FAQ: General
North Star is a series of short stories, conceived by yours truly, that takes place in a distant culture
similar to that of late 20th-century Earth. Kind of a mixture of 80's/90's "police action/drama" and comic book sci-fi, with just a little bit of a 1920's
detective flair mixed in, it began with a few stories and characters i created
in grade school and grew from there into its own little universe.
The stories all center around a young man by the name of Kevin Kyme who, in a
strange mix of fate and rash decision-making, becomes endowed
with "superhuman" powers-- most of them mental in nature (telekinesis,
telepathy, etc.), but also including enhanced strength and dexterity-- and
begins using them to fight crime in his home city.
It may sound like typical comic book fare-- well, actually it is... But if i ever
get around to writing the series (heh), i hope to bring a fresh approach
to the subject matter-- in addition to the numerous comic book, action movie,
and videogame clichés i plan to cram into it.
- What is "North Star: Chapter 1"?
A few years ago, i began working on what was to be the first installment of
the North Star series. I had already sketched out numerous ideas for stories and events
to take place further down the line (most of them towards the end of the
six-year series) but i hadn't given serious consideration to how it all would begin. So i
thought, and wrote, and thought some more, and i ended up with pages and pages of
"chicken-scratch" that i would later try to assemble into a coherent narrative.
Well, the momentum quickly died. I made it to about the fourth "chapter"
in the actual narrative before it fell completely apart. (Note: The "chapters" were
only about four or five pages in length-- and what i had typed was scarcely 1/3
of the full story.) But i went ahead and posted what i had on the web, dubbing it "North
Star: 001." And it sat idly on the Internet for about a year and a half before i took
it down to make room for my Metroid and Arkanoid pages (which, i
might add, now have also gone the way of the dodo).
"North Star: Chapter 1" is my attempt at rejuvenating the now defunct "NS:001" by telling a simultaneously more simplified and more complex
version of the opening chapter of the North Star series. It's simpler in that
the narrative has been whittled down to caption-like phrases (such as you'd find
on the back of a Batman: The Movie trading card), underscoring
screenshots of scenes from the original narrative acted out by those lovable
characters, The Sims. But it's also more complex in
that it delves a little deeper into each character's history and tells more or
less the same story from a number of varying perspectives. It should also get
further along into the "action" of the story than the original "NS:001" did--
though it probably won't include the entire story as it now stands in my
mind.
- Why tell only the first 2/3 of the story?
The current incarnation of "NS:C1" ends with the first major confrontation
between the main protagonist (Kevin Kyme) and his "rival" (Ryan Jamas). There
are a number of reasons for this.
For one, the story gets a little more complicated after this point. Up until
that time, the point of the central narrative is mostly getting to know the characters and
settings, introducing the major conflict, and working to resolve the major
conflict. And while it appears the major conflict is settled at the end of the
chapter, there are a
number of complications that arise from the protagonist's methods of resolution.
It's difficult to go into further detail about these complications without
giving away some key points in the story, which hasn't yet been posted. Perhaps
after the story is up, i'll divulge some information about what is to follow.
Another reason is that i am as yet uncertain about some of the ensuing events. I know most of what i want to happen next, but there are a few unknowns
that, while they may seem insignificant out of context, will play a key role in the rest of
the story. So i need to get that worked out. Also, there's the issue of
chronology-- after the major conflict is resolved, the main narrative will split into several different threads. And while these threads
will have existed since the
beginning of the story, they will remain relatively close to and intertwined
around the central narrative at the start.
However, following the major confrontation between the two central characters,
these threads will spread apart, and some new threads will also be introduced. And while these
threads will continue to cross at certain key points, when they will cross is
another issue that i need to solidify in my mind before i continue with the story.
