Encyclopedia of the Cosmos
Below are common terms used by our community; if you would like your own added to this list, drop a comment.
Below are common terms used by our community; if you would like your own added to this list, drop a comment.
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Adder: A higher-end programming language most often used for androids and AI. Known for its steep learning curve and complexity, it is favored by larger companies that excel in manufacturing quality technology.
Andy: Term for an android. Often considered derisive.
Artificial Intelligence: “AI”; artificial, programmed intelligence that is included in many common technologies and settings such as starships, households, and persons-simulating holograms. Similar to Alexa, Cortana, and Siri.
Autosuture: A discreet pen-like device which resembles a threader. It efficiently sutures up synthetic or organic skin, and is less likely to scar than suturing by hand.
Badge, (Personal Identification): “PIB”; widely used by the Galaxy Federation for personal identification uses, and also used as a secure credit transfer system between two parties. It can visually take a variety of forms, such as a traditional badge, earring, or a small internal plate installed in androids.
Bermudian: Of, or being from, the Bermuda Galaxy.
Big Empty, the: “Dark”, “Black”, “Void”; common terms for space.
Biometrics: A person’s biological uniqueness: DNA, fingerprints, cardiac rhythm, retina patterns. These can be utilized with biometric authentication for unauthorized use and theft prevention, including personal entry into a house, personal cybernetic augmentations, and a weapon meant only for a certain user to wield.
Biomonitor: A device that measures lifesigns and analyzes simple biological samples. Similar to biometric scanners and biometric readers (handheld devices that scan for injuries and are carried by most medical personnel).
Bionetics: Augmentations that are organic in nature; eg., equipping a human with a stinger-like tail.
Bionics: The scientific study of all androids, including everything from creation, programming, and maintenance.
Biosynthetic Android: “Biosynthetic”; a type of android that very closely resembles organic beings: they bleed, they react to medication meant for organics, they often feel real pain. Their systems are synthetically made, however, or are maintained by nanotechnology. They can often have backup electronic parts for programming and overrides.
Cidon Corporation: Genetics and genealogy corporation based on Big Planet. Specializing in DNA analysis for its customers, offered services include ancestry traceback, and testing for genetic diseases. 🔗
Classical Medicine: Field of medicine relating strictly to organic creatures; i.e., any creature that is not an android and does not have technological augmentations. Generally this term applies specifically to humans, but can also be used for aliens, as well.
Comm: “Comm’d”, “Comming”; the act of sending someone a communications message, whether that’s via text, audio, or video.
Commlink: Essentially the equivalent of a smartphone, commlinks can send/receive audio/text/video messages, run applications, etc. Visually it can take many forms, such as a traditional smartphone or wristwatch, and can have add-on components such as earpieces, visors, or contact-lense devices.
Commpad: “Datapad”; essentially the equivalent of a tablet. See ‘commlink’, above.
Communit: An overarching term for the varying communication devices.
Cosmopedia: The equivalent of Wikipedia.
Credstick: A group of credits; physically resembles a single credit, only with different markings. Essentially a prepaid Visa card- can be reloaded, linked to an individual’s secure financial account, or linked/used anonymously.
Cybernetics: Technological or mechanical augmentations; these can look either bionic or organic in nature depending on the amount of credits the user spends. Example augmentations can include neurotransmitters or weapon/tool limb replacements, and can even extend so far as to create cyberzombies.
More Examples:
Bone Lacing: Invasive internal cybernetic that involves adding a wire meshing of a strong alloy to one’s bones, increasing their strength against breaking.
Cybernetic Limb: A cybernetic limb replacement. This term also includes ‘hideaway’ limbs, which is a cybernetic limb with a hidden internal compartment.
Cybernetic Socket: This surgically-inserted metal device translates a person’s muscle signals into something a cybernetic limb can understand; into this socket slots the limb itself. Not all cybernetic limbs have this separate socket, though it certainly aids in maintenance, as the user is able to remove and upgrade their limb at will.
