There are technical terms in Psychiatry manuals that could be applied to Observants. And they are all correct. After all, what else could be expected from acolytes of a hybrid sect of archaic Christian traditions and Mediterranean paganism? It is a matriarchal sect; the masculine presence is tolerated for two reasons: pragmatism and expiation of the masculine condition. The Observants exist to suffer, to purge the sins and errors of the Observance and so make sure it remains pure and incorruptible in the path of the Knife’s truth.

Armbot is the designation for attack Remotes used by the PanOceanian Military Complex. They are designed to be faster than Heavy Infantry troopers but lighter, easier to manufacture and cheaper than a T.A.G., while carrying support weaponry. PanOceania used this design methodology during the hectic arms race of the NeoColonial Wars to get highly mobile fire platforms at a low cost.

Garuda, the fabulous bird ridden by the Vedic god Vishnu, has given its name to the Immediate Tactical Deployment Bots of the Special Situations Section. The Garuda is a light Remote model used for armed reconnaissance and airborne assault.

The Djanbazan Tactical Group constitutes the Special Assault Corps of the Muhafiz, the Security and Intelligence force of Haqqislam. Its mission is to defend the entrance and exit points of Haqqislam and preserve the Silk commerce. This means that they must be ready for close combat with pirates, smugglers and insurgents.

Military medals and decorations are honourable distinctions awarded in recognition of distinguished actions in the service of their bearer’s nation, his army, the state’s strategic-military interests, or his comrades-in-arms.

The three main degrees of the military merits recognition system of the Human Sphere are as follows:

· First Degree. In Western-influenced countries, this decoration is usually cross-shaped. The First Degree medal is the highest military decoration, and is only bestowed in times of declared war, or, secretly, during covert conflicts. This medal recognizes the highest gallantry, daring and risking of life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against the enemy. This decoration tends to be awarded posthumously.

· Second Degree. Usually, the Second Degree medal is star-shaped. This decoration is awarded only during open war, for outstanding leadership in combat or for acts of high gallantry and pre-eminent valour facing the enemy on the battlefield.

· Third Degree. This decoration is bestowed in times of both peace and war to those that have accomplished their designated mission with great courage and self-sacrifice while risking their lives.

· Military Merit Insignia. This is awarded in peace or war to those that have displayed heroism in combat or contributed meritorious service to the Army or to the State.

There may also be a series of achievements and valour decorations between the Third Degree medal and the Military Merit Insignia. The number of these decorations varies depending on the army and whether war has been declared or not.

In a different category are those decorations that reward distinguished service and labour in roles behind the frontline, but still contributing to military efforts or supporting the ideals of a nation or army. In some cases, these decorations have a general military purpose, but have a civilian division that allows them to be bestowed on non-enlisted personnel.

As a curiosity, ALEPH’s Special Situations Section doesn’t bestow material medals, just access codes that are attached to the electronic signature of the individual. In the Combined Army, the decorations awarded through joint actions of the diverse armies under direct command of the EI are insignias of diverse categories, which correspond, approximately, with the human recognition system.

Next, the main decorations and medals of the Human Sphere are listed with explanatory notes attached:

O-12

1- Prometheo Cross Awarded to those whose actions have swept the shadows of injustice and fear from the Human Sphere, providing more light for mankind.

2- Gilgamesh Star This military decoration distinguishes those who continue to show merit in combat, bravery or military success.

3- Sekandar Insignia This decoration for valour and courage has received the Persian name of Alexander the Great. The Sekandar Insignia awards outstanding leadership in combat and also individual acts of bravery.

4- Military Merit Insignia: Bureau Aegis

5- Order of the Merit with White Badge Awarded for outstanding performance or exhibiting special technical skills in defence of the ideals of O-12 and the rights of Human Sphere citizens.

6- Nabu Insignia The Babylonian god of wisdom and writing gives his name to this decoration, bestowed on military or civilian personnel from any member nation of O-12 who has excelled in contributions to political systems, military strategies or technological research that facilitates the application of the Concilium Convention.

PANOCEANIA

1- Freedom and Justice Cross Bestowed on those who defend with the highest bravery the greatest PanOceanian ideals. This decoration is engraved with the Latin motto for which it is named: Libertas et Ivstitia.

2- War Star with Swords The swords symbolizing this decoration only can be received for heroic battle actions in the face of the enemy.

