Society

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Discuss Celestial Society here. Or start your own concise topic in the Celestials section.

[Admin]

Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:31 am

Touch

It's not that they don't touch each other, nor is it that they're trying to be impersonal. There's actually a lot of touch in Ganymede. The idea is that touch is extremely personal in the 4D. Imagine being in a world where just being near someone you can feel what they feel, practically hear what they might be thinking, see into who they are even without saying a word (all this is, of course, unless the Celestial is intentionally hiding from those around him/her).

Now imagine physically touching someone. It would, in some ways, be like combining in some forms. Sharing exact feelings and emotions, communicating without words. It's almost intimate to touch in the 4D. This is why couples try not to touch in public. The emotional impact would be strong it is considered respectful to remain calm in public.

It can also be used in other ways, however. I know that in Ganymede, her lifemate, Cadmus, holds Gaynmede's hand a few times simply to send her an emotion. When she is upset, he might take her hand and give her peace. If you were in the 4D, you would definitely be able to touch your son to comfort him, let him know you care for him, acknowledging your bond as father and son. This is one of the reasons why I think there was very little violence on Hom. There is very little chance of misunderstanding each other.

When a Celestial is shaking hands with another, this is how I see it going down: They would morph to true form from the elbow down. Shaking hands is a sign of respect, and, like Celestials speak before the council in True Form, such a show of respect would be done in true form. The Celestials would grasp arms, like the Roman form of shaking hands, and in this touch they would suddenly share feelings, brief thoughts, etc. This act would be intensely personal, a recognition of each other as peers.

This would not be casual, it would have to be deep. Shared emotions might change the world around them while they touch. They would be open to each other in many ways. I'm not saying that memories or exact thoughts, or anything would be exchanged (though they could be) but you could not hide your current feelings from each other. It would be willingly exposing the soul, it would be a huge sign of trust and honor.

This would probably be done in either private or a place where there wouldn't be many others to witness the act because of how personal it really is. The two Celestials would understand each other, see each other exactly as they are. This laying bare of the soul might not be something the two Celestials would want to be public.


post modified to update information.

[Admin]

Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:13 am

EJ wrote:

A million thank yous, Launa. This will be helpful to new folks and as refresher for the rest of us. Thank you for taking the time.

EJ

[EJ]

I think this time period deserves some attention. *After* Unification happens, and the borders are all opened, and Council rules the day, what is Hom like? Like, not right away, but rather during Prime Time on Earth, for instance.

There's a draft, yes. But is Hom like a Police State? What does Council allow and disallow? How are things different than they were before? In what matters does Council intervene? What is the governing force in the various regions (Council can't do it all)?

Ideas?

EJ

[Jennifer]

This is an excellent question (questions?) to put out there. What is decided here will influence so much of how Celestials on Earth feel about Hom and about their time "in service." I can only offer my opinions, of course, but here goes:

I don't see Hom as a Police State. In some ways, we see a Police State back during Eliena and Lynor's time. The closed borders. The severe punishments.The secrets.

I think the only harsh lock down that's in effect after Unification is anything and everything to do with the Great Archive. Curiously, the controls that Council has placed on it actually limit it as a great resource because it collects and stores less information now (only Council-approved information).

Regions would need to continue to have governing bodies because no single remote Council can rule a planet. In America we have a country and States. In Russia, there is a country and Krais. I would assume that once Hom (basically) stopped being six different countries, it became a united coalition of six regions. So every former province would have as much say as, for instance, a State would have in America.

Questions to ask ourselves:

1. Is there indeed a draft during Prime Time?
2. What do Celestials do who are not on Earth?
3. Are there any missionaries any more?
4. What are academies like now?
5. Do the people have basic rights in terms of right to assemble, right to carry arms, free of press?

If you just think about the surface of all of this, nothing bad came of Unification. The borders came down. People mingled. Yay yay. But looking deeper... how has Council set controls for the people now? What laws have they put in place that will accomplish their goals of:

1. Getting soldiers to Earth to attempt to secure the Grail.
2. Keep the people on Hom safe from further Drops of the Grail.
3. Protect the Great Archive.

