Aerodyne - Heavier-than-air craft which achieve flight through motion. More commonly, 'aerodyne' in Einheit City refers to flying vehicles which combine jet propulsion and limited anti-gravity fields to achieve flight. Smaller and usually faster than skyships, aerodynes can be simply described as planes or 'flying cars', though come in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from tiny single-seater civilian craft, to the heavy Ministry bombers used in the Species Wars. Aerodynes are most commonly used by the UniClass and, in militarized forms, the Ministry. Aerodynes do exist amongst the outer class, though are often outdated or cheap models.
AirCam - An automated airborne audio-visual surveillance drone, capable of low-speed hoverflight. Several thousand AirCams are in operation throughout Einheit City, primarily in the Toride and Midcity. Average models are typically one and a half feet long, and have a quiet whirring engine sound. They have multiple lenses to provide an array of differeny viewing methods, and a built-in miniature searchlight. As a safeguard against illegal tampering or theft, all AirCams are resistant to EMP effects, are fitted with a tiny tracking device, and may also override their E-Fluid power cell to explosively self-destruct if remotely ordered to do so. Despite being relatively cheap to produce in mass quantities, AirCams are notoriously difficult and dangerous to tamper with.
Air Mantas - A type of wild airborne creatures native to the world's skies. The typical air manta is a large, fin-winged creature with a diamond-shape body plane with a long tail. Adult mantas have been recorded growing as large as 60 feet across. Several variations should be noted between different species of manta, as some have been observed to possess glowing bioluminescent properties, electrical generation capabilities, and an aggressively predatory disposition, while more docile species appear to feed soley on microscopic air spores, and have been observed curiously gliding alongside skyships. Some have been noted to travel together in pods, while other species appear to be more solitary. Unlike most Nightlands wildlife, air mantas seem intrigued by artificial energy signatures and small or dim lights, yet are very easily driven off by direct illumination, which is harmful to their photosensitive skin. Air mantas primarily use biosonar/echolocation for navigation and communication, their long, drawn-out wailing songs a common sound in Nightlands skies. Air manta meat, though somewhat expensive due to the risks involved with Nightlands hunting and the Ministry's extremely tight restrictions over Nightlands travel, is one of Einheit City's most favored sources of non-synthesized food, being noted for its tender texture and lending itself well to a wide range of cooking styles. However it is extremely expensive, often out of the price range of outer classers, and is seen as a special commodity even among the UniClass now
Anglic - One of Einheit City's main languages, next to Germanic, Arabi, and Yamato.
Arabi - One of Einheit City's main languages, next to Germanic, Anglic, and Yamato.
Architects, the - The ancient civilization that built Einheit City hundreds of years before its discovery by Dr. Frey's settlers. An extinct civilization, no information has been found as to why they created Einheit City, why they abandoned it, or what became of them. Based off of operational relics found in Einheit City during its discovery, the Architects are known to have possessed nearly godlike levels of technology. Most Architect technology was collected and assimilated by the Ministry, which has made it by far the most advanced military organization in known history. Judging by the many ancient statues found throughout the city, it is widely thought that the Architects may have been hybrids.
Artificial Hybridization - See "Genetic Re-Assignment"
Bōsōzoku - An outer class youth subculture of various biker gangs and clubs found in the Midcity and Undercity. Typically identified by their wild fashion styles, mêlée weapons, and flags on their motorcycles. Usually seen (or heard) taking part in high-speed joyrides through city streets, riding bikes with exhaust systems modified to be as loud as possible, and causing general public disturbances. Although most are little more than delinquent youths, violent street battles between rivalling bōsōzoku do result in some serious maimings and deaths.
Chancellor Mara Kadesh - A female wolfhawk hybrid, she is the head of the ruling civilian government administration of Einheit City. A former associate of Dr. Frey, and widely known pro-Ministry community activist ever since Dr. Frey's assassination, Comrade Kadesh and her retainers were ushered into office in recent years to serve as the city's civilian government representatives. Although a ubiquitous figurehead for the city, Kadesh's administration is considered by some dissident outer classers to be only nominal, and a mere propaganda tool of the Ministry used to provide the illusion rule by the people, for the people. Comrade Kadesh is also credited as being one of the early supporters of the Neo-Sŏn'gun doctrine, which ensured public trust and reliance upon the Ministry.
Citizen Rehabilitation Collar - Citizen Rehabilitation Collars may vary slightly in model in some cases, though virtually all include a tracking device which allows the Ministry to monitor the wearer's position at any given moment, an audio microphone to allow audio surveillance, and a small euthenaisa shot in the event that the Collar should be seriously tampered with (as a safeguard to prevent illegal removal), or be remotely ordered by the Ministry for the wearer to be euthenized if needed. Generally this is a form of what the Ministry calls corrective rehabilitation for UniClass citizens who have committed low to mid-level crimes, or exhibited antisocial/anticivil tendancies, yet are still considered to have potential to be cured of their ways in order to continue living as proper citizens. It has also been used on select outer classers in some situations. (See image here)
Collar, the - Another term for Citizen Rehabilitation Collar.