3- Vir Chakra The name of this decoration means, literally, in Hindi: “Medal for Valour”.

4- Military Merit Insignia (PanOceania // Shock Army of Acontecimento // Neoterran Capitaline Army // Order of the Hospital // Order of Santiago // Order of Montesa // Order of the Holy Sepulchre // Teuton Order)

YU JING

1- Jade Dragon Honour Sabre (Yù Lóng) (玉 龙 勳刀) The bearer of this sabre, the highest distinction bestowed by the StateEmpire Army, must always be saluted by all military personnel regardless of rank, seniority or branch.

2- Victorious Leopard Order (Kāi Bào) (凯 豹 勳章) This Order can be awarded to any soldier of the StateEmpire Army, regardless of rank. The lack of a rank requirement, the emphasis on individual bravery or leadership skills, and an annual monetary stipend to each recipient reflects the equalitarian virtues of the Yu Jing Army.

3- White Sun Order (Hào Yáng) (皓 阳 勳章) In Yu Jing the twelve beams of the Sun (Former national emblem of the Republic of China) represent the twelve months of the year and symbolize the spirit of progress. To be awarded with the White Sun Order a Yu Jing solder must distinguish himself in battle, showing courage or skilled leadership of his troops.

4- Military Merit Insignia (Yu Jing // Imperial Service // Japanese Sectorial Army)

ARIADNA

1- Saint George Cross (Георгиевский крест) Georgievskii Krest The greatest distinction of the Tsarist age, recovered before the fall of the Soviet system, is now the highest medal of the Ariadnan Military Forces. The Saint George Cross is bestowed to honour the most successful combatants that have risked themselves to protect the planet Dawn and its inhabitants.

2- Hero of Ariadna’s Star In the Ariadnan military tradition, a Hero of Ariadna always has the right to make the first toast and to be the one who ends the bottle. The owner of the Star is considered an example and a symbol for all Ariadnans.

3- Honour and Motherland Medal The language of the inscription notes the Ariadnan nation which bestows this medal. (Honneur et Patrie / Honour and Motherland / Честь и Родина)

4- Military Merit Insignia (Ariadna // Force de Réponse Rapide Mérovingiénne // Highlander Caledonian Army)

HAQQISLAM

1- Husam al Hikmah (سيف الحكمة ) (Sword of Wisdom) Ceremonial sword with wall stand. The receiver of the Husam al Hikmah has to be humble enough to not bear it in public. The recipients of this decoration are courageous people who reflect the spirit of the Haqqislam.

2- Najm al Din (نجم الدين ) (Star of the Faith) The Star of the Faith is exclusively awarded for bravery before the enemy and for excellent merit in commanding troops.

3- Naut Rayhan (وسام الريحان ) (Medal of the Favoured by Allah)º This decoration is conferred for valour, leadership or command in battle.

4- Military Merit Insignia (Haqqislam // Qapu Khalqi // Hasassin Bahram)

NOMADS

1- Obsidian Cross This decoration has a special status in the Black Hand, as the organization is always in a wartime situation. Due to the secrecy of its operations, there are few Black Hand agents awarded with this medal who can wear it in public.

2- White Star This military decoration is bestowed for extraordinary bravery, for the achievement of extremely important objectives through combat, or for especially well-conducted operations.

3- Red Badge of Courage The red of this decoration represents the blood shed by its bearer defending the Nomad Nation.

4- Military Merit Insignia (Nomad Nation // Jurisdictional Command of Bakunin // Jurisdictional Command of Corregidor)

ALEPH

1- Double Alpha Plus Select Access Code Privileged access granted, Posthuman level only.

2- Alpha Plus Select Access Code Bestowed alongside high security access level.

3- Alpha Select Access Code Prestigious distinction in security circles.

4- Select Access Code by Military Merit: Special Situations Section.

COMBINED ARMY

1- Quasar Insignia The highest award bestowed by the EI. The Quasar Insignia rewards superior actions that decisively influence the course of the war.

2- Pulsar Insignia The Pulsar Insignia is awarded for leadership, distinguished service or personal gallantry.

3- Cepheid Insignia The Cepheid Insignia, a source of pride for its bearer, is always one of the brightest medals he can have.

