophecy.By right, He-She is the direct descendant of the ImperialCouple, and no practical-minded person would dare toopenly challenge the situation as it now stands. However,at a time when power-hungry factions are secretly lend-

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ing their support to incessant wars, His-Her birthrightdoes not protect Him-Her from intrigue, or the risk ofimpeachment. But in order to preserve the throne, He-She can count on the immediate assistance of an innercircle of allies, otherwise known as the Council.

THE COUNCIL

HEAD OF IMPERIAL PROTOCOL,NEO-JESTER VICO DA SANGLE

Private councilor to the Emperoress, under the title ofHead of Imperial Protocol, Vico da Sangle holds an envi-able position of strategic power in the bosom of the Em-pire. He boasts no particular prerogatives, but nonethe-less takes full advantage of his control over rules of de-corum. Never has there been a man at Court more famil-iar with the rules of etiquette, and it has happened morethan once that a haughty representative of a Noble Househas been forced to swallow his pride in the face of daSangle’s demands. On matters of customs and rites, Ja-nus-Jana always defers to his judgment and often imme-diately endorses any new rules of etiquette that da Sangleinvents without hesitation, since their only aim is to am-plify His-Her grandeur even more. At the same time, Vicoda Sangle knows how to curry the Im-perial favor. His greatest strength, thesecret asset that grants him the right toJanus-Jana’s ear, is his ability to makepeople laugh. For Vico da Sangle is apeerless acrobat and a juggler moreskilled than any the human galaxy hasever seen. In his dexterous hands, sometwenty rubber balls might fly by andrapidly rebound, seemingly possessedwith a life of their own. His extraordi-nary routines literally astound anyonewho has the good fortune to witnessthem. The graceful arcs he describesthrough the air, his well-timed tumblesand reckless acrobatics, are immenselyfascinating and also very relaxing.

He frequently offers his opinion on anumber of issues and provides advicein the guise of short poems, which hesings out while performing his tricks be-fore an audience eager for his talents.He doesn’t involve himself in strategybut instead is content to keep his fingeron the pulse of the galaxy. As an ex-ample, see the margin on pages 28–29,which is a complete transcription of re-marks exchanged during the course ofan audience given by Janus-Jana in theGolden Palace (recorded by the Skribbsub-program, authorization number359tek55862).

Despite the role of jester he plays be-fore the Court with light and seeminglyunconcerned tones, Vico da Sangle’s in-fluence must above all not be underes-

timated. Not only do his remarks always dem-onstrate a good deal of common sense, but healso manages, by his bold exploits, to defuse tensesituations by bringing the hypocrisy of the courtesansto light, and he can snare even the most sophisticatedin the trap of their own petty arguments.

THE CIRCLE OF IMPERIAL MENTREKS

A closed and extremely secret occult group, the Circleof Imperial Mentreks do not have any direct influenceover the Empire, but their strategic impact is so greatthat their mark is found on most decisions ofmultigalactic scope. They influence Imperial policy withtheir advice and counsel. If prognostic analysis allows themto demonstrate a specific interest in carrying out a force-ful strike in any given zone of the universe, their recom-mendations invariably lead to action. The Endoguard pres-ence in a particular sector is increased, peace-keepingmissions are undertaken, surveillance of the Empire’s en-emies is carried out, and any faction headed for potentialrebellion is quickly subjugated. “Good government is goodplanning,” the old saying goes, and planning is preciselywhat the Circle of Imperial Mentreks contribute to Ja-nus-Jana. To be sure, none of the Mentreks are endowed

with clairvoyance, but the accuracy oftheir prognostic analyses make themindispensable to anyone who wishesto clearly understand the tangled skeinof the threads of possibility. All in all,they provide a rational framework forImperial decisions.

In terms of the structure of theirclan, the Circle of Imperial Mentreksis only the tip of the iceberg. Indeed,these few visible members draw uponsupport from a much larger group, avast college of more than a thousandMentreks who contemplate an infinitenumber of problems, within the serenesilence of their lair. The ten oldest andmost esteemed Mentreks, the membersof the Circle, eliminate the tangentialconsiderations in order to convey acondensed synthesis of their analysisto Janus-Jana, who immediately trans-lates it into action. Thanks to theirrole, the ten Mentreks of the Circle arehonorary members of the Court. In-deed, is there any courtesan who hasn’tseen their thin silhouettes slowly tra-versing the corridors of the GoldenPalace? They are permitted certainprivileges by their status. Their habitsand little eccentricities are tolerated.One of them, who lived to the age of275 standard years, a lifespan thatstands unmatched to this day, will berenowned throughout history for hisgluttony. To satisfy his cravings, the

The Dehuman-ization of the

MentreksThe Mentreks’ formation

process involves, in additionto games and simulationsaimed at increasing eachindividual’s potential ten-fold, the removal of the por-tion of the brain that man-ages purely human reactionsand sensations to exteriorstimuli. Once created,Mentreks think and reactlike machines — probabilitycomputers who serve as theEmperoress’s logistical arm.However, numerous acciden-tal incidents and omissionshave resulted from theMentrek’s purely technicaldecision-making process. Forexample, a Mentrek incharge of evaluating an ex-pedition for the confines maythoroughly go over andelaborate every last technicaldetail for the expedition,while forgetting to foreseethe necessary essentials for

the bio-passengers.

11 • The U

niverse

Imperial House regu-larly shipped in large quantities of sugary tu-

mors that grow on the faces of inhabitants of atiny planet in a faraway sub-system, said to be true

delicacies. But such exceptions are rare, and thelifestyle within the College itself is much more monk-like. The thousand Mentreks who work there are theundisputed elite of their clan. Their value, graded onthe FishKarov scale, reaches unsurpassed limits. Theirastounding capacity for analysis is far beyond the abili-ties of humans.

Since the Mentreks exist only for the exercise of theirintellect, some of them have developed an excessive taste

for indirect action, for subtle combinations on variouslevels, or for any practical application of the domino ef-fect. The Mentreks of the College, even the Mentreks ofthe Inner Circle, are dissatisfied with their classificationand are aware that elsewhere in the universe, other lessformidable Mentreks under contract to well-reputedHouses enjoy the luxury of being able to put their strata-gems into practice. Sometimes, therefore, the Mentreksof the College succumb to certain attempts of undue in-fluence, such as the introduction of new parameters to agiven premise. This is not for the sake of personal ambi-tion, but for the love of highly developed combinations,for the beauty of perfectly executed complex plans, andthe self-serving pleasure of secretly undermining a plot ofone of their brother Mentreks. Clearly, although theMentreks’ loyalty to the Empire is absolutely unquestion-able, their taste for intellectual competition can risk be-coming too intense.

GOYO-VAH,THE NEO-TAROLOGIST

Another mysterious character isGoyo-Vah, who plays a discreet butpivotal role in the Court. This shadowyadvisor to Janus-Jana is the only livingperson whose remarks have ever im-pelled the Emperoress to rethink a po-sition or even reverse a decision, indeedeven making amends. Of the primarycircle of councilors, only Goyo-Vah’swords carry a powerful and almost su-pernatural aura, which commands obe-dience. In short, if Vico da Sangle’sfunction is to entertain while creatinga screen that filters out the unwanted,and if the function of the Circle of Im-perial Mentreks is to evaluate, specu-late, and analytically justify the valid-ity of Imperial strategies, Goyo-Vah’srole is to bring a flash of clarity to anyclouded situation.

Trained in the subtle arts of Paleo-Tarot and Grandmaster of the Arcanaof Neo-Tarot, Goyo-Vah is one of thefour known Neo-Tarologists in the en-

tire universe and doubtlessly the most powerful. The door-ways of divination were opened to him by the insertionof 78 metallic panels into his brain. Each panel has beentipped with a drop of holy Golden Oil, which augmentshis neural hyper-conductivity and gives him access to al-ternate temporal dimensions. Of course, the installationof the implants was a delicate and dangerous process, butonce Goyo-Vah’s brain managed to overcome the shock,a new dimension spread its arms before him.

Since that time, he exists simultaneously on two levelsof reality. In terms of perception, he sees, hears, and feelsall that everyone else can see, hear, and feel. But he alsodiscerns an almost superimposed second layer, which fil-ters his perception of the present by tinting it with tonesof the future. What will be, or what could be, appearsbefore him. The various colors of the spectrum correspondto the different Arcana, and their intensity is proportionalto the probability of their occurrence. The readings de-pend on individual interpretation, but a true craftsmancan easily translate these impressions and supra-sensoryreadings into tangible facts.

Goyo-Vah uses two principal methods to determine acourse of events. Continually, instant by instant, the pos-sible outcomes of all situations he sees, reads, and imag-ines, including those that are brought before him, imper-ceptibly impose themselves onto the mass of informationcontained in his unconscious mind. If he fixes his mindon one detail, he can probe all its facets at his leisure, andidentify the chances of seeing it develop within a specificcontext to a very slim margin of error. On the other hand,Goyo-Vah can also immerse himself in a deeper and more

thorough study of a group of facts. It’snot unusual for Janus-Jana to bringhim the results of His-Her Mentreks’analysis, so he can pass them throughthe screen of his own predictivemethod. In either case, whether he pro-vides intuitive flashes or meticulous ex-trapolations, Goyo-Vah is a valuableasset that the Emperoress would notknow how to do without.

Of course, the reading of the Arcanais not infallible. Absolute prescience isnot Goyo-Vah’s gift, and it sometimesoccurs that reality stubbornly refusesto follow the path it should. That pos-sibility is even more likely given a situ-ation with a large number of un-knowns, or when the parameters inquestion are complex or poorly corre-lated. For in the underhanded battlesbetween the powers of the Empire,many situations are murky. But asidefrom these pitfalls and gray areas wherethe outlines of the future are not at allclear, Goyo-Vah’s visions provide anidea of the direction in which thecourse of things may flow.

The Neo-Tarologists

Though the names of thefour Neo-Tarologists areknown, these exceptional be-ings remain for the most partas inaccessible as the Techno-Technos’ jealously guardedsecrets. Thus, the illustriousGoyo-Vah, cloistered onGolden Planet, andOcciputal-Cogito, protectedby the impenetrable CentralPlanet defense systems, arecut off from all contact withhumanity. It is possible to ap-proach Raymonde and theRuby, who sells her divinatoryservices to the elite of theArchi-nobles at prohibitiveprices, but only Renovalh, theentity deified by the mutantson Planet Novahl-Ré, can stillbe approached by common

mortals.

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THE GOLDEN PALACE

Erected atop the highest point of theGolden Planet’s level surface, theGolden Palace is a splendid and mas-sive golden edifice that stretches itsproud colonnades up towards the infi-nite cosmos. Located in the center of avast golden court made of thirty-foot-wide square slabs, the palace houses athrone room for the Emperoress togrant audiences and an infinite amountof chambers dedicated to various pur-suits. Beneath the court and the audi-ence hall, as if embedded in this pre-cious golden jewel, lie the Emperoress’sprivate apartments, as well as a privatehearing room, with occasional privilegeof entry granted only to a few rarecouncilors. A veritable golden cathedralsupported by massive pillars, the audi-ence hall has a wide circle of light goldin its center, set within a seven-pointeddark gold star. The tip of one of thepoints marks the entrance to the hall.On each side of the hall, long rows ofterraces accommodate the thousands ofcourtesans who attend the Imperial au-diences every day. The Imperial thronesits between the two points of the starthat face the entrance. It is a platformreached by climbing three long flightsof stairs, topped by a huge triangularstructure, which holds Janus-Jana’s pro-tective egg. Here beats the heart of theEmpire, where all Imperial decisions aremade, and from whence the Endoguardsets out to bear the colors of the Empire across the wholeuniverse.

Entrance to the audience hall is via an immense door-way made of an impenetrable alloy of white Netranekkonand gold. The top portion of the Golden Palace rotatesconstantly, its door only opening when it returns to a cer-tain position four times a year at 61-day intervals, since ayear lasts 244 standard days. The courtesans who liveinside the Golden Palace can then emerge, immediatelyreplaced by other nobles desiring to make their way intothe Court.

Except during specific periods of galactic urgency, therulers of the Empire never leave the Golden Palace. Forexample Magaella and Magellan, parents of EmperoressJanus-Jana, only once visited Marmola, and once boardedthe Diplomatic Vessel during the galactic crisis with thePthagureans, although unfortunately this incident is whatled to their death. However, the top portion of the GoldenPalace can transform into the Golden Vessel, which al-lows the Emperoress to depart at any given moment forany point in the universe.

As inviolable and impregnable as it is, the Golden Pal-ace has nonetheless suffered the humiliation of assault on

ImpregnableGolden Planet

The aura of terror and mys-tery that suffuses GoldenPlanet is not just due to itssuperstitious population andtheir sense of mysticism.There exists a more concreteexplanation. Reputed to beunassailable and impen-etrable, the political and ad-ministrative heart of the Em-pire is surrounded by ninesatellites — artificial andsemi-artificial — each con-taining a veritable arsenal ofradar, sensors, probes, and fre-quency emitters that perma-nently sweep a security perim-eter around the planet that isseveral thousand light yearswide. This barrier prohibits allclassical means of space-flightapproach and landing, andequally scans the parallel di-mensions, in order to preventany threat that could be meta-human in nature. An imme-diate sanction of pure andsimple destruction is orderedfor all intrusions unautho-rized by Imperial mandate.

several occasions. Firstcame Othon, who eliminatedthe Imperial Couple’s privateguard before clearing a paththrough the door’s supposedly in-destructible mass with a simple ges-ture that summoned a burst of pureenergy capable of detonating aplanet. Later, Steelhead unleashedabsolutely incomprehensible forcesin order to create the Golden Flower.Acting under an irresistible current,the whole top portion of the GoldenPlanet split open to reveal a crown ofeight petals, which spread like a youngblossom under a sun’s warm caress. Nohull or shield could resist it. Then,Steelhead directed his effort down-wards, making a shaft in the groundthat tunneled to the very depths of thepalace’s inviolable heart.

The day of the Golden Flower wouldremain forever in memory as the dayof the greatest imaginable affront tothe Empire, but paradoxically also aday that strengthened the unspokenand almost spiritual bond between theEmperoress and the Metabaron, great-est of all His-Her warriors.

Beneath the palace runs an immenseand almost unnavigable network ofcorridors, galleries, and passageways.They provide access to the apartmentsof nobles allowed at Court; to servicebuildings where armies of robo-ser-vants, robo-cooks, and robo-chamber-

maids bustle about; to the quarters of the SupremeEndoguard; to the Golden Palace’s official prison thatsometimes contains nobles who have been condemned inplenary assembly; and to unofficial dungeons where cer-tain poor fallen courtesans rot away. An infinity of otherpassageways connect to great halls, small rooms, offices,cellars, and corridors that lead to unknown points of vari-ous usefulness. The sense of enormity and lavishness ofdecoration are such that an inattentive explorer wouldinevitably go astray. Such a structure calls into questionthe mental health of the architect who designed it. Theonly thing for certain is that there are many secret door-ways and passageways here

THE ARMED AND ADMINISTRATIVE

BRANCHES OF THE EMPIRE

The inner circle of councilors generate and refine thebroad strokes of Imperial strategy, which is then put intoeffect by the administrative branch of the Empire — theStellComm, and vigilantly enforced by the armed branch— the Endoguard. Thus the Emperoress has two ultra-powerful divisions entirely devoted to His-Her cause.

13 • The U

niverse

Their devotion does notspring from freely given loyalty,

which would always be at risk ofretraction, but from much morepowerful forces: fear and subjuga-tion. Indeed, the mightyEndoguards are made to complywith Imperial directives by a techni-cal device, while StellComm agentscomply with their orders for the sakeof preserving their lives.

THE STELLCOMM

The Imperial Super-Ministry of Stel-lar Commerce (or StellComm as it’smore often called) organizes and regu-lates trade and commercial travelthroughout the universe. In theory, itputs the framework and general rulesfor commercial activity into place andthen ensures their maintenance by col-laborating with the Maganats and otherintergalactic authorities, such as theGuild of Imperial Merchants or thetraders of the Ekonomat.

In practice, it primarily fulfills the du-ties of customs, maintaining offices anddelegations in all the universe’scosmoports. It controls the movement of merchandise andof course collects taxes for the Imperial treasury. How-ever, it also carries out other useful functions, such as de-veloping and carrying out security routines for subatmo-spheric space and zones around cosmoports, administer-ing and maintaining hyperspatial routes and astrographicdata, signposting and mapping the sectors adjacent to in-ter-stellar wormholes, and handling all of the Empire’sadministrative needs: registration, inspection of vessels andcargo, and so on.

In local areas, particularly in minor systems or onessomewhat isolated from the more heavily trafficked routes,it is customary for StellComm agents to be more lenientand more sympathetic to the grievances and demands fromrepresentatives of the Maganats or Colonials, indepen-dent shippers, or even pioneers who head off on explor-atory missions to return with their holds full of mineralore. In such cases, negotiation might be considered, un-less of course an Endoguard patrol is passing somewherenearby.

For its missions, StellComm can call upon a fleet ofmodestly armed vessels. There is no guarantee of safetyin outer space. However, their armament does not permitthem to take on aggressors above a certain level of fire-power, since StellComm agents are administrators morethan warriors. In case of difficulty, the Endoguard is calledin, and if they arrive on the scene in time, they will effort-lessly turn the battle in their favor.

Parallel to their duties in the field, the hundreds of mil-lions of StellComm agents spread throughout the universe

(customs and security inspectors, pilots,security agents who guard the ware-houses, various levels of office staff, andothers) work in some aspect of handlingthe astronomical quantities of data gen-erated each day by interstellar com-merce. And, nearer to the central powerof the Golden Planet, the high-rankingofficers in the StellComm are entrustedwith making sure that the Emperoress’swill is respected and converted into dailyaction for their ranks of administrators.

STELLCOM AGENTS

These generic characters can be usedwith the Metabarons RoleplayingGame.

Inspector. Agility 2D: dodge 3D,firearms 3D. Knowledge 3D: bureau-cracy 4D, business 4D, intimidation4D, secruity regulations 3D+2. Me-chanical 2D. Perception 3D+2: bar-gain 4D, investigation 4D+2, search4D+2. Strength 2D. Technical 3D:computer interface/repair 3D+2, secu-rity 3D+2. Psionics 0D. Move 10.Character Points 1. Equipment: De-fense pistol (3D damage), fine uniform,hand vid-comm, io board.

Pilot. Agility 2D: firearms 3D, 0-G maneuver 4D.Knowledge 2D: astrography 4D, bureaucracy 4D, secruityregulations 2D+2. Mechanical 3D+2: astro-nav 5D+1,comm 5D+1, gunnery 4D+1, piloting 6D+2, sensors 5D,shields 5D, vehicle operations 5D. Perception 3D. Strength2D. Technical 3D+2: computer interface/repair 4D, flightsystems repair 6D. Psionics 0D. Move 10. CharacterPoints 1. Equipment: Defense pistol (3D damage), flightsuit, pilot’s helmet (+1 STR to resist damage; head only),io board.

Security. Agility 4D: dodge 5D, firearms 5D, melee com-bat 5D, 0-G maneuver 4D+1. Knowledge 3D: bureau-cracy 4D, intimidation 4D+2, secruity regulations 6D.Mechanical 2D+2: exoskeleton operation 3D. Perception3D: search 4D+1. Strength 2D. Technical 2D: security3D. Psionics 0D. Move 10. Character Points 2. Equip-ment: Viper pistol (4D damage), stun baton (5D stun dam-age), uniform, comm headset, io board.

Clerk. Agility 2D: dodge 3D. Knowledge 4D: bureau-cracy 5D+2, business 6D, cultures 4D+1 secruity regula-tions 4D+1. Mechanical 2D. Perception 3D+2: bargain4D+2, con 4D, search 4D+1. Strength 2D. Technical 2D.Psionics 0D. Move 10. Character Points 1. Equipment:fine uniform, hand vid-comm, io board.

THE ENDOGUARD

The Endoguard makes up the armed branch of the Em-pire. It is the most solid, most visible, most feared, andalso certainly the most loyal group to the Emperoress (ex-

The HumanAdministration

Principle organ of logisticmanagement for the Empire,StellCom centralizes the ac-tivities of tens of thousandsof men and women whosebehavior is characterizedprincipally by being… hu-man. While the Endoguardsdistinguish themselves withtheir implacable and me-chanical efficiency, theStellCom agents are capableof dialogue, compromise, theability to listen, and even ofbeing corrupted. The rigid-ity of their administrativefunction is generally enoughto dissuade them from mak-ing “friendly agreements”;however, they remain theonly governmental agentswho are willing to accept a

bribe.

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cept for their transgression at Marmola, the causes andmechanics of which are ill-understood to this day). Notonly is its firepower, thanks to technological support fromthe Techno-Technos, absolutely unrivalled across the en-tire universe, it also counts on utter ruthlessness and totalself-sacrifice from each of its men, every one of them pre-pared to consent to the final sacrifice. For an Endoguard,the idea of dying for the Empire is neither a contract nora choice, but simply a given fact technologically implantedin his brain. Death is not significant and certainly not apersonal matter. It might be considered a professional er-ror, a failing in the eyes of the Empire if the mission iscompromised, but the ranks of the Endoguard are so tightthat the disappearance of an individual goes unnoticed.

Not including the Supreme Endoguard — an elite corpsproviding tight security around the Golden Planet, theGolden Palace, and the Emperoress Him-Herself — theEndoguard comprises various specialized units. However,each individual Endoguard boasts multiple specialties.Indeed, through the course of his training, he not only ofcourse learns to fight (they are experienced warriors in allknown forms of combat) but also learns to use all avail-able techniques and technology, to execute all applica-tions of military engineering normally reserved for spe-cially assembled divisions, and to handle all imaginablematerials. Everything is done to make him the ultimatespecialist, devoid of all scruples or emotional limitations,optimized for his mission: conquest and the enforcementof Imperial order.

Given the immensity of the Empire, the Endoguard can-not be everywhere. Nevertheless, it maintains permanentpatrols around strategic points and major worlds. In thesezones, the slightest alert given by a StellComm agent trig-gers armed intervention with the briefest possible delay.In more remote areas, such as those around the minor,outlying Maganat or Colonial planets that are more dis-tant or less endowed with natural resources, the localforces alone are responsible for police operations. But ifthe disturbances are of a significant nature, such as a pi-rate raid or invasion by galacto-barbaric hordes, theEndoguard is dispatched immediately. Depending on thetime required to arrive at the theater of operations, thepurple lancets might well arrive in the middle of the ac-tion, in which case they restore order very swiftly. But itsometimes happens that they arrive a bit too late, and theentire battle zone is nothing but smoking ruins. In thatcase, the Endoguard carries out punitive action, which isfollowed through until retaliation has been made.

THE SENATE

Although the inner circle of councilors help Him-Herdevelop the broad strokes of Imperial strategy, theEmperoress exercises power through the intermediary ofthe four Great Pillars, which together make up the Sen-ate: the Techno-Pontificate, the Maganats, the Ekonomat,and the Union of Planets. Although each one of thesebranches acts in accordance with Imperial will, it mustnever be forgotten that their individual interests are inalmost constant opposition. Behind their obedience and

their facade of submission, they are primarilythere to serve their own ambitions. Nevertheless,thanks to the apt counsel of the Imperial Mentreks,and Goyo-Vah’s prescient recommendations, Janus-Jana is able to maintain a delicate balance, ensuringthat they all act towards His-Her greater glory.

THE MEETINGS OF THE SENATE

The plenary sessions of the Senate are held in thethrone room of the Golden Palace. They are a forumfor constant and merciless verbal jousting. The sena-tors do not hesitate to mutually slaughter each otherwith their murderous proposals. But all their words,hurled with such conviction, are in vain. In reality, theSenate has no concrete power, and its function is merelyone of appearance. The activity that takes place withingthose walls has no other purpose besides contributing toa “circus of politics.” Although the delegates defend theirpoints of view with vigor and fire arguments and abuse,it’s all for nothing, because in the end only the Emperoressdecides.

Of course, they do form committees. Then, after end-less round table discussions — which are merely a show-case for mind-numbingly vacuous speeches — reports areprepared, put to the criticism of the members, amended,and then finally approved. Janus-Jana never concerns Him-Herself with any of this. The Emperoress forms His-Herown opinion, enlisting no other aid besides the lucid analy-sis of His-Her Circle of Mentreks. But sometimes, He-She will take His-Her pleasure by watching the duels be-tween the orators.

It might appear that the Senate has no other functionthan to serve as an echo chamber for verbal assault amongthe four Great Pillars. More importantly, however, it is abarometer that measures their relative influence in the Em-pire.. And although the endless speeches are mostly use-less, the prestige they confer on whoever speaks loudestand longest is powerful and permanent. Although thedelegates may attack each other while in session with bit-ter and cutting words, they bend over backwards outsidethe throne room to impress Janus-Jana and attract His-Her favor. In the final analysis, the Senate has no demo-cratic legitimacy; it does not make any rulings, nor does itcontributeanything to the process of government. It is anarena where the Techno-Pontificate, the Maganats, theEkonomat and the Union of Planets all battle for a snip-pet of influence beneath the amused eye of Janus-Jana.Janus-Jana might well concede certain privileges to oneor the other of the four Pillars in turn. This group willthen immediately take advantage of the limelight, increas-ing their lobbying efforts. But their glory is short-lived,and the pillar that is favored today might fall into disre-pute tomorrow. The so-called circus of politics is a cruelgame, but all too often everyone forgets that it’s a game.

Whatever action it may take, the fundamental motiva-tion and indeed the very justification for the Senate’s ex-istence is that with every passing moment it reinforces theallegiance of the four Pillars to Janus-Jana’s authority. By

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the very fact that they hold sessions, and moveheaven and earth to raise themselves in His-Her

eyes, the TechnoPontificate, the Maganats, theEkonomat and the Union of Planets continually con-firm their submission to the Empire, at least on thesurface. But the Emperoress is not so easily fooled.He-She knows that the obedience of the large clans ismotivated solely by self-interest, which is precisely whyHe-She compels them to demonstrate, via the Senate, apublic loyalty that they are far from swearing to Him-Her in private. For in the subtle game of power, the Em-pire must seize every opportunity to keep a tight rein on

those who might one day rise against it.

THE CONFEDERATION OF

PARALLEL UNIVERSES

In 13612, initial contact was made with the paralleluniverses who were concerned about all the agitation andunrest occurring at the edges of the confines, resulting inthe Human Universe officially joining the Confederationof Parallel Universes in 13637. In 23124, after the explo-sion of the first Tri-H bomb, the Parallel Universes madetheir worry and disapproval known by rising up againstthese experiments “that were likely to cause cataclysms.”This renewed contact was followed by intense diplomaticactivity. The Empire quickly realized that it was in theirinterest to not ruffle the feathers of such powerful neigh-bors. Although initiates were already aware of the exist-ence of parallel universes, it was this particular occasionthat brought them into the public eye.

A permanent delegation from the Confederation of Par-allel Universes was established in the Human Empire af-ter the first series of diplomatic exchanges.

The delegation is based in the Golden Palace on GoldenPlanet. They have limited prerogatives, and essentiallyserve as a forum for discussion. Debates are courteous

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and polite, despite the oddity of the presence of visitorsfrom the outer-universes.

A plenary session is organized every ten standard years,which is always the occasion for celebratory activities inthe Imperial Palace. A setting of open exchange and ne-gotiation, the Confederation of Parallel Universes couldend up playing a larger role if by chance a conflict brokeout in a zone of the confines, and threatened to spreadfurther into the outer universes.

THE GALACTO-BARBARIAN HORDES

Like the coming and going of the seasons with births,deaths, destruction, and rebuilding of life, the Empire andhuman civilizations have suffered and con-tinue to sufferthe surprise onslaughts of the hordes coming from theconfines. The very first encounter with the galacto-bar-barians (also known as the Wild Bunch) took place dur-ing the reign of Rosemonde I the Rebis. The attacks notonly tore apart the Empire’s relative tranquility but wererepeated cyclically, becoming a dreaded reality of life inthe Empire, which had to be accepted despite the lack ofunder-standing of the invader’s origins and motivations.All that was known was that a real danger of extraterres-trials with shady desires existed. The invaders came fromremote areas of space, and they regularly federated them-selves around a war chief in order to sweep through theEmpire. Today, after three major assaults, which are re-corded in the historical archives as «the most barbariangalactic wars in all of history, this non-human pres-enceremains tangibly present at the outskirts of certain con-fines. Accounts from space voyagers mention relativelypeaceful people with tribal habits and customs qualifiedas “paleo-barbarian.” It is only their inclination to unitethemselves at regular intervals in order to raid and plun-der inhabited planets located hundreds of light years fromtheir world, that seems to represent a real menace to theEmpire.

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Within the colossal mosaic of peoples, cultural in-terests, clans, and individ-uals that make up the popu-lation of the Empire, there are four distinct groups thattruly stand out from the rest. They are the four Pillarsof the Empire. Because of their status, their demo-graphic weight, and their geographic scope, they rep-resent a powerful force. Ever present in the politicalmachinations of the Empire, they hold session in the

Senate, and even if the role of that organization is morehonorific than strategic, the combined influence of thefour groups cannot be ignored.

THE TECHNO-PONTIFICATE

A group so occult that it borders on a secret society, theTechno-Pontificate is both the Empire’s worst enemy andthe ally that contributes most to its glory. Although itssecret ambition is to seize absolute power at any price,the Techno-Church also provides the Imperial armed forceswith decisive technological support for their battles forpower. The Emperoress is perfectly aware of the Pan-Techno threat, and it is not weakness that convinces Him-Her to tolerate their scheming. At the present time, theTechno-Technos are not yet powerful enough to submitthe whole universe to their will, so they plot in the shad-ows and bide their time. And although the Emperoresswarms this snake at His-Her breast, it is only in order tocontrol it better. For this snake holds secrets without whichthe Empire would shine less brightly. The Techno-Churchand the Empire have coexisted for ages, never entirelypeacefully. After the Techno-Technos mastered the tech-nology of Tri-H bombs during the surprise galacto-bar-baric attacks of 23124, they attempted to overthrow Im-perial authority and install a Techno-Regime throughoutthe entire universe. The Empire banished them for thatoffense, but a few centuries later, they returned to gracewhen Magaella and Magellan — theImperial Couple at that time —be-queathed the Church of the IndustrialSaints with the status of official cultin the human universe. After all, itwould be folly to forsake any allywho controls a weapon capable ofimploding the universe.

Despite its name, the Church ofthe Industrial Saints is not actually

religious. Although they may preach to the masses — aboutthe supremacy of technology, and the coming of the Dark-ness — they don’t promise any happiness, either in thisworld or the next. They also observe rituals — primarilyduring services in their temples — but only in order tobetter control their flock. They are also constantly striv-ing to attract new followers, whom they then convert withease. Their structure is a replica of the Paleo-Catholicismof Terra Prima. A new Techno-Techno, once his spirit hasbeen won over to the cause, desires only the coming of anew era, in which the black forces of the Darkness willrule the whole universe. More than a religion, the Techno-Techno Order is a tool of conquest, arranged in the formof a congregation.

STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH OF

THE INDUSTRIAL SAINTS

The Church of the Industrial Saints, also called theMagnus Dei, follows an extremely hierarchical pyramidstructure. At its head is the Supreme Techno-Pope, reli-gious and spiritual leader of the Church, ruler of the mil-lions of souls over which he holds sway. Of course, thewell-being of those souls is not his main concern. He ismore interested in tightening his grip on the Empire byextending his tentacles and technological connections intoevery cranny. The Supreme Techno-Pope is selected fromamong the conclave of Techno-Popes, high leaders of theChurch who rule the Endocities. Immediately beneaththem in the hierarchy are the Techno-Cardinals andTechno-Bishops, representing the first line of the order’sadministrative machinery. They ensure that Techno-Techno catechism is firmly enforced. To that end, theyoversee the actions of their Supreme Techno-Abbots, whowork assiduously within the massive hives of industrialactivity they call their Techno-Abbeys, to spread theTechno-Techno faith and develop ever more efficient ma-

chines and systems.At the top, but invisibly, the Su-preme Techno-Pope himself is

subject to the authority of theTechno-Centrus and theCouncil of Circuits. Together,those two entities form theTechno-Sacerdota, a type ofsupervising intelligence whose

T H E F O U R P I L L A R S

consciousness isas elusive as it isinflexible.

As the officialreligion of theEmpire, theTechno-Churchhas no troubleconstantly bring-ing new followersto the fold. Eventhe highest direc-tors carry outtheir rites and re-ligious duties inmore or less goodgrace, and atten-dance at theirTemples is main-tained at a healthyaverage. How-ever, for thosewho make a moreserious commit-ment — usuallybeings withoutties who see the

Church as material to fulfill the hollow in their lives —the Techno-Techno grip soon resembles complete immer-sion in a religious cult. Body and soul, they become crea-tures of the Darkness.

Boasting billions of followers across the universe,the Techno-Church can call upon unlimited pools ofmanpower for any job. Their specialist Techno-monksare divided into the ranks of Techno-surgeons, Techno-obstetricians, Techno-urbanists, Techno-engineers,Techno-foremen, Techno-soldiers (or Techno-crusad-ers), Techno-economists, and other Techno-specialists.These active officers form the backbone of the Techno-Techno industry. In each field, they direct the action inthe field of elemental nonspecialized units. The groupof Techno-Technos at the bottom of the pyramid iscalled the Techno-Mano.

Although extremely discreet, the Techno-Church is nev-ertheless omnipresent. Only a few rare isolated planets,or particularly intractable Colonial planets, do not pos-sess a Techno-Temple or even a Techno-Embassy. Out inspace, there are numerous pan-Techno ships that streakthrough the cosmos, and each legal orbital station is achapel in the order.

THE SOURCE OF TECHNO-TECHNO POWER

Formed around an ancient group of interstellar traderscalled the Merchants’ Guild, the Techno-Church took ona new dimension in 13651, when the Central Planet wasdiscovered. After that, those itinerants of the universeformed a common brotherhood, bound together by astrong sense of solidarity. The cosmos were still savage,and it was vital to be able to count on assistance from

one’s fellow man. Over time, the members ofthis community developed bizarre customs —signs of recognition and other secret rites, althoughwithout a mystical context. Little by little, these signsof group belonging and brotherhood among the inter-stellar merchants began to separate them from the restof the world. The tendency towards segregation grewever more pronounced, culminating in total dissocia-tion between the guild and the rest of humanity. Ofcourse, the merchants still had to conduct business, butany contact with someone who didn’t belong to theirfraternity was kept to a strict minimum.

Some time after the guild had become a true occult car-tel, one of its vessels was forced to make a crash landingon a deserted asteroid in the middle of space. At first, thecelestial body did not offer any hope to the survivors ofthe crash. After launching a distress call, they sat backand waited… for possible rescue, or death. After four stan-dard days, their damaged ship’s oxygen supply was ex-hausted, and the three survivors had to put on theirspacesuits. Four hours of oxygen still remained. Resignedto their fate, but nonetheless spurred on by uncontainablecuriosity, they set out to explore the naked gray surfaceof the asteroid, thinking only of finding their resting placefor all eternity. There wasn’t much to see on the blightedlandscape, but behind a large straight rock that stood onthe plain pointing up at the cosmos like a finger, they dis-covered a cleft leading to a vast underground chamber. Apure, undulating,snakelike curveran along the en-tire length of therocky wall. Itseemed to havebeen engraved onthat thick, roughsurface with theaid of the finestpossible laserimaginable. Thesole opening ledto a long hallway,which seemed tolead down intothe heart of therocky mass. With-out pausing toconsult eachother, the threemen started downthe passageway.An orange lightseemed to ema-nate from thefloor and ceiling.After a slightbend, the inclinebecame more pro-

The ThreeOphidian Entities“Every 777 cycles, during

the ritual coupling of thethree Serpents, the three Su-preme Ophidian Entities,during an act where two ofthem unite and the third dis-solves into them, this abso-lute trinity gives birth to athird essence that, in thebreath of a moment, reunitesthe male and female qualitiesof the other two, perfectlyand intimately mixed, be-coming the perfect monoicentity, granted all the virtuesof the two principles.” —Fragments of the fresque thatdecorates, in an unbrokenline, the foundation stone ofthe Techno-Temple of Cen-

tral Planet.

The Order’sRenegades

Quasi-religious, extremelyhierarchical, and directed bythe supernatural influence ofthe Ophidian Entities, theTechno-Techno order is farfrom being a mercenaryguild where one can decideone day to leave its ranks,“no strings attached.” Thecase of Marak Trankz is of-ten cited as an example. ThisTerra 402 neuro-technician,who decided to leave the or-der to join the Amok forces,lived clandestinely for twoyears. Subject to fits of neu-rotic paranoia and uncon-trollable hallucinations, heconstantly imagined himselfhunted down by legions ofrobo-trackers. He was laterfound in a Red Ring alley,gutted of all of his internal

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19 • The Four Pillars

nounced. Their reserve tanks were nearly empty.They would leave this desolate world forever in

one standard hour at the most. Nonetheless, theycarried on resolutely. Long minutes ticked by. Theyadvanced with increasing difficulty. A layer of thinmist settled across the visors of their space suits. Thethought of an agonizing death hung over them.

Just as despair gently closed its talons over their will,they arrived in a crypt of gargantuan proportions. Astrange light bathed this otherworldly and timeless placein phosphorescent shadows. Within the core of the rockyorb, a heart of the blackest darkness began to throb.

Then they saw a writhing knot of reptilian bodies slowlybegin to untangle, like a nightmare that presaged the hor-rors of hell. Paralyzed with fear, the three merchantswatched the snakelike dance of the reptiles, all the morehypnotic in the echo of frozen silence. They felt they hadbeen granted the honor of beholding the enigmatic faceof death itself.

Their blood now carried a deadly amount of carbondioxide. The three disentangled serpents slowly began tostraighten. Sheathed in darkness, their bodies glimmered:silver, copper, and gold. Suddenly, a rush of life-givingoxygen flooded the suits of the mer-chants, and their energy was promptlyrestored, allowing them to witness thestrange sight before their eyes. Thechamber’s walls were covered on allsides with hieroglyphic carvings, emu-lating the patterns on the reptilianscales. A feeling of hope swelled withinthem little by little, and they grewbolder. They approached the three rep-tiles, now as still as marble, noticingthat their bodies were also tattooedwith an intricate layer of cabalistic sym-bols. At once, they knew they were inthe presence of a great mystery, an un-fathomable secret with the power tochange the universe.

Subsequently, the small asteroid wastransformed. Today it is CentralPlanet, the seat of Techno-Technopower. Its original diameter of barely5,000 kilometers has been enlarged to77,777 kilometers. Now, it is an ut-terly impregnable base, one of thelarger strongholds of the universe, ca-pable of resisting anything and any-one, except of course Steelhead theMetabaron. The three Bodras, the ser-pents of copper, silver, and gold, stillreside on the Central Planet in a cav-ern directly beneath the Techno-Temple’s altar. The merchants, wholater became Techno-Technos servingthe Church of the Industrial Saints, re-ceived from them the secrets of a fabu-

lous technology, doubtlessly originating in another uni-verse. Today, the Magnus Dei not only holds countlesspatents over applications far superior to what humantechnology can produce, but also over the process of con-struction for the Endocities, a type of city-shaft. But that’snot all. In 23124, the Techno-Technos developed and ex-ploded the first Tri-H bomb, a formidable device thattriggers a simultaneous sequence of cataclysms in threeparallel universes. This ultimate weapon, capable on itsown of bringing one or several universes to their knees,presents such a great threat that the Confederation ofParallel Universes forbids its use. More recently, theTechno-Church developed another lethal weapon, thenegative-mine, which they use only sparingly, so as notto provoke envy. The mines set in motion a colossal chainof destruction that produces anti-matter. At the same time,the Church continues to work in other fields and strivesendlessly to broaden its infinite network.

SPHERES OF INFLUENCE OF THE CHURCH

OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAINTS

Wielding enormous power and capable of challengingthe Empire itself were it not for the Metabaron, the

Church of the Industrial Saints carriesout massive activity in a multitude ofareas. With technology as the back-bone of all its enterprise, they have atotal stranglehold on almost every ac-tivity linked to commerce, science,technology, and transportation. To acertain degree, they treat commerceand transportation as the same en-deavor. The Techno-Tunnels — a net-work of interspatial highways withoutwhich the regions of the universewould forever be condemned to isola-tion — are the key for trade betweenthe 22,000 major worlds and the infi-nite number of minor ones. As a re-sult, they are also a keystone to inter-stellar transportation.

In the sphere of technical and scien-tific research and development, theTechno-Technos carry out innumerableexperimental programs not only in theprivacy of their factory-labs, but alsowithin the Endocities, which are un-der their complete control. The theo-retically free citizens who inhabit theEndocities are in fact under total andexclusive control of the Techno-Technos. These citizens may be sub-jects of the Emperoress, but the pow-ers of the Golden Palace are not at allconcerned with their fate. So it is withtotal impunity that the Magnus Deiconducts vast experiments on them, in-tended to extract the portion of humanconscience they call the “K factor.” A

The CouncilCircuit

One would tend to believethat the Supreme Techno-Pope is at the very top of theChurch of the IndustrialSaint’s pyramid-structuredhierarchy. The truth is, theCouncil Circuit, althoughhidden by the Tenebrae’s dif-fused shadows and its ob-scure wishes, is the mostpowerful authority in thepan-Techno Church. Com-posed of Techno-inquis-itors,the Council Circuit or-ganizes itself around the Su-preme Central Computer,and is under the direction ofthe Techno-Centrix, whichonly resides on CentralPlanet or War Star. Perma-nently linked to the GreatNetwork, which guides themin their objective, theTechno-inquisitors makethem-selves known to eachother by showing theirgolden accreditation disk.They generally travel only inorder to judge and eliminate

enemies of the Order.

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fundamental human drive ofinestimable value to the

Techno-Techno’s objectives, the Kfactor’s primary use is as fuel forthe cold and inhuman mechanicalsystems. Thus, humans serve aspaleo-guinea pigs for the machinesthat prey on them.

Aside from all the Endocities in theuniverse — 8,500 and counting — theTechno-Technos also own three ma-jor planets: Central Planet, War Star,

and Hospital Planet. Their activities onthose planets are shrouded in the totalsecrecy that characterizes their orderand portends their greatness.

On Central Planet, the Techno-Church trains its officers, some indogma, and some in attack and de-fense. In the first group are specialistsof ritual, who will later be assigned tothe ranks of the Techno-Inquisition.Unswerving on matters of doctrine, theTechno-inquisitors are in some waysthe order’s police force, but they alsowork to spread their faith in the outside world. As forthe second group, they will join the Techno-Techno army,that vast organization made up of the Techno-soldiers(otherwise known as Techno-crusaders) but also theTechno-assassins, who carry out dirty deeds for the greaterglory of the Magnus Dei.

On War Star, a tiny planet whose position is unknownto anyone, the Church of the Industrial Saints trains itsmercenaries. It also keeps track of them and gives themassignments through the Central Mercenary Office. Thisregulatory body, apparently independent but actually con-trolled by the Techno-Technos, administers a test to themercenary candidates for classification purposes, and actsas a center for offers of employment. Of course, the testfor mastery of combat situations is administered by ma-chine. After his virtual battle, each apprentice mercenaryis given a rank, expressed in Dhan, the index of amercenary’s worth in battle.

Lastly, on Hospital Planet, the Church of the IndustrialSaints provides training for their Techno-surgeons, who arequickly outfitted with so many mechanical attachments thatthey cease to be quite human. Somewhere in the vast areaof the planet not dedicated to surgery, the Techno-Technoshave also established the Mentrek Training Center.

Thus, the Techno-Techno order maintains a gargantuanpresence in a number of key sectors. Their predilection forconspiracy and the tremendous means they possess at theirdisposal is a terrifying combination and gives rise to thesuspicion that their ever increasing conquests will never end.That risk seems greater when one considers that the pri-mary objective of the reptilian creatures who gave them theirpowers was absolute domination.

THE EKONOMAT

The Ekonomat is the only Pillar ofthe Empire whose discretion matchesits power. In the Endocities, as well ason the planets of the Maganats andColonials, it is rare indeed to find any-one who is even aware of its existence.Nobody admits to working for theEkonomat. No offices or buildings ofthe Ekonomat are anywhere to beseen. Yet it is omnipresent, for it con-trols all financial transactions. In fact,even the tiniest banking agency in thesmallest city on the most isolatedplanet forms part of the Ekonomat.

But the Ekonomat also owns the universal network thatmanages the millions upon millions of accounts in theuniverse — and the millions upon millions of transac-tions that take place each standard day — as well as allthe stock exchanges, specialized trust and investment so-cieties, the portfolios of the wealthiest Maganats, andthe financial assets of the Empire. It therefore possessesunimaginable influence. Not a single kublar in legal cir-culation throughout the universe escapes its notice.

HISTORY OF THE EKONOMAT

The pathological secrecy of the Ekonomat, and the auraof dark mystery that shrouds its activities, are simply in-herited responses to a long and troubled history. At thetime of its origin, the Ekonomat did not represent a clanin the true sense of the word, or even a group of specificinterests. In ancient times of life on Terra Prima, withinevery society and every population, there were peoplewithout title or official position who dealt in the trade ofmoney. Universally despised, and sometimes even perse-cuted, they nevertheless lent vital support to the ambi-tions of those in power. Without them, the colossal sumsrequired for campaigns of conquest could never have beenraised, and no warlords could have forged their empires.But the business of money-lending comes with both areward and a risk. By funding conquerors hungry forpower and glory, they put themselves in a position toreceive large fortunes but also to suffer disgrace. In de-feat as well as in victory, nobody likes a man he owesmoney. Sometimes, society’s latent hostility towards themreached frenzied heights, and they were threatened, at-tacked, and massacred indiscriminately.

Kresus IVRare are those who are

not aware of the SupremeCentral Computer’s exist-ence, considered by many asthe power behind the throneof the Church of the Indus-trial Saints. But there is an-other supra-computer, placedat the head of Ekonomattransactions, which seems tobe as disconcerting to humanspirits as the Techno-Technos’ spying endeavors.The reinforced room thathouses Kresus IV’s circuits isin effect surrounded by anantimatter isolation casingthat excludes all life, allatomic existence, and alllinks with the pan-Techno

Great Network.

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When Earth’s fickle history resulted in the near destruc-tion of Terra Prima, they too were borne upon the screech-ing winds that thrust humans across the cosmos. Scat-tered to all corners of the universe, they steadily and se-cretly continued their activities. They never conqueredplanets or occupied high positions, but behind every war-lord who set off to carve himself a piece of the galaxy wasalways a mysterious character with bizarre connections,capable of raising millions of Kublars at highly competi-tive rates. Over time, thanks to the military success of thewarlords, they gained riches but never respectability. Theyremained outcasts in all societies, as if their financial abili-ties were some sort of shameful disease.

Once they became endowed with substantial means,this scattered culture embarked on a quest to find a worldthey could make their own, a virgin planet that wouldhouse the heart of their community. In great secrecy, doz-ens of exploratory vessels were prepared and thenlaunched in all directions, searching for a new promisedland isolated from the stellar trade routes. It was theXodus, a decrepit but hardy vessel, that accidentallystumbled upon a vast planet, apparently uninhabited de-spite the presence of an atmosphere. Perfectly secluded,this new world was accessible fromonly one direction, protected on oneside by an asteroid field and on theother by an immense gaseous cloud.Preliminary scans, carried out fromhigh orbit, showed almost no bio-ac-tivity, or at least nothing that indicatedthe presence of any intelligent life. Cau-tiously, after many standard weeks ofscrupulous observation, a landingprobe was sent down. It confirmed theviability of the atmosphere, andrevealed traces of a massive body ofwater that had disappeared. A land-ing team was dispatched, precisely intothe zone that showed the greatestbio-activity.

To their great surprise, the landingteam discovered only one life-from: agigantic oyster endowed with telepathicabilities. The enormous mollusk, whichhad been trapped under a patch of drysand for millennia, gave a warm wel-come to the five members of the land-ing team, and began to narrate thetragic fate of its planet and its people.He told them he was named Bemb, thathe was the sole survivor of a peace-lov-ing race that had inhabited this onceaquatic land, and that he had been ap-pointed the chosen one who wouldawait their arrival. Long ago, he toldthem, millions of shelled creatures livedhere in harmony, in the clear waters ofan immense ocean warmed by the raysof a loving sun. After a great disaster,

the life-giving waters flowed away, down intothe heart of the planet, condemning its inhabit-ants to certain death. He had been asked to act as arepository for his fellow creatures’ memories, andimmerse himself in total catalepsy to wait for intelli-gent life, in order to finally reveal their secrets.

Before succumbing to eternal sleep, Bemb revealedtwo things to these outcasts of civilization, forever re-versing their fate and allowing the Ekonomat to takeon the dimension it holds today. First, under the thinlayer of dirt, the millions of oysters had, in death, leftbehind a mountain of pearls of incredible splendor andsize, a fortune colossal enough to buy half the universe.But even more valuable, he added, was the power con-tained within his flesh — the power to accumulate andstockpile hydrogen and oxygen atoms by compressingthem, in other words the ability to either produce ordeconstruct water molecules on demand. With such a se-cret, it would be possible to hold an ocean within a paleo-thimble and transport it anywhere.

From that point on, the Ekonomat underwent an eraof rapid expansion. Besides financial transactions, they

took control of the trade in water, thatessential commodity of life, whichmany worlds were forced to import inlarge quantities. Their massive assetsonly grew larger, and although theirriches could never buy them an untar-nished reputation, they gained the sta-tus of a clan that could not be ignoredand whose wrath was to be feared.Today, the Ekonomat is a necessaryparticipant in all economic transactionsof a certain scope. It controls the uni-versal network of banks and managesthe assets of all the universe’s wealthy,in order to generate profit.

STRUCTURE OF THE EKONOMAT

Based on Neo-Knox, the formeraquatic planet that became their head-quarters, the Ekonomat also maintainsa presence on all worlds of any finan-cial importance. Neo-Knox is the onlyplanet it officially owns, but all of itscommercial delegations are granteddiplomatic immunity. Besides which,every one of them is an impenetrablefort that nobody would risk taking byforce, no matter how enticing the co-lossal riches that lie quietly in theirvaults may be. Omni-present yet invis-ible, the Ekonomat adopts strategiesdetermined by Neo-Knox, which arethen scrupulously put into effect fromthe top down by all their components.Neo-Knox is where all arrangementsare made, in the luxuriant calm of its

The ScientificChamber

In charge of financialtransactions and managingthe balance of the universe’smonetary flux, the Ekono-mat equally enjoys an appre-ciable influence on techno-logical and industrial evolu-tion. Placed under the con-trol of the Mata-Master, theScientific Chamber’s agentsare capable of introducingthemselves in any research-and-development factoryand stealing industrial se-crets from all factions andcorporations. It is said thatusing their skills, they wereable to approach the Sacro-sanct Ophidat and success-fully copy fragments of se-crets that are inscribed on itsscales. These matchless spieshave become the pan-TechnoChurch’s primary targetsince the accounting of a ru-mor establishing the exist-ence of double agents, whoare supposedly infiltratedwithin the heart of the pan-

Techno Church.

23 • The Four Pillars

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palaces of unimaginable magnificence. One word, pro-nounced in a muffled tone by a distant voice, would suf-fice to plunge the economic balance of the universe intograve turbulence. Then, of course, investors across theuniverse would begin a chain of suicides, leading to a chainof deposits into the accounts of the Ekonomat.

Intellectual head and governing body of the Ekonomat,the “Midastic Chamber” is a board of twelve directorswho rule the fate of the whole organization. The twelveEkonomes Masters that make it up are all well-respectedrepresentatives of their community, each one assumingthe presidency of the Chamber in turn. In all the historyof the Ekonomat, never has the slightest harsh word beenpronounced in the meeting room of the Midastic Cham-ber, which makes its decisions in the greatest unanimitythat could possibly be conceived. The Ekonomes Mastersuse refined vocabulary and speak in smooth and melliflu-ous tones. The accord that reigns among the group canbe explained by the fact that all twelve of them are de-voted to the same worship of profit, and they always agreeto maximize it. The incumbent president of the MidasticChamber takes the title of Master Midas. His leadershiprole is essentially honorary, but he does have the task ofsettling any dispute that might by chance be raised. Asidefrom that, the Midastic Chamber’s decisions are routinelyconfirmed by the analyses of the Kresus IV, a calculatingmachine whose power of long-term foresight is unprec-edented. Its predictions concerning the development ofthe Bikramen exchange rate over the past two standardmillennia have been accurate within a margin of error of0.00000001%. Thus, the Ekonomes Masters congratu-late themselves when their decisions corroborate KresusIV’s assessments.

The Ekonomat has three principal domains: banking,espionage, and water. Although superficially distinct, thesethree areas actually complement each other perfectly. Inbanking, the Ekonomat handles all of the classic transac-tions: investments, deposits, loans, collections, fund trans-fers, estate management, and so on. The field is placedunder the leadership of the Supreme Kublars Custodian,who heads a diverse group of specialists in financial mat-ters. The Ekonomat is considerate and understanding withtheir valued clients but mercilessly strict with their baddebtors. Their legal department’s collectors are literallybloodthirsty and unmerciless killers.

As for the field of espionage — which falls under theauthority of the Supreme Secrets Custodian — theEkonomat works in two separate areas: the search forsecrets known by others, and the attempt to discover se-crets of the universe as yet unknown. Fieldwork in thefirst category, directed by the Mata-Master, resembles tra-ditional espionage, except for the fact that no sense ofethics, morals, or dignity is allowed to interfere with theresourcefulness of their spies. All things are truly permit-ted. A spy-terrorist wouldn’t give a moment’s hesitationbefore sacrificing a planet in order to achieve his aims.The second category, on the other hand, involves morepeaceful work. Under the leadership of the Explo-Master,explorers and prospectors set off in every direction

throughout the cosmos, in search of secrets ornew ideas that might represent some market value.The Ekonomat has not forgotten the good fortunethat allowed them to discover Bemb and his miracu-lous formula for reducing water to its simplest form.

Lastly, the third area of the Ekonomat’s activities iswater. Their complete control over this element makesit their surest source of revenue. The method revealedto them by Bemb — based on secret principles that noone yet understands — is so powerful that the Ekonomatcould instantly dry up an entire planet, converting it intoa sterile desert incapable of sustaining life. Although suchcolossal power is tempting, Master Midas — the only onewith the ability to tap into this mysterious process — hasnever used anything other than purely commercial means,the goals of which are ultimately altruistic. However, thepossibility does exist, and if it ever felt the inclination todo so, the Ekonomat could easily take over the Empire bythreatening to reduce every planet to a pile of arid dust.Under the authority of the Supreme Treasury Custodian,the water-related activities of the Ekonomat — which gen-erate aquakublars — call upon the talents of an abundantpool of specialized workers.

In the final analysis, the Ekonomat’s activities have onlyone goal in mind: to increase their capital. But such anincrease does not come without its own risk. All that ac-cumulated wealth naturally arouses envy, and there arenumerous parties interested in relieving the Ekonomat ofsome of its wealth. To prevent that occurrence, and todiscourage the ruthless, the Ekonomat has set up a forceof discreet and efficient mercenaries, capable of bringingthe fight to wherever its interests require.

ARMED FORCES OF THE EKONOMAT

Feared throughout the whole galaxy, the so-calledEkono-Mercenaries actually form part of a completelyseparate mercenary clan. Normally, a mercenary must trainon War Star and duly register with the Central Merce-nary Office before putting his services to use. In otherwords, the activities of all soldiers of fortune in the uni-verse are in the hands of the Church of the IndustrialSaints. Not so with the Ekono-Mercenaries. They are allfree men, who choose to enlist. The taste for profit is theprimary motivation for almost all of them, as no othermilitary force in the universe can offer such generouswages. But the Ekonomat offers even more than that. Theyare all too familiar with the negative influences of moneyto put much trust in the loyalty of those who have it astheir only motivation. So they offer something to theserootless soldiers even more valuable than fame and glory:a home, a community, and citizenship. The soldiers, afterbeing kept under strict supervision during an enlistmentcontract that lasts one standard year, earn the right tojoin the population of Neo-Knox over the course of spe-cially organized festivities. They are strongly encouragedto fraternize with young maidens who have been preparedto that purpose since birth. Those who yield to the girls’charms and consent to marriage not only see their career

25 • The Four Pillars

prospects broaden considerably, but they arewelcomed with open arms by the community.

They always turn out to be the most loyal officers,utterly devoted to the protection of interests that arenow their own.

This psychological gambit depends on a precise bal-ance. It must not affect the warriors’ military capacitynor produce complacency. Rather, it must give them afeeling of belonging, which is the only force capable ofsummoning heroism or allowing them to carry out anysacrifice. Because of this, and because of the incrediblearsenal that their mercenary battalions have at their dis-

posal, the Ekonomat wields a staggering amount of force.Its vessels, generously equipped with armament, patrolthe immediate surroundings of Neo-Knox, as well as un-dertaking other protective missions, most of them involv-ing the transportation of money. By avoiding a desire forconquest and by setting realistic objectives, the Ekonomatensures that its armed forces remain ever vigilant and pre-pared for any eventuality. Any attempt to raid Neo-Knox— already with its natural protection of asteroid field andgaseous cloud — would be tantamount to committingsuicide. Especially since the army of specialists led by theSupreme Custodian of the Treasure has clandestinely de-veloped a whole range of horrifying weapons based onBemb’s formidable secret.

These weapons — made of hyperdesiccating beams —emit gigantic rays with spectacular and instantaneous ef-fects. All water, down to the slightest molecule containedin either living tissue or dead matter isabruptly converted into oxygen and hy-drogen atoms, which are then releasedinto the atmosphere or into the vacuumof space. So far, the Ekonomat hasnever used this secret weapon, but theirmercenary vessels are all equipped withit, and defensive batteries of theweapon have been installed on the nu-merous asteroids surrounding PlanetNeo-Knox.

THE UNION OF

COLONIAL PLANETS

BEGINNINGS

The Colonials, who descended fromthe Earth’s wretched hordes cast out

into the stars after the catastrophe on Terra Prima, havereached a far more enviable status today than ever be-fore. But their path was a long, harsh, and rugged one,and more than once they had to fight tooth and nail forthe victory that seemed to elude them. During their lastdays on Terra Prima, after the nobles had fled in theirluxurious ships lined with silk and velvet, the starvingconvicts who were the remains of society had to squeezeinto container-ships by the hundreds of millions, withscarcely more hope of survival in the atrocious conditionson board than on the scorched gray remains of their once-blue planet.

Three of these gargantuan stellar rafts — each one amakeshift construction of battered old space-transportbarges, hastily jerry-rigged into an improbable mass im-mensely wide — departed Terra Prima for good, fleeingdesperately towards uncertain adventure. They were theOctober Mir, the Long March, and the Granma Barbuda.After the crew yelled heart-rending good-byes on all fre-quencies available on their shipboard radios, each one setoff in a different direction, knowing this would be theonly way that even one of them might have the slimmestchance of survival. It took each ship more than twentymonths to reach hyperlight speed. The propulsion drivessuffered horrendous pressure and were on the point ofexploding numerous times. Entire sections of the delicate,unstable constructions broke off and were engulfed in thevacuum of space, condemning millions of passengers toagonizing deaths.

Gradually, they began to get organized. Their first pri-ority was the production of goods inthe largest possible quantities. Teamswere set up to work around the clock.Their production goals — in periodsof five standard years — were all sur-passed, but new and even more ambi-tious ones were immediately put inplace. Productivity contests werestaged between different teams. Themost productive laborer would be heldup as an example and glorified untilhis name became a household word.The reality of life in close quarterscalled for extremely strict communityregulations, which everybody strove toobey as best they could, in the name ofsurvival. In addition, the captains andshipboard officials — organized intocommittees that ruled the whole ves-sel — made the wise decision to forma police force that would be present inall areas of the vessel, keeping watcheverywhere and ensuring that all direc-tives were respected. They also encour-aged informants. The most distant sec-tion of each vessel, which until thatpoint had served as the hold, was pres-surized for conversion into a prison fordeviants. More precisely, it was a re-

The IdealSociety’s UtopiansWithin the heart of the

Colonial Planets’ giganticfamily, there still remainssome who are the pure em-bodiment of Trotsky-revolu-tionaries. Under the aegis ofKamar Kirin, these con-vinced Utopians in search ofthe ideal society coura-geously resist being merci-lessly tracked down by theEmpire. For decades theyhave been judged as bothheretical and dangerous.Their profoundly humanand moral values have beenattracting the particular at-tention of Imperial spies andEndoguard squads, whohave orders to eradicate thismenace to the Empire’s sov-

ereignty.

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27 • The Four Pillars

education camp, where those who had strayedfrom the correct path had a chance to make

amends with hard work.After more than a standard century in hyperspace,

the three vessels made the decision to reenter the realuniverse. Four generations had passed, and survivorswith memories of Terra Prima were few and far be-tween. Over the course of months, the ships slowed toinfra-light speed. Although they hadn’t been in contactfor decades, the October Mir, the Long March, and theGranma Barbuda returned to conventional space at thesame moment. Against all statistical probability — or

perhaps it should be interpreted as a manifestation of in-herent social justice influenced by pressure from the masses— each of the three vessels emerged in a system contain-ing a number of viable planets. Millions of light-years dis-tant from each other, they decided to use the technique of“seed-spreading” they had chosen a hundred standardyears ago. The plan involved landing a portion of theirtravelers, giving them the mission of colonizing the wholesystem before “spreading” to other systems. Meanwhile,the space vessel would continue its course, in search ofother locations where new “seeds” could be planted. Thisway, in just over a millennium, an overwhelming numberof systems and galaxies would have been colonized, andtheir goal would be accomplished. After the three origi-nal vessels had finished their questthrough space, the “spreading” popu-lations would continue to carry on theirsacred quest.

But one day, the inevitable occurred.An Imperial detachment made contactwith colonial vessels in a zone sur-rounding a colonized planet. There wasno confrontation, merely a rapid as-sessment of the ratio of forces. TheColonials immediately realized theywere no match for the newcomers,whose military technology was at leastseveral millennia ahead of theirs, evenat the most conservative estimate. First,they exchanged friendly signals, thenmessages of peace, then ambassadors,and finally, after an exile that had lastedfor a few thousand years, the Colonialsreturned to the bosom of humankind.At that point, the Union of Planets wasonly a scattered mosaic of separateworlds, which had great difficultymaintaining an appearance of unity.However, despite the great distancebetween them and the communicationdifficulties that resulted from their out-dated technology, the group of Colo-nial planets superficially agreed on cer-tain key issues. Every Colonial planetendorsed the principle of “collectiveownership of the means of produc-

tion,” and workers and peasants everywhere in the Unionof Planets thanked their lucky stars for having been bornon a world where the precepts of Paleo-Marx reigned su-preme.

Of course, the Empire attempted to seduce these archeo-utopians with the charms of the modern world, but theyhad to face facts: the Colonials were fiercely proud oftheir singular beliefs. And if the influx of technologicalmarvels somewhat softened the Colonials’ strictness, itdid not even slightly diminish the firmness of their con-victions or their adhesion to dogma. So the Empire foundother means. They appointed Colonial leaders to the gov-erning associations of the Empire, and gave them an in-come in exchange for holding debates of an essentiallyfolkloric nature. The Mentreks who had developed thissolution gave it the colorful name of “poli-theatrics,” be-cause that’s essentially what it was. On the Colonial plan-ets, life hardly changed at all. But on the level of the Em-pire, Janus-Jana knows that in the future he can count onthe loyalty of their populations, who occupy more thanhalf of the major worlds in the universe.

THE COLONIALS TODAY

Taking up 80% of the known habitable planets in theuniverse — both major and minor — and more than 60%of its human population, the Colonials bring real politi-cal weight to the Imperial arena. Nonetheless, in the up-

per political echelons of the Empire,even within the Senate, their pompousand exaggerated declarations are rarelytaken seriously. But although they maybe ridiculed in private, they are neveropenly challenged. The honor of theColonials is extremely delicate, andthey possess a military of considerablestrength. True, the technology of theirarmaments is obsolete, but they can callupon infinite hordes of fanatic soldiersready to die for their cause.

Aside from their impressive infantry— poorly equipped and almost un-tested, but infinite in number — theColonials hold few strategic advan-tages. Ultimately, the power of any par-ticular group is measured by theamount of force it can deploy. This wasdemonstrated by the Philodendra affair,in which the greed of the Church ofthe Industrial Saints turned a deaf earboth to pleas for mercy and to legalarguments confirming that the Empirehad well and truly conceded unalien-able planetary titles to the populationsthat inhabited them. If the Colonialshad managed to summon any last-ditchresistance — such as a galactic trenchwar in the whole zone around Philo-dendra — perhaps they would havebeen able to repel the greed of the

The Universe’sOrphans

When studying the historyof the Colonial Planets, onerealizes what a driving forcemigration and nomadism arein the evolution of thesepeople who are attracted bythe discovery of space andnew habitable land. Todaystill, new colonies leave theirnative planets in the direc-tion of the confines, aboardworld-vessels loaded withprovisions and survival sys-tems. These new colonistsare sometimes forgotten forseveral centuries, before theyare accidentally discoveredduring an exploration mis-sion. They may very wellhave been forever strandedon a hostile planet, victimsof genetic mutations, livingin symbiosis with an extra-terrestrial race of insectoids,or even dominated by a su-

pernatural entity.

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Techno-Technos without theMetabaron’s help. But the disunity ofthe Union of Planets is their chronicweakness, which diminishes theirpower. Separated across time and space,the groups of colonists all developedalong different lines. Additionally, be-cause each one of the local authoritiesmade it a point of honor to develop apersonal variation of the originaldogma, the Union of Planets becamenothing but a vast assortment of clansdivided into splinter groups. They maynot be entirely antagonistic towardseach other, but they are not always pre-pared to collaborate, either. The ex-tended family of Colonials can be di-vided into two large branches — themajor factions and the minor ones —which themselves contain an infinitenumber of various doctrines.

The isolated development over the course of millenniastranded in space of an extremely structured and hierar-chical civilization that values the group above the indi-vidual led to results of both the best and worst kind. In-deed, while some clans managed to keep their ideals ofjustice and brotherhood intact, others became completelyimmersed in the darkest totalitarian fanaticism. Luckily,the most populated major faction — the Troglosocialiks— has kept itself free of any extreme dictatorial influ-ence. The Troglosocialiks represent 60% of the Colonialpopulation. The Techno-Technos consider them to benostalgi-fanatics entrenched in the paleo-past, simply be-cause they extol a way of life based on respect for livingthings and harmony with nature. That was the messagepreached by Don Nicanor Rosamel de Rokha, father ofDoña Vicenta (wife of Steelhead the Metabaron), and uncleof Don Juan Antonio de Rokha, current President of theTroglosocialik clan. Their hatred of the Techno-Technosis fierce, and the Techno-Technos return it in kind. TheTroglosocialik clan incorporates a large number of minorclans, one of which is the clan of the Kamar Raimo. Aman of astounding bravery, with long-standing loyalty tothe Empire, the Kamar Raimo could well be the next presi-dent of the Union of Planets.

Second largest of the major factions, the GalacticMenscheviks are self-acknowledged misanthropic lonerswho want only one thing: to live peacefully, far removedfrom the Empire’s fast-paced lifestyle. Opinionated, se-cretive, and hard-working, they are found in the most in-hospitable zones, even to the frozen ends of the universe.To cite but one example, the clan of the Kamar Nabo-Koff settled on a solar ice floe and are not known for thewarmth of their welcome. They are excellent explorers,highly familiar with these rarely visited regions. Currentlyruled by Jerry-Michigan Poliaski, the GalacticMenscheviks represent 20% of the Colonial population.

The remaining 20% of the Colonial population is madeup of a variety of movements and minor factions — theUltra-Colonialists, the Super-Conquerors, the Troglo-Bar-

barians, the Poly-Schismat-ics, the Amico-Visitors, theHyper-Putschists, the Trotsko-Revolutionary Avatars, and theProto-Nihiliks — who range fromeccentric to extreme, with danger-ous clans at both ends. Some ofthem have kept their hate and ragealive and endlessly foment attacksagainst the Empire.

THE MAGANATS

Based on a social system modeled on the Ancient Re-gime, the Nobility devotes itself primarily to maintainingits privileges. The members of the High Nobility (the Archi-Nobility and a few families of the Nobility) make up theirown court in the Emperoress’s entourage on the GoldenPlanet, but they also possess fiefdoms as wide as galaxies.Their life is therefore divided between traditional courtlyactivities at the Golden Palace, and activities typical of ga-lactic country squires. Even on their domains, there is a widerange of different lifestyles, each with an infinite number ofvariations. Some of the planets are almost untouched worldswhere flora and fauna are kept in abundance for the plea-sures of hunting in its oldest form, but others are highlysophisticated urban worlds with the latest technological sys-tems and devices available anywhere.

Whatever his rank, vanity is the most distinguishingfeature of a Noble. His life is nothing but a long uninter-rupted flurry of festivities, and his goal in life is the fren-zied quest for pleasure in all its forms. All social norms,taboos, rules, and morals that used to prevail have longsince been shattered to bits. The only thing that remainsis the thirst for profit, a yearning for power, submissionto the strong, contempt for the weak, pettiness, insipidnessof mind and spirit, and a taste for the easy life. As a group,the Nobility gives the impression of a collection of de-praved buffoons concerned mainly with vainglory, finery,and trinkets, who enjoy the right of life or death over thesubjects in their fiefdoms, and who tremble at the ideathat they might lose their privileges and rights at the slight-est sign of displeasure from their Emperoress.

Nonetheless, the Pillar of the Nobility is one of the keyelements that holds the Empire together. Because they drawall their privileges from the Emperoress, the Nobles arealways ready to defend Him-Her to the death. To put itanother way, Janus-Jana’s interests are their own, so His-Her glory is tied to theirs. Of course, that does not elimi-nate the power of greed, and it’s obvious that if the op-portunity arose, not one of them would hesitate to betraythe Sacred Androgyne in order to attain power for them-

The KamarRaïmo

The chiefs of the greatTroglosocialik families’ clansrecognize as their leader aman chosen for his merit,courage, and warlike virtues.He is called the new KamarRaïmo — a veritable incar-nation of the Colonial Plan-ets’ community and triballife. A living legend and amodel for all clan members,the Kamar and all the clanmembers follow the Rayahhonor code.

29 • The Four Pillars

selves. Many of them even conspire to that veryend. The Mentreks dispersed throughout the uni-

verse in the service of the Great Houses are con-stantly hatching outlandish stratagems to bring theirmasters closer to power. But the Emperoress and theNobility are effectively united by virtue of mutual ben-efit from a corrupt social system, and both of themwant the situation to go on as it is. It is for that reasonthat Janus-Jana regularly convenes the High Councilof the Nobility, where all He-She has to do is listen totheir trivial proposals and hand out awards, ribbons,and baubles in “gratitude.”

THE INITIATION OF YOUNG CADETS

More importantly, in their own eyes, the Nobility rep-resents pomp and circumstance, overstated splendor andmajor events where they can put on display their immensewealth and shocking bad taste, see and be seen, observeothers, make comments, size people up, be judgmental,exchange ridicule, and participate in all the other impor-tant aspects of life. What follows is an unabridged tran-scription of a moment in the life of the Golden Planet’shigh dignitaries, which illustrates just how burdensomethe daily life of a Noble can be, even though they may beenvied by the vast majority of people.

On that day, as on every other day at that time, a radi-ant sun showered its rays upon De Viris, the small artifi-cial satellite of the Golden Planet, dappling it here andthere with small coppery patches. Subtle yet lively glim-mers of light gave an inspiring Impressionistic view of theimmense purple lawns punctuated by turquoise islandsand abundant clusters of flowers. The scene was all themore inspiring due to the mag-nificent costumes of the elegantNoble ladies, outdoing eachother in eccentric fantasy andendlessly inventing new colorpalettes. Everywhere, batches ofcolor blended to make flamboy-ant swirls, leaving a permanentimprint on the retina.

One retina present on thescene was Armistau Meedpin’scybernetic eye, which he playedover the environment, taking inthe sight of all the Noble Housesparticipating in one of the mostspectacular events outside theGolden Planet, instantly broad-casting it to thousands of spec-tators via the People for Nobodychannel on the hypertele. His eyelingered for a few moments onGeneral Tarkin’s face, stillslightly strained from his diffi-culties on Planet Agola but im-bued with the inflexible sense of

authority that made him the envy of so many.The knot of people around the renowned military man

suddenly parted to reveal a swell of high fashion. TheMono-Duchess of Vronokoff, related on her mother’s sideto the House of Poly-Romanoffs — surrounded as alwaysby her retinue of young heirs whose haughty features werepermanently frozen in masks of deep disdain — tappedthe General’s majestic medal-covered chest with the tip ofher fan. “They tell me,” she said in a light tone gentlylaced with malice, “that you had taken an interest inAgolan poetry... how delightful. But see that your newpassion does not dull your talent for strategy.…”

And without further comment, she resumed her path,at once distant and superb. Attendants twittered in herwake like birds snatching up grains. Crimson-faced andchoking for breath, General Tarkin seethed with controlledrage. The whole universe, live and direct, had witnessedhis setback. He was awash in shame. He swore to himselfthat tonight some innocent creatures would be humili-ated and tortured.

Servant-robots bustled everywhere, their mechanicalarms loaded with platters of small delicacies from Alde-baran and elegant flutes of champa-whisky. Here and there,vast tables covered with white linens offered an assort-ment of all types of fruits and drinks to the Nobles. Thebanners of all the Great Houses fluttered atop tall polesin a light breeze. Immense trees clipped into perfectly roundshapes gently waved their musical fronds. Everythingabout the synthetic scene, including the song of a few stra-tegically placed artificial birds, contributed in bringing anair of total harmony to the day.

The only downside of the graduation trials of theEndoguard cadets was that they took place only once ayear. Two hundred forty-four long standard days would

go by before they happenedagain. That’s why it was so vi-tal for the day to be a success.

