The Code of Gaia

Upon these stele we inscribe Humanities agreements, now and forever.   May they stand tall and be heeded until the last stars grow cold, and the ashes of the universe fall silent.

-The Opening of the Code of Gaia

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Humanity is a contentious species. Always has been, and we've come to learn that we always will be.   I imagine this made the construction of a set of universal rules a rather contentious issue, if for no other reason than those that would defy it simply to defy. I'd consider myself right, considering they planted an example of the Code on every world settled by humans, even when that settlement was a single building or smaller. A constant reminder of these "agreements".   They're carved on large stele, made of a material that is unknown to modern Humanity and seemingly indestructible. They can be moved with great effort, belaying a density that isn't found in any naturally existing material currently within the bounds of science. Their ability to resist heat, pressure, corrosion, and even radiation also stands above current material understanding.   Across the top of the cylindrical shape of the stele, a passage is written in a multitude of pre-Great War languages. The density of the Openings writing would prohibit casual writing, but as will be discussed that is not an issue with the stele. Below the Opening, a series of small but incredibly complex pictograms are carved, each one a different image but of scenes that vary from casual scenes of food, festivities, and the odd amorous embrace, to war and disease. From a distance, these images seem random. Judged on their artistic merit alone, they can be found lacking, given the inclusion of the handful of "bad" additions.   Whatever the perceived quality of the images, their most notable feature is the universal understanding they impart on a reader.   Each image (as well as the text of the Opening) imparts a message, one that is invariable between all those who look upon it and attempt to understand. It is not a general emotion either but carries a specific statement that is impossibly "felt" by those exposed. This is not a phenomenon limited to humans either, as the alien species in the solar system also perceive the same message as human readers.   It is unclear how High Humanity has done this, but it is an effect that can be found on and within many of High Humanities works.

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The first row of Pictograms covers what High Humanity referred to as the Cardinal Sins, the apex of which are the Undeniable Transgressions.  

Ⅰ: The Crime of Crowns. Humanity is not to hold itself above other species when they are found. We shall protect ourselves, but nothing more. To commit this crime is an Undeniable Trangression.   Ⅱ: The Crime of Neglect. All members of our species will be given all that is required to meet their needs. To commit this crime is an Undeniable Transgression.   Ⅲ: The Crime of Knives. The Human Genome is to remain untouched. It may be repaired, or modified minorly to prevent future disease, but no further. To commit this crime is an Undeniable Trangression

The Sins, or any of the pictograms, seem to follow no particular order, simply being listed so as to not put one crime above the other.