Voicechat Notes for Saturday, December 3rd

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Prism
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2019 4:44 pm
Location: SHADGARD, BABEH

Voicechat Notes for Saturday, December 3rd

Post by Prism »

This might be the quickest turnaround on a BBS post i've ever made. Don't expect that all the time. I have to maintain my procrastination.



Frisbee Asks:

1) Is there a set way that a member of the scholars guild would get their basic medical certification? Could you tell us about what form the certificate takes -- maybe some sort of badge, or a written document? What would be written on it, in the latter case? Would you consider
adding something like that in, as an RP fluff bonus?

A: Yes, it'd probably be like a piece of paper or badge or the like that basically says, "I've been trained by the library, and i'm qualified to be a physicker.". He does think it's cool and wouldn't be opposed to sliding it in somewhere.

Q: Does the Library, as an organisation, have some sort
of assessment process, or do they just let in whomever they interview who has either lots of potential or the right background?

A: They're not very picky. In the lost lands, they can't really afford to be. They'll teach you the best they can so long as it's not someone that's just absolutely the worst. But even then, it's better than having nothing.

Delphine Asks:

Q: Is "dark lord immortals" a phrase one would encounter IC to describe the eight Harbinger immortals we have in the roster thus far or is this more of an
OOC term to define the tone one should expect when it comes to these immortals? are there any other ways this group of immortal allies of convenience are referenced IC? So far, I've just been calling them THE EIGHT or the MISUNDERSTOOD ONES, but I didn't know if there was another phrase/name floating around out there (beyond just Harbinger immortals?) that
all these lovely vNPCs are using that I wasn't aware of.

A: There will be, there's just not one that has been satisfactory developed and chosen as of yet . Just chewing on different ideas!

Gorth Asks:

Q: What is the state of blood sports, or gladiatorial combat, across Arad?

A: Yeah, he could definitely see that in a few places with it's own flavor. Nuum, and Tatlhuecatn valley in particular. The giganti brawl around, but they don't do it in so organized a fashion that they're making a sport about it. If they're fightin', they fightin' on the battlefield.

Extra answer: The Huec take war prisoners. But they don't humiliate those prisoners. Part of their sacrificial beliefs involve the person being sacrificed to be willing; so those prisoners of war are like a valuable commodity of sorts, whether for sacrifice or trade for other things. Whether it's trade for their own prisoners, resolutions of territory or spiritual disputes, that kind of thing. Battles in Tatlhuecatn are a lot less lethal. But they try to not kill when they can because it's more valuable to take a prisoner and trade them later for ransom than it is to kill them.

Q: Are there any arad analogues of Robbinhood or other old folk stories that are promanent in real life culture?

A: For sure, none off hand specifically though. Feel free to make them up as long as you don't just assume that everyone knows them as common teaching.

Q: Would a figure like robin hood considered like, ascended in the cogg world? Or is a folk hero a different kind of fame?

A: There's room for folk heroes without being an ascended immortal. It tends take a different sort of thing than just exceeding notoriety to ascend.

Q: Is Sifa the golden more a folk hero or more an ascended mortal?

A: There's going to be some debate there, but it's likely more generally assumed she's more of a folk hero than an ascended immortal. Maybe some step in between? Like a partially ascended individual who's spirit is still hanging around in a certain capacity helping in certain regards in a lesser extent than, say, Destiny Owleyes.

Q: What is the state of Nuumic and Khaldean horses/beasts of burden/cavalry?

A: The Nuum do have their own horses, but he's no horse expert by any means. The nuum have noteworthy breeds more than the Khaldeans. Khaldeans probably have their own breeds, nothing super special awesome that makes them noteworthy though.

Q: How well known is Khaldean technology on the whole? Specifically flintlocks and steam weaponry/automation. Do other cultures, excluding perhaps Karnathi,
view it as magic? Or do any seek to, or do, understand parts of it?

A: It's mostly Khaldean-centric and Khaldeans exporting it out to other people. There's definitely some proliferation of the technology to a certain extent, but it hasn't really caught on as much as it's a fancy trendy thing. The hillfolk in particular are probably the best example of someone who's taken on and adapted that technology to a more specialized extent, specifically in regard to flintlocks.

Q: How advanced are the Khaldean, truely. How much of there culture is automation? Assumedly they work towards automation over any other particular technology,
but what are the most common and powerful applications of there technology?

A: They're big into telescopes, aurrories, and other astronomical-based technological things. Aside from that-- They probably have some rudementary trains of some capacity, understand how the movements of the stars effect the weather and seasons, that kind of thing. They've got some cool nifty things and some cool nifty knowledge, but not so much so that it makes them a supreme force over those who don't have them, or so much that it makes the other nations of the world want to adapt that technology themselves.

