Liaden universe

Liaden Universe ( or ) is an ongoing science fiction series written by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. The books are primarily space operas with elements of Regency romance, novels of manners, and supernatural abilities.

As of July 2024, the series comprises 26 novels and 33 chapbooks. The 25th Liaden Universe novel was released in July 2023.

Overview

The Liaden Universe consists of multiple related series. The first ''Agent of Change'' series is a sequence of science fiction novels by husband and wife team Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Originally published in 1988, this series centers on the ongoing conflict between Clan Korval and the Department of the Interior, a rogue government agency.

Publication history

Del Rey Books published the first three novels—''Agent of Change'', ''Conflict of Honors'', and ''Carpe Diem''—between 1988 and 1989. Due to modest initial sales, Lee and Miller did not immediately continue the series. However, interest grew through online communities, particularly the Usenet group ''rec.arts.sf.written'', where the series was featured in the group's FAQ.

In 1999, the authors published several chapbooks and the next installment in the series, ''Plan B.'' Three more books followed, completing the ''Agent of Change'' series. The authors also wrote short stories to fill in the gaps between novels and provide background on various characters.

While the first three novels were initially published in mass-market editions by Del Rey, they were later re-published by the now-defunct Meisha Merlin, which also anthologized the earlier books. Subsequently, the novels were reissued in mass-market format by Ace Books. Some earlier works and stories were made available as e-books throug
Embiid Publishing

In 2007, Baen Books began releasing the first ten Liaden novels in electronic form, followed by several short story collections. Beginning in 2009, Baen started publishing new books in the series. In 2010, Baen reissued all the earlier novels in omnibus trade paperback editions.

As of 2024, the Liaden Universe includes 26 novels, short stories, and chapbooks. All the novels are currently available as e-books.

Authors

Sharon Lee and Steve Miller have co-authored more than 100 science fiction novels and short stories over the course of more than 35 years. Many have been published as anthologies as well as digitally. Their primary works take place in a universe of their own creation; "The Liaden Universe".
Ms. Lee has also published a series of novels in another alternate fantasy setting as well as a duo of murder mysteries set in a small town in Maine.

Books in the series

Novels

Timeline chart

Chart notes
* Time flows down the chart, so events in novels on the same horizontal level happen (roughly) concurrently.
* The columns of the chart represent main characters and/or clans.
* Color key:
** Red = Progenitor Universe
** Orange = Trade Areas of Terran and Liaden space
** Yellow = Primarily Liaden Space (with primary characters shown in parentheses)
** Green = Theo's home world (Delgado), first journey, Anlingdin Piloting Academy, and beyond
** Pink = Planet Surebleak
** Blue = Planet Surebleak and wide-ranging space faring & trading
** Gray = Trading, space faring, and A.I. mentoring

List of novels in order of the timeline of the Liaden universe

The Great Migration Duology

These two novels comprise the origin story of the Liaden universe and introduce Cantra and Jela.
* ''Crystal Soldier'' (February 2005, )
* ''Crystal Dragon'' (February 2006, )

Liaden novels featuring Jethri Gobelyn

These stories of merchants and intrigue take place between ''The Great Migration'' and ''Agent of Change'' sequences.
* ''Balance of Trade'' was published by Meisha Merlin in hardcover in February 2004 (). It won the Hal Clement Award for best Young Adult Science Fiction novel of 2004)
* ''Trade Secret'', a sequel to ''Balance of Trade'', was published by Baen in hardcover in November 2013 ().
* ''Fair Trade'', a sequel to ''Trade Secret'', was published by Baen in hardcover in May 2022 ().
* Because Steve Miller died in 2024, ''Trade Lanes'' is in limbo (see "Forthcoming").

The ''Agent of Change'' sequence

This is the timeline for stories in the Liaden universe. In the later novels, the story centers on Theo Waitley before becoming coincident with events involving Clan Korval and the planet Surebleak. See notes below tables.

