ENCYCLOPEDIA

GLOSSARY

The glossary is a collection of helpful supplementary information (e.g. special terminology) used throughout the story of Rockman DASH Legends.

This glossary will be expanded and annotated as the story progresses.

A B C D E F G H  I  J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Airship
空船(くうせん)
Description
The primary means of long distance transport across Terra; Airships are the most common means of heavier-than-air travel used by digouters, air pirates, law enforcement, and common civillians.

Airships are usually mass-produced, and thus come in various models and variants to suit their main purpose; examples include civillian transport, combat, high speed travel, and so forth.

Being inexpensive to own or even build, hobbyists and mechanical specialists are known to do much customization of their airships to suit their needs, which results in many custom variants. In some cases, airships have even been modified for comfortable accomocation not unlike mobile homes; one example being the Casquets' airship "The Flutter".

Airships come in varying sizes, ranging from small aerial fighters no longer than 8 meters, to massive cruisers over 200 meters in length.
Other Notes
Similar to many science fiction settings, ownership of small aerial vehicles are by no means a luxury item exclusive to the rich or authority figures, being afforable even to farmers or hobbyists.
Ancient Technology
古代技術(こだいぎじゅつ)
(Alternate Names: Lost Technology, Ancient Treasure, Old Technology)
Description
Technology left over from many centuries are commonly referred to as ancient technology. These are usually found and excavated from ruins which will then be either sold or used as research materials. A sub-category of ancient technology includes the unexplained technology known as Holon Technology.

One of the more common-sought examples of ancient technology are the now-standard sources of energy known as deflectors.
Argonium
アゴニウム
Description
A highly flammable and reactive material found in certain parts of ancient ruins which was discovered shortly after the advent of Deflector energy.

Its spontaneous flammability and hazardous nature makes its use as an energy source relatively impractical despite its initial discovery being earlier than Deflector energy. Though nowhere near as valuable, efficient, or safe as Deflector energy, this flammable material retains a purpose in niche applications such as digging explosives, Fleischer bullets and certain types of heating appliances.

It has also been rumored that due to superficial similarities in concept, this energy source is said to be a key component of the thermal energy which creates naturally-occurring Deflectors, though this has yet to be confirmed.
Other Notes
Argonium (or Agonium) was first mentioned in Iwamoto's first Rockman X manga, and is a resource found in the Armored Armage (Armor Armadillo) stage.


B
Biomatter
バイオマター
(Alternate Names: Livematter)
Description
Biomatter is the name given for a very material found in ruins. They are identifiable as dark gray solids with a fine matte texture, and have unique appearance of glowing lines going across its surface at what seems to be steady intervals. Their actual material composite, physical properties, and even existence is unknown to most of the world.

In-story, the most common application of biomatter is using it as a catalyst for 'linking' weapons and equipment to Rock's armor when worn, allowing him to call upon these weapons at will.
Other Notes
The terms Biomatter and Livematter are derived from "Live Metal" (or "Bio Metal" in English releases) first introduced in the Rockman ZX Series.
Brummbär Battalion
ブルムベア撃団(げきだん)
(Alternate Names: Bonne Family Brummbär Battalion)
Description
Formally known as the “Bonne Family Brummbär Battalion”.
They are the Bonnes' assigned elite ground vehicle unit in charge of piloting the heavy siege vehicle Brummbär, consisting of members Servbots #39 (leader), #14 (Pilot 1), and #2 (Pilot 2).

Though assigned as an elite group, this combat division is relatively new and all members including its leader #39 is inexperienced at such a role. However, this does not take away from how dangerous and capable they are at piloting the giant machines they have been assigned to.
Bullet Type: Fleischer
弾丸「フライシャー」
(Alternate Names: Exploders, Fl-Round)
Description
A bullet types used by firearms on Terra.
An unusual type of ammunition; Fleischer rounds contain trace amounts of argonium designed to detonate on impact. When fired out of a gun, the argonium inside the bullet will ignite, leaving a distinct bright bullet trail when in-flight. Unlike Turner or Landbird ammunition, Fleischer rounds are caseless and therefore do not expend cartridges as part of its firing mechanism.