The children who had beenwith the Endoguard since theirinfancy had a thin shaft of ir-radiated Netranekkon insertedinto their medullas before theend of their eleventh year, oncetheir brains had developed suf-ficiently. This device, called aGargat, made them into pow-erful killing machines blindlyobedient to the will of their su-periors, and therefore to thewill of the Emperoress. Butbefore this initiatory surgerytook place, while they were stillin possession of their naive fac-ulty of initiative, they were sub-jected to trials designed to mea-sure their qualities of determi-nation, brutality, and savagery.And those who distinguishedthemselves on this occasion

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were bequeathed the envied title of “First Cadets.” Thehonor subsequently showered upon their families was greatindeed.

As a long trumpet call announced the beginning of thetrials, and scattered groups began to converge on the mas-sive doorways of the huge circular-shaped building, thecorner of Amistau Meedpin’s eye discerned the slim sil-houettes of Luxuria von Stupre and Voluptia dellaFregnata, two archetypes of depravity wearing the mostindiscreet clothing conceivable. With informal politenessbordering on vulgarity, they accosted the still frozen Gen-eral Tarkin and made it their mission to comfort him. AsLuxuria nibbled on one of his ears, Voluptia breathed intothe other, “Come pay us a visit, Tarkin darling, we’ll helpyou forget those mean little creatures. And you won’t findus hard to catch at all…”

More than a hundred thousand spectators had takentheir seats within the stands of the gigantic enclosure,whose dimensions measured halfway between a paleo-sta-dium on Terra Prima and the combat hold of the CircusMaximus.. Anybody who was anybody at the Golden Pal-ace was here, as well as a few who weren’t. People foughtfor seats, and some of them would have gone as far asselling their titles, fiefdoms, friends or families in order toget a seat more in the public eye. Of course, proximity tothe richly decorated boxes of the Great Houses of Nobil-ity was especially desirable, as if a little bit of their dis-dainful splendor would dust the shoulders of the humblerspectators with glory. The Emperoress was not present,but a life-size holographic representation of the SacredEgg floated inside the Imperial box.

In the first trial, the thousand most naturally savageand warlike children from the Endoguard Training Schoolcompeted against the clock to skewer the greatest pos-sible number of creatures imported from a distant andisolated planet. The little creatures had big round fearfuleyes, alarming shyness, peaceful natures, and incrediblyimmaculate white coats. With 267 kills, a young nephew-in-law of a distant cousin of the Mono-Duchess ofVronokoff had distinguished himself well, and the box inwhich the respected Noblewoman sat among her entou-rage like a precious diamond in a setting of dazzling gemswas a showcase for a degree of false modesty that willprobably never be seen again.

Servant-robots progressed up and down the aisles togive the spectators time to recover from the heightenedemotion. The Nobles fanned themselves elegantly andmade a thousand gestures to proclaim their disinterest,detachment, and unconcerned nonchalance. Diavaloo’svoice, commentating the event, drifted through the airwithout interrupting their private conversations about suchtopics as how exquisite the weather was. Everyone triedto fit in by affecting an air of gloomy boredom. At a cer-tain point, a remark from the hypertele announcer sud-denly caught the crowd’s attention: “…At least our youngcadets know how to deal with small creatures…” Thisremark seemed to give rise to great laughter. Some laughedgracefully and elegantly, while others guffawed withoutthe slightest sign of restraint. In any case, a great wave of

mirth continued to ripple through the public,like a storm refusing to abate.

In the officials’ grandstand, General Tarkin hadgone from his waxen pallor to an alarming shade ofmarble. His unmoving eyes were fixed upon an invis-ible point right in front of him, light-years distant. Thenumerous Imperial representatives by his side under-took calculated shifting movements designed to distancethemselves from him, with varying degrees of discre-tion. But the show was already starting again, and ev-eryone began to prepare for the grand finale.

The 500 remaining contestants who had obtained thehighest scores in the first challenge now had to face a trialthat was as spectacular as it was simple. The five hundredcandidates would gather in a starting line, then race acrossthe length of the arena, a distance of about 300 meters.The first 50 to arrive would qualify for the next trial. Tomake things more interesting, approximately 10,000 crea-tures with delicate appearances but extremely aggressivetemperaments were let into the ring. The young boys wouldrace naked and weaponless, but all blows would be per-mitted. The battle was fierce right from the outset, withvicious combat everywhere. In barely ten minutes, the sandwas stained with countless pools of green liquid spilledfrom the wounds of the ferocious aliens, but there werealso a few spots where red blood could be seen. The win-ner, the Mono-Duchess of Vronokoff’s young relative, fin-ished the race in exactly 27 standard minutes and 32 stan-dard seconds. The death of 76 young cadets would bemourned. It goes without saying that not one of the aliencreatures survived.

Then, after another short delay, it was time for the finalchallenge, which would determine the “First Cadet of theYear.” This title would arrange the Noble houses in a hier-archy of honor whose subtle effects would be felt in theGolden Palace for a long time to come. This trial wouldalso be a race. Starting at one wall of the arena, the 50candidates would rush headlong towards 49 doors thatopened into a bizarre construction. This tangled and per-verse mazelike concentric structure would swallow all as-pirants to the supreme title, bringing them face to facewith a diabolical arrangement of zigzags, narrow hallsand other traps, leading the group onwards to an everdiminishing number of doors. The first one to pass throughthe final doorway would become First Cadet of the Year.Once again, the boys would race naked, and of course, allblows would be permitted.

The public was not disappointed. There were manyopportunities to whoop and holler, and as always the levelof preparation provided by the Endoguard Training Schoolwas to be praised. Not one of the candidates showed theslightest sign of weakness. None of them made the slight-est noise when struck. And not one of the seventeen caughtin a deadly trap emitted a scream. Once again, theEndoguard inspired pride and reassurance that the Em-pire was under its protection.

The Mono-Duchess of Vronokoff, whose young rela-tive had been awarded the coveted First Cadet title, ex-

31 • The Four Pillars

pended considerable effort in not seeming toattach the slightest importance to the event. The

general mood was one of light frivolity, althoughsome let it descend further, into outright indecency.The finale, a last-minute dash that left things uncer-tain till the last second, had really been spectacular.Indeed, were it not for the young winner’s survival re-flex, a last-ditch kick that knocked an ambitious con-tender over a 60-foot drop, the outcome might havebeen entirely different.

Amid the sounds of chatter, laughter, and a smoothsilken rustle, the crowd pushed against each other to exit

the building and seek further refreshment at the sumptu-ous function rooms on De Viris. Suddenly, Diavaloo’s stri-dent yet playful voice stopped them in their tracks. “Quiet!I asked for quiet, my beloved but overtalkative friends!I’ve just received a message from the Emperoress, I kissthe ground touched by His-Her gaze, in which Janus-Janaconveys His-Her displeasure.” Diavaloo paused briefly foreffect, to let his words bore their way into the fearful soulsof all present. A peculiar silence fell over the assembly,with tension brewing in the undercurrent. “Yes, you heardme right, dear spectators, I said displeasure… For on thisday that we pay tribute to the unflinching courage of theEndoguard soldiers, the honor of oneamong them is tarnished. It may be truethat General Tarkin’s only sin was anexcess of confidence, but theEmperoress cannot allow it to pass thatthe Empire is made vulnerable to ridi-cule.” The silence became even morepronounced. An attentive ear couldhave easily discerned the soft trickle ofsweat down the spines of the audience.

“As a result,” Diavaloo continued,“General Tarkin is invited to satisfy theEmperoress’s wishes by committingsuicide immediately, in the middle ofthe arena… But beforehand, he will beallowed to nominate five individuals tobe put to death, for having dangerouslyundermined the Endoguard. With thiswise and lucid decision, Janus-Janahopes that His-Her message of love willbe clear to all His-Her subjects.”

As Diavaloo prattled on, some colorreturned to the General’s pale face, andthe Endoguard officer now wore thecruel smile of a paleo-wolf, which untilrecently had made him feared acrosshundreds of galaxies. Everywhere heglanced, a ripple of panic stirred thecrowd….

General Tarkin quickly scanned thehorizon, his eyes coming to rest on theMono-Duchess of Vronokoff. She methis gaze and even seemed to defy it. Fora moment, a glimmer of a smile played

at the corner of his mouth, but it quickly turned into ascowl of frustration. Not only was she protected by herstatus, but more importantly, she was the queen of theday. So he would have to depart without the satisfactionof revenge. As for Luxuria von Stupre and Voluptia dellaFregnata, they were invisible to him…. Well, he had tomake up his mind. Lastly, glancing behind him, he spiedthe band of military advisors whom he had always loathedwith the deepest cordiality. “Well, I suppose…” he mused.

Later, much later, once the members of the Great Houseshad returned to the Golden Planet or their farawayfiefdoms, after the cliques of Nobles had resumed theirlives of intrigue and hedonism, the Mono-Duchess ofVronokoff was heard to refer to that year’s EndoguardYoung Cadet Trial in tones of warmth and sincerity thatwere completely alien to her: “Absolutely the best trialsever. By far…”

THE STRUCTURE

On the scale of the universe, the Nobility has little in-fluence over political affairs. Although it may be a Pillarof the Empire, the Imperial House displays no interest inits concerns, its claims, or its fickle mood swings. Janus-Jana is the absolute monarch and decides the fate of theHuman Universe alone. On the local scale, however, the

Noble Houses are representatives ofthe Imperial House and can claim cer-tain privileges. In the first place, sincethey carry out a variety of tasks for theEmpire, they require the resources todo so. In order to patrol outer spaceand maintain Imperial order, they needarmies, vessels, and weapons. AllNoble Houses who hold a fiefdomhave the right to raise and equip anarmed force. As a precautionary mea-sure, the Empire sets limits on the levelof firepower and technology they canattain, but some Houses possess for-midable troops nonetheless. Aside frommilitary might, each House wieldswhatever political sway it likes over itsterritories, and therefore can set up anyinfrastructure they wish in the areas offinance, policing, and administration.

Like the ancient nobility on TerraPrima, of which it is a distant descen-dant, the Empire’s Nobility is strictlyregimented and hierarchical. In orderof descending importance, the titlesgenerally are: King, Supra-Prince,Mono-Duke, Bis-Marquis, Tri-Vis-count, Hypo-Count, Non-Baron, andPetro-Knight. (Some families usewhimsical variants of these titles, suchas “tsar” for “king,” to ensure a de-sired estimation of their House.)

According to tradition, the titles arepassed to the males in order of birth,

The FeudahDynasty

Generally characterized bytheir luxurious residencesand their planet’s excessivesplendor, certain Maganatsequally distinguish them-selves with an eccentricitythat at times borders on in-sanity. For more than 30 gen-erations, the Feudah Dynastylived as if in the medieval era,modeling their traditions onthose of the paleo-knights ofancient times. Their stonecastles stand on Tanelorn, aminor renamed planet fromthe confines, whose forestsare filled with mutant game.They are well known fortheir schools of archery andpaleo-swords. His highnessKing Arthur Feudah, thethirty-fifth overlord havingthis name, religiously carriesout the knighting of youngadults in his clan, while Mer-lin VII perpetuates a longtradition of visionary as-

trologers.

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after the eldest son, of course, has beensent to the Endoguard. (There are rareand bizarre expections: Some families al-low females to inherit, while some allowthe title to pass by the female line even ifthe females may not inherit.)

Census-taking of all the Noble linesspread throughout the universe is a co-lossal task that requires a staggeringamount of calculating power, especiallyas the Empire distributes new titles andfiefdoms as quickly as new planets andsystems are discovered and brought intothe Imperial domain. Ascent in theNoble hierarchy is not an easy thing,and the rare families that manage to doit generally owe it to several centuriesof patient intrigue. The very oldest ofthe Houses, those that signed, morethan 25,000 years ago, a personal pactof vassalage to Rosemonde I the Rebis,received at that time a medallion containing a drop of theholy Golden Oil. Since then, that ceremony has more orless fallen out of favor, but from time to time the Empirewill bring out another drop, to reward a Noble House orbuy its favor.

Alongside the hierarchy of titles, there is another clas-sification system within the Nobility, which includes fourlevels, in order of importance: the Omni-Nobility, theArchi-Nobility, the Nobility, and the Infra-Nobility. TheInfra-Nobility is the lowest, but assignment to a particu-lar level of Nobility is not linked to title alone: through-out the universe, hundreds of kings and supra-princescould easily be found within the Infra-Nobility. No, whatdetermines the families and houses of the Infra-Nobilityis their lack of financial means. Theyare most likely to be the Noble Housesthat settled on outlying planets or plan-ets lacking in natural resources. Inevi-tably, their lives are somewhat rustic.Very often, their scanty funds do notprevent them from displaying a haughtyarrogance, and most often it is the In-fra-Noble families who are the mostpunctilious on matters of etiquette.Their greatest and most desparate hopeis to someday join the Aristos of anEndocity.

The next level is the regular Nobility,which is by far the largest group. Al-most the entire spectrum can be foundwithin it, because the power and influ-ence of some of the families of the regu-lar Nobility can almost rival the Em-pire, while others eke out more or lesspathetic lives on worlds whose lusterhas somewhat faded.

The Archi-Nobility, on the otherhand, only contains seven families. Of

course, each one encom-passes an infinite amount ofsubdivisions, but fundamentallyonly those seven clans can claimstatus in the Archi-Nobility.

Then, at the very top is theOmni-Nobility, which includes oneand only one lineage, that of theTrans-Bourbons. At the presenttime, the Omni-Nobility only hasone member, the Emperoress Janus-Jana, although technically that onemember counts as two.

The seven families of the Archi-Nobility have the mannerisms thatmight be expected of archetypes rep-resenting a very distinctive clan. Aninformed observer could even takegreat pleasure in watching them playtheir roles perfectly, down to every

detail. One example of note is the Retro-Windsor fam-ily. That opulent House is ruled by Her Majesty QueenLizabeth of Windsor, a ravishing woman of now ma-ture age and presumably celibate, since she is married.Indeed, her Supra-Prince Consort is invisible and in-significant. He is neither seen nor talked about. Onthe other hand, there are many remarks that peoplemake about her: that she drinks, that her impassiveface hides many shameful deeds, that she revels in de-bauchery, that her IQ is less than two digits, and othercomments of an unfriendly nature. What is known forcertain is that she collects hats. The House itself is stu-pendously wealthy and presides over Planet Laylin, amagnificent world in the Windsor system. Her private

guard consists of three regiments(Welch, Rish, and Kottish guards)whose richly embroidered uniformsare slightly absurd, but whose for-midable fighting divisions are fearedin most parts of the universe. Thanksto its many contacts in the world offinance, the House of Windsormakes its profit by manipulating itscolossal capital base, inherited froma not-so-distant era, when it con-quered entire systems on behalf ofthe Empire. It must be emphasizedthat 80% of the members of theHouse live on the Golden Planet,most of them women, where theyembody daily the true meaning ofthe word “courtesan.” These beau-tiful pale-skinned women seem tohave but one ambition, which mostof them attain: to secure the mostlucrative relationship possible.

The other great families of theArchi-Nobility are the Kama-Ming

The ArtistosIf the Infra-Nobility re-

mains the most modest andleast powerful on theMaganat scale of merit, itsmembers do have the possi-bility of attaining Aristos sta-tus by renouncing their lin-eage and rights in order tojoin this new cast. In return,they are granted the privi-leges of Endocity Nobles.However, the new Aristos areconfined to their new fiefand lose all rights and influ-ence beyond the Prez’s juris-

diction.

33 • The Four Pillars

Hierarchy ofNoble Titles

The hierarchy of commonfamily titles for the nobilityis as follows:

• King• Supra-Prince• Mono-Duke• Bis-Marquis• Tri-Viscount• Hypo-Count• Non-Baron• Petro-Knight

Note that individual fami-lies may chose variations onthese titles that are peculiar

to their heritage.

(led by Holy Father of the People Tsui-Amahof Kama-Ming), the Poly-Romanoffs, the Crypto-

Medicis, the Hyper-Hapsburgs, the Ante-Kennedysand the Omni-Shakyas.. All members of these fami-lies live on the most beautiful planets of theirMaganats, in sumptuous palaces of indescribable splen-dor and luxury.

HIERARCHY OF THE MAGANATS

Each Noble familiy possesses a particular rank. Thereare four ranks of Nobility:

• The Omni-Nobility, reserved for Trans-Bourbons• The Archi-Nobility, composed of seven families of

the upper Nobility• The Nobility, groups the majority of Noble families• The Infra-Nobility, designates the “poor” families

Differences between the nobility are well known to ev-eryone, especially the Nobles themselves. Yet, no onewould risk ridiculizing themselves by stating the obviousin a social gathering. A simple smirk or giggle is oftenenough to put a lower family in its proper place.

The Omni-Nobility is the official title of the currentleaders of the Empire, the direct bloodline of RosemondeI the Rebis. The unique representativeof the most noble of families is theEmperoress.

THE ARCHI-NOBILITY

THE ANTE-KENEDI

His Majesty the King Kurt Jacksonof Ante-Kenedi

The Kinglet William Jackson of Ante-Kenedi

• Principle Source of Income: Misap-propriation of funds.

• Patrimony: Two systems, includinga major world, Kenedior, and the planetAmerine, where they have establishedtheir capital-palace. The Ante-Kenedischiefly reside on Golden Planet, wherethey keep themselves busy with theEmpire’s politics.

• Particularities: At court, nothing es-capes them, and many noble familiescome to “consult” the Ante-Kenedisenators to get advice or favors.

• Quote: “Politics should remain aprivilege, in everyone’s interest.” —Senator Archi-Balde II of Ante-Kenedi.

THE CRYPTO-MEDICIS

His Majesty King Ruis FedericoBolino of Crypto-Medicis

The Supra-Princess Katarine Bolini ofCrypto-Medicis

• Principle Source of Income: Patronage of the fine arts.• Patrimony: Three major world systems, one of which

is a complete replica of Terra Prima. This planet is avail-able for rentals of all kinds, including destruction, suchas experiments with new weapons or simply for the purepleasure of destruction. For the modest sum of a few mil-lion kublars, a “destruction of Terra Prima” certificate isoffered.

• Particularities: The Crypto-Medicis’ sumptuous cha-teau is found on planet Corada in the Medicor system.The largest gallery of art in the Human Universe is housedthere — artists pay fortunes to have their works exposedin the Crypto-Medicis personal collection, which equallyfinances the largest galactic company of archeo-paleological research.

• Quote: “When art rhymes with kublar, it’s poetry…”—Neo-cosme the Elder.

THE HYPER-AB’SBOURG

His Majesty the Supreme Kaïser Hans Grüber vonHyper-Ab’sbourg

The Supra-Prince Otto von Hyper-Ab’sbourg

• Principle Source of Income: Pillage.• Patrimony: In addition to owning 15 or so systems of

which two are major worlds, the Hyper-Ab’sbourgs pos-sess an impressive number of land parcels on thousands

of other planets. This real estate trea-sure chest results from their insatiableneed to conquer new territory.

• Particularities: The Hyper-Ab’sbourg family is organized into aformidable army, possessing the mostimpressive and best organized militaryforce of all the Maganats. Their cita-del-fortress is situated on Karpol III,in the Ab’or system.

• Quote: “Total war? Dreams ofold…” —Kaïser Magnus von Hyper-Ab’sbourg.

THE KAMA MING

His Majesty the Saint Father of theTsui-Amah people of Kama Ming

Laonin, Supra-Prince Illuminati ofKama-Ming

• Principle Source of Income: Massproduction.

• Patrimony: Twelve systems, in-cluding five major worlds. All worldsare organized into human “termitesnests,” dedicated entirely to the massmining of precious minerals, gems, andrare raw materials, with the exceptionof planet Badmech in the Mingor sys-tem, where the royal family resides ina splendid jade termitarium.

Planet SafariThe hypertele program

“Within Your Reach” re-cently experienced a daz-zling viewer increasethrough the promotion of aone-of-a-kind contest. Fol-lowed by billions of lower-level inhabitants, eachmonth the show offers to adozen happy winners theright to leave their Endocityon a luxurious spatio-ketch,to discover Planet Safari’stropical savannas. After anunforgettable week of ban-quets and swimming in thewaters of artificial lakes,sponsored by the Hyper-Ab’sbourg, the winner-guests are let loose into na-ture, for a thrilling huntingexperience. No winner hasever returned to share hisphotos and souvenirs,but the hypertele audiencenumbers haven’t stopped

climbing.

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• Particularity: The Kama-Ming are the least inclinedto involve themselves in Imperial plots and absolutely donot tolerate any intrusion into their own affairs.

• Quote: “One for all; all for Ming!” —The SupremeMandarin.

THE POLY-ROMANOFF

His Majesty the Tsar Horlog of Poly-RomanoffThe Supra-Prince Mamouch Yvan Horlog of Poly-

Romanoff

• Principle Source of Income: Arms and weapons sales.• Patrimony: With 21 systems in their possession of

which eleven are major worlds, the Poly-Romanoffs areby far the richest of all the Maganats. Eight of these ma-jor worlds are exclusively reserved for the royal familyand serve as hunting reserves, paradise-planets, and de-pendencies of Neo-Moskou, the Romanor system’smother-planet.

• Particularities: Parties given by the Poly-Romanofffamily are known throughout the endo-fringe for theirsplendor and unforgettable orgiastic debauchery. Inciden-tally this family completely and exclusively equips theImperial Endoguard. All weapons and armor are manu-factured in the thousands of giga- arms factories ownedand run by the Poly-Romanoffs.

• Quote: “What’s tiresome about the people is that theystill have to exist.” —Mono-Duke Igor Poliakine of Poly-Romanoff.

THE RETRO-WINDS’OR

Her Majesty Queen Louisabeth of Winds’OrThe Supra-Princess Anna-Bella of Winds’Or

• Principle Source of Income: Investments.

35 • The Four Pillars

• Patrimony: Laylin, a sole but magnificentplanet, located in the Winds’Or system, where thequeen lives. Even so, 80% of the family lives onGolden Planet.

• Particularities: Women from the family line arecourtesans who obtain favors from their suitors with-out any difficulties…

Quote: “A good marriage is an Archi-mar-riage!” —The Bis-Marquise Rosa-Rosam.

THE OMNI-SHAKYA

His Majesty the Bodhi-Pad Aradjasatrü of Omni-Shakya

The Supra-Prince Masamsatrü of Omni-Shakya

• Principle Source of Income: Narcotics.• Patrimony: Ten systems. Almost all of their wealth

comes from the traffic — legal or illegal — of drugs andnarcotic substances of all kinds. The unbelievable wealththey have accumulated over the years has been turnedinto lavish palaces, filled with magnificent jewels and gem-stones, among which are the most rare in the entire Hu-man Universe. Their principal palace is found on the planetSacred Lotus, in the Mahal system.

• Particularities: Their knowledge of new and exoticdrugs cannot be equaled. They prefer to take refuge intheir smoke-filled universe, rather than lower themselvesby frequenting other Noble families. They consider it de-grading to live in the same “reality” as their fellow crea-tures. Their connections with smugglers and pirates areboth numerous and prolific.

• Quote: “As law has its place, the way will take youthere….” —The Great Pachen Adrah-limpür of Omni-Shakya

THE MENTREKS

Although the Mentreks are present throughout thewhole Empire, little is known about these mysteriousbeings. Humans respect them for their tremendous storeof knowledge but are unsettled by their bizarre pow-ers, both real and imaginary. Hence the sight of theiremaciated figures topped by blinking brains always in-

spires a mixture of respect and fear in common mortals.Indeed, the Mentrek clan would be completely ostracizedfrom the Empire’s other populations were it not for theirstaggering mental abilities. Each one of them is able tocalculate pi to 2,758 decimal places and quote the stellarcoordinates of all worlds ever visited by the Imperial fleet.But that is not the limit of their abilities, and it would bea mistake to think of them simply as living adding ma-chines endowed with infinite memory. Each Mentrek is asublime combination of data and intuition, a blend of as-tonishing technological prowess and lightning-quick de-duction. They are fragile, like all precision equipment,but once they are able to balance hard data with the flowof thought, their expert prognostications take them to thethreshold of new truths, which the human spirit couldnever hope to attain on its own.

THE ORIGINS OF MENTREK INTELLIGENCE

Mentrek intelligence has its origins in the pioneer daysof long ago, when the Milky Way was first being explored.In that era of sublightspeed travel, the exploration of spacewas a long and drawn-out affair. Even a small jump to adestination only two light-years away might last 25 stan-dard months. Although the brave pioneers could dodgethe clutches of time by plunging into the frozen sleep ofcryochambers to slow their biological rhythms, each ex-pedition had its share of long days of inactivity. To com-bat boredom, the primarily scientific and technical crewwould devote themselves to chess. After a thousand yearsof space exploration, rich complexity was added to thisimmortal game by giving it a three-dimensional scope:the pieces could move not only horizontally but also ver-tically. Instantly, millions and millions of possibilities wereadded. Games between even the fiercest players might lastfor years. For centuries, the idea of reaching checkmatewas only a pure theoretical fantasy. An obsession withthe game took over the minds of the players and some ofthem were driven insane. With the exponential increaseof combinations, this seemingly harmless pursuit becamethe abyss that swallowed the souls of Terra Prima’s mostbrilliant engineers.

The answer was found in technology. While the intel-lect might stray into infinite conjecture, cold supercon-ducting teflo-silicon chips could provide a solid statisticalbase for three-dimensional positions of pieces on theboard. Little by little, the crew began to make use of evermore miniaturized personal computation units. But analy-sis didn’t resolve everything. As efficient as it was, artifi-

cial intelligence would never match the insightful flashesof genius of the human mind. And little by little, the ideaof uniting the two forces emerged.

The first attempt at a merge was not really successful.In the beginning, the main obstacle was getting data toflow to the appropriate sector. So an initial analytical fil-ter was installed prior to the cerebral command path stage.Then, by trial and error over the course of centuries, thedriving force behind the architecture of the Mentrek brainwas developed: a fully incorporated multi-cognitive analy-sis tree. The concept behind this rather old-fashionedphrase was both brilliant and simple: the technologicaldevice had to emulate the circuits of human deductivereasoning. The hardware’s solidity and the wetware’s flu-idity were united to make a perfectly homogenous whole.This sent the restricted binary system back into the dark-ness of paleo-history and paved the way for analysis thatwould not suffer the uncertainty of determining probabilitypaths. The second attempt was more successful, and oncethe problem of tissue rejection was overcome, a new gen-eration surfaced that merged deduction with data.

MENTREK TRAINING

Inevitably, the introduction into the Empire of beingswith such great capacity provoked a huge uproar. Suchquantities of intelligence for the sake of a seemingly harm-less game introduced the seeds of promise both exhilarat-ing and disturbing at once. Their analytical powers mightbecome powerful weapons in the wrong hands. The Em-pire could not allow this to occur. As soon as it becameclear that Mentrek intelligence was a key to power, theEmpire took this new area of human activity beneath itscontrol and predictably entrusted its technological arm,the Church of the Industrial Saints, with its supervision.Since then, the Techno-Technos have held exclusive au-thority not only over the identification and training ofany individuals who show intellectual talent, but also overmanufacture, installation, and maintenance of the multi-cognitive analytical brains.

Everywhere that the Empire is represented, down tothe smallest planet, Techno-scouts are constantly on thelookout for even the youngest child whose intellectual ca-pacity appears greater than the norm. The harsh reality isthat the creation of a Mentrek brain is not entirely with-out risks. Unless a very specific combination ofneurocortical qualities is present, the recipient may wellbe plunged instantly into the depths of madness. Or worse,the cerebral hemispheres of his brain might swell out ofproportion and explode. However, any young individu-als who are gifted enough at the age of six months toidentify visual symbols and arrange them in a logical fash-ion, thereby demonstrating both graphic and semanticskills, receive intensive preparation followed by the im-plantation of a cybernetic brain. Once that’s done, theirintelligence unfurls like a golden paleo-blossom offering

T H E F A C T I O N S

itself to the morning sun. The instant a gifted child is rec-ognized, Techno-Techno envoys administer a Meta-Cerebro test. If the child survives the test, he is taken fromhis family and sent to the Mentrek Training Base on theCentral Planet.

The first phase of training for all apprentice Mentrekshas only one goal: to increase the volume of the brain bya factor of ten. The transplant’s success will in large partbe determined by the space available in the cranial cavity.So, during infancy and childhood, before their bone struc-ture has entirely hardened, the Mentreks-to-be are sub-jected to a massive dual program. A chemical sub-stance is administered intravenously to soften thespongy tissues and make the skull bones flex-ible, while at the same time they are force-fed incomprehensible amounts of informa-tion during extended days of study to en-courage growth of neurons and synapses.By the time they reach the age of thirteen,when they are preparing for their new brainimplantation, the skulls of the apprenticeMentreks are often three times as thick astheir torsos. Of course, not all the childrenare able to withstand the intense regimenof cerebral augmentation, and with eachadvance to the next grade, the drop-out rateseems to average about 20%. Once the pro-gram is complete, another test is adminis-tered. This time, the criteria are specificallyphysical, to determine whether or not the shapeof the skull will actually allow the transplant.Indeed, despite the conjoined efforts of armies of Techno-Technos during the program, the bone structures of cer-tain subjects remain totally inflexible. These subjects, unfitfor maximum utility, are eliminated. The others, whoseheads have attained the desired dimensions, have arrivedat the time of the sacred implantation.

Currently, under Janus-Jana’s reign, the manufacture ofMentrek brains is under the exclusive domain of the Churchof the Industrial Saints. Thus, only the human and robo-surgeons of the Techno-Techno Order are authorized to carryout the installation of these technological marvels. The pro-cedure is not as simple as it seems. Not only does it requiremaking a link between living and nonliving matter, whichrequires proper compatibility to accommodate the interac-tive synergy of the organo-synthetic ebb and flow, but sev-eral extremely precise mini-lobotomies must also be carriedout in order to maximize the brain’s abilities. For example,while intuitive analysis (anterio-temporal area of the lefthemisphere) is a very useful skill for Mentreks, compassionand empathy (posterior medulla in the right hemisphere)would obviously cause an undesirable reduction of efficiency.Once these surgical processes are complete, the Mentrekis totally unhampered by useless human emotion and isable under all conditions to devote 100% of his facultiesto deductive observation. But he is still just an adoles-cent, and ahead lies a long path of learning to master hisnew abilities.

Then begins the final stage of Mentrek training. Overthe course of seven years, the most precocious and prom-

ising children grow into eager and efficient ser-vants. They are enlightened creatures in the areaof intelligence and reasoning, but just dumb robotswhen it comes to feelings and emotion. They mustachieve perfect mastery over their cerebral faculties,whose powers are so great that at any moment theycan push the light of reason down into the depths ofinsanity. Indeed, the grouping of such vast and massivestores of information into one mind can produce insta-bility, leading to internal whirlpools where all the mys-teries of the universe dance in diabolical patterns. It takes

a lot of time and patience to learn tomanage a Mentrek brain. It’s like tam-ing a cruel and savage beast of phenom-enal power. But the resulting feeling oftriumph makes the task worthwhile.In the first year alone, twenty or thirtypercent of the trainees go insane and,although the proportion decreasesafter that, each year has its share of“accidents.” But those who makeit to the end of this long period oftraining are now fully formedMentreks, members of a unique clan,forever committed to their unquench-able thirst for knowledge and capableof contemplating the entire complex-

ity of both the seen and unseen universe.

PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES

Once the years of training are finished, the indepen-dent Mentrek, who is no longer entirely human, makeshis debut in the real world. However, life for them doesnot resemble the life of other citizens in the slightest. Theirsense of independence is not even remotely related to freewill, nor do they enjoy the freedom of movement or allthe minor rights that are common for mortals. In order toleave the Mentrek Training Center on the Central Planet,a Mentrek must be purchased by an authorized buyer.Once the negotiation has come to a successful conclu-sion, a subprogram is installed in the cybernetic portionof his brain and the Mentrek is allowed to go serve hisnew master.

Since it is known that they are literally incapable oflying, the Mentreks enjoy genuine respect from their peers.Primarily, it is the large Noble families and powerfulMaganats who acquire these extremely costly marvels oftechnology. The Mentreks are granted total independencein the fulfillment of their new duties, since they can oper-ate in a sphere far above what most humans can compre-hend. The tasks they are given range from the drudgeryof administrative accounting to the purity of intellectualand scientific speculation. But their true talent lies in de-vising Machiavellian plots. More specifically, the Mentrekswho serve large families spend most of their time tryingto predict the actions of members of other families anddiscover any resulting opportunities for their masters toshow off their merits before the Empire. In this sense, theyare reverting to their original function of making calcula-

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tions for a complicated strategy game. But inthis game, more than just prestige is at stake. The

influential Noble Houses compete fiercely to acquirethe most proficient Mentreks, since the outcomes oftheir calculation will either lead to new heights of shin-ing glory or to a sudden descent into permanent ruin.In practice, the Mentreks have more duties than privi-leges, but since they have undergone a removal of theneural connections that transmit emotion and feeling,their duty weighs less heavily than a photon in the in-terstellar void.

The life of a Mentrek has its share of joy, as when aprogression of cause and effect culminates precisely in thescenario he predicted and helped create. But, it also hasits share of risk, as when the House he serves suffers areversal of fortune. The pan-Techno Church, which manu-factures every component of the cybernetic brain, keepsan extremely precise account of the Mentreks in activeduty, at the same time grading them in order of profi-ciency. This hierarchy, based on the FishKarov scale, as-signs each Mentrek a specific rating and market value.The thousand highest-scoring Mentreks are automaticallyassigned to the Circle of Imperial Mentreks. So of course,all the other Mentreks have the secret ambition of dem-onstrating in a spectacular manner that their worth is muchgreater than the rank they have been assigned. This prideis the only manifestation of their independent will. But allthings considered, the Mentreks are fundamentally slaves,whose only escape lies in dreamlike fantasies of algebraand geometry.

All things considered, the cybernetic locking mechanismimplanted within their brains effectively reduces them tomere thinking machines.. Cut off from their free will, theyare denied their humanity. The Imperial Commission ofMentrek Surveillance constantly keeps a close watch onthem, putting all of their actions through a screen andanalyzing even the smallest piece of advice they give.. Ofcourse, finding an idea within an idea or a conspiracybehind a conspiracy is extremely difficult, so it is hard totell whether a Mentrek is acting on his own. So far, such acase has never come up, and these craftsmen of the mindseem to be content to fulfill the ambitions of their mas-ters. But their powers are so great that the risk is alwayspresent. What if all the Mentreks decided to act in leaguewith each other to achieve indirect domination of theuniverse by simple influence over the actions of theEmpire’s decision-makers…?

To counter that possibility, the Techno-Techno factory-labs routinely install a multi-purpose program into theMentreks’ brains, which has the ability to launch one ofthe dozens of failsafe control routines at the slightest signof overactivity, indicated by a 10% variation from thesubject’s individual mean in three out of five major pa-rameters (chemical balance of amino acids, neurologicalfluid pressure, cerebro-electrical activity, pH level in thegastric system, and temperature/hygrometry of the epi-dermis in the lumbar region). This automatic program re-establishes the Mentrek’s internal balance by hypno-regu-lation, which to a certain degree forces his thoughts to

stay within the nominated limits. In most cases, the mereactivation of this procedure is enough to correct even themost convoluted train of thought, but two other levels ofintervention are also available for greater security. A 20%variation in three of the major parameters instantly trig-gers a lockdown of the Mentrek’s cerebral functions, fol-lowed by thorough scrutiny of all his neuro-transmittersand adjustments to four or five of the major parameters,while a 25% variation of three parameters immediatelytriggers self-destruction of the brain. To this day, no suchcase has ever occurred. In the normal scope of their activ-ity, Mentreks rarely even suffer the slightest incident, andmany of them forget the existence of this electronic swordof Damocles hanging constantly above their heads.

Activation of any of these control routines is recordedwithin the memory of the Central Brain of the ImperialCommission for Mentrek Surveillance. This organization,under the Empire’s control, is guided by specialized ma-chines overseen by the Techno-Pope. Nevertheless, the pan-Techno Church has no power to control the Mentreks’thoughts. But it can control the Mentreks themselves, oreven annihilate them. In the end, what makes these crea-tures so interesting is that the seed of their own destruc-tion has been planted within them, to compensate for theirtremendous capacity that could slide out of control, dis-rupting the presently stable structure of the Empire. Theirlives are lived in the delicate balance between the extremesof intellectual freedom and bodily subjugation. Of course,there is a way for them to cheat destiny, by thwartingTechno-Techno domination.

MENTREK DECONNECTION

To be exact, there are two methods for deconnecting aMentrek and delivering him from the grip of Techno-Techno control. Either the technological tumor that gov-erns his mind is simply removed, or its functions are by-passed in a more dramatic manner. The first option en-tails an extremely intricate and dangerous surgical opera-tion, requiring the work of a specialized robo-surgeon.The procedure involves removing the mechanisms thatseparate the rational from the emotional. At this time,only the few “dissident” robots won over to the cause ofthe chromosomal force known as White Energy consentto perform it.

Of course, the dissident robots themselves are outcastsmercilessly hunted throughout the Empire. In the eyes ofthe Church of the Industrial Saints, they are not only her-etics but also traitors who pose a threat to the workings ofthe world and the power of the Techno-Technos. However,the robots are not so easy to find. Although the surveillanceequipment used by the pan-Techno Church is absolutelyunsurpassed, it can only give totally predictable results whendealing with humans. When used against a foe who pos-sesses the same resources they do, the systems, machines,and robots of the pan-Techno Church find themselves stale-mated, and therefore the dissident robots are effectivelyundetectable. They can infiltrate circuits, creep into systems,and hack into networks without being spotted. However,their conversion to a new faith modifies their energy signa-ture. In the bounds of virtual reality, they can operate unde-

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tected, but in the real world, they’d be caught instantly byany competent cybo-cop, unless of course its own systemsand controls were being hacked into. Their lives too arelived in a delicate balance. In any case, in various locationsthroughout the universe, generally in the depths of Endocitiesin the very heart of the Techno-Techno system, there existrobots who paradoxically show qualities of great humanityby sometimes helping Mentreks recover their freedom ofwill and thought.

In practice, any Mentrek who takes this drastic stepbecomes an outcast himself. Freedom has a price and therisks are enormous, for his own head is literally at stake.From that point on, he will have to maintain constantvigilance. A simple holo-mask will not suffice to deceivethe Central Processor’s police forces, so camouflage andconcealment will make up the daily existence of anydeconnected Mentrek. Besides, Techno-Techno officialsare not their only enemies. A free Mentrek is no longercatalogued or supervised, but by the same token, he can-not count on the slightest protection. He becomes prey,and there are many predators who dream of getting ac-cess to his store of information by transplanting his headonto another human host. This procedure is extremelydangerous, and it is attempted only rarely. However, sinceinformation is power, certain groups will do anything toget their hands on this nearly infinite supply of data, evenif doing so means death for the carrier and the sacrifice ofan immense number of hosts in abortive attempts.

A much less technically demanding way to deconnect aMentrek is to have a priest-mutant dose him with Amorine.Thanks to the power of the Amorine flower, initiates tothe Cult of Neuro-Emotions are able to counteract anddestroy the traces of the Techno-Technos’ hold over theirsoul. Any Mentrek who lavishes himself with a full doseof Amorine can expect the artificial imbalance to be over-come, which leads to the recovery of his entire capacityfor emotion and intuition. His lost humanity returns, butat the same time, he retains all the faculties provided tohim by his training. Of course, depending on the Mentrek’sinnermost character, this change might be for the betteror for the worse. The Mentrek who previously served hismasters’ ambitions is now free to put his power to theservice of his own ambition.

MENTREK CHARACTERS

If you play the Metabarons Roleplaying Game, you canfind templates for defused Mentreks on page 271 of therule book and page 43 of the Companion Book to theGame Master Screen. If you would like to use these asgeneric characters, add 7D to 14D (depending on howexperienced the characters should be) to the template skills.Mentreks who are not diffused will not have any Agility-type skills, nor will they have any equipment and littleindividuality.

THE ENDOGUARD

The Endoguard, a fighting force unrivalled anywherein the Empire, is an elite unit that accepts only the bravestcombatants into its ranks. But bravery is of little use with-out training, and the Endoguard is a crucible in which the

most hardened, most determined, and mostmerciless warriors imaginable are forged.

SELECTION AND TRAINING

Great is the scope of the Endoguard. Primitivepeoples in the farthest reaches of the universe whisperits name with fear and respect. To suffer and die for itis an honor. Life within the Endoguard is extremelysevere, and it is arranged like an order of warrior-clergywho give themselves fully to the higher cause of mili-tary efficiency. But the choice to enlist is not a voluntaryone. Every family in the Empire that is even remotelyconnected to a Noble line must donate its firstborn son tothe military force. Thus, hundreds of thousands and some-times even millions of children report every year to theEndoguard Training School, created specifically for thispurpose by the Empire.

Although the sons of the Nobility are obliged to jointhe Empire’s army, many of them do not have the naturalqualities that make them great soldiers. For that reason, aprogram of Maximized Special Aptitude Training wasdeveloped by the greatest specialists and researchers atthe dawn of the modern Imperial age. The program evolvesin two stages, each designed to intensify the two separatecriteria of tactical intuition and physio-mechanical prow-ess. For the first stage, which lasts until the children aretwelve years old, an evaluation of physical and psycho-logical characteristics is carried out on each subject, inaccordance with extremely precise codified standards.. Ascale is then developed from each of those profiles. In thesecond stage, from age twelve to age nineteen, the adoles-cents are put through hyperintensive training, includingneuro-mnemonic induction drills, cerebral surgery, andwhatever other forms of corrective operations are deemednecessary to produce an optimal balance of the two crite-ria. The program never fails, and at the end of trainingmeach Endoguard will possess a perfect 50/50 competencyratio of maximized aptitudes in physio-mechanical prow-ess and tactical intuition.

There are many practical steps involved in the differentstages of Endoguard training. In their first week of life,after they are taken from their families and placed in theofficial Endoguard Training School, a tracer-chip is im-planted at the base of their medullas, in order to providepersonally tailored telemetric tracking of each subject’sphysical and psychological parameters. Preliminary apti-tude curves are plotted, after which each infant benefitsfrom individual corrective actions designed to shore uptheir weak points (a nutritional regimen, neuro-psycho-logical calibration by electric shocks, mini-lobotomies ofthe areas that control emotion and empathy, and surgicalupgrades of the loco-motor apparatus and neurologicalsystems). Aside from these exterior measures, the babiesare led along a complete program of development andtraining. They must acquire the basic building blocks nec-essary for coordinated movement (walking, running, jump-ing, fighting, dodging) but also an understanding of tacti-cal situations (evaluation of danger, optimal timing forattack and defense, identification of escape routes). In

39 • The Factions

addition to teaching them all these skills, ev-erything is done to promote the natural instinct

for savagery that lies dormant in every being. Forexample, the children are forbidden to lie down andmust become accustomed to sleeping upright. The ti-niest slip results in an electric shock administered byremote control. Although the food they are given pro-vides a balanced supply of vitamins, proteins, and otheressentials, it is totally devoid of any flavor. All minorpleasures of existence are forbidden to them, as is anyrecreational activity. The only so-called games that arepermitted are the ones that encourage an unbridled ex-

pression of violence. Competition and confrontation aresystematically encouraged. The young soldiers are nevershown any sign of affection. They occasionally receivegifts of small animal-like creatures, but only with ordersto torture or kill them. All in all, everything is done todevelop their aggressive potential to the highest degree.

Age twelve marks a turning point in the life of anEndoguard. At this stage of development, his medulla isready to receive the Gargat, a Netranekkon shaft thatannihilates his individuality and reconfigures it aroundan exterior will. In this case, it is the will of the Emperoressthat is imposed by the direct flow of the chain of com-mand. It must be emphasized that the Gargat representsthe only use of cybernetic implantation. As a result, eachEndoguard is completely self-reliant: his physical force isnot augmented by mechanical prostheses,but rather hard-ened by exercise and increased tenfold by chemical, elec-trical, and mechanical stimulation of his various systems(neurological, musculo-tendonary, and skeletal). His war-rior instinct is not augmented by a device that influenceshis decision, but rather developed to its fullest byunrelenting training and the systematic develop-ment of his aggressive instinct and combat sense.However, the standard kit of an Endoguardincludes a wide range of external devices de-signed to improve his physical performance:highly resistant armor, poly-mimetic uniformswith extensive camouflage abilities, mecha-nized exoskeletons for operations in very highgravity, automatic guidance for their aimingsystems, and so forth. Such a high standardof equipment was developed with one goalin mind — to enable each Endoguard to sur-vive in any environment and confront anyenemy with any conceivable weapon. He canharness the full potential of even the mosttrivial item and turn any harmless object intoa lethal weapon.

Just before the installation of the Gargat,an initiatory competition is held to select themost fearsome combatants from each year ofthe Endoguard Training School.

Those individuals who show greater mal-ice, determination, and barbarity than the restsoon form the backbone of the regiments. Forin the Endoguard, each level is commanded

directly by the level above it, from the Minister of War(General Thato) down to the rank-and-file Endoguards,through the intermediary ranks of colonel, commander,captain, lieutenant, and sergeant. The Gargat provides anincreased degree of initiative and free will with every ad-vance through the ranks.

The young Endoguards selected in the competition jointhe force with the rank of cadet and are assigned to afighting unit. The Endoguard cadets hardly have the powerto speak. They express themselves in brief, hoarse shouts,and although they carry out complex missions, their ca-pacity to analyze a given scenario remains negligible, whichmeans that they cannot act or react outside the frame-work of their orders. They can annihilate entire villages,ward off retaliation, and entrap pockets of resistance, butif they receive information that the left flank of their troopsis in trouble, they cannot make the decision to providereinforcements. Those who survive the longest are pro-moted to the next rank.

An Endoguard sergeant, however, can address the largeranalytical picture. He leads a group of about a hundredmen and can use them in an effective and efficient man-ner. At the level of lieutenant, he might lead up to a thou-sand men, and so forth up the ranks. At the same time, anEndoguard recovers more of his faculties of memory andreasoning with every promotion, which enriches his vo-cabulary. A general, for example, may enter the salons ofthe Nobility without embarrassment.

To say that the Endoguards are like robots isn’t entirelytrue: robots have a much broader range of functions. Onthe other hand, to say that they are dedicated killing ma-chines is completely accurate. Until his assignment to anactive unit at the age of nineteen, each Endoguard trains

every single day to handle all conceiv-able weaponry, as well as all

known techniques(and there are

many)

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for eradicating life in all its forms. As a result, they areobviously skilled operators of all existing artillery equip-ment, infallible sharpshooters, silent and efficient com-mandos, tireless marchers, seasoned pilots and naviga-tors, and formidable warriors with nonprojectile weap-ons, including sticks and hand-to-hand combat. What’smore, they are totally impervious to pain and demonstratestaunch bravery at every occasion. Indeed, the removal ofcertain irrelevant brain matter protects them from theparalysis of indecision.

After his comprehensive training is finished, eachEndoguard is an expert in any field, capable of assumingduties in any one of the army’s specialized units: Lancetpilot units assigned to the hunt, spatial engineering unitsassigned in different regiments primarily to supply andcommunications, and countless fighting units capable ofperforming in any surroundings.

MISSIONS OF THE ENDOGUARD

The Endoguard’s military might is absolutely colossal.Its efficiency in conquest is feared and dreaded. To thisday, the battle for Marmola is the only defeat it has eversuffered, although in that case it was not acting underorders. The various races and creatures that have the illfortune to see their skies suddenly darken with Endoguardlancets can only appeal to providence or to their gods.Even today, some cultures put up savage resistance, butthere is no limit to the destructive power of the Endoguard.When in difficulty, the army can depend on the arsenal ofweapons supplied by the Techno-Technos, whose imagi-native designs provide everything from the famous stan-dard-issue multi-cogan to immense systems of kinetic de-struction, capable of leveling a planet’s surface from highorbit. There are various other weapons of controlled le-thality, which permit the Endoguard to adjust the level ofdamage to the circumstances in order to obtain uncondi-tional surrender. And finally, if their opponents prove in-tractable, the Endoguard can always resort to Biokill orBiocidex waves, two weapons of incomprehensible de-structive capacity, which have the unfortunate side effectof wiping out absolutely all forms of life.

Of course, with such means at their disposal, there isscarcely any force in all the galaxies that can match theirpower, but the universe is wide and they cannot be every-where at once. So although their primary mission is toenforce peace for the Emperoress, it would be infeasiblefor their purple vessels to maintain a constant presenceacross the entire universe. Normally, patrolling duties areleft to the local armies on the Maganat and Colonial plan-ets loyal to the Empire. In certain exceptional circum-stances, such as trouble stirred up by some galacto-bar-baric tribe, the Endoguard is immediately sent in to as-sist, and their presence alone will tip the scales of the battle.However, skirmishes at the edge of the universe are rarethese days. More frequently, the Endoguard will be sentoff to track down pirates, but usually with limited suc-cess. Although they manage to do some damage, thegreater mobility of the pirate bands usually allows themto escape. A more crucial factor is that to this day, theirlairs have never been found.

In times when they are not compelled by ga-lactic crisis to maintain a battlefront far away fromhabitable worlds, the Endoguard devotes itself tothe traditional military activities of maintaining peaceand order. The Empire usually relies on surprise, let-ting out their dogs of war before even thinking of com-mencing negotiations. Whether it’s a planet plungedinto chaos, an Endocity troubled by anarchy, or a mi-nor increase in revolutionary fervor in a given sector ofthe universe, the discouraging presence of the purpleEndoguard quickly brings even the most stubborn mili-tant uprising to heel. The strategy of the Endoguard isof course based solely on violence. No subtlety, no pre-tense, not the slightest reconnaissance, no psychologicaltactics, just pure brute strength. Victory or annihilation.And annihilation it is, at least for the reckless dreamerswho thought they could take on the huge bull withoutgetting the horns. In addition, like any typical army, theEndoguard devotes the rest of its time to training. Theirlife is war, and war is their life. Peace does not exist, andif they find war is occurring less frequently, they create it.As General Thato says, “The universe is so large there’salways bound to be some conflict somewhere.”

But their primary mission, and the field in which theytruly excel, is conquest. The sight of their purple vesselstaking position in the upper stratosphere of a planet be-fore releasing swarms of transports and assault ships thatswoop down toward the surface like paleo-vultures is anunforgettable spectacle. And to watch Endoguard platoonssubdue a continent is no less spectacular.

THE SUPREME ENDOGUARD

The Endoguard’s strength and durability is like a rock,but unfortunately so is their level of finesse. If by somechance their brutal force does not prevail, the Endoguardwould find itself incapable of acting or reacting. Of course,that situation has not arisen to this day, but it is alwayspossible that somewhere in the universe the Endoguardwill encounter some race, some force, or some form ofintelligent life with powers they cannot match. In addi-tion, that is not the only risk, for it could be imaginedthat some demented will within the Empire itself couldsteer the Endoguard troops onto the wrong path. If so,the automatic and unquestioning fanaticism it uses to carryout its missions could lead to disastrous consequences.What would happen if someone had access to the deci-sion-making mechanisms of the Endoguard, and gave theminstructions to completely reduce the universe to rubble?

Thanks to His-Her boundless foresight, and perhapsalso to some advice from a wise Mentrek, the Emperoressinstituted a plan to counter any such eventuality. Afterall, the Endoguard’s great force is also its greatest weak-ness. Its reinforced brutality is also its Achilles’ heel. TheEmpire exerts total control over all the workings of theEndoguard and can therefore always count on their flaw-less warlike enthusiasm and utter loyalty. But the com-mand structure is as dense and unresponsive as a paleo-brick wall and could suddenly become unmanageable,precisely because of the overabundant powers at its dis-

41 • The Factions

posal. To prevent this possibility, among otherreasons, the Supreme Endoguard was formed.On the surface, the Supreme Endoguard is sim-

ply the most elite branch of an army that already hasno equal. It is designed to be the last line of defensearound the Emperoress if the need arises. But in truth,it is much more than that. Its 10,000 members are se-lected according to their IQ, an irrelevant criterion inthe case of the regular Endoguard. Therefore, the Su-preme Endoguard has the advantage, because its sol-diers can contemplate, analyze, perceive, or comprehendmotivations and interactions between people, in addi-

tion to sequences of cause and effect. This allows them toget to the bottom of tangled webs of intrigue, as well astake command and act with complete autonomy in anydelicate situation. Upon full consideration, each man’s rareabilities make him a tremendous asset to the Empire butalso a potential mortal danger, a viper at its breast. Toensure the loyalty of these elite soldiers with no roots, noconnections, and no past, who have developed theirminds, the most dangerous weapon of all, Janus-Jana has them injected at a very young age witha microbe so potent that no vaccine can com-pletely cure it. Then, in order not to un-dergo a horribly painful death, theymust take an antidote at regular andrelatively frequent intervals. Theantidote’s formula is a secret knownonly to the Emperoress.

Although the Supreme Endoguard pre-sents a tremendous internal threat to the Em-pire, it is a truly fascinating unit. It not only guaran-tees personal protection to the Emperoress, but it is sentout to assist on any missions that require a delicate andsubtle touch. For example, they might carry out infiltra-tion, exfiltration, espionage, recovery, sabotage, theft, orseduction, in all conditions and all environments on alltypes of worlds. In this way, the most elite soldiers of themost elite army are grouped into an ultra-secret unit inorder to carry out a variety of tasks, both noble and base,for the greater glory of the Sacred Androgyne.

FURTHER READING

The Metabarons Guidebook #1 to Path of the Warriorpresents some additional notes on the Black Endoguard(pages 10–11), the Purple Endoguard (page 11), and theSupreme Endoguard (page 15).

If you’re playing the Metabarons Roleplaying Game,realize that, in general, no one plays an Endoguard. Thewill of the individual Endoguard is totally controlled bythose in the rank above. Nonetheless, it is a remote possi-bility that there are descendants of the Black Endoguardfrom the botched Marmola mission. They now would beguns-for-hire, working on assignments as far from thecenter of the Empire as possible.

TYPICAL ENDOGUARD CADET

This generic character can be used with the MetabaronsRoleplaying Game.

Agility 4D: brawling 5D, dodge 5D, firearms 6D, me-lee combat 5D, running 5D. Knowledge 2D: survival 4D.Mechanical 3D: gunnery 4D, piloting 4D, vehicle opera-tion 4D. Perception 3D+1: search 4D+1. Strength 3D+2:lift 5D+2, stamina 5D+2. Technical 3D. Psionics 0D.Move 10. Character Points 3. Amarax Points 0. HonorCode: Rayah. Equipment: multi-cogan rifle (6D damage),combat shock knife (STR+1D+2 damage), Endoguardarmor (+2D STR to resist damage; –1D Agility), helmetwith range goggles (+3D to long-range Perception andsearch rolls), comm headset. Note: Cadets will proceedwith their current orders, reguardless of the consequencesto themselves or others, until their superior — and onlythe correct superior — gives them a new one.

THE SHABDA-OUD

THE ORIGINS OF THE

HOLY SHABDA-OUD MYSTERY

These women, feared somuch they are dubbed“witches” and “whore-nuns,” are servants of the

god Jejoh and members of ahighly influential female order. The

Shabda-Oud order was destined to beimmensely powerful right from the outset.

It was founded by Techno-Popess Argatah af-ter she broke off all contact with her lover, theChurch of the Industrial Saints, taking withher some of the Church’s best-guarded secrets.From far off in space, she could easily haveconquered an entire section of the universesingle-handedly and become its empress or

divinity. Yet her chance travels through the out-ermost reaches of space dictated otherwise.

Two meetings were to mold her fate. In the outer reachesof space where the darkness is like an all-consuming liv-ing liquid, the Techno-Popess stumbled upon a giantplanet-sized female whale in labor. Driven from her hid-ing place, the animal started to charge the tiny ship thathad dared disturb her. But just as her brain was convert-ing her reflex into a conscious order, a domineering forcein amplified Alpha waves overcame her will. Before shecould even fight, the whale was subdued.

Argatah screened every part of her vast stellar captive’smind and body and found to her delight that this enor-mous and virtually indestructible mass was about to givebirth to seven baby females. And, since good things al-ways come in pairs, her mental structure showed the seedsof a distinct submissive inclination. The Techno-Popessused a subtle process of hypno-mental induction, alter-nating periods of strict punishment and consolation, tomake the whale as devoted to her as a bashful lover is tohis mistress. The seven babies underwent the same treat-ment, and with a technological arsenal attached to hercreatures, the Techno-Popess found herself at the head ofa formidable and invincible fleet.

Later in her exploration of the stellar ice floes, she dis-covered a Jejoh trapped in the salty ice. This simple crea-

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ture with his supreme conquering drive opened up newhorizons for her. His burning energizing fluid largely madeup for his rustic intellect. Now with a fleet, technologicalpower and a god, or as good as, all that was left for theformer Techno dignitary to do was to gather followersand launch the takeover of the Empire.

THE RISE OF THE ORDER

With the troops recruited, the order set to work on ahuge galactic plan to take over Imperial power. The ideawas to create a perfect Hermaphrodite that the orderwould control. Unfortunately for the Shabda-Oud witches,this ambitious scheme was also to be their downfall. Toincrease its chances of success, the order carefully choseits most beautiful followers and trained them in the subtlemysteries of sexual energy. And Jejoh taught them justhow far sensual pleasure could be taken with the “wak-ing of the hundred flowers” rite. The Shabda followersthen used their thorough mental control of every part oftheir bodies to give their sexual partners the pleasure thatwould enslave them. Hundreds of strictly trained youngShabda novices were sent out into the universe with amission to seduce and enslave the most suitable repro-ducers —the richest and most powerful and dependable—and be fertilized by the genes most likely to create theperfect Hermaphrodite. This program continued for thou-sands of years without any great success until one day,the Empire offered Honorata — a young accomplishednovice — to Metabaron Othon.

AND DOWNFALL…The operation was very nearly a success.Out of her overwhelming love for Othon, Honorata

pulled off nothing short of a miracle. She bypassed thenormal course of nature and fertilized one of her eggs atsubcellular level with a drop of Othon’s blood. But in-stead of giving birth to the perfect Hermaphrodite theShabda priestesses so yearned for, she had a son fit tosucceed his father. The purest and deep-est of emotions had changed the courseof history. With their ambitionsthwarted, the Shabda-Oud witches de-clared war against the most powerfulwar machine in the universe. Othonmanaged to destroy one of the suppos-edly invincible cetacyborgs in the firstbattle, but it was a bitter victory. Othonhad contracted an incurable disease andHonorata had to sacrifice herself. Leftalone, Aghnar, sonof Honorata andOthon, succeeded his father and vowedto hunt down and destroy the Shabda-Oud.

While Aghnar was polishing hisweapons, the Shabda witches were stilltrying to pull off their pipe dream. Onceagain, tragic and cruel fate brought theorder of the whore-nuns face to facewith the Metabaron in a brutal clash.With the help of his beautiful beloved

Oda, who he sent to infiltrate the heart of theShabda movement, Aghnar challenged and foughtthe god Jejoh and the order’s novices and superiors.He had to use all the psycho-magic skills his motherhad taught him to win the epic telepathic duel andliquefy the murderous witches’ spirits. Yet Oda’s brainalso succumbed to the assault, and the order’s sevencetacyborgs were on the verge of killing Aghnar whenHonorata appeared from the beyond to save him. As asenior initiate aware of the fabulous organic vessels’weak point, she alone could defeat them.

Yet what the anguished Aghnar and Honorata did notknow was that the Shabda-Oud order had not been com-pletely destroyed. Far off on the stellar ice floe, deep inthe Prime Temple, the ten mother superiors had watchedthe destruction of Planet Diamond and the cetacyborgsfrom afar. And they were already preparing to rekindlethe Shabda flame and form the order of the Neo-Shabda-Oud.

FURTHER READING

The Metabarons Guidebook #1 to Path of the Warriorcontains several discussions of the Shabda-Oud and someof their resources. Information on cetacyborgs can befound on pages 47–48 of this book. Details on the Neo-Shabda-Oud is located on pages 48–50.

If you are playing the Metabarons Roleplaying Game,you can find generic Neo-Shabda-Oud characters on pages50–53 of Guidebook #1. Pages 53–57 of the same bookoffer hooks and sketches for adventures involving the Neo-Shabda-Oud.

If you’re looking for a Neo-Shabda-Oud template, that’son page 281 of the rule book. Information on how thepsionics of the Shabda-Oud work in game terms can befound on pages 83–89 of the rule book.

THE METABARON

No Name was born in the year29970, son of his father-motherAghora and distant descendant ofBaron Dayal de Castaka, who tookover the planet Marmola and absorbedthe spirit of the legendary Gangez bird,one of the six Gargales of the universe.Heir to the Bushitaka tradition andfrom a long line of invinciblemetawarriors — in turn adventurers,mercenaries, and soldiers of the Em-pire — the reigning Metabaron is heroof the human race and champion ofthe Empire. He is a self-styled, protec-tive shadow who brings both hope andthreat to man. With the spirit ofGangez in him, No Name has all thepower of one of the guardians of thesix gateways of the universe. Yet hedoes not give a damn about the dutiesof his office and uses his powers solelyfor his own personal pleasure.

InquisitionAfter Argatah’s defection,

all of the Techno-TechnoOrder’s nuns suspected ofsympathizing with their se-cessionist Techno-Popessunderwent an ordered as-sault from the Techno-in-quisitors. The majority how-ever, remained faithful to theMagnus Dei, but an impla-cable handful of devoteesescaped and went into hid-ing. Hunted throughoutspace, they remained con-cealed for two long standardyears, until Argatah sent

them a mental message….

43 • The Factions

THE CASTE

Othon, No Name’s great-great-grandfather,was the first true Metabaron. He took the tradi-tion of humble service to the Mardador gatewayand the epiphyte to a higher level and transcendedthe Bushitaka. Yet nothing set him up for such alife, except perhaps his obstinate and cast-irondetermin-ation. Othon was actually a common or-phan from the gutter. Before marrying into the fam-ily, he was nothing more than a space desperadowho hung out with the wreckage looters and ship

hijackers. They had even usurped the identity of theNoble von Salza, who gave up without a fight whenthey boarded hisluxury space-yacht. Yet onceon board the pi-rate ship, vonSalza smugly in-formed theyoung Othonthat his yachtobeyed him aloneand that an invio-lable iris-basedidentity detectorprevented any-one from takinghis place. Othoncalmly returnedhis self-satisfiedsmile. Then hejumped on him,got him in a halfnelson, andripped out hiseyes.

Othon’s enroll-ment with theCastaka Castedid not redeemhim, but it did el-evate himthrough his ob-servance ofBushitaka andstrict adherenceto personal lifeprinciples. Thismove also set inmotion a tragicchain of eventsscored withdeath. Othonand each Meta-baron in turn —Aghnar, Steel-head, and

1: The Non-BaronDayal of Castaka

(13626–28686)2: The Mono-Duchess

Antigréa of Castaka(13628–13660)

3: The TwinsMyrtha and Narda

(13645–?)4: The Non-BaronBerard of Castaka

(29820–29892)5: Edna Berard of

Castaka(29861–29892)

6: The MetabaronOthon von Salza(29857–29913)

7: Honorata(29872–29918/29951)

8: Bari of Castaka(29876–29892)

9: The MetabaronAghnar von Salza

(29893–29951)10: Supra-Princess

Oda the Capricious(29899–29918)

11: Doña VicentaGabriela of Rokha

(29931-29992)12: The MetabaronSteelhead/Melmoth

von Salza(29919–29969)

13: The MetabaronAghorha von Salza

(29952–29989)14: The Metabaron

No Name(29970–)

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Aghora — would subsequently embarkon personal crusades during which theywould battle with the major forces ofthe universe or at least the great Pillarsof the Empire. The Metabaron’s auraand ruthlessness grew with each vic-tory. His battles — and the battles ofhis forefathers — helped each Meta-baron realize his true vocation, and soeach found himself becoming increas-ingly more detached from the rest ofhumankind floating in the Necro-Dream.

Today, No Name is condemned to alife of roaming solitude, tirelessly pur-sued by his equally ruthless enemies.He has fled and hidden in another uni-verse, entered using his “living gate-way” power, returning only when absolutely necessary.

THE TESTS

To become the Metabaron, it’s not enough to be borninto the right family. The child must also prove his wor-thiness. He first demonstrates his readiness to pursue themantle of Metabaron by enduring ritual mutilation. Ingeneral, this ritual happens after years of intense and vio-lent training. After this point, the future Metabaron’s truetraining begins. The child — perhaps a young adult bynow — refines his honor code and further develops hisabilities as a formidable soldier. For it is only by force,through the death of his father, that the child can becomethe supreme warrior of the universe.

THE ARSENAL

The Metabaron has long been ahead of his adversariesand has lost his taste for combat. Isolated and eternally alone,No Name lives in long, excruciating boredom. This mightbe his fate as a living gateway, but the Metabaron’s fanati-cal individualism and sharp awareness of his caste’s dra-matic lot in life have driven him to expand and transformhis office. He neither chose nor was chosen to be Gargale.He became so simply because the official Gargale passedhis position and powers on to him. Since that act, with blithedisregard for the universal balance, his immeasurable mineof power has made him equal to a god in the Human Uni-verse. Nobody can challenge him, not even the Empire andall its Endoguards. Yet, he is still mortal like all the guard-ians. But No Name is far from easy prey. His remarkableMetabaron arsenal of fantastic, ultimate-technological weap-ons — including the Metacraft, the Metabunker, and theTri-H bombs that he casually sets off — is combined withthe fabulous sources of power he can harness to form alethal extension of his own will.

With his size and power, the Metabaron is undoubt-edly one of the most fascinating figures in the universe.

THE FAMILY ARMS

There are two particularly important weapons in theMetabaron arsenal: the Metasword and the Metapistol.The nearly indestructible telescopic Metasword is made

of the Gangez bird’s incred-ibly hard spinal cord salvagedby Baron Dayal de Castaka. TheMetapistol is the only one of itskind with such special properties.It is designed to fire huge silver bul-lets at stellar werewolves, thoseenormouse hairy creatures thatroam through space from full moonto full moon.

FURTHER READING

Naturally, you can follow the historyof the Metabaron lineage in the pagesof The Metabarons comic series (whichare also compiled in trade paperbacks).

The Metabarons Guidebook #1 toPath of the Warrior offers a great deal of informationgleaned from and inspired by the pages of the first tradepaperback. You might, in particular, find these parts mostinteresting.

PEOPLE IN THE METABARONS LINE

• Non-Baron Berard of Castaka, page 9• Lady Edna of Castaka, page 8• Metabaron Othan von Salza, pages 12–13• Bari of Castaka, page 10• Honorata, pages 15–16• Agnar, page 20

SERVANTS TO THE METABARONS LINE

• Konrath, page 9• Hohenhole, pages 9–10• Iku-Tta, pages 4–5• Ika-Tua and Ika-Toa, pages 5, 6

PLACES

• Marmola, pages 22–23• Okhar, pages 23–25• Anasirma (on Okhar), page 36

TECHNOLOGY

• bio-electrogram, pages 27–28• gun sword, page 28• Maxi-protonic Tower, 30• Metabunker, pages 38–40• robo-killer, page 37• sparring robot, page 27• Tri-H torpedoes, pages 34–35

HONOR CODE

What sets the Metabaron apart from ordinary human-ity is the honor code he follows. You can get more infor-mation about the Bushitaka Honor Code on page 38 ofthe rule book and on pages 5–6 the Companion Book tothe Game Master Screen.

THE PIRATES

The pirates operate everywhere in space, robbing andpillaging transporter vessels that cross the cosmos. The

The Value andNumber of Years

Othon was just fourteen-years-old when he took vonSalza’s vessel, eyes, and iden-tity. He found two youngboys on board, eight-year-old twin brothers Konrathand Hohenhole, who wereliving in slavery as vonSalza’s servants. He tookthem along with everythingelse, and the twins never left

his side.

45 • The Factions

authorities give this name to an extremely widerange of individuals. In short, anyone that the

Empire can gain from eliminating is called a “pi-rate” — from rebels revolting against oppression bythe Nobles through petty thieves to your average Joeunlucky enough to offend someone with more power.But in actual fact, the buccaneering fraternity only ac-cepts organized bands that do enough pirating to behunted by the Empire’s forces. The pirates form a soci-ety of their own, which sometimes counteracts theEmpire’s power and control. There are countless inde-pendent bands operating close to their hideouts, as well

as larger bands capable of devising and carrying out muchmore ambitious plans.

The most famous of these groups is without doubt Cap-tain Kaiman’s band.

STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES

The organized bands of pirates are havens for outcastsfrom the Empire and the universe. They comprise men,women, mutants, and all kinds of creatures who have crossedthe red line of no return. Their only hope of survival is toflee, always staying one step ahead of the Empire’s forces.For most of them, it would be instant suicide to go to aneven remotely civilized world. However, their immense re-sources mean that they can sustain networks and branchesthat reach far into the very heart of the Imperial adminis-tration itself. Gold works miracles. The petty traffickers andsmugglers tolerated by the authorities are their go-betweens,their eyes and ears in society.

The pirates are masters in the art of camouflage. Theycan hide on the smallest asteroid and the tiniest comet.They do whatever it takes to obtain the weapons andtechnology they need to get the betterof the StellCom patrols and the localmilitia. The Endoguard units are theonly real thorn in their side, but thereare too few of them to pacify all thezones in space. So, like a huge game ofhide-and-seek, they play games withthe authorities and lay their traps onwell-traveled routes before disappear-ing into the desolate vastness of space.

Their favorite hunting grounds arearound the Techno-Tunnels in the hugeperimeter surrounding the portals,where heavy vessels have to operate atless than the speed of light. Here, theyspring out in swarms and swoop downon their prey. The pirate frigates andbrigs rush to the attack. Their speedand daring in this delicate maneuver iswondrous to behold. Show no mercy!The defense batteries punch mortalholes in the pirates’ ranks, but the lawof numbers is on their side. Theyquickly manage to open a breach andscramble for the spoils. There are tales

that some pirate commandos have been jettisoned in ajet suit, armed only with a formidable negative mine. Theyreach the tunnel’s shell, arm it, and the released antimat-ter pierces a gaping hole in the defenses.

The pirate flagship is generally an Ostrov-class ship. Itis from here that the pirate captain directs operationsfrom his position set back some stellar cable’s length fromthe battle. If victory smiles on the buccaneers, it is heretoo that the booty is divvied up and the party begins.The most callous pirates systematically kill human cap-tives, though they will use more valuable hostages to savetheir own skins.

RITES AND TALES

These terrifying cohorts of damned souls generally havelittle respect for anything, but they do like a certain formof tradition. For example, the sharing out of the bootyand R&R on Hispanola or Tortuga are always followedby a week-long orgy. Guanaguachca liqueur, the pirates’favorite tipple, flows freely at these events. They oftenalso take Tranka — the famous dangerous drug that re-lieves the harmful effects of the Necro-Dream, if you man-age to survive it.

Along the same lines, it is common practice to hazenewcomers. This can range from savage teasing to puresadism. The pirates also respect the ritual for prisonerswith no market value: the pretty women are eagerly rapedand the men thrown into space. They are forced into airlocks from which they are violently sucked into the void,much to the amusement of the crew gathered in the gang-ways. And no pirate ship would even think about goingon a raid without running up a holographic skull andcrossbones flag.

The pirates love to screech songs about illustrious pi-rates who are examples to the youngergenerations. Top of the list is obviouslyCaptain Kaiman. Then there’s “Cop-per Beard,” the fearsome armlesswoman pirate with her strange butmagnificent shiny red beard, who per-sonally decapitates her prisoners. Nextcomes “Hardheart the Cannibal,” themutant shark-headed pirate who de-vours his victims, and “Devil Shadow,”the mysterious figure of a black piratewhose face has never been seen. Thismay seem like a pleasant portrait gal-lery, but don’t forget that the pirateworld is mainly one of fear and vio-lence, and that life in their world is thecheapest commodity.

THE FIVE LEADING PIRATE

COMMUNITIES

THE WRECKERS

This group, commanded by the leg-endary Captain Kaiman, has long beenplundering intersidereal space. Their

Hispanola andTortuga

While they are houndedthroughout the cosmos, thepirates do have two safeplaces where they can rest intotal safety. Although the au-thorities think that theseplaces are pure myth,Hispanola and Tortuga re-ally do exist. They are vasthollow planets teeming withexotically varied life whereextraordinary trade has de-veloped. In particular, allsorts of illegal artificial limbsare sold to proud woundedpirates to replace their am-putated limbs without anyrisk of falling into theclutches of the Techno-

Technos.

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“mythical hide-out” Tortuga issaid to be in theBathalgar-gammasystem, but noone has everfound it. Not sur-prising really,since it is inside ahollow asteroid.Kaiman was borna Noble, but hewas abandonedby his family be-cause he had amutation. Al-though he keepsthe Paleo-Nobilisprinciples, hedeeply hates theEmpire and theNobility.

THE BLOODSUCKERS

The pirates under the fierce iron rule of CaptainHardheart — a mutant who inherited the head, aggres-siveness, and insatiable bloodthirstiness of a shark — spe-cialize in lightning raids on small and medium-sized plan-ets. The roving pirates’ armada has never yet been inter-cepted, and they are notorious for leaving no survivors.

THE HARPOONERS

These pirates are headed by Captain Marouf-the-Crazy,a “cracked” Mentrek in all senses of the term. He mur-dered Captain Karmaro to take his place when he was hisright-hand man. Marouf-the-Crazy is totally paranoid andconstantly extends his memory capacity, which makes himeven more nuts. As their name suggests, their specialty isharpooning space vessels — an art in which they excel!

THE BROTHERS OF THE FRINGE

The captain of these pirates is called Copper Beard, aredheaded woman with an enormous beard whose armswere torn off in a Troglosocialiks raid on her home planet.She survived in the midst of the worst scum in the uni-verse, driven by her avid hatred and thirst for revenge.Later, she acquired two illegal exo-bionic arms, which gaveher exceptional strength. With her new attributes, sheassembled a rabble of rogues and called them the Broth-ers of the Fringe. They operate mainly on the borders ofthe Empire, systematically attacking Colonial vessels. Noone knows where their hideout is, but it is thought thatthe Brothers of the Fringe are helped by populations re-cently conquered by the Empire.

THE BUCCANEERS OF THE OUTBACK

Commanded by Captain Devil Shadow, a black-skinnedhuman, the Buccaneers are essentially black galactic-bar-barians. They operate in the outback of space and some-times carry out missions to save Aquaend prisoners.

PIRATE TEMPLATE

This template can be used with the MetabaronsRoleplaying Game. Suggested skills are given after thegoverning attribute.

