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[seaboards]

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE

There have been a lot of riftfarers arriving lately. It seems like there have been more arriving than usual. So many different kinds of people from different kinds of worlds with stories to tell and experiences to give.

A little game has appeared on the shellphone network in hopes of getting to know just a little more about these otherworlders. You might find it on your shellphone as you’re scrolling through one day.

Tell the world two truths and one lie about yourself. And let others try and decipher which of the three is your lie. If they can guess right, perhaps you’ve been able to make a new acquaintance. Or in the least learn more about someone from another walk of life.

Comments

[beshackled]

What is a prince, and what does it mean to be born one, or not to be born one?

[haveaflare]

A prince is the son of a nation's ruler, if that nation is ruled by a king or Emperor rather than a council. King's thrones are inherited by blood alone. For example, your father, if he ruled a nation as its king, would leave his leadership to you, his prince and heir, when he passed.

My father was elected Emperor, and thus I was not born a prince, became one upon his ascention to the throne of Sanbreque.

[beshackled]

'Tis strange to think that a position and responsibilities might be inherited by bloodline alone.

The Convocation of Fourteen are the heads of our government in Amaurot, each nominated to their positions based on ability and expertise with consideration made towards temperament, with the nominated individual free to accept or decline. When they step down, another is nominated to take their place.

A council, in other words. A number of the offices also have a set of direct subordinates to support them, though most daily concerns for the populace are overseen by the bureaus.

[haveaflare]

The Dhalmekian Republic is run in a similar fashion, though I believe their council positions are voted upon by the populous.

In my own homeland, it is both. The Council of Cardinals nominates and elects a new Emperor, should the previous pass without an heir.

[beshackled]

Does a prince have duties to fulfill as well?

[haveaflare]

They vary by nation. My own duties include commanding our armies.

[beshackled]

[He... has no idea what an army is. Something to do with arms? Weapons?]

Is an army a group that bears arms? Are they like warriors?

[haveaflare]

Forgive me. If I may be so bold, do the nations of your star not employ armies to maintain their borders?

[beshackled]

We don't. Why would you need so many arms-bearers dedicated to maintaining a border? Is the wildlife so unruly that it routinely threatens your settlements?

[haveaflare]

Forgive me, Erichthonios, but I find it difficult to believe the idea of protecting one's borders from invasion from hostile rivals is an alien concept.

In before he finds out The Bad News from Emet-Selch

[beshackled]

We as a civilization resolve our differences primarily with debate, Dion. What rivalries that exist are expected to be settled in Halls of Rhetoric, and failing that, by judgement of the Convocation and its Emissary.

Were we to go to battle against each other in numbers, given all we are capable of, the star would suffer. And our duty as a people is first and foremost to the star. To nuture it, that it might flourish with life.

To despoil the land over naught but territorial bickering would be unconscionable.

[haveaflare]

I do not mean conflicts within your own nation, but threats from others.

[beshackled]

The only beings that I personally know of that engage in such behaviors by nature are fauna and ambulatory flora seeking to demonstrate to prospective mates that they can protect an area from species that prey on them for sustenance. Or... mayhap to secure a preferred mating grounds?

[haveaflare]

Is yours the only nation on your star?

[beshackled]

We are a singular people. We do not all live in one place, but despite differences in the ways we do some things, we do not split ourselves into rivaling nations.

[haveaflare]

It isn't a matter of splitting, but a matter of being unable to come together completely. Since earliest memory, we have existed separate, as various clans across the face of Valisthea. These clans may have changed names, some been absorbed into others, but we are too...disseparate for complete cohesion; belief a chief cause for this segregation. My people recognize Greagor as the one true goddess and recognize our Emperor, through the clergy's guidance, as her servant. The Iron Kingdom worships the crystals themselves, and is quite violent to opposition to this belief. The Dhalmekian Republic, in contrast, is ruled by something akin to your Convocation, but theirs is a region of deserts and wastes and thus the wars they wage are over resources rather than faith.