Tons of Drotid/Shaahesk questions.

[Skaess]

Hello there Avlis people, it was suggested I post all these questions here, so I am doing so. I always have a great curiosity about any race I intend to roleplay, and like to learn as much as possible about them. Because of that, some of these questions may be a little odd, I hope nobody minds. *smiles* I'm still waiting for my application to be accepted, so this seems a good thing to do in the meantime. I also realize it's possible I won't get any answers but, oh well, no harm done I hope.

History of Drotid: I didn't see much on this, is it out there? The names of their cities and notable heroes and so on and so forth? History is great for learning how a culture views the modern world.

Current Relations: I gathered Drotid allied with M'check somewhat recently, but I haven't been able to find too many details on it. The perspective of Drotid on the alliance would be most useful, in particlar. So I know what the Shaahesk troops are being told by their superiors. Any information that can be spared would be great.

Caste Choosing: I saw they have a caste system, but I cannot find HOW one is picked for a caste anywhere. Do they join of their own will? Do they have to pick at a certain age, or is it chosen for them? Etc.

Courtship Rituals: Just what you all want to think about, I'm sure! Still, it's too big a thing to overlook. How do the Shaahesk handle this, if at all? Is it more like the traditional mammalian way, or is it more alien and reptilian?

Rhetoric: How do they generally talk? I don't mean accent, but I rather mean, what do they preach, and what is their general tone? Do they sound aristocratic and intellectual or maybe more gruff and blunt? If there are any examples of Shaahesk conversation (and espicially the preaching of priests) that would be exactly what I am looking for.

Art: Do they have art, and if so, what is it like? What kind of things do they consider beautiful and ugly? Do they have theatre and the like, and if so, what kind of plays and such are typical?

Catchphrases: Every culture has them, and most of the time, they don't make sense. But they can add alot of personality and really give you a feel for how the culture views itself. If you guys have come up with any, I'd love to see them. (Incase it's not clear what I mean, I mean odd little phrases like "Don't go chewing waxleaves" and so on.)

Okay, there, enough questions to drive you crazy, and I'm sure convince you that *I* am crazy...will look foward to any answers, and looking foward to getting to try Avlis out! *smiles*

[Deider]

I'm afraid a lot of these questions can only be answered by Orleron himself. But I'll take a shot at a few:

History of Drotid: I didn't see much on this, is it out there? The names of their cities and notable heroes and so on and so forth? History is great for learning how a culture views the modern world.

What you see in the World Information forum is what you get I'm afraid.

Current Relations: I gathered Drotid allied with M'check somewhat recently, but I haven't been able to find too many details on it. The perspective of Drotid on the alliance would be most useful, in particlar. So I know what the Shaahesk troops are being told by their superiors. Any information that can be spared would be great.

I can tell you what Shaahesk troops are told by their superiors: try to kill the pointy-ears, not the round-ears. Seriously, that's about it. Only a few shaahesk soldiers would ever encounter a human anyway, since most of them are sent to attack T'Nanshi's northern border with Drotid. Only a few liaison officers are sent down to the M'Chek/T'Nanshi border to help fight there.

Caste Choosing: I saw they have a caste system, but I cannot find HOW one is picked for a caste anywhere. Do they join of their own will? Do they have to pick at a certain age, or is it chosen for them? Etc.

Your caste is determined by birth. In the case of PC background creation, selecting one of the 'noble' castes for your PC would be just like playing a PC who's part of a noble family - such a background is subject to approval by the team, and should be sent to staff@avlis.org before you make your character.

Rhetoric: How do they generally talk? I don't mean accent, but I rather mean, what do they preach, and what is their general tone? Do they sound aristocratic and intellectual or maybe more gruff and blunt? If there are any examples of Shaahesk conversation (and espicially the preaching of priests) that would be exactly what I am looking for.

The shaahesk are an intelligent race, just like most of the other humanoid races. Style of speech would depend on one's education, which would depend greatly on one's caste. Speech styles would run the gamut from rough and uneducated to aristocratic and intellectual. Of course, to non-shaahesk it would all sound something like "ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss..."

[Fifty]

Wrt to caste, would it be logical to assume that Shaahesk themselves would be able to raise their caste through combat and proving their martial strength, or are you stuck wherever you land up. Also the religious caste is quite often made up of people who have left other castes. Is that the case for Shaahesk?

Also, don't forget that Shaahesk only actually make up a small part of the Drotid population.

