Astherson: A quasi-state that emerged as a one of the Fourth City colonies and became the main domain to khanate survivors after the fall of London. Inhabited by tatars, chinese and turanians. They preserved a fair share of their original culture, and even now you can still see occasional tengristic or buddhist shrines within their settlements. They have some military forces, but they are inferior to their fleet, which is why piracy is rare in their waters. But their mentality - which is very territorial and suspicious - hinders their trade relationships. Perhaps it is easier to organize a tiger choir than to earn trust of a single khananian. Their relationships with the Fifth City are complicated, which is not surprizing. They also seem to have some interest in Parabolaā¦
Mustela: Freaky people, if you ask me. But they have some strangely fine boozeā¦ if it only wasnāt so hard to procure and generally expensive. Oh, their lasses are something unimaginable: visually coldly polite and restrained, but there is something really creepy about their demeanour, as if they want to skin you and make gloves from obtained hide but their sence of politeness forbids them from doing so.
Astherson: Do you think that there is a free niche for a club for hunters, explorers, adventurous scholars and other industrious folks ? I personally find it dumb choosing between the club for spoiled rich brats and the club for their parents. My opinion that the middle class deserves its cozy place too ! edited by Andrew Astherson on 9/3/2015
I rather got the impression, you know, that there was such a club, though I believe it would be better to call it an association of enthusiasts, rather than a social institution. Itās not the sort of place one wants absolutely everyone to poke their nose inā¦
What do you think of the idea of expanding colonization beyond the Carnelian Coast? London may not be habitable forever, and it would not be a bad thing to have other places our citizens could go to, should worst come to worst.
As an American, I can tell you of the hells I have seen come from colonization. I have seen a pyramid of buffalo skulls, all butchered for their tongues. I have seen men cavorting about after slaughtering innocents. I have seen people become terrible caricatures of themselves on the frontier. No, colonization is no answer. Worse comes to worst be damned. Personally, I will take what comes.
Now, friends: Tell me something you donāt care about.
I have but one question, the only one that matters. Shall ye stand up with me, with my National Populists, when the dawn comes up like thunder outer North across the Unterzee?When the Masters hang from Hangmanās arch and God is home again? When the morning breaks the Bazaarās spines and all man be equal beneath the throne? Shall ye stand up and be counted?
[color=#ffffff]Friend Jackieās question was left hanging, sir Radical.[/color]
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[color=#ffffff]To answer your question however, nothing personal, but I cannot side with your cause, for the only thing I believe in is myself.
I prefer to be always neutral.[/color]
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[color=#ffffff]Now, about those squidsā¦No, I am not referring to your friendly neighborhood Rubbery Men.[/color]
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[color=#ffffff]Iām talking about something much larger.[/color]
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[color=#ffffff]What do you think of giant squids? Squids so large, it might even dwarf entire islandsā¦if you know what I mean.[/color]
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[color=#ffffff]Iād be interested in seeing one myself, and perhaps agitating one enough into a fight.[/color]
[color=#ffffff]Reckless? Probably.[/color]
[color=#ffffff]But it would be so much fun.[/color]
Something I donāt care about? Hmm. Pardon my rashness. I didnāt gain the name of Radical for nothing. I do not particularly care about weather or not glimshards are indeed insect shells or jewels of the unterzee. So long as they put clubs in the hands of my men, shirts on the backs of my supporters and food in the bellies of my orphans, that is enough.
[quote=Haneul]
Now, about those squidsā¦No, I am not referring to your friendly neighborhood Rubbery Men.
Iām talking about something much larger.
What do you think of giant squids? Squids so large, it might even dwarf entire islandsā¦if you know what I mean.
Iād be interested in seeing one myself, and perhaps agitating one enough into a fight.
Reckless? Probably.
But it would be so much fun.[/quote]
Astherson: It is not as amusing as you believe, madam. Especially if you are a proud owner of a semi-third generation submarine. Encountering cryptic cephalopods is like playing texas poker: you ether stuff it with impact-dehiscent harpoons, if its shapes are not utterly gargantuan, and keep motionless, deep and silent if the specimen is of Hunterās Keep size. The only thing those beasts care about is food, and it is unlikely that you would have a chance to "agitate" it for anything except devouring you.
I beg your pardon, madam, but perhaps you should do something about the volumes of honey you consider acceptable.
Astherson: London - just like any imperial metropolis - is a home to various cultures. And due to the unparalleled cosmopolitanism of this place it is almost impossible not to meet any intriguing foreigners. What is the most exotic heritage among all your contacts ? Please, do net tell me of the neathy nations, I am more interested in more "surfaced" beings. edited by Andrew Astherson on 9/7/2015
I have met several Asians, Australians, and North Americans, they are equally exotic to my Welsh self. I have also met several individuals who purport to be supernatural ā¦ mayhap they are.
My question: What is the most disturbing thing you have seen upon or under the zee (aside from a giant squid)?
[quote=Lady Sapho Byron]
My question: What is the most disturbing thing you have seen upon or under the zee (aside from a giant squid)?
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Astherson: The anthropomorphic sea giant of Polythreme-comparable sizes and with a three-years old infantās mentality. He has a habit to toss ships as if they were his toys.
Besides that iāve seen living "ghost" steamers, deep lurkers able to raise fogs, giant moths, giant pond skaters that dwell near sea of lillies, ship gremlins, floating trees inhabited by spiders, colonies of diaphanous, glowing ehmā¦ merefolk ? And do you know the two most funny things about that ? first - I do not consume anything that can cause me to see things, and second - I am not a seasoned seafarer.
