Dur'id the Druid
Know what you're doing yet?
- Joined
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Finally get an update about Natu! I wasn't even sure she joined the OL or not!
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he seems nice...oh did I say nice I meant assholeThe Minister of the Interior frowns. "If we whore out Greek women to the demon gods of a dead religion, they may give birth to demon children."
now -> howI do have an idea, though I am not sure now palatable it will be."
Thank you, corrected.
I nod noncommittally. It's been a worry of mine for a while, but… "I am well aware that I am the only person at this table who did not swear his oath of office on a bible. And I am aware that people are understandably sensitive at this time
Frangopoulos frowns. "You're not talking about Wonder Woma-. They have more like her?"
No, because he raped her and at least a hundred other Amazons, which is why they left the mainland in the first place. We were fortunate in that she did not appear to know what the hoarding concealed." It's a little surprising that they didn't know that, though I suppose the Amazons don't generally like to talk about it.
would be interesting to see Hippolyta in command of a modern nation.
The Minister of the Interior frowns. "If we whore out Greek women to the demon gods of a dead religion, they may give birth to demon children."
Or men. The children of goddesses are just as powerful as the children of gods. It would cost a little more than hiring Amazons, but the resulting children would be Greek citizens familiar with the modern world."
expending --> expanding (unless it's denoting an accent?)
This is Plutos secret identity, Paul met with him a long time ago. He took over the greek ministry of finance and basically stopped the 2008 financial crisis and steered greece into economic stability since the 1980s. He didn't swear on the bible cause a greek god swearing to a source based faith is awkward
This is Plutos secret identity, Paul met with him a long time ago. He took over the greek ministry of finance and basically stopped the 2008 financial crisis and steered greece into economic stability since the 1980s. He didn't swear on the bible cause a greek god swearing to a source based faith is awkward
Very pragmatic.
And let's be honest: how many men or women would say no to sex with literal gods, with thousands of years of experience of roling in the hay?
Is the EU not a thing here? Feels like they would cooperate and invest in super protection together.
Also, I feel all Paul would need to do is share some of the energy sources he has access to. Super cheap electricity would turbo charge any economy, no?
Ooh, a non-SI perspective? How rare! And from Ploutus, the God of Wealth. To remind folks: He's been going about the modern world as a professor of Economics whose theories and opinions carry enough weight to influence the government.2nd August 2012
10:24 GMT +3
"…back to the point we've been circling around since the Sheeda first appeared." Minister for National Defence Lukas Frangopoulos bangs a wad of papers against the cabinet table in barely suppressed frustration. "We just can't afford any of this. And we're not going to be able to afford it."
He's also the reason this Greece is in better financial shape than our own. No arguments please, it's pretty well within Rule 8's period...I nod thoughtfully. It's been a while since I've been a cabinet minister, but with the previous office holder dead and the Sheeda running rampant across the Earth -and the global economy barely existing in any significant fashion- the Prime Minister recalled me to duty. I've made a point of looking a little older, just in case someone takes too close a look at one of the pictures decorating the walls from last time I held the office of Finance Minister. My return had a slight stabilising effect as a result of public confidence, but there are still limits to what I can do with so little to work with.
Not surprising people are preferring to stay home after a world-wide war... And any local superheroes probably got killed fighting Sheeda... Not looking good for the old lands.Our sources of foreign revenue are tourists and agricultural exports. Tourists… Tourism itself barely exists any longer. Mercifully, the Sheeda didn't appear to have any interest in sites of historical significance so… Perhaps, in the fullness of time, things might recover.
"We simply cannot afford the sort of super weapon research program that the Americans, Russians and Chinese can. We can't buy enough of their end products to make a difference. We can't hire any of the handful of individuals on the planet who could take up the burden of our defence. We can -slowly- rebuild our conventional forces, but at the moment the strongest military force in Greece is the Congregation's volunteers."