Q: Are the Khaldeans the one's who came up with the calendars, star charts, seasons, moon charts, and similar; much like the Mayans? Are the Mayan's an adiquate
real life analogue for the Khaldeans, at least in terms of scholarly pursuits?

A: The modern charts and things, sure, sure. But one of the people most credited for leaving Nuum was an astronomer that felt as though their science wasn't being taken seriously. Even before Khaldea was a thing though, star charts were in existance and being produced for purposes of study, navigation, etc. The faewyr, for example, rely upon their use for navigation, but aren't as concerned about what the stars are or where they come from. It's definitely a popular science in Khaldea though-- astronomy, that is to say. It's a cornerstone of their culture, but it's not like they're basing their *whole* culture and *whole* pursuit specifically on that particular aspect of science and scientific development.

Q: How accepted are Khaldean discoveries as a whole?

A: The Viali are more interested in what they find more than anyone else. They try to put together the implications of how the world works the way it does based upon that. Beyond them, the Nuum aren't very fond of it at all-- for obvious reasons. They don't outright deny it or anything, but they reframe it in their own way. The Rhuidim also probably enjoy learning what they've done. But aside from those few in particular, the rest is too far removed from their interactions with them on a cultural or significant economic level that it's more of, "That sounds neat" to them as opposed to something the people at large have a major opinion on.

Q: How much of Khaldea is religious? It seems as if there may be some divide with the application of science.

A: I forgot to ask this one.

Q: Do they care if they're accepted or not?

A: They'd like to be. They're considered passionate in their work, and show genuine enthusiasm in spreading that information about to encourage other people to take in and experience it for themselves. But they aren't militaristic about such. Of course this is a generalization; it's totally possible that there are individuals out there that are just preaching science like it's religion. There's bound to be at least one whacky guy out there trying to civilize people and educate the masses.

Q: Are there any notable immortals or ascended who would support the sciences, and those who pursue it?

A: Vanden is all about knowledge in general, and the first that comes to mind.

Q: How do Khaldeans view the Occult in general? are there any outspoken Khaldeans or groups that seek to attempt to meld Nuumic Arcana, Rhuidic Constructs
and Khaldean technology in some way?

A: The occult is a big taboo in general because of their history with Nuum. It's only built up over the years as time continues to go on. They don't like the occult forces at large-- but there are some in particular on the borders of Tol-Rhun who enjoy coordinating their studies with Khaldeans. There have certainly been some neat developments concerning clockwork technology combined with sorcery. They find it as more efficient than just arranging sticks and animating it with nether. Clockwork sorcery is for sure a thing and was actually a fundamental design thought of clok, that those exist. There's some pending lore regarding one family in particular inside of Tol-Rhun who's interested in this specifically.

Sorcery combined with clockwork tech and forturgy combined with khaldean tech are certainly things that are going to be more common than not in their works. But the occult is taboo-- not illegal. Frowned upon, culturally wary of it, regardless of it's neat applications.

Q: Is that what the Oakhearts are?

A: Oakheart's are more typical sorcerous animates, nothing fancy or clockworky about them. They're big ol' wood golems.

Q: How common is steel? In the rest of world, and in the Lost Lands? Is the frequency of steel a product of game metal lessening, or actually how it is?

Contextual notes:

IRL, Iron, one of the core components of steel, is the fourth most abundant element in Earth's crust, making up a whopping 5.63% of it's total mass. It is exceeded only by aluminum, silicon, and oxygen.

Another core component of steel production is coal. As of December 31, 2021, estimates of total world proved recoverable reserves of coal were about 1,161 billion
short tons (or about 1.16 trillion short tons), and five countries had about 75% of the world's proved coal reserves.
TLDR: That's a lot of coal left even after we as a human society have been collectively using it to work steel for somewhere around a thousand years. One could logically assume similar presence of coal exists on Arad, and given that, the largest limitation to steel production would be infrastructure capable of utilizing those resources.

It's likewise logical to conclude that outside of the lost lands, in the most industrious of the nations-- Khaldea, Ivial, etc.-- that steel production is probably doing pretty well. Especially considering Khaldean technological advancements in forges and the like. Throw in Giganti ability to harvest iron, coal, and work those resources on the other side of the continent and you've got a pretty steady supply of the stuff hanging all around.

The sensable gap area would be the Lost lands, given it's degraded infrastructure and meriad plagues. The resources are still logically out there and inaccessible, just waiting to be found/harvested. Whether that means previously existing and run down infrastructure like old mines, refineries, etc. or just brand new untapped resources waiting to be dug up, both apply.

