Difference between revisions of "Zhodani"

Starport	X	No Starport
Size	0	Asteroid/Planetoid Belt
Atmosphere	0	Vacuum
Hydrographics	0	Desert World 0%
Population	0	Barren (0)
Government	0	No Government structure
Law	0	No Law
Tech Level	0	Pre-Industrial (primitive)

Primary Star

Atmosphere

Standard

Off-world presence

Yes

Zoetic individuals

Source

Reference

"Contact! The Zhodani." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 09 8-11.

Canon

Yes

Also see

Zhodani Consulate

TBD

The Zhodani are a technologically sophisticated sophont species.

They are a Major Human Race with a humanoid appearance.
Human Major Race (Homo sapiens zhdotlas) inhabiting the Zhodani Consulate, a region far spinward of the Imperium.
The Zhodani Consulate rules a sphere approximately 70 parsecs in radius about the world of Zhdant immediately to core-spinward of the Imperium, believed to include in excess of 80% of all racial Zhodani. Much of the remainder inhabits the Zhodani client states, although other sub-species of Humaniti are also to be found in the client states and the consulate.

Biology

The Zhodani are a discrete, though interfertile, sub-species of Humaniti, independently descended from human stock transplanted by the Ancients. In general, they tend to be taller than Solomani or Vilani, and lithe of build. Averaging 2.0 meters in height and massing upwards of 90 kilograms, they tend to be swarthy in complexion and dark-haired.

The Zhodani gene pool is much less variegated than that of Terrans although thanks to the size of the Zhodani Consulate, and the intermixing of human gene pools, considerable variation exists in physical appearance.
The Zhodani have blood types F, G, P, Q, R, V, and Z, with F, Q, V, and Z dominant.

General Appearance: Zhodani have a strong tendency to be significantly taller than the average Terran and often have swarthy, olive-brown complexions, with dark eyes and hair. Some have noted that platinum-haired Zhodani seem to have an unnaturally high prevalence.

Evolution & Environment

This species originated on Zhdant (world) and developed intelligence.

Sophonce

This species developed intelligence in response to interspecies competition and climatic changes.

Climate & Ecotope

This species holds the following environmental preferences:

Terrestrial planet
Temperate climate
Plains and grassland ecotopes
Standard gravity
Thin atmosphere

Genetic Code

Members of Humaniti use the following IISS code:

SDEIES-SP
- Strength
- Dexterity
- Endurance
- Intelligence
- Education
- Social Standing
- Sanity
- Psionics
More complex genetic coding data available to qualified personnel upon request.

Anatomy & Physiology

Sophontologists studying this species have discovered the following data.

Body Plan

Humanoid (Hominid)
Bilateral symmetry (2-ial)
Tetrapod (4-ped)
- Two limbs used for manipulation "arms"
  - Former brachiator (still capable climber)
- Two limbs used for locomotion (biped) "legs"
Body consists of three segments
- 1. Head with sensors and multiple-use orifice (consumption, communication, and respiration)
- 2. Torso with manipulatory limbs
- 3. Abdomen with locomotor limbs

Biochemistry

Humans have a conventional carbon-water based biochemistry.

Respiration

Humans employ a conventional respiration cycle consisting of:

Oxygen-nitrogen inhalant
Carbon dioxide exhalant

Ecosystem & Population

Humans are primarily a diurnal species and are active by daylight and rest during the night.

They use a wide variety of technologies to master their environment including terraforming.

Diet and trophics

Omnivore/gatherer
- Homeotherm
- Apex predator
- Sometimes called a "hunter-gatherer" due to many human's penchant for pursuing animal sustenance.
- Known for advanced agriculture and livestock husbandry practices.
- Regarded as an apex predator, through the use of technology, on their homeworlds.

Gender and sexuality

Humans have the following reproductive characteristics::

Two genders (male & female)
- Mild sexual dimorphism
(sexual reproduction)
- Conjugal intercourse
- Varied mating systems (primarily serial monogamy) (1m:1f average)
Viviparous birth
- (Iteroparous): Uses K-selection and have few offspring that require considerable amounts of time to raise to maturity.

Goals

Psionic Promotion
Societal Stability
Societal Happiness

Belief System and Philosophy

Zhodani Religion & Philosophy: The Zhodani Consulate promotes a quasi-religious philosophy called Morality's Path, in which adherents (...virtually the entire Zhodani population within the Consulate) strive to pass through various life cycles and eventually unite with the universal energy field by leading virtuous lives.

