Shadow of the West Discussion Thread - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Kransha · 11-16-2004, 05:04 PM

w00t! My first post is up.

I am afraid that, in fact, it may be too long, so much so that is is a bit long-winded. I certainly hope that, despite its novella length, it is readable.

Fordim: The description of my first secondary character is contained in my post, as are *other things*. I described the Kanak Palace courtyard in great detail, and I hope all is in order. Also, I hope that my post does not chronologically conflict with any posts that will be put up soon. I will, of course, edit if need-be.

Morgôs is off to find his way in the palace, and wondering where his son and spouse are...which reminds me, where are his son and spouse?

alak and/or Bb: Is Arlome currently in the palace with Queen Bekah, part of her retinue as always? I'd like to know, just in case I have to tweak my post a bit in light of her whereabouts.

Bêthberry · 11-16-2004, 05:22 PM

If I may step in here as a writer of a female character and offer one reply to Imladris's question: None of the sources I read about ancient Parthia or ancient Persia had women dressed in veils. Fordim has placed Pashtia and Alanzia in a very ancient culture which by some thousands of years predates the typical kind of culture we associate with early Muslim countries. Veils for women came, if I am not mistaken, with Islam. (I hope I am not wrong about this.)

Thus, Bekah will not wear a veil. She might wear a headress with a crown with flowing cloth, but she will not cover herself up. In fact, I think I will decide right now that the only time she will cover her head with any kind of shawl will be when she needs protection from the sun.

But I don't suppose we have to have unanimity about this. Maybe the unmarried girls wear veils, as Aylwen has chosen to represent the daughter?

Kransha, please check your PMs.

Fordim Hedgethistle · 11-16-2004, 05:39 PM

Pashtian women do not wear veils. They do, however, cover their heads with elaborate scarves (but not their faces) -- unless they are highly unconventional like, apparently, our Queen!

Imladris · 11-16-2004, 05:45 PM

My apologies...I went back to your note on dress and even though I read "scarf" I translated it as veil...my apologies...

alaklondewen · 11-16-2004, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Posted by Kransha
alak and/or Bb: Is Arlome currently in the palace with Queen Bekah, part of her retinue as always? I'd like to know, just in case I have to tweak my post a bit in light of her whereabouts.

Arlomë is in the palace with the Queen. I will have a post ready soon.

Also, Nuru brought this up earlier, but I don't think it was answered. How are we to view servants? Would it be strange for Morgôs and Arlomë to have servants in their home?

Aylwen Dreamsong · 11-16-2004, 06:32 PM

Hmmm...I'll go edit then. Good quesion, Immy...one that never actually crossed my mind though. I should have read more carefully.

I'm going for a record number of edits on my first post. I keep catching little things just after I hit the edit button for the previous mistake!

-Aylwen

Fordim Hedgethistle · 11-16-2004, 09:03 PM

Imladris: you have Lady Arhsalous addressing a slave; this should be edited, as Pashtia is not a slave-holding society. There are servants, but not slaves.

To answer the questions about how servants are regarded, I cite the Game Bible (otherwise known as the proposal):

Quote:

for although it is a socially divided and strictly hierarchical society, the upper echelons of the citizenry do not look down upon nor denigrate those below them. One's position in society is simply a fact of their existence, and not a moral or societal judgement of one's worth.

So there are distinct differences between master and servant, but it is not a tyrannical relationship. Now, that having been said, our characters are individuals and some will be more kindly to the servants than others. . .

Just a note to everyone who's posted so far: wow. I really mean that. These posts are wonderful, and are beginning to create a fascinating world.

One More Note: there seems to be a bit of fuzziness about the layout of the Palace. As I pictured it, there's a large outer wall surrounding the gardens. In the gardens there are villas, statues, etc. In the middle of the garden is the Palace. The Palace, like all Pashtian homes, is built like a square with an open courtyard in the centre. In this courtyard are more gardens, as well as the obelisk and the well. The King's audience chamber is in the palace building itself.

Is this how everyone else sees it??

11-16-2004, 05:04 PM	#1
Kransha Ubiquitous Urulóki Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The port of Mars, where Famine, Sword, and Fire, leash'd in like hounds, crouch for employment Posts: 747	w00t! My first post is up. I am afraid that, in fact, it may be too long, so much so that is is a bit long-winded. I certainly hope that, despite its novella length, it is readable. Fordim: The description of my first secondary character is contained in my post, as are other things. I described the Kanak Palace courtyard in great detail, and I hope all is in order. Also, I hope that my post does not chronologically conflict with any posts that will be put up soon. I will, of course, edit if need-be. Morgôs is off to find his way in the palace, and wondering where his son and spouse are...which reminds me, where are his son and spouse? alak and/or Bb: Is Arlome currently in the palace with Queen Bekah, part of her retinue as always? I'd like to know, just in case I have to tweak my post a bit in light of her whereabouts. __________________ "What mortal feels not awe/Nor trembles at our name, Hearing our fate-appointed power sublime/Fixed by the eternal law. For old our office, and our fame," -Aeschylus, Song of the Furies Last edited by Kransha; 11-16-2004 at 06:09 PM.

11-16-2004, 05:22 PM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	If I may step in here as a writer of a female character and offer one reply to Imladris's question: None of the sources I read about ancient Parthia or ancient Persia had women dressed in veils. Fordim has placed Pashtia and Alanzia in a very ancient culture which by some thousands of years predates the typical kind of culture we associate with early Muslim countries. Veils for women came, if I am not mistaken, with Islam. (I hope I am not wrong about this.) Thus, Bekah will not wear a veil. She might wear a headress with a crown with flowing cloth, but she will not cover herself up. In fact, I think I will decide right now that the only time she will cover her head with any kind of shawl will be when she needs protection from the sun. But I don't suppose we have to have unanimity about this. Maybe the unmarried girls wear veils, as Aylwen has chosen to represent the daughter? Kransha, please check your PMs. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away. Last edited by Bêthberry; 11-16-2004 at 05:29 PM.

11-16-2004, 05:39 PM	#3
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	Pashtian women do not wear veils. They do, however, cover their heads with elaborate scarves (but not their faces) -- unless they are highly unconventional like, apparently, our Queen! __________________ Scribbling scrabbling.

11-16-2004, 05:45 PM	#4
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,453	My apologies...I went back to your note on dress and even though I read "scarf" I translated it as veil...my apologies... __________________ I'm sorry it wasn't a unicorn. It would have been nice to have unicorns. I'm your huckleberry.

11-16-2004, 06:32 PM	#6
Aylwen Dreamsong The Melody of Misery Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Island of Conclusions (You get there by jumping!)... Posts: 1,147	Hmmm...I'll go edit then. Good quesion, Immy...one that never actually crossed my mind though. I should have read more carefully. I'm going for a record number of edits on my first post. I keep catching little things just after I hit the edit button for the previous mistake! -Aylwen __________________ ...Come down now, they'll say. But everything looks perfect from far away - Come down now! But we'll stay. Last edited by Aylwen Dreamsong; 11-16-2004 at 06:42 PM.