Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

[Onaiom]

Arioch, how Loroi mothers reacts when one of their daughters fail to pass the trials? And when her daughter is demoted to civilian class?

If more than one daughter is demoted, does it reflect on the mother reputation like: prohibition to have another offspring or minimized access to male?

[Arioch]

Arioch, how Loroi mothers reacts when one of their daughters fail to pass the trials? And when her daughter is demoted to civilian class?

If more than one daughter is demoted, does it reflect on the mother reputation like: prohibition to have another offspring or minimized access to male?

It would be embarrassing, and it might be something of a social scandal if the family was of especially high standing or the mother was particularly famous. But I can't imagine that the mother might actually be punished, especially since child-rearing is usually communal and the birth mother often has very limited involvement in the process.

If a mother had multiple children who were physically unfit or who had specific genetic disorders or the like, this could affect her chances of future access to males. But I think TL10 medical science would minimize that probability.

[Sweforce]

On page 102 we see the shuttle appearantly with the nose pointed towards Tempest's bow.
In page 106 we see it with its nose pointed away from Tempest's stern.
Did the shuttle turn 180° after leaving the ship, or was it turned already inside the hangar?
At least, when looking at the position of the illuminated panes inside the hangar bay on page 106, it seems to me the shuttle at some point turned.

Realistically, the shuttle would have dropped tail-first out of the hangar, but that doesn't read well for a comic panel. The balcony runs down both sides of the hangar, but the shuttle was facing forward along the starboard side. So whether it turned around before or after leaving the hangar is probably best left to the imagination.

There's room to turn around inside, but only just.

A aft first deployment could look really badass in animation or CGI thou. Drop out and instantly swivel the shuttle around to show just how skilled the pilot are. But yes, since it's a comic format nose first do loook best.

[dragoongfa]

It would be embarrassing, and it might be something of a social scandal if the family was of especially high standing or the mother was particularly famous. But I can't imagine that the mother might actually be punished, especially since child-rearing is usually communal and the birth mother often has very limited involvement in the process.

If a mother had multiple children who were physically unfit or who had specific genetic disorders or the like, this could affect her chances of future access to males. But I think TL10 medical science would minimize that probability.

How does one fail the trials? I imagine that each caste has its own standards but what's the general rule of thumb that makes the difference between a new warrior and a failure?

Also, beyond the telekinetics who must go to a respective caste, is there a way for a civilian (whether a child or even an adult) to attain warrior status?

[GeoModder]

How does one fail the trials? I imagine that each caste has its own standards but what's the general rule of thumb that makes the difference between a new warrior and a failure?

IIRC, a diral (group of Loroi children aged 6-8, so adolescents to human standards) fails its trial as a unit when enough members fail their test(s).
Its all in this article.

[dragoongfa]

How does one fail the trials? I imagine that each caste has its own standards but what's the general rule of thumb that makes the difference between a new warrior and a failure?

IIRC, a diral (group of Loroi children aged 6-8, so adolescents to human standards) fails its trial as a unit when enough members fail their test(s).
Its all in this article.

Yes this part in particular:

Failure to pass the trials brings shame not only on the individual, but on the entire band (and, occasionally, on the parents and family). Failure by individuals during the trial (unless it is egregious) does not usually cause them to be dropped from the band, but rather is exacted in punishment upon the whole group (and in particular the leader). If enough members of the band fail the trials, the entire band may fail the passage, and have to perform it again at a later date. This is, however, a rare occurrence.

I take from the above that the band doesn't fail the trial as a whole but rather when a lot of the candidates fail the band is forced to take the trials again at a later date, I take this as a measure in order for the whole band not to be dropped into the civilian dregs or even an attempt to salvage potential warriors if the diral was somewhat 'unlucky' due to other circumstances.

[Arioch]

It would be embarrassing, and it might be something of a social scandal if the family was of especially high standing or the mother was particularly famous. But I can't imagine that the mother might actually be punished, especially since child-rearing is usually communal and the birth mother often has very limited involvement in the process.

If a mother had multiple children who were physically unfit or who had specific genetic disorders or the like, this could affect her chances of future access to males. But I think TL10 medical science would minimize that probability.

How does one fail the trials? I imagine that each caste has its own standards but what's the general rule of thumb that makes the difference between a new warrior and a failure?

