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The
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The Traveller Campaign - Firearms (463k spreadsheet) - System Search Campaign Log
- Session 1 |
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Imperial Library Search Results
Number of like terms found for Zhodani: 2 Zhodani Human major race (Homo 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. Zhodani society is divided into three classes: nobles, intendants, and proles. Nobles are the enfranchised ruling class, and receive psionic training from childhood. Intendants are the managers and administrators of society, and also receive early training. Proles constitute the masses, are forbidden the use of psionics, and do not receive training. 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 rank. The presence of psionics in the hands of those in power means that many aspects of society work at high efficiency. Psychology, behavioral science, communication 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, with each making 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 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 the 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 correct thought in the population. Imperial distaste for the Zhodani is founded on two facts. Firstly, the Zhodani practice psionics, and an Imperial cannot be sure that a Zhodani is not invading his mental privacy at any time. Imperials feel exposed and uncomfortable in the presence of Zhodani. Second, because of their psionic abilities, the Zhodani have the most effective authoritarian government in history. Imperial citizens, used to a great degree of local autonomy, fear Zhodani conquest because of the loss of freedom it would entail.<br> 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 councillor serves until their replacement arrives and they are officially replaced, or until word of the delegate's re-election is received. Often, the district from which a councillor is elected will have only relatives as voters, and re-election 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 actions must be justified as soon as possible. Supreme executive power is vested in three consuls, one elected each Zhodani 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: Zhodani history is considered to properly begin with their arrival with the Ancients c. -300 000. However, the first documented evidence of a major culture on Zhodane is of a moon worshipping empire, ascendant between -1000 and -15000. Much of the elementary stone age knowledge was developed in this period. The collapse of this empire lead to a dark age, until the emergence of a noble class and a feudal system c. -13000. The resultant encouragement of science and exploration resulted in settlement of much of Zhodane, and technological advancement to the point of elementary space flight. However, shortly afterwards a great plague decimated the population, and brought about a second dark age to the world. In the following period of recovery, psionics gained ascendance, and the development of the psionic aristocracy began. The first psionic games were held in -6731, this being the first olympiad, and so the start of the Zhodani calendar. Space travel was reacquired, and the first sublight interstellar expeditions were mounted in c. -5000. Colonies were established on six worlds within four parsecs. In -523 the Zhodani Consulate was established between these worlds. Then, in -5415, jump drive was discovered. The resulting expansion was gradual and uneventful. Although some states on the fringe resisted absorption into the Consulate, most were annexed peacefully. The Consulate first came into conflict with the expanding Imperium in the 500s, in disputes over the limits of present and future settlement of the Spinward Marches. The resulting Frontier Wars have done little to resolve the basic differences between the two empires. Zhodani Calendar The Zhodani calendar is based on the period of Zhodane around Plebor, its star. The Zhodani Shen (year) is 275.19 standard days (or 244.44 zhodanstial, Zhodane's day) in length, and is divided into six Shider of 40 zhodanstial, separated by one day holidays. Zhodani dating uses Thecuzodij (olympiad), which are three Shen. A Zhodani date is written as: Thecuzodij.Shen Slider/Zilodanstial, with special holiday names replacing the Shider/Zhodanstial where appropriate. For example 001-0000 Imperial (the date-the Imperium was founded) is equivalent to 2979.1 Atrint/7. |