Do they have other goals?

Jennifer

[EJ]

These are great big questions. Thank you for giving me somewhere to jump off from, Jennifer. Hopefully other Celestial writers (Launa, Cris, Eric) will weigh in.

1. Is there indeed a draft during Prime Time?
Yes. Mandatory service.

2. What do Celestials do who are not on Earth?
Prior to Unification everything (the highest caste, so to speak) revolved around who was going to be accepted into an Academy and get trained to be a missionary. This was exclusive and so much focus was given to missionary work (like celebrities). After Unification this focus would have shifted and, of course, the merging of the Provinces would have brought an interesting and creative explosion. And the danger of the Grail Dropping would put life in prespective for many.

3. Are there any missionaries any more?
No.

4. What are academies like now?
Training for soldiers.

5. Do the people have basic rights in terms of right to assemble, right to carry arms, free of press?
Hm. Great questions. Not really sure... I mean, I guess this all goes back to how much of a Police State are we talking about here. I don't think I can make this decision alone.

Those Council goals seemed perfect.

EJ

[Admin]

Would Hom really become a Police State? This seems to go against the idea of Unification. If borders are shut down (like in a Police State), what has unified? It seems like there would be a flourish of science and arts, as botanists and artists have the ability to communicate with each other in other Provinces.

I think the only harsh lock down that's in effect after Unification is anything and everything to do with the Great Archive. Curiously, the controls that Council has placed on it actually limit it as a great resource because it collects and stores less information now (only Council-approved information).

Okay. The Great Archive. In Blood Trade, Chiron is travelling back to Hom, to bring his memory of what happened with Maria to the Great Archive. I'm correct in saying that the nonlinear memory of Celestials is linked directly to the Great Archive, yes? Celestials alive before Unification would, of course, still remember any nonlinear memory they had encountered. But, with the Council cracking down on the content of the Archive, the nonlinear memory that Celestials have access to will be incredibly limited.

How will the Celestials feel about this? What are their reactions to the Council basically censoring their nonlinear memory?

Brianne

[Launa]

Here's me weighing in

When I imagine post-unification Hom, I think of the gorvernment like this: Council is the center. The supreme bosses. There are (2? 4?) Homidus from each Province on Council. These Homidus are Elders, very much respected in their Province (are they "elected" in?) Once on Council, you serve a lifeterm.

Each Province, however, has local government. This is heavily influenced by Council, but local laws or whatever are left up to Provincial Elders. However, I imagine that Academies are considered universal, not belonging to the Province. I think Council oversees these and the draft personally. Homidus from any Province may be assigned as teachers at these Academies and the curriculum is created by a task force created by Council.

I think Council would create various organizations in charge of major goals for Hom. We already know about the Coalition for a Cure (perhaps this stemmed from a Health Board?) I imagine taskforces for:

Academy (and basic) Education (I imagine Acadamies much like the military academies in the United States. Not all Homidus go. Homidus training to be professional soldiers or, perhaps, specialize in a particular field would work and gain entrance. The average draftee would be just that: drafted. Foot soldier, basically.)
Draft Enforcement
Portal Monitoring
Fortification of Major Cities (we talked, a long time ago, about cities being domed? Perhaps villages and smaller settlements decrease and fortified cities are built to protect from the Grail?)
Managment of the Great Archive
Health Concerns (when the boarders open, are there any diseases that start to spread?)
Scientific Advancements (many sub-boards)
Morale Boosting
etc.

I think that most Homidus naturally follow Council (or local authorities, though Council heavily influences the local governments.). They feel Council is working for their best interests. Therefore, I don't see a lot of problems with Council putting down resistance. I do think, however, they may have special forces or taskforces that look for possible treasonous sects, individuals, or troublemakers. It would make sense that they do not want trouble again, especially with the Great Archive (not spoiling anything...) When someone or a group is deemed a significant threat, I believe action is taken and it is swift.

However, that being said, I think that they do not harass Homidus who are just a little "annoying." Homidus who they do not consider a big threat. They would not want to scare the people. For example, they may not agree with the religious sect that Hydra belongs to, but they wouldn't do anything to stop them because they are not actively hurting Hom or drawing people away or anything.