Rights and Common Philosophies

With rare exceptions, Zhodani are extremely patriotic. Zhodani citizens possess a high degree of personal honesty. Indeed, the Zhodani feel uncomfortable in most places outside the Consulate, where "liars and thieves are allowed to wander around loose."

Privacy of thought is highly respected among the Zhodani upper classes, although proles have no such right. Nobles have almost complete personal privacy rights, and intendants nearly as much.

Non-Zhodani Rights in Zhodani Society

Rights of foreign nationals vary with whatever treaty is in effect between the Consulate and the foreign power. The treaty with the Imperium is unclear in its protections. Most visitors have no protections for mental privacy, but diplomatic personnel and some selected commercial representatives are provided visas which allow psionic shields to be worn.

Belief System

The Zhodani Consulate promotes a quasi-religious philosophy called Morality's Path, in which adherents (virtually the entire Zhodani population within the Consulate) strive to pass through various life cycles and eventually unite with the universal energy field by leading virtuous lives. Zhodani are prohibited from subscribing to other faiths.

According to Morality's Path, the "good" of a personality is recycled into new living beings for fulfilling its duties in life, while the "bad" of a personality is permanently lost. Quixitlatl Path

Culture and Society

The Zhodani give the name Driantia Zhdantia to their interstellar community. The name is commonly translated in Anglic as Zhodani Consulate. The consulate consists of about 6,500 systems spread through more than 175 subsectors. It is located spinward and coreward of the Imperium.

The most important difference between the Imperium is the acceptance and use of Psionics within the Zhodani Consulate.

Smaller differences include the greater homogeneity of the Zhodani genotype, while Imperial Humans have a wide variety of genotypical appearances, Zhodani are nearly uniformly of swarthy complexion, dark-hair, and of significantly greater height than Solomani, Vilani, or most other Humans. Zhodani nobles often wear a turban-like headdress which serves to accentuate their height.

Naming Conventions

Nobles and Intendants have a single name, chosen on the individual's 5th Olympiad.

Intendants' names end in the suffix:

(-iepr). (Social Status Level A-10 Knight / Dame Equivalent)

Nobles have several suffixes, depending on rank:

(-atl) corresponds to social level B (11). (Social Status Level B-11 Baronet Equivalent)
(-stebr) to C (12). (Social Status Level C-12 Baron / Baroness Equivalent)
(-tlas) to D (13). (Social Status Level D-13 Marquis / Marquesa Equivalent)
(-tlasche') to E (14). (Social Status Level E-14 Viscount / Viscountess Equivalent)

There are several suffixes for F (15) and over, but most likely encountered name suffixes in the Imperium will be:

(-iashav) for F (15) or higher. (Social Status Level F-15 Count / Countess Equivalent)

Proles have two names, a family name and a personal name. The personal name comes first. Family names are numerous, most originating from place names (town, estate, or planet) or occupations (miller, baker, radioman), although the significance has been largely lost.

Common prole suffixes are:

(-qaf) "from", as in Dliant Jdiprzhdilqaf, or Dliant from Jdiprzhdil, a large estate on Zhodane.
(-nad) "-er", as in Tliaqrnad, or miller, from Tliaqre', "to grind grain".

Name Examples

Other name examples include:

Prole names:

Qenzh Chtilnats
Shtelke' Dliatsevqaf
Plevianeqr Stonjinad

Intendant names:

Tliablzhdiliepr
Plitsiepr
Dle'yazheiepr

Noble names:

Detspreflatl
Jrvatsistebr
Chipldlatstlas
Stezfialtlasche'

Psionic Games

One of the most endearing instiutions of Zhodani life are the Psionic Games, which are a continuing series of competitive (sport) games held by the Zhodani Consulate for excellence in psionic achievement. Competition is staged in nearly all fields of psionics, including telekinetic weight-lifting, distance and accuracy teleportation, and many other events.

Because the Zhodani system provides psionic training to all nobles and to the intendant class, the psionic games are a popular device for the masses to see the powers of their rulers in action.
See Psionic Games for more information.

Social Organization

The Zhodani Society is, first and foremost, a Psionic Society. The use of Psionics informs nearly every aspect of life in the Zhodani Consulate. Life revolves around psionics among the Zhodani.

Zhodani society is divided into three hereditary groups:

1. Nobles are the enfranchised ruling class. They perform all high governmental functions, and receive extensive psionic training from childhood.

2. Intendants are the managers and administrators of society. They comprise most business executives, military officers below the ranks of admiral or general, and fill most non-elective governmental positions. Intendants are rewarded for great diligence, service to the state, or victory in the Psionic Games through the granting of noble titles.

