A Glossary for the Ripples Universe
A.S.V. - Acronymn for Atlantis Space Vessel, designation preceding all 'Lantean ship names.
Originally classified as A.S.S. (Atlantis Space Ship), the notation was changed at the suggestion of
Colonel Sheppard after the first six weeks of bad jokes.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah - (noun) The ceremony marking the transition in status from child to young adult in
'Lantean society. Conducted once an individual has successfully completed 'Basic Training' on The Mainland
at the age of 13. The title of the ceremony originates in Jewish religious practices, but the ceremony
itself is secular on Atlantis.
Basic Training - (noun)
1. The 10 week training regimen conducted for non-Earthborn 'Lanteans who wished to join the service of
the Atlantis Military.
2. The 4 week training regimen conducted for 'Lantean children the summer of their 13th year. The
training includes basic explosives instruction, proper usage of semi and fully-automatic Earth Weaponry,
and proper diplomatic interactions when off-world.
Biki Pox - (noun) A viral pathogen native to planet BKX-882. Similar to the native Earth disease
"Chicken Pox"
Change, The - (noun) Refers to the transformation undergone by a Wraith who is given the retroviral
therapy designed by Dr. Carson Beckett to remove Iratus DNA from their system. 18 months of treatment are
required to ensure that the transformation remains permanent. (For more information on the Wraith,
click here)
Earthborn - (noun, adj) Refers to a human born on the planet Earth. Used as a cultural title for
the Atlantis Expedition beginning with the Year of Secession.
Fugitta - (noun) Annual ceremony marking the date the Athosians fled Athos and began their new lives
in and around the City of the Ancients. As of 2008, the Year of Secession, it became the first official
holiday of the City of Atlantis, and was subsequently celebrated without fail by Earthborn and Athosian alike.
Iratus Bug - (noun) The creature from which the Wraith evolved. Roughly 20-30cm in size, resembling
an Earth fly with fangs and a protruding tail. The bugs are parasitic, draining a host completely and
then moving on to the next. Once one attaches, it cannot be removed from a victim prior to the victim's
death.
'Lantean - (noun, adj) Refers to someone from the planet which is home to Atlantis, City of the Ancients.
'Lantean can refer to one born on that world, or one who has acquired citizenship through legal means.
Lasta Cakes - (noun) A sweet cake made by the Jing-dai tribe of PNX-286. The name "Lasta" comes
from a nut native to the planet; it is ground into a fine flour and mixed with dried berries, milk, and
eggs before baking at high temperature. As well as being a regional delicacy, the Lasta itself was a
trade staple of the Jing-dai for many centuries.
Mainland, The - (noun) The single continent on the world containing the City of Atlantis. The
continent itself extends to within 50 km of either magnetic pole, and encompasses roughly a quarter of
the planet's surface.
Matra - (noun) Athosian term for mother. From the Ancient "matar" for "one who carries life"
Matrena - (noun) Athosian term for caretaker, specifically of children. From the Ancient "matrana"
for surrogate mother.
Patra - (noun) Athosian term for father. From the Ancient "patar", the formal form of father.
Plague, The - (noun) The disease which struck the Wraith on a pandemic scale beginning 4 years after
the Earthborn arrived in the Pegasus Galaxy. Eventually determined to be a mutated strain of the normally
non-fatal Varicella which jumped species during Lt. Col. Sheppard's Iratus infection, the disease was
airborne and had an incubation rate of 1-2 years before striking with 99% fatality. Due to the nature
of the virus' mutation, it struck only the Iratus DNA present in the Wraith, those who accepted retrovirus
therapy and had the DNA purged survived encounters with the disease. It is estimated that the disease
wiped out over 80% of the total Wraith population in the Pegasus Galaxy.
Qilin - (proper noun) (Pronounced Tchee-linn) traditional female given name in China (Earth).
Rising Ceremony - (noun) An Athosian celebration marking a child's entry as a speaking member of the
group. Thought to have originated due to high infant mortality rates, a child is considered an infant until
the age of three, when they 'rise' and become a part of society proper.
Wraithborn - (noun, adj) Refers to an individual who has successfully completed gene therapy
to the purpose of purging the Iratus DNA from their system permanently and leading a human life. For many
years the term was derogatory. Following the successful (and reasonably safe) integration of the crew of
a Hive Ship, it merely became a descriptive. No literature is available at this time regarding potential
interbreeding between Wraithborn and natural humans(For more information on the Wraith,
click here).
Year of Secession - (noun) Refers to 2008, the year Earth broke contact with the Atlantis Expedition. Term
used by the Earthborn to specify the momentous event and the difficult year that followed as adaptation was
accomplished. In clarification: Refers only to the first year after break of contact; the actual Secession
lasted over 3 years.