Redefining Kildare

[Andreas the Wise]

According to the guide, Kildare is:

The Duchy of Kildare has a long and somewhat troubled history. Traditionally most military leaders have come from this area. It is ruled by the somewhat new Duke Jonas, and its culture is an unstable mix of old Apollonian traditions that predate Shireroth and a bit of Ireland that has hung on through the region's many incarnations. General themes include both war and love, union and bickering, and also multiculturalism, Apollonian history and Apollonian religion. Kildare is home to some of Shireroth's better developed minor subdivisions, the old and well-liked Schlangen and Kitanus Fields, the more unique Hallucination, and the more controversial Antya.

How much of this is us though? History, yes, and old subdivisions certainly. We don't seem big on military leaders though ...

[Ari Rahikkala]

Whatever you come up with, feel free to boldly update the Wiki with it .

[Jonas]

I'm a leader... and I'm member of the (not existing) Old Army of Kildare... so I'm a military leader!

[Andreas the Wise]

Ok ... keep that then. I'm thinking more of a focus on History and those lovely mythical beasts we have running around ...

[benkern]

By the way - the militarism and the Irishness I think both (needs verifying out re: Militarism but one can safely assume) derive from Blackrock. Both MicroWikis hold a pathetically small amount of information on Blackrock (ours can be excused due to... err. we're Shireroth :P), but some places to have a look at if you want to know more are their old website, their old forums and Scott's Microscope which includes a history of the Apollo Sector in which Blackrock was involved.

Notably in terms of militarism, Blackrock is remembered for its development of the Spam Cannon during those volatile times that were the Apollo Era - and since that and the Smiley Bomb, there hasn't been much development of e-warfare. RecWar got more important as people started using it as war rather than recreational warfare as it is meant to be. Causes a lot of bad blood even today.

If I remember correctly Blackrock's militarism walked hand in hand with a kind of joke-based secessionism - Blackrock is a real place in Ireland where the main basis of the original citizenry resided (mentioned in "I've Been Everywhere" by Johnny Cash if I heard rightly the other day). However that element of its legacy is somewhat difficult to apply to Blackrock Nua due to the fact that these lands were ceded to the Republic of Ireland when the nation was ended. Ah well!

By those that remember it, Blackrock is still today loved (well... to an extent ) and respected, and as such I think it would be worth the Duke or a Baron/Count's while to check out Blackrock.

[Scott of Hyperborea]

I've updated the wiki on both Blackrock and Attera, although the Attera information is listed under 'Diga Makonnen".

[Andreas the Wise]

Thanks Benkern. In Shireroth, it seems, you've always got the mix of new people who want to work with the things they can see currently, and those who remember the past and don't really want to abandon it ...
But cheerfully both those places are outside my Barony (name aside), so I'll leave Hypatias Mom and Jonas to worry about them

[Ari Rahikkala]

Also, on the matter of "redefining Kildare"... don't forget that what you're looking at is supposed to be a document for new people to read, in order to decide where they want to go and what they want to do. If there's no significant militarism and Irishness in Kildare anymore, then despite what I might have written, you'll just have to take it out and replace it...

... do leave the Apollonianism thing in, though. We do respect our traditions

[Andreas the Wise]

Yes Ari, I know. (sorry, I keep using this emoticon as smile ... it's evil, but ever so happy)
We just need to find the right mix of "Kildare as it's always been" and "Kildare as it is now"

[Harald of Froyalan]

Thanks Benkern. In Shireroth, it seems, you've always got the mix of new people who want to work with the things they can see currently, and those who remember the past and don't really want to abandon it ...

Amen.

[Andreas the Wise]

How about something like this:

One of the oldest Duchies, Kildare combines three of Shireroth's favourite elements - old history, new ideas, and just a hint of magic. While traditionally most military leaders have come from this area, and much of it's existing culture is an unstable mix of old Apollonian traditions that predate Shireroth and a bit of Ireland that has hung on through the region's many incarnations, Kildare now is more than just that. Magic and mythical beasts have crept back in, as well as more Cedrism. Kildare is home to some of Shireroth's better developed minor subdivisions, the old and well-liked Schlangen and Kitanus Fields, the more unique Hallucination, and the more controversial Melangia. Kildare now, it seems, will always have the mix of new people who want to work with the things they can see currently, and those who remember the past and don't really want to abandon it ...

[Jonas]

Great!

Maybe I must create some title for the most important Baron, my most trusted Advisor... Chancellor maybe?

[Andreas the Wise]

Sounds a neat title ...

[Ari Rahikkala]

* adds historical connections *

One of the oldest Duchies, Kildare combines three of Shireroth's favourite elements - old history, new ideas, and just a hint of magic. Traditionally most military leaders have come from this area, and much of it's existing culture is an unstable mix of old Apollonian traditions that predate Shireroth and a bit of Ireland. Kildare now is more than just that. Magic and mythical beasts have expanded from the subdivisions Hallucination and Kitanus Fields to all around the Duchy, the worship of Cedrism has found new ways of expression, and the Duchy has even managed to annex some new land. Kildare now, it seems, will always have the mix of new people who want to work with the things they can see currently, and those who remember the past and don't really want to abandon it...

I'm not sure about that last sentence, really, it seems a bit misleading to me... but then again, I didn't hold my own blurbs to this kind of standards, soo...

[Andreas the Wise]

Thanks Ari, that's good ...
Maybe put the last sentence as:

One of the oldest Duchies, Kildare combines three of Shireroth's favourite elements - old history, new ideas, and just a hint of magic. Traditionally most military leaders have come from this area, and much of it's existing culture is an unstable mix of old Apollonian traditions that predate Shireroth and a bit of Ireland. Kildare now is more than just that. Magic and mythical beasts have expanded from the subdivisions Hallucination and Kitanus Fields to all around the Duchy, the worship of Cedrism has found new ways of expression, and the Duchy has even managed to annex some new land. Kildare now, it seems, will always have the mix of new people who work with the things they can see currently, and those who remember the past and ensure it isn't completely abandoned...

[Ari Rahikkala]

* nods *

I like it... though whether I liked it or not, you should feel free to update the Wiki with it