OPEN

[loyalrebel]

I have some information about the situation as well as advice regarding the Caliphate.

As far as information goes, they do not have any allies among the other kingdoms despite having rather vast holdings. Which is... less surprising than most of you will likely find that. They still control Carthage and quite interestingly Al-Andalus, which does explain a great deal of how they have kept ahead of-- ah, right. That probably means nothing to any of you.

What does matter is that they and the Prussia-Zaporizhian Empire are after two individuals that are apparently here in Nova Venezia, an inventor who left the Empire and a Pirate who... I am not quite sure what they did but they apparently enjoy blowing things up. Quite sizeable bounties have been put out for them, which I would suggest most of you take advantage of for cover stories if you need one.

Beyond that, we are above Venice which is essentially held by the Christian Church which... makes this a rather delicate situation with the Caliphate as they are as a general rule it seems followers of a branch of Islam.

Which brings this to a great deal of warning and advice about how to behave properly and not find yourselves on the receiving end of harsh punishment. These laws are... likely to be different than you know as they were written hundreds of years even before my time and are unable to be changed. I do not know if they apply here or not, but they will likely apply on Caliphate vessels and be observed in areas they reside in.

I will keep these general, though feel free to ask for further explanation if you wish it.

Do not swear, or otherwise blaspheme. I would also advise against public displays of affection, including hand holding. Do not stare at a woman, and do not be offended if someone does not directly look at you. There are strict laws concerning modesty and most of you tend to break them.

My biggest point of advice is this: whatever you do, do not claim to be from anywhere within the Caliphate. Being ignorant can rather literally save your skin in this.

If you need someone to help you in this, call on me. I will answer as best I can or come to where you are to help however possible.

Comments

[ofinspiration]

Ah, the threat of religious fanatics coming to murder us for blasphemy. It's almost like home.

[loyalrebel]

They could murder you for poor taste in clothing too.

[ofinspiration]

You know, that actually almost hurt.

[loyalrebel]

Then I will almost apologize for almost hurting your feelings.

[oftoomuchfaith]

Ouch, I'll have you know we both look absolutely dapper.

[loyalrebel]

That does not mean you are following the rules of modesty.

[oftoomuchfaith]

Well, I guess you have a point. I'm pretty sure my suit counted until I improved the neckline, though!

[loyalrebel]

...I somehow doubt I want to know.

[oftoomuchfaith]

It's much more fashionable now, I think. I can give you a private showing if you like!

[ She won't actually, but she's trying to fluster him - or at least exasperate him. ]

[loyalrebel]

I have rather more attractive ventures to chase I am afraid. Intelligence does not gather itself.

[oftoomuchfaith]

[ laughs ] Workaholic. Okay, okay, I'll stop teasing. Go, gather your intelligence free of distracting necklines and blasphemous gods.

[loyalrebel]

Not the worst thing I have been called.

Forgive me for not being terribly impressed by the goddess bit, we spent an entire jaunt in purgatory and I happened to be a fallen angel.

[oftoomuchfaith]

I heard about that - a city in Purgatory on the edge of Hell. I'm sure Luci's sad we missed the chance for her to be so close to home.

I'm Persephone, by the way. All the time, not just on Jaunts.

[loyalrebel]

You missed Leonardo getting thrown a party for merely existing.

I am Malik, of no claim to anything other than some skill at mapmaking.

[oftoomuchfaith]

Oh, I met him! He's darling, isn't he? Very sweet.

Mapmaking, that's actually kinda hard, yeah? I mean, I probably couldn't draw a map on tracing paper.

[loyalrebel]

He is a very good friend, though I do not understand the excitement about his work.

It is a time consuming practice, like anything worth doing. It involves knowing how to measure distances and get a feel for the land and it's people as well as a steady hand with the ink.

I would be happy to show you something when this Jaunt is over.

[oftoomuchfaith]

[ Persephone doesn't care. Laura, though... Laura's actually kind of interested. And Laura's increasingly the one engaging in the conversation. ]

I... probably wouldn't be much good at it. Art's not really my strong suit. Or maths.

I wouldn't turn you down, though. If nothing else, you have a nice voice for teaching. [ she's not really flirting, though, just... okay it's a little flirting, but it's not at all like flirting-to-fluster-him. ]

[loyalrebel]

If you can draw a straight line with a guide I am sure you can make something functional. I have simply spent the better part of twenty-five years doing it.

Thank you? I have more often been told I have too severe a disposition to be a good teacher for most.

[oftoomuchfaith]

Maybe. Your voice is, ah. Calming to listen to?

[ It's sexy. Sexy dad voice. Unf. ]

Maybe you'll be less severe with me, who knows?

[loyalrebel]

Why would I give you slack where I do not even give it to my closest friend?

[oftoomuchfaith]

You know you can be less severe without giving people slack. It's all about how you approach it. That's how some teachers can be total hardasses and students still love their classes.

[loyalrebel]

Mn, I never liked those lessons. It usually ended with at least a bit of bruising if not something bleeding or cracked, only to go back at it again the next day.

Not that I did not learn valuable lessons, like how to doge.

[unagreeable]

Nothin' like a tasty dose of opression.

[oftoomuchfaith]

No rich bastard - and religious leaders always seem to be - can resist a little oppression. I think they're contractually obligated or something.

[ What? She might be a god, but her dad's an electrician. They live comfortable enough now, or... did, but they haven't always. ]

[ofinspiration]

Oh, let them threaten. Some people get off on feeling self-righteous.

They try to touch any of us to enforce their nonsense, then they'll have real gods to answer to.