Staff answer: It's cool because it's rare, on a game mechanics capacity. We want steel to be useful and special and neat for people in the way that it is, but they simultaneously don't want to invalidate the use of bronze, copper, iron, etc. as viable resources. If there was plentiful steel-- that's all anyone would use, and that's no fun!

the answer above basically explains it on a world scale as opposed to like a game-limited scale, that said. My exact words were, "If Rias says this guy is wrong and is dumb" that he would certainly correct me on such if it didn't fit his image of the world. But he didn't do so, so it's likely an accurate assumption to make in regard to resource content and the like.

Q: Does the chalk we use in the lost lands come from Qettenu, or does it come from another variant?

A: As of now, it's mostly a finite supply which originally was made there aside from those occasional finds out in ruins and the like. It's not like someone's in the lost lands producing the stuff.

Q: Should arcanists horde their chalk?

A: I mean, it's useful stuff. (Might make for a cool event someday, but arcanists don't actually have to worry about this.)

Q: How do other cultures view the Huecatn claim that they migrated across a celestial pathway (The way of Dreams)?

A: The khaldeans are probably like, "Oh, well that's some neat (incorrect) cultural mythology you have there." (Or maybe they just don't understand yet?) The Faewyr have their own suspicions about this-- considering they have their own mystical means of protection cloaking their continent, as well as their own beliefs in differing realms. The Nuum probably have some people specifically devoted to figuring out if they can achieve a similar means of passing through the way of dreams. Maybe the fasa are putting a level of stock in it, as well.

1. Does the Republic military have any standard form/structure or is it highly dependant on where they're drawn from?

A: It depends mostly on where it's drawn from-- it's a loose coalition that doesn't really have a standing orderly and unified army. People who have guys take their guys and make what they can of it as pretty as they can. But it's ragtag stuff.

2. What exactly is keeping the Dominion do engaged in the North? Resistance uprising, Republic forces? The normal dangers of the Lost Land? Are they on
the offensive, or is it more defensive as in, is this La Grande Armées march forward or the Limes Germanicus?

A: It's not something we hear a bunch of detail about here in the central lost lands. The official word is that they're trying to secure their holdings up there and make sure everyone up in the northern territories are safe, building up their infrastructure, and working to get everyone as settled in as they can. It's a large effort that takes a lot of manpower because there's a lot of territory up there. (Relatively speaking.) They basically just have their hands full, putting the dominion in order so to speak. New defences, education systems, roads, etc. Some of the rumors, however, are that there's rebellion in the north, there's people trying to leave the dominion, resist the dominion's encroachment northward, etc. That's one of the bigger ones that's flowing around. The dominion doesn't deny existance to their expansion, either. They acknowledge that some people don't necesarily want to go around with all of their laws and standards and customs. But they don't give credit to it as a big deal; they look at it as something that's inevitably going to happen to any nation of any size, and they feel capable of addressing it adequately.

Q: Is there anything that we as a player base that we'd know of regarding imports and exports from the dominion's core to it's northern territories?

A: There's definitely regular importing/exporting that goes on. A lot of folks'll tell you that they're exploiting their territories for their resources-- but the fact of the matter is that the Dominion, regardless of what people say, has an interest in supporting it's territories. Whether it's because they want to exploit them for their resources or because they have an interest in propping them up doesn't matter, because if they don't support them, they won't have any territories to worry about anymore. Which is contrary to their goal of bringing prosperity and safety back to Aetgart.

he also mused a while on the logistics of the Khaldean borderlands and the fact that they had to build and continually support the maintenance of a quarantine wall.

Q: Do border disputes still happen between major territories despite the lack of warfare going on between a lot of them?

A: It's safe to assume that in places like, for example, the border of Tol-Rhun and Ivial that disputes happen. They can claim non-responsibility without starting warfare. There are little probes, tiny conflicts, tiny disputes. But nothing major by any means.

Q: When we're talking about wars and how countries interact with one another, would you say the lost lands are the most informed as a result of their mixed citizenry? Exiles pouring in from all over the place, etc.

A: They certainly benefit from it. It's a big benefit of the Republic-- a lot of people who come into the lost lands as a start pass through Republic channels, and the Republic's made itself a way to streamline other nations' allowing people entry into the lost lands. That said the lost lands are still the lost lands, and that carries it's fair share of issues for communication and logistics and the like. The giganti have a lot of forts and citadels in the passes to close their borders and keep invaders the heck off of their property. There's at least one incident of Aetgart trying to invade them, only for every single (usually quarreling) giganti clan to unite and push them out as a united force. Only to, of course, turn back toward one another so they can resume their internal clan disputes.

Q: Of the cultures and races, which are more isolating and which are more communicative with their allies?

A: The Huecatn , the nuum, and the rhuidim are likely the least inclusive of the other races. The fasa are kind of doing their own thing, just not actively going around prowling for new information. More neutral than actively or passively cooperative. Aetgart and Khaldea are considered to have been the biggest melting pots with mixed backgrounds. The Viali get caught up in their traditions. They try, but they're Viali. So.