Though highly destructive, its effectiveness is dampened by poor effective range, something which cannot be fixed by increasing barrel length or quality due to the volatile nature of the bullet itself. Because of this, a great amount of care must be made for its storage.

Though still readily available, Fleischer rounds are not a common choice among firearms owners due to its niche applications, low practicality, and storage difficulty due to its volatility.
Other Notes
"Fleischer" is the surname of one of the main characters "Julie" from the Capcom game E.X. TROOPERS. The bullet's tracer characteristics are based on Julie's rapid laser rifle, her weapon of choice.

The term also translates to "butcher" in German.
Bullet Type: Landbird
弾丸「ランドバード」
(Alternate Names: Piercers, LB-Round)
Description
A bullet type used by firearms on Terra.
Landbird rounds are sharp-tipped to reduce drag when firing for greater muzzle velocity, resulting in greater travel distance and the ability to hit targets with much greater accuracy. As its nickname implies, the sharp tips are also ideal for piercing through armor, but do less damage to soft targets from lack of stopping power on impact (shots are likely to just go through without doing more damage).

Landbird rounds are commonplace, and are mostly used in long ranged firearms such as sniper rifles, and for weapons with high firing rates (which compensate for low stopping power with sheer force).
Other Notes
"Landbird" is the surname of one of the main characters "Chris" from the Capcom game E.X. TROOPERS. The bullet's preferential use for long range combat is based on Chris' fighting style and weapon of choice as a sniper.

This bullet type is comparable to "Full Metal Jackets" found in real firearms.
Bullet Type: Turner
弾丸「ターナー」
(Alternate Names: Stoppers, Tr-Round)
Description
A bullet type used by firearms on Terra.
Turner rounds are hollowed in the middle, which makes them expand on impact to transfer and spread all of the bullet's striking force onto the target. Extremely effective on soft targets which may even result in shock on living targets, but lack of penetrating power reduces its effectiveness when fired on armored targets.

Turner rounds are commonplace, and are most commonly used by law enforcement small-arms such as handguns and sub-machine guns.
Other Notes
"Turner" is the surname of the main lead character "Bren" from the Capcom game E.X. TROOPERS. The bullet's characteristics are based on Bren's close-ranged fighting style and high stopping power (i.e. Pummel a target until they fall over).

This bullet type is comparable to "Hollow Points" found in real firearms.
Buster
バスター
(Alternate Names: Buster Weapon, True Buster)
Description
A unique weapon type that fires highly compressed energy as a projectile at high velocities.

Unlike most energy weapons which rely on focused heat to damage its target, shots fired from a Buster is more comparable to impact damage caused by kinetic force such as large shells. Another unique feature of this weapon is its seemingly limitless ammunition due to a key component known as an ultra-compact reactor; a power source with a high moment-by-moment output which is non-replicable by existing technology. Because of these advanced features, those armed with a Buster weapon is usually treated as a serious threat by the opposition (assuming they are aware of, or at least believe that this rare weapon exists).

Rock Volnatto, the main character of this story, uses a Buster weapon as part of his main equipment used in digouts and in combat.
Other Notes
In this adaptation, Buster weapons are treated as rare (and effectively exclusive) weapons which out-class the effectiveness of most existing weapons due to its limitless destructive potential and compact size. Rock's Buster takes it further by being able to call forth the weapon at will while wearing his signature armor.
Buster Gun
バスターガン
(Alternate Names: Replica Buster, Fake Buster)
Description
An uncommon weapon developed as an attempt to emulate the fabled Buster weapons by using pre-charged shells in place of a compact reactor; a piece of ancient technology with no known means to replicate in this era. Its destructive potential could only be recreated using densely charged energy shells which are loaded into special buster guns and discharged as a projectile to achieve a similar effect.

Despite its name, Buster Guns are also available in multiple designs and builds to serve each purpose; ranging from small firearms to large hand-carried cannons.
Other Notes
The term "Buster Gun" was initially exclusive to the English release of the first game, and is only mentioned once during the tutorial mission. Given that it was only referred to as such once, the term is most likely a translation mistake.


