NationStates Jolt Archive

Mrs. Rain, a small Alversian female with long brown hair and choclate colored eyes, stood behind her desk, getting her papers in order. The classroom sat 20 people at a time, with dark green plastic desks arranged in neat rows. The walls were covered with pictures and posters of the galaxy, as well as some various sayings from famous diplomats. Mrs. Rain sighed and sat in her chair, ready for the first wave of students.

Pat cautiously stuck his head into the door, he wanted to be early because he knew this would be his toughest course. "Is this Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe?" He asked the small lady behind the desk.

Excusing themselves to the student who was peering in the door, Indigo with Kai at her side entered the classroom and gave her Professor, Mrs. Rain, a deep bow before choosing seats in the center of the rear most row of seats. Once seated with her sword across her lap Indigo drew pair of small PADDs out of their pockets in her wide obi. Handing one to Kai she looked at the professor, waiting to hear her reply to the students question.

Indigo was certain she had the right class, for the Professor's appearance - long brown hair and chocolate hued eyes -matched that in the informational data base what she had been given as a new student.

Rain nodded. "Indeed it is. Take a seat anywere while we wait to see if anyone else shows up. Classes on the first day are always rather...hectic."

Pat shrugged and took a seat in the exact middle of the class pulled out his laptop and prepared to take notes on the days lecture.

The room was sterile, the instructor small and neat. Gerrak felt his cord-"Not Eating and Who Not To Eat". He remembered that was what Bobbo had called it when he bound the cord, but it's real name eluded him.
"MizRayn? Me Gerrak Krag-diz rite room?"
"Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe, Mr. Krag." she said. "Please be seated."
"Ya, MizRayn." he bobbed submissively and scurried to his seat, where he crouched above his chair instead of sitting crosslegged on the floor behind it as he did in the other classes.
As he waited for class to begin, he arranged his weaving post carefully and removed and blessed his fetish of Argan Argar, placing it reverently on the desk near the weaving post. This class was far too important not to be meticulous in his notes, and he trusted Muri knot-writing far more than Xiscapian script. As the potential Voivode, dealing with other races was of paramount importance and this class could well determine Muri foreign policy. He refused to fail, and bent his full attention to Miss Rain.

Mrs. Rain gave a tiny sigh. "I think this is all we're going to get, so let's get started." She passed out datapads with several questions on them. "These are pre-tests, just to see what you know, they will not be graded, nor are youe expected to pass on your first try."

NAME:
DATE:
PERIOD:
INSTRUCTOR:
CLASS:
Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia?
2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved?
3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station?
4. What is the IoM?
5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador?

OOC: The first two questions are complete B.S., write whatever the hell you want. However, any RPer worth their salt should know the answers to questions 4 and 3, and number 5 can be found in my Factbook.

[QUOTE=Xiscapia;13117787]Mrs. Rain gave a tiny sigh. "I think this is all we're going to get, so let's get started." She passed out datapads with several questions on them. "These are pre-tests, just to see what you know, they will not be graded, nor are youe expected to pass on your first try."
Gerrak was grateful for that much, and carefully printed out the answers as they came to him:
NAME:Gerrak Krag(here he sighed-at least one answer would be correct)
DATE:Moonday of Fiveweek in Fire Season(So far, this test was not as bad as he thought-two correct answers)
PERIOD:Rune that ends sentence(Sweet Kyger Litor-he was a much better student than he thought)
INSTRUCTOR:Miss Rain(He couldn't believe his luck-this test was simple!)
CLASS:Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe(Halfway through and he was already precisely correct in his responses-perhaps these tests were not so bad as he thought)
Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia? This war took place before the Muri interacted with Alversia, and is unknown to me.(He thought long and hard, and decided honesty was best here)
2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved? The Ordo Annilla selectively assassinated key individuals so the Crisis would play out in a way pleasing to the Voivode. Once these individuals were no longer exacerbating the situation, cooler heads could prevail.(While he knew this was technically a State Secret, the Nublian Crisis was so long ago the major participants were long dead, and Bobbo told him to be open and honest with these folk.)
3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station? A diplomatic forum for the various races to negotiate peaceful relations and trade, the Station lies to the west of Magasta's Node, below the Eye of the Stormlord, far enough away it's flicker takes five years to reach our skies.(While uncertain of this, he remembered Bobbo telling him of this place and pointing it out to him before coming to the Academy)
4. What is the IoM?I have no idea.(The runes were strange-possibly the trolls called it something else, or had no interaction with it)
5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador?The Ambassador Dorrek brought us peace and friendship from Xiscapia and arranged for me to come here.(While Gerrak had never heard of Xiscapia before Bobbo sending him to the Academy, who would they send to the Muri but their main ambassador?)

Gerrak sat back and rubbed his suffering eyes. The runes were so small, and transcribing in them was stressful. His writing looked so clumsy and blocky next to the small, precise hand of Miss Rain. Hesitantly, he handed his sheet back, and hoped for the best.

Mrs. Rain silently collected Gerrak's sheet. "Congratulations, you're the first done." She sat down at her desk and studied the student's sheet for some time.

NAME:Gerrak Krag
DATE:Moonday of Fiveweek in Fire Season
PERIOD:Rune that ends sentence
INSTRUCTOR:Miss Rain
CLASS:Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe
Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia? This war took place before the Muri interacted with Alversia, and is unknown to me.
2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved? The Ordo Annilla selectively assassinated key individuals so the Crisis would play out in a way pleasing to the Voivode. Once these individuals were no longer exacerbating the situation, cooler heads could prevail.
3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station? A diplomatic forum for the various races to negotiate peaceful relations and trade, the Station lies to the west of Magasta's Node, below the Eye of the Stormlord, far enough away it's flicker takes five years to reach our skies.
4. What is the IoM? I have no idea.
5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador?The Ambassador Dorrek brought us peace and friendship from Xiscapia and arranged for me to come here.

While questions 1 and 4 had not been answered, and question 5 was wrong, Mrs. Rain saw promise in the student, dispite the relative ignorance of the troll. Question 2's answer was correct, although a little more detail would have been apprechiated. Question 3 was well answered and, if her troll astronomy was without fault, entirely correct. And the bottom she wrote:

While the student is obviously uninformed about much of the galaxy and general universe, he answered questions 2 and 3 with an insightfulness and attention to detail that surprised me. I see promise in this student, and a great potential. Coming here was the right thing for him to do.
Mrs. Rain carefully put the test in a drawer and waited for the other students to finish.

Mrs. Rain silently collected Gerrak's sheet. "Congratulations, you're the first done." She sat down at her desk and studied the student's sheet for some time.

NAME:Gerrak Krag
DATE:Moonday of Fiveweek in Fire Season
PERIOD:Rune that ends sentence
INSTRUCTOR:Miss Rain
CLASS:Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe
Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia? This war took place before the Muri interacted with Alversia, and is unknown to me.
2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved? The Ordo Annilla selectively assassinated key individuals so the Crisis would play out in a way pleasing to the Voivode. Once these individuals were no longer exacerbating the situation, cooler heads could prevail.
3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station? A diplomatic forum for the various races to negotiate peaceful relations and trade, the Station lies to the west of Magasta's Node, below the Eye of the Stormlord, far enough away it's flicker takes five years to reach our skies.
4. What is the IoM? I have no idea.
5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador?The Ambassador Dorrek brought us peace and friendship from Xiscapia and arranged for me to come here.

