recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
In'tila

Every year on the last day of November, followers of Ynagra celebrate In'tila, a day of ritually cleaning themselves and their homes, praying for peace and strength to face the challenges to come. It is tradition to deny any obligations for the day beyond cleaning, praying and preparing meals, which has given birth to the trend that people spend most of the day in spas, beauty parlours or at the beach and go out for dinner with the closest family in the evening.

## Snippets

* It is a quiet holiday and rarely observed by the general population. On planets with a high N'Ptalini population, though, In'tila will see all of public life come to a standstill except for above mentioned spas and restaurants run by non-observers.
* Often, 'dirty' objects that cannot be cleaned, like compost bins, sourdough starters or f'rha crab sauce jars are place on the curb or handed over to non-observing neighbours for the day.
* The name comes from the N'Ptalini word in'tla, a brazier on a long cane, historically used to transport the embers when tribes migrated.
Imperial Special Forces

The Imperial Special Forces are one of the main branches of the Imperial Forces, encompassing all personnel and equipment dedicated to highly specialized, small-unit mission profiles.

## Snippets

* uniform colours are gunmetal gray / steel.

## Notable Members of the Imperial Special Forces

Category *Members of the Imperial Special Forces* not found
## Other Articles on the Imperial Special Forces

Category *Imperial Special Forces* not found
Nanda Navana

Nanda Navana on Gui Lin is an island that hosts the eponymous main temple of Temple Jansahar.

Surrounded by steep, jungle-covered mountains, the monastery lies in the heart of the island, sprawling across the entire valley. Its verdant gardens have more than once been called the closest to Harmony this world has ever come. While undeniably a beautiful and genuinely sacred place, the decentralised setup of the monastery and the utter lack of any system frequently leaves visitors deeply bewildered and lost.

## Snippets

* Originally the home palace of Tagore Virasana, the temple's founder, some of the buildings still date back to her time
* Many old plants on the temple grounds are awakened with some of them even showing clear signs of sentience, while at least seven of them have been granted full personhood status. Best known among them is Grandfather Amchoor, a giant mango tree.
* While it would be an undeserved flattery to call the temple's library 'chaotic', it still contains some of the rarest tomes on history and supernatural phenomena in the Empire. If one can find them, that is.
Aliaerean Empire

The Aliaerean Empire is both a demonic Shard Realm and the political realm inside it governed by demon empress Alia Erea.

First contact with the Aliaerean Empire was made in 2284 ET during the events of 'The Erean Incursion' on Aylian. After the initial conflict, both the Aliaerean Empire and the Virasana Empire are on moderately friendly terms, expanding trade and travel between both realms.
Lava Beetles

Lava beetles are a classic N'Ptalini dish, consisting of a single large beetle (traditionally K'kotomoe, but others can be substituted) served on hot coals.

They are butchered and fried in their own shell over coals, served inside their shell (legs up with the belly plate as a lid) on a bed of more coals, doused with hot sauce. The name 'lava beetles' comes both from the spicy heat of the dish as well as the overflowing, bubbling red sauce on top of a mound of black coals.

While K'kotomoe beetles are relatively easy to breed, the preparation of the dish and the proper spicing needs much experience, and the dish has become a standard check for a restaurant's quality.
Art in the Virasana Empire

Unsurprisingly, in an Empire spanning over 200 worlds, there are almost as many artforms as there are people.

As patronage over a particularly renowned artist can bring great prestige to their patron, support of the arts has been a mainstay hobby for many wealthy nobles of all houses for centuries. Anyone with a modicum of talent has chances to lead a pampered and respected - if rather unfree - life at one court or another.

## Other articles about the Art in the Virasana Empire

Category *Art in the Virasana Empire* not found
House Quetzal

House Quetzal is one of the Noble Houses of the Virasana Empire, best known for its chaotic, borderline madman tactics and complete irreverence when it comes to other people's expectations. Its homeplanet is Serin.

## Motto

Famously the house that doesn’t give a fuck about your rules. Borderline crazy, they combine erratic, irreverent behaviour with sly intrigue and a camel trader’s instinct for a good deal. Matters of inheritance are famously solved at knife point, and the right of the strongest is a celebrated maxime of the house.

1. They who survive, inherit.
2. Only what you do not know can hurt you.
3. Fuck other people's rules - esp. #1 and #2.

Quetzal can come from any genetic background, race and gender, and are all equally feared and loathed until they slip up and their successor kills them.

### Note

'I am sorry for your loss' is a congratulatory phrase among Quetzal and their ilk.

## Coat of Arms

Black, a green feathered serpent.

Since the first Virasana Emperor of House Quetzal, two feathered serpents with wings that form the Virasana Lotus.

## Style

### Clothes

* Green clothing with lots of glossy (feather) details.
* Black transparent (glass) weapons / accesoires
* Lots of skin, lots of personal style
* large facial tattoos, often one half of the face dyed black or red

### Architecture

* Grandly ornamental, sculptural, figurative, evocative.
* Often cheap, always idiosyncratic
* LARGE, with only moderate consideration of functionality.

### Genetics

The house accepts members from all backgrounds, and was originally highly diverse. Over the centuries, this patchwork has merged somewhat, to the point that overall, House Quetzal is mostly brown skinned, dark haired, and not overly tall. It is still one of the genetically least streamlined houses of the empire.

A noteworthy exception is the N'Pata Quetzal line on Serin - consisting exclusively of N'Ptalini.

## Notes

* The Emperor is also Prince of the House and has been since Emperor Gregorius.

