Oberlindes Lines: Oberlindes provides extensive cargo service in the Regina and - more recently - Aramis subsectors of Spinward Marches. It also trades with the Vargr in Gvurrdon Sector, exchanging Imperial goods, rare wines, and technological jewelry for unusual materials, finished goods, and processed ores. The Emissary, a fully armed Imperial cruiser converted to carry Oberlindes cargo, is well recognized throughout Gvurrdon. Oberlindes maintains a trading center at Pandrin (2240 Gvurrdon), and commonly employs Vargr to handle its interface services.
Home Port: Regina (1910 Spinward Marches).
Territory: Regina and Aramis subsectors; Vargr territory in adjacent Gvurrdon Sector. -w&o V&V
A trade and transport corporation, based in the Spinward Marches, whose expanding activities have taken it into the Deneb sector and the Vargr Extents. Founded in 487, this regional line has prospered in the wake of the Domain's move to independence. -dod MTJ 1
Established in 1084 with an Imperial charter specifying trade and commerce within the Spinward Marches and supporting distant trade with states bordering the Imperium. Oberlindes is one of the major shipping lines within the Regina subsector, with feeder routes to all major starports; Oberlindes expansion into neighboring subsectors has improved star service but alienated many of the older and more conservative lines.
The Oberlindes name is an old one in the trade and commerce business in the Marches. Roxanne Oberlindes established the first line to bear the name in 487 and built a family business which thrived between each of the several wars which have wracked the Marches in the past millenium. The first major increase in Oberlindes' size came in 1049, with the acquisition of Emissary, a surplus cruiser declared excess by the Imperial Navy. This ship, armaments intact, served as the flagship for Oberlindes' excursions into the Vargr Extents on trade expeditions; the venture proved highly successful. A base for Oberlindes was established just beyond the Imperial barder (some irregularities in the ship transfer made it impractical to bring the ship into the Imperium) and served as a clearing house for trade good shipments between Regina and the Vargr worlds.
In the years following the False War, Oberlindes Lines obtained an Imperial charter and began operations with a large fleet composed almost entirely of navy surplus ships - now numbering in the hundreds. The organization concentrates on the smaller feeder routes, but has recently expanded into main line service, in direct competition with Tukera Lines and other more established major shipping lines.
Sergei hault-Oberlindes, patriarch and controller of the line, was awarded a baronial patent, complete with estates on Feri (2005 Spinward Marches B384879-B), by direction of the Emperor in 1101 for his contribution to the economic recovery in the Marches following the Fourth Frontier War.
Oberlindes Lines is a family company with stock ownership divided approximately as follows: Oberlindes family, 78 percent; investment trusts, 10 percent; corporate employees, 8 percent; Imperial family, 2 percent; public individuals, 2 percent. -ld TP

Octagon Society: Established in 342, the Octagon Society was the first major distressed spacefarer assistance operation to appear in the Spinward Marches. The group thrived on public contributions and on some tax revenues for 150 years; then it collapsed in the late 400s when scandals emerged over the quality of shelter construction and the disposition of certain funds.
Society shelters were generally of an octagonal shape. Large hostels were established on major worlds, while smaller weather shelters were placed on frontier or unsettled worlds. The characteristic octagon-shaped buildings are still visible on various worlds, although none are still in use as shelters for distressed spacefarers.
The Octagon Society was dissolved in 499, and its assets were sold at auction. -ld IE -ld TP

Off-dirt Rank: Mercenary jargon for the courtesy title major, applied to non-naval captains when aboard starships, to avoid confusion with the starship captain. -ld B

Ogul: A pre-reproductive phase daghadasi. -got NWO

Okefir (1035 Core B581666-A): Both Okefir and its neighbor Vala (1034 Core) have been owned by Aursis (1134 Core) since their colonization in 57. Vala remains somewhat backward and dependent on Aursan technology, but Okefir has begun to progress; a rebellion has been stirring there for about 30 years. Laws imposed by Aursis have become progressively more stringent; some efforts have been made to lure or force the best minds of the planet away. -core TD 10

Olav hault-Plankwell: First of the Emperors of the Flag. Olav hault-Plankwell, as Grand Admiral of the Marches, defeated the massive incursion of the Out-World Coalition in the First Frontier War (589 to 604). Upon return to the Imperial Core, Olav personally murdered the Empress Jaqueline I and proclaimed himself emperor by so-called right of fleet control. Born in 532, self-proclaimed emperor in 606, killed in battle in 609. -emp IE

Old Earth Union: Member state of the Solomani Confederation. When Solomani forces retook Terra and her neighbors, the region's exact status was in doubt. After some debate, the region's leaders applied for entry into the Confederation as a member-state. They envisioned a reborn Old Earth Union, a direct successor to the originai Old Earth Union, long since fallen to the Imperium. Chances for acceptance look favorable, but the survival of a strong pro-Imperial underground in the region has delayed a final decision. -sta S&A

