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yewsoup · 2 years

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Subway Boss: Become Nobody

Words: 4464

What happens when a city boy from the Pokemon world lands in a world so, so unlike his own, that he doesn't know where he is? What happens when he doesn't know, like all it's inhabitants, to avoid the glowing purple and orange lights in the woods. Lest they steal him away?

What happens when a man loses himself before he can be found again?

And who are these odd creatures that worry over him so?

(Ingo Pokemon gets Eeby Deebied to a D&D world)

Can also be read Here on Ao3!

When Ingo wakes up, it is to the feeling of cold seeping into his clothes. Waterproof as his coat can be, it's made more to keep cool in Nimbasa's heat, than it is to keep warm. So the cold is enough to rouse him. Unexpected as it is, in the middle of summer. Also, a leaf landing on his face.

The subway boss' eyes slowly open, a shake of his head dislodging the autumn-gold leaf from his face. Above him is the sky- dotted with far more stars than he's ever seen in the city. Amount reaching closer to when Drayden took him and Emmet camping to teach them survival skills. Not that they ever went on a proper Pokemon journey to use them in.

Trains were nice in that way.

He is not very knowledgeable about nature, but as Ingo pushes himself up and wet seeps into his hands. He notes that none of the trees around look remotely like any he's seen before.

Definitely not around Nimbasa, or Opelucid. That's for certain.

Looking around, he dimly notes that there's also quite a lot of snow. Even as the creeping soreness all throughout his body fogs his mind, he knows that that's wrong. Among many other things.

He groans. It feels like that time he fell down the stairs when he was little. What was he even doing before...?

Casting his mind back like a fishing line, the panic of his last memories begins to creep up on him. He had been conducting the singles line back to the station after a long day of battling- There was... he had Haxorus and Eelektross out, to check them over and make sure they were alright. As well as to keep him company.

He and Emmet had changed up which Pokemon they used on the lines in order to give them a change of pace- they loved battling just as much as the twins, but doing the same battle formats can get boring for them.

Durant had still been healing when there was an odd noise. The lights in the train flickering. And... something. Something distinctly unnatural.

A harsh crackling rings in his ears, and a dark rainbow borders the edges of his vision. Putting his hair on end, even as he shakes the memory off. He didn't see it coming. None of them did, he's fairly certain.

One minute, he was on the train, and the next he was...

Falling.

Okay, that explains why everything hurts.

A gust of wind blows through Ingo and he shivers. And it threatens to blow his hat out of reach from where it had landed beside him, so he grabs it, setting it in it's rightful spot atop his head and earning himself a modicum more warmth in the meantime.

He needs to get moving. Find people. Or at least somewhere to take shelter. (The clouds gathering around the mountain's peak look rather grey to him. He doesn't want to be out in a snowstorm.) (His eyes glide past the cracks of lightning and shadow peeking through the clouds. Too disoriented to process a second dark rainbow.)

Hopefully he isn't too far from civilization. If he's lucky, he's somehow still in Unova, despite his doubts. Just... some farther flung corner. Or an island he's never been to because the train doesn't go there! And they'll have a phone he can call the station with to assure Emmet and everyone he's alright, so they won't be worried.

Yes! That's the ideal! At worst, he's just in another region, right? He's fairly certain no regular Pokemon could teleport him to another continent. Therefore it's likely he's just further north from Unova, in a colder region! He wouldn't even need to take a boat then. Well, unless he's on an island. He greatly hopes he's not on an island.

Familiar growling from nearby drags him out of his thoughts. Shoot. He forgot about wild Pokemon. At least he has... His hands grasp empty air on his belt, and he swears under his breath. He does not, in fact, have his Pokemon. Or really any of their Pokemon. At all.

Right then, he'll ALSO need to do his best to avoid any wild Pokemon. Great. Just great.

Ingo is not particularly known for being stealthy. This is because he's never learned how to be. Past shutting his mouth. The crunching of the snow beneath his feet weighs heavy in his ears.

The growling stops. A howling croon that's unmistakable ringing out. Is that-

"Haxorus?"

Ingo is barrelled over by an eel and a dragon. Both crying out in relief. And he feels tension leave his shoulders. He's not alone in this.

Man and Pokemon clutch eachother tight. Relieved to have the others in this strange, cold, place.

He has to push them off of him, laughing, so he can stand and stop the ground leeching the warmth out of him even more. "Alright, alright! Let me stand, it's cold down here!" And Ingo hugs Eelektross and Haxorus tight once more after he stands.

They are just as ill-suited to the cold as he. Shivering along with him as a breeze calls a small flurry of snow upon their group. Ingo's equivalent of a smile- something more in the eyes than the mouth- falters. "Ah- sorry, you two are cold, aren't you? You should go back into your pokeballs for now." He pauses. "Unless either of you recognize this place?"

He's distracted from the shaking of their heads by his hands closing on empty air where their pokeballs should be. There is nothing where their pokeballs should be.

"Oh no."

And then Ingo is patting down his pockets, hoping against hope. Surely he just put them in his pockets accidentally. Surely! He knows he can be a bit absent minded but to not have their pokeballs...

"I think I dropped them when we were pulled through."

-----

Haxorus, Eelektross, and Ingo hurry back and scour the areas each of them fell. Hoping to find the pokeballs if they are lost in the dirt.

But there is no sign of the devices.

"They must have been left on the train car." Ingo groans, running a hand down his face. Ideally, the pokeballs aren't lost in the wilderness. So that's what Ingo will choose to believe.

They all shiver at another gust of wind. Haxorus and Eelektross huddle up to Ingo for warmth. He wraps his arms around them. Hugging them close. "And we still haven't seen any sign of people..."

His gaze turns to the sunset-tinged sky. "We need to find either people or shelter before it gets dark. Have either of you seen a cave? Or loose branches we can use to make something to block the wind?" Haxorus rumbles at him, pulling away. She tosses her head to point at some trees, emphasizing her axes.

Ingo chuckles softly. "We should collect loose branches before finding out if we need to cut down trees, Haxie." Haxorus huffs air in his face, but relents.

Especially since Eelektross blurbles something that catches her interest. Both Pokemon exchanging words. Before they break their discussion and Haxorus grabs Ingo's hand to drag him along. Eelektross darting up ahead to lead the way.

Ingo collects branches on the way to the cave Eelektross remembered. Though he only half-remembers how to actually make a lean-to over the crack in the cliff like he planned.

Listen, he doesn't Go camping, alright? And if he does, he CERTAINLY uses a tent and not a lean-to. Like a sensible person. ... Maybe he should go over how to make a lean-to again when they get home.

Haxorus gives an unimpressed snort at the lean-to.

"Well I'd like to see you do better." Was a poor choice of words, Ingo finds. Because far too quickly does he need to once more stop Haxorus from chopping down a tree when they had perfectly acceptable shelter.

At least Eelektross supports him. And remembers they need to fill the gaps with leaves and moss.

Eelektross is a good boy. Hopefully Emmet isn't too worried about them all.

-----

The night is... uncomfortable. The nights continue to be uncomfortable. It has been two days and they have not managed to see any other humans. Nor have they seen many Pokemon- those they have are odd, and unlike any Ingo has seen. Quick to retreat at a challenge, rather than enjoy a good battle. The food he has been able to find has been strange in appearance. Other than some leafed plants. And it is cold.

Haxorus refuses to take his coat to keep warm. Instead choosing to use Ingo as a warm-blooded teddy bear when she gets too cold. Or stopping and insisting they find somewhere to light a fire and get warm in. Though they have to be careful every time so as not to poison themselves with the smoke and choke themselves out of the cave.

Eelektross takes to curling around either Ingo or Haxorus. Attempting to keep both of them warm. When walking. Acting as another layer of protection against the elements. Getting to wiggle under Ingo's coat whenever Ingo is the subject of cuddles while walking is just a bonus. Really.

As they progress further through the icy landscape, it just gets snowier. And Ingo fears. Fears they're going the wrong way. Fears he's gotten them lost. Fears they'll never find civilization. So he does not notice the fog slowly rolling in. Until he can't see his hand in front of his face and both Pokemon have disappeared from his sight. Brought back to reality from a creaking under his feet.

Oh no.

Ingo freezes in place. Creaking. It's snowy. Ice? Is he standing on ice? Eelektross cries out. Calling for him, or maybe Haxorus? She calls back. And then they are both calling. Faint yellow spots glow through the snow when he twists around to look. Shadowed by a nearby claw of a standing Haxorus.

"I'm here! I'm fi-iIIIIIINE!" The ice cracks more under his feet when he tries to back up. Kuso. He forgot about the ice. One thing at a time. Get off the ice first, then get back to the Pokemon.

The Pokemon that are calling out in alarm. Moving closer. "Don't worry! I'm fine! There's just. Ice! Under me!" He tries to reassure, but the Pokemon still approach. "Don't come too close! I don't know how far the ice extends!" Reluctantly, they stop. Allowing Ingo to think on his predicament.

"Eelektross, can you come closer? Just enough to get out of Haxorus' mould breaker. It should be safe if you can levitate." The ice creaks a little more under him, and he does his best not to move.

If he moves, the ice will likely break. If the ice breaks, he'll go tumbling, either into water, which they can't afford with how cold it is. Or he could be on the edge of a cliff. Or over a tunnel. Or on top of a Pokemon's den. Or or or- Not helpful right now! He needs to get off the ice! Not worry about what's underneath him!

Emmet would never forgive him if he died in the snow with their Pokemon.

The ice creaks again. Ingo can't help but shuffle back, breath hitching in his chest. The ice s h a t t e r s .

Ingo's scream echoes over the Icelands. Ringing in Eelektross and Haxorus' earholes, as well as sending all the mysterious creatures around them fleeing.

(All except for one. Which scrabbles forwards over the ice in the direction of the scream, curious. But they will never learn that.) (It's part of the reason the animals flee too.)

-----

Ingo comes to with a groan in a pile of snow. Ow... Guess it was a cliff, then.

As he attempts to shove himself up on chilled arms, he notes that all he can hear is ringing. Ringing. Ringing in his ears. (He does not hear the worried calls of his panicked Pokemon from above.)

"Kuso." He can swear right now. As a treat. With everything he's been through these past three days, he deserves it. Blurry vision squints up. "I have to get up. They'll be worried sick." And that's all he needs to force himself to get up. Not succumbing to the chill.

(Up above, Haxorus and Eelektross hear a whisper of their trainer's voice, and breathe a shared sigh of relief.)

He hugs himself tight for warmth. Staring up the cliff and trying to force his eyes to focus. What would be the best plan right now? Eelektross can levitate. Giving it an easy way down the cliff. But none of them have eaten properly since coming here. There's no way he'd have the strength to carry Ingo up. Or Haxorus down. And Haxorus is weak to ice. She can't just be left alone up there in the cold.

Ingo yells, ignoring his own shivering and hoping they can hear him. "STAY UP THERE! I'LL FIND A WAY BACK UP TO YOU, OKAY? EELEKTROSS, PROTECT HAXORUS FROM THE COLD. BOTH OF YOU STAY AWAY FROM THE CLIFF EDGE. WE DON'T HAVE YOUR POKEBALLS TO RETREAT TO IF YOU FELL AND GOT HURT."

There's twin cries of confirmation. From the top of the cliff. That he can just barely hear. And he sags slightly in relief. Good. They'll be safe.

Now he just has to find his way back up there...

"I'M GOING TO WALK ALONG THE CLIFF FACE! THERE WILL LIKELY BE A WAY UP SOMEWHERE ALONG THERE! STAY SAFE, I LOVE YOU. PROTECT EACHOTHER, ALRIGHT?"

Ideally, he won't die from the cold down here.

Ingo's always been a man of ideals.

But that doesn't mean he can't accept that he's very possibly gotten some kind of injury from that fall. (Oh how his body aches. It blurs together with the ache in his stomach. So he just hurts all over.) And he is freezing.

Pokemon are more resilient than humans. But that doesn't mean they're infallible. They need to take care of eachother. (Especially if he-)

It will be fine! They'll find civilization eventually! And they just have to keep going until then! Which means the Pokemon need to stay safe and he has to get back to them.

(A gust of wind blows through him. And he pulls his coat tighter. Getting lost in the desert would be more fun than this.)

Ingo doesn't know how long he walks. It could have been miles. It could have been a few feet. It's really hard to tell with the fog, okay?

He doesn't see any way up the cliff and back to the Pokemon.

Instead, he sees something much better.

The glow of two lanterns and purple flames. Blurred through the fog.

They must not have been as far from Nimbasa as he thought! That's- "Chandelure?!"

(He ignores the fact he hasn't seen any Pokemon he recognizes, past his own. He ignores the unfamiliar plants. He ignores lack of snow anywhere NEAR Nimbasa, or Unova in general. He ignores the fact it was summer-) (He just wants to see a familiar face.)

The Orange Lanterns (or maybe torches? With the way they trail up from the source) and Chandelure pause at his call. It MUST be someone out looking for him with Chandelure!

(Back at the cliff, Haxorus and Eelektross have long since gotten worried about their trainer.)

Ingo quickens his pace. Calling out again, "Chandelure! Is it you? I knew you'd find us! Haxorus and Eelektross are with me too, but we got separated, so I was looking for- a way. back. to.. them..."

(So blinded by hope was he, he failed to realize the purple flames he saw were not flames at all, but glowing fog.)

Ingo Giniro locks eyes with a scrawny creature, lean and skinny. Skinny enough it's ribs are showing. With bright orange glowing eyes. Ones that glow in such a way that the power trails upwards from them. And fog wreathing it's neck. And he knows he has made a mistake.

The words dry up in his throat, and Ingo finds he can't remember what he was talking about.

Only that he can't look away.

(Pokemon cries ring out, Eelektross and Haxorus having made their way down the cliff.) (Ingo doesn't realize they're his Pokemon's cries.)

This Pokemon looks a bit like Chandelure. With the purple wreathing up from it like fire.

Who... whose Chandelure again?

(The mist of the creature plumes, and blurry images dance along it's surface.)

This must be a psychic type, with it's eyes glowing like that. Up close, the way they're set on it's mask-like face remind him of lanterns, the ones they'd see when they went... went to... Kan? Joh? Sinn...?

What region was it again?

It was summer, but he can't quite recall the way the warmth felt on his skin. Or the face of the family-clan? He'd visit.

(He doesn't hear the crashing in the underbrush.)

Ing- takes a step closer. Voice soft as he can make it. Because this creature has been staring at him for.... he doesn't know. It's a lost passenger, and a sub--y b--- always takes care of lost pass-ngers! (He thinks.) "Hello? Are you lost?" And the creature's many spines- they look almost like arrows or spears- bristle. Maybe not then. But if they're arrows... "Are you hurt?"

The creature- not all that scrawny, really. It's belly is well rounded- it must know where to find food around here... Wherever... here. is. Wait. Where is here? How did he get here again?

(Electricity crackles behind him, and an arrow- unnaturally sharp- launches. Slicing through the su-w-- b---'s collar. Only just missing his neck. To his lack-of-notice.)

Oh there's a creature over there! A poke- pok- pocke- He doesn't remember the word, quite. But he doesn't recognize it, which strikes him as strange. But In-- doesn't know why. Maybe he knows a lot about them? That seems silly. He doesn't even know what one of those is.

Something rushes past the edge of his vision, dark and furiously roaring. That's alright. He's just here. Staring at the lovely creature over there. Something white is falling. Thrown up by the charging axe-beast. It settles on I---'s shoulders, making him... cold? He thinks?

Is this what cold is? He's not even shivering! (It's too cold for that.)

A blink, and he finds himself staggering. Something red hot hot hot- jabbing into his side. There's stuff coming out of it. Wet and sticky.

Another arrow flies past his cheek. Snaring the high collar of the cloth he's wearing.

Ah. He's in a battle. He should move.

The man falls on his butt as a green shape rushes past him. Lightning crackling along it's sides as it launches it at the creature the axe-dragon was staring at. Posture limp so her tail was dragging in the snow.

That must be cold.

Cold is bad for dragons.

He watches, feeling oddly disconnected from everything, as the dragon shakes her head and roars at the creature before her. Launching into a pattern of fancy footwork that seems to make her faster. Her blades sharper.

She strikes. And the lightning-eel only just misses getting struck from where it stands, dazed.

The man tries to stand. They need his help! "Hey!"

The smoke-creature's eyes lock with his.

-----

A man comes to on the cold ground. And he hurts. He didn't know it was possible to hurt this much. Ow. At least he knows what pain is? Something's pressing at his stomach. Where the pain is.

He groans, and tries to move. But is quickly shoved back down by the lightning-eel. An Eelektross? He thinks?

It feels like his head is full of fog.

Scolding, worried, calls, reach his ears. Claws help him move more safely so he can see- Oh. That's an arrow sticking out of his stomach.

Why is there an arrow in his stomach?

There's a lot of red in the cold stuff around them.

He's pretty sure that's bad. He tries to express himself, but his tongue feels awkward in his mouth as he tries to make the sounds needed for the words. "That's warui. We need-" the words falter on his tongue, and hesitantly, he tries. "Tasuke ga hitsuyo? Help."

The Haxorus(?) looming over him snorts. Because it's rather obvious, really, that they need help. "I don't kangaeru I can ugoku..."

"Can you tasuke o motomeru? I will be. OK." He clicks his tongue as he makes the last noise. The man is fairly certain he is using no words correctly. But the creatures seem to understand him anyways, based on how the Eelektross(?) blurbles. And discussion starts up between the pocket monsters.

His eyes start to slip closed, and the lightning-eel smacks his leg. No sleeping! This rings true, somewhere in the depths of his foggy mind, but he is so cold, and everything hurts. It would be so nice to just... rest his eyes...

This time he is whapped with a tail. Ow.

The conversation finishes, and the Eelektross(?) rushes off. Leaving the axe-dragon to keep him awake. Though the alarm calls let out by the worried eel are more than enough to lance concern through him. Keeping him awake- for now.

-----

Gaeric had been journeying through the Icelands to bring supplies back to the clan when he heard a scream. A human scream.

Now, Gaeric would normally brush that off as a monster's mimicry. An attempt to lure fools into it's trap. If it weren't for the loud shouting he heard not too long after it. Too far away to make out the words, but it comes from the borders of the territory of the lost, and well... Everyone in the Pearl Clan has seen what happens to people who encounter that beast unprepared.

Cursing his soft heart and own foolishness, he double checks that his map is where he will find it should he forget the route home, and angles his sled in the direction the voice had been coming from.

Hopefully the person's companions- because they've got to have companions if they were shouting at someone- can keep them safe. At least until Gaeric can arrive to help.

Gaeric is on the verge of turning around, thinking he's missed the person. Because he could hear the shouting and scream so they couldn't have been that far away. Nobody's capable of being that loud. Surely. So it's more likely he missed the person and needs to turn back.

That is when he hears the beastly calls. And his hand goes to his shortsword. Wary of the creature that could make such unrecognizable calls. It's not wholly uncommon to come across something completely unfamiliar, ever since the rift ripped open in the sky above. And a couple nights ago, the dark rainbow had danced.

Seems whatever fell from it last must have survived.

Calls turn into a shriek, as whatever lurks in the woods spots him. Lighting up spots in a row with a crackling, bright yellow glow. And Gaeric swears under his breath. It must have seen his fog lantern.

The dark shape lunges through the fog at him, and Gaeric braces. Ready to dodge a blow that doesn't come.

Instead, an eel-like beast skids to a stop in front of him, and dances in the air. Blurbling at him. Spots flashing in a pattern- though not one he understands- as it carefully keeps it's distance from him and his sword.

He watches the creature's strangeness- it seems ill-suited to the Icelands. Shivering when a breeze picks up. And sees when it realizes he doesn't understand what it wants. Yet, instead of attacking, it stops. Considers him.

Then it steals one of the rubies from his cart and darts off.