 Anya Quetzal Ashley Quetzal Dimitrios Quetzal Elayne Quetzal Elisander Quetzal Gregorius Quetzal Hans Quetzal Hyperion Quetzal Ilhan Quetzal Iskander Quetzal Ivan Quetzal Lilitu Quetzal Liviana Quetzal Malia Ohm Quetzal Maruja Quetzal Mel Ohm Quetzal Nahuatl Quetzal Nimue Quetzal Sequoia Quetzal T'laloc N'Pata Quetzal Tamina Quetzal Toltecatl Quetzal Veruda Quetzal Vivaine Quetzal Xochil Quetzal Yaden Quetzal | Notable Holdings

## Other Articles on House Quetzal

 Dakka War Gardening for all Seasons Melforce N'Pata Quetzal Ohm Quetzal Serin
Operation Underhill

Operation Underhill is the name of a widespread military and intelligence effort towards the end of the Urchin War from 1001 ET to 1002 ET to locate the Excalibur I as she was the only known ship of humanity that could offer a significant edge against the superior N'Ptalini.

This operation is still cited as one of the few moments humanity has truly acted as one, and has been the subject of countless movies, books and theatre plays.
Mali Hogs

The Mali Hogs are the planetary Hoverball  team of Malicorn.

Generally rather unsuccesful in the Imperial Hoverball League, the Mali Hogs are nevertheless highly popular and renowned for the charismatic players and great teamwork (and great parties).

Team colours are the same as the Malino flag - red and white in wavy, vertical stripes.

## Some Notable Members of the Mali Hogs

Category *Members of the Mali Hogs* not found
Imperial Space Marines

The Imperial Space Marines are a special branch of the Imperial Army, trained for deployment from spaceships, combat situations in zero-G and vessel-to-vessel boarding missions.

## Snippets

* Uniform colours are black with gold.
* High public profile, frequent subject of adventure and pornographic movies

## Notable Members of the Imperial Space Marines

Category *Members of the Imperial Space Marines* not found
## Other Articles on the Imperial Space Marines

Category *Imperial Space Marines* not found
Foo

Foo is a magical construct in the form of a foo dog painted in blue ink, created by Lady Surya Virasana between 1702 ET to 1718 ET in the classic Virasana style on Gui Lin.

## Appearance

> Next to the pile of corpses, someone had painted a huge dog in the air. A squat, muscular dog with massive paws and a luxurious, curly mane. And it was breathing. It was a massive, chest-high dog animated from nothing but midnight-blue brushstrokes of ink hanging in the air, looking at them with a peculiar mix of pride and caution.
>
>

> A Foo dog, his mind offered without being asked. A mystical beast of Virasana fairy tales, traditionally said to guard the families and homes they belonged to. A stylised Foo dog, painted in ancient Virasana style, its mane slowly curling like clouds, its brushstrokes fading from almost black to the palest wisps of blue at their ends. And it had the proud expression of someone who was sure they had done a very good job, a probing snarl on its lips.
>
>

> It was magic, of course, Rene barely had to check with his arcane senses. But way beyond that, it was a spectacular work of art if ever he had seen one. It was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen, and it had done a perfect job defending its home.
>
>

*Quote from 'Red Claws, Blue Ink'*

## Snippets

* Foo was rediscovered in 2289 ET by Rene Laurent and Brother Chang
* He travelled to The Floor with Dr. Laurent and was taken up as kindergarden guard dog by the Circle of Thales.
Ragnhild Cournicova

Rage Cournicova (nee Ragnhild Cournicova) is a human noble of House Cournicova and one of the currently active Lotus Knights.

## Lotus Knight

* knighted by Emperor Hyperion Quetzal
* famous for her strenght and skill with heavy weapons
* one of the most popular Lotus Knights, countless movies. Merchandise found far beyond the borders of the Empire.
* her squire is slender blond youth, a psion
* most of her movies feature her being devoured by the monster of the week, out of which she will messily fight her way out
* 'ragesplaining'
* most of her movies feature an attractive male, dubbed the 'ragebabe'
* mildly sexist and patronizing towards men
* 'Go ahead, give me a reason.' is her catchphrase when dealing with stubborn officials
Megara

Megara is the resident EI of the Excalibur II, a Nosoti-built artificial intelligence and First Officer the imperial flagship. She is known for her impeccable military manners and her dark and dirty sense of humour.

## Appearance

In public, she prefers to present herself as human female of approximately fourty years with dark red hair and angular features. Strikingly, she uses a deep, smokey voice that makes her instantly recognizable even over bad transmissions.

## Snippets

* Unlike her brethren Bandit and Star, Megara has been created independ of the vehicle she is commanding.
* Close friends with Empress Carlotta Almaviva
Heron Court

The Heron Court is collonaded open courtyard on Emperor's Island, situated between the gatehouse and the Hall of Thousand Splendours. It is the main backdrop for newscasts and interviews from the palace, and one of the empire's best known tourist locations.

## History

* Heavily damaged during the Age of Many Emperors and rebuild under the rule of Empress Amadeus Grebenstein.

## Layout

* A square courtyard surrounded by artfully carved columns on all sides, with a square pond in the centre and an immense, centuries-old ta'prohm tree in the south-western corner. The columns support a low-hanging, curved roof with pale-green, glazed roof tiles, echoing the style of Downtown.
* The pond is deep enough to host countless small fish, causing flocks of colourful herons to cluster to the rocks, giving rise to the courtyard's name
* In keeping with House Virasana's penchant for asymmetric layouts, the Heron Court does not have the same numbers of columns on either side.
* It always looks a little overgrown and in need of a few renovations. But considering that the courtyard has been given exactly that impression since more than two-hundred years by now, it can be safely assumed that the impression is intentional.
Imperial Chancellery

The Imperial Chancellery is the office running the day-to-day administrative business of the Empire, in particular its finances. It is the administrative body in charge of levying taxes and minting currency, as well as keeping track of all noble titles and the real estate connected to them.

