Worldbuilding Realism Consultation Thread Mk. 4

[Ainin]

I'm unsure if this is the place to go for this one, but I'm trying to write up a fictitious religion for my Chechens to have started following so that they don't have to be Muslim (nothing against that, just want something other than Islam). I'm thinking of something that calls for the veneration of warriors but allows for the sorts of freedoms one would expect of an average Western nation. There any other "warrior's religions" I should look to for inspiration?

For the freedoms part, it isn't so hard. Look at Turkey, its policies of laïcité and progressive politics have made it one of the most democratic countries in the Middle East (which admittedly isn't exactly hard to do when everyone else is a Sharia law dictatorship). Granted, it's been sliding into authoritarianism lately, but separation of church and state and progressive politics adopted early tends to help with the freedoms department.

[Korva]

I'm unsure if this is the place to go for this one, but I'm trying to write up a fictitious religion for my Chechens to have started following so that they don't have to be Muslim (nothing against that, just want something other than Islam). I'm thinking of something that calls for the veneration of warriors but allows for the sorts of freedoms one would expect of an average Western nation. There any other "warrior's religions" I should look to for inspiration?

Christianity would be the most obvious alternative. Have your most successful holy warriors canonized.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

I'm unsure if this is the place to go for this one, but I'm trying to write up a fictitious religion for my Chechens to have started following so that they don't have to be Muslim (nothing against that, just want something other than Islam). I'm thinking of something that calls for the veneration of warriors but allows for the sorts of freedoms one would expect of an average Western nation. There any other "warrior's religions" I should look to for inspiration?

Christianity would be the most obvious alternative. Have your most successful holy warriors canonized.

this sounds cool.

[Proskoya]

I'm unsure if this is the place to go for this one, but I'm trying to write up a fictitious religion for my Chechens to have started following so that they don't have to be Muslim (nothing against that, just want something other than Islam). I'm thinking of something that calls for the veneration of warriors but allows for the sorts of freedoms one would expect of an average Western nation. There any other "warrior's religions" I should look to for inspiration?

For the freedoms part, it isn't so hard. Look at Turkey, its policies of laïcité and progressive politics have made it one of the most democratic countries in the Middle East (which admittedly isn't exactly hard to do when everyone else is a Sharia law dictatorship). Granted, it's been sliding into authoritarianism lately, but separation of church and state and progressive politics adopted early tends to help with the freedoms department.

Which is actually kind of great considering Vainakh people from before Russian rule in Chechnya were far ahead of everyone for their time from what I can tell.

Many observers, including Russians such as Leo Tolstoy, have been very impressed by the democratic nature of the indigenous Chechen governments prior to Russian conquest. According to Western Ichkerophile Tony Wood, the Vainakh people, in particular the Chechens (as the Ingush and the Batsbi have fallen under foreign domination much more frequently and as a result, the indigenous system and democratic values are less deeply ingrained), could be described as one of the few nations in the world with an indigenous system highly resemblant of democracy

EDIT: Just re-found Sikhism which has almost all qualities I'm looking for. Will be making a carbon copy of it to fit into my ideas.

[Ainin]

I've read on Transitfan that the LFS was the first bus in the world with a "single windshield pane" design. It's usually a reliable source, but does anyone have a better sauce or an example that would disprove this?

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

do series-hybrid vehicles generally have a motor per wheel or one per axle or only one

[Crookfur]

I'm unsure if this is the place to go for this one, but I'm trying to write up a fictitious religion for my Chechens to have started following so that they don't have to be Muslim (nothing against that, just want something other than Islam). I'm thinking of something that calls for the veneration of warriors but allows for the sorts of freedoms one would expect of an average Western nation. There any other "warrior's religions" I should look to for inspiration?

Norse and generic celtic paganism woudl sort of fit esspecially if you adopt soemthign like anglo saxon common law along with it.

of coruse having norse type stuff show up in the caucuses is a little bit Oh No John Ringo! Not that it would be at all possible for norse thigns to spread into that region via the russian routes.

[Darston]

My nation is monarchy settled by Norwegians but the official language is English. The story behind this is that some English prisoners mutinied on a ship and crashed on the same island the Norwegians settled. They interbred and English spread throughout the land. How plausible is this?

[The Macabees]

My nation is monarchy settled by Norwegians but the official language is English. The story behind this is that some English prisoners mutinied on a ship and crashed on the same island the Norwegians settled. They interbred and English spread throughout the land. How plausible is this?

More plausible than a country of ponies, that's for sure.

[Costa Fierro]

My nation is based on the combined territories of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Of these three it seems Azerbaijan has the strongest economy, though it is heavily reliant on oil exports. How can I diversify my economy in order to secure a more stable economic future?

Tourism and agriculture.

[Ainin]

My nation is based on the combined territories of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Of these three it seems Azerbaijan has the strongest economy, though it is heavily reliant on oil exports. How can I diversify my economy in order to secure a more stable economic future?

