Thread: Questioning chirine ba kal

Originally Posted by Shemek hiTankolel

Chirine,

Some questions on geography.
What is the name of the river that Thraya and Sokatis are located on?
Is the Forest of Gilraya, specifically Kerunan (near Sokatis) a wild and "unknown area," or have people settled in there, in large numbers, and started to log, build, etc?

Shemek.

If the name is not on the map, I think it's in the taped interview Phil did on the city. I'll have a listen - it's about three hours long - and get back to you.

Yes, but not on a permanent basis. This is a very hotly disputed frontier zone, and both the Tsolyani and Salarvyani want to control the area. The locals, on both sides of the border, tend to have their own opinions about the benefits of central government and tend to do what they please - but in such a way so they don't get caught.

For an example of how this works, may I suggest George MacDonald Frasier's "The Steel Bonnets"?

Originally Posted by Baron

Mustn't steam the wrinkles out of a ssu, no... ;-)

Precisely. The net result was a very well-pressed, very damp, and very annoyed Grey Ssu. Phil was laughing about it for years.

Originally Posted by chirine ba kal

If the name is not on the map, I think it's in the taped interview Phil did on the city. I'll have a listen - it's about three hours long - and get back to you.

Yes, but not on a permanent basis. This is a very hotly disputed frontier zone, and both the Tsolyani and Salarvyani want to control the area. The locals, on both sides of the border, tend to have their own opinions about the benefits of central government and tend to do what they please - but in such a way so they don't get caught.

For an example of how this works, may I suggest George MacDonald Frasier's "The Steel Bonnets"?

Great stuff Chirine. For some reason only the Missuma is labeled on the maps. I know that the river where Hekelu is located is the Kanayugara (Phil talks about it in the Blue Room), but all of the rest are absent on my maps.

This sounds like a traditional "d&d type setting," and probably a good alternative to the off the boat approach to gaming on Tekumel. These types of areas tend to be less concerned with societal niceties and formalities, and such. A good place to learn the ropes before going into wider "civilized" society.

I'll have to look this book up. Thanks for the recommendation.

Shemek.

Originally Posted by Hrugga

Greetings Uncle,

Two quick questions, how xenophobic are the Tsolyani? I inderstand foreigners are able to make their way into Tsolyani society(The Glorious General being a good example). How do the natives feel about this? Do they have a Roman like view about becoming a citizen?

Also how much of a direct interest would the Emperor take in the goings on in the far away places of the Empire(let's say as long as the revenue always coming in)?

Thank you,

H:0)

They don't exactly love anybody from 'anywhere else', and tend to shun them socially, but once you have an 'in' with somebody local you are a lot more acceptable. I found the same attitude in the UK, where my friends in Wiltshire were viewed with deep misgivings by the people just up the road in Gloucestershire. And both viewed the strangers in Yorkshire with the same deep misgivings - in fairness, the residents of the four 'ridings' of Yorkshire regard each other the same way. I'd always introduce myself to anyone I met with a casual reference to my local friends or to steam railways, thus making myself a part of the local culture, and things would be fine.

Tsolyanu is the same way; 'not from here' is the way people get looked at, unless and until one develops local connections and puts down some roots. In short, it's a lot like gaming groups on a forum, in a shop, or at a convention.

Not a lot, unless somebody was complaining. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and the Imperium tends to keep a hands off policy unless there's trouble afoot. At which point, they send in the player-characters, and mayhem ensues.

Originally Posted by Shemek hiTankolel

Great stuff Chirine. For some reason only the Missuma is labeled on the maps. I know that the river where Hekelu is located is the Kanayugara (Phil talks about it in the Blue Room), but all of the rest are absent on my maps.

This sounds like a traditional "d&d type setting," and probably a good alternative to the off the boat approach to gaming on Tekumel. These types of areas tend to be less concerned with societal niceties and formalities, and such. A good place to learn the ropes before going into wider "civilized" society.

I'll have to look this book up. Thanks for the recommendation.

Shemek.

Yep. He didn't always note stuff down.

Yep; frontiers are always a great place to have adventures. Enjoy the book. You'll like Robert Carey, and Henry, Lord Hunsdon. The rest of the motley crew up there on The Borders just cries out for use in a campaign.

"Every precaution was taken to ensure a peaceful meeting, and during it Johnstone shot Maxwell twice in the back." Mayhem ensued, as it usually did in those parts.

Made it very interesting when Borderers met Afghans on the NW Frontier. More mayhem ensued, as one might expect.

Originally Posted by Zirunel

As I recall, that river is the Rananga

Just back in from getting groceries, so I haven't listened to the tapes yet, but I think you're right. I seem to recall it being that, as well.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Zirunel

As I recall, that river is the Rananga

Excellent! Thank you.

Shemek.