Maghiz: The devastation caused by the stellar flares of Tarnis in -925. -ld D

MagnetoDynamics, Inc: Established in 1040 with an Imperial charter and a mineral exploitation grant for Fulacin (2613 Spinward Marches A674210-D). The corporation holds several patents for the recovery of precious and heavy metals from atmospheric and oceanic suspension, and originally obtained its position on Fulacin for the use of these properties.
Following the severe economic downturn associated with the False War (1082 to 1084), the company encountered a cash slowdown, and suspended operations for a period. In 1089, an influx of capital allowed the company to resume operations. In partial support of this new era, the company also established a large starport facility (currently typed as class A, minus) with construction and overhaul facilities to 10,000 tons. Completed in 1099.
The starport facility, envisioned as ultimately supporting mineral export traffic, has served an interim purpose of supporting (through landing fees and other income) the on-going survey of the world for ultimate exploitation.
MagnetoDynamics' exploitation grant expires in 1199, with a renewability clause for an additional 100 years upon demonstration of efficient and profitable operations.
Stock ownership in the company is divided approximately as follows: spinward nobility, 8 percent; Imperial Family, 2 percent; large corporations, 43 percent; investment trusts, 46 percent; public (individuals), 8 percent. -ld TP

Main: A grouping of systems forming a chain of worlds all reachable by jump-1. This grouping provides a sort of "corridor" allowing jump-1 capable ships to travel to any world along the chain without ever exceeding jump-1.
Many such groupings of worlds exist in the Imperium. Prominent examples include the Spinward Main in the Spinward Marches, the Vilani Main centered in the Vland Sector, The Sylean Main in Core Sector, and the Antares Main originating in the Antares sector. -ld IE

Major Race: An arbitrary distinction based on technological achievement of a specific intelligent race. A race which achieves interstellar travel jump drive) through its own efforts is classed major; one which does not is classed minor.
To date, generally accepted major races include Humaniti (Zhodani, Solomani, and Vilani, but not other examples), Aslan, the Hive, K'kree, Vargr, Ancients, and Droyne. -ld TP
The Suerrat (a human race) are considered minor because their achievement of interstellar travel utilized generation ships. Similarly, the Geonee were originally thought to be a major race, but their development of jump drive was based on recovered Ancient artifacts rather than on true racial efforts. The Geonee dispute this prevailing opinion and hold the (generally unshared) view that they are of major standing.
The Droyne have been demonstrated to be major, for they have developed jump drive as far back as -7000. At present, however, they do not build or use jump drives, and remain voluntarily sequestered in their scattered systems to spinward. -ld IE

Makhidkarun: Makhidkarun specializes in the communications, entertainment, and software industries. The firm produces fine musical recordings of all types, two- and three dimensional motion pictures, books, magazines, and art reproductions of all sorts. Its communication division produces data processing, storage, and retrieval equipment and the requisite software. A gourmet foods division trades in all manner of rare and expensive foods, wines, and delicacies. Its software division has pioneered many of the significant advances in artificially intelligent robots using synaptic brains.
Stock Ownership: Imperial family, 5 percent; noble families, 28 percent; Hortalez et Cie, 28 percent; investment trusts, 25 percent; private ownership, 14 percent. -mc RC

Malmok: Hot, dark beverage very common in the Vland/Lishun area. By choice, malmok can contain a wide variety of milder stimulant, for example caffeine. Very popular with almost everyone who has "deskwork". -cam MS

Marava: Born in 551, proclaimed empress by the Moot after defeating Usuti in the Third Battle of Araloine (620), killed in battle in 620. Destroyed the Grand Palace of Martin II. -emp IE

Margaret I: Oldest Issue of Zhakirov. Born in 684, proclaimed empress by the Moot in 688, died in a tunnel collapse without issue in 736. Margaret established the Solomani Autonomous Region in 704. Built the Consortium Trinary, three companion spheres near the Imperial Palace, in 729 to celebrate the hundredth birthday of the structure. -emp IE

Margaret II: Oldest issue of Tomutova II. Born in 824, proclaimed empress by the Moot in 908, died in 945. -emp IE

Margaret Yetrina Tukera: The great-granddaughter of Gavin by third issue, Margaret is seen by many nobles as an easy and legitimate alternative to Lucan, although her lineage is not as direct to Strephon. -emp IE