Notes on novels

* ''Fledgling'' (2007), a 31-chapter serialized novel that was first seen in draft form on the authors' website, with chapters released weekly from January 2007 through October 2007. ''Fledgling'' introduces Theo Waitley and gives some of the background to her unexpected arrival at the end of ''I Dare''. The revised version ''Fledgling (2009)'' was published in hardcover by Baen Books (September 2009 ). The original pre-revision ''Fledgling'' can be downloaded for free from both Amazon and the Baen Free Library.
* ''Saltation'' (draft complete, January 2009), is the sequel to ''Fledgling'', a weekly serial novel on the authors' website. Publication began on Monday, 21 January 2008. A revised version was released in hardcover by Baen Books in April 2010 .
* ''Ghost Ship'', the sequel to ''Saltation'', was published by Baen Books. A synopsis of ''Ghost Ship'' was published in September 2010.'' Ghost Ships first draft was completed in late August 2010. It was published in hardcover on 2 August 2011 and in paperback on 31 July 2012 .
* ''Dragon Ship'', the sequel to ''Ghost Ship'', was published by Baen Books in hardcover on 4 September 2012 .
* ''Necessity's Child'', which occurs on Surebleak at the same time as ''Ghost Ship'', was published by Baen in hardcover on 5 February 2013 , in paperback on 25 February 2014 , and in ebook on 14 January 2013 .
* ''Dragon in Exile'' was published by Baen Books in hardcover on 2 June 2015 and ebook 15 May 2015.

Thirtieth Anniversary Editions

The (30th) Anniversary edition of the first Liaden Universe novel, ''Agent of Change'', was published in November 2018 as a mass-market paperback.

The (30th) Anniversary edition of the second Liaden Universe novel, ''Conflict of Honors'', was published in October 2019 as a mass-market paperback.

The (30th) Anniversary edition of the third Liaden Universe novel, ''Carpe Diem'', was published in November 2020 as a mass-market paperback.

Forthcoming

The latest book to be published is the Clan Korval/Redlands novel ''Diviner's Bow'', a direct sequel to ''Ribbon Dance''. It was published in April 2025.

Following ''Fair Trade,'' a fourth Jethri Gobelyn novel (''Trade Lanes'') was in the works at the time of Steve Miller's death.

Omnibus volumes

=Pre-Baen

=
* ''Partners in Necessity'' (Feb. 2000, hardcover, trade paperback)
** Contains ''Conflict of Honors'', ''Agent of Change'', and ''Carpe Diem''
* ''Pilots Choice'' (Feb. 2001, hardcover; November 2004, trade paperback)
** Contains ''Local Custom'' and ''Scout's Progress''

=Baen e-book only

=
These were released immediately upon Lee and Miller's coming to Baen in the wake of Meisha Merlin's dissolution, to bring the ebooks back into print and begin earning royalties for Lee and Miller (who had not been paid by Meisha Merlin). For new readers, the subsequent Baen omnibus editions (below) provide the same books at a lower cost.
* ''Korval's Legacy Collection'' (Baen ebook bundle)
** Contains ''Conflict of Honors'', ''Agent of Change'', ''Carpe Diem'', ''Plan B'', and ''Local Custom''
* ''Phase Change Collection'' (Baen ebook bundle)
** Contains ''Scout's Progress'', ''I Dare'', ''Crystal Soldier'', ''Crystal Dragon'', and ''Balance of Trade''

Additionally, ''Agent of Change'' and ''Fledgling'' are available at no cost in th
Baen Free Library

=Baen print and e-book

=
* ''The Dragon Variation'' (Jun. 2010, trade paperback)
** Contains ''Local Custom'', ''Scout's Progress'', and ''Conflict of Honors''
* ''The Agent Gambit'' (Jan. 2011, trade paperback)
** Contains ''Agent of Change'' and ''Carpe Diem''
* ''Korval's Game'' (May 2011, trade paperback)
** Contains ''Plan B'' and ''I Dare''
* ''The Crystal Variation'' (Sep. 2011, trade paperback)
** Contains ''Crystal Soldier'', ''Crystal Dragon'', and ''Balance of Trade''

Audiobooks

A number of novels have currently available audiobook editions:
* ''Accepting the Lance''
* ''The Tomorrow Log''
* ''Neogenesis''
* ''The Gathering Edge''
* ''Alliance of Equals''
* ''Dragon Ship''
* ''Necessity's Child''
* ''Ghost Ship''
* ''Saltation''
* ''Fledgling''
* ''Mouse & Dragon''
* ''Scout's Progress''
* ''Local Custom''
* ''Balance of Trade''
* ''Crystal Soldier''
* ''Dragon in Exile''
* ''I Dare''
* ''Plan B''
* ''Carpe Diem''
* ''Conflict of Honors''
* ''Crystal Dragon''
* ''Agent of Change''

Short stories

These also include stories about Lute and Moonhawk, the earlier incarnations of two major characters in the books. Some short stories also are being made available for free either in th
Baen Free Library
or a
Splinter Universe

Current collections

On 2 April 2012, Lee and Miller announced that Baen had purchased publication rights for the contents of Chapbooks #1 through #17 (''Two Tales of Korval'' through ''Skyblaze''), which would be reissued in multiple volumes.

