Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

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orion1836
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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by orion1836 »

This may have been asked before, but do Loroi have 'handedness' like humans do? Is one side predominant like right-handedness for us?

Now that I think about it, this aspect of our physiology might have interesting implications for a telepathic species. If each side of a Loroi brain specializes, and one side controls telepathy, would right or left-handed Loroi be better or worse at telepathy?

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by Siber »

Most Loroi are left-handed.
Insider, Loroi page, Biology section
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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by nweismuller »

What do the 's', 'sh', and 'b' in this this image signify?

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by boldilocks »

nweismuller wrote:What do the 's', 'sh', and 'b' in this this image signify?
They're the 3 directions of space. "South", "South-Hampton" and "Backwards".

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by cacambo43 »

orion1836 wrote:This may have been asked before, but do Loroi have 'handedness' like humans do? Is one side predominant like right-handedness for us?

Now that I think about it, this aspect of our physiology might have interesting implications for a telepathic species. If each side of a Loroi brain specializes, and one side controls telepathy, would right or left-handed Loroi be better or worse at telepathy?
It might be more complicated than that. Research does NOT seem to support that only one eye sees each side or that language is only from one side.

https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2013/ ... lationship

But this is a fictional, alien, engineered species, so anything can work!

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by entity2636 »

nweismuller wrote:What do the 's', 'sh', and 'b' in this this image signify?
Maybe Arioch could clarify, but logic dictates that the three letters should somehow symbolize the three original Loroi planets - Deinar, Taben and Perrein.

On the other hand,
boldilocks wrote:They're the 3 directions of space. "South", "South-Hampton" and "Backwards".
is probably correct :lol:

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by boldilocks »

If sansai makes secrets and lying next to impossible, why did Beryl ask Alex not to repeat anything about a breakthrough on page 103? Or is it possible to keep secrets and therefore necessary to keep that piece of information to spread beyond the immediate crew?

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by CF2 »

boldilocks wrote:If sansai makes secrets and lying next to impossible, why did Beryl ask Alex not to repeat anything about a breakthrough on page 103? Or is it possible to keep secrets and therefore necessary to keep that piece of information to spread beyond the immediate crew?
Because speculation isn't lying, but it is demoralizing to consider and in Beryl's case not something she'd have the satisfaction of knowing the truth about anytime soon.
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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by Arioch »

Yeah. She's not trying to suppress the information; she just doesn't want to think about it.

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by GeoModder »

And now she has no choice but to think about it. Events are unfolding as she speaks.
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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by inxsi »

Were there any notable locations on Seren where the diral would train, or were they more integrated into civilian areas? What castes would train on Seren?

Is there any prejudice among the adult trainers or diral members towards a first-generation military candidate? Would they tend to go harder or softer on such a candidate?

How do the Loroi determine that someone has the ability to be a farseer? Is there any chance of missing a candidate who could be a farseer? Would a candidate be able to try to hide their ability, or would sanzai make it too difficult to do so?

I know the Insider says the farseers are all civilians - is there any chance for a farseer to be a member of the military?

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by Arioch »

inxsi wrote:Were there any notable locations on Seren where the diral would train, or were they more integrated into civilian areas? What castes would train on Seren?
Because Seren is a frontier sector capital (and before the occupation had a large population), it would have needed to have some training facilities for pretty much every caste, as well as secondary education for Soroin and Tenoin (specialists would have probably been sent to offworld academies after trials). Post-occupation, the population of the entire sector has been greatly reduced, and the number of males and children living near the front lines is kept at a minimum.

Seren is cold and extremely arid; there is very little surface water except for a few black saline lakes and the polar ice caps. The dominant form of plant life is a lichen-like colonial organism that forms forests of vast fan-shaped mineral structures, similar to stromatolites, which draw moisture from deep underground aquifers to the surface where it can be used for photosynthesis. In addition to providing oxygen for the atmosphere, these stromatolites contain rich veins of valuable metals, which is a chief source of Seren's considerable mineral wealth. Other than these great mineral "forest" valleys, the rest of Seren's terrain is barren mountains and salt flats, cold deserts, and the wind-sculpted ice formations of the polar regions. Almost all Loroi habitation on Seren was urban, with great cities springing up near the forest quarries. Seren was also famously home to great orbital megastructures: several great orbital elevators, a multitude of vast orbital shipyards, and the mighty Seren Citadel.

Ground-based diral bands often took to the mineral forest valleys, sometimes in and around abandoned quarries (the mining tunnels and natural crevasses of which would serve as superb hiding places for the resistance during the Umiak occupation). Station-based diral bands had the vast orbital megastructures as their playgrounds. Today's diral bands also have ruined cities to explore.
inxsi wrote:Is there any prejudice among the adult trainers or diral members towards a first-generation military candidate? Would they tend to go harder or softer on such a candidate?
In the starfaring era, the female children of the worker class are not eligible for warrior training, so there's no such thing as a first-generation military candidate.
inxsi wrote:How do the Loroi determine that someone has the ability to be a farseer? Is there any chance of missing a candidate who could be a farseer? Would a candidate be able to try to hide their ability, or would sanzai make it too difficult to do so?
Unfortunately, there's not much I can say about that which doesn't get pretty heavily into spoiler territory.
inxsi wrote:I know the Insider says the farseers are all civilians - is there any chance for a farseer to be a member of the military?
Not really. It's possible, but it's not done.

