Sector: Phoenix
with 3 inhabited planets: 6 Ruled by:
with 2 inhabited planets: 9
with 1 inhabited planet: 26
Arms: On a red field, a sword point-upward between three silver
caltrops.

EXOTIC: Xanaden term for genetically engineered human variants,
specifically those originally intended as sexual objects.

Although major genetic engineering of humans was outlawed in 2310, it
has been impossible to completely suppress. It has, however, been
driven into secrecy, with the result that most such engineering is done
by or for the rich and powerful who have grown bored with legal
diversions. This in turn means that most subjects of such engineering
have had their sexuality enhanced for their creators' entertainment,
often with other changes being made as well.

Most of the Empire's more detailed knowledge of Exotics comes from
those who disliked and were able to escape from those who engineered
them. Of these, most gravitate to Xanadu and the Amators' Guild, where
they can make profitable use of the engineering carried out on them (or
on their forebears). It is not known how many either do not rebel or
are unsuccessful in their escape attempts, but it seems reasonable to
assume this number to be far greater than the escapees'.

While the details of the various Exotic types vary considerably, the
basics of most are quite consistent, which is to be expected given the
purpose of such engineering. An Exotic is always responsive, in some
degree, to sexual stimuli, is capable of what seems to non-Exotics like
incredible sexual endurance, and most begin sexual activity during or
immediately after adolescence. (It must be noted, of course, that any
or all of the above does on occasion occur to a non-engineered human
and cannot be considered proof of engineering; genetic analysis is the
only way to be certain.)

In some cases, enhancement of the sexual drive is the only change made.
In most, however, physical changes have been made as well, though not
all are visible (for instance, the Ishtar variants are characterized by
sensory nerves lining the vaginal canal, usually leading to the brain's
pleasure center). The changes which are visible also vary, from
relatively minor (such as the Tingler's tentacles around his penis) to
near-total alteration (such as the Elf variant's small, slender build
and delicate features emphasized by pointed ears and slanted eyes).