Random note on Lapis: The Lapis do have their own subtleties and interest as well. They aren't a monolith.

3. We saw Oakheart Golem limbs being loaded, but no torsos. Does this mean a Golem is destroyed if its torso is but limbs can be replaced?

A: Regarding Oakheart golems, what he's comfortable with saying is that they aren't just something you see hanging around. They're very specifically purposed and resource-intensive. They're made of miscellanious parts-- so if a golem's arm is destroyed, you can put another arm on it. They're Modular things to a certain extent, but there are core components that are irreplaceable-- like, you need a torso to put the other pieces onto. But you can always get another torso.

4. With your timeline, would there be any Mistral citizens who saw the beginning of the Dominion becoming more than Mistral Lake and would remember what
it was like in the dark days before things became stabilised?

A: Haven't committed to a timeline yet. So we're going to go with a tentative probably. It's been around a while, but we're not sure exactly how long approximately. Recent enough that it's still considered recent.

5. Think this one has been mentioned before, but I've noticed a people assume Canim are a Dominion area specific thing, just like Liberi are a Valeria
only thing. Is this grounded in reality or based on player assumptions with current area releases.

A: There are a concentration of canim and liberi in the central lost lands, but they can both be found all over the lost lands outside of our central accessible area. They're not specifically located to dominion lands or valeria or the like. The liberi are known to have lots of different groups all over the place. There's a ton of speculation about whether or not they're all the same group, if they're independent, how or if they interact with each other, that kind of thing. They clearly have similar identifying features, but they simultaneously seem not to be acting in unison.

6. It has been a while since we've seen any lore drops outside of conversation with NPCs. Do you have some in the pipeline or is this very much on the
back-burner for now? Do you think we'll see some of the recent stuff imbedded in items/NPC topics, like the Karker Cult and Dominion stuff?

A: he does have a list of lore studiables that he's been wanting to work on for a long time that he just doesn't know where to put yet-- but maybe it's time to take an afternoon and figure out where to disperse some of it.

Q: Can we carve our names into the summit by the library?

A: That would be kind of funny. Then the library has to establish a graffiti committee.

7. With the release of Mistral, we've seen a lot of new and a lot of old. What's your favourite addition, favourite old, new in the pipeline you're excited
for, and thing you miss most about the old that won't be making an appearance?

A: He just missed how Misty Mistral was. (HAHAHAHAHAHA.) He didn't realize how the world just didn't feel quite right without it. The favorite new thing about mistral is the citizens services center. He had a player who really helped with the descriptions of that place and he just absolutely loves how it turned out. He likes that it's like-- a fixture. It's nicer than the other buildings. It's pretty, it's got the statue. It really projects the Dominion vibe. His favorite old things that won't be returning are a lot of the history. A lot of the stuff that happened in clok kind of happened in cogg in some capacity-- or had some analogue of happening. But it's rough to like not have any of that personal history with each player. He misses a lot of the churchy stuff; some of his favorite events and activities involved or were at least kicked off by the church of light related activities, and that's thing that he continually struggles with-- just the fact that it was so prominant there, and that it's not as prominant here. The church of light, that is. he's just so psyched about how much emphasis has been brought around the other immortals now as a result, though. It was noted that he didn't really like that when the Church of Light did have more presence, that it was ultimately seen as the defacto "Church". Like it was the one church-like thing, when in fact it wasn't the only thing of it's sort. Other immortals still existed and all that-- but that was just a mild tangent.

Q: On the subject of the church, with the new addition of the new death mechanics, is there anything you can tell us about how the priestesses of Undm bring people back? How do they know your name?

A: That's a great question, isn't it?

8. People have mentioned they're concerned that when a faction split occurs, that they won't be able to easily access resources currently only found in
that land mass. Do you have anything in mind that will alleviate that concern? Or do you encourage that and consider it one of the Dominion "perks"?

A: part of it is definitely deliberate, but they don't ever want to exclude access from basic tools to do basic crafts or the like. On the other hand, they do like the idea that depending on what faction you are, you might have or not have access to resource X. Not something that is necesarily *needed* but more so cool because you *want* it. So-- everyone will be on a level playing field, but he likes the potential idea of some exclusivity.

Q: As far as the faction split when it occurs, where will it occur?

A: It'll occur at the fort in the pass, most likely. (TM).

Q: Why should us wildlander types give any concern to the cityfolk brawling about their faction war?

A: Not everyone needs to! But that doesn't mean that one is immune to being effected by said conflict whether they care or not. For example-- the dominion might claim sole access to a particular sort of tree that shadgardians can't access anymore because they're claiming that area.
"The sky, above the clouds; A rainbow that fate has devoured
I gave up Hope
But I'm not going to be lost tomorrow; Even if it is hell
I'm gonna' crawl. "
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