The Sims is a computer game created by Will Wright and the
Maxis team (the developers behind the original Sim City) that
puts you, the player, in control of an individual, a family, or even a
small community of "simulated people" (or "Sims"). You build a house
for your "Sim" to live in, or choose from one of the pre-designed
homes that come with the game, then use your "Simoleons" to purchase
furnishings for the home-- couches, refrigerators, toilets-- to
satisfy your Sim's personal needs-- Comfort, Hunger, Bladder, etc. You
can also buy "skill-building" tools (like bookcases for studying
Cooking and Mechanics or a painter's easel for building your
Creativity) to advance your Sim's career and earn more Simoleons for
better furnishings, or you can spend your time developing
relationships between your Sim and the other Sims in the neighborhood.
Your Sim can even get married and begin a family of his own with
another Sim.
In general, it's a very open-ended world in which you control the
environment, the action, and the drama with a very simple menu-driven
user interface, and it's a great tool for telling stories-- or for
simply wasting endless hours in front of your home PC.
- Will there be a "Chapter 2" or a "Last 1/3 of NS:C1"?
Doubtful, but possible. The reason i started "NS:C1" in the
first place was to help me visualize certain things about the first
story and to give myself something off of which to work when i finally
sat down to write the full "beginning story" in the North Star series.
So hopefully, if there is a follow-up to this, it will be in the form
of an HTML or text "novella".
Of course, given my track record with finishing stories ("Black
Friday", anyone?), i am prompted to repeat my initial statement:
"Doubtful, but possible."
-
Mätria: The Geography of Kiërda
- What is Mätria, and where is it located?
Mätria is a small terrestrial planet in a largely uncharted region of the
Milky Way Galaxy, located tens of thousands of light years from the Sol system.
The Galactic Federation first became aware of Mätria's existence during the
Great Centennial War, after a squadron of Federation ships tailed a small group
of renegade vessels to Mätria's star system. The Federation was shocked to
discover a race of people that looked remarkably similar to Terrans, existing in
societies that in many ways resembled late 20th century Terran culture.
The similarity of the planet's inhabitants to the former inhabitants of the
planet Earth led many to speculate that the civilization had evolved from a
group of people who "vanished" during a deep space colonization project nearly
three hundred years before; however, the Federation's strict policy of
non-interference with lesser developed cultures forced the troops to quietly and
permanently withdraw their presence from the planet once the invading fleet was
neutralized, and as such no one has been able to confirm or disprove this
theory.
Kiërda is one of the four major continents on the surface of Mätria. It is
often referred to as the "Western Continent" (réa kerdäd) because of its
position relative to the other three continents. Nearly all of the events in the
North Star series take place in this continent-- more specifically, in the
southeast region, often referred to as the "Southeastern
States" (sädan ba-orëntad).
- What are the "Western/Midwestern/Northeastern/Southeastern States"?
The continent of Kiërda is comprised of a number of "states" (sädan),
most of which are similar in size and population to the larger U.S.
States (Montana, Arizona, New Mexico). Often, especially for
colloquial purposes, these states are grouped together into one of
four regions-- the Western States, the Midwestern States, the
Northeastern States, and the Southeastern States.
As a matter of reference, Aventüria, Otönia, and Méria are all in
the Southeastern States, Etron is one of the Northeastern States, and
Sada Vöma is in the Western States.
- Where is Central, Aventüria located?
The city of Central is located in the heart of Aventüria-- a state in
southeastern Kiërda that lies on the continent's eastern coast. It is one of the
oldest, and yet one of the most technologically advanced cities in the
Southeastern States, and it also serves as the state's capitol.
Given its large size, the city is often divided (colloquially, not
politically) into North, South, East, and West Central, with the heart of the
city often being referred to as "Downtown Central" or simply "Central." The city
and its numerous suburbs-- including Smalton and Ribëra-- are often collectively
referred to as "The Midlands."
Here are some other locations whose names you might encounter on this site:
One of the cluster of small countries that make up Western Orënta, Amélia
is known the world over for its beautiful architecture and historical
landmarks. Known as a country that embraces history while still moving forward
into the future, Amélia was the starting point for a number of technological
innovations that have become household items in the past few decades.
Located in the southwestern region of Central, Aventüria, Central High
School is one of two major high schools in the city (the other being North
Central High School). While the school may not be as large or as modern as its
rival school, North Central, its smaller class sizes and roster of dedicated
professors make for a more personal and, most would say, more enriching
educational experience.