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by inxsi »

Thanks for the answers! Had a follow up since I'm not clear on something...
Arioch wrote:
inxsi wrote:Is there any prejudice among the adult trainers or diral members towards a first-generation military candidate? Would they tend to go harder or softer on such a candidate?
In the starfaring era, the female children of the worker class are not eligible for warrior training, so there's no such thing as a first-generation military candidate.
I thought there were, based on
Daughters of civilians are not normally accepted for application to the warrior ranks, except when the civilian mother is of high status (particularly if the father is of notable lineage), or when a civilian child shows unique abilities (particularly telekinesis), or in times of great need.
Would the instructors or band members know that such a candidate was the child of a civilian (even though they had always been raised as a warrior candidate)?

Did the Umiak target male Loroi for death as well as female Loroi when they decided the Loroi could not be pacified? Did they treat the two sexes differently at all?

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by Arioch »

inxsi wrote:
Arioch wrote:
inxsi wrote:Is there any prejudice among the adult trainers or diral members towards a first-generation military candidate? Would they tend to go harder or softer on such a candidate?
In the starfaring era, the female children of the worker class are not eligible for warrior training, so there's no such thing as a first-generation military candidate.
I thought there were, based on
Daughters of civilians are not normally accepted for application to the warrior ranks, except when the civilian mother is of high status (particularly if the father is of notable lineage), or when a civilian child shows unique abilities (particularly telekinesis), or in times of great need.
In the pre-starflight era, when Loroi nations warred against each other and clans vied for power within nations, there were cases when a disadvantaged nation might dip into its civilian pool for talented individuals, or a disadvantaged clan might allow a wealthy civilian to "buy in" by mating her with one of the male scions of the clan. But in the modern era, after unification and abolition of the clan system, this is generally not permitted. It might be tempting to backdoor a powerful civilian psychokinetic into the Teidar, but there are other uses for male and civilian PK's.
inxsi wrote: Would the instructors or band members know that such a candidate was the child of a civilian (even though they had always been raised as a warrior candidate)?
It would be very difficult to conceal, given the nature of telepathy. However, if the candidate was a powerful telepath or pyschokinetic, she might have significant tools to quell dissent. But I think in most military units (especially at this young an age) if you can prove yourself, the others will accept you.
inxsi wrote:Did the Umiak target male Loroi for death as well as female Loroi when they decided the Loroi could not be pacified? Did they treat the two sexes differently at all?
Very few male Loroi fell into Umiak hands during the occupation, as most had been evacuated well in advance of the enemy. Those few who were captured were treated quite differently.

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by icekatze »

hi hi

That makes me wonder, are there any notable stories or legends about children that were mixed up shortly after birth? Surely much less likely in the space-faring era, but perhaps in older times, especially since children aren't generally raised by their parents. Child from a warrior caste mother gets mixed up with a child from a civilian caste mother, maybe they looked so much alike or something.

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by dragoongfa »

I think that even toddlers have to have distinct telepathic signatures from each other so it's very hard to have such a mishap.

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by dragoongfa »

Arioch wrote: In the pre-starflight era, when Loroi nations warred against each other and clans vied for power within nations, there were cases when a disadvantaged nation might dip into its civilian pool for talented individuals, or a disadvantaged clan might allow a wealthy civilian to "buy in" by mating her with one of the male scions of the clan. But in the modern era, after unification and abolition of the clan system, this is generally not permitted. It might be tempting to backdoor a powerful civilian psychokinetic into the Teidar, but there are other uses for male and civilian PK's.
I expected for a naturally lethal psychokinetic civilian child (i.e. able to easily kill without using an amplifier) to be automatically inducted as a Teidar candidate, they are dangerous weapons by just existing and their automatic induction would offer a very useful social stress relief tool by showing the civilian underclass that if their children are lucky enough they can be inducted into a very prestigious warrior caste.
Same with the Mizol if a child showed high telepathic potential coupled with some telekinesis, especially since a Mizol born to a civilian could prove to be a very good asset in matters of managing civilian unrest.

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by Arioch »

icekatze wrote:That makes me wonder, are there any notable stories or legends about children that were mixed up shortly after birth? Surely much less likely in the space-faring era, but perhaps in older times, especially since children aren't generally raised by their parents. Child from a warrior caste mother gets mixed up with a child from a civilian caste mother, maybe they looked so much alike or something.
As dragoongfa mentioned, babies are identified by their telepathic signatures rather than names, and warrior and worker babies are usually not raised in the same facilities, so it would take a disaster or war to mix them up... in which cases it would be tough to ever unmix them again. It's tough in a telepathic society to keep a known secret about the child's true origin.