Marquis of Aramis: Title granted in 631 by Empress Arbellatra to Marova hault-Hayashi in recognition of her services to the Imperium in the Second Battle of Zhimaway. The current Marquis, 19th of the line, is Leonard Bolden-Tukera. The Marquis is titular head of the world government of Aramis; he owes direct fealty to the Count Knowin of Celepina. The Marquis is married to the Lady Arianne Tukera, heir to Enlarge block of Tukera Lines stock. They have no children. -ld TA

Martin I: Eldest son of Artemsus. Born in 12, proclaimed emperor by the Moot in 166, died in 195. Martin had an elder sister, but she did not pursue a career in government. Martin's reach exceeded his grasp as he attempted to add the coreward Makhidkarun territories (the sectors of Meshan, Mendan, and Amdukan) into the Imperium. These three sectors united under Julian, fought the Julian War (175 to 191), and maintained their independence. -emp IE

Martin II: Oldest issue of Martin I. Born in 53, proclaimed emperor by the Moot in 195, died in 244 without issue. He built the Grand Palace of Martin II, which was destroyed in 620 after a brief siege by the forces of Marava. Martin II, recognizing the growing importance of the frontier sectors of Deneb and the Spinward Marches, began the Vargr Campaigns (220 to 348) to clear the routes connecting them to the main territories of the Imperium. -emp IE

Martin III: Second issue of Anguistus (a preceding infant died in childhood). Born in 289, proclaimed emperor by the Moot in 365, died in an air/raft accident in 456 at the age of 167, having outlived his only issue. In memory of this deceased son, the title Martin IV was never used by an emperor.
It fell to Martin III to crush the llelish Revolt (418 to 435) and its challenge to Imperial authority. -emp IE

Martin V: Grandson of Martin III; oldest issue of Martin IV. Born in 357, proclaimed emperor by the Moot in 456, died in 457. -emp IE

Martin VI: Born in 597, prociaimed emperor by the Moot after the defeat of Ivan in the First Battle of Zhimaway (621), murdered in 621. -emp IE

Mashette: This drink is served in a high, thin glass in Massilia and Core sectors and would be quite unremarkable were it not for the dialouge which customary takes place whenever a customer orders one:
Bartender: "With or without berries from the forrest?"
Customer: "No, I'll take it with me." -cam MS

Mashnamii (0826 Lishun EA9A479-5): Mashnamii houses a seagoing culture transplanted from nearby Shuama (0927 Lishun). The 15,000 inhabitants live out their lives on sailing vessels, coalescing into seven small nation-fleets during the winter and separating again for the summer. Ships fly the colors of their particular allegiance and sometimes prey on foreign boats. Vessels range from one-family craft to three-masted ships carrying up to 400 people.
Ironically, the parent culture on Shuama died out because of internal conflicts and Shuama is now owned by Ling Standard Products. Shuama's oceans are mechanically farmed for fish oil and organic gems such as pearls and coral. -lis TD 7

Mater (1819 Daibei E766300-8): Mater was colonized by an ecology-minded group from Corve (1729 Daibei E472ABA-B) who felt that technology had utterly ruined their home planet. They sought a Terran-like planet on which to return to what they call "man's natural state - a hunter-gatherer society with no high technobgy". This return was carefully planned and researched, including ideal population densities and control mechanisms. The most advanced items now seen on the planet are tech level 8 implements, fashioned from native metals. Only items that "spare the environment rather than polluting it" (such as solar reflectors) are allowed.
Starships may land on Mater if their crews do no harm to the ecology while they are there. There is little to trade, and the inhabitants may or may not be nearby because of their semi-nomadic lifestyle.
Offworlders who have lived with the Matrans say that the locals live well, and are able to provide for themselves with minimal effort each day. The planet offers an excellent variety of both plants and animals which can be hunted.
Others may be shocked by the locals' "deprivation". The Matrans seem quite content with their chosen lot, however. -dai TD 15

Megusard Corporate: A former union of industrial complexes and mining colonies in Gateway sector still controlled by a handful of powerful interstellar corporations, chiefly United Megulon of Sardis. -gat MTJ 4