While questions 1 and 4 had not been answered, and question 5 was wrong, Mrs. Rain saw promise in the student, dispite the relative ignorance of the troll. Question 2's answer was correct, although a little more detail would have been apprechiated. Question 3 was well answered and, if her troll astronomy was without fault, entirely correct. And the bottom she wrote:

While the student is obviously uninformed about much of the galaxy and general universe, he answered questions 2 and 3 with an insightfulness and attention to detail that surprised me. I see promise in this student, and a great potential. Coming here was the right thing for him to do.
Mrs. Rain carefully put the test in a drawer and waited for the other students to finish.

Lerek strolled in, and picked up a test, nodding at the teacher complacently.

NAME: Lerek T'velya.
DATE: The First Year of Chaos, Ascendancy Moon, Elamantine Phase.
PERIOD: First.
INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Rain.
CLASS: Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe
Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia?
The First "Freedom" War of Alversia had more than two major sides, although many consider differently. Although both the rebels and loyalists could be considered major sides, the fact remains that many different lobbies were on each side, and, as policy of each group changed throughout the war, many switched sides. For instance, as the main rebel leader brought out a land distribution plan for after the war, a huge amount of property-owners switched over to the loyalists. Furthermore, the freetraders and the 'old' merchants constituted signficant sides, as they provided their respective militaries with valuable supplies. However, at its most basic, the rebels and the loyalists, (or the Freedom Army and the loyalists, as each side called themselves) were the two opposing sides in the Freedom War.

2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved?
The Nublian Crisis remains a strange incident that was not truly 'resolved', but rather brought to rest as the majority of the perpetrators managed to kill each other off over time. Unlike most blood feuds, the exhausting of resources left the Voivoide willing to negotiate, despite their high ground. Some have said they employed assassins to ensure all went their way, but no historical proof of this has of yet been given.

3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station?
The Pax Pacis station is approximately two hundred lightyears, corewards, from the Seat of House T'velya. It is a minor station of little importance to the Fenarine Houses or any they have made contact with.

4. What is the IoM?
The Imperium of Man is a admirable organization for its stance on mutants. It seeks to bring forth the glory of mankind, and allow man to take his rightful place as ruler of the cosmos. Although mankind already dominates over lesser species with his almost infinite might and power, it is the goal of the Imperium of Man to ensure this continues forever.

5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador?
Vanadict, although this is merely a title. His name is kept secret, presumably because of some rustic custom.

Lerek strolled in, and picked up a test, nodding at the teacher complacently.

NAME: Lerek T'velya.
DATE: The First Year of Chaos, Ascendancy Moon, Elamantine Phase.
PERIOD: First.
INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Rain.
CLASS: Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe
Please write in complete sentences.
1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia?
The First "Freedom" War of Alversia had more than two major sides, although many consider differently. Although both the rebels and loyalists could be considered major sides, the fact remains that many different lobbies were on each side, and, as policy of each group changed throughout the war, many switched sides. For instance, as the main rebel leader brought out a land distribution plan for after the war, a huge amount of property-owners switched over to the loyalists. Furthermore, the freetraders and the 'old' merchants constituted signficant sides, as they provided their respective militaries with valuable supplies. However, at its most basic, the rebels and the loyalists, (or the Freedom Army and the loyalists, as each side called themselves) were the two opposing sides in the Freedom War.

2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved?
The Nublian Crisis remains a strange incident that was not truly 'resolved', but rather brought to rest as the majority of the perpetrators managed to kill each other off over time. Unlike most blood feuds, the exhausting of resources left the Voivoide willing to negotiate, despite their high ground. Some have said they employed assassins to ensure all went their way, but no historical proof of this has of yet been given.

3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station?
The Pax Pacis station is approximately two hundred lightyears, corewards, from the Seat of House T'velya. It is a minor station of little importance to the Fenarine Houses or any they have made contact with.

4. What is the IoM?
The Imperium of Man is a admirable organization for its stance on mutants. It seeks to bring forth the glory of mankind, and allow man to take his rightful place as ruler of the cosmos. Although mankind already dominates over lesser species with his almost infinite might and power, it is the goal of the Imperium of Man to ensure this continues forever.

5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador?
Vanadict, although this is merely a title. His name is kept secret, presumably because of some rustic custom.

Mrs. Rain studied the test. There was an undeniable arrogance in the students answers, especially in questions 3 and 4. Question 1 was correct, although the Alversians took a rather more black and white view on the subject. Ironically, the troll who, likely according to this human's views was an inferior being, seemed to know more about the Nublian Crisis than the human. Question 3 had seemed to be of little importance to the student as it "is a minor station of little importance to the Fenarine Houses or any they have made contact with". The most disturbing thing was the praise for the IoM, who Xiscapians and their allies regard with a general hate and fear.

The student exibits knowledge of the galaxy, yet seems to be biased in his views, notably on the IoM policy. While undoubtly intelligent, a arrogance can be sensed even on the paper. Will wait for further results.

(OOC:while I acknowledge the Muri involvement in the Nulbian Crisis is all bullshit as instructed, doesn't mention of the Voivode-who wasn't officially involved, indicate the human supremacist was copying off the troll? I mention this only because, if the troll finds out, he will eat the guy as a societal obligation)

OOC: I have no problem with your troll trying to eat the guy. Security will detain you, of course, but they might be a little...late. You'd have to talk this one out with HT.

(OOC:while I acknowledge the Muri involvement in the Nulbian Crisis is all bullshit as instructed, doesn't mention of the Voivode-who wasn't officially involved, indicate the human supremacist was copying off the troll? I mention this only because, if the troll finds out, he will eat the guy as a societal obligation)

OOC: Hardly. Xiscapia stated that the test was more-or-less 'bullshit'. OOCly, that is. Nevertheless, I figured that keeping the answers relatively similiar (so that, perhaps, so measure of continuity could be established regarding the question) would be advantageous to making it look like the students had learned the same things. If you have a problem with that, I can easily edit it.

(OOC:no problems at all- my responses were those of a primitive thrust suddenly into a future world-as are my immediate responses. The actions of the Voivodate during the Nulbian crisis were listed-in game-as being State Secrets-since it's a simple test, anyone outside of the instructor will face certain penalties as regards their disclosure.)

OOC: I assumed the assassinations themselves were state secrets, not the participation of the Voivodate in the whatever thingy.