Dermal Plating: Hard, resistant plating inserted underneath the skin. Useful for deflecting blunt damage.
Exoskeleton: External enhancement that supports and protects one’s skeletal frame. This can also add extra armor or strength to the user; generally utilizes hydraulic jacks in their design.
Hydraulic Jack: “Lift Jack”; a mechanical improvement to lift or carry capacity, usually used in conjunction with cybernetic limbs or an exoskeleton system.
Skillwires: Internal neuromuscular controllers designed to enhance one’s reaction time or speed.
Bone Lacing: Invasive internal cybernetic that involves adding a wire meshing of a strong alloy to one’s bones, increasing their strength against breaking.
Cybernetic Limb: A cybernetic limb replacement. This term also includes ‘hideaway’ limbs, which is a cybernetic limb with a hidden internal compartment.
Cybernetic Socket: This surgically-inserted metal device translates a person’s muscle signals into something a cybernetic limb can understand; into this socket slots the limb itself. Not all cybernetic limbs have this separate socket, though it certainly aids in maintenance, as the user is able to remove and upgrade their limb at will.
Dermal Plating: Hard, resistant plating inserted underneath the skin. Useful for deflecting blunt damage.
Exoskeleton: External enhancement that supports and protects one’s skeletal frame. This can also add extra armor or strength to the user; generally utilizes hydraulic jacks in their design.
Hydraulic Jack: “Lift Jack”; a mechanical improvement to lift or carry capacity, usually used in conjunction with cybernetic limbs or an exoskeleton system.
Skillwires: Internal neuromuscular controllers designed to enhance one’s reaction time or speed.
Cyberzombie: A creature that is more technology than their original self; this can refer to a corpse being crudely reanimated via technology, or something as odd as a brain existing in a weaponized chassis. Often it does not keep its original personality.
Demolition Derby: An event where droids are pitted against one another in brutal ‘death’ matches, much like gladiatorial combat. Favored by crime rings and The Eye, androids are also known to be coerced into the games, and shady business is often conducted during them. 🔗
Domo-Droids: “Dome-Droids”, “D-Droids”; any android that is made by Dr Domo.
Dread Cult: "Cult of the Dread"; an ancient cult that worshiped the epicenter of the galaxy- the Keistian black hole. 🔗
Droid: Shorthand for ‘android’, although the term can also be used in regards to non-sentient droids.
Drone: Any variety of unmanned machines, such as a quadcopter. They can have a variety of uses, such as aiding in spying and infiltration, combat, security, or even housework. They can be controlled manually via their user, or by a programmed-in AI.
Duproid: “Dupe Droid”, “Dupes”; androids that are not of Dr Domo’s make, or are heavily modified. Offensive term.
Edasichian Alloy: A strong metal alloy made on the planet Edasich, sometimes used in cybernetic limbs.
Eye, The: An organization that protects the welfare of humanity in an increasingly alien-majority galaxy. Members range from peaceful advocates, to belligerent terrorists whose aim is to help their species by killing non-humans. 🔗
Foodratr: Device that alters inedible foreign food or drink into a species-appropriate version safe for consumption. Created by Dr Domo.
Types of Alien Foods:
Gantaro Larvae: Looking like hairless baby mice covered in a special reddish-brown sauce, they are most often served on skewers. They have a savory flavor.
Rusis Weeds: A multicolored seaweed-looking plant. Originating on Nikrusis, it is often used in salads.
Zanarian-Style Burger: With the basic resemblence of a normal burger, it has grilled tentacles instead of a meat patty. They are often served still-slimy (and grey when served 'rare'), and when their particular sauce is poured on them, they writhe in response- apparently still having some of their nervous system in tact.
Gantaro Larvae: Looking like hairless baby mice covered in a special reddish-brown sauce, they are most often served on skewers. They have a savory flavor.