Located in the heart of Downtown Central, Central University is one of the
longest-standing educational establishments in the Southeastern States. Yet in
spite of its age, the campus is home to a state-of-the-art biomedical research
facility that has attracted students and scientists from all parts of the
Western Continent. The school is also said to have one of the continent's best
engineering programs.
- Frankie's Shakes 'n Burgers
Founded by Franklin C. Sorpresa in TS329,
Frankie's Shakes 'n Burgers is the longest-running fast food chain in
the Southeastern States. Frankie's menu consists of a wide variety of
items, from beef franks to a number of tortilla wraps, but they are
best known for their tasty whole beef burgers.
- Herbert M. Stokes High School
Herbert Stokes High School is the major secondary school in Port City,
Aventüria. While its facilities are not necessarily "cutting edge", the school
hosts a staff of dedicated professors who aspire to engage the students in the
curriculum while also challenging them to extend their intellectual reach.
- James C. Riley University
Located in the foothills of Upstate Aventüria, in the city of Mt. Refuge,
Riley University is known throughout the Southeastern States for its beautiful
campus and challenging curriculum. Riley has also received recognition for its
excellent psychology and early education programs. While the tuition is steep
compared to other schools of its size, most students find the experience to be
well worth it.
Maple Grove is a peaceful community located in northwest Central,
Aventüria. Named for the thicket of trees that envelopes the
neighborhood, Maple Grove offers upscale housing for the discerning
homebuyer. With a 'round-the-clock neighborhood watch and three
state-of-the-art educational facilities located within a few miles of
the neighborhood, Maple Grove is a great place to start and raise a
family.
Located in Upstate Aventüria, near the Otönia-Aventüria border, the city of
Mt. Refuge rests in the foothills of the Manzäro Mountains-- a mountain range
that runs through Duräno and Otönia and into the Northeastern States. Mt.
Refuge is unique in that it is the third-largest city in Aventüria (next to
Port City and the capitol, Central), and yet it manages to maintain the charm of a small
mountain town.
- North Central High School
Located in the northern part of Central, Aventüria, North Central boasts a
newer and more technologically innovative campus than its rival school,
Central High. The student roster is also nearly twice the size of Central's.
Most students living in the northwestern region of Central will attend North
Central upon completing middle school.
Orënta is one of the four major landmasses on the surface of Mätria. Often
referred to as "The Eastern Continent", Orënta differs from Kiërda in that,
rather than being comprised of a number of states with a common language
unified under a single republic, it is instead composed of a number of
countries (most of which are similar in size to Kiërda's "states"), each with
its own unique government and language.
Otönia is a state in Southeast Kiërda that borders Aventüria to the north.
Often colloquially referred to as "Upper Aventüria", Otönia shares a lot in
common with its southern counterpart. Like Aventüria, Otönia began as a small
group of agricultural settlements, but has grown and developed over time into
an industrial society, on par with many of the industrial hubs in the
Northeastern States.
Located on the southeastern coast in the state of Aventüria, Port City's
economy is largely based on its massive seaports. In fact, nearly all of the
importing and exporting done in the Southeastern States takes place in this
city. While the city is largely industrial, it has also done well to preserve
a number of historical buildings that have been in existence nearly as long as
the city itself, and as such it has become Aventüria's prime center for
tourist activity.
A small city on the outskirts of North Central, Aventüria, Ribëra served as
the childhood home of both Robert Kyme and Ritchie Morgan. Ribëra is known for
its swampy marshes, which serve as home to a number of interesting species
that can only be found in the Southeastern States.
Located on the western coast of Kiërda, Sada Vöma is known mostly for its
ritzy urban environments and nearly endless sunny weather. However, this state
is also home to a number of small agricultural cities, such as Belinda
Morgan's hometown of Labränza.
Once a small, quiet city on the outskirts of Central, Aventüria, Central's
continued industrialization in recent years has forced Smalton and other
cities in the Midlands to grow and develop, often sacrificing their
"small-town appeal" in the process. This is even apparent on the street where
Kevin Kyme spent his childhood, as the small forest across from his house was
recently leveled to build a highway connecting Central to its neighboring
cities.
