What would be the Trade equivalent of 'God' or 'deity'? Just soia?
The Trade word for "deity" is poinnat. Soia just means "ancestor."
I would be surprised if the Loroi would ever conceive of a being greater than themselves. Do they have a formal religion surrounding this poinnat, or is theirs more of a spiritual philosophy centered on the concepts of creation, life, and destiny?
Poinnat refers mainly to foreign religions, such as the one practiced by the Barsam. The mainstream Loroi "philosophy" (nedi, "way") is to revere their ancestors and follow the teachings of their heroic mythology.
Certain Loroi subcultures did have what we would call religion, but those were mainly destroyed in antiquity.
The Trade word for "deity" is poinnat. Soia just means "ancestor."
I would be surprised if the Loroi would ever conceive of a being greater than themselves. Do they have a formal religion surrounding this poinnat, or is theirs more of a spiritual philosophy centered on the concepts of creation, life, and destiny?
Poinnat refers mainly to foreign religions, such as the one practiced by the Barsam. The mainstream Loroi "philosophy" (nedi, "way") is to revere their ancestors and follow the teachings of their heroic mythology. Certain Loroi subcultures did have what we would call religion, but those were mainly destroyed in antiquity.
So then, would Nedi be considered analogous to Terran Shinto?
“Qua is the sine qua non of sine qua non qua sine qua non.” -- Attributed to many
The mainstream Loroi "philosophy" (nedi, "way") is to revere their ancestors and follow the teachings of their heroic mythology.
How widespread is this belief, and how serious or even zealous are the Loroi about it? Well, their claim to leadership is derived from said mythology, but do they believe their own propaganda? So, did Tempo cut off the Barsam courier for philosophical/religious or rather political reasons? Both?
Also, do the Loroi have any word or concept for a dragon or a dragonslayer?
So then, would Nedi be considered analogous to Terran Shinto?
There are similarities in the "ancestor worship" of some of our Eastern religions, and in that religions like Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism were more philosophy before they were deified for wider acceptance. But I think the importance placed on the heroic myths and the analysis thereof is probably more Western than Eastern. I might be wrong, but I don't think the major Eastern religions don't place as much importance on scripture as Germanic or Judeo-Christian religions do.
The mainstream Loroi "philosophy" (nedi, "way") is to revere their ancestors and follow the teachings of their heroic mythology.
How widespread is this belief, and how serious or even zealous are the Loroi about it? Well, their claim to leadership is derived from said mythology, but do they believe their own propaganda?
It varies by subculture and individual. In general, the more conservative the culture, the more seriously they take the myths and their philosophy.
Also, do the Loroi have any word or concept for a dragon or a dragonslayer?
I don't think any of them fit into the Western mold of a "dragon"; a serpentine representation of greed and guardian of a treasure for a hero to slay. But I guess that depends on what your definition of a "dragon" is.
Perrair is a generic Trade term for "monster."
The Loroi mythos has a number of seemingly supernatural "monsters"; most of them are depicted as intelligent and communicative, and are presumed by modern Nedatan to be representations of pre-Fall aliens which primitive post-Fall but pre-Starflight Loroi could only conceive of as mythical monsters. Most of them read like animist spirits, who like nature can be ally or enemy depending on the context. Many of them have humanoid forms, or can take humanoid form (like a lot of the monsters in Eastern mythologies).
I guess the closest to a dragon would be the minnir, which is a flying creature associated with storms and lightning. There's not much point in minnir-slayers, because they can't be permanently killed.
So then, would Nedi be considered analogous to Terran Shinto?
There are similarities in the "ancestor worship" of some of our Eastern religions, and in that religions like Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism were more philosophy before they were deified for wider acceptance. But I think the importance placed on the heroic myths and the analysis thereof is probably more Western than Eastern. I might be wrong, but I don't think the major Eastern religions don't place as much importance on scripture as Germanic or Judeo-Christian religions do.
The mainstream Loroi "philosophy" (nedi, "way") is to revere their ancestors and follow the teachings of their heroic mythology.
How widespread is this belief, and how serious or even zealous are the Loroi about it? Well, their claim to leadership is derived from said mythology, but do they believe their own propaganda?
It varies by subculture and individual. In general, the more conservative the culture, the more seriously they take the myths and their philosophy.
