In Preparation for Decipher Trek...

[Dave Biggins]

Hi guys, it's been awhile since I last wrote any adventures and there are a couple of reasons for this. One of them taking advantage of the down-time "Between Systems" to put together the crew of the Constitution-class USS Hood. Like the rest of y'all, I have no idea what the new system will be like but I thought that I could do some serious brain-storming with y'all and come up with an international crew that reflects their actual nationalities.

There is a basic framework that I want to put behind it:

1. Each character reflects the "ideal hero" of a particular nationality. Although one or two foibles for spice is fine, he/she should reflect the ideal person of that nation.

2. This will be a TOS crew. This is a purely selfish reason. I've written hordes of adventures for the TNG era and have only written two for TOS. I'd like to stomp around in a simpler era.

3. I'd like to have a character from nations of people posting on these boards and I want to get them right. What can I say? I'm an American. Although I have interacted with lots of other folks, I lack the "inside track".

Off the top of my head I can think of posters from:
1. US
2. Canada
3. Germany
4. France
5. Argentina
6. Sweden
7. Brazil
8. Austria
9. Switzerland
There's probably quite a few more that I have neglected to put down (and for that I apologize). I'd really like to hear some ideas from y'all (including my fellow Americans). I'll try to accomodate as many of the subcultures as I can, too! I realize that a Nova Scotian is not the same as a Quebecois.

My hotmail account is kinda glutted so if y'all can post them here I'd appreciate it. Besides, it would be a good cultural exchange.

If you could give me some details on the 22nd century version of his/her home along with what position he/she would serve on the ship, that would be great too! The only position that I have in mind is making the Captain a Brit. Hope to hear from y'all!

[AslanC]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dave Biggins:
2. Canada</font>

Well first off Canadians have a long histoy as engineers and military men and women. But we are as diverse as any other group of people. First off you must decide what part of Canada you want someone from;

The Maritimes
Quebec
Ontario
The Prarrie Provinces (Manitoba & Saskatchewan)
Alberta
British Colombia
Yukon
North West Territories
Nunavut

Then you have to deicde if they are of Native Decent (Inuit/Amerind), Western European, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, etc...

We are a virtual mosaic of cultures in Canada and for the most part live in peace and harmony.

So I am afriad it would be alomst impossible to show whatwould be considered the best example of a Canadian, since defining a Canadian is nearly impossible.

I love your adventures Dave, so if there is anyway I can help you gfet a really interesting Canadian in your crew it would be my pleasure.

I think the best way to go would no matter what part of Canada you pick them to be from, make them of mixed ancestry (perhaps Western European/Asian or Middle Eastern/Slavic).

Hope this helps a bit.

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Aslan Collas
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
RPG_Trek; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rpg-trek
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ferengi Rule Of Acquisition #76: Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies.

[Re'k]

I'll give an example of what I consider to be an outstanding Canadian. He was from Edmonton, Alberta. He'd been sent to eastern Europe as part of a Canadian Armed Forces peacekeeping mission, I think he was an engineer. He made rag dolls in his spare time and handed them out to kids in the war-torn country as he did his job.

To me, that's a Canadian hero... he left his family back home to go help others. He went beyond what was called for and made the helping personal. I'll bet you that every one of the kids he gave a doll to will remember him. I have no idea what his ethnic background was, but it doesn't matter. He was Canadian.

The story ends, I believe, with him stepping on a land mine. His family continues to make rag dolls en masse to be sent overseas.

[This message has been edited by Re'k (edited 06-17-2001).]

[Dave Biggins]

Aslan: No arguement here. Like I said in my first post, I realize that there are a whole horde of cultures within each nation. How about a little on your own? (Bajor...I confess that I haven't heard of that Province...north of Nova Scotia? )

Re'k: I'm touched and saddened hearing his story. Thank you.

[Ronin84]

Ok...

I am from a mixed American Indian and Polish household. My grandfather taught me how to hunt fish and generally be an outdoorsman. My grandmother on my Polish side taught me a lot about history...not Polish history but AMERICAN history because she was proud of this country and of her two brothers who had given their lives for it.

As I sit typing this I could see taking this and running with it for a character set in the TOS era. With a few modifications of course.

Ronin84

[SIR SIG]

How could you miss the 'Bloody Aussies'?

As for Aussies, the true Anzac gets in there no nonsense and gets the job done.

Well the Aussies held out until 2150's or is it the 2050's?. Becuase they though they could go it alone and not be affected by the other 'stuff'. Which they did for a while until joining the Earth Government.

As for positions on a starship? Well we can do almost anything perhaps specializing in security or logistics?

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SIRSIG
AKA: SirPostalot
AKA: The MapMaker
AKA: The Trek Cartographer
AKA:...Well I could keep going forever

[This message has been edited by SIR SIG (edited 06-17-2001).]

[Eric R.]

