Encyclopaedia Vilanica

Ansing Foundation
Located on Vland. The famous Ansing expedition (870-884) explored the accessible reaches of the gas giant Annikkithar in the Pretoria system (Deneb).

Answerin
Minor human race native to Answerin/Answerin (Vland 0431). Refer to Answerin section for additional information.

Argushiigi Admegulasha Bilanidin (AAB)
Literally translated as the "Vilani Repository of All Knowledge," the AAB is located on Vland in the city of Ishimaga. The AAB (and its museum) is perhaps the most respected scientific and research body in known space. It is a museum, library, research center, and publishing house rolled into one. Not only does it collect samples and written materials from all over the explored area of the galaxy, but it also publishes an encyclopedia known as the Argushiigi Admegulasha Bilanidin. The vast stockpile of information to be found here is far beyond that available anywhere else in the Imperium, and thus the AAB has become a sort of 'clearing house' for new inventions and patents. Its giant database is freely available to scholars and researchers who come to Vland.

The personnel and resources of the AAB also form the backbone of the faculty and learning materials of Kasiiga University. Although the AAB sponsors very few outside research programs, it maintains a vast network of laboratories on Vland. Due to the often conservative nature of the AAB, individuals who find employment here are likely to be investigating already existing phenomena, rather than breaking new scientific ground. The AAB was instrumental in providing patent and technical information to help with the post-Collapse reconstruction of Vland.

Gaakish
Vilani capital world for the sector now known as Antares.

Gaakuuru
Famous Vilani poet of the Colonial Period (c. -4000.)

Gaaruud, Baarid
Ancient Vilani composer.

Gashukubi
"Certain death" in Vilani. See Meson Gun.

Hoplites (Marmotophagus var.)
A large, heavily-armored intermittent found on many worlds throughout the territory once ruled by the Vilani Empire. The homeworld is not known with certainty, since early Vilani colonizations and subsequent settlement efforts resulted in hundreds of worlds with mixed biochemistries. Because of the carapace and horns, the hoplite is believed to have originated on a world with many large predators. This and other factors have limited the possible worlds to less than a dozen, mostly in Vland sector.

Adult hoplites weigh about 1600 kg. and are usually about 2.5 meters long and one meter wide at the shoulder. They are bilaterally symmetrical, homeothermic hexapods, with a closed circulatory system incorporating a three-chambered heart. The most notable feature is the thick, articulated carapace (with many projecting horns) covering the dorsal surface of the animal's body.

Hoplites are solitary animals, usually feeding on small, burrowing animals. They locate the burrows by smell, and probe within them using a tough, extendable proboscis. When the prey is located, the proboscis grabs it, extracts it from the burrow, and conveys it to the mouth, located on the underside of the head. When not in use, the proboscis is pulled back under the head.

The paired structures on either side of the proboscis are extremely sensitive feelers used to detect the vibrations of am approaching predator or the faint sounds made by a burrowing animal. The forward facing horns are sometimes used to enlarge a burrow to make inserting the proboscis and extracting prey easier.

When attacked, the hoplite will attempt to run. If cornered, it will turn on its attacker and begin gyrating its body, slashing with its horns. It takes a tough, determined predator to bring down an adult hoplite.

Igsiirdi
Ruling council of the Ziru Sirkaa, which selects a new Ishimkarun. Members are elected by the three Vilani megacorporations.

Illuminati
Secret conspiracy supposed to have controlled Terran history. According to some Vilani groups, it controlled the Rule of Man and influenced the Third Imperium. There is no factual basis for its existence.

Ishimaga Genealogical Society
Members of this group are proud of the highest percentage of Vilani blood flowing through their veins. Potential members are carefully screened, both genealogically and biologically, to ensure that they qualify by their racial purity.

The IGS was formed sometime during the Long Night, but its early history is not too well known. Offices of the IGS can be found throughout the Imperium, with headquarters at Ishimaga (Lishun: 0101).

Ishuggi
Archduke of Vland, and later Ishimkarun of the Ziru Sirkaa, the Restored Vilani Empire during the Rebellion and Collapse eras. As Ishimkarun, Ishuggi restored rule in the traditional Vilani manner - by proclamation.

Kaaribilanidin (Vland Club)
Kaaribilanidin is less violent than many pro-Vilani societies. The group is not strictly anti-Terran, but believes that Vland, because of its historical status as the capital of the First Imperium, should have more direct control over political decisions in the Imperium.

Kaaribilanidin was founded on Vland in 654, shortly after the Civil War. It was instrumental in influencing Emperor Zhakirov to reject the Solomani Movement's basic positions and to sympathize with Vilani nobles.

Kaarike University
On Vland, part of AAB.

Kankurur
A large bird of prey native to Vland. Capable of carrying up to 20 kg in its talons, the bird was trained and used like the Terran carrier pigeon. The kankurur could carry small cargos as well as paper messages.

Karunii
The heads of the three Vilani megacorporations, the "Petit Emperors" of the Ziru Sirkaa.

Kesternet
Plant which grows only on St. George/Vland. A important ingredient of anagathic drugs.

Kilati
Vilani musical form.

Kolzair
Minor race on Wimorel/Thaggesh (Anakod) (Vland: 3129).

Laskan, Professor Chanis
Professor of History with Degrees in Vilani History and Linguistics. Author of Discourses on Comparative Linguisto-Archeologocal Discoveries (1096), The First Imperium: Expansion and Consolidation (1100), The First Imperium: The Long Peace (1105), and The First Imperium: Watershed and Decline (1110).

Makhidkarun
Vilani megacorporation. This firm specializes in the entertainment and communications industries. It produces musical recordings, two and three-dimensional movies, books, magazines, and art reproductions.

