Agares Tretiak

Congrats, everyone!

The Existence of the Kindred (WoG version). Where do furries fit into the Ordo's backstory? This is a question often asked of myself and Tiridates, and one we've discussed numerous times. Ultimiately, what was settled upon was a manner by which we might include them, without overly restricting their existence or plausibility. What follows is a narrative explanation in terms of an omniscient (Word of God) perspective on the literal origins of furries in the Ordo universe. Source materials made widely known and most "characters" within the story would, therefore, not know, or be aware of every single particular explained here-in. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many question the Origin of the Kindred. Who are they? Why do they share so many traits with Old Earth animals? Why is it that humans and Kindred can inter-breed with a low chance of sterility? The answers to these questions, and more, lie in the past of Old Earth. In mankind's infancy, following its first real steps into the galaxy. Resplendent in its own magnifience, excited and curious to further improve and develop and adapt to the universe it was rapidly expanding to exist within, they looked to the very structure of mankind itself. Technology had reached a new zenith, a point where the living body was no more restrained to its original form, as it was to its planet of origin. Mankind thus, looked beyond its species, to develop traits from nature, adaptations and changes they were curious to explore, to develop, and express if it meant they could gain an advantage, in appearance, or function. Thus began the Kindred. Many animals on Old Earth were well known to mankind, the dogs, cats, birds, and other animals that brough humanity some degree of connection to an otherwise alienated natural world, flush with mechanical technology as they were. By some miracle, many survived humanities bungled efforts to reach the stars, and now they were brought to the stars alongside mankind. It was from trying to introduce traits from these animals into humans that created the first Kindred. This process was not rapid, nor widespread, at first. Many mistakes were made, many abominations, many failed experiments. Some banned the practice, others promoted this form of exploration into humanity's own very core of existence. After a time, the sophistication needed to readily produce effective traits were made stable and cost effective to where the rich or those inclined to seek thme could easily bring about this new way of evolution, evolution controlled by mankind's own auspices...and subject to mankind's hubris as well. In time, they would see to what degree that hubris would cost humanity and the Galaxy. But not yet. Those who debauched themselves and reveled in humanity's cleverness soon developed amazing and oftentime enviable traits. Fur and claw, talon and feather, and all manner of other modifications were introduced. Nearly a full millenia of this created human-animal hybrids, stable ones that could still genetically 'interface' with normal humans. Not all humanity welcomed this new branch of mankind, however. Some saw it as a perversion, others a blasphemey, and yet others, a dangerous game to tamper with the very form that evolution had thus far granted humanity. The Kindred, while numerous, were still outnumbered by mankind and soon, kindred formed thier own cultural and social groups, and sought some degree of escape from the scorn of thier fully human cousins. In many, many cases, these communes comprised of Kindred who shared similar traits. Those inclined to aquatic environments often settled or sought worlds suffuse with water and oceans. Those more terrestrial inclined sought colonies that matched those traits. Thus, humanity also spread more and more into the galaxy, along side the Kindred. It must be understood, that humanity was not a unified entity at this time, more a loose set of political blocs and confederations, intent on local concerns and issues. During this expansion period, there wa slittle contact with species or entities on the same level as mankind, (but for the sake of narrative flexibility) many records on the particulars have been lost over time. Kindred have traded off certain flexible, human traits in favor of strong adaptive traits (say a fur coat, greater strength, or improved senses). This makes your average kindred adept in their normal environment of adapation, but less so in more adverse or opposite environments. For example, a polar inclined kindred will feel at home on an icey world, but find a jungle or desert fairly uncomfortable. However, Kindred can still adapt more readily than say an actual animal, and of course, many create technology that allow thme to control some degree of thier environment. The down sides include certain inherent changes, and less variation than you find in most human populations, as well as more stagnate societies and technological development. Humanity seems to remove these inhibitions from thier cousins and extended exposure has permitted Kindred cultures to more or less integrate into the Imperial System of rule and governance. Kindred also seem, at the