R'bak (1314 Reft B387777-3): Red Zone. R'bak is the only system in Sagittarian Subsector. Meteor swarms present a considerable hazard to navigation. Travellers are advised to adhere to guidance instructions from the starport authority as inner system travel is especially threatened. The starport for the system is located at one of the space habitats in synchronous orbit around the main world. The world itself, however, is interdicted.
Centuries ago, before the Third Imperium restored interstellar exchange, insystem shuttles fell into disrepair, and the world's inhabitants were isolated from their fellows in space. The ground society quickly descended to barbarism and forgot the people in orbit.
In recent times, the habitat dwellers have replaced their interplanetary craft with Imperial aid, and they now have the equivalent of a B-class starport. At the Imperium's insistence, however, they have not recontacted the population on the ground. The Imperial Navy has requested that the developing cuitures be protected from the interference of outside activity.
This last fact has drawn some attention in the sector news media, for the Navy is rarely interested in protecting developing cultures. Generally, it is the IISS that takes the interest in placing such worlds off-limits. Rumors of unusual Iffeforms and psionic activity among Rbak's ground-dwellers persist, however. These rumors have led some researchers to pinpoint R'bak as the site of a top-security military research project. -ref TD 20

Rachele Society: Secret Vilani supremacist group founded on Pretoria/Pretoria by Zid Rachele in 992. Genocidal policies favored by the group culminated in the attempted takeover of the Pretorian government in 1010. An attempt at nuclear blackmail backfired when 26,000 people (including 1,900 Rachelean commandos) were killed by a nuclear explosion after the Society seized Imperial Scout facilities on Saki (Deneb/Pretoria). Zid Rachele disappeared in 1015 after escaping from the prison world Exile in Usani Subsector (Deneb/Usani 1928).
In 1103, Zid Rachele and the Rachele Society surfaced again in Lishun in a brief power play at the Dynam Naval Depot (Lishun/Masionia 1219). Rachele and his followers attempted the theft of several mothballed naval warships but were quickly defeated. Zid Rachele's vessel was destroyed in the battle. -ld IE

Rachelean Revolts (1010-1011): Major uprising on Pretoria (Deneb/Pretoria) fomented by the Rachele Society, which resulted in martial law under the Imperial Navy since that time. The Imperium as a rule does not interfere with local politics, but their intervention was forced when a Scout base on Saki (Deneb/Pretoria) was destroyed by nuclear weapons. -ld IE

Raiga (0516 Corridor X664532-3): Red Zone. When first colonized from Ian in the late 100's, Raiga had a thin tainted atmosphere. Volcanoes were broken open to raise the atmosphere density and bacteria were sown to remove the taint from the air. However, an unforeseen burst of radiation from Raiga's primary caused some of the bacteria to mutate into a deadly strain. While the original taint had largely been removed, the mutated bacteria proved fatal to most human inhabitants. A few managed to develop an immunity to the bacteria - these "immunes" have multiplied to become a sizeable population, but the planet is quarantined to non-natives. Nor can the natives leave, since they are carriers of the deadly bacteria Lucellia Raigae. -cor EA

Ramon I: As Emperor Olav's chief of staff, Ramon was able to convince large portions of the fleet to attempt an overthrow of Olav. In the Battle of Tricanus 5 (609), Ramon's forces were apparently defeated, but Olav's flagship was destroyed with all hands in a final closing action. Born 560, proclaimed emperor by right of Moot election in 609, murdered in 609. -emp IE

Ramon II: Born in 566, proclaimed emperor by the Moot in 619, killed in battle in 619. -emp IE

Ramshackle Empire: Common term used during the Long Night to refer to the Rule of Man, also known as the Second Imperium. As the successor to the First Imperium, the Rule of Man took over the territories (and the problems) of its predecessor. Pro-Second Imperium histories contend that the Rule of Man delayed the inevitable collapse. Pro-First Imperium histories claim that the First Imperium was stagnant, but stable, and that the Ramshackle Empire actually precipitated the Long Night by looting subject worlds and promoting Terran superiority. -ld IE

Rayel (1313 Deneb B693632-8): Rayel's six large moons - a unique number for such a small planet - cause complex tidal patterns not only in its small deep seas, but also in its desert sands. -den TD 19

"Real" Strephon, the: Appearing in Usdiki/Gushemege in 1117 and claiming that his double was the one killed in the Imperial Palace, the so-called "Real" Strephon has many adherents, who support his claim by pointing out Emperor Strephon's known interests in genetic and robotic methods for duplication of a human. -emp IE

