Difference between revisions of "Sea of Storms (Continuity)"
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This is the continuity page. It contains a number of ''Out-of-Character'' details pertaining to the setting of the [[Sea of Storms]] Region. All such "global" details are voted upon by a majority of players in the game, and are subject to change upon future reconsideration. | This is the continuity page. It contains a number of ''Out-of-Character'' details pertaining to the setting of the [[Sea of Storms]] Region. All such "global" details are voted upon by a majority of players in the game, and are subject to change upon future reconsideration. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Sections which begin with the ''--Decision Still Pending--'' heading have yet to be decided - players are encouraged to chime in with their opinions on the issue on the Message Board. | ||
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A more in-depth description would be that most forms of technology are rooted in combustion/steam-power and mechanistic devices. While electricity is available, the sheer prevalence of "electronic" technology is almost unheard of (you'd be far more likely to have an electrified sword than a taser, or even a digital watch). | A more in-depth description would be that most forms of technology are rooted in combustion/steam-power and mechanistic devices. While electricity is available, the sheer prevalence of "electronic" technology is almost unheard of (you'd be far more likely to have an electrified sword than a taser, or even a digital watch). | ||
| − | No computers, unless they're "Difference Engine"-style calculating machines. If | + | No computers, unless they're "Difference Engine"-style calculating machines. If there are flying machines, it's almost a given that they're of the lighter-than-air variety, rather than the heavier-than-air planes of the real world. The concept of luminiferous ether, while not exactly proven, is most probably accepted as fact. |
Most of this is more an aesthetic change than a systemic one - almost any current real-world technology can be translated into a Steampunk-style version. The setting affects the description more than anything else. | Most of this is more an aesthetic change than a systemic one - almost any current real-world technology can be translated into a Steampunk-style version. The setting affects the description more than anything else. | ||
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==Climate== | ==Climate== | ||
| − | The default weather pattern of the Sea is temperate, with storms and rough water being fairly common. This makes crossing the sea from one nation to another a dangerous proposition, even for experienced sailors. | + | The default weather pattern of the Sea is temperate, with storms and rough water being fairly common. This makes crossing the sea from one nation to another a dangerous proposition, even for experienced sailors. Each individual nation, however, tends to have its own particular climate, as a consequence of its actual location on the sea, as well as nearby geological features. |
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==Language== | ==Language== | ||
| + | |||
| + | --Decision Still Pending-- | ||
"What ain't no country I ever heard of! They speak English in What?" ''--- Jules, Pulp Fiction'' | "What ain't no country I ever heard of! They speak English in What?" ''--- Jules, Pulp Fiction'' | ||
| − | + | At the moment, default language of the region is English, though individual nations may have their own native languages. It is the common tongue used in all international dealings. | |
| + | However, the option exists to establish a fictional "common" tongue (a la the ''Westron'' of Tolkien or the "Basic" or "Common" of other stories). Do we feel like coming up with a fake name for the language, or are we fine with English? | ||
| − | + | Moreover, is the common tongue an artifically constructed language (like Esperanto), created specifically for the purposes of trade? Or is it a holdover from an earlier language that predates all of our nations (the Latin to our Romance Languages)? | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
==Gods== | ==Gods== | ||
| − | + | --Decision Still Pending-- | |
| + | |||
| + | Various nations within the region have their own pantheons and gods, and at least one nation even has a Greek-style creation myth which accepts that the gods once walked the earth as men and women do, though no one's be able to ever offer factual proof of their existence. | ||
| + | |||
| + | But do they actually EXIST? Or are they merely figments of overactive imagination? Sociological justifications of primitive man's search for understanding? | ||
| + | |||
| + | If the gods DO exist, then the possibility opens up that they might make physical appearances at some point. Or that someone claiming to be the son or daughter of a god or goddess really ARE the demigods they claim to be. | ||
| + | |||
| + | So - yea or nay? | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Magic== | ||
| + | |||
| + | --Decision Still Pending-- | ||
| + | |||
| + | Magic can be a viable force, an almost ubiquitous presence, or even a completely fictional thing. On the continuum from utterly rational secularism to spellcasters flinging fireballs down the street at lunchtime, where do we want the world to fall? General superstition that's never really "proven"? Psychic powers? Simple Will-driven effects? Or raw, pulsating mystic power that floods the senses? | ||
==Sports== | ==Sports== | ||
| − | + | --Decision Still Pending-- | |
| + | |||
| + | The potential for international sports exists, though their nature is still up for discussion. The first question to ask is the nature of the game... something real, like soccer? Something sort-of real, like a modified version of an existing sport? Or something entirely made-up, like Blitzball? ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitzball , or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_games for fake games in general ) | ||
| + | |||
| + | Team sports would seem to be easier to RP/describe, because it's easier to say "the Nation's team" or "The Gendaran Ravens" won or lost than it is to name individual competitors in an individual sport like golf. Of course, this is not to say that "sports" like gladiator combat (or variants a la Thunderdome, The Running Man, etc) are completely out of the question. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Another question to ask is just how much violence is permissible in the game? The more humane nations may flinch at the idea of total bloodsports, whereas the more violent nations may find the game too tame if there's no blood-loss or risk of death... | ||
| + | |||
| + | At one point, the idea of a somewhat violent game based around Hockey was suggested, played on rollerblades instead of ice skates, possibly utilizing razor-sharp sticks, spiked walls, booby-traps, etc... though the idea sort of petered out without a great deal of support. It's possible that the idea of such an international sport isn't all that interesting to the majority, in which case, we can always drop the idea entirely. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Feel free to share opinions and ideas on the topic. | ||
Latest revision as of 16:28, 11 May 2005
This is the continuity page. It contains a number of Out-of-Character details pertaining to the setting of the Sea of Storms Region. All such "global" details are voted upon by a majority of players in the game, and are subject to change upon future reconsideration.