Normally, Gaeric would let the beast steal the one item. It's not worth running into a hungry Mimiri and becoming one of it's lost for a single gemstone.

But the gemstone it stole is important. They need as many rubies as they can get for heat spell components to survive the winter. Especially since findings were scarcer this year with everything that happened, including the storm of problems caused by the rift's droppings.

"Hey! Get back here with that!"

Gaeric keeps up with the beast easily. For it stops whenever he gets too far behind, and it's form crackles with lightning. Making it easier to see in the ever-present fog.

The lightning-Eel drops to the ground and skitters forwards. Leaving the ruby behind. Uncaring. As it calls out and is met by a different call. For a second, he thinks it a trap. Then a voice, loud, but weak, and slightly clumsy in it's words, calls out.

"Eel...ek...tross....?"

And Gaeric takes a few steps forwards. Past the large tree he stopped his sled by. This is when he sees a hand- a humanoid hand- reaching out to the lightning-eel to pet it. Earning a calm, but worried, blurble. Sounding not too dissimilar from the word the man said, actually.

The lightning-eel then makes another call. And coming closer, Gaeric can see a black cloaked man bleeding out in the snow. Another beast looming over him. This one has axes on either side of it's face, and armour plating all down it's spine. But Gaeric can tell it's even less suited to the cold than it's companion. As it shivers where it stands. Half over the man. He must be- have been?- a ranger. And these would be his beasts.

Which explains the way they beckon him over, desperate for help. Any help. And knew to go to a humanoid for it. Gaeric feels sick when he sees the familiar too-sharp arrows in and on the ground around them. Knowing just what they mean.

That evening, Warden Gaeric returns to the settlement with two beasts at his side, and one on Mimiri's lost in his sled. And everyone old enough understands what that means.

Everyone who isn't old enough, quickly understands just how bad it is. To have your memories eaten. Especially when the newly-named Nobori proves to have a limited grasp of any of the important survival skills. Or who he is at all, really. And neither he, nor his beasts, have any clue where they might have come from.

-----

Back in Unova, a train pulls into Gear Station empty of it's conductor. The only trace a singular pokeball resting atop the healing station in the last car before the engine. And a man in white despairs at the mysterious loss of his brother and Pokemon. Gone in a way impossible to understand. Not even Durant, left behind in the car, understands what happened.

#writing #pokemon #pokemon legends arceus #D&D #Ingo #Haxorus #Eelektross #Mimiri #Amnesia/Memory Loss #Freezing #Blood #Injury #Not heavily described #but it very much happens #isekai #eeby deebied to D&D au #long post

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denimbex1986 · 5 months

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'Ripley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A grifter named Ripley living in New York during the 1960s is hired by a wealthy man to bring his wayward son home from Italy. Ripley sees the opportunity of a lifetime to make a killing.

It’s probably a bit unfair, but also quite natural, to compare this miniseries on Netflix to the 1999 film The Talented Mr. Ripley by Anthony Minghella. After all, they are both adaptations from the same novel, written in 1955 by Patricia Highsmith; they both follow pretty much the same main plot points, they have (for the most part) the same characters, and they are filmed in the same Italian locations, and yet the two final products could not be further apart.

I won’t be going into which one is better because it’s a silly argument to have. Just the fact that one is a miniseries, and in eight hours or more can make the story breathe in a way that impossible in a film, makes the comparison pretty pointless from the start.

If anything, this Netflix series proves that there is definitely room for both: the lush technicolor Italy, where passions run wild, and jealousy can lead to murder on one side, and a much colder, darker, seedier version where Ripley, beautifully played with a hint of cold menace by Andrew Scott, who just disappears into this role, is a real sociopath, at times a bit weird and other times truly terrifying (he rarely ever blinks!), but always absolutely mesmerizing.

The choice of filming this in black and white is obviously key to the success of this series, offering the viewers a fresh and compelling perspective on the narrative and its characters. Of course, on the surface, it makes everything feel a lot darker, sinister, colder (it was also filmed during winter), but also more unsettling, and fits perfectly with this new depiction of Ripley. And as it happens, it also makes this one of the best-looking TV series I’ve seen in a long time.

You might not get that romanticism from Minghella’s vision of Italy, and yet every frame can still be hung on a wall: those wet cobbled streets looking so timeless, the southern towns built on stairs, ancient and evocative.

Andrew Scott plays Ripley as a real enigma, just as Highsmith had written about 70 years ago (and yet, it’s a book so modern and fresh that often feels like it could have been written just yesterday). Ripley is a man lacking morality, “a human vacuum,” as described by writer-director Steven Zaillian (the Oscar winning screenwriter of Schindler’s List). He is a much more difficult character to decipher and instantly like than Matt Damon ever was, yet the power of the story is such that pretty soon, we are with him wholeheartedly, and we just don’t want him to be caught.

I loved this series, and the more I think about it, the more I appreciate what it did.

I loved how the series took its time and did not want to rush things. I adored that one of the episodes was basically entirely spent watching somebody trying to get rid of a body (and that cat watching everything!! Brilliant!!).

I loved how it often focused on details that were just red herrings, basically placed there with the only purpose of making us feel jittery, anxious, unsettled, but nothing more than that (I’m talking about the suitcase with evidence against Ripley’s crime, the stains of blood in the bathtub, the ashtray as a weapon of possible murders to come).

These are things that only a TV series of more than eight hours can do. I also loved how authentic it all felt, even to an Italian like me. The locations are real, lived-in, the characters talk the way people really talk, with their different accents, depending on the region they are from, whether they are from the north or the south.

Yes, of course, there are a few clichés here and there, but hey, it’s an American product after all. In Rome, for example, they can’t help but have a nun or two walking in the background at every possible moment.

I was a bit annoyed by the signs at the train station showing names of cities in English as opposed to Italian (something that, especially in the ‘50s, would have never happened), but those are silly minor quibbles in the big scheme of things.

I was willing to get past those tiny faults. In fact, I was quite surprised by how much of the dialogue was in Italian (subtitled obviously). What did bother me a little bit more was the fact that I found Andrew Scott a little bit too old for the part: even though he carries his 50 years very well, Tom Ripley is supposed to be a twenty-something young man, with his whole life ahead and very little to lose, hence the reason why he decides to go to Italy in the first place anyway: because he’s so young.

As it is, both the beginning and the reasons for his decision to go to Italy still feel a bit contrived and slightly forced (as they did in Minghella’s version, to be honest). They only just about get away with it in the novel.

But there is so much to like here.

This is a meticulously crafted piece of filmmaking, the best of classic noir, Hitchcock, Italian cinema of the ‘50s, all in one. A piece of beauty that rewards your patience and is really one of the best things Netflix has ever produced. I binged it in two days and I can’t wait to revisit it again (and there’s a little bit of me that hopes they might adapt the next four Ripley books too!)'

#Ripley #Patricia Highsmith #Netflix #The Talented Mr Ripley #Andrew Scott #Matt Damon #Anthony Minghella #Steven Zaillian

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onlyfishcansaveusnow · 6 months

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Compareing and contrasting Coastal system and the Open ocean

The open ocean and a coastal system are similar yet different in many ways. This paper will compare aspects such as vertical structure, physical and biological features, and provide a more focused example of this through the comparison of the North Pacific pelagic and the Columbia River plume.

The vertical structure of the open ocean pelagic system is broken up into four main vertical zones: epipelagic (0-200m), mesopelagic (200-1000m), bathypelagic (1000-4000m), and

abyssopelagic (+4000m). This vertical structure can be further looked at by examining the nutricline, pycnocline and where the mix layer is in the water column. For example in the tropics the mix layer is warm and stable. There is a steep pycnocline that separates this warm water from the colder water underneath, correlating with nutrients and nutrient transport; Nutrients in the tropics generally are low above the pycnocline (being up taken by phytoplankton) and high blow, as nutrients that aren't used up will sink. To put this in perspective of the North Pacific, "the pycnocline shoals and strengthens dramatically under the intertropical convergence zone, separating the North Equatorial Current from the North Equatorial Countercurrent." (Johnson & McPhaden,. 1999) Nutrients in this region are limited by iron making it a high nutrient low chlorophyll (HNLC) region of the pacific ocean.

Primary productivity in an open ocean system is mainly dependent on access to light (also contributing seasonality) and limiting nutrients. A classic model of primary productivity can be described as: Turbulent mixing brings nutrients to the surface. A heat driven stratification occurs and phytoplankton are held at the surface/euphotic zone where they consume the nutrients thus resulting in a bloom. In the North Pacific Primary production and secondary production is continuous throughout the winter season. This happens because though there is a limitation of light there is a constant mixing distributing nutrients throughout, allowing for nutrients to be available for the spring bloom.

Now to look at these concepts from an estuarine perspective. In estuarine circulation, a common pattern emerges: fresher, lighter water flows out of the estuary in the surface layer, while a deeper flow brings water in from the open ocean. This phenomenon is also referred to as buoyancy-driven flow. In the example of the Columbia river, this estuary deviates from this classic pattern and follows that of a salt wedge pattern. This pattern is characterized by where a river that flows rapidly reaches sea level Since fresh water is lighter than salt water a sharp boundary/wedge is formed.(NOAA. 2019). The Columbia river estuary is also a good example of how an estuary can be large enough to be affected by the Coriolis force and this can be seen by the fresh surface current water flows along the north bank and the salter water flows along the southern bank. As a result of this small particles will concentrate toward the tip of the wedge which will produce an area of high turbidity that in relation to the flowing fresh water, move up and down the length of the estuary.

Productivity in an estuary system looks a lot different than that of an open ocean because factors such as precipitation and estuarine flow can impact primary and secondary production. On top of this key factors of productivity are still at play (light and nutrient supply). The Columbia River estuary, due to the interaction of tidal forces, wind patterns, and the mixing of different water masses, nutrient-rich water from deeper layers is brought to the surface; it stimulates primary productivity, particularly in the upper estuarine regions where freshwater and saltwater mix. This mixing introduces essential nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate, fueling the growth of phytoplankton. These microscopic plants form the base of the estuarine food web, providing a crucial food source for zooplankton and small fish. Consequently, this abundance of prey supports larger fish and marine organisms, creating a productive ecosystem within the estuary. The nutrient-rich conditions attract forage fish, including salmon smolts and other juvenile species, to the upper estuary where they find ample food resources though this is often found in the plume. Additionally, the enhanced productivity can influence the timing and availability of prey, impacting the overall abundance and composition of fish populations within the estuarine ecosystem.

References

Johnson, G. C., and M. J. McPhaden, 1999: Interior Pycnocline Flow from the Subtropical to the Equatorial Pacific Ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 29, 3073–3089, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(1999)029<3073:IPFFTS>2.0.CO;2.

Kaltenberg, A., Emmett, R., & Benoit-Bird, K. (2010). Timing of forage fish seasonal appearance in the Columbia River Plume and link to ocean conditions. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 419, 171–184. doi:10.3354/meps08848

US Department of Commerce, N. O. and A. A. (2019). NOAA National Ocean Service Education. Retrieved from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_estuaries/est05_circulation.html

#Fisheries oceanography #this is just here for my sake of notes #i dont know what im doing

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melovez · 3 years

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uhhh here’s some further information on some more pocket/blanket dimensions in melverse

Terrestrium (or “Terra”)

TM4-Z009

Pocket Dimension, localized around Earth

Population is mostly extinct and extant terrestrial wildlife, although some from other dimensions decide to settle here

terrestrium, also referred to as Terra, is a vast plane of mostly untouched wilderness. the realm is predominantly temperate grassland and deciduous forests, although it is much warmer and dryer in the far south and much colder in the far north. there are no oceans in terra, all water in the region exists in infinitely flowing freshwater rivers that can be up to a full kilometer wide in certain areas. many species that are extinct on earth live on in this realm, most notably several species of prehistoric megafauna. because of the harsh wilderness here, there are very few sapient inhabitants and even fewer actual settlements. although there are rumors of a race of “ogres” native to Terrestrium, these claims are not backed by much proof.

The Endless Dream

DD3-Y087

Blanket dimension

Population is made up mostly of Clots, as well as (rarely) other beings and spirits capable of traversing dreams

The Endless Dream, more commonly known as Dreamland or The Endless to its inhabitants, is a remarkably vast blanket dimension that not only stretches across infinite space, but also infinitely across every timeline and every other dimension. it’s this dimension that makes things like astral projection and lucid dreaming work, connecting all things in every reality through all organism’s need to sleep. the majority of this dimension is discordant and un-traversable, except within “bubbles”, which are essentially all the coherent subliminal thoughts that every intelligent being carries around with them. Clots are the main inhabitants, and are usually vaguely humanoid beings composed of memories they collect as they travel from bubble to bubble.

Sub-Limina

SA5-Y011

Blanket dimension

Population is made up of mostly stranded and corrupted Clots from The Endless Dream

Sub-Limina is a strange, chaotic realm that tailors itself to be most familiar to any mortal that accidentally ends up there. despite any familiarity, mortals there will never quite be able to place where they are. Sub-Limina is comparable to the concept of the backrooms, although it’s much more unpredictable and changing and also much more inhabited. most alarming about Sub-Limina is its… Hotel California like quality of being scarily easy to trip into but virtually impossible to leave. the environments there are dreamlike, but much more grounded in reality than the bubbles of The Endless Dream. unlike the Endless Dream, your physical body exists within Sub-Limina. a clot can’t hurt you in your dreams, but the clots HERE absolutely can hurt you. and a lot of them probably want to.

#melverse #worldbuilding #terrestrium #the endless dream #parasomnia #sub-limina

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sandu-zidian · 4 years

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Hello! I doubt many people are gonna read this, but I decided to finally post on here about my Star Wars planet! I wanted to create a planet that was based off of Asian culture, specifically, Chinese culture. Star Wars does a lot of things right, but I don’t think diversity in world-building is one of them. I’m not an expert and I’m pulling off of my own experiences as much as I am research. I posted about it on Insta a while ago, but lowkey Tumblr is much more suited for very, very long posts. So, get ready for a lot, and I mean a lot of info under the line!

General Info:

Area: Mid-Rim

Size: mid-size

Population: 2 billion

Geography: One large continent surrounded by water, with croppings of islands on the coasts. Mountainous in the northern and western regions of the mainland, with plains spread across the rest.

Climate: temperate, slightly humid. But northern mountain ranges get very cold.

Capital: Zhongjing, resided in the middle of the continent, next to a large river that cuts through the city from north to south. Is surrounded by plains (though you can see the northern mountains on a good day)

Geography:

Northern Mountains:

The northern mountains of Nassora’s large continent spans the whole northern side. Climate is quite cold, spending much of the year around and below zero degrees. Original settlers in this area stuck to the mountain base and the ocean.

The main interest of this area is the fishing and lumber industry. Large forests span the surrounding areas and mountains. As sea villages, fishing was also the main source of food, making it an obvious trading item. With the abundance of wood, making homes and boats was easy. Hunters also venture into the forests, killing elk and bears for meat and fur. Traditional clothing of this area is layered with dense fur and thick hide.

Flora: large pine trees, grass and wildflowers during the short summer season. May see some winter fruit, but not much.

Fauna: large bears (white and brown fur), elks, hares, owls, small rodents, white tiger (found between the Western and Northern mountains)

Western Mountains:

The western mountains are hot and humid, similar to a jungle climate. A river, the XiJiang (西江), flows through the mountains, hugging the base, flowing from north to south. With large areas of marshy land, Nassorans found a specific type of grain that thrives in this climate: rice. Many Nassorans in the western area planted rice and used water buffalos to help work the fields. Other plants bore fruit, which grow in flatter areas in groves. The subtropical climate of this area also makes it a perfect place to grow spices. Salt mines are also abundant within the mountains. Food in this area consists of spicy food to help combat the heat. Another common plant found is bamboo, which is useful for making paper.

A large river runs parallel to the mountain, separating the cities close to the mountain from the mainland. Bridges will be built later, but this forced villages and cities to be pushed closer to the mountain, where hot weather gets trapped between the mountains and the river. This causes a large layer of fog to fall over many cities.

Flora: rice, fruit, large trees with vines, spices, bamboo

Fauna: monkeys, large birds, cranes, water buffalos, monkeys, tiger

Plains:

The large plains spread from the center of the continent to the south and east. By far the largest area on the continent, the climate here is mild and temperate compared to the west. But humidity and heat increase as you travel further south. Two rivers occupy the plains: Gui He (龟河), the winding river that branches out, one headed for the Capital and one headed into the plains, and Yu He (玉河), which is further north. Small lakes also crop up in this area, making for good sources of water outside the river.

Because of the flat area, early Nassorans in this region were nomadic, using domesticated horses to herd cattle. Eventually, they settled down as they discovered farming. Nassorans grew vegetables, fruit, and grain. Other plants grown are cotton and indigo down in the southern plains. Hills pop up every so often in the mostly flat area, and small pockets of woods can be found closer to the east. Outside of farming areas, tall grass spans the area, and gives a very idyllic landscape. Pockets of sugar cane can also be found near the lakes in this region.

Flora: fruit trees, grain, cotton, smaller trees, tall grass, sugar cane

Fauna: horses, cattle, chickens, small birds, rodent animals

History:

Pre-Space Travel:

Nassorans were groups of nomadic settlers spread across the continent. Plain residers herded cattle on domesticated horses, and used the large areas of flat land to build farms, harvesting grain and eventually cotton. Were the first to settle into villages. Groups living in the northern mountains moved around a lot more, eventually moving south as the colder climate became harder to reside. Some stay in the north near the ocean. Groups living in the western mountain ranges found a wet, temperate climate, perfect for growing rice and spices.

After a couple hundred years, trade was established between these three areas, and eventually, a governing body formed to connect the trade routes and eventually, the people. A man named Huangwei (皇位) crusaded across the continent, uniting the people under one flag, and established a monarchy under his family. Later, he is coveted as the ‘messiah’ of the Nassorans, for his reign brought prosperity to the land. They say he opened the Spirit World and connected it to the Mortal World.

After almost 1000 years, a group of space travelers found Nassora. Intrigued by the majority-water planet, this group of sentients descended onto Nassora. The Nassorans, fascinated yet terrified, welcomed these foreigners. Many wondered if they were immortals. But after seeing a couple die of disease, the rumor died quickly. With the introduction of intricate technology, Nassorans quickly adapted to the new opening of the planet to space.

Post-Space Travel:

After the introduction of space travel, many changes quickly opened up.

Rapid advancement in technology: as foreigners came, Nassorans quickly picked up new theories and inventions which were disseminated across the continent. Fishing, which was very important in the north, became much easier. Agriculture became much more efficient. With the new influx of information, more and more Nassorans began to develop mathematical and scientific skills to do their own research. Many even went off-world to learn from other planets. Over time, the imperial capital of Nassora, Zhongjing (中京) will develop into the technological center of Nassora, surrounded by agriculture.

Increased trade: With new planets discovering Nassora, trade between them increased significantly. To keep up with this, Nassora had to quickly adapt their agricultural industry to keep up with demand. Farms grew, more workers were needed. Eventually, Nassora found itself as an impressive agricultural planet.

Dissemination of Nassoran religion and clothing: Nassorans were one of the first Jedi. With many of their people supposedly “Blessed” with these powerful gifts, Force-Sensitives were incredibly dear to Nassorans. When rumors of a new religious group surrounding FS began to pop up, many were interested to meet others similar to them. With them, they brought ancient religious texts (as many FS were monks living in HuangDi’s temple, thanking him for their gifts) and their style of clothing. While the Jedi today are very different to Nassorans in regards to religion, the foundation of the Jedi philosophy was Nassoran, and their clothing is still reminiscent of traditional Nassoran clothing.

Increased planetary involvement: Nassora’s relationships with other planets led to the increasing need for Nassora’s involvement with other planets in order to ensure they benefit. However, this also went vice versa. Other planets began to encroach into Nassoran life, as one of the few large agricultural planets in the region. Superior weapons and power meant Nassora could do little without invoking outright physical conflict, or even war.

