SDNW5 Preliminary Discussion Thread

[Panzersharkcat]

OK, then. I'll shift it back to a maybe.

[Rabid]

(preliminary work)


The Stellar Nation aka The Community [concept draft]


Brief Summary :

“Space Nomads” is the term that would best describe the Stellars, as almost all their population live in huge hyperspace-capable habitats which constantly roam the territories under their control. If humans of all varieties still compose the majority of their demography, the Stellar Nation is a socio-political construction, not a racial one ; and as such as long as you conform to the rules and customs of the Nation you will be accepted in its ranks.
The Nation is united behind the Doxa (the Church/Government of the Nation) in its beliefs in the Flame and in the teachings of the Prophet.

Please note that the term “Stellar Nation” is a foreign invention, and that in their own language they only call themselves “The Community”, referring to themselves as an equivalent of "Brother/Sister". An interesting thing to know about them is that their language does not differentiate between male and female gender, or the absence of gender whatsoever, a fact which tend to complicate the work of translators and can mislead strangers not familiar with their culture when they stumble over Stellar works.



\\-----------------
This is just a rough draft, the detailed description being written while I await my dice-roll.

[Skywalker_T-65]

Also, if anyone hasn't read my edited summary, I have accepted an offer on the trade route, so that is out of the way now. Sorry to anyone who wanted high-quality Arcadian ship parts.

[Simon_Jester]

Fair enough in the interests of preventing immunity spam; my thoughts on the matter were kind of along the lines that the Grays were an anomaly, in that none of them, out of a population of billions, exhibits anything remotely psychic (which I was planning on using in their narratives as a major plot point) and that, correspondingly, even other races' psychics can't ply into their minds anymore than they can a Dodge Neon. The Grays wouldn't be living null fields like Pariahs in 40k (ie, living beings that actively harm psychic people), but enigmas that psychics can't probe for whatever reason.

I wouldn't rule out a psychic being able to get aura-like impressions out of a Dodge Neon... but not thoughts.

Put it this way. If anyone's being a prick about this, I'll land on them gently, but it's mostly going to be up to you to present your people in this light, OK?

I'm also trying to make it so that the Grays are still most definitely affected by physical effects of psychic powers; a powerful, multitalented psyker can't read a Gray mind, but can certainly throw them around, set them on fire, or otherwise do things to their bodies, but their minds are just not there from a psychic standpoint.

This I was aware of.

[Akhlut]

I was mostly trying to give a general description for people so they can understand my position. I'd be willing to try something with someone for a larger narrative for something unique, but I'd rather not have a sort of slippery slope develop where Player X has his most power psyker able to feel a Gray's emotions, and then Player Y has her most powerful aable to pick up some surface thoughts, and so on until the immunity is meaningless in narrative terms. For a unique, one off event or character, I'd be okay, and something that can be done on inanimate objects, also good. But I'd be worried about everyone and their uncle getting full telepathy against the Grays while they're stuck as being psi-incapable. With good mods and players, I'm not quite so worried, but I think of it like a D&D campaign I would run; breaking something like that without a great reason is liable to make other players want to break it too (and not unreasonably so, I think).

[Simon_Jester]

OK fine.

---

Akhlut:
Hegemony of the Gray Kritarchy
5

Beowulf:
Noun of Adverby Noun.
4

Darkevilme:
Chamarran Empire
10

Demiurgas:
Eagleland
6

Esquire:
Hellenic Confederacy
9

FaxModem1
Empire of Tweed
Micronation

Feralgnoll
Braxian Collective
6

Force Lord:
Centrality
7

Imperial528
Confederate of Cerna
8

Irishmick
Republic of Telkin
Micronation

Karmic Knight
The Commonwealth of (Buh?)
7

KhorneFlakes
Screworlders
6

Lonestar
Grand Dominion
7

OmegaChief:
Capellan Authority
4

Panzersharkcat:
Bastian Star Empire
10

Romulan Republic
??? (Possibly a republic of Romulans?)
Micronation

Ralin
Whole Mess of Space Gypsies
4

Ryan Thunder
Something Batshit
Micronation

Scottish Ninja
Volscian Confederacy
12

Shinn Langley Soryu
Holy Empire of Haruhi Suzumiya?
10

Shep
Shepistan
9

Simon_Jester:
Technocracy of Umeria
7

Skywalker_T-65
Arcadia
5

Tanasinn
Federal Union of Enslaved Subjugated Stuckenated Independent Worlds
7

TimothyC
Somethingorother of Bird Plane Krypton
Micronation

Vanas:
An Entire Great and Bountiful Empire of Goddamn Bees
6

White Haven:
League of Thought
8

Zor:
A Unified Empire
8

[Skywalker_T-65]

I'm surprised we already have that many people. At least it looks like people are still interested in this...also, I'm mid-way through a prologue chapter, so that should be up soon.

(PS...that would be 'Republic of Arcadia', not just Arcadia... )

EDIT: I'm also thinking of making a micro-nation, based off the Nox (I already have the Furlings on Reach, and the Asgard are the Gray's of Stargate so that's out...Ancients would throw everything out of whack, so that leaves less pacifistic Nox). Can I do that still? Just to add another perspective other than Arcadia.