Well by the time of TOS Southwest Pennsylvanians would have probably been out of mining for nearly two centuries but would still clinging to notions of Stubborness, Toughness and single mindedness that has characterized us for the last one hundred years or so.

Most would have a deep love of the outdoors including hunting, espicially deer & Wild Turkey, and fishing. The Army has considered us a prime recruiting ground for excellant marksmen and Infantry since before the Civil War and I would see no reason for this not to continue. Hence we would make good security personnel.

The amount of construction and miners in the area would also encourage me to say they would make good structural engineers. And many crewmen when home or on duty might say there "On the river" which would be the Mon, not the Yac

Most of us are also provincial and at times very sentimental, a result of the deep Scotch-Irish and Anglo blood. We can drink hard, and if you cross one of us when we drink chances are there will be a shouting match to follow. Which brings another point we can be real load and pushy at times even when sombody agrees with us.

If you call us Appalachin or West Virginians that is sure to start a fight as while as saying were form Pittesburgh. We are South West Pennsylvanians and will never let you forget about it. Our trees are more greener then anywhere else and when you get back home you just know it becuase of that

They would call Soda drinks Pop, and say things like Euins or Worshington instead of You and Washington, and a Creek is a Crick, please. And a Hollow is a Haller

[This message has been edited by Eric R. (edited 06-17-2001).]

[Calcoran]

He he he ... funny. It reminds me of my years in Japan as foreign student. There was an Egyptian in the same dormitory who had very firm theories about nationalities. A few quotes maybe :
"You are French, it's only natural that you like to cook and that you do cook better than we from other nationalities do!"
... or ...
"I cannot believe that you stay true to your girlfriend in France! YOU are FRENCH, therefore you ARE seducing all those Japanese chicks who are just dying to meet a French guy/lover"
... or again ...
"No, you cannot be Christian. All French guys are heathen!"

Well ... "no smoke without fire" as we use to say in French. It is probably true that most of us enjoy a good meal ... more perhaps than other nationalities since we end up spending more time and money and efforts for good cooking . (How do you recognize Frenchs? They talk about food before eating, while eating, and they are still talking about food after eating ... or ... "You're not supposed to eat to live, you're supposed to live for eating"(oops wrong way again!)).
It may also be true that we like women more than we ought to, although I can't imagine why French guys got this reputation and not Italian guys, who're even worse than we are!
Incidentally, we also happen to be good engineers (usually), and may have been good at politics at one point in the history of Europe (political language was once French I believe) ... and there's the whole culture and arts thing too.
What we're definitely not good at is speaking other languages, although it seems that some US peoples are trying to compete with us on that point (don't bother, you'll never win ). French peoples are probably way too proud of being French, but so are other nationalities.

So ... home in the 22th century ... Paris is probaby the siege of some fairly important organization (I can't remember it it was already the case by TOS) ... and a leisure destination maybe? Of course there are a lot of French islands around, like "La Reunion" or "Tahiti / French Polynesia", that most definitely have become fashionable leisure places.
As for the position ... I can't imagine him as the cook ... way too cliché IMNSHO. Maybe the kind of engineer that no-one understands because of his French accent ... and who loves to cook weird meals during his free time? Or make Chekov French ... just change the accent, have him a bit more interested by women, à la D'Artagnan (but it never works ... well known fact that, TOS captains get all the chicks ). Or again make him a "her" ... with an intrusive hobby about fashion (Did I mention fashion? Maybe all Starfleet uniforms are designed in France by a famous tailor who likes to wear a kilt?).
Or again a mix of all three?

P.S.: I do hope the captain will have a pipe that he'll need to smoke before taking a difficult decision!

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Sometimes it's better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness.
-- (Terry Pratchett, Men at Arms)

[Dan Gurden]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Calcoran:
So ... home in the 22th century ... Paris is probaby the siege of some fairly important organization (I can't remember it it was already the case by TOS) ... </font>

That would be the office of the President of the UFP...

Not much there!

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">P.S.: I do hope the captain will have a pipe that he'll need to smoke before taking a difficult decision! </font>

Oi!
where the hell does the pipe come from, next you'll say he needs a bowler and talk about the weather.

OK, essential skills and traits for a Brit.

Administration (Bereaucracy)
Athletics (Football (Soccer)) and/or(Cricket)
(Low levels in both allowing the game to be taught, but the teacher to be immediatly beaten at the game!)
Diplomacy (Debate)
Planetary Science (Meteorology)
(we do tend to focus on the weather...)

Just a few things to remember or add...

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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts from a random mind!"
http://www.theventure.freeserve.co.uk

[Liquidator Queeg]

Hey Dave,

The Canadian guy probably should have some hockey scars, like a few fake teeth he pulls out when drinking beer or maybe a broken nose. I know medical advances could clear these up... but hey, we're talking battle scars here!

If it's a Canadian woman, you should probably even add a few more scars. Canadian women are mean hockey players.