NAME: Pat McDoolin
DATE: The eight Wednesday in ordinary time
PERIOD: Diplomacy
INSTRUCTOR: Professor Rain
CLASS: Diplomacy
Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia? The Combines and the Alversians. However the name of this war has been repeatedly used in other revolutionary actions around the galaxy.
2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved? The insertion of an elite group of soldiers.
3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station? A satellite where the nations of the galaxy come to discuss peace and diplomacy
4. What is the IoM? A group of human supremacists who have, for a wile, been suspected of multiple terroristic activities.
5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador? ...Unfortunetly i was never informed of this because my country just came out of Isolationism 1 year ago

OOC: I assumed the assassinations themselves were state secrets, not the participation of the Voivodate in the whatever thingy.
They're one and the same-the Ordo Annilla are the Voivodate's secret police-the Nublian Crisis was cutting off the trade routes by which various nations dealing with the Muri were sending payments, which made the Muri Voivode wish to resolve the situation-I just dropped a political timebomb in class somewhat naively, but since the only people who remember the Crisis are Muri, it's just an adjunct to Xiscapian history.

OOC: ..and this is why made-up questions make things hard, no?

NAME: Pat McDoolin
DATE: The eight Wednesday in ordinary time
PERIOD: Diplomacy
INSTRUCTOR: Professor Rain
CLASS: Diplomacy
Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia? The Combines and the Alversians. However the name of this war has been repeatedly used in other revolutionary actions around the galaxy.
2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved? The insertion of an elite group of soldiers.
3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station? A satellite where the nations of the galaxy come to discuss peace and diplomacy
4. What is the IoM? A group of human supremacists who have, for a wile, been suspected of multiple terroristic activities.
5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador? ...Unfortunetly i was never informed of this because my country just came out of Isolationism 1 year ago

Student does not seem to know most of the answers. While he has the basics, the background is not apparent. Needs work.

OOC: ..and this is why made-up questions make things hard, no?

Eh-you just put the propaganda your nation would inculcate your character with and have fun with it. The first person in could have easily made it a labor strike or nuclear meltdown or riots due to famine-in fact, I don't think anyone has said exactly what the Nulbian Crisis was yet, only how it was resolved. We should probably make it something fairly innocuous, like a space-traffic controllers strike or a popcorn shortage, settled by assassinations and mass combat-lol

NAME: Indigo Blue
DATE:Taditha 9th, being the 7th day after the First Moon of Fall; Celestia Imperia Nova Nippon*
PERIOD: Nations of the Universe
INSTRUCTOR: Miss Rain
CLASS:Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe

Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia? My apologies, I have not studied the history of Alversia
2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved? This I have not studied, again my apologies
3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station?This I have not studied, my apologies
4. What is the IoM?This I have not studied, my apologies
5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador? The Vanadic is the name taken by the Xiscapian at large senoir diplomat.

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

NAME: Kai
DATE:by which dating system?
PERIOD: Nations of the Universe
INSTRUCTOR: Miss Rain
CLASS:Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe

Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia? Unknown
2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved? unknown
3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station?unknown
4. What is the IoM?Unknown
5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador? The Vanadic is the name taken by Xiscapia's senior diplomat.

Both of them handed in their papers seperately.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OOC: I did a complete computerized search through your fact book here at NS, (after reading your factbook and failing to find either ) and IoM weapons are mentioned but nothing more about it, and nothing about Pax Paxis... so if there is another fact book other than the one linked in your sig...Cause I am a damned good RPer, and may miss things, but, when they don't exist, don't say such.

NAME: Indigo Blue
DATE:Taditha 9th, being the 7th day after the First Moon of Fall; Celestia Imperia Nova Nippon*
PERIOD: Nations of the Universe
INSTRUCTOR: Miss Rain
CLASS:Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe

Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia? My apologies, I have not studied the history of Alversia
2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved? This I have not studied, again my apologies
3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station?This I have not studied, my apologies
4. What is the IoM?This I have not studied, my apologies
5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador? The Vanadic is the name taken by the Xiscapian at large senoir diplomat.

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

NAME: Kai
DATE:by which dating system?
PERIOD: Nations of the Universe
INSTRUCTOR: Miss Rain
CLASS:Diplomacy and Nations of the Universe

Please write in complete sentences.

1. Who were the two major sides in the First Freedom War of Alversia? Unknown
2. How was the Nublian Crisis resolved? unknown
3. What and where is the Pax Pacis station?unknown
4. What is the IoM?Unknown
5. Who is Xiscapia's main Ambassador? The Vanadic is the name taken by Xiscapia's senior diplomat.

Both of them handed in their papers seperately.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OOC: I did a complete computerized search through your fact book here at NS, (after reading your factbook and failing to find either ) and IoM weapons are mentioned but nothing more about it, and nothing about Pax Paxis... so if there is another fact book other than the one linked in your sig...Cause I am a damned good RPer, and may miss things, but, when they don't exist, don't say such.

OOC: I'm sorry, but Pax Pacis and the IoM should be mentioned, I suppose I didn't put them in. I RP FT almost exclusivly, so I thought everyone knew what Pax Pacis and the IoM is.
Mrs. Rain looked over both papers. At the bottom she wrote:
Work is definitly needed. As with most students, they are not stupid or lax, just ignorant.

OOC: I'm sorry, but Pax Pacis and the IoM should be mentioned, I suppose I didn't put them in. I RP FT almost exclusivly, so I thought everyone knew what Pax Pacis and the IoM is.
Mrs. Rain looked over both papers. At the bottom she wrote:
Work is definitly needed. As with most students, they are not stupid or lax, just ignorant.

OOC: Nah, its more a case of "aim higher" in the things you think everyone should have heard of ;)

OOC: I did a complete computerized search through your fact book here at NS, (after reading your factbook and failing to find either ) and IoM weapons are mentioned but nothing more about it, and nothing about Pax Paxis... so if there is another fact book other than the one linked in your sig...Cause I am a damned good RPer, and may miss things, but, when they don't exist, don't say such.

OOC: You may have misread Xiscapia's post.

However, any RPer worth their salt should know the answers to questions 4 and 3, and number 5 can be found in my Factbook.

He said number 5 can be found in his factbook - not numbers 3 and 4. Admittedly, knowing what the Imperium of Man is would require you either having played with one of those RPers before, or being a fan of Warhammer 40k, so it's forgivable. The same with Pax Pacis, except there's no canon to draw on. Since I never, ever, ever go into those damned space station threads that were ten a penny around then (Even though Tappee is a good writer), it didn't stick in my mind. (Also, I was probably inactive during the one month it took place).

Of course, I just searched the ol' forums.

EDIT: Also, yeah. Major wars, the big alliances.. maybe that's ok to say you 'must've' heard of. But honestly, one minor space station? From an IC point-of-view, it seems like a rather minor thing to ask about.

OOC: It is, I just threw that one in there. We should be using the OOC thread, please. Also, Mr. Forworn has answered your character's question, HT.

OOC: It is, I just threw that one in there. We should be using the OOC thread, please. Also, Mr. Forworn has answered your character's question, HT.

OOC:this is Diplomacy taught by Miss Rain-Mister Forworn is History

OOC: I know, I'm just letting HT know in this thread, instead of History or the OOC thread.