The Imperial Cancellery as a building is situated in the gatehouse of Emperor's Island.

It is headed by the Imperial Chancellor.

## More articles about the Imperial Chancellery

 Currency of the Virasana Empire Imperial Chancellor Taxes in the Virasana Empire
Iskander Quetzal

Iskander Quetzal was a human noble of House Quetzal and tenth Virasana Emperor.

## Appearance

* tall like his father, but lithely atheltic and with the natural grace of his mother
* dark haired, tanned
* dazzling smile, easy laugh

## Youth

* grew up with unusually open love of this parents
* attended Kalidor Academy
* married Lilitu Quetzal in 2219 ET
* crowned Emperor in 2221 ET

## Death

Iskander Quetzal died in 2233 ET in an unexpected skirmish as a part of ill-advised peace talks during the height of the Black-and-White War. His death was blamed on both House Ndewane and House Grebenstein, and his widow exacted bloody revenge on both of them.
Old Opera

The Old Opera is one of the oldest and most renowned opera houses of the empire. The annual Fundraiser Ball at the Old Opera is the central social event of Agami and much of the Empire, taking place on the third weekend in August.

## Architecture

Dominating the Opera area of Agami pretty much the same way the Grand Arena dominates Downtown, it is one one of the must-see landmarks of the capital. A sprawling structure of rose and golden Ouaradi sandstone from Isfahan, its many cupolas and turrets make it an unmistakable edifice, well recognized all throughout the empire.

## Cultural Significance

> "Every war humanity has ever fought and will ever fight has been for places like this to exist. As long as the Old Opera opens its doors in the evening, we will all know that the fight for humanity's soul has not yet been lost."
>
>

*Emperor Hyperion Quetzal, in his letter granting the Voice of the Emperor to the Old Opera's superintendent*

Apart from the architectural splendor and the high standards of its crew and productions, the Old Opera is renowned for being probably the longest-running cultural establishment of humanity, having mounted a show at least every Saturday at eight since the beginning of recorded history. Even during the Age of Many Emperors, with open warfare in the streets of Agami, the Old Opera has never closed its doors, gaining respect from all sides until this day.

Since the time of Emperor Hyperion Quetzal, the opera's superintendent traditionally holds the Voice of the Emperor, one of the very rare commoners holding this honor.

## Programme

Despite its name, the Old Opera shows all kinds of staged entertainment besides classic and modern opera - operetta, theater, concerts, shadow plays, ballet - you name it. The entire cultural range of the Empire can be found here, as long as it conforms to the house's ardent demands of quality.
Skein Cradle

The Skein Cradle is a variation of the Gravoskein based Skein Drive that instead of accelerating dampens the gravitational influence of nearby mass, effectively rendering items inside the field weight-, but not massless.

Almost all modern ships use a Skein Cradle to ease liftoff from a planet's surface.
Shard Realm

Shard Realms is a catch-all term for pockets of space-time that are not part of 'our' universe. They are generally unstable unless 'powered' by some means, and have weak Eigenrealität pressures.

## Origins

Shard realms can have many origins, among which the demonic shard realm is the best known and most common. In those cases the shard realm is stabilised by the will of its most powerful demon, the realm lord, and will collapse upon their death unless the position is usurped by someone else.

Other shard realms can be created by spirits of nature, mages or even techonological means, though the latter seems to be available only to elder races like the Nosoti and N'bosoti.

## Noteable Shard Realms

The best known shard realm is the Aliaerean Empire, a demonic shard realm that permanently attached to our universe during the events of 'The Erean Incursion'.

Another well-known if tiny shard realm is the one that Lotus Knight Sir Yaden Quetzal entered during the events of 'The Demon of Hagermarsh'. Despite housing a demon, it is not considered to have been a demonic shard realm, but the product of an ancient magic enchantment that linked the local bakeries together through a network of transdimensional tunnels.

The attachment and almost complete Eigenrealität-decay of a large demonic shard realm is a major event in 'The Demon Prince of Khadân'.

## Snippets

* The position of shard realms in relation to our universe can be calculated via Transdimensional Mathematics, and consequentially the pathways there as well.
Solar Sails

While by far not as versatile as propellant based or electron-repulsion Impulse Drives, solar sails are frequently used by larger cargo vessels to increase fuel efficiency.

By spreading large foil wings, vessels gathers solar winds, pushing them away from the systems' sun. While barely effective as sole method of propulsion, it does make a significant difference for larger vessels or for long-range exploration missions outside a planet's Mandala orbit.

There are only very few private and military vessels use solar sails, best known among them is the Rheingold.
Hall of Swords

The Hall of Swords was one of the exceedingly rare temples of the Sons of Cor'Garun, built during the Urchin War on Isfahan. While the building itself was lost during the last days of the war, it is assumed that the temple is still buried somewhere, and its rediscovery is equally dreaded and anticipated.
Procurers Guild

The Procurers Guild is one of the Merchant Guilds operating within the Virasana Empire.
Despite frequent allegations, it is not to be confused with the Thieves Guild - while the latter are a subguild of the Mercers Guild focusing on offering their skills, the Procurers Guild are a part of the Traders Guild, focusing on (usually) legal trade on demand.
Malino Porc

Malino Porc is the main export of Malicorn, and its elevation is a stunningly public part of everyday life all over the planet. It is well renowned all across the empire for its admittedly delicious taste and a pricey delicacy everywhere.

