List of Humanx Commonwealth characters
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of characters found in the Humanx Commonwealth
series.
's Humanx Commonwealth
science-fiction novels. He is the partner of the thranx Truzenzuzex, born in 474 AA (After Amalgamation). He and his partner discerned the history and function of the Tar-Aiym's Krang weapon. The intertwined history of Bran and Tru goes back to the time when they served together on a stingship (a two-person attack ship carrying a single SCCAM missile where both pilots are mentally tied together with HIPnosis drugs to enhance the human killer instinct and the thranx quick decision making and logical processes); after leaving the Commonwealth Peaceforcers they worked for the United Church, then struck out on their own to research the Great Emptiness.
's Humanx Commonwealth
science fiction novels. He is the partner of Bran Tse-Mallory and was born in 449 AA (After Amalgamation). With his partner they discerned the history and function of the Tar-Aiym's Krang weapon. The intertwined history of Bran and Tru goes back to the time when they served together on a stingship (a two-person attack ship carrying a single SCCAM missile where both pilots are mentally tied together with HIPnosis drugs to enhance the human killer instinct and the thranx quick decision making and logical processes); after leaving the Commonwealth Peaceforcers they worked for the United Church, then struck out on their own to research the Great Emptiness.
. She has appeared in several of Alan Dean Foster
's Humanx Commonwealth novels, first in Orphan Star
and then in Reunion
. Her age in Orphan Star was estimated at between nine and ten years old. When he encounters her again in Reunion she is fifteen and apparently quite attractive, an attribute she flaunts to her advantage whenever possible. Because she was a product of the Meliorare Society's eugenics experiments, like Flinx, she is gifted with several mental Talents. Mahnahmi, unlike her brother, shows no reluctance against using violence or murder to obtain her goals. Raised by a rich perverted merchant who was the employer of the siblings' mother, a high-class prostitute, Mahnahmi had none of the advantages of her brother while growing up. The girl has implied that she killed her father just to gain control of his fortune and companies so that she might continue to search out her history.
She has many of the same Talents as does Flinx, minor telepathy and strong empathy, along with an incredibly strong telekinetic ability which she claims only manifest itself if she becomes extremely angry. This is shown in Orphan Star.
Mahnahmi also appears to be trained in combat situations as in seen in Reunion where she single handedly defeats a squadron of AAnn who have seized her ship and imprisoned her crew.
. She has appeared in several of Alan Dean Foster
's Humanx Commonwealth novels, first in Flinx in Flux
. She is slightly older than Flinx and a scientific researcher and was first encountered by Flinx on the planet Alaspin where she had been abducted by a group of assassins.
At the end of Flinx's Folly
when she and Flinx were planning on leaving New Riveria together, Clarity was seriously wounded in an attack on Flinx between Commonwealth Peaceforcers and assassins from the Order of Null, forcing her to remain behind with Truzenzuzex and Bran Tse-Mallory while Flinx left in his ship to find the Krang weapons platform.
In Running from the Deity
it is revealed that Clarity has been taken by Tru and Bran to the thranx world Hivehom where she learns that the destructive force coming towards the Human Commonwealth is both larger than originally thought and accelerating in its devastating journey.
, specifically with the intention of creating humans who were able to use paranormal psychic talents such as telepathy
through the use of gengineering. Hunted down by the Commonwealth's peaceforcers, the Society was eventually destroyed but not before creating several psychically talented individuals, most notably Philip Lynx
and his sister Mahnahmi Lynx.
Although considerable progress in the field of genetic manipulation had been made since the first independent experiments on pre-Amalgamation Terra and Hivehom, humanx scientist have carefully avoided the manipulation of the genes of sapient beings. Church strictures expressly forbid "tampering with the genetic destiny" of an individual, except where a detectable defective gene can be replaced with non-infected tissue in vitro. There are those however, who believe that genetic manipulation is the key to destiny. "If we fail to explore and master our own potential," their doctrines cry, "we do not deserve to master and explore the universe." One proponent of genetic manipulation was Henry Fowler, a Terran entrepreneur (458-508 A.A.) Upon his death, Fowler endowed the Meliorare Society a research institute dedicated to the genetics of human psionic Talents. However, the Meliorare Society rapidly went beyond the "basic research" charter set down by Fowler. Beginning in 514 A.A, secret experiments were performed on human embryos. A selective breeding program was designed and instituted to improve the human material for genetic manipulation. The results of these experiments were misshapen, tormented humanoids, casually destroyed as "experimental error." However, early failures did not daunt the Meliorares; over the next two decades, over five thousand children, many hideously deformed were born in Meliorare experiments. In 535 A.A. Church investigators uncovered records describing the Meliorare experiments, and closed an important Meliorare experimental facility. Society leaders were arrested, charged with multiple counts of child murder, and selectively mindwipe
d. The surviving experimental subjects became wards of the Commonwealth, and were treated where possible-and their psychic talents eliminated where present.