Sunset Apartments, located in western Central, is the sister complex to
Sunrise Apartments. Aside from being located on opposite sides of the city,
the two apartment complexes are nearly identical. Both consist of three-story
buildings with twelve apartments on each floor, and both sets of apartments
come equipped with full-sized washers and dryers, ranges, and dishwashers.
Also, both apartment complexes are owned by Townsend Real Estate.
Méria is located in the southeast corner of Kiërda and is bordered on both
its southern and eastern side by the Kiërda-Orënta ocean. Its largest and most
populous city, Méria, is located on the southern end of its eastern coast and
has become a popular tourist attraction, due to its coastal location and its
warm, sunny climate.
-
Asedorianism: An Introduction
Asedorianism (kréa väsedo) is the central religion of Kiërda.
It favors Hinduism in that its followers believe in a number of "gods"
(eläsan) and "demigods" (méneläsan), all of whom
originate from one Ultimate Source (Äsedo). Most followers of
Asedorianism view these "gods" as Christians see Christ or as
Catholics regard the Virgin Mary, as intercessors to their God (Äsedo);
however, the eläsan may also serve as personal messengers from
God (similar to angels in the Bible), and many believe that
eläsan can sometimes be found walking the earth in the guise of
humans.
Traditional Asedorian mythology holds that
the original six eläsan were appointed the task of creating the
universe, but there are some traditions that believe that each of the
hundreds-- or possibly thousands-- of eläsan and méneläsan had a hand in
creating the universe. Still others proclaim that the universe was
"spoken" into existence by Äsedo himself, and that the eläsan
came into being, not to create, but to help sustain the
universe.
The term "Asedorianism" is a loose translation (an
"Americanization", if you will) of the Mätrian term "kréa väsedo", which translates to "Belief in God"
or "Belief in Äsedo." Most believers would also disapprove of
referring to the eläsan as "gods", citing that an élas
has no power of his or her own, but that his or her power comes
from Äsedo. Of course, as with any religion, there are a number
of sects and varying beliefs even among individual houses of worship
as to the extent of power and the role of the eläsan in the
universe.
Generally speaking, an élas is any one of the hundreds or
even thousands (the exact number is unknown) of "lesser deities" in the Asedorian
belief structure that act as intercessors and messengers of the
religion's "major deity", Äsedo. The more strict definition of the
term refers to the six major deities that were with Äsedo from the
Beginning of Time and that, according to popular Asedorian mythology,
were appointed with the task of creating the universe.
According to tradition, each élas contributed one major
Element to the natural world-- Mätena created Water, Ädria created
Warmth, etc.-- and all six eläsan contributed to the creation
of the first Man and Woman. Each month of the Asedorian calendar is
named for one of the six major eläsan, and certain personality
traits are attributed to a person depending on the month in which that
person was born. For example, "Ogäred's" (people born in the month of
Ogäre) are generally perceived as being dry and practical and strive
for order and discipline, while the more abstract "Gänemad's" appear
to be more carefree, energetic, and impractical.
Here is a list of the six major eläsan, along with a brief
description of each, and some of the characteristics attributed to a
person born within that particular élas's month.
-
Mätena - The Mother
Element: Water (sänate); Season: Early- to
Mid-Spring
The first month of the Asedorian calendar is named for the
élas traditionally credited with the creation of all the plant
life in the universe. According to Asedorian mythology, Mätena
caused Water to spring from the large spheres of Earth created by
Förte, and that this Water flowed over the surface of the spheroids,
carving valleys and canyons and creating rivers and oceans. This
Water then permeated the Earth, creating Soil, and from this Soil
sprung grass and trees and all manner of plant life.
Often depicted in a
manner similar to that of traditional "fertility goddesses," Mätena
is viewed as the Creator and Sustainer of Life. In addition to her
forceful, yet benevolent nature, Mätena is said to have a beauty
that is second only to that of her "sister", Gänema.