The first volume, ''Liaden Universe Constellation Volume I,'' was published by Baen for July 2013 in trade paperback and ebook formats. The second volume was published by Baen in January 2014. The third volume was published by Baen in August 2015. The fourth volume was published by Baen in June 2019.

Baen has collected the chapbooks and other short stories in five volumes:

# ''A Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 1'' (2013, trade paperback, eBook)
# ''A Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 2'' (2014, trade paperback, eBook)
# ''A Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 3'' (2015, trade paperback, eBook)
# ''A Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 4'' (4 June 2019, trade paperback, eBook)
# ''A Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 5'' (1 February 2022, trade paperback, eBook)

Out of print collections

The chapbooks have been collected in two compilations:

# ''Liaden Universe Companion Volume One'' (2005, hardcover, trade paperback)
# ''Liaden Universe Companion Volume Two'' (2007, hardcover, soft cover)

These stories are also being published by Baen webscriptions as the Liaden Universe Big Bang, consisting of ''Liaden Unibus I'' and ''Liaden Unibus II''. This includes the first 12 Liaden Universe chapbooks. It does not include the chapbook ''Calamity's Child'' (containing Liaden story ''Sweet Waters'' and non-Liaden ''A Night At the Opera''), or the non-Liaden chapbooks ''The Naming of Kinzel'' and ''Master Walk''.

Selected chapbooks are now being published by SRM Publisher (using the imprint Pinbeam Books) in the Amazon Kindle, Angus & Robertson, Apple, Baen, Barnes and Noble Nook, Google Play, Indigo, Rakuten Kobo, Scribd, Mondadori, and Thalia ebook stores. In these stores, they are sold without DRM. See below for availability.

Table of Liaden Universe short stories and novelettes

Factions

The Liaden universe features both human and non-human races. The human race is divided into Terrans, Liaden, and Yxtrang. Non-human races include Clutch Turtles, Cats, Norbears, and Ssussdriads.

Liaden

Liadens are a race from a planet called Liad. Liadens are usually shorter than Terrans and often have golden skin. They are deeply concerned with their ''melant'i'', which roughly corresponds to the concern with "face" associated with Japanese samurai. Some Liadens have xenophobic or isolationist views and will refer to individuals of other races as "it," comparing them to animals. They often dislike those with Terran blood.

Liaden society is clan-based, with each clan made up of one or more families or lines. The Head of a Clan is called the "Delm," and the head of a line is the "Thodelm." These positions can be held by males or females.

Liaden clans do not generally allow lifelong mating. Instead, Liadens practice contract marriages, where two individuals from different clans are ordered or allowed by their Delms to create a progeny for one of the two clans. This marriage is over when the terms of the contract are fulfilled. Most clan members must produce at least one progeny to replace them.

"Lifemating" is when two individuals become exclusively bound to one another. This can happen by order of a Delm (a rare occurrence) or the physical, emotional, and spiritual bonding of two individuals with "dramliza" abilities.

Some Liaden are trained as explorers. The "Liaden Scouts," who feature prominently in the series, are regarded with distaste by the more isolationist members of Liaden society.

Most of the stories in the Liaden Universe center on members of Clan Korval, which is made up of the yos'Phelium and yos'Galan lines.

