The universe that the Vessel exists in is part of a poetic science-fiction saga about Humanity's sometimes rocky journey and expansion to the stars as a space-faring species - Humanity Interstellar. From hostile alien encounters, to spiritual endevours and development, to just plain living on new worlds and habitats. The Vessel is a spiritual community, not necessarily a religious one, though it has taken practices and operating philosophies from a number of Olde Earthe religions and spiritual traditions, creating something truly unique. The Vessel does not believe in the supernatural, though it considers the universe itself Supernatural in a way - an ultimate Vessel. The Vessel also considers human bodies Vessels themselves in the search for God, likewise their monasteries and spacecraft. All Vessels in the search for God, following the Trail of God wherever it may lead. The Vessel consists of monks, their followers, and chains of monasteries on Olde Earthe, various colonized planets, and space habitats. Each monastery is led by a Hashi (Bridge), a spiritual leader. The Vessel also consists of monks, called Dokan (Conduits), Initiates called Linku (Links), with lay staff called Tsunagari (Connectors), that act as intermediaries with any locals and outside organizations. And sprinkled throughout the Vessel system are people called Maindo-Masuta (Mind-Masters), those who have achieved the highest spiritual levels. If there appears to be a heavy Japanese influence in the nomenclature, that is because it is a carry-over from one of the Vessel's early founders, Kannushi (God-Master) Miyamoto Chiba, who was Japanese. One of the other major founders was Professor James Darwin, a British Professor of Natural Science & Philosophy.