A Glossary to The Fundamentals Universe
Ada
Species: Rakshoon
Ada (odd da) Half sized. The ada are small humanoids with a flat face, broad nose, pointed ears, and an enormous head. Their mouth has sharp fSangs and can open to an impossible size. Their legs are short, making their arms appear long, hanging down past their ever bent knees. The ada move on all fours as quickly as they do in a normal gait.
The ada are master craftsmen, able to carve stone, work with wood, or metal or glass. Their only weakness is electronics and electronic devices.
They are slaves and fodder for the raka, the ada reproduce quickly, having four or five young with each birth. They grow quickly, but die young; few survive past their thirtieth birthday.
Ada tribes identify by eye, skin, and hair color which ranges from dull yellow to many shades of orange, and a deep shade of red. The ada grow tufts of hair on their heads and back lacking all other body hair. Since their hair is slow to grow, they do not cut it, and judge the age and status of other ada by the length of their back hair. Cutting an ada’s hair is shameful between ada and used as punishment by their masters.
See also: Rakshoon, Raka, and Dogo.
Akassh
Species: Rakshoon
Akassh (Ay cash) White Sky. An apocalyptic event from the Rakshoon past. A promise of protection from Universal judgment by a male god that is also their home world, Raksha.
Aktai
Species: Orhatea
Aktai (Ach tie): Breeder. A derogatory term used for any sexed orhatea that is not pledged to another. Breeder here is derogatory in the sense that unpledged sexed orhatea must give their eggs or seed to the orhatea hatching chambers for the creation of sexless drones. Whereas, a paired male’s female uses his seed to create aro, and Tomo clones, a higher honor.
Amah
Species: Orhatea
Amah (ah ma): Mother, or queen. The proper name and title for an orhatea female that has formed a Colony. The orhatea are eusocial, with a single queen (the Amah) directing the Colony’s activities, especially the use of a female’s eggs and a male’s seed. An Amah’s egg when paired with Earah’s seed will produce a sexed orhatea. All other pairings of eggs and seed produce unsexed orhatea.
The Amah is a powerful being. She can grow to 243 cm (8 ft) in height. Her enlarged body structure makes her incredibly strong and allows for added air sacks that can produce a sonic attack capable of shattering concrete and melting steel. Like all female orhatea, she is a powerful telepath, but unlike the Tomo, she can reach into the minds of species not hatched from arotea.
The Amah is the only member of an orhatea Colony that has freewill. The Colony’s children are an extension of that will, and behave as if they were a single individual, executing the Amah’s desires.
Anga
Species: Orhatea
Anga (ang guh): Fate, destiny. Fate is a religious belief. For the orhatea, believers are planet-bound, superstitious fools. Yet, their very name, The Fundamental Beings of the Universe implies a certain weight in destiny. The Book of Engaro asserts the orhatea have not completed their evolutionary journey, promising a new—all-powerful—species, the Engaro. But that leap is dependent on the anga of another species they have yet to meet.
Angahai
Species: Orhatea
Angahai (Ang guh hi): The Universal Nature. A belief system from the Book of Engaro that implies great evolutionary leaps are the only method the Universe has to reveal its purpose. Those not interested in finding ways to evolve the species into something greater are lesser and therefore tools for those who believe. While forbidding the Book of Engaro, the orhatea have adopted parts of this belief system by considering any species that cannot survive in space as a lesser species, referring to them as planet-bound, a derogatory term.
Angatam
Species: Orhatea
Angatam (ang guh tam): The final parting, or the birth of the sisters. Fertility is life to the orhatea. Females and males live as long as they can produce eggs or seed. For aktai that could be a few years, for Tomo and Tamo it could be hundreds of years, and for the Amah and Earah it could be a thousand or more years.
When a lesser male or female are no longer fertile they are fed to the Arotea Ting. When an Amah is barren she kills her Earah then joins her psychic essence to his in her Seed. After which, her body divides into two females, one of which will assume the role of Amah after killing the other. This period of conflict decimates the Colony is the only known limit to orhatea expansion.
Aro
Species: Orhatea
Aro (ay row): Sex, stimulant, precursor to arotea. Both a hormone and enzyme aro is produced by female orhatea sexual organs that resemble human breasts. In its raw form, aro is a stimulant that is deadly to creatures not adapted to arotea. Mixed with proteins and sugars it acts as any enzyme creating arotea.