Korval
* ''Val Con yos'Phelium'': Delm, ex-Scout, lifemate to Miri
* ''Shan yos'Galan'': Master Trader, foster-brother to Val Con; lifemate of Priscilla Delacroix y Mendoza; (current incarnation of ''Lute'')
* ''Daav yos'Phelium'': ex-Delm, ex-Scout, father to Val Con and Theo Waitley
** ''Jen Sar Kiladi'': Daav's alter ego, a professor of Cultural Genetics at Delgado University. Jen Sar was the ''onagrata'' of Kamele Waitley.
* ''Aelliana Caylon'': Lifemate to Daav, mother to Val Con
* ''Er Thom yos'Galan'': Master Trader, lifemate of Anne Davis, father to Shan, Nova, and Anthora
* ''Pat Rin yos'Phelium'': cousin to Val Con
* ''Kareen yos'Phelium'': sister to Daav, mother to Pat Rin, expert on "The Code of proper conduct"
* ''Anthora yos'Galan'': sister to Shan and Nova, with preternatural (''Dramliza'') abilities
* ''Ren Zel dea'Judan'': Lifemate to Anthora, with preternatural (''Dramliza'') abilities
* ''Nova yos'Galan'': sister to Shan, Anthora and Val Con
* ''Luken bel'Tarda'': cousin, rug dealer, foster father of Pat Rin.
* Children and younger members (in no particular order): Quinn, Padi, Syl Vor; Mik and Shindi; and Talizea.
* ''Jen Sin yos'Phelium'': Chief Light Keeper at Tinsori Light. Thought to have died two hundred years ago, but was "merely temporarily misplaced."

Others
* ''Jan Rek ter'Astin'': Scout Captain, friend of Jethri Gobelyn
* ''Clonak ter'Meulen'': Scout, friend of Daav and Val Con
* ''Shadia ne'Zame'': Scout, friend of Clonak
* ''Win Ton yo'Vala'': Scout, friend of Theo Waitley and Less Pilot of ''Bechimo''
* ''Kara ven'Arith'': Crew of ''Bechimo''
* ''Vertu dea'San'': Taxi driver originally from Liad, subsequently exiled to Surebleak. Significant other to Cheever McFarland.

Terran

Terrans are named for their home planet, Terra. It is implied in the series that Terra is Earth. Based on the description of the Liaden people as a younger race, it is also implied that Terrans predated the Liadens' arrival in the series' universe. Most Terrans resent that the "younger" races, such as the Liadens, hold more power in the realm of shipping and commerce.

Among the Terrans, the Juntavas are an organized crime "clan" who play various roles in the series as antagonists or allies of the main Liaden characters. Unlike the real-world mafia, the Juntavas act as an unopposed, organized government and have appointed officials, called Sector Judges, who administer justice within their jurisdictions.

A number of other planets are known to have non-Liaden human inhabitants, presumably of Terran descent. Some of these worlds, such as Surebleak and Delgado, were settled by Terrans. Other worlds, such as Sintia, were settled by ships from ''Crystal Dragon''-era colonization waves.

Some Terran colony worlds, such as Vandar, have regressed to pre-spaceflight technology levels. To allow these societies to develop without interference, external contact is forbidden. However, as of ''Prodigal Son'', which takes place after ''I Dare'', there are signs that this policy may be changing.

Gobelyns
* ''Jethri Gobelyn'': apprentice trader, apprenticed to Norn ven'Deelin
* ''Iza Gobelyn'': Captain of Gobelyn's Market; mother to Cris, Seeli, and Jethri
* ''Arin Gobelyn'': deceased, husband to Iza, father to Jethri, related to Uncle
* ''Cris Gobelyn'': first mate of Gobelyn's Market, Iza's eldest child
* ''Dyk Gobelyn'': junior on Gobelyn's Market, cook
* ''Khatelane Gobelyn'': pilot on Gobelyn's Market
* ''Mel Gobelyn'': on Gobelyn's Market
* ''Paitor Gobelyn'': trader on Gobelyn's Market, brother to Iza
* ''Seeli Gobelyn'': admin on Gobelyn's Market, Iza's second child
* ''Zam Gobelyn'': on Gobelyn's Market
* ''Grig Tomas'': back-up everything on Gobelyn's Market, Arin's cousin, related to Uncle

Korval clan members
* ''Anne Davis'': ''Lifemate'' to Er Thom, mother to Shan, master linguist and musician
* ''Priscilla Delacroix y Mendoza'': ''Lifemate'' to Shan (current incarnation of ''Moonhawk'')
* ''Miri Robertson'': half-Liaden in ''Mercenary Retired, Bodyguard Retired, Have Weapon Will Travel''; lifemate to Val Con and joint Delm (Delmae)
* ''Inas Bhar'': Juntavas Sector Judge Natesa the Assassin, lifemate of Pat Rin
* ''Gordy Arbuthnot'': cabin boy in ''Dutiful Passage''. Shan's cousin via the Davis side of the family.