The diral phase and the trials are mainly tests of character and unit cohesion rather than skill; more comprehensive training and culling into more specialized groups based on skill and aptitude will come later. Tests are passed and failed as a group, and failed tests can be usually taken again until they are passed (along with appropriate punishment and humiliation). There are really only two ways for an individual to wash out: by voluntarily refusing to go on, or by dying. The other members of the band are expected and encouraged to support the weaker members who are struggling, but if a particular member is so hopelessly incompetent that the others start to feel that she's a danger to the group (many of whom will eventually deploy into combat together), they may eventually abandon her or even kill her... but this is rare. So a Loroi who is dropped from warrior training and sent to civilian life is usually someone who quit.

Also, beyond the telekinetics who must go to a respective caste, is there a way for a civilian (whether a child or even an adult) to attain warrior status?

There were times and places in Loroi history in which under extraordinary circumstances civilians were allowed to fight or earn warrior status, but there is no current normal mechanism to allow this.

[Suederwind]

Are any of the Loroi shuttles capable of (emergency) landing on water?

[Arioch]

Are any of the Loroi shuttles capable of (emergency) landing on water?

If by "emergency landing" you mean crash with some survivors, sure, I think any aircraft can make an emergency landing on water. It just probably won't stay afloat for very long.

I can imagine "seaplane"-like shuttles designed to land safely on water, if they were needed. Especially if you add VTOL capability, it shouldn't be a problem. I don't imagine the Loroi having any need for this, but the Pipolsid might appreciate something like this.

[Tamri]

Since Loroi is also to apply, I ask here. In Loroi/Human hand Railgun battery is integrated with the clip, or inserted separately? Particle accelerators/plasmaguns, in principle, the source material for a shot needs too, but it can be compact enough that it would insert with battery. But for the Railgun this question is an edge, because of the size of ammunition.

[Arioch]

Since Loroi is also to apply, I ask here. In Loroi/Human hand Railgun battery is integrated with the clip, or inserted separately? Particle accelerators/plasmaguns, in principle, the source material for a shot needs too, but it can be compact enough that it would insert with battery. But for the Railgun this question is an edge, because of the size of ammunition.

It could be done either way, but I think it would probably make more sense to have the physical ammunition and power cell separate, so that you don't end up wasting either ammunition or power.

[sunphoenix]

I have a question Arioch... what are some examples of Clan names among the various Loroi worlds?

Say a... certain Loroi female were raised on Maia in a diral of teidar?

If I'm remembering correctly.. there are various clans of Loroi .. and each diral of a clan has a name as well. Is there a naming convention ...similar to the way Loroi name their ships of the line?

Also for 'graduates' of a specific diral do they append a year to that particular 'class' of young-now adult Loroi warriors... like Wind-Raiders - 2158? Meaning Diral - Wind Raiders completed their training and were deployed to active duty as Warrior in 2158 around the time of the Maiad Campaigns, which is different from the Wind Raiders of 2178?

Or do all dirals have unique names and never use the same name again?

[Arioch]

I have a question Arioch... what are some examples of Clan names among the various Loroi worlds? Say a... certain Loroi female were raised on Maia in a diral of teidar?

Clan names are descriptive, similar to our surnames, though they tend to describe the group rather than an individual. Styles vary by world and subculture, but they're mainly a feature of the original three Sister Worlds. Shortly after the colonization of Maia and the Splinter Wars, the First Emperor broke up the power of the clans, and many uses of clan names were abolished. If there were modern families on Maia that still used clan names, it's likely that they were inherited from one of the three homeworlds. Most Teidar are descended from Deinar lineages. Also, the Teidar and Mizol are rare enough that they would usually be transported to the caste Academies on Deinar and Perrein, respectively, for diral training rather than doing it locally on Maia.

The clan names I have written in my notes are Orin ("lively"), Nonnir (a hairstyle), Melor ("undead"), Tomis ("mercy"), and Tegal ("important"). These would all be examples of Deinar clans.

If I'm remembering correctly.. there are various clans of Loroi .. and each diral of a clan has a name as well. Is there a naming convention ...similar to the way Loroi name their ships of the line?