Colonies, the - The network of city-states in which civilization survived after the Sun's darkening centuries ago. Each Colony was highly fortified, so as to protect its inhabitants from hostile Nightlands environment which began to appear after the Sun's death. Over thousands of years, the Colonies became divided over racial differences, which led to the Species Wars. The Colonies were completely annihilated by Einheit City on December 22nd, 29 ECE during Operation Boreas, effectively terminating large-scale civilization outside Einheit City walls. However the Ministry claims that many hostile Colonial purebreds survived Operation Boreas, and are now presently to blame for the alleged Nightlander Siege.
Comrade - Formal title used by UniClassers and Ministry personnel when addressing one another. Often used in place of "Mr.", "Sir", "Madam", and "Ms." which are increasingly considered archaic or obsolete terminology among the UniClass. Generally not used among purebreds/outer class. "Comrade" is never used by UniClassers when addressing outer classers.
Corrective Labor Facility - The official term for the network of labor-facility / concentration camps controlled by the Ministry in the remote Nightlands. Also commonly abbreviated to "CLF". Informally referred to as gulags or laogai, usually by the outer class. Relatively little is known of the inner workings of the CLF system, as the majority of offenders sentenced to them are never heard from again beyond, in a few cases, a letter informing the inmate's family of their death. Those few who have survived their CLF sentences often return to Einheit City broken and scarred, both mentally and physically. It is known that within the facilities a climate of fear is fostered, and those who refuse to bend to the will of the Ministry are inevitably those who die first. When a former "zek" has been returned to society, they are almost always shattered beings, too traumatized to ever consider offending again. Ministry personnel who are deemed unsuitable for normal field duty yet not deserving of discharge or more severe punishment are often re-assigned as CLF guards. The CLF system is also what produces much of the fossil fuel and ore used by Einheit City. The locations and the exact number of Corrective Labor Facilities are unknown, though the names of a few facilities have surfaced in recent years: Tartarus, Kwan-li-so, Zolovki, Archenon, and Daehŭng. (See: "Zek")
Cut - OOC term. Or "Post cut". IRC has a limit of how many text characters may be posted in a single message, and in some cases cuts off a small amount of text at the end. See our Connection Info page for a script that can be used to get around this feature.
"Destiny Error, The" - A book written by a canine scientist, Haka al-Sunnah, an associate of Dr. Frey's prior to his death. Its core topic is the theory of The Voice, its symptoms, and its history in relation to Einheit City's timeline of political and technological events. The book saw a very limited underground publishing run in 26 ECE and went almost entirely unnoticed, and most known copies have since then been destroyed by the Ministry, and its possession or distribution is severely illegal, often carrying the death penaltiy. Copies of it are extremely rare, and often have missing pages or entire chapters. Dr. al-Sunnah himself has been missing for years.
Doubleway Telescreen - A telescreen that has a connected microphone array, as well as an image-capture device, networked with other telescreens. Essentially, doubleway telescreens allow one to engage in real-time audio and visual communication with a separate party on another doubleway telescreen.
Dr. Avram Frey - A rabbit scientist and utopian visionary. Born in the now-destroyed colony of Haladan II, from where he championed the causes of inter-species peace and tolerance. Forced into exile with his followers, which later on led to the discovery of Einheit City and its repopulation. Assassinated on December 21st, 5 ECE, allegedly by purebred Colonial terrorists, according to the Ministry investigation on his murder.
E-Fluid - The liquid which is charged and pumped by the Heart Machine to provide electrical power and fuel to Einheit City. E-Fluid is relatively simple to create in Toride refineries out of basic compounds, yet is useless until charged by passing through the Heart Machine. The Heart Machine and a small number of Ministry-only machines are the only known devices capable of recharging E-Fluid. After being charged, the fluid is pumped through a citywide network of tubes and pipes. The E-Fluid's energy is then tapped by electrical receivers as it pumps through the area, which then distribute the electrical power throughout their respective buildings. E-Fluid that has been sapped of its power charge is channeled back to the Heart Machine, where it is recharged and redistributed back into the city. E-Fluid may also be used as a basic flammable heating liquid, and has an extremely long burn life, at least 10 times that of petroleum. Once its flame has exhausted its energy charge, the E-Fluid is useless, and should either be discarded or pumped back into a Heart Machine vein and returned to the energy cycle. The Toride by far consumes the most E-Fluid, while the Midcity and Undercity receive far less, and are often subject to random shortages and dry periods. E-Fluid is slightly similar in appearance and texture to crude oil, though has a blue-ish black colour and is known to burn in unusual, often unpredictable colour spectrums.
ECE - 'Einheit City Era'; the current dating system. Dating or historical records kept by the Colonies were often contradictory or unreliable, hence the creation of the ECE calendar upon Einheit City's founding. The current year is 30 ECE.
