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Post by Kitsunenotsume on Dec 7, 2016 0:36:34 GMT -5
What is the general state and rates of taxation for individuals, businesses, or goods, and is there any difference in the taxation status between Citizens and the 'everyone else' who makes up the larger population?
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Post by Fuzz on Dec 7, 2016 9:22:59 GMT -5
Generally speaking, in Calidor they operate very heavily on sales and property tax. Barring extenuating circumstances (being born into it or accomplishing a worthy achievement for the city), all citizens are landowners (but not necessarily vice versa) and thus they pay a property tax based on the size and location of their holdings, as well as its function (shops and inns pay more than residences, for example). Non-citizen landowners have a higher rate on this property tax.
The rest of Calidor's money comes from 3 sources:
1- Tariffs on imports (huge chunk of income) 2- Sales tax on goods sold within its territory 3- Levies on the surrounding allied lands (generally paid in a combination of food stuffs/export goods and money)
#2 is really the only one the vast majority of PCs would encounter and it can be assumed to be baked into the prices of stuff you buy from merchants. In the case of crafted stuff, it can be assumed that that fee you pay on the creation of an item also includes the tax you'd have to pay as a merchant, along with material fees and whatnot. Presumably as a crafter you are then factoring in this item cost into your sale price, and thus taxes can be assumed to be paid.
For #3 the levy is an assumed cost by surrounding farmers/ranchers/villages for the protection afforded by the CDF and even though they pay a levy in export goods or cash, they also receive incentives and discounts on the sales of their goods within Calidoran lands which are much lower than the import tariffs they'd have to pay if they were outsiders.
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Post by Crystal the Critter Princess on Dec 15, 2016 13:51:38 GMT -5
In one to three sentences, please describe how gnome circulation works compared to Kin.
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Post by Kitsunenotsume on Dec 17, 2016 1:27:22 GMT -5
While we know that Calidor has a massive variety of programs and disciplines available to study and receive degrees in, what sort of credentials might institutions in other countries offer, which are they (Lan Cheng University? College of Solarium?, etc.), and how well are they received by the Calidor Academia?
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sparky
Chesterfields
Wishing Well Repair Man
Posts: 243
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Post by sparky on Dec 17, 2016 11:31:01 GMT -5
Here's one, what sorts of condiments exist currently in Trivium? Ketchup and mustard exist as we in hte present day understand them? Barbecue sauce a thing that's a favourite of a couple areas? Mayo in the picture any time soon?
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Post by Crystal the Critter Princess on Dec 19, 2016 13:53:31 GMT -5
Lan Cheng University ... how well are they received by the Calidor Academia? Fuzz would be the final word on this, but I seem to recall that the world outside of Xin Xiwang isn't entirely aware of what goes on over there, and the common misconception is that they are less intelligent (the lore outright states that Kin academics believe slavery was good for them) and their technology is actually less advanced overall, even though in reality it is simply different: gnomes are less advanced in chemistry, except with acids. They're less advanced with medicine, except that's only Kin medicine and they have far better knowledge of Gnome medicine. It's kind of like the Native Americans, who discovered Brain Surgery while the Europeans were still rolling in their own shit and wondering why they were sick, but didn't have gunpowder and never bothered to do anything with the wheel. How would someone who got their Masters in Lan Cheng be received in Callidor? Probably not taken as seriously, because they'd have no idea what that degree program had, and might believe it to be outdated anyway... If Fuzz wants to correct me on this, that'd help me too. EDIT Actually, a final clarification would be helpful: how advanced IS gnome technology? I mean, I know they have pretty well developed mechanisms, and are good with electrical and steam power, and have better understanding of things like acid, but is Lan Cheng like, this technological hotbed I don't realize?
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Post by Kitsunenotsume on Jan 7, 2017 2:12:20 GMT -5
Gnomish Names: which way do they work? Family, Given ; or Given, Family? So far I've got the first from Fuzz and the latter from YMD, so consistency there would be appreciated.
Detectors: What is the general effect and appropriate utility for RP such as events? They can presumably be used as metal detectors (hence why you can get cash in crannies), and as scanners of some form (hence finding clues), but the clues are not all metal, so it clearly is usable for more than just metal. However, I have been informed that scanning areas for mechanisms (that presumably contain metal) are not their intended purpose. Which leaves me generally confused - is the Detector a sheer out-of-event utility?