Rusis Weeds: A multicolored seaweed-looking plant. Originating on Nikrusis, it is often used in salads.
Zanarian-Style Burger: With the basic resemblence of a normal burger, it has grilled tentacles instead of a meat patty. They are often served still-slimy (and grey when served 'rare'), and when their particular sauce is poured on them, they writhe in response- apparently still having some of their nervous system in tact.
Galaxy Standard Sign Language: “GSSL”; created by the Galaxy Federation as a universal sign language, it is used especially by those who would be unable to communicate otherwise.
GalFed: Abbreviation for the Galaxy Federation.
Gazer: A member of The Eye.
Got the grinds/shakes like a bad engine: Slang for feeling ill.
Holoprojector: Device that projects holograms. It can also be utilized as a television, and most can be programmed with games or other recreational activities.
Holoskin: A small device that can be programmed to project a different holographic appearance over one’s own self. It can disguise major features, clothing, and one’s race or species.
Hypospray: “Hypo”; a type of hypodermic needle that uses pressurized air to inject a liquid under the skin. Can be used intravascular or intramuscularly. Often a simple type of hypospray, hyposerum, is used in basic first-aid to help stabilize a patient.
Infosphere: The equivalent of the internet.
Jijuu: Popular pet species that resembles a cross between a parakeet, quail, and bat.
Juju Milk: Extremely potent, alcoholic blue-coloured milk made from fermented fruit. Called ‘juju’ based on the race of furred multi-limbed aliens: ‘You’ll get so drunk you’ll be seeing jujus’.
Medpatch: A fast-acting adhesive dermal patch that dispenses medicine through the skin. These include a standard version (administers a painkiller, self-healing short-term nanites, and stems minor bleeding), a stimpatch (administers a stimulant like caffeine or adrenaline), and a trauma patch (immediately stops moderate to severe bleeding).
Mega Shot: A telescreen and podcast-esque program listing potential work for mercenaries. Including everything from pertinent breaking news, bounties on known criminals, and enticing odd jobs, it also has its own infosphere site. Individuals, factions, and companies can also submit their own 'help wanted' ads.
Mittonbur: A Viziccien festival that greatly resembles our Halloween. 🔗
Nanite: Nano-scale autonomous bots, usually functioning within organic or non-organic beings for the purposes of self-repair or diagnostics.
Nanocapsule: An all-encompassing term for any sort of medicinal pill, their uses are varied. From traditional painkillers to sobriety pills (a side effect of the latter being increased short-term urination), there is even an endochrine nanocapsule, which effectively functions as hormone replacement therapy on steroids, allowing one to 'swap genders'. Certain crime rings have been known to force these particular nanocapsules on those they kidnap, and sell them into persons trafficking.
Nanotechnology: An umbrella term for everything nanite, or nano-sized, usually meaning anything on the nano-scale that is autonomous in function.
Neurotransmitter: “Cybernetic Neurotransmission Interface”, “CNI”, “Datajack”; provides a direct neural interface between one's brain and technology, allowing for various uses including controlling cybernetics, external rigs, or wireless household appliances, and accessing VR or AR.
Non-Bermudian: Term for anything made or born outside of the Bermuda Galaxy.
Osteogenic Stimulator: A device that mends broken bones, resulting in a mere sealed fracture. Using a combination of calcium-based bondent and stimulating the body’s natural healing, for best results it requires that the bone be properly realigned first. The affected bone will remain brittle and prone to rebreakage for a week after initial osteogenic stimulation.
Personal Protective Equipment: “PPE”; an all-encompassing term for personal protective gear, including respirators, personal atmospheric regulators, and space suits. Specific examples of the latter include EVA-suits or varying types of stationwear (flight, casual, business, elite, etc). This Under Armour-like armor functions like regular clothing, and can also be utilized for protection in space. 🔗
Planetside Sickness: A phobia relating to being under an open sky; satellite or ship-born persons are those most likely to get this disorder.