Agility 3D+1: brawling, dodge, firearms, melee com-bat, running. Knowledge 2D: survival. Mechanical3D+2: comm, gunnery, piloting. Perception 3D: con,gaming, search. Strength 3D: lift, stamina. Technical3D: demolitions, flight systems repair, personal equip-ment repair. Psionics 0D. Move 10. Character Points 5.Amarax Points 1. Honor Code: Rayah. Equipment: Ar-mored vest (+1D STR to resist damage, torso only), heavyservice pistol (5D damage), jumpsuit, 2 kublars.

THE MERCENARIES

These seemingly free men who take on and fight forany cause for the noble motive of money are actually lack-eys of the most powerful secret group in the universe: theorder of the Techno-Technos.

THE DEATH TRADE

Never in the history of humanity has life been so cheapand never have the motives for making war been so manyand the weapons so terrifying. So it is inevitable that skilledmanpower will sometimes run low. To overcome thisshocking problem, the Church of the Industrial Saints hasconstructed a system to carefully channel energy and skillsto its greatest advantage and customer satisfaction.

There is no shortage of trained veterans and younghotshots eager to fight. They are encouraged to sign upwith their nearest Mercenary Office recruitment center toprevent them from being tempted to join a dissident group,which wouldwaste their talentsand underminethe Empire. Theysimply fill in Form28B-6 and a life ofadventure istheirs. Obviously,it’s a life that willprobably be short,but the main thingis to live it to thefullest.

THE WAR

STAR

Applicants fora career as a mer-cenary are as-sembled in vastorbital centers —one per system —and then taken tothe War Star, them y s t e r i o u sTechno-Techno

The CorsairsThe Corsairs are cousins

of the pirates, although theywould take offence at beingcalled so. They have exactlythe same customs and prac-tices, but they act under or-ders from one or anotherpowerful caste, generally theEkonomat. Their combattechniques are more sophis-ticated since they generallyhave inside information,which makes their attacksless risky. The EkonomatCorsairs also have an addi-tional advantage in the formof awesome stacked hyper-

desiccating weapons.

Banzai!In its infinite wisdom, the

Church of the IndustrialSaints offers its customerssavings with the kamikaze-mercenaries. These little mar-vels have many advantages.Before the suicide operation,the volunteer’s brain is put ina Techno-trance with the in-sertion of a probe into thecortex. On impact and clini-cal death, the mercenary’spersonality is salvaged fromspace and immediatelycloned into a new body. Theonly drawback is that thenew body is untrained, al-though training takes barelyone standard month in theTechno-induction training

programs.

47 • The Factions

planet in a secret astronomi-cal location. They make the trip

in a deep artificial sleep. The realtrials start as soon as they arrive.They are examined, appraised,scrutinized, evaluated, and finallytested. The aptitude test decideswhether they make the grade. It is avirtual battle on a simulation ma-chine. The immersion effect is total.All of the soldiers’ faculties are ex-amined: reflexes, cool-headedness, de-

cision-making, reactions, survival in-stinct, determination and ferocity. Theaim is to survive as long as possible inthis virtual world, and this is the crite-rion that determines the number ofDhans attributed to each applicant.Dhans represent a mercenary’s marketvalue. It is an open scale, but no onehas ever received above 100, althoughit goes without saying that the Meta-baron is off the scale. Mercenaries typi-cally introduce themselves with some-thing like: “Marzo, from the planetSolius, dead on the sixty-third Dhan.”

The Techno-Techno order has en-deavored to rationalize the system by improving the se-lection mechanism. Hopeless candidates who die beforethe fifth Dhan in virtual reality also die in real life. Theirsurvival instinct is far too low for them to become merce-naries, and there’s no point posting them elsewhere wherelife is far too dangerous anyway.

THE IMPERIAL MERCHANTS AND

EKONOMAT TRADERS

Local trading is left up to individual initiative. The saleof food and other trivial necessities is too petty to interestthe major groups. However, stellar trade in colossal sumswith astronomical royalties is exclusively controlled bythe Imperial Merchants and Ekonomat Traders.

MISSION: PROFIT

The rarer a good, the higher its value. This goes for allcommodities from minerals and raw materials to manu-factured products produced by a population’s own spe-cial know-how. The representatives of the Guild of Impe-rial Merchants and Ekonomat Traders — alone autho-rized by the authorities to trade — travel the length andbreadth of space looking for resources and merchandisethat will supply the production chains and penetrate allsocietal levels. Dangerous missions, especially the explo-ration of chaotic zones, are often subcontracted to spe-cialized teams, and the Ekonomat Traders have a vast fleetof probe-ships working for them. The Guild leaves thejob up to the huge Techno-Techno factory-laboratoriesand their galactic sleuths, who track down even the small-est seam to be carved up.

When the riches are on a world thatbelongs to a powerful family in favorwith the Golden Palace or any otherentity whose power cannot be ignored,Merchants and Traders have to cometo a compromise. For example, theGuild’s delegation used to negotiatedwith the Castaka clan for marble onMarmola. However, they don’t thinktwice about using other methods withweak and powerless groups.

RAPTORS AND VULTURES

Backed up by the Techno-assassinlegions, their formidable metamorphs,and even the Endoguard units if needbe, the Imperial Merchants’ tradingtactics are frequently tantamount to ahard and fast dictatorial ultimatum.On Fillodendra, for example, wherehuge seams of bikramen were found,the population was given a simplechoice of leaving or dying. Led by DonNicanor Rosamel de Rokha, they chosethe second option and would surelyhave been wiped out had it not beenfor Metabaron Steelhead.

The Ekonomat Traders operate justas aggressively, albeit more discreetly, with their Corsairs.Not that they are held back by conscience or scruples.They simply cannot risk drawing the greedy attention ofthe Imperial Merchants, who would not have any qualmsabout using their dominant position to snatch the richesfrom the Ekonomat’s hands. Birds of prey are not in thehabit of giving anyone a break.

SHIPS

Getting around in the universe requires the right kindof vehicle — and the Imperial Merchants Guild and theEknomat Traders have them. You can find more informa-tion about the Imperial Merchants Guide cargodreadnaught on pages 251–252 of the MetabaronsRoleplaying Game rule book. Details on Eknomat vesselsare on pages 253–255 of the rule book.

THE NEO-TAROLOGISTS

The Neo-Tarologist caste stands apart in the Empireand even the universe for their ability to see into the fu-ture, but also and above all, because there are only fourof them.

The most well known is the Imperial Neo-TarologistGoyo-Vah, a twofold initiate who knows the mysteries ofpaleo-tarot and neo-tarot. His brain contains 78 metalshoots that constantly vibrate in two distinct planes ofreality. These extraordinary qualities make him so invalu-able that the Emperoress cannot make any major deci-sion without consulting him first. This incontestable mas-ter of the mysteries lives the life of a recluse at the Courton Golden Planet, spending most of his time studying and

The Guild’sNeo-Tradesman

Recent diploma-holdingguild graduates, the neo-tradesmen search by everymeans possible to make upthe cost of their studies andput into practice the fruit oftheir theoretical courses.Their sole priority is to buy,sell, extort, lie, deceive, makeprofitable, amass, accumu-late, and rake in the greatestamount of kublars possiblein the shortest amount oftime. The unspoken dreamof these pure products of thesystem is invariably to be rec-ognized by the highest com-mercial spheres of the Guild— a promise of financialnotice and social status, aswell as a future rich in

kublars.

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meditating. He is a reference for all the other Neo-Tarologists, who consider themselves to be his students,even if they do not admit as much.

The second most well-known Neo-Tarologist in the uni-verse is Raymonde le Rubis, who calls herself a “galacticneo-prophetess.” Also a palmist when the fancy takes her,Raymonde practices neo-palmistry in a traveling stellar cir-cus that performs from galaxy to galaxy. She has a flatter-ing reputation, and some of her predictions made live onhuge hypertele shows are famous throughout the entireuniverse. Raymonde’s other talents include fortune tellingusing her famous ruby — a huge 5,682-carat stone, whichnever leaves her side. A handful of well-informed people —three to be precise — know that the ruby is actually themineral stomach of an insectoid creature who lives with itshead in a membrane that is an inexhaustible source of igne-ous honey. However, what no one knows it that Raymondeis really just an android puppet controlled by the insect,which is the one that really has the divining powers.

Next comes Occiputal-Cogito, a rather special kind ofNeo-Tarologist. He was awakened in the same way asGoyo-Vah, with the insertion of 78 metal shoots into hisbrain. But Occiputal-Cogito is different. His body is hisbrain, a huge, three-meter wide cephalic sphere immersedin a liquid regenerator. The 78 shoots are planted likeneedles in a ball of wool made of soft pinkish flesh, mak-ing them look like a crown of thorns. Each shoot is linkedby a bluish piezoelectric arc to a relay console. This isconnected by a glass cable a few meterslong to another brain ten times larger.Occiputal-Cogito is the divining brainof Central Planet’s Supreme CentralBrain.

The last member of this tiny caste isRenovahl, a mutant Neo-Tarologistwho lives on the planet Novahl-Re, asmall sphere lost in the beyond whoseprimitive population worships him asa virtual god. As you would fully ex-pect, Renovahl is an ally of the aliensand mutants who abound in the area.Renovahl was crossbred from humanchromosomes and a plant gene, givinghim a long neck that grows not unlikea palm tree. The head at the end of hisneck — easily recognizable from its haloof 78 brilliant rings — is never the lat-est. It regularly withers and dries up tobe replaced by another bud.

Renovahl is currently on his 121sthead. A prophecy tells of a major up-heaval when he reaches his 333rd head.

THE AMOK REBELS

The Amok is a hideout for mutineers,deserters, and rebels who live in its vastunderground structure, which harborsthe most down-and-out creatures of the

catacombs and extends its influence over nu-merous worlds. In addition to taking in, caringfor and helping dissidents from all over, the Amokrebels constantly fight the established order. In theendocities, the Prez is their enemy and the robocops,their adversaries. Although they are openly at war withthe Empire and its henchmen, their tactic is mainly tohelp out in small ways, which, although daring, arelimited in their effectiveness. The Amok can also befound on all planets with good reason to rebel.

The Amok is highly structured, organized, and oper-ates under the unchallenged authority of the “God-mother.” Few know her real identity, but everyone in theghetto respects her sovereignty. The Godmother is thequeen of the Amok, the power of the depths — this se-cret, buried place from where she directs dissidence.

Next come the Madonnas, the mistresses of the under-world. They are the voice and conscience of the God-mother everywhere the Amok is found. They make surethat the rebellion is properly organized and keep the sa-cred flame burning.

Last but not least, come the military wing, the Chil-dren of the Amok, a huge motley crew without any realstructure, but with three distinct adult sub-groups — aslisted below — plus one group for the children, the Kids.

• The Guards: Soldiers, assassins, sentries• The Resources: Volunteers helping in various areas:

supplies, technical, mechanical• The Watch: Moles, secret agents• The Kids

THE CHILDREN OF THE AMOK

The Guards carry out the Amok’sground operations, which does notmean that they are the only ones pre-pared to fight. All the members of theAmok are armed rebels, but theGuards are specialized and seasonedtroops. They are formidable warriors,albeit slightly underarmed.

The Resources are the largest Amokgroup, accounting for 80% of therebellion’s numbers. These millions ofwilling volunteers support the God-mother and her Children every day,sometimes with just the simplest gesture.

The Watch group’s moles and secretagents are active but discreet combat-ants who infiltrate the order’s machin-ery and risk their lives for the cause.

Last but not least, the Kids aremade up of the hundreds of thou-sands of rebel children who inhabitthe murky levels of the Endocitiesand the ghettos of other worlds.They roam the streets in gangs, pinchanything that could be useful, andeavesdrop on everyone.

Hypertele RebelFrom their secret hideout

on the artificial satellite Si-erra Maestra, a tiny archeo-castroite group sends out un-authorized broadcasts acrossthe galaxies, exhorting theoppressed masses to take uparms and overturn dictatorsof all kinds. Without anyforewarning, a holographicimage of the archeo-castroiteicon “paleo-Che” unexpect-edly appears in the most im-probable places, and entersinto an inflammatory dis-course suitable for wakingthe dulled conscious ofpeople plunged into theNecro-Dream. The authori-ties make half-hearted at-tempts to track down theseactivists, whose actions, in-stead of stirring up hard-lineterrorism, most often resultin bringing about folkloric

notions of nostalgia.

49 • The Factions

COMMON PROFESSIONS OF THE

HUMAN EMPIRE

ENDOCITIES

3DTV Cameraman3D JournalistAmok RebelAmorine GuardianAristoBody Guard (upper levels)

Body GuardDefused MentrekDetectiveDrug DealerFallen AristoGuild MerchantMentrekMercenaryO’lock (Thief)PilotPre-detective (apprentice)ProstituteProto-HistorianPublic PreacherRed Ring ProstituteRetrained Urban HunterSecurity AgentTraffickerUpper-Level ProstituteUrban Terrorist

SEMI-INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONS

3D ReporterAthleto-actorBody GuardColonial DoctorColonial EngineerColonial ExplorerColonial OfficerColonial SoldierDiplomat Spies

Exiled NobelFallen NobelGalacto-GladiatorGuild MerchantLock CharmerMajor World AmbassadorMentrekMekanicMercenaryNeo-TroubadourNobelPaleo-ArchaeologistPaleo-PriestPilotSpy TerroristStar ChaserTrafficker

ILLEGAL PROFESSIONS

Accursed PoetAmok RebelAmorine GuardianDefused MentrekGeologist-PillagerGarbage CollectorIndependent MercenaryNews-Terrorist/3DTV PiratePiratePsionic InitiateShabda-Oud InitiateSmugglerTrafficker

PIRATES

Amourine GuardianDefused MentrekLock CharmerMekanicMercenaryO’lock (thief)Paleo-PriestPilotPrivate Secret Agent

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Daily life in the amazing, swarming universe of theMetabaron presents itself in many different shapes andforms. Indeed, life in an Endocity isn’t remotely like thelife one leads in the still-savage zones of a wild pioneerplanet on the outer fringes. In a macrocosmic world thatfully embraces all possible and conceivable realties fromone end of the universe to another, and even to the fur-ther beyond, lifestyles can be nothing but extremely di-verse. Even within a given category of worlds, such as theMaganat planets isolated in space, the blossoming ofpurely local customs and attachment to habitual protocoland conventions have given birth to a range of behaviorsand customs unprecedented in their richness. Elsewhere,the unique prevailing conditions of a particular environ-ment, combined with its imposed constraints, have fash-ioned quite specific lifestyle habits. Even within the thou-sands of Endocities scattered about the cosmos, where itmight seem that a certain uniformity reigns, one is wit-ness to the hatching of atypical customs and practices thathave never been seen before.

As varied and rich as daily life may be, a certain num-ber of general characteristics may be found everywherethroughout the Human Universe. The fact that the Hu-man Universe is ruled by a single and unique power, thatof the Emperoress Janus-Jana, helps to impart a certainappearance of homogeneity. The tutelary shadow of theTrans-Bourbon royal line literally formats the powergames played out on all of the worlds in the universe.

Nevertheless, groups and factions of a certain weightalso strive to leave their mark on as many worlds as pos-sible. The representatives of the Techno-Techno Order andthe merchants of the Ekonomat are present across everygalaxy and, along with them, the people they control. Asa result, even the residents of the most receded Colonialplanets along with the inhabitants of the Endocities andthe Maganats share the same language, consume the sameproducts, and draw from the same reference source —the hypertele.

The Human Universe’s unifying fac-tors don’t stop there. Indeed, all its in-habitants dispersed over billions of lightyears have at one time or another hadthe occasion to feel like they belong tothe same community. For example, if ahorde of galacto-barbarians, a troop ofoverly excited pirates, or a swarm ofunfriendly alien ships comes sweepingthrough a system, immediately its popu-lation remembers that they are also sub-jects of an empire endowed with an ef-fectively dissuasive defense system witha very powerful striking force. In thisway, the Endoguard contributes to thecollective memory as much as any am-bassador, making everyone feel that

they are part of the same whole. And in a bizarre way,the dark vessels and disquieting silhouettes of theTechno-Techno dignitaries, hidden behind their opaqueglasses, produce the same effect. Their omnipresencereminds everyone everywhere that the universe is Ja-nus-Jana’s Empire.

Of course, the etiquette and protocol worries of some,political considerations of others, immediate material con-cerns for the greater part, and the shortsighted thinking ofthe large majority make one think that daily life here doesn’tnecessarily have anything remotely to do with daily life there.Still, the powerful range of common references which ce-ment together this mosaic of Dantesque proportions that isthe Human Universe, is never called into question. And thisuniverse maintains a coherent, if not harmonious, whole inwhich every citizen of the Empire can find something withwhich he is familiar, even if he is lost in the lower levels ofan Endocity or on a representative mission from a planetbelonging to the Maganat or adrift in some progressive trad-ing post on a pioneer planet.

Obviously there are nuances according to where one is— the innermost depths of Terra 1314, at Court on theGolden Planet, or mixing with the locals on a Colonialplanet — or with whom one is rubbing shoulders — acondescending mono-duke from the Arch-Nobility, a wildplotter from the clan of some Kamar, or a passive chapzombified by the hypertele. All the same, there are a cer-tain number of constants that can be found in almost allof the before-mentioned scenarios.

DIET AND NUTRITION

In every corner of the Human Universe, in space, onorbiting stations and absolutely every planet, its inhabit-ants must eat. But they don’t all eat the same thing. Of allthe domains susceptible to showing a certain uniformity,this one is, without a doubt, the most varied and diverse.One doesn’t eat the same thing in the middle of an agrar-ian Maganat planet where paleo-agriculture is still prac-

ticed that one would in an Endocityor on the planets of an industrialMaganat.

Nevertheless, two great distinct ten-dencies stand out. In fact they repre-sent the two extremes of the wide rangeof nutritional possibilities: paleo-bio-logical nutrition on one side and syn-thetic on the other. On preservedworlds, where according to certainpoints of view an archeo-backwardstype of culture is still practiced, onecan eat a large range of culinary prepa-rations made of fruit and vegetables,each one more exotic than the next.The richness of the local fauna enablesthe enhancement of everyday menus,

E V E R Y D A Y L I F E

The Food ChainIn the Endocities, the up-

per-level ring is the first tobe restocked with fresh foodand produce. The leftoversfrom the upper levels are dis-persed directly to the nextlevel below and so on to thenext until they reach the city-shafts. In the lowest regionsof the shafts, even food pre-servatives arrive rotten, wellpast their use-by date.

with an increased number ofchoices. However, the degree of

culinary refinement varies accord-ing to the milieu. A table of top dig-nitaries may be offered the most de-lightful and delicious-tasting dishes,while the common dish of the infe-rior casts is much more akin to a vilegruel than anything else.

In the Endocities, and on planetsdevoured by industry — the multi-progressive worlds as some say — the

nutritional perspectives are less inter-esting. The supply of fresh products is inversely propor-tional to demographic size. And the populations are co-lossal. There are some hydroponic-produce farmers, par-ticularly in the industrial ring of the Endocities, but thecolor and the taste of these crops are at best suspicious.In fact, the synthetic proteins produced by the pan-Technofactories make up the nutritional base. As they have notaste, they can be given absolutely any flavor, and theirconsistency can be modified to satisfy whatever one’s heartdesires. Of course with kublars, one can always importany exotic sweet at great expense.

How does a hyperrich far-future universe do a worsejob feeding its lower orders than the worst twenty-firstcentury first-world slum on Terra Prima? Sheer adminis-trative indifference. No one at the top cares. No one atthe bottom has any power to alter or avoid the mono-lithic system.

ARMAMENT

Where armament is concerned, one can procure justabout anything that the creative imagination of theTechno-Techno researchers and the great industrialMaganat engi-neers are capable of inventing. And the listis long. Of course all of this is for a price. For those whohave a sufficient budget at their disposal, there is no stop-ping them from equipping themselveslike a space cruiser.

For the most common of hoodlums,there are standard knives, bats, andclubs, more or less improved with op-tions such as the Vibrashock function.These trifles are available absolutelyanywhere in the universe. On this sub-ject it should be said that a great num-ber of nobles — authentic and impos-tors alike — often parade around withone or several swords on their belts.For more serious or enterprising clients,there are other articles also availableon the market. There is an entire rangeof firearms and defense pistols — Vi-per models among others — just theclassic run-of-the-mill type stuff. Morerefined, but more expensive, the laseris always well appreciated by those inthe know. Its versatility and efficiency

make it a true wonder, seeing that itgets the better of all materials that arenot equipped with calo-dispersive de-vices. However, the laser presents theinconvenience of being easily detected,giving rise to instant sanctions that areparticularly dissuasive (that is, execu-tion without warning).

For those who are truly ambitious,there is the last word in arms: OKOmissiles, Remora bombs, heavy sonics,hand sonics for combat in atmosphere(supremely destructive, capable of an-nihilating every reinforcement as soon

as the wave packets start resonating with any and all mate-rials in their reach), plasma arms (effective in extra-atmo-spheric space, including hand guns, rifles, and heavy weap-onry), and wonder of wonders — the multi-cogan which iscompact, easy to use, and combines all of the principles ofdestruction (laser, plasma energy, multi-caliber projectiles,and grenades). With its hallucinating rate of fire, the coganimparts to each man equipped with it, a striking force equalto that of a standard commando (50 men). Obviously, theselittle things are absolutely unavailable for official trade.Those who sell multi-cogans are generally at odds with thelaw and, not surprisingly, keep their prices high.

Despite their danger, arms and weapons in the HumanUniverse are omnipresent. There are several reasons forthis phenomenon. Firstly, on the Colonial and Maganatplanets, the existence of local autonomous military forcesjustifies the presence of every type or kind of arm, and inlarge quantities. Secondly, a great number of Maganatsare arms manufacturers for the Endoguard. Under thetechnical aegis of the Techno-Technos, they manufactureengines of war, of which an appreciable part disappearsdirectly into parallel circuits. Thirdly, in the Endocities,authorities close their eyes as to the armament of anti-authority groups, such as the anarcho-psychotics, as itassures “bloody” animation without actually jeopardiz-

ing the political balance of power. Fi-nally, everywhere in space, enormousquantities of diverse engines (drillinglasers, polymagnetic ballistics, and soon) and numerous explosive com-pounds can be diverted from theiroriginal usage to hyperdestructive ends.

Nonetheless, defensive weapons canbe had. They just cost more, requirebetter connections to get, are less avail-able, and need better explanationswhen caught with them. Rememberthat virtually all good weapons are il-legal. However, the written law is onething. Enforcement is another. Who aperson’s connections are counts farmore than the law.

Lastly, no section on armamentswould be complete without mention-ing several of the extremely lethal vec-tors (Biokill or Biocidex, hyperdrying

ProfitabilityCalculations

In general, offensive weap-ons are favored to the detri-ment of defensive arms. Afoot soldier costs less kublarsthan a protonic shield. Onlythe Empire and the Techno-Techno order have effectivedefense systems at their dis-posal. In this respect and inthe greatest of secrecy, theChurch of the IndustrialSaints manufactures robo-killers and weapons of anunsurpassed sophistication.

A La CarteThe nobles love eating

endangered species. This cui-sine is extremely trendy. Asa result, hunters have onlyone thing in mind: extermi-nating animals as quickly aspossible, imperiling the sur-vival of the species and get-

ting higher prices.

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bundles, and others). Capable of completely eradicatinglife in entire sectors of the cosmos, these weapons havebeen secretly obtained by larger factions such as theEndoguard, the Church of the Industrial Saints, and eventhe Ekonomat.

DECADENCE AND CORRUPTION

If there are two words that have taken on their fullmeaning during these last few hundreds of thousands ofyears, they would be the words “decadence” and “cor-ruption.” Humanity’s expansion and development havecertainly not progressed in the sense of expanding uponbetter qualities that are generally thought of as the finerside of human nature. Rather, there has been a reinforce-ment of the basest human qualities associated with man.The end result being that never have appetites for powerbeen so sharpened, and never have those who have held abit of power exercised it with such haughtiness towardsthe weak or with such determination to outright abusethis power.

Decadence is everywhere. It is highly visible despite thepomp and ceremony that comprises the highest parts ofthe Empire, particularly at Court and in the Emperoress’sentourage where one vies with ingenuity in order to wal-low in debauchery. Decadence stomps out even the small-est moralistic feeling as if it were a kitchen cockroachspreading itself out monstrously, consuming all worlds,and taking on a most particular dimension in theEndocities. Paradoxically, the chaste Techno-Technos, withtheir rigor and discipline, end up setting a good examplein comparison. But once one is aware of their secretgoals….

From time to time, grace and beautyshow up in an individual. But theNecro-Dream is watching, and rapidlyman’s lowest instincts, brilliantly flat-tered, come out in full force, showingtheir strength. The systematic dissolu-tion of the appreciation of effort, duty,and heightened aspirations translatesinto the disappearance of the sense ofbeauty and aesthetics among most be-ings, who thus take pleasure in a stateof blind satisfaction. Today art is dead,and the only thing that counts is in-stantaneous satisfaction derivedthrough pursuit of the lowliest of plea-sures.

There is general corruption amongall who are not already under the strictcontrol of an anti-corruption machine.For bio-flesh is weak: it relents and be-comes corrupt. And so if one is as vainas he is suicidal, by proposing kublarsto an Endoguard in return for a favor,there is no stopping him from tryingthe same with a StellCom agent, a quar-ter-master serving a Maganat, or anyother human — and weak — individualfrom the universe.

TABOOS AND RESTRICTIONS

In a period where human life has lost all of itsintrinsic value, murder is no longer really forbidden.Likewise, the disappearance of all collective moralslifted a great number of sanctions on prohibited actsthat were once considered as taboo on Terra Prima.Debauchery, luxury, and even incest have been re-es-tablished — moreover, encouraged. The strongest lawdecrees these rights, and there is no longer an ethic toprotect anyone or anything from excesses of all kinds.

However, what remains absolutely outlawed are at-tempts against the Imperial power and those who incar-nate it. Maligning Janus-Jana’s majestic person is tanta-mount to a death wish. If a type of rebellion is tolerated,for the needs of political show, it shouldn’t in any way beexaggerated to the point of sacrilege. The Endoguard isvigilant, and even the smallest initiative is repressed. Inthe same way, in their own sphere of influence the mostpowerful factions are constantly on the lookout for thesigns of respect they deem themselves due. Therefore, anomitted mark of respect to an inferior grade Techno-Techno delegate, or even to a petty noble from a lesserNobility, can result in extreme consequences.

LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT

Where life is harsh, bitter, and austere, opportunities toamuse oneself are rare. In certain corners of the universe, aglass of whiskey is often the only available form of distrac-tion. But these are extreme conditions. For as soon as hu-

man presence reaches a certain concen-tration, it is systematically accompaniedby at least the minimum necessary andvital for amusement: the hypertele. Ah,the hypertele and its cohorts of perkypresenters! It’s good times for everyone:entire bottom spreading, flabby belly-growing days, with lobotomy eyes red-der than hyperrubies staring straightahead, mouths open wide, a bit of spithanging from the lip, and of course acompletely empty mind.

If it assures peace in the Endocitiesand all of the Empire’s urban concen-trations, it is considered entertainmentand it isn’t only provided by thehypertele. Death combats, ball-trapsuicides, bets on the number of catas-trophe victims, and mutant hunts allallow some fun and relaxation.

For the privileged in the upper lev-els and the rich nobles in their fief, thereexist even more sophisticated types ofleisure activities. Orgies are a grandclassic as well as other debauchery ses-sions where one wolfs down incrediblequantities of food, drink, and variedsubstances, pushing the territories ofdepravity and luxury to their extreme

The Urban HuntUrban hunting is a popu-

lar leisure time activity inwhich numbers of Endocityinhabitants enjoy partaking.The principle is simple: hu-man citizens, having ob-tained the appropriate per-mit, are authorized to elimi-nate, by every or any meanspossible, the underage mu-tants present outside of themutant quarter, or those whodo not respect the curfew.The hunters found violatingthe permit terms benefitfrom an extreme leniency.The success of the urbanhunt is such that numerousplanets have taken up thesame idea, broadening it toinclude other individual cat-egories such as deviants, pa-

riahs, and the like.

53 • Everyday L

ife

limits. But there is also the hunt at court, withthe tracking of serf and churls, and then most of

all, there is war. The Empire tolerates small localconflict, as it helps contribute to openings in industryand even better, because it is extremely entertaining.

Finally at Court, one amuses oneself with refine-ment and cruelty. Some extensive galactic debacles areencouraged — much like the paleo-wars of religion —to help remind the universe where the real power lies.An infinite multitude of events are held where one canmalign others, get drunk, show off, plot against, andeven discretely poison another.

DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND HALLUCINOGENS

Or “Whiskey, SPV, and homeosluts”— the triptych ofhappiness in these lowliest of worlds. Under Janus-Jana’srule, conduct that would seem shocking to Terra Prima’spaleo-habitants has since become established behavior, andeven encouraged.

The regular and excessive consumption of alcohol is partof the social norm, just as is the taking of psychotropic drugs.There exist even “official” drugs, SPV and Cocaloco Dark,whose production and distribution are endorsed by the au-thorities, at least in the Endocities. These synthetic substancescan be smoked, injected, or ingested through any naturalorifice. Their effects are strong, but without any surprises.Oblivion can be obtained with a certain amount of relax-ation. However, they don’t allow one to reach new mysticalheights or dimensions.

But the range of drugs does not stop there. One canfind any number of other products that procure variedeffects: calming, curative, sedative, stimulating, invigorat-ing, hallucinogenic, or straight out mystical — psycho-tropic. Among the most popular substances, one mustmention Guanaguacha, the favorite liquid drug of the pi-rates, or even Tranka, which has quite intriguing regen-erative properties.

In any case, drugs aren’t governed by law, and no oneis prosecuted for having consumed drugs. But what mayseem like a conquest of personal liberties, is in fact part ofthe general outline of a grander plot. The population,dulled and dumb-struck, is then that much more easilymanipulated.

Thus with the Empire’s consent, the Techno-Technos

dump tons of their miracle molecules on entire popula-tions who then voluntarily enter, glassy-eyed and grim-mouthed, into the Necro-Dream.

HOMEOSLUTS

Fruit of the Techno-Technos’ creative genius, thehomeosluts represent the height of hedonistic instruments.A veritable “a la carte” menu of choices, the homeoslut isinterchangeable, according to the client’s choice and moodof the moment. There exists an infinite number of possiblecombinations. This literal stock exchange of fantasies is ableto respond to all desires, even the most ludicrous. The soleand only standard organ is the brain. All of the others arethe choice of the consumer. Homeosluts are a sophisticatedapplication, combining the most advanced teflo-genetic tech-nology. The homeosluts offered are not exclusively female.Male models, mutants, animaloids, and aliens are equallyavailable. The homeoslut market coexists with a classic hu-man prostitution market.

MEDIA

With a multigalactic communications network, the me-dia is obviously omnipresent in the Human Universe. Onereally has to live at the outer edge of a desert on someabandoned planet in a blasted solar system to be isolatedfrom the media’s influence. However, the media’s far-reach-ing breadth is not synonymous with diversity. Surely thereexists an infinite number of channels and stations, butthey all echo the Empire’s official message, and even theentertainment programs proclaim the great glory of Ja-nus-Jana. Moreover, beyond the media’s submissiveness

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to the Empire’s power, it must not beforgotten that the media is an instru-ment of power for the Techno-Technos,caretakers of this powerful technology,and the means of propagation for theirword. It is their vector of influence.

The People for Nobody show, whichis broadcast nonstop on channel 3231,is the perfect example of the way inwhich they slowly diffuse their mortalpoison — the Necro-Dream — into theminds of mil-lions of billions of theuniverse’s inhabitants. At an epoquewhere one might believe that technol-ogy has finally freed humans from thebondage of their constraints, it seemsthat instead, it is used to weave otherones, more lethal than anyone has everknown.

However, all hope is not strictly lost,because even though it is rare, some fa-natics endeavor to alert, inform, andwarn. These devotees, having a line ofconduct known as “Veritas” and whoseorder’s motto is “the world has the rightto know,” work to track down the truth everywhere andalert the universe in the hope of awaking it. To this end,they have started up parallel communication networks andinformative informal broadcasts. But their task not easy,and the road before them is mined with pitfalls and traps.

ARTS, CULTURE, AND SPORTS

Art is dead. However, artistic pretension is more alivethan ever, and there exists a flourishing market where col-ored heaps of different shapes, pompously baptized as“works of art,” are exchanged for millions of kublars. Inthe Endocity’s upper levels, the predominant trend is flashwith works that make the worst of Terra Prima’s “kitch”creations look like absolute marvels of paleo-modern art.If art is dead, then one can say that culture is at death’sdoor. Intellectual works are only found interesting if theyhave practical applications. This is why the Mentreks arethe only ones working in this domain, their intellectualtalent tending towards the “mechanical.”

This lack of “appreciation” for paleo-works has noth-ing to do with the high prices jaded collectors will pay topossess them. The “collector” may not have an estheticclue as to what she is collecting. Collecting is a potlatchceremony to prove wealth and status. Even illegally ob-tained works can add status by associating the “collec-tor” with yet another pathway to the forbidden. At a highenough social level, law does not apply and even scandalcan have its public relations value.

On the other hand, sports — which were the fascina-tion of Terra Prima’s inhabitants — have survived andeven developed considerably. The sense of competitionhas become more intense, heightened to a point wherethe thousands of sports events organized each day inevi-tably result in almost as many violent deaths. But that’s

the harsh reality of sportscompetition and the price ofsuccess for the sports stations onthe hypertele. The death rate ofsportsmen and other athleo-actorsis even greater due to the fact thatthe taking of any and all imaginabledrugs is favorably looked upon. Theshow must go on….

FASHION TRENDS

In the clothing department, thechoice available is as immense as theuniverse itself. Anything that the mostintoxicated of paleo-designers on TerraPrima could have dreamed up one dayunder the influence of the hallucino-genic and stimulating effect of a Mexi-can shroom is nothing compared towhat one finds in the Empire. Never-theless, even in this richly colored swirl-ing whirlwind, one can identify threeclear and distinct tendencies.

First of all, giving honor to whomhonor is due, there is the style of the high Nobility, whichprevails at Court on the Golden Planet and among themost swanky of the Maganats. Inventive, even whimsi-cal, it blends with relative success the finery of TerraPrima’s Renaissance and the most innovative fibers, ele-ments, and materials. All of the most harebrained, eccen-tric extremes have been attempted, but showing an errorof taste is considered to be a supreme risk, because themost deceitful tongues will go out of their way to decrythat which just yesterday everyone agreed was “all therage.”

Next, most common as well as being the ruling style onpioneer, warrior, and industrial planets; space explora-tion stations; merchant ships; and combat vessels, as wellas anywhere men devote themselves to labor and surren-der themselves to battle, is combat and work attire. Al-though practical, it screams and makes a commotion inthe Endocities (with the exception of the industrial lev-els), on the Maganat planets, and it must be mentioned,on the Golden Planet.

Finally, more recognizable than any other style is thestrict, almost psycho-rigid Techno-Techno uniform, whichachieves a certain look, especially with their smokedglasses.

COMMERCE

On an intergalactic scale, trade is dominated by boththe Imperial Merhcants Guild — a product of the Churchof the Industrial Saints — and the merchants of theEkonomat. It is they and they alone who deal with theimport and export of raw materials as well as every rareproduct present on the planets of the universe.

However, locally, even if it is not explicitly encouragedby the authorities, private initiatives are not curbed. Private

When HistoryFalls Short…

Humanity’s artistic heri-tage, consisting of paleo-works created over centuriesof time, still exists but onlyas preserved through a me-dium that renders the read-ing and studying of this heri-tage tedious as well as futile.The rare students who areinterested in these studiesrisk being drowned in adocumentary hodgepodgethat is excruciatingly boring,and more than often deterio-rated, incomplete or falsified.This fact hardly encouragesthe new generations to turntowards their own cultural

heritage.

55 • Everyday L

ife

enterprise must respect certain limits, though, andnever reach the point of major expansion if it doesn’t

want to incur the striking severity and rigor of anomnipresent and finicky administration. Simply thismeans that one can nosh on a strange dish in a greasyspoon run by a friendly cook from Alderbaran V, have adrink in a seedy bar whose owner is being actively hunteddown by militia from his native planet, or procure vari-ous items in a boutique or trading post managed by someadventuring voyager.

In the Endocities, the number of workshops is muchmore important than on other planets, but they are much

more strictly controlled. On the Mag-anat and Colonialplanets, a relatively important type of craft industry hasblossomed. Those involved in the craft industry are notassured a galactic fortune, but they can attain a certainwealth. Great numbers of specialized sectors have beencreated, and depending upon local particularities, one canacquire the fruit of the efforts of these extremely skilledartisans and craftsmen, as well as the products and by-products of strange animals bred for their meat and fur.

MONETARY SYSTEM

The kublar is the official money of the Empire and isused as legal tender everywhere. Thus, even on the outermost isolated planets, at the edges of the barbarian con-fines, a purse full of kublars guarantees safe conduct andthe buying power needed to acquire sustenance and sub-sistence. A huge network of banks and credit establish-ments, exclusive property of the Ekonomat, services allof the Universe. This powerfully secret and possibly oc-cult group has their hands on all the cogs and gears ofthe Empire’s finances, managing the Empire’s assets, theMaganat and Colonial investments, and supervising allmovements of capital throughoutthe Empire down to and includingthe smallest of galaxies. Every citi-zen of the Empire can open a bankaccount and have access to theirmoney in any of the branch offices,but only the most fortunateare able to take advantage of thisconvenience.

For those who are more or lessmarginal, the services of the bankcan end up being a double-edgedsword. Certainly, one can avoid theinconvenience of having to travelwith large sums of money — elimin-ating the risk of pirate attacks, en-joy the luxury of a secure form ofpayment — thanks to a system thatre-cognizes the iris of the eye — andan easy way to ob-tain cash. Butthese banks become also the abso-lute enemy of discretion. The tech-nical tools used for banking servicesare so powerful that one can be in-

stantly tracked. For those who want to be forgotten, us-ing a bank account adds up to about the same as handingoneself over to the authorities. In this scen-ario, one mustfind other elements of negotiation: minerals, gems, valu-able information, etc.

BLACK MARKET AND CONTRABAND

Everything can be bought, and everything is for sale.All things are manufactured, or can be made, and na-ture has generously created incredible quantities of liv-ing organisms — animal, vegetable, and mineral —from diverse resources. It is therefore almost bad willto have poorly stocked market stalls. Yes, but alas,commerce and trade represent an instrument of power,a potent lever used to amass fortunes and control themasses. This is why official commerce is either in thehands of the Imperial Merchants Guild, originatingfrom the Church of the Industrial Saints, or with theEkonomat’s tradesmen.

Where there is money to be made, people have alwaysknown how to best use their imaginations. Consequently,parallel markets are booming. These illegal markets arenot without risk for the seller and the buyer, because prod-uct quality is not guaranteed, and there is no after-salescustomer service.

Used as a propagation vector for the Necro-Dream in theEndocities, the illegal commerce of drugs, weapons, andother instruments of pleasure is conducted with the quasi-benediction of the authorities. However, in space, the sameleniency does not exist. Furthermore, pirates and smugglersare heavily armed, and skirmishes with the StellCom pa-trols, local armies, or worse the Endoguard, are extremelyviolent. On the Maganat planets, everything depends uponthe local lord’s mood, and although certain traffickers getoff lightly, others may be flayed to death.

MEDICINE AND

HEALTHCARE

More than 30,000 years after thepaleo-prophet and as during everyperiod of life on Terra Prima, healthis considered a treasured possessionthat must be preserved. Under thereign of Janus-Jana, never have hu-mans had at their disposal so manypossibilities to overcome physicalpain and injury of every type andnature. But it should be said thatthere have never been so many op-portunities to hurt oneself. Themost adventurous are always at themercy of a mutant virus or a newunknown germ. The most hot-headed people risk at every momentthe possibility of being burned, per-forated, cut, mutilated, or simplydisemboweled. But even the mosttranquil homebodies are not com-

MiscellaneousExpenses(in kublars)

FoodRaw lizard snack (25cl): 30Polyvaren juice (25cl): 25Geidig mermaid caviar (10g): 100Bio-vita-steak (100g): 10Elephantodonte milk (1L): 3

DrugsDelicious Lupium (single dose): 5Silo-amphets (single dose): 3SPV (single dose): 5Guanagouachka (1L): 10Na-Nam (single dose): 6D.S.T. (single dose): 4M.J. Carnivore Oil (single dose): 7Homemade whiskey (1L): 2

Mega-Antibio (10): 2

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pletely safe, because the condhomescan be mistaken as targets, the abuseof SPV mixed with cocaloco can burnout neurons, and homeosluts may beinfected with psycho-emotional para-sites that transform them into killingorganisms known as “killersluts.”

So what to do if one is sick or in-jured? Once again, everything dependsupon the means one has at their dis-posal. If one only has a handful ofkublars, better go buy a whiskey andsome SPV. But if money is no object,the health services robo-surgeons fromeach Endocity’s white ring or fromHospital planet can certainly makemiracles happen. Nevertheless, withtheir creed being “better to cut than toheal,” it might be more prudent to ob-tain some medicine and contact a de-fused Mentrek normally unauthorizedto practice medicine, or consult paleo-mystic people with pythotherapeuticknowledge on some faraway planet.

MORTALITY

The mortality rate isn’t fluctuating,nor is it variable or balanced. It is sim-ply elevated. In fact, that’s about the leastthat can be said. In a period where onecan live several hundred standard years,where science allows the regenerationof organisms, surgery replaces faulty or-gans, and medicines allow one to ignoreattacks on the body by bacterial disease,well despite all, people die a lot. In fact, when dawn arrives,the chances of seeing the twilight aren’t that great. And ac-cording to where or whom one is, the chances may even benull.

There are several causes to explain this phenomenon.First of all, there exist methods and secrets for an increasedand even grand longevity, but the price is prohibitive, ren-dering these secrets completely inaccessible to the com-mon mortal. In addition, life is not highly valued. TheNobility draws cheerfully from the population as a sourceof slave labor or simply for their own amusement. Thereare also the epidemics, experiments, wars, and commerce.So many mortal activities. Finally, in this somber universewhere depression is omnipresent, suicide has become amanner of expressing oneself — a new art form.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communicating in this cyclopean universe is not simple.Nevertheless, thanks to the mastery of the extreme bandsof the polyhyperfrequencies (a Techno-Techno discoverythat immediately resulted in thousands of interested par-ties), all of the inhabited worlds live in a quasi-synchro-nized manner. Technically, all of the information emittedinto space is sequenced into sets of multicryptic logic,

able to sweep throughTechno-Techno Tunnels with-out support materials, then dif-fused on to the four corners ofthe Human Universe through theuse of hyperfast relays (HFR).Thus, the hypertele programs canbe seen simultaneously by millionsof billions of spectators at millionsof light years of distance. Of course,certain channels are strictly reservedfor official communications(Endoguard and Stell-Com), and thewealthiest of Maganats have boughtfrequencies, which are reserved fortheir exclusive use.

On a more local scale, on a singleplanet or within the same star system,the use of standard frequencies is free.New installation techniques and broad-casting reception devices provide forthe high quality of communications.On the best-equipped worlds, techni-cal excellence is such that one can carryon a conversation with a holographicrepresentation of the person one is call-ing just as if they were physicallypresent. However, on some of the mostrustic Colonial or pioneer planets, onejust uses a video communications ter-minal, popularly called a “vid-comm.”

The Endocities are teeming with thelast word in terminals, especially in theupper levels. Down in the guts of the

Endocities, finding a public vid-comm that works takes acertain initiative. Of course the majority of inhabitants havea personal mobile communications terminal, called a “pers-comm” or a “hand vid-comm,” but confidentiality is notguaranteed with these machines. Furthermore, there is nota single electronic jammer that is 100% safe. The best wayto assure privacy and discretion is to speak using hints andallusions, or use a harmless secret code that no machine candecrypt.

At the supreme level of communications, the Techno-Technos have perfected a gigantic universal network, ab-solutely invisible and undetectable, that allows them in-stantaneous communication throughout any number ofgalaxies, by acting directly on the universe’s memory.

OFFICIAL BODIES OF THE EMPIRE

For that which is visible, the Empire’s authority is repre-sented by the StellCom and the Endoguard. The agents ofthe former advocate, regulate, supervise, and enforce. Theagents of the latter do not discuss. They beat up, knock out,and strike in a much more definitive matter. The StellComoffices are found on all of the planets in the Empire, onorbiting stations, at the entrances of the Techno tunnels,and in the Endocities. On the other hand, the Endoguard

Wages, Winnings,and Fines(in kublars)

Wages and Winnings• Average salary = 30K/day• Denouncement Award = 50K + SPV (10 doses)• Winning bet on death rate = 5 X the bet• Winning bet on number ofdestroyed organs = 3 X the bet• Winning bet on number ofdestroyed limbs = 2 X the bet

Fines• Accidental murder = 300K• Accidental killing of anofficial = Death or “remodeling” (lobotomy)• Theft = Death or remodeling• Failed suicide = 200K• Circulating in anonauthorized zone

= Death or remodeling

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doesn’t maintain official administrative offices.But they are present. Their cruisers cut across space

and are never far from any point susceptible to be-coming a hot spot.

On the Maganat and Colonial planets, one finds apanoply of diverse and varied administrations. TheMaganats have a classic social structure, with a mili-tary force that handles extensive police missions, anadministration whose vocation is essentially fiscal, andwhose services (education, health, and others) are lim-ited to the bare minimum. On the Colonial planets, therange is much richer. In fact, it seems like on a daily

basis they invent new commissions, committees, highcommand police stations, delegations, and other admin-istrative organs. With their imaginations let loose, theyare almost impossible to stop.

No matter where you go, each population is confrontedby a heavy, complex, and castrating administration. Thesmallest initiative is immediately exposed to difficulty: “Ofcourse you can leave the Endocity, but have you filled outform 27B dash 6?”

RELIGION

Aside from the Emperoress who is surrounded by ashroud of mystery, nobody nor nothing in the Empirereally incarnates the hallowed and sacred, with the ex-ception of the Saint Kublar, who is revered by all. De-spite its name, even the Church of the Industrial Saintshas nothing to do with what was at another time con-ventional to call religion. Of course, the Techno-Technoscultivate a form of ceremony, and a taste for rites andritual, which has certain similarities to a cult. But whathas disappeared is the spiritual dimension. Today, onlyappearances remain.

In its own way, the Shabda-Oud order, in its survivingreformed version, is one of the rare examples of a con-gregation joined together around a faith, who give hom-age to a being dressed in the finery of a divinity. In therest of the universe, and especially aswe get further and further from thecenter of Imperial power, it is not rare,however, to come across all sorts ofindividuals who profess a belief in acreature or a principle. Their dogmasare more or less supported by fact, andcertainly end up convincing a goodnumber of enthusiasts over to theircause. To this day, none of these reli-gious beliefs have turned into a cru-sade, but the possibility is not com-pletely ruled out, and one should beready for anything.

CULTS, RITES, AND BELIEFS

On a universal scale, the ultimatecreed by which all plots are motivated,and hope is represented, is the mythof the Perfect Androgyne. Since the be-

ginning of time, long before Terra Prima became nothingbut an obscure thought in the collective memory, human-ity was already placing its hopes in the coming of a beingwho associates the virtues of the male principle with thatof the female principle. Today, if the certitude of an im-minent golden age has faded away, the mystique of theHermaphrodite has been conserved with force.

But it has been transformed over time, and the Her-maphrodite is now only one source of power and legiti-macy. Didn’t the Shabda-Oud dream of bringing to thisworld a double being able to dominate the universe? Andother powers also work in the shadows toward this being’scoming. For its part, the pan-Techno Church, lacking anyveritable faith, practices an extremely ritualized form ofworship. Their order is hyperhierarchical, and the life ofits followers is structured around numerous ceremoniesand obligations.

But the universe is vast, and there exist many of othertypes of beliefs and rites. On the most far-off worlds, tohelp bear life’s torments or simply satisfy the inherentmystical thirst in the heart of humans, populations will-ingly develop an abundance of beliefs, religions, and rites.

THE NECRO-DREAM

One of the most demeaning and degrading forces of theUniverse, the Necro-Dream plunges those who are subjectedto its effect into a stupefying state of total exhaustion. TheNecro-Dream is propagated through the hypertele, drugs,manipulation, and oppression. Its ultimate goal is to quellfree-thinking, reducing ideals to nothingness and eliminat-ing hope and love in the wake of its intoxicating influence.

The Necro-Dream is present throughout all of the Em-pire, found in the Endocities as well as the Maganat andColonial planets. Even the Golden Planet is not spared, be-cause it finds, in the heart of those who reside there, a placewhere it can take on its full meaning and dimension.

As soon as one enters into its sphere of activity, themoment that one falls into its web, all the most funda-mental principles upon which rest one’s deepest convic-

tions start to waiver. The slow chip-ping away, the undermining of thespirit has begun. The strongest ofresolutions blow away like dust in thewind. If exposure lingers on, and if onedoesn’t fight at each and every momentagainst its insidious and persistent ac-tion, free will dwindles and disappears.One may end up hazy-eyed and foreverriveted before an empty screen. Lifewill vanish, and one can become noth-ing more than a creature of darkness.

HOUSING

In a universe where incredible quan-tities of varied worlds exist together,housing comes in all shapes and formsjust like the bio-beings and others thatlive there. From teflo-fiber tents andother light structures used by prospec-

The Neuro-Emotional Cult

In the Endocities, everyattempt at spiritual elevationis immediately corrupted.Religion only offers a facade,lacking all depth. However,a hidden religion survives insecret, particularly in theheart of the lower casts andthe outcast populations: theNeuro-Emotional Cult. Thistotally outdated faith isfounded upon a paleo-feel-ing practically forgotten to-

day: love.

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tors on the pioneer planets, to the rich Maganat’s palaceoverflowing with gold and marble from Marmola, pass-ing by the rustic, dilapidated houses of the supporters oflife in the open air on certain archeo-backward planets,or the minuscule condhome apartments, jam-packed withflashy appliances set in teflormica furniture, the variety isvast. And we haven’t even mentioned the rarest habita-tions, such as the jade termite nest that forms the palaceof the Kama-Ming family, or the cave dwellers’ construc-tions, where hordes of inferior humanoid creatures fromcertain worlds are packed in.

That said, one thing is sure, everywhere that the law ofthe Emperoress rules, the quality of the housing dependsupon the quantity of kublars one can devote to that end.In an Endocity, four or five kublars will allow you to spendthe night in a slum shelter. Yet if one is willing to spend10,000 kublars, the doors swing grandly open to the fan-tastic suites of the upper levels, provided with all of thenewest technological conveniences combined with a touchof refinement.

TECHNOLOGICAL STANDARDS

Close to 30,000 years after the accession of the Trans-Bourbon line, technology has arisen to a level that evenTerra Prima’s most prolific authors never dared dream.For the universe in general, technology has already reachedits apex and has now entered into a phase of decline. TheTechno-Technos have access to an inexhaustible sourceof technical wonders thanks to their alliance with the force

of darkness — “TheTenebrae,” which grants thema dominating place in the heart ofthe Empire. These wonders remainperfectly inaccessible to everyoneelse, even if one is in daily contactwith their miraculous machines andinventions. But if technological opu-lence expresses itself for a supra-prince of the Archi-Nobility with aprofusion of attentive mechanical ser-vants, then for the average fellow, ittranslates into a multitude of unhappyencounters with robo-cops, robo-fire-men units, and other automated devicesof repression and coercion.

TRANSPORTATION

Admittedly, the Empire is vast. Butthe existing means of transportationallow one to go absolutely anywhere inthe universe. There are three major cat-egories of crafts: extra-atmospheric ves-sels for traveling in space, ground crafts,and a combined air-ground ship. Eachone comprises a large range of engines.

As the name indicates, the extra-at-mospheric vessels never penetrate into

a planet’s atmosphere. Their size ranges from gigantic tocolossal, from some hundreds of meters to several kilo-meters. Upon reaching a celestial body’s outskirts, theyreturn into orbit. Separate landing ships take over fromthis point. Looking at their propulsion capabilities, theyare equipped with motors capable of reaching

Price of Housing(in kublars per day)

Endocity Location Pre-owned Standard DeluxeGold Ring (condhome) 1700 2500 5000White Ring – – –Silver Ring (condhome) 170 250 500Blue Ring (condhome) 35 50 100Green Ring (condhome) 5 10 25Red Ring (condhome) Variable Variable VariablePrimal Ring – – –Sub Ring (condhome) 2 3 4Black Ring (condhome) 0.5–100 1–100 2–100

Located On Pre-owned Standard DeluxePrivate Asteroid Variable Variable VariableClass A Astrhotel 10000 25000 50000Class B Astrhotel 100 250 500Class C Astrhotel 10 25 50Class A Planet 300–1000 700–2500 1500–5000Class B Planet 20–100 40–250 100–500Class C Planet 2–10 3–25 5–50Class A Paradise–Planet 1800 2500 5000Class B Paradise–Planet 180 250 500Class C Paradise–Planet 35 50 100Private Orbital Station Variable Variable Variable

Civilian Orbital Station 300–1000 700–2500 1500–5000

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Cost of Services(in kublars)

QualityType Low Standard Deluxe Black MarketLight vessel hangar (by day) 7 20 50 5–100Medium vessel hangar (by day) 15 35 150 10–300Heavy vessel hanger (by day) 25 50 500 20–1000Homeoslut 15 19 25 –Hospitalization 10 20 150 5–100Hospitalization with surgery 20 35 250 10–200Light vessel servicing/repair 30 50 200 25–150Medium vessel servicing/repair 60 100 500 50–300Heavy vessel servicing/repair 150 250 1000 120–800Interstellar Tunnel passage – 200 – –

Intergalactic Tunnel passage – 500 – –

supraluminous lightspeed for passage

through hyperspace.On the ground and in

atmospheric space, oneuses crafts usually designedfor ground travel. Thanksto epyphite, which erasesthe effects of gravity, theseships travel in a state of levi-tation at a few centimeters,a few meters, or even a few

hundred meters from theground. The physical con-straints of the atmospherelimit cruising speed, even withepyphite absorbing hundredsof g’s of acceleration. Due tothe friction of the air against the fuselage and the pressureexerted upon the structure, movement in atmosphere can-not exceed the speed of Mach 5.

Combined vessels are based on the mixing of two prin-ciples. Most private vessels fall into this category. Being amuch smaller size than the standard extra-atmosphericvessels, the interior layout and comfort of these ships areoften compromised to compensate for pure performance,even if the most exclusive models display completely stag-gering properties.

Owning a private vessel is not within the reach ofeveryone’s pocketbook — indeed far from it. In fact, onlythe most superior levels of the population can afford this

luxury, but numerous organizations have the means toarm the vessels. The average citizen takes the regular publiclines that cut across the cosmos for his transportationneeds. Provisions and service are once again hierarchicalon this type of transportation. One can find at least sixdifferent classes: metaluxury, luxury, infraluxury, standard,economy, and basic. Of course, the price a traveler paysat each level depends on the quality of the ship, the qual-ity of the crew, the length of the voyage, and the destina-tion. Voyaging on a luxury cruise ship could cost 8,000kublars or more, while splitting a room on a freighterwould go for 80 kublars or less.

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Throughout the universe, thousands of planets have beenseized and kneaded as if they were balls of clay, then smashed,torn apart in little pieces, and reshaped to be given over tothe numberless hordes of humans. The bios are incessantlymultiplying, and more space must constantly be found tocram them in. In its compelling march towards endless ex-pansion, the human race imposes no limits upon itself.Thanks to the Techno-Technos’ power and know-how, eventhe smallest arid sphere having an acidic atmosphere can berendered suitable for habitation.

When a celestial body, asteroid, or planet with the poten-tial for structural terra-transformation is spotted in space, amonolithic laboratory-factory ship from the MagnarmardaTechno-Amazonas fleet sets itself in orbit around the cho-sen body. Slowly, the ship casts its enormous shadow overthe planet’s surface, making the planet seem suddenly tinyin comparison. The colossal vessel suspended in the voidresembles a ferocious predator extremely amused to see thefear rising in the heart of its prey.

THE MAGNARMADA

Before long, a fleet of sondes, needle rocket penetrators,and other draining fluid collectors commence their strangeballet. If the planet’s vital presence isn’t considered threat-ening enough to justify an intervention by the Endoguard,entire colonies of multispecialized robotic entities are calledupon to storm the planet and stifle the smallest sign of pro-test or objection. This silent and efficient arm of the Churchof the Industrial Saints shamelessly at-tacks, with precision and meticulousness,the planet’s air and water, then its floraand animals, much like a patient spidernibbling away little by little at its prize,neglecting not even the smallest remnantsof life. The land and underground arescoured, analyzed, turned over, and ulti-mately cannibalized.

But the operation has only just be-gun. When the spy systems have col-lected samples, analyzed the data, andspecified a procedure, the Techno-Techno vessel opens up its metallic armswide around the planet, gently closingin and tightening its grasp. With itsdelicate and light touch, this first con-tact produces a long, cold shudderacross the surface of the planet. Nextthe vessel retightens its grip, assertingits force, and prepares itself to offer thekiss of death. A heavy trephine thenshoots out of the ship’s bay, striking theplanet’s flesh. It bores into the earth,thrusting always to greater and greaterdepths, shamelessly raping the soil un-til it reaches the deepest and most in-

nermost parts of its making. Slowly but surely, the planetis gutted of its substance, held against its will, offended,and bled dry, like an immaculate sanctuary desecratedby a horde of industrial barbarians.

In a fraction of time that would be infinitesimal on theuniversal scale, the Techno-Techno Magnarmada trans-forms a planet or system unsuitable for human life intoan otherwise welcoming world, or at least one that is vi-able for humans. Often, these monolithic, dark vessels willcompletely upset blue planets as well, producing an asepticsphere covered with smooth teflon-concrete and encircledby a purified atmosphere free from all particles, every typeof bacteria and even the smallest micro-organism, as wellas the most miniscule trace of a mycelium spore. With allnative life eliminated, a brand new Endocity is made readyto welcome billions of occupants. Humanity is nothing morethan a remote souvenir.

TOPOGRAPHY AND ORGANIZATION

Conceived in the Techno-urbanists prolific electronicbrain, the Endocities respond to two demands: theEmpire’s need to lodge a population that is continually inexponential growth, and the Church of the IndustrialSaint’s desire to format life according to its scientific vi-sion. Upon the request of the universe’s first human Em-peror Rosemonde I the Rebis, the Endocity project wasstarted and entrusted to the Guild, which later becamethe order of the Techno-Technos. During this distant time

period, terra-transformation worktook dozens of standard years. Terra0001, the pilot project, mobilized atechnoid army for the precise periodof 37 years. Although long in the mak-ing, the result did not disappointmenttheir high expectations. More than 15billion inhabitants were housed, spreadout vertically over nine rings within thestructure. Since this time, constructiontechniques have been vastly improvedand accelerated, but the frameworkhas remained the same. Nothing re-sembles an Endocity more than an-other Endocity, but even though theyare based on the same structure, noEndocity is a strict replica of another.

Physically, an Endocity is an enor-mous crater dug into the earth of aplanet. On the surface, the entirety ofthe topmost layer is completely leveledand sterilized. The total bio-presence,which just recently may have beenromping in the sun, is annihilated. Thefauna is decimated, the flora eradicated,the geographical relief razed, and anyintelligent race is either eliminated or as-

E N D O C I T I E S

TheMagnarmada

The Techno-Amazonas isan immense fleet of labora-tory-factories whose flag-ships are named Vesuvio,Tsunami, Anaconda,Hindenburg, Modra, Gorgo,Godzilla, Piranhas, Orca,Tornado, Tyson, Goliath,Leviathan, King Kong, andTitanic. Indirect homage tohumanity’s hegemonic ten-dencies, these patronymicsare an example of theChurch of the IndustrialSaint’s general lack of tact.The Church lives by one ruleonly — the survival of thefittest — and it takes on anyobstacle with the tranquilserenity of a galactic steam-

roller.

similated according to their degree of humanity.The Techno-Technos leave nothing but an immense,

smooth and bare teflo-concrete expanse in place ofwhat nature deemed appropriate for the environment.Seas, oceans, and other water masses exist only inmemory, much as hills, mountains, and any other el-evated terrain. After the machines have passed over, thesole prominence is the Techno-Techno city, a colossal con-struction that is placed well away from the Endocity en-trance, and is called “The Mushroom” by the popula-tion. Closer to the entry, at precisely 50 kilometers, onefinds the astroport installations. This complex port occu-

pies approximately 1,000 acres. Apart from the freight zones,its installations consist of maintenance and repair servicesfor descent vessels (those capable of ground landings),StellCom administrative buildings, and a transit zone sup-plied with boutiques full of overpriced products. As a whole,most of the facilities have control and surveillance func-tions. An underground anti-g transport system links theastroport to the Endocity proper.

THE PREZ’S PALACE

The city-shaft’s access crater is an opening of some sevenkilometers in diameter, but its circumference is irregularin shape. Above the entrance floats an immense vessel instationary flight. This is the vessel of the Prez, where the

supreme authority of the Endocity lives, and the directingbranches reside. There are also apartments reserved forthe Techno-Pope (who normally lodges in the Techno-City), the Prime Minister (who also has the most luxuri-ous residence in the Golden Ring), as well as a swarm ofAristos from the Golden Ring, who come on vacation totake part in the magnificent parties that the Prez continu-ously hosts. Here life goes by in an uninterrupted seriesof wild times surpassing even the decadence of the archeo-human paleo-ritual known as “spring break.” During theseendless indulgences, the Aristos’ curious and whimsicalspirit shows itself in its full creative force. The Prez’s ves-sel also contains immense gardens and parks, where arti-ficial deer frolic about and synthetic ibis, pink flamingos,and herons fly in the imitation sky.

Moving on to other areas of the Prez’s vessel, one finds ahypersophisticated communications room, directly linkedto Golden Planet services. It is called the “HypertransmitterRoom.” On the same level of the ship, there is another in-teresting particularity: the “Cloning Area” (or Clone Zone)where the Prez comes to transplant his jaunty soul into anew receiving body at regular intervals. Finally, all of theHunchbacks — the guards closest to the Prez, known forbeing both efficient and unsightly — live aboard the vesselas well. Under the vessel’s potbelly is the conical shaft, whichplunges 36 kilometers down into the planet’s guts. The Prez’sship, which conforms perfectly to the shape of the shaft’s

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opening, is capable of completely blocking the Endocity’sonly access. In case of a slightly violent uproar, or utter riot-ing, cutting off the entrance is the perfect way of restoringcalm to the lower levels.

THE HUNCHBACKS

The Prez’s private guards, the Hunchback Brigade, is madeup of free men, taken at random from the streets of theEndocity and from death row, where they chose a “com-plete remodeling” as opposed to a basic execution, as al-lowed by penitentiary administration decree 36FX K6. Theremodeling process, which takes 24 standard hours to com-plete, turns the convicts into creatures entirely devoted tothe Prez by the implantation of a complex Techno-Tehnosdevice, hidden by the hump on their backs. Evidently, dur-ing the course of the operation, they lose their memoriesand their individual identities, but they gain in return a su-perior force — the technological mechanism is comprisedof an integrated exoskeleton — and a well tested cynicism.Devoid of all human sentiment, the Hunchbacks executethe most lowly work of the Prez with relish and sadism.Mutants are their preferred victims. Housed in the Prez’spalace, they have unlimited access to all of the Endocity.Enslaved to the Prez, they also obey the Aristos of the GoldRing. It is moreover not uncommon to see them serve asbodyguards for a group of Aristos on an outing to experi-ence the debauchery of the Red Ring.

TYPICAL HUNCHBACK

This generic character can be used with the MetabaronsRoleplaying Game.

Agility 5D: brawling 7D, firearms 8D, melee combat6D, running 6D. Knowledge 1D: intimidation 6D. Me-chanical 3D. Perception 3D. Strength 5D: lift 6D. Tech-nical 1D. Psionics 0D. Move 10. Character Points 3.Equipment: Techno-implants (+1D STR to resist damage,torso only), Disintegrator 48 (12D damage), suprapistol(5D damage), shock-knife (STR+1D+2 damage), uniform.Note: Memories are retained for 24 hours after remodel-ing. After that, the Hunchback’s greatest desire is to kill,which he does on command or if what he’s guarding ap-pears to be in danger.

THE NINE RINGS

The government’s urban-planningprogram keeps the Endocity’s registerup to date. Although this is relativelyeasy in the upper rings, the task getsmore difficult the further down therings you go and becomes quite com-plicated below the primal ring. The un-derground cave dwellers are notcounted and the galleries they dig aresimply ignored. Although the Techno-Technos could easily keep accuraterecords of human and mutant activi-ties in the Endocity, they can’t be both-ered. It doesn’t serve their master plan.

1 • THE GOLD RING

Immediately beneath the glossy surface of thesmooth, leveled, and polished planet is the GoldenRing, the inaccessible dream of the lower-level popu-lations. Consisting of ten levels spread vertically overfour kilometers in height, the Golden Ring is a marvelof modern architecture and technology. The latest inultra-postmodern amenities and comforts are assembledtogether in a profusion of refined living areas. Eachbuilding is set with carpets of artificial greenery, whichflower regularly with all of nature’s beauty, minus thework and the inconvenience. Animals have immaculatecoats, are discreetly perfumed, and no longer need to bewalked or use a litter box. The Aristos live in apartmentsthat range from extroverted opulence dripping with gilt,for the most simple, to an archeo-Las Vegas-like decora-tive madness, where replicas of Greek temples cohabitwith reproductions of the Terra Prima pyramids or theTaj Mahal. The most technically accomplished of all therings, the Golden Ring is also the smallest in size. Ofcourse, it is reserved for the exclusive use of a few privi-leged and handpicked individuals, so elite that there is anoverall impression of great space, despite the relativelysmall dimensions of the ring. Everything is vast, airy, clear,and harmonious. Here, the Church of the Industrial Saints’technological contribution is enormous but practically in-visible. All of their devices are kept behind the scenes,and, as in the Emerald City in the land Oz, only the lavishbeauty of gold and platinum is visible to the naked eye.

ENVIRONMENT AND RESIDENTS

In an environment where luxury vies with munificenceand the grandiose with the sublime, where technologicaltools galore put life’s ups and downs out of mind, tens ofthousands of Aristos, served by armies of robo-servants,rule and oppress the lives of billions of individuals withtheir supreme contempt. Disdain is second nature to theAristos, who have given up their Infra-Nobility status andaccess (however limited) to the Golden Planet to be at thetop of a something, however unpleasant the bottom is.That disdain underlies everything they do, from their tor-rid orgies in the Red Ring — not without hefty body-

guards — to their relationships withtheir fellow Aristos. Desire is their driv-ing force, lust their fuel, andconcupiscence their highway. Despiteeverything around them urging themto be nonchalant and live the good life,they constantly feel disgraced by theirimprisonment in an Endocity far fromthe Golden Planet and the real centersof power. They may be the rulers of asmall world, but their kingdom is asandcastle in a storm.

SITES AND SIGHTS

The Prime Minister’s residence canbe found exactly at the Gold Ring’s

The GoldenRing

“Reality is simply reality.I wear a halo, and you donot! Social barriers cannotbe erased… If you want tolive with me, eat and sleepwith me, make love to meevery night, you must be-come my dog.” —Louz de

Garra, an Aristo in love.

65 • Endocities

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66 geometric center and is by far the most ambi-

tious and sumptuous building in the entireEndocity. But never in a million years would the

Prez lower himself to honor the Prime Minister witha visit — “What? go down to that rotten dump?” Andyet it is well worth a visit for its peaceful ponds, in-door gardens where cute, artificial — but undeniablyalive — animals frolic, delicately perfumed air, hugeverandas, temples, and fluid structures. In fact, all theabodes in the Gold Ring are masterpieces in their genre.

SECURITY LEVEL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

The Gold Ring has the highest security of all the ninerings. Surveillance systems everywhere, directly linked tothe Central Computer and the forces of repression, keepa discreet and efficient watch. Techno-Techno control isat a maximum here. Only the Aristos, who the systemsautomatically identify by visual means, and their robo-servants are allowed to circulate freely. Bottom-up entrypoints have also been designed to resist all forms of at-tack. In other words, you’ve got to be pretty suicidal toattempt a coup here.

RUMORS

• “Have you heard? The Prez has secretly cloned him-self into a female mutant and is mating with all the lowlifein the forbidden district.”

• “No way! He’s cloned himself into an anarcho-psy-chotic leader and is turning the Red Ring into a blazingbloodbath.”

• “Get real! He’s cloned himself into a conscientiousBlue Ring worker and is living a nice well-ordered life.”

• “Paleo-Zeus! Who the hell made this stuff up? Thefact is he’s cloned himself as me, and now’s the time tomake him suffer the ultimate indignation…”

• There’s an unshakable myth — if it is a myth — thatsays the children of the lower levels are regu-larly abductedto be fed to the diabolical creatures bred by the Gold Ring’sbloodthirsty tyrants.

SPECIAL LAWS AND DECREES

Two basic laws govern human relations between theAristos and the hordes below. Directive 32B-75 stipulatesthat the Gold Ring is off limits to non-Aristos. Directive32B-76 authorizes the Aristos to “mortally reprimand”anyone who breaches the first directive.

2 • THE WHITE RING

The level just below the Gold Ring is the White Ring,an immense conglomeration of 30 levels, vertically tieredover four kilometers. All of the Endocity administrativeand control offices are concentrated in this zone. Herethe population density is much greater than that of theupper level ring, and the housing reflects this greater den-sity. Thousands of descending shafts, moving walkways,and anti-g elevators cross and entangle one another, inthe midst of vast halls where stressed-out robots and busybio-representatives run back and forth all over the place.The White Ring encloses the Endocity’s most secret andbest protected room, that where the Central Computer,

the Endocity’s brain, sits. This specimen of subtle engi-neering with an incalculable cerebral power presides overthe destiny of the entire planet, under the direct controlof the Techno-Centrix, the supreme Techno-Techno in-telligence, based on Central Planet. These mega-comput-ers maintain a permanent and direct liaison using the mostadvanced of the mysterious Techno-Techno connectionroutes. From an urbanistic view, the various specializedzones have been arranged according to the function theyprovide. The hospital zone is accessible only to the mostfortunate of inhabitants, those of the Golden Ring, theSilver Ring, and, if absolutely necessary, from the BlueRing as well. This zone consists of thousands of operat-ing rooms with busy robo-surgeons, coupled with a longseries of corridors leading to patients’ rooms, which aremore or less luxurious according to whom the room isreserved. The control and surveillance rooms are groupedaround the Central Computer room and can only be ac-cessed by the Techno-Technos. Their cold functionalityis characteristic of the Magnus Dei. The Endoguards’quarters are even more spartan. The Endoguards sleep invertical compartments that take up only one square meterof floor space and three meters in height. To lodge the10,000 men of the Endoguard battalion sent to eachEndocity, two and a half acres suffice, which represents asurface that is smaller than the terrace of the PrimeMinister’s residence in the Golden Ring. Finally, the zonesdesignated for administration and media are the only onesthat offer a more lively visual aspect, since their modularconception permits layout modifications at regular inter-vals. It should be said that these are the only areas fre-quented by the majority of standard bios, those who havenot undergone any particular training or re-programming.

The sun’s rays no longer reach beyond this depth. More-over, they don’t even reach the last levels of the Golden Ringbut for a few minutes or seconds each day. Of course, thereis artificial lighting everywhere, but the beneficial effects ofthe solar star are a luxury that the ruling classes of theEndocity expressly make their own. An immense prismaticquartz, equipped with photonic deflectors has been set intolow orbit, above the Prez’s vessel. It concentrates and dif-fuses the solar rays down to the upper levels of the BlueRing. Of course the quality and intensity are not the sameeverywhere, and as if it needs to be added, the rays are thebest on the upper levels.

Immediately under the White Ring, a security level fil-ters access to the two upper-level rings, the surface, andthe Prez’s vessel. This impassable barrier — guarded bythe most impressive of the Techno-Techno security de-vices, a system of physical twists and turns that prohibitsphysical passage to the front for more than one person ata time, and most importantly an Endoguard post — is apreventative measure against any vague invasion impulsethat may cross the minds of the lower-level population.This is something that has not yet occurred, but excessiveprecaution can do no harm. That said, the choice of whereto place the security level ring clearly explains where pri-orities lie as far as safety is concerned: in case of a prob-lem, only the two upper level rings would be saved, andeveryone below would be sacrificed.

ENVIRONMENT AND RESIDENTS

Despite an extremely high-population density, the WhiteRing is surprisingly quiet. Everyone here efficiently bustlesabout their work in silence. Well, maybe the patients inthe hospital zone might scream from time to time whenthey wake up to find that all their limbs have been short-ened, but the hundreds of millions of robotic entities gonoiselessly about their various surgery, surveillance, man-agement, planning and intervention tasks — in anti-g lift.Communications and instructions are likewise transmit-ted by silent impulses. Even the battalion of Endoguardsbilleted here makes hardly any noise. The only exceptionis the media zone. Everyone, from one of the manyDiavaloo clones and human technician-operators to aneye witness of a horrific disaster, goes out of their way tomake as much noise as possible, as if they were single-handedly trying to resist the machines’ militant silence.

SITES AND SIGHTS

The colossal Central Hypertele Division alone — 15levels high spread across ten kilometers — is a good rea-son for the 12 years of patience it takes on average toobtain a visa to visit the White Ring. Once you have seenthe refrigerated hall where tens of thousands of girl cloneswait to be gently warmed up for a dance, you can reallydie happy. For the really lucky — those who get authori-zation — the hospital zone’s morgue is also worth a look.

SECURITY LEVEL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

The White Ring is the central system consolidating allthe operational bodies of power. As such, it requires spe-cial protection, particularly since it is the interface be-tween two completely different worlds.Here, electronic surveillance reachesnew heights especially since the WhiteRing is pretty much the private reserveof the Techno-Technos. Here, they ex-periment with systems of unprec-edented sophistication. In addition totechnological protection, the WhiteRing can also call on an entire battal-ion of Endoguards stationed here. Thering’s lower level is one big protectionand security area: a no man’s land scal-ing 135 meters across tens of thousandsof square kilometers — perfect terrainfor a trench war.