Let me guess, he offered Lexcorp security battlesuits at a perfectly reasonable discount?"And Luthor's… Offer…" Frangopoulos shakes his head. "It's not even worth considering."
The Prime Minister looks impassive.
Ah, the augmentation program's got their Danner-dogs into general release?"His suits worked. We all saw them kill Sheeda invaders. And the dogs could bite through steel."
Frangopoulos shakes his head again.
Good to see some people are smart enough to look past the shinies."His power armour is combat effective for an hour at a time, requires highly specialised and expensive maintenance and it would leave us completely dependant on him for our defence. And the dogs have no supernatural abilities beyond their strength. They cannot fly, or find enemies hidden by magic." He looks around the room. "You have all had the same intelligence briefings that I have. That is not a man I would trust with my wallet, let alone the lives of everyone in Greece."
Benefit of knowing the protagonist. Getting a foot in the door of the eventual world-wide portal network... But then, there are other economic reasons.The Prime Minister nods. "Professor Prokopios? Do you have anything?"
I nod. "Nothing that will simply fix our problem, I am afraid. I have been in contact with the Orange Lantern." Hm. "Some time ago he purchased a British chocolate manufacturer, and has been improving their distribution network with Dolmen Gates. They are a type of magic portal; put something in one and they come out of another. His company are expending their network in an effort to stimulate global trade, and I persuaded him to ensure that we were included."
Especially when those 'sails' are flying fortresses full of fly-riding elves.On the face of it, globalisation was entirely rational. Resources are extracted from where they are most readily available and transported to where they can best be used. Wars disrupt that, but unless your country was directly involved they could be worked around. And even if your country was directly involved, it was generally possible to see an attack coming and make appropriate preparations. The days of soldiers manning the ramparts because an unfamiliar sail was seen on the horizon are long past.
As long as it doesn't reach the heights of history's worst inflation crises, you should be okay. Government-enforced caps on things like staple dietary items can do that.And then the Sheeda attacked with little warning, and the whole brittle system came tumbling down. I hadn't properly accounted for the possibility of an attack of this sort. And now… We're a net exporter of foodstuffs. We aren't in danger of going hungry as people as some places are, but supplies of certain types on non-essential products are going to become rare. Price inflation is going to become a problem.
Once the infrastructure is more established, it'll be a lot more than a 'small volume'..."The practical upshot will be that it will become marginally easier for us to import and export at least a small volume of material. We will have to arrange-" I nod to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. "-the appropriate legislation and protocols for a small border inside our country, and of course someone will have to talk to the Archbishop of Athens about us accepting the public use of a magic artefact-."
The Prime Minister nods, waving his right hand.
"Don't worry about that. They don't use demons or spirits of any kind. If it gets trade flowing again, we need it."
Would be kind of awkward to have a god swear to another god of a different pantheon.I nod noncommittally. It's been a worry of mine for a while, but… "I am well aware that I am the only person at this table who did not swear his oath of office on a bible. And I am aware that people are understandably sensitive at this time."
"I'll talk to the Archbishop."
I see he's not going to let his nation's economy get out of hand. Benefit of a divine ability to see the flow of money, I guess..I nod, this time with more confidence. The Orthodox churches are less open minded about magic than the Catholic Church is, but generally more so than the Evangelical Protestants. So long as it a purely mechanistic use of magic the Archbishop will probably accept it.
"Otherwise, there is little for me to add. My Ministry's loan scheme for areas of proven economic demand but no local supply continues to be over-subscribed. We will never be entirely self-sufficient, but I believe that the shortages will ease within two years. On the matter of defence… I do have an idea, though I am not sure now palatable it will be."
I'm guessing the Goddesses' Blessings prevented it from being noticed. That or the Sheeda had learned of Themyscira from legends overheard in previous harrowings and knew not to go looking.Frangopoulos shrugs. "We may as well hear it."
"Themyscira was not troubled at all by the Sheeda. They-."
The Minister for Shipping and Island Policy shakes her head.
