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Old 08-28-2018, 01:52 PM   #601
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Default Re: 'Imperial Culture' (non-canonista)

The Compass Rose:

This is the logo of Chandlers, the famous seller of high-end traveller's items. It is a stylized compass rose, a symbology from pre-starflight Terran navigation. The compass is eight pointed, Red on white, with a gold rim. Other symbology is often written in as identifying markers to comply with any accidental trademark complications. On the rim is written in Black, Chandlers of (whatever world). Given Chandler's penchant for using local art work there will be variations of the generic format to allow for difficulty in reproducing it in local media. Insofar as possible this basic format remains. One common variant on compasses or items that contain a compass as a secondary tool is to place it in the center of the Rose logo. This is done on both the Alexandria and the Alexandria Deluxe (see below) handcomps.

The Compass Rose is found on any number of Chandler's products including many a typical spacer's personal chest. It is also found on pendants, model vehicles, cooking equipment for wardrooms and galleys, and musical instruments among other things sold at Chandlers.

Note: The description of the company "Chandlers" is to be found in Freelance Traveller. It is not the same as the generic occupation although of course Chandlering is one aspect of it's business. That is Chandlers is not the only chandler anymore then Made in Oregon sells everything that is made in Oregon.
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Old 09-29-2018, 11:49 AM   #602
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"Throwaway":

This is a cheap disposable multipurpose tool. It contains a transceiver, receiver, small database-processor for storing apps, and often a pair of secondary tools like a penknive or windowbreaker or similar device. The most important part is the modular attachment to which can be hooked several types of sensors to sow on the ground, or an explosive packet to make a grenade or small mine. Any number of ingenious variations exist. It can be used as a com but most use some more sophisticated device for that, which can convey a greater amount of information.

It's chief quality is in being disposable. Though it has aspects that can make it worthwhile to keep one, they generally of quickly finished rather then fine craftsmanship. It is in many ways the descendant of the disposable phones seen used by spies and criminals in old Terran urban intrigue dramas but it has more uses. Variants are found in many places and they are so cheap that many cultures have their own style for producing them and their own traditions for their use. The cheapness allows it to be made into an ad-hoc weapon or sensor and the mass production means it can be found in any hand. It is not an elegant tool but part of an everyday collection for soldiers. It can be found in civilian usage too, for various uses.
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Old 10-08-2018, 06:18 PM   #603
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Micro-heraldry:

A generic term for the popular practice of the rendering of information at a microscopic level. This was done in pre-starflight Terra, and for thousands of years in the Zira Sirka. However modern technology allows it to be done both conveniently and with increasing elaboration. Depending on the culture, it is possible to use skin, clothing, portable items, etc as a medium. The purpose for this varies. One common use is artistic; it is possible to render elaborately baroque displays, including several marks in organized patterns to make a mosaic like structure. Sometimes literature is rendered in microscopic format. This is often done by nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples as an alternative or suppliment to electronic devices especially in areas with insufficient communications infrastructure. Another use is in onomastics; a whole geneology or family history can be placed in the proper area. Trademarks are a common use, for the vast number of worlds makes for embarrassing coincidences especially if a corporation has an official title that also has a generic meaning (I.E. Chandlers of...). Microheraldry allows for elaborate encryption to distinguish. One common usage is in passwords to accounts and websites. This has everyday usage but it is common for travellers to use this means to hide emergency access codes to seek out contacts, money, passports, etc in the case of natural or political disaster.

Use: as chrome. For instance an Aslan warrior has the name of his weapon, his clan, and the glorious deeds of himself or his clan imprinted on the weapon.

As a plot point: The PCs are stranded during a political disaster. One character has access to a hidden stash of supplies that can only be opened with a code imprinted on his skin. However that character has just died, and the encryption mark is fading as rigor sets in.
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Old 11-15-2018, 01:24 AM   #604
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Alexandria Deluxe:

This is an updated version of Chandler's hit Alexandria Handcomp. It carries all the characteristics of the classic Alexandria more drive space naturally enough. It also has a number of characteristic Chandler's gimmicks. It comes in a clamshell design with the interface and hardware on the bottom half and the screen on the top. As modern screens need little thickness to function, the space left over is given to a series of covered pockets and sheaths in which can be stored accessories some of which come with the product in any event. Other accessories are added to the original but one of the favorites is a modular lug which can firmly hold detachable tools. The shell is sometimes ornately decorated and a number of patterns are available or custom designs and even custom material for the richer customers (some of these require special orders). However it always has the respected Chandler's Compass Rose logo. The very highest quality ones from this perspective are true works of art and cannot really be used except as such but lower end ones are cheap enough to be practically useful and a rugged version is available for those who have dangerous duties. It's software contains some of the basics including the Classics of Terra, Classics of Vland, and Classics of Sylea literary packages found in the previous Alexandria as well as wallpaper displays appropriate to the world it is sold at. It carries a higher capacity than the first version and it can link to a number of devices whether computers proper or secondary electronic components of tools with a different stress in function (such as a scanner, a weapon, or even a pocketknife).

The Alexandria Deluxe project was undertaken when it was realized that the old Alexandria would soon be challenged in demand by devices from competing firms. The advancements they have undertaken look to leave the Alexandria series in it's high class among handcomps for a long time.
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Old 03-14-2019, 11:59 PM   #605
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Incognito Establishments:

It is not unknown for High Nobles or even Emperors to wish for a little downscale entertainment. Several of them are regulars at clubs, restaurants, or other such establishments.