A Visitor's Guide to Pamaltela
Very few visitors to Pamaltela ever leave the planet, or leave in the digestive tract of a Muri. The reasons for this are simple-Muri society is a collective agreement between various priesthoods, and take offense rather easily. There are dire consequences for offending a Muri, most of which involve becoming food. Every adult Muri is a member of one or more priesthoods, any as such we tend to take religion more seriously than most races. It is very easy to offend by ignorance, but the Muri do not accept ignorance as an excuse any more than other races.
Getting to Pamaltela
Pamaltela floats in an energy cloud that interacts oddly with the magnetic field of the planet, and has an odd effect on other forms of energy. Transporters, transit beams, and transmat all disperse the atoms of whatever is transported into the cloud-so teleporting to the surface is a very bad idea. Firing on the planet is also a bad idea, as the cloud will arc it's own energies along the beam, usually destroying whatever has fired upon the planet, and absorbing whatever was fired into itself. The only way to get to Pamaltela is to use a Gate, and the Gates are property of the Ordo Arkati, or to fly down, where the landing facilities are in the spaceport we call Big Rubble. Big Rubble is the only public spaceport on the planet, though certain Orders maintain others for private use, and the Clanking City is rumored to have one. However, the Clanking City is cursed and shunned, filled only with mad spirits and vengeful entities, so emerging from there will not gain friends.
Taboo
The Muri observe many taboos-actions that provoke an immediate death sentance. Violating a taboo will get you killed with no exceptions. It is good manners to inquire as to local taboos, so do not fear asking. The universal taboos are as follows:
*Do not use fire
*Do not use light
*Do not insult the mothers
*Do not carry the remains of trolls with you(unless you are returning them)
*Do not have troll spirits trapped in fetishes
*Do not stare overlong at members of the Warrior Orders
*Do not touch a troll's possessions unless told it is permitted
*Do not annoy our females, especially if they hold additional status
*Do not advertise any political leanings non-trollish in origin
*Do not eat food unless offered or permitted
*Do not touch children or go near children
These actions bring an automatic death sentance and must be avoided.
Have an Escort
One can sidestep many of the societal niceties of trolls by having a troll tag along, especially if they are large and/or possess some standing in society. Such an escort can present your case to the local authorities, get you into a stronghold, and prevent you from being food. Troll laws and the protections offered do not apply to non-trolls, and while the Sacred Motherhood will regard you as your escort's property, this is much better than being ignored by them totally. Certain orders are more trustworthy in this regard than others, and the Ordo Argan Argari are the best choice. Do not trust the Ordo Zorak Zorani unless you have fought alongside them against a common foe, and even then, they can be dangerous to non-trolls, as can many of the more conservative orders.
Ritual Greetings
Every society has it's own greeting ritual, and it is best to inquire should you know to whom you intend to speak. However, most Muri will acknowledge the Padding Ritual. Pad your weapons, tying them up in cloth, and enter openly, with no attempt at stealth, chanting "Korkakor kakchakig takachikoar kaor nagganchakal". Very few non-trolls can speak our tongue properly, so get it approximately correct and it will be understood. Do not stop chanting until the sentries acknowledge you. There will be a test, but this varies by customs of the leaders. Some clans will throw rocks to see if you can take a hit, others will issue a drinking challenge, others wrestle. You can suggest your own challenge, but it may not be acceptable. Again, issued to the right individual, it may be taken up and you're in the clear. Good sportsmanship means more than success here: cheating will get you a reputation for deceit while losing with grace gives you a reputation for being honorable. Generally speaking, if you issue a challenge to the best-dressed troll you see, it will become a matter of honor for them to accept, but this is not an absolute.
It is not necessary to win the challenge, but failure to do so gives you the status of property. Some trolls will beat you and take your possessions, but no troll will kill you out-of-hand. A troll who does will find himself fed to your survivors by the local authorities. This ritual will gain you admittance for two nights and a day unless extended by the local authorities.
Troll Etiquette
Trolls are best treated with respect and with distance. Get too close, and it may be considered an attack, or a challenge. Trolls often challenge each other to learn the mettle of an unknown-and as a non-troll you will be an unknown. Trolls will push, shove, punch, and start fights on a regular basis-this isn't rudeness or an attempt to slay, unless the troll is Zorak Zorani or has lost family to raiders, but an attempt to learn an unknown's capabilities. If a troll pushes you, it's acceptable to push back-but be ready for a shoving match. It's probably best to issue a challenge-drinking, target, arm-wrestling, etcetera. Such challenges are friendly affairs, and rarely result in maiming or death.
As a final mote, be very careful in disagreeing with a troll. If you make too big an issue or a fuss over disagreement, the troll may consider it a slight on his honor, and duelling is legal in our society. Be polite but firm, and give the appearance the troll is far superior to you, hence your disagreement, and the matter is dropped in a good natured way.
Do not stare or point
Staring overlong is considered an attempt to attack or steal, and much frowned upon. Pointing is the height of rudeness-trolls are strong in what the kitsune call "the Force", and this action is enough to level an attack. It will be responded to as an attack, so consider this warning.
Eating
Trolls are very particular about food-not what they eat so much as how and where they eat it. Eating in public can get an alien killed, and trolls will not press legal action in murders where food is involved. It is good manners to offer a troll food before starting a conversation, and bad manners to take food. In troll lands, eat in private or when told to. If a troll offers food, this is an attempt to befriend. Trolls do not give food lightly, and refusal to eat is the height of ill manners. Always eat at least a portion of what the troll gives you-refusal is the direst insult and taken as an act of hostility by even the mellowest of trolls. Do not cook in troll lands-they don't like fire or light and treat it as a threat. Cooking is arson to a troll.
The Importance of Connections
Trolls don't know offworlders as more than food, so troll allies should be trumpeted as well as the closeness of your association. Those who respect your troll friend will respect you in their honor. The downside to this is that enemies will attempt to harm you to slight the ally, even kill you if they hate the troll enough. Little gifts can help, but only to females-while well-respected in troll society, the circumstances of troll pregnancy bar them from holding public office, other than as magistrates, so no one will suspect bribery.
On Blending In
You won't. However, the attempt is appreciated, so try to be as silent as possible. Trolls have extraordinarily keen hearing, so you're going to be noisy to them, and such noisiness during the day will result in items being tossed out windows at you. Most trolls can hear the Force, so be wary there as well. While shamans are given a wide berth, troll shamans are very jealous of using the Force in their territory.
Be very careful what soaps you use-trolls have sensitive noses, and the wrong soap can make you smell bad-or worse, delicious. Try to wear everything made of a single material, and be careful of jewelry-troll jewelry is made to mark significant events, and wearing it advertises you have actually experienced these events. Costume jewelry is scorned, so wear it with the knowledge local wits will mock you. Trolls do not give jewelry-jewelry is earned.
Minding Your Own Business
Don't pry into trollish matters of religion or hunting. Don't proselytize-the only trolls not already priests are off-limits to offworlders, and attempting to convert a priest is grounds for a duel. Don't ask trolls about their religion-it is an intensely personal and private matter. If a troll wants you to see their sacred sites, they'll take you-asking is an indication you intend to loot. If you want to hear our myths, befriend us and we'll tell you the ones important to the matter at hand-don't ask to hear them as some stories are only for trolls. Don't ask to see troll magic or displays of the Force-if we trust you, we will allow you to observe, but these matters are not light to trolls and it is not done for amusement. Trolls are intensely private about these things and will have no compunctions about eating you if you become annoying on the subject.
Avoid Making Enemies
Trolls hold grudges, and since they will live forever, barring accident or disease, they are very patient. Killing a troll is of no consequence-they love a good scrap, and accept death as one of the results of fighting. Not returning the body for proper disposal, or worse, cremating it, is quite another. If you should kill a troll, you must either return the remains to trolls, leave the body in the open to be found, or tell trolls where to find it. Trolls are meticulous in the disposition of the dead, and will seek revenge for fallen not disposed of properly, even if it takes generations to find the perpetrators and mete out justice, so make sure your ancestors did not do any of these things, either.