RUMORS

The underground levels firmly believethat a minute design fault has created asmall breach in the White Ring’s airtightsecurity. This means that if a determinedteam managed to isolate the lower level’sgeneral power supply, it could get a foot-hold on this highly protected floor and,from there, reach the surface.

SPECIAL LAWS AND DECREES

Order XB 28-7 provides for the re-turn to the maintenance workshop of

all robotic equipment that gets lost in one ofthe 29 circulation levels. Likewise, any bio-entitythat gets lost is cut up and its organs donated to thehospital zone’s laboratories.

3 • THE SILVER RING

Beneath the security level, at a depth of eight to 12kilometers below the surface in the planet’s mantle,stretching up over 30 levels is the Silver Ring — theGolden Ring’s poor cousin, unanimously scorned by theupper-level Aristos. Certainly, the Silver Ring could becalled a pretty place, a city that in itself lends to an agree-able way of life, with its airy spaces, and lovely facades.But it absolutely lacks the decadent and scathing breathof inspiration that brings about all of the Golden Ring’scharm. Here, the architectural style and the atmospherethat prevails is the faithful reflection of its inhabitants,intermediary cogs in the wheel, stuck between the higherspheres, which they will never reach yet passionately longto be a part of, and the despised lower-level populationswith whom they are forced to rub elbows. Everything func-tions with a touch and, although not luxurious, is qualitymade and of measured good taste. This closed universe,without great interest, withdrawn and at times burden-some, most certainly represents the inaccessible Grail forthose underneath. But here, one lives with their eyes andhopes turned upwards, where simple villas would be pal-aces, and in perpetual fear of the ultimate tidal wave ofanger and discontent rising from the lower masses.

ENVIRONMENT AND RESIDENTS

The Silver Ring is the headquartersof the Endocity’s working rulers. TheAristos wallow in idleness. The Silverswork. At least, they force themselvesto live well-ordered productive livesand every day go conscientiously totheir posts, where they watch the clockwhile drinking SPV, but in moderation.There is no flamboyance here, just dis-creet decorum that is the butt of Aristoridicule. In addition to a penchant fordiscretion and thrift, the Silvers alsodiffer in their natural tendency to save.Stuck between the unattainable easylife and the teeming lower levels, theSilver Ring is in a constant state ofanxiety that it has only ever managedto assuage by amassing ever morewealth. Understandably, as these re-sources are taken directly from thecrumbs the Aristos leave for the lowerfloors, the entire population of theEndocity hates the Silvers as compan-ions in misfortune who exploit theirpoverty and rob them.

SITES AND SIGHTS

If the Silvers ever gave a guided tourof their domain, the Silver Ring’s cen-

The Intra-urbanFerrymen

There are “ferrymen,” busdrivers, taxi drivers, or deliv-ery endo-nef drivers, who,acting on their own, proposediverse services that are notalways lawful. A “ferryman”generally possesses a privatevehicle and knows everyendo-port in his Endocity,traveling in record time fromone level to another, andhelping his passengers toavoid being subjected to theauthorities’ anger. Accordingto his designated allocationor the people he is transport-ing, he can easily have accessto a warehouse, garage ormechanics garage, a safe ref-uge or a discrete airlock withdirect access to upper-level

rings.

67 • Endocities

tral warehouse would be the first dream desti-nation. You have to see this gigantic edifice, not

so much for its quite banal architecture, but for whatis stored there. As with lobster, the best is inside. Tenfloors high and nearly 20 kilometers across, the cen-tral warehouse gives a whole new slant to the idea ofAli Baba’s cave.

SECURITY LEVEL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

The Silver Ring is beneath the security level, so it ispretty much on its own in defending itself against theragged hordes below. Yet the Silvers have no lack of re-

sources and are always equipped with formidably effi-cient systems. The most sophisticated technology is ex-clusively reserved for the Aristos and the White Ring, butthe second choice still offers very powerful solutions.Colossal firepower hooked up to detection devices pointsat the lower levels.

RUMORS

The age-old rumor here, even though it might be meredelusion, is that the guardians of the Silver Ring can enterthe Gold Ring once they have lived in the Silver Ring fora hundred generations. On the lower levels, some say thatthe Silvers are all the crazy bastard children of the Aristos.Further down, they swear blind that they are the submis-sive slaves of the Aristos, that the SPV keeps them in astate of frustrated lust, and that certain glands are sys-tematically removed from them to make them lethargic.Word everywhere also has it that the Silver Ring’s best-looking young girls and boys are regularly taken to thetop to be “consumed.”

SPECIAL LAWS AND DECREES

Legislation AR-01-0R specifically states: “Silver is sil-ver and gold is gold. Forget that at your own peril.”

4 • THE BLUE RING

Below the Silver Ring, still deeper toward the planet’score, comes the Blue Ring, the last ring where one canstill catch a glimpse of the sky. Already the sun’s rays —concentrated and diffused by the prismatic quartz — onlyreach but a small portion of the ring. With a height offifty levels spread out vertically over four kilometers, theBlue Ring is a long succession of habitation units wherethe charming, mediocre, and sometimes even the dilapi-dated alternate. Hundreds of millions of people live inthis space. They represent the average Endocity citizen.They are those who execute with zeal and ardor the use-less tasks that they are given, before wisely returning hometo indulge in the lawful enjoyment of the hypertele andCocaloco Dark. Surrounding the central shaft, the habi-tation galleries plunge deep into the planet, reaching downseveral hundreds of kilometers. A dense transportationnetwork links the different zones. Here and there, the decoris brightened by some artificial islands of vegetation. Cer-tain quarters can even appear agreeable. However, as oneproceeds down the shaft, the quality of housing and fa-cilities becomes progressively poorer. As one approachesthe edge of the Green Ring, the agreeable buildings are

nothing more than something “once seen somewhere.”Here begins the dismal reign.

At the junction of the Blue and Green Rings, a vastoverhanging promenade makes its way around the shaft.This is Suicide Alley. Perky Endocity citizens like to strollaround this wide promenade to watch people fall, andthose who have reached rock bottom come to meditateon the endless emptiness of their existence before throw-ing themselves over.

ENVIRONMENT AND RESIDENTS

The luxury stops here. Some very pleasant havens aredotted about to and fro, but they seem out of place. It’s asif they’ve been randomly planted there, flowers in themiddle of a garbage dump. As the facades peel and crack,the inhabitants all take on the same tired look, stoopingand staring. From this level on, leisure is less subtle anddistractions more radical. The millstone of the Necro-Dream starts to weigh heavily around their necks. Theirmind-numbing lives are filled with mediocre drugs andhypertele everywhere. It is impossible to choose any otherpath and easy to understand why thousands of applicantsturn up daily at Suicide Alley on the lower level. A mid-way point, the Blue Ring is “the mean” in all senses of theword.

SITES AND SIGHTS

You can’t really appreciate the Endocity until you’veseen Suicide Alley. This wide, airy promenade is the soulof the shaft, the very essence of life in this dismal world.If you really want to capture all the blissfully dramaticpoetry of the place, go at dawn when the climate regula-tion system considerately produces a fine ashen mist thatlingers in long ribbons along the jagged edges of the grayteflo-concrete. Just before six o’clock, when the first des-perately lost soul arrives, broken-spirited and desolate, afew drops of rain subtly fall to heighten the intensity ofthe moment. A last look, a last sob… And he jumps.

Do feel free to applaud.

SECURITY LEVEL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

The Blue Ring has few vital or strategic points, so thereare not many automatic security systems. However, thereis a massive police presence. Bands of cybo-cops constantlycirculate or hover nearby, ready to intervene. Around Sui-cide Alley especially, it is not uncommon for a movementfrom the crowd — often just showing their enthusiasmfor a particularly outstanding leap — to provoke a furi-ous charge. When this happens, the dead are not countedamong the total suicides, unless of course they jump oftheir own free will.

RUMORS

“Suicide Alley is closing down!” This is the most fre-quent of the alarmist rumors and the one that can pushthe desperate over the edge. Yet word also has it that thesuicide victims don’t actually die but are intercepted to beused as guinea pigs. After a fall of approximately fiveminutes and 45 seconds — 18 kilometers at some 200kilometers an hour — a recuperation system just abovethe surface of the Acid Lake is said to catch the condemned

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wretches — at least those not killed in the fall — andmake them disappear from.

SPECIAL LAWS AND DECREES

The famous special SHOOT-75 decree authorizes any-one to hasten the suicide victims’ passage to the beyond,although combat lasers and sonic weapons are prohibited.Nevertheless, regulation FAIL-76 considers failed suicides— accidental fall from an intermediate terrace — to be aviolation of private property liable to a 200-kublar fine.The debt is immediately and irrevocably contracted as soonas the infringement is recorded and the fine pronounced —generally within three to five seconds.

5 • THE GREEN RING

Fifth ring down from the surface, the Green Ring owesits name to reflections from Acid Lake, which tinge the sur-rounding air with greenish glimmers. If the Blue Ring isconsiderably less welcoming and comfortable than theGolden Ring, the difference between the Blue and GreenRings is at least as great, if not greater. There are 100 levelspacked in one against the other along the four allotted kilo-meters of height, double the amount of levels in the BlueRing. Here there is no synthetic vegetable decor, not thesmallest flourish, nor the tiniest ornament, just hundreds ofstereotypically aligned kilometers. Housing is in decrepitcondition. Even on an Endocity inauguration day, the footbridges, like the facades, have the same dilapidated appear-ance as the ruins they are going to become. Despite theirdegree of elevated technology, the trans-port systems, which run throughout theinnermost recesses of the hundred lev-els, appear ancient. The automatic repairsystems are deactivated, and traces of fireand other damages accumulate, paint-ing a picture of hopeless devastation.From an architectural and urbanisticpoint of view, the Green Ring remindsone of the most hideous urban projectsthat not so long ago disfigured TerraPrima’s megalopolises… but in an evenworse version.

ENVIRONMENT AND RESIDENTS

The Green Ring’s three to four bil-lion inhabitants would love to leave thisstaggeringly crammed and overpopu-lated place. Here, density hits astound-ing record highs, surpassing all reason-able bounds. It is not humanly possibleto endure such overcrowding withoutgoing mad. So the Greens, used to be-ing constantly on the verge of madness,have wound up partially immunizingthemselves against depression. Al-though every day brings its batch ofmassacres and bloody murders commit-ted under the effects of a totally under-standable psychotic lunacy, all thingsconsidered, it could be worse. This at-titude probably has something to do

with the habit — learnt from childhood by play-ing at survival in the dumps — of living each mo-ment as if it were their last. Before they go mad, theGreens are basically happy souls. They laugh at ev-erything, others and themselves.

SITES AND SIGHTS

The entire Green Ring is an interesting sight. Thisassembly of long uniform bars — made from a jaggedjumble caused by fire and destruction — harbors manytreasures. Here, there’s a makeshift camp built aroundhuge braziers with a swarm of screaming kids who me-thodically destroy the automatic transport. There, at thebend of a ripped-up avenue, is a huge open-air marketwhere bartering, black marketeering, receiving, and allsorts of trafficking go on amidst rows of housing blocks,like a return to the wild. Everywhere, life bursts forthviolent and unruly with a never-ending show of despair,confrontations, and jubilant guffaws.

SECURITY LEVEL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

Official surveillance within the bounds of the GreenRing is the most moderate. The inhabitants can tear eachother’s guts out in peace with no fear of being charged bya squad of irate cybo-cops. However, when things takeon alarming proportions, and if the situation risks spread-ing into the neighboring rings, the robofiremen descendwith cybo-cop riot units and sometimes even the

Endoguard.

RUMORS

The day will come when the hordesof outcasts will rise from the bowels ofthe shaft and attack the higher levels.

SPECIAL LAWS AND DECREES

Here, the law is stated as an adage:Bio-life is tolerated as long as theEndocity runs smoothly.

6 • THE RED RING

The 50 levels of the Red Ring stretchout between the twentieth and twenty-fourth kilometers below the planet’ssurface. The Red Ring is an agglomera-tion of disparate constructions madeimmediately recognizable by their scar-let color. In fact, the streets are coveredby a crimson-colored teflo-tarmac layer.Billions of neon facades are reflected inthe tarmac, casting a thousand ruby-col-ored lights on every horizon of this cir-cular space. The ring of the most ex-treme and unrestrained pleasures, it ap-pears less rundown than its immediateneighbors. But the flashing lights andshowcases conceal a nameless crass thatis the strict reflection of the prevailingdebauchery. This said, having legal ac-cess to the most diverse of synthetic

ConcreteSeagulls

It’s from the Green Ringthat one can catch a glimpseof the first “concreteseagulls.” These winged crea-tures who come from thelowest levels, notably fromthe Primal Ring’s enormousgarbage dumps, feed them-selves on the micro-organ-isms that grow on the teflo-concrete walls as a result oftheir being passed over bythe cleaning systems. Peepingand ravenous, the concreteseagulls are practically offer-ing a public service in pre-venting the proliferation ofmutant seaweed and mush-rooms. Their excrement fallsinto the Acid Lake, whichreinforces its corrosivepower. Despite their natu-rally wild character, it is saidthat certain ones have been

tamed.

69 • Endocities

paradises, as well as ultra-qualified services in human,

alien, mutant, and syntheticprostitution, visitors can easily for-get the ambient ugliness as theydrown themselves in a whirlwindof endless orgies.

ENVIRONMENT AND RESIDENTS

All sorts of beings tread the RedRing’s vermilion tarmac. In additionto the locals — prostitutes of all shapes

and sizes, legal and illegal drug dealers,thugs, hoods, louts, receivers, informers,thieves, and murderers — countless daytrippers pour in day and night to slumit, get wildly drunk, wallow in the opi-ate fumes, fight, get robbed, or simplykill someone for kicks. It’s a favoritehangout for bands of binging Aristos,duly escorted by their Hunchbackminders. However, all levels of theEndocity’s population visit the RedRing’s establishments at some stage orother. Despite the rundown interiorsbehind the flashy shop windows — likethe haggard features of an old whoreunder her thick make-up — this mecca of depravity has astrong magnetism that no one can resist. It is the center ofthe Endocity, its heartbeat.

SITES AND SIGHTS

The Homeo First Club, the largest homeo-whorehouse,is the crown temple of love for sale. Here, customers canfind the perfect partner and steer clear of those imperfec-tions that diminish their pleasure and bridle their fanta-

sies. Customersmix and matchtheir chosenwhore’s bodyparts safe in theknowledge thatthe curve of thehip and the breastwill perfectly rep-licate the eroticdream they hadthe night before.

SECURITY LEVEL

AND

SURVEILLANCE

SYSTEMS

Unlike most ofthe rings, the RedRing is not underconstant surveil-lance. There is nowatching eye at ev-ery street corner so

it’s wise to go out armed or accompanied. However, theunits of Hunchbacks and cybo-cops have direct access shaftsthey can use to surge through the Red Ring’s 50 levels inrecord time. Crime control is simple: as soon as the crimestatistics reach a certain level, the troops descend. The cybo-cops then eliminate thousands of people at random. Conse-quently, although some of the victims are innocent bystand-ers who are generally visiting customers, crime usually plum-mets. But it doesn’t last long, and the whole cycle startsover again. To escape the monotony, the Central Computerhas introduced a random variable into the definition of thecrime level whereby two raids can be organized just twodays apart. However, six months could also pass without asingle visit from the cybo-cops. The only thing that’s forsure is that you never know when it’s going to happen.

RUMORS

The Red Ring’s main roads and alleyways buzz with athousand and one rumors. The most insistent is the pre-diction of an imminent cybo-cop raid. However, it’s notuncommon to hear that the Prez himself will make animpromptu visit — incognito since a recent secret cloning— or that a troupe of perverse Aristos disguised as psycho-anarchists will descend on the place. Another rumor thatregularly goes round is that of an imminent armed raidon the lower levels, which could well prove to be pro-phetic. Word also often has it that the cybo-cops some-times take specimens up from the Red Ring to satisfy theAristos’ curiosity.

SPECIAL LAWS AND DECREES

An arsenal of legal texts — changing day to day withthe Hunchbacks’ bad moods — govern the conditions

Suicide AlleyThe only place in the Endocity where suicide is legally authorized

— from six o’clock in the morning to ten o’clock at night, seven daysa week — Suicide Alley attracts the curious and desperate Endocitymasses. “Intelligent” billboards placed at intervals of 50 meters eachdisplay the hour and total number of suicides. By request (and paidfor), the boards can also furnish statistics of those who have commit-ted suicide — sex, age, and the number of unfortunate ones who ar-rive at Acid Lake still alive. For the modest sum of three kublars, onecan even watch the day’s best suicide sequences. The curious onlook-ers who come to watch the last jumps of voyagers leaving for a possi-bly better world, applaud their performances from the parapet, oreven from small barges in stationary flight in the shaft. The mostsadistic spectators prefer to shoot at those committing suicide, deriv-ing great pleasure from depriving the unlucky ones from their ulti-mate chosen trip. For those who choose to die, the process isn’t assimple as it may seem. All the more so because for the unlucky oneswho botch their fall, an unpleasant surprise awaits them: a 200 kublarfine for a failed suicide. An injured person in agony — who landedbadly on an intermediary platform — will find himself being bookedby the cybo-cops on duty, even if he ends up dying in the followingseconds. As soon as the fine is announced, it is registered, and the

debt is passed on to the surviving members of the family.

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The FleshIndustry

Prostitution is primarilyconcentrated in the RedRing. As a general rule, theprostitutes work for a bar ora “house of pleasure” andare in this case under the pro-tection of a pimp-guardian.However, some do work forthemselves, doing businesson the streets. As the RedRing is frequented by alltypes of tourists, windowshoppers, and buyers, it isnot uncommon for the dis-crete eyes and ears of thestreets to become aware ofrumors, confessions, and

little known secrets.

under which theft and racketeering arenot really authorized, but more or lesstolerated. When the police forces in-tervene, they more often than not in-voke Decree ZB23-6 before firing intothe crowd. A rider still in force definesthe status of the pimp-guardians — thehuman prostitutes’ official pimps. Andthe Central Computer’s imprescriptibleEdict 001 lays down the conditions forthe closure of levels by the cybo-copsand the random eradication of delin-quent populations. Hearing a loud-speaker blare “Pursuant to Edict001…” generally means you’ve onlygot a few more seconds to live.

7 • THE PRIMAL RING

Immediately beneath the Red Ringcomes the Primal Ring. This industrialring, which stretches out over hundredsof kilometers in length and four kilo-meters in height, is an infinite series ofproduction sites, warehousing, recy-cling and treatment plants, and purifi-cation and elimination sites. It is herethat the planet’s natural treasures — theore and energy resources that it con-tains — are collected, concentrated, andtransformed before being injected into the Endocity. It isalso from the Primal Ring that the Techno-Technos’ main-tenance robots manage the gigantic Endocity distributionnetwork. This colossal maze — which covers each levelof every ring in all directions — distributes air, water, andlight and transports all of the technical cables for the cli-mate-control system. Hundreds of millions of kilometersof ducts and pipes run throughout the planet’s belly, hid-den in the globe’s mass. However, quantities of other un-accounted-for tunnels have been pierced, especially in thelower levels. In addition to these facilities and infrastruc-ture, the Primal Ring houses a water reservoir large enoughto hold an ocean and an enormous dump, bigger than thebiggest of Endoguard vessels.

ENVIRONMENT AND RESIDENTS

Despite the din of the machines and the cursed blast oftheir putrid breath, the Primal Ring is virtually a haven ofpeace. They work conscientiously and meticulously in asoft hiss of well-oiled movements, under the cool eye ofthe bio-operators high on SPV. From time to time, a longfatigued sigh troubles this beautiful mechanical order. Nev-ertheless, bands of kids from the neighboring rings hauntthe giant tips, hardened from pitting their wits againstthe vigilant reflexes of the surveillance robots. In the zoneswhere the Techno-Techno rulers all too happily leave themto their own devices, social misfits and dropouts from alllevels claim scraps of abandoned technology and patchthem together for new uses.

SITES AND SIGHTS

The Primal Ring’s meta-dumpis a sight to be seen, even if it is abit of a health hazard. Elsewhere,the factories offer a most interest-ing visit, especially since they con-tain all the equipment needed to in-spire guerrilla and other terroristattacks. But be warned: Techno-Techno vigilance is high here.

SECURITY LEVEL AND

SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

Wherever the presence of unofficialbio-intruders is no trouble, they aresimply ignored and even tolerated.However, the protected zones areguarded by force fields, automatic fir-ing batteries, and psychopathic cybo-cops who are not particularly good atnegotiating.

RUMORS

Two main rumors take turns circu-lating around the lower rings. Somedays, they say that the exterminationof the Endocity’s population will beplanned and orchestrated by the Pri-

mal Ring. Other days, they swear that terrorist troupeswill attack the ring and seize all the arms it contains totake the entire Endocity. And when some harmless epi-demic hits the neighboring levels, they insist on an al-leged plan by the authorities to spread deadly diseasesthroughout all the lower levels. But then again, maybethat’s not just gossip…

SPECIAL LAWS AND DECREES

A constantly updated manufacturing schedule definesthe Primal Ring’s production goals. Should the planningdepartments think these goals cannot be met, law PROD59-7 authorizes them to massively recruit all the man-power they need from the Blue, Green, and Red Rings toget back on schedule. Paragraph 37-6 of this law alsoprovides for an adjustment of demand to supply (that is,the elimination of consumers who cannot be satisfied). Itgoes without saying that any such extermination concernsonly the inhabitants of the last six rings.

8 • THE SUB RING

Next come the bowels of the Endocity, the unmention-able and forgotten — a place where very few inhabitantsof the upper levels have ever gone. There is first the SubRing, a layer of 50 levels laden with unaccounted for tun-nel-like galleries where the most miserable populations ofthe Endocity rot: the deprived, imported as they are fromother worlds of agony, or the destitute that a swarmingconcentration of humanity naturally produces. But that’snot all, because ten levels are strictly reserved for mu-

Street PreachersWhen they are not in the

streets, haranguing thecrowds, these apocalypticprophets and other revolu-tionary cult priests are foundhanging out on the terracesof Red Ring bars (where theyrecuperate from paleo- hang-overs and the effects of hal-lucinogenic drugs). Theironly “power” lies in convinc-ing a few citizens of theircorrupt lives and their era’sdegradation. But if certainsermons incite no more thana general indifference, othermore convincing ones set offveritable riots. The preachersare closely watched by thecybo-cops, and frequentlyserve as scapegoats for urbanincidents that are even pro-voked by the cybo-cops

themselves!

71 • Endocities

tants, those pariahs among pariahs. The mu-tant quarter is a hermetically closed area, sinister

and lugubrious, where all light is forbidden. Accessis strictly controlled, but the Prez’s Hunchbacks andthe cybo-cops don’t consider it beneath themselves togo down from time to time to expend some of theiraggressive energy.

ENVIRONMENT AND RESIDENTS

The Sub Ring, a land of social outcasts, dropouts,and mutants, is a foretaste of hell. Life here is far fromeasy. Supplies rarely arrive, and the standard installa-

tions and equipment are just heaps of teflo-concrete de-livered and left as they are by the Techno-Techno ma-chines. There may be loads of space, but these vast bareexpanses where only a few landslides provide some reliefare anything but welcoming. For the authorities, it’s as ifthe Endocity ended at the Primal Ring. Everything afterthat is irrelevant. The poor wretches who live here knowthey cannot count on handouts from the city. And whenthey are stigmatized, as the mutants are, the problemsattain an unimaginable level. Aside from the mutants, theSub Ring harbors all the Endocity’s rejects, those withnothing left to sell and no more strength to steal.

SITES AND SIGHTS

The totally run-down Sub Ringoffers nothing ofinterest to the visi-tor, except maybethe mutant neigh-borhood — theGTO on a portionof level 30 of thecity-shaft. Particu-larly perverseAristos pay exor-bitant prices forthe 20-odd touristpasses issued ev-ery year for thisneighborhood.Suicidal and reck-less explorers canalways try theirluck without thepass, but no onewho has at-tempted it hasever come back.

SECURITY LEVEL

AND SURVEILLANCE

SYSTEMS

No measureshave been takento ensure civilpeace in the SubRing. However,

the mutant neigh-borhood is sur-rounded by a dra-conian surveil-lance system, andthose who at-tempt to leave be-fore the age of 21are immediatelyeliminated.

RUMORS

Word has it thatthe Endocity’s au-thorities plan toraise the level ofthe Acid Lake un-expectedly oneday to drown allthe inhabitants ofthe Black Ringand the Sub Ring.

SPECIAL LAWS AND DECREES

Two main measures govern the lives of the mutants.Firstly, there is a total ban on light and color in the tenlevels of their neighborhood — by order of the Techno-Techno urb-ethnologists, who believe that it preventsmutants from yielding to their animal instincts. Secondly,mutants are prohibited from leaving the GTO before theage of 21. Anyone who does will be shot on sight by theurban hunters. The law governing the urban hunters isfairly flexible, and there are no repercussions for killingan adult mutant.

TYPICAL MUTANT

This generic character can be used with the MetabaronsRoleplaying Game.

Agility 3D+1: brawling 4D, melee combat 3D+2, run-ning 4D+1. Knowledge 3D+2: streetwise 4D+2, survival4D+1, willpower 4D. Mechanical 2D. Perception 3D+2:hide 5D, sneak 4D+2. Strength 3D: climb/jump 3D+1,lift 3D+1. Technical 2D+1. Psionics 0D. Move 10. Char-acter Points 1. Equipment: Ragged clothes. Note: Indi-vidual mutants may have special abilities, such as claws(STR+1D) or sticky spit (victim gets +5 to all difficultieswhen using affected limb or body part).

9 • THE BLACK RING

Finally, comes the Black Ring, the point of the Endocity’sconic shape, the last trace of the Techno-Techno interven-tion in the interior of the planet. With only ten levels spreadvertically over four kilometers of height, the Black Ring of-fers the same vast spaces as the Golden Ring, but the decoris quite different. The lowest level, the tenth, forms the bankof Acid Lake. Far from being a holiday resort, this coast ofdesolation is nothing but a long shoreline of teflo-concreteblocks eaten away by the lake’s ultracorrosive fumes. Sur-vival may seem impossible here. However, one comes acrosscrowds of people: the psycho-anarchists, the worst of theEndocity’s mobs, the most extreme sects, completely pro-

Water ReservesWater that planets contain

before their transformationinto an Endocity is givenover to the Ekonomat. Inexchange, the Ekonomat of-fers one of its exclusive se-cret hydrogen-and-oxygen-separation devices. A reser-voir the size of an inland seais coupled with the system.With a capacity equaling oneweek’s consummation, itserves as a reserve back-upsystem. The water is neitherpurified nor recycled. Afteruse in the distribution sys-tem, it is collected, then sepa-rated into hydrogen and oxy-gen atoms. The impurities,sediment, and other residueare automatically evacuatedinto the Acid Lake. Even ifsomewhere in its memorybanks the Central Computerhas a precise record of thedistribution network, no hu-man being could possiblycomprehend the extent orentirety of this system.

The Plight of theMutants

Like all the mutants in theuniverse, those in theEndocities are victims of thedestructive effects of technol-ogy. Namely, the pillage ofelement K — human aware-ness or the life force inher-ent in humans — by theTechno-Techno machines,which makes them into ahumanity hybrid. In the fu-sion, they take on an animalcharacteristic and lose a partof what made them full-

fledged humans.

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72

hibited secret societies, and tons of boreddesperados ready and willing to explodethe planet in order to forget the tediumof their existence.

Managing such a group as revealedhere may seem complicated, but theTechno-Technos dispose of weapons thatconstitute a considerable power and aid.The Central Computer is instanta-neously informed of anything brewingor being plotted in the lower level areasand can immediately dispatch one of themany intervention forces at its service— Hunchbacks, cybo-cops, orEndoguards — to quickly restore order.

But there are still other advantages,in particular the Necro-Dream. In fact,as the Endocity is a perfectly enclosedspace, it is the ideal place to implementthe subtle stratagem of subser-vience,which maintains the general populationin a contented state of dumbstruck bliss.

In addition to the Necro-Dream, themind of the masses is well occupied bythe omnipresent drug culture, thehypertele, suicides, riots, terrorist acts,and accidents caused by the psycho-anarchists — all perfectly mastered andorchestrated by the Magnus Dei hench-men — which further encourages themasses to stay huddled together, snug-gling in their mutual stupor.

Thanks to the Church of the Indus-trial Saints, the Necro-Dream is spread-ing, and the Tenebrae’s opaque shroudis slowly masking the conscious of liv-ing beings.

ENVIRONMENT AND RESIDENTS

The Black Ring is an asylum of misery and desolation,a vast closed, arid space where the Endocity’s waste ar-rives en masse and the city-shaft’s most wretched subsistin conditions closer to barbarity than civilization. On thisfertile compost heap, violence and resentment flourish.The upper levels couldn’t care less about their fate; they’drather see them all dead.

SITES AND SIGHTS

In addition to the psycho-anarchists, different rebel clanshave set up base here. They have dug new galleries wherethey have set up a confusion of camps built from all sortsof salvaged materials. The Aristos would find the placegreat fun for an evening, but life on the shores of the AcidLake gets more hideous every day.

SECURITY LEVEL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

The Techno-Techno authorities do not think it worth-while to install any surveillance in the Black Ring. How-ever, all the rebel factions who have set up base here mounta guard 24 hours a day. They rightly fear a fatal raid by thesurface forces and live in a permanent state of emergency.

RUMORS

Of all the rumors in theEndocity, those about the BlackRing are the worst: They are can-nibals, they breed creatures fromhell, they have made a pact with theunderground forces, and so on. It isalso said that they guard the entranceto a fabulous secret world wheremind-boggling treasures lie. But no-body has ever managed to find out ifthis is true.

SPECIAL LAWS AND DECREES

Only two laws apply here: the law ofthe jungle, and the law of the strongest.

THE ACID LAKE

The Acid Lake is a huge swampy res-ervoir with greenish fluorescent wavesas caustic as snake urine. It is createdduring the construction of an Endocityto receive all the waste from the ma-chines building the cities. The organicremains of the living organisms ab-sorbed by the machines — humanoids,fauna, flora, etc. — are also tipped intothe lake. Once a city-shaft has beencompleted, no one — not even theTechno-urbanists — knows where itstoxic flow goes. This creates a greatdeal of gossip and conjecture. However,one thing’s for sure, they seep downslowly and form a liquid core at thecenter of the planet — a highly dan-

gerous and volatile concentrate.

THE CRADOS

Below the Black Ring, on the very edge of the AcidLake, legend has it that there is a race of “garbage people,”the remnants of the people who lived on the planet beforethe Techno-Technos claimed it. Only the lowest denizensof the Black Ring might have seen this lost race. Even ifyou could ask them, you’d never know whether they werelying.

TYPICAL ENDOCITY CITIZEN

This generic character can be used with the MetabaronsRoleplaying Game for any adult human living below theSilver Ring. A lucky few might have a couple of kublars,but those will be spent as fast as possible on drugs, enter-tainment, or food (in that order).

Agility 2D: brawling 2D+2, dodge 2D+2, running 3D.Knowledge 2D: streetwise 3D, security regulations 2D+1,survival 3D. Mechanical 2D. Perception 2D: bargain2D+2, con 2D+1, gaming 3D+1. Strength 2D. Technical2D. Psionics 0D. Move 10. Character Points 0. Equip-ment: Clothes.

The UrbanTerrorists

Everywhere where author-ity and discipline are laudedas virtues, protest and anar-chy come into being, as doso many other naturalcounter-currents, and arethus anticipated by theTechno-Technos. The urbanterrorists are rarely isolatedand generally act within thenumerous small anarchistgroups found in theEndocities. In abandonedwarehouses, they secretlygather to stir up assassi-na-tion attempts and preparefor rioting. If rebellion is anecessity for some, for oth-ers it is just a form of dis-traction and amusement.These grassroots terrorists goto great lengths to add someanimation to the streets.However, these urban terror-ists should not be confusedwith Amok crimi-nals, whodon’t even have the decencyand manners to warn the 3Dhypertele when they plant a

bomb!

73 • Endocities

“Pssst… More than 30,000 years to come to this…What sadness! I can’t even find the words to tell youhow I feel. And yet! And yet all the same, everythingcould have been so different… no lies, no treason. Ifonly man had not forgotten…

“Allow me to reveal certain secrets and share my re-grets. For never again, in perhaps all of eternity, will anintelligent being have the chance to hold such richness

in his hands, and have within his reach a power equal tothat of the gods. Because the universe is an almost inex-haustible source of kindness, and if man had had the wis-dom to make good use of it, he could have spent all ofeternity wandering in a continually replenished Eden.Imagine if only for a moment, the colossal quantities ofenergy, the endlessly infinite space….”

–John D.

THE MAJOR EQUILIBRIA

Considered from a global point of view, the universe isa mass of indistinct and vague contours. It is finite, but ithas no boundaries. Its aspect is slightly helicoidal, no doubtattributable to its original expansion in a tremendous pri-meval whirlwind, but it reveals on a macro-scale a gen-eral form that could be qualified as parallelepipedal. Inshort, the universe may be thought of as a brick, more orless a cobblestone suspended in the void.

The universe’s mass is neither homogenous nor dense. Itis not either one because the universe is studded with “worm-holes” — tunnels made of exogenous matter, which form a

multitude of passageways leading toward distant zones andgalaxies. As space is curved, these wormholes constituteshortcuts between points which are extremely distant fromone another if one follows the outlines of the curve, butnear if one cuts across the curve. The universe preservedsome of these passageways which had been naturally formedduring its creation. But humans, and particularly the adher-ents of the Church of the Industrial Saints, constructed phe-nomenal quantities of manmade passageways. These fan-tastic communication routes facilitate exploration of themost remote zones, allowing the Empire to establish its he-gemony over billions of galaxies.

From a technical standpoint, it would seem that theTechno-Techno formula consists in making an antimattercontainment field that traps, sets, and launches the anti-matter toward a specific destination. At the very momentof its creation, this atypical polarization collapses inward,much like a black hole whose mass has become too dense,opening a passage into the intersidereal vacuum. TheTechno-Technos’ genius lies in their ability to successfullyfix this highly unstable state without bringing on cata-clysmic side effects. Once open, the tunnel — a long cor-ridor of positive void cutting across the negative void —knows no variations in its state or form. The only way toenter or exit is through the end points. The entire lengthof the tunnel is protected by a polarized sheath, which nophysical element, not even the smallest particle of matter,can penetrate.

For the time being, the Techno-Technos monopolize thetunnel construction industry, but it cannot be ruled out

T H E U N I V E R S E

that other powerful groups also master the keys to thistechnology. Officially, these great highways of intergalac-tic communication are under the joint control of theChurch of the Industrial Saints and the Endoguard. Infact, guarding the tunnels is quite simple, as it suffices tosupervise the entrance and exit points, which are gener-ally located in proximity to major star systems and galax-ies. The tunnels shorten the distance between extremelydistant galaxies in the universe, but it is still often neces-sary to continue one’s voyage in hyperspace within thesame galaxy to arrive at one’s destination.

All in all, the universe contains billions of distinct andseparate galaxies floating in space, which is made up ofdust, various gases, atomic particles, and other bizarrethings. To give you an idea of its excessive size, take theexample of Terra Prima’s solar system in the Milky Waygalaxy. Supposing that the distance between Terra Primaand its sun represents a micron, one thousandth of a mil-limeter. The diameter of the Milky Way would then be6.3 kilometers, the distance between Andromeda and TerraPrima would be 126.6 kilometers, the Paleo-Virgo starcluster would be at 2,278.8 kilometers, the Big Dipperstar cluster at 106,344 kilometers, and the probable lim-its of the universe at 759,600 kilometers.

The universe is a wild place, untamed and unpre-dictable. Obviously, it does obey a certain number of laws.First of all, there are of course the seven great physicalforces or fundamental interactions known since time im-memorial of paleo-history.

Number one, gravitational interaction, commonlyknown as gravity, is the attractive force carried out be-tween all particles in the universe.

Number two, electromagnetic interaction, isthe force which links electrons to the atom’s nucleus.

Number three, strong interaction, is the force thatassures the cohesion of the atom’s nucleus.

Number four is weak interaction, which despite itsname happens to be the force accountable for, amongother things, the disintegration of certain particles. Forthose who are interested, this last case would other-wise be known as radioactivity.

Number five, psycho-magnetic interaction, is the at-traction-repulsion force, which displaces celestial bod-ies with respect to one another, as a function of the emo-tional vibrations they emit.

Number six, cerebro-fluid interaction, is the force withwhich a system’s intelligence acts on the major flux.

Finally, number seven, cosmo-carnal interaction, is thegreat force that permanently places universal elements ofthe male principle in rotation around elements associatedwith the female principle. At times, the universe records acosmo-carnal activity peak. These huge orgasmic convul-sions generally end with a paroxysmal contraction, im-mediately followed by an overall release, that is some-times called a galactic rut, or in lay terms, galactic heat.

These principles have been authenticated and provento be true more or less everywhere in the Human Uni-verse. But as the universe is a rather unfathomable, froth-ing maelstrom, there inevitably exist still other unknownforces. Moreover, signs of these forces are often percep-tible in the galactic infinity and particularly when one ap-proaches the extreme limits or when one has just brushedup against the universal borders.

75 • The U

niverse

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6 •

76 THE BORDERS OF THE EMPIRE

AND BEYOND

At the Empire’s borders, with its howling wild windsand raging acid rains, the universe is not a friendlyplace. This obscure and ethereal frontier marks the endof the world as conceived by our intelligence. Bewil-deringly barbaric conditions and colossal atmosphericpressure prevent humans from surviving in this zone.Moreover, certain paleo-erudite scholars, have estimatedfrom some archaic vestiges that the Empire’s borders

could very well be the mythical Hell.The borders mark a line that has never been crossed.

However, what is behind is no longer entirely the un-known. Today we do know what can be found there. Butit remains that the physical crossing of the borders is stillan absolute impossibility. For your information, below ia never-before-seen document. It is not recent, as it is morethan 20,000 standard years old, but it is enlightening. Itillustrates well what a confrontation with the definitiveextreme can represent.

There has to be something there, in the beyond. Therehad been the galacto-barbarian invasions and other in-cursions from exogenous aliens. The borders couldn’t bethis ultimate extremity that limits reality. But then whatcould be there? Do the frontiers have to be a limit, orcould they be a threshold?

Incidentally, it turned out that beyond the borders, thereare other universes. In fact, due to an independent andcapricious cosmic logic, the finite and autonomous uni-verses are drawing nearer to one another, assembling them-selves to form an alveolar structure of an inconceivabledimension on the human scale. the Human Universe isnot alone, and there exists an infinite number of paralleluniverses, where what is truth here, is nothing more thana memory there, and a simple probability elsewhere.

All of these universes, stuck one to the other, stackedup like a wall of bricks, are not likewatertight cells living side by side inextreme ignorance. They know one an-other, see each other, keep up relations,and above all communicate. Remem-ber that in 13612, the first contactswere established with neighboring par-allel universes, and in 13637, the Hu-man Universe officially joined the Con-federation of Parallel Universes. Thus,there exists a point of access. And ifthe borders are perfectly impassable,there exist nevertheless doors, allowingthe passage from one universe to an-other.

There are six doors in all. Each oneopens into a universe which is the ex-act opposite of the one just left behind.For example, at the borders where anatrocious cold reigns, the Temper-Utdoor, whose guardian is Uakl, leads to

a scorching hot universe. Similarly, in front of theMardador door, guarded by Ganjez, the universe is lightand flowing, but as soon as one crosses the threshold,one penetrates into a dimension where everything is infi-nitely compact, presenting an extraordinary density.

Just as suspended molecules search out one another andgather together according to their own alchemy, the uni-verses group together as a function of attraction-repul-sion factors, generating polarity. It is perhaps a coinci-dence of creation that associated the Human Universe withonly six others, but could this number have been another?It should be known that at this time the phenomenon ofuniverses regrouping is not well known. We do not knowhow many other universes are amalgamated amongstthemselves in a similar fashion. Moreover, nothing refutesthe existence of an infinite number of parallel universes.

Nevertheless, a certain number of constants may be ob-served: The border of each universe is in every way impass-able. There is always a door between two universes, andthe realities, physical and other, of each side of the thresh-old are systematically diametrically opposed. The doorsexistence is a jealously guarded secret, known only by aminute number of initiates. Rare are those who have hadthe privilege to cross the threshold. All the more so becausethe doors are placed under the care of an extremely vigilantcustodian, generally a being of sublime essence. These cus-todians have a material reality in each of the two universes,linked by the door they guard. They are mortal but possesspowers and aptitudes exceeding the customary limits of themortal condition. Furthermore, a specific property is asso-ciated with each door, capable of radically transforming thephysical equilibrium of the universe. The custodians are thekeepers of these very secrets.

In the Human Universe, the six secret doors that indi-cate the passage into other universes, those which onlymadmen dare dream of crossing the threshold, are respec-tively Mardador, Temper-Ut, Lucioh, Per-Beod, Chonch,and Puerko.

Mardador is the door that was, un-til most recently, guarded by the birdGanjez. This door leads from the denseborder edges to a light universe, andthe mastery of gravity is the secret as-sociated with it.

Temper-Ut leads from the hot bor-der edges to the freezing limits. Thisdoor is guarded by Uakl, a tortoisemade of mercury, who has the secretto modifying temperatures.

Guarded by Ophidat, a reptilian en-tity with white and black scales andkeeper of the secret to darkness andlight, Lucioh is the door that leads fromdarkness to light. As everyone knows,the Church of the Industrial Saints hasa special affinity with this door and itscustodian.

Per-Beod is the door which leads fromthe dry universe to another that is liq-

The KnownUniverse

What we call the “known”limits of the universe arefixed by the Fringe, this gi-gantic ethereal beltway thatdetermines the Empire’sfrontiers. Thus, the space andworlds comprised within theinterior of this line is desig-nated as the “Endofringe,”while the “Exofringe” con-sists of all that stretches outbeyond this frontier. It is im-portant to note that theFringe itself is very wide…several hundred light years.

uid. Its guardian, Bemb, holds the keyto the absolute source, the secret of mas-tering water. It seems that one day Bemb,for one reason or another, made anagreement with the Ekonomat, whichunifies them in a pact.

Chonch, the door that opens upfrom a rough and rugged universe to asmooth universe, is guarded by Ruante,who possesses the ability to modify thegeographical relief of worlds at will.His power is held by an object, a littlebrush in orikarb.

Finally, Podrih-Do, the custodianable to act upon the tiniest molecularlevel, mastering aroma chemistry,watches over Puerko, the door throughwhich one leaves the foul-smelling bor-der edges to emerge into a perfumeduniverse.

So there are the palpable and tan-gible aspects of the Human Universeand those bordering it. There is onemore point to broach: The universesare cosmo-eaters and are perpetuallyin competition with one another. Equi-librium among the universes is noth-ing but a state of instability, the bal-ance of their expansionist forces. Cer-tain of these realities will never be ac-cessible but for those extraordinarybeings, who know how to go beyondthemselves, pushing their limits in or-der to force their way to accessing thesedimensions. But the reality of the uni-verse, ours and all the others, doesn’tstop at the tangible. In fact, there exist alternative truthsfrom other more subtle and better hidden dimensions, orin a word, less perceptible.

GAME NOTE

If you are playing the Metabarons Roleplaying Game,you can use the fringes of the Human Universe as excel-lent places to humble even the cockiest of mortals.

THE INTERWORLD

In order to give you a more precise idea of the universe’sethereal mysteries, here are the words of a specialist:

“(…) Because the universe, my dear colleagues, isn’tlike a good old blueberry muffin fresh out of the oven,where the clouds of gas and dust are the dough, and theblueberries are masses scattered here and there — plan-ets, galaxies, and black holes. (…) Whether it be pastryor shortbread, the dough will never resemble the wonder-ful complexity of the universe’s texture, the magical co-existence of the sublime mysteries and physical energythat permits a single, particle of dust to have a greaterforce than the sum of the cores of all the suns combined.(…)

“(…) No, my dear col-leagues, in truth I tell you, thecentral brain isn’t shooting dice…much worse! The central brain isplaying liar’s poker with the devil,and has bet the entire universe on amiserable two-of-a-kind pokerhand.”

—Excerpts from the speech givenbefore the Galactic Mentreks Univer-sities’ Conference, by the MentrekGirasol, originator of the Meta-ChaosTheory, in the Terra Prima standardyear of 27258.

In spite of the nebulous aspects ofthis mystery, one statment is clear: Theuniverse is a vast chaotic expanse where“complexity” takes on its full meaningin every sense of the word. And in thisbubbling magma hides the interworld,an inaccessible dimension, beyondphysical reality as known to humans,and therefore beyond matter as we con-ceive and perceive it. Although invis-ible, this patch of the universe is never-theless a fundamental component of itstexture. “A thin, perfectly smooth-sur-faced leaf,” remark the MentrekGirasol, “contains more surprises thanany spirit of which even the most sav-age and untamed of paleo-poets couldever have conceived.”

Now let’s get into the details. Mat-ter is answered with anti-matter, and

the cohesion of the heterogeneous universe depends uponthe balance between these two fundamental elements. Anaccident, a cataclysm, or the flapping of a butterfly’s wingscan alter the alchemy’s harmony, opening a gap towardthe interworld, “the mythical past-beyond,” the essentialfabric of the Human Universe. This dimension of chaosand beauty houses scenes of splendor and dread to whichno soul would know how to resist: the chaotic AmberZone, from which perhaps came life, seeing that harmonyis born of disorder. Then beyond the labyrinthine pas-sages, the original dimension, as so aptly put by Girasol:“a dimension of pure beauty and eternal calm, where ontheir own, the living lights undulate, shiver, radiate, glis-ten, shine forth, phosphor, sparkle, and glitter, such arethese jewels large as galaxies.” And further still, furtherthan any distance ever traveled is the Omphal, “the firstand last spot, the secret navel where all is created, and allis consumed.”

What is learned from these revelations? In fact, the es-sential idea is that somewhere there exists the ultimatepoint of matter’s existence. It is the mythical Omphal, thepoint of origin of the big bang. At the origin of the worldand all things, the totality of colossal quantities of infi-nite and unimaginable energy, which goes through creat-

The Children ofthe Void

Accustomed to the endlessdiscovery of creatures onemore surprising than thenext on the planets of worldsstill unknown, humans havealso had to adapt to the veri-table inhabitants of space.

In the manner of an im-measurable sea, it harbors anunsuspected life and activity.At the furthest point of theborders, where one can justmake out the contours of thestellar ice floe, some explor-ers observed whales, sharksand cetaceans, who resemblethe very one who gave theShabda-Oud such an impres-sive army of cetacyborgs. Ithas also been documentedthat the use of Tri-H bombsand ammunition opened upbreaches so deep into spacethat creatures coming fromthe interworld could at timesmanifest themselves, assail-ing those responsible forthese disruptions in the

void’s equilibrium.

77 • The U

niverse

ing and shapingthe universe, was contained in a miniscule point,

a tiny black sphere, shiny like a pupil: the eye cre-ator, the one who gives birth to all worlds. This point,

the first and the last, buried within the deepest fabricof the universe, from which one day appeared all thatexists, could also sound the end of all existence.

Actually, what would come to pass if the eye creatorcame to close up again? If an ultrapowerful and heroicmadman came to brave one thousand dangers in orderto pierce the iris of the first eye?

Effectively, the question is asked, but rare are thosewho have dared venture to the other side. Only two rep-

resentatives of the august line of Metawarriors, the Met-abaron Aghnar and the Metabaron Steelhead, are knownto have ever crossed this boundary. Because the interworldis protected. At its breast are nurtured creatures moredreadful than famished ghouls, more monstrous than de-praved nosferastriges, more deadly than the most power-ful of fish. In particular, strange vampires haunt this zone,mind-eaters who scoff at the most resistant of whiteNetranekkon reinforcements and who gorge on themouth-watering cephalic mass bedded in human skulls.

Thus, there is little risk that a mortal dare go defy theOmphal. But one never knows…

HYPERSPACE AND INTERSPACE

Mastering hyperspace had been the initial key to theconquest of Terra Prima’s galaxy. Hyperspace is an un-stable state of the intersidereal void, in which all bodieslaunched faster than the speed of light enter. It has al-ready been a long time, more than 27,000 years, sincehumans mastered their traveling speed in space and leftto conquer this exquisitely mortal newfrontier. The universe was finallystretching out its arms to them. It is thediscovery of the instant fusion-contrac-tion-dilation of principle matter that of-fered this immeasurable power, able topropel them into the supraluminousdimension. But the mastery of thispower was a long, treacherous roadscattered with traps boundless dangers.At the time of the very first attempts, anumber of vessels, exiting a jump, ma-terialized within the interior of planetsor stars, exploding instantaneously. Buttime has gone by and now entire zonesof the universe, faraway galaxies andconstellations, have been mapped, andtoday the hyperspace highways aretaken without risk. Furthermore, evenbetter quality soundings, elaborated inthe Techno-Technos’ secret laboratory-factories, allow the identification of exitaccess point areas.

Along with the intersidereal tunnels,hyperspace is today one of the principle

means of voyage in space. The first allow travel to phe-nomenal distances, barely imaginable, between galaxies,sometimes thousands of light years away from one an-other; and the second is the route taken by vessels withina system or galaxy of small dimension, or when vesselstravel within zones which are not served by intersiderealtunnels. Perfectly mastered today, hyperspace no longerpresents any danger, just a few inconveniences. For ex-ample, the length of hyperspace voyages is wasted timeconsecrated to nothing else but an artificially deep sleep.This means of travel is therefore not recommended forlong distances where one could easily see a standard yearpass by in vain. However, hyperspace can present an un-deniable interest to those persons who find themselves ina delicate situation with the authorities, or pursued by apack of pirate ships, because in theory, it is technicallyimpossible to follow the trace of a vessel immersed in hy-perspace.

But there exists yet another way to travel, through an-other dimension of space. A secret and dangerous course,almost unknown and certainly fantastic, solely accessibleto representatives of the Metabaron cast: the interspace.

Launched at full engine power, the Metacraft slicesthrough anti-matter, the negative counterpart of matter,and penetrates the interspace. In this mysterious zone,unknown to the rest of humans, the Metacraft can in afew standard seconds traverse thousands of light yearsand pass from the Trogosocialik system to the Techno-Technos’ Central Planet. A trip that would take a normalvessel several weeks in hyperspace,only lasts a heart beatfor the Metacraft. In a single leap, an infinitesimal frac-tion on the scale of the universe, almost as if gifted withubiquity, it can spring up at any point in space, scoffingat protection shields, supraradar, and electrospies. This

unique ability imparts a formidablepower to the Metacraft, which com-pletely erases the hopes of impregna-bility to any so-called unassailablefortress.

To explain how the Metabaronproceeds into interspace, here is thefirst of many secrets concerning theMetacraft. The Metabaron’s fantasticvessel is not only a magnificently slen-der and ultra powerfully armed instru-ment of death. It is much more thanthat. The craft is an integral part ofthe Castaka’s soul, the feminine alter-ego of Ganjez, the spirit of Marmola.Just as at the moment of his death,the male bird, guardian of epiphyte,merged into the soul of the first Met-abaron, the female bird, condemnedto unbearable solitude, united withthe Metacraft. Thus this unique com-bat vessel’s absolutely stupefyingpowers came in great part from thisunification.

Organizing theWorlds

In a universe too vast forit to be possible for anyoneto claim having explored allits most infinite parts, habit-able planets and worlds areorganized into a hierarchybased on travel time, ratherthan according to their trueimportance. Worlds at theExofringes have the particu-larity of being situated be-yond the Empire’s limits, justlike the border worlds, butthe existence of some doorsbeyond the Imperial fron-tiers equally create a notionof major and minor worlds

of the Exofringe.

Cha

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What is interspace? In fact, it is de-void of matter, a state beyond matteror anti-matter, the ultimate form ofnothingness, which is much like beingbehind the scenes of reality. Time andspace are obliterated, and nothing canexist. That is, nothing except one’s con-scious, which is the only medium ca-pable of maintaining a being’s cohe-sion. Vested with an immeasurablestrength drawn from the deepest ofprimal sexual energies, combined withthe seventh fundamental force — thecosmo-carnal interaction — the Meta-baron and the Metacraft are capableof crystallizing the essence of their con-sciousness. At the entrance to inter-space, their material reality dissolves,but its memory is preserved in a nucleusof superior strength. The given exer-tion is colossal, and only their super-human willpower allows them to sus-tain it. An infinite fraction of standardtime later, which represents an eternityin Gehenna to them, their materializa-tion is restored at the targeted point ofarrival.

That’s how the Metabaron frees him-self from the constraints of time andspace, and fulfills the quasi-divinedream of ubiquity.

TUNNELS AND WORLDS

Since the invention of the Techno-Tunnels, worlds aredifferentiated based on their location:the “major” worlds— situated at less than five hours by hyper-spatial jumpfrom a Tunnel door; the “minor” worlds — accessible inless than five days after a jump; and the “faraway” worlds— situated at more than five days from a hyperspatialexit point.

THE HUMAN AND ALIEN GALAXIES

The universe is certainly finite, but as far as they’vetraveled, humans still haven’t seen it all. The Milky Wayalone, Terra Prima’s galaxy, is an enormous disc of stars100,000 light years in diameter and 3,000 light years indepth, containing some 200 billion stars floating in inter-stellar matter made up of dust and plasma. Its central bulb,18 million light years in diameter, is completed by fourspiral arms. This sidereal space harbors no more than twoblack holes.

At this galaxy’s periphery,a small star — the sun — sendsits heat and light to Terra Prima.In total, nine planets and their satel-lites, some thousands of asteroidsand several hundreds of comets formTerra Prima’s solar system, which isjust one of numerous systems com-posed around a good part of the 200billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Further out, the universe housesother galaxies by the billions, amyriad of stars and planets in unimag-inable quantities. The galaxies are sonumerous that they organize them-selves in clusters. And then in clustersof clusters. And then in super-clusters.Set in equilibrium in the void, their ar-rangement reminds one of cellulosemolecules found in plant tissue. On oc-casion, the clusters even regroup intohyperclusters, whose weight is suchthat they attract entire galaxies. Whirl-winds form, and the universe becomesagitated, shaking about. Head-on col-lisions take place creating “cosmic tsu-namis,” which spread in the universeat the speed of 320,000 kilometers perhour and give birth to billions of stars.

It is in this perpetually agitated stel-lar confusion that the Human Empire,originally set off from Terra Prima,pursues its expansion. Today, the cen-

sus of the universe shows 22,000 major worlds, of whichalmost half are Endocities — the famous planetsterraformed with care by the Magnarmada Techno-Ama-zona vessels. Concretely, all these major worlds are justas well-isolated planets as complete systems or even gal-axies. Everything depends upon the particular configura-tion of the concerned spatial zone. In any case, these worldsare exceptionally distant from one another, are profoundlydifferent from each other (with the exception of theEndocities, which instead have the tendency to resembleone another), and are governed by laws, customs, habits,and extremely varied authorities, even if they have all beeninspired, specified, or nominated by the Empire.

The next chapter covers a sampling of planets andworlds over which the Emperoress, Janus-Jana, extendsHis-Her authority. Some will already be familiar, but oth-ers will surely seem much more exotic.

Flotsam andJetsam Collectors

The successive wars andexpeditions in space have notonly contributed to the dis-covery of new horizons, butalso have generated somesurprising activities. Just asthe seas have their pirates, inspace there exist wreckagecollectors. Not just satisfiedwith plundering the car-casses of drifting vessels, theyvoluntarily provoke damagesand breakdowns, beforemelting down the cabin inorder to seize the materialand spare parts. For thosewho get near them, they giveoff a smell that evokes rustedmetal. Considered as theworst riddle of the universe,the pirates have counted intheir ranks the illustriousOthon, who debuted his ca-reer with them before beingsnatched up into the whirl-wind of his destiny with the

Castakas.

79 • The U

niverse

Besides the few quickly presented planets in this chap-ter, the universe contains billions of other worlds, inastronomical quantities, quasi-infinite numbers of ce-lestial bodies, stars, and mysteries. Freed from the stel-lar ice floes, ice asteroids roam thus in the sidereal void,wherever the stellar winds take them. Furthermore,human races in myriads, mutants, and extraterrestrialswho populate the universe never stopped fashioning

their world and constructing new ones. There is also Dreer,Summit, Aquaend, Alix III Badmech, Barnab Laylin, DelRey III, and still many other worlds, not to mention theorbiting stations. In this way, terraformed planets cameinto being everywhere humans went, and strings of artifi-cial satellites have been scattered.

But the Universe also conceals incomprehensible trapsthat are still beyond comprehension. This explains the“No Return Pass,” a bottleneck alley where inevitablylost crafts founder. These narrows would be, it is said, themythic hideout of the “arachno-bats,” improbable crea-tures the size of a very small planet or a large asteroid.These creatures apparently live in the sidereal void, andsurvive thanks to the photonic radiation harnessed by theirgigantic wings, comparable to stellar sails. To make thingsa bit more appetizing, they spin webs between their motherplanet and its five satellites, where imprudent ships andvessels come and get trapped.

And that is the setting of this universe— a magnificet backdrop, where eventhe glacial cold of the infinite void con-ceals a certain poetry.

OVERVIEW NOTE

In the “Proximity to a Techno-Tun-nel” section of each planet’s overviewchart, the value indicates time expressedin days (d) or hours (h) necessary toreach an interstellar (t) or an interga-lactic (T) Techno-Tunnel.

MARMOLA

Aliens: NoneAtmosphere: Type I (breathable)Category: Distant WorldClimate: TemperateDay Length: 22 standard hoursYear Length: 412 local daysGovernment: Imperial governorGravity: StandardHydrosphere: DryMajor Exports: Ephiphyte and

mined products (marble)Major Imports: Technological

EquipmentPlanet’s Function: Vast industrial

and research center

W O R L D SPopulation: 65 million inhabitantsProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 15dtSpaceport: Stellar classTechnology: SpaceTerrain: Barren stretches, mountains, a fertile valleyType: TerrestrialGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s galaxyConstellation: PiedraStar System: Philidor, situated at the periphery of one

of the galaxy’s spiral arms.Physical Characteristics: Third planet in the Philidor

system, with a diameter of 158,000 kilometers, Marmolacompletes a single revolution on its axis in slightly under22 standard hours, and completes its orbit in 412 stan-dard days. Its rotation axis lies off center at 15°23' withrespect to an ecliptic plane, which allows the phenom-enon of seasons to be known. Marmola’s sole fertile val-ley is located in the temperate zone. There are cold andhot seasons, separated by two short intermediary peri-ods. Considering the particular properties of its core, itsgravity represents 0.9568 times that of Terra Prima’s, de-spite the difference in mass. Its relatively even land sur-face is traversed by two vast, north-south oriented moun-tain chains, reaching 15,000 meters at its highest point.Rich in oxygen, its atmosphere shows traces of nitrogen,carbon dioxide, and other various gases.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Co-ordinates: 55xyz33

Satellites: Marmola does not haveany satellites.

Flora and Fauna: Excepting aminiscule valley bathed by a slenderstream, the surface of Marmola is com-pletely arid. A meager vegetationgrows in the valley where some rareanimal species also live. History tellsus that formerly a great bird livedthere, spreading its enormous wings tohover above for great lengths of time.

Marmola is a gigantic globe ofmarble. Despite the presence of an at-mosphere, life is extremely difficult onits arid surface. There is only oneminiscule fertile valley in which all ofthe rare human inhabitants weresettled.

Marmola draws it sustenance fromits earth, which is extracted in orderto pave the Empire’s palace floors andwalls.

The heart of the stone sphere harborsa treasure — epyphite, the sacred bloodof the marble planet which became thegreatest treasure of the Empire and wasthe object of a bitter battle.

The proud marbleball — whose variegated re-flections softly colored theentirety of the Philidor sys-tem — is now nothing morethan a scraggy stumpgnawed to the bone.Marmola’s splendid light nolonger shines under its orbit-ing space stations. It’s onlyfertile valley has long sincebeen filled in with stones andother rocky ejections.

The Imperial technicianshave been forced to live inspace — a consequence ofthe meticulous carving up ofthe planet. As the epiphytewas pumped out, Marmolashriveled up, completely as-pirated from the inside.Overexploitation was thecause of a slow, agonizingdeath to this otherwise leg-

endary world….

Today, Marmola is covered in Impe-rial extraction installations, designed toremove marble and the precious (andrapidly depleting) epyphite.

Population: From time immemorial,the Cataska clan lived on this planet towhich they were bound by the power-ful yet subtle link of a magic essence.The head of the clan’s soul has beeninhabited by the keeper’s spirit, Ganjez,since the days of Dayal von Castaka,the founder of the glorious line.

GOLDEN PLANET

Aliens: NoneAtmosphere: Type I (breathable)

pure oxygenCategory: Major WorldClimate: TemperateDay Length: 25 standard hoursYear Length: 213 local daysGovernment: Emperoress and the Imperial governmentGravity: StandardHydrosphere: DryMajor Exports: Galactic bureaucracyMajor Imports: Luxury products, foodstuffs, high-tech-

nology productsPlanet’s Function: Capital of the Human EmpirePopulation: 5 million inhabitantsProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 1htSpaceport: Ist Class and first in the Imperial ClassTechnology: SpaceTerrain: Pure GoldType: TerrestrialGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s galaxyConstellation: AlbaStar System: OroPhysical Characteristics: The Golden Planet is the most

voluminous of the three planets (Beacon Planet and For-bidden Planet are the two others) that make up the tinyOro system. Originally the planet was octagonal, but itwas remodeled by the Empire. At a distance of 153.7 mil-lion kilometers from its sun, the star Alba, it follows avery eccentric orbit, in 213 standard days, strongly tiltedat 10° on the ecliptic plane. Despite physical conditionsthat are in theory favorable to life (presence of a thin at-mospheric layer), there existed practically no animal orvege-table life at humanity’s arrival on Golden Planet,without a doubt due to the considerable differences intemperature at its surface. Its diameter (47,230 kilome-ters) and its gravity are comparable to Terra Prima’s. Anequatorial plane, 300 kilometers wide, enjoys the privi-lege of an optimal exposition to the solar rays. Its naturalrelief is barely pronounced. A comparatively dense waternetwork is concentrated in the equatorial zone. Theplanet’s metallic core is a colossal mass of pure gold. Richveins of gold rise up to the surface directly from the heartof the planet.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Coordinates: 23oro78

Satellites: Golden Planethas ten satellites, one naturaland nine artificial, on which de-fense systems are installed(polyradars, quantum sensors, pho-tonic shields). Their position inspace assures perfect coverage ofGolden Planet’s entire surface. Thesmall natural satellite has been re-developed into a vacation and recre-ational resort, where grand celebra-tions and other social events are or-ganized. It now provides a habitat forsynthetic flora and fauna, colored uni-formly in the crimson-purple palette,from vivid magenta to deep eggplantblue.

Flora and Fauna: Only two types ofanimal and plant life were encountered

on the first human expedition to Golden Planet and solelyin the equatorial zone: enormous trees with wide palmleaves, veined in gold, and jumping insects equipped withextremely powerful hind feet capable of making tremen-dous leaps (10,780 times their height). At death, theseplants and animals do not undergo the biodegradationprocess, as do most types of bacteria. Instead, they dry upto the point of becoming a pure gold skeletal residue,which then integrates itself into the ground.

Since the Empire’s settling into this world, Amorine isfound in the gardens and balconies of the highest leaders’residences. The Amourine flower, which feeds on theplanet’s gold, grows in abundance. But nobody takes careof the Amourine, because the flower is taboo, and no handsubject to Imperial will would commit the sacrilege oftouching it, even with a gentle caress. Consequently, theAmourine flowers, needlessly in bloom on the balconiesof the Empire’s nobility, become sad, and at nightfall, amuted lament rustles throughout the streets and alleys ofGolden Planet.

Population: Originally, Golden Planet had no endog-enous population of any human type. Today this planet isthe political, military, and religious seat of the Empire,and its population reaches five billion individuals. Thedemographics are stable, births compensating deaths, andimmigration is under excessive control. Besides the Impe-rial Court, the Golden Planet equally welcomes officialrepresentatives from parallel universes, and it is in theoffices of the Confederation of Parallel Universes that thepolyuniversal teleconferences are televised.

Additional Information: After the discovery of GoldenPlanet and its riches, a short period of trouble aboundedin this area of the cosmos, until the Empire decided tosettle here and make the planet its headquarters. The en-tire surface had been leveled, with the exception of hill-ocks and mounds situated at the highest point of the equa-torial plane (situated precisely on the equator) where theImperial Palace was built. At ground level, an uninter-rupted succession of golden cities cover the entirety ofthe planet’s surface. An artificial atmosphere of pure oxy-

“Emergency! The re-bellion is spreading! Repeat:Rebellion is spreading. Riot-ing has taken over three ad-ditional cities. All communi-cations with the Techno-Technos’ tropical systemsservo-relay have been inter-rupted — but a live directtransmission to the hyperteletransmitters has been local-ized… transmitting out to22,000 major worlds of theEmpire!” — Imperial com-

munication, code alert

81 • Worlds

Cha

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7 •

82 gen has been created. Exterior life is possible

in the equatorial zone. In other regions, life isunderground.

TERRA PRIMA

Aliens: NoneAtmosphere: Type II (breather unit recommended)Category: Major WorldClimate: TemperateDay Length: 24 standard hoursYear Length: 365 local days (standard)Government: N/A

Gravity: StandardHydrosphere: HumidMajor Exports: NoneMajor Imports: NonePlanet’s Function: NonePopulation: Postapocolyptic mutants (uncounted)Proximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 5htSpaceport: NoneTechnology: NoneTerrain: Plains, mountains, glacial zones, oceansType: TerrestrialGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s galaxyConstellation: Alpha CentauriStar System: Sol, extending around the sun as far as the

Oort Cloud.Physical Characteristics: Third planet from the sun, situ-

ated at a distance varying between 147.1 and 152.1 mil-lion kilometers from the sun (due to its eccentric orbit),Terra Prima completes its orbit in 365days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 9.5 sec-onds. It rotates on its axis in 23 hours,56 minutes and 4.1 seconds. On Janu-ary, 2000, of Terra Prima’s humanpaleo-calender, the axis was inclined onthe terrestrial orbit at an angle of 23°26'and 21.4". Endowed with an atmo-sphere rich in oxygen and hydrogen,and expanses of water on over twothirds of its surface, this sphere of40,000 kilometers in diameter is thecradle of human life. All of the humanraces which populate the universe tothis day are prior offspring of TerraPrima’s original human race.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Co-ordinates: 12zbd49

Satellites: Originally, Terra Prima hadone satellite, the moon, which is com-pletely destoryed today.

Flora and Fauna: At life’s beginnings,Terra Prima provided a habitat for ex-traordinarily luxurious flora and fauna,to this day unparalleled on any blueplanet visited in the universe. With thedevelopment of the human race, thebiological diversity of Terra Prima de-generated to the sad state of being noth-

ing more than a souvenir in the memory of only the best-informed Mentreks. After the flora and fauna’s wild spe-cies became extinct, human life itself became impossibleon this planet. Today, Terra Prima is nothing but a fieldof poisoned ruins, bathed in a radioactive atmosphere.

Population: Formerly inhabited by more than 120 bil-lion human individuals, Terra Prima no longer counts asingle habitant.

Additional Information: Once the seat of the Empireand the human galaxy’s central planet, Terra Prima suf-fered a slow and painful death after the departure of theImperial authorities for Golden Planet. The populationsleft behind headed an arsenal of massive destruction, andlacking any unifying power, rival factions confronted eachother for control of the vacant Imperial throne.

There was a time when the fear of seeing fission’s all-consuming fire explode into a rage that would have inevi-tably wiped Terra Prima along with the entire galaxy offthe maps of the cosmos could rein in humanity’s destruc-tive madness. But fear was also the excuse they were wait-ing for to elaborate even more destructive weapons. Therewas an escalation of biological and chemical warfare,answered with their neutronic, protonic, and photoniccounterparts. And so it was at this time that the machineslaunched their sacred war against humans and all bio-logical elements. The tiniest sign of life, even the mostsubterranean, buried away and best protected, had beenannihilated. The human race then left its nourishingmother planet without a glance, scattering out into theentire cosmos. Today, on the desolate landscape of proudconstructions once built to reach the high heavens, blows

an acid wind deprived of the tiniestsong or even the slightest sound.

OKHAR AND THE ANASIRMA

ASTEROID

Aliens: NoneAtmosphere: Type I (breathable)Category: Minor WorldClimate: TemperateDay Length: undeterminedYear Length: undeterminedGovernment: NoneGravity: StandardHydrosphere: HumidMajor Exports: NoneMajor Imports: NonePlanet’s Function: Metabaron’s se-

cret hideoutPopulation: The MetabaronProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 3dtSpaceport: NoneTechnology: Meta-technologyTerrain: MountainsType: TerrestrialGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s

galaxyConstellation: DiamondStar System: Ankharo

Of the countless bil-lions of the Blue Planet’s in-habitants, a destructivefrenzy chased away the greatmajority and decimated therest. Only a few zombie-mu-tants remain today, wander-ing in the debris, feeding onorganic moss and drinkingfrom the acid pools. Forthese ectoplasms of concen-trated hate, all that remainsof their distant humanity isthe desire for revenge, adeeply anchored feeling thatpushes them to spontane-ously detest all others butthemselves. Adventurousvoyagers must never forgetthe risk they run in visitingthis planet, notably that offalling prey to these canni-balistic creatures who wouldadore having the chance to

devour their hearts….

Physical Characteristics: Ankharo isa small star comparatively far out inthe galaxy. The Ankharo system is com-posed of four planets, of which threeare barren. In contrast, Okhar is an ex-ceptionally fertile world, a veritable ha-ven of extraordinary conditions.Smaller than Terra Prima (32,750 ki-lometers in diameter), Okhar has an at-mosphere rich in oxygen and othergases (notably dioxygen, ozone andcarbon dioxide). Moderately inclinedon its ecliptic axis, it has faintly definedseasons. However, the climate varies de-pending upon latitude. A wide equato-rial plane registers a hot and humid cli-mate. Vast temperate zones with apleasant paleo-Mediterranean-style cli-mate extend northward and southwardfrom this area. Two immense continen-tal plateaus, separated by two oceans,cover the whole of the sphere. The geo-graphical relief is varied: Plentifully ir-rigated plains give way to wooded mas-sifs. The north, which is the more vastof the continents is blocked off by theAnasirma, an imposing chain of sacredmountains. Okhar completes its orbitin 425 days. It rotates on its axis in 27hours, 12 minutes.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Co-ordinates: 27hok78

Satellites: Okhar has two natural moons, Orkho andRahna, diametrically opposed and vertically situated atthe planet’s two poles.

Flora and Fauna: The extremely favorable and variedconditions of the planet have allowed for the appearanceof flora and fauna that is as rich as it is exuberant. Top-ping the long list of luxurious plants are the carnivoreswith their intoxicating perfume, the huge ferns of theAnasima foothills, the namioc (whose edible root formsthe base of the Okharian people’s diet), and the giantsmooth-trunked soquaia (whose tops extend upwards forhundreds of meters). The animal kingdom isn’t idle: a fan-tastic life bustles about in the swamps and marshes, suchas the delicious, fragrantly fleshed zapopos with theirpoisonous skin, or the blue-shelled crabawfish. On land,the venomous scolopedes slither, and the gigantic-earedkonojos gallop alongside the jumping guanacuñas. In theair, fly winged cats and carnivorous eodactyles — fear-some winged creatures with formidable jaws.

Population: Peaceful human tribes, who call themselvesthe Canus, people the fertile valleys. Their gentle tem-perament is in perfect harmony with the clement life onOkhar. By tradition and inclination, they profess a confi-dent submission to the immanent providence, and are aptto faithfully serve the master of Okhar.

Additional Information: The Empire offered planetOkhar, a new and protected world, to Othon von Castaka,the first Metabaron, to thank him for services rendered

to the Empire. It is here thatOthon made Honorata’s ac-quaintance and that Aghnar wasborn. And life could have gone bypeacefully, but Okhar was boundto know a destiny as tragic as thatof the glorious line of Metawarriors.Victim of the Shabda-Oud’s impla-cable tracking, Okhar was devas-tated by the explosion of micro-Hbombs implanted in Honorata’s chestby her Shabda-Oud superiors. Every-thing was destroyed. The pacificOkharian tribes were erased fromhumanity’s memory, and the flora andfauna were engulfed in the explosion.However, the secret Castaka retreat,buried deep in the heart of theAnasirma mountain chain, was con-served within the core of an asteroidpropelled intact into space during theexplosion.

HOSPITAL PLANET

Aliens: NoneAtmosphere: Type I (breathable)Category: Major WorldClimate: GlacialDay Length: 48 standard hours

Year Length: 480 local daysGovernment: Techno-PopeGravity: StandardHydrosphere: HumidMajor Exports: Organs, biological tissue, health and

medical informationMajor Imports: The sick, dying, bacteria, germs, and

touristsPlanet’s Function: The Empire’s hospital basePopulation: 6.5 billionProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 2htSpaceport: Ist classTechnology: SpaceTerrain: Plateaux, mountains, plainsType: TerresterialGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s GalaxyConstellation: CentralStar System: ShaarPhysical Characteristics: A gigantic planet from the Shaar

system that counts seven in all, Hospital Planet is an im-maculate white sphere entirely reworked by humans. Twosoft-water oceans are fixed at the poles. They meet the needsof this colossal healthcare establishment. The median stripis an immense, sprawling construction that culminates at ahigh point averaging 4,700 meters. Perfectly centered on itsecliptic, Hospital Planet doesn’t experience the phenomenonof seasons. The scrawny rays of its sun only produce a palelight. Hospital Planet completes its orbit in 480 days androtates on its axis in 48 hours. The surface temperature isalways negative, varying between –6° and –278°C, which

Since the time ofOkhar’s destruction, theAnasirma Asteroid hides theCastaka’s impregnable for-tress. In the heart of thissanctuary, guarded by anarmy of ferocious eodactyles,the wonders of the ancientmaxiprotonic tower sleep aneternal sleep sur-rounded bythe Metabaron’s weaponsand souvenirs. Much likeTonto in the Metabunker, aprocession of robots assuresthe fortress’s upkeep andmaintenance, accompaniedonly by the hissing silence oftheir well-oiled cogwheels.The whereabouts of this ul-timate refuge are solelyknown to the Metabaron,accessible to him alone, andit is here that he finds refugefrom the universe’s din, freelygiving himself over to mel-

ancholy….