C
COBUN
C.O.B.U.N. (コブン)
(Alternate Names: Cobun, Servbot AI)
Description
The Configured Operational Basic Unilateral Neuralnetwork (COBUN) is the autonomous artificial inteligence system developed by Tron Bonne and used exclusively for for Servbots.

Like most machine-read languages, COBUN was originally derived from existing code spread among machinists and small hobbyist circles. However, Tron was able to break down large portions of the code, developing greatly on it to the point of achieving self-learning on a level much closer to humans compared to most other attempts.

Though the same COBUN algorithm has been applied to each of the Servbots, minor differences in hardware, environmental exposures, interaction with present company, and natural random occurrences have resulted in giving unique strengths, quirks, and flaws for each Servbot. Over time, these qualities have become part of the Servbot, giving them unique features and personalities.

The hardware running the Servbot's COBUN AI and memory storage is kept inside a toughened black box informally known as the "Capsule Computer". The reinforced casing protects the AI from various hazards, allowing recovery in the event of an accident. In order to preserve the Servbot's sentience and growth development, the Capsule Computer is designed to never be opened unless in immediate emergency.
Other Notes
As the Servbots are given their English name for the adaptation, the term "COBUN" is made for their AI as a way of getting the best of both translations (though spelt differently from the usual "Kobun", the pronunciation remains the same).

The name and idea of making the Japanese name an AI algorithm is coincidentally a pun on the Japanese word 「古文」 which means "Old Writing", a nod to programming language fundamentals left unchanged.

The "Capsule Computer" is the original name for the company "Capcom" (Capsule Computer).


D
Deflector
ディフレクター
Description
A stable yet extremely dense energy source with a luminous crystalline structure. Found mainly in underground ruins, Deflectors are formed by many years of compressed thermal energy from deep under the planet's surface.

A Deflector's energy is extracted through a machine called the Holon Converter, which converts this raw energy into a usable form such as electricity. Unlike prior sources of energy such as biomass, energy extracted from Deflectors have a near negligible energy loss and are thus extremely efficient by comparison (the loss incurred from the hardware involved is another matter).

As the primary energy source of Terra's societies, Deflectors are treated as a valuable asset and in some cases a de-facto common currency (though the actual trade value can fluctuate due to demand). A quick indicator of value used by traders would be a Deflector's size, shape, and coloration.

But despite being a commonly-traded and used commodity on a massive scale, deflectors still harbor many mysteries about them...
Other Notes
Despite the term "Refractor" being more recognized among the western audience of the original series, it has been decided to go with the original Japanese name due to plot significance and the physics behind it.
Deflector Shards
ディフレクターの欠片
(Alternate Names: Shards)
Description
Deflector shards are categorized by the shape, size, volume, and energy density at the point when they can no longer be used in Holon Converters as individual pieces.

Though unusable as a major power source, they still have lesser applications in the form of lesser (though far less efficient) energy applications, a de-facto physical currency (for many if not all cultures) and even as raw materials when combined with a certain other material. Due to their far reduced usability and demand in this energy-demanding world of Terra, deflector shards are significantly lower in value even for the same deflector of equal volume.
Digger
ディッガー
Description
A specific type of digouter who is hired by a community or establishment to perform digouts/digs.

Though Digouters are still a major source of Deflector energy for civilization, more secluded locations or establishments who aim for greater self-sufficiency require a reliable source of energy to allow itself to thrive and grow. As such, Diggers are employed to allow a certain level of consistency to prevent sudden shortages.

Unlike Digouters, Diggers are bound to certain digout sites claimed by their societies and/or benefactor. As such, they tend to be closer to occupational workers without personalized equipment (much like law enforcement), instead being provided with weapons and equipment by their employer(s). Though uncommon, there is a possibility of disputes between the Diggers and employers due to the sheer difference in monetary gains compared to being a Digouter who deals in direct trade of Deflectors.
Digout
ディグアウト
(Alternate Names: DigOut, Dig-Out, Dig)
Description
The general term given to ruins excavations performed by Digouters and Diggers. As ruins have a distinct presence of Reaverds and other hazards, Digouts are thus intended to be treated as a dangerous but necessary task to retrieve valuable Deflectors and other ancient treasure.