Einheit Civil Militia (ECM) - Einheit City's original city defense force, established in the first months of the city's settlement by Dr. Frey's followers. An all-volunteer paramilitary consisting of citizens united under Frey's cause, the ECM was responsible for maintaining public peace and guarding the city's borders from the occasional incursion by Nightlands creatures. When Frey's assassination brought the Species Wars to Einheit City's gates, the ECM was caught unprepared to deal with the massive Colonial threat, and thus came under the command of the newly-formed Ministry authority. Due to the Ministry's extremely high enlistment standards which only a small percentage of citizens could meet, and the fact that the Ministry was a hybrid-only organization, many citizens, hybrid and purebred alike, joined the Einheit Civil Militia. Additionally, the ECM had several underground chapters formed in Colonies where rebels allied to Einheit's cause became members, working in their home Colonies to sabotage their war efforts from within. While the Ministry's strength lay in its legendarily advanced combat skill and strategic cunning further bolstered by technological supremacy, the ECM relied upon its large numbers of motivated volunteers, eager and ready to obey the Ministry's commands to aid their city. As Unity was adopted as Einheit City's guiding social science, the Ministry initiated a gradual re-organizing of the ECM's structure, in which hybrids and purebreds were re-assigned to segregated units, and hybrid members became more likely to receive promotions or awards, due to allegedly higher rates of misconduct among purebred personnel. Following the annihilation of the Colonies in Operation Boreas, most of the ECM was disbanded and its hybrid servicemembers given a great deal of retired veterans' support by the city government. The Ministry claims that previous wartime estimates of the percentage of hybrid and purebred enlisted personnel were inaccurate, and that purebreds played a mostly insignificant role, whereas hybrids are claimed by the Ministry to have volunteered in greater numbers and with overall higher performance and loyalty. Because of this, many purebreds who served in the ECM have been denied veteran's benefits and ultimately neglected by the city government. Presently, the ECM only exists as a skeletal department of Chancellor Kadesh's civilian government, and with a small number of hybrid ECM's serving as ceremonial guards for the Kadesh administration. Technically, all able-bodied retired ECM's are still under an Individual Ready Reserve contract in which they may theoretically be called into active duty, should the Einheit Civil Militia need to be re-activated again.
Einheit Deco - The style of architecture and industrial design which became prominent in Einheit City's early years of construction, and endures well into the present to some degree. Einheit Deco could best be described as a fusion of numerous architectural styles heavily altered by Einheit City's unique technology, multilingual society, utopian symbolism, and with underlaying influence from the more hyper-advanced pseudo-Gothic foundational/skeletal structures left behind by the Architects thousands of years prior. Gears, pipes, vents, steel rivets, searchlights, Socialist Realism, flag standards, torches, and Unity-influenced utopian imagery are dominant themes in Einheit Deco. The design style has taken on a few noticeable differences in various parts of the city by the present age, however. The Toride has for the most part stayed true to the Einheit Deco school of design, though in increasingly monochromatic white/grey color themes, resulting in a clean, sterile industrial feel contrasted with the Toride's abundant greenery. The MidCity and Undercity lean towards more complex and layered style with only hints of the original Einheit Deco mixed into it all, mostly as a result of urban decay and improvised repairs and reconstructions, resulting in a chaotic pipe and cable-tangled slum mutation of Einheit Deco, as function-oriented constructions are built on top of existing structures without the luxury of consideration for architectural appeal.
"Enemies of The People" - The label given to those accused of any form of anti-Ministry, anti-UniClass, anti-Ministry behaviour. Most commonly used by UniClassers, particularly the Ministry, when referring to political dissidents, rebels, religious believers, homosexuals, and anyone else who is considered actively working to sabotage the cause of Unity. "Enemies of The City", "Enemies of Peace", or "Enemies of Unity" are other commonly used terms, with roughly the same meaning.
Fimbulvetr - The period of time since the Sun's destruction; in other words, the current age. The exact age of the Fimbulvetr is unknown. Most estimates place it to be 7000 years old, perhaps more. Though it is thought by some to be drawing to an end.
Flame of Unity, The - The chief symbol and banner of Einheit City. Consists of a torch encircled by a wreath.
