Intergalactic Summit

Entry One

Hello, pilots.

I have qualms about posting this in such a public place. It is very personal, and I don't want to go acting like my own circumstances are naturally worthy of discussion here.

But, this is the only place to post this. This project is a sort of outgrowth and continuation from something I started here before, long ago: the "Small Truths" articles, which I think were some of the most interesting things I wrote.

And maybe if this is a totally crazy idea, someone here will say so.

In "Small Truths," I sort of tried to distill cultures and beliefs down to their essential core, as a way of explaining the "soul" of a people. It was pretty well received-- well, the one on the Gallente was, anyway.

The thing is, in doing that work, I never stepped outside of my own perspective. These were the Gallente and the Caldari according to the Achura. I lived as an Achur, thought as an Achur, saw as an Achur, wrote as an Achur. Even if your faith is obsessed with insight, you're still going to miss things if you never leave home.

My head is full of knowledge of this sort: knowledge I left to myself, even when all my experiences have gone. It's not "wrong," mostly, I don't think (but then, I wouldn't). Instead it's ... maybe just sort of shallow.

What's worse, it's full of echoes from the person I used to be. The more I follow the architecture in my own head, the more I sound like her-- well, me. The darkest parts of me may have gone with my most painful formative memories, but what if they didn't?

I'm afraid to see where that road leads.

It's the loss of my old point of view that suggests a solution. I have no memory of family or friends, much less of home town, home world, or nation. I feel more sense of kinship with random capsuleers than I do for the State.

Maybe this is a sad loss. I don't know. Even if it is, It is also an opportunity to see our war-wracked star cluster with unclouded eyes.

I've decided to do some traveling. I want to see the way people live in all different places, and why they live that way. I want to learn about their "small truths," and why those truths don't seem so small.

Since I'm maybe still a little naiive, I'll be starting with the empires. I'd rather not end up ritualistically drained of blood during my first effort, whether I might learn a lot in the process or not.

My existing knowledge base is already Caldari-influenced, and what I "know" about the Gallente would make it really hard to treat them fairly. I apparently used to be sympathetic to the Minmatar; if I'm trying to put distance between myself now and myself then, I'll need to look somewhere else at first.

... Which leaves the Amarr. I've already started trying to arrange a place.

Here are the basic terms (here and in the future):

My role is that of a visiting scholar. I expect no rank, no honors, and no special treatment, aside from whatever is needed to allow my presence and departure. I will live and work as a faction pilot. I will participate and take orders in fleet operations; my abilities are at your disposal, as long as I remain.

As far as I am able, I will obey your laws and live according to your culture. However, I will not be required to convert, or otherwise to bind myself permanently to your cause. I will remain until either my host or I decide it is time for me to leave. My departure, like my arrival, will not be inhibited.

I will seek the opportunity to interview pilots and staff at various levels, and will expect reasonable cooperation with this aim. What I learn, I will write about, with as much clarity as I can manage. My purpose is not to judge; only to observe and learn, and to help others do the same. I will not remark on fleet tactics or other sensitive intelligence beyond, for example, the importance of Amarrian religion in ship design. My focus will be culture, faith, and way of life.

It must be understood that my position will require me to play my part wherever I travel. It must also be understood that most factions are at least a little disapproving of most others. My host may take no retribution for damage I have personally caused by working with other factions.

My host also may not take vengeance for any perceived slight or inaccuracy in my writing, though I am willing to receive criticism and post corrections as necessary. In other words, call me arrogant, careless, blind, or prejudiced (probably all of these will be true at some time); just don't jail, torture, or execute me for it.

Writings will appear in the form of a series of notes, journal entries, and essays.

I will consider offers from potential hosts at any time.

Organizations affiliated with Sansha's Nation need not bother: without going, I could never be sure I'd ever really leave, whether it looked like I did or not. If I did go, and became sure, it would likely be too late to do anything about it.

(Besides, if we believe their propaganda, we're all going there anyway.)

I can offer you a visit to our most multicultural group, if you are interested. You're certain to find a wide variety of viewpoints on any question you care to ask.

If by hug you mean interstellar trade, then I suppose, yes. In that case, hugs are open to all!

To clarify what miss Hydreiga was trying to suggest in more... Informative, terms, I should make you aware if you are not already that PYRE is currently host to the majority of former TSF employees, none of which have renounced their prior affiliation, though the organization denies any sympathies or alignment to Sansha's Nation itself. Make of it what you will.

And here I was thinking that the Federal Defence Union had terrible recruitment standards! Who knew!

Uh, I am. Kind of.

If you're looking for some truth about the Amarr, I believe I could fill you in on a few facts.

I can also provide some enlightenment on other...cultures...

As one Achuran who fled Caldari space under the discriminatory practices and persecutions of Tibus Heith and his followers, I can somewhat sympathize with your search for new environments and companions.

In my case, it was long friendships of people associated with the ISGC Racing League who were, in large part, Gallente in origin that led me to evacuate my extended family and friends from Todaki to my planetary holdings in Gallente space.

Now that Heth is no longer an active influence, I hope the situation within the Caldari corporations is improving.

Dear Miss Jenneth,

If you are looking for "immersion", I believe I could help facilitate that.

If interest, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. However, please note that I will be on a religious retreat with no access to the Galnet after tonight for several days.

Sincerely, and with God's Blessings,

Praefecta Lunarisse Aspenstar Daphiti of the Societas Imperialis Sceptri Cornaeque