At least this is what I imagine

As for the Great Archive, am I wrong that the Great Archive does not affect nonlinear memory, but it is a storage space for reports made through wretton (the organic link to the archive implanted in missionary's minds that allows them to, basically, upload memories and sights and information) and even memories and experiences (basically the life) of Homidus who have died. It is a storage unit, yes? Accessible like a telepathic internet that can be searched or be used like a giant email messaging system. So, with Chiron, I imagined he downloaded his memory and then it was sent out to every Celestial with a wretton. (wretton implants would become manditory when the Homidus becomes a soldier?)

The big issue I believe Homidus would have with the controlling of the Archive (though, again, I believe the vast majority of Homidus believe the Archive's control is for their own good) is that it is sensoring what information is saved and accessable. It is keeping certain Homidus who have died from being Archived and accessed by family members or people who want to learn from the deceased Homidus. To a Homidus, not being Archived would be like wiping away someone's life as if they had never existed. They can't pass any information on. They are, essentially, worthless to the species if they are not Archived.

There's my 30 cents

Questions:

Could Council, if they wanted to (or perhaps the group in charge of the Archive?) mess with a Homidus' mind through their wretton, as it is an implant?

Would there be schools (I imagine them also controlled by a task force and, therefore, universal and not really specialized by Province) for scientists, artists, performers, etc? I would think anything that boosts morale would be big during war time.

What else might make Celestials intermingle in the provinces? I'm tired, so I'm stuck on academies and training centers. But what would really mix the populations? Are certain areas deemed "safer" than others so lots of Homidus would flock there? Markets? Do Homidus play sports?

[Cris]

1. Is there indeed a draft during Prime Time?
Yes. Mandatory service.

For everyone? Up to what age? In the current sourcebook, there comes a point where Celestial "generals" retire. When is that? Who decides? The Council? The individual?

2. What do Celestials do who are not on Earth?

Prior to Unification everything (the highest caste, so to speak) revolved around who was going to be accepted into an Academy and get trained to be a missionary. This was exclusive and so much focus was given to missionary work (like celebrities).

Does every one have the aptitude for this? What do the ones who do not get accepted do? Are they like the janitors of Hom?

If we were to make a list of other "careers" what would they be?
1. Botanist: Non-missionary type. What would they do?
2. Academic: What are the qualifications? Do you have to have been a missionary to teach?
3. Chemist: The precursors to those who create weapons?
4. Archivist (are these former missionaries?)
5. Parents: Do people only raise children? Is that a job in and of itself? Who takes care of kids when their missionary parents are off-world?

etc...

Prior to Unification, is this system the same across Hom? If so, how is that possible if the borders are closed? I think we've just assumed that it's the same prior to Unification because every Province sends missionaries . . . but this doesn't make logical sense, really, does it? Wouldn't there have to have been some kind of Unification (long lost) that established the schools, the need for missionaries, etc?

The biggest question this raises is about Celestial non-linear memory, which I want to addresss in its own post.

After Unification this focus would have shifted and, of course, the merging of the Provinces would have brought an interesting and creative explosion. And the danger of the Grail Dropping would put life in perspective for many.

4. What are academies like now?
Training for soldiers

I wonder if this is wholly true. No Human culture has ever existed without the arts. Where do the poets, the writers, the painters, etc. come from on Hom? Where do they train? What happens to those places after Unification?

If there's an "explosion" of creativity after Unification, what would this include? What is different now other than the access to the Great Archive has been curtailed? Ideas have always been able to be shared across borders through the Great Archive, yes? Weapons, of course, to fight Terrapyres, but what else would be *new*?.

5. Do the people have basic rights in terms of right to assemble, right to carry arms, free of press?
Hm. Great questions. Not really sure... I mean, I guess this all goes back to how much of a Police State are we talking about here. I don't think I can make this decision alone.

Now this raises an interesting question of perspective. Celestials are not Human. How much of our own morals, culture, beliefs, desires are we putting *on* to them as we create their society? Do they have the same desires? Do they care about bearing arms? Do they even have a " press?" I think we need to be careful about imposing our ideas of what constitutes a police state (and therefore also a free society) onto the Celestials.