People born during the month of Mätena are also typically viewed as
having very strong personalities. Though at times they may appear
impulsive and quick-tempered, they exude a confidence and vigor that
earn them the admiration of their peers. They are often very
protective of those close to them and will confront anyone whom they
feel has threatened a loved one, but at the same time they can be
very loving and nurturing to those with whom they share a close
connection.
-
Förte - The Youth
Element: Earth (wänate); Season: Late
Spring/Early Summer
The second month of the Asedorian calendar is named for Förte,
"The Youth". Förte was charged with creating the massive earthen
spheroids that were later molded and enhanced by his fellow
eläsan into what we now call "Planets."
Förte was also responsible for forging the two mounds of dirt
that Mätena would sculpt into the first Woman and Man. Traditionally
depicted as a young male child of incredible physical strength and
constitution, Förte personifies the vigor and energy of youth.
Förted's are often viewed as sharing the youthful energy of their
namesake. They are energized by conversation and have a very easy
time forming new relationships. They are also very physically active
and highly competitive, often choosing to engage in sports or other
outdoor activities rather than remain indoors with a good book or in
front of a television. Yet for all their dynamism, they seem to
exude a grounded, well-balanced temperament and are generally very
easy to relate to.
-
Ädria - The Huntress
Element: Heat (oímate); Season: Mid- to Late
Summer
The third month of the Asedorian calendar is named for Ädria.
Ädria was responsible for creating all the animal life on the planet
Mätria and throughout the universe. Traditional Asedorian mythology
holds that she caused Warmth to flow from the burning spheres of
Light created by Ogäre and that from this Warmth, a myriad of living
creatures evolved. Following the creation of the first Man and
Woman, Ädria was charged with the task of teaching them to survive
on the goods of the land by hunting game and harvesting crops.
Ädria is often portrayed as having a rather homely appearance,
especially when compared with the exquisite beauty of Gänema and
Mätena;
however, her strength and dexterity more than compensate for her
lack of charm, and she is rivaled in physical prowess only by her
counterpart, Förte.
Ädriad's are traditionally held to be very meticulous and
practical. While some Ädriad's are very shy and introverted, others
thrive on social interaction and work very well in group settings.
Despite their differences, nearly all persons born within this month
are viewed as both diligent and highly efficient in their work, and
they are very modest about their accomplishments. True to the
teachings passed down to humankind by their namesake, Ädriad's tend
to display an appreciative, often deferential regard for both their
environment and their peers.
-
Gänema - The Romantic
Element: Motion/Sound (aímate); Season:
Early- to Mid-Autumn
The fourth month of the Asedorian calendar is named for the
élas said to be responsible for the Seasons. Once the Planets
were created, and the Fauna and Flora of each world were in place,
it fell on Gänema to set things in motion. She caused each of the
heavenly bodies to rotate on an axis, creating Night and Day, and
then set the Planets into elliptical rotations around the various
Suns created by Ogäre. Some Planets were placed too close to their
Sun, causing their Waters to dry up and their Atmospheres to
dissipate, while others were set too far away to receive the Warmth
granted to the Suns by Ädria, causing the surfaces of those planets
to become frozen and the Atmospheres to become toxic. Still others
remained a perfect distance from the Sun and were able to sustain
life. Those worlds would experience times of greater Warmth as
their orbit took them closer to the Sun, and periods of colder
weather as they drifted further from the Sun. These variations in
temperature became known as Seasons.
In addition to the creation of the Seasons, Gänema is also said
to have instilled in humankind a sense of Inspiration and Beauty and
is said to be responsible for the "artistic nature" within every
human being. As such, she is often described as a being of
incredible beauty and is often regarded as a muse or a source of
artistic inspiration.
People born within the month of Gänema are often found to be
charming and very sociable. Not all Gänemad's are regarded for their
physical beauty; however, they all possess a personal charm and
magnetism that draws people to them. While some Gänemad's are very
forceful and practical, others may exude the same type of
inexperience and naïveté that led to the scorching and freezing of a
number of Planets by Gänema herself. While persons born within this
month will display a range of personalities-- from extroverted to
withdrawn, from energetic to lazy-- you will find something to love
in every one of them.