Olmars: Large, dangerous carnivore native to Morninglori (1216 Deneb). The green and brown fur gives the Olmars almost perfect camouflage in the woods. It is almost feline in appearance and can be up to three meters long.
Among hunters, the Olmars is considered to be the perfect prey: It is cunning, almost intelligent, large, strong, lethally dangerous and even valuable, as it's skin is very much in demand and the meat very tasty.
For the ultimate sport, hunters hunt this animal only armed with a bow, arrows and a large knife. -cam MS

Olxber (0312 Old Expanses C000505-B): Home of the famous AK mercenaries, this asteroid belt is divided among several influential families. Each family maintains a small private army (perhaps 500 men) to guard its own interests in the mineral-rich belt, as well as for hire outsystem. Those who hire out are not only skilled in weightless maneuvering, but are also trained in artificial grav fields up to two gravities to maintain their physical condition.
Most such groups are equipped to the limits of the tech level 11 facilities available. Olxber mercenaries are justly famous throughout their subsector, though the AKs are the only group widely known beyond the subsector. -oe TD 12

Onon (2017 Core E576000-9): Imperial geologists and astrophysicists are scrutinizing Onon - it is currently in a period of violent geological upheaval.
During the first Imperium, Onon was relatively quiet (geologically speaking), and a band of unsuspecting Vilani colonists settled there. Three hundred years later, Onon's entire crust shifted, causing a massive outbreak of vulcanism around the globe. The colony was utterly wiped out - all that remains are some scant tech level 9 ruins.
The world's geological history in the centuries since has been unstable at best. Onon has been and still is a favorite research ground for the more daring planetologists. -core TD 8

Onsorik: The Ancient responsible for selecting the humans from Terra that were transported to Darrian. -ld D

Oort Cloud: A spherical shell around most stars containing numerous small bodies of cometary material. A typical Oort cloud is about 0.5 to 1 light year from its primary and has an aggregate mass about that of Terra; density is thus extremely low. The main constituents of cometary bodies are ice and dust ("dirty snowballs"). Bodies in the Oort cloud are occasionally perturbed by collisions or by the influence of nearby stars into orbits which pass near the star; these form the visible comets. The Oort cloud is named after its discoverer, Terran astronomer Jan Oort. -ld IE

Orcana (2105 Gateway C86A475-B): A water world Iying outside the recognized borders of the Hochiken People's Assembly. Tidally locked to its cool, red dwarf sun, Orcana is a chill planet with large icecaps, its world-girdling ocean kept liquid by currents circulating between the day and night sides, and by the tidal flexing of the planetary crust. Approximately 90,000 humans live on gigantic, sea-going factory complexes which harvest free-floating mats of jimjistisen, or waterweed, and process it for several off-world pharmaceutical companies who buy it for the manufacture of certain broad spectrum antibiotics.
The sea farmers' traditional independence is now being threatened by their powerful and acquisitive neighbors in the Hochiken People's Assambly. Hochiken ships have long used the system's four gas giants for frontier refueling purposes. They would like to fortify the system and create a large base - including military and industrial facilities - and that means bringing Orcana into the Assembly as a full member. So far, the farmers have refused even to meet with HPA representatives, and the HPA has threatened to blockade the system in order to prevent cargo vessels from arriving to pick up waterweed cargos. Too small to have its own ship-building program, the Orcana Collective has been hiring mercenaries and armed traders in order to protect their world. Control of Orcana is vital for the Hochiken Assembly, which needs the world and neighboring Tarkaan to create a Jump-2 route between the two halves of the Assembly's empire. -gat MTJ 4

Orchard: An arrangement of specially selected trees created by the Ancients. An orchard provided shelter and food for the Darrians when they were first brought to Darrian (0627 Spinward Marches). -ld D

Ostu: The ostu is a large herd animal from Viiman (0321 Massilia). Attempts are being made to extend the planetary range of this animal because of its excellent food possibilities. It also has a tough, but workable, hide that can be used for leather on lower tech worlds that lack indigenous animals that are usable in such a manner.
So far, results of the transplant experiments have been poor, but the Imperial scientists are continuing to evaluate the results to try to improve them, as a good deal of evidence exists that the First Imperium had a similar, successful program. -mas K -mas TD 11

Otaiokeh: The origins of this megacorporation reach back beyond the Age of Enlightenment on early Kusyu. From a corporation providing ground transportation, it became an independent interstellar line soon after Yerlyaruiwo gave jump drive to all clans in 474 Aslan (-1667 Imperial). It specialized in the mass transport of colonists and their cargo, and provided many products and services important in establishing those colonies.
As the expense of transporting ihatei to the distant frontiers increased, Otaiokeh turned to alternatives. Today, it leads the Hierate in terraforming and the construction of space habitats, arcologies, gravitic and undersea cities, and such communities in other hostile environments.
Still, Otaiokeh has not abandoned its colony transport fleet. In fact, its massive ships run a brisk business across the Great Rift under the administration of the Lakht Aorlakht. -sidebar S&A