Naturally such a place causes security concerns. Ideally there will be time to vet. The more troublesome nobles go on a whim, sometimes to quite dangerous places (there is an urban legend floating about that one Emperor was drugged and shipped to a Vargr slave labor camp with his captors none the wiser). Some security professionals are of the opposite opinion, that it is actually easier to guard someone who no one knows is important enough to assassinate.
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Old 03-16-2019, 07:44 PM   #606
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Recreation Parks

The idea of RPGs and similar gaming environments has been around since before the Solimani reached the Stars. A recent trend in Adventure Gaming is the Recreation Park. An artificial cultural environment generally reconstructing either an historical period (generally romanticized) or a genre of popular fiction. These parks can range from a few city blocks to the size of ancient Solimani nations. There are varying degrees of how seriously people "stay in character" and commit to their "game world." Most Recreation Parks use robots to "perform" the "roles" of menials and many types of animals. Although a "clever servant" or "rebellious slave" or any other menial with a real personality would be played by a person. If the Dragon is witty or you have a sassy talking cat or horse then a person is using telepresence to play the "role."

Many people join adventure clubs and create elaborate personas to play in these parks. There are guided tours and individual adventure packages.

Basically, a larger and more complex take on the Holodeck. Instead of malfunctions assassins, con men, grifters, spies, and others slip into these games to get at targets or marks.
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Old 03-16-2019, 09:36 PM   #607
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Astromancer View Post
Recreation Parks

The idea of RPGs and similar gaming environments has been around since before the Solimani reached the Stars. A recent trend in Adventure Gaming is the Recreation Park. An artificial cultural environment generally reconstructing either an historical period (generally romanticized) or a genre of popular fiction. These parks can range from a few city blocks to the size of ancient Solimani nations. There are varying degrees of how seriously people "stay in character" and commit to their "game world." Most Recreation Parks use robots to "perform" the "roles" of menials and many types of animals. Although a "clever servant" or "rebellious slave" or any other menial with a real personality would be played by a person. If the Dragon is witty or you have a sassy talking cat or horse then a person is using telepresence to play the "role."

Many people join adventure clubs and create elaborate personas to play in these parks. There are guided tours and individual adventure packages.

Basically, a larger and more complex take on the Holodeck. Instead of malfunctions assassins, con men, grifters, spies, and others slip into these games to get at targets or marks.
That has lots of possibilities. You can have "Wayside Inn" storytelling sessions, Casablanca like spy stories. Not just spy sims but real spy stories with all those VIPs crowding together. Free Traders and Merchant Princes can provide supplies. Political factions can have secret summits. Etc.
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Old 03-16-2019, 11:23 PM   #608
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Originally Posted by jason taylor View Post
That has lots of possibilities. You can have "Wayside Inn" storytelling sessions, Casablanca like spy stories. Not just spy sims but real spy stories with all those VIPs crowding together. Free Traders and Merchant Princes can provide supplies. Political factions can have secret summits. Etc.
Exactly. And with everyone in disguise being who they aren't, unmasking the REAL PHONEY is triply hard.
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Old 03-17-2019, 11:14 AM   #609
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Covert anthropological research would be a major feature of the Third Imperium. Many of the things the Imperium forbids from slavery to psionics are fairly easily hidden. And since many worlds of the Imperium practice things disdained like religious passion and democracy it can become even harder to find certain things. After all, if you know you are seen as inferior trash, you tend to clam up and become uncooperative.

Beyond the actually illegal the Imperium has a real interest in knowing what's going on in its worlds. On one world, conquered by Vargr during the Long Night, humans were serfs on their own world for millennia. The Vargr were famous for the refinement of their culture and their impassioned embrace of the arts. They were also famous for the coldness and cruelty of their caste system and their tendency to go right to the edge of Imperial prohibitions. Their fellow nobles, having more sympathy for nobles than serfs, colluded with the oppression. One serf, a eunuch working in the planetary medical system (all humans with higher than normal intelligence were surgically desexed) managed to get his hands on the distemper virus and shattered the culture. Once the humans eliminated the local Vargr and erased the entire cultural heritage of the local Vargr, they accepted imperial rule but demanded to be left alone. The fallout of this revolution still poisons Imperial Vargr relations and feeds the paranoia of the local nobility.

No one in the imperial bureaucracy wants a repeat of that disaster. Thus covert anthropologists go forth to get the data on a thousand worlds to give the Imperium warning.
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Old 03-18-2019, 02:13 PM   #610
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Cultural merging:

One of the things many ethnologists noted about the ISW era was cultural merging. Not only was there considerable Terranization among the Vilani there was considerable Vilanicization among the Terrans. This was encouraged by areas of space remaining disputed for years or even generations as well as by trade and intermarriage in truce periods.

Some of the oddities were utilitarian and some aesthetic. The two sides would pick up each other's equipment and customs to taste. The result could see some oddities as a Vilani ship using Terran naval custom with the captain's tolerance (only OUTSIDE of the view of a flag officer or inspector of course) or a Terran sporting Vilani dress. As much of Vilani fashion is attractive and Terrans have spent thousands of years fighting wars, aping each other in this manner is not to be surprising. Useful items like tools could be traded or captured back and forth and some minipolities lived on the border and took whatever side was convenient at the time.
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