T.TXT

      T-Tauri Stars: A class of stellar objects believed to be stars that have

just ignited. Generally surrounded by dense, hot dust clouds.



      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.



      TANSTAAFL: There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.



      Tahiwihteakhtau: ("Barbarians.") Aslan term for those who do not adopt

Aslan ways and culture.



      Tapazmal: Minor human race from Dlaejen/Moibin (Reft 3134).



      Tavrchedl': The Zhodani "Thought Police." (The name literally means

Guardians of Our Morality.) Primarily an internal attitude and security

police. Its responsibility is internal order within the zhodani Consulate. It

is charged with locating and removing agents of external powers from the

Zhodani Consulate.



      Tehleikhoi: An Aslan mercenary regiment. The name can be translated as

"Soldiers of the Falling Night," "Knights of the Setting Sun," or "Warriors of

the Evening Star."



      Terraforming: Altering a planetary environment to improve habitability.

Global terraforming involves making substantial improvements on a world with

an unfavorable global environment. An example is terraforming a world with an

insidious atmosphere into one with a standard atmosphere.

      Total terraforming involves complete transformation of a world's basic

environment to a radically different basic environment of one's choosing. An

example would be terraforming a barren vacuum world into a lush, rich world

with a dense atmosphere.



      Thaggeshi: Minor human race from Thaggesh/Anakod (Vland 2530).



      The Three: This religion holds that there three deities of equal power

but different outlook. One is good, one is evil, and the third mediates

between the other two. Doctrine is dedicated to the precepts of law and order.

Imperial scholars believe that the religion began in Zhodani space long ago.

Worship of the Three flourishes in the Imperium, but it is nevertheless

watched by Imperial authorities.

      A popular holy symbol is a group of three small, identical objects

(preferably gems or crystals) worn around the wrist, neck, or head. Most

believers are traditionalists. A number of church officials have publicly

supported right wing political candidates.



      Thorellians: Minor race from Thorell/Nicosia (Old Expanses 0231).



      Thruster technology: A combined spin-off of gravitic and damper

technology, uses a strong molecular repelling force to produce reactionless

thrusters. Thrusters do not require the presence of a large gravity field to

operate efficiently. They are highly localized with virtually none of the

projection ability of anti-grav.



      Tlaosierlahrau: (Also known as tlaospice, tlao, or seasongold.) A spice

derived from the seed of the tlaosiear, a tree found on Roakhioc/Ea in

Reaver's Deep. The golden seed kernels, when ground, produce a fragrant, light

seasoning popular with both Aslan and human gourmets on meat, soups, and

stews. Because of the scarcity of tlaosiear and the expense of shipping it,

tlaospice commands an impressive price of Cr3 per gram in offworld markets.

[FT1]



      Tlaserlaahel: Merchant corporation controlled by the Yehaso clan, a

strong Aslan group on Roaa/Uhtaa in Reaver's Deep. Tlasayerlaahel is a

powerful company with many interests in the Deep, among them the tlaospice

trade with Roakhoi, the rithscent trade with Htalrea, and some commercial

contact with the natives of Gaajpadge, from whom glasswares and other objects

d'art are obtained. Tlaserlaahel is currently engaged in stiff economic

competition with the human merchants of Caledon Ventures, Ltd. [FT1]



      Trailing Threat: Commerce raiders threatening the Imperium from the

trailing galactic direction. Also called "Assembly."



      Tranian: Archduke of Gateway, he rallied to Lucan's side early. Present

on Capital when Strephon was assassinated, Tranian participated in the

preliminary search for the appropriate and legitimate heir. He announced that

Lucan was the proper heir. Motivated by honor and a desire to pursue the

legally correct course, he helped install Lucan when confusion threatened

Capital and the Imperium.



      Trasilon: A biracial intelligence organization created by Brzk after

seceding from the Imperium. Both humans and Vargr are full participants.



      Tree Kraken or Land Squid (Hexapoda strenii, H. Silvans): The tree

kraken is native to Forboldn, but for various reasons can be found on many

small, low gravity worlds.

      The adult tree kraken weighs 6 kilograms and resembles in general body

form the octopus, having a central body sensory cluster and six radiating

tentacle-like arms. The internal skeleton is rudimentary, consisting of a

cartilaginous stiffening of the body to permit the lung sacs to function, to

serve as attachment points for the muscles, and to permit leverage for the

three part mandible located at the base of the arms.

      The arms of the kraken consist of a stiffened central support structure

surrounded by a muscular sheath. The arms end in from 2 to 7 (depending on

species) smaller appendages. the ventral surface of the arm, and the ends of

these smaller appendages end with a disk-shaped sucker-like organ covered with

hundreds of small, razor-sharp tooth-like structures.

      The eyes are paired, operate stereoscopically, and permit the kraken to

detect the faintest movement at several hundred meters. Range judgement is

extremely good.

      Three to eight lung sacs in the body mass handle respiration. Each sac

has its own connection to the atmosphere. To function, the inner lining of

each sac must be kept moist, requiring the kraken to remain in regions of high

humidity, such as marshes, swamps, or jungles. Tree kraken have a closed

respiratory system and are endothermic.