time that the Ordo exists, to lack, in the extreme, any form of psychic potential. The reason for this will be described in the next installment (The Catastrophe). Geneticsts believe it may have been bred out of them some time in the past (which is true). As Kindred societies continued to expland, so did humanity, and Kindred found itself pushed ever to the outskirts of human settlement, in many ways forming the frontier of settlement. Residual contact between trading parties of Kindred and humans resulted in a decent knoweledge of various life-sustaining worlds. The fact that the Kindred were on the fringe of human expansion would ultimately spell a marked change in thier culture. Prior to the Catastrophe, Kindred were as dynamic as humans and shared many cultural and even some emerging evolutionary traits, a phenoma that will be recognized as psychic potential. However, after the Catastrophe, Kindred lost both their dynamism and their psychic potential. To modern, Imperial scientists thi sis a puzzle, seeing as the compatability between kindred and normal humans is virtually identical. In essence, the differences on a genetic level between a human and kindred require a very indepth examination of to determine the subtle differences. Timeline: At the time of the Ordo, no one is aware, though some suspect, of the common ancestry between Kindred and humanity. The source of this lack of awareness (or at least, certainty) relates to the Catastrophe, as well. The difference in time between the first Kindred hybrids, and the modern era is nearly six thousand years. The Catastrophe itself is four thousand years prior. The Imperial system is maybe 300-500 years old (Longevity has increased, especially for the wealthy). Other considerations: The technology that created the kindred is mostly forgotten, though not entirely lost. The ability to create new ones exists, but is extremely regulated, and only used for types of genetherapy for human/Kindred couples and their children, to increase compatibility. Kindred have strengths in very specific areas, as a character and in terms of strengths, but those are offset by certain downsides. If you wish to write a kindred character, keep this in mind if you want a story to be included and labled as "canon" (I.E. Official). There are no mythical entities, really. No demons, angels, or dragons. You heard me. No. Dragons. Sorry guys. inb4 FYIAD. No magic, no supernatural powers. If you want to be a psychic, you will need ot get it approved, and understand very specific restrictions on what being a psychic will include. Essentially, very few psychics will be approved. If you want to try, you gotta convince me you'll write literature that will make fit. So...Kindred won't be psychics, unless they are human/kindred interbreeds, and approved. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For a less narratively illustrative, but more technical explanation of Kindred (TL;DR): Kindred are not aliens, really, but (by the time of the "current" timeline) a result of a past era in humanity's past, one rife with some level of confusion due to a general lack of unity and good record keeping. They were created through a wide range of exploratory and adapative angled genetic modifications, in order to provide humanity some sort of survival edge. However, despite a decent chunk of the population becoming what will later be known as Kindred, they are still outnumbered by most of the unmodified humans. Due to various social forces, such as varying views on ethics, religion, and politics, the kindred form into more and more strictly defined homogeneous units, to escape scorn and persecution. It also takes, approximately, 1000 years of constant experimentation and testing before the hybriding yields non-sterile, self-sustaining populations. Int erms of attributes, the strengths of Kindred are that they tend to express specific, advantageous adaptions, but are less...adaptible than a standard human being. A fox kindred is not going to enjoy a desert too much, for instance. Another trade off, which will be further expressed is a certain degree of social and technological stagnation, if left to thier own devices. This is circumvented by the more progressive, individualistic human societal and cultural contact that is experienced under the umbrella of the Imperium and the Imperial System (it's governing concepts, essentially). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REALLY TL;DR VERSION- Basically, there's no difference between humans and furries, except plot and story elements, but permits us to have an explanation for all you lovely fluffy animals out there. They are like humans, because in the past, they were humans, but humans that formed stable hybrids who could interbreed and form their own sustainable populations, from somewhat naieve genetic modification experiments. Basically, hybrids that can have sex and make babies. Yes, humans and Kindred can interbreed in the story. But I swear to all that is Holy and Righteous, if anyone takes this beyond normal relationship descriptions in a story submitted for canon, I will cut your face the Ffff up and destroy your soul. We are not a fanfic site. >:(

