Manx option for Aslan and Vargr

[kafka47]

The thread on Jumpsuits/Skirts brought up the question of Alien species' tails. It got me to thinking how would Aslan/Vargr immediately recognize their brethren as barbarian/imperialized. Perhaps, one of the customs of Imperial Vargr/Aslan is go through a ceremonial removing of the tail. For as best that I can tell, from the literature, it serves no purpose other than cosmetic in the Vargr/Aslan physiology. This would be viewed as a concession to Humaniti but could have mystical origins that most Imperialized Vargr/Aslan would not give it a second thought until they met a true Vargr/Aslan. Naturally, this would be more applicable to Aslan who have a much more homogeneous culture than the Vargr who might actually spark off a fashion fad in the Extents before the next wave tail couture comes into vogue.

 

[samuelvss]

This would seem to me to be viewed as a profound level of mutilation. Assuming arguendo that their purpose is now mainly cosmetic, the same could be said of noses and ears. This might be something that a master would inflict on a slave, but not something a recruit would voluntarily subject themselves to.

 

[Ran Targas]

IMTU it isn't common for Vargr corsairs to bob their tails for the obvious reason that they're inconvenient in vacc suits. It also advertises just what kind of work they are in when in public; a lot like tattoos can now.

As punishment, I've always thought that the Vargr would lean toward corporal punishment as a means of justice, inflicting physical damage to criminals as both a deterrent and to visually identify ex-cons.

For Aslan, I think it depends on how you play them. If reputation's can be sullied further by adding injury to insult then maybe bobbing a tail or pulling dewclaws could be a tremendous permanent mark of shame.

 

[gammamutant]

This would seem to me to be viewed as a profound level of mutilation. Assuming arguendo that their purpose is now mainly cosmetic, the same could be said of noses and ears. This might be something that a master would inflict on a slave, but not something a recruit would voluntarily subject themselves to.

Have you seen the level of self mutilation humans go through for fashion? I'm not just talking about African neck rings and lip stretching. People do things like break fingers and have them reset in unusual ways.

 

[samuelvss]

Have you seen the level of self mutilation humans go through for fashion?

Oh, I have seen!

I think that as a means of socializing one into the imperium, thus dictated by the imperium, it would not likely be popular. I mean, if we required anyone with curly or kinky hair to get it straitened to get a green card, that would likely not be lauded as either enlightened or popular policy.

I saw a man who had sub-dermal horns on his forhead. o: OK for him, but if we set up that procedure as a prerequisite for entrance into our armed forces, our recruiting would go down. Then again, try to tell them they CAN'T get tatoos...

 

[gammamutant]

Oh, I have seen!

I think that as a means of socializing one into the imperium, thus dictated by the imperium, it would not likely be popular. I mean, if we required anyone with curly or kinky hair to get it straitened to get a green card, that would likely not be lauded as either enlightened or popular policy.

I saw a man who had sub-dermal horns on his forhead. o: OK for him, but if we set up that procedure as a prerequisite for entrance into our armed forces, our recruiting would go down. Then again, try to tell them they CAN'T get tatoos...

True, but to a social species trying to fit in with an alien community it wouldn't necessarily be to drastic. You are right, if they made it a law, there would be protests and rebellion, but if they were made to feel uncomfortable and treated differently than their non tailed coworkers. it might be enough to make it customary. Look at how many fat people become unhealthy trying to lose the weight that Americans feel makes them second class citizens. (I'm 280 Lbs, so I am not insulting fat people, just making a point)

 

[Rraurgrimm]

*blinks* Since when exactly were non-Imperial Vargr and fteirle considered barbarians? Last time I checked the OTU, the Hierate and the Imperium were on rather good diplomatic terms (MegaTraveller aside) - and apart from the usual incursions, the Vargr domains did mostly stick to themselves, either. Different - sure, even in TL at times. But barbaric?

More to the topic: I personally can see no reason to mutilate oneself by (f. e.) bobbing the tail - even if it were solely cosmetic. To go with stereotypes, the tails of both the Vargr and the fteirle/Aslan are part of their body language, emphasising gestures. They might even help a bit with balance which can be useful on those digitigrade legs (discussion about sensibility of these put aside, too).
In a more or less HighTech society that has had contact with non-humans for literally thousands of years I would not think it too far-fetched to have become at least tokenly more liberal - especially when the Imperium itself is rather laissez-faire. I could easily imagine everyday items (f. e. chairs) - at least those that find more use in frontier regions - to be quickly adaptable to different physiologies. Hey, the form-fitting acceleration seat is not exactly hitech, isn't it?