Mercenary: The remote centralized government of the Imperium is possessed of great industrial and technological might, but it is also unable, due to the sheer distances and travel times involved, to exert total control everywhere within its starspanning realm.
Extensive home rule provisions allow planetary governments to choose their own forms of government, raise and maintain their own armed forces for local security, pass and enforce laws governing local conduct, and regulate (within limits) commerce. Defense has been a cooperative effort of local indigenous forces, which is stiffened by Imperial naval bases manned by extremely sophisticated forces.
Conflicting local interests have often settled their differences by force of arms, with Imperial forces looking quietly the other way, unable to intervene en masse. Imperial forces have been able to operate as a police force so as to not jeopardize their primary mission of defense of the realm. Only when local conflicts threaten either the security or the economy of an area have Imperial forces taken an active hand, and then with overwhelming speed and force.
In this environment, the soldier for hire has found active employment. The tolerance exhibited by the forces of the Imperium have made the hired military force a practical matter. Imperial policy has allowed the marketplace to provide military force to those who can afford it; one line of thought has been that a hired military can be more effectively controlled if it gets out of hand, as opposed to nationalistic or politically motivated military forces.
The united Imperium stood ready to enforce its own standards; things have changed in the uncertain climate of the divided Imperium, however. The basic restrictions against improper scales of force are no longer observed, and weapons such as poison gas or nuclear devices are being used by belligerents. Matters have gotten out of hand as each archduke has done what he though was best for the defense of his local realm. Imperial forces have attempted to intervene, but the wide-scale nature of the turmoil has diluted their effect and even turned Imperial forces against each other in border areas. -ld IE

Meredith's Twins, Battle of: The Battle of Meridith's Twins is hardly deserving of the name. Actually a small engagement between separated elements of the 56th Solomani Light Strike Group and a Patrol Section of the 195th Imperial Fleet, the battle's only claim to significance is that it was the first true engagement between Imperial and Solomani forces in the Rebellion.
The Solomani vessels, under the command of Admiral Shifflet Karn, emerged from jump space in the Samarorn system (1906 Dark Nebula) to make a mid-course correction, and to skim fuel from the system's only gas giant. Just as skimming operations were getting under way, the Imperial Patrol Section, under Captain Ross Bagerstock, arrived in system.
Captain Bagerstock ordered the Solomani to cease operations and to leave the system, which he claimed was under Imperial control. Admiral Karn argued that the system was part of the Solomani Confederation, and thus the Imperial ships were the trespassers. The argument continued until, in a fit of rage, Admiral Kern broke off communications and ordered his fleet to engage.
The battle, named for two large planetoids in the system's outermost belt, lasted only a few hours. The light Imperial patrol ships were unable to stand up under the galling fire from the Solomani strike ships, and were forced to withdraw. -dn S&A

Meson Accelerator: Weapon which produces a beam of pi neutral mesons travailing at relativistic speeds. By controlling the speed of the beam, the mesons may be caused to decay inside the target, producing intense radiation effects. Since mesons do not interact with matter, ship armor offers no protection. Most large modern warships have meson accelerators as their main weaponry. -ld TA

Meson Gun: Another term for meson accelerator (which see). -ld TA

Mesoke: Dish eaten for breakfast in the coreward part of the Imperium, especially Vland, Lishun and Antares. -cam MS

Minde's Star (1220 Deneb D235452-B): The outpost at Minde's Star was originally established in 269 by IISS astronomers. Located on the system's outermost world - a cold, bleak rockball - the outpost and its inhabitants have grown. Today, station personnel number over 30,000.
The system's main item of interest - and its namesake - is the primary, a red flare star. Astronomer Jefersen Minde first observed the star's fluctuations in brightness, and the Scouts renamed the system for him when the observatory was built. Today, the outpost at Minde's Star stands foremost among observatories studying this type of flare star.
Minde located a truly unusual astronomical object. The star which bears his name varies dramatically in brilliance - in its greatest recorded fluctuation, its luminosity increased sixtyfold in a half-minute. Such fluctuations are sudden and non-cyclical. Nevertheless, the accuracy of the local astronomers' forecasts has increased, benefitting no doubt from the body of data recorded over the outpost's lifetime. -den TD 19