Also, try to deindustrialise. Post-industrial service economies tend to be more stable, iirc.

[Rich and Corporations]

do series-hybrid vehicles generally have a motor per wheel or one per axle or only one

Typically one motor, one vehicle has an electric motor for the rear axle, and a combustion engine for the front axle. For simplicity I think.

[Costa Fierro]

do series-hybrid vehicles generally have a motor per wheel or one per axle or only one

Typically one motor, one vehicle has an electric motor for the rear axle, and a combustion engine for the front axle. For simplicity I think.

Hybrids in general have power-split transmissions in which the electric motors are connected to the gearbox and the differential and provide low-range power for low speeds. Series hybrids have an electric transmission i.e the electric motor directly drives the wheels through the drive shaft or being connected directly to the axles. The petrol engine is only used to extend the range in this case, although depending on the car, it can also be used to drive the wheels also.

[The Greater Luthorian Empire]

I'm unsure if this is the place to go for this one, but I'm trying to write up a fictitious religion for my Chechens to have started following so that they don't have to be Muslim (nothing against that, just want something other than Islam). I'm thinking of something that calls for the veneration of warriors but allows for the sorts of freedoms one would expect of an average Western nation. There any other "warrior's religions" I should look to for inspiration?

I personally like a form of ancestor worship, perhaps an all powerful God (OF FIRE!) who praises warriors and promotes the greatest mortal warriors and generals to demi-gods. Cities and military formations could have patron Gods who are former officers or soldiers of their unit or individuals born in their city or who gained their fame in their city or died fighting in their city. So someone like Napoleon or Alexander the Great would be considered a God and thus Corsica for example might worship Napoleon in particular because he was born there and they adopted him as their official God. Likewise Audie Murphy could be a patron God of the 15th Infantry Regiment. If your religion is centralized it could even have an official list of deified individuals, bonus points if the church goes out of its way to track down the descendants of the deified individuals so they can control them for political gain.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

what is your OOC opinion on content-less data surveillance? e.g. phone numbers, time and date, cell information as opposed to phone conversations themselves? from what i understand a warrant isn't even required for the former in the US and carriers are required to give up that information. how come?? PATRIOT ?

[Vitaphone Racing]

what is your OOC opinion on content-less data surveillance? e.g. phone numbers, time and date, cell information as opposed to phone conversations themselves? from what i understand a warrant isn't even required for the former in the US and carriers are required to give up that information. how come?? PATRIOT ?

They're quite handy when you want to know who was where at what time, they've been crucial in solving more than a few crimes. That's all I can tell you though.

[The High Tatras]

This is an excerpt from a "WIP" entry in my factbook about my nation's transportation system. Does it sound technologically feasible? Keep in mind that my nation is most typically set during 1930s.

Automobiles and Motoring

Automobiles in The High Tatras are most typically rear-engined air-cooled designs, somewhat akin to very early model Volkswagens and Porsches. Air-cooling is a major advantage when starting engines during bitterly cold Tatran winters, since antifreeze fluid is a relatively new invention (most cars can also be started with a crank in case the battery freezes). Two-stroke engines are also popular in automobiles and motorcycles due to their simple design (and resulting low cost) and often high power-to-weight ratio.

However, most Tatran automobiles do not use gasoline. Instead, they run on methanol fuel manufactured through the "destructive distillation" of wood. This type of fuel was briefly more popular than gasoline in other countries during the earliest days of motoring, and remains the standard in The High Tatras largely out of necessity because of an ongoing government embargo/ boycott of several of the world's largest oil companies. Many Tatrans make methanol fuel from wood in their backyards with homemade devices resembling moonshine stills, and they sell this fuel at roadside stands.

Driving in The High Tatras often means enduring long distances and muddy unpaved country roads. A proposal for a national highway system similar to the German autobahn has been signed into law, but construction of most of the highways is still in the planning stage.

Trains and Railroads

All main line railroads in The High Tatras use the Brunel wide gauge of 2,140 millimeters. This broader gauge has been proven through both calculations and a series of trials to be the optimum size for providing both higher speeds and a stable and comfortable ride to passengers. In addition, it allows for larger carriages and thus greater freight capacity. Most trains in The High Tatras are steam locomotives, although electric locomotives powered by overhead wires or a third rail are also quite common, especially in mountainous areas. Most Tatran railroad track has been electrified with overhead wires. In addition, some high-speed diesel-electric railcars and express trains are beginning to appear.

[Bears Armed]

My nation is monarchy settled by Norwegians but the official language is English. The story behind this is that some English prisoners mutinied on a ship and crashed on the same island the Norwegians settled. They interbred and English spread throughout the land. How plausible is this?

When did this happen? If it was back in 'viking' times then maybe the Norwegian settlers were mostly male, they collected (i.e. carried off from their homes) a load of Englishwomen as wives, and the women then brought their children up to speak more English than Norwegian?