Mrs. Rain collected Gerrak's extra credit paper and read over it. "Very good. This was quite informative. 50 extra credit points."
OOC: Now that I've read that I want to go there. Would it be possible for me to send a diplomat to find out more about troll culture to your world?

OOC:let me wag my finger at you all--wagwag--this is an ideal forum to extoll the societal niceties of your own cultures, and you all refrain. Without societal niceties, how do you have a basis for social interaction, much less diplomatic relations?)

In a nation such as Dynamic Revolution that completely revolves around its Military, social niceties are simple and family and friend orientated. For the first 50-60 years of any Dynamic Revolutionary's life consist of development and Military training (although many only serve the required 2 years). It is only after military service that citizens can enter the world of politics (think of something similar to the 5th century Sparta minus a head patriarch).

Military
Military tradition runs deep in Dynamic Revolution because of this fact many social problems don't exist. Women and minorities are treated equally in all facets of life. It is easy to become a citizen. All one must do is serve in the military for the required 2 years. Upon signing the agreement people are given their citizens I.D. and so are treated like all other citizens. Women have served with distinction in all of the branches in the Military and even surpassed their male counter parts in many respects (sniping seems to be the most common). They often hold political office, and Military leadership positions. The downside to this setup is the population of Dynamic Revolution grows slowly due to the low birth rates. The DR military is fairly specialized, soldiers are given 3 options upon entering the Military. They must pick one of these three options to be their MOS (they are given various psych, personality, intelligence, physical fitness, etc evaluations to determine where they would most likely do well). After this they are shipped off to a 6 month basic training (which can be skipped if they attended a Military prep school as Pat did), and after that they are trained in their specialties.

Greeting
Greetings include the standard hand shake, although people that are considered "close" friends will usually give each other hugs. When meeting with someone of higher Military, Political, or social power it is common practice to salute (with your right hand). The salute should be crisp, and quick. The less powerful man instigates the salute, which he holds until the receiver either salutes back, or leaves the general area. If meeting somebody at your house it is common to ask if they have eaten recently. It is considered "Impolite" to lie. However whether you lie or not you will usually find your self eating at the family table surrounded by the family of the host.

Meals
Meals are not ordeals in Dynamic Revolution they are events (think similar to Italian customs). The food is often simple if it is just the family eating together, however this rarely happens. Usually there will be anywhere from 20-30 people sitting at one table laughing and generally enjoying life. In such occasions there will be several small portions of various foods, including breads, cheeses, pasta, meats, and vegetables. Wine is often served with meals. Soft drinks are not used at meals (although they do exist), usually people drink water, milk, lemonade, and as stated above wine. The "Dinner" meal usually last around three hours. After the meal games, sports, stories and various other methods of entertainment are enjoyed. After these are through everybody at the meal helps clean and do dishes (politeness insists).

Family
Families in Dynamic Revolution are generally small. The parents and two kids is the norm. However living under one roof will generally be the extended family. The oldest son (upon reaching 18) will be given the house and the land surrounding it, if there is no son the land is given to the eldest daughter. Tradition states that they allow all family (extended to the 3rd cousin) to live in their house if family members don't have one of their own. Often times Comrades from the military are considered family and live in the house as well. Families usually eat dinner together(with dinner guests and their families). This tradition has been in practice sense the Grand Revolution when DR got its independence from the United States of the Hard Working Man.

Religion
In DR there is no one religion although Christianity is by far the most common. The way people interpret God is just as diverse as the population its self. The most common interpretation is a strong "Warrior", though He is kind and merciful. In this interpretation God is quick to defend his people, and on rare occasions has allowed the expansion of the territories of His people. Prayer is a common practice and is always done right before any patrol or battle. The dead are revered, and to die in combat is an honor. The dead must be returned to the family before buried. If they died in combat they are buried at one of the Military cemeteries. If not the family has the option of where they want them buried.

Government
The running of DR is done by three separate but equal entities. They consist of
The Military-responsible for the the soldiers(including, feeding, clothing, punishing etc.) and technological advances, whether Tactical or Practical.
The Government-Made up of politicians. Responsible for all social aspects of life (education, health care, taxation etc.)
The People-Responsible for the human aspect of life (drug research, food production, punishment of non-military personnel)

OOC:How would i go about creating a factbook?

Mrs. Rain collected Pat's paper. "Good job, twenty-five points."
OOC: It's simple. Just title a thread "Dynamic Revolutions FT Factbook" and get to work. Culture, military, economy, stats, history, important people; It all goes in. See my factbook if you need examples. TG me the link for it when you're done, will ya? BTW, if you do see my factbook, please comment. Thanks!

The Celestial Imperia of Nova Nippon

All society in Nova Nippon is based into which Court you are born into. Please note that Nova Nipponis not a Terran derived society/ culture, but many terms have been taken from historical Japan / Japanese Culture - imported and adopted by the Novan culture. Nor is it purely Japanese culture- they have adopted some Terran Arabic, Egyptain, as well as non human cultures. Novas speak Novan among themsel'ves as well as having as national languages Japanese, Xas, and Tanaran. There are many non Novan residents within the Imperia, but they can not be Citizens.

The Imperial Court- The Lightening - or as it should be more properly termed the Divine One's Court. The Emperor of Nova Nippon is a living god, both in acutality and as so condsidered by those of the Imperia. The Divine One's Court is comprised of the Emperor/ Empress and his or her extended family. While technicaaly the highest and most important court, the Divine One actually only has anything resembling 'power' or 'influence' in the spiritual and moral realms, though in theory all things flow from the Divine One down to those belwo him. Due to the inbreeding to Kami many of this Court have psionics and the ability to access magical powers

The Shogun's Court - The Sword - The Shogun weilds ALL military power and as Nova Nippon is an empire that reveres and revolves around warfare, the Shogun has the most power. The Shogun's Court is comprised of all of those of the Samurai caste - And there are many levels within this Caste from those that are little more than mercinaries to the great Clan heads- the Damiyo's. There are five specific families that can hold the office of Shogun, and all five have this right due to past intermarriage with the Divine One's. N No member of this caste woudl damage their honor and their linnegage - more important to them than wealth or present power - by indulging in anything so crass as Commoner's Affairs. If they are not in the military, some of the acceptable pursuits are : Medicine, Teaching, Law Enforcement, Diplomacy, Barrister, Councilor, Explorer, to name some

The Taiko's Court - The Word - This is the largest of the Courts and theoretically the least powerful. This Court hold and administers the entire non military bureaucracy of the Imperia. And like the Samurai cast the commoner's caste has many levels with in it. This is Court is powerful due to it's wealth, for it controlls all commerce within the Imperia. Though all of those who engage in commerce must have liscense to do so from the Samurai clan they owe giri to.