So no, I see no real reason - especially as bobbing the tail or even removing it would not change anything about the rest of the noticeably alien physiology. IMTU, the major difference is not the physiology - but the mindset. Trying to get fteirle and Vargr appear alien in their behaviour is difficult yet manageable. Even the 'imperialized' ones cannot help but act on their alien instincts at times - regardless of how they dress and whom they pay their taxes to.

 

[Vyrolakos]

Perhaps your vision of the Imperium is a little too humanocentric?

I've never imagined Imperial space to be devoid of alien races. There are plenty of references, both visual and literary, of Traveller aliens with 'sticky out bits' in vacc suits.

In particular, there is a great image of a Droyne in Battle Dress, with a tail mace!

The thought of an Aslan or a Vargr surgically removing their tail just to fit in with human society doesn't sound very likely on all but the most authoritarian and oppressively human dominated planets. I would imagine that it would be seen as an absolute admission of submission and compromise.

 

[gammamutant]

Perhaps your vision of the Imperium is a little too humanocentric?

I've never imagined Imperial space to be devoid of alien races. There are plenty of references, both visual and literary, of Traveller aliens with 'sticky out bits' in vacc suits.

In particular, there is a great image of a Droyne in Battle Dress, with a tail mace!

The thought of an Aslan or a Vargr surgically removing their tail just to fit in with human society doesn't sound very likely on all but the most authoritarian and oppressively human dominated planets. I would imagine that it would be seen as an absolute admission of submission and compromise.

In my universe there are countless alien races (I make life abundant rather than rare) I wasn't saying they should. just that it wouldn't be incredibly far fetched. It would make an interesting custom perhaps for some world or clan.
The question was posed in a way that indicated aliens not assimilated into the imperium were considered barbaric. If that is the choice of the GM then I was working under the assumption it was how that GM wanted it and created a justification for the tail bobbing under their universal view. As a fat nerd I would never condone alienating.

 

[Jame]

I like rare sapience but abundant life (i.e. about 100 races in Charted Space is enough, but about 70% of the 3I's 11,000 worlds have human-habitable biospheres and many of the rest have exotic ones, such as silicon-based), myself. But tailed species should be proud of their tails, and have adapted vaccsuits for it.

Indeed, think of the Githiaskio - what with their tentacles, they're practically all tails!

 

[gammamutant]

I like rare sapience but abundant life (i.e. about 100 races in Charted Space is enough, but about 70% of the 3I's 11,000 worlds have human-habitable biospheres and many of the rest have exotic ones, such as silicon-based), myself. But tailed species should be proud of their tails, and have adapted vaccsuits for it.

Indeed, think of the Githiaskio - what with their tentacles, they're practically all tails!

Rare sapience still equals a lot of races in my universe. I know little of the "Official" Traveller universe because my GMs (and later me) all preferred to create our own adventures. Grandfather and all the major races were always a part of the background universe, but I think I've only played one "module" so forgive me any flubs on interpreting the acceptance of alien races in the official lore.

 

[Vyrolakos]

In my universe there are countless alien races (I make life abundant rather than rare) I wasn't saying they should. just that it wouldn't be incredibly far fetched. It would make an interesting custom perhaps for some world or clan.
The question was posed in a way that indicated aliens not assimilated into the imperium were considered barbaric. If that is the choice of the GM then I was working under the assumption it was how that GM wanted it and created a justification for the tail bobbing under their universal view. As a fat nerd I would never condone alienating.

I guess if humans are anything to go by, there is always the possibility of a culture developing a ritual maiming tradition.

It's just that every Vargr character I've ever played has just thrown up at the mere thought of it.

 

[McPerth]

Frankly, when I introduced the fact of the tail on the Jumpsuits/skirts thread I intended no more than a little humor to a thread that I found quite humorous already, never thought about raising such a controversy.

From Vilani and Varg MT alien book (page 40, first paragraph after ‘appearance’):

…A flaring, brushy tail and a covering of body fur help to make us an attractive and distinctive race.

So, I don’t believe the Varg (neither the Aslan) to cut off their tails. Probably is true that they help in their body language and probably have some social functions (mostly on Vargr, as they have on terrestrial canines)

Even so, the fact of cutting it off as a form of punishment makes quite a sense, IMO

 

[Jame]

Rare sapience still equals a lot of races in my universe. I know little of the "Official" Traveller universe because my GMs (and later me) all preferred to create our own adventures. Grandfather and all the major races were always a part of the background universe, but I think I've only played one "module" so forgive me any flubs on interpreting the acceptance of alien races in the official lore.

Go with what works for your universe. THAT is what Traveller's really about - enjoying it your way. (No relation to Burger King is to be assumed; I only go there 'cause they're cheap.)