Reastirlao: The number two megacorporation in Aslan space is Reastirlao, an independent corporation having grown from a small trading company that served parts of Hlakhoi Sector. During the Yerlyaruiwo-Tralyeaeawi war (3077 to 3167 Aslan, 614 to 693 Imperial), Reastirlao provided transport support to Tralyeaeawi and reaped large profits. During the war, the company also established many trading bases (often displacing existing bases belonging to Yerlyaruiwo clan's Tlasayerlahel); when the war ended, Reastirlao was positioned to retain those bases and to build on the foundation they had created. By around 3403 Aslan (900 Imperial), the company had attained megacorporate status with trading bases in all of the Hierate's sectors.
Reastirlao has retained its independence by prohibiting marriage by its higher level managers. Its female managers thus cannot be influenced by the male leaders of various clans. Successful managers are rewarded with large cash settlements when they leave the company, and many of the managers pursue marriage and family after their careers with the company are over.
Besides its merchant operations, Reastirlao maintains a base of heavy industry in Hlakhoi and Ealiyasiyw Sectors, and its product mix includes starships, machine tools, and construction materials. -sidebar S&A

Reavers' Deep Sector, Origin of Name: During the Long Night, this region of space was dominated by petty warlords and pirates, who were collectively referred to as The Reavers. Expansion of the Aslan Hierate and Third Imperium along the sector's borders put an end to the Reaver activity, though the numerous neutral worlds of the sector provide haven for pirates and criminals to this day. -rd TD 16

Rebin Empire: The Rebin Empire is a pocket empire consisting of the worlds Enrique (0212 Massilia), Naston (0213 Massilia), Shigi (0214 Massilia), Rebin (0312 Massilia), Ergo (0314 Massilia), Abarre (0315 Massilia) long since reabsorbed into the Imperium, but maintaining a distinctive local culture. Rebin (A-88A436-F) is the homeworld of a highly technological, matriarchal culture that settled the inhospitable systems around itself in the latter part of the Long Night.
The powerful matriarchy of Rebin dates as far back as any historical records exist. Males constitute a servant class and do not marry into permanent families. Children are raised and educated by female governesses until age eight, when the boys go to men's barracks to be trained for their future duties. Science, art, and administration are entirely in the hands of women. Men are not literate beyond the most basic needs of laborers.
Three of the five colony worlds have vacuum environments, with populations under domes and underground (Enrique B200967-F, Ergo A20099B-G, Abarre C10059C-C). The fourth world has an ellipsoid atmosphere, breathable only in the colder latitudes, and the fifth requires filter masks. Despite these harsh conditions, the colony worlds hold the bulk of the "empire's" population, while the pleasant homeworld is artificially restricted to the estates of ruling nobles and their servants.
Most of the Rebin worlds have notably high Law Levels because of the necessity of controlling such a large subjugated part of the populace. Male traders and visitors find the matriarchs difficult to deal with, so most firms send female representatives to do business.
The Rebin worlds violently opposed Lucan's suspicious claim to the Imperial throne, denounced Dulinor as a murderous criminal,and openly stated their preference for Margaret. Prolonged military campaigns by Dulinor and then Lucan have left several major cities on these worlds in ruin and untold millions dead. Today, the worlds "claim" to support Lucan, but numerous outbreaks of violence perpetrated on Lucan's occupation forces say otherwise. -mas K -mas TD 11

Red Zone: The Traveller's Aid Society travel zone classification for a nation, world, or system which is dangerous to travellers. In general, the imposition of a red zone classification indicates the location is quarantined, interdicted by higher authority, or at war.
Quarantine indicates that a dangerous disease is present, and the danger of war is self-explanatory, but interdiction requires further discussion. Interstellar governments often find it necessary to restrict access to worlds or systems for political or military reasons, and they do so by publishing interdictions.
Enforcement of interdiction varies with the reason for the restriction. Interdiction may be imposed on a world if it is a military base or other sensitive installation, for the private reservations belonging to powerful families desiring seclusion, for developing societies which the government has elected to allow to evolve in isolation, or for valuable resource areas being saved for later development or exploitation. -ld IE
Travellers' Aid Society classification for a nation, world, or system which is quarantined, interdicted, or at war. Red indicates entry into that location is prohibited or strongly advised against. More severe than an Amber Zone, which merely advises caution. -ld TP