For example, they've shared the Great Archive and aside from some skirmishes, there hasn't been an all-out war despite the fact that the Provinces have vastly different resources and approaches to living. I have trouble imagining Celestials becoming bent about the sect that Hydra belongs to. Who cares what they believe that there is a fifth dimensional creature that harvests the very best souls?

I think, it is important for us to remember that Celestials are unique unto themselves and the emotions, connections, beliefs, etc. we endow them with are not simply mirrors of Humanity. Personally, I think that the Celestials present the opportunity to develop a very rich and very alien culture.

Cris

[Cris]

In Blood Trade, Chiron is traveling back to Hom, to bring his memory of what happened with Maria to the Great Archive. I'm correct in saying that the nonlinear memory of Celestials is linked directly to the Great Archive, yes?

Brianne raises a very interesting and important point here. EJ and Luz, you worked out this aspect of nonlinear memory, the Great Archive and how the "message" would be delivered. Do Celestials have non-linear memory in the way that Terrapyres do (specifically Maria)? What do we mean when we say "nonlinear memory" as it refers to Celestials?

Have you two worked this out or is this something we need to figure out here?

Cris

[Cris]

Celestials alive before Unification would, of course, still remember any nonlinear memory they had encountered. But, with the Council cracking down on the content of the Archive, the nonlinear memory that Celestials have access to will be incredibly limited.

Post Unification, the Council restricts access to the Great Archive in terms of Celestials using that resource like a library--e.g. downloading information.

But what, other than the archiving of souls, would the Council restrict in terms of uploading? And why?

Cris

[Admin]

As for the Great Archive, am I wrong that the Great Archive does not affect nonlinear memory, but it is a storage space for reports made through wretton (the organic link to the archive implanted in missionary's minds that allows them to, basically, upload memories and sights and information) and even memories and experiences (basically the life) of Homidus who have died. It is a storage unit, yes? Accessible like a telepathic internet that can be searched or be used like a giant email messaging system. So, with Chiron, I imagined he downloaded his memory and then it was sent out to every Celestial with a wretton. (wretton implants would become manditory when the Homidus becomes a soldier?)

Here's the problem with that, though: If all Celestials had nonlinear memory, they wouldn't need a wretton to share experiences. Their experiences (both as missonaries/soldiers and just as Homidus, deceased or still alive) would be passed along by nonlinear memory. The only use the wretton would serve would be the "giant emailing system", so that missionaries/soldiers could contact each other, more directly.

In addition, if Celestials had nonlinear memory, souls wouldn't need to me archived to be remembered/learned from. The deceased Celestials would be part of everyone's nonlinear memory, and not forgotten. You wouldn't be able to "commune" with the soul, but they most definately wouldn't be forgotten.

Basically what I'm saying, is that I remember the Great Archive and wrettons *being* the Celestials' version of nonlinear memory. This is why Eliena's gift (and also Chariklo's, of course) is so rare and incredible.

I think that most Homidus naturally follow Council (or local authorities, though Council heavily influences the local governments.). They feel Council is working for their best interests. Therefore, I don't see a lot of problems with Council putting down resistance. I do think, however, they may have special forces or taskforces that look for possible treasonous sects, individuals, or troublemakers. It would make sense that they do not want trouble again, especially with the Great Archive (not spoiling anything...) When someone or a group is deemed a significant threat, I believe action is taken and it is swift.

You know, I actually really like what you're saying here. I think, mostly, because this is setting up Hom for a serious rebellion from the people. The Great Archive is being, basically, censored. Council is swiftly putting down any resistance. They have power even within local governments. Mostly everyone thinks it's for their best interest... But as in any society that is so tightly controlled, someone is going to step up. Someone is going to start a rebellion. Someone--a sharp thinker with a powerful voice--will *not* be okay with this kind of control from their government.

[Cris]

launa said:

When I imagine post-unification Hom, I think of the government like this: Council is the center. The supreme bosses. There are (2? 4?) Homidus from each Province on Council. These Homidus are Elders, very much respected in their Province (are they "elected" in?) Once on Council, you serve a lifeterm.