[Imperial528]

Wow, there's 28 if I counted correctly.
I'm used to games with around five or six players, maybe seven at most. This will be quite an interesting experience.

I will probably finish my description and post a prologue by Friday, at the most.

EDIT: Also, if anyone wants to do something story wise with me, feel free to message me.

[Simon_Jester]

Still not quite ready to put up military posts- I want a significant time for a last wave of entrants to join the game. Also to emphasize that numerical orders of battle really aren't that important.

I'm surprised we already have that many people. At least it looks like people are still interested in this...also, I'm mid-way through a prologue chapter, so that should be up soon.

(PS...that would be 'Republic of Arcadia', not just Arcadia... )

I'm tired of everyone's country name being "The [generic form of government] of [place name]. In real life there are a lot of places that just get called "France" or "South Africa" or whatever, not "the People's Proletarian Republic of Kadgradistansky..."

EDIT: I'm also thinking of making a micro-nation, based off the Nox (I already have the Furlings on Reach, and the Asgard are the Gray's of Stargate so that's out...Ancients would throw everything out of whack, so that leaves less pacifistic Nox). Can I do that still? Just to add another perspective other than Arcadia.

[shrugs] Doesn't bother me, as long as you don't do anything daft with them that makes real trouble of the lame variety.

[Akhlut]

I'm tired of everyone's country name being "The [generic form of government] of [place name]. In real life there are a lot of places that just get called "France" or "South Africa" or whatever, not "the People's Proletarian Republic of Kadgradistansky..."

Sure, in everyday speech, people call it France or South Africa, but their official names are the French Republic and the Republic of South Africa, for instance. Aside from Canada and the USA, most nations I can think of are officially named as the [Government] of [Location] or some variation on that theme. Mexico is the United Mexican States, Switzerland is the Swiss Confederation, Vietnam is the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and so on and so forth. I assume that's how it's working here; the Confederation of Cerna is probably just going to be called Cerna by most people; the Hellenic Confederacy is probably going to just be Hellas or the HC; the Bastian Star Empire is probably going to be called Bastia or the BSE, and so on.

Edit: Jesus, I just noticed I fucked up a quote tag there.

[Panzersharkcat]

I'm tired of everyone's country name being "The [generic form of government] of [place name]. In real life there are a lot of places that just get called "France" or "South Africa" or whatever, not "the People's Proletarian Republic of Kadgradistansky..."

It's a bit hard for the Bastian Star Empire as it's only called that because Bastians make up around 60% of the population and the Emperor is a Bastian. I suppose it could just be referred to as Bastet at risk of offending the other 40% of the population.

[Skywalker_T-65]

Well...that joke backfired...I wasn't being serious there...I'm fine with it just being called Arcadia...

Seriously though, RoA can just be the legitimate name (kind of like how Taiwan is technically still the 'Republic of China')...while everyone just calls it 'Arcadia' since it is easier. I'm still debating on the Nox thing...it was a spur of the moment decision and might not make it in...I'll figure it out before the game actually starts. Also, I'm fine on waiting on military posts, considering I don't even know how to set up one yet.

[OmegaChief]

I'm tired of everyone's country name being "The [generic form of government] of [place name]. In real life there are a lot of places that just get called "France" or "South Africa" or whatever, not "the People's Proletarian Republic of Kadgradistansky..."

It's a bit hard for the Bastian Star Empire as it's only called that because Bastians make up around 60% of the population and the Emperor is a Bastian. I suppose it could just be referred to as Bastet at risk of offending the other 40% of the population.

Maybe we could come up with a short form that wasn't so offensive, like uh, "Staries" or something or maybe "Star Empire", I would say "The Empire" but we have at least one other empire in the game, and I'd rather not have transforming mecha dropped on me from orbit.

Oh, while we're still throwing ideas around, what do we want to do about Earth? Have it as a background micronation? Be lost/destroyed/uninhabitable? It's just probably worth sorting this out now before our various human states start getting into fueds over it.

[Skywalker_T-65]

Yeah, especially considering the Arcadian's are originally from Earth (or rather the 'fabled homeland of Terra'). That being said, if Earth is under someone else's control I'm not about to go to war over it (would have put this in the last post, but it doesn't relate to it...plus OmegaChief posted after I did).

[Ryan Thunder]

Ryan Thunder
Something Batshit
Micronation

It's just called "Sanctum".

[KhorneFlakes]

I suppose it can just be like Earth in SDNW4. In the backround and not a factor in anything.

[Scottish Ninja]

By the way, when we get around to doing maps, can I have the Volscian Confederacy be sort of at the outer edge of.. whatever? I don't really care to do any kind of organized exploration/colonization effort out in that direction; I just want to preserve the position of Land's End at basically the end of known space - which given the status of that station, means that basically anyone could use it as a springboard to go off in that direction and mess around.

