Lore

Tide

Organizations · Politics · Human

Tide was an anti-Messer resistance movement responsible for airing footage of the Massacre of Garron II to the people of the United Empire of Earth (UEE), thus catalyzing the events that led to the anti-Messer Revolution. Cells of Tide were distributed on most Human-inhabited…

Sloma

Banu · Food and Beverages · Culture

Sloma Sloma is a beverage often consumed by the Banu before they begin the negotiation process for new business deals, or during various social gatherings. Sloma is made up of a base liquid that is then altered by the addition of disparate ingredients brought to the table by…

Arena Commander

Entertainment · Human

Arena Commander is a spaceflight simulator released in 2943 by Original Systems. In the game, players fly realistic versions of real spacecraft and engage in dogfights with similarly realistic recreations of modern ships of Xi'an, Banu, and even Vanduul origin. The lead designer…

Ye'ton (Ail'ka V)

Planets

Ye'ton (Ail'ka V) is the fifth planet from the sun of the Ail'ka system, Xi'an Empire (SaoXy'an). A gas dwarf that has a thick atmosphere of hydrogen and helium, the planet is dotted with several permanent storms. The harvesters and refineries that sit in stable orbit above…

Banu Language

Culture · Banu

Banu language refers to a family of languages originating with and spoken by the Banu. Though all Banu share the same writing system, they speak many dialects, some of which are not mutually intelligible. Xenolinguists believe that this is partially due to their lack of both a…

Silent Song

Art

Silent Song is a piece of interactive artwork located in the Tayac system asteroid belt, between Tayac II and Shepherd (Tayac III). The work was commissioned in honor of the Ark's centennial and to highlight xeno-relationships. It was created in collaboration by Human artist…

Syang Fabrication

Commerce

Syang Fabrication is an armor and undersuit manufacturer operated by House Syang. For centuries, the company has produced products meant to withstand the rigors of space travel and battle for generations. Consequently, pieces made by Syang are considered valuable heirlooms in…

Midnight Calathea

Plants

The midnight calathea is a plant created by Rayari Inc to survive in extremely low light conditions. As opposed to the green of most plants commonly found on the Human homeworld Earth (Sol III), the midnight calathea's leaves run from deep purple to dark red, and are embossed…

Geohacking

Science and Technology

Geohacking is a colloquialism that refers to the practice of altering the environment of an already habitable planet. Geohacking is different from terraforming in that it is done upon planets and moons that already have established atmospheres and environments. It can also refer…

Defender

Banu · Spacecraft

The Defender is a Banu combat spacecraft that can generally be found escorting their trading caravans. A point defense interceptor, it is equipped with four tachyon cannons and delivers excellent performance in terms of speed and maneuverability. The Banu typically operate as…

Hadrian II

Planets

Hadrian II is a planet in the Hadrian system, United Empire of Earth (UEE). Relatively calm for a gas giant, its placid, bright blue atmosphere is orbited by hundreds of fuel refineries and gas mining operations. It was the main center of commerce in Hadrian until the 29th…

Pressurized Research Station

Science and Technology

Research stations situated in hostile settings, such as non-terraformed planets, are built airtight, with artificially raised or lowered pressure to create environments friendly to researchers. These research stations can be used to study phenomena that would be otherwise…

Anti-Ship Mines

Weapons · Science and Technology

Anti-ship mines, also called proximity mines, are explosives that can be placed at fixed points in space. They are designed to explode when spacecraft come within a particular range, inflicting heat and projectile damage on anything nearby. Mines are used by the military for…

Xenoarchaeology

Science and Technology · Archaeology

Xenoarchaeology is the study of alien culture and history through the excavation of ancient sites and the analysis of physical materials. A Human xenoarchaeologist, for example, may specialize in Hadesian artifacts, whereas a Xi'an xenoarchaeologist may be an expert in…

Sherman

Settlements · Human

Sherman is a settlement on Cascom (Castra II), United Empire of Earth (UEE). Originally built as a military landing base, it was constructed above the cloud line on a mountain to make it easier for atmospheric ships to launch or land. It was changed into a civilian town at the…

Sakura Sun

Commerce · Human · Weapons

Sakura Sun is a Human manufacturing conglomerate headquartered in Tokyo, Earth (Sol III) that produces a diverse range of consumer products such as home goods, children's toys, and starship engines. Spacecraft components are developed under the Sakura Sun Space Sciences Division…

Horus III

Planets · Human

Horus III is a super-Jupiter on the Horus system, United Empire of Earth (UEE), and is the most distant planet from its sun. More massive than most other gas giants, it has a high-density atmosphere that compresses the planet, lowering its overall circumference in comparison to…

Bacchus II

Planets · Banu

Bacchus II is the second planet from the suns of the Bacchus system, Banu Protectorate. A temperate terrestrial world blanketed by vast oceans, it is dotted with thousands of populated islands and archipelagos and is host to a wide variety of climates and biodiversity. Travel…

Meridian Transit

Commerce · Human

Meridian Transit is a Human passenger and commercial transportation company based on Crusader (Stanton II). It manages a large fleet of Crusader Industries Genesis-class ships on scheduled flights around the United Empire of Earth (UEE). Meridian has also been licensed for…

Hadrian Belt Alpha

Space

The Hadrian belt alpha is an asteroid belt in the Hadrian system, United Empire of Earth (UEE) that orbits between the system's second and third planets. Although it is abundant in resources, no corporation has elected to mine it due to the presence of undetonated anti-ship…

Xenia

Locations · Human

Xenia is a Human-constructed space station in the Baker system that serves as a shipping hub for the Covalex corporation. It was built to support trade between the United Empire of Earth (UEE) and the Xi'an Empire. Its habitation facilities and pressurized hangar bays provide…

Taernin, the Great Traveler

Culture · Banu

Taernin, the Great Traveler, is the Banu god of travelers, crossroads, and navigation and is one of the most common deities in the Banu pantheon. Due to the Banu practice of not recording historical events, its origins are shrouded in mystery. When it is depicted, Taernin…

Kelos Costigan

People · Human

Kelos Costigan (2855 - present) was Imperator of the United Empire of Earth (UEE) from 2941 to 2950. He served as High-Secretary for two administrations and had a failed bid for Imperator in 2930 before being elected to office in 2940 as a member of the Universalist party.…

Freelancer

Spacecraft · Human

The Freelancer is a multi-role transport spacecraft developed by MISC and was the first vessel to be constructed as part of a unique lend-lease agreement with the Xi'an government. The ship's hull is sold in several variants that have been adapted for various alternate roles…