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sparky
Chesterfields
Wishing Well Repair Man
Posts: 243
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Post by sparky on Mar 16, 2017 19:21:46 GMT -5
Okay, grab bag post:
After the fall of the Elven Empire, the Dwarves had a raiding culture, perhaps similar to norse vikings, correct? If that's the case, were they more land or sea based in this raiding, or was it more of a mix?
Speaking of sea raiders, it's mentioned in both the Aian and Emerald Isles information that those areas deal with a bit of piracy. How big of an issue is it, and are those simply the most noteworthy areas for it? And while we're at it, are there any pirate legends in the world that would be akin to the irl Blackbeard or the Dread Pirate Roberts?
Switching topic slightly, what would be the average travel times to the various areas currently accessible on the server? Is it just an afternoon's flight to the Emerald Isles, and a week on the waves to Newport?
And finally, what would be some typical local legends that some might hear of growing up in the various cities and nations of Trivium? Perhaps a particular Saderian warrior or Urian soldier who rose through the ranks during the War of Threes, or a revolutionary leader from the rebellion against King James the Pious. Perhaps even a figure similar to Lawrence of Arabia for Newport?
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Post by Psionic-Entity on Mar 18, 2017 15:20:23 GMT -5
1. The dwarf culture after the fall was more of a nomadic/land-based one, see here: engines.freeforums.net/post/83/thread2. Pirates in the Isles are a much bigger deal for foreigners and people trying to ship goods than they are for locals or travelers. Not aware of any big pirate legends in the lore but there's some on-server material about one called Salty Jack. 3. Calidor to Newport is a few days. Calidor to Plencken via airship would also be around 4-5 days in the air, airships are not nearly as fast as IRL planes. 4. Will need to defer to Fuzz or YMD on that one.
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Post by Kitsunenotsume on Mar 28, 2017 10:54:06 GMT -5
It may have been covered before, but what are the heraldry and colours of the major national and international politica?
We know the PC factions, but I could not tell you what a Walker representative wears, or how to identify the troops of Saderia from brigands, and would only tell apart Ur from Gineas by how shiney the banner is.
I am mostly thinking in the general context, as it applies to Calidor. I presume each area has their own minor flags that don't show up on world maps.
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Post by Fuzz on Mar 28, 2017 18:04:54 GMT -5
Calidor: Navy blue field with a silver eagle on it
Gineas (defunct, but some still fly it): Sky Blue and Silver, the emblem was a lion with a shield crest
Ur: Black with gold accents, the Urian flag is a stylized open palm
Saderia: A black two headed eagle on a crimson field. The flag itself is hung as a chevron banner, not a rectangular flag like we normally see
Cassian Wetlands: Hunter green field with a white stag on it
Neermore: Turquoise field with a golden bear
Sinecliff: Sky Blue field with two seahorses
Dwarven domes: Each dome has a geometric layout with two colored triangles making a square. The direction of the diagonal and the color combinations determine the dome, but they're generally used solely as a form of stamp (hence the simple form) to notate the place of origin of trade goods/materials.
Sedis: White field with golden trim, with a brown stallion, rearing back
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Post by Kitsunenotsume on Apr 10, 2017 2:52:21 GMT -5
Fuzz , Could we get an official word on the state of gunpowder and technology in Saderia? Per the Discord discussion a while back: "[The Saderians] have basic flintlocks and know how to make oil projectors and crap like that. Pneumatics are used in Saderia, they just don't have any resources to build power generators: they have no coal, or much oil." However, with the plotline and discussion recently, it sounds like this may have changed. Part of the issue seems to be that we are discussing the technology of Saderia as a whole, but only looking at a back province in Stargfelsen. In which case, the question becomes "What is the state of gunpowder and technology in Stargfelsen, and how does it differ from the state of gunpowder and technology in Saderia as a whole, as best understood by previously visiting foreigners?" And, yes, I figure that last statement is required, given that the PCs are effectively the first, or close to the first, official team sent to inspect exactly that situation. If the reply is basically "You just got there, go ask someone." I cannot say it will be a surprising turn of events. And the reply: 7:08 AM] Fuzz: Re: Saderia The Kaiser and his personal forces have flintlocks and basic grenades and such [7:08 AM] Fuzz: The other barons and lords and their forces do not, and the rest of the country doesn't have access to anything like that. [7:10 AM] Fuzz: Hirschwald makes it a point to only allow his personal army to have that sort of stuff, which he claims has been invented by his own personal engineer from scratch, and not based on the corrupt idolatry and heathenism inherent in outside technology(edited) [7:12 AM] Fuzz: Other lords have tried to buy the technology from him, but his asking prices are essentially impossible, to the point where most of the lords would literally have to sell him all their territory to be able to pay for it
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sparky
Chesterfields
Wishing Well Repair Man
Posts: 243
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Post by sparky on Apr 24, 2017 20:06:41 GMT -5
Alright, another set of questions here, which has had me curious- What would one find for contraceptives in Calidor? Condoms the general go to? Are diaphragms a hooker's best friend? The Pill exist in any form yet?