...

Hi, Eliza! Ignore Jayce when he's being finicky, he gets this way when we forget to give him his hip meds. (<3 Jayce)

This is how I envision (lol vision) how things went down.

I'll join. Someone post a link to the mod.

All my hate, Intus. All of it.

The laser eye-beam implants will make you all the more fearsome, my lord.

Kristian Kit was found dead this morning, in his kitchen. He was discovered with a half-finished cake, the other half apparently obstructing his trachea, dying from cake-induced asphyxiation. Several bottles of milk were just outside of his reach. Written, in frosting, were the words, "Love us now?". The Dutch Korps landelijke politiendiensten (KLPD) and the local regiokorps (Regional Force) suspect foul play, especially since the words were in English. Authorities ask that if you have any information, to please step forward. Kristian Kit is survived by a personal harem of Gorean slaves and a windmill affectionately known as "Lola".

I was going to show one for Scarlet, but all his pictures are too large, apparently.

Notes on Ordo Medical Technologies: The Ordo has a wide range of advanced medical technologies at its disposal, particularly in genetic engineering and modification, and other, biological forms of treatment or improvement. General care: Certain forms of advanced treatment for rare disorders and diseases are handled through private institutions, and all citizens, if they can afford it, can opt to find individual care with a private medical practice, but there are also state run medical hospitals, specifically for the poor, that offer a baseline of care for all citizens. The care received is not free, but scaled based on income and citizenship status. Veterans receive free healthcare, however. Viral and Bacterial pathogens.: The Imperium's ability to handle most diseases is quite advanced, able to create targeted, custom auto-immune responses to both viral and bacterial pathogens, and the ability to produce these is available to all citizens through state run health clinics, under the auspices of preventing reductions in the populaces ability to function. The treatments are generally very effective, and moderately cheap. This is related to Republic era worries about plagues and widespread infectious disease quarantines that crippled trade at various times. Genetic disorders: I'd like some help outlining how the Ordo would handle these, based on certain restrictions regarding some types of treatment (which will be detailed further on in this post). Prosthetic replacements: The Imperium has the ability to replace most lost limbs and organs, with mechanical, biological, and special synthetic replacements. There are some that are nearly impossible to replace, however. Specifically, the brain and functioning reproductive organs are notoriously difficult or beyond the reach of most to afford replacements for. In the case of loss of reproductive functions, only the most expensive and risky biological and synthetics have a chance of restoring all functions, and even then, those chances slim. repairing nerve damage, even in the brain is possible, but outright replacement is virtually impossible, though dark rumors exist of extremely wealthy individuals having achieved this. In most cases, severe brain damage, from disease or physical trauma are irreversible. Brain prosthesis is severely restricted, in terms of cybernetic replacements. On the upside, most citizens who might lose, say, a finger, can have biological or mechanical replacement made for a relatively small sum. Synthetic replacements cover organs or limbs that are made from a combination of artificial and 'blank' biological materials that will operate superior in function when compared to the original organ or limb. Except for the most advanced and invasive medical scans and examinations, a synthetic prosthetic will not be distinguishable from a biological one, in the case of organs. Limbs are more obvious, as a quick scan will reveal that they use artificial bones and muscles. Synthetic prosthesis are generally prohibitively expensive. Full body replacement is exceedingly rare and the Imperium's culture frowns on it, especially in terms of a cybernetic/mechanical full body prosthesis, which are illegal. Prosthetic replacements for funcitonal augmentation is permitted in all three forms, with specific restrictions. Any cybernetic augmentation to the brain must permit the brain to have control over the augmentation, and disallow the ability of any sort of external infiltration of mental ability. This means that you may be able to have an implant done that will allow you to scan radio frequencies and access the Imperium's data networks to a limited extent, but not have some sort of remote access control system. The most common mental cybernetic augmentation is one that permits increased information retention, specifically in terms of imagery. Most cybernetic augmentations on the brain are very expensive, and thus difficult to afford for all but the affluent members of society. Other modifications tend to cost less, but are still difficult to attain. Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology is severely restricted in the Imperium. Laws, some of the oldest that remain, forbid any citizen or person within the Imperium from having mechanical nano-machines in their body for more than 24 hours. Thus, nano-augmentation is virtually non-existent. However, nanomachines are used for various types of surgery and medical treatment, albeit in specially designed quarantine chambers. And interesting fact: Kindred are virtually indistinguishable from humans on a genetic level, indicating that all Kindred and humans share common ancestry. It has been theorized that Kindred's physical similarity to Old Earth animals and creatures might relate to some debauched and long-past era where genetic modification was rampant and resulted in a rash of mutation and changes in the human gene-pool that created the Kindred.

Oh god, I cracked the Ffff up when they were running around in the snow singing.

Clearly, his fortune was "You shall kick some ass and eat this fortune."

Now closed until further notice..

o_O

Oh what the hell. The French get Veal and duck in their MREs. That's pretty cool, though, Pat! :D

Also consider sculpting or modeling some aspects of it separately.

...No hellspawn. The foul alien scum we'll be fighting are bad enough. And no, no Event Horizon moments.

