Ix (Dune)

Ix (pronounced "iks") is a fictional planet featured in the "Dune" universe created by Frank Herbert. The name comes from the Roman numeral IX, because it is the ninth planet of the star Alkalurops. Ix specializes in the production of complex machinery which often flouts the proscriptions of the Butlerian Jihad.

In Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's "Legends of Dune" prequel trilogy (2002-2004), the name of the planet is originally Rodale IX.

Classic "Dune" series

By the time of the 1965 novel "Dune", Ix is the leader in providing technology to the Imperium. Ixian devices are ever-present in the novels, but the society itself is unseen until later in the series. "Dune Messiah" (1969) refers to the "Ixian Confederacy," hinting at society goverened by a group of enpowered political bodies or worlds rather than by a single ruling House, as is typical in the rest of the universe.

In 1981's "God Emperor of Dune", Leto Atreides II talks about his relationship with the former Ixian ambassador Malky, who had been specially raised and trained by the Ixians to be a "tempter" — the "Devil to Leto's God". The Ixians had intended for Malky to manipulate Leto into doubting his own purpose; the plan had ultimately failed. They had later created Hwi Noree, a female designed specifically to attract, seduce and hold influence over Leto. In the novel, Leto meets Hwi and sees this intent, but cannot dismiss his attraction to her. The Ixians have an embassy on Arrakis which is infiltrated by Tleilaxu Face Dancers, who kill and replace everyone there — except for Hwi — as part of an assassination attempt on Leto. The attempt fails, but Leto later allows himself to be killed by Siona Atreides, as part of his own plan for the universe.

The Ixians had managed to keep Hwi's development a secret through the use of their new invention, the no-chamber, which contains machines that hide the people within from prescience (as Guild Navigators can do). They had also created the Navigation Device which would eventually take the place of Guild Navigators and help fuel The Scattering. Combining these two technologies later results in the no-ship, a starship that can remain unseen and does not require a Navigator to fold space.

By the time of "Heretics of Dune" (1984), the power of the Ixians seems at its apex with their alliance with the Fish Speakers; however, Bene Gesserit analysts see them as a failing power, because Ixian society had become a bureaucracy and no great inventions had come out of the workshops of Ix for centuries. When the Honored Matres conquer the Old Empire, the Ixians are reduced to a barely tolerated technological combine.

"Legends of Dune"

As explained in Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's "" (2003), the family of the Titan Xerxes had originally ruled Ix. When Tlaloc had conquered the Old Empire, Xerxes had taken control and changed the name of the planet from "Rodale IX" to just "Ix". After the fall of the Titans at the hands of the thinking machines, Ix had become one of the Synchronized Worlds. In the novel, Ix is finally liberated by the Army of the Jihad in 175 B.G.

"Prelude to Dune"

In the "Prelude to Dune" (1999-2001) prequel novels, Ix is a beautiful planet with no development on the surface, and practically no one goes above ground. The developed part of Ix is subterranean, mainly consisting of labs and factories. The Ixians are the leader in technological production and have the monopoly on producing the starships known as heighliners. Ix's prime competitor is Richese, but Ix always maintains a healthy lead in technology.

House Vernius rules the planet, but the Padishah Emperor Elrood Corrino IX holds a grudge against Earl Dominic Vernius for two reasons: Dominic had married Elrood's former concubine, Shando Balut, and Ix's new, larger heighliners negatively impact Imperial tax revenue on cargo.

Elrood secretly grants the Tleilaxu the right to occupy Ix by force (with the help of his Sardaukar army) and remake it into a laboratory station for Project Amal. This secret project seeks to produce a synthetic version of melange the Tleilaxu Master Ajidica calls "ajidamal", or "amal". The old Emperor wants to remove the spice monopoly by making sure that he has the only access to it, thus controlling the Spacing Guild. The Tleilaxu rename Ix "Xuttuh" after their founder. In the year 10,156 A.G., Elrood IX is assassinated by Count Hasimir Fenring. Crown Prince Shaddam, now under the name of Shaddam IV, gives Fenring the title of Imperial Spice Minister and orders him to supervise the project.

Although Ajidica manages to create an artificial melange that seems to have the original's properties, it does not work properly. The test-sandtrout explode, and Fenring's test of its use on two Guild Navigators ends in catastrophe. When Duke Leto Atreides invades Xuttuh in 10,175 A.G. and reestablishes Prince Rhombur of House Vernius as the ruler of Ix, all the records of Project Amal are destroyed.

Ix in the "Dune" games

"Dune 2000"

In "Dune 2000", the Ixians are responsible for providing the technologies for the three Houses to build Missile Tanks and their House-specific vehicles. This is done by building the Ixian Research Facility at the player's base. Once this is done, the player will be able to build either the Atreides Sonic Tank and Ornithopter, the Harkonnen Devastator, or the Ordos Deviator. The Ixians are also required for the construction of each House's Palace.

"Emperor: Battle for Dune"

In "", Ix is one of the major subfactions. Within the game, Ix is described as a fascist, technocratic House, in which the scientist elite rules. Its people slave in factories to produce Ixian technology which provides the elite with profit.

In the War of Assassins, the Ixians now play a more direct role in combat, interacting with the three Houses as trading partners. An alliance with House Ix can be forged by aiding them in various missions, providing that the player doesn't ally with the Tleilaxu first, as the two are bitter enemies.

Once allied, the Ixians will provide the player with units built from the House of Ix. These include the Infiltrator (a stealthed mobile kamikaze unit that reveals cloaked enemy units when it detonates), and the Projector Tank (fast hover tank with light mounted cannon, which when deployed, is able to project holographic images of the player's troops that provides realistic damage, yet disintegrates harmlessly on impact).

The Ixians have also been known to be victims of the Bene Tleilax forces on Arrakis, having dead Ixians harvested for use in their Flesh Vats. There is also a mission involving a revolt of the lower class on an Ixian research facility that parallels the revolution mentioned in "" (1999).