I was thinking today about some of the sources of inspiration (from non-PF) I've relied on when imagining character and story ideas and thought it might be interesting or even useful to discuss them and see what sources other people draw on. To keep things as focused as possible, I'm only going to talk about my inspirations for the faction to which I'm currently dedicated: the Caldari. These are some of my sources... What IPs do you draw imagery or ideas from when imagining the State?
Starship Troopers (the film)All right, let's sum up. This year in history, we talked about the failure of democracy. How the social scientists of the 21st Century brought our world to the brink of chaos. We talked about the veterans, how they took control and imposed the stability that has lasted for generations since. We talked about the rights and privileges between those who served in the armed forces and those who haven't, therefore called citizens and civilians.
The patriotic jingoist parody of the Starship Troopers film shines light on the State's Patriot bloc and what daily life might be like for middle class KK citizens.
GattacaThey used to say that a child conceived in love has a greater chance of happiness. They don't say that anymore.
Gattaca is the story of a man born into a world that allowed him no social mobility for reasons entirely beyond his control. He takes control and overcomes these obstacles. To me, this archetypal story may mirror that of the "disassociated" in Caldari society, especially before the recent meritocratic reforms. It is also the best movie I've ever seen.
Total Recall: 2070 & Blade RunnerBoth this TV series and film have a noir sci-fi feel that, for me, defines the gritty urban existence, high tech elitism, tangled webs of (deadly) corporate intrigue, and general grimdark to be found in the core of the State.
The Spartan faction from Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri"Superior training and superior weaponry have, when taken together, a geometric effect on overall military strength. Well-trained, well-equipped troops can stand up to many more times their lesser brethren than linear arithmetic would seem to indicate.
The Spartans are a society built entirely on military doctrine and designed with one paramount goal: security. The faction is led by a female officer, reinforcing its stance on gender equality and suggesting strong meritocratic ideals. They despise the environmentalist Gaians, providing parallels to the Caldari-Gallente relationship. I've modeled my current main, Marikka Hoshisuuvi, after a younger version of Corazon Santiago.
The Morganite faction from Sid Meier's Alpha CentauriHuman behavior is economic behavior. The particulars may vary, but competition for limited resources remains a constant. Need as well as greed have followed us to the stars, and the rewards of wealth still await those wise enough to recognize this deep thrumming of our common pulse.
Morgan
defines "megacorporation". I see endless parallels between him and his faction and the Caldari Practical bloc.
The Hive faction from Sid Meier's Alpha CentauriLearn to overcome the crass demands of flesh and bone, for they warp the matrix through which we perceive the world. Extend your awareness outwards, beyond the self of body, to embrace the self of group and the self of humanity. The goals of the group and the greater race are transcendent, and to embrace them is to achieve enlightenment.
Yang does a brilliant job of articulating the implications of a community concept like
heiian in an age of advanced interstellar technologies. The ethos that defines the Hive strikes me as being similar to that probably forced upon the lower classes in the State (esp. pre-Heth), but it is a system that they accept readily thanks to the basic group-focused nature of the society and the application of cunning social engineering at crucial points. This is something the Gallente find easy to dislike because its basic function is to suppress individuality. I see the Hive come through in places like Zainou and the darker parts of Ishukone. TCMCs and such.
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Topic: Sources of Inspiration: The Caldari (Read 2340 times)