Increased diversity and conflict: with the influx of new species onto the planet, many Nassorans were wary. But most people were curious and excited for such a development. However, with their lack of intellectual prowess and seemingly strange lifestyle, many off-worlders were condescending and outright discriminatory, holding their superior technology as a sign of their superiority over the Nassorans. They treated the Nassorans as lesser, and this led to many conflicts between individuals, and eventually the governments.

As tensions between Nassora and other nearby planets rose from the treatment of Nassoran people and political tensions, a woman called Meng Xiao Gen began to plan a revolt. After a year of planning, the group Shadow Hand, which was made of a large number of Nassorans, launched a continent wide attack against the off-worlders, essentially driving them off the planet. The government, while not involved in the planning, did little to stop it. With no connection to the group, other planetary governments could do nothing against them without seeming the aggravator.

After this event, Nassora closed its borders to all off-worlders that were not traders. Even then, traders were confined to a few cities, unable to leave their assigned room/house. Nassorans were allowed to leave, but could not bring back a foreigner. Most Nassorans at this point didn’t want to leave, and were content to be almost isolated. Unless for trade or family reasons, no Off-Worlders were allowed onto the planet. The Jedi, who were closely tied to Nassoran’s religious temples, were also driven off. Most FS from this time on are taught within the temples or by private tutors, if their family was wealthy enough.

After a couple of centuries of isolation, Nassorans became even more wary of off-worlders. The amount of animosity towards anyone that did not look or dress or talk like Nassorans were at an all time high. As the Republic’s power grew and Nassora’s prowess waned, the government found it was high time to reconnect with the greater galaxy in hopes of rekindling planetary relations. Now much more technologically advanced, the worry was less about being seen as lesser, and more about Nassoran people’s ire and xenophobia.

Era of the Republic:

Nassora officially joined the Republic 245 BBY, one of the most recent additions to the Republic. In a couple of years, the planet opened its borders, to the wariness of the people. Slowly, entering and leaving the planet began to increase, as more came for job opportunities and tourism, for the elusive agricultural planet was a mere shadow to many. In the Senate, Nassora has one Senator, dominated by the wealthy and noble Yan family, who are very closely tied to planetary politics as well.

Nassora’s political stance was to keep the Republic as far from their planetary politics as possible. They disliked laws that forced Nassora to be more involved than it already was. They were also at odds with the banking clan, as they tried to integrate themselves into the galactic banking system, only to find themselves blocked at seemingly all avenues. From a galactic view, Nassora was still a developing planet, despite their technological advancements from limited connections to the rest of the galaxy.

When Nassora first opened up and the first off-worlder tourists came passing through, misunderstandings plus the tense climate around letting off-worlder into Nassora led to some violent first couple of months. Off-worlders and Nassorans alike were attacked, and protests began against letting off-worlders into their shops and their towns. Many Nassorans announced their fear of history repeating itself. Slogans like “Never Again” and “Leave us Be” became popularly used. Eventually, the government was forced to step in to quell the protests. After five months of tension, politicians like the Yan family pleaded for the people to be understanding, showing their support of opening borders by publicly mingling with off-worlders. Protests stopped, but tension lasted for another year or two.

Nassora, being a largely agricultural system, was sought after for trade opportunities. However, the government was still cautious of trusting new planets that wanted to trade with them. After opening their borders, their textile industry boomed. The quality of their cloth from well grown cotton and the mix of technology meant that many wealthy elites craved new quality clothing. However, the importance of clothing in Nassoran culture made it very hard for anyone to get their hands on it. Many wealthy planets tried very hard to make pleasing deals for it. Nassora won’t be so easily persuaded however, and is a constant battle.

After opening up, the Jedi Order began to resurface in Nassora. Many came on pilgrimages, to see where the foundations of the Jedi religion came from. Some came to seek out new initiates, only to be rebuffed most of the time. There are a handful of times when the Jedi came with a diplomat in order to settle trade disputes. Overall, the Jedi, while open to Nassora, found that the people were just as wary of them as they were everybody else. With each new generation of Nassorans, the xenophobic nature began to dispel as young children became used to seeing off-worlders.

In the years leading up to the Clone Wars, the Nassoran government saw an increasing number of cases of corruption within the Republic. One such instance was the Invasion of Naboo in 32 BBY. Nassorans were horrified at the encroachment of the Trade Federation into Naboo, and the Republic’s lack of help. Nassorans applauded Nabooians’ strength, as they fought off the invaders themselves. Increasing instances of such encroachment and no help from the Republic led to increasing bitterness and hatred to the Republic. In 22 BBY, Senator Yan Ruwei pulled Nassora out of the Republic alongside the CIS, though became an independent system rather than join. The Nassoran people were tired of such galactic politics, and were glad to begin looking inwards once more.

Era of the Empire:

In 19 BBY, the Republic dies, and the Empire rises. With a direct connection to the Jedi, the Empire seeked to control what information about the now dead religious group was known. But Nassora was not under Republic or Imperial jurisdiction. So, after establishing power over the Senate and current Republic planets, the Empire began its crusade over independent systems. Planets such as Mandalore and Lasan were under heavy attack, and Nassora made its way onto that list. In 17 BBY, the Empire began it’s invasion. The Invasion of Nassora lasted 2 years, ending when the capital was taken. Much of Nassora’s beautiful plains and farms were razed in the fighting. In the next years, as the Empire established firm control, Nassorans got to rebuilding.

Under Imperial control, the Empire usurped the monarchy, placing a governor and Moff to keep the government under their control. The former senator was brought back, under a very tight leash. In order to try and destroy everything tied to the Jedi, the Empire also began razing Shenist Temples. Many monks and locals tried to protect them, but were unsuccessful. After the slaughter of a group of Huangdi Blessed children, receiving Blessed tattoos became forbidden. Their five large festivals also ceased, leaving a generation of Nassorans uneducated to a large part of their heritage and culture.

Nassorans became increasingly angry and bitter under Imperial rule. Rebellion ranged from small inconveniences towards Imperial troops and officers to outright fighting. A small rebel cell began growing in the years after Invasion. But because of their small size, they were limited in scope of their attacks. Many Nassorans were also against hurting their own planet and people more, for fear that the Spirits would become angrier than they already were. Despite the struggles, the rebel cell stayed strong against Imperial power. Some Nassorans chose to join the larger Rebellion at hand or travelled to Lothal or Mandalore. Others chose to help both the local rebel cell and larger alliance by providing supplies and local help whenever they could. The government also began preparing for war, and attacked after the Liberation of Lothal.

War lasted for years. When the Emperor died, Imperial forces began falling apart. In a couple of months, Nassora finally drove off the last Imperials from their planet. In celebration, the people immediately began rebuilding their temples, and started giving facial tattoos to the children who were never given the honor. Many of these children were now adults, age 18, who were born right before and during the Invasion of Nassora. Senator Talira returned from her place in the Alliance to help restore Nassora to its former glory. Eventually, she’ll become the PM. Nassora will not join the New Republic. However, they will have fairly good relations with the governing body, who leave them to their own devices for the most part.

Culture

Language:

Nassora’s standard language is called Nassu, using the common written language and plain dialect. All three regions, before unifying, had their own dialect. Trade made it so that all three dialects had similar grammar usage. Close trading connections also forced writing to be standardized very early on, even though dialect stayed mutually unintelligible.

The foundation of the language is from a set of pictograms, which associate a pictorial with a morpheme. Ideograms are characters in which the pictorial describes abstract ideas. The most common form of logograms in the language is the radical-phonetic compounds, in which the first part of the character indicates meaning and the latter half indicates pronunciation. This latter half allowed Nassu to grow it’s vocabulary significantly. The rebus-principle is also incredibly important to the development of Nassu. (i’m not a linguist, especially not one for a barely explored set of languages). Despite Nassu being used by all citizens, as it is the standard, usage of dialect is still very prominent between locals. The further you get from the capital and the plains, the more you will hear dialect being spoken.

After the first opening of Nassora, basic became a common language as well, and continued to have minor influence even during its isolation given the need to keep up governmental and trade relations. Basic became even more common after joining the Republic, as more off-worlders began entering the system and even staying, though Nassu is still much more common, enough that many off-worlders learn the language to ease their stay.

Nassorans take much pride in their culinary diversity. The different regions have different food staples that dominate their eating habits. However, some habits are common across the whole planet. Food is a sign of love and work ethics. Every family will always meet for at least one meal, usually lunch or dinner. This communal eating habit fosters both familial and friendly connections. During large celebrations and festivals, communities will come together for large potlucks where communal food reserves are redistributed among the community. During the four large festivals, the Royal family will redistribute part of the government surplus as a sign of goodwill and generosity. This will pass from hand to hand: Emperor to Princes to Ministries to communities to families. Because of this tradition of communal eating, lots of effort goes into preparing meals that sometimes take the whole family to do so. It is a time of bonding and a time of rigorous work, and therefore exemplifies many of the values Nassorans believe in.

Cuisine:

Cuisine varies by region. In the North, seafoods are staples in their diet. It is common to find lots of stews and sometimes rice noodles, which did not appear in northern cuisine until after trade was established with the rest of the planet. Root vegetables are also quite common. In the West, the humid climate fosters heavy use of spice as a way to alleviate heat in the body. Grains are especially prominent with rice, beans, and seeds playing a major part in the food’s taste and texture. In the South, abundance of large open fields means the growth of vegetables and other plants. Meats are also prominent, as some semblance of semi-nomadic life still features in cuisine. Bread is a particularly unique feature of Southern style food, as grains are mulled into flour. Congee also features heavily with the abundance of grains.

Art/Architecture:

Art features heavily in Nassoran society, marking temples and prominent government buildings. Basic understanding of Nassoran art is very simple: artists and musicians focus heavily on nature, emphasizing peace, harmony, and balance. Ink paintings are a common focus, as the unpredictability of the medium allows the artist to focus less on replicating what they see and replicate what they feel. Religious artwork is much more detailed, focused on depicting deities and spirits in grandiose ways. Statues and sculptures of spiritual figures dominate temples.

Ethnic instruments used by Nassorans are always handmade. Luthiers focus on the intricate beauty of each instrument as creators of balance and harmony. Oftentimes, luthiers focus on spiritual understandings of balance to help create the best instruments possible. While other instruments and musical styles have entered Nassoran culture, traditional instruments, acting as spiritual items in many ways, are not to be tampered with.

Old architecture in Nassora is heavily reliant on timberwork. Wooden posts and beams are used to hold up roofs, with walls separating rooms. Architectural features are the emphasis on symmetry, use of open enclosed spaces (courtyards), and horizontal emphasis (spread horizontally vs growth vertically). Unlike more Western houses, Nassoran homes feature large compounds. Buildings facing the door are the most important, with the side buildings being less important, and buildings facing away from the large doors as the least important. Guardian statues are also common, and can range from the Shangshen to personal spirits. Most buildings feature tile roofs, though the yellow tiles are reserved for Imperial buildings built for the Emperor. Imperial buildings also feature many roof details that signify the Emperor’s spiritual and political legitimacy. Religious temples follow similar features, with side buildings set as living quarters and the shrines for deities and spirits in the center of the building. Offerings are often scattered around the floor, and mats are set in place for prayers and meditation.

Race/Ethnicity:

Nassorans are a near-human species. Most are unsure where the Nassorans came from, as they evolved so similarly to humans, and yet had no connection to them during most of their development.

Despite the common understanding of biological differences between the millions of species in the galaxy, Nassorans group all of them as off-worlders/foreigners, guaididui (怪敌对). The first off-worlders were hostile in their confrontations, and Nassorans, with inferior technology, were unfortunately treated quite unfairly. In response, Nassorans developed a deep distrust of foreigners that carried into their isolationist period. When they opened themselves up and joined the Republic, Nassorans were quite upset about this. They believed that doing so would be asking for off-worlders to exploit them again. Fortunately, that was not the case. In the 200 years after opening up, increase of tourism and flow of people in and out of Nassora meant that the understanding of other species changed rapidly, especially by young Nassorans who travelled and studied in other planets during this time period. By the time the Clone Wars hit, Nassoran’s xenophobia had already broken down significantly. Nassora was often sympathetic to the CIS and independent worlds, respecting the strive for independence and control over what happens to the people of these planets. Leaving the Republic was a sign of returning to the planet’s people versus the whims of other planets.

When the Empire took over Nassora, interrelations with other species in the rebel alliance pushed Nassora to break down their racial understanding even further. Friendships and relationships formed out of working side-by-side. During this period, Nassoran’s marriage norm also began shifting as interspecies relationships became more common. Families began accepting species into Nassoran culture rather than just coexisting with them in separate bubbles.

Economy:

An agricultural based system with a budding technology system, Nassora is a very good place for investors to get involved with new tech businesses. However, most of Nassora’s trade is taken up by food supplies from grain to fruit to vegetables and non-perishables. Nassora became a hotspot for relief supplies during the Clone Wars for both sides, especially for CIS planets.

Although Nassora has large farms run by some corporations, Nassora’s deep connection with nature through their religion means lots of regulations are set in place to check corporations. Because of this, Nassora relies more on horticulture and family farming surplus. Alongside these regulations, horticulture is still very prominent in smaller communities, who sell their surplus to companies or the government to sustain themselves. It is not uncommon to see large farms next to small horticulture fields.

The largest industry in Nassora by far is textiles. With large areas of plains and very good climate, it is very easy to grow cotton to make string and cloth, alongside the abundance of indigo and dyes in the region. Much of the textile production is family-based and oftentimes the family also work as tailors and have close relations with cotton farmers. There are some textile factories, but stringent regulations means it is much harder to profit lucratively. Production of Nassora’s high quality cloth means that selling it to other planets is very lucrative. In most places, only the wealthy can afford the high price Nassoran cloth is set at.

The intersection of textiles and technology has led to many interesting experiments. Researchers have been able to successfully blend cloth and technology together to create clothing strong enough to protect the wearer from immediate harm of a knife or one blaster shot, though this type of clothing can’t withstand extreme force. The creation of cloth that can create shields have also been in the works. Most prototypes feature the cloth as a set of fans that when put together, can activate a small shield to protect the user. However, such technology is kept very tight-lipped, especially around off-worlders.

Government and Politics:

In the early ages, Nassora was a monarchy/empire. The Emperor held most of the power, distributed among the princes. Some power was allocated to the Court and Ministries, but all worked under and took orders from the Emperor.

Royal Family- it was common, even encouraged, for the Emperor to take on concubines on top of his Empress. The inner palace, run by the Empress, housed all the concubines and consorts (higher level concubines) and ran the inner workings of the Palace.

Princes that were of age would have palaces in the Capital, though most resided outside, taking on roles of governors of far reaching territories. Only the Crown Prince would reside in the Capital, taking over smaller responsibilities in Court. The good use of having princes take on governmental roles was to minimize any political fights for the throne, though even this didn’t stop tumultuous political periods between princes fighting for the throne.

The heir of the throne is not decided by birth. Instead, it is based on the merits of the prince, and the will of the Emperor. Whoever the Emperor thought would be the best fit for the throne would thereby be the Crown Prince. This style of lineage allowed for infighting to be much more common, as ambitious princes fight for the Emperor’s favor, pushing to be the best. During these early years, princes, like the feudal age, held small armies to help protect their area of governing.

Court and Ministry- the court is made of Ministers who commence everyday to debate over new laws and judicial cases. The Ministers involved in Court are usually high ranking in their respective Ministries with seniority. The process for gaining a Minister position is extensive. Candidates are highly educated, and usually come from wealthy families. After extensive background checks on their political affiliations and any criminal offenses, they then take an entrance test. If they pass the entrance test, they then meet for interviews. Finally, a candidate is chosen. The court will usually debate laws and regulations that pass either from the Emperor, Ministries, or a Minister. On some days, large cases that need the court to preside over will take place, though these are few and far between.

The Ministries are organizations that work under the Emperor. They have specific tasks and goals to fulfill. Examples are: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Religion, etc. They will often work independently or conversely with each other. These Ministries regulate whatever it is the Emperor has tasked them with. Ministry of Justice will deal with criminals; Ministry of trade with domestic and interplanetary trade, Ministry of Religion coordinating with monks and shamans. (they’re basically agencies)

Other groups-

The Royal Guard is the group of elite soldiers that protect the Palace and Emperor. They work within the bounds of the Palace grounds, though will often work with Capital Patrol and even other areas if they are called upon. The leader is often a Commander or General.

The Capital Patrols are controlled by a General. They police within the Capital boundaries and are supposed to be neutral in any political fights. They serve the Emperor and the people. Over time, the Capital Patrols and Royal Guard will consolidate under the Ministry of Defense.

After the Revolt of Shadow Hand, the leader Meng Xiao Gen, takes on the role of Prime Minister, a new government official created in order for the government to reconcile and appease the people, showing that they are hearing their cries and will make changes. Under her rule, Nassora flourishes.

Over time, the position of Prime Minister and the courts and Ministries began gaining power, and the Emperor’s control waned. After a very turbulent time where two princes fought for the throne as their father died, the Prime Minister at the time instigated massive restructuring of Nassora’s government. The courts became a legislative body, and the Prime Minister gained immense power. Elections were set into place, and a constitution was written. This is known as the Great Restruction. The day the constitution was ratified became a planetary holiday.

When Nassora joined the Republic, the government once again shifted, though significantly smaller this time. Nassora decided to only send one senator, who is chosen by the Prime Minister and Emperor. The role becomes insignificant after they leave, but makes a revival when the Empire takes over.

During Imperial reign, the Empire established a governor, which took the role of the Prime Minister. The current PM had little power, and left office after his term was over. No re-election was called, and the Imperial governor took over the Nassoran government. The senator role had little power, as it was seen as mostly a figurehead position. It was a lazy show of compromise, even though in the heart of the Empire, Coruscant, the senator has little power.

Nassorans, in general, are very nationalistic. They dislike any planetary intervention from outside such as the Republic and the Empire. Even as a member of the Republic, Nassora pushed for less Republic intervention into planetary affairs. Their ire for outside forces spreads to their interactions with other systems. Nassora is a staunch defender for independent planets and is willing to lend hands for groups that wish to take more control over the policies of their own planets.

Kinship and Family:

Nassorans follow a bilineal descent line and focus heavily on the extended family. In most cases, Nassoran families live either within the same roof, or in the near vicinity. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews are common figures in a person’s life, and Nassorans will find that their support system to be quite extensive within the family. Because Nassorans follow a bilineal, descent of both the mother and father pass through their children. Last names of the married couple are not exchanged for one or the other, and the child takes the last name of the parent who has the higher prestige or class status. Mixed children (where one parent is an offworlder) will always take the name of their Nassoran parent, although this fluctuates depending on where the family is settled and how closely tied they are to Nassoran culture.

The notion of ‘blood’ ancestry is not necessarily biological either. Oftentimes, close families are seen as part of the extended family. Family friends virtually adopt each other into their system of kinship. It is not uncommon for families to adopt a recent orphan of a family friend. In this instance, the distinction between the adopted and biological child are virtually nonexistent.

Within the nuclear family, wife and husband both hold significant roles in order to keep the household functioning. This more egalitarian system meant that gender roles, stereotypes, and ideology were much less pervasive in a person’s identity. Other identifiers like class status and Blessed status feature more prominently than a person’s gender.

As a system, kinship is one of the most important social groups one is a part of. In many ways, kinship dominates a person’s social life. Large family gatherings and dinners are common. Festivities and holidays together are mostly with family. While friends are an important part of a person’s life, family is by far the most dominant feature. Because of this, the family is often involved with marriage. Families spend much time nagging and helping members find proper partners to build a life with. For the most part, same-sex marriage was easily integrated, as the understanding of gender in Nassora is much more fluid and not a prominent identifier for the people.