      The kraken attacks its prey by leaping upon it from a height, usually a

tree, but often a cliff and occasionally a roof. The arms wrap around the

prey, immobilizing it. The disk-shaped structures abrade the skin and other

tissue into fragments which are the conveyed to the mouth. After feeding, the

kraken climbs to a high place for protection from other predators, and goes

into a digestive torpor. It emerges several hours later.

      Kraken are hermaphroditic: reproduction is accomplished through budding.

During the six week mating season, pairs of kraken exchange genetic material

through two tubelike structures above the eyes. After fertilization, these

structures swell to many times their normal size. Arms develop, becoming fully

developed miniature kraken (after eight to twelve weeks.) When fully

developed, the young detach themselves and go their own way. Since kraken will

eat their own young, the young detach while the parent is in a digestive

torpor.



      Tree Lion (Platapedalis arborus): Tree lions (also called drop spiders

or shovel spiders) are trap-building carnivores native to Jesedipere/Aramis

(change.) Scattered to a number of worlds early in the human colonization of

the region, Tree lions can be found in subtropical forest regions on several

worlds in the aramis and Rhylanor subsectors.

      A typical specimen is a small (1 kg), bilaterally symmetrical, 10-

legged, arachnid-like creature with a tough, leathery hide covered with

bristle-like hairs. The foremost pair of legs are chitinous, shovel-like

apparatus. The others have grippers for hanging and climbing.

      All Tree Lions live in trees, descending only to build and maintain

their unusual traps. A single home tree may support two to three Tree Lion

nests, depending on the size of the tree. A nest contains a male/female pair,

and several young hatched from egg sacs.

      A Tree Lion builds its trap in the soil directly beneath its nest, using

its specialized forelegs to scoop out a shallow, conical pit about a meter in

diameter. It then spends several hours spinning a fine network of thick,

silken strands across the pit's interior. Each strand is coated with an

adhesive that exudes the smell of decaying meat. Small animals investigating

the smell become trapped, and their struggle alerts the Tree lion through two

"shroud lines" leading from the edge of the pit to the nest. Once alerted, it

descends and administers a paralyzing bite. The prey is then wrapped in silk

and carried to the nest.

      Normally they pose no threat to travellers, as their venom is mild, but

they can irritate and distract. In areas of dense tree lion populations, the

presence of large numbers of pits can hinder movement.

      The venom can cause temporary paralysis in the affected limb (roll 2D

for 8+), and can cause allergic reactions. For a second bite, after the first,

roll 12 on 2D exactly for allergic affect. An allergic reaction reduces the

victim's strength to zero for 1D days or until medical care is available.



      Tritium Accelerator: Spinal mount particle accelerators originally

installed in Azhanti High Lightning-class cruisers.



      True Humaniti Society: This radical group believes that when the

Ancients brought humaniti from Terra they took the sentient Terrans and left

only the subhuman "apemen" of Terra. Pure-blooded Vilani should cooperate with

Zhodani and the minor races to "put the apes back in the zoo (Terra)." After

its founding by Sunaam Parshish and Khadu Shaa in 1076 and a few brief years

of activity, the True Humaniti Society is now almost extinct.



      Tukera Lines: Imperial megacorporation which operates a vast fleet of

jump-3 and jump-4 liners and transports along the xboat routes throughout the

Imperium. In some subsectors (particularly in the Imperial Core, Ilelish, and

Zarushagar sectors), Tukera has a virtual monopoly on long-distance shipping

and travel. Throughout the Imperium, all long-haul transport lines regard

Tukera as their primary competitor.

      Tukera pre-dates the Imperium -- it held a charter from the Sylean

Federation. Family tradition holds that the company is several centuries

older.

      Interests: Passenger and freight transport, trade, speculation.

      Stock ownership: Imperial family, 3%; Tukera family, 29%; Investment

trusts, 28%; Other corporations, 9%; Private, 31%.



      Two Suns, Battle of: Climactic battle of the Fourth Frontier War, it

occurred midway between Yres and Menorb. Losses on both sides were heavy, but

the Imperium held the field and lengthening supply lines prevented further

outworld advances. Had the battle gone the other way, the loss of both Yres

and Menorb would have forced the evacuation of Efate and the coreward end of

the Regina subsector would have collapsed.



      Two Thousand Worlds: The K'kree interstellar government, situated eighty

parsecs trailing of the Imperium at the closest point.



      Tyeyo: Primary sun in Aslan home system.



      Tyeyo FteahrAo Yolr: Aslan interface line. Literally, "Tyeyo Dustspice

Importers." During the period immediately after the Aslan Border Wars, the

Aslan discovered Dustspice. It was then available only in the Spinward

Marches: TFY imported dustspice into the Alan Hierate.

      Synthetic dustspice has become available. Natural dustspice, now a

gourmet treat, is no longer imported in quantity. TFY instead seeks out any

novel or valuable trade goods along the route from Mora to Kuzu.