Steve

[Dave Biggins]

Ronin: Please do continue! What would be you 22nd century version of such a person be?

Sir Sig: I have absolutely no idea how I could have forgotten the Aussies...especially since every Aussie I've met seemed to outweigh me in muscle mass 2:1 . Security or logistics, huh? Hmm...

Eric R: Counting a Molly Maguire or two in my ancestry, I've done a bit of studying up on the history of Western PA. I know this sounds a bit cheesy, but how about a Geologist? Sombody who is more commfortable examining rocks right where they came from rather than a lab?

Calcoran: French Engineer...cooks in his freetime...By the way, where in Japan did you live? I lived in Yokosuka for two years.

Dan: I've been looking at Kipling for ideas of a good British Captain. Do you have any others?

Steven: You're not making fun of me, are you?

[Ronin84]

Dave,

Just started today to put him on paper and it is coming along well just one question how many points would you like, really I am putting this together as if you were going to ref em. Let me know. I am really getting inspired!

Ronin84

[Eric R.]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dave Biggins:


Eric R: Counting a Molly Maguire or two in my ancestry, I've done a bit of studying up on the history of Western PA. I know this sounds a bit cheesy, but how about a Geologist? Sombody who is more commfortable examining rocks right where they came from rather than a lab?
</font>

It just so happens, that my ol'school Waynesburg College located here in my home town has one of the finist rock and minieral collections in the country with MANY rare gemstones and Giodes that has been used by top universities. Both California State University located nearby and even Pitt and WVU have noted Geology programs So a Geologist would not be too out of character for someone from the area.

Yes good choice, I would also so say the other science which would interest somebody from around here is Archeaology. It is a past time for kids to hunt Indian Arrow and spear heads and we have a thriving ametuer Archeaology communitty. On top of this is the Medowcraft Rock shelter at Avella which is the oldest site of human habitation in all of North America.

BTW the Mollies are from up in the Lehigh Valley north of Philly were as our main cliam to labor history is the Homestead strike. But chances are if you understand the Mollies you understand us. Further did you know that George Rogers Clark expedition during the rev war, which cliamed all of the Old Northwest for the US, started from Rices Landing which is near here.

[Dan Gurden]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dave Biggins:
Dan: I've been looking at Kipling for ideas of a good British Captain. Do you have any others?</font>

Well it depends on what your after.

A while back I built a station commander for an online game, and I designed it around a British Character.

Born in London, but excelling at his education, he found himself studying theoretical and astro sciences at Oxford University (The institution is still there, just a little more diverse <G>). Graduating from university he accepted a position at Starfleet Academy and expanded his skill base.

Working in the fleet as a Science officer, he built his way through the ranks eventually rising to Commander, and in the Command branch.

Always well groomed and clean shaved, he is polite, courteous and honourable, but occsionally, when its stressed, the hint of his south london accent breaks through the polished venier...

That was my character.

But Kipling is a good source. Along with Hornblower. Another good book source (a series of TV movies is available here but I'm not sure about the states) is Bernard Cornwalls 'Sharpe' series about a commoner rising through the ranks during the napoleonic wars (the major inspiration for my character).

R/L inspiration, look at Gordon of Khartohm, or all the military officers in the British army that go on expeditions to inhospitable locations, there is defnatly a daring feeling for a Brit, usually taking it beyond an extreme, along with a bloody mindedness to keep going...

Any more needed? Have I got your creativity going here?

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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts from a random mind!"
http://www.theventure.freeserve.co.uk

[Michael Brinkhues]

Let's see, a cliche german in the ST universe (no end of the cold war etc.)

There would be at least three of them:

• One from the coastal regions
• One from middle germany
• One from Bavaria

Let's start with the majority from the middle of germany:

• Relatively tall people with a smattering of hair and eye colors. Slightly darker skinned than the 20th century caucasian due to immigration
• Multi-langual as a norm at least german, english and a "useful non-earth language" (even today most germans are bi-langual)
• Relatively serious, down to earth people with a nack for technical details and an obsession for "perfection". Yurry-rigging drives them nuts and less than 100% perfection is viewed as bad.
• They like rules and organisation. As bureaucrats they are without equal on earth.
• Germans try to plan their live years in advance and love social security
• All speak german without a regional accent and tend to speak a very clipped, school-like federation standard.
• They have a tendency for team sports, chorus singing and other organised events. They stick together in groups and assoziations.
• Most liked sports are soccer and shuttle racing.

As a StarFleet officer:

• Tries to lead by example and checks every order for compliance with the law
• Sticks to the Prime Directive and damn the consequences
• They love the chain of command and worship the daily routine.
• Are peace loving, open people unless provoked. Than they are mean tricksters with a tendency for overkill
• No mustaches. Never.

More to follow

Michael

[This message has been edited by Michael Brinkhues (edited 06-19-2001).]