The short-form "Dig" in certain cases would be specifically defined as the process of opening new areas of a ruins for further exporation. Though this is normally done after the nearby area of the ruins has been cleared, this process still runs heavy risks of hazards ranging from surprise attacks by Reaverds or collapse of the area. As such, much caution is exercised when the Digging process is carried out.
Other Notes
The idea of using "Digout" and "Dig" as two separate terms is intended to be used as such by those in the profession, though casually-speaking they are used in the same way.

This is much like how certain professions have their own job-specific vocabulary not commonly used by others.
Digouter
ディグアウター
(Alternate Names: Dig-Outer, Diver, Outer)
Description
A Digouter is a job title given to an individual who performs Digouts; the act of exploring and excavating ruins for treasures such as Deflectors and Ancient Technology.

Though Digouters typically work alone inside ruins due to ease of miscommunication and friendly fire, Digouters working in groups is not unheard of. During group Digouts, an Operator is in charge of relaying key information to the Main Diver responsible, which would then be relayed to the others in the area. This hierarchial method of information relay is commonly applied to avoid miscommunication, and to prevent Digouters from going off on their own while coordination plays a vital role to safety.

In certain social circles and societies, Digouters are looked down upon for their lack of conformity compared to Diggers who clearly work for the benefit of society. In most cases, they are labelled as Outers.


H
Halcyon Days
ハルシオン・デイズ
(Alternate Names: Halcyon Days Era, Halcyon Era)
Description
The name given to the era when the events of RMDL take place.

Commonly referred to as Terra's golden age of peace and tranquility. It has been referred to as such according to the earliest historical recordings found, which can range from centuries or even millenia.
Holon Converter
ホロンコンバーター
(Alternate Names: Holon Engine)
Description
A Holon Converter is a piece of mechanical equipment used in the extraction of energy from deflectors.

The basic process of the holon converter is performed by applying a small initial electrical charge to the deflector placed inside the machine. Upon receiving a charge, the deflector begins spinning, increasing in speed up to the point it begins to release its stored energy. This raw energy is then collected at a focused point within the machine which is then converted into a usable energy form such as electricity. Why the deflectors spin and how it actually functions however is beyond current understanding, hence being categorized as Holon Techology.

Deflectors and the holon converter were first discovered alongside each other centuries prior to the story's events, and has revolutionized the Halcyon Days' technological and societal developments.

Holon converters started off as bulky and impractical, being only reserved for use by large applications such as airships, but recent holon converters have become more compact for vehicles such as boats and large vans. However, they remain expensive to build and maintain due to it internal complexity, and remain impractical for small transport/fighter aircraft such as the Drache series.
Holon Techonology
ホロン技術
(Alternate Names: Holon Tech, Holontech)
Description
A catch-all term for technology found in the Halcyon Days era which has been unable to be reverse-engineered and couldn't be explained by existing knowledge.
An example of this includes the Holon Converter; though the ability to replicate them in mass quantities is present, the actual process and how they work still remains unclear.


J
Jumpin' Shooter (Magazine)
ジャンピンシューター(マガジン)
(Alternate Names: Jumpin')
Description
"Jumpin' Shooter" (stylized as "JUMP'N SHOOTER") is a magazine series featuring a collection of different comics and various side topics for popular recreations such as sports, games, music, and mechanics. Popular comics including "Mega Man" and "Proto Rider" publish their latest releases through this magazine in addition to having individual volume releases.

New issues are published bi-weekly, and are printed on inexpensive paper for easy and cheap distribution.

Though Kattelox Island's inconsistent importing and courier services make the presence of these type of magazines a niche, it has still managed to become popular especially among the young demographic.
Other Notes
The name of this fictional magazine is a combination of a popular phrase used for the Megaman Classic/X games, and a parody of various Japanese weekly/monthly magazines such as the JUMP series of weekly/monthly magazines which publishes popular comics such as Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Kochikame.