## Maftoul

On Malicorn, the traditional way of serving porc is as *Maftoul* - pieces of spiced and deep-fried porc on a bed of steamed, crumbled chestnut pasta (or rice) topped with spicy salsa (mqualli with olive oil, turmeric, ginger and saffron; *mhammer,* with butter, paprika and cumin; *mchermel,* with herby, garlicky chermoula; and one with tomato, cumin and paprika).

## Snippets

* slightly furry
* their genetic code is considered the personal property of the ducal family of Malicorn and any attempt to remove even partial sequences is considered a most heinous crime
Imperial Intelligence Service

The Imperial Intelligence Service (short IIS) is the intelligence service of the Virasana Empire.

## Misc

* Its headquater is in Agami, on the seaward side of Emperor's Island, called the Midnight Pavillion. While only a fraction of the IIS' offices are located there, 'the Midnight Pavillion' is often used symbolically as a stand-in for the entire intelligence agency.
* Compared to other intelligence services, they are considered meticulous, dour and way too numerous and too well-connected to be ignored.
* Currently headed by Dowager Empress Lilitu Quetzal
Imperial Hoverball League

The Imperial Hoveball League is a annual Hoverball tournament, in which all planetary teams of the empire compete against each other. Next to the great gladiator leagues, it is one of the most popular sports events of the Empire. The finals take place on a Sunday in March and are televised throughout the empire.

As all planetary teams are automatically qualified, even first-round competitions are highly popular, though mostly for the comedic value.

## Recent Champions

* 2245 ET - Hammerfest Hammerfists
* 2246 ET -
* 2247 ET -
* 2248 ET - Espen White Knights
* 2249 ET -
* 2250 ET -
* 2251 ET - Floor Sweepers
* 2252 ET -
* 2253 ET -
* 2254 ET - Hammerfest Hammerfists
* 2255 ET -
* 2256 ET -
* 2257 ET - Serin Tumbleweeds
* 2258 ET -
* 2259 ET -
* 2260 ET - Triticum Harbingers
* 2261 ET -
* 2262 ET -
* 2263 ET - Floor Sweepers
* 2264 ET -
* 2265 ET -
* 2266 ET - Hammerfest Hammerfists
* 2267 ET -
* 2268 ET -
* 2269 ET - Hammerfest Hammerfists
* 2270 ET -
* 2271 ET -
* 2272 ET - Floor Sweepers
* 2273 ET -
* 2274 ET -
* 2275 ET - Hammerfest Hammerfists
* 2276 ET -
* 2277 ET -

* 2278 ET - Hammerfest Hammerfists
* 2279 ET -
* 2280 ET -
* 2281 ET - Kismeti Izilwane
* 2282 ET -
* 2283 ET -
* 2284 ET - Kiruna Slaggers
* 2287 ET - Shang Zhou
* 2290 ET - tbd
* 2293 ET - tbd
* 2296 ET - tbd
* 2299 ET - tbd

## Popular Teams

* the Alloy Silverfishes
* the Dahomani Assegai
* the Espen White Knights
* the Floor Sweepers
* the Hammerfest Hammerfists
* the Isfahan Sugar Puffs
* the Kiruna Slaggers
* the Kismeti Izilwane
* the Lagoona Blockbusters
* the Lorelei Lumberjanes
* the Mali Hogs
* the Nabucco Stallions
* the Serin Tumbleweeds
* the Shibuya Starlights
* the Svansgard Yotuns
* the Teani Stingrays
* the Triticum Harbingers
* the Yaiciz Cyberpunks
* the Gui Lin Floating Dragons

## Snippets

* Only people actually born on the planet can compete for that planet.
* People born on spaceships are alotted according to the ship's port of registration.
* Creatures becoming people by gaining Full Personhood Rights count as born on the planet where their soul certificate was issued.

## Other Articles on the Imperial Hoverball League

Category *Imperial Hoverball League* not found
Malicorn

Malicorn is a planet of the Virasana Empire and popular tourist destination, best known for its Malino Porc products, the quintannual Swine Swinging and being the safest planet of the Empire.

## Climate

* two moons
* mostly steppes, only a few small oceans
* few forests
* not overly suited for farmland

## History

* high N'Ptalini population
* 60% serfs, only few slaves

## Culture

Malicorn is a center of N'Ptalini hard rock, besides the lesser known Malino country music and the obvious entertainment music along the Rasher. Both Jakub Semmering and L'kume and T'soja Yeyéye are highly popular performers that have started out on the Rasher.

There is of course the famous Malino porc (and the ubiquitous line of Grinny Pig products), often served as *Maftoul*. There is surprisingly good N'Ptalini cuisine (The Burning Beetle on the Rasher is only the best known example) and a wide range of nut- and acorn based dishes that make up a major part of the traditional country food.

While surfing and swimming are widely popular passtimes, Malicorn is also home to a beloved but mid-level Hoverball team (the Mali Hogs), but all of that pales under the immense popularity of the Swine Swinging contests.

