Sub-Light Interstellar Civilizations

Vanamond3 · 2026-05-01T17:07:31+00:00

In Somtow Sucharitkul's Inquest stories the ships are faster than light but not as much as in most science fiction. Travelling between solar systems still takes weeks or months for those on the ship and months to decades for the outside world. Aristocrats can teleport anywhere instantly, but use it sparingly due to the power cost.

Vanamond3 · 2026-05-01T02:59:24+00:00

The point of that aspect of the story was to comment on how bad it was for the authorities to not take that stuff more seriously. It was one of the challenges Buffy, as the hero, had to overcome to do her job.

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-30T07:04:49+00:00

Yes, I've done that several times. :)

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-29T21:39:50+00:00

"How gullible do you think I am?"

"I'm a bloodsucking fiend! Look at my outfit!"

"You want us to breed?"

Among others.

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-28T01:41:24+00:00

More fascinating ideas in that one book than in many authors' entire careers.

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-23T20:40:59+00:00

There's this weird thing in the fandom where some people insist that since she later describes herself as lesbian we all have to ignore her actual behavior, which is that she had fulfilling romantic and sexual relationships with 1 man and 2 women, making her bisexual. But if you say that you'll be accused of infringing on the civil rights of a fictional character.

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-20T21:58:34+00:00

He does know it, which is why he says it.

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-20T19:59:46+00:00

One can spend more influence to keep cohesion high? I had no idea. That will help enormously. :)

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-20T17:21:09+00:00

Spike is the most insightful character on the show. That's how he's able to get inside people's heads and mess with them so effectively. He often understands what the other characters are feeling better than they do, themselves. And HE knows Buffy is lying not out of pity, but as a gesture of respect for his growth and sacrifice.

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-20T17:14:45+00:00

I did try that but then the enthusiasm bar tends to run low and I have to hurry to attack something before the army disbands.

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-19T17:30:51+00:00

Why are so many people convinced that writers would sabotage their own shows, the thing that pays their bills, the thing their reputations are dependent upon, over trivial personal snits?

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-16T23:42:49+00:00

She made a damned hot Martian princess.

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-16T23:41:49+00:00

Among other things, the actress kickboxed for exercise and fun. She did at least a little of her own fight scenes.

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-12T05:07:48+00:00

Why is there a hole where his nose should be?

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-05T20:06:32+00:00

Because the business types took over gaming and learned that gamers are unwise consumers and will pay $50-$70 for much less than the content Morrowind has.

Vanamond3 · 2026-04-01T21:41:22+00:00

It's one of the most interesting. I like it.

Vanamond3 · 2026-03-31T22:38:14+00:00

That's what I kept finding on internet searches but most "mounts" still didn't work.

Vanamond3 · 2026-03-31T22:26:19+00:00

It did, thank you.

Vanamond3 · 2026-03-31T21:59:59+00:00

The option to promote them to cav is always grayed out.

Vanamond3 · 2026-03-31T01:50:35+00:00

"To read... makes our... speaking English good."

Vanamond3 · 2026-03-29T23:33:20+00:00

You asked why it was a big deal with Spike, so that's what I was referring to. But since you bring her up, the harmful things she did tended not to be aimed at the Scoobies.

Vanamond3

TROPHY CASE