What is most contested in the realm of kinship is the importance of children and marrying off-worlders. The large feature of family means that legacy and continuing the descent line is invaluable to the family. Passing down traditions and one’s gifts is part of the process of life. To not want children, adopted or through labor, seems impossible. Miscegenation (in this case, to off-worlders) is also harshly stigmatized. Nassora’s history with off-worlders created a common belief that off-worlders are untrustworthy and will abuse you. After opening up and joining the Republic, Nassora’s stigma and miscegenation continuously comes into conflict with changing ideals of the youth as mingling with off-worlders becomes more and more common. The era of the Empire forced Nassorans to face growing intersections with other species, forcing marriage norms to change alongside changing understandings of race.

Gender and Sexuality:

Nassoran understanding of both gender and sexuality are quite fluid, unlike the rigid binaries seen in many other planets. Bilineal descent and fluid division of labor meant that gender roles were not emphasized. In turn, understanding of gender has a lack of gender norms and therefore, lack of gender ideologies. It isn’t uncommon to see women and men owning land, depending on prestige (emphasis on age and Blessing). Because gender norms are lacking, the emergence of gender fluidity was accepted very easily. Unlike in other cultures, gender doesn’t play a significant role in a person’s status, nor does it play a significant role in someone’s identity. In Nassu, gender identifiers describe a person as either ‘female leaning’ (ten), ‘male leaning’ (tan), and ‘neutral leaning’ (zong). Because of the fluidity of gender, sexuality is also very fluid. Words identifying someone’s sexual preferences do not exist in Nassu, meaning that partners of any gender are acceptable.

Sexuality is also not defined in Nassoran culture. While it is understood that females have the reproductive system, adoption as another form of creating a family means that pregnancy is not emphasized as much. Polygamy and polyandry were common when horticulture was the dominant way of life (contained mostly in the Southern Plains), as sharing land among a community was more common. Marriages were the most common way to secure ties to land. To this day, communities still practice polyamory and the government recognizes it as a legitimate form of marriage.

Religion:

The religion that the vast majority of Nassorans follow is called 栓神教 (shuangshenjiao), or shenism in Basic. Nassoran’s religious beliefs are intrinsic and powerful, and play a significant role in how Nassorans connect with the world.

Nassora’s religious beliefs are very based around this fundamental idea: the universe is a dynamic cycle of energy between two imposing realms; the spirit world and the mortal world. The movement of energy/qi creates the dynamic flow of life and death from one realm to the other. Equilibrium between these two realms is ideal for prosperous lives and a healthy world.

Spirits and Immortals- A Look at the Mythology of Shenism

Shenism creationist story is similar to many other religions as a creation from chaos type. For eternity, the universe was filled with Chaos, a mere abyss. The four Shangshen, who lived within the Chaos, gained enough power to harness the Chaos into energy, forming it into the two realms that are vaguely denoted as the “sky” and the “earth”, though these descriptions are not necessarily accurate. The Mortal World, or the “earth”, and the Spirit World, or the “sky”, began a back and forth ebb and flow as the chaotic energy embeds itself into the foundations of both realms. Mythology predicts the eventual breakdown of qi back into chaos as balance is lost, before being harnessed again. This cyclical cycle of chaos and cosmos is unique to Shenism.

Shenism mythology uses Spirits (神) and Immortals (仙) as dieties. The jobs of the Spirits are to maintain proper flow of energy (qi) through the two realms. Immortals are former humans that gave up their mortality to help the Spirits work efficiently. While the two types of dieties seem very similar, Immortals differ from Spirits by controlling the complex weavings of qi within man-made society. Spirits focus on the natural world instead.

The story that follows the Creation story is of Huangwei (皇位), the first Immortal. At birth, Huangwei had immense powers to manipulate his surroundings. At age 24, he set on a quest of enlightenment and self-actualization. On his journey, he united all parts of the world, and at the end of his journey, ascended to immortality as he connected to the spirit worlds. He opened a large bridge between the Mortal and Spirit Worlds, bringing a time of peace and prosperity.

As an Immortal, Huangwei became Huangdi, and is one of the most important figures in Shenism mythology. Huangdi is the tie between the two realms and grants mortals supernatural powers that mirror his to help guide Spirits. Oftentimes, Blessed under Huangdi are often recruited as shamans, working as Spirit guides during festivals and important religious ceremonies.

The four main Spirits (Shangshen 上神) that guide the movement of energy are as follows:

Dragon Spirit (龙神): In power during the Spring, the Dragon harkens the beginning of the year with growth and a clean slate. Unlike dragons in other religions, the Nassoran Dragon is deeply tied to water and its vital part to the cycle of life. During its height of power, the Dragon blesses the land, starting the cycle of growth physically shown with the rising temperature and blooming flowers. The dormant energy of the turtle goes from ice to water. The Dragon’s temple is in the East, right next to the coast.

The Dragon also begins blessing children with strength and flexibility. Children blessed and confirmed by the Dragon’s largest temple are known to be very malleable to hard situations, and are often strong warriors.

Phoenix Spirit(凤凰神): The Phoenix follows the Dragon, moving into summer. Unlike the dragon, the Phoenix is represented by fire and energy. The Phoenix continues the flow of energy as crops begin growing. The energy must be in constant motion in order for the proper flow of light, dark, and rain to produce the best crops. The Phoenix’s temple is in the north, nestled in a small cropping of mountains to the west of the ___ River.

Blessed children of the Phoenix Spirit are known to be graceful and clever. They often take on more creative jobs. Blessed of the Phoenix Spirit are the most likely to be found in multiple realms of jobs, as their defining traits are malleable for many fields.

White Tiger Spirit (白老虎神): The White Tiger brings harvest season. During this time, the fiery energy begins to settle as the temperature cools. The energy flow goes into an ebb, as the White Tiger begins to regulate it after the Phoenix. During this time, families and groups come together to celebrate the good harvest, or pray for a better harvest the next year. Oftentimes, the White Tiger is seen as the ‘judgement spirit’, as a bad harvest signifies that the spirits are angry, and are punishing the mortals. The White Tiger Temple is in the west, deep in the Wang mountains (王山).

Children blessed by the White Tiger are known to be passionate and morally inclined. Most of these blessed children become public servants or work on bettering the lives of other people, though some who are more academically inclined go into research and university work.

Tortoise Spirit (乌龟神): The end of the harvest season brings winter. The Tortoise Spirit brings the energy to a dormant state, where it allows the world to settle down and recuperate. The winter season is a time of stillness and retreat. The Tortoise Spirit Temple resides in the southernmost tip of the continent

Children Blessed by the Tortoise Spirit are known to be level headed and determined. They can be stubborn at times, or be stalwart figureheads to help support people around them. Tortoise Blessed either enter very stable jobs or enter very fluid jobs, where they act as the center.

There are plenty of other spirits, but they all are minor compared to these four. These spirits are called xiaoshen (小神). Other spirits work with the Four shangshen during their height of power alongside Immortals. These spirits are also seen as animals, and have smaller shrines connected to the larger shangshen temples. Individual families may also have altars for these xiaoshen as personal spirits that watch over their household and family members. The concept of malevolent spirits does not exist within Shenism. Spirits have duties to push and pull the energy that binds the universe together. As a core understanding, balance must also mean that both good and bad exist. Spirits that bring famine and war, while bring bad events, must be treated with respect in order to keep the universe in balance. Mistreatment could lead to malformation of the spirit and may cause more harm than good.

Beliefs, Values, and Real Life Repercussions-

A core understanding of Nassoran religion is balance. There must be balance within all aspects of life: between duty and personal ambitions, family and individual desires, selfish and selfless. The best and most well-rounded people are those who can balance all aspects of their life and live within the middle. To Nassorans, unbalance in one aspect of life should be noted and rectified. Unfortunately, the first off-worlders were lacking in balance, and refused to change. To this day, Nassorans still look down on off-worlders as unbalanced and therefore lesser. Understanding of off-worlders shifted to be more complex over time, but the sentiment stands the test of time.

Daily prayer is not common in Shenism. Nassorans practice Shenism through their actions and thoughts. The Blessings of the Spirits are everywhere, and therefore everything should be cherished from the smallest ant to the most important of people and objects. However, it is common to see small altars within a familial compound for a family spirit that protects the family from harm. Nassorans will pray when life-changing events happen, such as marriage or birth, and during the Season Festivals.

The four Shangshen enter and exit the Mortal realm at the end of a season. For each changing of Spirit, Nassorans celebrate the work the previous spirit has done and hope for the next Spirit’s prosperity to begin. The names of each festival are as follows: Spring’s End (春尾节), Summer’s End (夏尾节), Autumn’s End (秋尾节), and Winter’s End (冬尾节). All four Temples will be open for prayers, and on sunset of Season’s End, the four temples will simultaneously ring their temple bells, opening their realm to the Spirits. In the Huangdi temple, disciples will begin the Ritual of Bridges in order to facilitate easy change of hands. It lasts from sunset to dusk, when the full moon appears.

Festivities start the week before the public Ritual, filled with food and family. If a family is unable to travel to the four large temples for prayer, they will usually congregate at a local temple or within their own homes. During the ritual, families meditate, hoping to connect with the spirits as they pass by.

Special delicacies are eaten specifically for certain festivals. Winter’s End: sticky rice, congee, warm chicken broth. Spring’s End: fruit deserts, rice balls, chicken’s feet. Summer’s End: sesame treats, spicy noodles, sugar hair. Autumn’s End: apple cider, cake pastry (aka moon cakes), bamboo wrapped rice.

A major part of Nassoran religion is the connection between mortal and spirits. Blessed children are Nassorans blessed by the Shangshen, lending them a unique connection to the world that shapes their personality. The Blessed are designated by their tattoos. While designs are up to families and the Blessed child, the color of the tattoos are fixed. Yellow for the Dragon. Red for the Phoenix. White for the White Tiger. Black for the Tortoise. The only other people with Blessed tattoos are those blessed by the Huangdi. These children have black and white tattoos, and are the only ones whose tattoos also show up on their bodies like the hands and feet, signifying their unique connection to the Qi.

Though Blessed face lots of opportunities, it can become limiting, as not all Blessed fit into these personality boxes organized by spirit. However, Blessed also have a unique position in society, where they are usually held to a higher standard and are thought of more highly in general, even though they only make up a small portion of the population (37%). This created a unique set of prestige within Nassoran culture. Status is often determined by whether or not one is Blessed, even if merits also play a significant role in gaining prestige as well.

Shenism plays a significant part in establishing the foundations of the Jedi Religion. Much of the basic principles of the Jedi such as the Force and Balance can be traced back to Shenism. Use of the Force has ties to Shenist Monks following Huangdi, who would use their deep connection to Qi (or the Force) for rituals. Even the lightsaber can be traced back to Nassoran weapons, though the significance of the lightsaber and kyber crystal are different. Although the Jedi Religion has changed significantly since Nassora isolated itself, the two religions are still deeply entwined together. Within the 200 years that Nassora was in Republic jurisdiction, Jedi re-established relations with Shenism, encouraging pilgrimages to Shenist temples for younglings as a way to educate them on the beginnings of Jedi religions. This tie with the Jedi meant that it wasn’t uncommon for Jedi consulars to oversee any diplomatic work between Nassora and other planets.

Unfortunately, when the Clone Wars began, relations between Shenists and Jedi began to fray as the Jedi became generals in a war. Shenists berated the group for turning their back on the spiritual, warning of their lack of balance within the qi/Force. Nassora’s secession from the Republic didn’t help the situation. By the time the Clone Wars was coming to an end, Nassorans lost much of their respect and trust of the Jedi.

If you have gotten to the very end, wow. Thank you for taking the time to read this very lengthy post!

#my post #nassora #my planet #star wars #star wars planet

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lovelilijazunde · 4 years

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60 follower special

well well well, somehow i went a whole day without registering that I hit 60 followers, and then 61, and thusly should celebrate for it!

I decided to give you: a country I created! There is other stuff for it too, but I didn’t get images of them :(

Warning: it’s long

Enjoy!

FACTS:

Create-A-Country

Note: all English spellings of the places and names have been implemented for the ease of the reader. We fully understand that Americans find it difficult to understand our written language, so we have translated into English as best we could.

Uzplauxvil (oose-PLOW-ville). The citizens are called Uzplauv. It was based off a mixture of the Latvian word for “flourishing”, uzplaukums, and the French word for town, “ville” because some of the first settlers of this area were French and Latvian, as well as English, Scandinavian, and German. The pronunciation is French-based.

Founded in 1790 on what is now the Canada/Minnesota border, it replaces the state of Minnesota and most of Ontario, as well as Wisconsin, half each of Illinois and Indiana, and shavings of Manitoba. It contains all five Great Lakes and the Headwaters of the Mississippi. North to South, it stretches from a point equal to the tip of Kentucky to Hudson Bay. East to West, it stretches from the Easternmost edge of Manitoba to the Western border of Quebec.

Uzplauxvil is landlocked, though there are many lakes contained inside of it, and it adjoins Hudson Bay. It contains a boreal shield in the North, with the Great Lakes-Lawrence forest region in the center, as well as prairie in the Southwest, coniferous forest in the Mideast, tallgrass aspen parkland in the Midwest, and deciduous forest in the Southeast. At the very Northmost stretch, there is a section of Hudson Plain. There are no mountains, only forests and plains.

The weather is cold and snowy in the winter, and warm in the summer. It gets colder the further north you go, and rainier the further East you go. It also rains a lot near the larger bodies of water. Those areas are also prone to thick fog in the fall and spring, as well as early mornings in the summer.

Most people in the Minnesosk region live around lakes, since there are so many of them there. People in Wixing, Bayside, and Dallirt tend to gravitate towards the central Great Lakes, just as Ryokin and Shlavto people tend to gravitate towards Hudson Bay. And of course, in all districts the people also center around the capitals of each district. Other than that, the population is pretty evenly distributed, with plenty of farm settlements and old logging settlements that turned into towns and cities spread across the districts.

In Uzplauxvil, there is a wide variety of work done, but a lot of it is centered around healthy logging and mining processes, as well as a booming trade in fishing. Since Uzplauxvil has so many lakes, and so many of them large, even though they are a landlocked country they still are a lead in quality fishing industry. Uzpluaxvil is very nature-based, and though this is a product mostly of the main religion, Quatrysm, it is truly a part of everyday life in Uzplauxvil. As a result of this, Uzplauxvil is regarded as the most eco-friendly developed country. They revolutionized hydroelectric power, and found a healthy substitute for coal and oil to fuel their wonderful system of elevated train tracks. They are amazingly quiet, as to disturb as little wildlife as possible. Uzplauvs have made many environmental-protection laws as a result of their belief that all creatures are equally important. Uzplauxvil has only one language. It is unique in the way that it is written. To the ear, they are speaking English, perhaps with a slight French accent in the North and West areas. But, written down, it is a mystifying alphabet of 37 letters. However, it a phonetic alphabet, with each letter having a specific sound, so it is simpler in that manner. Uzplauxvil is also unique in their numerical system, with completely different symbols than the traditional. Thus, the signs are completely indecipherable to someone who has not learned the language, and it would seem even more confusing that the inhabitants do not speak in gibberish, and instead in perfectly normal-sounding English. The alphabet is easy enough to learn. The numerical system is quite a bit harder, especially if you start out as a non-Uzplauv. There are definitely some challenges to living in Uzplauv, mostly concerning the nature-based society. Lots of people think that Uzpluaxvil should focus less on the environment and more on technology. Unfortunately, this is in opposition to their eco-friendly approach to life and religion, so thankfully this is not a generally popular idea.

There is one major religion in Uzplauxvil, even though there is freedom of religion. Since it is the religion practiced by the royal family and most government officials, is is naturally the most popular and widespread. The major religion is called Quatrysm, with the practitioners called Quatrysts. It is unique to Uzplauxvil, and is the worship of four goddesses, the Quatrys: the goddess of animals, Nkumn; the goddess of families, Calmangh; the goddess of weather, Shavook; and the goddess of plants (such as harvest or lumber), Korytir. They make up the major four aspects of life. There is also a host of smaller gods and goddesses who serve the Quatrys. They are the gods and goddesses of more everyday things such as apple trees, blacksmithing, and clouds. This belief system influences the people to be more considerate towards nature and the world around us. It has also affected our modern technology, limiting the use of pollutant-creating transport systems and factories. There are four smaller important groups: the such as the Arts: gods and goddesses of the theater, music, writing, and tactile art. The religion has no food restrictions, but you must say a blessing over every meal you are presented with, because something had to die to gift you with the bounty. Many Quatrysts are vegetarians or vegans as a result of this, and, like Europe, they eat far less meats than vegetables as opposed to the U.S.A.

The other religions include the beliefs of the Anishinaabe and Dakota native americans who originally lived in the area, as well as different sects of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

My country is governed by a Queen, a Council, and a Cabinet.

The Council is made up of elected overall heads of each district. Their job is to address issues in the Queendom and provide laws and solutions to be approved by the Queen. They focus on making sure the needs of each district are met.

The Queen position is hereditary, with the former Queen handpicking the most worthy of her female relatives as the new Queen. The qualities that a good Queen possesses must include a sense of justice, compassion, wisdom, a cool head under stress, common sense, and a sense of equality. She may choose any relative younger than her, including sisters (Marquess), aunts (Baroness), cousins (Duchess), nieces (Earless), daughters (Princess), granddaughters (Queenling), and grandnieces (Lady). These positions pre-Queen are mostly title only. They still have to work to put themselves in positions of power and to become landowners. This is to create a sense of humility and equality with the common people, and to create a system where anyone can advance.

It is possible that if a suitable female candidate cannot be found, that a male would ascend the throne, but it has only happened once, after the reign of Queen Judith the Progressive in 1890. There were fewer girls born into the royal family at this time, and most of them were spoiled and deceitful. Thus, faced with limited female options, Queen Judith appointed her nephew, Earl William, to the throne. He became known as King William the Just, and was a wise and fair ruler.

Any candidate must have passed the Maturity Test before she can ascend the throne, and often she takes it before beginning her training.

Common people are appointed to the Cabinet and Council, and the idea is that any future Queen should rule for the people, not the power and politics. Before becoming the Queen, the Queen Candidate must undergo vigorous training and tutoring by the Queen and the Queen’s advisors. She must be able to run a country as soon as she is crowned, so this training process takes years. Knowing this, the Queen usually begins to train a candidate as soon as possible. If the Queen dies without having handed over her throne, the paperwork would be horrendous, and the Cabinet and Council would have far more than their fair share of work. In the case of an unstable or unfit Queen, the Council and Cabinet will vote to impeach her. The Queen can pose or veto laws, and has the final say in any and all High Court cases, though she is reigned in by the judge and jury.

The Queen may marry whomever she wishes to, though it is traditional to marry an Uzplauv.

The Cabinet is appointed by the Queen and approved by the Council. The Cabinet is made up of the heads of particular parts of the government such as Treasurer, Strategist, Armorer, Judge, Cook, etc., each of them representing their entire profession as well as leading them.

Since Uzplauxvil is split up into several districts, there are smaller Cabinets and Councils within each district. In each district, the council members are made up of the Heads of each town, with the cabinet members being the same positions as the Cabinet members, just at a local level, and deferring to the Cabinet members.

There are no political parties in Uzplauxvil. Every district is focused inwards, so that is as close as they come. This is based on the Uzplauv government looking at what happens to countries with political parties, and strongly discouraging that type of behavior there.