4- Military Merit Insignia (Combined Army // Morat Aggression Forces // Shasvastii Expeditionary Forces)

5- Corona Insignia This decoration is awarded for distinguished contributions to Project: Transcendence and its development.

An article of the commander Olivier Fouquet (Retired) for Militarya,

the largest-bore channel. Look for us in Maya!

The Armed Imposition Detachment is one of the Shasvastii units best known by human troops. This unit works as a strike force, taking part when the Shasvastii methodology, based on deception and pinpoint attacks, is not enough. They have been specially trained in assault and support techniques and exceptional physical condition is required of them. They must be versatile, fully confident of their capabilities, and demonstrating an extraordinary expertise in the use of weapons.

This new season will be opened until May 31st 2011. Don't forget that the scores sent after May 25th 2011, will not be valid for the 2nd Season of the ITS, and they will be applied to the next season of the ITS.

Thanks and good luck to everybody

Gentlemen,

Yesterday, the 1^st Season of the Infinity Tournament System was ended, closing the qualifying chart, so I am pleased to introduce to you the most successful officers the tournament:

1^st- Glaurung: 41500 points. Armies: PanOceaníia, Haqqislam, Qapu Khalqi and ALEPH.

2^nd- Semy: 35000 points. Army: Ariadna.

3^rd- Magno: 25750 points. Armies: Ariadna, Nomads, J.S.A, Haqqislam, Hasassin Bahram and Combined Army.

The correspondant military decorations will be bestowed to each of them. This medals will be shown openly in the Infinity Oficial Forum.

The winner of the ITS Tournament 1^st Season, Glaurung, will be awarded with a choice of an Infinity miniature, painted by the Infinity official painter, Ángel Giráldez. The High Command of O-12 will contact with the Infinity champion to manage all administrative questions.

I hope to see all of you again in the battlefields of the next ITS 2^nd Season (2010-2011).

Honour and glory.

Colonel Anna Tymińska, Bureau Aegis Liaison Group, O-12.

“Third! There’s no possible way out of here! We have to stand our ground! Don’t charge! Hold your positions! I said, Hold your positions! Sergeant, take down the names of those men!” Col. Walter Stuart, “The Defence of the Valley of Tears” (Second Antipode Offensive)

The two secret armies of “Infinity Human Sphere”

If the Link Troops rule is revolutionary in the Infinity game experience, there are another two big secrets that have been well kept for the release of the “Infinity Human Sphere” book. One is the identity of the new faction being released, and the other is an unexpected Sectorial Army.

The new army highlighted in this book is the Special Situations Section, the tactical tool of ALEPH, the omnipresent AI of the Human Sphere. The Section was mentioned in the first Infinity book, in the ALEPH dedicated article. Some veteran players were suspicious of its existence, thinking it would be linked with the military police of O-12. But it seems the Section has more independence than expected.

The background clearly explains the legal status of this force and when it can be deployed. But the speculations of Nomad conspiracy theorists developed in the ALEPH chapter provide a different point of view on its activities.

The Army lists for ALEPH’s Section give us a complete army, equivalent in size approximately to any army in the first Infinity book, maybe a little bit smaller, but completely playable and with great possibilities for expansion.

The Section has a Remote-based army list, where the Remotes take the role of the base troops, accompanied by highly technified humanoid high value troops, like the beautiful and deadly Asuras, the state-of-the-military–industry-art.

But the star of the Section is the Recreation of Achilles, defined as an “Individual of mass destruction” or “a human sized T.A.G.” by his combat effectiveness. He is the personal killing machine of ALEPH.

The other well-kept secret was the existence of a third Sectorial Army in PanOceania, the Military Orders.

As requested by many Infinity players, now they can create a high-tech knightly army, based around one of the five Military Orders presented in the book: Hospitallers, Santiago, Teutons, Montesa and Holy Sepulchre, with some sub-Orders to provide more background variety.

This Sectorial army will be very knight-focused, taking tactical advantage of the Link Troops rule. The Military Orders have specialized troops, like the Order Sergeants, which cover different tactical requirements while keeping a uniform look to the army. The Military Orders also allow inclusion of knights from different Orders, with these allied knights known as Confrere Knights. The Seraph, a close quarters combat T.A.G., will be one of the most distintictive miniatures of this army, as well as the always beautiful Joan of Arc.

Now that these two armies had been partially unveiled, jump into the “Infinity Human Sphere” book to know more about them!