83 • Worlds

provides perfect conditions for conserving organsand chemicals without cluttering the installations.

Hospital Planet’s atmosphere is rich in oxygen, butone also finds a number of other gases and compoundsin gas form (alcohol, either, chloroform, etc.). Even tracesof alkaloid gas residue have been detected.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Coordinates:17sos18

Satellites: Two satellites revolve around HospitalPlanet: Arton and Nituh.

Flora and Fauna: There is no endemic natural vegeta-tion, nor any trace of animal life. Today, gigantic hydro-

ponic greenhouses permit a local production of plants andflowers. In the same way, there are immense subterraneanand surface installations including a cancerous cell zoo, apark where all the viral strains ever encountered in spacefrolic about in liberty, a giant Kock’s bacillus, dancingbacteria, polychromatic mutant cysts, and a thousandother wonders that are well worth the visit.

Population: No indigenous population lives on Hospi-tal Planet. Today several billion people, for the most partdressed in white, live on the planet.

Additional Information: Hospital Planet is the humangalaxy’s healthcare institution. Its centrally located posi-tion allows for the treatment of numerous clientele. Apartfrom the services of multispecialized surgery, generalhealthcare, rehabilitation and treatment research centers,prosthesis centers, morgues, hotel networks, and annexesallotted to supplies and management, Hospital Planetequally accommodates several research centers. It is theHospital Planet team of researchers who in thirty years,ten days, five hours, eight seconds, seven tenths, andtwelve hundredths successfully inseminated an egg fromthe Empress with a sterile sperm from the Emperor tocreate Janus-Jana, he and she twins who would later be-come the master/mistress of the galaxy, its “MajorOphidity,” the Emperoress of all things.

The omni-practitioners training is completely under theauthority of the Techno-Technos. The surgeons cast consti-tutes a veritable sect, particularly fierce,who believe as their motto affirms: “bet-ter to cut than heal.” In practice, all ofthe surgeons are laden with machines thatare systematically implanted during theirtraining period. At the same time, a hugeproduction unit manufactures hordes ofrobo-surgeons, including one who hasknown an extraordinary destiny. This isTonto, the Metabaron’s faithful robot,who was actually issued from HospitalPlanet’s production lines. The meetingbetween Tonto and the first Metabaronhappened when Othon came to have thelegs of his son Bari treated after the battleof Marmola. Refusing to submit to thehumiliation of being forced to wait,Othon, half crazed by grief and the af-front to his pride, grabbed hold of a robo-surgeon set on a cart. The robot was

Tonto, a prototype marked for destruction because heshowed some disturbing signs of completely unpredictablerobotic mutations. Endowed with phenomenal super-intel-ligence and a quasiconscious, Tonto immediately took a lik-ing to this weeping warrior who was reducing half of thebuilding to ashes, and showed him how to escape withoutdanger. Since this time, Tonto has been in service to theMetabarons.

PERDITA

Aliens: MagonsAtmosphere: Type IV (exoskeleten required)Category: Exofringe WorldClimate: TropicalDay Length: 134 standard hoursYear Length: 42 local daysGovernment: TribalGravity: SupraheavyHydrosphere: SaturatedMajor Exports: NoneMajor Imports: NonePlanet’s Function: NonePopulation: Tens of thousands of specimensProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 24dtSpaceport: NoneTechnology: StoneTerrain: Plains, mushroomsType: TerrestrialGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s GalaxyConstellation: Canis MinorStar System: InferiorPhysical Characteristics: Planet Perdita is a sphere of

modest dimensions (a diameter of 23,500 kilometers)which rotates on its axis in a bit more than 134 standardhours and completes its orbit in 42 standard days. Takinginto consideration its off-centered axis compared to itsecliptic plane (13.7°), it experiences a barely defined phe-nomenon of seasons, which however follow one anothervery rapidly. Perdita is endowed with an enormous me-tallic core (Magonium48, an extremely heavy metal with-

out any particular properties or in-dustrial applicability, which permit-ted Perdita to be saved from theEkonomat’s tradesmen’s greed). Theground gravity is absolutely phenom-enal (more than 1,000 times that ofTerra Prima). The atmosphere is anunstable mixture of oxygen, hydro-gen, and heavy gases, which crystal-lize to form a misty gangue encirclinga small ball of granite and mud. Onthe ground, water is omnipresent andthe temperature is relatively elevated.

Hyperspatial Approach VectorCoordinates: 48fin18

Satellites: Perdita has one asteroidsatellite, Hongo.

Flora and Fauna: With both favor-able physical and climatic conditions(presence of water, positive tempera-

In the undergroundlevels of Hospital Planet, thenursing staff, bios and robotsalike, regularly renew thetime-honored tradition ofTerra Prima’s paleo-medicalstudents. In an infernal bac-chanal feast, they revive the“Burial Celebration.” Dur-ing these unbridled orgies,they take out and dress thecada-vers, tease the dyingpatients, and get carriedaway with pranks in-spiredby the hyperpowerful drugs

they have consumed.

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tures and oxygen), an animal and plantlife has naturally developed on thisworld. Thus, on Perdita’s surface, gi-gantic mushrooms grow 50 meters highin a compost extraordinarily favorableto the proliferation of mycotic spores.At the top of these fungoid structureslive the Magon tribe, large mycopha-gous monkeys, insensible to gravity,who float in the air and feed on barktorn from the mushroom trunks. Onthe ground, masses of flat and carnivo-rous creatures crushed by the gravitymill about, feeding on the fallen greatmonkeys. It so happens that due to awhimsical and uncertain logic, the fly-ing monkeys suddenly regain theirweight and go crashing to the ground.This happens regularly at the changeof each season, the day the Red Lightreturns, during which the Magonsgrow fangs and confront each other inbloody battles to win the title of Patri-arch. As well as being extremely pro-lific, the Magon monkeys have a lon-gevity of 30,000 standard years. Fur-thermore, it should be noted that theMagons are great salt eaters, which explains their abso-lute fascination with Planet Diamond. In fact, Planet Dia-mond is a fragment snatched from the stellar ice floe, whichitself is an agglomeration of salt, and the first Magon cer-tainly originated from the stellar ice floe.

Population: There is no human population on Perdita.Additional Information: Turned into a refuge for the

Castakas after the destruction of Okhar, Perdita is theworld where the Metabaron Othon died, killed in theMetabaron tradition by his son Aghnar. Left alone at onlyeight years old, Aghnar grew up in this unfriendly world.Ten years later, he left Perdita after having become theMaster of the Magons, who vowed to him their bound-less fidelity. He then sacrificed them in order to satisfy hisdesire for vengeance against the Shabda-Oud order. To-day, the Magons no longer fall from the sky to be de-voured by the flat creatures, and Perdita has returned toits foggy solitude.

STELLAR ICE FLOE

Aliens: Jejohs and other creatures of the glacialborders

Atmosphere: Type IV (exoskeleton required)Category: World of the ConfinesClimate: GlacialDay Length: UndeterminedYear Length: UndeterminedGovernment: NoneGravity: HeavyHydrosphere: SaturatedMajor Exports: NoneMajor Imports: NonePlanet’s Function: None

Population: Undeter-mined

Proximity to a Techno-Tunnel:16dt

Spaceport: NoneTechnology: StoneTerrain: Ice floeType: AsteroidGalaxy: IcyConstellation: Glacial confinesStar System: HieloPhysical Characteristics: Hielo is a

neutron star resulting from the explo-sion of a supernova. This miniscule as-ter (with a radius of barely ten kilo-meters) presents an average density onthe order of 1,000 million tons per cu-bic centimeter, which has the effect ofmaking the area extremely unstable.The enormous force of gravity is feltfrom light years away in every direc-tion, and the system’s cohesion is con-stantly at risk of being upset. This sys-tem counts four planets. The first is agiant planet (one million kilometers indiameter) that maintains its equili-brium due to its phenomenal mass.

Consequently, it forms a screen that deviates the intensephotonic radiance of Hielo and projects a vast cone ofshadow over the rest of the system. The next three plan-ets are therefore plunged into an absolute stellar darknesswhere glacial temperatures reign at well below absolutezero. The stellar ice floe extends for a distance of close totwo light years over three planets. It was formed by theagglomerations of salty debris and brackish and wateryproducts coming from the explosion of a vast system ofaquatic planets. No atmosphere encircles the ice floe, butthe stellar winds, which frequently fly into a rage there,are loaded with oxygen and hydrogen. Moreover, power-ful photonic currents circle the immediate edges aroundthe cone of shadow.

The stellar ice floe is not a completely quiet zone and it isnot as barren as one may think. For example, it served as arefuge for creatures of the extreme confines — the Jejohs,who escaped the tyranny of the pachydermic jellyfish. Afterdiverse phases of mutation in order to adapt to the particu-lar conditions of the ice floe, the Jejohs ended up liking itthere, all the more so because they discovered the virtues ofPiram — a cactus plant that grows on the ice floe and whosesap increases mental power tenfold. But the awakening ofone’s consciousness doesn’t happen without producing un-expected side effects. When united, the Jejohs entered into aphase of violent conflict. It is at this period that the TechnoPopess, herself in open war with the Techno-Pope, set outto establish her own order and discovered the stellar icefloe. Until then, the rare vessels that came to the out-skirtshad undergone massive structural cor-rosion, and rarer still,those few explorers, who had tread upon the ice floe’sground, had had their eyeballs irremediably dam-aged by

It’s not a good idea tohang out near the outskirtsof Perdita. Its tremendousgravity creates a turbulentfield that is felt for light yearsaround. Voyageurs caught inthis gravitational vortex havepractically no chance of es-caping a tragic end, stuck onthis hostile planet for eter-nity. Nevertheless, there is apersistent rumor that evokesthe case of a wise explorerwho apparently was able tosuccessfully overcome theplanet’s implacable attrac-tion in utilizing a substancecontained in the Magons’ la-ryngeal glands. And as ifthat weren’t enough, he alsodiscovered a Magonium48oxide containing astounding

properties…

85 • Worlds

the salt. But the cetacyborgslaugh at the corrosion (in fact,

they are mad about salty biologi-cal debris), and the Shabda-Oudhave a mental carapace that protectsthem against all forms of ag-gression. In this way, the Shabda-Oud priestess, during her explorationof the planet, rescued an injured Jejoh.Won over by its powerful male lust,she decided to make him the order’sofficial inseminator.Hyperspatial Approach Vector Co-

ordinates: 27hdo12Satellites: No actual satellites have

been recorded, but vast frozen star clus-ters sometimes break away from the ice floe. The asteroid-icebergs drift wherever they are taken by the stellar winds.

Flora and Fauna: No living flora exists in this zone, butquantities of plant debris are trapped in the ice. Krill bedsand stellar micro-plankton, made up of small salted vam-pires, which the cetacyborgs delight in, can also some-times be found fro-zen within these glacial monstrosities.Enor-mous cetacreatures come to roam this zone, espe-cially during their reproductive period, and some naviga-tor-explorer accounts report the sighting of titanic yet slen-der creatures, similar to stellar skate fish, playing on theoutskirts of the floe.

Population: No living population inhabits the stellarice floe. However, the icebergs contain a myriad of vari-ous beings originating from worlds thatwere snatched up and frozen. In par-ticular, there is a Jejoh colony, fellowcreatures of the one who became theShabda-Oud order’s god. The nun-slutsbuilt a temple on the stellar ice, evenmore dazzling than the one on PlanetDiamond. But only the most deservingknew of its existence and had the honorof going to visit it. This first temple istoday in ruins.

BAGGDATHI-THE-PEARL

Aliens: NoneAtmosphere: Type I (breathable)Category: Major WorldClimate: TemperateDay Length: 19 standard hoursYear Length: 225 local daysGovernment: Anarcho-monarchicalGravity: StandardHydrosphere: ModerateMajor Exports: Luxury products,

some raw materials (Kankrum25)Major Imports: EclecticsPlanet’s Function: Capital of the

Septenarian system, traffickingPopulation: 1.6 billionProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 3ht

Spaceport: Standard ClassTechnology: ComputerTerrain: Tropical forests, mountain

chains, plainsType: TerrestrialGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s

galaxyConstellation: GoathiStar System: Septenarian, neighbor-

ing the Beta-Kuntri blue-solar systemPhysical Characteristics: Set in the

septenarian system, Baggdathi-the-Pearl is the largest of seven planetscontained in the system. Underground,it contains incredible quantities ofKankrum25, a radioactive element in-dispensable to the Hospital Planet

laboratories for the development of certain anti-metastaticproducts. A vast globe of 54,000 kilometers in diameter,Baggdathi-the-Pearl is a blue planet with characteristicscomparable to that of Terra Prima. It is divided into sevencontinents by six oceans. Its atmosphere is rich in oxy-gen, hydrogen, and ozone. With an inclination on the eclip-tic plane of 8.74°, it has in its temperate zones four dis-tinct seasons. In the equatorial zones, there are only twoseasons: a dry season and a rainy season. Baggdathi-the-Pearl completes its orbit in 225 days and makes a singlerevolution on its axis in a bit more than 19 hours.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Coordinates: 85oda43Satellites: A chain of 17 satellites form a necklace around

Baggdathi-the-Pearl.Flora and Fauna: Benefiting from

conditions favorable to the propaga-tion of animal and plant life,Baggdathi-the-Pearl is gifted with richand diverse flora and fauna. Numer-ous species remind one of those foundon Terra Prima, but the endemic lifehas proved itself to have an unbridledimagination.

Population: Due to remote offspringof Terra Prima’s fathers who came toconquer the universe, the populationof Baggdathi-the-Pearl is essentially hu-man. As a commercial crossroads,however, this world welcomes repre-sentatives of numerous extra terrestrialraces as well.

Additional Information: A not sovery long time ago, Baggdathi-the-Pearl was an incredible garden, a fan-tastic park full of attractions. Therewas nothing but toys and robots ga-lore, a carousel of multicolored trin-kets and fireworks. The father of Odathe Capricious, sovereign of this world,reigned from his palace in the royal cityof Amahdis, over a colossal fortunethat was cheerfully consecrated to re-alizing his infantile fantasies. Further-

“In my austere palace,I ruminate in silence,and one day my sisters will

assuage my desire for ven-geance.”

Cloistered on the ice aster-oid where the only thing moreglacial than the cold is thenumbness reigning in herheart, Argatha — first and lastShabda-Oud priestess —

meditates and waits.

After a long period ofupheavals, life more or lessreturned to its normal courseon Baggdathi. Of the numer-ous attempts at normaliza-tion that were undertaken bythe authorities, the reactiva-tion of joint cooperation ac-tivities with Hospital Planetmerits mention.

To facilitate transporta-tion between the two plan-ets, a direct gateway was in-stalled between them. Butthe flow of traffic is reversedthis time: it is no longer thesick children from HospitalPlanet that come to visitBaggdathi’s amusementparks, but the destitute fromthe latter, affected with themost diverse and horriblediseases, that are used as asource to populate the medi-

cal-zoo on the former.

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more, the capital of Amahdis was in joint cooperationwith Hospital Planet, and many terminally ill childrencame to spend their last days here.

Oda’s mother was a six-armed robot, endowed withunreal grace and a divine gift for dance. A Hospital Planetsurgeon carried off the feat of allowing her to imitate abio-type destiny, by endowing her with the ability to givelife, and she was impregnated by the implantation of anovary from a magnificent-looking sick woman. Oda’s fa-ther had hoped to increase even further his fortune bymarrying his daughter into a favorable alliance. But Oda’sfate was already destined for all of eternity. She becamethe wife of Aghnar — the second Metabaron, and thatwas the end of delusions of grandeur for Baggdathi-the-Pearl’s monarch. He became insane and his wonderfulkingdom, where one traded in peace and built huge for-tunes, was delivered into the hands of numberless preda-tors with insatiable ap-petites from galaxies all over.Baggdathi-the-Pearl was carved up and entered in-to adismal era of chaos, which con-tinues still today.

SEC-HUM

Aliens: Gords, Hireas and Odor1ters (Suuskins)Atmosphere: Type I (breathable)Category: Minor WorldClimate: Torrid, temperate and glacialDay Length: 12 standard hoursYear Length: 127 local daysGovernment: TribalGravity: StandardHydrosphere: SaturatedMajor Exports: Perfumes, ore beadsMajor Imports: WeaponsPlanet’s Function: No role on the Imperial scale, but it

is the guardian Podrih-Do’s refugePopulation: Approximately 1 billions individualsProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 4dtSpaceport: NoneTechnology: IndustrialTerrain: Deserts, marshes, oceansType: TerrestrialGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s

galaxyConstellation: OtocomoStar System: SotoPhysical Characteristics: The first of

four planets in the Soto system, Sec-Hum presents the particularity of be-ing half desert and half water, contraryto the three other planets (Kolohoro,Sohoro, and Gobo) which are com-pletely arid. This immense ball of58,000 kilometers in diameter, rotateson its axis in twelve standard hours, andcompletes its orbit in 127 standarddays. Perfectly aligned on the axis ofits ecliptic, Sec-Hum always presentsthe same side to the photonic rays ofits astral sun. The well-lit half of theplanet is composed of a quarter desert

and a quarter water. At the crossing of thesetwo antagonistic worlds, on a wide median strip,extends an unstable region of swamps and quick-sand. On the dark side of the planet, the watery quar-ter is essentially composed of an immense ice floestowed down to the pole, which covers three quartersof this semi-crescent plunged into an eternally freezingnight. The arid quarter is a vast bare zone of frozenstone over which run beds of poisoned lichen. The junc-tion between these two quarters is an immense shore-line fixed in a silence so hostile it would haunt the night-mares of a blind man. Essentially composed of oxygenand hydrogen, Sec-Hum’s atmosphere is incessantly be-ing traversed on one side of the sphere by endless col-umns of jagged clouds, and on the other, by scalding gustsof wind loaded with corrosive debris.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Coordinates: 16sah24Satellites: Sec-Hum has two satellites, Flame and

Droplet.Flora and Fauna: This world, precisely cut into quar-

ters, provides a habitat for extremely varied flora andfauna, which changes according to the zone. In the aquaticpart exposed to sunlight, quantities of amphibious spe-cies (mollusks, crustaceans, fish, sea mammals, etc.) livealong with numerous amounts of odd plants and veg-etables (moss, seaweed, coral, etc.). The aquatic sectionwhich is plunged in darkness is much more mysterious.Underwater trenches plummet thousands of meters deepinto the heart of the planet, and it wouldn’t be surprisingthat fantastic and fanciful creatures lived there. In the arid,lighted zone, if the flora is poor (crooked cacti, close-cropped moss, thorny bushes), the fauna is rich, notablyin crawling insects and ophidian creatures. The air is filledwith unsettling hisses and the piercing squeak of beetlewing-cases. On the dark side, the fauna gives way to theflora. Toxic lichens that cover the ground give the area anatmosphere of silent desolation. In the median plane,which separates the dry world from the humid, rich, var-ied, and mysterious flora and fauna colonize the area. Asit is difficult to ac-cess this zone, the flora and fauna re-

main poorly known.Population: Two large populations

inhabited the Sec-Hum planet. In thearid barren part live the Gords — a tribeof humanoids covered with foul-smell-ing scales. Where the sun continuouslybeats down its hot rays, the Gord’s pres-ence inevitably produces an atmos-phereunbearable to the human nose. On theother hand, in the aquatic section livethe Hireas — perfumed, aquatic peoplewho emit subtle and delicate fragrances.The social hierarchy of these two groupsis organized according to olfactory par-ticularities. The more the individual’sscent is pronounced, the higher his po-sition in society. (With respect to cus-tomary human criteria, a meeting of theGords Tribe Wiseman’s council is a veri-

If you can believe theaccounts of an independentsmuggler who has frequentbusiness with the Odoraters,it seems they have perfecteda “magic” perfume, whichallows them to control theminds of those who breathit. A veritable potion of pow-erful charms, it offers tothose who get a hold of it afantastic conquering weaponthat works in an effectivelyserene and quiet way.

87 • Worlds

table infectiousstench to the nostrils. However, the privilege of a

face-to-face meeting with a Hireas dignitary is purerapture.) In the median plane, which separates the two

antagonistic half-worlds lives a third people — theSuuskins, or Ordoraters. They owe their name to theirthorough and detailed knowledge of aromatic molecules,and their ability to synthesize them.

Additional Information: From time immemorial, theGords and the Hireas haven’t been able to stand oneanother. War between them was old habit. TheOrdoraters, on the other hand, have more recently ap-peared on the scene. They form a peaceful, trading people,

who maintain a very profitable business activity with boththe Gords and the Hireas, to whom they sold perfumesand essences alternately fetid and intoxicating. From timeto time, they didn’t hesitate selling weapons to one or theother to help them bring an end to their quarrel. Finally,the Gords appealed to Aghnar, the mercenary Metabaronfor his services, in order to eliminate the Hireas. But itcannot be ruled out that representatives of these aquaticpeople, hidden in the deepest ocean trenches, may havesurvived the massacre.

NIBAL

Aliens: ZerkotsAtmosphere: Type III (breather unit required)Category: Minor World (of the Exofringe)Climate: Hot and humidDay Length: 28 standard hoursYear Length: 753 local daysGovernment: UltraparticipativeGravity: StandardHydrosphere: SaturatedMajor Exports: Precision TechnologyMajor Imports: WeaponsPlanet’s Function: Unbeknownst to the Zerkots, Nibal

serves as an experimentation base for the Techno-TechnosPopulation: 3.54 billion specimens (excluding ma-

chines)Proximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 2dtSpaceport: First ClassTechnology: SpaceTerrain: Plains, marshesType: TerrestrialGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s

galaxyConstellation: DiusStar System: AntriPhysical Characteristics: Second

planet of the Antri system, which countsthree in all (Abu and Hamos are thetwo others), Nibal was originally asmall sphere (17,000 kilometers in di-ameter) rich in metallic minerals of allsorts and hydrocarbons. Nibal rotateson its axis in 28 standard hours, andcompletes its orbit in 753 standarddays. Initially, a vast continental pla-teau recovered nine tenths of its surface,

with an inland sea occupying the remaining tenth. Thenatural atmosphere was a mix of gas rich in oxygen. To-day, carbon dioxide and fluoro-chlorinated waste com-pounds compose the base of its ambient air. The normalrhythm of seasons (a hot season and a cold season sepa-rated by two short intermediary seasons) has been greatlydisrupted, and the climate today is uniformly heavy andmuggy. The planet mass has been considerably enlargedby the agglomeration of diverse neighboring astral bodiesutilized for construction materials, and its diameter hasincreased to 37,000 kilometers.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Coordinates: 76mac60Satellites: Nibal today no longer has any satellites.Flora and Fauna: From its meager original flora, noth-

ing has survived. For that which would be the animal king-dom, all the endemic species have been engulfed and con-sumed by a local race of saurians — the Zerkots.

Population: Two large populations shared the planet:the Zerkots (telepathic saurians) and the Giant-Machines.The former created the latter, but these creatures escapedfrom their masters’ control. After a period of self-autonomization, the Giant-Machines entered into rebel-lion against the saurians.

Additional Information: Cold-blooded creatures en-dowed with intelligence and capable of picking up nega-tive thoughts emitted by any thinking beings nearby, theZerkots embarked upon a technological conquest of theirenvironment, which was possibly initially spurred on bya representative of the Techno-Techno Cult. Thus theytransformed their small planet into an immense mega-cityrun by instrumentation of a greater and greater sophisti-cation. This growing sophistication reached its highestpoint with the revolution of the Giant-Machines.

The telepathic Zerkots worked out a strategy for tap-ping into thoughts founded on systematic distrust. Ontheir side, the machines and devices pushed their ownintelligence so far that they came to feel the emotion ofmelancholy. In fact, only their boundless adoration of theircreators kept them from giving into a profound suicidalimpulse. The Zerkots perceived to the point of disgustand disillusionment the sticky flood of sentimentalistemotions emanating from their machine-creations andhastened to closely screen out these annoying emotions,through their analytically paranoid sifters.

Their mutual incomprehension quitenaturally lead to an irreparable state,and the mercenary Metabaron Aghnarwas called to intervene, bringing anend to the intelligent Giant-Machines’bloody condemnation of those whoscorned their adulation. Since then,Nipal has been in a pitiful state, but itstill harbors colossal technical re-sources.

FILODENDRA

Aliens: NoneAtmosphere: Type I (breathable)Category: Minor WorldClimate: Temperate

The “ForbiddenCity” sleeps in the ruins ofNibal. This ancient, dilapi-dated megalopolis was notso long ago the neuras-thenic machine nerve cen-ter. Plunged into a deepsleep, this powerful tech-nology wants only to berescued and to give itself

over to its savior…

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Day Length: 32 Standard hoursYear Length: 487 local daysGovernment: Techno-PopeGravity: StandardHydrosphere: HumidMajor Exports: BikramenMajor Imports: Manual labor, tech-

nologyPlanet’s Function: Bikramen produc-

tion, a compound permitting the syn-thetic production of epiphyte

Population: 2 billion inhabitants,all immigrants/nonnatives

Proximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 2dtSpaceport: Stellar ClassTechnology: SpaceTerrain: PlainsType: TerrestrialGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s galaxyConstellation: SelvaStar System: Tri-solPhysical Characteristics: The Tri-Sol system, lit by a com-

plex triple star, groups nine planets, of which Filodendra isthe largest (74,000 kilometers in diameter). A terra-teflon-concrete planet, Filodendra completes a rotation on its axisin 32 hours. Without being exceptionally rich (with the ex-ception of an extremely dense vein of bikramen), the under-ground layers contain all the necessary elements for a har-monious development (metal, mineral, hydrocarbon com-pounds). Formerly a veritable haven of natural beauty,Filodendra offered its visitors a full spectrum of landscapes:forests, prairies, rivers, oceans, mountains, and deserts. Har-moniously blended into the scenery, the housing develop-ments mixed subtly with nature to compose a serene andsoothing picture. The atmosphere was predominately com-posed of oxygen, and the air was brisk and intoxicating. Inthe image of Terra Prima, Filodendra experienced all cli-mates. Seasons were well defined, alternating calmlythroughout their year of 487 days.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Coordinates: 36dnd49Satellites: Filodendra has seven silver moons.Flora and Fauna: Thanks to its exceptional natural con-

ditions, Filodendra provided a habitat for an exuberantnatural life. Millions of wild species cohabited and formedan exceptional ecological equilibrium. Filodendra hadnotably a tree whose fruit was extremely obliging, flyinginto the air when ripe and offering itself for tasting. Butabove all, the planet concealed the most ancient treeknown to the galaxy: a halerce tree, 250,000 standardyears old, with golden leaves, made up of five milliondioucas — tiny feathered creatures who are legendary,capable of singing with the pure voice of the castratos.

Population: Until the period of the third Metabaron,Steelhead, Filodendra was populated by a mix of humansand mutants, all extremely preoccupied with preservingthe fragile beauty and wonderful equilibrium of theirplanet. Today, Filodendra is inhabited exclusively byTechno-technicians and other industrial paleo-vultures,specialized in extraction mining, who come from all thegalaxies to pull up and tear out the riches from the earth.

Additional Information:The Troglosocialk galaxy’scapital planet, Filodendra, waswith regard to Techno-Techno cri-teria, relatively underdeveloped.The paleo-architecture of its build-ings was an insult to the postmoderntechnological norms. But its inhab-itants, under the authority of DonNicanor Rosamel de Roka and thenhis daughter Dona VincentaGabriella de Rokha, lived in harmonywith their environment and in total re-spect of their planet and its beauties.Unfortunately, the taste for the simple

life had a disadvantage — great military weakness. Whenthe Techno-Technos’ galactic bloodhounds detected hugebikramen deposits (a precious ore permitting massive pro-duction of artificial epyphite) in the Troglosocalik sys-tem, that was the end of peace and tranquility forFilodendra. The cheerful ecological planet underwent afinal and definitive assault by the Techno-Technometamorphe armada, during which Don Nicanor, alreadybrought back once from death, met with his definitiveend. During the battle, the Rokhas’s ancestral castle, thesecond halerce tree (brought from Gzagn by Steelhead),magnificent ancient cities, and thousands of other splen-dors were reduced to a state of ruin. All of Filodendra’sinhabitants were transported to a terra-formed world,made of teflon and granyl, and their planet was torn apart.

GZAGN

Aliens: MacroliceAtmosphere: Type II (Breather Unite recommended)Category: Distant WorldClimate: HotDay Length: 11 hours and 42 minutes, standardYear Length: 47 local daysGovernment: MonarchyGravity: StandardHydrosphere: SaturatedMajor Exports: NoneMajor Imports: NonePlanet’s Function: NonePopulation: 250 billion individualsProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 7dtSpaceport: NoneTechnology: Alien IindustrialTerrain: High plateaux, basins, marshes, deltasType: TerrestrialGalaxy: BlackConstellation: NolStar System: BlackholPhysical Characteristics: Enveloped in a heavy atmo-

sphere of methane and sulfuric acid compounds, the littleplanet Gzagn (12,000 kilometers in diameter) forms thecenter of the cavernous Blackhol system. A veritable cos-mic aberration, Blackhol is a black star that emits a faintlight with viscous reflections. Gzagn rotates on its axis in

“Look, I’m tellin’you there ain’t justbikramen down there!There’s goddamn sulfide…and I know what I’m talkin’‘bout, ‘cause I was part ofthat ex-plor-a-tion team thatwent underground onGehenna V…” — One of thefirst humanoid workers sentunderground, overheard

talking in a miners bar.

89 • Worlds

11 hours 42 minutes andcompletes its orbit in 47 stan-

dard days. The vast continentalbasin which forms its surface has adeep depression in its center, wa-tered by a dense subterranean hy-drographic network, loaded withputrid sediments. At regular inter-vals, downpours sweep the edges ofthe basin, filling its core with seepingfloods of heavy, viscous rains. Thechemical combination of alluvial de-

posits and micro-organisms release in-tensely foul-smelling clouds in perma-nence. The ground presents a spongyand jelly-like texture.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Co-ordinates: 27ars19

Satellites: Gzagn has one satellite,Gavel.

Flora and Fauna: On this not verycheerful planet grew a wonder of na-ture — an old halerce tree of 370,000 standard years,where nine million dioucas nested. This tree and its birdsthe Metabaron Melmoth removed to give to his true love,Doña Vincenta of Filodendra.

Apart from this tree, there was no plant life on the sur-face of Gzagn. However, besides an abundant bacterialwildlife, Gzagn houses an immense population ofmacromites, which fed on chemical miasma and reveredthe sacred halerce.

Population: The macromites, who have reached a par-ticular stage of development halfway between the animalkingdom and human intelligence, make up the only re-corded population on Gzagn. Despite this slight delay onevolution’s highway, they have developed a strong reli-gious feeling. Thus they venerate the Buddha-louse, a ven-erable spiritually illuminated louse, who lived glued tothe tree. Each morning, as the celestialstar rose on the horizon, a mysteriousdevice offset a trembling of the halerce,and thousands of freshly laid doucas’seggs fell from the tree. The macromitesfed on the eggs in ecstasy. As for themillions of dioucas who lived in the tree,they fed on the sap — a sweet nectarthat clarified their voices.

Additional Information: Ungainly inits appearance is a veritable insult tothe sense of smell, Gzagn well meritsbeing called the “foulest place in theUniverse.”

CENTRAL PLANET

Aliens: NoneAtmosphere: Type I (breathable)Category: Major WorldClimate: ColdDay Length: 77 standard hours

Year Length: 77 local daysGovernment: Supreme Central

Computer and Techno-PontificateGravity: StandardHydrosphere: ModerateMajor Exports: TechnologyMajor Imports: NonePlanet’s Function: Techno-Techno’s

seat of power, the Guardian Ophidat’srefuge

Population: 7 billion inhabitantsProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 1hTSpaceport: First ClassTechnology: Space (and more)Terrain: PlainsType: Terratransformed asteroidGalaxy: Milky Way, Terra Prima’s

galaxyConstellation: ForumStar System: TeknaPhysical Characteristics: Originally,

Central Planet was a barren asteroidrevolving around the small Tekna system. Despite an ex-tremely modest size (a diameter of barely 5000 kilome-ters), this tiny celestial body had a gravity superior to thatof the four planets in the system. At first intrigued by thisphenomenon, then fascinated by the mystery of the high-tech relics unearthed in the heart of the sphere, the Techno-Techno authorities decided to establish the seat of its sa-cred headquarters here. After ten centuries of Herculeanconstruction efforts by an armada of robot-factories, Cen-tral Planet today presents the respectable size of 77,777kilometers in diameter. An artificial atmosphere was cre-ated, comprised of hydrogen and oxygen and perfumedwith incense. Permanently protected by a positron shield,Central Planet experiences neither seasonal nor climato-logical phenomenons of any kind. Its core’s powerful mag-netism remains perceptible for parsecs around.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Coordinates: 77tek77Satellites: Central Planet has two

satellites: Romulus and Remus.Flora and Fauna: There is absolutely

no natural animal or plant life on Cen-tral Planet.

Population: Close to seven billionindividuals live on Central Planet.

Additional Information: TheTechno-papal headquarters, CentralPlanet concentrates all branches of theTechno-saint religion. Techno-semi-nars train future Techno-temple execu-tives (Techno-popes, Techno-bishops,Techno-cardinals, Techno-monks,Techno-vergers, Techno-altar boys,and even Techno-castratos) intendedto serve in the laboratory factories.This colossal organization is equallyknown by the name of Magnus Dei.

Besides its adminis-trative system,Central Planet oversees the training of

Since the disappear-ance of their sacred halerce,the macromites have lostfaith in their ancestral reli-gion. They savagely tore theBuddha-louse to shreds andscattered his remains acrosstheir putrid planet. Fromthat point on, they have beenawaiting the return of theirintergalactic messiah, withtheir eyes riveted towards theskies, a mix of hope and an-guish in their hearts. He willcome looking for them andlead them into spreading fur-ther death and chaos in the

cosmos….

The Supreme CentralBrain is anxious…Occiputal-Cogito, its divina-tory mind, announced thecoming of weird andtroubled times, where theTechno-Technos order’s per-fect organization will bethreatened by a new kind ofhero. Animated by unwaver-ing faith, these valiantknights of a thousand virtuescould jeopardize the all pow-erful Tenebrae, armed onlywith their courage, forged inthe heart of their honor

code….

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its military wing, the Techno-crusaders. The soldiers ofthe Church of the Industrial Saints are all abandoned malechildren, gathered from Hospital Planet or elsewhere, orsometimes abducted here and there in the cosmos.

The unassailable Techno temple, impregnable heart ofthe sacred Techno headquarters (which, nonetheless, couldnot withstand the superhuman powers of the MetabaronSteelhead) is the Techno-Pope’s residence. In its vaults, se-cret archives and sacred Techno-relics contain paleo-secretsthat go back to the origins of humanity. But that isn’t all:Hidden in a crypt buried deeper still than all the others, isone of the greatest and best kept mysteries of the universe.

Despite an innocuous first impression, the three Ophid-ian creatures with metallic reflecting skin (gold, silver, andbronze), the three Bodras, who live here are in fact thekeepers and protectors of an immeasurably powerful tech-nology, older than the universe itself. It happens that onthe scales of these metallic serpents all of the secrets tothe greatest enigmas are engraved in characters of incom-parable fineness. In these three entities, one can see theobscure source of power of the Techno-Techno order.

ARH AND RAH

Aliens: NoneAtmosphere: Type I (breathable)Category: Distant WorldClimate: TemperateDay Length: 19 standard hoursYear Length: 322 local daysGovernment: Egalitarian mysticalGravity: StandardHydrosphere: ModerateMajor Exports: Rare raw materialsMajor Imports: NonePlanet’s Function: NonePopulation: 200 million (on the two

planets)Proximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 4dTSpaceport: NoneTechnology: FeudalTerrain: Hills, plainsType: Terrestrial (with some particu-

larities)Galaxy: DoublonConstellation: GeminiStar System: BinarioPhysical Characteristics: This strange

cosmogonic ensemble, under the sign ofthe twins, is made up of two sets of inti-mately associated planets and suns, eachof the two former rotating around eachof the two latter. The respective orbitscompleted by Arh and Rah are perfectlysynchronized: At the winter solstice, theyoccupy two diametrically opposed posi-tions and are several millions of kilome-ters distant from one another. During thesummer solstice, the two planets comenear enough to brush up against one an-other. A temporary acceleration of the

rotating speed compensates the force of attrac-tion between these two heavenly bodies, which al-lows them to touch lightly without colliding into oneanother. For each of these two planets, the orbit is com-pleted in 322 standard days. This amusing astronomicparticularity gave birth to two civilizations, distinct butperfectly united, who have developed one of the mostoriginal symbiotic existences in the universe.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Coordinates: 22bes22Satellites: The double planets Arh and Rah have

no satellites.Flora and Fauna: Arh and Rah are gifted with flora and

fauna in every way comparable, with the only differencebeing that only male animals live on Rah, and obviously,those that live on Arh are female. Their reproduction is trig-gered by genetic pollination, which takes place at the mo-ment of summer solstice, followed by the phenomenon ofparthenogenesis and androgenesis. For the most part, theflora on Arh and Rah is made up of fodder planets andlegumes, and the fauna is essentially made up of draft ani-mals or livestock suitable for human consumption.

Population: The double planets are inhabited by twodistinct populations of common origin. They are the hu-manoid race of Bessons.

Additional Information: On Arh live the female ele-ments of the Bessons race, and of course, Rah accommo-dates the male elements of the same race. Thus separated,the representatives of the two sexual principals consecratethe essential part of their existence to the preparation ofthe summer solstice, which marks the highpoint of theirpersonal and social lives. After many rituals are accom-plished in the Matrix Temple on Arh and the GonadTemple on Rah respectively, and strength incantations are

recited during the course of the year,the women on Arh and the men onRah strip themselves naked, exposingthemselves during the entire day of sol-stice to the radiance of the extremelynearby twin planet. This exposure toopposite sexual emissions brings aboutan impregnation of the Bessons fe-males through photogenesis, an actionentirely unique in all of that universe.Afterwards, during the winter solstice,the children carried by the Bessons fe-males are born. The girls are kept onplanet Arh, and the boys are givenback to the Bessons males at the fol-lowing summer solstice at the precisemoment when the two planets are justbarely touching.

GALACTIC PLATFORM

MASSES

Aliens: ArkarotesAtmosphere: Type I (breathable)

and Type II (breather unit recom-mended) according to the zone

The absolute banthat forbids male elementsfrom visiting Arh and femaleelements from visiting Rah,isn’t just a formality. In fact,all offenders are handed di-rectly over to the “Mothersand Fathers of the Insem-ination’s” mortal authority.These mystical guardians ofArh and Rah feel the vibra-tions emitted by the twoplanets when the presence ofa representative of the oppo-site sex is detected. Accord-ing to the tradition, only theperfect Androgyne can visitthe two planets without risk,but Janus-Jana has alwaysdeclined their invitations, asmoreover, all of His-Her pre-

decessors.

91 • Worlds

Category: Distant MinorWorldClimate: Variable

Day Length: VariableYear Length: VariableGovernment: GuildsGravity: HeavyHydrosphere: DryMajor Exports: Ore, gems, tech-

nological residue/wasteMajor Imports: Rudimentary tech-

nologyPlanet’s Function: Roaming planet with no major

functionPopulation: 120 million inhabitantsProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 21dtSpaceport: 1st of a minimal class, on a neighboring

asteroid firmly stowed/secured in the platform’s wakeTechnology: IndustrialTerrain: Plateaus, hills, plainsType: Related to asteroid barriersGalaxy: KirazConstellation: Civilized ConfinesStar System: TezusPhysical Characteristics: An interstellar curiosity border-

ing on incongruity, the Galactic Platform Masses are giantplatforms that travel up and down the civilized borders as aconsequence of being carried along by the stellar winds.Their formation, and the beginning of their roaming, goesback approximately to the “great catastrophe” era, whichis equally at the origin of the stellar ice floe’s creation. Froma geological standpoint, it consists of a planet’s differentstrata, which has been literally cut into blocks by a mysteri-ous force, still undetermined today. Since this dismem-berment, the different formations, flat for the most part buthaving variable shapes and dimensions, remain held in place,regrouped among themselves, by a powerful residual mag-netic field, no doubt stemming from the original planet core.Besides the tectonic cohesion effect, the Galactic Platforms’density allows the advantageous presence of a fine atmo-spheric layer (carbon, ozone, oxygen, and hydrogen), whichis sufficient for maintaining life on the surface. Of course,the Galactic Platform Masses don’t make an orbit. This said,their peregrinations in the interstellar void have almost cer-tain similarities to a huge circular journey, which leads themin turn to the outskirts of different stars. Whereas they knowneither the alternation of day and night, nor the phenom-enon of seasons, the Galactic Platforms are not always liton the same side by the different stars they cross. Conse-quently, conditions suitable for life are possible only in al-ternation on each face, according to changing rhythms.However, even with a favorable sun, the cross-sections (orplatform layers) remain often barren and unsuitable for life.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Coordinates: 53ark72Satellites: Different asteroids, sucked up in the Galactic

Platforms’ wake, act as satellites.Flora and Fauna: Within such a context, the animal

and plant species that populate the surface of the Galac-

tic Platforms can be nothing but origi-nal. Enthu-siastic heliotrope followers,their first notable charac-teristic is tolive exclusively in diurnal conditions.That being the case, it is impossible forthem to synchronize their repose withthe arrival of darkness. In practice, theanimals, like other beings from higherorders, interrupt their activities whenfatigue overcomes them to fall into arefreshing sleep, some in a lying-downposition and others standing. The greatdiversity of circadian rhythms particu-

lar to each species means that one can always catch aglimpse, here and there, of an individual falling over intoMorpheus’ arms. For their part, the plants experience anuninterrupted growth cycle as soon as the platform uponwhich they live starts to be illuminated. However, whenthe sun’s rays become more and more like slivers of light,indicating that the period of darkness is on its way, theyprepare for a hibernation period of undetermined length.Each plant has the capacity to gather its genetic inherit-ance in hard and compact seeds, able to withstand mil-lions of years in glacial conditions below absolute zero.Afterwards, exposure to a calorific ray allows them toimmediately start germinating. For the animal species,certain ones enter into hibernation, but a good numberobserve a period of migration and pass from one facet tothe other according to the position of the galactic belts inrelation to solar asters.

Population: The inhabitants of the Galactic Platforms,called the Arkarotes, are extraterrestrial proto-humanoidsperfectly adapted to their environ-ment. Because, in orderto compensate for the gravity of 2.1 that reigns on the Ga-lactic Platforms (Terra Prima’s gravity being equal to 1) andweighs down bodies and objects, they developed a tremen-dous musculature. Their trunk is classically extended byfour limbs, ending in a prehensile organ, which may be quali-fied as a hand. Although they can hold themselves verti-cally, they willingly adopt walking on all fours. Despite thegravity, they are extremely agile, allowing them to traversethe arches that join the platforms to one another with sur-prising speed and yet without risk. Additionally, the layersof the platforms are pierced by hundreds of tunnels thatfacilitate migration from one face to another.

Additional Information: Lost on some rocky islands indistress in the ultimate void, these veritable space cast-aways ended up carving out an enviable situation for them-selves. In fact, their accounts in the Ekonomat’s bankingestablishments are particularly well filled. One mightwonder about the origins of their fortune, but in fact it isquite simple. Their territory, being in constant movementin the cosmos, drags in its wake unlimited quantities ofasteroids, meteorites, and diverse debris, which sometimescontain veritable treasures: pure netrankkon, stellar crys-tal veins, etc. Across the thread of time, the Arkarotesmade collecting meteorites in space into a specialty, somuch so that they are often known by the name of“Meteorists.”

Veritable space fun-ambulists, the “platform op-erators” are the Mass’s look-outs. They relentlessly scanthe horizons, pinpoint theupper and lower star beds,and then push away driftingasteroids with their long,

energized sticks.

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PUZZELINE

Aliens: NoneAtmosphere: Type I (breathable)Category: Distant WorldClimate: TorridDay Length: 26 standard hoursYear Length: 524 local daysGovernment: TheocracyGravity: LightHydrosphere: DryMajor Exports: NoneMajor Imports: NonePlanet’s Function: NonePopulation: an average of 1 billion inhabitants, tak-

ing into account extreme variationsProximity to a Techno-Tunnel: 9dtSpaceport: NoneTechnology: FeudalTerrain: Medium-sized mountains, deserts, plains,

abyss, cavesType: Related to terrestrial planetsGalaxy: HersaConstellation: FyackStar System: SolisPhysical Characteristics: The Solis system is a surprising

configuration in which two planets, Trompo and Puzzeline(also called Puzzeline the Mysterious) dance a strange bal-let. A small, extremely dense stellar body (1,500 kilometersin diameter, 3.7 times Terra Prima’s gravity, 5.56 millionsof kilometers from Solis), Trompo rotates on its axis at avertiginous speed. It equally presents the particularity ofresting perfectly in place, like an eternallywound-up top, carrying out its crazedrotation around an invisible string thatcuts across space. Trompo is completelyinhabitable.

Puzzeline, for its part, is mobile. Itcompletes a vast orbit around the Solisstar and the fixed point of Trompo. En-dowed with an atmosphere rich in oxy-gen, Puzzeline is entirely favorable to life,and its inhabitants would linger on therehappily day after day, if a strange break-up phenomenon didn’t come at regularintervals to trouble their tranquility.Thousands of years of physical stress,undergone by Puzzeline at each passagebefore Trompo, had at first eroded thegeological equilibrium of its continentalplates and then enlarged the fracture linesto the point of fissuring the planet to itscore. Since that time, during its orbitaljourney, which lasts exactly 524 days, 6hours, and 27 standard minutes,Puzzeline experiences two distinct phasesof breaking apart and recomposition. Atthe summer solstice, when Puzzeline isopposite Trompo and behind the sun,Puzzeline appears perfectly united, in a

form and shape comparable to that of other plan-ets. Then during the 262 standard days that follow,as Puzzeline approaches Trompo, crevices appear atits surface. Little by little, these fissures become gulfsand then chasms. The planet disintegrates. This phaseculminates on the 262nd day (winter solstice), whenPuzzeline is precisely in the axis of Trompo and Solis.The planet is then splintered into eleven principal pieces,and 658 less important bits. Next, the phenomenon sta-bilizes and slowly reverses itself to the point of Puzzeline’scomplete recompostion. Every year for thousands of years,it has proceeded in this way, and will continue to do so formillions of years to come.

Hyperspatial Approach Vector Coordinates: 46puz97Satellites: Puzzeline has two small satellites called the

Children of Mother Puzzeline.Flora and Fauna: At Puzzeline’s surface, the vegetation

is uniformly cropped: from the lichens in the cold zonesto the savannas of the arid zone. The rare trees barelyreach five or six meters in height. A crawling ivy carpetsthe bottom of the crevices. Each year, it is ripped out atthe time of disintegration, but it bravely starts out againthe following season. Relatively rich, Puzzeline’s faunahas no predator. All of the land mammals are vegetarian.

Population: The quite specific conditions that governlife on Puzzeline have, of course, fashioned a highly originalcivilization, where the dominant theme is migration. This isbecause the areas most favorable to life when the planet isperfectly formed turn into the most hostile at the time ofdisintegration. Survival becomes extremely difficult there,indeed even impossible. The battle for the best lands is harsh

and made that much harder when theyear advances toward the summer sol-stice, with the harvests just garnered andthe race against time for the best refugesbegins. Every year, these two great exo-duses give rise to numerous confronta-tions and other battles, where an impor-tant part of the population perishes.

On the fringe of Puzzeline’s popula-tion lives a religious sect who reverethe “Mother Puzzeline.” In accordancewith the planet’s particular require-ments, Mother Puzzeline’s followers(called the Puzzelars) also practice twopilgrimages per year. However, at thewinter solstice, instead of taking ref-uge on one of the larger blocks of theplanet, they penetrate into the heart ofthe planet through the fissures, to reachtheir cave sanctuaries. DuringPuzzeline’s recomposition, only half ofthe followers leave the caves to live atthe surface and preach the words ofMother Puzzeline. There is therefore acommunity of Puzzelars who live per-manently in the depths of Puzzeline.

On Puzzeline, like onmany other worlds, youngmales often show off to proveto their sweethearts that theyare the robust and dauntlessmen that these young womenhad been wishing for. In dem-onstration of their bravery, in-stead of confronting one an-other in duels, or engaging insome courtship display, theypractice an extremely danger-ous form of love exhibition:When the planet commencesits breaking apart phase, theyoung males leap over thewidening open chasms, jump-ing from one piece of earth toanother. In certain seasons,the losses are appalling, to theextent that the number ofsons of Puzzeline who havedisappeared in this manner is

no longer counted.

93 • Worlds

At this stage in the contest to conquer space, thehuman race from Terra Prima is in the overwhelmingmajority in the universe. Following the great Diaspora— the exodus of Terra Prima’s elite to the GoldenPlanet, the conquest of gigantic Maganats by generalsaffiliated with the Empire, and the expanding settle-ment of Terra Prima’s damned on tens of thousands ofmajor and minor colonized worlds — humanity has

settled on all the viable sites they have found, often tothe detriment of intelligent and other life forms unfortu-nate enough to be in their way.

With their customary conquering spirit, humans havemore often exterminated than assimilated. Yet the uni-verse is vast. Many areas have not yet been explored, andan indeterminate number of alien races have not yet beendiscovered. These races are at different stages of develop-ment. Some are at the dawn of evolution, whereas othersare highly developed civilizations with a command ofpowerful technology. In its unrelenting advance, the hu-man race has shamelessly annihilated the weakest, mostpeaceful and defenseless alien races and has come to termswith those that it could not tackle head on.

This means that some aliens, generally humanoids, aresometimes found integrated into human groups and popu-lations. Although they are more or less tolerated, theystill tend to be snubbed, partiuclarly when their physicalcharacteristics make them obviously alien. The rebel com-munities, especially the pirates mercilessly hounded by theImperial forces, have a much higher proportion of aliensthan the standard worlds, where the majority of the popu-lation is human. However, in some systems and galaxies,Colonial and Maganat planets co-exist with alien worldsable to stand up to them. Here, the human and alien worldsmaintain diplomatic, although not necessarily courteous,relations in order to avoid any annoying escalation of vio-lence with regrettable consequences for everyone con-cerned. Human ambassadors are therefore found on alienplanets and vice versa. Sometimes, this policy of open-ness leads to trade and even the establishment of commu-nities in the other world. In some extreme cases, mixedmarriages have even been reported. But this is much morethe exception than the rule.

Human-alien hybrids or multispecies mixes are not nu-merous, but they are possible. The universe is vast, and whatmight be rare in one place could be common in another. Ifit has ever been dreamd of, and even some things thathaven’t, it most likely exists somewhere in the universe.

Humans generally see the alien races as mysterious andinscrutable. They develop their own customs and lifestyleson their worlds, worshipping obscure gods, drawing onunknown forces, and even acquiring superior technologies.

Many planets and peoples of this universe have charac-teristics not based on the basic physical laws — the Akuas(described in this chapter) are just one example of this. Spaceis vast and not uniform. The Human Universe is not a clock-

work universe with easily definable laws. (If you are play-ing the Metabarons Roleplaying Game, this means that youshould feel free to throw in your own peculiar places, strangecivilizations, and bizarre manifestations.)

Although some are lucky enough not to be on theEmpire’s expansionist map, time is not necessarily on theirside, since they could reach a stage of development thatmakes them forces to be reckoned with. Fortunately forhuman dominance, the alien races have never unitedagainst the all-powerful Human Empire. Some aliens alsonurse an intense hatred of other aliens, and this blind ha-tred could push them as far as to form alliances with theEmpire to fight their enemy.

THE NUNARS

Natives of Nunh, these tiny space travelers suffer fromPeter Pan paleo-syndrome. Although they can live as longas 3,000 standard years, they look like eternal cherubswith the naive pureness of children. There have been re-ports of sightings from all over, but they are rarely sub-stantiated as if no one believed those who saw them orthe witnesses decided to keep their secret.

Kindly, but shy, the Nunars may decide to aid anyonethey think deserves help. In addition to the advice theygive, which is solely advice since they refuse to get physi-

A L I E N S

cally involved in a situation, the Nunars can detect thevectors of powers in the universe: gateways, guardians,forces, and treasures of all kinds. This talent has earnedthem the nickname “cherub probes” or “pedo-probes.”

THE GORDS, HIREAS, AND SUUSKINS

Three of the most interesting alien races live on the Sotosystem’s planet Sec-Hum in the Terra Prima galaxy. Theyrepresent exactly what interstellar travelers can expect tocome across on their travels through space. Sec-Hum is avast sphere 58,000 kilometers in diameter and perfectlyaligned with its ecliptic axis. This incredibly rare cosmo-logical attribute creates an astonishing geophysical effect:Half of the planet is permanently lit, while the other halfis immersed in perpetual darkness. Sec-Hum is also half-water and half-desert, equally distributed over each ofthe two hemispheres. One top quarter of the planet is apermanently sun-baked desert, while the lower quarter isa desert that never sees the light. One quarter on the otherside is a sunny sea, and the last water-covered quarter isplunged into darkness. The range of temperatures on theplanet’s surface varies enormously from the scorchingdesert with its average of around 80°C to a polar averageof –100°C on the other side of the world.

A wide belt of swampland stretches around the globebetween the water world and the desert world. Under themidday sun, these marshes are huge fetid, insect-infestedlagoons. In the nighttime of the north, they are tundra,where stinging lichens grow and repulsive crawling crea-tures with huge shells swarm.

The Gords, the Hireas, and the Suuskins live respec-tively in the deserts, the seas, and the marshland.

THE GORDS

The Gords — a humanoid people cov-ered in stinking scales — live in the ariddesert part of the planet. They are per-fectly adapted to the constraints of theirenvironment. They can endure the high-est temperatures and survive cold closeto zero degrees.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Although their shape suggests a remotehuman ancestry, certain physical details ir-refutably rank them among the alien races.They average 2.5 meters in height with ath-letic and well-proportioned bodies, eventhough their legs seem slightly too long. Theirbodies are totally covered with thick heat-regulating scales that protect them, but thatalso give them a particularly putrid body odor.

HABITAT

Impelled by the demands of an extreme en-vironment, the Gords are the kings of mimeticfusion with their surroundings. They have de-veloped this technique to the point of beingable to inhabit the most arid landscape, becomeone with it, and live off the meager resources ithas to offer. They can find shelter in the small-

est rocky overhang and water in the finest mist.But above all, they have become masters in theart of burying themselves alive in a deep catalepticsleep and surviving the worst meteorological fury forlong periods of time. They don’t reserve this facultyjust for their scorching desert; they can just as easilysurvive on the steppes of the northern tundra.

They have built their capital at the junction betweenthe hot desert and the cold desert. This small town ofcave dwellings harbors their temple and their most pre-cious treasures. The Gords have a hard time living anurban life and are generally nomadic.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

The Gords are meditative with a definite animist lean-ing. They live in harmony with their environment andwould be totally peaceful if fate had not made the Hireastheir neighbors. The Hireas embody everything they ab-hor to see and smell, triggering an irrepressible hatredthat compels them to make war on them and even selltheir treasures to buy weapons.

RESOURCES AND POWERS

Ever since they realized that the colored gems foundunder their arid desert aroused the greed of smugglersand other merchants, the Gords have armed themselvesto the hilt with weapons of war. They have powerful ar-tillery shrewdly combined with a swift and silent aerostaticforce. Their soldiers are unrivalled on the ground, espe-

cially in the desert region. These formidable fighterscan fire on the enemy without being seen. How-

ever, their supreme weapon is their command ofthe earth’s force, with which they seem to have

a virtually mystical affinity.

THE HIREAS

The sweet-smelling aquatic Hireas live inall the planet’s waters. Wherever they go,they leave in their wake a delicately flow-ery and woody scent with a slight hint ofspice. Prim and proper, but also militaryand rigid, the Hireas crisscross Sec-Hum’swarm and cold waterways, living an ac-tive society life albeit with constant ma-neuvers and defense exercises.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

These huge fishlike creatures can growto a length of five meters. They differ inshape depending on the water area inwhich they live. The deep-sea dwellers liv-

ing in the depths of abysses thousands ofmeters deep often look quite monstrous with

horns, armor, protuberances, and other defor-mities. However, the warm-water Hireas havelong smooth and supple bodies. The vast ma-jority of them have limbs in the form of shortlegs and scrawny arms but also sometimes,other organs they can grip with. Whatevertheir shape, the Hireas all have a gland at

95 • Aliens

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96 the base of the brain that secretes a powerful

neurological poison. This is also the source ofthe suave, heady fragrance they exude.

HABITAT

The Hireas’ habitat is one that is natural to amphib-ians: water. However, submarine towns are also dottedabout here and there over the seabed. Since the Hireasare totally amphibian, these constructions serve merelyas physical symbols of the strict social hierarchy. The high-ranking dignitaries live in hollow rock structures in whichthey nonchalantly float safe from the public gaze. Most of

the other buildings house the huge administration, Hireastroop training centers, and the famous “death beds.”

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

Probably because of the fact that they produce eggshatched outside of the body, the Hireas are an extremelysocial and class-ridden people. Individuals bow down tothe all-important group. Their artistic nature has so beenperverted over time that a perfectly synchronized chore-ography of Hireas-Torpedoes in combat dress is now con-sidered to be the epitome of beauty. It goes without say-ing that their hatred of the Gords is a strong element ofsocial cohesion.

RESOURCES AND POWERS

The Hireas are invincible in the water. However, theyalso have some amphibian units capable of evolving ondry land. In addition to their natural combat skills, theyhave acquired — in return for the extremely rare miner-

als produced by the deep-sea organisms — weapons tolaunch a viable counter-attack against the Gords.

However, the Hireas’ military strength has been greatlyweakened since the involvement of Metabaron Aghnar,recruited by the Gords. But the fish people have not givenin yet and are striving, in the greatest secrecy, to convincethe incredibly powerful giant creatures of the abysses tofight for their cause.

THE SUUSKINS

The Suuskins, more commonly known as the“Odoraters,” are border people who live in the midwaybelt that separates the desert area from the sea area. Thesediscreet and totally odorless Odoraters make huge profitsfrom their trade with the Gords and the Hireas. They origi-nally sold aromatic extracts, either subtly musky or to-tally rank to order, since the concentration of smells is adetermining social criteria among both opposed peoples.They then expanded their product range to all types ofweapons with the exception of mass destruction weaponsthat could annihilate the planet. Their cynical attitudeprobably says more about what they are really up to thantheir apparently ordinary wheeling and dealing. TheOdoraters are also the only inhabitants of Sec-Hum withthe means to leave the planet and travel through space.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The tiny, slender, almost fragile Odoraters have the slyhumanoid look of those who can manage to slip by any-where unnoticed. Yet despite their frail appearance, theyare as solid as rock. Harshly trained from birth, theOdoraters are capable of bounding incredible distances inone leap. The skin covering their bodies is one big sensorthat absorbs all energy and airborne material, such as lightrays, water molecules in the air, and various other particles.The skin then transforms them into dopamine compoundsthat can be directly assimilated by their organism. The won-ders they are capable of do not stop there; their commandof chemical phenomena defies comprehension. Certainphysical details set them apart from humans: They haveonly four fingers and four toes, and their bodies are almosttotally hairless. Although they have hair on their heads, theyare beardless and have no eyebrows or eyelashes.

HABITAT

The Odoraters have built a massive network of under-ground tunnels and above ground buildings in the neutralbelt. This vast swamp some hundred kilometers wide isbordered on one side by a luxurious mangrove and on theother by sparse short grass, forming a belt around the planetthat cuts across the frozen and hot regions. The buildingson the surface are modest and totally in keeping with theOdoraters’ self-styled image. Underground, however, theirconstructions reflect their real nature — invasion machineswith an incredibly sophisticated arsenal.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

Far from being neutral and kindly go-betweens in thequarrel between the Gords and the Hireas, the Odoratersare delighted about their merciless battle. Their big hope isto see them destroy one another so that they can once again

reign over a world they used to totally control. They haveagreed with the force that inhabits Sec-Hum not to use theirfabulous powers and to cultivate modesty and patience un-til they are strong enough to rise up. They are good pre-tenders. They are tough and hostile inside, and their feelingof superiority is equaled only by their determination.

RESOURCES AND POWERS

The Odoraters are the owners of a colossal arsenal. Inthe depths of their secret galleries, they have tucked awaya tremendous stock of the most sophisticated weaponsavailable from the arms-dealing Maganats. In addition tothis more classic equipment, they are in contact with asupra-universal entity, Podrih-Do, the guardian of thePuerko gateway, one of the six secret gateways in theHuman Universe. From time to time, Podrih-Do divulgesa secret to them, and the Odoraters advance one morestep on the road to power.

THE AKUAS

As goods transporters and trade have replaced humanexpeditions to discover unknown worlds, so space hasgradually lost its mysterious appeal and has become merelya usable and exploitable “dimension,” like a new roadlinking the outermost bounds of the universe. Rare arethose who know about the wonders, forces, and cosmicentities at work in this infinite space. Few people are awareof the energy currents that cross it from the six gatewaysand influence the evolution of the races more profoundlythan all the Techno-Techno inventions put together. Sofew have ever heard of the Akuas.

Born of a remarkable paradox, these fossilized creatureswere created by the passing of the dry and humid energyflow from Per-Beod. Akuaridh, home planet to these bone-

and-sand extra-terrestrials and the only placewhere they can live, is right in the middle of a tellu-ric knot where this energy ebbs and flows like a cos-mic tide. Despite its immersion in the humid currentsfrom Per-Beod that constantly sweep over the planet,Akuaridh is a total desert containing nothing more thanmineral flora made up of innumerable varieties of rocks.Water is totally nonexistent and is excluded and bannedin all its forms. No plants can grow on the planet, andalthough no one has ever attempted to set up the techno-logical means for artificial water, it is clear that even arti-ficial water tends to disappear from Akuaridh’s surface.Yet the Akuas are well acquainted with the concept of wa-ter since they believe that space is a huge ocean.

They profoundly believe in their minds, altered by thesingular nature of their homeworld and creation, that theirplanet is a mineral island in the all-encompassing sea ofspace. Their entire culture is based on this deep-seated be-lief in the Mother Ocean. Convinced of the existence ofwater, but unable to get near it, get hold of it, or taste it, theAkuas see space as a supreme divinity. Their mental pictureof it is as a living entity with a superior mind, to which theyowe their life, knowledge, and survival.

Everyday Akua life is based on this extremely particularrelationship with water and space. These relatively well-developed creatures combine their craftwork expertise witha remarkable artis-tic sensitivity and asurprising societalawareness to forma people isolatedfrom virtually alloutside influences.Water worship ismore than a cult. Itis such a funda-mental pillar ofAkua life that thesocial structurenaturally incorpo-rates eachindividual’s rela-tionship to spaceand its secrets. Thehierarchy is hencedefined by theirlevel of conscious-ness, and they rec-ognize and respectone another basedon their relation-ship with theMother Ocean.

If the Akualifestyle were com-pared with a con-ventional religiousstructure, all theinhabitants of

Alien BusinessSince the Empire’s official

trade is in the hands of theChurch of Industrial Saints’Merchants’ Guild and theEkonomat merchants — twoof the Four Pillars of the Em-pire the least inclined to haveanything to do with non-hu-mans — the alien races find itvery difficult to penetrate theusual trade channels. Fortu-nately, the rebel factions —pirates, independent merce-naries, and even certain Co-lonial planets — are notaverse to doing business withthese intergalactic trade out-casts since they can force themto accept tough terms andprices. The black market isconsequently full of exoticexports direct from alienworlds, and staggering quan-tities of stolen goods — in-cluding weapons and tech-nologies — find their way toplanets they should never

have landed on.

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Akuaridh would be followers. All Akuas are con-vinced that they are intimately linked with the ocean

that is space and, as if this is proved by their veryexistence, uphold the beliefs and perpetuate the rites oftheir fellow creatures. The creatures involved in orga-nizing ceremonies such as the Netting Dance could thenbe considered to be initiates, since they have an in-depthknowledge of the close link among their planet, their evo-lution, and the Mother Ocean. The initiates can feel thetidal flows, interpret certain signs, teach the youngest, andactively participate in discussions on the strengths of cer-tain mental powers gained from their faith. Last but not

least come the priests, the oldest and most mystical Akuas.They are considered to be the Mother Ocean’s emissariesand prophets of its will. They have ten times the mentalabilities of their fellow creatures, and their powers influ-ence both mineral matter and the energy currents them-selves.

The Akuas believe that the cosmic flows are tides andthat passing spaceships and explorers are inhabitants ofthis infinite sea. The Netting Ceremony — a firm tradi-tion with the Akuas dating back dozens of generations —stems from this extraordinary relationship with theMother Ocean. The Akuas assemble in the center of sandlakes dotted all over Akuaridh. The priests then put thefollowers and initiates into a deep mystical trance throughwhich they enter into contact with the Mother Ocean. Inaddition to producing a mind-warped vision of space, theAkuas use this ritual to influence the humid current andprovoke disturbances that pan out through the confinesof space like a ripple effect. The Akuas see these waves asnets they can use to “fish” nearby vessels. The “nets”create magnetic disturbances, computer and equipmentproblems, voices, visions, sudden desires, and mystical oc-currences experienced by conscious individuals.

Many electromagnetic phenomena reported aroundAkuaridh can be traced back to the Netting Ceremonies,but hardly anyone knows why expeditions disappear inthis particular area. They will continue to be in the darkuntil they discover what the Akuas’ irresistible fascina-tion with water impels them to do: devour everything thatit contains.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Akuas are humanoids, slighty smaller in size thana man. They have no organs and a fishlike skeleton. Theyare two-legged with two prehensile hands, which meansthat they can walk and do most of the things that humanscan do — with the exception of reproduction. The Akuashave no concept of gender. They are born in the sand likefossils and awake under the influence of the cosmic tides.

Their bone structure is incredibly resistant, and theirlack of vital organs makes them formidable adversariesin single combat. However, they drop like flies under firefrom weapons of mass destruction and area effects . Theycannot speak, but communicate with one another by te-lepathy and express their emotions through a series ofjaw-grinding actions.

HABITAT

Most Akua dwellings are underground caves dug intothe mountainside or the rocky soil. There is no need forthe concepts of towns and villages since the Akuas sys-tematically gather together in well-balanced numbers ofpriests, initiates and followers. Each city has three priests,twenty-one initiates, and some hundred followers. Thenumber of followers may be one or two individuals overor under the hundred, but rarely more or less.

Their dwellings have a set structure, like an empty snail’sshell. The priests live in the center of the rocky maze, andthe initiates and followers live at regular intervals in theother decorated nooks and crannies. Sculptures are veryimportant in this entirely mineral environment, and thestatus and personality of each Akua are stamped on hisdwelling’s ornaments, decor, and furnishings.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

Although the Akuas are united by their faith in theMother Ocean, they are independent in that they developtheir own personalities, reactions and personal motiva-tions — even though they are always driven by a giveninterpretation of their relationship with space and water.They are peaceful by nature with little experience of con-flict. They therefore attach a great deal of importance tosocial cohesion and run their society, as far as the outsideeye can see, like a beehive. Individuality exists, but notto any great extent. Each Akua lives his life in relation tothe others and takes part in the water rites without try-ing to assert any of his own personal ideas, since thispeople’s faith is underpinned by their very nature andnobody would ever question it.

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The Akuas are naturally curious and mystical. Theyare fascinated by the treasures provided them by theMother Ocean and interpret and analyze every sign andevent to suit their beliefs. For example, the arrival of aspaceship in their planet’s vicinity is seen as a manifesta-tion of the Mother Ocean, a sign sent to incite a reaction.The priests hasten to interpret this sign by leading theAkuas to the sand lakes to commence the rituals.

RESOURCES AND POWERS

The absence of water on Akuaridh deprives the extrater-restrials of all plant and animal life. There is no food on theplanet. However, their incredible talent for mineral arts andcrafts is such that they can make exceptionally beautifuland resistant objects, ornaments, armor, and weapons of allkinds. Their distinctive artistic gift makes the beauty of theirsculptures unforgettable. Yet to date, there is no trade inthem since Akuaridh has only just been discovered, lost asit was in the cosmic flow from Per-Beod.

It was only a recent change in the course of the energycurrent, placing Akuaridh under the undertow’s cosmicswell, that finally proved the existence of these mineralcreatures. Over the last ten years, the Akuas have en-tered a new era and now want to expand through theuniverse. They secretly hope to be carried though thespace-ocean like shells, confident that they will eventu-ally return to their home planet.

The Akuas’ mental powers are similar to certain othermutants’ powers. Associated with the liquid element andits exact opposite, these powers give the creatures the abil-ity to sense the presence of water andinfluence the very consciousness of itwith varying levels of intensity. Thispower invested in them by the cosmiccurrents cannot only move, heat, boil,and evaporate water, it can also be usedby the priests to cause the total andinstant disappearance of all water mol-ecules, replacing them with a vacuum.The inversion of liquid flows such asblood is just one of the countless waysin which the Akuas can use their pow-ers against any human foes they maycome up against.

THE MNEMONICIANS

Created by an exploding major planet,Mnemos drifts through space like anasteroid dotted with marshes and dyingvegetation. This dark and rotting isle hasbeen plunged into eternal darkness sincelosing its nearby star. It harbors no ani-mal life, not even bacteria. Mnemosbears the name of the Mentrek in chargeof wrapping up the Imperial observa-tions file for this backwater. After longyears of study and unsuccessful nego-tiations with a particularly hostile raceof extraterrestrials, the Endoguard wasdispatched to the area and pacified the

zone in a lightning and particularly devastatingattack. In next to no time, all that was left of themain planet was an asteroid called Mnemos by themandated Mentreks, and everyone thought that life hadbeen wiped out forever.

It wasn’t until the tragic meeting between a Terra 877inhabitant and a Mnemos “envoy” that anyone realized,after long and fastidious crosschecks, that the Mentrekreport was not altogether accurate. Although all life wasostensibly extinct, the asteroid had undergone an unfore-seeable change and, like the afterlife observed with theconstruction of the Endocities by the Techno-Technos, haddeveloped a new and most particular life form. The aster-oid had become a planet… a living planet.

The awakening of Mnemos is not the only case of itskind in the universe, but it happened so suddenly that theasteroid found itself not only with life, but also with anintuitive awareness of its own makeup. The newbornMnemos already knew for certain that it could only sur-vive and exist at the very best as a fragment of afterlifedrifting in the stellar vacuum. This fatalism explains boththe planet’s total absence of life with its putrid marshesand twisted roots and the appearance of phenomena nowknown as “Mnemonicians.”

Born of a dying star’s despair, the Mnemonicians are notso much creatures as life forms, manifestations of Mnemos’vital essence and its refusal to die even though it knew fullwell it was alone and its destruction inevitable. Unable toaccept that it was incapable of making or giving birth to

anything sustainable, the star’s con-sciousness just let these phenomena“be,” like the twisted and uncontrollablevegetation that covers the surface ofMnemos. Nostalgic Mnemos has despiteitself given birth to retrospective beingswhose only way of existing and surviv-ing was to become an integral part ofthis backwards march. Much like cha-meleons camouflage themselves by tak-ing on the appearance of their environ-ment, so the Mnemonicians assimilateand become… memories.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

When they first appear, rather thanwhen they are “born,” theMnemonicians have no tangible oreven describable physical form. Atmost, they are energy currents, waves,flows of existence that aimlessly wan-der across the body of their Father-Mother star until they find and absorba memory. They are incapable of com-municating either among themselves orwith any other form of consciousness.They have no personal awareness un-til they have materialized. They neitherfeel, understand, nor perceive any ofthe information that comes their way.

The GalacticAmbassadors

After a long phase of ga-lactic expansion sown withconquests, territorial wars,and brutal protests fromworlds that are still free fromall economic adherence, theEmpire entered into an eraof relative stability. Thus, ithas adopted the appearanceof a diplomatic corps incharge of relations with in-habited planets, either lo-cated within the borders ofthe Endo-fringe or beyondthe Empire’s frontiers. A bitof reflection and observationallows one to realize thatthese ambassadors reallyonly serve in preparing fu-ture treaties and economicaccords with the Empire…and in clearing the groundbefore the dispatching of an

Endoguard squad.

99 • Aliens

HABITAT

The notion of habitat is irrelevant on thisplanet. The Mnemonicians just aimlessly wan-der across Mnemos’ surface, and the star bearsno other life form. Yet it is hard to believe thereis no life when you see the incredible swampyjungle with its outsized trees and putrid lakesfull of black water. The water and the absence ofany biological toxins make the atmospherebreathable. Mnemos has everything it needs tomake it a viable star, at least for anyone who can

put up with the death-like ambience.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

The Mnemonicians only become aware oncethey are incarnated and materialize in the form ofa memory. Although some of them become inani-mate, but conscious, objects, the vast majority ofthe lifeforms look and think like conscious, intel-ligent beings. They seem to prefer for those whohave the use of speech and any other form of com-munication. Once materialized, the Mnemoniciansreally “become” the object of the memory that theyhave intercepted and copy its nature, motivations,desires, fears, and so on.

RESOURCES AND POWERS

The Mnemonicians use their amazing replicat-ing skills to echo a memory, take on its form, andbe-come its image. Whenever an explorer sleeps onthe planet Mnemos, sleep often weakens their men-tal defenses, and increased psychic activity bringsup more memories, providing a strong chance thata Mnemonician will be made by the retrogradespiritual waves. In which case, an exact replica ofthe man or woman in the memory will be created.

Replication takes just a few hours. TheMnemonician first takes on the appearance of asilhouette of pure energy, as if it were made of so-lidified mercury, before adding in endlessly finerand more accurate details that eventually transformit into the being in the memory. Once made, theMnemonician no longer exists, but the “copied”subject now has a spitting image.

It’s not hard to imagine how this incredible fac-ulty could be put to a military and political use inespionage, war and diplomatic alliances. Fortu-nately, although the existence of Mnemos and theMnemonicians is known, few seem to have yetmade the connection between the planet and itssole creatures. Yet the fact that the Mnemoniciansare made of pure energy means that they are notconfined to their home star. They can sneakMnemos roots into the spaceship reactors, holds,and cabins of explorers and travelers passingthrough the sidereal vacuum.