Radio-Frequency Identification: “RFID”; “short-distance electromagnetic identifiers”; usually attached to weapons, cybernetics, or other objects, they contain identification information in the event of theft or unauthorized use. Fenced goods will often have their RFID’s deleted or altered.
Rock Hopping: “Planet hopping”; slang for traveling from planet to planet.
Sandsurfing: A recreational pastime involving riding the sand and wind via a board with an attached sail. Originating on Tuphon, it has been made into a competitive racing sport, and is the main event at the annual Sand Games. 🔗
Sanjal Industries: A company that specializes in the manufacture of starships, speeders, and other vehicles. Known for their reliability, while not a ‘luxury’ line, they are often easily upgradeable and their parts are commonplace.
Senibalism: Essentially 'cannibalism', but for all races. The act of eating another sentient race or species.
Sentientarian: Essentially 'humanitarian', but for all races. Similarly, instead of the 'HR' (Human Resources) Department seen in larger companies, the appropriate term is 'SR' (Sentient Resources) Department.
Shining like a Quasar: Slang for feeling well.
Somnumlian: Dream-suppressant prescription drug. Prescribed for severe PTSD or dangerous night-terror cases, it has a 98% success rate.
Speeder: An all-encompassing term for the variety of smaller personal vehicles that resemble motorcycles, bikes, or scooters. Holding one to three persons, some merely hover over the ground and/or water, while more expensive models are more capable of actual flight. Specific terms include landspeeder, waterspeeder, and airspeeder.
Synthskin: Synthetic skin; usually what coats most organic-passing androids. It can also be used in place of organic skin grafts, as it has a very low rejection rate.
Telescreen: Similar to a television, only it is paper-thin and flexible, so can be mounted to a variety of surfaces. More expensive models can produce holograms.
Tila-Tala: A popular AI hologram for a news channel in BPG; runs the segment ‘Tila-Tala Tells’. Cheerful, animated, and charming, some argue that her stories are more gossip than actual news. 🔗
Tronslatr: An internal or external device that automatically translates foreign languages. Created by Dr Domo.
Voidwalking: “Darkwalking”, “Blackwalking”; slang for traveling through or being out in space, especially while outside of a spacecraft.
Edit: Turning this into an official Append To The Encyclopedia since Cey and I worked on the terms together and I always end up with a whacktonne more.
🔗 Medical Glossary: The (mostly) organized but not alphabetized glossary of medical jargon I use in RPs (some overlap with terms listed above).
🔗 Cybernetic Implants: Very much a WIP, but I've been using Notebook to go into further detail on individual implants. Names subject to change in the future... Still figuring things out.
Alienkin/Transrace: The self-term used for individuals who believe their 'inner race' or 'soul' is not reflected by their biological race, and either seek to cosmetically alter their appearance to conform, or otherwise look for 'acceptance' by their self-adopted race. Considering the complex problems of racism and cultural appropriation, they're accepted... About as well as one might expect. An old-earth term for a similar structure was 'transrace'.
Augmented Reality (AR): Digitally created overlays to your vision. These include HUDs (Heads Up Displays), and some games. They purpose is not to replace your vision with something new, but to 'augment' your normal vision with useful pointers--crosshairs, GPS pointers, compasses, distance estimations, or different types of vision (thermographic). Smartlink guns utilize AR to assist in aiming. AR requires either cybernetic eyes, or special contacts or glasses to project the augmentations into your visual field.
EMP: Electro Magnetic Pulse. A sudden burst of electromagnetic radiation that can temporarily or permanently disable electronics, including cybernetics and androids, if they are not properly shielded.
PAN: Personal Area Network. A term used to indicate a person's immediate network of wireless or wired devices (like a LAN). This includes your commlink, and any accessories that interface with it such as an ear insert, AR contacts, or AR glasses. Augmentations and cybernetics that require external inputs, such as smartgun or GPS-enabled contacts, cybereyes, neurotransmitters... Basically anything on your person that is in communication with anything else on your person.