Ouawiyr: Stemming from Wiyeare (1714 Riftspan Reaches A2765M5-B), the Ouawiyr are known for their environmental engineering. The clan owns several corporations which conduct research and market "environmental maintenance" equipment.
Aurlealrah sells seismic monitors and quake suppressors; Kateahyel, weather prediction and control systems. The latter company's reputation was severely damaged by the Hkurlei (1517 Riftspan Reaches A3409JB-E) disaster of 3638 Aslan (1106 Imperial).
Htoutiktai, another Ouawiyr corporation, is primarily concerned with environmental research and innovation. Lately, Htoutiktai has turned its attention to terraforming, establishing the Hasawe'i (3131 Riftspan Reaches B7A81K8-B) outpost in 3584 Aslan (1058 Imperial) in cooperation with the clan government. -rr TD 19

Ouifauhai (0940 Dark Nebula B77A4J6-E): Ouifauhai is strictly under the control of the Raas Clan. Though the planetary code lists the world as non-industrial, it has one major industry: aquaculture. Since the planet is entirely covered with water, the Raas have taken to harvesting the extensive kelp beds which grow in the planet's shallow warm-water seas. Fishing also provides a great deal of the world's income.
Occasionally, Aslan mercenary companies will come to Ouifauhai to train in waterborne and shipboard operations. -dn S&A

Outworld Coalition: Traditional name for the belligerent groups allied against the Imperium during the First and Second Frontier Wars. Commonly applied to any alliance of powers threatening the Spinward Marches and Imperial territories spinward of the Great Rift.
The original Outworld Coalition was formed in the early 500s at the instigation of the Zhodani Consulate. Vargr allegiances vacillated, but memories of the Imperial campaigns against certain Vargr states in the Corridor swayed some into membership. Zhodane, as the major partner, contributed military aid and assistance (such as technicians and advisors). While some Vargr governments contributed personnel and naval units, other Vargr remained neutral or sided with the Imperium.
The initial history of the coalition was one of continuing struggle for organization, as the Zhodani were continually occupied in establishing Vargr governments, and then maintaining them in power. The intent was for the Vargr to raid the coreward edge of the Spinward Marches, especially Regina and Aramis subsectors, while the major thrust from Zhodane took Cronor and Jewell subsectors. The Vargr portions of the offensive failed dismally. Furthermore, the failure resulted in a collapse of the coalition.
The internal Imperial upheavals (the Civil War) which followed the First Frontier War (it was just called the Frontier War then) exposed a continuing weakness in the Imperium, and the Outworld Coalition reformed after a hiatus of five years. At the appropriate moment, the reformed Coalition again attacked the Marches, this time taking portions of Jewell subsector. Although the Vargr again failed to take any territory permanently, their performance as a whole was considerably improved.
Traditionally, frontier wars in the Spinward Marches have involved coalitions of Zhodani and certain Vargr states. The Sword Worlds have also joined the coalition at times. -ld IE

Ovaghoun: Language and cultural region in the Vargr Extents. Includes the trailing quarter of Provence, Windhorn, and Meshan. These were rich Imperial regions taken over by the Vargr during the Vargr Pillaging (-2400 to -1700). While the region is predominantly Vargr, the sparse Vilani population was not significantly displaced. The original Vargr immigrants were pressed into the surrounding areas, and to this day still tend to collect in densely populated fringe communities, with the human populations living at the center of the older, larger communities.
Human presence and involvement have done much to stabilize the political environment. In fact, the Vargr have adopted much of the Vilani culture into their own, sometimes taking on patterns very familiar to Imperials.
At the same time, however, the Vargr often resent having to live "in the humans' shadow". The ownership of companies, land, and oftentimes political positions frequently reside disproportionately in the hands of humans. -cul V&V

Oyoiy (3121 Riftspan Reaches B6985JA-A): Oyoiy and its neighboring world, Ahoahea (3219 Riftspan Reaches A2406M4-A), are isolated from the other worlds in the Riftspan Reaches. Because of a quirk of astrography, the two systems see more traffic from Verge Sector.
Both worlds have sizable minority populations of humans, emigrants from the Imperial systems in Verge. These humans have been assimilated into the Aslan social structure; in fact, they are considered members of the Iyoihoilyar and Ukhaliha clans which govern the two systems.
The humans' presence has influenced the cultures of Oyoiy and Ahahea. The local Aslan are rarely visited by their distant kin from the Hierate, while Imperial traffic is regular but light. Over time, the Iyoihoilyar and Ukhaliha clansfolk have met the humans on a cultural middle ground of sorts, embracing customs neither fully Aslan nor fully human.
Separation of gender roles has slightly lessened in importance, and most Aslan males learn the basics of money management. Aslan conservatives tend to see this cultural mixing as dishonorable deviance from the norm. Nevertheless, the hybrid society of Oyoiy and Ahoahea is a sterling example of human-Aslan cooperation. Much can be learned from the things achieved here. -rr TD 19