's fictional Humanx Commonwealth
universe.
This is a new group, its first appearance was in the novel Flinx's Folly
where members of the order twice tried to kill Flinx
. In Patrimony
the Order advertised for assassins to kill Flinx. The only one who accepted the offer subsequently killed himself after he went insane after being exposed to the Great Void by Flinx's telepathic abilities. The members are apparently ordinary humans, no alien members have yet been depicted, who carry no distinctive traits other than a complete lack of fear of death.
Somehow the order has learned of the existence of the great evil that is behind the Great Emptiness and Flinx's key role in averting the danger this evil poses to the Commonwealth. This knowledge was become twisted around so that the Order is now attempting to block all efforts to stop the unnamed evil.
Little else is known about the order, including membership, size, original source, and funding.
's fictional Humanx Commonwealth
universe.
The group itself isn't outlawed, though individual members can be barred from certain planets. Members of the society commonly dress all in black and sport silver metal skull and crossbones devices to advertise the guild allegiance. They are commonly described as being fearless in the face of death. Qwarm work both in groups and singly and are often hired by the rich to serve as bodyguards, though they normally prefer to spend their time hunting prey rather than protecting employers. They are known for working in husband and wife teams.
Humanx Commonwealth
The Humanx Commonwealth is a fictional interstellar ethical/political entity featured in the science fiction novels of Alan Dean Foster. The Commonwealth takes its name from its two major sapient species, who jointly inhabit Commonwealth planets and administer both the political and...
series.
Bran Tse-Mallory
Bran Tse-Mallory is a fictional character appearing in Alan Dean FosterAlan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster is an American author of fantasy and science fiction. He currently resides in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife, and is also known for his novelizations of film scripts...
's Humanx Commonwealth
Humanx Commonwealth
The Humanx Commonwealth is a fictional interstellar ethical/political entity featured in the science fiction novels of Alan Dean Foster. The Commonwealth takes its name from its two major sapient species, who jointly inhabit Commonwealth planets and administer both the political and...
science-fiction novels. He is the partner of the thranx Truzenzuzex, born in 474 AA (After Amalgamation). He and his partner discerned the history and function of the Tar-Aiym's Krang weapon. The intertwined history of Bran and Tru goes back to the time when they served together on a stingship (a two-person attack ship carrying a single SCCAM missile where both pilots are mentally tied together with HIPnosis drugs to enhance the human killer instinct and the thranx quick decision making and logical processes); after leaving the Commonwealth Peaceforcers they worked for the United Church, then struck out on their own to research the Great Emptiness.
Truzenzuzex
Truzenzuzex is a fictional character appearing in Alan Dean FosterAlan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster is an American author of fantasy and science fiction. He currently resides in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife, and is also known for his novelizations of film scripts...
's Humanx Commonwealth
Humanx Commonwealth
The Humanx Commonwealth is a fictional interstellar ethical/political entity featured in the science fiction novels of Alan Dean Foster. The Commonwealth takes its name from its two major sapient species, who jointly inhabit Commonwealth planets and administer both the political and...
science fiction novels. He is the partner of Bran Tse-Mallory and was born in 449 AA (After Amalgamation). With his partner they discerned the history and function of the Tar-Aiym's Krang weapon. The intertwined history of Bran and Tru goes back to the time when they served together on a stingship (a two-person attack ship carrying a single SCCAM missile where both pilots are mentally tied together with HIPnosis drugs to enhance the human killer instinct and the thranx quick decision making and logical processes); after leaving the Commonwealth Peaceforcers they worked for the United Church, then struck out on their own to research the Great Emptiness.
Mahnahmi Lynx
Mahnahmi Lynx is the name of the younger sister of Philip Lynx, better known as FlinxFlinx
Philip Lynx is a fictional character, an adventurous young man with unusual qualities in a series of books set in the "Humanx Commonwealth", written by Alan Dean Foster and published by Del Rey Books.-Character biography:...
. She has appeared in several of Alan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster is an American author of fantasy and science fiction. He currently resides in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife, and is also known for his novelizations of film scripts...