Genetic Re-Assignment - A process of genetic re-organization, where the end result is transforming a purebred into a hybrid. By use of a Ministry procedure derived from ultra-classified Architect technology, purebreds who seek UniClass citizenship have their DNA seamlessly combined with that of another race, with the end result being a hybrid, both in genetic makeup, and in physical appearance. The process is said to be highly safe and efficient, though the treatment itself takes roughly eight days, during which the individual will be put under general anaesthesia in a genetic alteration tank in a Ministry gene center inside the Toride until their hybridization treatment is complete. During this period, their DNA and physical makeup will be changed radically, essentially making them identical to one who was born as a hybrid. Wet-wiring may also be done in order to remove certain memories, in order to better separate the individual from their previous life. Genetic re-assignment is mandatory for purebreds who seek to become UniClass citizens. After passing the initial basic requirements, a purebred will be entered into a waiting list until they are called for an appointment to a gene treatment center inside the Toride, where they will be escorted by Ministry personnel to their respective center at the appropriate time and date. However it is known that purebreds who exhibit more socially-beneficial traits (ie: job skills, age, good health, intelligence, pre-existing obedience to Unity, etc.) are given priority queue placement over purebreds who are considered less desirable, the latter of which often have to wait for several months or more before being summoned for genetic re-assignment. For this reason many of the more dedicated purebreds seeking hybridization enroll in Ministry-funded Unity education centers in order to jump-start their 'mental evolution' to make their transition from purebred to hybrid smoother, and to advance more quickly in the waiting list. Aside from seeing rather nondescript laboratory facilities before and after going under general anasthesia for the procedure, very little is known about the exact mechanics or science which go on behind the scenes of the Genetic Re-Assignment process, as the Ministry has kept much of it wrapped in deep secrecy. Only select personnel with extremely high security clearances are assigned to work with Genetic Re-Assignment, and even then most, possibly all, of them are Ministers. See the Classes page for more information on Genetic Re-Assignment.
Germanic - One of Einheit City's main languages, next to Anglic, Arabi and Yamato.
Gulag - An informal term for Corrective Labor Facility. (See: Laogai, Corrective Labor Facility)
Heart Machine, the - Einheit City's core source of electrical power and heating; it is housed in a ultramax-security zone at the peak of the Toride, no living individuals but the High Ministry have ever come into direct contact with it, let alone understand its inner workings.
Heart Machine Council - Originally a group of Dr. Frey's hybrid retainers who discovered the Heart Machine in 0 ECE during the early exploration of Einheit City. They began work on activating the Heart Machine soon after discovering it, operating in complete isolation and without supervision, allegedly for security reasons. After the Heart Machine's activation and Frey's assassination, the HMC absorbed itself into the High Ministry, presumably becoming its leading council, though this cannot be confirmed.
Highcity - Another unofficial term for the Toride.
Hoverdyne - Vehicles which use hover engines instead of ground traction. A common type of land vehicle in Einheit City. Generally found among the UniClass, though lower-quality models are found among the outer class as well. The Ministry uses several models of militarized hoverdynes.
Hybrid - One who is of mixed species heritage, such as a kangaroo/wolf, bird/antelope, or fox/rabbit/lynx/lizard. Many hybrids combine their species names to describe themselves; a wolf/raccoon may refer to himself as a 'coonwolf', a jackal/catamount a 'jackamount', and so on. By Einheit City law, hybrids are defined as those composed of mixed higher species, meaning that a fox/wolf would be considered pure Canine and not a true hybrid, while a fox/cat would be considered a true hybrid for the mixture of different higher species. Purebreds may voluntarily become hybrids by undergoing genetic reassignment. UniClass citizenship is required for all hybrids. Most hybrids become UniClassers, though a tiny number, less than 1%, choose to remain as outer classers, and are classified as traitors by the Ministry. While they are also hunted by the Ministry for their crime, outer class hybrids are often just as viciously persecuted by purebred outer classers.
Ice Wurms - One of the dominant Nightlands predators. The average ice wurm is an eyeless monstrosity covered in dark grey carapace-like plating, having a tri-segmented mouth full of hundreds of jagged, inward-pointing teeth, and can sometimes be heard producing a long, drawn-out howling sound. Young ice wurms are typically 5 meters in length, and do not stop growing so long as they live. Adults grown as long as 85 meters have been officially recorded, while Nightlander rumours claim of a few wurms over 125 meters in length, aged in centuries. Although extremely dangerous and requiring heavy weapons to kill, ice wurms are easily driven off by very bright light due to their extremely photosensitive carapace. Ice wurms are one of the world's main predators, though their few numbers due to rare reproduction have kept them from being numerous enough to destroy most other Nightlands wildlife. Still, they are a considerable threat to land-based travel.
"Inbreeder" - UniClass derogatory slang for purebreds.
Informational Processing Engine (IPE) - A primitive data input and communicating device powered by a gas-electric motor. Utilizing a built-in array of levers and typewriter keys, the user may input textual data, then transmit it to an IPE or other terminal in another location, where the information is then printed out or displayed on the receiving IPE's monitor. IPE's come in a wide range of models and sizes, from portable suitcase-sized models, to extremely large super-processing engines that may take up an entire laboratory. IPE's are the most common computing devices found amongst the outer class, which generally does not have easy access to more up to date digital engines.