The diral names are not related to the clan names. Each diral is given a name that is made up on the spot (usually by whatever elder, teacher or assistant is at hand, some of whom are barely more than children themselves), and it is frequently rude or derogatory. Spiral & Talon's Tenoin diral on Taben was called the "High-tide Low-lives;" Beryl's Listel diral on Mezan was called "Judged Least Likely to Survive." The style of diral names varies widely, but they're rarely as cool or complimentary as "Wind Raiders." But who knows? Maybe the elder was in a good mood that day.

Also for 'graduates' of a specific diral do they append a year to that particular 'class' of young-now adult Loroi warriors... like Wind-Raiders - 2158? Meaning Diral - Wind Raiders completed their training and were deployed to active duty as Warrior in 2158 around the time of the Maiad Campaigns, which is different from the Wind Raiders of 2178? Or do all dirals have unique names and never use the same name again?

The diral names are locally unique, but there isn't any effort made to make sure they are never reused. The date of passage is significant (since it's also the Naming Day that Loroi observe instead of a birthday), and could be used for clarification if it was needed, but it's unlikely that there would be any confusion. While the diral name is a source of camaraderie and nostalgia for those who were in the band (whose telepathic rendering of the name would be instantly recognizable), it has little meaning to anyone else after the fact and would often be embarrassing to repeat to an outsider.

[GeoModder]

And I suppose its a bit rare that a diral maintains cohesion as a unit over a couple centuries as well. Even before the current war started with its high attrition rate of new warriors.

[dragoongfa]

Quick question:

How are the two Doranzers at the start of chapter 1 called?

[Arioch]

And I suppose its a bit rare that a diral maintains cohesion as a unit over a couple centuries as well. Even before the current war started with its high attrition rate of new warriors.

Many members of a Soroin or Tenoin diral will be deployed to the same unit, but will eventually be dispersed over time through promotions and reassignments, even if everyone survives. Specialists like Listel or Mizol will of necessity be assigned to different units right away.

How are the two Doranzers at the start of chapter 1 called?

They have code names as the moment, as they're based on existing characters (Faith Hicks' Raven and Jennifer Anderson's Orin).

[Tamri]

Such question: at Loroi/other members of the Union is own the science of camouflage, or research idea further, "to do the tone shape to match the environment" as unnecessary is gone?

[Arioch]

Such question: at Loroi/other members of the Union is own the science of camouflage, or research idea further, "to do the tone shape to match the environment" as unnecessary is gone?

In ground combat, it makes sense to use armor/uniforms that are colored appropriate to the environment, but I don't think that being able to change that camouflage from moment to moment would be useful enough to justify the added cost or complexity of system to make it work. It might be more useful for spy-type agents, but in an era of multi-spectrum imaging (in which the enemy will have optics that can see your heat signature and many other telltales), I doubt it. In particular, camouflage in general isn't of much use to the shipboard marines that we'll see in the story.

[E=M.C^2]

I understand that while humans and lorois share an astonishing resemblance in term of overall shape, they are quite physiologically different as we have seen previously. One consequence is the apparent absence of secondary effect following an hyperspace jump for a loroi, while a human may experience quite a frightening, but non-lethal, effect. Is there any other aspects of the loroi physiology that may give them an advantage, or disadvantage, compared to human. Here, I am thinking about resistance to ionizing radiation, organic or inorganic compounds, temperature, pressure, acceleration (seems this has already been covered).

Could a loroi survive on earth with no access whatever to loroi food or drink ?

[Sweforce]

I understand that while humans and lorois share an astonishing resemblance in term of overall shape, they are quite physiologically different as we have seen previously. One consequence is the apparent absence of secondary effect following an hyperspace jump for a loroi, while a human may experience quite a frightening, but non-lethal, effect. Is there any other aspects of the loroi physiology that may give them an advantage, or disadvantage, compared to human. Here, I am thinking about resistance to ionizing radiation, organic or inorganic compounds, temperature, pressure, acceleration (seems this has already been covered).

Could a loroi survive on earth with no access whatever to loroi food or drink ?

I guess so since Alex survive on loroi food. Our loroi tourist would, like Alex have to suffer from some indigestion and must make sure to have food checked for obvious toxicity. For Alex this is done off screen but we can assume that anything that are offered to Alex have been tested in some biolab onboard using cell samples from Alex.