[The Greater Luthorian Empire]

My nation is monarchy settled by Norwegians but the official language is English. The story behind this is that some English prisoners mutinied on a ship and crashed on the same island the Norwegians settled. They interbred and English spread throughout the land. How plausible is this?

When did this happen? If it was back in 'viking' times then maybe the Norwegian settlers were mostly male, they collected (i.e. carried off from their homes) a load of Englishwomen as wives, and the women then brought their children up to speak more English than Norwegian?

If it was viking times they wouldn't speak modern English which has many French influences due to the Norman invasion.

[Kouralia]

Okay, what offers should be made on presentation of an official, registered, Police VIP card?

I'm thinking...
1) Not being called a cunt, no matter how annoying you are to the arresting officers.
2) If you ask rly nicely the Officer will do an impression of a famous TV/film cop when arresting you.
3+) ?????

This is a serious idea to be implemented in RP, for police departments to seriously raise funding by selling these VIP cards to drunk people on Saturday nights. They can't offer any actual, serious, benefits: nothing like 'getting off free'.

[Crookfur]

Okay, what offers should be made on presentation of an official, registered, Police VIP card?

I'm thinking...
1) Not being called a cunt, no matter how annoying you are to the arresting officers.
2) If you ask rly nicely the Officer will do an impression of a famous TV/film cop when arresting you.
3+) ?????

This is a serious idea to be implemented in RP, for police departments to seriously raise funding by selling these VIP cards to drunk people on Saturday nights. They can't offer any actual, serious, benefits: nothing like 'getting off free'.

A better matress and possibly a snuggly duvet when in the cells?

A free ride in the latest scoobaru evo 19 during the annaul police doors open day

A free home security check/visit

A vehcile/driver licensing/insurance check

Flavoured edible breathalyser straw.

[Kouralia]

Okay, what offers should be made on presentation of an official, registered, Police VIP card?

I'm thinking...
1) Not being called a cunt, no matter how annoying you are to the arresting officers.
2) If you ask rly nicely the Officer will do an impression of a famous TV/film cop when arresting you.
3+) ?????

This is a serious idea to be implemented in RP, for police departments to seriously raise funding by selling these VIP cards to drunk people on Saturday nights. They can't offer any actual, serious, benefits: nothing like 'getting off free'.

A better matress and possibly a snuggly duvet when in the cells?

A free ride in the latest scoobaru evo 19 during the annaul police doors open day

A free home security check/visit

A vehcile/driver licensing/insurance check

Flavoured edible breathalyser straw.

Sounds good: No better mattress, but they get a more plush blanket. All of the below from that, and also the ability to claim a free 'I went on holiday to the *XYZton on sea* custody suite for my holiday, and all I got was this stupid T-Shirt' t shirt, upon first release for a 'not rly that serious' crime (e.g. being drunk and disorderly on a friday night), and a simple 'I met the Police - and they were meanies' fridge magnet on the second time, with stickers every time after that.

Any other ideas people? Also, what sort of price should I look at for this card? ~£10?

[Proskoya]

A better matress and possibly a snuggly duvet when in the cells?

A free ride in the latest scoobaru evo 19 during the annaul police doors open day

A free home security check/visit

A vehcile/driver licensing/insurance check

Flavoured edible breathalyser straw.

Sounds good: No better mattress, but they get a more plush blanket. All of the below from that, and also the ability to claim a free 'I went on holiday to the *XYZton on sea* custody suite for my holiday, and all I got was this stupid T-Shirt' t shirt, upon first release for a 'not rly that serious' crime (e.g. being drunk and disorderly on a friday night), and a simple 'I met the Police - and they were meanies' fridge magnet on the second time, with stickers every time after that.

Any other ideas people? Also, what sort of price should I look at for this card? ~£10?

Please tell me you get a photo op with the officer that arrested you with the both of you holding your identification for mug shots.

[Alfegos]

Nuclear resilience, in the Civil sphere. Discuss.

INB4 MILITARY, INB4 RUBBLE, INB4 PLATE GLASS

srsly, covered the military stuff. Civil sphere more interesting atm to me. I have a plan as a WIP that I will share after your initial thoughts/I finish writing it.

[Allanea]

1. Evacuation plans for major factory staff (and preferably equipment), to commence at certain levels of nuclear alert.

2. Mandatory safe-rooms/bomb shelters in every civilian apartment building and public building.

3. Public bomb shelters (can be used for various civilian uses when not being used for the main purpose, in Israel they are used a synagogues, youth centers, etc.)

4. Large sheltered storage facilities for civilian supplies (not only food, but automobiles, medicine, disassembled bridges, farm and factory equipment, firefighting equipment).

5. Emergency survival/NBC safety education in all schools. Encourage everyone to own emergency supplies.

6. Free gas masks and other supplies for civilians (a policy in Israel, my gas mask is within a yard of where I am sitting as I type this).