ALPHABET AND NUMERICAL SYSTEM:

NATIONAL ANTHEM:

#follower celebration #60 follower celebration #uzplauxvil #idk if you could tell but there was hecka gay in that government #also i made the idea for this last year so some of it might be outdated-y #long post

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yang-belladonna · 5 years

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What's the weather like in Alaska this time of year?

it really depends on which region you’re in. there’s five regions in Alaska: southcentral, southeast/the Panhandle, southwest, interior, and the Far North. don’t quote me on this, but every region has its own climate, if i remember correctly. and, because it’s still winter, it’s really snowy and really cold. the further north you go, the colder and probably snowier it gets. i myself live in the southcentral region.

temperature wise, it’s actually been pretty cold lately, but not below freezing. it’s currently 21° F/-6° C—which are temperatures i actually consider cold (my warm is 40-50° F/~4-10° C).

this is the first winter in years since we’ve gotten a lot of snow that has actually stayed—last time i remember a winter like this was when i was seven, almost a decade ago. there’s a snowdrift right next to my front porch steps that are as tall as my short 5’5” ass. and just this last Tuesday and Wednesday, the region was put under blizzard warning and it was blowing more than 60 mph i think and snowing like hell to the point of a whiteout where i live. Wednesday was actually my first official snow day in my whole entire lifetime—which i’m really proud of sgksjfsgodfisgid.

#i love Alaska so much man 🥺#it’s so beautiful and homey here 🥺🥺#anonymous

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oldguy56-world · 5 years

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O Canada

While watching the Toronto Raptors win their championship last Thursday, I found out a region of Canada existed I did not even know about. According to the reporter/host of the post game celebrations (supplied by ABC) I have been living in the Greater Ontario Area (GOA) and did not even know it. She couldn't possibly be wrong because she is educated (BA in health service/social work and a masters in education) and I have to assume that to get the gig hosting a big event like this she must be the best of the best at that network.

I doubted my own knowledge, because America has the best education system, the smartest people and is the greatest country in the world. Should you not believe me, just ask any one of them and they will gladly confirm it to you.

This information made me curious, so I actually broke my cardinal rule of no research to find out what else I was wrong about regarding our country. The results were astounding.

1) I found a map they use for geography in their schools, and it clearly shows Canada being the smaller country. Apparently we have been inflating our egos by drawing us bigger. Shame on us.

2) Similar to the above, Toronto is the coldest place for NBA players to play. It is an optical illusion that a half dozen major U.S. cities with teams are further north than we are and get as much or more snow. It is a fact we are colder because when it is 14 degrees in the states it is -10 in Canada. Celsius equals Fahrenheit right? It is just the French word for it or something like that.

3) The Americans won the war of 1812. Proof of this is that we are under their rule. Don't believe me? They control what we watch and listen to. What more do you need to know? They also coined the phrase 'Manifest Destiny'

4) They hold title to the moniker 'Americans', even though all the countries in this hemisphere are part of the Americas. Marketing has made sure that Brazil of America never caught on, or Guatemala of America is unthinkable. Canada of America? I am good with just Canada.

5) When they were dividing up North America, they used a simple criteria: the quiet, polite people were sent north because it was known they would not complain about the cold. The one's that spoke Spanish were sent to the heat down south. The French were confused but they preferred to stay with the nice people so they stayed north. The loud ones full of hot air remained in the states. My theory is all of this localized condensing of hot air is the reason The States is the only one of the three countries that gets hit with tornados, and most of the hurricanes. Just a theory.

What can we do about this? Must we put up with the butchering of our national anthem at sporting events? Or having our flag displayed upside down? Or nothing being taught about us in their schools?

Our government has had a plan in place for a long, long time. There was a realization early on that Americans can not easily spot us. (They may scratch their head and wonder why 'that guy' was so nice to them) A hidden training facility was set up to train our people to go down and do what hurts them the most: take their money. How do we do this? Through the entertainment field, one of the highest paid professions available. They tested the waters with Mary Pickford in early film. She not only acted but founded a movie studio. The brilliant strategy was completed when they were somehow able to get her named 'America's Sweetheart'. Brilliant. She was secretly funneling money back north to expand our spy school. Soon we had numerous actors/actresses in Hollywood for movies and tv when it came along. I will not reveal any more for their safety, but suffice it to say there are lots of us down there. (Maybe I shouldn't have revealed this? Sorry).

Singers soon followed, culminated by Celine Dion who earned enough money in Vegas to start up another country. Interesting side note, while she is widely regarded as one of the most famous Canadian artists of all time, I saw an interview with some fans at her last show who actually had no idea she was not an American. Must have thought she was from Louisiana.

Where is all this leading? All great empires come to an end, and someone has to fill the void. We have been hoarding money for years, and built up a reputation as a nice, respected country in the world. Our strategy has worked.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: If Americans believe they are so much better than us, why do they sew Canadian flags or maple leafs on their clothing when they travel abroad?

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garybrower · 2 years

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Luxury Family Villa in France

Luxury villa holidays in The Dordogne & the South West

Luxury Large Family Holiday Villa Gite in Dordogne with Swimming Pool

WHERE IS THIS STUNNING DORDOGNE HOUSE?

This Dordogne accommodation site in the Aquitaine region (Dordogne is the department but you will hear people pronounce it as “the Dordoyne area”) is north or NW from Languedoc Roussillon, from Périgueux, Bergerac, cote d’azur, Lot et Garonne.

This cottage is South east of the pays de la Loire valley and east of Poitou Charentes, Villefranche du Perigord in Périgord noir, the midi pyrenees. The Massif central is east of this destination. Beynac et cazenac, Sarlat and Rocamadour are to south east of the cottage. The bastide towns of Monpazier and Domme are further towards the south of France, as are other bastide towns. Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil near the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume, is to the south of our holiday homes. Nord pas de Calais is far colder and is 7 hours up from this Farmhouse cottage.

We are about a 5 hours journey down from Normandy way. Périgueux with its cathedral is worth a visit (Perigeux is 1 hour away from the property). Marqueyssac is an hour and a half to the SW. The site can be reached from eastern France or western France. How wonderful for your friends or family to rent a gite in the Dordogne, to enjoy holidays together.

We are not listed on Gites de France in Dordogne because we feel properties like ours offer more value to you by being direct, by not suffering the advertising fees, and showing you everything there is to see of these. Our ratings and reviews show we look after you.

The property owner Duncan Ritson-Elliott is British, from England, so speak English; he also speaks good French. The owners are off-site so the property is all yours for your holiday.

THE REGION

When looking for a Gite in Dordogne with Swimming Pool, Jumilhac le Grand village offers a great restaurant overlooking the chateaux (castles) fortresses and gardens which visitors can view. There is also a public pool. The village has shops and a tourist office for information, and one of the rivers runs through it for gold panning which is a fun experience in the landscape (you can swim in the river), and other family or couples activities. Other villages near the villa are beautiful.

Sightseeing Overview:

You can filter through the best Dordogne sights, information, attractions and places, for the right experience and price for you. Other Dordogne opportunities include spa and beauty treatments available in town as well as chateaux, creative arts, antiques and the brocante market. Further afield is the opportunity for watersports and horses (horse riding), and other great fitness and fun activities. Mountaineering is not an option but everyone can follow the wine route from your gite in the beautiful Dordogne.

The Dordogne church in the local market town of St Yrieix La Perche is a stunning example of medieval architecture of history.

Skiing at Mont D’or is 2 hours away. Fun destinations include the vineyards, Sarlat and La Roque Gageac valley is an hour and an half a way. You are well within your rights to go along the walking trails from the farmhouse cottage – take the map from the estate which will help.

Arcachon beach and other beaches and coastline are 2.5 hours away near Bordeaux.

Customers can easily take the train service to Bordeaux, Périgueux or to the capital city Paris.

Experience a glimpse of the culture and experience the charm of Dordogne, warm the heart with confit de canard with walnuts, maybe foie gras or truffles, for a better life.

Down the gites hillside, our lake gives you a chance to go out rowing on the boat or swim in the pool and you can take a countryside nature walk by the river water way (the river runs around the lake).

MORE ON THIS DORDOGNE HOUSE

Your Dordogne cottage sleeps 2, sleeps 4, sleeps 6, sleeps 7, sleeps 8, sleeps 10 or sleeps 13 at the maximum depending on how you use the bedrooms 1 to bedrooms 5. Because the walls are 80cm thick, we don’t need air conditioning!

Most people come here looking for a Gite in Dordogne with Swimming Pool, Dordogne cottages and French gites with pools Dordogne to help them relax by the pool.

On site security is solid; all doors lock and windows have shutters, and the property is very remote so site security is good. The owners have renovated the property, bathrooms to a very high standard, with solid oak throughout.

The games room has a cinema with DVD player, pool table, table tennis, full bar, air hockey and some other games which everyone can use. There are a number of games and sports equipment you can use, bikes for cycling etc.

We welcome dogs and pets on your holiday and there is a separate entrance (seperate from the main house entrance).

This all makes for the best family gite in France for kids and family. Enjoy your Dordogne gite rentals!

Gite in the Dordogne with Pools

As boutique, quirky or interesting luxury holiday homes and villas for families go, gites like this are top of the range, high-quality.

Dordogne gites like this offers access to sightseeing such as cave paintings and engravings at Lascaux (replica version cave painting and other caves), wine tasting, there are certain cliffs and zoos to travel to across different regions.

Most people come here looking for boutique Dordogne holiday cottages and villas to help them relax by the pool. This cottage in Dordogne has its own private pool.

THE ROOMS

The bedrooms are all big doubles. Bedrooms should be have room to move; these do. Bedrooms 1 to 3 have ensuite bathrooms. Bedrooms 4 and 5 use either the main house bathroom at the end of the Hall or the bathroom next to the kitchen. Bedrooms 1 and 2 have 2 beds in, both doubles so offers room for 1 person or 4. Child friendly gites france Child facilities are available. Any special needs just let us know. Cookery can be done on site; make your own cookies! We do not charge a booking fee when you book your break with us, so you can book your stay easily.

Searching for gites in Dordogne with pool? This is what you need.

#gites with pools

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infraredforhealth1 · 3 years

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Why Does Infrared Feel Hot?

How Hot is Infrared Light?

Infrared light bulbs and heaters are in many ways similar to standard incandescent bulbs but infrared heaters and light bulbs give off far more energy than do other types of bulbs or heaters.

An infrared bulb is also often referred to as an “infrared window” because it can absorb all the heat that hits it, without emitting any of it in the process.

In this way, these types of bulbs and heaters can keep a room, even the hottest one, relatively cool.

They work especially well in smaller spaces, where they can reduce the amount of energy that’s absorbed through windows or doors.

How hot is infrared light? Well, it all depends. When you first look at the specifications on an infrared heater or light bulb, it might appear like a device that is pretty cool to look at.

But once you start to understand how they work, you start to realize how powerful they really are.

While they aren’t extremely hot, they do have a warming effect that makes them ideal for use in cars and other areas where you might want to keep the temperature warm, especially in the summertime.

The Question Why Does Infrared Light Heat Up?

The question why does infrared light to heat so much has been answered many times over the centuries, and though there have been variations in those explanations, the basic answer is that heat energy has been emitted from objects when they are placed near the surface of the earth.

We do not usually think about infrared heat, since it cannot be seen.

We rarely think about it’s presence or its role in our lives until we need it, such as when we are cooking or drying out foods in an oven.

When the surface that contains the heat is reached, it is quickly absorbed into the air surrounding the object, which then carries it all around the earth, eating everything in its path. Infrared light generally follows infrared heat.

With an understanding of the relationship between infrared light to heat and infrared energy, you can now begin to understand why it is important to have a well functioning infrared thermometer.

If you know what light is and how it works, you can understand why does infrared heat so much.

By understanding infrared, it is possible for us to save energy in our homes by using alternative methods for heating.

By replacing inefficient, old methods with new, more efficient ones, we can avoid huge electricity bills and help the environment.

By making wiser choices, we can all save money and the planet at the same time.

With the cost of electricity continuing to rise and the environmental concerns of the global community, it is easy to see why infrared thermometers are so important.

Infrared thermometers use very little energy, especially compared to other types of thermometers.

They can be used anywhere in your home, including on the counter, in a car, or even on your dog!

You can also take them with you on vacation, as well, which means that you will always be able to keep track of the temperature in your vehicle. Why does infrared light to heat up, and how can it help you?

Understanding Why Does Infrared Feel Hot

The question of why does infrared feel hot may have many answers, but it will always boil down to one fact – the human body only feels heat when a certain temperature is reached.

When this temperature is reached, the blood rushes to the skin to provide for the body’s core temperature.

However, when we sweat, the heat that reaches the skin is actually the same as the heat that the core temperature has reached.

In this case, what we are feeling is actually called the thermal radiation, and this is why infrared saunas feel hot while lying on a cold surface.

While the infrared sauna will not provide you with a number of health benefits, you will definitely enjoy the feeling of the warmth that it provides.

Another type of heating system that is being used in saunas is steam rooms.

Steam rooms are very similar to infrared saunas, and both employ the principles of convection and radiation.

What makes them distinct from each other is that infrared saunas use the theory of radio waves, whereas steam rooms use the heat of steam to emit heat.

The difference however lies with the manner in which the heat is emitted. Infrared radiant heating relies on the fact that the infrared waves are shorter than the ones that radio waves utilize, so they go directly to the skin and do not accumulate.

You may have noticed that infrared light has been in print for quite some time now, and that it is the hottest form of light that the human eye can see.

This is because infrared light is able to travel further than visible light. In fact, the longest distance that infrared light has traveled in front of an observer was about 6 centimeters, and this happens because the light is reflected back from an object much bigger than what it is.

If you want to get the most from your sauna experience, then make sure that you stay away from steam rooms, and instead opt for one of the other two types of saunas that are commonly available today – the infrared sauna and the infrared massage sauna

Another type of heating system that is being used in saunas is steam rooms.

Steam rooms are very similar to infrared saunas, and both employ the principles of convection and radiation.

What makes them distinct from each other is that infrared saunas use the theory of radio waves, whereas steam rooms use the heat of steam to emit heat.

The difference however lies with the manner in which the heat is emitted.

Infrared radiant heating relies on the fact that the infrared waves are shorter than the ones that radio waves utilize, so they go directly to the skin and do not accumulate.

You may have noticed that infrared light has been in print for quite some time now, and that it is the hottest form of light that the human eye can see.

Why Causes Infrared Waves?

What Causes Infrared Waves?

We already know that the Earth travels around the sun at a fixed speed.

Because of this, if you measure the temperature of the earth at any point in time, you will see that it differs from the temperature of the sun.

When people take an infrared picture, they are measuring the amount of infrared radiation that the sun emits as infrared radiation.

This is different from gamma rays, x-rays or ultraviolet rays.

The reason why infrared waves are emitted by the sun is because the sun’s equator has fewer storms than the earth’s poles do.

Why Does the Sun Cause Infrared Waves?

When we go to the beach, we are often exposed to warm ocean water, this heat radiates out into the ocean.

The waves then travel out to the north and spread farther east into colder climates.

As the waves travel further, they heat up land and start creating the infamous beach fog.

So how do we stop these Equatorial Storms?

Well the clouds are thinning out, as well as the warm air is evaporating into space.

So there is less infrared radiation coming our way. In fact the infrared waves themselves are getting weaker as the clouds get thinner.

This will make for cooler temperatures in the winter as warm air cannot rise to the same temperature as cold air.

This means the polar regions of the planet will stay warmer and winter will become milder.

What Gives Off Infrared Waves?

If you are someone who likes to explore the world of the paranormal or if you like to know how things work and why they do what they do then you may very well be interested in learning about what gives off infrared waves.

There is a lot that has been said about this phenomena that is just simply not true.

The only thing that is sure is that it exists and it can be used for some very positive things.

There are a few different ways that this phenomenon can be used and if you are going to find out what they are then you may very well find yourself on the right path to stopping the negative energy that is so prevalent throughout our lives.

What gives off infrared waves is actually not an actual beam of light but it is energy that is given off from objects that are in the infrared spectrum of light.

Some of the things that make up the visible spectrum of light include things like the sun, stars, and even light that has passed through an air burning substance like a fire.

These types of waves are what people normally refer to as “colored” or “spectral” light. Infrared light however is not composed of the same things as the other two and what gives off infrared waves has a little bit to do with the properties of water molecules.

There is a great deal of interesting information that is available on the internet about this and there is a lot that you can learn as long as you spend some time absorbing all that is available to you.

One of the most fascinating things about infrared is that it is also very accurate in measuring temperatures.

If you want to find out what gives off infrared waves when the surface of something is heated then you will need to understand that the infrared meter is one of the most important tools that you will be able to use.

This device is very popular and many people carry it around with them everywhere since it is so accurate.

If you want to learn more about this tool then you should definitely consider looking into what infrared waves are and all that they have to offer.

Why Is Infrared Waves Important?

Many people are looking for the answer to, “Why are infrared waves important?” In fact, the waves themselves are waves of radiation that travel through space – they are just shorter.

The main reason that infrared waves are used by various forms of heat machines is because they are faster than microwaves (which are the other two main forms of electromagnetic radiation).

Therefore, it might be more quickly to heat something than to cool it off – which explains why you get warm on the beach and cold on the mountains.

Because they are faster than microwaves, infrared waves have longer wavelengths – they are, in fact, visible light, albeit at a much longer wavelength than traditional visible light.

Why are infrared waves important? This is an excellent question and one that scientists are very interested in.

Infrared radiation has been found to have many important uses in medical research today, including healing.

If the human body could convert infrared energy into heat, it would be a wonderful source of energy, since it is extremely versatile and does not need any external sources to work.

Since we already have some of the tools necessary to convert infrared energy into heat, it seems likely that we will find a way to use infrared as a healing factor some day.

For example, if you have a cut or burn on your body, an infrared wave may be able to penetrate the skin to deliver heat directly to the area.

At the moment, though, there is no real way to put a band-aid over a burned area – but we can learn how to use infrared waves.

Why are infrared waves important?

They are for many different reasons – not least the reason that they help to save money on your energy bills.

If we can learn to harness this energy for things like cancer research, then families across the nation could potentially see a drastic reduction in the amount of medical bills they incur every year.

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The Key Words Are: Infrared Light

The next time you head over to your local bookstore, look for an article about what gives off infrared radiation and buy a copy of Popular Mechanics, MIT Technology Review, or Scientific American.

If these magazines are any indication, they want to make sure you are well-informed about the subject, so they will offer information about everything there is to know about infrared heat detection, including exactly which technology can detect it and what it can do to help you.

Your magazine should contain: an explanation of just what infrared radiation is on the electromagnetic spectrum.

An explanation of what gives off infrared radiation, in terms of visible light.

Finally, information about three or four different uses of infrared imaging, including basic animal behavior, thermal, medical, and human-computer interaction.

There is a key to understanding what infrared radiation is, and that is having the ability to communicate its information to our eyes and brain in such a way that we can understand it, even if our head is buried under the sand.

A key to understanding infrared radiation is learning what it does, as well as what it doesn’t do.

We need to have a good working knowledge of what it is, and how it works.

One key to understanding how to use infrared technology is being able to describe it in simple everyday language.

Infrared technology involves not only visible light but also ultraviolet, gamma rays, x-rays, infrared, and microwaves, and each is broken down in terms of its energy transfer, its useful energy transfer, its energy transfer efficiency, and its overall effectiveness in the field.

One key to our understanding of infrared waves is to remember that they are not in the visible light spectrum, because infrared waves cannot be seen by the human eye, but are instead only detectable by our sensitive nose, our eyes, and our brain when the energy is spread out over greater wavelengths.

Another key to our understanding of infrared radiation is to remember that these waves can go all the way up to a football entering a player’s leg at the knee.

If it went the other way, the energy would be undetectable by the human eye, and therefore the football would never be played.

If we want to understand infrared technology, then we have to learn to speak the language of this invisible radiation in order to get the most accurate and understandable information.

A Quick Overview of Why is Infrared Heat So Effective

One of the most interesting questions one can ask when looking at the therapeutic properties of infrared heat is why is infrared therapy so effective?

Infrared, as mentioned above, is a form of electromagnetic radiation.