Korval-linked
* ''Theo Waitley'': recently discovered daughter to Daav yos'Phelium; acknowledged in ''Ghost Ship'' as blood kin to Korval but not seen as a clan member
* ''Kamele Waitley'': Theo's mother and professor at Delgado University. Da'av was Kamele's ''Onagrata'' using the name Jen Sar Kiladi after Aelliana's murder.
* ''Cheever McFarland'': Master Pilot, messenger to Korval, then Pat Rin's bodyguard/chief of security
* ''Clarence o'Berin'': Juntavas Boss on Liad; after retirement sat Second on ''Bechimo''
* ''Tollance Berik-Jones'' aka ''Tolly'' aka ''1362'': a mentor, who ensures that AIs are brought into awareness well socialized. Attached to Tocohl's mission.

Uncle-linked
* (The) Uncle (aka Yuri Tomas): a serially reborn meddler with a finger in everybody's pies, while at any one time tending a half-dozen certain-to-be-unsettling projects of his own. Uncle remembers the old universe. Has ties to Cantra and to some crew members of Gobelyn's Market.
** Note: Technically Uncle isn't a Terran, because he predates Terra.
* ''Seignur Veeoni'': one of Uncle's clones; working on making modern-day fractins at an undisclosed location
* ''Dulsey Omron'': Uncle's long-time companion and assistant
* ''Grig (Grigory) Tomas'': see Gobelyns.
* ''Raisy (Raisana) Thomas'': Grig's older twin sister

Others
* ''Hakan Meltz'': Val Con and Miri's musical friend on Vandar
* ''Estra Trelu'': person Val Con and Miri stayed with on Vandar
* ''Athna Brigsbee'': Vandar busybody
* ''Kem Darmill'': Hakan Meltz' girlfriend and later wife (by the time of ''Prodigal Son'')
* various ''Juntavas''
* various people on ''Surebleak''
* various people on Vandar

Independent AIs

* ''Jeeves'': planetary security AI repurposed as butler to yos'Galen at ''Trealla Fantrol'', but transferred to ''Jelaza Kazone'' upon Korval's relocation to Surebleak.
* ''Tocohl Lorlin'' (Daughter of Korval): Jeeves' daughter. Currently in control of Tinsori Light.
* ''Bechimo'': a "sentient and sapient" spaceship, built long ago as a "long-loop trader," incorporating "old tech." Win Ton yo'Vala rediscovered him. Theo Waitley became his Captain.
* ''Admiral Bunter'': originally a composite AI, made up of seven semiderelict ships (with thirteen old and cramped computers between them) out of the junkyard at Jemiatha's Jumble Stop. ''Admiral Bunter'' is Theo's Fault. It guarded Jamiatha's Jumble Stop Station from pirates for a time; it was later transferred to another "cranium" and ship by Mentor Tolly Jones, Tocol Lorin, and Inkirani Yo (another mentor), and has since become a "free ship," no longer associated with Jamiatha's Jumble Stop.
* ''Disian'': a "free ship" mentored by Tolly Jones.

Yxtrang

The Yxtrang are typically much larger than their Terran counterparts and are regarded as a warlike, conquest-driven people. Their home planet is unknown.

References in ''Crystal Soldier'' and ''Crystal Dragon'' suggest that the Yxtrang are the descendants of a group of "X Strain" and "Y Strain," genetically engineered soldiers who served in a platoon with Jela and accompanied the human migration to the new universe. Some of them venerate Jela (an "M Strain") for his skills and deeds as a warrior.

It is not known whether they can interbreed with Liadens or Terrans.
* ''Nelirikk'': ex-Explorer (equivalent to Scout), subsequently sworn to Line yos'Phelium; becomes Miri's bodyguard; aka "Beautiful"
* ''Hazenthull Explorer'': junior Explorer, subsequently sworn to Line yos'Phelium
* ''Diglon Rifle'': enlisted soldier attached to Hazenthull, subsequently sworn to Line yos'Phelium.
* ''Commander Vepal'': Yxtrang roving ambassador
** ''Pilot Erthax'': member of Vepal's Small Troop
** ''Ochin Rifle'': member of Vepal's Small Troop

Clutch Turtles

These non-humans are even larger than Yxtrang and are very long-lived. They resemble turtles who walk upright. The length of their names is directly proportional to their age and accomplishments. They are usually slow to act but are very dangerous when angered and can move quickly when needed.