Why would it be a lifetime appointment? What if it were limited to 50 years or so? I am leery of anything that locks an individual into something for such a long time. What about corruption? Changes happening in the culture that are not reflected in the Council, etc.

Why would they be "elected?" Do Celestials "elect?" This is a very Earth-centric term. If the Elders are respected in their Provinces, then it would seem that they would volunteer to go, especially if their entire race is now focused on saving their world and fighting the Terrapyres.

Each Province, however, has local government. This is heavily influenced by Council,

Why would the Council have any jurisdiction over the Provinces? What is the Council's purpose? I thought it was just to handle the Archive. Are we talking about a law-making body? Does it have to be modeled after a Human system? Are the Celestials more altruistic than Humans? Do they trust each other more (except the Gwandiis)?

but local laws or whatever are left up to Provincial Elders.

I agree here--there's no reason for the Council to suddenly have jurisdiction over the Provinces, but you seem to be saying that above. when you say the local government is "heavily influenced by the Council."

[quote}However, I imagine that Academies are considered universal, not belonging to the Province. I think Council oversees these and the draft personally. Homidus from any Province may be assigned as teachers at these Academies and the curriculum is created by a task force created by Council.[/quote]

Why would the Council oversee the draft? Where are the soldiers trained? Within their own Provinces or not? If they are trained within their own Provinces, then the Council would have no rightful jurisdiction. However, since Celestials end up being assigned to Outposts, it would seem that Celestials would need to train with those from other Provinces. That being the case, there are many things that would need to be decided:

Do all Academies train in all aspects of warfare or do they specialize? If they specialize that would make it easier for those who have been drafted to move from one aspect to another quickly. Organization would be much much simpler. As for who would decide that, I wonder if the Council is being given too much power. Perhaps the decisions about what Academies would be used for what purpose would be made by the Provincial Elders and the Council.

Who would teach warfare? Is anyone actually qualified or do t hey all hve to put their heads together to figure out how to make weapons, how to show everyone how to build an Outpost, how to use Warps and Portals, etc. Remember that not all of the population had been missionaries. And that the missionaries were an elite group. You've got a lot of "footsoldiers" to train.

Let's make our own words for "task force." That just smacks of Humanity.

I think Council would create various organizations in charge of major goals for Hom. We already know about the Coalition for a Cure (perhaps this stemmed from a Health Board?) I imagine taskforces for:

Academy (and basic) Education (I imagine Acadamies much like the military academies in the United States. Not all Homidus go. Homidus training to be professional soldiers or, perhaps, specialize in a particular field would work and gain entrance. The average draftee would be just that: drafted. Foot soldier, basically.)
Draft Enforcement
Portal Monitoring
Fortification of Major Cities (we talked, a long time ago, about cities being domed? Perhaps villages and smaller settlements decrease and fortified cities are built to protect from the Grail?)
Managment of the Great Archive
Health Concerns (when the boarders open, are there any diseases that start to spread?)
Scientific Advancements (many sub-boards)
Morale Boosting
etc.

I have to say that I am not fond of this idea at all. Homidus have visited thousands of worlds, seen thousands of organizational structures. The idea of Celestials government that includes Morale Boosting . . . I really don't think they're going to be playing so nicely with each other.

The Council is created to deal with the threat of the Grail. To unite the people to deal with this threat.

That said, restricted access to the Great Archive, would logically fall to the Council. But there is no reason that the Council should take on all of these other tasks. They're trying to save their world. How much of their energy would be spent creating task forces? Who would be on these task forces?

I think, as time goes on and we enter Prime Time, that some of these aspects of planet-unifying culture would develop, but I would like to suggest that not all of these things come from the Council. Like with a lot of concerns that become global, most issues start locally.

I would suggest that we allow the focus to be on unifying for the following purposes:
1. Save their world
2. Figure out what new rules and regulations concerning the Archive
3. Train the Celestials to Fight the Terrapyres (how, where, when, etc)

That's it. Then, as time goes on, other concerns will rise to the surface, but initially, I think it should be very focused.