ALIEN DESCRIPTION GUIDE

Roll the designated number of dice (do not include theWild Die) after the characteristic to randomly generate anew alien. If the result is “other,” then you may eithercome up with your own, or roll twice more (rerolling ifthe result comes up “other”) and combine the two. Onlyroll in the Powers categories if the Powers Physical Char-acteristics indicates for you to do that. The game masterdetermines the exact effects of each power.

ORIGIN AND ENVIRONMENT

Origin (2D6): ectoplasmic, elementary (water, fire, gas,mineral), avian, insectoid, mammal, reptilian, ichthyoid,technological, plant, magic, other.

Native Environment (2D6): ethereal, corrosive (mer-cury, magma, acid, etc.), gaseous/air, aquatic, terrestrial,space, extradimensional (parallel dimensions, dreams,nightmares, time, interspace, etc.), other.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Form (2D6): ovoid, cubic, slender, flat, animal (avian,reptilian, fish, etc.), humanoid, gaseous, skeletal, liquid,ethereal, other.

Limbs (1D6): arms/legs, tentacles, fins, claws, pincers,other.

Additional Limbs (1D6): wings, tail, heads, extra limbs,other.

Skin: feathers, hide, shell, quills, hair, flesh, mineral,none, other.

Distinctive Characteristic (1D6): odor, aura, color, un-usual appearance (magnificent, monstrous, etc.), pecularmannerism, other.

Power (1D6): life, movement, mental, perception, physi-cal, none.

POWERS

Life (1D6): short-lived, limited regeneration, long, ex-treme, immortality, other.

Mental Power (1D6): magic, psionic, element control,spirit contact, temporal control, other.

Movement (1D6): flight, teletransportation, swimming,jumping interdimensional flight, other.

Perception (1D6): infrared, radar, sonar, X-rays,extrasensorial, other.

Physical Power (1D6): invisibility, immateriality, mim-icry, polymorphism, chemical excretion, other.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Although there are too many variations for which togive tables, here are some other characteristics you shouldconsider describing for your new alien: normal behavior;average lifespan; average height (adults, children); aver-age weight (adults, children); organs (eyes, nose, mouth,snout, hands, hoofs, tongue, vital points, heart, etc.);movement; key cultural features (housing, eating prefer-

ences, social preferences, etc.).

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Far from the aristocratic palaces and Prez-cloning cen-ters, there lives an underclass excluded by an appearance-based society and shunned by the cult of pure blood andnoble lineage. Mutants born either by accident or from abungled genetic experiment are now a common sight onthe streets of the Endocities. Although still technically “hu-man” from various physical and mental points of view, therepresentatives of these new species who appeared with thefirst pan-Techno terraformation sites are rarely seen as such.They only survive because they are more or less tolerated.

SOURCES OF MUTATION

HUMANITY AND MUTATION

“Mutants” are defined as all living beings whose ge-netic code has been changed, producing characteristicsand faculties unseen or less pronounced among the otherrepresent-atives of their species. So although a man withfour arms is obviously a mutant, these changes can applyto particularities already found in a species, such as thegrowth of long soft hair all over the body and the spec-tacular development of physical and mental attributes suchas ESP, heat resistance, and skin pigmentation.

It is rare to find mutants with no physical symptoms oftheir mutation. Although many of these genetic changesare also mental and psychological, the body nearly al-ways suffers an assault that forces it to react by develop-ing growths, deformities, and conspicuous abnormalities.This results in the mutants being stared at and judged bytheir fellow citizens to the point of exclusion and segrega-tion, which has prompted them to form mutant powermovements and abnormality cults. So although havingphysical and mental mutations can quickly make you anoutcast from human society, not having any mutationscan just as easily exclude the human judged “impure”because of his total lack of genetic development.

In the extreme universe of the Metabarons, mutationshave virtually infinite manifestations and effects for bothmutants and their contemporaries. These physical andmental changes range from extra and wasted limbs to themost devastating mental powers. They can turn a humaninto a real alien — a genetic anomaly totally out of phasewith his environment, his lost nature… and his peers.

MUTAGENIC FACTORS

To both mutants and men, the type of mutation is of-ten less important than its expression. However, a detailedscientific study of this phenomenon reveals the extent towhich the source of mutations — the famous “mutagenicfactors” — are key to how they are physically expressedand affect the mutant’s organism and psychology.

Although all the genetic mixing and matching that goeson distorts even the most basic calculations, three majorsources of mutation have been identified that are capable offorcing an organism to spontaneously change abnormally:

the repercussions of pan-Techno terraform-ation, the in-fluence of science on the body, and cosmic energies.

The first mutagenic force is found in the universe’sfundamental energies. These uncontrollable currents,long invisible to the mortal eye and beyond mortal com-prehension, have been causing species and minds toevolve since the beginning of time. They are behind notonly a whole host of mutations, but also the birth ofraces now called“alien.” Given their ability to create amultigene-rational leap in Darwin’s theory of evolution,it is easy to understand how these vital forces can alterthe genetic characteristics of a race on a smaller scale.

More recently, the development of physical, chemical,and genetic sciences led to the appearance of a new formof mutation caused by radiation, exposure to artificialmutagenic agents, and programmed genetic modifications.This opened the door for a whole new brand of physi-ological changes. This explains how, when the initial ge-netic experiments were carried out, “mutation” was firstreally defined as an external influence on a living being’smind and body. The effects of building Endocities on in-habited planets are a perfect example of this. However,the chemical substances, radiation effects, and geneticmodifications instigated by the Techno-Technos and theShabda-Ouds also come under this heading of “techno-logical” mutations.

This does mean that a person can be outwardly humanwhile, inwardly, a designer being with abilities far beyondmortal possibilities. Nonetheless, remember the socialpressures against mutants among those in power. Once aperson exposes these powers by using them, he is a mu-tant waiting to be outed. In the universe of the Metabarons,no closet, however deep, is proof against the data intru-sions of those wishing to learn secrets. The knowledgecan be expensive to gain, but the pillars of society havevast resources and all the time in the world.

THE PAN-TECHNO INFLUENCE

THE TERRAFORMATION PROCESS

The Techno-Techno robots can complete their mind-blowing terraformation work in just over one month, atthe end of which the planet has been gutted and strippedof all vital substances and energy. So it’s not hard to imag-ine the unbelievable violence of the process and its reper-cussions on the balance of life established and maintainedby millions of years of slow evolution. This violence isglaring in the draining itself and the suffering inflicted onthe star, with its raped elements and denigrated energiessucked up and subjugated to the will of technology andthe demands of humankind.

Once the inhabitants of the Endocities have settled inbehind the brand new walls of their new prison, few real-ize how their host planet has been ravaged. Further vio-lence then sets in, fuelled by the Necro-Dream andhumanity’s natural vices, and everyone seems oblivious

M U T A N T S

to the effects of their settlement there. Yet thereare many manifestations of these unsuspected af-

ter-effects. Top of the list are the mutants.Although all life is sucked up, bled dry, and merci-

lessly hunted down by the pan-Techno machinery rightdown to the planet’s core, every terraformed planethas managed to hold onto a vital spark — an energythat, like a memory drives revenge or forgiveness, be-comes an irrepressible vestige, and spearheads the birthof new phenomena: the mutations.

THE CRADOS

The Crados are the chief living evidence of this unsus-pected survival born of the life’s determination to “be”and endure. These first-generation mutants haunt theunderground levels far below the machinery and the AcidLake. The vast majority of the population believes theCrados to be mere myth. Rare are those who know theyexist and believe in the Armageddon prophecy: the daywhen “the underworld will rise back up to the surface.”

Behind the Crados’ filthy, ugly mask forged by the atro-cious physical mutations caused by the toxic waste in theacid lake, they harbor a last fragmentof humanity reminiscent of their sacri-fice and true nature. It is a very sad se-cret. Although everyone believes thatthey were born of the pollution gener-ated by the Endocities, the Crados areno less than the first terraformationworkers abandoned on the planet andimprisoned in the darkest depths of theearth in a maze of caves hidden fromprying eyes. Hardly have they beenstripped of life, when the planets cho-sen to host an Endocity find their firstinhabitants sacrificed on the altar of se-crecy and its demands.

It is not impossible to see a subtlevariation in the extent of Crado muta-tion and organization in each Endocity,but all of these “communities” sufferfrom the same physical and mental de-formities. The Crados are slowly trans-formed from humans into humanoids bythe combined effect of radiation, mu-tagenic outflows, and toxic waste fromthe Acid Lake that pumps the food andindustrial waste it cannot handle fromthe Endocities into the undergroundcaves. The Crados’ orange-hued, red andbrown-spotted skin and vague featuresgive them the repulsive look of spirit-less mutants, unlike animal hybrids suchas the man-dogs whose animal charac-teristics give them a certain allure ofpride and nobility.

Outcasts from a society they helpedto build, the Crados are seen as a “nec-essary nuisance” by the Techno-Technos

who abandoned them to evolve on their own and havenow designed specialized robot units to hunt them down.They are hounded from the darkest corner of eachEndocity and imprisoned. Yet still they manage to sur-vive, grow, and band together under the leadership ofwarrior-chiefs. There might be grounds for the fears oftheir return to the surface after all.

KNOCK-ON MUTATIONS

The Crados stuck in the heart of the terraformed plan-ets are not the only mutants around. The land develop-ment and vital energy absorption process creates an im-balance that combined with industrial waste creates manymutagenic factors and just as many mutant species. Thesemutations due directly to the Techno-Technos’ influenceon the planets are seen in varying degrees of change, trans-formation and physiological, biological, organic and psy-chological developments. Skin coloring, extra, missingand/or wasted limbs and organs, and diminished physicaland mental faculties are all examples of what a birth onthese terraformed planets can produce. Yet theMagnarmada’s intervention does not explain everything.An incredible number of factors are involved in addition

to the afterlife effect. However, thevery birth of the Endocities is in itselfa more definite and unpredictable mu-tagenic factor than any external in-fluence.

THE EVOLUTIONARY CYCLE

You only need to glance at the his-tory of the universe to realize thatmutants were around well before thefirst Endocity was built. These mu-tants, altered by a combination of cos-mic forces and radiation from tech-nological materials, or born of geneticmodification and crossbreeding in-compatible species, continue to beborn and live outside the main centerof Techno-Techno activity.

The description of the main mu-tagenic factors gives a general idea ofthe possibilities. However, it is safe toassume that there are as many variet-ies and manifestations as there aresources of mutations.

SIDE EFFECTS

Much like cures are found as ill-nesses and diseases appear, the ongo-ing specialization in drugs, treatments,preventive patches, vaccines and othermedical care for the populations goeshand in hand with a growing numberof side effects and unexpected muta-tions. It must be said, however, thatthe Techno-Technos are also capableof using drugs to deliberately provokethese side effects. The disorders causedby this external action on the organ-

Mutants inHuman Society

Even if the extra-terrestri-als incite an evident mistrustamong humans, when all issaid and done, these inhab-itants of faraway planets stillremain relatively well ac-cepted by the general popu-lation. This however, is notthe case with the mutants.Looked upon as the dregs ofsociety, classed even lowerthan animals on the scale ofvalue and consideration, themutants live in recluse, areoften hunted, and are gener-ally not recognized as humanbeings with the exception ofa few who share their every-day life. For several decadesnow, these pariahs of humanevolution have started to or-ganize themselves, throughthe means of illegal cults andcommon values in whichthey demand recognition oftheir status and nature.These unauthorized religionsare of course ruthlessly per-secuted by the Techno-Technos and the EndocityHunchbacks.

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ism are manifold and often irreversible. They range froma rash and scaly skin through the loss of certain facultiesand the spectacular development of others to major or-gan dysfunction, skeletal contraction and the completedisruption of the immune system.

The effects of these ingestions and treatments are sostriking that they merit being put into their own muta-tional category. However, they are similar to other mu-tagenic factors associated with the consumption of foodproducts, chemical substances, synthetic drugs and so on.With the exception of the prohibitively expensive qualityproducts, the purchase of which is strictly regulated, mostchemical-based foodstuffs bear a risk of side effects dueto their poor quality, unsuitability to the organism andexcessively high chemical content, or due to the organismitself reacting violently if it has already been affected byanother mutagenic source. The mutational principle is socomplex that the combined effects of medicine, narcotics,exposure to minute radiation and a long stay in the lowerlevels can create a new mutagenic factor when none ofthese four factors alone could have triggered the slightestreaction in the organism.

RADIATION

Although the consequences of ingesting mutagenic or quitesimply toxic substances seem obvious, the development ofchemical sciences to power vehicles and ships, provide en-ergy and produce biological weapons has created infinitesources of radiation with great mutagenic potential. Whenthe batteries are flat and the weapons emptied and discardedon the battlefield, the toxins remain incontact with the oxygen capable of af-fecting all living organisms: animal, veg-etable and mineral.

This irradiation affects more exter-nal appearances since the directly ex-posed body generally suffers first-de-gree mutations. Yet where the radiationis particularly strong and damaging,mutations can reach deeper into thebody to affect the vital core, metabo-lism and senses, instead of just attack-ing the skin and external organs.

The Crados are a perfect example ofsuch prolonged exposure to toxicfumes, making it easy to imagine thepotential effects of voluntary and cal-culated exposure to provoke specificmutations.

GENETICS

Genetic engineering is now bannedin the Empire. Yet it is highly advanceddespite the fact that experiments havedropped sharply since the golden ageof the Techno-Technos and the Shabda-Oud some ten thousand years ago.Seen as a potential leap forward inman’s evolution, this science with itsendless variety of applications has trig-gered a race for knowledge that annu-

ally increases the potential for transplants,crossbreeding and molecular alterations tenfold.The Techno-Technos and their erstwhile sisters —the Shabda-Oud, still have the ability to encode, pro-gram and alter any genetic sequence to give life tonew species today. Yet they don’t even need to breakthe Empire’s law against genetic engineering. You’dhave to be blind not to notice the fruits of their ter-rible past experiments on street corners everywhere.

By far the best examples of the Techno-Technos’ ge-netic influence on life are the man/animal crossbreeds wellknown among the Endocity inhabitants and valued by theHunchbacks for their raids. The pan-Techno laboratoryscientists designed these mix-and-match species with theirendlessly changeable physical and mental characteristicsfrom the isolation of two species’ genes. Man-dogs, man-cats, man-sharks and man-snails are just a few examples ofthe possibilities for these genetically programmed mutantswith their countless crossbreeds and hybrids. In addition totheir physical particularities, they all seem to possess ca-pacities associated with their animal nature. The man-dogshave a canine sense of smell and reflexes combined withhuman consciousness and language. It’s not for nothing thatmany of these mutants have joined the ranks of the piratesand mercenaries — not only to make the most of their physi-cal advantages, but also to hide from prying eyes andunrelentless hounding by the powers that be.

COSMIC FORCES

Beyond man’s grasp is a mutationalvector that is impossible to analyze ob-jectively in its entirety. It has been influ-encing the evolution of life since the be-ginning of time. Each of our universe’ssix Gateways is both source and trans-mitter for a flow of bipolar energycharged with an element and its exactopposite. This energy crosses space, di-vides, rebounds and alters when it comesinto contact with other currents, trigger-ing marvels and mutations. The six flowsof energy from the Gateways are incom-patible with one another, and naturallyand instinctively seek to consume andannihilate each other. The planets sub-merged in or crossed by one or more ofthese currents are exposed to all sorts ofinfluences, from mere climatic changeto the severest mutations. Many racesdefined by man as “extraterrestrial” are,from many points of view, mutant ver-sions of species that could once well havebeen human… which gives a whole newmeaning to the term “humanoid extra-terrestrial races.”

The currents from the Gatewaystravel through space like a cyclopeanwave — a hungry cosmic liquid tonguethat sweeps through worlds, engulfs

Captian KaïmanRegarded as a veritable

living legend by the Empire’sinhabitants as well as hisown men, who vow theirboundless fidelity and admi-ration to him, the head of theShipwreckers owes part ofhis reputation to his mutantnature and the other to thehistory that goes with it.Originally from a noble fam-ily, this man upon whom alllife had once smiled, was vic-tim of a terrible mutationthat gave him reptilian eyes,a long serpent’s tail, and ex-traordinary physical abilities.This in exchange for his hap-piness and the protection ofhis loved ones. Detested andchased from his family, hewanders today in space, mo-tivated by a vengeance ascold as the blood that runsthrough his reptilian veins.

103 • Mutants

cradles of life and recedes like a tide, takingwith it the mercilessly devoured fragments of life.

The ebb of these waves is charged with an energyopposite to the flow — just like night follows day inthe cycle of time. This ebb moves in the opposite di-rection towards the Gateway, creating a depression anddevastating waves of turbulence capable of provokingmore appalling mutations than any technology. Muta-tion, in this case, is seen in terms of degeneration andthe negative influence on an organism. The passing ofthe flows creates an upheaval that, although capable ofawaking the spirit and creating sensitivity undreamed of

by the cosmic energies, locks the body in an evolutionthat nothing, not even the all-powerful pan-Techno tech-nology, can curb or alter. These influences are called“paleo-salmonesque forces.”

THE BERGS, AN UNUSUAL RACE

Formerly parrots originating from Artrilys,the Bergs are the fruit of a long and complexevolutionary process. Considered to be extra-terrestrials, as they are natives of a farawayplanet, these uncommon creatures are full-fledged mutants, taking into account theirevolution, their method of reproduction,and the cyclic laws which govern theirchanges in body and essence. The Bergschange their physical form with the “Proto-Queen” Barbarrah’s reproductioncycle. About every fifteen standard years,she lays the eggs for 78 billion Bergs. Every24,000 years, during what these exceptionalmutants call their “golden age,” the galacticentity which is their queen generates and formsa new, evolved race, without any reference to the old one.Their physical appearance is radically different, just astheir manner of communication and their customs.

At every egg laying season, the Proto-Queen Barbarrahgives birth to billions of clones from her sole inseminator,a Berg judged worthy of ensuring the perpetuity of hisrace during the Great Quinquennial Festival — wherecombats and festivities take place to designate the “re-producer.” Taking into account that a Berg year consistsof 825 standard days, the dazzling evolutionary changesthat occur among the Bergs are considered outstanding intheir own eyes as well as in the eyes of outside observers,who must possess a vast knowledge of evolution in orderto distinguish a new mutation of the Berg race from a stillunknown ordinary extraterrestrial race.

Today, after numerous mutations, the Bergs live in com-plete autocratic rule in the Atrilii three sun system, underapparently peaceful and relatively civilized circumstances.On their Mother Planet, Ourgar-Gan, Barbarrah theMatrix resides in the depths of Ouror the Ant’s Nest, andlives ruled by the rhythm of her reproduction cycles andmystic dreams. According to space voyagers and the fewmentreks well versed in Berg study, the Proto-Queen iswaiting for the Advent of two prophecies: the coming ofthe next Golden Age Inseminator, who will give shape

and life to the mutation of his people, and the Berg’s ex-pansion into vulnerable regions of the human Empire.

It is said, that the arrival of the Berg people in the Endo-fringe will sound the irremediable destruction of the Em-pire. For their technology is so particular, founded onsecrets unknown to humans, that its effect on the Techno-Technos protection shields would be similar to the dev-astating outcome of an explosive used against medievalarmor.

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Here are game mechanics for a few of the more popu-lar special abilities found in mutants and aliens.

Elemental Control: The alien or mutant can manipulateone type of element, such as earth, air, fire, or water. Theexact nature of the control should be determined prior tousing the character. Examples of effects include turning a

light breeze into a gust, causing small tremors, turningwater to steam or ice, or affecting preexisting fires.

Immateriality: The alien can change himselfinto a gaseous form for up to one minute.

During that time, +7D is added to Strengthfor the purpose of resisting damage—but his movement rate is halved. Hecannot move through solid objects butcan go through small openings (likekeyholes). He cannot carry anythingwith him or perform actions that re-quire physical activity or speaking.

Enhanced Sense: One of the alien’sfive senses is heightened to abnormallevels. Any relevant skill totals are in-creased by 1D.

Infravision/Ultravision: The alien cansee in the dark, either through the use of

infravision or ultravision. Infravision allows the alien to seechanges in heat, while ultravision gives the alien a straight+2 to all Perception checks in the dark because she makesthe most of light or sees in some other such way.

Invisibility: The alien is transparent (+3D to all hiderolls). This also means that under most circumstances,others may not make Perception attempts to detect thealien. Perception rolls may only be made if the agent orcast member has a reason to believe the invisible alien isthere—and then only at great difficulty.

Limited Regeneration: The alien gains back one bodypoint per round. Aliens who can grow back lost bodyparts are also classified under this special ability.

Natural Armor: The alien’s skin is very tough, he has somesort of shell or exoskeleton, or some resistance to injury. Thealien receives +1D to Strength rolls to resist damage.

Natural Weaponry: The alien has some sort of naturalweapon—claws, pincers, and the like—that adds +2D toher Strength when determining her damage when attack-ing with that weapon. It is possible to have more thanone natural weapon.

Teletransportation: The alien can teleport up to tenmeters away. He must be able to see his destination clearly.In combat, this takes one round, and he can only takewith him what he has on his body at the time.

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104

The universe is known as the immeasurable dimensionwhere time and space, as conceived within the limitationsof our minds, is a minuscule piece of an insanely giganticbaroque puzzle. The universe is crossed in every directionby ultra-powerful force currents, prechaotic energies, andactive waves able to displace galaxies in a moment’s time.Of course, these flux do not permanently reveal them-selves in the material dimension, but are present in thelatent state, and those who know how to master them areable to draw from a source so wonderful that it inevita-bly appears to be magic.

Discovering the origin of all these forces is a task thatwould drive even the greatest of the rationalist wizardsmad. The forces are related to the very substance of theuniverse, the first and last mystery, and some are evenremnants of what there was before. Nevertheless, partsof them have been clearly identified. The way they workin this universe is understood, as well how they are in-voked and by whom. This information is only known bya few rare initiates, the force’s disciples who most oftenignore and indeed deny the existence of other immanentpowers in the universe.

THE SIX DOORS AND THEIR GUARDIANS

Titanic space, parallele piped in form, resembles a gi-ant brick. The universe thus presents six sides, which makeup its exterior boundaries. Each side is like an impervi-ous membrane which hermetically seals our universe andprevents its material and immaterial fluids from flowingover into neighboring universes. Each of the six sides are

in direct contact with another parallele-piped form, asthe universes are schematically regrouped and stackedlike a wall of bricks. Knowing that the universes aretremendous masses of energy in a state of constant ex-pansion, it is absolutely vital to have a valve present,eliminating the risk of the whole smashing itself intopieces. And so, if by natural coincidence, a quirk of theelements, or an example of the Creator of Creators’cautious planning, passages have been provided in eachof the six faces of every universe, and their task is toregulate the great energy currents that continuously cutacross space.

These passages or “doors” shouldn’t be carelessly leftopen, for each universe risks losing its identity by becom-ing incorporated into a universal conglomeration that isconstantly growing more immense. The six doors aretherefore entrusted to the vigilance of six custodians, whocarefully watch that their mission of regulation is wellexecuted. Finally, so as to avoid the doors’ attracting thecuriosity of the crowds, they blend into their surround-ings and are even fashioned on a level of reality that eludesthose beings limited solely to a material reality.

THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTRARY FORCES

Each door is associated with a specific force, related tothe nature of the two universes it links. At the point ofcontact, the two universes present characteristics that arestrictly opposite, so that their junction is ensured by aform of polarity that cannot be broken. Strictly speaking,it is not a question of a physical threshold that someone

T H E M A J O R F O R C E S

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sage, the image of a breach be-tween two dimensions. This hazyand labyrinthine zone is a mortaltrap for those who thoughtlesslyrisk it. One can indefinitely wanderthere, stuck forever between two di-mensions and two realities. In fact,only the guardians have the keys andknow-how to pass from one universeto the next. More than Cerberus, they

are rather like the impartial Charon,free servants of the universes, fromwhich they draw their strength. And al-though their force is taken from thissource, they are not enslaved to it.

Judged by human considerations,their powers are enormous, colossal,almost divine. But differing from thegods, they have no interest in the des-tiny of people and things. Neither arethey immortal. To be more precise, theycan exist only as the physical incarna-tion of a mortal being.

In this almost mystic configuration,the guardians fulfill their role accord-ing to the dictates of their goodwill.Some quite readily lend a sympathetic ear to lesser crea-tures, such as humans, whereas, others watch that theyremain hidden with the greatest care, maintaining a veilof secrecy over the door they guard.

THE DOORS

Well beyond the outer limits of the universe is the con-fines zone where density reaches an absolute summit, andthe smallest hydrogen atom represents such a consider-able mass that elsewhere, its weight alone would be enoughto wipe out an entire planet. On the human scale, thezone’s recorded pressure and duress are immeasurablyexcessive. Moreover, apart from a few rather strange crea-tures such as the pachydermic jellyfish, no sign of life canbe found. The rare exploratory missions that have madeit to the zone have never returned. Yet, very near, behinda fine and perfectly impermeable membrane, other con-fines open out where the density is so slight that evencelestial bodies have no weight. This thin membrane con-stitutes an absolutely impassable boundary.

MARDADOR

In our universe, there is a door called Mardador, whichplaces two antagonistic zones in contact with one another.Physically, Mardador cannot be found anywhere; search-ing for it is a futile quest. In fact, it only exists on a levelof reality that can solely be invoked by its guardian. Thebird Gangez was this guardian, but his flesh and bloodbody have been destroyed. Now, he lives in the soul ofthe Metabaron, with whom he is one. Starting from thevery first fusion with Dayal de Castaka, Gangez has been

passed on from generation to genera-tion within each of the Castakas, trans-mitted with the metabaronic powers atthe end of the final combat betweenfather and son. Today, the current Met-abaron carries Gangez within him, andhe is the Mardador custodian. But theMetabaron is not a kindly guardian,and the door is reserved for his per-sonal use. Even if epiphyte, the won-drous substance associated with thedoor, has long since been sold to theEmpire, the Metabaron does not needsuch an artifact to draw directly fromthe source of legendary powers he pos-sesses within himself. Besides, the sup-plies of natural epiphyte have beenexhausted, with the exception of therare reserves held respectively by thefour pillars of the Empire. Syntheticepiphyte made from bikramen does nobetter than mimic the antigravitationalproperties of the natural substance. Itpossesses none of the other miraculousproperties associated with natural epi-phyte. As the Mardador guardian, theMetabaron has to himself access tothese wonders.

TEMPER-UT

Elsewhere in the universe, there exists a frontier be-tween the hot confines and the freezing limits. The pas-sage from one to the other is the Temper-Ut door, guardedby Uakl. To this day, the guardian’s physical metamor-phosis has not been located, nor has the point of access tothe door been found. The guardian Uakl is a one-eyedtortoise, completely made up of mercury. He lives on ametallic asteroid with a constant temperature close to ab-solute zero. The cold of this glacial environment serves topreserve the cohesion of his organism, for if he were ex-posed to heat, he would melt like snow in the sun. Uaklpossesses the secret to temperature modification. He iswholly composed of mercury which concentrates hispower, permitting him to act upon atmosphere and cli-mate. A drop of mercury taken from his body enables oneto acquire a part of his power. The greater the quantity ofmercury, the greater the concentration of power. How-ever, Uakl’s conscious and essence, which give access to adimension as great as a universe, are fully contained inhis only eye. Uakl is mortal, but to destroy him, his eyemust be destroyed. If Uakl’s body came to be annihilated,his soul could find refuge in the spirit of a consentingbeing with whom it would be in complete accord.

LUCIOH

Between the limits of shadow and light, Lucioh is thedoor which leads from obscurity to light. Ophidat, theguardian, is a triple reptilian entity made up of three ser-pents of bronze, silver and gold with scales that are alter-natively dark and bright. They are called the three Bodras.

About MajorEnergies

By nature, the forces andenergies present in the uni-verse can be beneficial,harmful, or uncontrollable,that is to say disconnectedfrom all good or bad will.The acquisition of an energyimplies the observation ofthree imperative conditions:

1) One must have the willto acquire this energy. Withthe exception of rare ex-amples, the forces ignorethose who ignore them.

2) A journey must be un-dertaken — an interior voy-age or expedition, strictlyspeaking — to understandthat one can obtain it.

3) One must accept thechanges that the energy in-evitably produces once ab-

sorbed.

In addition to their mastery of light and darkness, Ophidatpossesses the secret to a wonderfully powerful technol-ogy. Ophidat has been associated with the Techno-Technoorder for a long time. He resides under the Techno-Templealtar on Central Planet. The Church of the Industrial Saintsdraws its technological power from this exceptional af-finity. Yet, no dignitary of the order, not even the supremeTechno-Pope, has ever entered into communion with thetriple entity; and despite its power, the Techno-Technoorder is far from holding all of the power that the Ophidathas to offer. In fact, the Church of the Industrial Saints isin reality an instrument in the hands of a dark force, con-cealed in the shadows.

PER-BEOD

The door that leads from the dry borders of our uni-verse to the liquid confines of one of the six neighboringuniverses is called Per-Beod. It is placed under the closewatch of the guardian Bemb, a giant oyster who possessesthe absolute source, the secret mastery of water. A longtime ago, at the dawn of the Ekonomat’s legendary his-tory, the planet which became Neo-Knox was dying un-der the scalding rays of its sun. And that is precisely whena dying Bemb communicated his secrets to the first signof intelligent life that appeared to him. It turned out to bea delegation of wandering fugitives, looking for a prom-ised land, a group of those who where going to build the

Ekonomat. Since that time, the Ekonomat pos-sesses the secret to water. Bemb’s spirit was col-lected by one of the dignitaries, a member of theMidastik Chamber, whose identity is unknown.

CHONCH

In the borders, there is a zone that is completely inrelief, jutting out full of dips and bumps. The mostbreathtaking cliffs give way to the highest summits,riddled with needles that stand out like the points of adiamond. Through the door named Chonch, one passesinto a smooth universe where the polished surfaces arelike immense mirrors, soft and satiny. Ruante is the guard-ian of this door. To this day, she has not been discovered,frozen in a gangue of bluish ice where she has been keptfor billions of standard years. Set in her mineral sepul-cher, she roams in space carried by the stellar winds,plunged into a dream without end. She has the features ofa young humanoid woman, immobile as a stone statue.Her hands, crossed over her breast, hold a small object —a little paintbrush in orikarb — which can modify at willthe geographical relief of any world. But the Ruante’spowers have many other aspects, because she can act uponthe inert matter of the two universes. Her conscious isasleep, but a part of her spirit remains in an alert state,ready to intervene when necessary.

Doors and Their GuardiansOur universe is comprised of six doors, each placed under the care and protection of a guardian. A powerful

secret, related to the nature of the two universes they link, is associated with each door. A substance, creature,or object capable of carrying out a concrete action in the material universe is also associated with each power.

Door Guardian Power Substance, creature, or object of powerMardador Gangez Mastery of gravity Epiphyte, the fantastic, magical substance which

voids gravity. Overexploited by the Empire, it isnow practically nonexistent in its natural form.

Temper-Ut Uakl Temperature modification A tortoise made of mercury allowing it to actand alteration upon climate, seasons, and temperature in all of

its forms.

Lucioh Ophidat Control of light The Ophidat’s scales, renewed at every sloughing.and darkness Engraved on their scales are the mysteries of

technological power.

Per-Beod Bemb Mastery of hydrogen, The Kist, a bladder containing an absolute andoxygen, and water permanent water source, as well as the secret of

mastering fluids.

Chonch Ruante Modification of A paintbrush in orikarb, which enables the onegeographical relief who is holding it to redesign the outlines of

everything that reveals itself within one’s view.

Puerko Podrih-Do Mastery of aroma The pulp flower, a bud that grows at the end ofchemistry the nose and allows one to act upon the tiniest

inframolecular level of the aromatic chains.

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ajor Forces

PUERKO

Finally, through the Puerkodoor one passes from the foul-

smelling borders to emerge into adelicately perfumed zone, where themost subtle essences mix to enchantthe senses. Podrih-Do is this door’sguardian. A reptilian creature, en-dowed with the massive and power-ful body of the Saurians, is enhancedby nine animated heads which each

have an individual life. It lives buriedin the swamps of the planet Sec-Humfrom the Soto system in Terra Prima’sgalaxy. Three great and distinct racesinhabit this geophysically strangeplanet: the Gords, Hireas, and Sueskins.These last people, also known by thename of the Odorizers, have alwayslived in the marshy strip that encirclesSec-Hum at its equator. As their primi-tive art attests, the Odoraters have sincetime immemorial revered the “Splendorof the Marshes.” Formerly, they wouldsacrifice their hunting catch or theyoungest members of the tribe to him.But a new link has been forged betweenPodrih-Do and the Odoraters. It is notreally a pact but rather a relationshipof subjection from which the religiousfeeling has disappeared and anythoughts of communion with the guard-ian are excluded. Podrih-Do allows theOdoraters to use certain of his minorpowers, and manipulates them in or-der to guarantee his peace and quiet.Thus today, the Odoraters cultivate thepulp flower, mastering the mysteries ofaromatic chemistry. This knowledge hasrendered them indispensable to theGords and the Hireas who are particu-larly sensitive to anything that pertainsto scent, resulting in the unconsciousdomination of the two tribes. ButPodrih-Do did not reveal to them themagnitude of his powers, because thetotal extent of his understanding of themost subtle workings of ether is so thathe could control the suns and subjugatethe galaxies.

ACTIONS AND REACTIONS

OF THE UNIVERSES’ FORCES

With six doors scattered about space, and six universesmassed around them, the Human Empire’s universe is atthe crossroads of numerous force currents thath sweepthrough the stellar void, pass one another and collide. Atcertain points in space, these flux join in titanic battles. In

fact, being of very different natures,the forces tied to the neighboring uni-verses are naturally antagonistic. It isnot so much that these manifestationsare incompatible among themselves —for example, cold could very well makedo with light or darkness — but rather,the underlying wills which animatethem are irreconcilable rivals. The partof the universe where they confrontone another is a very disturbed place.It is the “current’s nexus,” or the eyeof the storm, and the turmoil at timesreaches an apex that causes the actualtexture of the universe to experienceextreme convulsions: black holes, stel-lar tsunamis, antimatter irruptions, etc.The powers at play defy human un-derstanding, and even a being as in-vincible as the Metabaron — guard-ian of one of the six major sources ofpower — cannot confront these tur-bulences unscathed.

Of course, no living world nor en-tity can come away unharmed fromcontact with a nexus, nor more than aconfrontation with a “plexus” (a cur-rent having a unique and singularforce). If one of these forces crosses asystem, brushing up against the out-skirts of an inhabited system, all of thelife in that zone finds itself affected. Inparticular, forms of intelligent life aresubjected to its influence, or more pre-cisely, its underlying will. Because theuniverses follow a logic of their own:they are driven by the instinct to con-quer. In fact, without responding to aprecise strategy, the universes andforces they diffuse are naturally cos-mos devourers. Passing from one uni-verse to another, each force, pushed byan invasive dynamic, strives to occupyall the space it finds in its course.“Magic” currents arise from the whirl-wind that follows, whose effects areapparent everywhere, in the most var-ied of shapes and forms. For example,a religion practiced for millennia couldsuddenly take a new turn and fall preyto the control of the darkness, stench,scorching heat, or gravity. Initiateswho are particularly advanced coulddiscover new mysteries to invoke a

power related to light, dryness, or geographical relief.Whatever it may be, the supernatural sweeps through asan expression of tremendous combat that the universeoffers on a cosmic scale.

The exterior forces of the universe experience a mo-ment of immobility when, after having completely un-

The Influence ofChonch

During the period ofchaos that marked the thir-teenth and fourteenth millen-nia, there was an aftershockphase when the six universes’forces withdrew after havingchallenged and fought oneanother with rare violence. Aparticularly dismal refluxthat returned towards theChonch door brushed upagainst planet Linatys of thePyllum system, where apeaceful population of farm-ers and hunters lived in rela-tive harmony. Spurred on byshamanic priests who re-vered nature, the Linatyspeople soon gave themselvesover to a more and moreelaborate technology.

In less than a standardcentury’s time, they haderased all of the planets geo-graphical relief, making thesurface of the planet assmooth as a lake in summer.After having reduced themountains and hills, theyundertook filling in the gulfsand valleys. Those whowhere opposed to theplanet’s destruction were thefirst to be buried alive. Ev-ery technological advancewas accompanied by an in-crease in tyranny. The con-quest of the entire systemrapidly followed, exceptingthe colonized satellites whoentered into rebellion. A ho-micidal rage of a size incon-ceivable only five centuriesbefore swept through Pyllumin every sense of the word.Finally, engulfed by a cata-clysmic implosion, it became

a black hole.

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furled, they lose their momentum. Worn out by terriblebattles, they then permeate themselves in the surroundingspace, dispersing partially into the zone where the wavebrought them. Whatever may occur, the reflux momentalways comes next. A new masterful momentum calls theforces back to their original source. It is the paleo-salmonesque current of the six forces, a rising residualforce that is exceedingly black. Regretfully, stopped shortin their conquering course, the forces regain their inten-sity, trampling back across the regions already traversedwith a malicious climatic vigor. When this happens, onthe frequency of a cosmic scale — that is to say once ev-ery 10,000 years — entire systems are swallowed up in achaotic, blind and wild fury.

MANIPULATING THE UNIVERSE

Although this game is not intended to allow charactersplayed on the level a Metabaron, characters can try to usethe force they are attuned to to alter the world. Treat eachact as an attempt at reality manipulation. The dice in acharacter’s reality manipulation ability equals her AmaraxPoints times her willpower value. Use the guideliens onpages 104 of the rule book, but add +40 to whatever youchoose (this accounts for the inerent ability of the uni-verse to replus changes and remain the same). Thus, aneasy manipulation (such as changing the number of roundsof ammunition are remaining in your opponent’s weapon)is 45, while an incredible manipulation (the Metabaronbreaching the Golden Planet’s defense unscated and un-detected) is 75 or more.

OTHER DOORS, PASSAGES, AND

MINOR FORCES

Along with the great currents that cut through deepspace, there are other manifestations that make themselvesknown. First of all, there are sporadic reshapings by thesix cosmic forces. When these remnants (magnetic, psy-chic, sexual and others) are infused into a universe’s sys-tem, they undergo a transformation dictated by the na-ture of their new environment. Their essence becomesanother. They are no longer an expression of their origi-nal universe, nor are they the local force’s reply. They forma new “strain.” Sometimes these strains are hybrid, thefruit of a symbiotic encounter between different forces.Cut off from their original source, they eventually losetheir intensity, but this modification is compensated witha greater affinity for the zone where they currently reign.This distinctive mystical union has strong repercussionson a local level, since the magic current steeps into thesubstance of space, the planet’s ether, and the souls ofliving beings. Under its influence, religions practiced oninhabited worlds take on specific orientations, either fa-vorable to life or contrarily becoming utterly morbid; thecosmogonic harmony itself responds with complete chaosor, alternately, finds a new equilibrium based on order.

In the same way that our universe is in direct contactwith six other universes, each one of these neighboringuniverses is directly in contact with six other universes.By a process of natural circulation, exogenous forces com-

ing from extremely distant space, sometimesbursting into zones of the Human Empire. Andsimilarly to the six currents’ remnants, they enter inturn into the cosmic vortex’s furious whirling bring-ing about various side effects, inspiring to beings andsystems with the macabre appetites of destructive con-quest. Or to the contrary, they create a constructiveand positive will. In certain examples, they communi-cate a creative energy that leads to a technological mas-tery or paves the road to mysterious occults.

Finally, in addition to the six doors that act as valvesbetween the universes, a vast number of minor “valves”occasionally pop open under the pressure of frothing en-ergies which make use of these openings to release theirwaves of force. The fate of star systems and the entitiesthat populate them undergo either beneficial or disrup-tive impacts, depending upon the force’s level of concen-tration. On the scale of the universe, their side effects arenot as long-lasting as those of the great currents, but theyare often more intense. It is as if suddenly, out of nowhere,a mad wind starts blowing, and a supernatural tornadolets loose.

THE CREATURES OF THE BREACHES

Countless creatures burst upon our universe throughbreaches between the universes. The majority are nativeto the borders, where the extreme conditions give birthto monstrous chimeras. These are the pachydermic jelly-fish, stellar skate manta fish that are as large as suns, orbetter yet, the cosmic cetaceans, or the Jejoh — thosethat were formerly revered by the Shabda-Oud. Theseentities are not by any means deities. Strictly speaking,they don’t have any supernatural powers. Above all, theyare lacking the awareness which would render their powermore than just an ability. But the fact is that they areendowed with particular aptitudes of super-human size.They should be thought of as whimsical bubbles secretedby the universes, devoid of freewill, at times driven bypurely physical desires and appetites, and always capableof extraordinary feats.

As the Shabda-Oud order has demonstrated, these crea-tures can be tamed into submission. Their power can beharnessed and used by other intelligent forms of life. Domi-nating this power, however, certainly is not enough toconquer all of the universe, but it opens up certain possi-bilities for imposing tyranny. The creature’s force showsno sign or characteristics of a magic essence. It is just bruteforce, but what force it is!

FLUIDS AND CURRENTS

The diffused fluids that cross the universe have a moresubtle and ephemeral power, as well as a particular affin-ity with the underlying system. This is notably the casewith the universes’ sexual energies, and their feminine ormasculine essence. It is known that these great poles gen-erate imperceptible fields, whose strong magnetic effectsare quite visible and concrete. For example, it is underthis influence that certain portions of space migrate from

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time to time to get closer toa body or zone that attracts

them. This particular form of har-mony is also that which unifies theMetabaron and his Metacraft — aprofound understanding that en-ables communication through pul-sion and impulsion, drawing directlyfrom the primal energy of life anddeath. Locally, these extremely vola-tile fluids can reach such a high levelof concentration that they can inspire

a religion or lead receptive beings intospecific types of behavior. Their actionis disassociated from all moral dimen-sions, to such an extent that worship-ing femininity, for example, could leadeither to a civilization of unsociableamazons, to triumphant males under theinfluence of egotistical chauvinistpriests, or contrarily, to a society wherethe men pay tribute to woman’s beauty,the women revere the proud virilemonolith, and together they elaboratean extremely sophisticated peacefuleroticism.

In terms of strength, these emanationsare far from being as devastating as thesix door’s grand flux, but combinedwith the interior force possessed by ev-ery individual, great things can be ac-complished. The “Golden Flower”opened by Steelhead in the heart of theGolden Palace is a perfect illustration.Certainly, Steelhead is no ordinary hu-man, but on this very day he invokedthe supreme expression of femininity,and it was this force that harmed thereputedly invincible defenses of theEmpire’s nerve center. In the same way,each and every person can be in har-mony with the sexual charge of the ele-ments, nature, or the cosmos in orderto reinforce and strengthen their will,drawing thereupon for a renewed vigor,and reaching never before explored ar-eas of knowledge and power.

Cataloguing all of the strength vec-tors that cross the interstellar void orheel and list in a galaxy’s gyron wouldbe a Herculean task, but certain meritmention. It is notably the case with the“Blue Rose,” that which is invoked bythe Metabaron Aghnar to convince Odathat she is destined to be with him forall of eternity. It is not a matter of sug-gestion. It exerts no influence over her.It only reminds her that their union is

already written on another level of re-ality. In fact, the Blue Rose is theuniverse’s navel, its center of gravity,a place only accessible through dream,fantasy, and mystic thought. Con-sciously or unconsciously, every beingcarries within himself the memory ofthis place. Through dreamlike chance,or through long meditative work andawakening, one can go back there, re-charge themselves, and develop theirpsychic abilities. In practice, the psy-chic dimension offered by the BlueRose is akin to the Mind’s Shadow thatis mastered by the Shabda-Oud. Thesource is different, but the effect onthe initiated human is comparable. Af-terwards, the orientation taken by thenewly acquired psychic strength, de-pends uniquely upon what one decidesto do with it. It is there that it exists ata latent state, and whoever makes theeffort to seek it out it, may attain it.

Ithis is a creature intimately linkedto the universe. She is related to theGolden Flower, which is her meta-phoric interpretation. As the essenceof femininity, or more precisely of be-nevolent maternity, Ithis watches overhumanity. When the course of eventstakes a wrong turn, she feels sadness,but she doesn’t directly intervene, pre-ferring subtle and indirect action. Forexample, Amourine is the substancethat comes from flowers that blossomin the heart, the flowers of Ithis.Amourine enables a person to harmo-niously reintegrate himself into theuniverse when life, the elements, andespecially hostile forces have workedagainst him to disturb the equilibriumof his synchronicity with the environ-ment. Indirectly, Ithis is an object ofveneration to the Neuro-EmotionalChurch cult, who worship the SaintAmourine. It is unlikely that she ac-complishes other, more direct acts inthe lives of other worlds, but she cancertainly give inspiration and openpathways for those who search forthem.

MYSTICAL AND DIVINE

POWERS

Beyond the cosmos — the devour-ing forces, conquering and greedypowers, and diffused flux that regu-late or disturb the harmony of life in

The CarnidoStar

During the twenty-secondmillennium, following thecollapse of one of the borders’zones, a flux emanating fromthe force guarded by theguardian Uakl swept throughthe star system Carnido of theoutlying Ranz Galaxy. Thestellar bodies’ path was dis-turbed, and the system’s twoviable planets experiencedadverse but equally tragicends. One approachedCarnido, while the other wasdistanced from the star. Thevegetation yellowed on thefirst planet, and soon nothingsurvived but a blue and poi-sonous lichen. Water becamescarce. People died, and mil-lions of animal and vegetablespecies disappeared. Duringthis time, the second planetwas plunged into a permanentglacial night.

While an inescapable end— within at best two centu-ries — seemed destined, thesurvivors of the two worldsexperienced a desperatewake-up call. They weretaken over with feverish ac-tivity. Those who were untilthis time idle and confidentin the goodness of natureimmersed themselves withzeal into study and research.The more they worked withfervor, the more their faith ina recourse was reinforced.Every day, life becameharder, but major advanceswere realized: the two plan-ets could communicate, thena probe was sent from oneplanet to the other. Whentheir worlds became barren,the survivors had alreadytaken refuge in a space sta-tion. And when the planetsdied, they were already long

gone for the stars.

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the universe — there are other entitiesof divine essence that exist on a totallyinaccessible level of reality yet are com-pletely devoted to preserving the gen-eral equilibrium among all of the uni-verses. Their motivations remain amystery, but it is nevertheless certainthat they emanate from Omphal, theeye creator, the pupil from which comesall existence. From this first and last site— point of the beginning and point ofthe end — came the Arraths, the guard-ians’ guardians, those who keep a watchover the cohesion of the greater all, awhole so vast, that it can only be de-scribed on a divine scale. Not only dothey possess the two Incals — the twofaces of unique truth — but the Arrathsare also the guardians of the guardians,which are in some ways distant projec-tions of themselves in reality.

To fulfill their sacred mission — pre-serving life — the Arraths can interveneat any moment, in any universe. Gen-erally, they appear as little grandfathers,good natured and patient. Despite theextensive powers at their disposal, they never act in a di-rect manner: they listen, consult, suggest, and direct. Forexample, it is they who instill the bit of moderation thatcurbs the Tenebrea’s conquering drive. In the same way,when the galacto-barbarian wars bordered on the pointof risking the pure and simple eradication of one or sev-eral universes, the Arraths encouraged the discovery ofTRI-H technology, which would put an end to the con-flict. This said, their presence in the life of the universes isextremely discrete, even if the existence of each universe

is placed under their protec-tive wing.

Finally, the ultimate myth,hope of hopes… the Perfect An-drogyne is the one for whom everyform of life waits, to be lead to-wards an eternal Eden. Since theprophesy of Aptisto, the humanpreacher from Terra Prima — “Be-cause it is said that the one who willunite the qualities of man and womanwill be the Perfect Androgyne, the sa-cred Being adorned with all of thequalities of the mother and the father,will reign forever and lead humanity,by its sublime hand, towards destiny”— and maybe even before this proph-esy, the myth of the Perfect Androgynehad already been a stake of power.Each great pillar of the Human Em-pire works toward giving birth to theone who could claim this title… Butonly in vain. The Perfect Androgynehas never been realized, and no Trans-Bourbon has ever been, no more Ja-nus-Jana than His-Her predecessors. In

fact, the realized ideal, the absolute communion betweentwo principles, designates the ultimate and sole power,that which is behind the Omphal — the divine will thatcreated everything.

But that has not prevented beings at once male andfemale to come into existence and even to rule over oneof the most powerful governments in the universe — theHuman Empire.

The Anishad-Oupah Door

This “door” is the “mythicintra-universe tunnel,” thefirst river, that which flowsacross time and space, andwhose every embankmentleads toward a new universe.No one knows where to findthis legendary tunnel, for itslocation is constantly chang-ing, as unstable as the con-tours of the universe it ser-vices. Sometimes here, some-times there, it only appearsto those who are able to en-ter into symbiosis with thegreat all: “He who is onewith the universe, he whosewill is strong and who car-ries passion’s burning desire

in his heart.”

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ajor Forces

The universe is like a crucible into which a mischie-vous alchemist indiscriminately pours power grains inorder to observe the reactions with wonder, astonish-ment or dismay. From this frothing and fiery cauldroncome cults, beliefs and religions, which are all linkedto one form of power or another. In practice, these faithsand institutions can assume diverse appearances: forsome, they are instruments to serve their creations’

ambitions, and for others, they represent a form ofmuddled hope, a threat or a sanctuary where one can findrefuge when the whole universe has become mad.

THE CHURCH OF THE

INDUSTRIAL SAINTS (C.I.S.)In the long list of mystical groups and sects, the order

of the Techno-Technos is looked upon as a special case.Already, with its status as the official church of the Em-pire, it enjoys a unique position as a religion. An impor-tant part of the social life of the Empire’s representativeswho are scattered throughout the entire universe turnaround the rites and rituals linked to the Techno-mystic:Technology Feast Day, Day of the Ser-pent, Days of the Tenebrae, Ovoid Eas-ter, and so on. But that isn’t all, becausethe C.I.S. distinguishes itself as well byits complete disinterest for anything thathas to do with the depths of mysticism.Fervor shown for the Techno-Techno hi-erarchy is acceptable. Observing witha scrupulous rigor the obligations andduties imposed by the rites is once againokay. But to throw oneself blindly andentirely into a spiritual quest to give lifemeaning, to cultivate compassion, or tosearch out other values, higher and lessmaterial, than those given by the SaintTechnology means running the risk ofbringing upon oneself the CouncilCircuit’s anger and disdain. TheEmpire’s official cult has no use formetaphysics. It has no mystical thirstto quench. It has an Empire to tame.

RELIGIOUS AND MYSTICAL

FOUNDATIONS

Yet, the Techno-Pontificate is thor-oughly built upon those foundations withwhich churches are made. First of all,there had been one day a revelation. Atthe Techno-Techno origins are three rep-resentatives of the Guild, lost in deepspace on a small asteroid, condemned sur-vivors promised to an impending end.These three actually lived through a mys-tical experience that most often serves as

a basis for belief in some divine entity. They looked death inthe eye, sustained the limits of human existence, and con-quered and vanquished, accepted their fate. Then suddenly,a power greater than themselves, a fantastic force came tosave them. A feeling of gratitude and hope could have beenborn from this point. Faith was lurking nearby, and it couldhave swept through the hearts of people in all the galaxies.But nothing like that happened…

All the right ingredients were united, but the recipe justdid not take. Coincidence or historical whim are not toblame. There exists a concrete explanation. For the forcefrom which the Techno-Techno order draws its strength— the triple Ophidat guardian of the Lucioh door — is inthe hands of a stronger will, the Tenebrae, which has noneed to put hope in the hearts of people. Humans arefearful by nature. If they fear the beyond, there is no rea-son to reassure them. Moreover, bio-life is the Tenebrae’spersonal enemy, and the Tenebrea only thinks of its elimi-nation. Thankfully, for human people and all living be-ings, the Tenebrea is not the only power in the universe,and it is obliged to make peace with other forces thatprotect it. Yet, discretely and steadfastly, the Church of

the Industrial Saints spreads theTenebrea’s word, preparing the arrivalof the Tenebrea and plotting for itsgreater glory.

For all of these reasons, the Techno-Techno order, despite its church sta-tus, cannot be considered as an insti-tution that tries to convey hope or amessage. But its power and omnipres-ence are such that it can sterilize andkill in the embryonic stage all or anyremote impulses towards spiritual el-evation. An absolute necessity inachieving humanity’s muffled subser-vience, which is one of the Tenebrea’smajor objectives, as a prelude to othermore radical actions, leaves no roomfor individual expression. Moral slop-piness — the Necro-Dream — favorsthese projects; whereas reaffirmation,faith, dignity and spiritual elevationare the obstacles that the Tenebraemust vanquish to maintain its domi-nation over humanity while patientlywaiting to eliminate them.

MYSTICAL AND RELIGIOUS

ACTIONS

The Church of the Industrial Saintspromises nothing. It brings no aide, nocomfort, and leads no action to allevi-ate life’s burdens or solve its difficul-ties. It does not attempt to solve life’s

C U L T S A N D R E L I G I O N S

Techno-TechnoControl

In the Endocities, theTechno-Technos’ machine-assisted population controldoes not require coercivemeasures other than “sur-veying one’s flock.” Techno-Techno chapels and templesdo exist, but it has not beennecessary to make their fre-quentation an obligation.However, on worlds thatelude their direct control —archaic planets where spon-taneous animism is freelypracticed, Colonial planetsresistant to certain dogma,and Maganat planets wherelocal despots privilege theirown cult of personality —the supporters of the Churchof the Industrial Saints takeadvantage of their status asthe Empire’s official cult toobtain privileges and pre-rogatives, imposing theTechno-Techno’s supremecontrol over secular affairs.

mysteries, nor understand the divine inpeople, nor favor transcendence or el-evation. The church especially does notprotect the arts, and stirs no sacred in-spirations in those who believe. To thecontrary, it condemns and imposes withextreme rigor a quantity of rules as ob-scure as they are inflexible, which helpto spread confusion in the follower’sminds and flatter their lowest instincts.On the subject of morals, the Techno-Techno order is anything but rigid. Forexample, though their rules reprove in-tellectual curiosity, they strongly ap-prove of depravation, unrestrained con-sumption of drugs and other psycho-tropic agents, and in a word, everythingthat distracts and diverts one from thehighest to the lowest, most vile com-mon denominator.

For lack of a veritable faith or wantof a great mysticism, the pan-Techno-Church imposes anextremely ritualized cult agenda. All who belong to the or-der must be subjected to their principles of life, and theirheavy and constraining ceremonials, with the objective ofassuring blind devotion to technology. It is the same for theTechno-Techno minions or underlings as well as the digni-taries — Techno-Popes, Techno-Cardinals, Techno-Bishops— who are placed under the inflexible authority of the cen-tral computers and Techno-Centrix. Freewill has no placein the church, and all the followers’ actions and doings arestrictly controlled. This equally applies to laymen and insti-tutions. Everywhere it can, the Church of the Industrial Saintsimposes its hyper-hierarchical structure, as well as its nu-merous ceremonies and obligations.

Fundamentally, the Church of the Industrial Saints isnot for humanity. The Techno-Technos are exploited bythe Tenebrae with the goal of mastering the bio-elements,as emanations of life, and keeping them in a state of sub-mission conducive to the arrival of the frozen reign ofdarkness. Ové Tenebrae!

THE NEO-SHABDA-OUD ORDER

After the destruction of the Temple on Planet Diamondand the Magons’ invasion of the frozen planet, one mightimagine that the order of the nun-sluts had disappearedforever. But, cloistered in the frozen sanctuary of the firstTemple, built on the stellar ice floe at the exact spot wherethe initial Jejoh was discovered by the order’s founders,the ten great Elders — ten sickly mummy-like keepers ofthe great Shabda secrets — were the order’s only survi-vors. Their armed forces — the seven cetacyborgs andtheir legion of fresh and vigorous novices — had beenreduced to an impotent, lifeless member. Yet there re-mained their legendary psychic power, fruit of the inde-fatigable labor of generations of priestess-witches.

RESURRECTION

If the Church of the Industrial Saints, despite its name,doesn’t show any of the qualities generally attributed to

religious congregations, theNeo-Shabda-Oud order is tothe contrary, a community fullyestablished on a mystical dimen-sion. The ten founding members —grand elders and high-ranking ini-tiates of the vanished order — livein a state of physical catalepsy, inti-mately joined by a powerful mentalbond whose source represents theessence of the Neo-Shabda reality. Inthe battle against Metabaron Aghnar,they lost all of their technological trea-sures, reducing them to almost equalswith the Techno-Technos. But this pe-riod is now ancient history, a nostalgicregret. For in this time of trial and ut-ter destitution, they found the inspira-tion to build new arms that are poten-tially even more devastating than those

that were lost.Shabda mysticism is certainly not based on loving thy

brother or neighbor. The Shabda are not altruistic. To-day, like yesterday, their motivations remain the quest forpower and the desire for strength. Even devoid of all em-pathy, they know how to find their way towards the men-tal strength that is lodged in each thinking being andmaster it. Formerly, spurred on by their Jejoh’s sexual en-ergy, they knew how to harness mental energy, but theyhave now brought this mastery to a never before imag-ined level. Living within fixed time allowed them theluxury to explore in extremely minute detail — virtuallyin a form of conscious energy — the mysterious resourcesof the brain. Patiently and methodically, they dissectedand analyzed each lobe, each cortical zone, and estab-lished a precise topography of the eight “Mohn” points.

Accessing mental strength is achieved by a gradualawakening process of each one of these eight points. Theoperation, as delicate as it is spectacular, consists of in-troducing a long ebony wood needle probe into the brain.The ten Shabda-Oud elders, the Neo-Shabda reverends,became masters in the art of trephination. Each one ofthem wears a crown made up of eight ebony needle rods,placed according to a very specific arrangement, and eachone has reached an extraordinary stage of psychic devel-opment. New cerebral regions are accessible to them, zonesthat until recently were unexplored and untouched, wherethey have found treasures. Now, in addition to the mortalmental fluid with which the Shabda-Oud overwhelms theirenemies, they have supernatural telekinetic capacities attheir disposal. Together, from a distance, they can act onmatter in an absolutely terrifying manner.

Of course, the Shabda-Oud are still able to take con-trol over and subjugate any unsuspecting creature, usingsimple hypno-suggestive impulses. Technology had es-caped them, but they were able, in a very short period oftime, to reconstruct an arsenal that wants nothing morethan to sweep through and conquer the universe.

Initiations andAchievements

When a novice is on herway to reaching the eighthlevel of awakening, at theeighth Mohn, she is called tothe first Temple to undergothe final initiation and be-come a reverend-mother.This ultimate trial shouldgive her access to new mys-terious powers. Afterwards,the neo-reverend-mothersmust certainly leave on a se-cret mission because they are

never seen again…

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At this stage of their renais-sance, the Neo-Shabda-Ouds wereconfronted with diverse difficulties:they were banished from the Empire,where moreover they had hardlybeen tolerated, and they were onlyten, isolated and above all, incapableof moving. To overcome these diffi-culties, they embarked on an activerecruitment campaign. Evidently, the

first and most difficult thing was to at-tract women to come all the way to theirhideout. Once present, there was nodoubt that they would be able to per-suade them, but attractive action froma distance constituted a veritable chal-lenge. They succeeded beyond theirdreams. In fact, fate greatly favoredtheir plan, and they caught a completecrew of Amazons in their net: ten mag-nificent soldiers, all determined and vig-orous. A first series of initiations werestarted, and a minor trephination wascarried out on the ten new recruits. Theconfiguration of four needle rods placed in a semi-circleon the left side of the head is called “covenant.” The nov-ices do not become the elders’ equals, because the “cov-enant” does not open the superior levels of mental mas-tery, but it does make them formidable witches and, aboveall, contributes to introducing them into a circle that theywill never, ever leave.

These ten Neo-Shabda-Oud priestesses were then senttowards inhabited worlds on recruitment missions. Con-strained to act with extreme discretion — they risked im-mediate execution if their affiliation with the Shabda-Oudcame to be known — they concealed the needle rods thatprotruded from their heads under a white headdress. Tothis day, no one really knows exactly what they are, andin a universe where the most whimsical and weird dress-ing styles are abound, no one is surprised to see thesecranial outgrowths. But even so, they scrupulously fol-lowed a prudent and cautious course. Thanks to their ef-fective action and their intensified powers of persuasion,the Neo-Shabda-Oud order rapidly filled its ranks.

Three awakening centers were opened. They are directedin the greatest of secrecy by priestess-witches vested withthe personality of a great elder. During the course of highlyritualized secret ceremonies, they implant an initial needlerod to open the first Mohn. The novices are then sent intothe universe to become seasoned in leading a recruitmentmission. Then, as they develop more and more into Neo-Shabdas, new needle rods are implanted and new corticalareas become accessible to them.

Today, the Neo-Shabda-Oud order counts thousandsof followers in the universe. Isolated, they keep their veri-table nature a well-guarded secret and prepare in the shad-ows the revival of the priestess-witches’ splendor.

THE NEURO-EMOTIONAL

CHURCH AND THE

AMOURINE CULT

The hope of the universe’s damned,cult of the neglected, the Neuro-emo-tional Church assembles all those whosociety (in the most general sense ofthe word) ignore, despise, and wouldwatch die without experiencing theslightest quiver. In the Endocities, thisChurch is the hope of the mutants andthe desperate of the lower levels, andeverywhere else, the miserable of theuniverse have the hope in their heartsof the Advent. But the Neuro-emo-tional Church is a banned and huntedcult. It is most alive in the Endocities,in the Subring and its GTO, as theirpriests are always mutants. But theChurch is also present in space, on oneplanet or another, where a mutant, es-caped from an Endocity to join the pi-rates, carried the Church’s message.

THE MINOTAUR-PROPHET

The first mutant, the Minotaur-Prophet is the founderof the Neuro-emotional Church. A curiosity throughoutthe Empire during the period when genetic mutations werestill an extremely rare phenomenon, he was one daybrought to Golden Planet to be displayed. It was on thisoccasion that he discovered Amourine, a small whiteflower that grows in immaculate gold. He then ingestedsome seeds, and his destiny was turned upside down.Taken to an Endocity, he escaped and started upon thelong road as preacher of the love flower, the white weed.The essence of his message is clear: “God is concentratedin Amarax.” In other words, the divine reveals itself inthe principle of a person’s elevation. When a man has thesincere will to better himself, he renews himself with theheavenly dimension that is inside of him. The reference to“god” does not allude to a clearly defined entity, but ratherto an idea of a superior force favorable to humans, crea-tures, and to life in general. Amarax is in each one of us,but it is through our acts and the intention and determi-nation with which we accomplish them that reinforces it,or to the contrary, degrades it.

In the Endocities, the Minotaur-Propohet’s messagequickly found a large response in the heart of the mutantpopulation. As their numbers increased, the word of theNeuro-emotional spread. The Church as such, then struc-tured and organized itself. Temples were constructed inthe most sordid places and the most hidden, where theword, held in contempt by the Empire, would be the mostheard. Priests, called “reverends” or “sacerdotes” weretrained and sent out in every direction. They brought withthem some small seeds from the Saint Amourine, the flowerwith fantastic properties.

ScarificationRites

Inspired by traditionalpaleo-techniques from TerraPrima, the scarified tattoo isa procedure (extremely pain-ful when carried out withoutanesthetics) that consists inapplying a fine laser ray thathas a psycho-electric chargecapable of altering biochemi-cal structure in biological tis-sue. The ray actually actsupon the melanin content ofthe deep epidermal layers.Contrary to paleo-scarifica-tion, it doesn’t produce scartissue folds but leaves an in-delible mark, comparable toa birthmark. In dark skin, itleaves a light mark, whereas

on light skin, a dark mark.

SAINT AMOURINE AND AMARAX

On Golden Planet — where it grows wild everywherewithout being cultivated — Saint Amourine is at best con-sidered ornamental and at worst like a weed. And yet, itis also the Empire’s worst enemy — a poisonous flowerthat could overturn the established order and turn hierar-chies upside down — and the greatest hope of all beingswho people the universe. It is a miraculous potion thatcould change the Emperoress and reform the HumanUniverse without shedding a drop of blood. BecauseAmourine, Ithis’ gift of the sacred flower, which draws itslife from the purity of gold or angelic hearts, has the powerto create love, to find once again the feeling of love thatthe divine feels for life itself. The dark forces of the Necro-Dream fight against Amourine, which is like a poison tothem. For Amourine heals the Merope virus (the evil thatis a direct expression of the Necro-Dream) and purifiesAmarax (the vital drive from which beings strengthenthemselves and find their force).

THE KUBLARIAN SECT

A secret society present throughoutthe universe, the Kublarian sect is a het-erogeneous congregation of enthusiastsunited by the same hallucinatory loveof the kublar… but not just any kublar.The soul of the sect, the one who in-spires and directs it, is the “Minister ofFinance,” a mysterious individual un-known to all. Despite his hermit-likediscretion, he can count on the abso-lute fidelity and devotion of ten millionfollowers, all ready for the ultimate sac-rifice, when finally the reign of the “Al-mighty Kublar” will come into being.Under the supreme Minister ofFinance’s authority are the Treasurersand the Cashiers, who respectively rep-resent the sect officers and the troops.This hierarchy corresponds to a level ofmystical initiation as well as a physicalcommitment. For in accomplishing theirgoal, the Kublarians often lead acts ofviolence, which are similar to forcefultakeovers or coups. Usually, they areperfectly harmless and very well inte-grated into society. However, theKublarians distinguish themselves witha finely scarified tattoo that they wearat the nape of the neck, precisely at thebase of the axis of the second cervicalvertebrae. This enigmatic mark lookslike a shut eye.

THE MIRACULOUS SOURCE

The origins of the Kublarian sectcome from the legend that surroundsthe birth of the kublar, the Imperial cur-rency that is in current use throughout

the Human Universe. One day, at the begin-ning of the Empire, Rosemonde 1st the Rebis whoreigned at the time called for his crown — the goldenflame that encircled his head — regretting that he couldnot turn it into gold to bail out his declining treasury.Hardly had the thought occurred to him when a foun-tain of gold pieces sprung from his hands, pouring forthin a crystalline cascade… ten million standard goldkublars. On the front, the sparkling coins displayed aportrait of Rosemonde, and on the back, a shut eye.Made of the finest gold, each piece was, aside from be-ing absolutely unalterable, capable of resisting the high-est temperatures, as well as the most corrosive acids. Itwas a great treasure that, with no uncertainty, was wellworth much more than the sum total of the coins’ facevalue. The same day, overcome by sudden madness,Rosemonde sneaked out of the Golden Palace incognitoand left in a trance for the casino planet Vegas-Vegas wherehe squandered away his fortune in slot machines.

THE PURIFYING DELUGE

Known by initiated numismatists bythe name of “original edition,” theentirety of the standard gold kublarshas long since been dispersed to everycorner of the Human Universe. Thegold shower episode has been forgot-ten by everyone… or almost everyone.The Kublarians, worshipers of the al-mighty power of the kublar, perpetu-ate the memory, working relentlesslyto gather the ten million lost pieces.That which might seem like a strangefad, in fact responds to a profoundmystical logic. The Kublarians are cru-saders, and their divine mission is toenable the triumphant coming of a di-vine being whose body is composedof the ten million standard goldkublars. When finally they are united,then the “Almighty Kublar” will ap-pear, opening the ten million eyes, andthus a deluge of gold will rain down,purifying the universe…

Driven by the fervor of their reli-gious certainty, the ten million Trea-surers and Cashiers upkeep a vast in-formants’ network, who are in chargeof tracing original edition coins. Assoon as one is located, every possiblemethod is used to take possession ofit. Numerous violent raids and pilfer-ing, carried out every day in the uni-verse, can in fact be attributed to them.But the sacred importance of their mis-sion justifies the means. To this day,five million eight hundred and seventy-two thousand, three hundred andforty-two original edition standard

The WhiteMachines

Ophidat’s nature isdouble, at once darkness andlight. He is like a serpent inform, with black and whiteevenly distributed scales. Hesometimes shows his darkside, and at other times hisbright and luminous side.On rare occasions, he pre-sents both aspects of his dualnature. Whether he is underthe influence of Darkness —black scales, or of Light —white scales, the repercus-sions are then felt on a uni-versal scale. As the Techno-Technos are completely un-der the Ophidat’s controllingyoke, all equipment that theymanufacture is tinged withthe Ohpidat “spirit,” itsdouble essence, and so is in-timately mixed with dark-ness and light. Thus while thesecular guardian starts let-ting his scales of light appear,certain Techno-Techno ma-chines called “White Ma-chines” demonstrate the“will” to protect humanityagainst the designs of Dark-ness, who seek exactly the

opposite.

115 • Cults and R

eligions

gold kublars have been re-couped. They are guarded in a

secret place, the whereabouts onlyknown by the Minister of Finance.

THE PERFECT

ANDROGYNE CULT AND

THE PALEO-WARS OF

RELIGION

Although entirely disconnectedfrom all that is mystical or religious,the most observed cult in all the Em-pire (even more than the Church of theIndustrial Saints) remains unquestion-ably to be that of the Perfect An-drogyne. For on all the Imperial worlds,nobody questions the sublime sacredand divine nature of the Emperoress.His-Her great longevity, the miraclesthat are attributed to Him-Her, as wellas education and cultural tradition as-sociate His-Her person with virtues re-served only for living gods. From theNobles to the lowly people from theMaganat worlds, the Prez of theEndocities and their fellow citizens, ev-eryone reveres His-Her distinguishedperson, even if their acts of respect are not in the least bitladen with hope. Numerous days have been declared pub-lic holidays, and official events (cultural or sporting, forexample) are celebrated in honor of the Emperoress. Ifsome at times give themselves over to Him-Her with con-fidence and a bit of hope, it is essentially with the hopethat He-She will change and that this universe of preda-tion and violence will finally give way to an era of peace.But they are naive, sweet dreamers.

Parallel to tributes given to the perfect incarnation ofthe double male and female principle, the Empire regu-larly organizes (every four standard years) gigantic daysof galactic size: the Paleo-Wars of Religion. Broadcast toall the worlds on the hypertele and attended by theEmpire’s upper crust brought together in a special giantstadium of ten million seats, these huge events are thesymbolic representation of the paleo-gods’ dethroning.Colossal figurines, each the size of a planet, represent thedivinities formally venerated on Terra Prima: Isis, Bud-dha, Horus, Jesus, Mohammed, King Elvis, Jehovah, andothers. The figurines are brought into space and placed inan open zone. Then before the ecstatic eyes of hundredsof billions of tele-junkies, a fleet of the Empire’s mono-lithic vessels tackle their mission of wiping them out withthe mono-H bomb. This magnificently ordered ballet endsin a brilliant, crowning fireworks-like display. It leaves alasting image of startling beauty in the minds of the amazedand stunned spectators, reinforcing the firm conviction

Paleo-Marx?And God in All

of That…The confederation of Co-

lonial planets, lead by theTroglosocialik Federation,the galactic Mencheviks, anddiverse minor factions (Poly-Schismatiks, AvatarsTrotsko-Revoltionaries andProto-Nihiliks) boycott allfestivities linked to the Paleo-Wars of Religion and haveeven officially registered anImperial amendment projecton this subject. Outragedthat the figure of Paleo-Marxwas not included in the finalgroup of divinities (as god ofthe Atheists), they are lead-ing an active smear cam-paign against these “unpro-ductive festivities that arecontrary to the interest of the

masses.”

that the Perfect Androgyne is really thegreatest of all divinities, the one whoknows how to triumph over all theothers.

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE

AND MYSTICISM IN THE

UNIVERSE

With thousands of worlds scatteredin a universe more vast than humanthought, worlds inhabited by popula-tions who rarely have the occasion toleave, worlds immersed in the stellarvoid, crossed in every direction by eso-teric forces and magic fluids, inevita-bly have numerous mystical currentsappear and blossom. The more that theworlds are isolated and lacking inriches, which makes them susceptibleto cause interest in the Empire, greaterare the chances that a particular typeof cult develops. In reality, the Churchof the Industrial Saints does not haveto worry about competition from themystics. The Church has huge meansat its disposal to condemn every formof independent human thought. Butwhere the Church’s sticky hands can-

not reach, in the remote and neglected places, mysticalthought can become a philosophic movement and evenan active religion.

Apart from the Techno-Techno order’s hierarchy, theredoes not exist any other type of ecclesiastic official. Butthat does not stop hundreds of thousands of practicingdevotees to act as priests and servants of the cult, preach-ing its good word. Depending upon the circumstances, ifsome divine revelation backs up their sermon, the follow-ers embrace the faith. For example, the Neuro-emotionalChurch counts millions in its “flocks” or congregations;yet cults which become too important run the risk of be-ing declared enemies of the Empire. The Church of theIndustrial Saints only tolerates those who do not botherthem. If another church attracts too much attention, or istoo much in the limelight, shadowing the C.I.S., it willhave to answer to “a higher authority.”

Fundamentally, the mystical, religious, or simply per-sonal observance that is the least visible — and without adoubt the most dangerous for the Empire and the MagnusDei — is Amarax awakening in one’s conscious. Amaraxis the great spirit that lies dormant in each one of us, andthe will to always act according to the harmonious prin-ciples granted to the spiritual heart. The Techno-Technosare powerless against it, and their greatest fear must bethat a majority of the Empire’s citizens end up becomingaware of it. If that happened, Central Planet might see theend of its days of grandeur.

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AMARAX

Amarax is an energy. It is a vibration that is both ethe-real and extremely powerful, resulting from an accordbetween the physical heart and the spiritual heart. Thephysical heart produces a clearly identifiable and percep-tible beat, but next to the physical heart resides anotherheart, immaterial and invisible. It is the spiritual heart,also called “Path,” that also makes a noticeable pulsa-tion. Moreover, anyone with keen vision, or due to someparticular circumstances, can catch a glimpse of the spiri-tual heart’s phantom “halo.”

The balance between the physical and spiritual heartthus produces a vibrating wave that draws its source di-rectly from life’s first energy. Amarax is this particulartype of spirit, zeal, strength, boldness, or dauntlessnessthat one feels when in a profound state of inner harmony.