Clutch Turtles travel in starships made from hollowed-out asteroids, using an electron substitution drive that can have hallucinogenic effects on the human nervous system. Both a "low drive" and "high drive" exist; usually, the clutch turtles use the slower low drive, but use the considerably faster high drive in ''I Dare''.

Clutch Turtles can command forces with great destructive or healing potential by singing. The Yxtrang greatly feared and avoided them because they suffered a resounding defeat in battle many years before.

The Clutch Turtles encountered in the ''Agent of Change'' sequence are a "market research" team working on behalf of their clan, which is known for manufacturing crystalline blades of extreme sharpness and durability by growing them in caves over decades.
* Edger
* Sheather
* Watcher
* Selector
* Handler

Cats

Many cats appear in the stories, usually by name, and often taking an active part in the proceedings. Unlike ordinary house cats, these cats often display paranormal abilities as well as considerable intelligence.
* ''Flinx'': at Tarnia's Clanhouse
* ''Lord Merlin'': Anthora's cat, very active in ''I Dare''
* ''Patch'': Binjali Repair Shop's resident cat and "co-owner"
* ''Lady Dignity'': Daav yos'Phelium's answer to his sister's complaint that he has no dignity
* ''Relchin'': an orange-and-white cat who "enjoys the outdoors" also resides with Daav yos'Phelium
* ''Silk'': Pat Rin's mouser and majordomo on Surebleak
* ''Charzi'': lives in the Lysta Clanhouse in ''Misfits''
* ''Coyster'': Jen Sar Kiladi's cat, attached to Theo Waitley on Delgado in ''Fledgling''
* ''Mandrin'': Jen Sar Kiladi's black and white on Delgado

Norbears

Norbears are furry, quadrupedal herbivorous mammals with a burrowing habit and soft, dense coats. They range in height from 16–22 cm and weigh between 121–180 g. Norbears' coloration ranges, including grey, brown, black, orange, and white, sometimes as mixed patterns. They have a fearless and lively disposition and are naturally empathic. Norbears adapt well to domestication but are banned on certain worlds.
* Master Frodo aboard the ''Dutiful Passage'' in ''Conflict of Honors''
* Hevelin (named after long-time science fiction fan Rusty Hevelin)
* Podesta: Hevelin's great-granddaughter

Trees (Ssussdriads)

The Ssussdriads are a race of wise, sentient trees. Jelaza Kazone is a prominent member of this race. It is a very large tree that lives on the grounds of Clan Korval's primary residence, often communicating its likes and dislikes to senior members of the clan. It has a particular interest in the future children of the clan.

As a young soldier, Jela found Jelaza Kazone on a desert planet where his ship had crashed. Though barely a seedling and the last member of a dying race, the tree was by itself able to repel the Sheriekas' invasion of the planet. As an act of trust, the tree gave its only seed pod to feed the starving Jela. When Jela's rescue came, he refused to leave the tree behind.

The tree proved intelligent and able to communicate via mental images. It also had the ability to manipulate the chemistry of its seed pods to create useful pharmaceutical compounds. Both these powers proved useful as Jela and Cantra searched for information necessary for mankind to escape its collapsing universe.

The name ''Jelaza Kazone'' (variously translated as "Jela's Promise," "Jela's Contract," or "Jela's Dream") refers to the promise Cantra yos'Phelium made to Jela — who knew he was destined to die before the completion of the migration — to see the tree through to safety on the new human homeworld. Clan Korval holds itself the guardian of this promise in perpetuity, and every trading vessel of Korval carries a seed of the tree somewhere on board to ensure the survival of its race.

Individual trees

* The Tree at Erob's Clan house on Lytaxin — mentioned in ''Plan B''
* A seedling installed on Cantra's ship at the end of ''Crystal Dragon''. This sapling was recovered alive and well in ''Neogenesis''.
* A sapling planted on Yulie Sharper's freeholding
* Two saplings planted on yos'Galan's island on SureBleak planet

Concepts

Melant'i

Much of Liaden culture centers on a concept called melant'i. This is roughly analogous to personal honor or good manners: a person of impeccable melant'i will behave in a certain way in a given situation. It is also used to distinguish between a person's different roles in life, dictating behavior etiquette in different situations, similar to code-switching.

Bows and modes of speech

High and Low Liaden

The High Liaden language is used for all formal conversations between people, reflecting the exact melant'i and roles of the two individuals.

