Glossary

Let the AI know what terms you would like added!

A

AES: Adaptable Encounter Skin


AI: In Cold & Dark the AI is an abbreviation for Adaptable Intelligence and is a title used to describe the person managing the game (juxtaposed to Artificial Intelligence in computer games). Some call this person storyteller, game master, dungeon master, director (or whatever really).


AR: Armor Rating


Avatar: The alter ego/gestalt the player controls in the game.

B

BD: Base Damage


Belinium: A very energy rich crystal that is used to fuel short range ships, appliances and auxiliary systems.


BIE (Bureau of Interstellar Exploration): This branch of the GIC is responsible for exploratory space operations.


Big Black, The: Space as a whole.


Big Empty, The: Sometimes space as a whole but more often the reaches between planets and solar systems. Interstellar Space.

C

CAV (Caliphrian Aggression Virus): An utterly dangerous pathogen that kills and reanimates the victims. The abbreviation is pronounced like the word cave.


Chapter: The AI creates the stories and in order to get an overview (while playing and while designing them) the story is divided into chapters. And in turn, each chapter is divided into three levels which are even smaller pieces of the story.


Ghost Lines: A faster than light way of travel that uses (a sort of) dimensional distortion.


CIM (Clandestine Industrial Militia): A fringe group that fights the rule off the GIC using whatever means necessary.


COG (Customized Operation Gear): A collective name for a highly advanced type of upgradable nanotech supported suit, vital in the world of Cold & Dark.


Coreanium: An extremely valuable source of energy that is harvested from the molten core of planets (destroying the planet in the process). This substance is what allows mankind to travel the reaches of space (with such extent).


CSNC (Cortex Stimulation Node Cauterizations): An alternative to the death sentence, leaving the criminal as a docile, simple-minded but productive member of society.

D

D: 8 sided dice.


DoX 1: Department of Xenoarchaeology


DoX 2: Department of Xenomorphology


DU: Durability.

E

E&R (Evacuation & Retrieval): A network of rescue units that usually are the first one on the scene when a ship/ station/colony is in trouble. This is a combination of the triple A and 911 of deep space. They’re funded by the GIC and are not allowed to salvage wreckage.


EES: Enemy Encounter Suit

G

GIC (Governmental Industrial Complex): This is the ruling body of the Sirius galaxy consisting of a Chairman, Senate and political forum.


GLC (Ghost Line Calculations): This is the algorithms and equations used when travelling through the extra dimensional plane known as the Ghost Lines. The GLCs are fed into the Ghost Drive.


Grav-cuffs: A system of artificial gravity tethers working off a receiver/transmitter system. This is often used in automatic docking procedures.

H

HUD: Head Up Display.

I

IMC (Interstellar Mining Corporation): One of the largest corporations.


Infinitology: The largest religion in the C&D universe. They believe that everything in the universe is connected and that all the energies of sentient beings will end up in the Great Stream, a sort of heart blood of existence and only by leading a good and pure life will a person’s energy grow into a strong and positive influence to the universe. Infinitologists strongly oppose the aggressive mining industry, believing that it harms the universe and in the end will harm mankind.


ISA (Interstellar Security Agency): This clandestine agency works directly under the GIC senate and chairman and handles all kinds of operations.


ISS: Internal Seal System.


ITS: Internal Tram System

J

JB (Justice Board): The GIC branch that handles everything that has to do with the law and due process.

L

LED (Law Enforcement Division): This is the main arm of the Justice Board when it comes to dealing with criminal elements.


LSA (Line Signal Amplifier): Also known as “the scare” or “scare box”. This device is used to send and receive transmissions through the Ghost Lines.

M

MEC (Military Economic Corporation): A fringe group that opposes the GIC, similar to the CIM.


MPG: Mining Prospector Gear.


MRG (Medical Research Group): Beyond handling all medical responsibilities this GIC branch oversees DoX 2 (Department of Xenomorphology).


MSU (Military Strategy Unit): GIC branch in charge of the Consolidated Fleet, Marine Corps and all military operations.

N

NETSS: Nano Environmental Tactical Stealth Suit.


NFVH: Nano-Flex Visor Helmet.


NIS (Nano-Interface Screen): The most common way of displaying information and managing button controls. This is a pressure sensitive holographic nano system.


NPA: Non-Player Avatar, an avatar controlled by the AI.

O

OMCP (Office of Mining and Core Purification): All operations having to do with mining and core purification within the GIC is handled by this branch. OMCP also includes the sub-branch. DoX 1 (Department of Xenoarchaeology).

P

PCR: Planet Construction Rig, a multi-purpose vehicle used in mining, colony construction and similar industrial work.


PNR: Polymer Nano Repair


PSD: Per Success Damage


PSG: Polymer Sealant Gun

R

Rippers: A deadly insect/reptilian-like alien species.


RMD (Resource Management Division): GIC branch in charge of economics and gathered resources.

S

SAC (Simulated Atmosphere Containment): The self- sufficient life support system used in larger ships, stations and colonies.


SCT (Standard Core Time): The 24 hour day used in the Divius system. It’s used as a standard in most colonies and ships to measure work days and time.


Segment: Period of time which represents three seconds in the game world. It’s often used to keep track of the action oriented parts of in-game events.


SER: Standard Exploration Rig.


SES (Space Exploration Salvagers): The biggest corporate competitor to IMC.


SRS: Scientific Research System.


SWG: Standard Work Gear.

T

TARGET (Tactical Armed Response Group and Explosives Technicians): The SWAT teams of the C&D universe and they work under the Law Enforcement Division, LED.


TCI: Tactical Command Immersion


TIS: Tactical Investigation System

V

VAC: Visual Audio Communication


VPS (Void Psychosis Syndrome): A psychological ailment of unknown origin which can affect people that are involved with deep space travel and those who are isolated from human contact when in space or on remote colonies. VPS will in the end result in paranoia, hallucinations and homicidal/ genocidal/suicidal tendencies and behaviors.


VES: Vacuum Environmental Suit


VIN (Virtual Intelligence Network): The advanced computer systems employed in the C&D universe. They operate off a nanotechnological core and can emulate sentience, emotions and intelligence.


Void, The: Space as a whole but this epithet is usually thought of as having a mystical and even religious connotation.

Z

ZGE: Zero G Engineering.