Minor Race: An intelligent race which has not achieved jump drive through its own efforts. For most races, this classification is appropriate. Many are contacted before they have reached a technological level capable of even considering jump drive, thus permanently prejudicing their potential.
Indeed, the shock of such classification, and the realization that this classification pervades interstellar society, is sufficient to relegate a race to a permanent role as shopkeepers and accountants. Some slump, while others violently resist the classification. The fact that the categorization is informal and arbitrary, and tends to elevate those already in power has made resistance difficult, if not impossible. -ld IE
An intelligent race which has not achieved jump drive though its own efforts. For most races, this is the appropriate classification, but many feel that they are deliberately held down by the major races through this arbitrary but all-pervasive classification system. -ld TP

Mire (0527 Spinward Marches A665A95-B): One of the Darrian Confederation worlds, Mire has become an underground world, which allows the surface to be used for agriculture and natural preserves. Government is a major industry on Mire. Bureaucrats and military personnel are to be found everywhere. Most of the large Darrian corporations keep offices here. -ld D

Mirror (1437 Core B9A8311-9): Mirror, owned by Ling Standard Products, derives its name from the mirage-creating effect of the atmosphere - which is rich in hydrogen sulfide, as is the ocean. Purified sulfur is a major export of the planet. Indeed, the processes used to extract the sulfur leave behind water, so that the planet is gradually becoming more livable by being commercially exploited. -core TD 10

Mollh, Winchestur (578-644): Described by some as a hero and by others as a rapacious scoundrel, Winchestur Mollh was by all accounts one of the richest merchant princes in the history of Reavers' Deep. Specializing in the weapons trade, Mollh would also willingly transport desperate passengers who could pay his high prices, with no questions asked.
One of his more succesful schemes would follow this pattern: he would locate a raw material or manufactured product in jeopardy of being captured by a warring faction and offer to buy it for half its worth from its owner - arguing that a small price was better than having the goods confiscated. If the owner eventually gave in, Mollh would transport the goods to another market (usually also near one of the warring factions), make a huge profit, and then repeat the cycle. His buyers usually left him alone because they badly needed his goods and he could deliver as promised.
Mollh was not above stealing military supplies, removing all identifying marks, and reselling them to the highest bidder. In one famous scam, Mollh had several shipments of stolen laser rifles partially disassembled and the firing circuits removed; the rifles were sold to one side as semifunctional weapons, and the missing circuitry was sold to the other side as spares.
Mollh had a philanthropic side. He donated in excess of MCr115 to various charities during his lifetime, and left much of his huge estate to advance the study of psionics. Mollh died in deep space from natural causes. A small holographic memorial exists on his homeworld, Sterling (1415 Reavers' Deep). -rd TD 16

Molma: Strategy game played in Zarushagar. Two or more players can play this game with or without help from a computer. -cam MS

Monadium: Impenetrable bluish-gray metal used as the basic construction material by the Ancients at the site on Antiquity (0816 Corridor). It has defeated all efforts to determine it exact composition; some experts believe it contains titanium. Even modern tech level 15 plasma and fusion weapons have been unable to penetrate it. -ld IE

Moncton (2125 Diaspora D8A3596-A): Home of the highly unusual swarmer, Moncton is the site of an Imperial research station.
The swarmer is a shaggy, quadrocular multiped that grows more legs as it grows older and larger. Up to nine radially-arranged legs have been observed on old specimens. Most noteworthy, the swarmer has a complex society but no apparent means of communicating. It has no sound-producing organs, signalling plumage, or other structure typically used for transmitting information. This has puzzled scientists for centuries.
In 1108 the means of communication was accidentally discovered. The clouds of insect-like "idiot gnats" that accompany the swarmers are actually cellular repeaters for extremely high-frequency radio emissions from the swarmers. The gnats are produced within the swarmers' bodies, secreted in their waste, and nourished by secretions on their skin; they function as mobile, reconfigurable antennae for the swarmers. Once this was discovered, researchers contacted the swarmers by radio, and found that they had an unusual facility for linguistics. -AGD