I've already outlined the super-luminal and trans-galactic travel capabilities of Ordo vessels and the transportation system we use. They travel through space time folds. The running explanation is that they use a system called Holtzman Logic Drive, to do so. All ships with a Holtzman Logic Drive, run off of a simulated singularity reactor, though there are a few that do not run off of simulated singularities and use actual gravity wells to generate vast amounts of energy. A simulated singularity is, in essence, a manufactured miniature blackhole. When created, a complex conversion process turn it into a sustainable energy source. The problem is, to run the containment fields, fusion reactors are required to power them up and run them under load. The output of a reactor using a simulated singularity is limited by the strength of the containment fields. Since there is limited space in a ship, larger vessels can support larger (and thus more powerful) reactors. The advantage of a simulated singularity is that it will collapse instantly if there is a containment breach, preventing a ship being pulled into the singularity. Class three and higher ships actually use a stabilized blackhole, and using the same conversion process, generate massive amounts of energy. This also requires equally massive containment fields, thus the need for a ship to refuel regularly. All interstellar Ordo military vessels can try ot harvest the fuel for thier fusion reactors through a few 'foraging' techniques, but these are sub-par to the manufacture fuel that is available at any decent sized Imperial planet. This more powerful, bigger brother of the SSR is more dangerous if there's a containment breach, but all reactors of this nature are designed so that the fusion reactors will detonate (thus collapsing the blackhole) before it can run amok. There are also emergency shut down systems that can destroy the blackhole, but it means the ship cannot use its Holtzman Logic Drive, without another vessel creating a fold. The Ordo do have a sort of warp like FTL travel system, but compared to the speed and uses of folding space, it is only used to maneuver quickly into position near a planet once they've folded. Standard, sublight travel is achieved by using high impulse ion drives (as a low impulse ion drive is very slow). These can be powered by either the main reactor or the back up fusion reactors. It is against Ordo law to allow a vessel with a gravity reactor to enter the atmosphere, or to build a gravity reactor on a planet. For most of their power needs, the Ordo relies on fusion and solar power on planetary surfaces.

In other news, Zrazor was kicked out of the PRaetorian Guard for being a filthy Bronysian Heretic. Execution soon, Fellow Ordo.