It would be unusual for a heroic myth to feature a civilian protagonist. Thinking of our own mythologies, the heroes are almost always princes and princesses or kings and queens or the children of the gods or the gods themselves, and almost never peasants. A switched at birth story makes for a great Gilbert & Sullivan comedic musical, but that doesn't seem very Loroi in style... and the likely "civilians can succeed too" or "we're all the same underneath" morals don't seem like ones Loroi society would value. Confused parentage stories that are more Loroi in character would be something like:
  • A warrior child of Clan A is taken in a raid by Clan B, and raised in Clan B where no one really paid any attention to where she came from. She rises to prominence and eventually leads Clan B in an attack on Clan A, and destroys them. A survivor recognizes her telepathic signature and informs her that she's just killed her entire family. She goes mad and leads Clan B to ruin.
  • A warrior child of Clan A is taken in a raid by Clan B, and raised as a worker in the new clan. She rises to prominence in the civilian order of Clan B and eventually leads a successful worker revolt, destroying the warrior class of the clan. The neighboring clans (including Clan A) attack and destroy the rebels. As the hero lies wounded, her sisters recognize her telepathic signature and are reunited with her, but she dies shortly after.
dragoongfa wrote:I expected for a naturally lethal psychokinetic civilian child (i.e. able to easily kill without using an amplifier) to be automatically inducted as a Teidar candidate, they are dangerous weapons by just existing and their automatic induction would offer a very useful social stress relief tool by showing the civilian underclass that if their children are lucky enough they can be inducted into a very prestigious warrior caste.
Psychokinetic potential is hereditary, so in the modern era to have a civilian PK who was lethal unamplified would be very rare. But I think you're right that if they would make an exception in any case, this would be the one. Ultimately, might makes right in a warrior culture. However, I think they'd go out of their way to find some geneological evidence that she had warrior ancestors and was really a warrior. "You can make it if you try" is not the kind of message that keeps castes separate and underclasses in line.
dragoongfa wrote:Same with the Mizol if a child showed high telepathic potential coupled with some telekinesis, especially since a Mizol born to a civilian could prove to be a very good asset in matters of managing civilian unrest.
I think this case is less likely. Civilian telepaths are taught civilian techniques, and Mizol ninja skills are the kind of thing that is hard to learn on your own. A civilian telepath who is capable and influential within her own sphere is not usually considered to be a problem.

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by Gorbash »

Arioch wrote:Thinking of our own mythologies, the heroes are almost always princes and princesses or kings and queens or the children of the gods or the gods themselves, and almost never peasants.
I don't really think that's the case -- heroic myths tend more to follow the culture telling the story in question, and you end up with more "peasant"-centric stories as the cultural divide between peasants and nobles increases. Hence why we have so many stories (David ala David and Goliath or the other biblical heroes that started as shepherds, the miller's son in Puss in Boots... if we include historical figures whose humble beginnings romanticized their origins, we get Napoleon, Joan de Arc, and Abraham Lincoln as comparatively recent examples) about slaves, shepherds, and other "salt of the Earth" people tricking and/or becoming nobility, all coming from cultures where nobles and peasants don't really associate. And also why those tend to emerge as "folklore", passed by oral tradition, than as stories with formal authors and written origins -- the people more likely to be telling them are less likely to be able to read.

I imagine (given Loroi telepathy and cultural views on lying) that there could still not be any real "myths" about Loroi civilians (or at least Loroi civilians moving to the warrior caste), but it would surprise me if the Loroi civvies don't have their own "heroes" and embellished "stories" and gossip about clever civilians being rewarded by the Loroi leadership for actions of cleverness or bravery or skill. After all, they're somewhat isolated from their fellows in the Warrior castes (having separate education, baby-raising areas, mates, and occupations), treated as mildly second-class citizens, and ruled by enigmatic leaders whom they're encouraged to respect, follow loyally, and look up to; I may be wrong on this, but I wouldn't think they'd identify as well with stories of ancient war-heroes as they would the Loroi equivalent of John Henry and Paul Bunyan. Less of the "shepherds *becoming* kings" motif as in human history, certainly.

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Re: Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

Post by icekatze »

hi hi

It makes sense that Loroi stories would put an emphasis on people being in their correct caste, although as has also been said, Loroi stories are also expected to be true. I was wondering less about whether it was possible to have a heroic civilian, and more about what kind of scandal it would cause. I expect that in modern Loroi culture, the two castes barely interact, but in a small pre-industrial village, I would imagine that there would be more chances for either a mistake or some act of revenge.

I do find it a little bit interesting that hereditary family in the first example would be something strongly considered, but certainly not implausible. I might have thought that a disregard for hereditary family would be also a strong possibility, but I admit that the dynamics of Loroi family structures is a mystery to me.

I guess what I was curious about is the unmixing process. Would a civilian child who thought they were warrior born be stripped of rank, or maybe sent on impossible suicide missions in order to cover up the mistake, or would their superiors just acknowledge that mistakes were made and it's just too bad so deal with it. (If it were the latter, I would imagine that any story about a civilian getting mixed into the military would end with their catastrophic demise, just proving further that the military has the proper birthright.)

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