This means that it can penetrate the skin far more easily than visible light, which allows for far more direct treatment without having to go through the layer of skin first. What this means for saunas is that they can treat various forms of illness and disease right from the comfort of your own home, without having to fight through the often cold and wet confines of a sauna room!

Of course, there are also a few downsides to a far infrared sauna. Far infrared rays are highly reactive in nature and may react with any chemicals or compounds within the sauna, especially as a person gets closer to the burn on their skin.

This can lead to a mild skin reaction from the ultra violet rays, but this is easily mitigated by taking ibuprofen or aspirin to help counteract the pain.

Some sufferers of eczema and psoriasis have even reported the development of a case of tarsal tunnel syndrome as a result of far infrared treatment.

How Are Infrared Waves Produced?

If you have ever thought about getting into space and exploring the outer reaches of our solar system, then you may have heard of how the infrared waves are produced.

Infrared radiation is the same as visible light, but it is a little bit behind the sun’s light in wavelength.

This means that as far as how are infrared waves produced, they are generated the same way the other light waves are produced – by nuclear fission in the case of stars, or by the Big Bang Theory in the case of the universe.

We are not quite sure how this process happens, but it is thought that some type of particle accelerator might be used to trigger the production of infrared radiation.

To answer your question about how our infrared waves produced, it is necessary first to understand how these waves are spread out over the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

The infrared part of the spectrum is made up of red light and then green and blue, which are the next two colors.

The white and faint yellow part of the spectrum are what we commonly think of when we talk about infrared, but in fact, this light can also come in the forms of ultra-violet rays.

There are several ways in which infrared can be dispersed over the electromagnetic spectrum, but the best way to disperse it is through sound.

If you were to place a microphone in front of an infrared radiator, such as a stove or an infrared radiator in a room, and placed a speaker next to it, you would be able to hear the sound produced from the radiation.

Infrared radiation is highly relevant to space exploration, because it is extremely fast. It travels through space very quickly and can reach the moon in less than one second.

Before astronauts learned how are infrared waves produced, it would have taken them forever to get from the earth to the moon.

Now that technology has evolved, we can travel to the moon in less than a day, but to do that we need to go somewhere with a strong X-ray source, such as the International Space Station or NASA’s Space Shuttle. Without those sources, we wouldn’t be able to observe space weather.

Where Does Infrared Radiation Come From?

This is a great question and one that people have asked me many times where does infrared radiation come from. I have also been asked this question by a few other people.

The reason why I am asking this question is because people are interested in learning how the energy they are now using on their computers or cell phones and others came from some sort of a black hole.

Of course we know that the energy came from somewhere very close by, but what if we could find a way to measure the exact location where the black hole is?

Now you might think that asking where does infrared radiation come from is going a little off the topic for you, but it is important for scientists to study this sort of thing.

Where do I start?

Well if you go outside in the cold weather and stand in front of your house, you will feel a sensation of heat because the earth is heating up, and if you were to get closer, the heat would become less.

This is exactly what we need to learn more about radiation.

One interesting thing about infrared radiation is that it travels through objects, it does not just pass through them.

We know that if you want to heat up something you must have the surface area to do it, but when it comes to infrared radiation, it travels through objects and it does not just pass through them.

With all of this information, it seems like the perfect theory to be able to map the infrared radiation and find where it comes from, and what it can do. Perhaps someday we will get a better handle on this and prevent severe weather, ice storms and snow storms with accurate weather maps.

How Do We Experience Infrared Radiation?

The human body emits infrared waves during a variety of physiological functions and this can be measured in either a lab situation or by using a spectrometer.

The way infrared waves are emitted from the body depends on a number of factors.

Some of these include the skin color, body composition, gender, genetics and whether one is currently active or not.

For infrared waves to be emitted efficiently they must be traveling through at least two layers of the skin.

The human body’s ability to absorb infrared radiation is one of its most well-known defenses against heat and other harmful energy.

By having increased amounts of melanin – the substance that protects the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays – people are less susceptible to the damaging effects of infrared radiation.

The reason for this is because people who have lighter skin retain more heat than those who have darker skin. Therefore, the body uses infrared radiation to attempt to warm the skin.

Infrared waves are also used to help increase blood circulation in the body and thus assist in reducing swelling after injury or surgery.

When dealing with the problem of swelling, many doctors will recommend a patient with dark skin stay away from ice cold drinks, as the coldness increases the amount of hemoglobin-plasma loss, which in turn carries more infrared radiation.

How do we experience infrared light?

The human eye is equipped with a mechanism, referred to as the “sensory system”, which helps us detect and locate heat sources.

This system operates on the basis of the presence of visible light. Heat rays can only pass through the opaque medium known as the hemoglobin, which absorbs most of the visible light occurring in our bodies.

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What Are Infrared Rays? – A Brief Guide

What are Infrared Rays? An important part of the search for energy comes from infrared technology.

In fact, lasers are powered by infrared energy, and so are MRI machines. In a nutshell, infrared refers to any light of extremely high temperatures, and thus includes all light that emits high temperatures (including light in the ultraviolet range).

Thus, it would be analogous to our search for energy by looking for things that emit high temperatures (ultraviolet light).

What are infrared rays, then?

In order to understand what are infrared rays, we need to look first at the nature of light. Infrared is electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths longer than the wavelength of visible light, which is only about 400 nanometers.

Thus, it’s also invisible to the human eyes. IR is usually understood to encompass visible wavelengths from the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum to about 1.3 micrometers, which includes all colors of visible light, including ultraviolet light.

Thus, near-infrared waves are heat energy associated with atoms and molecules in the free-moving plasma that fill our space.

Microwaves, which are microwaves with the shorter wavelengths used by radar, can also create heat energy that is part of an electric field.

The most common sources of infrared radiation are x-rays, high-energy beams of light created by nuclear weapons tests (helium heating), medical laser treatments, and industrial processes such as drying and shrinkage of materials.

All these sources emit microwave or infrared radiation.

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What Are Infrared Waves?

What are Infrared Waves? Have you ever considered what the invisible infrared radiation is? Most people have, but they don’t understand exactly what it is or how it relates to us.

To better understand infrared, it’s important to understand that the majority of the heat we feel emanates from objects when their temperature reaches absolute zero (or – Infinity). The amount of heat energy emitted by objects depends on their density and specific gravity.

We can clearly see infrared waves as ultraviolet or visible light, because they all have the same frequencies.

Infrared, sometimes known as infrared light, is electromagnetic energy with wavelengths much longer than those of visible light; these wavelengths can pass through objects that are nearly transparent to visible light.

Generally, IR is in general understood to comprise wavelengths from the red end of the visible light spectrum to about 700 nanometers, which is nearly one hundredths of a wavelength.

In short infrared is a unique type of radiation that has many fascinating properties.

When visible light passes through an object, it results in red-shifted radiation which is what we typically refer to as red light or “colored” light.

When infrared radiation is emitted, its radiation is primarily in the green portion of the visible light spectrum. This makes infrared one of the most powerful electromagnetic radiation types and a fascinating science in its own right.

Why Does Infrared Radiation Work?

If you’re looking for an answer to the question, “Why does infrared radiation work,” then you’ll want to continue reading this article.

Specifically, I’m going to explain what infrared radiation is, how it’s effective, and why you might not want to use it in your home, office, or elsewhere. After reading this article, you should be able to determine if infrared radiation is right for you.

Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation that has been converted into heat, and we already know that infrared energy is invisible to the human eye.

We also know that it has many health benefits. For instance, it’s great at killing bacteria and viruses, and it can even kill cancer cells.

There are even some manufacturers who believe that it’s so effective that they’re using infrared technology in their newer medical lasers.

Regardless of the source of their information, the bottom line is that infrared has been proven in many studies to be extremely helpful and highly effective.

So, what does infrared radiation work? In a nutshell, infrared works by emitting infrared energy, which is invisible to the human eye.

When the light is emitted, the human eye cannot see the light, but our brain can. The brain interprets the light that our eyes can’t see, and from there it decides whether or not the infrared signal is worth studying further.

What Is An Example Of Infrared Waves? – Do You Know?

The question which is an example of infrared waves is one which has occupied the minds of numerous individuals, scientists as well as enthusiasts in recent times.

In fact, it is quite a significant question which is set to change the manner in which we view our entire existence and perhaps even the very fabric of the universe.

In order to understand this question, it is imperative for us to have a basic understanding of the nature of heat.

Heat is generally described as the power which transfers from a hot body to a cold one. Heat moves at different speeds as compared to the other frequencies of sound and light.

We can best understand infrared waves when we take into consideration the structure of sound and light.

We all are aware that sound and light are of two different frequencies that pass through various mediums which have different thicknesses.

Taking into account the nature of heat, it is clear that heat moves at faster speeds than sound or light.

Now, if we take a closer look at what is an example of infrared waves, it is quite evident that sound and light are of two different frequencies but are of the same shape and size.

Now, taking a further look at the question which is an example of infrared waves, it is quite evident that heat behaves in much the same manner.

There are many theories which explain this phenomenon but it is largely understood that heat is invisible to the human eye.

Although, due to the fact that heat cannot be seen by the human eye, scientists and experts have managed to detect heat moving through objects.

For instance, they have been able to detect heat moving through a diamond in water.

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Where Does Infrared Energy Come From? – A Basic Introduction

Infrared, as indicated by its name, is the kind of energy that comes from the heat of the sun and it is what we call in many spaces infrared radiation.

But it is also commonly called “the other light”, because it also has wavelengths, which are far-infrared light waves.

This means that wherever there is a source of energy such as the sun or even a light bulb (when this is at a low setting) some of this light will be reflected and some of it will pass through the medium of the glass and reach your eyes.

For instance, when you look out your window, you will see rays of sun light but when your gaze moves east, you will notice the sun’s ray as a glowing red beam that will penetrate your eyes into your brain.

The human body emits heat when we move and our eyes are obviously infrared sensitive.

Thus when we are outside and feeling cold, our bodies naturally produce heat so that we can warm up our bodies before the cold air makes us shiver.

If we can find a way to capture this heat energy directly, then it would be a wonderful boon for all of us.

Unfortunately, since this is not so easy to do, we have to settle for another source of heat-therapy.

And this is where infrared comes in.

To capture the energy that comes from sources such as the sun, there are many devices that use mirrors to reflect the sun’s ray back so that it can be converted into a more stable form of energy that can be used as a heat source by the human body.

One such device is the infrared thermometer, which uses infrared waves to measure the temperature of objects.

Another source of infrared is found in the materials we are using in our daily lives, such as the tableware we use and the clothes we wear.

All of these sources are already found to be emitting some infrared radiation, which is why we need to understand how infrared energy can come from all of this.

Where Does Infrared Radiation Irradiate?

Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation. It is the energy that is radiated from objects, and this type of radiation has been known to be emitted from stars in space (the main reason why satellites are expensive), as well as from the sun, and even from a moving vehicle.

If you are concerned with how the heat gets onto your skin or what the effect could be if you were surrounded by the sun’s heat, you need to look at how it comes about.

For our purposes, however, we are interested in the question of how infrared radiation is being affected on your skin, because whether or not it is good or bad for you will depend on this.

The infrared radiation comes from the heat of objects, and it has been determined that it can travel through the human body in two different ways.

One way is the wave-like radiation that you feel on your face when you are outside.

The other way is through your body, which is called the convective heat transfer.

Basically, what happens is that heat is absorbed by your body and then transferred to the objects surrounding you.

The heat rays are not actually going into your body, but are going out, and this is how the heat gets onto your skin.

The problem with this is that the heat rays can actually go into your body.

This is why it is important to wear sunscreen every time you go outside, especially if you will be exposed to the sun for extended periods of time.

The danger of this type of radiation comes from two different sources – it can cause damage to your DNA, and it can also lead to cancer.

The damage to your DNA is relatively minor, but the cancer risk can be serious.

For these reasons, you should always wear sunscreen, and if you are exposed to the sun, always use a hat, long sleeves, and lots of sunglasses to shield your skin from the glare.

The post Why Does Infrared Feel Hot? appeared first on Infrared for Health.

source https://infraredforhealth.com/why-does-infrared-feel-hot/

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shandarfun-blog · 3 years

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Ecuador - Paradise in the Middle of the World

Perhaps you have thought about visiting the center of the world? What do you consider it is going to be like - probably a high hill or a pit surrounded by natural trees, perhaps a lovely beach, a marketplace, or even a lovely island? Well, it's all of these things and more. The specific point where the equinoctial point breaks the northern and southern hemispheres is situated in Ecuador, a lovely and diverse state that's covered by splendor from the famous Galápagos Islands to the Amazonian rainforest, from Pacific beaches to snow-covered volcanoes. Ecuador is just a biodiversity heaven filled with tradition, history and fun. Ecuador has also been lately awarded the #2 place in the set of best retirement areas by the Global Residing magazine. Therefore, what's the elements like in Ecuador? The solution is just a touch complicated. Though Ecuador is just a little place nearly the size of Arizona, it's got various regions. Manhunter Costa (Pacific Coast) is tropical and warm with average conditions of 80°F while Manhattan project Sierra (The Andes Highlands) is a touch colder with respect to the elevation with normal conditions of 60°F and less. Ecuador is very diverse - you can drive four hours and move from a warm beach to a snow-covered hill, travel for another 4 hours and you can probably reach an Amazon water forest. Just like rest of South America, the periods in Ecuador are the alternative from the conditions in the upper hemisphere, thus seaside period begins in December and stops in March. Where you should Get One of the most visited cities in Ecuador and South America is Quito, the money of Ecuador. Quito is located about 2,800 m (9,200 ft) above ocean stage which makes it the next highest money town in the world. Because of its area, Quito likes a good temperate temperature and an attractive see with three snow-capped volcanoes bordering the city. There is a "Teleférico" (cable-car) allowing individuals to see the complete town from the sky. The city hosts all kinds of artwork and music festivals, social and nightlife activities. Avenida Amazonas is generally the spot to get if you're trying to find some fun in the town. Sky Pré Pago The Andes offers skiing and climbing actions for anyone exciting souls. The Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes are some of the tallest peaks in Ecuador at 5,897 michael (19,654 ft) and 6,310 m (21,031 ft) each. Trying to find warm rises, waterfalls, water and outdoor activities? Check out Baños, based nearby the Tungurahua volcano. This little area is extremely popular among tourists and sports fans - the town offers a lot of activities such as rafting, climbing and walking excursions. Cuenca presents plenty of old, natural and ethnic sites. Ibarra, which is located two hours north of Quito, is really a city surrounded by beautiful lakes. Guayaquil, the biggest city in Ecuador, could be the commercial artery of the country. Guayaquil offers shopping and tourism mixed like number different town - just visit the Malecón 2000, a lovely riverwalk lined with cafés, bars, monuments and shops. The riverwalk also presents magnificent gardens, boat tours, and the chance to ride in a intimate horse-ridden carriage. El Parque Historico (The Historical Park) is another common attraction that hosts a tropical zoo and a reproduction of early 20th century Guayaquil that shows the architecture and traditions of the era. Guayaquil is just a warm city, and as a result, nightlife abounds - from restaurants to bars and clubs, there are plenty of areas to dance and have fun. The Ecuadorian coast, one of the finest coastal regions in the Pacific, is something you can't miss. The lovely baby shores, the orange water, and the dynamic seaside areas will enchant you. The easiest way to travel the coast is through La Ruta del Sol or Road to the Sunlight, which really is a coastal freeway stretching completely from Salinas, one of the very visited seaside towns in Ecuador, to the calming shores of Manta and Bahia in Manabí ;.Montañita, a surfer's heaven, is one of the greatest held strategies in the

world. That small city really can experience just like a modern heaven where small folks from all areas of the entire world gather for a few good dunes, great seafood, fruity beverages, and the best party atmosphere this side of the Pacific. Popular as the place where Charles Darwin discovered his Principle of Evolution, the Galápagos Islands is one of the very most ecologically-diverse countries in the world. With 1000s of different species of chickens, reptiles, plants, amphibians, and fish, the islands have been declared a UNESCO Earth History Site. What things to Consume Due to Ecuador's biodiversity, there's an abundant variety of food and agricultural products and services that may satisfy actually probably the most worrying palate. Ecuador has some of the finest seafood on the planet; in reality Ecuador is one of many top world exporters of tilapia, shrimp, and lobster. But if seafood is not your point, you'll also have an immense collection of fruit - from mangoes to bananas to enthusiasm fruit. Most eateries present all kinds of all-natural fruit juice for breakfast, meal and dinner. Make sure you decide to try love juice - it's something using this world. Ceviche (seafood cocktail) with chifles (fried slim plantains) is just a frequent dish in the coast that is found in most restaurants. In the highlands, many dishes are offered with grain and potatoes, and you will also discover the traditional cuy (guinea pig) in a stick - it's an received taste. Dinners at restaurants can be as inexpensive as $2 per plate, but exercise caution when choosing a restaurant. Higher priced eateries generally have set up more rigid criteria for food planning, that is something very important for tourists visiting Ecuador for the initial time. Where you can Study Ecuador is one of the most popular places for students who wish to learn Spanish or study abroad. Listed here is a list of a number of the most used universities in Quito and Guayaquil. Universidad San Francisco p Quito Universidad p Especialidades Espiritu Santo Escuela Remarkable Politécnica del Litoral Universidad Internacional del Ecuador Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Universidad Católica Santiago delaware Guayaquil Visas & Papers Citizens of the UK, US, Australia, Canada, EU places and most South American countries do not require tourist visas for keeps of up to 90 days. Nevertheless, passports are required. There's an global departure duty priced by Ecuadorian airports of $40.80 USD from Quito and $26 USD from Guayaquil that is not included in the plane ticket. The official currency in Ecuador could be the US dollar. Please contact the Ecuadorian consulate locally for further charge information.

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texas-electricity-ratings · 4 years

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Texas Freeze - How To Keep Warm If Your Power Goes Out

Cold snaps are dangerous! We show you how to keep warm if your power goes out.

How Do I Keep My Home Warm During Power Outage

Texans woke to teeth-chattering Arctic cold this morning scarcely seen in decades. With temperatures struggling to climb from single digits in the wee-small hours, ERCOT warned Texas electric customers to conserve electricity. Otherwise, “Rotating outages may be needed to protect the system.” The combination of snow and ice pulling down power lines and higher-tan normal demand is straining ERCOT’s system. At 12: 10 pm, 1.5 million CenterPoint customers had now no power. And with below-freezing temperaturesexpected to hang around until Wednesday, Texas electricity customers are worrying about blackouts. So, to help you and your family get safely through this crisis, we’ll take you through how to keep warm if your power goes out.

How Long Will My House Stay Warm Without Power?

In homes with a large generator or a fireplace, don’t fret. You’re pretty much set as long as you’re able to heat your home.

However, some homeowners worry their home’s temperature will plummet as soon as their heater shuts down. But luckily, due to the physics of cooling, that’s not how things work.

Homes store heat and most will take 8 – 12 hours to cool to freezing. Obviously, the longer your home remains unheated, the colder it will get. However, the rate at which it loses heat slows down, too. For example, a 74°F home will lose heat faster than another home that’s only 64°F.

Just how fast your home loses heat depends on its size, how well air-sealed it is against drafts, how well insulated is, and if it has an upstairs.

That all said, the secret to staying warm your power goes out is to conserve heat.

How To Conserve Heat And Stay Warm

Conserving heat has three simple steps:

Stay Layered — The first step is to get everyone into warmer clothes; sweat shirts, sweaters, thermal underwear. With everyone dressed for cold weather the more comfortable everyone will be. Be sure not to get so bundled up that you begin sweating. Damp clothes can lead to hypothermia in cold weather so don’t overdo it. Stay dry.

