Thread: Questioning chirine ba kal - part II

Originally Posted by David Johansen

In my experience there are only two kinds of customer:

the ones who look at a quote and ask in shock, "that much?"

and

the ones who look at a quote and ask in shock, "that's all?"

Therein lies the problem, your price will always be too much for some people and too little for others. Of course, as you raise the price the distribution shifts accordingly but nothing is ever the right price. Inevitably some of the people you least want to deal with are willing to pay just about anything because nobody else wants to deal with them either.

Very, very true. I saw this for decades at game conventions, as well as in the FLGS. I always try to find something to buy, when I'm in there.

Originally Posted by chirine ba kal

Right. Normally, it's legion status that rules, not clan status. A 'lower status' Kasi would be polite to a 'higher status' one in social situations - that's just normal good manners - but time in grade and length of service would make all the difference. A high clan young officer might be socially superior at parties, but he or she would be a damn fool not to pay attention to and respect a veteran - it can literally make the difference between life and death on the battlefield. So, clan status at parties - but be careful! - and legion status everywhere else.

Thanks Chirine!

Originally Posted by chirine ba kal

I like all of them, but then I'm biased...

Actually, so do I.

Originally Posted by chirine ba kal

Agreed; I used to be that 'nice old Chirine', who'd do stuff for people if they said thanks. People stopped saying thanks, so I stopped doing things for them.

"Chirine, old boot, it may please you to know that I've asked to Molkars to make sure the lads have fire arrows.

Seriously, if I hadn't seen some of this shit myself, I'd think it was an exaggeration.

Originally Posted by chirine ba kal

No, they don't. It never came up in games with Phil.

Not me, no, although it does come up in my book - I do try to bring out all that I can of Phil's cultural details like this one.

No. It was always 'Chirine!'

Now, am I the only one to imagine this scene?

Underhanded Villain: "Can you find the True Name of that Chirine ba Kal?"
Minion: "No, Master! I'm useless! Punish me!"
Villain: "Silence! Who cares whether you're punished or not?"
Minion: "Well, I..."
Villain: "Anyone that matters?"
Minion: "No."
Villain: "As I expected. Now, you say he's only ever using the name Chirine?"
Minion: "Maybe it is his real name, Master?"
Villain: "Fool! That Chirine is crafty: He wants us to believe that. Then, as soon as we give him an order, he'd know the identity of his enemy! No, he makes it seem like "Chirine" is his name, but in reality, his name is something else altogether..."
Minion: "I praise your brain, Master! I'd have never thought of something so...convoluted."
Villain: "And that's why I'm the one in command!"

Also, Chirine totally has a True Name. It's just that his True Name is Jeff, AFAICT

Originally Posted by AsenRG

Now, am I the only one to imagine this scene?
(...) It's just that his True Name is Jeff, AFAICT

Very good.
That made me smile.

Originally Posted by chirine ba kal

No, they don't. It never came up in games with Phil.
Not me, no, although it does come up in my book - I do try to bring out all that I can of Phil's cultural details like this one.
No. It was always 'Chirine!'

Thanks for the reply.
I'm not surprised that the concept was never really explored during in the Prof's campaign.
Still, I am intrigued by the idea and shall, one beautiful day, attempt to incorporate it in an adventure.

Originally Posted by chirine ba kal

Right. Normally, it's legion status that rules, not clan status. A 'lower status' Kasi would be polite to a 'higher status' one in social situations - that's just normal good manners - but time in grade and length of service would make all the difference. A high clan young officer might be socially superior at parties, but he or she would be a damn fool not to pay attention to and respect a veteran - it can literally make the difference between life and death on the battlefield. So, clan status at parties - but be careful! - and legion status everywhere else.

Very clear and useful reply.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by Shemek hiTankolel

General question to the thread.
I don't recall if this question has been asked before, but which of MAR Barker's novels is your favorite, and which is your least favourite?
Shemek

I've only read the first two, as the later ones are way too expensive (it may be that, one beautiful day, the Foundation will make them available again.
Maybe.
Perhaps.

Of the first two, I'd go with "Flamesong" though. I just felt that it had better forward momentum than "The Man of Gold".

Originally Posted by Gronan of Simmerya

"Chirine, old boot, it may please you to know that I've asked to Molkars to make sure the lads have fire arrows.

Always useful - seen the opening battle in "Gladiator"? Looks like some of our fights, and I felt right at home...

"Cohorts ready, sir!"

Grand, simply grand.

Originally Posted by Gronan of Simmerya

Seriously, if I hadn't seen some of this shit myself, I'd think it was an exaggeration.

Yep; you've been there, too - sad to say.

Originally Posted by AsenRG

Now, am I the only one to imagine this scene?

Underhanded Villain: "Can you find the True Name of that Chirine ba Kal?"
Minion: "No, Master! I'm useless! Punish me!"
Villain: "Silence! Who cares whether you're punished or not?"
Minion: "Well, I..."
Villain: "Anyone that matters?"
Minion: "No."
Villain: "As I expected. Now, you say he's only ever using the name Chirine?"
Minion: "Maybe it is his real name, Master?"
Villain: "Fool! That Chirine is crafty: He wants us to believe that. Then, as soon as we give him an order, he'd know the identity of his enemy! No, he makes it seem like "Chirine" is his name, but in reality, his name is something else altogether..."
Minion: "I praise your brain, Master! I'd have never thought of something so...convoluted."
Villain: "And that's why I'm the one in command!"

Also, Chirine totally has a True Name. It's just that his True Name is Jeff, AFAICT

Been sitting in on some people's meetings, have you? Seriously; an old friend used to work with some of these people, and they really do have these conversations. I am, I gather, A Force To Be Reckoned With.

Or something. I dunno.