O.TXT

      Octagon Society: Established in 342, the Octagon Society was the first

major distressed spacefarer assistance operation in the Domain of Deneb. It

thrived on public contributions and some tax revenues for 150 years. It failed

in the late 400s when scandals emerged over the quality of shelter

construction and disposition of certain funds. The society was dissolved in

499 and its assets sold at auction.

      Society shelters were generally of an octagonal shape. The society

established large hostels on major worlds, and placed smaller weather shelters

on frontier or unsettled planets. Some were 40 parsecs beyond Imperial

borders. The characteristic octagon shaped buildings are still visible on

various worlds, although none are still in use as shelters.



      Off-dirt Rank: Mercenary jargon for the courtesy title major, applied to

non-naval captains when aboard starships, to avoid confusion with the starship

captain.



      Ojehshodu: Minor race on Neghu Oug/The Narrows (Corridor 2804).



      Omega Point: The ultimate state of the Universe. Cold freeze or

contraction into a hot supermass?



      One Imperium Movement: Adherents believe that all peoples of both

previous Imperiums should be united in one massive Imperium, including the

Solomani Sphere and the coreward extents of the First Imperium. The movement

has a long history, dating from shortly before the verification of the

Solomani Hypothesis.



      Oniochalasia: buying as a means of mental relaxation.



      Onnesium: Rare element, atomic number 118, mildly radioactive and

dangerous, which has been proved to be a viable room-temperature

superconductor. Onnesium is normally found as small, silvery spheres embedded

within meteoric nickel-iron. It is created within supernovae, plated onto

asteroidal surfaces, and eventually can be discovered in free-floating

asteroids or in impact craters on planetary surfaces. Recent discoveries of

onnesium in the Gavza system (Reavers Deep) have suggested that a supernova at

Scotian Deep 0308 may have spread onnesium deposits to several nearby systems

in the Scotian Deep subsector. [FT2]



      Opaldew: tropical fruit.



      Opheides: Minor race on Orphee/New Islands (Reft 1429). Descended from

grazer stock.



      Orbital City: A closed-cycle orbital station with a permanent population

in the thousands. Possible at tech level 9.



      Orbital settlement: An open-cycle orbital station with a permanent

population in the hundreds. Possible at tech level 8.



      Ormine: Minor race on a world in Akhlare subsector (Dark Nebula).



      Otrai: minor human race & culture.



                  Ourrghfoengaeknokskugvorrgh: "Church of the Chosen Ones."



      Outrim Void: Colloquial name for the region rimward of the Spinward

Marches. It consists of many independent worlds, small empires, and Aslan

colonies. The Imperium's civilian population, who know little about it, regard

it with suspicion. Corsairs and persons escaping Imperial justice find it a

natural haven.

                  Historians believe many Outrim worlds were settled during the Rule of

Man. Some worlds maintain links to the Imperium or the Zhodani Consulate.

Other worlds have been isolated from outside contact since they were first

settled.



      Oynprith: Common language of the Droyne.