🔗 Related Information
reNcarn8: The now-standard memory retention software, used in any human-to-android transition. Associated with Dr Domo Corp.
🔗 Credit
SIM: Short for Substrate-Independent Mind. The term used for the digital-download of an organic's consciousness into a digital form, that can be transferred to an android or otherwise. Most strongly associated with Dr Domo Androids. Also referred to as a WBE, or Whole Brain Emulation.
Spoogle: A search engine and verb akin to google. ('To spoogle something').
Virtual Reality (VR): A second digital 'reality' into which you are projected as an avatar. In VR you cannot see anything of the 'outside' world. Used for games or accessing the InfoSphere, it can be accessed a number of ways: Directly with a neurotransmitter rendering your physical form unconscious, and allowing for full haptic feedback, or partially through the use of VR goggles (or cybereyes) and sensory gloves.
VoxBox: A translator useful for races that do not vocalize in a traditional or easily-translatable manner (and thus are beyond basic Tronslatr-tech), instead reading neural pathways to predict meaning and intent and translate them into words. With time and practice they become easier to use.
🔗 Medical Glossary: The (mostly) organized but not alphabetized glossary of medical jargon I use in RPs (some overlap with terms listed above).
🔗 Cybernetic Implants: Very much a WIP, but I've been using Notebook to go into further detail on individual implants. Names subject to change in the future... Still figuring things out.
---
» Encyclopedia Append
Alienkin/Transrace: The self-term used for individuals who believe their 'inner race' or 'soul' is not reflected by their biological race, and either seek to cosmetically alter their appearance to conform, or otherwise look for 'acceptance' by their self-adopted race. Considering the complex problems of racism and cultural appropriation, they're accepted... About as well as one might expect. An old-earth term for a similar structure was 'transrace'.
Augmented Reality (AR): Digitally created overlays to your vision. These include HUDs (Heads Up Displays), and some games. They purpose is not to replace your vision with something new, but to 'augment' your normal vision with useful pointers--crosshairs, GPS pointers, compasses, distance estimations, or different types of vision (thermographic). Smartlink guns utilize AR to assist in aiming. AR requires either cybernetic eyes, or special contacts or glasses to project the augmentations into your visual field.
EMP: Electro Magnetic Pulse. A sudden burst of electromagnetic radiation that can temporarily or permanently disable electronics, including cybernetics and androids, if they are not properly shielded.
PAN: Personal Area Network. A term used to indicate a person's immediate network of wireless or wired devices (like a LAN). This includes your commlink, and any accessories that interface with it such as an ear insert, AR contacts, or AR glasses. Augmentations and cybernetics that require external inputs, such as smartgun or GPS-enabled contacts, cybereyes, neurotransmitters... Basically anything on your person that is in communication with anything else on your person.
🔗 Related Information
reNcarn8: The now-standard memory retention software, used in any human-to-android transition. Associated with Dr Domo Corp.
🔗 Credit
SIM: Short for Substrate-Independent Mind. The term used for the digital-download of an organic's consciousness into a digital form, that can be transferred to an android or otherwise. Most strongly associated with Dr Domo Androids. Also referred to as a WBE, or Whole Brain Emulation.
Spoogle: A search engine and verb akin to google. ('To spoogle something').
Virtual Reality (VR): A second digital 'reality' into which you are projected as an avatar. In VR you cannot see anything of the 'outside' world. Used for games or accessing the InfoSphere, it can be accessed a number of ways: Directly with a neurotransmitter rendering your physical form unconscious, and allowing for full haptic feedback, or partially through the use of VR goggles (or cybereyes) and sensory gloves.
VoxBox: A translator useful for races that do not vocalize in a traditional or easily-translatable manner (and thus are beyond basic Tronslatr-tech), instead reading neural pathways to predict meaning and intent and translate them into words. With time and practice they become easier to use.