's Humanx Commonwealth novels, first in Orphan Star
Orphan Star
Orphan Star is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is Foster's eighteenth published book, his fifth original novel, and is chronologically the third entry in the Pip and Flinx series...
and then in Reunion
Reunion (novel)
Reunion is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the seventh chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
. Her age in Orphan Star was estimated at between nine and ten years old. When he encounters her again in Reunion she is fifteen and apparently quite attractive, an attribute she flaunts to her advantage whenever possible. Because she was a product of the Meliorare Society's eugenics experiments, like Flinx, she is gifted with several mental Talents. Mahnahmi, unlike her brother, shows no reluctance against using violence or murder to obtain her goals. Raised by a rich perverted merchant who was the employer of the siblings' mother, a high-class prostitute, Mahnahmi had none of the advantages of her brother while growing up. The girl has implied that she killed her father just to gain control of his fortune and companies so that she might continue to search out her history.
She has many of the same Talents as does Flinx, minor telepathy and strong empathy, along with an incredibly strong telekinetic ability which she claims only manifest itself if she becomes extremely angry. This is shown in Orphan Star.
Mahnahmi also appears to be trained in combat situations as in seen in Reunion where she single handedly defeats a squadron of AAnn who have seized her ship and imprisoned her crew.
Clarity Held
Clarity Held is the unusual name of the love interest of Philip Lynx, better known as FlinxFlinx
Philip Lynx is a fictional character, an adventurous young man with unusual qualities in a series of books set in the "Humanx Commonwealth", written by Alan Dean Foster and published by Del Rey Books.-Character biography:...
. She has appeared in several of Alan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster is an American author of fantasy and science fiction. He currently resides in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife, and is also known for his novelizations of film scripts...
's Humanx Commonwealth novels, first in Flinx in Flux
Flinx in Flux
Flinx in Flux is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is fifth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series....
. She is slightly older than Flinx and a scientific researcher and was first encountered by Flinx on the planet Alaspin where she had been abducted by a group of assassins.
At the end of Flinx's Folly
Flinx's Folly
Flinx's Folly is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the eighth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
when she and Flinx were planning on leaving New Riveria together, Clarity was seriously wounded in an attack on Flinx between Commonwealth Peaceforcers and assassins from the Order of Null, forcing her to remain behind with Truzenzuzex and Bran Tse-Mallory while Flinx left in his ship to find the Krang weapons platform.
In Running from the Deity
Running from the Deity
Running from the Deity is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the tenth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
it is revealed that Clarity has been taken by Tru and Bran to the thranx world Hivehom where she learns that the destructive force coming towards the Human Commonwealth is both larger than originally thought and accelerating in its devastating journey.
Meliorare Society
The society was dedicated to the illegal science of eugenicsEugenics
Eugenics is the "applied science or the bio-social movement which advocates the use of practices aimed at improving the genetic composition of a population", usually referring to human populations. The origins of the concept of eugenics began with certain interpretations of Mendelian inheritance,...
, specifically with the intention of creating humans who were able to use paranormal psychic talents such as telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
through the use of gengineering. Hunted down by the Commonwealth's peaceforcers, the Society was eventually destroyed but not before creating several psychically talented individuals, most notably Philip Lynx
Flinx
Philip Lynx is a fictional character, an adventurous young man with unusual qualities in a series of books set in the "Humanx Commonwealth", written by Alan Dean Foster and published by Del Rey Books.-Character biography:...
and his sister Mahnahmi Lynx.
Although considerable progress in the field of genetic manipulation had been made since the first independent experiments on pre-Amalgamation Terra and Hivehom, humanx scientist have carefully avoided the manipulation of the genes of sapient beings. Church strictures expressly forbid "tampering with the genetic destiny" of an individual, except where a detectable defective gene can be replaced with non-infected tissue in vitro. There are those however, who believe that genetic manipulation is the key to destiny. "If we fail to explore and master our own potential," their doctrines cry, "we do not deserve to master and explore the universe." One proponent of genetic manipulation was Henry Fowler, a Terran entrepreneur (458-508 A.A.) Upon his death, Fowler endowed the Meliorare Society a research institute dedicated to the genetics of human psionic Talents. However, the Meliorare Society rapidly went beyond the "basic research" charter set down by Fowler. Beginning in 514 A.A, secret experiments were performed on human embryos. A selective breeding program was designed and instituted to improve the human material for genetic manipulation. The results of these experiments were misshapen, tormented humanoids, casually destroyed as "experimental error." However, early failures did not daunt the Meliorares; over the next two decades, over five thousand children, many hideously deformed were born in Meliorare experiments. In 535 A.A. Church investigators uncovered records describing the Meliorare experiments, and closed an important Meliorare experimental facility. Society leaders were arrested, charged with multiple counts of child murder, and selectively mindwipe
Mindwipe
For the Transformers character, see Mindwipe .Mindwipe is a technique used in some science fiction scenarios, where the subject's memories and personality are erased and replaced by new memories and personality more useful to those who are carrying out the mindwiping, or to their area's...
d. The surviving experimental subjects became wards of the Commonwealth, and were treated where possible-and their psychic talents eliminated where present.