-
Ogäre - The Scholar
Element: Light (aümate); Season: Late
Autumn/Early Winter
The fifth month of the Asedorian calendar is named for the
Creator of Light, Ogäre. While the eläsan were able to
perceive their creation in the absence of Light, the living
creatures created by Ädria were blinded by the Darkness that
pervaded the universe. Ogäre formed a massive orb of light, so
bright that its light extended to the far reaches of the universe;
however, he quickly discovered that the glow was too powerful for
those creatures living near the globe. So he split the glowing ball
into a myriad of smaller, but still immensely bright, orbs of Light,
and placed them at various points throughout the universe, calling
them Suns.
Ogäre was also given the task of instructing the first Man and
Woman in the ways of science and technology, and with instilling in
them a sense of intellectual curiosity and a desire to explore their
environment through scientific means. As such, Ogäre is often
regarded as the Father of Knowledge or the Father of Science.
No one exudes this sense of intellectual curiosity better than
those born within the month of Ogäre. In fact, Ogäred's generally
approach every situation with a meticulous caution, carefully
weighing both sides of any argument before taking a stance; however,
once an Ogäred's mind is made up, he will hold his position unless
provided with substantial evidence to contradict his opinion. Of
course, there are exceptions-- some Ogäred's have a more jovial,
carefree outlook on life, and take on every situation with
boundless, often careless energy. But on the whole, Ogäred's thrive
on order and discipline and prefer a more practical approach to
things.
-
Viégo - The Philosopher
Element: Air (ímate); Season: Mid- to Late
Winter
The sixth and final month of the Asedorian calendar is named for
Viégo. Viégo was responsible for creating the Atmospheres that once
encased all of the Planets in the universe. When they were first
created, each Atmosphere was capable of sustaining both the plant
and animal life on its respective Planet; however, when Gänema set
the Planets in orbit around their Suns, some of the Planets were
scorched, and others became frigid for having been placed too near
or too far away from their Suns. As a result, some of the
Atmospheres were dissipated while others became toxic and
inhospitable to life.
Viégo was also responsible for breathing life into the first Man
and Woman, filling their lungs with the same air as he had used to
create the Atmosphere. When a person dies, it is said that their
breath is returned to Viégo so that he may breathe life into a new
being. While this may sound like a bid for reincarnation, most
Asedorianists are quick to distinguish between a person's Breath,
which leaves them once they leave this world, and his eternal Soul
which, instead of returning to this world in another body, continues
on into the Next World.
Viégo is often regarded as the "Élas of Death and the
Afterlife"; however, those born within the month of Viégo are far
from dead. Friendly, amusing, selfless and kind, Viégad's make
wonderful companions. While some are found to be restless and
indecisive, most Viégad's are very balanced, agreeable, and eager to
discuss anything from religion and philosophy to politics or current
world events. Though moderately withdrawn, once engaged in
conversation, a Viégad will nearly always bring a fresh, new
perspective to any subject.
- How does the Asedorian calendar work?
In recent times, Asedorianism has become the dominant religion of
the Western continent, and even those who do not follow its teachings
use the Asedorian calendar, as it has become the standard system for
calculating time.
The Asedorian calendar begins at the end of a major conflict
between two opposing civilizations, both of whom occupied the Western
Continent (see below). The resolution of this conflict ended with the
merging of the two opposing sides into one united civilization with a
shared language and culture, and from this culture emerged the Modern
Asedorian belief structure, along with the Modern Asedorian Calendar.
This solar calendar divides the Mätrian year into six "seasons" (mézan),
each named for one of the major Asedorian deities (eläsan)--
Mätena, Förte, Ädria Gänema, Ogäre, Viégo-- which are then divided
into thirty-six "days" (sölan), each of which is thirty-six
"hours" (öran) in length.
Each söla is roughly 25 "Earth hours" long, and a standard
Mätrian year lasts about 225 "Earth days."
- What does "TS" stand for?