Besides the increased dynamism felt by every human assoon as he lets his spiritual heart blossom, the harmonybetween the physical heart and the Path can bring muchmore. Like all beauty in the universe, the Path is fragileand needs special care. But those who cultivate it, whoare careful to keep away from their heart the harmfulsources that would attack it, see Amarax strengthen. Themore this wave is energetic and powerful, the deeper thesymbiosis between it and the universe.

At the first stage, Amarax brings a certain interior force.Next, as it develops, it imparts new abilities: increasedcomprehension, seduction capacities, and a sense of con-viction that can develop into veritable hypnotic powers.Naturally, these aptitudes are the essential keys for higherlevels of mastery of the surrounding universe. The possi-bility to act upon neighboring elements is not the ulti-mate goal, but to create a protective sphere around one-

A M A R A X AND T H EN E C R O - D R E A M

self that allows for control, protection, and in particu-lar, help in avoiding attacks from the universe at large.At an ultimate degree, when the commitment is pro-found, permanent, and absolute, and when an encoun-ter with an energy encourages growth, Amarax can be-come a factor of improvement and perfection that increasesthe strength and abilities of the individual tenfold, inclearly superhuman proportions. Without losing theirhumanity, without reaching the divine sphere, the upper-level Amarax initiates become exceptional beings, capableof all types of incredible acts. The areas in which theirfaculties and aptitudes grow depends upon the energy thatinspires them. Amarax can for example accomplish physi-cal exploits usually reserved for creatures and ultra-pow-erful engineering, acquire a staggering mastery of speed,or develop a prodigious photographic memory associatedwith a phenomenal visual acuity.

In brief, Amarax is a source of inner vitality, a doorthat, once found and opened, can lead to the mastery ofcertain forces and fluids, but also and above all is a shieldagainst the destructive action of the universe. In a humanbeing, the disappearance of Amarax amounts to its re-nunciation. Without it, one is nothing more than a lifelesspuppet, left to the hands of cruel madmen whose dreamsare haunted with images of death.

The nature of the bond between aspiration and actionis the key to realizing one’s destiny. Consequently, the questfor Amarax inevitably passes through the choice of a codeof conduct, and respecting this code in every act and deci-sion. Of course, everyone is free to act as he feels he should,but every act that departs from the line of conduct thatone has chosen distances him from Amarax. It introducesa dissonance that disturbs the vibration between the twohearts.

The Hero’sCrucible

Whether in the midst of anEndocity, the Necro-Dream’sdomain of predilection in-stilled by the Techno-Technos, or in any of theother numerous placeswhere human life is to befound, there exists a notionof values that motivates cer-tain individuals to excel, liv-ing in harmony with theirconvictions, getting closerand closer every day to anideal of perfection. This phi-losophy is called the honorcode, for it calls upon themost noble of feelings andconstitutes, in the eyes of itsfollowers a veritable moralobligation. There are severaldifferent honor codes, for ex-ample the Fuga, which advo-cates a certain form of cow-ardly behavior and the vir-tues of flight, or Veritas,which encourages the searchfor truth and the exposure ofsecrets; but all the codesseem to lead their followerstowards a spiritual illumina-tion and total fulfillment.

Conforming to the ideal is key. This ideal isgenerally given by the honor code one has cho-

sen. To betray one’s code, that is to say, to act againstit brings about a loss of Amarax. Of course, the codeone chooses is not an absolute and irrevocable con-straint. One can always change the code. But Amaraxlikes consistency and perseverance. And when actionis in harmony with the chosen path, Amarax grows.

HONOR CODES

For more information on applying Honor Codes inthe Metabarons Roleplaying Game, see pages 90–94 of

the rule book. For tips on gamemastering Honor Codes,see pages 4–18 of the Compaion Book to the Game Mas-ter Screen.

FUGA

The Path: “Escape is the most accomplished expres-sion of the art of evasion. There is less glory in confront-ing the enemy front on then to feint and avoid him. In-famy is only ever in the end action and in no case is it inthe means employed.” The Fuga consists of three greattechniques, almost three schools: cam-ouflage, encystment and escape. Allhave their advantages and disadvan-tages, but at the highest degree of mas-tery, all three techniques can accomplishveritable miracles.

Achievement: Observation of theFuga code requires of those who em-brace this path to avoid every form ofconfrontation at all cost, to bring theart of subterfuge to its highest level, tocamouflage, and to sham. This demand-ing path should not be likened to cow-ardliness, because he who slips awaydoes not deny the risk. He appropri-ates it and controls it. The range ofchoices is very large as it goes from loyalevasion to the most absolute treachery.

Reward: The respect of the Fuga codeis a source of harmony. When one ad-heres to this path in a subtle and judi-cious manner, the physical and spiritualheart are in communion and Amaraxgrows. A new dimension of Fuga opensup then, and one accedes to techniquesof combat, cunning and escape that aremore and more rich and effective. Forthe grand initiates, they can achieve, forexample, invisibility, not by transforma-tion undergone by the body structure,but by mastery of suggestion, vibratoryemanations and cataleptic hypnosis.

Positive Actions+ Act with discretion. Be efficient

without being seen.+ Know how to wait, in the shadows,

for the opportune moment for action.

+ Avoid danger at the right moment, rather than con-fronting it and exposing oneself to risk. Return once thedanger has gone.

Negative Actions- Act out in the open. Expose oneself.- Intervene hastily, forgetting all precaution.- Accept confrontation out of bravado, pride or the

simple desire to show one’s bravery.

BUSHITAKA

The Path: “Inspired from the Castaka clan’s warrior code,the Bushitaka requires of those who choose this path tobehave like a warrior in combat and in all of life’s circum-stances. And, for a warrior, the highest virtue, the objectivethat he must aim for in all circumstances is victory.”

Achievement: The obligation to be victorious, to defeatone’s enemies, demands a warrior’s bravery and courage,of course, but also and above all, great clairvoyance inthe use of his qualities. “Courage is of no service to awarrior if he exposes it and dies without having tri-umphed.” The warrior must never cease adapting him-self, to be like water that runs and bypasses obstacles. Hemust know how to penetrate into the enemy’s mind and

intentions, evaluate their forces, neveroverestimate his own, and be humblein battle, as well as in victory. Hereagain, there are innumerable nuances,since one can, by selection, opt forbrute force or bank on strategy andtechnique.

Reward: Respecting the require-ments of Bushitaka conduct leads thewarrior to a greater and greater mas-tery of the science of combat, followedby new dimensions in the art of con-frontation. This could be instanta-neous understanding of tactical de-mands for a given situation, or better,the ability to confront several adver-saries, armed or unarmed, with thetranquil certainty that each blow willinflict mortal injury, or at least inca-pacitating wounds. The accomplishedwarrior, whose Amarax is grand,achieves a form of serenity where ad-versity is no longer an obstacle ondestiny’s road.

Positive Actions+ Conquer fear. Enforce a perma-

nent discipline upon oneself in orderto always have it under control.

+ Defeat the adversary. Deploy allone’s efforts, go to the limit of one’sforces, and still find the resources tomake him fold. Faced with an adver-sary that is too strong, one must waitfor the moment to strike and seize him.

+ Beat obstacles. Trials are nothing;one can overcome them or ,whenneeded, circumvent them.

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The Path ofEnlightenment

Honor Codes are not strictrules that must be followedblindly. On the contrary, onemight combine several differ-ent elements from two codes.In that case, one code is stilldominant. For example,warriors following the pathof the Bushitaka might takeon some traits found in theFuga code, in various degreesthat they determine freely. Inthat case they are adding theart of discretion and effi-ciency to the path of glory,perhaps becoming warriorsof the night that are neverseen, great warriors, thoughtheir faces are never revealed.Even within this originalcode mix, a female warriormight add less of the Fugathan her sister.

A code is truly a personalaffair, coming from within,and not a set of strict rules.Every individual defines hisown code of honor, elabo-rated around a dominantaxis, and traces his own

path.

Negative Actions- Be overcome with fear and be-

come dominated by it.- Resign oneself to defeat. Accept

resignation and lose one’s soul in do-ing so.

- Indefinitely waste one’s efforts ina vain combat.

PALEO-NOBILIS

The Path: “Resurgence of the paleo-knights’ ancient code, the Paleo-Nobilis is a thankless and constrain-ing path that requires of those whochose it to respect the rules and prin-ciples of loyalty, humility and sacri-fice.” Of course, the demands and pre-rogatives that are tied to this HonorCode can give way to many interpre-tations, and if some see there the in-tention to revive a haughty grandeurthat privileges a subject’s protection inexchange for his submission, others seeit as the more “paladin” approach ofthe valiant life. The Paleo-Nobilis codecan serve as a guiding principle for in-dividuals in all sectors of human ac-tivity, from the art of war to intellec-tual research in passing by disclosureand diffusion of information.

Achievement: The observation ofPaleo-Nobilis principles can presentsome variations, but generally they areassociated with the concepts of integ-rity and honesty, necessitating adher-ence to a rule of conduct (chastity,scholarship, defense of the widow andthe orphan, etc.) and the pursuit of aquest (deliverance from oppression, search for truth, etc.).

Reward: Of course, the simple fact of abiding by theprinciples one is given fills the Paleo-Nobilis follower withsatisfaction, but in overcoming these compulsory trials,he also sees his convictions strengthened. His Amaraxgrows, and with it the confidence he feels in the sound-ness of his battles and faith in his acts. With this faith, hecan part the seas…

Positive Actions+ Protect the weak, at the risk of one’s life if necessary.+ Spurn material possessions and honors.+ Never lose sight of one’s quest. It comes first, but

never in spite of chosen rules and values.Negative Actions- Tolerate highly unjust points of view.- Be seduced by fame or glory, or be corrupted by

the lures of gain and reward.- Forget what gives meaning to life. Allow a bending or

stretching of the precepts by which one is governed.

VERITAS

The Path: “The world has the right to know.” That isthe slogan of the Veritas Honor Code. Those who adopt

it have thus an obligation totell the facts as they are, to re-veal, and to let the whole of thereality be known.

Achievement: A demanding path,the Veritas Honor Code requires itsfollowers to pursue the truth, not forits appropriation, but on the con-trary to let the truth be defused andlet it be known. In reality, the fol-lower does not naively impose thecode upon himself by revealing every-where and in any circumstance whathe is thinking. He can lie, conceal, andeven betray, if it is necessary to protectwhat is being hidden. Because the ob-jective, the purpose of this commit-ment, is to unearth that which is beingconjured and hidden, to show the se-cret, dark side of things. The only thingthat counts is bringing false truths outinto the light of day, the denunciationof hypocrisy. Taken as a dominantguiding principle, the Veritas HonorCode can be crossed with another com-plimentary code.

Reward: Through the disclosure andbroadcasting of the truth, Veritas fol-lowers fulfill their destiny, find an in-ner harmony and acquire capacitiesthat are always greater in the areas ofstudy, research, investigation or analy-sis, but also according to their compli-mentary code can evolve in the arts ofescape, battle, and develop a symbio-sis with nature. At an elevated level,

the Veritas followers predicative abilities can become veri-tably miraculous.

Positive Actions+ Tell and search for the truth, that which another con-

trives to conceal.+ Protect the truth, no matter who bears it or has it in

his possession.+ Spread the truth. Make it be known by the greatest

possible number.Negative Actions- Be satisfied with the superficial and believe in the cer-

tainty of facts.- Allow a truth to be kept under wraps or disappear,

taken away by the one who has it in his possession.- Contribute in one way or another in keeping a truth

concealed.

SKATAWAH

The Path: “Nature’s harmony is a perfection that mustbe rediscovered,” a paleo-prophet once said. TheSkatawah followers search, in everything, for the secretrhythm of life and strive in all of their acts to be in har-mony with nature.

119 • Am

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ream

Achievement: He who commits to theSkatawah way cultivates a deep respect for all

forms of life. He understands the fundamental na-ture of beings and elements, and assimilates himselfsmoothly into each bio-ecosystem that he crosses. It isnot an absolute taboo to kill or put an end to life.Death is a part of life, and nature itself through thehunt and kill shows that death can have a utility. Onthe other hand, followers of Skatawah cannot killblindly — end five lives when one life would have suf-ficed — and not without an imperative reason that jus-tifies the act. Once death has been given, in return it

thanks life: it nourishes the animal with its flesh or re-turns the ill-intentioned enemy to an eternal rest. In auniverse where human greed puts all forms of life every-where in danger, the Skatawah has a hard time finding itsplace; the overexploitation of resources and weapons ofmass destruction are painful thorns in his side. But lifegoes on, and the comprehension of its workings are asource of harmony.

Reward: Due to the harmony that it brings to the heartof its followers, as well as in their relations with all formsof life, great and small, the thankless road of the Skatawahfavors the blossoming of Amarax. With time they acquirefabulous powers, intimately linked to the structure ofnature: the ability to immerse oneself into a habitat’s bio-mass; to move with great speed within surroundings; de-tect, perceive, and understand all forms of life; and evenappropriate and reproduce the aptitudes of various formsof life, animals of higher and lower orders. Great Skatawahinitiates, who moreover perceive and decipher residualvibrations from dead plants and animals, can in this wayacquire the paleo-tiger’s force, paleo-snake’s quickness,and mimic Terra Prima’s paleo-phasmids.

Positive Actions+ Know the surrounding environment by understand-

ing how it works.+ Love and respect all aspects of an environment, and

learn to immerse oneself in a habitat without disturbingor disrupting it.

+ Protect every form of life.Negative Actions- Look down upon, despise, or refuse to acknowledge a

habitat’s natural life order.- Contribute in one way or another to upsetting the

rhythm or balance of a habitat and its surroundings.- Menace a species’ bio-diversity or equilibrium by, for

example, annihilating its representatives.

RAYAH

The Path: “Unity is the invisible bond that links thescattered elements of a group to one another. It is fromthis bond that the diverse elements draw their force.” TheRayahs find a sense of personal fulfilment in their com-mitment to the group to which they belong, and growstronger as the group itself strengthens.

Achievement: Rayah is the path that cannot be takenalone. In fact, this commitment supposes that one belongs

to a group. It can be any group, for the nature and sizeare of no importance, from the moment that it representsan invaluable and unique place to the follower, who wouldnot leave the group for anything in the world. Rayah dis-ciples have carried their commitment to the highest pos-sible level when they have been able to forge invisiblebonds of complicity with the other members of the group.The group they belong to is a free-will choice, which theyagree to defend with their life if necessary, and which theyare able to protect or aide through their knowledge andcompetence. The preeminence of the group over the indi-vidual must not however be made to the detriment of theindividual’s personality, since on the contrary, the groupnourishes and enriches itself from its diversity and origi-nality. Discipline is surely not the objective, but ratherexperiencing an extraordinary complementarity foundedon optimizing the use of all of the members’ capacities,even the most whimsical. One does not have a sense ofsubjugation to the group, but rather reaps the benefitsfrom the fruit of free consent, accompanied by a profoundwill to protect the group.

Reward: In respecting the Rayah code, the group be-comes a supra-entity whose force would be equal to thesum of all the forces of which it is composed. The groupbecomes a body for which each member is a tremendoustool, gifted with autonomy, intelligence, and creativity.The collective action of all the members transcends theirindividual capacities. At an elevated stage, communionbetween the members is such that they can improvise acts,without consulting one another, and nevertheless show agreater efficiency than talented artists performing a well-rehearsed piece.

Positive Actions+ Be open to other members of the group and receptive

to their needs.+ Accept the constraints of group life and abide by the

requirements imposed for the group’s survival.+ Protect the group and bear hardships and privations

as needed, up to and including the supreme sacrifice.Negative Actions- Refuse to fit in and ignore the collective needs of the

group.- Prefer one’s own security to the detriment of the group,

and protect one’s independence and solitude.- Abandon the group. Betray it.

AMORH

The Path: Mystical concept that has been absent for avery long time in this universe, Amorh is only attainableby a few remaining initiates who still understand its mean-ing. The Neuro-Emotional priests are without a doubtthe last upholders of this code that has sunk into oblivion.Love, peace, and compassion are Amorh ’s key words, atriptych that goes beyond sermon and that is demandedof the follower at each and every moment.

Achievement: In a universe where even the concept ofpeace is an aberration, disciples of Amorh must, beforeanything else, rediscover the original meaning of thesewords. After a long initiatory journey, they must then

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Where and Howthe Necro-Dream

OperatesEndocitySynthetic drugs.Homeosluts.Hypertele.Denunciation.Suicidal tendencies.Major impact.

Golden PlanetFrequent the Imperial Court.Major impact.

Colonial PlanetsFrequent ruling circles.Moderate to major impact.

Universe as a WholeOppressive legislation.Hypertele.Caste system.Moderate to major impact.

cultivate a compassionate spirit and putinto practice an active pacifism. Evenunder the worst torture (Technos forexample), an Amorh disciple must con-sider his torturer as a victim.

Reward: By observing the precepts ofthe Amorh code, the disciple sees hisAmarax grow very quickly and devel-ops his capacities of resistance and con-viction. At a certain stage, he is evenable to diffuse the violence around himwith a simple look and restore peace inthe hearts of those who have submittedthemselves to the whims of hatred.

Positive Actions+ Work for non violence and peace.+ Favor peace between different

forms of life.+ Protect the weak, encourage one

and all to fight against the negations oflife, and love even your torturer if itmust be so.

Negative Actions– Get carried away; give in to anger

and create discord.– Contribute to the propagation of

hatred, and set different races againsteach other.

– Create despair by an offhanded,casual attitude, and condemn the hopeless throughnegligence.

THE NECRO-DREAM

A gigantic Techno-Techno plot to enslave humanity, theNecro-Dream also refers to the dazed and contented stu-por in which it plunges all those who are subjected to itseffects.

Sworn and implacable enemies of all life forms, theTechno-Technos are not just satisfied with the destruc-tion of the universe’s bio-elements — devastation of plan-ets, conquests, systematic elimination of animal and plantspecies which besides, nobody worries about. So they con-duct another form of assault that is even more systematicand insidious. For if their power is great, it is still notabsolute, and they must continue to associate with theother powers of the universe — the Empire, Maganatsand Colonial planets. As they cannot implement a radicaland definitive action within everyone’s sight and knowl-edge, the Techno-Technos apply a simple and efficientstrategy: “The river is vast and powerful. We cannot con-trol or dry up its flux. But we can poison its source, andits polluted waters will spread venom everywhere.”

Thus, on a cosmic scale, they carry out a plan that aimsto enslave the living forces of the universe. They demeanhuman aspirations, diminish the spirit of adventure, andstifle at the embryonic stage the smallest demonstration

of free will. Every personwho has fallen under the in-fluence of the Necro-Dream isnothing more than a lifeless crea-ture, a ship without a sail. Themost well-known and visible ex-ample of their action is thehypertele, which gives false infor-mation, manipulates, and keepseach and everyone in a dumbstruckstate of stupefaction. But they use anumber of other weapons: drugs(SPV and Cocaloco Dark) manipula-tion and oppression. All of their ac-tions aim at one target: soil and de-stroy ideals, as well as hope and love.

To be objective, one must recognizethe fact that their underhanded andfiendish schemes are only the exagger-ated expression of the immense theatrethat all groups of significance in theuniverse — that is to say, Maganats,Colonial planets, and even the Empire— perpetually work toward: an estab-lished position that assures them powerand domination. But the Techno-Technos are the only ones to follow askilfully elaborated plan: the Necro-

Dream. For them, it is not enough to take advantage ofweaknesses. They must nourish them, maintain them, flat-ter them, and let humanity get carried down the road toruin. However, the Techno-Technos themselves are nothingbut cogs in the wheel of an immeasurable dark force thatsurpasses and uses them. In fact, the roots of their colossalpower are plunged directly into the Tenebrea’s heart. Theyhave fantastic powers, but in return, they must work againstlife and contribute to making the universe, one day, a coldand empty space where infinite night will reign forever.

The Necro-Dream stretches its tentacles everywhere theEmpire asserts its authority. Of course, it is massivelyspread throughout all levels of the Endocities, but no planetis truly spared. Not even the Golden Planet, where greed,rapacity, and ambition mix together to make a most fa-vorable compost for implanting the Necro-Dream.

As soon as one enters into its sphere of activity, themoment that one falls into its web, all the most funda-mental principles upon which one’s deepest convictionsrest start to waiver. The slow chipping away, undermin-ing of the spirit has begun. The strongest of resolutionsblow away like dust in the wind. If exposure lingers on,and if one does not fight at each and every moment againstits insidious and persistent action, free will dwindles anddisappears. And one may end up hazy-eyed, forever riv-eted before an empty screen. Life will be gone, and onewill be nothing more than a creature of the Tenebrae.

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arax and the Necro-D

ream

“Omnipresent” is the only way to describe the promi-nence of technology in the modern Empire. It is seen ev-erywhere, having infiltrated even the most remote regionsof space. In the Endocities, where every being and objectis submitted to its tyrannical yoke, it even seems to be thecreative force that all things spring from. Everywherehumanity extends their eager reach, technology travelswith them, then propagates itself. Today, even the least

fertile planets devoid of natural resources boast technologi-cal levels that make pre-Empiric times on Terra Prima seemlike the Stone Ages. Indeed, technology is the hallmark andsignature of the Human Empire.

THE ROOTS OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY

Without technology, the Empire would not truly be ableto maintain its hold over the worlds it conquers and en-gulfs. All planets, from the most primitive to those al-ready endowed with their own form of technology, areforced to conform to the technological standards of thebenevolent Empire… or incur its righteous wrath.

Clearly, technology plays a significant role in the life ofthe Human Empire. Naturally, humans constantly seekthe greater convenience that mechanization provides, butthe link is deeper and more profound. The reverence paidto holy technology is almost a form of worship. It mustnot be forgotten that the Church of the Industrial Saintsis the official religion of the Empire, and technology is itsprophet. An overabundance of technological products suitsits interests, and their use is considered an act of devotionand allegiance.

So the Techno-Techno order brought technology to theEmpire, and the Empire was grateful. But relations betweenthe two groups have often been strained. In fact, for the107 years between 23124 and 23231, they were downrighthostile. Those years constituted the Techno-Techno inter-regnum. The Imperial government went into exile, and theChurch of the Industrial Saints thought itself powerfulenough to take the reins of the Empire’s destiny into itshands. Never before or since had technology been so mighty.Then again, never before had it shownits true face to such a degree. During thatera of absolute power of the Techno-Technos, the conspiracy of the Tenebraestretched its dark shadow over all do-mains. The contempt it exhibited towardall forms of biological life manifested it-self in an avalanche of technological sys-tems and devices designed to subjugatehumans instead of liberate them. Theyhad already reached the point that nohuman soul could understand all theirworkings, and still more technologicalmarvels were arriving every day. Thecoming of the Tenebrae was at hand, andthe Magnus Dei opened the gates for it.

The reign of technology ended when the ImperialSiamese twins Artaran and Marlana returned. Of course,it remained a valuable asset to the Empire, and none ofthe Great Pillars would have been foolhardy enough tosuppress it, but the dizzying heights it had attained gradu-ally receded. The Techno-Techno order underwent a pe-riod of disgrace lasting approximately 200 years — a merepittance considering they brought the entire soul of theUniverse to the brink of damnation — the Empire’s citi-zens somewhat slackened their frantic quest for technol-ogy, as if they had learned their lesson. During a shortperiod of a few dozen years, it even became fashionableto publicly denounce technology and its excesses. Not onlydid the Techno-Techno order conspire against humanityin the name of the Tenebrae, but they also produced sucha large quantity of weapons and machinery that no singleone of them was truly effective. Their measures andcounter-measures canceled each other out.

At that point, it became clear to both the Techno-Technos and the Empire that a high level of technologydid not necessarily provide greater efficiency. The C.I.S.realized that a technology that was too-highly sophisti-cated might even sound the death-knell for its aspirations;if it became too specific, it would grow outdated and hencelose the interest of its faithful followers. On the other hand,the Empire saw that any technology that became too com-plex would no longer be under its control. Little by little,as the twenty-fourth millennium rolled in, their attitudestoward technology reached an equilibrium, which haslasted until today. The Church of the Industrial Saints doesnot divulge all its marvels, but neither does it take advan-tage of its prominent position. In exchange, the Empireuses some of the C.I.S.’s technology, shares a number ofits secrets, and allows the order to occupy an influentialpresence at all levels of society, without damning it todisrepute. At the present time, all institutions of powerutilize some level of technology, and the C.I.S. considersthis a more subtle approach to infiltrating the entire uni-verse. On the other hand, the average technological level

no longer extends to the height ofatrocities experienced by the poor citi-zens who lived during the 107 yearsof Techno-Techno rule.

DEVELOPMENT AND

INNOVATIONS

Clearly, the Church of the IndustrialSaints is still the most active participantin the field of research and developmentof new applications. Within their gigan-tic factory-labs, the Techno-Technoscontinue their patient work of unlock-ing the technological secrets impartedby the Ophidiat, their custodian. Theynever maintain a significant lead over

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other researchersin the galaxy, ex-cept when a newphenomenon is re-vealed to them, set-ting off an ever-ex-panding circle oftechnical knowl-edge. The C.I.S.pioneers all fieldsof technology andinvents devices forall types of work.However, theseambitious and var-ied projects do notlead them to ne-glect the more es-sential fields ofweapons andtransport, whichpresent a greateropportunity. How-ever, they are notthe only competi-tors in this arena— all four GreatPillars of the Em-pire contribute to

military technology in one way or another. But the Ophidiatgives the Techno-Technos a significant edge, which allowsthem to make the greatest contributions to the Empire. Forexample, it was the Ophidiat who gave them the means toinstall Techno-Tunnels all over the universe. These passage-ways through the fabric of space instantly join togetherpoints that would otherwise remain forever separated. Morethan 18,000 Techno-Tunnels are currently in use. But it wasnot for the sake of altruism that the C.I.S. put this technol-ogy to the Empire’s service. Without them, the universewould be nothing but a conflicting jumble, over which noth-ing could rule — not even the Tenebrae. What’s more, aslong as they hold complete control over the tunnels, theTechno-Technos possess a tremendous weapon and a sig-nificant means of pressure over the Empire.

Because of this advantage, the Techno-Technos do nothave to strain their talents in order to remain the undis-puted masters of technology. But there are many special-ized fields in which it would be a grave mistake to disre-gard the contributions of other players.

For example, the Ekonomat, that discreet and suppos-edly nonpartial organization, also maintains an army ofresearchers, mostly based on Neo-Knox. They may nothave access to a source of revelation of technological prow-ess that the Techno-Technos do, and nothing comes freelyto them. However, they have access to a source of incred-ible power through Bemb, the custodian of the Per-Beodgate. They may not understand all the principles behindit, but the small fraction they do know how to use givesthem an impressive arsenal, to say the least. For instance,they have tremendous defense batteries of hyperdesiccat-

ing rays. These artillery units, distributed in aring around Neo-Knox, can shoot a vibrating conethat instantly converts any water molecule within itto hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The weapons are onlyconsidered to have a limited range — in outer space, afew hundred kilometers in wide beam and a few thou-sand kilometers in narrow beam; in atmosphere, onlya hundred meters wide at the maximum — but thoseestimates are purely theoretical because the weaponshave never been used. This paradox arises from Bemb’sconcerns. He acknowledges the need to protect himself,but he dislikes the idea of mindlessly disrupting life inthe universe. However, the few other vessels of theEkonomat that are also equipped with these weapons giveevery indication that they wouldn’t hesitate in the slight-est to use them if the need arose.

THE HYPERINDUSTRIAL ERA

At the same time, thanks to its almost inexhaustiblefinancial resources, the Ekonomat simply acquires anymeans of technology as the need arises. Both its merce-nary and regular troops are constantly supplied with thebest in vehicles, vessels, weapons, instruments of detec-tion and other various equipment. Since they maintain amassive presence in all corners of the universe, this alsohelps contribute to the spread of technology.

Among the other Great Pillars of the Empire, manyMaganats have be-come specialized inindustry and heavyproduction. Ontheir hyperindus-trial planets andsystems, the weap-ons and equipmentof the Endoguardare produced.They do not inventthe technology, ofcourse, but theydevelop the manu-facturing process,as well as installand maintain themachinery. Hence,they end up acquir-ing substantialknowledge con-cerning all thesedevices of death.

But theMaganats do notlimit themselves tomere production;they are also con-sumers. Thanks totheir countless for-tunes, they buy ev-erything that gener-

Gangez and theSupra-technology

Of all of the guardians inthe Universe, Gangez is theonly one who is completelymelded into another indi-vidual. Since then, the Meta-baron contains Gangez, butthe metawarrior’s personal-ity is so powerful that theguardian within him has totake a back seat. The Meta-baron therefore has extraor-dinary capacities and secretsat his disposal, without anyinfluence over his true na-ture. It is for this reason thathe can draw at will fromthese powers to create, forexample, the Metabaronicweapons.

Bemb similarly transmit-ted his secrets to a recipientwho equally received a formof wisdom and elevated con-sciousness, but whose spiritacts in accordance with

Bemb’s wisdom.

Cogano IICogana II is a small planet

in the Whakk system, ownedby the family of the Poly-Romanoffs. Under its leadensky stretch the sinister shapesof the giga-factories and theirventilation pipes, shroudedin ash-gray smoke. Night andday, security craft cutthrough the sky in slow andponderous flight. On theground, Endoguard patrolsaccompanied by their beasts— vicious native varans withdrooling jaws — maintain avigilant guard. In the un-likely occurrence that anyliving thing penetrates thepositronic shields, they haveorders to kill on sight. Forthis is where the multi-coganis made, weapon of the elitetroops of the Empire.

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4 alized or specialized technology can offer, andin endless quantities. Their palaces flow with gold

and technological devices, and they surround them-selves with useless trinkets and marvels. Thanks tothe frenetic and compulsive lifestyle of the great fami-lies, the holy technology is further spread.

The Colonial planets have fewer resources and do notcontribute nearly as much to the expansion of technol-ogy. Nevertheless, they make up for their lack of resourcesby bringing all their energy to the task. Their technologyis far from sophisticated, but they produce it in massiveamounts. Their history overflows with examples of a single

device produced in hundreds of millions of units. For ex-ample, to ensure the defense of their “revolutionary” gains,they have manufactured flabbergasting quantities of theirPoly-AKA 4 assault rifle. This weapon has some weak points— it is extremely basic, like a farmer’s weapon. But its lackof sophistication also offers an advantage: it is reliable in allenvironments, and if it does fail, a few teflo-plastic fiberswill suffice to repair it. Most of the outlying worlds arecompletely saturated with it, as it is the symbol of the struggleof all the Empire’s rebels, who praise it effusively.

While the Great Pillars carry out“official” activities of research andproduction, there are also the piratesliving on the underseam of societywho contribute in their own way tothe advance of science and technol-ogy. Their means are unlimited, andthey also use the services of the “de-fused” Mentreks who take protectionin their ranks. Without the slightesthelp from any spiritual source, theyuse their ingenuity to develop ma-chines and devices that can fight offthe technology developed by theTechno-Technos, and thus fight offthe Necro-Dream. For example, theirbionic prostheses are absolutely reli-able, unfettered by the all-powerfulinfluence of the Church of the Indus-trial Saints, and any mechanical de-vice they make runs no risk of beingtaken over by the Techno-Technos.

Finally, all the ordinary popula-tions consume and use vast quanti-ties of machines and other variousgadgets. None of them may under-stand how all these marvels reallyfunction, but they have acceptedthem into their lifestyle nonetheless.Not a day goes by without some de-vice making up for human weak-nesses and flaws. Complacent in theirnatural laziness, humankind eagerlyembraces anything that helps keepthem from hard work or any kind ofdifficult task.

NEW TECHNOLOGY

The authorities are hostile to any new technology, evenwhile they take advantage of it. They try to steal or buy itfor their own and to suppress it elsewhere. There is a wholegame just in data piracy and data legging.

INTERSIDEREAL VOYAGE

Intersidereal travel is exclusively practiced throughhyperpropulsion and the use of Techno-Tunnels, alsoknown as Interstellar Tunnels. Any traveler leaving oneplanet for another must access the closest Tunnel. Firstthe traveler makes a “jump” into hyperspace to reach theTunnel. The length of the jump varies and is calculated inhours (h) or days (d) of voyage. Once he uses a Tunnel, itwill instantaneously “teletransport” him to any other Tun-nel in the universe. The traveler then has to make a last“jump” into hyperspace to reach his final destination.

Example: If you leave Planet Baggdathi, it will take 3hours (3h) to reach the closest Tunnel with a “jump.”Once in the Tunnel, you can reach any other InterstellarTunnel (t).

TUNNELS AND SPACEPORTALS

INTERSTELLAR TUNNELS

Interstellar Tunnels link all portalsacross the same system, or from one sys-tem to another. You can enter a depar-ture portal and exit from any portal inthe same system or any other system inthe same galaxy. To enter the portal ofan Interstellar Tunnel, you must showproof of having a special entry authori-zation pass from the Techno-Technos,which costs 200 kublars.

INTERGALACTIC TUNNELS

Intergalactic Tunnels work in exactlythe same manner as the Interstellar Tun-nels, except that they allow voyage formone galaxy to the next (marked by a Ton the map). A travel accreditation costs500 kublars.

Note: an Interstellar Tunnel (t) canonly take you to another Interstellar Tun-nel, while an Intergalactic Tunnel (T) cantake you to any Tunnel in the universe.This is the reason why it is at times nec-essary to take an Interstellar Tunnel toreach a “galactic crossroads” where allsorts of equipment and services for re-mote expeditions are available on orbitalstations, as well as an entrance to an In-tergalactic Tunnel.

TYPES OF WORLDS

THE MAJOR WORLDS

Every planet and group of planets lo-cated no more than five hours maximum

The Techno –Tunnels’ InfallibilitySome would be tempted to

attribute the C.I.S.’s asser-tions that their InterstellarTunnels are absolutely safe,to pure and simple boasting,pointing out that a regulartransport vehicle had re-cently disappeared in one ofthose Tunnels, entering with-out ever having been seenagain. The truth of this as-sertion has been confirmedby the transport company’smentrek accountant. Thissaid, the explanation is quitesimple. The Techno-Tunnelshave integrated into theirsystem an extremely preciseregulation mechanism thatlimits the number of vesselssimultaneously present in thesame section of the tunnel.If, for one reason or another,this maximum number isreached , the internal systemautomatically eliminates thesurplus, in the inverse orderof accreditation. This ex-plains the disappearing ves-sel, and finally, isn’t it reas-

suring to know….?

by hyperspace jump from a Tunnel portal.Example: Golden Planet

THE MINOR WORLDS

Every planet and group of planets located no more thanfive days maximum by hyperspace jump from a Tunnelportal.

Example: Planet Del Rey III.

DISTANT WORLDS

Every planet and group of planets located more thanfive days by hyperspace jump from a Tunnel portal.

Example: Planet Marmola

EXOFRINGE WORLDS

Every planet and group of plan-ets located at the exterior of theFringe — frontier of the Empire.

Example: Planet TER 21, Sector669 of the Exofringe.

WORLDS OF THE BORDERS

All planets and group of planets lo-cated at the confines of the Universe.

Example: Planet Aquaend.

TRAVEL BETWEEN PLANETS

All planets are indexed in terms ofdistance, in hours and days of voyageto a neighboring Tunnel. For example,the planet Demos is listed as “4dt.” Thissignifies:

• that it takes four days ofhyperspatial travel to reach the closestInterstellar Tunnel (t)

• that Demos is a minor world, for itis less than five days from a Tunnelentrance.

If you want to go from Demos toBaggdathi, it will take you 4 days and3 hours, and cost 200 kublars to usethe Interstellar Tunnel. In this chapter,you will find a list of the most wellknown planets. Using this same local-ization principle, you can situate anyknown star, or even those that are tobe discovered.

Planet Alix III: 14dt — exo-fringeworld, independent.

Planet Aquaend: 27dt — universe-border world, prison.

Planet Badmech: 4,30ht — majorworld, Maganat (Kama-Ming).

Planet Barnab: 11dt — distant world,semi-independent.

Planet Del Rey III: 17dt — exo-fringe world, Colonial.

Planet Dreer: 2ht — major world,Industrial Maganat.

Planet Gargan IV: 4dt — minor world, hallucinogenicmushrooms.

Planet Garligue: 37dt — universe-border world,elephantodontes.

Planet Geidig: 7dt — distant world, sirens.War Star: Unknown.Planet Laylin: 3hT — major world, Maganat.Planet Summit: 9dt — distant world, Colonial.

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If there is one field in which even the laziest and mostunmotivated humans will take an interest, it is of course thefield of warfare. The whole universe shares a genuine pas-sion for devices of death and power, not only because theyfeed the murderous instinct that is always alive and well inhumans, but also because they serve the coming of the NecroDream. Directly or indirectly, the Church of the IndustrialSaints is by far the largest arms dealer in the universe. Thesale of arms helps build their capital. At the same time, byacclimating people to a culture of death, the arms contrib-ute to the Tenebrae and its struggle against life. But the uni-verse never shies from a paradox, and these same weaponsthat help spread death and destruction are also a crucialkey to freedom, independence, and rebellion.

Whether it be poaching suicides for sport, hunting in-surgents on a Maganat paradise planet, defending oneselfin a hostile environment in outer space or a newly colo-nized planet, keeping order inside an Endocity or on somefar-off planet, creating chaos and confusion in those samelocations, or repelling strange creatures, a pirate band, ora squad of galacto-barbarians at the outer edges of theuniverse, the demand for heavy artillery is never lacking.And the range of choice is vast indeed…

HEAVY ARTILLERY

Because they offer the greatest power to portability ra-tio, guns of this type are the most prized across the wholeEmpire by amateurs and professionals alike. Thanks tonew synthetic materials developed by the Church of theIndustrial Saints — in particular the range of teflo-metalplastics — these weapons have seen their weight drasti-cally reduced while still maintaining a deadly lethality.Considering that just one of them is enough to eradicatean unprotected crowd in an instant, it is amazing thatthey hardly weigh anything at all. Aside from these ex-traordinary advances, they have also undergone all kindsof different improvements. First of all, impact force hasbeen considerably increased. Intelligent ammunition wasintroduced to classic projectile weapons at the time of theEmpire’s origins, making a humble bullet into an ultra-devastating machine. Today, with all the improvementsto the firing charges, a traditional firearm can propel around of unstable heavy metal — enriched Tranekkon forthe most part — at almost 20,000 kilometers per second,which means they instantly generate a maximum kineticeffect at the point of impact, leaving behind them a flightpath strewn with the most spectacular waste products.Even the smallest-caliber lady’s handgun can make an entryhole the size of a golden kublar and an exit hole as big asthe turbine of a heavy battleship.

In addition, the projectiles’ range has also been drasti-cally improved. Today, they can cover a few dozen kilome-ters in standard gravity, which means that a man control-ling one or more weapons can carry out a light infantrytactical operation entirely on his own. Of course, the armor

of soldiers in battle has been improved as well, but theoffensive weapons still maintain a great advantage. Forexample, two multi-cogans mounted on the back of anold glider vehicle, outfitted with automatic targeting forgreater efficiency, can boast firepower equivalent to thatof a basic tank. Once all the various existing options areintroduced — night vision, laser sighting, automatic tar-get acquisition, to name only the most common — therange of possibilities suddenly seems endless.

Another significant improvement is the considerablewidening of the range of ammunition. The destructiveeffect of traditional arms is multiplied many times by theintroduction of different kinds of energy — plasma is idealfor clearing an entire area, laser rays burn and incinerate,Gauss-type electromagnetism disrupts both the electro-neurological balance of living creatures and the stabilityof electronic machinery, and sonic energy upsets the atomiccohesion of whatever it encounters.

MULTI-COGAN

Most recent product of the Empire’s official armory,the multi-cogan has been used to equip the Endoguardtroops for some time now. It is a devastating weapon, insome ways the ultimate synthesis of all previous forms ofheavy artillery put together. Indeed, it combines the pow-erful effect of a traditional weapon with all other types ofenergy: plasma, laser, gauss, and even sonic. Suitable forany type of combat, it suits the infantry’s needs perfectly,also featuring a vibro-bayonet for hand-to-hand combatand a rocket-launcher option that renders the hard-to-carry mortars obsolete.

Conceived, designed, and developed by the researchdepartment of the Church of the Industrial Saints, themulti-cogan is manufactured on the industrial planetCogana II, in the Whakk system, owned by the family ofthe Poly-Romanoffs. Despite a fairly high volume of pro-duction, this weapon remains difficult to obtain, becausesales are strictly monitored. Wholesale, it costs nearly3,500 kublars, but its price on the black market can reachstaggering heights, and possessing one without a licenseresults in the penalty of instant death.

Technical Specifications: Ninety-two centimeters longwithout the vibro-bayonet, an unloaded multi-cogan onlyweighs 376 grams. An energy cartridge — for 150 plasma,laser, sonic, or Gauss shots — adds 127 grams to its totalweight. A cartridge of traditional ammunition, on the otherhand, will weigh much more. A cartridge of one hundredtwenty .753 caliber rounds can weigh between 653 and 892grams, depending on the metal in question. There is an ex-tremely wide range of grenade and rocket options, and theweight of each cartridge averages around 700 grams. Alltraditional multi-cogan ammunition comes in a “dum-dum”format, which has an absolutely devastating effect. On theautomatic setting, the rate of fire is 1,200 shots per minute,which means the weapon needs to be fed at very high speed.

W E A P O N S

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8 There is a switch to change itfrom the automatic to a single-

shot setting, and also to changebetween energy modes. When oneload is empty, it will automaticallyswitch to the next. And finally, nomatter what caliber is being used,epyphite counter-balancing totallyeliminates the effect of recoil. FireRate: 3 (laser); 1 (mini-grenade).Range: 3-75/150/300 (laser); 5-25/100/200 (mini-grenade). Damage: 6D (la-

ser); 4D+2 (mini-grendae); STR+1D+2(vibro-bayonet).

Price: Officially — 3,400 kublars.On the black market — astronomical.

Availability: Almost nil. The weaponis mostly unavailable and unauthorizedownership is punishable by instant death.

Reliability: No mechanical failurehas ever been reported.

COGAN 45The cogan 45 is a much simpler

weapon than the multi-cogan, andmuch more easily obtainable on the arms market. Its lim-ited range of ammunition makes it a less-sophisticatedweapon, and not as effective. At the time of its introduc-tion, it was thought that plasma cartridges representedthe most advanced type of firepower, but it soon becameclear that different types of energy would suit differentcombat situations. Although there are scenarios wherethe cogan 45 is ideal, it demonstrates its limitations in allother cases. That said, coming face to face with a plasmashot is never a pleasant experience. It is a contest fromwhich the human body rarely emerges victorious.

Despite its drawbacks, the cogan 45 is a godsend tocompanies of mercenaries, pirate hordes, the standingarmy of the Colonial planets and bands of motivatedPsycho-Anarchists.

Technical Specifications: Measuring 107 centimeters over-all, it weighs 352 grams without energy cartridges. It pre-sents a very different appearance to the multi-cogan, com-ing in the shape of a long tube. The rear part rests atop theshooter’s shoulder — like a rocket-launcher — with the aim-ing device and trigger in front. Each cartridge provides powerfor 100 shots, but the gun can accommodate preloading ofup to three cartridges. It takes between two and three sec-onds to reload the weapon. Fire Rate: 1. Range: 3-50/100/300. Damage: 5D.

Price: Sold officially at a price of 1,200 kublars, thecogan 45 sells on the black market at a price varying ac-cording to its condition.

Availability: Optimal. Produced in enormous quanti-ties, it is available in every corner of the Empire, althoughownership is of course regulated.

Reliability: Excellent reliability overall, but some prob-lems with its energy cartridges have been reported, espe-cially in moist environments.

COGAN 78Intermediate model between the

cogan 45 and the multi-cogan, the cogan78 corrects some of the deficiencies ofthe model it replaces, most notably re-introducing traditional high-impactrounds. Nonetheless, unlike the multi-cogan in which the different modes areperfectly interchangeable, the cogan 78cannot claim true versatility. Althoughit can fire both traditional rounds andenergy charges, it cannot switch auto-matically between the two modes, andit takes approximately ten seconds toswitch it over manually. In addition tothis shortcoming, the choice of caliberis limited (it cannot shoot rockets or gre-nades), while its energy is highly ineffi-cient: each cartridge only providespower for 50 laser shots.

Technical Specifications: Weighing1,245 grams and measuring a meterlong, the cogan 78 certainly improveson the cogan 45, but does not even ap-proach the perfection attained by its suc-

cessor. Its cartridge of one hundred .753 caliber traditionalrounds ensures sufficient firepower, although the rapid-firesetting only allows three-shot bursts. Without epyphitecounter-balancing, it has a strong recoil that makes it diffi-cult to use over a long period of time. In energy mode, itsperformance is comparable to that of the cogan 45. FireRate: 1. Range: 3-50/90/200 (traditional); 3-50/100/250 (en-ergy). Damage: 3D+2 (traditional); 4D+2 (energy). Note:Every 10 rounds, user receives a cumulative -1D penalty tohis firearms skill for fatigue.

Price: Once the multi-cogan was put into production,manufacture of the cogan 78 was halted — which is notthe case with the cogan 45. Therefore, it is no longer offi-cially sold. However, it has not yet become rare, so itsblack market cost is still affordable. A cogan 78 in goodcondition will go for 2,000 kublars.

Availability: As an intermediary model, it was not inproduction for a very long time. So it is not available inlarge quantities. At the same time, it is not in very highdemand, so it is easy to find in stock.

Reliability: Its relatively low level of complexity ensuresexceptional reliability.

INTEGRATED 1K8 GUN

The Integrated 1K8 is a weapon for the strong only.Just handling it requires considerable force. But in ex-change, it also performs at a very high standard.

Depending on what rounds are used, the Integrated 1K8can theoretically penetrate any type of armor, except ofcourse White Netranekkon. Despite its heavy weight, it isa strong and reliable weapon that almost always deliversand often tips the balance in any exchange.

Technical Specifications: From stock to muzzle, the In-tegrated 1K8 only measures ninety-six centimeters, but it

EpyphiteCounter-BalancingThis is an extremely deli-

cate operation consisting ofintroducing one or a fewmolecules of this precioussubstance into the weaponsto eliminate certain debilitat-ing characteristics such asweight or recoil. Determin-ing the precise quantity andpositioning of the epiphyterequires calculations thatonly a few hyperspecializedMentreks can carry out. Theslightest error will render theweapon unusable, by keep-ing it angled downwards orupwards, or sending it drift-ing into the air, devoid of all

weight.

weighs 5,241 grams unloaded. Since it isequipped with three barrels of different caliber,it can hold three cartridges. A 600-round cartridgeweighs 1,153 grams in the small-caliber .753, 1,546grams in the medium-caliber .951, and 2,268 gramsin the mammoth caliber 19. For the larger caliber,rounds of enriched Tranekkon are available, whoseeffect is comparable to a small ballistic missile. Thetotal weight of the gun is about ten kilos. Mercifully,the weapon is equipped with epyphite counter-bal-ancing, without which it would not be humanly pos-sible to operate. A dual switch on the stock allows thealternation between one caliber and another, and fromrapid-fire mode to single-shot mode. It is theoreticallypossible to fire all three barrels at once. Some haveclaimed to use all three barrels at once in rapid-firemode, but no witness has ever confirmed this assertion.Fire Rate: 1. Range: 3-30/80/250. Damage: 3D+2 (smallcaliber); 5D (medium caliber); 9D (large caliber).

Price: Officially, the Integrated 1K8 costs the sameas the multi-cogan, but there is a much longer waitingperiod to acquire it. This limited-edition weapon is soldextremely infrequently. On the black market, its pricereaches mind-boggling heights. Many pirates, gang war-lords, and other outlaws have announced that they havebought one for 10,000 kublars or more.

Availability: Minimal. This item is normally unavail-able and unauthorized ownership results in instantdeath. Only a true outlaw would even consider pos-sessing one.

Reliability: No type of mechanical failure has everbeen reported.

SONIC BAZOOKA,OR “HEAVY SONIC”

Created by civilian technology, this powerfully de-structive energy weapon emits precisely focused wave-beams that disrupt the atomic cohesion of solid bodies.At its inception, it was used in mining operations as areplacement for explosives, but humankind’s creativegenius quickly found other applications for it. Sincethen, the sonic bazooka is standard equipment for allinfantry units. Although unusable in extra-atmosphericenvironments, the damage it does to pressurized envi-ronments is substantial. Any poor unprotected soul inthe path of a violent sonic-wave will feel his skull ex-plode instantly, before he has any chance of escape.Without countermeasures, no armor can resist it. Aninternal spectrometric analyzer determines the optimalfrequency to disrupt the internal structure of matter.

Technical Specifications: With a length of 150 centi-meters and a weight of 7,256 grams — 9,198 with thetripod — the sonic bazooka is somewhat unwieldy.However, it is not specifically designed for individualuse, but more as a support weapon for a division oftroops. In the Empire, the usual estimate is one sonicfor every ten fighters. A powerful and effective weapon,the sonic also uses a lot of energy, because one energycartridge is only enough for 10 shots. Fire Rate: 1.

129 • Weapons

Cogan 45

Cogan 78

Multi-cogan

Integrated 1K8 Gun

the Muira 2K, as well as dum-dum charges and incred-ibly devastating grenade rounds. Once this “upgraded”Muira 2K came into fashion, all official copies of theweapon were stolen. Its small size makes it the idealweapon for urban combat, but authorities consider pos-session of the weapon as punishable by instant death.

Technical Specifications: Only forty-two centimetersfrom muzzle to stock, an empty Muira 2K nonethelessweighs a hefty 758 grams. When loaded, its weight variesdepending on the ammunition it contains. Its primaryshortcoming is that it must be reloaded after every twoshots, but after such a horrendous round of fire there isusually a deafening calm and a brief pause in which tocarry out the operation. The colossal recoil requires twohands to manage, and even so it must be gripped very

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Sonic Bazooka

Double Short-BarreledMuira 2K Gun

Disintegrator 48

Gauss Gun

Range: 3-50/100/200. Damage: 9DPrice: With an official price of 2,600 kublars,

it is much more expensive on the black market,for it is a rare and highly prized weapon.

Availability: Minimal. Sale of this weapon is pro-hibited to civilians. Local militia is often equippedwith it. It is also fairly common to find industrialversions adapted from their original design to a mili-tary capacity.

Reliability: As a product of time-tested technology,the sonic bazooka is absolutely reliable.

DISINTEGRATOR 48Official weapon of the Hunchback corps, the Prez’s

private guard in the Endocities, the disintegrator 48 isthe most terrifying single weapon currently availablein the Empire. Based on secret technology developedby the Church of the Industrial Saints, it remains underthe strict control of the Techno-Technos, because it canonly be used by their most brutal henchmen. Althoughthe Hunchbacks use it freely to subdue crowds, it canhardly be considered an anti-riot weapon. Far fromdispersing rioters, it simply annihilates them, leavingbehind nothing but a pile of steaming corpses.

Technical Specifications: Heavy yet compact — 120centimeters long overall, and weighing 1,268 grams with-out its energy cartridge — the disintegrator 48 shootslong and highly deadly rays. The ray drastically increasesthe internal temperature of any organism unfortunateenough to get in its way. The organism’s vital fluids startto boil and its organs and tissues literally explode. FireRate: 1. Range: 3-20/75/120. Damage: 12D.

Price: The disintegrator 48 is not for sale under anycircumstances. Occasionally, a model stolen from theHunchbacks will make its way to the black market,but at an exorbitant price.

Availability: Minimal. The discovered possessor of adisintegrator 48 will not only incur the risk of instantdeath but also the possibility of being “remodeled” intoa Hunchback.

Reliability: As the unfortunate populations of theEndocities can attest, there is no more reliable weaponthan the disintegrator 48.

DOUBLE SHORT-BARRELED MUIRA 2K GUN

Originally, the Muira 2K was a fairly innocuous weaponintended for use by anti-riot troops in the Endocities, or onworlds with rioting populations. It has a pair of short bar-rels, and although the caliber is far from commonplace, thegun is not technologically sophisticated in the slightest. Thebarrels are capable of launching gas canisters — tear gas,laughing gas, neuro-paralysis gas — to an incredible range.Under standard gravity, it can hurl a 350-gram cartridge upto twelve kilometers. At point blank range, the damage in-flicted is considerable. Cybo-cop reports make frequent men-tion of humans literally perforated by the canisters.

This extraordinary power brought the gun back topopularity. Pirates, Psycho Anarchists, and other outlawsbegan to manufacture small shells to fit the chambers of

tightly. After all, it is a weapon that was originally de-signed for cybo-cops. Fire Rate: 1. Range: 3-100/6000/12000. Damage: Canisters do 5D at less than three meters;canisters that get the chance to explode do damage baesdon their contents (for example, tear gas and laughing gasincapacitate victims in a 100-square-meter area for fif-teen minutes).

Price: The Muira 2K is no longer sold officially, but itis easily obtained from other sources. The price varies ac-cording to its condition, and what ammunition it holds,usually averaging around the 1,000-kublar mark.

Availability: On the black market, it is very easy toobtain.

Reliability: At the point of manufacture, the weapon isvery simple and totally reliable. However, once adaptationshave been made, the Muira K’s reliability will vary widelydepending on the quality of the “alterations.”

GAUSS GUN

A purely energy-based weapon, thegauss gun emits an electromagnetic raythat has a double effect: it disrupts theoperation of electronic systems and de-vices, and paralyses the neurologicalsystem of living beings. Originally de-signed as an anti-riot gun, the gaussgun has gradually been adapted forother uses, particularly electronic in-terference. Although it is easy to de-fend against this ray — a simple forcefield or barrier will suffice — such mea-sures are extremely costly, and one in-stant of inattention is enough.

Technical Specifications: The gaussgun is rather cumbersome. It is only 108centimeters long, and weighs 968 gramswithout its energy cartridges, but thegenerator that sits on top of the stockis very obtrusive. Each energy cartridgeprovides enough power for twenty-fiveshots. While each ray’s power remainsconstant, its range and diffusion can beadjusted in inverse proportion to eachother. On the “pinpoint” setting, itsrange can exceed 100 meters. On theother hand, when all the way open, thegauss gun is only effective up to threemeters. Fire Rate: 1. Range (examples):3/—/— (full wide setting); 3-5/15/60(medium wide setting); 3-10/30/120(pinpoint setting). Damage: 5D stun.Note: Full wide setting affects forty tar-gets, medium wide setting affectstwenty targets, and needle setting af-fects one target.

Price: In official circles, the gauss gunsells for 750 kublars per unit. On theblack market, its price varies accord-ing to condition, but it isn’t hard to find.

Availability: Minimal. It exists on the

black market in high quantities, but its use ishighly restricted.

Reliability: The gun is very reliable, but its deli-cate mechanisms require meticulous care.

LASER GUN

With similar mechanisms as the cogan 45, the lasergun is an energy weapon that produces a burning ef-fect. The laser’s destructive beam is somewhat morenarrow than that of the plasma’s, with slightly lowerenergy consumption, so the laser gun is often consid-ered an inferior predecessor to the cogan 45. That said,it is effective and is the standard weapon of many forces,both official and unofficial.

Technical Specifications: The laser gun is one meter longand weighs 996 grams without energy cartridges. Each car-tridge provides enough power for seventy-five shots. The

laser beam’s focus is adjustable, whichvaries the range in an inverse propor-tion. On its finest setting, the weaponcan reach up to 5,000 meters, whichmakes it an effective weapon for sharp-shooters, because it is totally silent andinflicts material damage to any elementthat can be burned. Fire Rate: 1. Range:3-50/100/300 (wide)to 3-500/1500/5000 (narrow). Damage: 4D. Note:Widest setting can hit ten targets, whilenarrow setting can hit one.

Price: Officially, the laser gun isworth 1100 kublars. The price varieson the black market, and there is nevera shortage of buyers.

Availability: Minimal. Ownership isregulated. But taking both military andcivilian populations into account, it isprobably the most well-distributedweapon in the universe.

Reliability: Although generally reli-able, the laser gun requires constantmaintenance. Serious defects have beenreported, resulting from either sabo-tage or negligence.

POLY AKA-4 ASSAULT RIFLE

Signature weapon of all the outcastsin the universe, the Poly AKA-4 is thecrowning achievement of theTroglosocialik arms factories. Totallydevoid of any refinement, this assaultrifle is simple but effective — it can besubjected to any conditions and is ide-ally suited for guerilla actions in anyenvironment. Its strongest points areits reliability and ease of repair. In cer-tain isolated areas, there are troopsmaking do with models that still func-tion with all their parts replaced. Theclosest comparison with the Empire’s

131 • Weapons

These Ropes thatWhistle over Our

Heads…Fruit of an audacious ge-

netic crossbreeding betweenan Agolan creeper and thepaleo-cobra, the rope ofNuv-Rohp (a small planetfrom the Givem sub-system)combines the qualities of aclassic rope in teflo-hemp fi-bers ( very high resistance totensile strength, absolutelyrot proof) with the specificaptitudes of tension andmovement (crawling silently,instant acceleration, prodi-gious leaps) of a giganticsnake. Paying for it isn’tenough to acquire this mar-vel, for a particular bondmust be established betweenthe rope and its owner.

The rope has to becharmed… (Very DifficultPersuasion roll to charm.Succeeding gains thecharmer a rope with the fol-lowing characteristics:brawling 8D+2, running 7D,sneak 8D, Strength 6D+2,climb/jump 9D, lift 8D+1;Move: 20. The rope will fol-low the orders of its ownerwithout question. To figurethe length, roll one Wild Dieand multiply the result by

100 feet.)

“official” weapons is theCogan 78, because of its

multiple functions. ThePoly AKA-4 firesboth energy shotsand traditional am-munition.

Technical Specifi-cations: The Poly

AKA-4 is average size (eighty-ninecentimeters) and average weight (874 grams unloaded).In its energy mode, it shoots long streaks of plasma,

whose strength and range cannot be adjusted. Each car-tridge provides sixty shots. It can also shoot traditionalprojectiles of a unique caliber, close to the .753 but notquite identical. If the occasion arises, slight structuralmodifications will permit both types to be used. Theweapon’s standard cartridges contain 100 rounds, butcustomized versions abound. Many eyewitnesses have re-ported cartridges of 1,000 rounds or more. It is impor-tant to note that, unlike the cogan 78, the Poly AKA-4’srapid-fire mode is a genuine one. The demonic staccatoof its fire is familiar throughout the Empire. Of course,the weapon has no epyphite counter-balancing, and us-ing it in rapid-fire mode is extremely difficult. Fire Rate:1. Range: 3-40/90/275. Damage: 3D+1 (traditional); 5D(energy). Note: When in rapid-fire mode, reduce user’sfirearms skill by -2D and multiply the damage by 2. A 1on the Wild Die indicates the gun had faulty parts; thegun explodes and does 4D f damge to its user.

Price: The Poly AKA-4 sells for approximately 350kublars. On some worlds, it is given free to every citizen.

Availability: Optimal. Manufactured by the hundredsof thousands of habitants on the Colonial Planets, thePoly AKA-4 is the easiest weapon to obtain in the wholeuniverse.

Reliability: On the whole, the Poly AKA-4 is very reli-able, due to its great simplicity. However, due to a shortageof manufacturing materials, some models contain defects.

HAND-HELD GUNS

Technologically speaking, hand-held guns have madethe same advances as heavy artillery. There have been im-provements to ammunition, materials, and energy sources.

Although these pistols may not be as powerful or pre-cise as the heavier weapons, their overall effectivenesslies in their greater handling ability and ease of use.

Many of them represent sawn-off versions of theheavy models. In this category are the hand-held laserand the hand-held cogan — rare indeed, manufacturedin minuscule quantities as a badge of honor forEndoguard officers.

SUPRA-PISTOL

An extremely powerful energy weapon, the suprapistolshoots plasma rays up to fifty meters with extreme preci-sion. Up to about twenty meters, any shot is fatal.

This weapon is standard equipment for most officersof the Empire’s armed forces. The energy cartridge’s largecapacity — 100 shots — makes it suitable for combatsupport.

Technical Specifications: The suprapistol is twenty-threecentimeters long, but due to materials used in its manufac-ture, it weighs only 254 grams unloaded. It is easy to handle,and can be concealed without the slightest sign. The stan-dard cartridge — available anywhere in the Empire — onlyadds 110 grams to the weight of the weapon, and providesplenty of power. The cartridge fits into the butt of the gun.Fire Rate: 2. Range: 3-20/50/75. Damage: 5D.

Price: The suprapistol is sold officially for 350 kublars.It is also found on the black market, where prices varyaccording to its condition.

Availability: Optimal, but uncommon. Ownership isregulated, but it is so easily concealed that it can be car-ried anywhere without great risk of discovery.

Reliability: The suprapistol is absolutely reliable, but longexposure to humid conditions may lead to energy loss.

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Supra-pistol H-38X Pistol Defense Pistol

VIPER PISTOL

Manufactured by the Viper ArmsCorporation, under control of theMaganat of the Poly-Romanoffs, theViper Pistol is the civilian equivalent ofthe suprapistol. Its qualities are roughlycomparable to those of its twin modelexcept for a slightly weaker energy ca-pacity.

To justify its civilian status, mostmodels of the Viper Pistol features anonlethal mode, which merely rendersits target unconscious.

Technical Specifications: Twenty-fivecentimeters long and weighing 350grams unloaded, the Viper Pistol canfire fifty shots before requiring reload-ing. It accepts the standard cartridge,which fits into the butt of the gun. FireRate: 1. Range: 3-10/30/60. Damage:4D. Note: Nonlethal mode does thesame damage as lethal mode, exceptthat it is taken only as stun damage.

Price: Pride of the civilian weaponsmarkets, the Viper Pistol with nonletahlmode sells everywhere at a flat price of500 kublars. (It’s 300 kublars without the nonlethal mode.)Ownership is regulated, so it’s a good idea to have one’spapers in order before buying one officially. Otherwise, itcan be found on the black market at prices that vary de-pending on its condition.

Availability: Optimal, though a permit is required inmany places.

Reliability: No problems have ever been reported.

DEFENSE PISTOL

The term “defense pistol” doesnot apply to a specific model butrather to a group of models, withtheir reduced size and diminishedpower in common.

These laser-type pistols can fire amaximum of only five shots. Theseguns are at their best when hiddenunder the pilot seat of a small ship,concealed in the fold of a coat, or evenhidden in a sleeve or pen case.

Technical Specifications: The de-fense pistols are the smallest guns onthe market, with the largest one mea-suring only ten centimeters, and weigh-ing just over 180 grams, while thesmallest model in production measuresa mere 4.78 centimeters, weighing 78grams when unloaded. Fire Rate: 1.Range: 3-5/9/15. Damage:3D.

Price: The price varies depending onthe model and its quality, but usuallyaverages around 300 kublars.

Availability: Optimal.Reliability: The technology is well tested and perfectly

reliable.

WAR PISTOL

As the suprapistol’s younger relative, the war pistol isstandard equipment for troops in the Empire’s armedforces.

It is a powerful energy weapon, and roughly offers thesame qualities as the suprapistol. Its energy cartridges,

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To end a memorableEndocity visit, why not bringback for your enemies asample of the famousMerope virus? Or better yet,the new and improvedBiophage 13X virus, the lat-est to come out of theBiotech Inc. Plus laborato-ries. Immediately fatal, thesemarvels of genetic technol-ogy procure a heinous andexplosive death. Useful pre-caution: remember to equipyourself with elephanto-donte’s milk from Garligue,Amourine, or better with aproto-mineral cloner for

complete immunization.

133 • Weapons

Viper Pistol War Pistol

inserted into the butt of the gun, provide enoughpower for seventy-five shots.Technical Specifications: The war pistol is only

19.86 centimeters long — smaller than the suprapistol— but nonetheless weighs approximately the same:249 grams unloaded. Despite its apparent compact-ness, its large chamber makes concealment difficult.The war pistol uses the standard cartridge, inserted intothe butt, that allows seventy-five shots. Fire Rate: 2.Range: 3-15/45/70. Damage: 4D+2.

Price: Officially, the war pistol sells for about 300kublars, depending on what rank of officer it was de-

signed for. Since it is only intended for military use, it isnot usually available for single purchase. On the blackmarket, however, it can be found in abundance.

Availability: Minimal, at least officially.Reliability: The war pistol is completely reliable.

H-38X PISTOL, OR “HYPODERMIC”Ideal anti-riot weapon, the H-38X pistol shoots small

needles containing a toxic and corrosive substance up toa distance of 500 meters. They shatter on impact and thecontents begin to take effect: it dissolves through fabric,in order to paralyze the nervous system.

The chemicals are only effectivethrough textile-based clothing. Theyhave no effect on electronic devices andequipment.

Technical Specifications: A weaponthat combines traditional projectiles withenergy propulsion, the hypodermic pis-tol is suited only to certain specific uses.If used strategically, however, it can workwonders. Rather discreet, it only mea-sures seventeen centimeters — or twenty-eight centimeters with the addition of abarrel for long-distance accuracy — andweighs 236 grams when empty. The fifty-round cartridge fits into the butt of thegun. Fire Rate: 1. Range: 3-100/200/500.Damage: 6D stun. Note: Damage is in-flicted on organic materials and creaturesonly.

Price: Produced only in small quan-tities, the hypodermic pistol costs 500kublars in official circles.

Availability: Minimal. The hypoder-mic pistol is a nonlethal weapon, butsince the authorities are aware that itcan be easily adapted to more deadlyuses, ownership is regulated.

Reliability: Excellent.

VIS PACEM REVOLVER

This extremely rare weapon is manu-factured in minute quantities by theChurch of the Industrial Saints, basedon advanced technologies that few hu-man brains can comprehend. Nonethe-

less, its outward appearance re-sembles the paleo-firearms ofTerra Prima.

With its revolvingcylinder and “blue-steel” finish, it brings tomind the .44 magnum ofthe paleo-arms manufacturer Smith and Wesson, or theDan Wesson long barrel, two models that have entirelydisappeared, their silhouette familiar only to paleo-archiveenthusiasts. But appearances can be deceptive, becauseone single Vis Pacem is enough to overcome the defensesof a space battlecruiser, reducing it to wreckage.

Technical Specifications: Thirty-one centimeters longfrom the butt to the tip of the barrel, the Vis Pacem is animposing weapon indeed. But it weighs only 398 grams,including ammunition. As a showcase for the Church ofthe Industrial Saints, it is composed of high-performancematerials that are an optimal mix of lightness and dura-bility. The pearl-handled grip is a work of art. Aestheticconsiderations aside, the ballistic qualities are what makethe Vis Pacem a terrifying weapon of death. The cylindercontains seven rounds — of a caliber comparable to the.753 — similar in appearance to paleo-ammunition, butin fact quite different. First of all, the propulsive charge is

not traditional gunpowder. It is anenergy concentrate whose explosivepower is of course much greater. Andof course the bullet is not just a leadenmass. It’s a round of anti-matter. Uponimpact, the anti-matter is released andobliterates an equal quantity of mat-ter to create huge gaps. Fire Rate: 1.Range: 3-15/35/75 space units (space);6-35/75/150 km (atmosphere). Dam-age: 7D (battleship scale.)

Price: The Vis Pacem is not intendedfor sale. The rare copies produced areexclusively for the officials of theChurch of the Industrial Saints.

Availability: Minimal.Reliability: As a product of ex-

tremely high and holy technology, theVis Pacem will never malfunction.

BLADED WEAPONS

Despite the ancient associations ofTerra Prima they conjure, bladedweapons are highly esteemed through-out the Empire. Not only does a sharpedge remain highly effective againstany defenseless bio-organism, but thetraditional blades have been improvedgreatly by the benefits of modern tech-nology; they now boast ultra-resistantmaterials and many new options,some amusing and some extremelydeadly.

To see someone leaping around af-ter being poked with a vibro-dagger

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Great Balls ofFire!

In order to enhance theirvital forces and energies atthe moment of attack, sea-soned mercenaries use alongtime proven device thatis small but effective. Sold atan average price of 45kublars, the “Gonado-Ener-gizer” is placed on theperineum, point of equilib-rium of the Yin and Yangcurrents and the lateralitypoles. Activated, it emits avariable frequency deter-mined in function and ac-cording to the parameters ofeach individual with infra-vibratory impulses thatmaximize energy concentra-tion. Fierceness in battle isfantastically increased ten-fold, but (small side effect)appetites and other erectilefunctions are also exacer-bated. (The device gives +5Dto all combat skills whenused, and difficulties for Per-ception skills and willpower

are increased by +10).

would draw a smile from the most solemn Techno-Techno dignitary.

But aside from these considerations, bladed weaponswill always be highly sought by the Nobles, who love toparade around with a sword at their side.

PALEO-SWORD

Fruit of the immemorial wisdom of the master armor-ers of Terra Prima, authentic paleo-swords are rarities par-ticularly prized and admired. Although these relics areoften nothing but worn blades corroded by rust, some ofthese marvels have emerged from the mists of time intact,as magnificent and sparkling as the day they were cre-ated. In response to demand from a Nobility eager forantiquities, a specialized micro-industry sprang upthroughout the Empire. Of course, the modern imitationsdo not have the same style of the respected ancient weap-ons, even though the modern materials give them quali-ties that the inhabitants of paleo-Terra Prima could neverhave dreamed of. Then again, another advantage of au-thentic paleo-swords is that some of them are enchanted,carrying a mystical power that makes those who knowhow to use them utterly invincible.

Technical Specifications: Whether true paleo-weapon or

contemporary replica, all the swords have in com-mon an elongated shape and a cutting blade. None-theless, an infinite number of variables makes eachone a unique product: light or heavy, for two hands orone, simple or sheathed hilt, curved or straight blade,and so forth. Skill: Archaic weapons. Difficulty: Easy(10). Damage: STR+2D. Note: these game characteris-tics are for straight, one-handed swords.

Price: Paleo-swords vary in price according to a greatnumber of criteria. A chipped and rusted blade might beworth a fortune if some famous origin can be certified.Conversely, a magnificently forged teflo-steel blade will beworth very little if it is a model produced in great quantityby an Industrial Maganat. On average, the price will rangebetween 1 and 1000 kublars, but only an expert would riskmaking a purchase at the upper end of the spectrum.

Availability: Optimal. No permit is required to bucklea sword to one’s belt.

Reliability: Modern imitation paleo-swords are ex-tremely durable, unlike the older models which occasion-ally shatter. On the other hand, the fortunate owner of agenuine enchanted sword can rely on it under any cir-cumstances.

135 • Weapons

Vibro-sword

Paleo-sword

Supra-ice Sword

PALEO-SPEAR

Like paleo-swords, paleo-spears are coming backinto vogue. Of course, it is not as common to see some-one carrying one, but there are many who claim topossess in their home one of the mythical lances usedby some paleo-hero on paleo-Terra Prima to slay oneof the dragons thta must have run across that land ingreat numbers…

Here as well, imitations abound, but what is lost inauthenticity is generally made up for by greater resil-ience.Technical Specifications: These weapons come in a wide

range of styles and uses, from the light javelin to the heavypilum, even including the formal halberd. Generally, theymeasure between 160 and 260 centimeters from base topoint, and weigh anywhere from 1.5 kilos to 5 kilos ormore. Skill: Archaic weapons. Difficulty: Easy (10). Dam-age: 4D (thrown); STR+1D+2 (melee). Thrown Range: 5-15/25/40.

Price: As with paleo-swords, the price of paleo-spearsvaries on a number of criteria that are difficult to deter-mine. Nonetheless, a price range of 1 to 1000 kublars isreasonably accurate.

Availability: Optimal. No license is required to eitherown or carry a spear.

Reliability: A spear’s effectiveness depends on thequality of the material it is composed of. If designedto be thrown, its quality depends on the skill and ex-perience of the manufacturer who made it.

SUPRA-ICE SWORD

Although at first glance it cannot be distinguished from apaleo-sword, the supra-ice sword is definitely a modernweapon. Secretly manufactured in some Techno-Technofactory, the supra-ice sword unites the handling and cuttingqualities of a traditional sword with a deadly efficiency pro-vided by this era of all-powerful technology. The blade, madeof a highly super-conducting alloy, can reach a temperatureof absolute zero. The slightest contact transmits an intensecold right to the core of any matter it touches. Living tissuesare frozen instantly, and become as hard as glass. Even ifthey don’t shatter, the thermal shock will irreversibly leadto dead tissue. This extremely dangerous weapon must behandled with great care. To carry it, a special thermo-isolat-ing sheath is most warmly recommended.

Technical Specifications: This weapon is manufacturedsingly and to order, so the blade’s shape is left to the cli-ent. The alloy itself is tinted a pretty blue, and can beworked to accommodate ornamentation. Both the blade’shandle and its sheath are made of thermo-isolating mate-rial, and the hilt of the sword encloses a powerful genera-tor. Each energy cartridge allows it to be used at full powerfor 100 hours. During the last hour of power, the blade’stemperature gradually climbs back up toward ambienttemperature. Of course, supra-ice mode can be switchedoff at any time. Skill: Melee combat. Difficulty: Easy (10).Damage: STR+5D (supra-ice mode); STR+2D(unpowered).

Price: This is a weaponof prestige and is reservedfor an elite and select cli-entele, who must attainsome merit in the eyes ofthe Church of the Indus-trial Saints. Withoutadded options, the baseprice is 5,000 kublars.

Availability: Minimal.Ownership is not regu-lated, but the C.I.S. hasexacting guidelines as towho is allowed to ownone.

Reliability: As aTechno-Techno product,the supra-ice sword is100 percent reliable.However, also as aTechno-Techno product,it is difficult to know whothe blade’s true master is.

VIBRO-SWORD

This is a modernsword, but it can pass asan ancient one thanks toits appearance. In addi-tion to a sword’s usualfunctions, the vibro-sword has an energizedhilt that transmits an ul-tra-rapid vibration to theblade. In vibro-mode,with its small character-istic hum, the power ofthe sword is increasedtenfold. And since it ismade of extremely hardmaterial, it cuts effort-lessly into flesh and bone,breaks through the morebasic defenses and caneven penetrate certainarmor.

Technical Specifica-tions: This mass-marketweapon has the samecharacteristics of a paleo-sword, but only allowsthe choice of three differ-ent serrated blades. Theenergy cartridge fits intothe hilt to supply power to the generator. Each cartridgeprovides 20 hours of use at full power. Due to the materi-als used, the weight of the whole sword including the car-tridge never exceeds 1.5 kilos. Skill: Melee combat. Diffi-culty: Easy (10). Damage: STR+12D (vibro-mode);STR+2D (unpowered).