I think that most Homidus naturally follow Council (or local authorities, though Council heavily influences the local governments.). They feel Council is working for their best interests. Therefore, I don't see a lot of problems with Council putting down resistance. I do think, however, they may have special forces or taskforces that look for possible treasonous sects, individuals, or troublemakers. It would make sense that they do not want trouble again, especially with the Great Archive (not spoiling anything...) When someone or a group is deemed a significant threat, I believe action is taken and it is swift.

I actually don't agree. Celestials haven't really spent that much time policing themselves. They've been focused primarily on off-world missions for thousands of years. They're culture is pretty settled, but Celestials from some Provinces really hate each other.. If you think about the timeline... When Eris is a child (373 BC), the Provinces have been separated for a long time already. You're talking about a thousand years between 373BC and 1373 AD. Unification happens in 1112 AD. First contact doesn't happen 1450. I honestly don't see people who have been Province-centric, hard line separatists suddenly cooperating to "put down" troublemakers? Who decides what constitutes a trouble maker? I don't think Gwandiis are going to be down with the idea of the Council's authority.

In order to get anything done, the Council would have to adopt some kind of live and let live mentality and choose their battles.

However, that being said, I think that they do not harass Homidus who are just a little "annoying." Homidus who they do not consider a big threat. They would not want to scare the people. For example, they may not agree with the religious sect that Hydra belongs to, but they wouldn't do anything to stop them because they are not actively hurting Hom or drawing people away or anything.

I agree that the sect would be a non-issue.

As for the Great Archive, am I wrong that the Great Archive does not affect nonlinear memory, but it is a storage space for reports made through wretton (the organic link to the archive implanted in missionary's minds that allows them to, basically, upload memories and sights and information)

Yes, but only Missionaries have wretton. So how does everybody else get access to information? They go in and download? Can they also upload without any censorship prior to Unification?

It is a storage unit, yes? Accessible like a telepathic internet that can be searched or be used like a giant email messaging system. So, with Chiron, I imagined he downloaded his memory and then it was sent out to every Celestial with a wretton. (wretton implants would become manditory when the Homidus becomes a soldier?)

Actually, everyone would have to have wretton in order to get the information. So, you're talking about an implant that every Celestial on the planet has to have. When they Prime? When they become soldiers?

I imagined that Chiron would simply "delivery the message" if that means downloading the compartmentalized memory of this event, then yes. I don't think he'd download his entire memory, though. And he'd have to have Council approval to do this, since this happens about 300 years after Unification.

Maybe he just tells the Council and they "make the announcement" in whatever way we decide that information is disseminated.

The big issue I believe Homidus would have with the controlling of the Archive (though, again, I believe the vast majority of Homidus believe the Archive's control is for their own good) is that it is sensoring what information is saved and accessable. It is keeping certain Homidus who have died from being Archived and accessed by family members or people who want to learn from the deceased Homidus. To a Homidus, not being Archived would be like wiping away someone's life as if they had never existed. They can't pass any information on. They are, essentially, worthless to the species if they are not Archived.

So the questions this raises are:

1. What happens within Homidus culture just after Unification? What is the "timeline" that takes us from the bumpy beginnings of learning to work together, learning about each other to 1450 and first contact?

The issues they would have to deal with include access to the Archive. Are Homidus angry about this as a group? As individuals? Certain Provinces more than others?

2. How do Homidus feel about the Council at the point of first contact? Are they working together better now?

Could Council, if they wanted to (or perhaps the group in charge of the Archive?) mess with a Homidus' mind through their wretton, as it is an implant?

Any kind of interface like that would have the potential for this, yes. We'd have to figure out of the interface only worked one way (Council to individual) or whether individual soldiers could make contact with each other and whether there could be any exchange of information other than from the Council. e.g. Could soldiers exchange information via wretton? This certainly opens up a door for a lot of hacking and possible cyber terrorism. I guess I'm not sure who, other than the Gwandiis would have a reason to do this. If they're all working toward a common goal . But there are always the bad ones.

Would there be schools (I imagine them also controlled by a task force and, therefore, universal and not really specialized by Province) for scientists, artists, performers, etc? I would think anything that boosts morale would be big during war time.