[Imperial528]

I assume that's how it's working here; the Confederation of Cerna is probably just going to be called Cerna by most people;

Confederate, actually. The Confederation is their parent state, of which Cerna would be an in-absentia member nation. Legally, at least, if not in practice. [/nitpick]

Oh, while we're still throwing ideas around, what do we want to do about Earth? Have it as a background micronation? Be lost/destroyed/uninhabitable? It's just probably worth sorting this out now before our various human states start getting into fueds over it.

First I think we should find out just who actually cares what Earth is like. I personally don't care, OOC or IC, since there's really not much that could be done to affect the origin of my people.

[White Haven]

Heh. Reading your nation description thingy, Ninja, I fully expect your national order of battle to be a very very long and complicated document compared to most.

[Karmic Knight]

First I think we should find out just who actually cares what Earth is like. I personally don't care, OOC or IC, since there's really not much that could be done to affect the origin of my people.

Yeah, I don't care, and The Commonwealth has a policy that borders on not giving 2 fucks about history. So Earth's presence or lack thereof doesn't generate an opinion with me. Which reminds me that I need to finish putting to paper the cultural and political nature of The Commonwealth.

[Akhlut]

The Grays probably know where earth is/was, but they've already done enough...work...with earth to be satisfied and not care to return anytime during the course of the game.

[Esquire]

Heh. Reading your nation description thingy, Ninja, I fully expect your national order of battle to be a very very long and complicated document compared to most.

Yeah, I've got six independent navies but that's a drop in the bucket compared to the Volscians.

[Rabid]

About Earth & History : The only thing that could bother my RP as far as Earth is concerned is "how long since Mankind has left the cradle ?". For mine egoist reasons it would be best if it was at least more than 3-4 thousand years.

Can we leave this value as "undefined" ?

[Simon_Jester]

I'm tired of everyone's country name being "The [generic form of government] of [place name]. In real life there are a lot of places that just get called "France" or "South Africa" or whatever, not "the People's Proletarian Republic of Kadgradistansky..."

It's a bit hard for the Bastian Star Empire as it's only called that because Bastians make up around 60% of the population and the Emperor is a Bastian. I suppose it could just be referred to as Bastet at risk of offending the other 40% of the population.

Whatever works. It would hardly be the first time a large group got a name offensive to some of its members- think about all the Indian tribes that got referred to in English by names assigned them by their enemies. For example, "Comanche" is the name that this culture of horse-mounted light cavalry raiders has in the language of their neighbors. "Comanche" was those people's word for "those horsefuckers who fight us all the time."

Which is actually a pretty good fit for the Comanches, since they were pretty tough, but still, life is funny that way. To pick another example, how often are people of Britain get called 'English' by ignorant or indifferent foreigners?

Oh, while we're still throwing ideas around, what do we want to do about Earth? Have it as a background micronation? Be lost/destroyed/uninhabitable? It's just probably worth sorting this out now before our various human states start getting into fueds over it.

I had been hoping to make Earth be the property of a relatively strong and prosperous NPC/micronation inspired by the United Nations of Sol from Schlock Mercenary. Please direct any inquiries to the Talkymaster General of the United Nations, or if he is unavailable to the Deputy Elephant.

I suppose it can just be like Earth in SDNW4. In the backround and not a factor in anything.

Well, this time I'd like to avoid having the 'Earth nation' take up such a big slice of the map. And they won't have some kind of reserve modhammer status. They're just sort of... there.

By the way, when we get around to doing maps, can I have the Volscian Confederacy be sort of at the outer edge of.. whatever? I don't really care to do any kind of organized exploration/colonization effort out in that direction; I just want to preserve the position of Land's End at basically the end of known space - which given the status of that station, means that basically anyone could use it as a springboard to go off in that direction and mess around.

Sure, although I want to stick you between or reasonably close to at least two other countries, so that people get to squabble over the sick alienoid of the galaxy.

About Earth & History : The only thing that could bother my RP as far as Earth is concerned is "how long since Mankind has left the cradle ?". For mine egoist reasons it would be best if it was at least more than 3-4 thousand years.

Can we leave this value as "undefined" ?

Erk.

This is awkward because I'd like to have some kind of timeline and calendar. I would think a number of us have some kind of interest in that- say, actually wanting to work out what the history of our country looks like if we go back to its founding.

Also, the scale of the setting and the level of colonization we see, compared to the level of travel and technology, has implications that make me a little hesitant about the idea that hyperdrive travel has existed for several thousand years. A thousand years is enough time for almost any conceivable cultural evolution to take place, assuming modern medical care to permit large population growth.

SDNW4 had a formal start date of 3400 AD, with hyperdrive travel having existed for something like 1100-1200 years, and even there I always felt a little awkward about the sheer length of time for which my nation had existed without experiencing rapid growth or 'order of magnitude' technological revolutions.



I want to see a lot of people weigh in on this, because it's obviously an issue where many people will have conflicting ideas.

[Skywalker_T-65]

Hmm...I don't mind how long we have been out here personally. I just know it needs to be reasonably long considering how big Arcadia is and the fact that I have established that they are colonists (or rather the descendants of said colonists) from Earth. Hmm...one thousand years on the high end maybe? Would that be enough time to build up the population I (and other human nations) have? I could always expand the Furling population easily enough (might do that anyway).