[GreyLynx]

Also, don't forget that Shaahesk only actually make up a small part of the Drotid population.

Are you referring to slaves such as kobolds as the rest of the population?

[Fifty]

Also, don't forget that Shaahesk only actually make up a small part of the Drotid population.

Are you referring to slaves such as kobolds as the rest of the population?

Yes, pretty much.

[CPU]

Catchphrases: Every culture has them, and most of the time, they don't make sense. But they can add alot of personality and really give you a feel for how the culture views itself. If you guys have come up with any, I'd love to see them. (Incase it's not clear what I mean, I mean odd little phrases like "Don't go chewing waxleaves" and so on.)

This one's easy to answer, because alot has been written by Orleron on the topic. I'd say the most common Shaahesk cutural phrases I read about are, "Whatchoo talkin' bout Willis?" and "Did I do that?" Earlier phrases, not so popular anymore are, "Dy-no-mite!" and the even earlier, "Lucy, I'm home! Occasionally, add an extra "S" or "A" into the words of your favorite catch phrase to give your Shaahesk an good wholesome lizard accent.

Used in game regularly, they definitely add a flair of detail to any lizardman character! Welcome to Avlis!

[Skaess]

Thanks a bunch for the replies, everything helps, heheh. However, I do need some clarification on one response, forgive me if it seems obvious, but I'd like to be sure.

When you say your caste is determined by birth, exactly what do you mean? Is it based on the castes of your parents, or do they use magic on your egg to determine your abilities prior to your being hatched and then assign you one based on that, as that could also be called it being based on birth. Don't mean to be a pain, just want to make sure I got it right. *smiles*

And now I just know I'm gonna see a bunch of Shaahesk refrencing sitcoms when I finally get in there...*snickers*

[gwydion2]

As there isn't that much on the social structure of Drotid you have to wing it to some degree. I think a lot of things like this get fleshed out by characters anyway. Just don't contradict what is already written when you create your background.

I have some thoughts of my own on the Drotid caste system but I'm not in any way part of the team so these are just my thoughts. One of my characters does have something of an interest in this though.

The philosophy of Aarilax is very much one of an individual being able to advance himself through strength, cunning and ruthlessness. A totally fixed caste system is on the face of it opposed to that Idea. I rationalise it like this.
Most people in any society will put up with their place in life and accept what they can get without taking risks. In Drotid people like this born into a low caste will certainly remain there. Those born into a high caste who are too weak, stupid or lazy to compete with their equals are likely to end up dead at an early age. Those who have the strength and daring to risk the wrath of their superiors may be eliminated if their ambition seems threatening or may rise if they can make themselves useful. Perhaps a patron of a higher caste may adopt a promising subordinate if it furthers his own power. For instance a farm worker who demonstrates a latent talent for sorcery may simply be killed by the local landholder as a trouble maker or may be adpoted by a mage who could use a loyal ally (totally dependant on him) to face his enemies. Even a slave could conceivably advance if sufficiently cunning. Remember that any advancement must be seen in terms of what your superiors gain by advancing you, not any form of gratitude for your service.
The caste system is therefore a challenge to be faced to prove your worth rather than an insurmountable barrier. Above all the Shaheesk respect strength. The truely powerful can always rise.
Essentially caste advancement should be rare but is the goal of many ambitious Shaheesk. If you are starting a Shaheesk character Id suggest that your caste will almost certainly be the one you were born with and that any change of caste come as a result of a DM plot.

[Fuzz]

We have a thread with a lot of RP ideas for Shaahesk and kobolds up in the Evil Chars forum. Apply for access to it and check it out. I'm the post originator... the thread title is rather silly and tongue-in-cheek, so it won't jump right out at you, but it's still right up on top in the list.

Good luck!

[Rhissaerk Jalesh]

(Skaess here, changed account name to match character name.)

Thanks again for the replies! It does give me a few ideas...and I'd love to see that thread. However, I read the FAQ and searched the boards but can't see anything mentioning how to apply for a private forum? Forgive me if it's obvious and I am just missing it...but, ah, how does one do that?

[Sindol]

There's a "Groups" link under the banner at the top of your screen. That will take you to a list of groups, in which you can select one and apply for membership. Membership to such groups gives you access to the private forum(s) of that group.

Note that there are also a bunch of groups that are hidden, and can't be applied to from the Groups menu above. These are typically groups that exist in game and should be contacted in character to apply for membership, meaning you'll have to find them in game and RP your way in.