Kossaks - A once numerous, diverse clan-based martial culture of purebred nomads, famed for their prowess in battle with primitive weapons and seemingly mythical ability to thrive as a people in the eternal night outside the warmth and safety of the Colonies. Legendary pathfinders, warriors, and masters of the Nightlands wilderness, the Kossaks were often the subject of many stirring tales; accounts of imperiled travelers being aided through treacherous lands or protected from hostile creatures by mysterious Slavic-accented riders...Or of outposts raided and convoys plundered without quarter or remorse. After the discovery and settlement of Einheit City, the Kossaks arrived in Einheit City, attracted by the bravery of the refugees and the tales of Frey's vision, and used it as a supply base and temporary home in between their Nightlands exploits. For the centuries prior their arrival in Einheit City, the Kossaks, being of several nation-clans (voiskos) divided by species and even by the purity of a given bloodline within a species, frequently feuded amongst themselves. Yet this changed when Dr. Frey, sensing an opportunity for peace, helped negotiate co-operation between the Kossak voiskos in the city. Due to their strictly purebred family traditions, Eastern Orthodox religious faith, and martial culture, the Kossaks were seen as an obstacle to the Ministry's plan for utopia. Many were accused of working with the Colonies, despite the fact that multitudes of them fought on Einheit City's side. Entire clans were declared "Enemies Of The People" and wiped out, while the remnants ended up in disease-infested purebred ghettoes, viciously quarrelling among themselves as Ministry manipulation undid the peace agreements forged by Dr. Frey. The Ministry's ultimate lockdown of the city proved to be the final blow, effectively crippling the Kossaks of their ability to be an independent, nomadic, adventuring people, or to flee the increasingly oppressive city. Presently, the Kossaks in Einheit are a ghost of their former selves. Many purebreds make questionable claims of Kossak blood, perhaps hoping to impress or draw attention, though in reality there are few true Kossaks left, most of them aging wanderers, and only a few scattered families and fragmented clans remaining. Kossaks can sometimes be identified by their long cherkesska coats and shashka sabres, though still remain a rather reserved and mysterious people, even towards other purebreds. It is claimed by the Ministry that there are still some Kossaks left in the Nightlands who, allegedly, are taking part in the Nightlander Siege, yet these claims are widely questioned by many purebreds.
Laogai - An informal Sinitic-language term for Corrective Labor Facility. (See: Gulag, Corrective Labor Facility)
Midcity - The ground-level portion of Einheit City, surrounding the Toride at the city's centre, the Midcity is mostly populated by purebreds, with a small number of UniClassers who dwell there. Some UniClass-run industries are based here. Ministry patrols and operations are common, though crime runs almost entirely uncontrolled, with exceptions for political rebellion or anti-Unity-related crimes. MidCity's purebreds are often subject to extortion rackets asserted by the Underlords from below, while simultaneously being crushed under the politcial heel of the Ministry. Ministry surveillance, both overt and covert, is common in the Midcity.
Ministry, the (Ministry Of Defense & Racial Unity) - Einheit City's ruling military junta. All Ministers are UniClass hybrids. The Ministry is considered by purebreds to be extremely oppressive, with little regard for individual rights, though are widely admired and supported by the UniClass.
Neo-Sŏn'gun (also spelled as 'Neo-Songun') - An Einheit City political philosophy which appeared during the first few years after Dr. Frey's assassination and Einheit City's entry into the Species Wars. Comrade Mara Kadesh is known to be one of its chief architects. Neo-Songun is an evolved form of traditional Songun (military-first doctrine), yet the core difference between Songun and the Einheit City form of Neo-Songun is that the military (in this case, the Ministry) is not necessarily superior to its people or given preferential treatment, but simply vital to its people. Neo-Songun asserts that the Ministry is the protecting force that makes Unity possible, and is therefore the guardian of civilization itself and must take involvement in almost every aspect of daily life for its people to ensure a harmonious and Unified society. In more mundane application, Neo-Songun translates to the Ministry's role as a guiding social force and influence in UniClass communities, industry, education, child rearing, media, and public thought in general. Neo-Songun should not be considered an alternative philosophy to Unity, but more as a component which works to benefit Unity.
Neuro-hacking - See: "Wet-wiring".
"Night" -Aside from its literal meaning, "night" is often used in place of the more archaic "day" in common conversation, due to the obvious fact that there simply is no day, nor has there been any for several thousands of years. Also note that "Goodnight" does not hold the bed-time farewell meaning that it did in the Time of Light, but is often used as a normal greeting instead. Examples: "Somenight we have to meet up and talk business." "I haven't had a drink in like five nights." "Last I saw him was yesternight."
Nightlands - The hellish, cold nightmare-wastelands outside Einheit City, and the rest of the planet's surface. Named for their permanent state of lightlessness. Very little life exists in the Nightlands, though there is a thin and chaotic ecosystem of non-sentient eyeless creatures, many of which are extremely dangerous predators and monstrous aberrations, such as snowrunners. The Ministry does not permit citizens to freely travel into the Nightlands without special papers, claiming that the ongoing 'terrorist siege' has forced the border closure. Presently, only Ministry personnel and UniClass hybrids with special permission (usually licensed resource collectors and other vital Nightlands-based industries) are permitted to venture into the Nightlands.