I think yes. I raised this question myself in another post.

What else might make Celestials intermingle in the provinces? . . .what would really mix the populations? Are certain areas deemed "safer" than others so lots of Homidus would flock there? Markets? Do Homidus play sports?

All cultures have sports and "play" so I would imagine that would be true here as well. Markets, yes, for goods that had been unavailable prior to Unification. Safer? Well, maybe since the Celestials who encounter Maria in Blood Trade have been able to accurately graph and predict Grail drops on Earth within a certain grid. But within the grid itself, there are no guarantees.

You raise some important issues here. As I mentioned in another post, I would really like us to challenge ourselves to create a unique culture for Celestials rather than one that mirrors Earth's.

Cris

[EJ]

Oh. My. Gosh.

Well... I asked for it, didn't I? LOL! This is a *lot* of information! I love it!

Okay... instead of trying to answer every single question, one point at a time, let me first try this approach. I've read every post twice. Slowly. Now I'll weigh in. Then, if anyone still wonders about something, maybe we can make one big post for me with just questions and I'll just answer them Q&A style? How does that sound?

*deep breath*

Here goes:

In the MG3K universe, everything is different but equal. Celestials and Terrapyres (in everything from the Starter Decks to the novels and comics) are very, very varied but they equal out.

Terrapyres have dream-like nonlinear memory. It passes through their people like wind over the Earth. It does not happen instantly. Some people will remember events vividly and others more foggy. And not everyone gets every memory. Nor can they search for specific memories. They can, of course, talk and share their shared memories. The only exception to this style of nonlinear memory is Maria. She has almost instant access to all memories and has set up her own mental filters to find what she wants and be able to call it forth in shocking detail.

Celestials have the Great Archive. Before Unification, they could literally go to the GA and login. They did not need a wretton if they were in Lux'karr. Within the Colosseum of Lux'karr, they could commune with the GA directly, walking its hallways of memory in their minds as if walking in full-immersion VR. If they wanted to upload something (or someone who had passed) they could. However, only missionaries had wretton that allowed them to access the GA remote (from anywhere on Hom) though it was more limited when they were remote. Mostly, wretton were used to send messages to and from each other when on an alien world because Celestial telepathy has limited range. When missionaries were out in the field (on an alien world) they could daisy chain their wretton all the way back to one missionary who could constantly or hourly be popping back through the Portal and delivering everyone's reports to the GA. (Whatever we have in the SB about wretton needs to be made consistent to support "Blood Trade." To me, "Blood Trade" is the end-all, be all. So that means, you cannot send wretton messages through a Portal. You must be back on Hom to send the message.)

Legend on Hom tells us that all Celestials know they once lived united. They do not know if it was on the same land mass as they all live now or what, but they were together. But they could not get along. They had the same goals (to pursue missionary work and save samples of other worlds) but very different ideas about how to go about that. There were probably ten thousand other reasons why they didn't get along, as well, but the result was: The Provinces split and borders were closed. No one (no one at all) who was alive during that time is still alive even in Eliena and Lynor's time. However, Eris (and only Eris) somehow has complete memory recall of that time (though not before it). He remembers it as an ugly, violent time. A time when Celestials were forced into compromises to keep peace among each other. Compromises that stifled creativity and risk-taking and huge rewards. To him, Celestials of that time were generic and unremarkable. Dividing into Provinces allowed that -- brilliant individuality -- to evolve.

In the tv show (on ABC, bless them) "FlashForward," every human being sharing 137 seconds has created a unique event in human history. A shared, universal moment. This has changed many things and many people to their very soul... and changed other things and other people not one freaking bit.

In a workshop that she and Jennifer used to teach, Cris used to tell newbie SF writers: Don't write about First Contact. When we humans experience First Contact with an alien race, our entire fabric of who we are will change. Everything will be shaken. It will be a universal moment beyond huge.

A massive, universal event has occurred. And it keeps occurring. The Grail is dropping on Hom and ripping apart everything it touches. It threatens everyone and everything equally. It does not discriminate. It does not have mercy.