Jannissaries:

It is the commoners however that supply the base on which the Imperia's powerful military is built. The base of the Imperial military is the Jannissaries. Technically they are commoners but over the generations they are family lines and even entire clans that serve wholey in the military in enlisted up through the highest level of noncommissioned officers. The are trained from birth and undergo extensive bioaugmentation. They are fanatically loyal and fearless. Given the best equipment, constatnly training and well rewarded socially they form the top ranks of the Taiko's Court. All most all posts of any note in the Imperia bureaucracy go to retired Jannassaries.

Misc Notes:

All male Novans, save for the Divine One's Court, owe Giri service to the Empire, a minimum of four years service. Female Novans owe a minimum of two years and one child to the Imperia. This service is not necessarily in the military. One can choose not to perform this Giri but one is then stripped of ones citizenship. Taxes for non citizens are very heavy. Once the Giri time is up a citzen can choose to stay in service and their base salary and perks go up trememdously. Many chose never to leave, particularly among the Samurai caste.

Gender equality is the standard, with it so common as to when meeting a culture where gender inequality is the norm, the Novan will generally find it baffleing and incomprehensible. However it is acknowledged that males and females have different physical and mental strengthts and weaknesses on a general basis. Female Novans handle the split second reactions needed for a aerospace fighter pilot and starcraft point defense officer exceptionally well, and thusly they make up over 70% of those two areas. Male Novan's tend to be an average of four inches taller and proportionally more muscular and they handle the often heavy 'squad weapons better. It is never an issue of gender but of ability.

Marriage is uncommon outside one's strata within ones caste and very rarely outside one's caste. Among commoners marriages are, by vast majority, group marriages, averaging five husbands and wives in a marriage. There are slightly more group marriages with three wives and two husabnds over three husbands and two wives. These marriage only average 'one replacement' child per adult pus two.

Living arrangements tend to be thusly for commoners- When a group marriage first forms they live seperately- just those of the marriage - for a few years, "getting things worked out time' and after about five to seven years they move in with one of the extended families. Some times all the extended families for a group marriage will merge - It's not unusual to find seventy to eghty people living in one massive building that sprawls over acres. Even if that doesn't happen, there tends to be three to four generations living in one house hold. Elders are revered and never left to live alone unless that is their choice. Often in the miliatry all of those in a unit and their families will live together, bonding very closely.

Among the Samurai , over the last three thousand years, it has been almost wholely one male with a maximum of three wives and as many concubines - from commoner stock -as he could support. There have been a number noteable Samurai women who have had multiple husbands, and a Samurai woman - married or unmaried - has always had the right to take as many lovers - as long as they were Samurai- as they wished. Becoming a Samurais's concubine has traditionally be a way for a commoner to ensure her childrens future, for they would be born samurai - though such a woman would give up all contact to her old family/ clan, and is often treated with distain or dismissal by the wives of the concubine's master.

Novan's are not homo sapiens sapiens, but can and have interbred with them. Novan lifespan averages about 300 years with biological maturity about 20 to 22 years of age.

OOC: You do have a sig, Nova!
IC: Mrs. Rain studied Indigo's report for some time. "Well done. Forty Extra credit points."
OOC2: While your nations seems to be a stong allie and fierce enemy, I wouldn't want to live there, no offense.

OOC: I never said it was a pretty culture - it isn't in many ways - and I haven't mentioned - yet- the fact that they keep slaves, and the general punishment for a huge variety of infringements of perogatives is beheading...

Thank you Mrs. Rain.

Kais paper ws blank save for a single symbol, what when gazed upon transported one - mentally - into a world of ...

There is another dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity, knowing neither limitation, time or mortality. It is the onbred ground between light and dark, between science and superstition, and for some it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. It is a never ending journey into a wondrous Realm whose boundaries are only those of imagination It is the Realm which we call the High Plane of the Gods...

and Mrs. Rain will come back not remembering much of anything save as you chose

OOC: Slaves. Xiscapians hate those who keep slaves, and those who would make them that way. Futile death is another thing that pisses them off. Generally, they don't piss off easily, but a few certain things.
1. Slavery
2. Slaughter of Innocents
3. Rape
4. Betrayel
5. Genocide
These will get you executed or shunned for life. Naturally, number 4 can be interprited in many different ways, so things can get confusing...

OOC:Aren't these all things the Xiscapians did in the Korr War? What, was it their Vietnam?

OCC: Slavery started out as penal slavery, which became true, pssed down through generations about 3,000 years ago.
Even though the Novans are slightly xenophobic, they've never gone in for genocide.
No they do not slaughter Innocents, civilains or captured prisoners.
Rape get one killed in an particularly appaling and painful way, and if it can be traced back to improper reaing by ones family, guess what...
Betrayal...the most popular sport in the courts, or so it seems- they make the Byzantines look straight forward.

If any one notes the 3,000 year thing cropping up a lot that because that is how long ago a lot of problems -that are soon to be fixed, rather forcibly - got started.

OOC: seems to me that it was a bit more successful than when compared with Vietnam, I would put it under their WWII

OOC:Aren't these all things the Xiscapians did in the Korr War? What, was it their Vietnam?
They betrayed and killed innocents, yes. They didn't rape, genocide, or enslave though. However, they allied themselves with the Infected, which to them seems almost as bad as doing it themselves. It was a kind of "here's what we're capable of, we don't like it, let's not do it anymore" thing.

OOC:Given the reprehensible treatment of Sheelspa and it's innocuous inhabitants-which is still so terribly callous an act it shocks and offends me, and given how little the Xiscapians got from it, I'd chalk it up to "Don't Dance with the Devil by the Pale Moonlight", but still-they violated all their sacred doctrines and got almost nothing from it-I hope they learned their lesson.

They betrayed and killed innocents, yes. They didn't rape, genocide, or enslave though. However, they allied themselves with the Infected, which to them seems almost as bad as doing it themselves. It was a kind of "here's what we're capable of, we don't like it, let's not do it anymore" thing.

OOC:Rape in the classic sense, genocide, definately-poor Sheelspa was totally destroyed, and enslave-given the treatment of Sheelspa as property, despite their sentience-just because they didn't pull the trigger, they still ordered it by permitting it.

It was a complete waste, I'll agree with you there. Very little was gained, and so much lost. I think every race and species has it's own dark, bitter times. The Korr war was the Xiscapian's. Dosen't make it right, or even forgivable. It wasn't even nessiccary. But it happened. At least they repent for ther acts by destorying the Infected and binding themselves to their code of honor.

