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Old 10-08-2018, 06:18 PM   #603
jason taylor
 
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Default Re: 'Imperial Culture' (non-canonista)

Micro-heraldry:

A generic term for the popular practice of the rendering of information at a microscopic level. This was done in pre-starflight Terra, and for thousands of years in the Zira Sirka. However modern technology allows it to be done both conveniently and with increasing elaboration. Depending on the culture, it is possible to use skin, clothing, portable items, etc as a medium. The purpose for this varies. One common use is artistic; it is possible to render elaborately baroque displays, including several marks in organized patterns to make a mosaic like structure. Sometimes literature is rendered in microscopic format. This is often done by nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples as an alternative or suppliment to electronic devices especially in areas with insufficient communications infrastructure. Another use is in onomastics; a whole geneology or family history can be placed in the proper area. Trademarks are a common use, for the vast number of worlds makes for embarrassing coincidences especially if a corporation has an official title that also has a generic meaning (I.E. Chandlers of...). Microheraldry allows for elaborate encryption to distinguish. One common usage is in passwords to accounts and websites. This has everyday usage but it is common for travellers to use this means to hide emergency access codes to seek out contacts, money, passports, etc in the case of natural or political disaster.

Use: as chrome. For instance an Aslan warrior has the name of his weapon, his clan, and the glorious deeds of himself or his clan imprinted on the weapon.

As a plot point: The PCs are stranded during a political disaster. One character has access to a hidden stash of supplies that can only be opened with a code imprinted on his skin. However that character has just died, and the encryption mark is fading as rigor sets in.
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