## Local Holidays

* Swine Swingin Tournament: every five years, mid-September
* Birthday of the Duchess:
* Bacon Harvest Festival: each yeard, mid-March

## Snippets

* The University of Malicorn is considered one of the empire's foremost research facilities for transdimensional engineering and theoretical physics. In particular, Lady Beverly's course on 'Applied Common Sense' is highly renowned.
* Unlike most planet's, Malicorn sports a public transport network, mostly by its iconic suspended monorail system
* Along most beaches, there is a vibrant surfing culture that has given Malicorn its image as carefree holiday destination.
* Malicorn is home to the Saint Cornelius Monastery and merchandise empire.
* Due to the strictly limited immigration quotas, there is a distinct shortage of skilled labour, especially during peak tourist seasons like the Swine Swinging Contest or the annual Bacon Harvest Festival.
* Above the capital, the space station Star is the home of Lady Beverly Corusant and much of the Melforce
* Much of the younger N'Ptalini population has begun calling themselves M'lini, a cognate of 'N'Ptalini' and 'Malino'.
* Inanna shrubs are local plant that grow both wild in the coastal regions of the KuneKune Sea and are popular ornamental garden plants due to their beautiful flowers and ease of cultivation.

## Notable Malinos

 Athena Ardenberg Malia Ohm Quetzal Relais Almaviva Richie Favier
## Other Articles on Malicorn

 Lava Beetles Malena Mali Hogs Malino Porc Melforce Saint Cornelius Monastery Swine Swinging The Bloodied Broom University of Malicorn
Melforce

The Melforce are an elite military unit beholden to the ducal family of Malicorn, named in honour of Duke Mel Ohm Quetzal. Unlike the imperial Ruby Guard, the Melforce is tasked with protecting the planet, not the ruling family.

They are focussed on near-orbit space combat and are considered one of the very few planetary-based space fighter units of the empire. They are renowned for their high quality training and excellent equipment.

Originally, the unit was named the 'Malforce', the Malicorn Space Force. The local population quickly coined the term 'Melforce', though, in honour of their beloved duke, and the nickname has slowly replace the original.

## Some notable Members of the Melforce include

Category *Members of the Melforce* not found
Seven Immortals

The Seven Immortals are a group of N'Ptalini warriors who were believed to be nothing more but myths, but were awakened by Saint Cornelius in 2221 ET and have joined him in his fight.

## The Legend

Already at the time of the Urchin War, the Seven Immortals were nothing but a legend.

When humanity first incountered the N'Ptalini, the Seven Immortals had already turned into popular culture and appeared in children's TV shows and comic books. The names of the seven heroes were well known, though there was very little fact and definitely no historic proof of their existence.

Stories were told about seven heroes who died in battle, centuries apart and on different planets, but who all were spared a final descent into Nach'Tarr's shadow. In times of dire need, they would reappear and assist those in need, only to disappear again once their task was over.

The most prevalent version told of a mystic artifact, the Tabernacle of S'bodh, that had been blessed by Y'Bathar, Nach'Tarr and Cor'Garun simultaneously and held the souls (and according to some versions also the bodies) of the Seven Immortals when they were not physically present.

## Members

in order of suspension

1. H'go, a feral warrioress
2. King T'komi, a heroic leader and Cor'Garun exemplar
3. B'lena, the greatest huntress of her time
4. (f), strategist philosopher
5. N'gosi, a priest of Ynagra and Defender of the Obolo T'cla.
6. D'ney, magotec inventor, red and yellow quills. Very extrovert and charming, but also a bit chaotic.
7. T'beru, interstellar explorer and sharpshooter. Pale green with pink striations and white hair, wears only white, very handsome and a bit vain.
8. Saint Cornelius
Saint Nicodemus

Saint Nicodemus was a human priest of Temple Verata, best known for his role during the Purge of the Verata and the subsequent Edict of Universal Truth.

## Appearance

* standing a little over two metres tall, Nicodemus was a gaunt, almost emaciated figure with aquiline features.
* Wearing a simple, red cassock with rope belt for almost all his life, he was an iconic figure long before the events that led to the Purge of the Verata

## Purge of the Verata

It was one day in 2113 ET, a student came to Father Nicodemus asking if maybe Truth could come from sources other than God. Inquiring deeper, Nicodemus learned that the student had been talking to a priest of E'Yla and found considerable wisdom in her words. Initially eager to dismiss this heretic thought, Nicodemus considered carefully, and before passing judgement talked to the priestess herself. He found her words true, and told his student so. Not thinking much of this episode, he went on with his daily chores.

Not so the student.

Within hours, the episode had made the rounds through Fort Phosforos, and it didn't take long before the first inquisitors started arriving. They questioned him, trying to make him see the error of his ways. Nicodemus, adamant in his convictions and uncompromising towards himself as towards any others, only found himself reconfirmed. And he learned something else - that not all his fellow priests were interested in veracity, but many of them had a strong investment in the conservation of their power.

So while he still preached trying to make his fellow priests see the truth, his disciples started taking matters into their own hands and started sorting out the true believers from those only in for the power. These cleansings quickly spread throughout the entire Verata, leaving the order purified and once again in clear pursuit of the truth.

His teachings were codified in the Edict of Universal Truth in 2116 ET, formalizing that truth was not the exclusive domain of God but could come from any source. It had far-reaching political connotations and eventually paved the way for the Edict of Saint Cornelius.

## Snippets

* his iconic wrought-iron sheperd's staff, dubbed 'The Iron Broom', was inherited to Father Caradini

## Other Articles on Saint Nicodemus

 Edict of Universal Truth Purge of the Verata
Places

## Core Category: Places

Read more about Core Categories.