Stay Fed and Hydrated — The human body burns a lot of energy just to maintain its basic functions. When you’re cold, you burn more energy. Consequently, it’s very important to keep your family fed and get enough water. Of course, you don’t want to stuff yourself. That’s because about an hour after you eat a meal, your body sends more blood to your gut to help digest the food. As a result, you feel colder. Also, avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking increases your body’s heat loss by dilating your blood vessels. The increased blood flow exhausts more heat through your skin. And because it is a depressant, it cuts your body’s natural ability to generate heat by shivering.

Stay Centered — Move everyone to the main floor of your home, preferably to a room that’s near the center of your home or has the fewest exterior facing walls and high ceilings. This is because it’s easier to keep smaller rooms warm, especially if they’re sheltered from losing heat through windows or exterior facing walls. Be sure to bring in the supplies you need to keep warm or handy in with you. Don’t forget to bring in flashlights, blankets, extra clothes, and coats and hats.

Stay Together — Humans bodies continually produce a LOT of heat; roughly about 350 BTUs. That’s the equivalent of 105 to 110 watts of energy. So, it’s no surprise that a group of well-nourished humans lounging in a small room in the center of a home can actually generate enough heat to make keep that space comfortable for quite a long time. This way you’ll all be more comfortable while you wait for the electricity in Houston or Dallas to come back on.

How to Keep Infants and Seniors Warm and Safe

Both infants and the elderly physical problems keeping warm in cold weather. Infants under the age of one lose body heat far too rapidly. When they get too cold, they become lethargic or unresponsive and their skin is cool to the touch. All this very dangerous and they should see a doctor immediately. Seniors over the age of 65, meanwhile, tend to have lower metabolic rates so that their bodies are unable to produce enough heat. Consequently, it’s far easier for them to develop hypothermia.

Recognize these signs of hypothermia

Shivering

Slurred speech or mumbling

Slow, shallow breathing

Weak pulse

Clumsiness or lack of coordination

Drowsiness or very low energy

Confusion or memory loss

Loss of consciousness

Bright red, cold skin (in infants)

Should I Use a Grill to Keep My Home Warm?

NO! Lighting a fire in anything but a fireplace with a chimney is extremely dangerous in a home. Not only is the danger of fire but also for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Each year, 430 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning and 50,000 visit the emergency room. In Texas, entire families have been killed by using charcoal to heat their homes.

Don’t do it — it’s plain stupid!

What To Do When The Power Goes Out For Too Long

If you’ve been without power for 8 hours or more and it’s growing more difficult to keep everyone warm, comfortable, and safe, then it’s time to think about heading to a community shelter. Both Houston and north Texas communities in the Dallas area are opening warming centers:

Warming Centers in Houston

Warning Centers in Dallas and North Texas

How To Protect Water Pipes When Your Power Goes Out

Unless you rely on a well, your home’s plumbing should be fine, especially if you’ve insulated your water pipes. But, if the your power has been out for several hours and you’re going to go to a community shelter, then it’s time to take preventive steps to protect your home’s plumbing.

Locate and turn off the main water valve where it enters your home. For some homes, it may be in the crawl space.

Open all the faucets in your home. Allow them to drain thoroughly. Leave them open.

Flush all the toilets to drain tanks.

Draining the water will prevent your plumbing from freezing and bursting. When you return home, merely turn on the main water valve. Allow the water to run for a about a minute to clear any air and sediment from the lines then turn off the faucets.

Stay Warm and Safe During the Texas Big Chill

Though the scale of this crisis is alarming, it does help to identify unique planning problems with the Texas electric grid as well as reliability problems with Houston and Dallas electric utilities that need to be solved in the future. In the meantime, however, demand in the ERCOT region is so high that generators can’t keep up. ERCOT is continuing to request consumers to conserve energy in order to reduce demand further and help ensure everyone’s safe well being.

Learn more tips about conserving energy, how to shop electricity, and saving money at https://www.texaselectricityratings.com.

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emrowene · 7 years

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The Definitive Guide to Designing Fantasy Maps

There's nothing like cracking open a fantasy book to find a map on the inside cover. It's like a promise: a promise of a new world to explore, a new story to love, a new escape to lose yourself in. Maps can help readers by providing content, establishing aesthetic, and clarifying confusion. Maps can help readers keep track of storylines and characters, particularly when they're off in different places doing different things all at once. Maps can be helpful to us writers for the same reason. They can help us keep track of the threads of our story, or dive deeper into the worlds we've created. Designing the physical aspects of a world, however, can be intimidating. Hopefully, this guide will help.

First off, if you want to skip all this artistic design nonsense, this Fantasy Map Generator might be of use to you. This generator lets you do a little customization, but otherwise basically designs your map for you.

For those of you who are feeling a little more adventurous, or who want to create a world that is entirely your own, read on. But first, a few disclaimers. This guide isn’t about how to put pen on paper and draw a map. If that’s what you’re looking for, This Guide or This Guide may help. Instead, this guide is going to be a brief overview of the cartography and geology needed to create a believable world. That being said, this guide is not going to cover every topic. It’s also an extreme oversimplification, which means that there will be some generalizations. Your map doesn’t have to be perfect, just good enough to keep someone from looking at it and thinking, “That doesn’t make any sense.”

Finally, I’m not going to do your research for you. If your world is unique in ways that may alter the climate or geography (two suns, a ring of active volcanoes, etc.), that’s research that you’ll have to do on your own (though, at the end of the guide, I’ll provide you with some resources that may help).

Basics of a Map

Legend - a guide, usually tucked into a corner, telling you what symbols on a map mean. Maybe human cities are denoted with a square while elven cities are a diamond (looking at you, Paolini). Maybe mountains housing dragons are represented differently than regular mountains. You want to clarify any questions readers may have about the map.

Title - the name of your land, your world, whatever it is.

Orientation and Compass - Most maps include a compass with north pointing toward the top of the page

Scale - This is if you want to get really serious with your map. Including a scale (a ratio allowing you to shrink the map to a reasonable size, like 1 inch = 1 mile or the like) can help you keep travel times consistent, because nothing is more frustrating than a fantasy book where the characters spend a whole month traveling from point A to point B, then make it from B back to A in three days. Here's a good article about fantasy travel.

Climates

This isn't directly related to the act of mapmaking, but it's important to keep in mind when designing a world. The major influences on climate are: lattitude, winds, oceans, land-sea distributions, and mountains. Most important of these it latitude: the further you are from the equator, the colder it gets. That's only the beginning, though. Climates from region to region have a lot to do with wind circulation; generally, north of the equator, prevailing winds (which carry moist air from ocean regions inland) move in a clockwise direction. South of the equator, they move counter-clockwise. When these winds meet in the middle at the equator, the air rises. When it coos, it forms clouds and rain, which is why you tend to find tropical conditions closer to the equator.

How do you apply this to fantasy mapmaking? Don't sprinkle various climates around randomly. The first fantasy map I made, in high school, had a desert far north with the tundra, a rainforest not far west of it, and a continental climate much like the American midwest down closer to the equator. Make sure that what you're doing makes sense geographically. (On that note, transition gently. Don't make a desert go straight into a forest, or a marsh straight into rolling plains).

For more information on biomes and regional climates, check out This Guide.

The Ocean's Effects on Climate: (not exhaustive, just simplified) Strong ocean currents sometimes redistribute warmth to places located at higher latitudes. For example, the Gulf Stream begins at the Gulf of Mexico and deposits warm water around the UK, giving the UK milder winters.

Land-Sea Distribution's Effect on Climate: Coastal regions generally experience mild, humid maritime climates (cool summers and mild winters), while the interior regions of large landmasses tend to experience continental climates (seasonal temperature varies widely and there's little precipitation).

Mountains' Effects on Climate: Locally, mountains cause air to rise and precipitation to form, meaning climates directly around mountains tend to be wetter than surrounding areas. Overall, mountains redirect air flow. In fact, one of the main causes of deserts are mountains. A "rain shadow desert" occurs when prevailing rain-bearing clouds are blocked from carrying rain to a region because of mountains (see: the southwest corner of the United States).

That's all I have room for in this guide, but if you want to delve deeper into the world of climate-making, I recommend you check out Geoff's Climate Cookbook, which was specifically written to help writers create climates for their fictional worlds. Actually, just see his entire General Guide. It's better and more detailed than any guide I could ever write.

Land Masses and Tectonic Plates

I'm mostly going to skip over tectonic plates. Unless you're N.K. Jemisin and you're writing about Broken Earth, you don't need to know where your tectonic plates are located. Just remember that if you're designing a world with multiple continents, they should roughly fit together due to continental drift. Also know that tectonic plates move 3 ways: side to side (which causes earthquakes), shifting away from each other (which causes continental drift), and pushing towards each other (which causes volcanic activity and/or the creation of mountains).

With mountains, new mountains come up in the center, pushing older mountains further out. This is why there are usually "foothills" to mountains-- the older mountains get weathered and worn down, rounding their tops and decreasing their size. New mountains tend to have jagged tops. Tectonic plates also explain why mountains generally form in chains (while Tolkien's "Lonely Mountain" is cool, it's not very likely). Mountain ranges that run along a coast may continue into the water as islands. Islands can also be formed by volcanic build up-- these would also be located along plate lines.

Rivers and Lakes

First of all: rivers never diverge as they flow toward the sea, they only converge. This is a mistake a lot of fantasy mapmakers make. Rivers tend to start from high in the mountains, flowing from areas of high elevation to low elevation (usually the sea). Water is lazy and always takes the path of least resistance. This means it'll put in as little work as possible, letting gravity do the work for it. Think of raindrops on a window. The raindrops never move in a straight line, and they often join with other raindrops and become stronger. So, too, it is with rivers. They never move in a perfectly straight line because the ground is never perfectly flat, and they often meet and join with other rivers on their way.

All I have to say about lakes for the purpose of this guide is that they only ever have one outlet. If they have more, it's for a very specific reason (like flooding), and it never lasts for very long.

Placing Cities

While placing cities on your map, you have to consider the surrounding terrain. Humans need food and water to survive, and they'll settle in places where they can easily meet those needs. You need a way to get water in and waste out; don't put cities in the middle of deserts unless you have an explanation for it.

Regarding roads: people are lazy, so roads are usually straight unless the terrain gets in the way (never perfectly straight, though. It's impractical). Roads don't meander like rivers do.

Map Aesthetics

I said this guide wasn't going to be about drawing maps, and it's not. But there's an important design aspect that overlaps: aesthetic. If you look at different fantasy maps, you’ll notice that they’re all aesthetically different. Each map gives its own insight into the world it depicts. Isaac Stewart, who designs maps for Brian Sanderson and many other authors, says he designs his maps "as if they were artifacts of the world they depict." He recommends perusing the David Rumsey Map Collection to find a map that aesthetically fits the feel of your world and then using it as inspiration. In the collection, you can filter the maps by date and location to better help you find the perfect inspiration.

Additional Resources

Map Generator Fantastic Maps - Helpful for physically drawing the maps Cartographer's Guild - Here, you can ask questions about mapmaking or get your map critiqued Geoff's Climate Cookbook Geoff's Guide to Creating Realistic Planets David Rumsey Map Collection

#maps #fantasy writing #writeblr #writing advice #speculative fiction

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wineanddinosaur · 4 years

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VinePair Podcast: How New Zealand’s Wine Industry Is Leading on Sustainability

The growth of the New Zealand wine industry over the past few decades is one of the great success stories in the world of wine. What’s all the more remarkable is that that growth has come along with a nationwide commitment to sustainability, shepherded by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, founded in 1997 and currently certifying over 96 percent of the nation’s vineyard land.

On this week’s episode of the VinePair Podcast, Adam Teeter, Erica Duecy, and Zach Geballe are joined by Clive Jones, winemaker and general manager at Nautilus Estate, to discuss New Zealand’s dedication to sustainability, learn more about grape growing and winemaking in the island nation, and examine how the wines have changed and evolved over the last few decades.

Listen online

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Or check out the conversation here

Adam: From Brooklyn, New York. I’m Adam Teeter.

Erica: From Jersey City, I’m Erica Duecy.

Zach: And in Seattle, Washington, I’m Zach Geballe.

Adam: And this is the VinePair Podcast. And guys, it’s another week of Covid.

Zach: Well, not for our guest, spoiler warning.

Adam: I know. Seriously, they’re the only country that’s really done it really well. which is probably why none of us will get to go there anytime soon. ‘Cause we’re all basically infected, even if we’re not, if you’re from America, I think it’s just assumed that you have Covid. So what are you guys drinking this week?

Erica: So this week I got a hold of a bottle of Plantation Rum. It was their 20th anniversary rum, and I made an Old Fashioned with it, and, oh goodness. So good. Rum Old Fashioned is my favorite. I know it’s my thing. And now that we’re moving into a little bit colder days, that’s all I can really think about having. I’ve been going between bourbon and rye Old Fashioneds and rum Old Fashioneds, depending on the day.

Adam: I want to tell you, Erica, I want to commend you right now because that’s not what I thought you were gonna say.

Erica: Oh, really?

Adam: I thought you were going to humble brag a little bit about that whiskey you drank this weekend that you let us know about at the editorial meeting. And I got super jealous, and I was like OK. Do you want to tell us what that was anyways?

Erica: Oh yeah, it was the Yamazaki 18, and that’s a really hard bottle to find. There’s not many of those around, so that was incredible. I mean the finish —

Zach: Where did you have that?

Erica: I had it upstate at a friend’s house and the finish on that whiskey is — it just goes on for many, many minutes and it is the most pleasurable whiskey I have ever had.

Adam: Yeah. I mean, you talked about it in the editorial meeting and I was like, man, this sounds ridiculous. Yeah. So I was, I was pretty jealous, but yeah, I wanted you to talk about it anyways. Zach, what about you?

Zach: Yeah, well thanks, Erica, for not leading with the incredibly delicious, incredibly impossible to find single malt.

So I this last week was drinking — I’ve been on a real Alsatian white wine kick. I taught a class on Alsace last week. And so, especially Alsace Pinot Gris, which to me is a category of white wine that I love, in part from being kind of exposed to it by visiting there a couple of years ago, and really is to me a quintessential fall wine. Because they’re often a little bit richer in style, not oaked, but the Pinot Gris as a variety is essentially red grapes that we make into white wine.

So it has a little bit of that kind of savory, earthy character to it inherently, even when it’s vinified white. And in particular, I think probably [the Zind-Humbrecht] Pinot Gris that I had a couple of nights ago, which is one of the top producers in Alsace. And it makes a lot of different wines but they’re just, it’s hard to say entry-level, but their basic Alsatian Pinot Gris is really delicious. And yeah, that’s kind of where I’ve been.

Adam: Amazing. So for me, I had this really cool drink. So on Sunday, since it was a long weekend, we went out to Governor’s Island. And, for those who are not familiar with what Governor’s Island is, it’s an old military base in the New York Harbor on an island obviously. It’s been turned into a public park and you take a ferry to get there, and now it’s actually really nice because thanks to Covid actually, they’re restricting how many people can be on the island at the same time. So you make reservations online and then you’re on a ferry that instead of being packed to the gills with people is actually very nicely spread out.

And you get to the Island and you have lots of space. You can rent bikes, you can do other things. And while it’s technically illegal, we did bring some alcohol with us. You’re supposed to only buy it from vendors on the Island, but we did bring some in and one of things we brought which I thought was really delicious — and I have to give credit to Aaron Goldfarb, one of our writers for introducing it to me — is Low Ball.

It’s this cider made by Shacksbury. And what’s amazing about this Low Ball is they have figured out how to use cider and make it taste like whiskey. And so they’ve created a Highball in a can, that is cider-based. So they age the cider in whiskey barrels for — they don’t say how long, I’m assuming it has to be longer than two or three months — but they age the cider and then they bottle it, carbonate it, and they add lemon to it, and a lot of the other quintessential whiskey Highball flavors. And it’s just absolutely delicious. It’s 5 and a half percent alcohol. Right. So it’s the perfect level of alcohol for walking around a large park basically. And just hanging out and very refreshing, really delicious. I was very impressed by it, and definitely plan to keep it on hand in the future ’cause it’s just, it’s really, really good.

Erica: That’s what I’m saying.

Zach: It reminds me, I wrote a piece for VinePair a few months ago on cocktail beers with the same basic idea of how do you transmit these kind of classic cocktail flavors through beer.

And I think someone I talked to talked about doing some things with cider, too, but I don’t think it made it to the final cut of the piece, but it’s definitely interesting to see just how much, how deceptively whiskey-like, or rum-like, or tequila-like, you can make a beer or a cider just through things like the aging vessel, and a little bit of creative, adjunct ingredients. But yeah, it’s definitely nice to have that flavor without all the booze.

Adam: Absolutely. Well, so let’s get into today’s topic because I’m really excited to have this discussion today. So today’s podcast actually is being sponsored by a New Zealand wine, and we are really lucky to have as a guest to talk all things New Zealand wine with us this week Clive Jones, a Nautilus Estate winemaker and general manager. Clive thank you so much for joining us.

Clive: It’s great to be here.

Adam: So most important question for you right off the bat, when it comes to New Zealand, where do you all get your same sense of humor from?

Clive: We need to be well-balanced, and we’ve got chips on both shoulders. Yeah. We’re a reasonably friendly bunch, I guess. And we take what we do seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously. And perhaps that is where the kind of kiwi sense of humor comes from.

Adam: Yeah. I mean, I have to thank you for giving me my favorite television show so far in Covid quarantine, “What We Do in the Shadows.” Which is just an amazing, amazing show. Yes, I love the New Zealand humor. It’s absolutely amazing.

Clive: But have you seen the movie?

Adam: Yes, I’ve seen the movie as well, which is amazing. The movie is amazing and now it’s even funnier to me because they’re on Staten Island as opposed to being in Aukland, but it is a really hilarious, hilarious show.

But in all seriousness, so it’s really exciting to talk to you about New Zealand. Obviously, I’m assuming most people who listen to podcasts are familiar with New Zealand wines, maybe some more than others. Erica, you have traveled to New Zealand twice. I know a big fan of the wines. I’d love you to just give us a little bit of an overview of what makes New Zealand so special when it comes to wine and why more people should have it on their radar in terms of a winegrowing region, if they don’t already.

Clive: Yeah, absolutely. So, I mean Zealand’s a long, skinny country down the bottom of the South Pacific. So you’re never very far away from the sea, even Central Otago, which is our most inland wine region. It’s still only two, two-and-a-half hours’ drive from the sea. So, we’ve always got this moderating influence from the ocean, so we’re definitely a cool climate. Even in the warmer parts of New Zealand, we’re definitely classified as cool climate. And we always get this vibrant refreshing style for our wines. Most known for our white wines, and Sauvignon Blanc particularly, we produce such a distinctive style that really has taken the world by storm. But we also make aromatic wines. Pinot Gris, more recently Albariño, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and our Chardonnay is probably our best-kept secret. Chardonnay is one grape that grows actually throughout New Zealand. And again, with Chardonnay we can produce certainly nice complex wine, with that hallmark freshness, that freshness that gets you back to that seeking glass. And then on the red wines, really Pinot Noir is the major focus on the South Island of New Zealand and in the bottoms of the North Island. As it gets a little bit warmer up towards the middle of the North Island and a bit further north, then you can find a Syrah or Cabernet.

Adam: So New Zealand’s always been obviously a really great wine-growing region, and you did mention one wine that we have to talk about, which is Sauvignon Blanc. And I feel it’s now just become standard for Americans to expect that if they want a Sauvignon Blanc, it should come from New Zealand, and more specifically from Marlborough. What is it that’s made this wine, you think so attractive to us? That Americans are just so obsessed with it, and how has that impacted wine in New Zealand across the board? I mean, obviously I’m assuming it helped a lot of people grow their wine businesses, but what else has that done for New Zealand wines as a whole?

Clive: Yeah, look, I’m still completely amazed — you know, we’re not used to traveling around the world when you can see your face in the trade shows. Where you’ll get someone, if they haven’t tried a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, before you give them a glass you say try this and their first reaction is “Wow.” And we get this particularly with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, it’s got this natural high that’s the climate, the soils. You know, the variety just sings in this particular region.