Ordo Imperialis Terra in the Canon First, we'll cover basic procedures for enlistment and how a given person might end up in a particular branch of service The Ordo Imperialis has two types of enlistment: Volunteer and Conscription. Conscripts are picked by lottery from a given planet to meet its legally obligated contribution of manpower to the military and government forces of the Imperium. There are some exclusions, but all citizens must register for conscription at the age of 16. Conscription is not possible, until a citizen reaches the age of 18. Once a conscription lottery (read:draft) is held, the conscript is then transferred to either the Civitas, where they serve the governing bureaucracy of the Imperium for a set period of time, or the Militas, and serve in the military. Quotas for conscription in both civilian and military roles is determined every two years, using the Pantheon AIs to apportion where people are needed in what roles. Alternatively, a person might volunteer for military service. Volunteers are rarely turned down, unless they have health issues. Volunteers with criminal records or prison sentences must serve 4 years in a penal regiment, before being eligible to be transferred to a standard regiment. Due to the cultural aspects of acclimated Imperial worlds, there is a high level of volunteering. Notices for volunteers will be sent out prior to a conscription phase, so that fewer conscripts are required. It must be highlighted, that Imperial culture stresses service to the Senate and Imperator as high ideals. In addition, both conscripts and volunteers can receive a wide range of benefits and rights from service, generally dependent on length of service, re-enlistment, etc. Former slaves who have not payed their manumission taxes are eligible for citizenship after completing a six year tour of duty, as are other non-Imperial residents of any Imperial world. Further notes on citizenship will be posted later. After either being conscripted or volunteering, recruits will take the Schola Military Skills Aptitude Battery, a series of tests to ascertain each recruit's basic aptitudes and inclinations, and where they might best be placed. Volunteers have the advantage of requesting service in a particular branch (Astra, Terra, Navis, or the Immunes Munitoria). Conscripts must enroll in the branch of service that their aptitudes indicate they are most suited for, as well as based upon manpower needs. After a recruit takes their SMSABs, they will be processed and shipped out to basic training on a military world. There, they receive the basic training they require. Specific to Terra: Terra military training centers around infantry combat. They constitute the majority of the Ordo's military forces, as no conquest can be accomplished without the efforts of infantry to occupy and secure a target. All members of Terra go through Schola Armatura, the basic infantry training program. From there, based on their SMSABs, a soldier will receive specific training that will help prepare them for their future career within Terra. Terra most recognizably utilizes regiments, which in turn are comprised of companies. A regiment is overseen by a Centurion (approximately a colonel in modern equivalent). Companies are overseen by Tribunes (captains or majors, depending on what the company's specialty is), and platoons overseen by Optios (lieutenants). It is extremely rare for an entire regiment or company to be comprised of soldiers who are from a single region or planet. This is done to purposely homogenize and distribute the Imperium's culture without localized flavors, and prevents certain types of regional and planetary rivalries from coming into play. Team work and cohesion are stressed aspects. Discipline can be and often is dispensed with a degree of brutality, including floggings for severe offenses. Alpha Units are regiments that are somewhat unique in the seas and seas of standard Terra units. - Alpha Units comprise solely of re-enlisted combat veterans. - There are no non-combat Alpha units. - Alpha Units are all volunteer (since they all have re-enlisted). - Alpha units comprise of only citizens. - Each Alpha Unit has a general area of specialization. Mechanized Infantry, Light Infantry, Heavy Infantry, Shock troops, Scouts, TAAS, Artillery or Heavy Combat Support, Armored Cavalry, Air Cavalry are all very common Alpha Unit specializations. - Alpha Units are NOT Special Forces. Special Forces responsibilities are handled separately from Alpha Units. - Alpha Unit recruits members with clean records from their previous enlistment. This might include former-members of penal legions. - Alpha Units are elite front line combat troops. They have a certain degree of discretion and flexibility in their deployment that they enjoy over standard Terra combat units. - There are over 100 different Alpha Units in the Northern Front alone. - Alpha units are outfitted with higher-than-average quality equipment and weapons that relate to their specialization. - Alpha unit commanders are responsible for overseeing recruitment meeting the above general requirements, as well as conducting the testing within established Terra guidelines. The forces are not exactly 'handpicked', however, unlike the Praetorian Guard. - Some Alpha Units have in the past, been seconded as Praetorian Guard Auxiliary. - The Guard is more likely to work alongside Alpha Units, due to an Alpha Unit generally being placed close to important sections of the front, or critical areas in a defensive or offensive operation. Thus, you are more likely to meet or work with Praetorians in your past, if you have served in an Alpha Unit. - Many members of the Praetorian Guard were formerly members of Alpha Units (though not always). - Members of an Alpha Unit receive higher pay.

I'd be happy to provide additional information to help you flesh out any details you need or desire! It's why I'm here.

Suggestions for character creation in the Ordo Canon Fluff: Pointers for writers new and old! First and foremost, be imaginative! Don't tie yourself down too much to certain overly used stereotype or tropes. Have a cool idea for a unique background? Write it out a little, and refer to the source materials I'm steadily providing, and adjust it a bit. Secondly, try to keep in mind a few basic rules for characters in the story: - You cannot kill off existing Ordo members in serious canon based work without that person's express permission. If they die in the canon, they die forever! - No ancient demons, angels, magical wizards, superpowers, or exotic explanations for occurrences that are not supported by the source materials. - If you're writing about yourself, keep in mind that we ask you keep your rank and history as close to what it actually is, as possible within the confines of the story. Please, do not write a story where you are the general of a entire army, unless you're actually a legates, or a Praetorian of legendary status, or something of that nature. That in mind, heroic and noble deeds are something I think we're all capable of. - The chances of your character interacting directly, face to face with Aryte, are almost nil. That in mind, if you have a very clever way of how it might happen, let me know. We can set up a canon way to do this! - Imperial culture emphasizes civic duty and military service as very high ideals, so despite your character being conscripted, between the training and cultural pressures, most people will view their military service in a somewhat positive way. This may not, however, always bee the case! - The Imperium is vast, and at times, extremely brutal. With the numbers and size of its empire, it tries to maintain an eye towards what is best for the whole of the Imperium, the many over the few, in most cases. If the Imperium must destroy a billion souls, to save trillions, it will do so with grim determination and the words "Not without reason.".

For the Curia, who do an often thankless, difficult job, so that the rest of us can have fun.

Good work, all of you!