Nightlander - One who lives in the Nightlands. According to the Ministry, Nightlanders are primarily made up of Colonial purebreds who survived Operation Boreas, and are hence said by the Ministry to have a hostile disposition towards Einheit City and hybrids. The exact numbers of Nightlanders are not presently known since the Ministry does not permit free travel to or from the city in order to collect data, though the Ministry claims that they are organized into several guerilla groups which are said to be behind several attacks upon the Vorhang, occasional small/medium-scale rocket attacks, and raids upon Einheit City resource collectors in the Nightlands.
Nightlander Siege, The - The common term for what the Ministry claims is the current conflict facing Einheit City. According to the Ministry, the Nightlander Siege began on February 6th, 31 ECE when a Vorhang gate was attacked by a purebred suicide bomber named Fitzgerald "Fitzi" Simmons, who was declared to have been involved with ex-Colonials she made contact with in the Nightlands. Anticipating further attacks, Einheit City immediately went under complete lockdown, with all incoming and outgoing traffic limited to the Ministry, and a small number of specially-selected UniClass civilians. Soon after this, the city came under sporradic missile attacks from the Nightlands, and it was claimed that resource collectors outside the city were being attacked by purebred guerilla forces composed of survivors from Colonial armies. Presently, missile attacks from the alleged Nightlanders occur almost every week. The Ministry claims to be engaging in direct combat with the Nightlanders, yet much of the supposed war is wrapped in secrecy and propaganda, with little information released to the public. The citywide lockdown has also resulted in a strained economy. Purebreds, already impoverished, are enduring even harsher conditions in which the value of basic commodities has soared due to the lack of incoming resources from the Nightlands. Even the UniClass regularly experienced some degree of economic hardship as well, as luxury items are even more expensive, and basic commodities are in slightly less abundant supply than before. The Ministry claims that it regularly distributes food rations and survival supplies to the outer class, yet purebreds by and large claim that such aid relief is made up of faulty/obsolete supplies and expired food, and done purely for propaganda purposes. Additionally, the Ministry is said to make no effort to curb the Underlord syndicates from hoarding the much-needed supplies to be resold at high prices. Several dissident outer class voices question the Ministry's claims about the nature of the Nightlander Siege, suggesting that the threat is greatly exaggerated, or perhaps even fabricated in order to justify increased oppression on purebreds, and frightening the UniClass into depending even more on the Ministry.
Nutra-Fu - A synthesized tofu-like product initially created by AlvanCorp as a military staple. Though packed with the required compounds a body needs to survive, it is mostly odorless, tasteless, and has the same consistancy as clay putty. It is theoretically possible to season with spices and other flavours, though the result is rarely any more palatible than the original product, simply tasting like flavoured clay. For a while AlvanCorp's product seemed doomed to commercial failure, yet the Ministry suprisingly purchased - and continues to buy - vast quantities of the product for an unknown reason. It also does rather well in the Private sector because of its cheapness and quantity; it is often the only thing that most Undercity - and some Midcity - dwellers can afford. Nutra-Fu dieters, or 'Putty-eaters' as they are called, are very distinctive from the rest of the population. Because it passes through the body quickly, Putty-eaters often appear completely emaciated, and yet still are quite vigorous and active. However, such a diet is not pleasant at all - major complaints have been that it simply never makes one feel full. Many Undercity dwellers have eventually gone mad, and dark rumors of cannibalism are often associated - and blamed on - the putty.
Purebred - One who is purely of one species, such as a draft horse, a tiger, husky, or a crow. By Einheit City law, crossbreeds within one higher species (such as a tiger/lion, cobra/python, eagle/hawk, or coyote/fox) are still defined as purebreds. Purebreds are not permitted to join UniClass society unless they undergo genetic reassignment, hence they are by and large extremely impoverished. Purebred society is racked by violent crime and drug abuse, as well as state persecution from the Ministry whenever political protest or rebellion is detected. Racially-fuelled violence between different purebred races is also common, though a few dissident purebreds claim that the Ministry has indirectly forced or manipulated such conflicts to occur. Also referred to as "outer class".
Putty - The slang term for AlvanCorp's Nutra-Fu product. (See Nutra-Fu.)
Putty-eater - A derisive slang term for someone who lives primarily on a diet of Nutra-Fu. Implies that the person is extremely poor.
Query - OOC term. Means an IRC private message.
Repost - OOC term. The posting of RP posts to another player who missed them. Usually requested by a player upon returning from being unexpectedly disconnected from IRC.
Skyship - The common term given for heavy airborne vessels, which achieve aeronautic lift through inertia drive or gravity-alteration field engines. Skyships saw extremely heavy use during the Species Wars by numerous cities, especially Einheit City, whose Architect-influenced technology quickly surpassed Colonial skyships in quality, while the Colonies had superior numbers. Widely varied in size, skyships could range from being agile corvette gunships 40 meters in length, to hulking 900 meter air dreadnaughts. Skyship battles were a common sight during the Species Wars. Presently the Ministry has reactivated many of its skyships to combat what it claims is a massive terrorist siege surrounding the city. Civilian skyships are common, often used to haul heavy freight from one side of the city to another.