Monopox: Solitaire game played mostly in the Spinward Marches. -cam MS

Moot: The Imperial government's only deliberative body. It has few powers and even more rarely exercises them. In theory, the Moot includes all Imperial nobles of baronial or higher status, but most nobles do not find it convenient to travel to Capital, and so many of those seated hold proxy votes. Large blocks of these votes can be wielded by a single influential noble.
Technically, the Moot is supreme in the Imperium, but its power is extremely limited. In practice, its deliberations are advisory to the emperor, and he is wise to heed them. The Moot has only one power: to dissolve the Imperium. When this power is brought to bear, it compels compromise between opposing factions.
When an emperor dies, abdicates, or otherwise becomes unfit for office, the Moot becomes important as the validating body for the new emperor. It has the power to examine the qualifications and credentials of the heir apparent and, in unusual situations, to reject him.
The Moot holds its sessions in the Moot Spire. which, at 1.75 kilometers high, is the tallest building on Capital. By tradition, the Spire is the only building allowed to tower above the Imperial Palace, which is 4.25 kilometers away. Elevators with gravitic compensators can speed visitors from the bottom to the top in 18 seconds. At the top of the Spire is the High Moot, where select committees hold the most private deliberations. In the resulting turmoil after Strephon's assassination, Prince Lucan ordered the Moot dissolved for a year in an effort to prevent any infiltrators from convincing the Moot to approve the usurper Dulinor's claim to the throne. -ld IE

Mora (3124 Spinward Marches AA99AC7-F): Currently serving as the capital of the Domain of Deneb, Mora sits fairly near the Domain's astrographic center. Its location and history have granted it the title of "Gateway to the Marches". The bulk of the world's 10 billion population resides in a sprawling mega-city, straddling the equator and covering most of the major continent. The Duchess Delphine currently holds the reins of power in the world's matriarchy.
Beyond its importance as the Domain's capital, the Mora system's belt is home to most of the significant biotech industries. The belt environment has provided them with a safe and flexible environment for research while being positioned at a large nexus of trade routes.
Mora has two asteroidal moons of great age. Current theories hold that they are cometary remnants. -dod MTJ 1

Mora Subsector: Subsector L of the Spinward Marches. The industrial hub of the Spinward Marches, the Mora subsector produces a wide variety of industrial goods at tech levels ranging from 8 to F.
The Imperial Research Station at Duale (2728 Spinward Marches A5437BF-B) was damaged by an industrial accident in 1102; refitted and refurbished in 1108, it now pursues secret research for the Imperial Navy.
Nexine (3030 Spinward MarchesC97A443-8) is an underpopulated water world where the Imperial Ministry of Conservation currently operates a reseeding program using biologically altered humans. Candidates are provided with gill implants, synthetic skin insulation, and webbed extremities; they are transplanted to Nexine and participate in sea farming operations under the world's shallow seas.
Pimane (2527 Spinward Marches E500343-4) is the site of several small scientific research laboratories. Recent investigations have located deep valleys which hold enough atmosphere to support indigenous life. The current hypothesis is that the world originally held an atmosphere and supported life, but a cataclysmic collision with a rouge world stripped off Pimane's atmosphere several million years ago.
Maitz (2927 Spinward Marches A201511-B) has long been a small starport along the major routes; recent discoveries of radioactives in recoverable quantities have led to extensive development of the world's facilities.
The industrial world of Pallique (3019 Spinward Marches A511965-E) is well-known for its vacuum suits (tech level E) and its air recycling equipment. Pallique's orbit is inclined to the plane of the ecliptic in its star system, and it passes through an asteroid belt at the same distance from the star twice per local year. The hazard from meteorite showers has led to almost total underground construction. -spin SMC

Moroyanga, Ashak (818-881): An Imperial physicist, Moroyanga is today known both for his eccentricity and his dubious breakthroughs in temporal physics.
While employed at the Jumpspace Institute at Deneb (1925 Deneb) in his early thirties, Moroyanga became convinced that the fundamental concepts of time were hidden within the principles governing jumpspace. He dedicated his life to discovering those concepts and their applications.
Moroyanga died under mysterious circumstances in 881 while involved in classified work for the Imperial Navy. A closed hearing dismissed foul play as the cause, but rumors of Moroyanga's assassination still circulate.
Although Moroyanga's research was purely hypothetical, the sector government was intrigued with its potential - Research Station Zeta at Pashus (1432 Deneb A2324554) was opened in 885 to continue Moroyanga's work. -den TD 19

Mother Church: Religious institution and ruling body of Pysadi (3008 Spinward Marches). Adherents worship the world itself, believing Pysadi to be the mother of all things. The Mother Church closely controls the lives of Pysadi's people. Alcohol is forbidden. -ld TA