Chivalry and Traveller

[Blue Ghost]

I presume a conservative phase of social development and a tendency toward nostalgia. Perhaps the Vilani influence, perhaps just because that is the normal way of humans(modernism is really only 500 sum years old and may wear itself out sooner or later). In any case the need for this is to justify the prevalence of customs that are implausible assuming 3000 of continuous development.

Also some of the obvious "retro-ness" from the point of view of 3000 years into the future can simply be a deliberate shout out to nostalgia for aesthetic or propagandistic(it seems whenever rulers want a real show, they do use old-fashioned imagery so it can be believed)purposes.

I like that. It has closure. It also fits in with a sort of retro-Victorian-in-space kind of imagery, fused with sleek modernistic trappings; customs and paraphanalia. So you might have a noble waering some strangely militant uniform with medals, braid and apulets, maybe a handlebar moustache, but a gauss pistol holstered on his belt, and maybe a couple of com dots.

 

[jatay3]

The Megacorps do certainly exert a mercantile capitalism over a Smithian conception...but they still do have to compete with the smaller players. So, the guiding principle of Cleon was probably influenced by Schumpeter (much as we are in the modern era). However, we do see in Schumpeter the exhaustion of the entrepreneur in favour of becoming a bureaucrat within a centrally planned system...which fits nicely with the Imperium. Megacorps may indeed be competitive but they would rather stifle the competition and absorb innovation. Having said that, it has been well documented that even the Megacorporations compete sometimes with themselves due to the vastness of the Imperium.

Naturally. There has to be enough of a balance for the PCs to have a fair chance but a reasonably good opponent at the same time.

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

"Another idea for comprehending Aslan is thinking about Jews and Sikhs. Those are religions but they are also to a large degree, tribes and can maintain that ethos a long way(No insult is intended to any Jews or Sikhs reading this by the way; I don't regard tribal loyalty in itself as necessarily uncivilized; in fact I often admire it). In fact the closest human analogue to Aslan may indeed by Sikhs with their ethnic cohesion and warlike traditions."

That is exactly how I picture them. That there are 29 main tribes that ultimately everyone belongs to or part belongs to, or whatever, but these tribes are huge, and are spread out over star systems. An entire tribe's military moving toward one purpose is something to worry about.

 

[jatay3]

"Another idea for comprehending Aslan is thinking about Jews and Sikhs. Those are religions but they are also to a large degree, tribes and can maintain that ethos a long way(No insult is intended to any Jews or Sikhs reading this by the way; I don't regard tribal loyalty in itself as necessarily uncivilized; in fact I often admire it). In fact the closest human analogue to Aslan may indeed by Sikhs with their ethnic cohesion and warlike traditions."

That is exactly how I picture them. That there are 29 main tribes that ultimately everyone belongs to or part belongs to, or whatever, but these tribes are huge, and are spread out over star systems. An entire tribe's military moving toward one purpose is something to worry about.

There are however several hundred minor tribes as well, don't forget.

 

[Sir Brad]

But each of the minors are a branch of or Vassal to one of the 29 ultimately

 

[jatay3]

But each of the minors are a branch of or Vassal to one of the 29 ultimately

I don't think canon says that. In fact, I'm pretty sure it says a large number are independent.

Tell you what, go ask one of them. Be sure to bring your Ayloi along.

 

[rancke]

But each of the minors are a branch of or Vassal to one of the 29 ultimately.

Not by a long chalk. There a about 4000 clans in the Hierate and they are split into Hierate, major, and minor independent clans and major and minor vassal clans. I once tired to figure out the numbers based on the rules for establishing governments of Aslan worlds, but I can't find the file right now. However, there are at least several hundred major independent clans.

And lets not forget that vassal clans have been known to become independent from time to time.


Hans