Sky Furnaces - Ancient automated ships in permanent high-altitude flight in the planet's atmosphere. The original Sky Furnaces launched soon after the Sun's darkening several centuries ago, as a last-ditch effort to keep the planet from sinking to the temperature of space. While the world would never again see daylight, the Sky Furnaces did manage to maintain a temperature range of -45°F and 40°F in most regions, thus providing survivable (though still very cold) temperatures, and continue to do so to this day. Very little is known about the Sky Furnaces or how exactly they control temperature, since there have been few attempts to research them closely, though it is rumoured that their performance has begun to decay in recent years, for reasons unknown. Sky Furnaces vary in size and shape, though most are thought to be at least three kilometers in length. It is also thought that they may have similarities to the more advanced ancient Architect technology found in Einheit City, which suggests at a possible connection between the smiths of the Sky Furnaces and Einheit City's foundations.
"Slith" - Derogatory slang for reptiles. Derived from the word 'slither'.
Snowrunners - A non-sentient predator present in the Nightlands outside city walls. Due to their extremely deadly and stealthy nature, there are very few reliable eyewitness accounts of snowrunners, and none have ever been captured alive. Little is known about their appearance, though what information there is suggests that snowrunners are large, partially scaled, white-furred, four-legged carnivores with a somewhat draconic appearance, and no visible eyes. Snowrunners are thought to operate in a pack hierarchy or hive mind.
Species Wars, the - A series of civil wars, inter-city wars, and minor genocides waged between the divided species groups of the Colonies. The exact date of the beginning of the Species Wars is unknown, but most figures suggest that the first conflicts began roughly hundreds years ago, and gradually spread from that point. These were mostly conventionally fought conflicts, with the exception of scattered use of tactical micronuclear weapons, and Einheit City's use of city-scale AbZero weapons, which ended most civilization outside Einheit City in 29 ECE. However, according to the Ministry, the Nightlander Siege faces Einheit City, and inter-species violence between Einheit purebreds is extremely common in the Midcity and Undercity, hence there are some schools of thought that assert the Species Wars are not truly over.
Syndicates, the - Collective term for the dozens of outer class criminal organizations based in the Undercity. Despite Ministry presence, much of the MidCity is under the control of one syndicate or other, and it isn't uncommon for violent turf wars to break out between rival organizations, often times on grounds of species differences. Additionally, most of the city's non-UniClass economy and industry is under the control of the Underlord syndicates, which has worsened the condition of purebreds already impoverished due to the Ministry's oppression. While they do operate heavily in the MidCity, virtually all syndicate leaders dwell in the Undercity, where Ministry interference is far less likely. Virtually all syndicates are purebred. (Also see "Underlord")
"Take the White" - A slightly informal term for enlisting with the Ministry.
Telescreen - A device that utilizes a cathode ray tube to display video on a fluorescent screen, usually accompanied by audio speakers. Telescreens are most commonly found in public places in Einheit City, where they are used as a means to broadcast news reels, changes in supply rations, and other Ministry-approved messages to the general public. Mostly found in the Toride and MidCity.
Toride, the - The 13 mile-tall structure at the centre of the city. Able to comfortably house millions of hybrids, it contains the UniClass habitation zones, Ministry Central Command, and at its apex, the Heart Machine, which is off-limits to all but the High Ministry. Under normal circumstances, outer classers are not permitted to enter the Toride. The Toride is also referred to as the Highcity. Outer classers/purebreds are not able to freely enter the Toride, and usually the only time in which a purebred may willingly enter the Toride is when they are taken in by Ministry personnel to be escorted to a genetic treatment center to become a hybrid, and this is only after meeting the initial UniClass citizenship requirements. Several attempts have been made, both by Colonial military in the past and purebred rebels in the present, at assaulting or infiltrating the Toride, yet none were known to have succeeded in their missions due to the its defensive construction and tight Ministry security.
Undercity - The subterranean portion of Einheit City. The most lawless and corrupt area; most of the city's criminal organizations are based here. Having almost no Ministry presence with the exception of a few AirCams and undercover agents, the closest thing to any form of government in the Undercity are the Underlords, who hold power through neo-feudal kleptocracies. Inter-species conflict and violence between respective purebred groups are very common. Ministry operations are usually only conducted in the rare case that a threat to the UniClass is detected, or some other special mission is required.
