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Old 05-28-2023, 02:12 PM   #761
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Default Re: 'Imperial Culture' (non-canonista)

Aoshi Aisai:

Swift Spirited Dewclaw:

A type of throwing knife used by some Aslan. It is weighted in a manner so as to cause it to tumble more easily. It was once used in warfare as well as hunting small game, the later of which usage is more common today.

It has all kinds of usages. Some version's can be launched from a Fierah fitted with an ammunition cradle similar to those on human slings.
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Old 05-29-2023, 01:08 PM   #762
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Fierahs:

It is a habit among Aslan to have a metaphoric or even literally animistic attitude toward weapons. This of course is known among humans and remembered from literature though less relevant in times of mass production.

One archaic Aslan weapon that has become a cultural meme is the Fierah. Some humans think this simply means a sling but the Fierah is multifunctional.

Modern ones are made kernmantle fashion with several lengths of cordage (or one relooped several times) inside an envelope. It is sometimes slit at intervals to allow the fastening of accessories and has an opening in the middle where the internal cordage is formed into a web used as a projectile cradle (often reinforced by a detachable pouch and/or a metal rim to allow the cradle to also be used as a blunt instrument). Humans who have been in contact with Aslan have invented a bewildering number of accessories, notably electric shock devices.

Like many archaic weapons it has a minor part in a modern battlefield. It mainly exists by the same method as others; being light and being adaptable as impedimenta. Depending on size and shape it is capable of being canibalized for cordage or used whole as a rifle sling or pouch holder. Other ingenious uses exist. It can deliver grenades, sensors and the like but not as efficiently as the grenade launcher. It's main reason for existing is simply that it is not much trouble.

It is also used in the hunt and in dueling. There are two main types of duels. One is a simple endurance contest where the contestants will flog each other until one yields or is declared defeated by an umpire. A more stylish one uses a fencing cloak to parry with.

Another use is in street fighting. Aslan and some humans take it into startowns as a less-than-lethal weapon in case of being accosted. Law enforcers often pay them no heed, some indeed think them purely ornamental.

Fierahs come in two basic forms. "Expendables" and "Keepers" in Anglic. The first are disposable and can be used for such things as an attack that requires releasing the weapon (in the manner of a bola or a Swiss arrow). The more expensive Keepers are seldom used in a way that might cause them to be lost. These can be prized possessions. The most valued are still made from the hide and sinews of Hraye Dragons. While these beasts are bred off world the Hraye Council of Clans prohibits the export for breeding of the most valued stock though lesser kinds may be and have been the foundation of breeds on other worlds some of whom are legends in their own right though not as valued. They are hunted or herded but some of the most valued of all run wild and game laws are strict to preserve an economic resource. The hide will take a number of dyes and it is common to decorate it with geometric art and caligraphy.
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Old 06-04-2023, 04:52 AM   #763
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Actually I usually just used Ancients as "Yet another thing some folks believe and others think are fun." I use Fair Folk too with a few updates.

I suppose yeah, faeries could easily form things like UFO clubs. They did in the nineteenth century (and not just for Irish Peasants). And of course Ancients are also appropriate for the same thing.

And what if they really exist...

We are not alone. Well yes we have Aslan, Vargr, Hivers, Centaurs, but I mean we are really, really not alone? What, that was a jump anomaly. Yeah, that's what they want you to think. I know the Imperium is hiding something.
Read the book Strange and Secret People which is on how the Victorians understood the fairies and how they reacted to that understanding.
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Old 07-07-2023, 04:29 AM   #764
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Are there any cannon small humaniti or humanoids that might leverage their small size to being repair/maintenance specialists on spacecraft? They could be a nomadic culture within a culture. Think of the Roma or the Irish Travelers.
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Old 07-07-2023, 03:22 PM   #765
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Try the Humaniti page on the Traveller wiki?
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Old 07-08-2023, 11:58 AM   #766
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Are there any cannon small humaniti or humanoids that might leverage their small size to being repair/maintenance specialists on spacecraft? They could be a nomadic culture within a culture. Think of the Roma or the Irish Travelers.
There are several nomadic cultures one or two specializing in being circuit riding engineers. That is a good idea though.
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Old 08-09-2023, 10:41 PM   #767
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Duncan's cat:

This is a breed of ship cat kept widly aboard the ships of Caledonian Travellers and their contacts. Their poplularity has spread throughout nomad peoples and free traders.

They were a project of the breeder Duncan MacGables and are usually marbled in appearance with varying colored eyes, with an abnormal number of blues (hence the name Lapis and Sapphire are commonly used for cat names). They have a genetically enhanced territorial instinct which causes them to stay near the home ship. This prevents straying but can cause psychological trauma when transfers are made. This is not pressing enough to prevent reproduction but is enough that facts about it are in medical databases.