Redemption (1722 Deneb X140634-1): Amber Zone. Redemption is one of only three Imperial worlds that enjoy Amber travel codes while lacking starport facilities of any kind. This rare status stems from the inhabitants' strange beliefs and evangelistic zeal.
Redemption's natives have forsaken the conveniences of modern technology to follow a "back-to-nature" lifestyle. While most sects with a similar ideology favor isolation, the people of Redemption are extremely open and friendly. They welcome interstellar trade, but only to bring possible converts to Redemption.
As independent merchants come to the planet, the natives try to persuade them to scrap their vessels and take up the spartan local existence. Indeed, this is the course the natives' forefathers followed, making crude dwellings from their gutted ships and pursuing their unusual faith. -den TD 19

Reformed Dootchen Estates: Member state of the Solomani Confederation. The Estates grew from a single settlement of white South Africans. Unable to accept the sharing of political power with the nation's black majority, they were offered a chance to emigrate. The would-be settlers agreed, and they divided the land of their world - Tralp - into numerous agricultural estates. During the Long Night, population growth forced younger sons to look to neighboring worlds for land. At the same time, the Dootchen worlds instituted a slave system. The "inferior" populations of those raided worlds were brought back to work for the Landholders.
Today, the Dootchen Estates are a caste society. Although they treat their slaves well, the ruling Landholders own everything and everyone, including all political power. Occasionally, younger Landholder sons launch raids against the Imperium or neighboring Confederation states. Nonetheless, the Estates bask in the Confederation's favor. Their racial philosophies harmonize with those of the Cause, and they wholeheartedly support the Movement. The Landholders unfailingly provide military assistance to the central government, which often summons them to put down rebellions on other worlds. -sta S&A

Regina (1910 Spinward Marches A788899-C): Regina is a sizable moon circling the gas giant, Assiniboia. Homeworld to Archduke Norris and subsector capital, it is one of the most significant frontier worlds. Situated relatively near the border of the Zhodani Consulate and the Federation of Arden, Regina has been the site chosen for an ongoing series of diplomatic talks aimed at improving the Domain's foreign relations. -dod MTJ 1

Regina Subsector: Subsector C of the Spinward Marches. Major settlements were in place in this subsector very early in the history of the Marches; Regina (1910 Spinward Marches A788899-C) quickly established itself as a trade center and the capital.
Ruie (1809 Spinward Marches C776977-7) was surveyed and settled at about the same time as Regina, but its culture was structured as isolationist; presented with the opportunity to join the Imperium in 235, it declined and has remained an independent world since.
Beck's world (2204 Spinward Marches D88349D-4), colonized in 228 as Frisini, was a crucial battlefield in the Civil War, finally falling to a pro-Imperial mercenary regiment (Beck's Bruins, under Colonel Vilina Beck). The conquerors stayed after the war, rewarded with land grants on their conquest, and the planet's name was changed to Beck's World. -spin SMC

Remington (1911 Diaspora B658332-D): A noteworthy interstellar transport node, Remington is the favorite last port-of-call for most ships that are leaving the Alurzan Loop and venturing into Eberly Gap. The Ekuur (1911 Diaspora) system is astrographically the last stop on the Loop, but most captains do not opt for planetfall there. Typically they refuel at Ekuur's gas giants.
Remington enjoys a brisk trade with the influential world of Promise (2827 Diaspora), located some distance to trailing. Remington constructs almost all of the new starships acquired by that high-population world. These starships are delivered via large convoys that pass through the Thicket system (2424 Diaspora). Locals call this trade route the Thicket Run and a large number of employers and speculators are eager to find personnel and ships to serve this new mercantile artery. -AGD

Renkard Union: Once a trader's union in Gateway sector embracing some twenty worlds, the Renkard Union was recently absorbed by the much larger and more powerful Xuruk'xaar'keer!, the so-called "Xuruk Empire." -gat MTJ 4

Repatriation Bond: A document guaranteeing passage of an individual to a specified location upon completion of contract work or upon suspension of contract work for any reason. Repatriation bonds are guarantees given as inducements to workers who might otherwise be wary of leaving their own worlds with no assurances that they could return. They are most commonly used by mercenary units.
Repatriation bonds are usually administered by a large financial institution which holds the necessary funds in escrow. -ld IE

Repository (location unknown): Repository holds a unique place in Solomani atlases. Although its existence is undisputed, its location is one of the Confederation's most closely guarded secrets. The reason for this lies with Repository's purpose - it serves as the Ministry of Genetics' central gene bank. Repository was built at the instructbn of Genetics Minister Li Niao Kuei, who also instituted a program of Confederation-wide genetic sampling. -sta S&A