Sections which begin with the --Decision Still Pending-- heading have yet to be decided - players are encouraged to chime in with their opinions on the issue on the Message Board.
Tech Level
The Tech Level of the Sea of Storms region is considered to be Steampunk. A rough description would be Victorian-era technology expanded in a Jules Verne-style direction, or even a Son of Ether-influenced world-view.
A more in-depth description would be that most forms of technology are rooted in combustion/steam-power and mechanistic devices. While electricity is available, the sheer prevalence of "electronic" technology is almost unheard of (you'd be far more likely to have an electrified sword than a taser, or even a digital watch).
No computers, unless they're "Difference Engine"-style calculating machines. If there are flying machines, it's almost a given that they're of the lighter-than-air variety, rather than the heavier-than-air planes of the real world. The concept of luminiferous ether, while not exactly proven, is most probably accepted as fact.
Most of this is more an aesthetic change than a systemic one - almost any current real-world technology can be translated into a Steampunk-style version. The setting affects the description more than anything else.
Climate
The default weather pattern of the Sea is temperate, with storms and rough water being fairly common. This makes crossing the sea from one nation to another a dangerous proposition, even for experienced sailors. Each individual nation, however, tends to have its own particular climate, as a consequence of its actual location on the sea, as well as nearby geological features.
Gunpowder
Gunpowder (and indeed, any form of explosive combustible powder) has yet to be discovered/developed in the Sea of Storms region. This means no canon, no guns, and no explosives. It also means no fireworks. This may change in the future if someone in the Stormlands discovers the elusive 2:3:15 formula (sulfur, charcoal, and saltpetre).
Language
--Decision Still Pending--
"What ain't no country I ever heard of! They speak English in What?" --- Jules, Pulp Fiction
At the moment, default language of the region is English, though individual nations may have their own native languages. It is the common tongue used in all international dealings.
However, the option exists to establish a fictional "common" tongue (a la the Westron of Tolkien or the "Basic" or "Common" of other stories). Do we feel like coming up with a fake name for the language, or are we fine with English?
Moreover, is the common tongue an artifically constructed language (like Esperanto), created specifically for the purposes of trade? Or is it a holdover from an earlier language that predates all of our nations (the Latin to our Romance Languages)?
Gods
--Decision Still Pending--
Various nations within the region have their own pantheons and gods, and at least one nation even has a Greek-style creation myth which accepts that the gods once walked the earth as men and women do, though no one's be able to ever offer factual proof of their existence.
But do they actually EXIST? Or are they merely figments of overactive imagination? Sociological justifications of primitive man's search for understanding?
If the gods DO exist, then the possibility opens up that they might make physical appearances at some point. Or that someone claiming to be the son or daughter of a god or goddess really ARE the demigods they claim to be.
So - yea or nay?
Magic
--Decision Still Pending--
Magic can be a viable force, an almost ubiquitous presence, or even a completely fictional thing. On the continuum from utterly rational secularism to spellcasters flinging fireballs down the street at lunchtime, where do we want the world to fall? General superstition that's never really "proven"? Psychic powers? Simple Will-driven effects? Or raw, pulsating mystic power that floods the senses?
Sports
--Decision Still Pending--
The potential for international sports exists, though their nature is still up for discussion. The first question to ask is the nature of the game... something real, like soccer? Something sort-of real, like a modified version of an existing sport? Or something entirely made-up, like Blitzball? ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitzball , or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_games for fake games in general )
Team sports would seem to be easier to RP/describe, because it's easier to say "the Nation's team" or "The Gendaran Ravens" won or lost than it is to name individual competitors in an individual sport like golf. Of course, this is not to say that "sports" like gladiator combat (or variants a la Thunderdome, The Running Man, etc) are completely out of the question.
Another question to ask is just how much violence is permissible in the game? The more humane nations may flinch at the idea of total bloodsports, whereas the more violent nations may find the game too tame if there's no blood-loss or risk of death...
At one point, the idea of a somewhat violent game based around Hockey was suggested, played on rollerblades instead of ice skates, possibly utilizing razor-sharp sticks, spiked walls, booby-traps, etc... though the idea sort of petered out without a great deal of support. It's possible that the idea of such an international sport isn't all that interesting to the majority, in which case, we can always drop the idea entirely.
Feel free to share opinions and ideas on the topic.
