Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

[gaerzi]

Regarding the "vision range" I meant it more in the sense that their equivalent in cone cells might end up reacting to different specific wavelengths in the visible spectrum, hence leading to the compositing difficulties, but as you've said that's probably a moot point given the tech level.

The issue of wavelength sensibility is bounded by physics. Go too far in the infrared, and you're blinded by your own body heat. Go too far in the ultraviolet, and this time your sight is darkened by the water in your eye. Our visible light spectrum corresponds to a very steep valley in the absorption spectrum of liquid water.

Without a human like morphology, you could have something like a ball on ommatidia on a stalk that would keep the eyes at a lower temperature than the rest of the body to see more into the infrared, and also see ultraviolet like bugs do. But the loroi would look a lot less "just like humaniti" as a result.

[Urist]

Question: the picture linked on the Insider page (of a younger Fireblade enjoying the view out over Toridas harbor as the sun sets) seems to show the sun setting off to the right behind inland mountains, while the map of Maoren linked on Insider shows that Toridas seems to have the sea/ocean only to its west. Does Deinar rotate in the opposite direction from Earth? As in, are Deinar sunsets off in the east, while the sun rises in the west?

[Arioch]

Question: the picture linked on the Insider page (of a younger Fireblade enjoying the view out over Toridas harbor as the sun sets) seems to show the sun setting off to the right behind inland mountains, while the map of Maoren linked on Insider shows that Toridas seems to have the sea/ocean only to its west. Does Deinar rotate in the opposite direction from Earth? As in, are Deinar sunsets off in the east, while the sun rises in the west?

No, that scene is looking toward the west. Toridas sits above a bay among the fjords, but that's too small to show on the Toridas map.

I suppose the scene is slightly inaccurate in that the sunset shouldn't be offset from the rings, since Deinar hasn't much in the way of axial tilt, but I was trying to make the rings clearly visible.

[GrandAdmiralFox]

Quick question: I've been mulling over ideas for a fanfiction project, and one question eludes me: How far is the distance between human space and the Loroi/Urmiak battlezone?

Because one of my settings is a legit Transhuman Space/Traveller fusion setting, and the plan is that an IEB (Imperial Exploration Bureau, the in-setting equivalent of Traveller's IISS (Imperial Interplanetary Scout Service) though some of its operations are split to more appropriate departments) extended range exploration vessel discovers the Orgus in one of its frontier systems. This leads to the greater Orion Mandate (the fusion of Traveller's 2nd and 3rd Imperiums) initiating diplomatic ties and, later on, debates within the Orgus government on applying for protectorate status (in a sense, the Orion Mandate is essentially Star Trek's Federation in that you can join in through a protectorate-to-member process).

To give people here a sense of scale, the Traveller setting is huge. Traveller's 3rd Imperium is 700 parsecs across its widest point and has 11,000 systems under its rule.

[Arioch]

Quick question: I've been mulling over ideas for a fanfiction project, and one question eludes me: How far is the distance between human space and the Loroi/Urmiak battlezone?

Because one of my settings is a legit Transhuman Space/Traveller fusion setting, and the plan is that an IEB (Imperial Exploration Bureau, the in-setting equivalent of Traveller's IISS (Imperial Interplanetary Scout Service) though some of its operations are split to more appropriate departments) extended range exploration vessel discovers the Orgus in one of its frontier systems. This leads to the greater Orion Mandate (the fusion of Traveller's 2nd and 3rd Imperiums) initiating diplomatic ties and, later on, debates within the Orgus government on applying for protectorate status (in a sense, the Orion Mandate is essentially Star Trek's Federation in that you can join in through a protectorate-to-member process).

To give people here a sense of scale, the Traveller setting is huge. Traveller's 3rd Imperium is 700 parsecs across its widest point and has 11,000 systems under its rule.

The site of the Bellarmine incident (Naam system) is 217 light years from Earth. There are a number of maps in the Insider that have scale references.