3. Proles (or proletarians) constitute the masses, are forbidden the use of psionics, and do not receive training. Proles include all members of the military below officer grade, most merchants and scouts, supervisory and junior management personnel, technicians, craftsmen, and laborers.

Societal Efficiency

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 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.

The presence of psionics in the hands of those in power means that many aspects of society work at a highly efficient level, especially in comparison with the Third Imperium. Psionics benefit Zhodani society in may ways, including the following:

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 easily.

Social Mobility

There is no upward mobility for proles unless psionic powers are detected in them as children, in which case they will be inducted into the intendant class. Intendants who perform well in their positions can be elevated into the ranks of the nobility. In this way, proles can have some hopes for an improved lot for their children; Intendants are encouraged to strive hard, and there is a constant infusion of new blood into the nobility. Extensive psionic ability among the ruling classes permits the Zhodani government to weed out subversives early in life, and re-educate them as useful members of society.

Language

Data recording knowledge of the Zhodani language has not yet been uploaded into this Library database. A comprehensive article updating knowledge of Zhodani linguistic forms is required.

Please see Zdetl/meta for more information.

Language and Letters

This species uses the following types of language to communicate: This species uses the following types of language to communicate:

Body language
Exotic language: Telepathy
Spoken language
Visual language (sign language)
Written language

Morality

The Zhodani have a general distaste for other human races that do not practice psionics. Effective indoctrination and the ever-present possibility that one's mind is being read have removed dishonesty and deviance as commonly seen. Disagreements still occur, competition thrives, passions flare - but all takes place in an atmosphere of honesty and truth. Individuals can express their feelings openly and problems are dealt with.

In non-psionic societies, much is kept secret within the mind. A Zhodani visiting the Imperium would be appalled by the deviousness and dishonesty that pervades society.

Imperial distaste for the Zhodani is based on two facts.

First, the Zhodani practice psionics, and an Imperial cannot be sure at any time that a Zhodani is not invading his mental privacy. Imperials feel exposed and uncomfortable in the presence of Zhodani.
Second, because of their psionic abilities, the Zhodani have the most effective authoritarian rule in history. Imperial citizens, used to a great degree of local autonomy, fear Zhodani conquest because of the loss of freedom it would entail.

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.

Historical Eras

No information yet available.

The First Frontier War

The Zhodani first came into conflict with the expanding Third Imperium in the 6th century of the present era. The First Frontier War (589 - 604) marked the beginning of open hostilities, involving all eight coreward subsectors, and lasting for fifteen years.

The Second & Third Frontier Wars

Subsequent wars (the Second Frontier War in 615-620 and the Third Frontier War in 979-986) saw tremendous Zhodani incursions into the Spinward Marches. Mishandling of the Third Frontier War caused the abdication of Emperor Styryx in 98.

The Fourth Frontier War

The Fourth Frontier War was little more than a skirmish, compared to earlier conflicts. Neither side was prepared for the war, and an armistice was quickly worked out.

The only lasting effect of the war was to shift Esalin (Spinward Marches 0204)from Imperial control to neutral world status.

The Fifth Frontier War

Latest in the series of Frontier Wars between the Zhodani and the Imperium. Following several years of unrest and provocation, Zhodani forces attacked across the Imperial borders while previously placed guerrillas on selected Imperial worlds began uprisings. Vargr and Sword World forces allied with the Zhodani also participated in the attacks.

The armistice, signed in 1110, resulted in the loss of no worlds to the hostiles and returned to the status quo.

See Fifth Frontier War for more information.

Civilization

The civilization and society of this species is known as Zhodani Consulate.

Government & Politics

The Zhodani Consulate is characterized as having a high degree of centralization, which sets uniform policies that direct the entire multi-system state and disregards local/planetary differences. The Zhodani Consulate government is usually classified as a Democratic Republic, a form of a Unitary State. The Zhodani Consulate is also sometimes referred to as a Participatory Democracy in which only nobles are allowed to vote.

Representatives, called Consuls, are elected to ruling councils for one olympiad, with those councils responsible for specific responsibilities within the government. Members of the councils are also given the authority to carry out their programs and orders.

Please see polity entry at Zhodani Consulate for more information.

Military & Intelligence

The Zhodani Military is formally known as the Zhodani Consulate Combined Interstellar Forces, and is one of the most potent militaries in known space.

Please see polity entry at Zhodani Consulate for more information.

Business & Trade (Economy)

Interstellar Trade: Zhodani merchants and traders are well-known throughout Zhodani, Imperial space, and beyond.