The Asedorian calendar begins with the year "TS1"
("täna-sän príma"), which is short for "tresiëndate serénad
príma", or "The First Year of Tranquility." This year marked the
end of a six-year war between the radical monotheists (vasëdan-prímate)
and the radical polytheists (vasëdan-mäksite) who occupied the
once divided Western Continent.
This civil war-- the first and last ever to be fought on Kiërdan
soil-- ended in a draw, and in the end the two sides signed a pact of
non-aggression. The two countries were united, and the two cultures
began to intermix and share ideas. Over time, even the popular
religious beliefs began to adapt and reshape to fit the evolving
culture, the result of which is what we now refer to as "Modern
Asedorianism" or simply "Asedorianism."
- When is a "year" not a year?
Generally on this site when i refer to "years" i'm not speaking of "Earth years",
which are 365 or 366 days long, but rather "Mätrian years" (tresiëndan),
which are roughly 225 days long (about 7½ months). So when you read, for
example, that Kevin Kyme graduated high school at the age of thirty years, it's
not a typo-- and he wasn't held back for 12+ grades.
In an effort to help you better understand how the Asedorian ("Mätrian")
calendar compares to the modern Julian ("Terran") calendar, i have provided this
chart of approximate "trésiend-to-year" conversions:
|
Mätrian Years
(tresiëndan) |
Terran Days
(approx.) |
Terran Months
(approx.) |
Terran Years
(approx.) |
| 1 |
225 |
7½ |
0.625 |
| 2 |
450 |
15 |
1.250 |
| 3 |
675 |
22½ |
1.875 |
| 4 |
900 |
30 |
2.500 |
| 5 |
1125 |
37½ |
3.125 |
| 6 |
1350 |
45 |
3.750 |
| 12 |
2700 |
90 |
7.500 |
| 18 |
4050 |
135 |
11.25 |
| 24 |
5400 |
180 |
15.00 |
| 30 |
6750 |
225 |
18.75 |
| 36 |
8100 |
270 |
22.50 |
- Whatever became of David Jamas, Sr.?
In the story, Dr. Leonard consistently refers to his protégé as
"David", while everyone else seems to know him as "Ryan". Ryan's
character profile reveals that his full name is in fact David Ryan
Jamas, and that his father was also a David Jamas. While no mention is
made of Ryan's father in the stories-- even in regard to his status as
living or deceased-- it is believed that the two men had a very rocky
relationship during their time together and that no attempt has been
made at resolving their differences during their time apart.
This is a major factor in why Ryan took to Dr. Leonard as quickly
as he did. As a mentor, Dr. Leonard was both stern and forgiving,
demanding and rewarding, and patient without being lax or excessively
lenient. The professor became not only a source of strength and
encouragement, but also something of a father figure for a young man
in need of a positive male role model.
As a result of this, Dr. Leonard has taken to calling Ryan by the
name given to him by his father-- a name that he renounced when he was
forced to leave home as a child. The privilege of using Ryan's first
name is gifted solely to the professor, and anyone who attempts to
call Ryan by his given name will receive a quick rebuke from the young
man. In return, Ryan refers to the professor by his given name (Aramaki),
rather than the more familiar "okéna" or "Okin."
- How did "Okin" come about?
The nickname "Okin" is a derivative of the Mätrian word okéna,
which means "professor" or "teacher."
When Gabriela was very young, she and her father would drop by the
Central University campus from time to time to pay the professor a
visit. At that time, many of Dr. Leonard's students had taken to
calling him "Okéna"-- a practice his young niece picked up on
very quickly. However, with her developing verbal skills, it often
came out as "Okie" or "Okin" rather than "Okéna." James liked
the name so much that he began informally referring to his brother by
it, and even as Gabriela grew and matured, she continued to know her
uncle as "Uncle Okin."
- What is "Project 2522" or "Anäma És"?
Unfortunately, all that i can say at this point is that "Project
2522" and "The Anäma És Project" are one in the same. The project was
conceptualized by Dr. Aramaki ("Okin") Leonard and Dr. Elihu Abrahams,
and was created with the aid of their respective lab assistants-- Ryan
Jamas and Cheryl Atkinson-- and a number of engineers and electricians
who were never fully aware of what they were helping to create.