Society Appearances
- For Love of Mother-NotFor Love of Mother-NotFor Love of Mother-Not is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the first chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series, though it was written fourth, as a prequel to help flesh out Flinx’s early history.-Plot introduction:...
(1983) - The Tar-Aiym KrangThe Tar-Aiym KrangThe Tar-Aiym Krang is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is Foster’s first published novel and started both his Humanx Commonwealth universe and his two most popular recurring characters, Pip and Philip Lynx...
(1972) - Orphan StarOrphan StarOrphan Star is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is Foster's eighteenth published book, his fifth original novel, and is chronologically the third entry in the Pip and Flinx series...
(1977) - The End of the MatterThe End of the MatterThe End of the Matter is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is fourth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot introduction:...
(1977) - Flinx in FluxFlinx in FluxFlinx in Flux is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is fifth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series....
(1988) - Mid-FlinxMid-FlinxMid-Flinx is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the sixth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series....
(1995) - ReunionReunion (novel)Reunion is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the seventh chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
(2001) - Flinx's FollyFlinx's FollyFlinx's Folly is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the eighth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
(2003) - Sliding ScalesSliding ScalesSliding Scales is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the ninth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:In Sliding Scales Flinx is confounded by how to proceed with his life...
(2004) - Running from the DeityRunning from the DeityRunning from the Deity is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the tenth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
(2005) - Trouble MagnetTrouble MagnetTrouble Magnet is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the twelfth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series....
(2006) - PatrimonyPatrimony (novel)Patrimony is a science fiction novel by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the thirteenth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot:...
(2007)
Order of Null
The Order of Null is a quasi-religious society based in Alan Dean FosterAlan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster is an American author of fantasy and science fiction. He currently resides in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife, and is also known for his novelizations of film scripts...
's fictional Humanx Commonwealth
Humanx Commonwealth
The Humanx Commonwealth is a fictional interstellar ethical/political entity featured in the science fiction novels of Alan Dean Foster. The Commonwealth takes its name from its two major sapient species, who jointly inhabit Commonwealth planets and administer both the political and...
universe.
This is a new group, its first appearance was in the novel Flinx's Folly
Flinx's Folly
Flinx's Folly is a science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the eighth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot summary:...
where members of the order twice tried to kill Flinx
Flinx
Philip Lynx is a fictional character, an adventurous young man with unusual qualities in a series of books set in the "Humanx Commonwealth", written by Alan Dean Foster and published by Del Rey Books.-Character biography:...
. In Patrimony
Patrimony (novel)
Patrimony is a science fiction novel by Alan Dean Foster. The book is the thirteenth chronologically in the Pip and Flinx series.-Plot:...
the Order advertised for assassins to kill Flinx. The only one who accepted the offer subsequently killed himself after he went insane after being exposed to the Great Void by Flinx's telepathic abilities. The members are apparently ordinary humans, no alien members have yet been depicted, who carry no distinctive traits other than a complete lack of fear of death.
Somehow the order has learned of the existence of the great evil that is behind the Great Emptiness and Flinx's key role in averting the danger this evil poses to the Commonwealth. This knowledge was become twisted around so that the Order is now attempting to block all efforts to stop the unnamed evil.
Little else is known about the order, including membership, size, original source, and funding.
Qwarm
The Qwarm is a society of professional assassins based in Alan Dean FosterAlan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster is an American author of fantasy and science fiction. He currently resides in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife, and is also known for his novelizations of film scripts...
's fictional Humanx Commonwealth
Humanx Commonwealth
The Humanx Commonwealth is a fictional interstellar ethical/political entity featured in the science fiction novels of Alan Dean Foster. The Commonwealth takes its name from its two major sapient species, who jointly inhabit Commonwealth planets and administer both the political and...
universe.
The group itself isn't outlawed, though individual members can be barred from certain planets. Members of the society commonly dress all in black and sport silver metal skull and crossbones devices to advertise the guild allegiance. They are commonly described as being fearless in the face of death. Qwarm work both in groups and singly and are often hired by the rich to serve as bodyguards, though they normally prefer to spend their time hunting prey rather than protecting employers. They are known for working in husband and wife teams.