 Agami Al Qara Alamut Aliaerean Empire Alley of Emperors Alloy Anyway Aquila Arashimaya Aylian Bir Lehu Bittermoor Bora Bora Cad Nazár Castel Navarre Cerisia Coshima Dahomey Del'Morad Disari Downtown Emperor's Island Erys Espen Ewêle Fort Phosphoros Garami Palace Geshi N'Ptah Goa Gongjue Palace Grand Amadeum Grand Arena Grand Ossuary of Halfbard Green Sea Greifenwald Guatiza Gui Lin Gulgoleth Hagermarsh Haku-un Hall of Swords Hall of Thousand Splendours Hammerfest Hamunaptra Hashimata Heraklion Heron Court Hibikai Hiraeth Monastery Imperial Holdings Iron Pavillion Isfahan Ithaca Jiagong Kalidor Kiruna Kismet Krypta Kyo La Roche Lacrimosa Monastery Lagoona Leichnam Linaréz Lofteringen Lohengrin Lopeia Lorelei Lotus Pavilion Luanshi Lugano Malena Malicorn Matsu Kemori Midnight Pavillion Mojawe Molani Mukeibat Al Sukar Nabucco Nagaboshi Nanda Navana Nangkon Wat Nassau New Amadeum Noor Old Opera Opera Ordensburg Parwalgaon Peach Penaroyo Penzance Qufu Rasher Rayatea Rosa Espinosa Rostock Saint Cornelius Monastery Schimmelbach Semiramis Serin Shang Zhou Shibuya Shiraz Sooraj Island Souhk Alkhadamat Soukh Aleadl Soukh Alfan Soukh Ateima Soukh Zuhur Star Svagatha Vheli Svansgard Syrah Tempest Terra The Floor The Glade The Lair Thebaia Tor'Tecla Toraskah Trinidad Triticum Ukhoko Necropolis University of Isfahan University of Malicorn Valencia Vasconcelos Viidakko Virasana Empire (realm) Wyrmfels Yaiciz Yseio Z'Kamanzi Zhivago
Nassau

Nassau is a planet of the Virasana Empire.

## Climate

* aquatic, only one island habitable, no continents
* climate otherwise mild and perfect for human settlement
* old planet, little surface variation
* while the higher latitudes are beset with frequent hurricanes, the aequatorial regions are mostly calm.
* no moons

## History

* originally settled during the Shangri-La period, but died out during the lost years.
* only rediscovered in 2103 ET, properly settled since 2214 ET
* all inhabitants on the sole island

## Culture

Despite the relatively short time humans have been settling on Nassau, their windchimes have developed into unique instruments already.

Naturally, all sorts of sea food and crustaceans are featuring heavily in the local cuisine, as does a sort of starchy banana that grows almost ubiquitous on the island.

Sailing, diving and fishing are the main pass times of Nassau, though dancing is unexpectedly popular as well. Overall, there is little work and weather is mostly benign, so Nassi in general are rather laid-back.

## Snippets

* In the rare case of a severe hurricane, the entire island can be put under an energy hardshield that will lock off the settlement entirely. The shield's technology is located underneath the local Knight's 'castle'.
* The Imperial Governor, Santiago Ortéga, also owns the planet's only slave, a pet named Burke.
Teleportation

The ability to instantaneously travel from one location to another via Psionics is called teleportation. Next to the Mandala Network, teleportation offers the only means of superluminal travel in the Virasana Empire.

## Psions Guild

While most teleporters can only port themselves and over limited distances, by working together in the Psions Guild, teleporters can relocate immense amounts of material across interstellar distances. While there are only very few teleporters capable of interstellar ports on their own - Master Ulysses being the best-known among them - the Psions Guild has figured out a way to combine individual skills and allow even lesser talents to facilitate such services as teamwork.
Relais Almaviva

Relais Almaviva is a human noble of House Almaviva and one of the currently active Lotus Knights.

## Youth

* shares his mixed Grebenstein / Almaviva ancestry with Amadeus Grebenstein

## Lotus Knight

* famous for his charm and duelling skills, also an accomplished diplomat and negotiator.
* repeatedly compared to Ludwig Fürchtegott Grebenstein and Estefanía Almaviva.
* his squire is a niece of Lady Rage Cournicova, who gained unexpected charm under his tutelage.
T'cla (plant)

T'cla trees are massive shoreline colonies of small individual plants who grow ossifying superstructures not unlike corals, native to Geshi N'Ptah.

T'clas were historic N'Ptalini housings, and still are used for official edifices. While originally growing for centuries until useable as buildings, specially bred varieties can now grow to maturity in mere decades.

Ancient T'cla trees can grow several dozen meters high and many hundred meters wide.
Shibuya

Shibuya is a planet of the Virasana Empire, best known for being the technological research centre for House Kyothari.

## Climate

* one pink moon, Shibiusa
* maritime temperate to boreal, often approaching alpine due to low atmospheric pressure of -0,15 TS
* 85% of the surface are covered with water

## History

* low N'Ptalini population
* about 10% serfs working in municipal services, a few slaves

## Snippets

* the capital Usagi is a sprawling agglomeration of several city centres among low hills
* the ducal palace lies withing a walled-off, square area in the middle of Usagi, a cluster of interconnected modernist pagodas sitting on large boulders, surrounded by dense pine forrest
* the system's mandala is guarded by the space station Kurosawa, considered one of the largest and grandest of the empire. It is a spectacularly ostentatious construct, mimicking ancient palaces from Qufu and Shang Zhou, yet adding it's unique, glittering cybaroque style.