The question about the Traveller map specifically was asked here, and I superimposed the Outsider map on it thus:

[GrandAdmiralFox]

Quick question: I've been mulling over ideas for a fanfiction project, and one question eludes me: How far is the distance between human space and the Loroi/Urmiak battlezone?

Because one of my settings is a legit Transhuman Space/Traveller fusion setting, and the plan is that an IEB (Imperial Exploration Bureau, the in-setting equivalent of Traveller's IISS (Imperial Interplanetary Scout Service) though some of its operations are split to more appropriate departments) extended range exploration vessel discovers the Orgus in one of its frontier systems. This leads to the greater Orion Mandate (the fusion of Traveller's 2nd and 3rd Imperiums) initiating diplomatic ties and, later on, debates within the Orgus government on applying for protectorate status (in a sense, the Orion Mandate is essentially Star Trek's Federation in that you can join in through a protectorate-to-member process).

To give people here a sense of scale, the Traveller setting is huge. Traveller's 3rd Imperium is 700 parsecs across its widest point and has 11,000 systems under its rule.

The site of the Bellarmine incident (Naam system) is 217 light years from Earth. There are a number of maps in the Insider that have scale references.

The question about the Traveller map specifically was asked here, and I superimposed the Outsider map on it thus:

Huh, all I really need to do is add a few dozen parsecs of space between them, and it'll fit. That makes things a lot easier.

... the reaction of the Umiak and Loroi when it comes to such a polity suddenly appearing onto the board is great story fodder.

[SaintofM]

I now generic engineering was used to create the Loroi by a precursor race, and have most likely used what we think of it and the old fashion version of selective breeding for traits on them sleeves. I believe if I remember right there are some mechanical augmentations here and there for boosting their psionic abilities. I know the Umiak have done bio and mechanical engineering heavily to themselves. Mow much have humans done this to themselves comparatively speaking, as well as the allies of the two main super powers?

[Arioch]

I now generic engineering was used to create the Loroi by a precursor race, and have most likely used what we think of it and the old fashion version of selective breeding for traits on them sleeves. I believe if I remember right there are some mechanical augmentations here and there for boosting their psionic abilities. I know the Umiak have done bio and mechanical engineering heavily to themselves. Mow much have humans done this to themselves comparatively speaking, as well as the allies of the two main super powers?

I think that human cybernetics are mostly limited to prosthetics and certain kinds of useful device interfaces. From what I know about the current state of neural implants, they seem to be relatively easy to install but very difficult to utilize beyond very basic functions, so I have the feeling that the Ghost in the Shell type cyber-brain addon will be more difficult than folks like St. Elon hope. Also, I expect medical technology will have advanced rather dramatically by this time, so I think biologically grown replacement parts will be both easier and more effective than most mechanical prostheses. So, in 2160 Humanity, mechanical augmentation exists but is not widespread.

I expect the same is true for most of the major combatant, excepting the Umiak. The Loroi make use of psionic amplifiers, but these devices are external and the implants are only used as an interface to the device.

[Hālian]

Regarding the Diral.

Assuming that it lasts two Earth years: (2.84 Perrein years). Would it be fair to say that a Diral lasts for 68 perrein "weeks".

I don't think the term "Perrein week" has any particular meaning. Deinar has the nanapi which is a 12-day month (a transit of the smaller moon), but I don't think that would be observed on Perrein, as Perrein has different day lengths.

Has the Perreiner calendar any divisions in between year and day? If so, what are they?

[Arioch]

Regarding the Diral.

Assuming that it lasts two Earth years: (2.84 Perrein years). Would it be fair to say that a Diral lasts for 68 perrein "weeks".

I don't think the term "Perrein week" has any particular meaning. Deinar has the nanapi which is a 12-day month (a transit of the smaller moon), but I don't think that would be observed on Perrein, as Perrein has different day lengths.