Astherson: If you had to spend one month somewhere desolate (in the wastes that lie to the North of Avid Horizon, or at Aestival Isle) How would you organize your luggage ? Or would you took someone or āsomethingā with you ?[/li] edited by Andrew Astherson on 9/11/2015
Aaaaaahahahahah! Such a charming notion, implying Iād organize my own luggage! Always use Polythremian, delicious friend. Itās luggage that organizes itself. Which answers the second question as well.
Now, tell meā¦ If you had a chance to kill one prominent person or "person" inhabiting London, such as the Gracious Widow, the Duchess, one of the Mastersā¦ who would it be?
[color=#ffffff]I find adventure wherever I go. [/color]
[color=#ffffff]There is a lot of things in the surface I want to do, but there is also a lot of things here in the Neath that Iād also like to get to.
So the answer is no, I will not take it. While I deeply miss the open skies and bright blue oceans, thereās so much more for me to experience here in the Neath and I intend to make the very most of it.
Maybe someday Iāll go back home. Or maybe my home will be dragged down here too and I wonāt have to travel far.
Who knows. The future is very far off.[/color]
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[color=#ffffff]As for my questionā¦for those of us not born in the Neath and hail from the surfaceā¦[/color]
[color=#ffffff]Is there any particular food or beverage you miss that the Neath doesnāt offer?[/color]
[quote=Haneul][color=#ffffff]As for my questionā¦for those of us not born in the Neath and hail from the surfaceā¦[/color]
[color=#ffffff]Is there any particular food or beverage you miss that the Neath doesnāt offer?[/color][/quote]
Ah, not so much food, butā¦ spices. There is a saying where I come from "peppery and saffrony, dear miss"ā¦ uh, on second thought, it sounds worse in English. (Doesnāt rhyme, for starters.) I miss the feeling of burning upon my palate that Iām sure even devils themselves would find horrifying. Ah, when I had easy access to these spices, those were the times.
And beverages? Vodka and mead. But I can get those in London, easily enough. Speaking of which, did anyone ever try making mead out of lamplighter bee honey? Hmmmā¦
Now, for the next question! I am sure there are many veterans of Feducciās little club among us, and Iād like to knowā¦ given a chance to duel one of the Masters, would you take it, even knowing you could very probably lose?
Soran: No, I have no quarrel with any of them, nor any wish create one for the sake of showboating. Zero: Well, uh, as a matter of fact, there is a very particular Master Iāve had someā¦ Disagreement with. I suppose I could stand to go a few rounds with them. The Relickers would be out of a paycheck, but, eh, Iām sure theyāll make due. Cairn: Why, picking a fight with one of the Neathās most powerful and wealthy denizens? What profit could I possibly glean from that? Thysania: Yes. Any of them. All of them. Hard-won blood is the most rewarding to look upon. Zero: Such a majestic answer! See, guys, arenāt you glad I brought the new girl along? Soran: ā¦ Not really. Cairn: You know, she does smell rather like the rooms I keep my weasels in. I suppose thatās almost comforting. Zero: Bah! Donāt listen to them. So, come on moth-girl; why donāt you give the nice folks here the next question? Thysania: Very well. Of the things that live in the Neath, which blood do you most wish to spill?
Of the things that live in the Neath, which blood do you most wish to spill?
That of anything or anybody who wishes to make London something other than it is, or to destroy it altogether. London is my delightful, decadent, and delicious home. I chose to move here for all of its charms and despite its flaws. Donāt mess with my London!
[color=#ffffff]If I could, Iād choose to have a home at Aestival. I may be a resident of the Neath now but that wasnāt always the case and I find that the warmth of the sun is still something I highly desire.[/color]
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[color=#ffffff]But if weāre talking about specific structures, well thenā¦really, I can make do with any place. I am not picky.
I would, however, highly prefer homes with soundproofing.[/color]
[color=#ffffff]Privacy is crucial to me after all.[/color]
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[color=#ffffff]For my next questionā¦do you have any family? Here in the Neath or at the Surface.
Do you keep contact often?[/color]
I have family on the Surface and, strange to say, weāve never gotten along better now that Iāve moved several hundred miles below the surface of the earth. They even came to my wedding, which brings me to the family I have down here.
Iāve a lovely wife, and have adopted several exceptional daughters. Weāve made quite the happy English home, if I do say so myself, with the requisite Neathy twists that come from living here.
Tell meā¦ when you were warned to not fall in love, or if you were, did you think it worth heeding? Or could you even stop yourself if you wanted to?
When I was given such warning I thought it foolish. Certainly had I tried to resist love nothing would have changed. I stand by that sentiment even now, despite the pain it caused me. My poor, precious child. I remember you with stolen sunlight. I miss you with all my blackened soul.
And as for my wife, polite society shuns me for loving a rubbery man. I care not.
On to cheerier topics!
My dear friend, what is your most prized possession? edited by Dr Hemsworth on 9/13/2015
Ah, that is a very difficult question. Truly, I am torn! On one hand, I would loath to lose my revelers, my listeners, my circle of acolytes, however tormented and uncontrollable they may be. On the other, there is my dear, dear pleasure yacht, so majestic and imposing, just how I love it. I must hereby ask myself: should I lose both of these treasures, which one would I mourn more?.. Yes, definitely the pleasure yacht. Itās not expendable, unlike the acolytes.
Time for some exciting gossip. What is the most insane, reckless and, perhaps, foolish thing youāve ever misdone during your stay in London?
Iāve done some work with the devils. Iām not proud of it and wonāt say any more about it. At least that work helped me realize some truths and set me on the right path.
Given all the professions available in the Neath, which would you least like to have?