## Culture

* Academic success (or at least financial success) are held in highest regard. Elementary schools are free and compulsory, everyone who excels there is pushed into rigorous training with cut-throat competition.
* Despite its technological orientation, cities on Shibuya are surprisingly quiet. Most cities sport excellent public transport, many of them underground. City layout often encourages going by foot.
* Evening entertainment includes bar-hopping, karaoke, arcades, movies etc. While brothels are prohibited, a wide variety 'companion bars' is available, most of which actually offer nothing but friendly small-talk.
* Kyothari propaganda is much more subtle here than on other planets, mostly focussing on downplaying other Houses' accomplishments and emphazising Kyothari achievements.
* They have a moderately successful team in the Imperial Hoverball League, the Shibuya Starlights

## Notable Shibuyans

 Katsumoto Kyothari Naotoshi Kyothari Takumi Sikhulu
Tahira Kyothari

Tahira Kyothari is a human noble of House Kyothari and one of the currently active Lotus Knights.

## Appearance and Iconography

* tall and sinuously curvy, immense head of dark brown curls, pretty
* levantine complexion
* dresses in clear Medina style - bikini plus croptop for demure occasions
* gold plated cybernetic legs and right arm, pointedly artificial yet spectacularly artful

## Lotus Squire

* trained as a squire under Dr. Katrina Keller
* lost her last natural leg on a mission with her

## Lotus Knight

* famous for her technical skills and ingenious engineering solutions. Renowned for having built most of her cyberware herself.
* Notorious for her quick wit and outspoken manners
* Notorious of following the House Medina tradition of showing off what you got - mostly by wearing little more than a gold bikini.
* Tahira travels with a squire who's main duty is to assist her in maintainance of her various cyberware and occasionally retrieve her foot from her mouth.
* often considered the spiritual successor of Dr. Katrina Keller with whom she is still close friends
* one particular mission of hers is immortalised in 'The Golden Army', well known through the popular ballad of the same name
Hojima

Hojima is a member of the N'Ptalini Pantheon, revered as the god of Wisdom, Law and Sacrifice. He is a son of Nach'Tarr.

## Iconography

* adult male, brown with light blue striations, no quills.
* usually depicted wearing a white robe, carrying a knife and a writing quill

## Common followers

* lawyers, judges, monks, leaders, philosophers,
Geshi N'Ptah

Geshi N'Ptah is the ancestral homeworld of the N'Ptalini and still houses the empire's largest N'Ptalini population.

## Climate

* five moons
* arboreal humid
* giant T'cla trees - massive colonies of small individual plants who grow ossifying superstructures not unlike corals. T'clas were historic N'Ptalini housings, and still are used for official edifices. While originally growing for centuries until useable as buildings, specially bred varieties can now grow to maturity in mere decades.

## History

* sustained heavy orbital bombardment at the End of the Urchin War in 1002 ET. Barely any surface structures from before that time remain.
* no serfs, some slaves

## Culture

N'Ptalini music is dominated by the tradtional B'tarona temple drums. In recent years, the inclusion of those drums into human rock music has given rise to N'Ptalini hard rock - better known as Urchin Rock.

Much of Geshi cuisine revolves around various insects, crustaceans and algae. While of little impact to human haute cuisine, N'Ptalini fast food stalls are a frequent sight on many of the empire's planets. Particularly widespread dishes are the Lava Beetles (large beetles fried in their own shell with hot sauce, served on their back to open at the table) and Pop Bugs (deep-fried pupae dusted with salt and spices); both of which are relatively easy to breed in any given climate. Many N'Ptalini spices are growing underwater and are relatively hard to grow outside narrow specifications, leading to large restaurants having their own spicepools.

A famous / notorious export of Geshi N'Ptah is Beetle Spice - a traditional Geshi spice mix popular to flavour everything from chips to beer. And beetles, even!

With religion being such an integral part of N'Ptalini everyday life, religious art is highly popular. Next to body arts (especially tattoos of all kinds), only artisanal bone talismans are a notably Geshi art form.

Swimming, diving and all sorts of track and field athletics are highly popular.

Hunting, foraging and the mutual preparation of food are cultural cornerstones of Geshi culture that are held high even in the most urban families. Folk fairs are central to the Geshi social life, either revolving around religious or foraging occasions. Several fairs are connected to unique foraging opportunities, often the reason for the extended family to re-unite from all over the empire to mutually gather food and prepare it on site.

## Other Articles on Geshi N'Ptah

 Iquasini K'kotomoe N'Koti P'tole sey Siege of Geshi N'Ptah T'cla (plant)
Psionics

Psionics is one of the three Supernatural Powers encountered in the Virasana Empire novels.

## Basics

Psionics is a very personal kind of supernatural ability, and even though the known expressions can be grouped roughly into sets, the individual expressions are basically unique and as varied as humanity.

For the overwhelming part, psionic powers are relatively small in scope, and most practitioners will never reach the superhuman abilities shown in the movies. But the power curve increases logarithmically, and each generation a handful of individuals reaches power levels way beyond anything other supernatural powers can offer, dubbed ‘demi-god’ status.

Being a psychic or not at least contains a genetic component, and can be tested for if the necessary tech level is availabe. Interestingly enough, so far no way has been found to read the actual psionic abilities out of a genetic code, leading to the theory that psions are totipotent - that is, theoretically able to learn anything, but settling on a specific expression once they awaken.

Psions usually awaken in their late teens, at the end of puberty. They can awaken much earlier under traumatic duress, for a short while displaying powers a few orders of magnitude larger then their later skills. The awakening of a psion is called a chrysalis.

