Zakai: The zakai are a large, airborne species native to the gas giant Jadan in the Dywosik (0614 Corridor) system. Discovered by the IISS in 1010, the zakai have yet to be extensively studied. From what has been observed to date, they show no sign af any thought processes above basic animal instinct.
Looking rather like a collection of odd-sized balloons embedded in a matrix of tissue, the zakai maintains its bouyancy with clusters of hydrogen-filled flotation bladders. The coloration is yellow-green, with darker green or brown mottling. A stabilazation keel of rope-like tendrils extends from the creature's ventral surface.
Details of the zakai's "diet" are not known. It is presumed that the body tissues may perform some kind of photosynthesis process, but other sources may supplement the creature's nutrient input.
Zakai seem to travel in herds of 10 to 70 members. The observed variation in size between specimens is 75 to 1000 meters. Detailed analyses on sexual anatomical variation and reproduction have yet to be undertaken. The zakai are only part of the larger biosphere present in Jadan's atmosphere. Wilderness refuelling here is restricted by an IISS order. Orbital navigation satellites broadcast the refuelling ban. -zakai MTJ 2

Zamine (0421 Spinward Marches E897977-A): Zamine is one of four balkanized worlds in the Darrian Confederation. Through most of its history, this simply meant that its people disagreed about government. Disputes were typically settled in summit meetings and world courts rather than open warfare. However, in the last twenty years, Zamine has seen some very unDarrianlike violence. There have been increasing small wars, hostage takings, and violent demonstrations. Currently there is a civil war in Baruk, and several factions in Mabek Ladh are hostile to the Confederation. Starships are advised to approach landing sites in these nations with caution.
Much trade on Zamine is conducted by sea. At thech level 10, very little use is made of gravitics due to their high expense. The main products are agricultural products, ores and petroleum, and weapons and mechanical parts.
On Zamine, a day lasts nearly all year long. That is, the rotation period is 3.6 days and the orbital period is 4 days. The dense atmosphere tends to moderate the effects of these long days and nights, but the temperature is hot enough to please any native Darrian. -ld D

Zepporay: Meal consisting of the thin stems from a plant native to Morimur (2008 Vland C450AAE-B). The stems are woven to a mat and poured with a transparent sauce. -cam MS

Zhakirov: Oldest issue of Empress Arbellatra. Born in 624, proclaimed emperor by the Moot in 666. Zhakirov's marriage to Antiama in 679 marked and cemented an alliance between the Alkhalikoi Dynasty and the business interests of the Imperial Core; it broke the power of the Solomani interests at court and ultimately led to the Solomani Rim War (990 to 1002). Died in 688. -emp IE

Zhdant (2719 Zhdant A6547C8-F): Capital of the Zhodani Consulate [and traditionally] homeworld of the Zhodani people. Unlike the capitals of other empires, Zhdant is largely divided into the estates of the members of the ruling Zhodani council, which makes the world's population unusually low. Zhdant is often spelled "Zhodane" in Anglic texts. -ld IE -ld SotA -ld TP

Zhodani: Human major race (H. sapiens) inhabiting the Zhodani Consulate, a region far spinward of the Imperium.
The Zhodani are a branch of humaniti similar in most respects to other human races. In general, they tend to be taller than Solomani or Vilani and lithe of build. Their most important difference is the acceptance and use of psionics.
Society: Zhodani society is divided into three classes: nobles, intendants, and proles. Nobles are the enfranchised ruling class, and they receive psionic training from childhood. Intendants are managers and administrators of society, and they also receive early psionic training. Proles constitute the masses, they are forbidden the use of psionics and do not receive training. -ld SotA
Within this rigid class system, there are two opportunities for promotion to a higher class. All prole children are tested for psionic potential, and those showing high scores are taken from their families and adopted into the intendant class. Intendants are rewarded for great diligence, service to the state, or victory in the psionic games through the granting of noble titles.
The presence of psionics in the hands of those in power means that many aspects of society work at high efficiency. Psychology, behavioral science, communications science, and education are more refined and exact than in other societies. Educational methods are finely tuned and capable of teaching concepts rapidly and accurately. Mental deviance or criminal tendencies can be detected early and corrected with facility.
Zhodani society is generally a happy one. Individuals are members of a functioning whole, and each makes a contribution to its success. The relative lack of upward mobility for the proles is offset by the possibility for their children to move upwards if they have the proper potential. The burden of responsibility imposed on the intendants is lightened by the ever-present possibility of reward through elevation to the noble classes. The nobles themselves temper their burden of authority with comfort derived from their station in life.
Morality: The Zhodani have a general distaste for other human races which do not practice psionics. Effective indoctrination and the ever-present possibility that one's mind is being read have removed dishonesty and deviance as common features of society. The Tavrchedl' (Thought Police) are a special branch of the government who are charged with maintaining right thought in the population.
Imperial citizens have a strong distaste for the Zhodani. Because the Zhodani practice psionics, an Imperial cannot be sure that a Zhodani is not invading his mental privacy at any time. Imperials feel exposed and uncomfortable when they are knowingly in the presence of Zhodani.
Because of their psionic abilities, the Zhodani have the most effective authoritarian rule in history. Imperial citizens, who are used to a great degree of local autonomy, fear Zhodani conquest because of the loss of freedom it would entail.
Government: The Zhodani consulate is a participatory democracy in which only nobles are allowed to vote. Executive and judicial functions are the responsibility of a series of councils of varying sizes. Each council elects one of its number as executive officer and a number of its members as delegates to the next higher council.
A city, for example, will elect several of its council members to be representatives to the world council. The process continues upward through several layers of councils to the overall Grand Council of the Zhodani. Nominally, each member of a council serves for one olympiad (three Zhodani years), but in practice, each councilor serves until his replacement arrives and replaces him officially, or until word of his reelection to another term is received. Oftentimes, the district from which a councilor is elected will have only his relatives as voters, and his reelection is virtually assured.
Standard practice (when possible) calls for Zhodani councils to submit important questions to a plebiscite of those affected. The principle can be suspended where immediate action is required, but the official ordering the action stands responsible to the voters and must justify his actions as soon as possible.
Supreme executive power is vested in three consuls; one is elected each year for a term of one olympiad by and from the members of the Grand Council. No consul may be elected twice in succession, and retired consuls become life members of the Grand Council.
History: The Zhodani date their empire from the traditional date of the first organized use of psionics on Zhodane, -6731 Imperial, the year of the first olympiad. They achieved jump drive about 1300 years later, in -5415 Imperial.
The expansion of the Zhodani was gradual and uneventful. Although some states on the fringe resisted absorption into the Consulate, most were annexed peacefully. The Zhodani first came into conflict with the Third Imperium in the 500s, which started the First Frontier War in a dispute over present and future limits to settlement in the Spinward Marches area. Frontier wars over the next 600 years have failed to resolve the basic differences between the two empires.
Zhodani Calendar: The Zhodani calendar is based on the period of Zhdant (the Zhodani homeworld) around Pliebr, its star. The Zhodani Chten (year) is 275.19 standard days in length. Zhodani dating uses three Chten called the Thequzdij (olympiad). A Zhodani date is written as: Olympiad.Year; for example, 3173.1 is the first year of the 3,173rd olympiad. -ld IE
One of many human races and one of three known major human races. Zhodani inhabit the Zhodani Consulate, a large (and growing) interstellar empire to spinward of the Imperium; clashes and conflicts between them and the Imperium have recurred for the last six hundred years, with each engagement becoming mre intense.
A major source of conflict with the Zhodani is their acceptance and practice of psionics - all Zhodani of noble birth (social class A or higher) receive psionic training as a matter of course. ld TP