Also, do the Loroi have any word or concept for a dragon or a dragonslayer?
I don't think any of them fit into the Western mold of a "dragon"; a serpentine representation of greed and guardian of a treasure for a hero to slay. But I guess that depends on what your definition of a "dragon" is.
Perrair is a generic Trade term for "monster."
The Loroi mythos has a number of seemingly supernatural "monsters"; most of them are depicted as intelligent and communicative, and are presumed by modern Nedatan to be representations of pre-Fall aliens which primitive post-Fall but pre-Starflight Loroi could only conceive of as mythical monsters. Most of them read like animist spirits, who like nature can be ally or enemy depending on the context. Many of them have humanoid forms, or can take humanoid form (like a lot of the monsters in Eastern mythologies).
I guess the closest to a dragon would be the minnir, which is a flying creature associated with storms and lightning. There's not much point in minnir-slayers, because they can't be permanently killed.
What I think Garak is saying is that he sprinkles even his lies with truth. But he won't give away the details of which is which.
It is not unlike stereotypes of races and cultures today.
All have negative things, and positive things said about them.
Which are true? They all are... but the extent varies for indviduals greatly. I think what's most important is what the government's attitude is, since that matters and will force all to like this or that whether they like it or not.
Above all... with a few exceptionns, saying ALL of a culture or race are a certain way merely means plenty enough are. Indeed anything ALL of one race do is something that ALL human races have done at one point or another.
It is easier to judge people on appearance, especially strangers, so we do. Along with that comes all the stereotypes we know, for good and bad.
Generally speaking though, doing to others what one would want done to them works for peace.... so long a person is not stupidly naive about it.
For example, if anyone appears to be an obvious threat because they dress like certain styles worn by criminal elements, you do not close distance with them if you are already in an isolated spot.
I don't think any of them fit into the Western mold of a "dragon"; a serpentine representation of greed and guardian of a treasure for a hero to slay. But I guess that depends on what your definition of a "dragon" is.
Then how about a monster as a representation of a great obstacle the hero needs to overcome? Do the Loroi have such myths, where the hero slays a mythical monster (representing the forces of nature, for example) or single-handedly wipes out an enemy army (maybe by receiving help from a personification of nature). I guess the latter would be the legend of Tempest (did she find a Soia artifact or something), but what about the former?
Loroi don't celebrate birthdays. But I expect that's not what you wanted to hear.
What do they celebrate, then? Are there any rituals, customs or traditions and what are they called? For example, what about a diral day, commemorating their sizasad?
Loroi don't celebrate birthdays. But I expect that's not what you wanted to hear.
What do they celebrate, then? Are there any rituals, customs or traditions and what are they called? For example, what about a diral day, commemorating their sizasad?
Loroi diral mates celebrate their "naming day" (siia), which is the final day of the graduation rites. It's celebrated as a group with other diral mates, if there are any present. They spend it sharing memories of the diral training and especially of diral mates who are not present or deceased.
Holidays get a little bit strange in an interstellar society, since calendars are specific to individual worlds, and most Loroi ships and installations are running on Standard Time (the Loroi version of military Zulu Time, based on Perrein mean solar time). So most holidays are local to individual planets, and so those wishing to observe the holiday abroad (which includes a significant percentage of warriors) have to keep track of their home calendar separately from Standard Time.
There are only a few "international" Loroi holidays, analogous to things like the US Flag Day and Presidents' Day (and as little-observed), but many ships and bases observe some local holidays to break up the boredom of shipboard duty. Perrein holidays are especially useful for this, since the Perrein calendar corresponds to Standard Time.
But I think the importance placed on the heroic myths and the analysis thereof is probably more Western than Eastern.
So, more or less as if "Lord of the Rings" ever becomes scripture?
May I say that the level of detail and self-consistency you have put into the setting of this story is trulyTolkienesque? That really is the greatest compliment I can give to an author.
May I say that the level of detail and self-consistency you have put into the setting of this story is trulyTolkienesque? That really is the greatest compliment I can give to an author.
Hmm ... the Trade Language seems to be more exacting than I thought at first ...
What do you mean?
I took the word "nial" from your lexicon after not finding the word for "hero" and substituting the synonym "champion" instead. Maybe I looked on the wrong page ... ?
“Qua is the sine qua non of sine qua non qua sine qua non.” -- Attributed to many