Please see polity entry at Zhodani Consulate for more information.

Zhodani Megacorporations: 1116

Priantqlovr Drafr

Calendar & Timekeeping

The Zhodani calendar measures the passage of time based upon their homeworld of Zhdant.

See Zhodani calendar and Date Conversion for more information.

The basic units for the Zhodani calendar are:

The Zhdanstial (day) is the time it takes for Zhdant to rotate once on its axis. It is equivalent to 1.12587 standard days or 27.02 standard hours.
The Chten (year) is 244.44 Zhdanstial or 275.2 standard days in length.

Zhodani dating is in olympiads (tleqazdijdiet). Each olympiad is of three Zhodani years; years are 0.75 standard years in length (273 days). An olympiad is used to mark the period from one set of Psionic Games to the next. Zhodani dates are given in olympiads, which are further subdivided into year, season, and day. The first olympiad corresponds to 2209 BC. The dating system itself has been in more or less continuous since then, with minor lapses due to war or temporary decline of ruling parties.

Research & Technology

Most Zhodani worlds are TL 7 to 12 averaging TL 9 to 10.

Psionics even affects Zhodani technology. One example of a Zhodani technology affected by psionics is the Psionic Switch. A psionic switch is a mechanical switch buried behind a wall or equipment panel that is intended to be physicallly manipulated using telekinesis. By installing psionic switches in Zhodani starships, Zhodani engineers make it very diffiuclt for Imperial boarders to gain any sort of control over Zhodani control panels or other hardware.

Please see polity entry at Zhodani Consulate for more information.

Psionics and Sciences

The presence of psionics in Zhodani Society allows for highly efficient social functioning, especially in comparison with the Third Imperium.

Psionics benefit Zhodani society in may ways and the combinations of psionics with other fields has led to great advances that include the following areas (...and many more):

Behavioral science, aided by clairvoyance.
Communications science, aided by telepathy.
Education sciences, aided by telepathy.
Health sciences, aided by awareness.
Physics, aided by telekinesis.
Psychology, aided by clairvoyance.
Transportation sciences, aided by teleportation.

Mathematics

The Zhodani use a Base-10 system of mathematics, including mathematical logic, arithmetic, statistics, particle mechanics, and other branches of mathematics.

Sciences

The Zhodani possess an advanced knowledge of the sciences that includes:

A formalized method of scientific inquiry.
Zhdant (planetary) and Space sciences, including astronomy, cosmology, and geosciences.
Social sciences, including psychology and scoiology.
Life sciences, including biology and medicine.
Physical sciences, including chemistry and physics.
Formal sciences, including mathematics and logic.
Psionics, including philosophy, theory, and application.

Worlds & Sectors (Astrography)

This race (sophont species) is primarily located in the following areas:
Charted Space:

Initial Stage Core Expedition:
Please see Core Expedition for a full sector listing.

Homeworld: 1105

The homeworld of this race (sophontic species) is:

Zhodane (Zhodane 2719).

World Listing: 1105

Significant communities of this race (sophont species) are known to exist within the following systems and worlds:

200 of 742 World articles in Zhodani

A'donshie • A'ie Jelde • Aaidie • Aazhia • Ababl (Zi 0407) • Abajiachiats • Ablchtech • Abri • Abrjdepl • Ache • Achiatlie • Adeiansa • Adipl • Adlsetlo • Adlsets • Adlsiev • Adltsap • Adrablsish • Adrazhiaql • Adritel • Adrse • Aekoblprebr • Aflebshaql • Afltibr • Afrzhal • Aidat • Aijiedl • Ail Ashe • Ainjaklifr • Ajdemch • Ajyieplzdavr • Akklistolcha • Akzdedriats • Alenzh • Alepzdibia • Anchief • Anchiefl • Anchish Riatl • Anjavzdatont • Anje Chadr • Anje Lozhte • Anshdem • Anshzdokl • Ants • Anzchiefr • Apllestenzh • Aqrinch • Aqrinprie • Aqsha • Atse • Aviadrpi • Avieral • Avrrsiabl • Ayssthon • Azhdil • Azhiazhdia • Azhierebr • Azoaqla • Azzhdof • Badredlons • Bafanzabr • Banzstotl • Bapenj • Bartsel • Batlpat • Bazhzhdanz • Bemnamezh • Betszdiefla • Bezdeplie • Bieiazhanz • Biezchodl • Blateblat • Blatebleb • Blateblia • Bliadzaletet • Blianjpots • Blichshe • Bomazhdintse • Boplfleb • Bra'tlidl • Brazde • Brazhiatake • Brenzhstel • Brezaiafl • Brezh • Brianznav • Bribrzhaldloq • Brietl • Britliesav • Brkralifl • Brnzens • Brovlekal • Chabob • Chabrstieql • Chadrte • Chakle • Charqapl • Chaz Shtia • Chechedrsta • Chenchoz • Chenzhzhie • Chepra • Chialo • Chianzjie • Chiaqlneqr • Chiashov • Chivtsram • Chotli • Chtalekl • Chtatsflialo • Chtatspier • Chte'dliad • Chtechedl • Chtensjdeabr • Chtenzhyofre • Chteqjedr • Chteqriakl • Chtezfrie • Chtiadl • Chtianshkrets • Chtintse • Chtostit • Chyia Nedlkel • Dablrel • Dadetlal • Daflanzhr • Daknatstiant • Dalkr • Datliatl • Datlidr • Datlietl • Dedrtlidratl • Defltlakr • Defridlie • Deifr • Dentszimar • Depriale • Devliensh • Dezitl • Diadref • Diafriapl • Diazhtia • Diezhazreb • Diliefidr • Dintnikl • Ditlfinch • Divre • Dlaeie • Dlants Zdiqef • Dlashte • Dlatsviel • Dliachbedl • Dlieblafia • Dliepl • Dlifiabeb • Dlinzievie • Dlolqiplins • Dovre' • Draklteshse • Drants • Draplja • Dratldieve • Drepadze • Dribochtel • Driechats • Drietlqliata • Dripliestavl • Dririatliets • Dronjvlebl • Drovrbro' • E'iaietl • E'iensh • E'zhdets • Ea (Kn 0507) • Eardaqr • Ebamplench • Eberish • Eblonzyerefl • Echaidria • Echedr • Edetl • Edir • Edladla • Edldieflsh • Edra • Edriev • Edriij • Edrvlar • Ejoshcheakl • Eljiechfadr • Enjtodl • Ens Zhdo • Ensjatlchel • Enzha • Enzhliep • Enzstits • Enzzdiafl • Epeietlsiadl • Epfintsez • Eplob •

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References & Contributors (Sources)

This article has two or more sources with conflicting information. Because the conflict has not been resolved, all sources are linked to this article.

This article is missing content for one or more detailed sections. Additional details are required to complete the article. You can help the Traveller Wiki by expanding it.

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

Loren Wiseman. "Contact! The Zhodani." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 09 (1981): 8-11.
Marc Miller. Expedition to Zhodane (Game Designers Workshop, 1981), 40-43.
John Harshman, Marc Miller, Loren Wiseman. Library Data (N-Z) (Game Designers Workshop, 1982), 32-33.
Marc Miller. The Traveller Book (Game Designers Workshop, 1982), 156.
Loren Wiseman. "Zhodani Philosophies, by Brienshqloriashav." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 23 (1985): 42-44.
J. Andrew Keith, Marc Miller, John Harshman. Zhodani (Game Designers Workshop, 1985), 3-8,12-14.
Marc Miller. Referee's Companion (Game Designers Workshop, 1988), 59-67.
Frank Chadwick, Dave Nilsen. Traveller: The New Era (Game Designers Workshop, 1993), 71.
Marc Miller. Marc Miller's Traveller (Imperium Games, 1996), 186.
David L. Pulver. Alien Races 1 (Steve Jackson Games, 1998), 5-63.
Martin Dougherty, Hunter Gordon. The Traveller's Handbook (QuikLink Interactive, 2002), 22-23.
Citation Missing - Mongoose Traveller Main Rulebook
Don McKinney. Zhodani (Mongoose Publishing, 2011), 29-48.
EXTERNAL LINK: Traveller Library Data
Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 |gravity = Standard
 |home    = {{WorldS|Zhodane|Zhodane|2719}}
-|image   = Logozhod.gif
+|image   = smallzhologo.png
 |lang    = [[Zdetl]]
 |limbs   = 4-ped
@@ Line 261: / Line 261: @@
 === Government & Politics ===
-[[File:Logozhod.gif|right]]
+[[File:smallzhologo.png|right]]
 The '''[[Zhodani Consulate ]]''' is characterized as having a high degree of centralization, which sets uniform policies that direct the entire multi-system state and disregards local/planetary differences. The Zhodani Consulate government is usually classified as a [[Democratic Republic]], a form of a [[Unitary State]]. The [[Zhodani Consulate]] is also sometimes referred to as a [[Participatory Democracy]] in which only [[noble]]s are allowed to vote.