More details about the project will be revealed once the Story
element of the site is posted.
Both Cheryl's and Michael's profiles tell of them graduating high
school with a "4.0". Now, on the standard four-point grading scale
used in most schools here in the United States, that's a pretty high
achievement-- however, on the Mätrian six-point scale, a 4.0 is on the
borderline between "Good" and "Sufficient." So the question is, did
Cheryl and Michael merely do a "sufficient" job in high school, or did
they really
make above a "4.0"?
The answer-- they both scored a perfect 6.0 out of 6. I just
figured it would "translate" better to say that they each got a 4.0, as the
four-point scale is (i assume) more familiar to my readers. Of course,
this was only for the sake of this site-- were the high school GPA of
either party to
warrant mention in the actual series, it would most definitely be
presented as a perfect 6.0.
- Who are Howard and Anne Marie Davis?
Anne Marie Davis is the daughter of Wilma and Claude Evans--
Carol Kyme's paternal aunt and uncle. She grew up in the midlands of
Aventüria, where she spent a great deal of time playing with her
cousin Carol, who lived just a few doors down. After
finishing her education, Anne Marie married her high school sweetheart,
Howard Davis, and the two of them moved to Suresta, Méria (in the
Southeastern States). A few years later, she gave birth to her
first and only daughter, Jessie.
In the late autumn of TS412, Howard and
Anne Marie were on a commercial flight that went down over the Kiërda-Orënta
Ocean. There were no survivors. Their teenage daughter, now orphaned, moved to
Central, Aventüria to live with her aunt Carol and her family.
In Jessie's profile, it states that she lost her parents at the age
of 15. Now, going by my previous assertion that "years" are meant to
be read as "Mätrian years" or tresiëndan, this would mean that
Jessie was only 15 tresiëndan (about 9 years) old at the time.
However, if you check the dates on Kevin's profile (the year of his
birth vs. the year of the "family tragedy" that led to Jessie's
adoption), you will see that Kevin was 18 tresiëndan (about 11
years) old at the time. But isn't Jessie supposed to be older
than Kevin...?
The truth is, Jessie was about 15 Earth years (24
tresiëndan) old at the time of the incident. Once again, it was a
matter of translation-- i figured it would be more confusing to read
that Jessie moved in with the Kyme family at the age of 24 then left
for college six years later, than to just say she was about 15 at the
time and thus contradict my earlier statement.
The description of Okin's room makes mention of Gabriela's brother
being "ten" when she was born. As with the "Jessie situation" (above),
"ten years old" once again means ten "Terran (Earth) years" (approx. 16
tresiëndan).
Perhaps i should've said, "Except where age is concerned, a
'year' generally means a 'Mätrian year'..."
Lara and Ritchie Morgan are long-time friends and next-door
neighbors of Robert and Carol Kyme. Lara was responsible for
introducing the couple during their time at Central University, and
Ritchie originally owned the house that Robert and Carol moved into
following their wedding.
You can view their individual profiles for more information.
- Are Lara and Ritchie Morgan related to Belinda Morgan?
Yes they are. In fact, Ritchie is Belinda's paternal cousin (i.e.,
her father's brother's son).
As a bit of random trivia, Ritchie's brother, Bradley Morgan, who
lives with his wife and family in Amélia (located across the ocean
form Kiërda in the continent of Orënta), has a daughter named Kelli.
She and Gabriela came to be very close when her family resided in
Central (they moved around the time that Gabriela started high
school), and the two have kept in close contact via the Internet. Remember the name Kelli
Morgan-- it might come into play later in the series...
- Is Jessie Davis related to Michael Davis?
There is not known to be any direct relationship between Jessie and
Michael Davis (aside from the common last name); however, there is a
chance that they share some distant relative somewhere along the way.
As far as Kevin knows, following the events of his graduation day, he
is the last surviving member of his family; however, not having
researched the entirely family history of every person who married
into the Kyme or Evans family, it is likely that he has some living
relatives of which he is unaware, and who are likewise unaware of his
situation.
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