Hmmm, I love stumbling into things I don't know anything about LOL

(OOC:I don't hold it against Xiscapia, myself-they were desperate, and needed allies. That they made the biggest sacrifice to their crappiest allies was one of several mishandlings in that war. If their current good manners is penance, I will also never forgive them, as it's the most pleasant part of the Xiscapian character. However, I do know these things happen, so I'll simply note the Xiscapians are capable of them. Quite frankly, my Muri use slavery as a court sentence-cheaper than jail for non-violent offenders, and violent offenders are killed and fed to their victims, so who am I to judge?)

OOC: upon reading it i couldn't help but see the parallelism between the Korr War, and the United States' battle against the Soviets by training and arming the gorillas in Afghanistan. In any case I doubt Pat will hold it against them. To him it is a cold calculated tactical decision. A morally dirty one, but one that had to be made none the less.

OOC:I apologize for bringing this up-while this is actually the best forum for this discussion, though History might be better, I would certainly invite any current dealings of our various governments as discussions here-the Ordo Drakul is readying to invade Orbath for it's mistreatments of non-humans, though we are going diplomacy first, and we heavily subsidize the Paladin Order, though discussions there are likely to lead nowhere, since we just give them money and troops, with no input into their policies)

OOC:
upon reading it i couldn't help but see the parallelism between the Korr War, and the United States' battle against the Soviets by training and arming the gorillas in Afghanistan.
In what way?
Hmmm, I love stumbling into things I don't know anything about LOL
LOL, I feel that way too sometimes
Ordo:
Xiscapians have always had good manners, it's their moral code that has changed. Now, you're invading who? Another nation on your planet? Also, feel free to post OOCly here, the thread's not being used for anything else anyway.
Nova2:
Whoops I didn't catch the IC the first time. Most of that was from the Twilight Zone series, wasn't it? Good 'ol Twilight. BTW, what exactly did you sent Mrs. Rain into?

OOC: The same situation has occurred many times in war. You make allies with people that later become your enemies. I mean look at U.S and Soviet relations during WWII. They were allies and even shared military technology, but as soon as WWII was over they became enemies. Then, later, U.S. relations with the Taliban (unsure of spelling). Wile the Cold War was happening the U.S. (Xiscapia) made alliances with the Taliban (The Infected), to defeat the Soviets (Korr) in Afghanistan. In any case whether intentional or not I found the twist to be entertaining.

LOL- Didn't send her anywhere, just gave her the chance to look into the realm of the Kami, also known in Japanese mythos as the High Plane of Heaven, where the original Japanese gods (Shinto)- the seven or possibly eight generations of pre earth's creation ( or at least pre creation of Japanese islands ) deity's live - There are two strains/ races of Kami if you want to look at the religion in depth - those that originate from the High Planes of Heaven and those that originate in this plane (Earth). Though both strains of Kami are still considered deities.

Additional note concerning Kitsune: Thought I haven't been quite able to discern if Kitusne come from the more senior level or not - I think not given the fact that, as has been noted elsewhere, Kitusne/ Human interaction always has the Human the victor- I have the feeling that even the Heavenly Kitsune originate here, especially as all Kitsune are tied to / have natural forces integral to them/their being.. Though both strains of Kami are still considered deities.

And yeah I mangled the Twilight Zone opening pretty thoroughly.

And Yes OD, getting ready to invade someone? ohh the Muri in action, now thats a shivvery thought.

I completely agree that some times morally dirty decissions have to be made and carried out. It's easy to say "that good done in the name of evil is still good and evil done in the name of good is still evil" - and "that one must hold the moral high ground, and adopting the enemies tactics as our own just brings us down to their level". Those platitudes are easy to mouth, but how long do you sacrifice others lives for your priniciples? When does good outcome outweigh the evil of the doing ?

OOC: I believe life has existed (and continues to exist) on the idea that "Me and mine will always take priority over you and yours". This ensures that the strong will survive and continue to reproduce. However everybody loves the heroic sacrifice(myself included), and at times I think these sacrifices are necessary. On another note if you look at heroic sacrifices, they usually are done to protect Your self and your loved ones. In any case, that is the philosophy of war, "Kill the other guy before he kills you"

True that, from both of you. "Eat or be Eaten". The whole point I'm trying to make with the Civil War is that no race or culture, anywhere at anytime, ever had perfect people. People become dissatisfied, revolt, rebel, and replace with a system that is almost the same as the old one. The High are thrown down, and the Middle takes the place of the High, a new Middle group comes in, but the Low always stay in the same place. There will always be fools, idiots, the easily misguided, the power-hungry, and the good old-fasioned blood lust people in a culture. The fools and idiots is poltics, the easily misguided is the public, the blood lust is the fighters, soldiers, and warriors, and the power-hungry are always behind the scenes, pulling the strings. That, now, was incrediably cynical.
Nova, I didn't get that whole "senior level" thing. At first I was like okay, yeah, and then I was like huh? You lost me. Dynamic, I see now, that little twist was not intentional. Sometimes I really, really wish sometimes that I could do the Korr War over again.

Sorry got involved with gettting it out and didn't elucidate enough. By 'enior level'I meant the High Planes of Heaven as opposed to Earth. Deities may come from both places but those from the HPOH are more powerful - ie therefore 'Senior' to any originating on Earth.

And Xis - I've been RPing for close to 30 years- You can ALWAYS do it over - it is your nations history and while others participated in the first go round- you are the author and it is your right to tear it up and replay it. Remember that this is but a collective storytelling and the only way the universe gives us -at this time- to fix it, to make up for our flaws and get it right! A blessing from the Divine that one can freely take.

And yeah DR, I agree with you - it does come down to on the most basic level to that - and a soldier fights, in the raw real end- for he and his buddiesd beside him - he's darn not well thinking of "for the flag' when he's in the trenches. My ideal of a general will always be George S Patton.

And I'm not against making the hard decissions- I'm often bemoaning of late the lack of will to make those hard decissions.

But sorry Xis, bloodlust? No it's been said best by the Lakota - no one desires peace more than a warrior. Your average soldier has no more bloodlust than you or I though - in all honesty I can not speak for you. And I will ask for your definition of blood lust. I may have to count myself out depending

OOC:If Gerrak's hypothesis in History is in anyway accurate, you should watch what you wish for, Xiscapia. It would take me ten years to secret my fleet and prey discretely on shipping, all the while looking for the right group to fund to take point for me.
The Orbath situation involves another country who's exiling nonhumans and setting them adrift. One of the ships was saved by the gentle healers of the Ordo Xiola Umbar, who loaded the ship with plague and sent it back. Meanwhile, the Voivode is about to enter negotiations with Orbath to evacuate the nonhumans, unknowing of the Xiola Umbar actions. Ah, the clusterf**k that is troll politics. Sadly, the Orders are vastly independent unless Kyger Litor stirs herself to action)

Hmmm, pokes Kyger Litor none gently then runs like the wind..."Some times even a goddess ( or a truly imortal being ) needs a poke to get them going...and if you try and eat me I'll just stick in your craw and give you eternal indigestion, oh greatest lady mother of Trolldom. Now go and give your children a good wallop in the ear or two, they're making things hard on others."

"I may be but an ittybitty predator, but you'll find me an unpalatable indigestable meall, all claws, fangs and spikey armor underneath the silky soft fur...:p

OOC:Well if there is ever a thread let me know, I might like to join if it would be allowed.