[sozin]

Having RP'd yesterday with Rhissaerk with my new lizardman Tezcoatl (lot of fun by the way Rhis, thanks a lot).

it seems as tho' the word "Ssa" has been chosen for "Yes." We have a word!

Rhissaerk refers to himself in the third person; forgot to ask him if that's cultural or not. (He could be just dumb! )

I'd like to advance the following alternation to the caste system concept: introduction 'phyles' on top of castes. This idea is borrowed from Neil Stephenson's wonderful book The Diamond Age: A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer ( http://www.boredatheist.com/etc/dia/main.html ). A phyle a collection of people grouped by race, religion, an idea, or a skill, have sprung up to take the place of large governments. In Drotid, phyle's are organized on geographic and racial axis' (yep, different types of lizardmen). The dominant phyle is the current Shaheesk government, much resented by the other phyle's (who are constantly plotting to overthrow/murder them).

With this idea in place, Shaheesk RPers are now free to step out of the strangehold of "either you're in the Drotid army or your a bandit/slaver." The third option (and the one I'm taking for my lizardman Tezcoatl ) is those lizards from one of the non-dominant phyle's ... that might be in Mikona to train to be, say, an ass-kicking Annihilator ...

Think we could make phyle's part of Drotid's class/society structure? It sits smoothly on top of the caste system at least ...

One other thought: I've taken to using the emote *Drotid* while talking to other Drotid. Worked well for me and Rhis yesterday. For ex

Tez: *Drotid* That human boy Joro is looking tasty.
Rhez: *Drotid* Don't kill him, he needs fire potions

What do people think about this? I've yet to see it done with elven or dwarvish ... seems like the lingua is always common.

Actually found a human hanging outside of Mikona yesterday to claimed to have a rusty understanding of the language!

--sozin

[Nob]

The *emote* language thing is relatively old, I know a lot of players use it in lieu of actually learning a language.

I think it's fine, but obviously, it's a matter of trust.

[Rhissaerk Jalesh]

Well, I'd actually learn the language if there was one, but at the moment, there isn't, heheh. Or if the Shaahesk do have a language there doesn't seem to be any information on it. So for now emoting that we're talking in Drotid is about all we can do...if there is a Shaahesk language, that would be awesome.

As for 'Ssa'. Ssa is kinda a multi purpose sound a couple of Shaahesk players have been using. It's most commonly used as 'yes' but can also be used as an exclamation, or just a noise a Shaahesk makes to express any emotion he's feeling. That's how I've been using it since I first saw Szakar do it and I thought it was neat. *chuckles*

Apparantly there is some more information on Shaahesk culture out there but it hasn't been released yet. *nudge team*

As for Rhissaerk talking in third person, Rhiss does that because he is weird. He's actually rather smart, but he thinks talking in third person makes him stand out more, gets his point across better, and just cause he likes how it sounds better. If they want to make it a cultural thing, that'd be cool, but I didn't intend for it to be when I started having Rhiss talk that way.

[sozin]

The *emote* language thing is relatively old, I know a lot of players use it in lieu of actually learning a language.

I think it's fine, but obviously, it's a matter of trust.

As Deider put it elsewhere, to anyone else Drotid sounds like "sssssssssssssssssssss". So not sure its about laziness ... at least not the bad kind of laziness ( good kind: http://www.maths.adelaide.edu.au/~cmc/t ... /x175.html , #Laziness ).

Re: trust, very true

--sozin

[Midknight]

it seems as tho' the word "Ssa" has been chosen for "Yes." We have a word!

The way I've been using it, 'Ssa' is a contextual term that means something along the lines of "Is that so, then?"
So as an exclamation, it would be "Is that so!?", or in stronger language, "What the heck!?"
In response to a question, generally it means "That is so", or yes.
In response to a statement, generally it comes across as "Is that so?" or "I see."

Szakhar, my lizardman character, will switch between third and first person speech at times.
Here's my whacked out theory on the first/third person references... the first person can be used to display a degree of assertiveness and agressiveness in Shaahesk, while using third person displays a less confrontational attitude.

Thus, a character like Szakhar who uses "i" a lot, shows a confrontational spirit, while Rhissaerk who uses the third person tends to be less confrontational. This is entirely my thoughts on this though.

Szakhar also writes lIKe ThIS, bECaUsE He hAS DiFfICulTY holding a pen. Makes it a pain to type though, but I guess it simulates the difficulty of writing closely enough.