Female orhatea can transfer aro with a touch, but will the substance when threatened.
Aro accelerates the growth of arotea, orhatea drones, and Tomo clones. When a creature adapted to arotea injects, or is otherwise exposed to aro they have a moment of euphoria after which they are intensely aware of the substance in their system and can direct it according to their needs, including added strength, sexual stimulation, or—most common—suppressing pain and healing injuries.
Aropakte
Species: Orhatea
Aropakte (ay row pawch tea): Motherless. Being part of the colony, a child of the Amah is the definition of purpose for an orhatea. Aropakte is both a derision and a punishment for a drone. Aropakte are forbidden to lay or hatch eggs, or make Tomo clones, or—for males—to share their seed with a female. Sexless drones given the aropakte tag are ruthlessly humiliated and abused.
Arotea Ting
Species: Orhatea
Arotea Ting (ay row tea ting): Harvest Eaters. An orhatea drone meant that produces arotea. They are both bi-sexual and incapable of sex. Their sexual organs aid in the digestion of food which accelerates the production of pure arotea. They grow to colossal sizes and are incapable of movement. Incapable of expelling of the arotea they produce, they are slaughtered, their shells cracked open in seasonal ceremonies, their arotea collected and stored, and their shells discarded.
Arotea
Species: Orhatea
Arotea (ay row tea): Liquid Life. A Royal jelly and super-food that is the purpose of an orhatea Colony. The amber colored liquid is food for sexless drones, with an abdomen full of the liquid they can survive for months. Tomo use arotea to grow clones and it enables the telepathic connection between Tomo and clone. Male—Tamo—are superpowered by the liquid becoming fierce warriors, ten times faster and stronger than usual.
For other species arotea’s effects are less pronounced until the individual has adapted to the substance. Once adapted the effects are variable and unpredictable, with beneficial effects often followed by a painful and sudden death.
Book of Engaro
Species: Orhatea
Book of Engaro: A book of orhatea history that encourages orhatea to hijack other species to find the next evolutionary leap. The results were often hideous and resulted in orhatea Colonies competing for species to hijack. Recognizing the degeneration of the orhatea, generations of Amahs forbade the book and merged the orhatea into a single Colony.
COBRA
Species: Human
COBRA: Cognitive Operations Bounded Robust and Adaptive An opensource codebase for Artificial Intelligence. Any AI system not developed by Explorer Corporation uses COBRA as its base code.
Earah
Species: Orhatea
Earah (ear rha): Pledged male, or prince. The proper name given to the male ruler of the orhatea. He is the primary caretaker of the colony, responsible for its day-to-day functions, protection and expansion. He is the final arbiter in all disputes, and with the exception of Amah, his word is law.
The Earah is a powerful being. He can grow to 217 cm (7’) in height. His enlarged body structure makes him incredibly strong. Male orhatea have limited telepathic abilities compared to the female, but unlike the females they are capable of manipulating computer systems with a thought. Male orhatea can create an energy charge over their shells, and the Earah can extend that into a blade of plasma capable of slicing through concrete and steel.
ECPO
Species: Human
ECPO: Explorer Corporation Police Operations. Originally considered by Charles Clark as a paramilitary force to subdue the United States government, he abandoned the idea when the US joined Explorer Corporation. Earl Clark reopened the project when research proved that a belief and loyalty system could be mapped onto a human brain. The project was abandoned again as Explorer Bridge neared completion. Michael Planck ordered the creation of the force after Earl Clark’s death at Eris Station, putting first Mark Lamar, then Park Sato in command of the force.
Engaro
Species: Orhatea
Engaro (in gar oh): Fate Mind, or the sex of fate. An evolutionary aim of the orhatea species that is shared in the Book of Engaro. Even adherents to the book are uncertain of what form an Engaro will take, resulting in many hideous creations that suffered horrible deaths.
Eris Station
Species: Human
One of five Lagrangian point space stations created by Explorer Corporation to facilitate human habitations across the solar system. The stations and their locations are:
L1 (Between Sun and Earth) FuXi
L2 (Far side of Moon) Nyx Observatory
L3 (Far side of Sun) Monde Supply Station
L4 (Ahead of Earth’s orbit) Eris Station
L5 (Behind Earth’s orbit) Harmonia Station
Explorer Corporation
Species: Human
Explorer Corporation is the mega-conglomerate created by Charles Clark to direct Earth’s resources toward the creation of a space folding bridge. The corporation sets as a head over world governments, directing and consolidating resources for its use.