Agreed DR, so would I.

OOC:lmao-Kyger Litor tends to take the long view, and only acts to preserve her children. However, since Indigo is on Pamaltela right now-Kyger Litor dwells in the Castle of Lead north of Spoorwood in the Shadow's Dance region.
I would also like to put in an application to interfere in the Xiscapian Civil War, but I think Gerrak's already eyeball-deep in it.

OOC: True, I am thinking if asking for Gerrak's help, also you metioned something about a Blue Moon tracker clan? As for Volta and his lost fleet, he will return, with friends. The sad thing about Xiscapians is that they'd rather forget it ever happened then guard against it. Which is why I have people like Foxfire and Admiral Krystal and General Dom at the helm of Xiscapia to protect against such occurances.
Nova, I define bloodlust as killing for the sake of killing. Not for your flag or family or your dead buddy with a bullet though his heart, but killing just to watch who you kill die. I'll admit that was a bit harsh, and (as you'll find) I often post without thinking much before hand. Someone once said that fighting for peace is like having sex for virginity. I disagree. You'll always have to fight to have peace, ironically. Thank you for your words, I might do it over again differently, as the actual blow-by-blow account is not written down anywhere except the thread itself.
DR, any luck on that factbook you were talking about?

give me a sec to catch up.

OOC:Been working on it in word. Trying to be as detailed as possible, but course work is getting much much harder

I agree whole heartedly Xis, about fighting for peace. and its true that the Tree of Liberty must from time to time be watered with patriot's blood.

Nova, I define bloodlust as killing for the sake of killing. Not for your flag or family or your dead buddy with a bullet though his heart, but killing just to watch who you kill die.

Thank you for your definition. And I understand the posting without thinking, and no I don't consider it 'harsh'- I consider it as perhaps from some one who hasn't known many in the military, and perhaps has an uninformed view of the military and what combat is really like.

I'm going to say this: NO sane person does this ( your definition of bloodlust )- I completely believe that is a out and out symptom/ signature of insanity, and a clear indication of Evil.

Yes I'm wiccan, and not not supposed to believe that Evil exists - but I firmly believe that it does.

But back to bloodlust- sorry thats not a characteristic of an effective soldier/ warrior. Yes, a huge part of the objective of war is to "make the other poor dumb bastard die for his" **

but bloodlust as you describe it isn't part of a warriors or soliders make up.

Some wanton killer, some socio/psyco -path absolutely but those aren't soldiers, aren't warriors and the two don't meet in the middle, and they aren't reverse of the coin either.

**channeling General Patton per the movie - I think that George C Scott was possesed by Patton's spirit when he made that movie- vets who really served with the General say the portrayal was true to life.

Nova-the Tree of Liberty must periodically be watered with the blood of patriots and tyrants, but the patriots never complain about it. Self-sacrifice is possibly the noblest thing we sentients do, and a concept the Evil never factor into their machinations because it's beyond them. I sent a rather lengthy TG to you, but am not sure it sent-this site tends to be quirky during peak hours.
Xis-if the Blue Moon gets involved, it'd be nasty-imagine a ninja with the powers of a Jedi. Either the Voivode would have to order them into action or Annilla would have to mutter one of her random prophesies to get them to act. The Voivode would certainly dispatch one if requested by the Xiscapian government, as his great-grandson and heir presumptive was endangered by this kitsune. If the Blue Moon assassin uncovered more, they'd track it down-the Order is used to acting unilaterally with very general orders, so I'd suggest you RP the character so it plays out as you require.

Sadly it has not arrived OD, and I have a feeling that the two telegrams I sent you today haven't reached you either. Quirky is an understatement for Jolt. I will try to recreate them- they were about the jannissaries and why the Muri would be hired, just incase you did get them.

And thanks, I forget the tryant part almost always. I believe you are aboslutely correct about self sacrifice. That is one of the few things that gives me any hope for our poor, benighted race.

I have come to the realization that most of the evils we suffer are due to our own actions, and find it ironic that almost everyone who parrots "Free Will" also blames the Divine for the consequences resulting from our application of "Free Will". One of the many reasons I've set the trolls up as I have is to allow them the freedom to do whatever they want, then blame the Voivode for not fixing it-the title means "War Prince", and he is the troll's Chief Diplomat, with absolute authority in matters involving aliens and foreign powers. As one of the wisest philosopher kings of Earth said, "War is Diplomacy of last resort."
Kyger Litor's largely there to keep internal squabbles to a manageable level, and to give Indigo something to poke later. Her Order controls the courts and the judiciary, and was by and large lifted from the societal role of the druid in Celtic cultures. Troll clans are largely from the daimyos of feudal Japan, complicated by the Orders acting as the Byzantine monastaries, and clan members often acting in clan rather than Order interests, with a few exceptions-the Sacred Motherhood polices itself ruthlessly, as anything less would call into question their right to judge. Still, they are as greedy and ruthless as any-but face greater penalties if caught. Once I finish off the major Orders-and I count twenty, so it'll be a while, I'll get into the legislature and it's complications-by then, I should have a solid enough grounding in how this works to start posting troop numbers and such-any tips?

(Assuming you were talking to all of us:
Tips:
Battle Losses:
This is just about the only thing I RP well, so here goes:
If you are in space, RP all losses for ships. For example:
Combat Losses:
1 Destroyer destroyed
1 Cruiser damaged
24 Fighters destroyed
Lets say that the Destroyer was equipped with a crew of 2,000, and the Cruiser had a crew of 1,000, and each fighter had a single pilot. Total losses would be 2,024, not accounting for the Cruiser. Now, where the Cruiser was hit determines how many people were killed. If it were hit, say, in the engine area or strong hull area, losses would be light, I'd say nothing beyond double didgets. However, if you were hit in the Bridge or Hangers, you would have much heavier losses, in the triple or even quadruple didgets. If you start to leak atmosphere, you'd either better repair it real fast or abandon ship. On the ground the same rulers apply. If you took hits in, say, the Engine room and Hull, your losses report would look something like this:
Combat Losses:
1 Destroyer destroyer
1 Cruiser Lightly damaged
24 Fighters destroyed
Total Losses: 2,049 killed
I'd also say that taking damage on a ship would leave many more wounded than dead, but it's entirely up to you how you want to RP that. Also, this is just what I do, you can do something completly different if you like. Something I've noticed about you RPing: For example, when you were fighting the kitsune assassin, you threw something at her and RPed it hitting her squarely in the face. That's a big no no, you can say you throw it hard and fast, but you can't RP it actually hitting, as this would cause many people to ignore you.
Nova, my Grandfather (now deceased :() fought in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam as a fighter and bomber pilot, but he didn't talk about it much. My uncle also works on a military ship as a firefighter. Now neither of them shared their deeper experiences with me, my opinion was just my general imperssion. I should have been smarter than what I said, I know better, I apologize.

Thanks for the tips-and the RP etiquette-I'm still more used to tabletop, and this forum is far removed from that. It's like housebreaking the dog-you have to catch them in the act, and apply corrective procedure. I'll try to watch for that in future.