Zhodani Consulate: A large region spinward of the Domain of Deneb inhabited by the human major race known as the Zhodani. Though similar in most respects to other human races, the Zhodani tend to be taller and more lithe of build than Solomani or Vilani. Their most notable difference lies in their acceptance and use of psionics.
Zhodani society is based on a rigid class system defined by psionic abilities. Because of their psionic talents, the Zhodani have the most effective authoritarian rule in history. The Tavrchedl' (referred to as the "Thought Police" by many Domain inhabitants) are a special branch of psionic operatives charged with maintaining correct thought within the population. The Imperial anti-psionic policies have been a long-standing point of dispute between the regions. The Zhodani comprised the major opposition force during the Fifth Frontier War. -dod MTJ 1

Zhosokh Urs: A brotherhood of professional emissaries. Their school, Tsu Thoezhou (Honor Gate), was established at Aetskaekhoun (2725 Gvurrdon), but it failed financially in 1104. None the less, Zhosokh Urs emissaries are highly sought for their exceptional degree of professional integrity. Graduates are marked by having their right ear clipped, thus the origin of their name, meaning "well-respected ear." -w&o V&V

Zirunkariish: A Vilani banking and investment company unlike most other Vilani megacorporations, whose origins are shrouded in mystery. Zirunkariish was founded by the noble Vilani family of Shiishuginsa (a member of which, Antiama, married the Emperor Zhakirov in 679) in the year -425. Zirunkariish is one of the largest insurance underwriters in the Imperium, and while its capital reserves are gigantic, it usually chooses to invest them in various trusts rather than in other megacorporations.
Stock Ownership: Shiishuginsa family, 29 percent; Imperial family, 18 percent; Sharurshid trust, 17 percent; Hortalez et Cie, 7 percent; noble families, 12 percent; investment trusts, 8 percent; private ownership, 9 percent. -mc RC

Zlodh: One of the five basins on Darrian (0627 Spinward Marches). The Polar Sea of Darrian is centered on the north pole of that world as well as centered in the Zlodh basin. -ld D

Zulanir: The zulanir is a flightless bird, found on Granporr (3035 Massilia), that is much prized for the oil that can be processed from its flesh. Researchers have recently found that zulanir oil also contains certain enzymes and hormones critical to the manufacture of anagathic medications. Fortunately, the hunting of these birds has not yet seriously depleted their numbers, as they are extremely prolific. However, efforts are being made to settle the birds on other planets in locations similar to their natural habitat on Granporr. -mas K -mas TD 11

Zurr (1205 Lishun C84A215-B): Zurr is the home of the aquatic Iasat. Judged to be a developing sentient species by the Imperial Scout Service, the Iasats are under study by 200 Imperial Scientists of the Learun Research Foundation, on a grant from Emperor Strephon. Other visitors to the planet are restricted in their contacts with the natives. -lis TD 6

Zurrian (2016 Vland C463436-F): Zurrian produces the famous surshi cloth. This fantastically expensive substance is produced by a local insect which has been altered and conditioned to spin its webbing in sheets of delicate, iridescent material. Attempts to raise these insects elsewhere have failed.
The natives of Zurrian keep hives of these insects as other humans keep shaccas or bees, and harvest the cloth periodically. The local aristocracy claims 10% of the harvest but otherwise leaves the populace to its own devices. The cleaned cloth is shipped all over the sector - for those who can afford it. It is strong for its weight and a surshi garment retains its beauty for many years.
Zurrian's meager starport consists mostly of warehouse districts handling surshi cloth trade. Few offworlders visit Zurrian, making the need for quality accommodations low. -vla V&V

Zurta: Softdrink common in Massilia sector. Also available in a low-energy version called Diet Zurta. -cam MS