Rhylanor Subsector: Subsector H of the Spinward Marches. The Rhylanor subsector is a major population center of the Marches.
Porozlo (2715 Spinward Marhes A867A74-B) and Rhylanor (2716 Spinward Marches A434934-F) were the sites of massive naval battles between the Imperium and the Zhodani in 1109. The last ditch defense and final defeat of the Zhodani was instrumental in bringing an end to the Fifth Frontier War.
Pannet (2519 Spinward Marches E9C5677-7) has an insidious atmosphere which is tainted with specific contaminents in different regions on the world surface. Harvesting of these gasses is dangerous employment, but their value in industry on Lunion (2124 Spinward Marches A995984-D) makes it highly profitable for companies and workers alike.
457-973 (3019 Spinward Marches X372215-4) is interdicted by the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service to protect a local developing race from exploitation; a small human population studies the race from a remote underground installation. -spin SMC

Riftgold: A heavy, metallic, mineral compound, riftgold is found on several worlds in subsectors A-D of Reaver's Deep. This substance resembles gold ore when first mined, but turns a dull brown after several months' exposure to oxygen (such as in a standard atmosphere). Riftgold has limited commercial value and is used primarily for novelties. One simple test to distinguish it from real gold (without a spectrograph) is to place a small sample into a high-pressure oxygen chamber for several days and look for signs of "browning" caused by oxidation.
Some superstitious Solomani miners have created an elaborate myth around this compound, calling it "djinn's gold" and attributing a period of bad luck to any who find it. -rd TD 16

Riilam, Kirshamii: In 1090, partially in reaction to the communication lag during the Fourth Frontier War, Senior Scout Kirshamii Riilam mounted a daring one-ship expedition to test the feasability of a supply station route across the Great Reft.
Although nominally a Scout venture, substantial backing and a Seeker Class ship Reftbreaker were provided by General Products, LIC. By removing all non-essentials, the cargo space was expanded to provide a second full fuel tank, allowing Reftbreaker to make the largest jump distance of 8 parsecs in two successive jump-4 jumps. After refuelling at a gas giant in the Asharam/Vast Heavens system (Deneb 3031), the expedition returned to Corridor by the same route.
Upon their return they were knighted by Strephon, and Riilam received a baronial fiefdom on Jafla/Sinta (Corridor 1840). Because of the success of this expedition, Strephon's popularity increased considerably. Serious considereationsis being given to the idea of planting several ice asteroids mid-rift as a permanent refuelling station. -cor EA

Rill (1923 Corridor E889662-4): This warm, moist world supports estates of wealthy Imperials as well as a sizeable colony of Chirpers. The tech level listed refers to the Imperial Estates. The planet's isolated location (jump-5 is required to reach Rill) means only official vessels ever call there. -sidebar TD 19

Rimb: One of the five basins on Darrian (0627 Spinward Marches). -ld D

Rimward: See Directions, Galactic. -cam MS

Roget (0427 Spinward Marches B566777-9): A balkanized world, Roget was settled by large colonies of Aslan who preferred their own company and their own culture to assimilation with humans. Amicable meetings settle any questions involving the whole planet. The starport was built as a joint effort. -ld D

Rorre (0526 Spinward Marches D765657-3): A member of the Darrian Confederation, Rorre was colonized by Darrians who wanted to keep their pre-contact tech level while the rest of Darrians surged ahead. Ironically, it was the one colony that survived well when the first confederation fell apart in the Maghiz. Such technology as there is belongs to a small class who run the production of the planet. The most important industri of Rorre is tourism. Its long seasons allow extended vacations or sabbaticals for scholars and businessmen alike. -ld D

Rouen (0729 Diaspora C382577-C): Best known for its ornithopter training schools and custom construction shops, Rouen has wholeheartedly adopted the 'thopter life. Almost everyone on this planet travels by 'thopter if their journey is under 100 km. Locals are glad to show off-worlders how to "spread their wings." -AGD

Rraegnaell Oukh: Vargr interface line. Based in a system a mere three parsecs from Zhodani territory and a mere five from Imperial territory, Rraegnaell Oukh (Borderline) maintains a profitable three-way trade between Vargr, Zhodani, and Imperials, often trans-shipping goods that would not be allowed direct passage by local authorities.
Home Port: Dhaengae (1539 Gvurrdon).
Territory: Spinward Marches and Gvurrdon sectors. -w&o V&V

Ruffian (1933 Diaspora C44858B-D): Aptly named, this world is known for its rough-and-tumble startown. The rest of the world isn't much better; the Justice Ministry can't keep up with its devastating case load.
Ruffian is a choke-point of Eberly Gab, and a part of most every Gaprunner's itinerary. It is a good place to locate contracts and patrons of every kind. -AGD