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Paleo-spear

Vibro-axe

Electro-glove

Price: This popular weapon has an official price of about150 kublars.

Availability: Optimal. Ownership is regulated, but thosewho carry one simply pretend it’s a paleo-sword.

Reliability: Excellent reliability overall. However, likeall energy weapons, the vibro-sword does not respondwell to prolonged exposure to humidity.

VIBRO-AXE

Far more ostentatious than the vibro-sword, the vibro-axe is the weapon of choice for all those who want toproclaim to the universe that they love brawls and blood.It can inflict the same wounds as a traditional axe, butcan also deliver unrivalled cutting power. The generatorat the base of the shaft sets the blade vibrating, whichallows it to render the hardest materials into shreds. Theplasti-alloy blade is available in a wide variety of shapes— including single or double blade — and thicknesses.Handling it requires strength and skill, but its greatestdrawback is its conspicuousness.

Technical Specifications: The energy cartridge, whichfits into the base of the shaft, guarantees full power fortwenty-five hours. Like the vibro-sword, the vibro-axe usesstandard energy cartridges, easily available throughoutthe Empire. Some models are rechargeable. A photonicaccumulator allows it to be recharged when held underlight, but the process takes two standard hours. Skill:Melee combat. Difficulty: Moderate (15). Damage:STR+13D (vibro-mode); STR+3D(unpowered).

Price: A good vibro-axe costs ap-proximately 120 kublars.

Availability: Optimal, although own-ership is regulated. Carrying onearound urban populations would notbe advisable, but in rural areas whereit can pass as a tool, a vibro-axe hardlydraws attention.

Reliability: The vibro-axe uses an-cient technology, so it is thoroughly re-liable. However, exposure to greatamounts of moisture should be avoided.

PARALYZING CLUB

Thanks to the Prez’s Hunchbacks, thisseemingly obsolete weapon has returnedto favor, because they missed that old“human touch.” Aside from its effective-ness as a defensive club, just a slight touchis enough to administer a powerful elec-tric shock. But that’s not all: tapping itagainst the ground releases an electricshock that paralyzes all living thingswithin a five-meter radius. Only the per-son holding the club is immune to its ef-fect. This extremely effective attack pro-vokes neuro-muscular paralysis foraround five minutes, depending on thevictim’s constitution.

Technical Specifications: The paralyzing club,standard equipment of security forces on manyworlds of the Empire, measures 105 centimeters andweighs 2,265 grams, including the energy cartridge. Onestandard cartridge provides power for seventy-fiveshocks. Skill: Melee combat. Difficulty: Easy (10). Dam-age: 5D+2 stun (paralyzing mode); STR+2D. Note: Ifthe weapon is tapped on the ground, it does its damageto all targets within a five-meter radius, but then it mustbe recharged.

Price: The official price of the paralyzing club is forty-five kublars. It is easily found on the black market at aprice ranging between 10 and 100 kublars.

Availability: Optimal. Although it is normally reservedfor anti-riot troops, the paralyzing club appeals to manyenthusiasts.

Reliability: As a traditional club, there is of course nopossibility of breakdown. However, very humid environ-ments can sometimes impede the function of its electricmode.

ELECTRO-GLOVE

The electro-glove is a huge metallic glove with fearsomeeffects in hand-to-hand combat, because it combines thedevastating power of a traditional boxing glove with elec-trical damage. Upon contact, it administers an electricshock that maximizes the impact, often killing instantly

depending upon the power of the blow.Alternatively, it can send an electricbolt as far as three meters, designed tostun the adversary for a few minutes.

Technical Specifications: Theelectro-glove comes in the shape of atraditional boxing glove, equippedwith a large number of metallic rein-forcements and a generator attachedto the fist. Depending on its size, it canweigh somewhere between 465 and598 grams, and it guarantees a power-ful hit. Its kinetic force has brokenmany jaws. The energy cartridge con-tained in the generator providesenough power for fifty hits, or twenty-five electric bolts. Hand-to-hand use:Skill: Melee combat. Difficulty: VeryEasy (5). Damage: STR+3D+2. Rangeduse: Skill: Firearms. Fire Rate: 1.Range: 1/2/3/—. Damage: 4D+2 stun.

Price: An electro-glove’s averageprice is 35 kublars.

Availability: Optimal. Since it canalmost be considered recreational“sporting” equipment, the Electro-glove is accessible to anyone.

Reliability: Made of time-tested ma-terials, the electro-glove is completelyreliable.

Take a Peek inMy Bag…

Manufactured in theTechno-Techno’s laboratory-factories, the “hypnoticpurse” is a little exclusiveand costly wonder — 1265kublars in authorized bou-tiques for the smallest sizedmodel — which allows forthe concealment of any ele-ment, living or inert, comingfrom the Universe’s real di-mension. Only the C.I.S.knows where the itemsslipped into the bag tempo-rarily disappear to, but whatis certain, is that they becomeabsolutely invisible and un-detectable. Extremely use-fully for discretely and se-renely passing borders orfrontiers. This said, it is with-out a doubt optimistic toexpect to get away with fool-ing a Techno-Technos sur-veillance system with such anitem…

137 • Weapons

BOMBS AND EXPLOSIVES

Today as always, explosives remain a major com-ponent of the art of war. Exploding ballistic chargesare always used in combat, even in the interstellarvoid, where the impact is silent but just as deadly. Ininfantry battles on the ground, the front line is pro-tected by explosive munitions, including rockets andgrenades. Explosives might even be used strategicallyin covert action — sabotage, bomb-laying or politicalterrorism.

Numerous technological advancements have increasedtheir effectiveness. New explosive material has been dis-covered, and increasingly sophisticated combinations havebeen developed, resulting in a tenfold increase in the deto-nating power of matter. Today, one OKO mini-bomb, nobigger than a thumbnail, has a destructive capacity equiva-lent to the paleo-Hiroshima bomb many times over. How-ever, explosives are highly specialized commodities andstrictly regulated by all the major organizations of theEmpire. Although even the average and most easily ob-tainable explosives are of higher quality than in the past,the range of available products remains limited.

The two major types of explosives in use today leave achemical signature indicating in which branch of the Em-pire they originated. Residue of Teflodynamite indicatesorigins within the Ekonomat or the Maganats, while tracesof Polysemtex are an instant indicator of the Colonial Plan-ets. As for the Church of the Industrial Saints, it has de-veloped superpowerful explosives that it uses very rarely

and only in the most absolute secrecy. The only exceptionis the OKO mini-bomb, which it donated to the Empireas a token of loyalty.

In the secrecy of its factory-labs, the C.I.S. concoctshorrific bombs with devastating effects, like “negativemines,” which look like harmless debris drifting throughspace but contain an anti-matter charge. Once they areset off by contact or by remote detonation, they release acertain quantity of anti-matter that instantly eradicatesan equal quantity of matter. If a ship bumps against amine, a hole appears in the hull without even the slightestexplosion. Antipersonnel mines of the same type have alsobeen manufactured. The C.I.S. also developed the “re-mora grip,” made of genetic plastics that ensure perma-nent adhesion of a device to any surface. The plastic ana-lyzes and recognizes the contact material, then melts intoit by matching its symbiotic pulse rate at a chromosomaland atomic level. An OKO mini-bomb combined with aremora grip is invincible. To be on board a ship with anOKO-remora stuck to ione’s self is to be in a very precari-ous position indeed.

Finally, the Church of the Industrial Saints is develop-ing Tri-H-type bombs, in flagrant violation of the treatiessigned between the Empire and the Colonial Planets. Somesources indicate they have started production and arestockpiling them in a highly secret location.

GAME CHARACTERISTICS

If you’re playing the Metabarons Roleplaying Game,you can find game characteristics for common explosiveson pages 233–234 of the rulebook.

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Although the scientific definition of cybernetics is rela-tively easy to understand, its role and place in the rangeof today’s technologies is vague and underrated. The vastmajority of current practices and innovations are cred-ited exclusively to “technology” as the holy and all-pow-erful driving force behind the progress of intelligent races.Although there are definite types of uses for this endlesssource of wonders, public opinion looks down on cyber-netics and its many offshoots — transplants, implants,nanotechnology, and bodily alterations — as being no-where near as good as other advances.

While not yet seen as archaic, cybernetics is consideredto be inferior — a fad, a potential solution, just one alter-native in an infinite number of possibilities.

THE CYBERNETIC REALITY

PUBLIC OPINION

A quick glance is all you need to realize that, aside fromthe scientists and cyberjunkies who worship the implantsas much as others do drugs, rare are those who see cyber-netics as vital or even useful. The spread of pan-Techno-surgery and weapons has long reduced the advantages ofcybernetic implants to being seen as mere fancy and evenold hat. With the richest having access to health care andbetter equipment and the poorest preferring a large-cali-ber weapon to a microscopic chip, a skeptical public ispushing cybernetic applications out into the cold.

Although potential cybernetics cus-tomers are no more against the idea ofa transplant than an internal implant orany other major bodily alteration, theyare rare. The public generally prefersTechno-Techno technology, which isseen as and indeed is capable of trans-planting, modifying, replacing, and im-proving any organ using a technologybased on a combination of science, ge-netics, and mystical gnosticism. ManyTechno-Techno operations are muchlike cybernetic applications, in theproper sense of the term, but the way inwhich they work and the energy usedfar surpass the realms of a simple “tech-nique.” There is just no comparisonbetween an artificial heart transplantand a pre-birth programmed slow bio-logical mutation of an embryo’s natu-ral heart.

The use of cybernetics is all the rarer,since the majority of the population seesno point in replacing a damaged limb.Add to this the prospect of being con-trolled or enduring the wrath of aTechno-Techno “requisition” and it is

easy to understand why cybernetics is more amusingand entertaining than appealing. Virtually all cyberneticequipment can be remotely controlled by pirate remotecontrols easily bought on the black market. These rangefrom basic transceivers through General Thato’s handsto the most deadly of micro-bombs. It is understoodthat the Techno-Technos can also decide to suddenlycontrol any cybernetic implant without either remotecontrol or the slightest justification.

GETTING CYBERNETICS

Cybernetics is as easily accessible as it is unwanted. Thevast majority of the cybernetic products available are in-vented, designed, and ordered by the Techno-Technos andthen produced by the Maganats. Rich families sometimesset up cybernetic production centers to design their ownequipment, but the quality and scientific import of such“spontaneous” equipment very rarely equals the Techno-Technos’ innovative and essential work. Three user pro-files relate to the three main ways of accessing thistechnology’s products: the Church of the Industrial Saintslaboratories, the Maganat production centers, and back-street surgeons, who may be pirates, rebels, or sponsoredby other small independent groups. The numerous labo-ratories contract the transplant services and cyberneticproducts that they consider to be “official” in the sameway as they rely on the Techno-Technos for the majorityof their equipment, leisure, and health-care treatments.

The rare output of new Maganatproducts, which even then are experi-mental, is exclusively reserved forsociety’s elite, who are the only onesable to afford the prototypes and movein their inventors’ social circles.

The “illegal” cybernetic technologyproduced and sold outside the pan-Techno networks offers a universal cli-entele an impressive catalogue of pi-rate cybernetics: modified Techno-Techno implants, banned chips, pro-hibited matrix programs, experimen-tal nano-surgery and so on. Despitemany suppliers and customers, pricesand potential secondary effects are of-ten highly unpredictable. No oneknows anymore exactly how many fa-tal accidents have been caused by anequipment failure, unexpected pirat-ing, or a Techno-Techno control withits often-final outcome.

TRANSPLANTS, IMPLANTS, AND COSTS

The cost of implanting the body cy-bernetics making up most of the prod-uct catalogue is enough to reduce the

C Y B E R N E T I C S

Cybernetics andTechnology

Although technologicaladvances have improved thisscience, cybernetics stillstands alone. With pan-Techno-technology able todo everything, or nearly ev-erything, it seems rathernaïve to use cybernetics as afull-fledged science. Thetechnology is still seen as anexception, as just anothergadget in a world of endlessoptions. You only have tolook at the immense powerof the Techno-Technos tocombine the very essence oflife with the product of tech-nological progress to realizethat they can do everythingcybernetics can do, if they’re

not already doing it.

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0 clientele to the wealthy — or to common peopledriven to the back-street clinics for this type of

conversion. If you want to get a cybernetic trans-plant, you have to have the right contacts and meansto get into a C.I.S. clinic — every Endocity has at leastone — or “alternative” operating theatre.

Equipment and transplant prices vary enormouslydepending on quality and size. For example, transplant-ing a minor peripheral replacement organ such as a fin-ger costs less than 1,000 kublars and is pretty easy toget approved by the Church of the Industrial Saints cen-sors. However, implanting a vital organ costs ten times

this amount, if not more, and applications are only ac-cepted from those with solid references and a high socialstatus. The Techno-Technos have deliberately introducedthis means-based selection in keeping with their principlethat money is not nearly as important as where their know-how goes. This means that being able to afford cybernet-ics or any other pan-Techno science far from ensures thatyou get it.

Although thefamous HospitalPlanet hasswitched to amore “demo-cratic” system byoffering similarservices at a re-duced price, noone knows ex-actly how long thewaiting list is forthe considerationof applications —not to mention theactual operations.The two main al-ternatives are stillthe official centersand the back-street clinics,which cream offmost of the cus-tomers. More-over, it is under-stood that this isjust one of themany Techno-Techno successstories of theircontrol of the le-gal and illegal be-hind the facade ofbeing swindled.

GAME

NFORMATION

For guidelineson putting cyber-

netics into yourMetabarons Role-playing Gamecharacter, alongwith game charac-teristics for somecommon im-plants, see pages237–239 of therule book.

APPLICA-TIONS

EVERYDAY LIFE

Cybernetics of-fers a wide rangeof “general pub-lic” applicationsranging fromsimple holo-make-up to syn-thetic drug drips.They boast a mul-titude of implantsand chips with asfutile effects aschanging clothesor eye and skin color, and suits thermally regulated to thewearer’s microperspiration. These aesthetic applicationsare highly popular with the elite, who can afford the luxuryand “good taste” of these caprices that they say make“all the difference between the plebes and the select few.”

In addition to this aesthetics market, cybernetics offersall sorts of consumer chips, implants, transplants, andnano-services relating to medicine, staying in shape anddrugs. Although the prohibitive price of the organic re-placements is such that they are often reserved for theelite, the genetic improvement of certain ordinary organs— including the liver, eyes, skin, and nervous system —has become common practice. Healing, toxin absorbent,and antipoison patches circulate freely on the market, asdo the many coveted drug injectors and drips that pro-vide a regular or intermittent supply of psychotic, neuro-stimulating, and adrenal substances to massively improvereflexes and deaden the feeling of pain and fatigue — orsimply keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.

There are also a number of cybernetics-related techno-logical gadgets directly connected with the brain or thenervous system. These gadgets are used to access 3D cityplans, archives, knowledge of a language, thermal andinfra-red visual perceptions, and matrix network weapon,vehicle, piloting, and navigation interfaces.

COMMUNICATION

Communication over short and long distances was longone of the main lines of cybernetic research and applica-tions. However, with the appearance of new technolo-gies, only a few highly specific implants still manage to

DefusingWith the appearance of

the new cybernetic options,defusing techniques havealso been created to “soupup” official equipment withoften-limited possibilitiesand radius, but also to breakthe essential link that theTechno-Technos have builtwith their creation. The pos-sibility of being freed fromthe C.I.S.’s yoke is a realrevolution. So it’s not hardto figure out that the Techno-Technos are furiously fight-ing the pirates and major fac-tions with the financialmeans and scientific knowl-edge to weaken and some-times completely break thelink between cyberneticequipment and the Techno-Technos. But bear in mindthat even with the best tech-nology, only Amourine andthe power of the White Ma-chines can, in the case of cy-bernetic and bio-cybernetictransplants and implants, setin motion a radical enoughchange to ensure true inde-pendence — as in the case ofthe defused Mentreks in par-

ticular.

Need to BeIncognito?

The Holo-cosmetic micro-chip is a staple gadget withthe Aristos. The chip allowsone to completely cross dressachieving the actual appear-ance of somebody else. In-habitants of the Gold Ringoften use this method to de-scend incognito to amusethemselves in the soil andmire of the Red Ring. Thissaid, if it hides the identityof those who wear it (placedbehind the ears) from bioeyes, it doesn’t escape thenotice of the opto-electronicsurveillance eyes. It is there-fore ineffectual in certainsurveyed sectors of theendocities, space highwaystops, astroports, imperial

installations, etc.

maintain their monopoly. Today, decades after the appear-ance of the first CybCom implants, the transplant andmicro-chip catalogue is targeted mainly at head-hunters,private detectives, and other independents whose job isto stalk, spy, and access information — but who are de-prived of high-tech equipment by their independent sta-tus and cruel lack of resources.

The old transceiver models generally implanted inthe auditory canal have been replaced by more sophis-ticated systems transplanted into the cortical periph-ery. They use the synaptic system to encode and con-vey their wearer’s mental frequencies. These commu-nication mechanisms enable their users to translate asimple thought into a coherent message before send-ing it to a technological receiver such as a computer,drone, or loudspeaker. This Techno-Techno designedtechnology is still relatively expensive, but it is open-ing up new windows of opportunityfor the Mentreks and is starting toappear in official spheres. However,some troublemakers suspect a mas-sive mind-control operation.

These are the top-of-the-range im-plants. However, most of the inde-pendents use the more traditional, al-though microscopic, transmittertransplants and the array of mikes,sonars, radars, ultra- and infrasonicscanners, and neuro-emotional sen-sors that read emotions and moodsvirtually infallibly.

WEAPONS

Despite all these marvels of commu-nication and biological improvement,the weapons market is still by far themost buoyant in terms of innovation,research, and advances. The parallel de-velopment of the defense industry andapplied cybernetics since the inventionof weapon interfaces has led to the ap-pearance of deadly and accessible com-binations on the market. Although onlythe Poly-Romanoffs and His Majestythe Tzar Iman Horlog, supreme rulerof the defense industry, can afford thesenew technologies, arms and associatedcybernetic innovations are accessible toall. In the weapons trade, money isking.

The defense industry has added toits already-impressive arsenal of gre-nades, assault weapons, sonic effects,and combined and miniaturized weap-ons with the introduction of an optionthat is now used by all elite fighters:the weapons interface. The interface islike a matrix-connected implant. Itgives wearers a connection with and

control over their weapon or weapons thattransforms them into real aiming and destroyingmachines by mentally calculating the trajectories,optimizing firing, and instinctively maneuvering withremarkable precision. These interface options are ap-plied to combat armor and can also be used to instantlymanage wounds, drug injections, and the movementand positioning of weapons systems — in fact, all thefeatures that make the difference in combat.

Yet although the public is impressed by these tech-nologies and the fighters make extensive use of them,the official commandos and armies of the leading fac-tions have long since banned cybernetics from their ar-mory. Wary of Techno-Techno interference, they use bio-options, combat drugs, and high-tech equipment, whichcannot be interfered with or controlled and perform just

as well if not better.

INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY AND

MATRIX NETWORKS

THE MATRIX NETWORK

Although information technologyhas long been an everyday part of life,an overwhelming majority of the popu-lation uses computers and their im-mense capacities for humdrum logisti-cal and operational tasks. Some areeven unaware of the existence of theNetframes and the matrix network,commonly known as the “Matrix,”which opens the doors of a virtual, al-gorithmic, and illusionary world tothose who are really in the know. Al-though there is a whole cluster of localNetframes (the name for the informa-tion technology networks linking thedifferent activity centers in eachEndocity), these 3D holographicworlds harbor no confidential datasources and, as the pan-Techno-TechnoChurch censors smugly point out, arenothing more than “another amuse-ment park.”

In the Netframes, you can navigate,find software, data, and informationtechnology subprograms in magicalshapes and colors, and try to hack intothe Matrix. However, none of the scin-tillating fortresses protects any real se-cret. Since these networks are prima-rily utilitarian, the Techno-Technoshave gradually transformed them intonew Necro-dream vectors by givingcybernauts the impression that they are

The Techno-Technos Are

Watching You.The Techno-Technos do

not “control” the cybernet-ics market. They are its in-ventors, instigators, design-ers, and above all censors. Inaddition to helping create themajority of the cyberneticprojects, ordering them fromthe Maganats or injectingnew ideas, the Techno-Technos have nigh on abso-lute power over the applica-tions created by this science.From the Techno-Centric(permanently linked to theMatrix network) to the Cen-tral Planet Serpents, (sourceof the C.I.S.’s knowledge andsecrets), the Techno-Technosare so closely linked with thenature and essence of theirtechnology that they have anunparalleled ability to con-trol and influence all thespin-offs from their science.

Taking control of a cyber-netic hand to turn it againstits owner is just the start ofwhat they are capable of. TheTechno-Technos can really actas they please and control anycybernetics application at will,not to mention any scientificapplication produced by their

laboratories.

risking their lives and flying in the face of the law. Theymay contain guardians, fortresses, data banks, softwareand console contraband networks, penalties, and evenanti-intrusion tracking units, but the reality of the matteris that this technology pirating is nothing more than agigantic virtual masquerade.

In addition to this high-tech Necro-Dream vehicle, theTechno-Technos run another matrix, the Supreme Network,which keeps them in constant and instant contact with ev-erything going on in the universe. This network extends tothe outermost limits of space like a huge spider’s web. Itlinks every computer, technological, and living element, giv-ing the Techno-Technos the power to track, probe, observe,influence, manipulate, and work real miracles.

The very existence of the Supreme Network must beone of the best-kept secrets there is. There is no connec-tion whatsoever between this immaterial web and the lo-cal Netframes, and any hypothetical intrusion would beimmediately punished by uncompromising destruction.

Although it is accessible from the War Star and CentralPlanet, the Supreme Network is exclusively reserved forthe use of the pan-Techno-Techno Church.

EQUIPMENT

Information technology-applied cybernetics has twomain categories of equipment: software and connectionand navigation interfaces, used to optimize action andsurfing on the local Endocity Netframes; and display andmatrix manipulation implants, used by their wearers topenetrate the Netframes without a physical connectionand use their mental influence to operate in the network.

Cybernetics also offers a wide range of tri-D glasses,optical and cortical implants, interfaces, cables, and con-sole links to make the most of all the local Netframes’possibilities. Also available is a long list of software andapplications associating pure information technology withenvironmental cybernetics — life support systems for long-term Matrix excursions, anti-intrusion alarms, centralmanagement units for local peripherals, sensitive inter-faces, holographic keyboards, and so on.

Despite this wealth of equipment, only cybernauts withup-to-date neuro-cortical innovations can possibly opti-mize their network navigation and infiltration. These im-plants are grafted onto the cortex itself and use the neu-ronal and synaptic systems to transform the cybernauts’brains into a mind-boggling organic console during theirexcursions into the Netframes. Cybernauts hence controltheir movements and actions, see and react at the speedof thought — often increased tenfold by the implant, syn-thetic drugs, and other specially designed cybernetic im-plants. However, even with this ultra-sophisticated equip-ment, very few cybernauts are able to distinguish the realNetwork from the mundane local Netframes.

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2

An inevitable step in humanity’s never-ending quest toattain godliness was that one day they would attempt tocreate life. And the attempt was successful — not onlycan they assemble mechanical devices that reproduce thephysical aspects of humans in every way, but they canalso breathe the spark of life into artificial intelligencethat mimics the human psyche to the extent of sufferingthe same metaphysical anguish. And this is where the dif-ficulty lies, for even a god can have his creation slip awayfrom him.

Even back in Terra Prima’s time, humans were eager tobuild machines that would perform their difficult andannoying tasks. Their efforts cannot be faulted, but com-plications arose when humanity’s mastery over geneticsallowed them to replicate life itself. This merging of lifewith machinery enabled the creation of brothers of hu-manity that resembled them in every way, but who wereforced by circumstances into utter submission to humans,without possessing even the most basic rights. The bound-aries between humans and their creations blurred, a mas-sive wave of paranoid schizophrenia soon ensued, andhalf of humanity was wiped out. During this era, the Guild— which would later become the Church of the Indus-trial Saints — stumbled upon access to a new technologyand a new reality. As a result, they cam-paigned actively against genetic experi-mentation, which, although not totallyforbidden, remains under strict controlto this day.

Currently, robots can be groupedinto three major divisions. These divi-sions do not have specific names, be-cause they are arbitrary classificationsbased on the functions robots performwithin the Empire. In general, it shouldbe remembered that although theC.I.S.’s intervention curbed the mostsignificant excesses, there isn’t anythingto prevent the more powerful organi-zations — especially the Techno-Techno order — from doing anythingthey want.

MECHANICAL SERVANTS

AND DOMESTIC ROBOTS

Today more than ever, humans takegreat pleasure in eliminating lowlychores from their daily routine. Evenstooping down to pick something upis unnecessary — there is always a ro-bot who will obediently perform thetask, without even asking for thanks.Because of this, the powerful rulers ofthe universe, who dislike being in aposition of owing anything to anybody,

surround themselves with battalions of robots who pre-pare their food and administer to their every need with-out complaint. This domestic help comes in millions offorms. Some of them have a strikingly human appear-ance, but one element or another always indicates theirrobotic origin. Most of them are purchased for the home,and their costs vary according to their specialties andthe options provided. The two most important criteriaare overall quality and ease of interface. There is alwaysroom for improvement in this department because noth-ing is more important than having one’s instructions un-derstood. After all, who wouldn’t have the urge to take ahammer to the mechanical smile of a robot that endlesslyrepeats, “Would you like some more?” after emptying acoffee pitcher onto the floor…

The mechanical servants of this first division are ca-pable of fulfilling the function for which they are designed— and nothing more. They can neither display initiativenor interpret commands, and have only the ability to com-plete their task, today, tomorrow and ever after. Techno-logical advances in this field give them the ability to com-plete ever more intricate and specific tasks, and also pro-vide them with greater energy and lifespan, so long asthey never give signs of approaching the human func-

tions of interpretive analysis and ini-tiative. This division includes not onlythe omnipresent servant robots, whichtoday are barely even noticed, but alsoall the automatic devices that open andclose doors, keep surveillance over en-try points, carry out mechanical tasks,and so forth. These are normal robots,who by virtue of their programmingcannot even contemplate experiencingany emotion, and therefore pose norisk of transgression, short circuit orexcessive zeal.

SAMPLE ROBOTS

If you play the MetabaronsRoleplaying Game, you can find ex-amples of serval types of mechanicalservants and domestics robots on pages239–240 of the rule book.

METABARONIC AND MAXI-PROTONIC ROBOTS

This second division includes onlythe robots on the Metabaron’s staff.Their ringleader is Tonto, a defectivemodel who only requires the slightestprovocation to reveal a rebelliousstreak that would make the C.I.S. wantto eradicate him. In fact, he was origi-nally consigned to the scrap-heap by

R O B O T I C S

House Lizard?Provided with the most up

to date bio-mechanic inter-active matter, Gorinex’s lat-est model will be the delightof even the most demandinghouseholds. With its proto-human interface — able toimitate the growling hus-band, the grumpy mother-in-law and the whining child —it cheerfully replaces the en-tire family. Functions? Capa-bilities? The list is long. Notonly does it slice, dice, dis-member, transfuse, andknead, but it also pulverizes,laminates, crushes, eviscer-ates, and incinerates abso-lutely all and any living ele-ments. Sold today at a pro-motional price of only 23kublars, it is the perfect gift.(The absolutely necessarysecurity unit is sold sepa-rately for the modest sum of

3650 kublars.)

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4 the Techno-Techno Stan-dards Commission, in order to

prevent him from violating all thelaws of robotics. The Metabaronfound him there and saved him.Since then, he has been the littlespoiled god of the Metabunker, rul-ing not only over the domestic lifeof his Master, but the fate of his soulas well. The strange relationship be-tween Tonto and the Metabaron is aperfect example of just how much

devotion a robot can display. Tontoclearly represents the type of deviantartificial intelligence that the C.I.S.would eliminate instantly if they hadthe chance. To alleviate his long spellsof boredom, Tonto created Lothar, akind of mechanical offspring who hepurposely endowed with curiosity andintelligence, so he could indulge his ownsadism by never giving him answers andalways keeping him guessing.

The Metabaron continues to con-struct robots as the need arises, and sohe now boasts a massive line-up of maxi-protonic modelswith an amazing array of deadly functions. Strictly speak-ing, they are not endowed with intelligence, but they dopossess a certain amount of autonomy, coupled with astrong sense of independent action. When fighting theMetabaron, they analyze, make feints, lay traps, predicthis actions, and take countermeasures, along with a num-ber of other activities that would normally be impossiblefor their binary counterparts to perform. Finally, harness-ing his abilities to their fullest, the Metabaron has forgeda connection so elevated with all these systems that it isalmost a telepathic psychic link. In an instant, as if therewere a physical connection, he can take control and sub-stitute his will for any of the programs. Nobody knowsjust how far this capability extends, not even he.

For obvious reasons, nobody in the universe, no matterhow rich or powerful, can acquire a maxi-protonic orMetabaronic robot. These mechanical beings belong onlyto their Master, now and forever. It would be madness toeven consider stealing one, because in less time than itwould take to blink an eye, the Metabaron would recoverit and impose a tremendous penalty.

SAMPLE ROBOTS

If you play the MetabaronsRoleplaying Game, you can use thegame characterisitcs of mechanical ser-vants and domestics robots on pages239–240 of the rule book for a base,adding whatever additional abilitiesyou feel are appropriate for the dutiesrequired of a particular Metabaronicrobot.

TECHNO-TECHNO

KILL-GUARDIANS AND

THE NECROBOT

The third division of robots consistsof all the machines and devices devel-oped and controlled by the C.I.S. Ingreat numbers, they climb and snakebehind the walls of the Endocities,burrowing through its corridors andventilation hatches. Among them arecybo-cops, eye-cops, and all the otherdiscreet but omnipresent surveillanceand enforcement devices that turn thecities into private hunting-grounds for

the C.I.S. In flagrant violation of the rules they themselveshelped to establish, the Techno-Technos endow each onewith great intellectual capacity and a faculty of reasoningso developed it is even capable of engendering a quest forspiritual awareness. They require a certain amount of freewill in order to act and react, to perceive, judge and ex-ecute. To counter the inevitable risk of loss of control,and protect the most sacred taboo of a creation turningagainst its creator, the C.I.S. implants an auto-destructsystem inside each robot that is triggered by the slightestindication of emotion. This group of robots already pre-sents a high risk because they act against humans; emo-tion is the sign of burgeoning intelligence, and thereforecannot be tolerated.

These are not the only violations committed by the C.I.S.Not content to merely animate metallic coldness with aglimmer of conscience, they have also put ample resourcestoward an even greater abomination. They have harnessedthe primary source of life inside genes and chromosomes,and then twisted and perverted it, with the result thatsome essentially robotic machines bear characteristicsnormally associated with the plant or animal kingdoms.

His Father Is HisMother…

Because he alone gavebirth to his son after havingbeen self-fertilized, Aghora,No-Name’s father-mother,has achieved in his own waythe ideal of the Perfect An-drogyne, so dear to theEmpire’s grand castes. How-ever, this fact of nature hasnothing to do with divineintervention, but simply andsurely due to a surgical in-tervention technique towhich Tonto is no stranger.This may also explain thescarring on Aghora’s fore-head, as well as his doublecharacter, which is as deeplymasculine as it is feminine.

At the Ophidiat’s whim, the trait ofaggression was injected into the kill-guardians, its assassin-robots. Althoughtheir purpose is to serve their master,they are also capable of acting on theirown. Such is the case of the necrobot, aperfectly dehumanized total atrocity. Incases when an endocity is completelyswept by riots, the Prez, under directorders of the Emperoress, will clonehimself into a machine of death. Thisultimate manifestation of inhumanpower then sets off on an unstoppabledescent down through the levels of thecity, annihilating all forms of life it en-counters. This brutal machine mighthave a human-like superior intelligence,but it can only perform two functions:detect life and destroy it.

Aside from its deadly reflexes and fac-ulties of strategic analysis, the Necrobotis equipped with metamorphic abilitieswhich allow it to alter itself continuallyin order to maximize its power of de-struction. Whether in the form of a le-thal ball or long steel serpent, it deals outdeath from the Golden Ring down to theAcid Lake, into which it finally immersesitself and dissolves, its massacre at an end.

Another creature born from a mix ofdiabolic technology and perverted genes is the Techno-Scarab, which guards the holy Techno-Temple on theCentral Planet. However, unbeknownst to the Ophidiat,all the genetic tampering performed by the Techno-Technos carries the seed of their downfall. By dipping intothe Tenebrae to impart immaterial force to material sub-stances, they unknowingly bestow all their creations witha double nature. For the fluid of the Tenebrae is infectedwith a “virus of light.”

CYBO-COPS

Mechanical combat androids, cybo-cops (also knownas cybercops and robocops) make up shock squads thatendocity authorities use to conduct missions requiring abit of diplomacy. Although one may believe that theHunchbacks and Endoguards being of human originwould have some skill and tact in this area, they end upbehaving too coarsely. Better to call in the cybo-cops whoare craftier and smoother, but prove themselves to be justas effective when necessary.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Modeled after ancient athletes, the cybo-cops have thelook and stature of an admirably well-proportioned man.Having a standard height of 186 centimeters, they weighan impressive 256 kilos, not including weapons. Withoutthe help of epiphyte, their movement would be severelyaffected. This seemingly strange density is due to the im-pressive range of technical panoply concentrated in theirbodies. In fact, besides a fusion reactor that uses enriched

netranekkon, which alsoworks as a self-destruction sys-tem, the cybo-cops dispose ofequipment that would make manya space adventurer envious. Everysort of blunt and cutting instru-ments ever conceived by man canbe found hidden in their limbs, aswell as loads of weapons and deviceshaving diverse functions.

In addition, the thick protectivelayer of silver netranekkon whichcovers their precious circuitry andgreatly contributes to their weight, cantake a beating without so much as aflinch from several hundreds of themost commonly used heavy weaponry.

Undoubtedly because the C.I.S.didn’t deem it necessary, the cybo-copsare not equipped with an anti-g device.Their biped movement is by no meansimpressive, for they barely reach fiftykilometers per hour at their peak.However, they can count on theirstamina in every situation.

Due to the type of police missionsthat are assigned to them, the cybo-cops are of course also endowed witha Fantax diode, enhanced with an im-

pressive analytical memory. Not only must they under-stand and duplicate bio behavior, but they also need tohave the capacity to compare data and facts and drawconclusions…

MISSIONS

Like any other endocity troop, the cybo-cops operateas a crackdown unit, quelling repression, but what makesthem unique is that they are equally given investigations,which are exclusive to them. This explains why the Fantaxdiode acts as the spinal column or the basis of their truenature. It is also the reason why at times the cybo-cops’behavior is so surprising. For example, while nothing dis-tinguishes one cybo-cop from another, they have insignia

The SpaceBehind the Eyes

A high-tech system whoserelatively high price (a goodthousand kublars) reflects itslevel of sophistication. Thegalactic eye is a completelyautonomous microsondethat moves through the in-terstellar void by small, ul-tra rapid quantum leaps.Space vessels can launch re-connaissance missions in ev-ery direction thanks to thissystem, including the hyper-space exit points. Itsminiscule size, uniquemethod of movement, and itsinstantaneous and perma-nent connection make it aprecious tool for thwartingpotential traps, in a perim-eter that extends out overtwo days of hyper spatial

voyage.

145 • Robotics

that nobody understands but makes one thinkthat there exist thousands of ranks. Likewise, the

weapons they carry vary according to their mood.If their soul is feeling every so slightly poetic, theywill favor the quaint laser rifle. But if they are over-come with melancholy, they’ll do their talking with asolid Integrated 1K8 gun in hand.

Due to the range of their activities and teeming “cre-ativity,” the cybo-cops are under the strict surveillanceof the Central Brain. At times, for the well running andbalance of an endocity, one or a few cybo-cops are re-quired to act in secrecy and with extreme discretion….

This tight control is explained by the fact that they stockcountless quantities of secrets in their electronic memo-ries, which constitutes a powerful temptation for smallgroups and other troublemakers. Exploring a cybo-cop’shead is the occasion to immediately be informed of all ofthe endocity’s security measures and workings. It is said,moreover, that commandos wouldn’t hesitate to attackisolated cybo-cops to seize their precious quartz neurons.

SAMPLE CYBO-COPS

If you play the Metabarons Roleplaying Game, you canfind game characteristics for cybo-cops on pages 14–15of Guidebook #1 to Path of the Warrior.

EYE-COPS

Whether they patrol alone or in teams, eye-cops are afantastic means of power for the authority that controlsand activates them, for they ensure a veritable omnipres-ence in every nook and cranny that they are able to reach.In the endocities, they work on behalf of the C.I.S., throughthe intermediary of the Supra-computer, the Central Brainfor which they are the eyes and ears.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Eye-cops are metalloid spheres having a diameter ofbetween 4.52 centimeters for the smallest and 19.54 cen-timeters for the largest. This difference in size in no waymodifies their qualities and characteristics, it simply al-lows for greater or smaller discretion, depending uponthe needs of the mission. On their exterior surface, com-posed of silver netranekkon, three distinct elements standout. First of all, and largest in size, is the camera. Circularin appearance, it constitutes a pre-eminent sphere withcountless facets. It is in fact a black crystal prism, whichassures 360-degree vision. This camera is permanentlylinked to Police Central and the Central Brain, via a con-nection in the absolutely interference free super-frequen-cies. Immediately beneath the camera’s black eye appearsa small hole placed at the summit of a tiny pyramid. It’sthe barrel through which shoot out the awesome and en-ergetic shots that each eye-cop is able to fire. Its plasmashots fly a distance of up to two hundred meters withdiabolic precision. In terms of fire power, a eye-cop is atleast as formidable as a good old cogan 45…. Finally, ithas a type of membrane about the size of a kublar coin,covered by wire mesh. It’s the vocal interface throughwhich the eye-cop can, if it chooses, shriek orders — up

to 185 decibels in openair — or carry on aconversation.

The eye-cop’sinterior is every bitas sophisticated asits exterior. Forthese particularlyadvanced roboticspecimens arehighly autonomous,and possess a mind thatis readily argumentative.The C.I.S. endowed them with aFantax diode, no doubt to guarantee results on the spy-ing front. Strictly speaking it is not a conventional artifi-cial intelligence program, but rather a routine of behav-ior emulating the whimsical and unpredictable, qualitiesso dear to humans. It is therefore not so rare to meet upwith a eye-cop who is plunged into an animated conver-sation with somebody (while all the time keeping a watch-ful eye out on the surroundings, of course). Certain hu-mans even have the conviction that a eye-cop can be sweettalked….

To supply these devices with the power they need, eacheye-cop has a veritable micro-nuclear plant integrated intoits system, using enriched netrankekkon fusion, coupledwith an epiphyte diffuser. The eye-cops thus have theadvantage of using anti-gravitational movement to travelat absolutely staggering speeds. Advancing in a straightline, along the major arteries and upper-level rings, theyeasily break the sound barrier, and would reach Mach IIIor IV given enough open space.

The enriched energy charge they contain equally servesas an autodestruction system. This function is extremelyuseful for remote-control bombs. But this is not the onlyobjective, for a necro-program also oversees the opera-tion and functioning of the Fantax diodes. In case of ex-cessive overheating, a self-termination order is immedi-ately given to the dysfunctional eye-cop. According tocertain sources, it seems that on the black market one canfind models of defective eye-cops that have refused toautodestruct.

MISSIONS

Surveillance instruments par excellence, the eye-copshaunt all levels of the endocities by the millions. But theyare not only found in the city shafts, of course. Authori-ties of a good many worlds have recourse to these instru-ments for the control of their cities, as well as for moreconfidential missions like espionage and infiltration. Infact, their great versatility allows them to be highly effi-cient in all sorts of circumstances. Everything is thereforea question of the right dosage of autonomy and judicioususe of the Fantax diode.

In the Endocities, the eye-cops are assigned to followwould-be detectives. This assignment serves a double pur-pose: to keep an eye on the aspiring detective and his ac-tivities, as well as to confirm the successful conclusion ofthe “investigation test” assigned to the postulant.

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6

In an intergalactic domain as vast as the Human Em-pire, the issue of transportation and shipping is clearly ofmajor importance. The renowned Techno-Tunnels — fa-mous interstellar tunnels opened by the Church of theIndustrial Saints — offer a practical way to cross vastinterstellar distances, thereby forging links between gal-axies so distant that not even their dimmest light can beseen. Even then, they only link 22,000 of the thousandsof millions of worlds that exist within the universe. Onemight travel millions of light-years in an instant, but thenface a journey of millions of parsecs before reaching one’sdestination.

TRANSPORTATION

Hyperspace routes are the only feasible option for thistype of local travel, if it can so be called. Ever since thelight barrier was broken, this form of travel became com-pletely safe and reliable. All routes have been methodi-cally explored and mapped out, to prevent travelers fromencountering nasty natural surprises (like asteroid fieldsor black holes) until exiting. Although hyperspace itself iscompletely safe, unpleasant shocks can occur when emerg-ing from it. There is no risk of collision, because the exitpoints are carefully positioned in areas far removed frommajor stellar trade routes, but rather from a pirate wel-coming committee! Near strategically important systemsor worlds that belong to some particular group, frequentpatrols protect travelers from this kind of unwelcome in-cident. But on the more isolated routes, the only measurethat will decrease the high risk is adjusting the exit coor-dinates. In normal cases, space cartographers have allowedenough of a margin to permit this type of departure —there should be no asteroid fields within two light-yearsof an exit point. However, it is always better not to playwith fire.

After these escapades in outer space comes the time fordisplacement through the atmosphere. The introductionof epyphite to the Empire has greatly improved things inthis field. True, vehicles with a hovering capacity existeda long time before, but the enormous engine required tocreate an acceptable level of convenience kept the con-figurations somewhat limited — no sporty two-seaters oreven any eighteen-seater limo-crafts! Today, a swanky two-seater will take less than two minutes to reach the strato-sphere, and can be drifting through space a minute later.The return trip is just as quick: once the atmospheric bar-rier has been breached, a ship can avoid all the convo-luted approach maneuvers of the past and simply headdown at full speed, lightly tapping the brakes at ten metersabove the ground. The epyphite — a true miracle of na-ture — absorbs everything, g-forces and hull deforma-tions alike.

On the ground run wheeled vehicles, driven byTroglosocialiks or nostalgic enthusiasts of the paleo-past.A hydrogen battery has replaced the horrible combustion

motor that provides propulsion and traction, but therest is traditional: axles, shock absorbers, wheels, tires,steering, transmission, and so forth. Although thesevehicles are light-years ahead of even Terra Prima’s mostadvanced models, such as the Buick Centurion, theyare still far from the best. Much better is available: ev-erything from gliding vehicles, one or two-seater scoot-ers that can fly at 500 kilometers an hour ten feet abovethe ground, to massive super-comfortable mega-convoysfor public transportation that can travel 2,000 kilometersto another city in less than half an hour. Epyphite hastruly introduced wonders to the universe!

Such possibilities can only inspire the creativity of theinventors. Every world, depending on its financial assetsand the disposition of its leaders, has created its own trans-portation system for the ground, the atmosphere, andoutside the atmosphere. Making a comprehensive list ofall vehicles produced in the Empire would be a task noteven three Mentreks could accomplish with all eternity attheir disposal. Nonetheless, the following is a short sampleof human ingenuity that might be encountered on a jour-ney through space.

GUILD OF IMPERIAL MERCHANTS

CARGO DREADNAUGHT

A colossal space behemoth designed for commercial use,the Guild’s cargo ship is a heavy vessel whose harmlessappearance should not fool an eager pirate. Like manyTechno-Techno creations, it hides dark secrets on the in-terior, much worse than could be imagined. It’s no coinci-dence that these ships are the ones selected to carve theirway through space, ferrying the treasures and beauty ofthe universe back to the bosom of the C.I.S. It is jam-packed from bow to stern with technological features thatmake it either a fierce predator or an unassailable for-tress. Aside from its weapons and the 5,000 Techno-tech-nicians who run the ship, it also carries 1,000 Techno-assassins whose reputation for murder and mayhem istruly well-deserved.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The ship is approximately 1,500 meters long and sacri-fices elegance for an imposing bulk. Due to its primaryfunction, it has huge holds for its precious cargo. The fivelower decks, all pressurized, are devoted to freight stor-age, while an interdeck area is devoted to holding spacefighters. The five upper decks are for the passengers andcrew. The Techno-Techno troops live in very basic quar-ters. The ship’s officers, all higher-ranking functionariesin the Techno-Techno order, enjoy more formal quartersand a mess hall.

SPEED AND PROPULSION

A huge propulsion chamber runs through the length ofthe whole ship, from the bow to the rear tubes. Thanks to

T R A N S P O R T A T I O N

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8 the C.I.S.’s secret technology, it can deliverrather impressive performances. It can go from a

cruising speed of 50,000 kilometers per hour toabove light speed at 1,080,000,000 kilometers perhour in 36.3 seconds. Overcoming the inertia of a shipof that size requires an absolute mastery of epyphite.

CREW

The ship holds 6,000 people. They handle naviga-tion and maintenance as well as seeing to the security ofthe ship and carrying out operations in atmosphere.

ARMAMENTS

-Firing posts: 20 flak cannons and 10 laser cannons.-Shields: There is an entire range of positronic screens,

protective shields, supraradars, and electro-spies.-Armor: The white netranekkon hull includes reinforce-

ments that no known technique can breach.-Capacity: The Guild’s cargo-vessel can hold approxi-

mately 200,000 tons — or 566,000 cubic meters — whichallows it to transport a large and very precious cargo.

GAME CHARACTERISTICS

Game characteristics for this ship can be found on pages251–252 of the Metabarons Roleplaying Game rule book.

THE PIRATE OSTROV-CLASS

MINI-FIGHTER

The ultimate multi-purpose vessel, the Ostrov-ClassMini-Fighter has such a frightening level of firepower thatit makes its other performance characteristics look weak.Highly maneuverable and capable ofastonishingly quick acceleration, it is theideal vessel for sudden ambushes, andtherefore much-cherished by pirates.They were designed by a Mentrek in theMaganat of the Poly-Romanoffs, whosename they bear. They were originallyconceived for close defense of a planet.Grouped around large asteroids, theywould swarm upon any heavy vesselthat penetrated the more distant linesof defense. This tactic was efficient andhighly deadly. After being used a num-ber of times, it became clear that theship would be very effective as an at-tacking vessel.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Twenty meters long and thirty-fivemeters wide, the Ostrov-Class mini-fighter has nothing in common with acruise ship or pleasure vessel. Its designis totally efficient and austere. Threeenormous central boosters give it phe-nomenal acceleration, which can pro-duce spectacular results inside the ship,since only the seat of the pilot, co-pilot,

navigator, and gunners are treated with epyphite. Anyoneaboard one of these ships is strongly advised to stick totheir seat when the pilot turns on the juice. The three en-gine blocks are equally spaced along the center and thewings, and can be used either together or separately inorder to execute acrobatic maneuvers such as spinningdives, twirls, and spirals like a falling leaf. Aside from thecockpit and the four gunners’ posts, the interior is com-pletely bare.

SPEED AND PROPULSION

This ship’s reputation as the dragster of the universeis based solely on its acceleration. Nonetheless, despiteits jack-rabbit starts, the acceleration drops off afterthat, so it takes 43.7 seconds to go from cruising speedto above light speed, which is not exceptional for sucha small vehicle.

CREW

There are seven men aboard, four gunners and three tofly the ship.

ARMAMENTS

-Firing posts: 1 laser array and 3 heavy cannon turrets.- Shields: Shields are unnecessary on an attack vessel

that depends on its speed.-Armor: The high-quality alloyed hull is strong enough

to resist the first few salvoes.-Capacity: A mere two-ton capacity gives the Ostrov-class

Mini-Fighter just enough room to hold its ammunition.

GAME CHARACTERISTICS

Game characteristics for this shipcan be found on page 257 of theMetabarons Roleplaying Game rulebook.

TECHNO-DESTROYER

The Techno-Destroyer not only be-longs in the family of gigantic space-craft, but it expands the very definitionof the term. It contains a tremendousamount of carrying capacity, but insteadof transporting goods or merchandise,it carries weapons and space-fighters.The crew’s quarters are above the tech-nical spaces of navigation and control,occupying the top hundred decks. Amassive chamber, 125 meters high, runsthrough the middle of the ship and of-fers an unsurpassable view of the inter-stellar void.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The Techno-Destroyer not only be-longs in the family of gigantic space-craft, but it expands the very defini-tion of the term. It contains a tremen-dous amount of carrying capacity, butinstead of transporting goods or mer-

Speed at TopSpeed!

As everybody knows, thesupraluminumic speed bar-rier has been broken… Thisfact no longer impresses any-body but troglosocialikarcheo- baboons. Talk to meabout chromosomic speed,that’s a bit better. It broughtmuch to our beloved Empire.But here comes the legend-ary mental V-Quartzz, thatwhich carries you at thespeed of thought. Yahoo!!It’ll knock your socks off!But apparently there’s evenbetter still. The Shabda-Oudwitches’ famous Pradexpunctual-chrono-G. It ripsthrough time itself, leaving itbehind. You’re there beforeyou’ve even started to go….

chandise, it carries weapons and space-fighters. The crew’squarters are above the technical spaces of navigation andcontrol, occupying the top hundred decks. A massivechamber, 125 meters high, runs through the middle of theship and offers an unsurpassable view of the interstellarvoid. The ship’s design is wholly military, and very littlerefinement appears anywhere, except of course in the pri-vate quarters of the Techno-cardinal who commands it.

SPEED AND PROPULSION

Although this ship’s method of propulsion is shroudedin the greatest secrecy by the C.I.S., the frankly astonish-ing performances it demonstrates give it great public no-toriety. A Techno-Destroyer can go from cruising speedto hyperlight speed in 18.2 seconds. Clearly, the powersof epyphite as well as many other marvels make a signifi-cant contribution to these achievements.

CREW

On board are 20,000 people, including 10,000 Techno-assassins and 5,000 Techno-technicians who carry outexperimental tasks in the ship-board laboratories.

ARMAMENT

-Firing posts: Visible on outside: 50 heavy cannons(crew: 5 each; skill: gunnery, fire control: 2D, space range:3-20/40/80; atmosphere: 6-40/80/160 km; damage: 6D),50 flak cannons (crew: 3 each; scale: fighter; skill: gun-nery, fire control: 2D, space range: 1-10/15/30; atmo-sphere: 300-500 m/1 km/2 km; damage: 5D+2), and 50laser cannons (crew: 4 each; skill: gunnery, fire control:2D, 3-20/40/80; atmosphere: 6-40/80/160 km; damage:4D).

-Shields: Positronic screens, protective shields, supra-radars and electro-spies. (Shields: 6D; sesnors: 200/5D.)

-Armor: The hull seems to be made of whitenetranekkon. (Hull: 11D.)

-Capacity: Estimated to be 500,000 tons.-Maneuverabilty: 1D. Crew skill: astro-nav

5D, comm 5D, gunnery 5D, piloting 6D, sen-sors 5D, shields 5D, command 6D.

ENDOGUARD TROOP TRANSPORT

SHIP

This medium-sized hybrid vessel is the shipthat peace-loving people of the Empire mostfear to see darken their skies. The shadow thatits massive silhouette casts over them is the spec-ter of death itself. Despite its rather mundane ap-pearance, this military ship is a harbinger of devasta-tion.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

This is an atmospheric transport ship, but it is also ca-pable of traveling into outer space, for example, to join aheavier vessel in orbit. As the transport of the mightiestforce in the Empire, it includes all the latest technology. Itis also well-endowed with epyphite, and can perform

maneuvers near ground level that make a com-plete mockery of gravity. Due to its military func-tion, the interior of the vehicle is relatively bare,without cabins or any forms of comfort.

It contains three separate compartments: the cock-pit, a cabin for the Endoguard, and the hold. When inspace, all three are pressurized. It is shaped like a par-allelogram, measuring seventy-eight meters long andthirty-six meters wide, and weighs 89,658 tons whenempty. Each Endoguard Troop Transport Ship also hasan entirely automated support vehicle at its disposalwhich follows at a distance. It is an identical ship, con-taining enough spare parts to build at least three othertransports.

SPEED AND PROPULSION

Fitted with a superevolved hydrogen motor, theEndoguard Troop Transport Ship can reach a speed of2256 kilometers per hour just one meter above the ground.In space, it could theoretically reach light speed, but thatis not the main purpose for which it was designed.

CREW

One hundred pepole are aboard. Two pilot and navi-gate the ship, two operate the guns, leaving the remainingninety-six available for deployment.

ARMAMENT

-Firing posts: 1 heavy turret-mounted multi-cogan(crew: 1; skill: gunnery, fire control: 1D, space range: 1-2/10/20; atmosphere: 100-200 m/1 km/2 km; damage:6D+2).

-Shields: 1 maxi-protonic screen. (Shields: 3D+2.)-Armor: White netranekkon plates on the outer struc-

ture. (Hull: 5D.)-Capacity: 100 tons.

-Maneuverabilty: 2D. Crew skill: astro-nav 4D, comm 4D+2, gunnery 6D, pi-

loting 6D, sensors 5D, shields 5D+1,command 6D.

149 • Transportation

The unchanging heart of the Metabaron, theMetabunker is an inviolable fortress, holy sanctuary ofthe Clan of Castaka and repository of their many se-crets, occupied by the eternally frenzied activity of therobots Lothar and Tonto, the only two beings that theMetabaron considers his friends. But the Metabunkeris much more than that… It is a lair forever empty, aplace of tragic solitude through which its master’s foot-

steps will never again echo… although his presence re-mains everywhere.

A QUICK OVERVIEW

It was built in the year 29900 by Othon, with his con-siderable architectural talents and the help of Honorataand Tonto. It is the ultimate machine of war, representinga true synthesis of the ancient warrior ways of the Clan ofCastaka, with the new destructive and creative talents heldby the Metabaron as guardian of theuniverse. In that time, the Metabunkerwas a symbol of power and proud soli-tude, designed to serve not only as thefinal base for the persecuted clan, butalso as a platform of reconquest fromwhich a deadly force would spring forthto annihilate their enemies.

This citadel, equipped with cold andbeautiful technological refinements, alsocontains terrifying weapons and powersso genuinely horrifying that their meremention would freeze the blood of eventhe most-hardened combatants. Ofcourse, everything in the realm of humanand non-human technology is in its on-board armory, but there are other sur-prises in store for any attacker whose ex-cessive optimism or unbridled arrogancewould lead him to defy the forbiddingstronghold. First, he would have to faceone of the formidable bio-electrogramsgenerated by the Metabaron’s solidifica-tion program. These manifestations of thewarrior of warriors are just as taciturnas he is, and share the idea of efficiencycarried to its highest degree, since theyare only granted three minutes, five andseven-hundredths seconds in which toemerge victorious, and they have neveryet failed. Even when it is perfectly at restand the Metabaron is absent, theMetabunker is a tough nut at the centerof the universe, hard to crack. Nothingcan penetrate its defenses or destroy it.Only its creator or one of his manifesta-tions could damage it, but fortunately,that does not occur very often.

THE EXTERIOR

The Metabunker is large and completely immaculate,with the pure and perfectly-faceted appearance of a dia-mond. This similarity to an ancient mineral is not entirelycoincidental. The Metabunker’s facets might not quitefeature the same impeccable regularity as this gem, butthen again their respective functions are not quite identi-cal either. Gems are prisms; they capture light, sending itback out again in many directions through refraction,enlivening and magnifying it. The Metabunker is like ablack hole that absorbs all forms of energy without ex-ception, acting as a point of convergence for all the en-ergy in the universe.

However, it does share with diamonds their absolutehardness and insurmountable solidity. Its well-plannedshape serves another specific purpose. When any impactor direct attack comes its way, it does not match it with

equal resistance, but instead protectsitself by maintaining a state of per-petual deflection. Every single facetpresents a deceptive and off-set anglethat wards any blow off into infinity.Even if the Metabunker were to crashagainst a planet, regardless of relativemass and speed, it is the planet thatwould certainly burst intosmithereens.

However, the fact that it uses suchdevices of deception does not meanthat the Metabunker is weak in theslightest. Just the opposite: its strengthand peerless solidity make it a uniqueand unassailable stronghold that willnever be breached.

STRUCTURE

The Metabunker was built ac-cording to the principles of psycho-modular architecture. It follows thepatterns of dreams that come be-tween wakefulness and sleep, wherethe most outlandish images with nodiscernible meaning string them-selves together with apparent logic.In other words, it is a vast whole ofsmall interlocking pieces broughttogether by some incomprehensiblegeometric pattern, but its final co-hesion is perfect and indestructible.This conglomeration of facets is as-sembled over a substructure thatmakes white netranekkon seem asflimsy as paper. This internal struc-ture is not only solid, but can also

T H E M E T A B U N K E R

The Essence ofEpiphyte

Endowed with an impen-etrable armature and rein-forcement, equipped withthe most powerful weaponsof any space armada, richwith powers uniting the bestof technology with the es-sence of Gangez, theMetabunker defies the lawsof gravity and physics.Heavier than the most crush-ing of major planets, it slipsthrough the stellar void atthe speed of fundamentalparticles and with a singleleap crosses the frontiers ofworlds and dimensions. Itssingular nature, intimatelylinked to the powers of epi-phyte, makes this uncom-mon construction a veritableparadox, a tangible incarna-tion of the gravity principle.Many see in the Metabunkera second universe door, sym-bol of Mardador’s duality,the weight of the worlds andthe lightness of infinity, butno one would dare wonderwhat type of reality can re-ally guard over this free

flowing portal.

stretch like a spinal cord, serving as the base for thecomplicated whole that gives the Metabunker its sta-tus as the absolute fortress of the universe.

DEFENSES

In strict military terms, the Metabunker presents a bat-tery of all kinds of defenses of a range and efficiency un-matched to this day, and which will probably go un-matched for a long time to come. In the field of detectionand warning, it utilizes maxi-protonic sensors whose rangecan surpass by an order of several hundred even the high-est-performance models produced by the Church of theIndustrial Saints. For this reason, even daring to dream oftaking the Metabunker by surprise is totally inconceiv-able. Furthermore, in the highly-unlikely event that someheadstrong fool would attempt to do so, he would stillhave many lines of defense to penetrate: multi-positronicshields, infraprotonic barricades, and the meta-armoredhull plating. And all of that is nothing when compared tothe energy sphere which surrounds the ship with a bluishhalo, keeping it safely nestled at the heart of an impen-etrable protective core.

The energy nourishing the ship andits defenses springs directly from theuniverse guarded by Gangez. This in-exhaustible mystic source has such animpact on the material world that hu-mankind would be driven to the brinkof absolute terror if they knew of it.Only another such power, another cus-todian of a different universe, woulddare to challenge the Metabunker. Buteven so, he would still have to face theMetabaron’s warrior spirit, infusing thefortress down to its smallest particle andbreathing into it an implacable will towin. This suppressed and unstable ex-plosive fury that wishes only to be ex-pressed forms the deepest philosophi-cal core of the mighty ship. The forcebecomes apparent when we see the“Porcupine Defense” in action, whichthrusts out hundreds of millions ofheavy weapons through every interstice,ready to spit their deadly and fierytongues. Its firepower is capable ofobliterating absolutely all creatures andthings in the universe. Finally, if it everdid face a truly insurmountable adver-sary, the Metabunker — in an act wor-thy of its master — would not hesitateto self-destruct, taking the universe withit if necessary, to wipe reality clean ofsuch an abomination.

PROPULSION

To move a structure of such dimen-sions requires colossal energy, especiallysince it was constructed in the atmo-

sphere of Planet Perdita, whose gravity atground level is absolutely phenomenal — morethan a thousand times greater than Terra Prima’s.No known vessel in the universe can escape theclutches of such a powerful force. The Metabunker,however, by drawing its power directly from the cen-tral energy source of the whole universe, can generatea force even greater than a black hole — with the dif-ference that it is not a fixed point in the cosmos. Whenit begins to move, its power and acceleration are in thesame order as the forces present at the beginning of theuniverse at the Big Bang plus one micro-nanosecond.

Inside the Metabunker, each of the compartments isalso equipped with its own independent propulsion sys-tem. On a much smaller scale, this allows it to maintaincohesion with its adjacent sections and to counteract op-posing forces and structural deformities that might affectthe structure’s equilibrium. The essential characteristic ofthe Metabunker is that its multitude of parts form a uniqueand complete whole.

THE INTERIOR

Exclusive domain of Tonto and hismuch-ridiculed sidekick Lothar, theMetabunker is a kingdom without aking, an empty space without an echo,a home occupied only by a sense ofabsence. At one time, the Metabarondestroyed his deserted lair; but Tonto— interpreting the Holy Laws of Ro-botics to his own ends, like a paleo-Jesuit — reconstructed it, in a touch-ing, relentless, but ultimately futile andtedious ritual of hope. Just as before,immense metallic girders stretch in alldirections, riddled with shafts and con-duits and other mysterious passage-ways. The master’s sumptuous apart-ments overflow with a thousand trea-sures, while a few lush gardens bringcolor, and the sounds of bubblingbrooks and singing birds… But it’s allfor nothing, because the man it’s de-signed for is there no longer. OnlyLothar and Tonto roam, overcomewith their misery. Lothar is the moredesperate, for Tonto seems to harborsome obscure knowledge that keeps hisfaith alive, occupying whatever circuitsserve as his spirit.

FIXTURES

Although this immense construc-tion is primarily devoted to the gloryof the Metabaron, the portion allo-cated to his personal use is propor-tionally very minor. But it is not in-significant, either. Sumptuously fur-

WhiteNetranekkon

This Techno-Techno alloyis made using an obsoleteprocess of sub-atomic fusionthat was already in use onTerra Prima. It unites thedurability of netranekkonmetal, literally as hard as adiamond, with the molecu-lar fluidity of the scales of agreat white paleo-shark. Thisorgano-metallic combina-tion is actually a compositewhose own immune systemprotects it from externalforces. When a whitenetranekkon hull receivesany kind of impact, it sim-ply absorbs the energy beforereverting to its original state,which is preserved in its sub-atomic memory. This abilityto shape shift also allows itaerodynamic optimization atthe moment of entering theatmosphere. However, thealloy has one disadvantage:its weight. Because of itsgreat mass, just handling itrequires colossal force thatprohibits its use for

armoring smaller ships.

151 • The M

etabunker

nished and outfitted, his private apartmentsoffer the latest that technology can provide in

refinement and comfort. Somewhat off-center inrelation to the actual heart of the ship, this humanarea contains a number of characteristics designedto lighten the Metabaron’s bitter disillusion. Forexample, there is a marvelous hydroponic parkwhere Aghnar used to stroll with the preg-nant Oda-Honorata, which indulges thesenses with a fairylike symphony ofcolor, sound, smell, and taste, underthe loving caress of an artificial sun

that adjusts itself to the whims of itsvisitors.

But the rest of it is entirely Tonto’sdomain. This little mechanical being isthe only one who can find his waythrough this assortment of rooms of allsizes, some smaller than an alcove andothers as large as a paleo-stadium. Onlyhe knows the function of each location,and how to enter it. Most of them arelaboratories where he carries out themost bizarre and extreme experiments,a disembodied alchemist free of all hu-man constraints. All the rooms are her-metically separate and totally indepen-dent of one another, however connectedthey may be. Even gravity between themcan vary, to the extent that the ceiling ofone might be the floor of the other. Lastly,each room has its own distinct voice, andoften, for his own pleasure, Tonto makes theMetabunker sing — a tremendous chorus,with hundreds of thousands of voices.

THE SUPRA-LOGIC LABYRINTH

The Metabunker can be seen as a complex butcoherent union of diverging elements, in its own wayrepresenting the converging development of fragmentsof ideas that lead to reasoning. The Metabunker is aninorganic soul, and the fractal geography of its Supra-Logic Labyrinth mimics the meandering convolutions ofthought, periodically interspersed with spontaneous in-tuition and inspirations of genius. Tonto, the near-god-like conductor of this grand assemblage, intends by hiscontrol of it to recreate a kind of primal chaos out ofwhich a new intelligence will rise… Rather than strive torecreate an organism as simple as human, he well andtruly intends to reproduce a creative intellect, which isendowed with free will and capable of suffering and feel-ing emotions.

GAME INFORMATION

No human — other than the Metabarons, their mates,and their children — has ever been aborad theMetabunker. In fact, nothing other than what the Meta-baron allows to be there, is there. For this reason, the

typical Metabarons Roleplaying Game character will nevercome across it.

The Metabunker has everything any human could needor desire, can move anywhere at whim, and cannot bedestroyed or penetrated without the Metabaron’s expresspermission. In other words, should the Metabunker ap-pear in some adventure, whatever the gamemaster says itcan do or has, it can or does.

For more game mechanics on the bio-electrogram, lookon pages 27–28 of Guidebook #1 to Path of the Warrior.For more information about creating a own home basefor players’ characters, see page 40 of Guidebook #1. Forhelp with general ship creation, peruse pages 72–80 ofthe Companion Book to the Game Master Screen.

Cha

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Acid Lake — The theoretical bottom of an Endocityunder which, in reality, extends a gigantic undergrounduniverse.

Alien — A creature of the cosmos whose original straindoes not originate from Terra Prima. All forms of intelli-gence, even humanoids, are regarded as aliens.

Amarax — A source of inner vitality for those who striveto harmonize their physical heart with their spiritual heart.In other words, those who lead their lives according tothe code of conduct they have chosen for themselves.

Amourine — Mystical and sacred flower that grows inGolden Planet’s pure gold or in angelic hearts. It permitsa spiritual regeneration for those who consume it.

Aristos — Nobility who live at the top of Endocities.They are generally considered inferior to the Infra-Nobil-ity. See also Nobility.

Church of the Industrial Saints — The Empire’s officialreligion and a major pillar of the Empire. The Church’sovert submission to Imperial authority amounts to purecharade. Equally called the C.I.S., Techno-Technos Or-der, Magnus Dei, pan-Techno Church, Techno-Pontificate,the Holy Industrial Church, or H.I.C.

Confederacy of Colonial Planets — An alliance ofworlds, peopled with humans from Terra Prima’s lastemigration wave, who are faithful to the Empire. Loyalto paleo-Marx precepts, they are also called Colonials.They are a major pillar of the Empire.

Confederacy of Parallel Universes — An assembly bring-ing together representatives from parallel universes neigh-boring the Human Universe. Its purpose is to arbitratecontroversies associated with “common ownership.”

Borders — The Human Universe’s final frontier zone,in direct contact with neighboring universes. Certain con-fines are civilized — the Empire ensures a constant sur-veillance in the majority of these areas — but for the mostpart, they are barbarian and at the mercy of the hordeswith unpredictable tempers who travel across them.

Council, the — The Emperoress’s inner circle of advi-sors, made up of imperial Mentreks, the Imperial Neo-Tarologue Goyo-Vah, and the Neo-Troubadour Vico daSangle.

Doors of the Universe — Six in number, these doorsare passageways through which surge currents comingfrom neighboring universes.

Ekonomat — A major pillar of the Empire, whosediscretion is only equal to its power. The Ekonomat hasthe upper hand on all financial activities in the HumanUniverse.

Emperoress — Trans-Bourbon heir, absolute sover-eign over all the worlds in the Human Universe andsole representative of the Omni-Nobility. Equallyknown as the Perfect Androgyne, Supreme Hermaphro-dite, and the Sublime Chosen One.

Empire — Federated alliance of worlds in the HumanUniverse, placed under the Emperoress’s supreme author-ity.

Endocity — Terratransformed city shafts, where bil-lions of individuals live, crammed into the bowels of theplanet that houses them.

Endo-fringe — The zone comprising the interior of thefringe’s boundaries. The endo-fringe generally refers tothe Empire.

Exo-fringe — The zone beyond the fringe. The Empireis working towards establishing its authority in this area.

Fringe — The Human Empire’s frontier zone. This zonedoes not strictly correspond to the Human Universe’s geo-graphical boundaries.

Guardians of the Doors — Six in number, these are thesuperior creatures who guard the Human Universe’s sixdoors. They are sometimes also called Gargales.

Hunchbacks — The Prez’s private guard, made upof “remodeled” human elements who are particularlyviolent.

Hyperspace — A dimension entered by all material bod-ies once launched at a speed greater than the speed oflight, and in which that body can travel without beingaffected by material elements in its path.

Hypertele — Television medium broadcasting to a uni-verse -wide audience whose programs — which promotesensationalism to the detriment of all other issues — per-manently inundate the major and minor worlds of thecosmos.

Imperial Court — The Golden Palace assembly, onGolden Planet, where members of the Nobility are autho-rized to make an appearance.

G L O S S A R Y

Imperial Merchants Guild — The Imperialinstitution bringing together merchants, working

in strict collaboration with the Church of the In-dustrial Saints, and within the frame work of regula-tions defined by StellCom. This is also called the Guildof Imperial Merchants.

Interspace — A dimension beyond matter throughwhich the Metabaron travels across the universe, near-ing the speed of instantaneous displacement.

Kublar — The Empire’s official currency.

Kublarian — A member of a secret society who reveresthe Saint Kublar — and in particular the mythic 10 mil-lion original edition coins.

Legal Drugs — Alcoholic or psychotropic products thatplunge users into a profound stupor or dazed state.Whisky, SPV, and Cocaloco Dark are examples of the mostwidely used products.

Magnate — Fief or kingdom made up of one or severalplanets or systems belonging to a Noble family.

Major Forces of the Universe — Six great forces, eachone related to the specific nature of a neighboring uni-verse, are at work in the Human Universe. These etherealforces are also called flux or currents.

Major World — Planet, system, or galaxy representinga pole of strategic, political, or commercial importance,and serviced by a Techno-Tunnel. The Human Universehas 22,000 major worlds.

Mentrek — An individual of human origin having un-dergone cybernetic brain implantation.

Minor World — All planets, inhabited, or noninhabitedthat have no Techno-Tunnel service. The Human Universehas a near infinite number of minor worlds, which to agreat extent escape the Empire’s authority, and are in re-ality governed by de facto rule.

Mohn — A measure or degree of spiritual awakeningamong the Neo-Shabda-Oud.

Multi-cogan — A super powerful weapon, elaboratedby the C.I.S., manufactured on Kogano II, a tiny planet ofthe Whak system owned by the Poly-Romanoff family. Itis used primarily by the Endoguard troops.

Mutant — Creature having undergone a mutation ofhis human genes in favor of other living genes, most oftenanimal or vegetable. In the Endocities, the mutants aresubjected to general public disgrace by the humans, andare the Hunchbacks’ favorite punching bag.

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Necro-Dream — A mindless state suffered by those whoare exposed to the Techno-Techno’s sinister plan of ac-tion and its ensuing long term effects. The hypertele andlegal drugs are effective means of propagating the Necro-Dream.

Neo-Tarologue — A Neo-Tarot initiate, the only divi-natory art still in use today. There are only four Neo-Tarologues in the entire Empire.

Neo-Shabda-Oud Order — Mystical order rebuilt fromthe ruins of the Shabda-Oud order, which was destroyedby the Metabaron Aghnar.

Nobility — A group made up of members of the Archi-Nobility, the Nobility, and the Infra-Nobility, whose po-litical importance varies according to financial and mili-tary criteria. See also aristos.

Prez — Supreme Endocity leader, directly under theEmperoress’s command. At more or less regular intervals,the Prez clones himself into organisms that are each morestaggering and unexpected than the one before.

Saint Technology — All systems, products, and mecha-nisms developed by the Church of the Industrial Saints.Utilization of anything developed by the C.I.S. is consid-ered as a mark of allegiance to the C.I.S.

Senate — The assembly of the great poles of power inthe Human Universe, where representatives of the FourPillars of the Empire have seats.

Supra-Executive — The Empire’s administrative branchand military wing, composed of the Endoguard (placedunder the authority of General Thato) and StellCom.

Techno-Sisters — Female followers of the Church ofthe Industrial Saints. The C.I.S. is a mixed order.

Techno-Tunnels — A device developed by the Techno-Technos to facilitate intersidereal and intergalactic travel.This immense network crosses the Human Universe’s webin every direction, linking 22,000 major worlds of theHuman Universe to one another.

Thalasynthesis — The name of the procedure used bythe Ekonomat to convert water molecules into hydrogenand oxygen atoms and the converse.

Tranka — Highly prized by pirates, this extremely pow-erful psychotropic product offers, in addition to its hallu-cinogenic properties, the possibility to erase the Necro-Dream’s harmful effects.

You can read more about the universe of theMetabarons in the following books.

FRENCH BOOKS

Avant l’Incal (Jodorowsky et Janjetov) — 6 albums.

L’Incal (Jodorowsky et Mœbius) — 6 albums.

Après l’Incal (Jodorowsky et Mœbius) — book 1: LeNouveau Rêve.

La Caste des Méta-Barons (Jodorowsky et Gimenez)— 6 albums.

La Maison des Ancêtres (Jodorowsky et Gimenez) —custom made

Les Technopères (Jodorowsky, Janjetov, et Beltran) —3 albums.

Above albums published through Les HumanoïdesAssociés.

Les Méta-Barons: Livre de Règles (Yéti et West EndGames).

ENGLISH BOOKS

The Incal (Jodorowsky and ) — 13 comics and 2 tradepaperbacks.

The Metabarons (Jodorowsky and Gimenez) — 17 com-ics, 1 deluxe comic, and 4 trade paperbacks.

R E A D I N G L I S TThe Technopriests (Jodorowsky, Janjetov, and

Beltran) — 3 albums.

Above comics, trade paperbacks, and albums pub-lished through Humanoids Publishing.

The Metabarons Rule Book (Yéti and West EndGames).

Guidebook #1 to Path of the Warrior (West EndGames).

Game Master’s Screen with Companion Book (WestEnd Games).

WEB SITES

Les Humanoïdes Associés: www.humano.com

Humanoids Publishing: www.humanoids-publishing.com

The Metabarons: www.metabarons.com

Unofficial Metabarons Roleplaying Game DiscussionGroup (English): groups.yahoo.com/group/metabaronsrpg/

Unofficial Metabarons Roleplaying Game DiscussionGroup (French): fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/techno-techno/

West End Games: www.westendgames.com