EC is known for naming its divisions and projects in a manner that captures the letters E and C.
Example Explorer Corporation Divisions
E-Cert — Electronic Certification, A digital certification required by all citizens of the planet to prove their identity. All citizens have a tablet capable of displaying their E-Cert. E-Certs are tied to a DNA fingerprint and a personal key code.
ECH — Earth Committee for Habitation Assigns regions of Earth for human habitation, while blocking off vast regions for regeneration. Rumored to control population through unknown, and probably horrific, means.
ECO — Earth Channel One. Started by Charles Clark and Keith Hobson as the propaganda arm of EC, ECO now owns all broadcast networks in Earth’s system.
E-Com — Express Commuter, owns and operates every automated vehicle on planet Earth.
Economic Comptroller — Manages electronic credits to the benefit EC.
ECPO – Explorer Corporation Police Operations.
E-Credit — Electronic Credits, A blockchain currency controlled by the Economic Comptroller.
ECSF – Explorer Corporation Space Fleet
FEC — First Expedition Crossing
F-Grav
Species: Human
F-Grav is a combination of paramagnetic and diamagnetic fields that simulate gravity on Explorer Corporation orbital platforms, spaceships, space stations, and low gravity colonies. In a zero-gravity environment the emitters can reproduce one-half Earth gravity. The created fields are space dependent, therefor they can be on in one room and off in another, or switched from on to off and back again in rapid succession. This allows for the movement of heavy cargo in a low gravity environment while it is secured in a heavier gravity environment.
The name is from a modified gravity theory that generalizes the theory of relativity to eliminate the need for dark energy and dark matter.
Interstellar Bridge Network
Species: Human
Interstellar Bridge Network (IBN): A group of space folding stations that allowed the orhatea to travel between stars. Using it they colonized a dozen worlds and interfered with developing civilizations on a dozen more. It failed spectacularly leaving a small group stranded near Earth’s solar system.
Kit
Species: Orhatea
Kit: An energy field that adapts to the properties of surrounding material. A generic term that orhatea apply to any technology they use to hide, hack, or otherwise deceive others. With kit, orhatea create invisible doors, cloak spaceships, and hack electronic and artificial intelligence systems. Kit is also a power amplifier, capable of turning a small current into a powerful charge.
Mohuritea
Species: Orhatea
Mohuritea (mo hury tea): Changed species, or the Change of Species. A promise from the Book of Engaro where the orhatea will undergo a change to become a new superspecies.
Ora
Species: Orhatea
Ora (or ah): Home, or life. The primary planet, star, star system, or spaceship of an orhatea colony is called the Ora, regardless of its location.
Orahi
Species: Orhatea
Orahi (or ah he): Living something, usually fire. A term the orhatea use to describe an array of “living” weapons. The most common of which is a fire based weapon that can be tuned to destroy one substance, while leaving the surrounding area relatively unharmed.
Orhatea
Species: Orhatea
Orhatea (Or ah tea): Fundamental Being of the Universe.
Humanoid in appearance, orhatea range in size from 122 cm(4’) or less for sexless drones to as tall as 244 cm (8’) for the Amah. They have a hardened exoskeleton instead of skin and bones, but otherwise appear humanoid. Aside from their exoskeleton, their most distinguishing feature is the oblong length of their head, and eyes that glow blue in the sexed orhatea and white in the sexless drones.
Their hard exoskeleton and ability to retain water and air in bladders along the length of it, allow for the orhatea to survive in any atmosphere that is not caustic to their shells. They equally at home in the vacuum of space as they are on a planet’s surface or beneath its oceans.
The orhatea look down on any species that cannot survive in space, or has not developed interstellar travel.
Orhatea social structure is divided into two broad categories; the sexed and the sexless. The sexless are gray and stand less than 122 cm (4’) in height. The sexed are divided into the black shelled female and the white shelled male that are between 122 cm (4’) and 155 cm (5’) in height. There are stories of sexless drones migrating between the male and female sexes, their shells changing colors as they do.
All orhatea share an empathy with others in their colony. This connection allows for a weak communication between drones, warning of danger, or indicating location.
Sexed orhatea have a telepathic connection to all sexless drones. Bonded male and female pairs have a stronger telepathic link that enables two-way communication.