Rule of Man (-2204 to -1776): A short-lived interstellar empire formed after the conquest of the Vilani Imperium by the Terrans. The conquered territories were under military rule from -2219 to -2204. Vilani military forces were incorporated into the Terran forces. Terran naval officers took over key posts in the Vilani bureaucracy (which was otherwise retained intact).
In -2204, the Terran Secretariat attempted to transfer control directly to Terra and to incorporate the conquered regions into the Terran Confederation. The commander in chief of the Terran Navy, Admiral Hiroshi Estigarribia, realized that the Confederation government could not possibly control the vast territories of the Vilani Imperium. He proclaimed himself Regent of the Vilani Imperium, and Protector of Terra, so both states were now united in the Rule of Man. Nearly all the fleet sided with Estigarribia both because it was composed largely of colonials, who were under-represented under the Terran Confederation government, and because of Estigarribia's careful preparation. The Confederation was dissolved without significant resistance.
The Terran fleet headquarters on Dingir became the capital of the Rule of Man. The bureaucratic center of the Imperium remained on Vland, although arrangements were undertaken to gradually transfer it elsewhere.
Upon Estigarribia's death, he was succeeded by his chief of staff, who crowned himself Emperor Hiroshi II. Estigarribia. even though he did not actually assume the crown, is therefore known to history as Emperor Hiroshi 1.
Hiroshi II transferred all functions of government from both Vland and Dingir to a more centrally located world, renamed bilingually Hub/Ershur. This world was to remain the capital of the Rule of Man for the next four hundred years.
During the Rule of Man, large numbers of humans from Terra and its oldest colonies emigrated throughout the Imperium. People of Terran ancestry or culture (many of them assimilated Vilani) assumed positions of power on most worlds and became industrialists and administrators.
The problems of sheer size and scientific stagnation, which had brought about the fall of the Vilani Imperium, continued to plague the Rule of Man. The Vilani had coped with the problems of ruling a large empire by a rigid caste system with all citizens rooted permanently in their places, but this system could last only as long as there was no significant external threat. The Terrans did away with this system but were not able to replace it with a new social order. The destruction of the caste system swept away the foundations of society. Key industries fell apart as their workers became free to move elsewhere.
The -1776 date for the end of the Rule of Man is arbitrary, and it notes the financial collapse of the central government, which occurred when the Treasury at Hub/Ershur refused to honor a monetary issue of the branch treasury at Antares. The resulting lack of confidence within monetary circles marked the end of large-scale interstellar trade and of effective governmental power within the Rule of Man. Although the Imperium did not completely fall apart for many years, the Rule of Man had effectively ceased to exist as a viable interstellar community, and the period known as Twilight had begun.
The Third Imperium refers to the Rule of Man as the Second Imperium, which emphasizes its own roots in the Solomani dominated Second Imperium and the Vilani-dominated First Imperium. Anti-Solomani elements emphasize the failure of the Solomani-dominated Ramshackle Empire. -ld IE

Rule of Terra: Solomani terrorist group active in selected regions of Solomani/Imperial border. Violently anti-Imperial even by the standards of most Solomani political groups, the Rule of Terra seeks to force the return of all "rightful Terran property" to Solomani hands through assassination and other acts of violence.
The organization, although interstellar in scope, was apparently not a very strong organization in the beginning; some of its claimed attacks have proven to be accidents, while others were the work of different dissident individuals or organizations.
The Rule of Terra's acts, although not its goals, have been disavowed by many other Solomani groups, including the Confederation government; in return, the Rule of Terra has attacked even Solomani populations, by stating that "all who do not contribute to the Manifest Destiny of the Race are not worthy to be part of the Race."
Since the death of Strephon and the resulting Solomani incursions into the rimward reaches of the Imperium, the Rule of Terra organization has apparently mushroomed in popularity. The group has claimed responsibility for many terrorist acts along the current Solomani/Imperium border. -ld IE

Rydel Expeditions: In 153 and again in 160, expeditions led by Admiral Inesh Rydel tried to locate a usable jump route across the Great Reft from Corridor (rimward) to Deneb. The first expedition originated from Sinta (Corridor 2037) and eventually arrived by various routes to Ashishinipar (Corridor 0931). Nearly a year was spent trying to find a way to go further, but to no avail. A second attempt, made by a different route, ended on Ishirdu (Corridor 0338). This proved to be closer, but not close enough to Asharam/Vast Heavens (Deneb 3031), the closest possible world in this area of the rift.
See Riilam, Kirshamii. -cor EA