L
Lifter Module
リフターモジュール
(Alternate Names: Lifter, Flight Unit)
Description
A common component of flight vehicles such as airships and small fighter craft.
A lifter module generates an always-downward force (towards the ground) strong enough to levitate objects several times its own mass. As the force exterted by a lifter is always the exact opposite of its nearest gravity well (regardless of orientation), airships utilize a set of flight control surfaces (rudders, flaps, etc.) and countermeasures (e.g. thrusters) to allow directional control of the aircraft.

The lifter's maximum effectiveness is inversely proportional to its distance from the ground, making lifter-equipped vehicles incapable of ascending after reaching certain altitudes (determined mainly by the lifter's size, quantity, placings, and carrying load). Because of this, vehicles equipped with lifters alone are incapable of escaping Terra's atmosphere, making space travel impossible using them alone.

Lifters are significantly cheaper to maintain and are more energy-efficient compared to energy thrusters, and are incorporated into almost all heavier-than-air vehicles, especially those which can only house small-output power cells such as the Drache series. Lifters can also be assembled in arrays in all sorts of arrangements to stabilize large airships such as the Gesellschaft.
Other Notes
Lifters are effectively anti-gravity devices found in many science fiction settings such as Star Wars (in the form of the in-story Repulsorlift). In this case, airships equipped with only a lifter will handle similarly to a helicopter, in which directional control would be handled by the shifting of centre of gravity through countermeasures and other mechanics.

A couple of reasons this element wanted to be elaborated on is due to the lack of (clear) thrusters on some vehicles found in the original games (in both concept sketches and in-game models), and to establish a clear setting which makes atmospheric escape impossible with existing technology.


M
Main Diver
メインダイバー
Description
The title given for the front-line digouter in charge of a digout. Typical roles include being the only digouter exploring the ruins, or leading a team of digouters to perform a digout.

The main difference between Main Divers and normal digouters is that they are given distinctively better weapons and equipped, yet retaining necessary high mobility. This title is usually given to the digouter with supposedly greater skill and experience appropriate for their leading role.

There is no explicit definition that there can only be one Main Diver of a group of digouters; there may be several Main Divers in a group under various circumstances.

The term Main Diver is also used by diggers, with the definition left unchanged.
Other Notes
Main Divers are effectively the story's equivalent of "shock troops" or "special forces" due to their similar role of doing the most damage to an opposition, thus leaving their targets vulnerable to further attack.


O
Operator
オペレーター
Description
An operator has the responsibility of observing the Main Diver (or a group of digouters) and their surroundings.

As the hazards found in Ruins can become unpredictable, an operator is responsible for analyzing the surrounding environment from a remote location, and relay any information or instructions to the Main Diver (or digouters).
Other Notes
The terms "spotter" and "operator" are terms used by the EN and JP releases respectively. In the case of this adaptation, they are redefned as two separate terms for added distinction between various character roles.
Outer
アウター
Description
A derogatory form of Digouter.

Due to cultural differences between settled civilians and travelling Digouters, certain communities and social circles consider them as nothing more than freeloaders or even thieves on par with Air Pirates. Because of this, the derogatory term Outer is used by more reserved communities.

It should be noted however: Though the term itself is derogatory, implcations may vary if used among Digouters. In most cases, use of it among their own kind will usually be for sarcasm, irony, or even associated with a certain degree of honor/pride as a free person or group living unbound by civilization.


R
Reaverd
リバード
(Alternate Names: Reaverbot)
Description
A series of sentient robots found in ruins. Their presence and purpose is a mystery, but is said to have some connection with whatever civilization these ancient ruins used to be.

Though they seem like complex machinery, their main physical composition is closer to a hollow (if thick) shell and a small power source consisting of Deflector Shards which is assumed to animate the Reaverd. How exactly the Reaverd is given 'sentience' is still unknown however.