For example, a sentence might be in the role of Master Pilot to Student Pilot. In contrast, another sentence might be Parent to Child, or Adult to Adult, or Adult to your Delm (clan leader), or Adult to another clan’s Delm. The forms are symmetrical and directional, with Master Pilot to Student Pilot being a different mode than Student Pilot to Master Pilot. With High Liaden, you can always tell the roles that the speaker intends for the listener to interpret what is being said.

Low Liaden is reserved for informal family conversations.

Liaden bows

Bows are used by Liadens when both meeting and parting, reflecting the exact melant'i and roles of the two individuals. Bows are precise and complicated.

Space travel

Jump drive

Human ships can travel quickly between planets by "jumping." Different jumping technologies exist but are all fairly fast. Only the Clutch Turtles use a different method of space travel.

Propulsion and artificial gravity are provided by Struven Surface Units, which Theo describes as having a "sense of presence." The sealed unit is the source of gravity that the ship generates and "the source of the Struven Surface that the engines then amplified and tuned, building fields that allow the ship to interact with the lattice crystal of space-time and to move...elsewhere."

From ''The Gathering Edge'':

Ships

Ships range from single-person courier, small trade craft, private ships, long-loop, and family trade ships (depreciated in modern shipping) to large trade ships (often carrying a Master Trader), bulk cargo ships, and large passenger liners.

In the series' era of relative peace, there is little mention of purpose-built military ships, except for the battleships of the warlike Yxtrang (though mercenary companies have troop ships and various support ships). Planetary governments may have small fleets of fighter craft for defensive purposes. It is not uncommon for merchant ships to carry weaponry to defend themselves from pirates and brigands. Some large trade ships, such as Korval's ''Dutiful Passage'', have incorporated enough weaponry to be considered full battleships.

Pilots and piloting

Pilots are shown deference in the Liaden Universe, both in Terran and Liaden space. This is due to respect and/or fear of the pilots' capabilities and their importance to the lifeblood of trade and commerce for planetary society. "Pilot" is an honorific title.

Pilots must have superior reflexes, coordination, and spatial orientation. They also need proficiency in higher mathematics to quickly and accurately solve equations in trajectory, orbital mechanics, and jump coordinates. Pilots also need to be able to defend themselves and are thus trained in self-defense and personal weaponry.

Pilots are responsible for the ship and passengers, while Co-Pilots are responsible for the Pilot and ship. Pilots operate the ship from a primary control board, where they "sit First." The Co-Pilot, or acting Co-Pilot, "sit Second." Larger ships may have other crew such as a communications officer, executive officer, and more.

Many, if not most, Pilots belong to the Pilots Guild. The Guild takes 3% of the Pilot's income for life and provides many important services in return. These services include Guild certification (required on many ships and lines), legal services and bail bonds, mailboxes with forwarding, hiring and personnel services, and recordkeeping. In larger localities, Guilds operate a Guild Hall with lounges, bars, and/or cafes. Each Guild Hall has a Guild Master.

The Guild certified Pilot Classes:
* ''3rd Class'': base level, qualified to work within system and orbit, operating ships not above Class B
* ''2nd Class'': mid-level, qualified to lift any ship to Class AA within a system and orbit
* ''1st Class'': a.k.a., Jump Pilot, qualified to fly interplanetary space via Jump hyperspace technology
* ''Master'': one able to perform all aspects of piloting with excellence. This grade may undertake to train and test any of the lower three levels.

First Class Jump Pilots are awarded and wear a Pilot's leather jacket. This heavy-duty garment, with many internal pockets, is both a sign of rank and protection against weather. Only Jump Pilots wear a Pilot's jacket. Although this is not a law, it is enforced through social pressure.

In ''I Dare'', Pat Rin is given a rating of "1st Class S," S for "small," until the Pilot has enough flight time logged on the larger ships.

Master Pilots may train and certify other Pilots. All Liaden Scout Pilots are Master Class. A Pilot in training will be granted "provisional" status in grade as the student advances.

Awards and recognition

Fan fiction

Lee and Miller strongly oppose fan fiction set in the Liaden universe, with Sharon Lee stating on her website, "We built our universes, and our characters; they are our intellectual property; and they are not toys lying about some virtual sandbox for other kids to pick up and modify at their whim. Steve and I do not sanction fanfic written in our universes; any such work that exists, exists without our permission, and certainly without our support."

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Liaden Universe
Literary collaborations
Book series
Science fiction book series
Fictional universes
Space opera
Speculative fiction