## Energy Use

The exact nature of the energy used by psychics to create their effects is still unclear, though evidence strongly supports the theory that it is at least partially an organic component involved. A notable peculiarity of psionic powers is the distinctively different energy use of casters, depending of whether they see their craft as a cerebral skill (hermetic / hermeneutic approach) or as a physical activity (visceral approach). Cerebral psions will feel mental exhaustion and lack of concentration if depleted and will need sleep to regenerate, whereas visceral psions will experience classic physical exhaustion and will need food to regain their strength. The cerebral approach is by far the most common and in many places considered the only 'proper' way of working psionics.

## Training

Very much like a physical property, psionics can be trained. But any amount of training will only increase the magnitude of the effects, not their expression. Very rare cases of multiple talents are known, but those are arguably no ‘new’ skills, only weaker expressions and thus later to show up than the initial one.

## Expressions

Some of the best known groups of psionic expressions are: telepathy, empathy, telekinesis, teleportation, Pyrokinesis, CAF (citius, altius, fortius), Premonition, etc.

## Notable psionic expressions

 Aquakinesis Blocking CAF Compelling Cryokinesis Empathy Hortivenusty Necromancy Premonition Pyrokinesis Telekinesis Telepathy Teleportation Voidwalking
## Notable Psions and related articles

 Angela Inkuwe Athena Ardenberg Ciel Diego Amarosa Elayne Quetzal Florin Lark Frederick Moravia Gabriel Ardenberg Gregorius Quetzal Haakon Cournicova Helen Reinhardt Ian Forlano Ivan Quetzal Margarete (Molly) Weidpfahl Morrigan Myriam Tambô P'tau Rene Laurent Tilda Tjure Björndal Ulysses Yaden Quetzal
Red Ox Tower Tribe

Red Ox Tower Tribe was a long-running TV childrens series, running over 14 seasons from 2253 ET to 2269 ET, and is still considered one of the classics of the genre.

It deals with the last remaining survivors of a neolithic tribe living on the slopes of a malfunctioning Redox Tower on Floor, trying to figure out how to survive after a freak accident killed all adult members. In season seven, their planet is rediscovered by humans from advanced worlds, setting the series into 1398 ET and the series pivots towards the tribesmember's struggles with their changed world.
Ludwig Fürchtegott Grebenstein

Ludwig Fürchtegott Grebenstein was a human noble of House Grebenstein and a legendary Lotus Knight.

## Lotus Knight

* famous for his charm, leadership skills and ridiculous good looks. His oratory skills must have been sufficient to calm or raise uprising by simply speaking to the public.

## Other Articles on Ludwig Fürchtegott Grebenstein

Category *Ludwig Fürchtegott Grebenstein* not found
Malachite Guard

The Malachite Guard are an elite military unit personally beholden to the Virasana Empress.

Very much unlike the sterling Ruby Guard, the Malachites are a notorious wildcard and usually involved in missions that are at least legally questionable.

They are renowned for their wild variation of skills and utter loyalty, though very little is known about them beyond that. Often, previous members of the Malachite Guard later become high-ranking imperial officials. For example, current Chancellor Rose Vandermeer and Ruby Guard Commander Ashley Quetzal served in the Malachite Guard of Empress Lilitu.

## Armour

Their armour is a variant of the Ruby Guard full plate armour - less sleek and more martial looking, cloudy green instead of deep red, golden details denoting rank.
T'cla

**This article is a disambiguation page for T'cla**

The following is a list of links to pages that might share the same title.

Please follow one of the disambiguation links below or search to find the page you were looking for if it is not listed. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

T'cla can either refer to

* T'cla (plant) - a plant native to Geshi N'Ptah, used as traditional housing of the N'Ptalini
* T'cla (social) - the tribe-like structure of N'Ptalini living together
Myriam Tambô

Myriam Tambô is a human commoner from Espen, daughter of Lotus Knight Yaden Quetzal and an accomplished Pyrokinetic.

## Appearance

* skinny for a 13 year old girl
* brown skin, massive mob of glossy black curls, brown eyes

## Youth

* lived on Espen with her parents who worked for the psions guild
* her mother suffered from severe depression, and was treated by Doctor Lachlain
* after the suicide of her mother, her father fled with her to Shiraz

## The Renegade Psion

* In 2274 ET, the Psions Guild's attempt to recapture them on Shiraz led to the events of The Renegade Psion.
* After the death of her father, Myriam was adopted by Sir Yaden Quetzal and his spouse Colin Barley. She moved to Sooraj Island on Lagoona with them.

## The Bloodied Broom

* After her encounter with a N'bosoti during the events of 'The Bloodied Broom' in 2275 ET, she trained with her fathers and Ivan Quetzal at the Saint Cornelius Monastery on Malicorn.
* Also from 2275 ET on, she is in therapy with Brother Jon of the Emperor's Island Jansahar shrine.
Hans Quetzal

Hans Quetzal was a human noble of House Quetzal and 4th Virasana Emperor of his house for a few months in 2093 ET.

He assassinated Toltecatl Quetzal and got killed in a public duel by Tamina Quetzal in the same year, gaining him the questionable honour of being the shortest-reigning Virasana Emperor.
Shangri-La

The Shangri-La was an era of human history of which little reliable data has survived. It is commonly believed that it was a time of enlightenment, peace and abundant resources. Humanity settled dozens, according to some reports even hundreds of worlds, governed by at least as many different groups and systems. Co-operation between human settlements was patchy, but not unheard-of.

The Shangri-La is considered to have started in 0 ET when humanity left Terra to build the first human colonies on other planets outside their home system, and to have ended with the breakout of the Urchin War and the barricading of the Terra mandala in 844 ET.