They have sharp enough scent to communicate with it as well as with sight and sound. This allows them to hunt in prides while at the same time casting a dragnet around the ship. They are thus more deadly hunters than most ship's cats. The are however cats and can breed with Terran housecats, indeed those that get on planet sometimes do without owners consent which is why even more care is taken of females than males if the owners care about purity (not all do and of course crosses are cheaper).

There is an immense body of folklore about Duncan's Cats. Each member of a pride is given an individual name and a ship name; those with the longest pedigrees of course are not taken on voyages but sit in contentment at retired ships turned into museums or inns. Stories about cats and their adventures about. It is often thought that they or at least some are incarnations of deceased clan members keeping watch over their descendants
They are usually allowed to roam free on the ship unless business interferes, and they have enough of a survival instinct to take care of themselves. It is considered a point of honor to always reward a kill because by keeping vermin under control cats are part of the crew.
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Old 09-18-2023, 11:02 AM   #768
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Toir Albannaich Roger (the games of Prince Roger).

This is the official Caledonian Epic Cycle. Backdated to the founding of the Second Constitution it purports to be set during the first Clan Games in the reign of Roger V. Like other nation's official epics, especially the "Matter of Acer" (which itself is justly famed in Caledonia) it uses the handy vehicle of drawing a picture of characters gathering in a comfortable setting to tell tales, a tradition going back farther than the Terran author, Chaucer but given incredible possibilities by modern electronics. In this case it is of tales told both by amateurs and professional poets told either in the Court of Roger or in the pubs and eating houses of Selkirk, or on the dataweb in between events of the games.

The stories include several long epics in poetry and prose including, as is not uncommon, stories of migration and the founding of Caledonia as well as short stories beyond count. Much of it is from the Scottish traditions including tales of wee folk, sacred fountains, selkies and all the rest. It also includes clan feuds, thievery, duels and honor contests as well as political and military stories. Many of the tales date back to traditions from Ancient Terra. Naturally it includes the official sagas of different clans but it is cross-connected with those of other peoples, sometimes on the other side of Known Space which is possible because of the Principality's wide trade and diplomatic contacts. Caledonian Aslan and transiting Ihatei have notably contribute several tales from Ancient Aslan lore. Naturally it also has lavish descriptions of such appropriate things as feasting and heroic athletic feats, and of course gambling stories connected with the games (the games have numerous gambling stories). One curious aspect is that it contains realistic descriptions of the techniques of several relevant crafts including. This includes not exclusively, such varied things as Astrogation, Tactics, Shiphandling, Fieldcraft, Survival, Distilling, Mixology, Culinary Art (culinery art is less emphasized because beverage making has more prestige in Caledonian culture), and some ancient crafts like swordsmanship (still relevant as the sword is preferred in the Caledonian Code Duello), archery, etc.

The collection uses the formula of a Wikibook to make it easier to navigate. It is possible thus to shift easily to a related tale or to a related work (including dry instructional works on such things that are mentioned). An interesting feature is the branching stories. For instance if a legendary hero from Terra is mentioned as possessing a sword, the history of that sword from it's forging is given simply by touching the highlighted portion. Likewise if an Aslan owns a Fierah, a highlight will give a hunting story about the acquiring of the material, a description of the weaving of the skins and tendons of the slain animal, a travel story bringing the Fierah to market, the number of fights it was used in, etc. Or a whole story can be read in a rotating perspective with several threads each with a differing character as protagonist. The effect is that no one has read the whole series.

The Tor Albannich Roger is compiled from a number of works by The Prince's Ancient and Honorable Shanachie Academy. It has been revised several times and several new stories have been added.
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Old 09-29-2023, 10:28 PM   #769
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"Jitters"

This is an ancient custom of Solomani origin claimed to have gone been as far back as the pre starflight exploration of the Sol system. The resemblance to the word to an ancient slang term for nervousness is not accidental. The custom takes place when there is cause for nervousness.

During such times, such as an entry or exit into jump, a fuel scoop, a difficult landing, an anticipated engagement with a hostile vessel or what not refreshments are served. Usually beverages and small appetizers which can be consumed at a tray beside a workstation. Alcohol is seldom served until after such intense work is completed for obvious reasons, though not uncommonly it is available after an intense operation is completed.

The purpose of jitters is entirely practical, to sustain morale and prevent the ebbing of concentration. For this reason it is practically universal among spacers and there are various rituals surrounding it.
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Old 10-03-2023, 12:15 PM   #770
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Sword Worlds Incense Industry:

The Sword Worlds are not particularly known for their scents and most of those worn on the person by fashionable swordies are imports. However there is a surplus production of burnable scents some of whom are among the highest valued in known space. These tend to grow on farms and orchards. Traditionally in such places tending and harvesting the crop is a masculine job while extracting and refining scent is feminine.

The scents are sprayed onto ceremonial fires and often brushed with a paintbrush like tool. They are sometimes combined into scent "cocktails". Some varieties are burned in a cookfire to carry aroma to foods or hot beverages.

Any merchant wandering in the Sword Worlds can have this as an option for purchase.
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