But above and beyond this (arguably) natural occurrence, the Great Archive, which holds the heart of who Celestials are, that was grown (by someone!) on the eve of the Provinces closing so that all the peoples would still have one place to share that was neutral and full of pure knowledge, is threatened. And, without spoilers, it is safe to say, that it's threatened by more than just the Grail.

In the shadow of these two threats, Elders of the Provinces began to meet in Lux'karr and the idea of forming a unified Council to coordinate efforts to unlock the mysteries of the Grail seemed their only hope. Soon after this idea was met with agreement by Elders from all Provinces, the additional threat to the GA was revealed and they further strengthened their resolve to deal with this as well. I always saw the Elders as the logical choices in each Province. Chosen by their own people in whatever way was appropriate to the Province's cultural approach. I always saw the "appointments" as permanent. Yes, this is flawed. But that's the point. In my opinion, term limits is too human and the idea that older people will be set in their ways and out of touch would not be an accepted idea on a planet where people live many, many hundreds of years.

Before Unification, every Province had an Academy. These were almost sacred places that trained missionaries. After Unification, these campuses became training compounds for (at first) the missionaries who went to Earth on learning/researching missions to try to gather information, and then, as time passed, for soldiers, who fought Terrapyres while trying to harness the Grail.

Other arts (and other careers) are taught by masters to students. There are guilds. There are no colleges or massive compounds for any other careers.

I think, for a very long time, Celestials would be grateful to Council. Just like after any terrorist attack or horrible natural disaster. If the government steps in and declares martial law, people usually feel safer and thankful. For a while. The Council doesn't declare martial law. But, because their goals are to stop the Grail and keep the GA safe, they do create a draft and they do limit access to the GA. Now reports are given to the Council in their awesome chamber with the waterfall and the stone and the jungle and a Council member goes alone into the diving sphere thingie and uploads the information to the GA which is kept under the sea.

But I think people stay thankful for only so long. Eventually they start to feel resentful of things like a draft when no "progress" is being made and lots of other bad stuff keeps happening (like 3D Celestials and death, etc). And we have seen the seeds of change/revolution in Pelucir (2050-something AD) and in Orcus (2010 AD). But I also think that there isn't much revolution, per say, that can happen on Hom. The Council is doing nothing wrong and no one has any better ideas. The Council doesn't police anything. Governments (meaning, local governments) pretty much stayed the same. The only difference is, in matters of the war and matter of the GA, the Council has supreme and final say. But it is the Provinces (the States, as Jennifer said) who must coordinate doming and hovering the cities. The Provinces working together that must decide to risk the Grail and go ahead and hold festivals or other joyful events on a national scale so that the people celebrate unity and togetherness. They find new ways to exchanges information... gee... like ebooks, songs, operas, theatre houses, and more.

In some ways, the people are empowered to work together. But this also means that there is no UN. No national police force. And this is why twisted organizations with their own selfish means (see my mention above about how some people are not changed at all by universal shared experience) could and do rise.

Now... don't get me wrong. I think, if they sense a threat, the Council (as Elders and as the only individuals with access to the holy Great Archive) do have sway. I think if they called in a soldier and said, "So and so is causing problems and hiding young Celestials who want to avoid the draft. Take out so and so." The soldier would do it. If someone or some group tried to get access to the GA, the Council would stop them. And, because these Elders are hugely respected (even if they all aren't the original Elders who stepped up at Unification), if a problem arises that is not directly related to the war or the GA, that problem might very well be brought before them for a decision or advisement.

Over time, this practice would gain a lot of appeal. Can't solve something big? Old bigotries rising up? Take it to Council. Let them decide. Hm. Now that could an interesting dynamic.

I hope I have been helpful. If I missed anything specific, please post it. I'm working through the weekend (up in beautiful BC) but I have Internet and I'll make the time... even if I have to sneak away.

Happy Halloween, everyone.

EJ

[Launa]

... Oh my goodness. *absorbing now*

Thank you, EJ. Usually I would just sit and think on information before responding, but you did some serious thinking and writing here. Thank you so much

I feel another story about Ganymede coming on. All this talk about Council makes her very vivid in my mind