And you know we do get quite distinctive characters that they’ve got good vibrancy, they’ve got quite powerful fruit flavors, so for some people they can actually be a little bit too bright in a way. But they’re so refreshing, and just delicious into the type which is the most important thing for wine, I believe. So yeah, it has taken the world by storm. I think a couple of years ago, about 28 percent of Sauvignon Blanc sales in the U.S. were from New Zealand, which is quite remarkable given the size and scale of our industry. Could well be more than that by now.

Zach: So let’s talk a little bit about sustainability and grape growing in New Zealand, because I’m fascinated by this. But I know that sustainability is a huge focus. I think probably for New Zealand as a country as a whole not just the wine industry, but can you talk a little bit about kind of how that manifests in the winemaking or in the grape growing, and maybe why it’s maybe more prevalent in New Zealand than say other parts of the world?

Clive: Yeah, well we made that call early on, I guess, so our sustainability program was initiated in 1997. So it’s been going over 20 years now. And the focus was that at the start on water use, waste streams, pests, and diseases. So it’s kind of monitor, measure, reduce, repeat. So really monitoring your inputs and outputs and making sure you’re doing it in the most sustainable way possible.

And so we set up the certification Sustain Winegrowing New Zealand, and we got a really good takeout from the industry to the point where we are now at about 96 percent of our vineyards are certified sustainable through sustainable wine-growing. And then there’s another 7 percent that are operating under other sustainability programs, site organics, or biodynamics. There’s a little bit of overlap there because some people take some certifications, but in more recent years, I guess we kind of look to broaden the scope of our sustainability program and we’ve reviewed it and kind of checked our wines up with the United Nations sustainability goals. And so we’ve introduced other aspects like climate change, people, and soil along with our waste, pests, disease, and water. And that sort of relates to that three-pronged approach to sustainability. You’ve also got heavy economic sustainability, and you’ve also got social sustainability as well, you’ve got to look after the people.

So the system has always evolved. And we were world-leading certainly, and particularly with the high level of takeout of sustainability with the New Zealand wine growers, and we can’t rest on our laurels. We’ve got to keep evolving and making sure that we’re doing the right thing for sure.

Erica: So you mentioned that there are a couple different aspects of what those focus points are, but can you just go through, I think there was six focus points that I saw, and talk through what each of those are?

Clive: Sure. So, pests and disease, so that’s monitoring any pesticide use, anything you have to use on the vineyards to control any pests and disease. This powdery mildew detritus that can affect grape vines, so we need to be able to monitor that, and mitigate those fits. So that’s in our spray program, but it’s all about doing it reactively, not based on the calendar. So, you’ve really got to justify anything you put onto the vineyard. Most of our vines in New Zealand are irrigated, and that’s driven partly by the fact that again, we’re a long skinny country down the bottom of the South Pacific. One of our big secrets is it’s windy, and Erica, you may have experienced a half-blown waster when you were here, I’m not sure when you were here, what time of the year.

When the wind gets up it really sucks the moisture out of the soils. And we’ve got a lot of vineyards started in riverbeds, and very stony soils. So, we’ve got quite sophisticated monitoring systems in the vineyards. So we continue to challenge how much water we use and look at reducing our usage. Waste is any sort of waste stream that we generate throughout the process of winegrowing. So I can relate to composting all of our skins. So that’s a quite common practice, producing a compost that goes back on the vineyards.

Climate change. It’s becoming more and more topical and we are starting to see it in New Zealand, but manifesting itself as a bit more variability over here rather than necessarily getting hotter. I mean, yes, we have had some warmer seasons but I did a vintage in Burgundy in 2004 and this year I’ve noticed that — I traveled just before harvest — this year I noticed that the company I worked for had finished harvest before the date I left the country last time. So in 14, 15 years the harvest has come forward almost a month. In New Zealand, we’re not seeing anything like that, though we may be up to a week earlier in the warm season, but we are seeing a bit more variability so we could get more frosts. We could get more rain during the harvest period. So we are starting to think about how and what we can do to mitigate that, both from a practice point of view on the vineyard but also reducing our carbon footprint.

So, we aren’t missing any impact we have on climate change. And we’ve got a goal of being net zero emissions by 2050 — which has been lead by the government. The government has set that as a goal for New Zealand as a country and in the wine industry where you see if we were ahead of the pack, we we want to match that, we want to make sure we were ahead of the game in terms of achieving that.

Obviously, soil’s really important. And now, with a lot more understanding on the low grounds part of the grapevine and how important that is — James Milton, who’s a well-known winemaker in New Zealand, he’s actually biodynamic but he says you’re not standing on the roof, you’re actually standing on the rooftop of another kingdom. And the low-ground kingdom gets all that microbiological activity, that is just so important. And then maintaining the health of the soil, as well as the health of the plant that you can see above the ground.

And also people, we’ve got social responsibility. We need to look after the people that are working in our vineyards and wineries. We rely on a seasonal labor that comes in from the islands. So we have a government-sponsored scheme that facilitates people coming in from the islands to work a season in the vineyards.

Now they come in and they work for a three- or four-month period. They work very hard, and they’re great workers, and they leave their home that may be one of the Pacific Islands. They’ll go and be in the community, take a cash injection that helps them maintain a lifestyle at home. That’s only a quick overview of the six elements, but those are the elements that we decided to focus on as an industry for sure.

Erica: Yeah, it’s so interesting. I was in Central Otago in January before the pandemic, and it was fascinating to me to see over the span of 10 years just how much the wines have changed.

And this article that we’ll be publishing this week, I’m looking at the Pinot Noirs of Central Otago and how vine age and winemaker know-how over that period has really created a revolution for the Pinot Noirs. So 10 years ago, the wines were what some people called “fruit bombs.” They were much more fruity and bright, and now, through this confluence of both the winemaker know-how and the older vines have become these incredible world-class wines with just so much complexity and beautiful structure. So I am working on this piece and have been thinking a lot about the evolution of not just Pinot Noir, but all of New Zealand’s wines over the past 10 years, and wanted to ask you, how have the wines of Marlborough and the Sauvignon Blancs, in particular. changed during that span?

Clive: Yeah, absolutely. That’s the unique thing about this, you get one chance a year to make wine and every year is different. So every year you learn something, so you’re able to apply those learnings back on to whatever you experience in the future. And certainly Sauvignon has evolved, probably it was more of the green grassy spectrum when it first took the world by storm back in the late ’80s. As we work on our chemistry managements and understand one of the distinctive characters about Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is the set of aromas that are called volatile files. And we discovered how to measure those, and there’s three chemical compounds with rather long names, but they give the, basically the passionfruit, passionfruit skin, and the boxwood-type characters. And we’ve measured them and now know that they are particularly responsible for things distinctive of Marlborough character. Yeah, and of course once we measured them it’s like well with a lot of things with wine, if this much is good than more is better. So there was a sort of swing to really great fruit-driven, punchy wines that kind of licked out of the glass.

They went too far, they were almost overpowering and you got almost a slight sweet character coming out of them. But we also found out that those compounds are relatively unstable. So they’re very, very important, but you can’t rely on them themselves. So you want a mix of flavors and aromas and, and a lot of the wines you see from the Marlborough area, and the Sauvignon Blanc area, regional leads because that’s what we’re trying to assemble all of those different flavor options and putting them together in a blend. The whole concept of blending is one plus one plus one doesn’t equal three, it equals four. So you get the synergistic effect and the different components working together to make a wine that’s, at the end of the day, more balanced and more pleasurable.

But I’d certainly say — same for Pinot Noir in Marlborough — that we’d gone through this 20-year period of having the right vines and the right clones on the right sites. And, so much of the structure our wine is coming from fruit. Whereas in the early days, you did have those fruit bombs that were sort of propped up by some nice oak character. Typically these days, they’re falling into the background and we’re getting much more structure from the fruit itself. And vintage plays a huge part of it.

Zach: Clive, I want to ask a very straightforward question, but to me, it’s one of the questions that comes up the most with New Zealand, which is why does everyone there use screw caps?

Clive: Well, I mean, it comes back to that we make these fresh, fruity, vibrant wines and for us, a screw cap is at the moment, the most appropriate closure that preserves those. Plus the fresh aromatics. And it was driven from the fact that we used to think that all the rubbish corks would seep down to the bottom of the South Pacific.

Yeah, and we did have a mess of problems with the cork taint, which just ruins wine. The cork industry has done a lot to improve that, but the wines with a screw cap do age. They evolve, they evolve probably a little bit slower, but they do evolve, and they evolve consistently.

So you can open a dozen bottles of a 10-year-old wine, and then they’ll all taste the same. Whereas if you’re making a dozen bottles of 10-year-old wine on the cork, you’re much more likely to get some variations. And it’s convenient, too, you don’t have to rush around to find a corkscrew, you can just pop it off and you’re away. So, yeah, we’re sold on screw caps at the moment.

Adam: And Clive, is that mandated? Or is that just an agreement that everyone’s doing it?

Clive: There’s no regulation at all. It’s just, that’s the way people feel as the best closure for our one wine cellars.

Adam: Wow. How, how large is the New Zealand wine industry?

Clive: We’ve got, just under 40,000 hectares. So what’s that about a hundred thousand acres? So we are very small. I’m just trying to think of a direct comparison to that, but we’re a drop in the ocean compared to California as a state by itself. So I think we make somewhere between 1 and 2 percent of the world’s wine but we do make more than we can drink ourselves. Because we’re only a population of 5 million, so that’s why we we do seem quite well for our season and look for people to help us out consuming it.

Adam: So I mean obviously, in the early days when you started thinking about sustainability, it wasn’t as much on the forefront of consumers’ minds. But now it very much is, amongst our readers, et cetera. How have you seen that change in terms of the consumers that you’re interacting with? Twenty years ago when you guys were talking about sustainability, did you find that you had to explain more to consumers what you were doing and why, and is it now a lot easier for them to understand why you would do this and actually value it and be willing to pay more for it?

Clive: Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. So we have the sustainable certification logo on the back of our bottles. It’s part of every conversation I have with wine buyers or consumers directly, if you’re in that situation. So it is important.

And look, in New Zealand we’ve got ahead of an awakening about the Maori culture, the indigenous people of New Zealand, and they actually have a really strong philosophy on sustainability as well to say they have a couple of concepts. One of which is called tikanga whakapapa, so that’s our equivalent to terroir if you like. Another word beginning with T that is perhaps difficult to explain, but sort of the broad translation is, tikanga whakapapa is it’s a place where you stand, a place where you feel empowered if you need to. It’s the foundation, it’s your place in the world.

And that makes so much sense from a winegrowing point of view, if I’m standing in this vineyard making wines from this piece of soil. And, you feel really connected to it and that relates, Erica, to how much progression you’ve seen in the wines in the last 10 years with a real much deeper understanding of sight and how it influences particular wine styles. And the other concept that the indigenous people use is kaitiakitanga, and that’s about guidance and protection. So and that sits really nicely with sustainability in terms of the wine industry.

So, you’re managing an environment where the people are closely connected to the land and nature. And the simplest way of putting it as, as they say, you don’t inherit the land from your parents, you borrow it from the children. So it’s about making sure that, in fact, we’re being smarter about preservation as well. We’re also starting to improve it and restore and you start with your restorative agriculture as a bit of a new bus. And it’s not just about maintaining the current situation, we want to make it better. So we’re getting frank heading ahead of the garden.

Erica: I was going to say, I think that was one of the things that really came across to me when I was in New Zealand earlier this year is just this commitment to both stewardship of the land and the transparency of the terroir and really looking at the site specificity, looking at the specific vineyards and what is the message that they are trying to convey. As I visited a dozen different vineyards and talked with all the winemakers, I think I’ve never been to a wine region where literally every single person I talked to was on board with the idea of this continuous improvement of this forward-thinking idea of passing along a better place. It was just such a unifying experience that I haven’t found in any other wine region or frankly, any other country that I’ve traveled to, where literally there’s an entire community that is thinking and committed to moving forward in pretty much almost the exact same direction. Some people are doing biodynamics, some people are doing organics. Some people are doing the other sustainability programming, but it’s really a unifying characteristic of the winemaking community.

Clive: Yeah. Look, we, we are a cooperative community of winemakers, we help each other out. We share our knowledge. We understand. When we’re traveling overseas, often the first conversation we have is about New Zealand. Thankfully more people know where we actually are now. Since The Lord of the Rings came out. But yeah, it’s a conversation about New Zealand. It’s a conversation about region and perhaps variety, and often the conversation about your brand is well down the track in terms of what we’re talking about. So we do have this community feeling and yeah, absolutely the industry has grown tremendously, but it’s still relatively young. And I guess probably in the last 10 to 12 years, there has been the opportunity just to perhaps — not focused so much on growth, but understanding of the resources we’ve got and how to keep the beast out of the vineyards and also help to protect and preserve them. So there’s a little bit of maturity coming into the industry from that point of view.

And then also I think now if I think back 20 years, particularly with Pinot for instance, we’d be going, “Yeah, let’s look at some Pinots. Let’s look at a lineup of Burgundy” and say, well, how close are we? Are we making wines like this yet? And now we’re actually going, we absolutely respect and aspire to the wines of Burgundy, but we’re not trying to make wines like Burgundy, we’re trying to make the best New Zealand Pinots that we can. And we’re much more confident in our sites and our style. And so it’s more about celebrating what we’re doing and, but still respecting the history of the Old World, but we much more self-confident in what we’re doing ourselves. We’re not trying to make Burgundy. We’re trying to make the best New Zealand unites that we can.

Adam: That’s really awesome. Well, Clive, I want to thank you so much for joining Erica, Zach, and myself to talk a little bit about New Zealand wine. It’s been really interesting to get your perspective and to learn a lot about sustainability and just what the country is doing as a whole.

Clive: Thank you. Pleasure. And hopefully Adam and Zach, you might get to come down and visit sometime. Of course, Erica, you too.

Zach: Yeah. We’ll have to take the podcast on the road.

Adam: Totally. So guys, Erica, I need to hear from you now that we’ve heard from Clive, so you’ve been twice, right? I mean, what’s it like? I mean, I’ve obviously always seen it in the Lord of the Rings and things like that, but I’ve only seen the amazing pictures of New Zealand and I can only imagine what it’s like to actually be there. And then to also see what the vineyards look at, but I’d love if you could tell us what your impression was when you went and why so many people are so enamored by it.

Erica: Yeah I mean, for me, New Zealand was really the place that changed my life from a perspective of falling in love with wines. So I had been to many wine regions before as a travel guide book editor, as a travel writer. And when I went to New Zealand, the wines and the wine community, the collaborative nature of the people, and just frankly, the incredible beauty of the place —it just struck me so viscerally that by the end of this trip that I was on, a couple of weeks in, all over the, North Island and the South Island and then ending up in central Otago, by the time I left, I said, you know what? I think I want to go into wine. So it had a huge impact on me. And that was a decade ago.

I mean, it really is one of the most gorgeous places that you could ever travel to. The people have the incredible sense of humor that you mentioned, but are just so cool and easy to talk to. And there’s this no tall poppies kind of idea. Have you heard this expression? So, what it is, is that people don’t want to stand out and talk about themselves. And so like Clive was saying, people don’t want to talk about their brands. They don’t want to talk about their individual winemaking and to shine a light on the amazing things that they’re doing.

They actually have a hard time, the winemakers, coming over to the States and talking about how great their brands are, because that’s just not part of the culture. And so too, as a journalist to try to pull out the information about the very cool things that they’re doing, all of the trials that they’re doing, all of the amazing experiments and their individual vision is very difficult, but, these winemakers are among the most humble people that I’ve ever encountered in wine. And it feels like an underdog situation where as a journalist, I just want to do my part and tell the stories of the incredible wine that’s being made. This place that does not get the level of attention that it should. And from my perspective, how the Pinot Noirs have evolved over time, I think they’re frankly, some of the most exciting wines that are on the market today.

The article that I have coming out, it’ll be a couple of days after our podcasts launches, is really talking about how the wines have evolved over the past decade and what makes them among the most exciting in the world. So I’ll leave a couple spoilers. I won’t spoil the entire piece, but I really think it’s been one of the most pleasurable experiences in my career to watch the evolution of the wines from this country really get to the level where they can compete among the world’s best.

Adam: That’s awesome.

Zach: And I think what’s cool about New Zealand, and Clive mentioned this as well, and it’s an important point not just for New Zealand, but I think for a lot of other, younger wine industries is getting to that point where you are confident enough in the wines you make, in the quality of your fruit, of your terroir and of your wine-making people that you can say, Hey, we’re going to make the best possible wine we can and we’re not trying to make some that tastes as much Burgundy or Sancerre or whatever European wine people might be most familiar with me from this variety or these varieties.

And I think new Zealand’s a great example of that. I think there are some other ones that we’re seeing as well from, from other parts of the world where winemakers and wine regions have said, “we’re confident that we can make an amazing, delicious, interesting, complex, world-class wine. That is its own thing. And that has slightly different flavors and it has slightly different aromas than what you might be familiar with, but it’s as legitimate an expression of these varieties as the place where they might’ve originated or might’ve first become famous.” And that is, I’m sure, something that you feel Erica. And it’s something that I, as not someone who’s traveled there, but as someone who has tasted plenty of New Zealand wines over the last decade plus have noticed as well. And again, it’s just super exciting.

Adam: I mean, I think it’s a really good point. I think the biggest thing, right, that you should just be asking consumers is, is it delicious? And if it’s delicious and it’s enjoyable then why does someone else have to say “oh, and it’s also so Burgundian in style.” Right. That shouldn’t matter. It should just matter that the wine is really, really good.

And so, yeah, I love that answer, too, Zach, and I’m glad you brought it up. I thought the way that they talked about that was really interesting. And I do think it is really amazing. And we have a lot to learn from this country in the way that the entire country has really embraced this idea of protecting the environment. I know a lot of it does have to do with the fact that it’s such a gorgeous place. They want to protect themselves, but I wanted to ask Clive as well (but then I thought, well, I don’t want to get political here) but what have they done in New Zealand that really has forced the entire population to believe in all of this and to really realize that this is something that’s so vitally important? And what can we learn as citizens of the U.S. and take back from what they’ve done and say, here’s what New Zealand is doing? And here’s why it’s just as important here, and here’s what we’ve got to do to get you to believe in it as well.

Zach: Well, I mean you could look at some other things that they’ve done in New Zealand in the last, say, seven or eight months, better than us and maybe get a sense for, I don’t know, maybe just science being a thing that’s taken more seriously.

Adam: I mean, look, they do have a pretty amazing leader. She’s pretty awesome. So yeah, I do think they do just understand that when you need to listen to experts, you listen to experts. You don’t say that you’re the expert when you’re not. But anyways, guys, this was great. And I want to thank Clive again for joining us and New Zealand wines for supporting the podcast. It’s really amazing. This was a really great excuse to talk about a wine region I know Erica really loves, that I need to learn more about. Zach, I know you’ve never been there, as well. So yeah, thanks, this was a great conversation, as always. I’ll see you next week.

Erica: Thank you.

Zach: Sounds great.

Adam: Thanks so much for listening to the VinePair Podcast. If you enjoy listening to us every week, please leave us a review or rating on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever it is you get your podcasts. It really helps everyone else discover the show. Now, for the credits. VinePair is produced and hosted by Zach Geballe, Erica Duecy, and me, Adam Teeter. Our engineer is Nick Patri and Keith Beavers. I’d also to give a special shout-out to my co-founder, Josh Malin, and the rest of the VinePair team for their support. Thanks so much for listening and we’ll see you again right here next week.

The article VinePair Podcast: How New Zealand’s Wine Industry Is Leading on Sustainability appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/new-zealand-sustanability/

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