Reaverds come in various designs, strengths, and sometimes armaments. Though smaller ones are normally not threatening, their real danger comes from their numbers and ability to maneuver swiftly around ruins to catch Digouters off-guard.
Ruins
古代遺跡(こだいいせき)
(Alternate Names: Ancient Ruins)
Description
Old underground structures from centuries or even millenia ago. They are known to be a source of ancient technology and treasure such as deflectors.

However, these ruins are hazardous areas due to the presence of Reaverds; sentient robots who seemingly attack intruders of these ruins.

More sizable ruins that can be defined as an independent structure within a larger series of ruins are formally defined as sub gates.


T
Trace
トレース
(Alternate Names: Mapping)
Description
In addition to common environmental details gathered such as temperatures and electrical signals, tracing is a more advanced data gathering technique using something similar to active sonar. By releasing ultrasound periodically, the reflected sound waves are caught by a receiver, and the results fed back to the operator to create a 'mapping' effect.

This support method is extremely useful for backtracking, exploring new areas, and identifying thin walls and 'weakpoints' of a ruins. As a record of the ruins is also made, group exploration is also made much easier.

However, though the sound emitted by the system is unhearable by the digouter, Reaverds may pick up this unnatural signal thus causing them to be altered of the digouter's presence. As a result, this means of map recording must be used with caution in ruins with a distinct Reaverd presence.
Other Notes
Though only referred to once in the Japanese version of the game, this feature explains the generation of the mini map found in the game's interface.


W
Walker
ウォーカー
Description
Walkers are the modern term used for classifying manned vehicles with human-like features such as bipedal motion.

Though vehicles of this kind have been referred to as Walkers since the earliest recordings at the start of the Halcyon Days era, certain groups continue referring to them under a different name, claiming that their term was the true original word used even before the Halcyon Days era had begun...
Other Notes
The term "Walker" is a relatively new term in-universe.


Z
Zenny
ゼニー
(Alternate Names: Cash, Money, Credit)
Description
Terra's unit of value for goods and services, and in certain context used for the type of monetary system circulated in cultures and communities.

Originated as a means of minimizing issues of fairness and trust with barter trading, the unit "Zenny" was established as an quantifiable currency using deflectors (and to a lesser extent, shards), Terra's most valued resource, as its measuring medium. Though the use of a perishable resource as a foundation to determine trade value was questionable, other forms of currency such as coins and notes were impossible due to the absence of a de-facto global economy at the time. In addition to being a measure of monetary value, Zenny is also used as an informal unit of energy measurement in certain cultures and communities when used for determining value.

On an individual level, the ownership of Zenny is bound to whoever owns the deflectors that make up that value. Similarly for government-run communities such as Kattelox Island, community banks provide services for exchanging deflectors for its regionally-recognized local currency (and vice versa) that takes a more practical form factor for carrying in large quantities such as cash, coinage and stored-value cards. Such a system works allows governments to accumulate deflectors as an energy source, allowing it to be used for further developments and for service provisions such as electricity. In this case, local currencies are effectively a unit of measure determining how much a government owes its bearer. As the trade of deflectors themselves cannot be traced or recorded practically, a monetary system allows banks and its governments to keep track of its spendings.

However, this monetary system is not without its drawbacks and limitations; placed values on goods and services does not mean the person making the trade will not increase or decrease the actual amount accepted for trade (i.e. added charges or discounts), or exploit the system by altering base prices due to demand. Additionally, deflectors are a perishable resource, meaning that sudden shortages may cause values to become highly volatile, causing economical instability.
Other Notes
Zenny is a currency used in various Capcom games such as the Breath of Fire and Monster Hunter series.

Though fictional, its name origin may have originated from the Japanese term 「小銭」 (kozeni), roughly meaning "coins" or "small change". It may have also been derived from the term 「銭」 (sen), a denomination worth roughly 1/100 each, and has become defunct from the Japanese monetary system since the mid 1950s.

Though unrelated (albeit its name origin may be identical), ゼニー (usually romanized as Zeni) is also the name of the currency used in the Dragon Ball series.