The Communication Division produces a wide variety of data processing, storage, and retrieval equipment. The Gourmet Foods Division trades in all manner of rare and expensive foods, wines, and delicacies. The Arean Transport subsidiary operates luxury liners which set the standard for fine cuisine and cruises throughout the Imperium.

The mists of the Long Night hide the origin of this company, but its founding definitely predates the Third Imperium. The name, at least, belonged to a Vilani corporation-cum-government bureau during the First Imperium.


Naasirka
Vilani megacorporation of uncertain lineage. It was in business prior to the founding of the Sylean Federation. The Naasirka commercial empire has always sought out new fields to expand into.

Naasirka specializes in manufacturing complex electronic devices. These include robots, computers, and information storage and processing equipment. It is the largest supplier of communication equipment to the IISS's Xboat branch.


Naasirka Endowment
A high tech scientific establishment which combined hands-on research with educational internships. Areas of interest include computer hardware and software. Although the administrative offices were on Vland, internships were sponsored throughout the Imperium. As the scope of the Naasirka Endowment was diminished with the Rebellion and Collapse, so did the Endowment bureaucracy. The Endowment offices in the Regency continue to operate in the traditional fashion.

Shidaka
Semi-mythological Vilani hero of the Long Night.

Sharurshid
Vilani megacorporation. Trades in all luxury goods from all parts of the Imperium and many areas beyond. It has very little manufacturing capability -- its starships have always been its major source of income.

Sharurshid traces its lineage back to the First Imperium. During the Interstellar Wars, Sharurshid was the major bureau in the First Imperium's rimward sectors.


Shugilii
"Food-processor" class in Vilani society.

Shurshi cloth
This delicate, iridescent material is strong for its weight, and a shurshi garment retains its beauty for many years. This fantastically expensive substance is produced by an insect native to Zurrian/Vland which has been altered and conditioned to spin its webbing in sheets. The cleaned cloth is shipped beyond the sector - for those who can afford it. Attempts to raise these insects elsewhere have failed.

Shuulamane
The creature is ugly and rodent-like, with dull greenish- gray fur covering its body, except for the head, which is smooth and has no apparent ears. The most obvious feature of the shuulamane is the product of its two powerful scent glands, used to mask carrion and prevent other species from interfering with its find.

Unfortunately, the shuulamane reproduces quickly, with up to four litters of six to ten young each during Vland's long year. The shuulamane can be found in almost every region of Vland with a temperate climate, although eradication of the species in the larger cities has been mostly successful.

Native to Khula (Vland 1920), the shuulamane was accidentally introduced to Vland around -2450. The animal is now so common (and so obvious when encountered) that most Vilani do not realize that the shuulamane is not a native species.

The shuulamane is the subject of many Vilani proverbs and folktales, all attesting to the animal's vices of stupidity, laziness, cowardice, foul odor, and lack of cleanliness.

Encounter statistics: 1 carrion-eater, 3kg, 2/2 hits, no armor, 3 teeth, A9 F3 S3.

Signal GK
Abbreviation for Gashimeku Kaalarin, Vilani for 'vessel in distress.' The code signal GK originated on Vland as a distress signal in maritime and aviation activity: it was one of the standard communications codes of the First Imperium. When the Second Imperium succeeded it, signal GK was retained as a distress signal co-equal with the Terran SOS and Mayday signals.

The Imperial Navigation Act of 103 requires all vessels, whether military or civilian, to respond to the GK, SOS, or Mayday signals, provided such response does not endanger the ship and crew of the responding vessel.

Society for the Protection of Terra
Members recommended that Terra be kept under Imperial rule, and not be allowed self-rule again. They argue that since humaniti originated on Terra, the world should be administered as a preserve by the Imperium, and not be given the chance to rebel again, "endangering our glorious heritage and the planet of our origins."

Admiral Donald Mason founded SPT in the 1050s, several decades after the Solomani Rim War. In the pre-Collapse era the group was strongest in the Vland sector.

Tahavi
A race of aquatic mantas on Tahaver (Vland: 2017). A Vilani sublight expedition discovered them in -9310 -- they were the first intelligent race the Vilani encountered.

Thaggeshi
Minor human race from Thaggesh/Thaggesh (Anakod) (Vland: 2530). Refer to Thaggeshi section for additional information.

Vekkur
Vilani religion believing a Supreme Being applies a universal law to judge the conduct of all sentient life. A believer's fate in the afterlife depends on understanding and observing that law. Members use no holy symbols, but always wear some form of white garment.

Most noted as pacifists, the Vekkur believe that all things have an equal right to live. They seek to never harm life, and will not kill under any circumstances. The name Vekkur comes from a mythical Vilani creature able to cure disease which the Supreme Being sent as proof of his existence.

Vilani
The earliest starfaring human subrace. The typical Vilani is about 1.7 meters in height and weighs about 70 kilograms (slightly smaller than Solomani). Purebred Vilani (of which few remain) generally have a medium complexion, with light brown to black hair. Gold eyes are also a common trait. Vilani blood types are C, D, M, N, and O, with types C and N dominant.

Today, the term "Vilani" is much more cultural than racial (unlike "Solomani".) A culturally pure Vilani believes strongly in the team approach to nearly all problems of any significance. To a Vilani, the lone merchant is a fool - personal risk is a thing to be minimized, not relished. The best way to minimize such risk is to enter into the task as a group.

Ziru Sirka Imperial Library of Enlugal
Enlugal is one the two most important cities on Vland. This library is the oldest continuously open in explored space.

Zirunkariish
One of the largest insurance underwriters in the former Imperium and now in the Regency. This banking and investment house prefers investing in various trusts rather than in other megacorporations. The noble Shiishuginsa family founded Zirunkariish in -425. In 679, Antiama, a member of the family, married the Emperor Zhakirov.