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Post by Fuzz on Apr 25, 2017 11:14:24 GMT -5
Okay, grab bag post: After the fall of the Elven Empire, the Dwarves had a raiding culture, perhaps similar to norse vikings, correct? If that's the case, were they more land or sea based in this raiding, or was it more of a mix? Speaking of sea raiders, it's mentioned in both the Aian and Emerald Isles information that those areas deal with a bit of piracy. How big of an issue is it, and are those simply the most noteworthy areas for it? And while we're at it, are there any pirate legends in the world that would be akin to the irl Blackbeard or the Dread Pirate Roberts? Switching topic slightly, what would be the average travel times to the various areas currently accessible on the server? Is it just an afternoon's flight to the Emerald Isles, and a week on the waves to Newport? And finally, what would be some typical local legends that some might hear of growing up in the various cities and nations of Trivium? Perhaps a particular Saderian warrior or Urian soldier who rose through the ranks during the War of Threes, or a revolutionary leader from the rebellion against King James the Pious. Perhaps even a figure similar to Lawrence of Arabia for Newport? The dwarves were very much like Vikings initially, yes. The first real sail ships were (re)developed by the dwarves thousands of years ago and they used to raid the south for food and livestock using superior weaponry, however they peaked in comparison to the Orcs. As the humans adapted and expanded they began to instead barter with the dwarves for precious metals and gems in exchange for food stuffs, and thus the dwarves pretty readily allied with them when the great war started. Piracy is a huge issue across the world still, as the great navies are all generally embroiled in wars and there are lots of places to hide. The Isles have a sizeable pirate presence with many of the pirate groups often allying with the Islander Navy in raiding gnomish ships. Aia, on the other hand, is specifically known as being the birthplace of countless pirates, with a strong naval culture. There is a large Cassian port in Aia, however the swamps give way to a long archipelago of islands not unlike the Florida Keys, so there are plenty of havens for pirates there and despite the Cassian Navy's best efforts piracy remains an ongoing problem. There are a handful of historically well known pirates, the most prominent modern one being Tiberius Quintus, and his ship, 'The Sea Tiger'. Sailing to the Isles from Calidor takes a little over a week each way by boat, airship is roughly 3 days. Traveling within Gineas on horseback takes 5-7 days to either of the other cities from Calidor. By train it takes less than a day. Saderia is only accessible by horse or ship in the summer, from almost any of its borders to the capital takes almost a week with good weather. A ship inland from Hexxen would take about 4 days to get up the river, half that to return. Train from Ur to Calidor takes about 3 days with a stop in Hexxen. Boat to Newport from Calidor takes almost 2 full days. Train north from Calidor to Dvergerhove takes 2 days. It's 1 day to Wardenclyffe. Airship can do the same trip in about 12 hours. Airship to Lan Cheng is about 5 days each way. By boat is variable depending on whether and the war. Airship to Sedis takes about 16 hours. Train takes 2 days since you have to travel to Hexxen first, then South. Riding from Newport would take 5-6 days through desert. Solateum can only be reached via horse and airship. By horse it takes literal weeks to ride from Sedis. Riding from Newport would be longer if it wasn't exceedingly stupid since it takes you through Daughters' territory. Airship from Sedis takes 2 days. Sailing to Astrum from Sinecliff takes a week. It's another week around the southern bend of Eremus through extremely choppy and dangerous waters to get to Aia. There's a specific Saderian war legend that I will outline in another post.
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Post by Lugwy on May 23, 2017 21:16:58 GMT -5
I'm not sure if this has been answered before, but how well-known are basic chemistry laws in this time period? Exothermic and endothermic reactions, Avogadro's Law, the fundamental states of matter, etc.
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