Glossary

Following are common terms used throughout the Commonwealth:

Term	Definition
Brain Mesh Neural Implant (BMnI)	A nano-implanted weave within the human mind, can record the mind to be installed in an artificial brain or restored to a BMnI-implanted brain. The implant enables the backup and restoration of sophont consciousness. Controlled and expensive technology.
Metropolis	A kilometres-high city built with the strongest materials holding more than a billion sophont souls. Some are sealed from a hostile atmosphere.
Potentia Naturae	The supernatural force from another dimension that corrupts sophonts and turns nature against them. Can also be harnessed by those who work with Gaia to keep nature in balance. "the potential of nature"
Prima Sovereign	The highest noble in all the known worlds. Leader of the Commonwealth. Protector of the known worlds. Commander of the combined treaty forces. Answerable to no one. The supreme ruler.
Quantum Linked Network (QLN)	Every Jump Gate in the Commonwealth is attached to another Jump Gate by quantum matched particle communications. In turn, Metropolises and Spatiapolises in a system are linked to one another and the local Jump Gate in the same manner. This vast network forms an instantaneous connection and internet across the known worlds. Slang: "The Net"
Sophont Species	The Milky-Way and adjacent galactic footholds contain nearly 700 sapient sentient lifeforms of various technological capabilities. The Benefactors refereed to them as Sophonts and records show the Benefactors responsible for seeding the known worlds with the spark of our collective evolution.
Spatiapolis	A kilometres-wide and tall space habitat built with the strongest materials holding up to a billion sophont souls. In space.
The Benefactors	Multi-dimensional beings who created seeded the Milky-Way with life. Creator of the wide-range of Sophonts; pioneers of manipulating dimensional forces to overcome the laws of physics. The Benefactors left nearly 500 years ago after humanity sparked the first interstellar conflict in the Commonwealth.
The Corporations	The various merchant empires, conglomerates, companies, and businesses plying innumerable trades across the known worlds. Although beholden to the Houses in practice, many enjoy vast freedoms, grants of authority, and even full administration of entire systems as long as the tribute keeps rolling in.
The Houses	The various aristocratic families who rose from the ashes of the former Benefactor protectorate to rule the Commonwealth. Vast wealth, powerful armed forces, immense navies, and questionable ethics combine for a precarious if not worrisome balance.
The Intelligences	Synthetic beings created by the Benefactors to serve their inscrutable plans. Highly capable and intelligent. The Administrators are mechanical constructs with fully aware digital intelligence. The Servitors are biological constructs with keen intellects and psionic powers. The Enforcers are brutish bipedal warriors with imposing offensive and defensive capabilities.
The Orders	The various esoteric, religious, spiritual, or aesthetic cults, religions, practices, and traditions wielding dimensional forces. The ability to channel dimensional energies is rare, dangerous, and rife for abuse. The Orders spend equal amounts of time training, teaching, and policing one another.
The PN Force	Common term for Potentia Naturae. Slang term; Mother Nature
The PN Measure	The level of PN Force a planet radiates as it becomes developed. Once development exceeds 5% of surface, or intrudes destructively into the structure, the PN Force reaches critical levels. This triggers a destructive response from Gaia.
The VS Force	Common term for Viribus Superandis. Slang term: Vee Ess
Viribus Superandis	The supernatural force from other dimensions that allows the laws of physics to be broken. "overcoming forces" or The VS Force.