Underlord - A common term given for any outer class/purebred individual possessing great wealth and power, most commonly through means of organized crime. Syndicate lords, Mafia Dons, Yakuza oyabun, gang bosses, drug barons, and street warlords would be some examples. The term originated from the fact that all of the aforementioned crime lords dwell in the Undercity, where it is less likely that they would draw the ire of the Ministry. Although they do tend to make their personal lairs in the Undercity, Underlord crime rackets extend well into the MidCity above. (Also see "Syndicates, the")
Uni-Juche - An Einheit City political philosophy which arose around the time that Unity became the city's guiding political science. Uni-Juche, in simple terms, is a policy of unified self-reliance for a given society, and isolation or uninvolvement with entities which do not hold Unity as a guiding social principle, coupled with select secular Socialist ideals. In the case of Einheit City, UniClass private industry being heavily regulated by the Ministry to ensure that personal gain does not take priority over the betterment of the UniClass, that all loyal UniClassers are regarded as equals regardless of income or industry, and the UniClass's increasing social isolation from the outer class and slowly becoming its own separate economy and culture altogether are the clearest examples of Uni-Juche in everyday social application. Uni-Juche should not be considered an alternative philosophy to Unity, but more as a component which works to benefit Unity.
Unity - The Ministry-supported form of utopian science that claims that hybridization is the only realistic path to true peace and equality. The final goal of Unification is that all species interbreed over several generations until becoming one singular species, which would eliminate all racial division, and thus eliminate the very potential for racial discrimination. Unity asserts that the instinctual urge to breed within one's own species goes against positive evolution. Hybridization is championed as the next step to higher evolution, and that hybrids are not only genetically superior, but incapable of racial discrimination. By Unity theory, purebreds, on historical grounds (see: Species Wars) are considered evolutionarily obsolete and holding a genetic disposition towards violent and discrimatory behaviour, and must therefore be regarded as inferior until they submit to Unity. Purebreds are not necessarily regarded as inferior because they are not hybrids, but because they have not accepted Unity, which requires genetic re-assigment to become hybrids. Aside from purebreeding, religion, political dissent, and homosexuality are considered incompatible with Unity.
Voice, The - A para-psychological and para-physical phenomenon that is said to have existed since Dr. Frey's assassination. Those few who believe in its existence claim that The Voice is an entity related to Einheit City's decline into social and political turmoil, as a cause or an effect. Symptoms of The Voice can include but are not limited to: audio/visual hallucinations, "prophetic" dreams/visions, or distortions in reality. A few cases are said to have resulted in death or irreparable damage to one's sanity, or even physical manifestations of The Voice, described as temporary pockets of pseudo-reality. So far only one book has been published on the matter, and has become extremely illegal (See "The Destiny Error"). The Ministry and most of the UniClass regard The Voice as pure superstition.
Vorhang, The - The colossal defensive wall which surrounds Einheit City. An ancient Architect Era construct, the Vorhang was refurbished and added to by the Ministry during the Species Wars, turning it into an even more formidable defense, complete with heavy gun and missile installations, and several Ministry stations. Today, the Vorhang is as heavily fortified as ever and serves as a giant Ministry installation which monitors MidCity activity and the Nightlands outside, as well as the front line against the Nightlander siege surrounding the city. The Vorhang is second to the Toride in terms of Ministry personnel and hardware found at it.
Wet-wiring - Also informally referred to as "neuro-hacking". A Ministry procedure in which an individual's central nervous system is, in very simple terms, accessed and mapped in a manner similar to an organic computer. The mind is analogized as software, while the physical brain and its neurons are analogized as hardware. Extremely little is known about the procedure outside the Ministry division which specializes in it, as it is is one of the more secretive sciences practiced by the Ministry. What is known is that wet-wiring is generally used as a means of extracting information from an individual's mind that proves too difficult to acquire through conventional interrogation tactics or questioning. Wet-wiring is also suspected to be used on those who undergo Genetic Re-Assignment during their extended period of unconsciousness, which possibly explains why the majority of purebred-to-hybrid UniClassers have very little recollection of their previous lives aside from memories which tend to result in desirable citizen traits. Previously, wet-wiring was to some degree used as a means of correcting UniClassers detected as being guilty of malignant thought, yet were still considered redeemable citizens. However the Ministry has begun practicing this less, due to the low success rate of "reprogramming" certain undesirable traits. In particular (though not a complete list) homosexuality, rebellious thoughts, and religious belief, for reasons unknown, have proven extremely difficult to reprogram through wet-wiring. Hence the Ministry generally resorts to use of the Citizen Rehabilitation Collar or other rehabilitative measures in cases where the individual in question is considered possibly salvageable, though much more severe punishments are also used to eliminate such tendancies among the UniClass population.
"White" - Slang term for the Ministry, due to the predominantly white color theme adopted by the Low Ministry. Can be derrogitory, though is sometimes used in positive context by Ministry personnel. (See: "Take the White")
"Wilnine" - Slang for wild canine (wolves, dingoes, foxes, coyotes, etc).
Yamato - One of Einheit City's main languages, next to Germanic, Arabi, and Anglic.
"Zek" - Slang term for a Corrective Labor Facility inmate. Originated as a term for individuals presently imprisoned in the CLF system, it is now more commonly used when referring one who is of the tiny minority of ex-inmates who survived their sentence and were returned back to Einheit City. Zeks are practically always broken and severely traumatized individuals. (See: Corrective Labor Facility)