Has the Perreiner calendar any divisions in between year and day? If so, what are they?

The Perrein Loroi have an unusual relationship with time. In addition to the other stereotypes about the Perrein Loroi, they have a reputation for an inability to be punctual or to remember important dates.

The sky can't be seen in most places on Perrein, and so it can be difficult to tell the time of day much less the date. Seasonal changes aren't directly noticeable except in the most extreme latitudes, and so time is marked almost entirely through cycles in the local biome, which in turn are driven mostly by movement of the massive underground aquifer, which shifts due to geological processes and the solar tides. These migrations, spawnings, moltings, etc. are all extremely local, so each Perrein city-state has its own set of events which mark the passage of time, which are largely unfamiliar even to other Perrein communities.

[Urist]

What games do loroi (warrior) children play, and in particular does 'make-believe' enter into it? Among human pre-adolescents, there's all sorts of 'imaginary' scenarios that they make up (from pointing finger-guns at each other and shouting 'Bang!' in Cops & Robbers), or taking a walk through their school's field and pretending they're exploring an alien planet, or stuff like that.

With how loroi society seems to look down its nose at 'fiction,' do loroi kids that know they're in a warrior track play anything like that? Or do they just start with the equivalent of laser-tag (same general concept, but with much less 'fiction' involved) at a very early age?

[Arioch]

What games do loroi (warrior) children play, and in particular does 'make-believe' enter into it? Among human pre-adolescents, there's all sorts of 'imaginary' scenarios that they make up (from pointing finger-guns at each other and shouting 'Bang!' in Cops & Robbers), or taking a walk through their school's field and pretending they're exploring an alien planet, or stuff like that.

With how loroi society seems to look down its nose at 'fiction,' do loroi kids that know they're in a warrior track play anything like that? Or do they just start with the equivalent of laser-tag (same general concept, but with much less 'fiction' involved) at a very early age?

Loroi children engage in formal mock battles in the diral phase and periodically duel each other, and this is also encouraged informally as younger children. They're certainly able to know the difference between a real fight and play/training. There isn't necessarily a lot of imagination required, as they are actually warriors and they frequently are actually on a dangerous alien planet, but I can certainly imagine them playing roles as part of play. I think the roles they would choose would be heavily dependent on local subculture.

When I was a little boy, our mock battles took three different forms based on what was on television: cops vs. robbers, cowboys vs. indians, and generic "army men." The latter was never specific, as we really didn't understand the concept of nation-states, and to our eyes all soldiers dressed pretty much the same.

Anyhow, we can expect a lot of generic "army men" mock combat among Loroi children. In places with traditional rivalries where stories about them are frequently told, you might see Zaral vs. Arran or Perrein city-state A vs. Perrein city-state B, etc. There are a few famous legendary rivalries in the heroic myths, and these might also be suitable sides for a play battle. In some places they might pretend to hunt dangerous wildlife, and in some they might actually hunt dangerous wildlife.

[Urist]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Although I was wondering more along the lines of "do loroi understand using charades to communicate?" Humans who encounter another human where neither one speaks a shared language can communicate surprisingly well just using charades and hand-gestures, but it occurred to me that perhaps loroi would not develop that same skill. Sanzai is too universal for other loroi, and most don't 'talk' in any fashion to aliens who don't also speak Trade. Which led me to guess that the only remaining way that a loroi might understand 'charades' as in 'using hand/body-gestures to pretend to do something, or illustrate a concept' would be from a child's game... which they might not play.

TL;DR: If Alex had to communicate a relatively simple concept to a loroi via hand-gestures/charades (E.g. "There are two armed soldiers in that room" or "Don't press that button; the ship will explode") to a loroi, what are the odds that she would understand his meaning?

[Cthulhu]

TL;DR: If Alex had to communicate a relatively simple concept to a loroi via hand-gestures/charades (E.g. "There are two armed soldiers in that room" or "Don't press that button; the ship will explode") to a loroi, what are the odds that she would understand his meaning?