Orhatea speak their own language that is a combination of physical and mental ques combined with vocalizations made with air sacks under their shells. The language is not effective without an empathetic or telepathic connection and cannot be spoken by other species.
Unsexed orhatea can live a century, the sexed extend that to three centuries, with the Amah an Earah living up to one-thousand years before meeting the Angatam.
The Seed
Species: Orhatea
According to the Book of Engaro, there is a crystal capable of holding the psychic essence of a male and female orhatea. Once joined in the Seed the two are—in effect—immortal. As long as one is able to create a body for the other, they can transfer a retained essence to that body.
In practice, the Seed is a crystalized storage unit. Grown in the shell of the Amah it records the life experiences—engrams—of the Amah and her male. Once stored these engrams are available for instant retrieval. This allows the pledged pair to study a wide range of subjects without having to retain that knowledge through traditional mnemonic devices.
The Seed is brought into physical form by the Amah during the Tangoha. This joining allows the Amah and Earah to act as one and manifest each other’s powers.
SMAC
Species: Human
SMAC: (Smack) Space and Multiple Atmosphere Craft. A vehicle capable of operating in a variety of atmosphere’s or none at all. The ships have powerful engines capable of rocketing the craft into space, or they can climb atmosphere layers with alternative engines. When descending, they use a combination of powered and gliding techniques to eliminate stress on the passengers.
Developed for exploring new worlds, the SMAC’s have a sophisticated AI paired with a variety of drones. When parked the ship’s can double their living space with a canvas, or framed structure. A built-in medical system can diagnose and treat wide variety injuries.
Tamo
Species: Orhatea
Tamo (ta mow): Warrior. All male orhatea are some version of Tamo. Their level and importance to the Colony is decided through combat. Tamo have limited telepathic abilities that are enhanced when they pledge themselves to a female. Unlike females, however, they can manipulate computer systems with their thoughts. In addition, they can turn their shells into weapons, generating a current that acts a shield, and makes the Tamo impossible to touch.
Tangoha
Species: Orhatea
Tangoha (tang oh ha): Regeneration of the male through the female, or regeneration of the female through the male. A mating ceremony between the Amah and Earah. The sex act is combined with a joining of minds in the Seed.
Tangpoi
Species: Orhatea
Tangpoi (tang poy): The marriage fight. A battle between a group of Tamo for the privilege of being the Earah. Tira caste Tamo sometimes hold Tangpoi as an illicit sport, the winner traded between the Tamo that held the event before he his shell is stripped and he is left to die.
Tautau
Species: Orhatea
Tautau (tow tow): An unpledged male. A Tamo whose Tomo has died. He is considered unworthy to live, but is not killed or fed to the Arotea Ting, rather he is abandoned by the Colony and left to starve to death.
Tira
Species: Orhatea
Tira (tie rha): Leader. The elite caste of orhatea Tomo.
Tomo
Species: Orhatea
Tomo (toe mow): Infiltrator, female. Female orhatea (not reserved for the expansion of the Colony) are adept at creating clones of lesser species to undermine, or manipulate intelligent species until they are willing to accept the orhatea as their rulers.
To create a clone, a Tomo implants genetic material into one of her eggs and places the egg in a tank of arotea. With careful attending, the Tomo can create a clone of any species. A combination of aro and arotea grows the clone at an accelerated pace. Once created, the Tomo controls the clone through a telepathic link. With some planning, memory, and personality of one clone can be transferred to a new body.
Tuanga
Species: Orhatea
Tuanga (two ang ga): Vault of Generations. Holds the accumulated Seeds of all the Amah's in orhatea history. It’s location is unknown to anyone but the Amah.
Uritane
Species: Orhatea
Uritane (your e tane): Male seed, sperm. A male orhatea’s sperm. Female orhatea need a supply of uritane to create aro. Inside a female it has an extremely long shelf life, hundreds of years. It is extremely caustic to anywhere outside of an orhatea body.
Waiotea
Species: Orhatea
Waiotea (way oh tea): The Song of the Universe. The language of the orhatea. Since the orhatea are adapted to a variety of atmospheres, including a vacuum, the waiote can be transmitted through a multitude of expressions. Including telepathy, vocalizations, and whole body signing. The preferred method is telepathy with a combination of musical notes created by air sacks beneath their shells.
