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Asgardia* – a project in the early 20th century to create an independent space nation.
Ax’d – an honorable death for Graciles who have outlived their usefulness to society.
Black Hole – a region of spacetime exhibiting such strong gravitational effects that nothing can escape from inside it.
Chiori – guinea-pig sized rodent commonly found in the slums of Etyom, it is the primary source of meat for most Robusts.
Chum Lawk – a martial art with roots in ancient Chinese Kung Fu. Mila, Ghofaun, and Bilgi are all master practicioners.
Creed – robotic, Geminoid, peacekeepers utilized by the Graciles, mainly to ensure the Robusts do not encroach on New Etyom. (See also Geminoid).
Enclave – one of seven walled communities in Lower Etyom: Alya (Musul), Baqir (Musul), Fiori (all religions), Kahanga (Musul and Tribal), Logos (Logosian), Vel (all religions) and Zopat (all religions).
Event horizon* – a region in space–time beyond which events cannot affect an outside observer, most commonly associated with black holes. of the Vapid.
Geminoid* – fully automated robots whose outer appearance is designed to replicate individual humans. Originally created by Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro*.
Gracile – genetically engineered human, considered the epitomy of evolution, living in New Etyom.
Grov’ler – derogatory term for a follower of Yeos.
HAP – Habitable Aerial Platform. Nineteen HAPs used to sit 5 miles above Lower Etyom, before the war.
Ilah – the monothesitic god of the Musul Robusts.
Jacked – Adjective referring to a Robust’s biology being enhanced with technology.
Jackbag – derogatory term for Robusts who have used dodgy modifications to emulate Graciles.
Krig – Thick, black, caffeinated drink reminiscent of strong old-world coffee.
Lillipad – slang for a HAP (see HAP).
Logosian – the term for Robusts who are born in the Logos enclave, but also used to depict those who follow Yeos the Lightbringer, a religion stemming from Judeo-Christian beliefs.
Lower Etyom – the collective name for the seven enclaves in which the Robusts live. Formerly a Gulag turned mining community called Norilsk in Siberia.
Musul – follower of Ilah, whose religion stems from Islam.
NBD – New Black Death; bacterial plague that wiped out most of humanity after WWIII. Outbreaks still occur in Lower Etyom.
Neuralweb – internet connected directly to the brains of all Graciles and some jacked Robusts.
Norilsk* – gulag-turned-mining town in Siberia.
Opor – the Robust resistance originally formed to overthrow the Graciles.
PED – Personal Electronic Device, used to communicate off the neural web.
Ripper – Robust humans. These criminals and outcasts have been exiled to wander the frozen wastes
Robust – non-engineered humans who survived the NBD and live in Lower Etyom.
Sard – vulgar slang used alone or as a noun or verb in various phrases to express annoyance, contempt or impatience.
Stim – drugs used by Robusts to elicit feelings e.g. relaxation (Easy) or intense power (Red Mist).
Vestals – the oldest organized remnant of Logosian faith, the wise and faithful sisters of this order can frequently be found offering relief to the weary traveler, the sick, and the wounded.
The Writ – also known as “The Holy Writ of Yeos”. Given to Mila as a gift years ago by Demitri, this tome may well be the last known copy in existance.
VTV – Vertical Take-off Vehicle. Used by New Etyom peacekeepers, the Creed.
Yeos – the monotheistic god of the Logosians.
*real place, person, term or object as of 2019
