Re: New Races of SJ, esp Giff

Scott McCarroll wrote:

> My only problem with that is that without a native
> means of powering a helm it is difficult to explain
> what a race is doing in Arcane Space.  In my mind Giff
> should have at least one reliable method of getting
> into space on their own.
>
        Don't have that problem.  I don't have world governments big enough to
dominate whole races.  I also don't have SJing having too big of an
impact on all but the smallest worlds (size E & larger are usually
'immune' or ignore most SJ societies).  Pure SJ societies just don't
have the resources to seriously affect most races.  There are rare
exceptions, however (usually rise when a massive power vacuum is
created)

> I like the idea of them having hero-dieties, but don't
> see this as incompatible with having a priesthood.  If
> I can be forgiven for using a Star Trek reference, the
> Klingons revere Kahless as just the same sort of
> hero-diety that the Giff might have (among others.)
> The very militaristic Klingons *did* have a priesthood
> devoted to teaching other Klingons the stories and
> legends of Kahless and to hand down the teachings on
> how to best live a life of honor.  I can readily see
> this happening as well with the Giff.
>
        Matter of personal taste.  I personally don't think they'd need it, but
that's just me:)

> The problem here is that there is no definitive source
> of information on Giff culture and psychology, which
> leaves the matter up to speculation.  In my own
> campaign, races that can't get themselves into space
> end up becoming a lot like the aboriginal cultures
> here on earth - sadly conquered and dominated by those
> *with* spelljamming capabilities - which is why my
> Giff have priests to gods who reflect their very
> martial outlook on life.

        Your right, there is no definitive source on giff, so my verision is
different.  IMC, just before the Unhuman War an earlier war broke out
between 'british' humans and an ogre empire in a distant sphere.  The
war was brutal, and the humans were having their arses handed to them.
The giff were created as front line shock troops.  Things just broke
down, and the ogres fled in their mammoth ships as did hundreds of human
ships (many with giff platoons aboard).  The survivors scattered
throughout Known Space, taking their giff soldiers with them.  The
humans were assimilated into greater society, but the giff were able to
breed true and became their own race.  They aren't numerous (only a few
10's of 1000's) and could be said to be 'dominated' by humans, but are
too valuable as mercenaries to hack off.

--
Adam Miller