The Loroi do have hand gestures, and for the same reason why humans have them. Voice commands or radio signals can be intercepted by the enemy, just the same as sanzai. Easier, even, since all Loroi have a built-in comm, so to speak.

I'd fancy a guess that making the gestures of "pressing something, then hands expanding", or "pointing to a room, then lifting two fingers" will be understood easily enough. The Loroi ain't Tamarians.

[Arioch]

The Loroi are very visual and use a variety of gestures. However, I think most hand gestures are pretty abstract and mostly require a shared gesture vocabulary. When Alex gives Fireblade a middle finger, she can guess from his facial expression that it doesn't mean anything good, but has no way of knowing what it specifically means. Even something that seems more concrete like two fingers walking on a palm, or a hand covering and uncovering eyes can be easily misunderstood. Did you mean he can't see me, or that I shouldn't look?

I think even two humans from the same culture would have difficulty conveying a message as specific as "There are two armed soldiers in that room" without some kind of shared sign language or hand signal system.

Loroi use some basic military signals that are similar to ours (cease fire, take cover, etc.). They do train for not using telepathy in Loroi vs. Loroi combat.

[Urist]

Question about Fireblade's psychokinetic powers: On her GURPS sheet (which IIRC has been said to be a 'guideline' rather than hard rules), she has 'Telekinesis', 'Pyrokinesis', and 'Surge' listed under her Psi Skills section. The first two are rather self-explanatory, but what is 'Surge'? It's got damage-dice listed, so I assume it's some sort of attack. Is that the 'Electrokinesis' sort of Psi-ability that is listed under the respective Insider page?

TL;DR: Can Fireblade taser people with her mind?

[Tamri]

I think it's more likely Tempo's ability, she has electrokinesis listed on her list.

[Arioch]

Here are the descriptions of the relevant abilities from GURPS Psionics:

gurps_surge.gif (91.63 KiB) Viewed 27209 times

gurps_confuse.gif (59.81 KiB) Viewed 27209 times

GURPS has Electrokinesis as a separate power from Psychokinesis, but fundamentally they're the same thing, and these two abilities are different applications of the same phenomenon. If anything, Electrokinesis would be a skill for general electrical manipulation (similar to Telekinesis), but I don't think I put it anywhere on the character sheets.

I think that manipulation of the very small voltages in a living brain would be too subtle a task for Fireblade's skill control level. Even Tempo can't taser people with her mind, as there isn't enough electrical current there to do the job. But she can disorient them momentarily, though she has better telepathic skills for this sort of task, and so Tempo's electrical manipulation abilities are mainly directed at electronic devices. Being able to short out or jam various surveillance and communication devices is valuable in her line of work.

[Urist]

IIRC, some loroi males work as essentially 'mental health specialists,' do any such work in hospitals? As in, do military hospitals (assuming the loroi make such distinctions) in a secure place like one of the Sister Worlds include any males among their staff of counselors, there to help the wounded deal with what mental trauma may have come along with their physical wounds? Not with any, ah, 'hands-on' healing, but purely mental counseling work?

[Arioch]

IIRC, some loroi males work as essentially 'mental health specialists,' do any such work in hospitals? As in, do military hospitals (assuming the loroi make such distinctions) in a secure place like one of the Sister Worlds include any males among their staff of counselors, there to help the wounded deal with what mental trauma may have come along with their physical wounds? Not with any, ah, 'hands-on' healing, but purely mental counseling work?

There are exceptions, but normally males don't work as rank and file hospital staff. Male medical specialists tend to be organized into specialty clinics, where patients would be brought to them for specialty care. In disciplines that involve treatment of disease or trauma (or mental illness), treatment would be completely separate from mating encounters. In some other cases (like say counseling) it might be connected or not, depending on the circumstances or individual(s) involved.

In particular, a male would never be part of the staff of a military hospital (or any military outfit, in general).