[GUIDE] Galaxy Map & Time Line

[Agares Tretiak]

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.

[Agares Tretiak]

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.

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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.

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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).

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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. >:(

[Agares Tretiak]

Miscelleanous notes, mostly about the Guard.

The Praetorian Guard's organization in the back story literature is considerably larger and different from SL's. This is to reflect the much larger organization and numbers of the Praetorian Legions.

The Legion that all members in the Ordo are currently part of is the legendary and illustrious 1st Legion.

Basic Praetorian Legion structure:

- The largest unit of the Guard is the Legion. Legions comprise of 1000 Guardsmen (milites), not including Guard officers and NCOs, or Auxiliary units. Each Legion is led by a Praetorian Tribunus.

- Each Legion has 10 Centuries, led by a Praetorian Centurion, comprised of 100 Guardsmen (not including subsequently attached NCOs and officers, or Auxiliary units). Each Century is lead by a Praetorian Centurion.

- Each Century has 5 Manipulii (Manipular singular). A manipular has 20 Praetorian Guardsman, not including the officers or NCOs affiliated with it. Each manipular is commanded by an Evocati

- Each manipular is comprised of 4 Signa. Signa comprise of 5 Guardsmen. Each Signa has a senior or veteran Guardsman called an Immunes who leads the signa. Signa, are, therefore, essentially fireteam units, with a manipular being like a platoon. Two signa make a the equivalent of a squad.

Thus, an Evocati is like a platoon leader.

If you're say, a Guardsman in Legio II, you might be Praetorian Guard Milites Bob, 2nd Legion, 3rd Century (Ferratum), Vulpes Ferrata (Iron Fox) Manipular, 4th Signa.

The Praetorian Guard is an Imperial institution. It did not exist until the reign of Emperor Avanis. Each Imperator and leader has had their own version of the Guard, but Imperator Vesperia's Praetorian Guard are somewhat unique, being more a specialized army, than a mere bodyguard unit.

For comparison, The overall commander of the Guard and the 1st legion is the Lord Praefectus, with his XO being the Procuratore Augusti. In the canon, then, even Praetorians may not personally meet the Imperator (though, to be honest, he seems to find magical ways of making it to the induction ceremonies).

Another few things to keep in mind. Training a Praetorian to the level of an Evocati, plus augmentations and equipment, costs the same as a single Ordo Navis ship of the Third Rate (a battleship). The Guard are not forced to swear allegiance to the Senate, but must receive their pay (but not their pensions) from the Senate. This is due to laws restricting the rights and ability to deploy mercenaries or private armies. For comparison, the regular Ordo military units receive pay and pension from the Sentate, and must swear allegiance to both the Senate and the Imperator.

Imperator Vesperia personally funds and pays for the pensions of each Praetorian, as well as the majority of their training and equipment. If a Guardsman dies, and has family, his pension is forwarded to his family.

The 1st Legion (Legio I) is legendary, every one from the greenest milites, fresh from Praetorian training, to the Praefectus, an authentic, living, breathing hero of the Imperium. You're massive baddasses, if you're in the 1st Legion. Please note that the entire 2nd Century of the 1st Legion are the Imperator's personal Bodyguard.

The structure of the Guard's legions resonates regardless of a Legion's specialization or Century specialization. For instance, a manipular of Praetorian operated tanks would comprise of 4 tanks, each tank requiring a Signa to operate. A manipular would also represent a single Artillery battery operated by the Guard, with four guns. And so on and so forth. The moderate exception to this might be the 4th Legion's command of the Guard's fleet vessels.

There are no "forge" worlds in the Ordo Imperialis universe. We have various industrial or mining planets, but they are not called forges. The military industrial production system in the Ordo is more highly centralized, when it comes to say, interstellar war ships or specialized weapons for planetary sieges, but more decentralized for smaller weapons and gear.

Titan, itself, in the canon is a moderately populated (3 billion citizens) Imperial world that has been turned into the primary staging point and Headquarters for the entire Paladian Front (AKA Northern Front).

Praetorians are functionally immortal. They do not age in the same way normal people do, and it's rare for one to actually reach the end of their service term to retire. Rather, they are Praetorians for life and tend to die in service. Essentially, becoming a Praetorian means you're serving a death sentence. Most burials are done in-absentia of the body, or with a closed casket. It's the grim reality of the Guard: The places they serve, the wars they fight in will eventually kill all of them, even Praefectii, and their deaths will be violent and probably highly unpleasant. It's difficult to recover a body, when the fortress you just stormed ultimately gets shelled from orbit, because the infiltration you led got the confirmed kill on the high value target you were ordered to take down. Likewise, Praetorians fighting on a frontline engagement serve in the worst portions of the front, to help turn the tide, and fight were the battle is the thickest.

One final point: We must make the distinction between Second Life Praetorian and "Fluff" Praetorian organization. All Guardsmen, even the officers, are combat soldiers. A lot of administrative and staffing is supplemented by the Guard Auxiliary, who help run logistics and support. So there are no "administrative" Praetorians in the Guard, according to canon. The closest you get is the Procuratore Augusti, Tribuni, and Lord PRaefectus. They have to understand the whole structure of the Guard to the small details, and thus effectively govern their Legions or the Guard as a whole. Even Guard Centurions generally do not worry much about the background logistics, beyond a certain point, so they can focus solely on the task at hand.

[Crimson Nexys]

BUMP