Sounding a bit accusatory there, missus. Are you going to have a problem with a 'heathen' keeping your people from economic collapse?"The Old Gods might be prepared to bless a small island, but they will never do that to all of Greece. Unless you're suggesting that we abandon Christian-. You're a Hellenist."
I nod.
There aren't many like Diana. Not in this continuity, at least. Like the Golden Age when she was simply an exceptional example of a generally superhuman Amazon society. But she's far from the only godly byblow around."Something like that. But that was not what I meant. I am aware that they have recently improved their ability to produce enchanted weapons; not to an industrial scale, but far more than they once had. As you are aware, their hoplite armour is proof against automatic weapon fire, and their swords can cut through sheet metal. And that is just their normal soldiers."
Frangopoulos frowns. "You're not talking about Wonder Woma-. They have more like her?"
...Really? I can appreciate humour to lighten the mood, but if you're serious..."Not quite like her, but they have other demi-goddesses. Why do you think-" I point to a frames photograph on the wall behind him, prompting half the cabinet to look around. "-that the statue of Herakles was covered during Queen Hippolyta's last state visit?"
"Because she thought it was a bad likeness?"
'Did not appear to know', eh? I suspect she knew exactly what it was, but diplomatically played dumb about it. After all, Herakles' less palatable acts have been whitewashed over the millennia... Even his name is overlooked in favour of the Roman 'Hercules'..."No, because he raped her and at least a hundred other Amazons, which is why they left the mainland in the first place. We were fortunate in that she did not appear to know what the hoarding concealed." It's a little surprising that they didn't know that, though I suppose the Amazons don't generally like to talk about it. "He has many daughters on Themyscira today. And there are a few others who claim descent from other gods. Since Themyscira is opening itself to the outside world, it may be that they would listen favourably to a request from the Greek government."
So, politely ask Themyscira if any of them would like to come serve as.. special forces for the military?The Prime Minister nods. "Amazon super soldiers."
"They can have more than human abilities in a number of fields, but strength, agility and speed are common ones. They also have instinctive low level magic abilities, inherited from their… Ah, Olympian forebears."
And likely easier to reach than America, barring Dolmen Gate shenanigans. A short hop by ship."Will they work for us?"
"It is my understanding that Amazons are increasingly willing to leave their island. America has been a more popular destination than Greece, but I imagine that if we make an offer that at least some will accept."
I think Hippolyta might be content with ruling the Amazons anyway. Plus, the whole issue of 'not up to date on modern politics and laws.'"And what will Queen Hippolyta want in return? I don't think that we.. want to offer her a throne."
Now there's a thought. Of course, the position of king was ceremonial for a long time before finally being abolished, but it would be interesting to see Hippolyta in command of a modern nation.
Hmm... Would the goddesses expand their blessing to cover these hypothetical colonies of Themyscira? Or would they be used for those Amazons tired of such a long life and looking to return to a more normal span of years?"I doubt that she will ask for much. A few small islands or a recognition of their territorial waters. Though if that is unpalatable, there is another option."
"Yes?"
...Dude. Kind of showing your bias there. I'm guessing he's something of a hardline Christian..."Demigods are the children of the gods. There is a young girl in America who is the daughter of Zeus, and a dryad has taken the Amazon Rainforest as her domain. If-."
The Minister of the Interior frowns. "If we whore out Greek women to the demon gods of a dead religion, they may give birth to demon children."
The fellow's anger aside, that is kind of skeevy, Dimmey. I'm not sure the Themscirans would be happy with something like that either."Or men. The children of goddesses are just as powerful as the children of gods. It would cost a little more than hiring Amazons, but the resulting children would be Greek citizens familiar with the modern world."
"If you think-!"
Yes, please do. I suppose he had to float the idea, or someone else might have, but wow."No." The Prime Minister shakes his head. "I will speak with Queen Hippolyta, but Greece is not in the business of… Eugenics. Do you have anything else to bring to our attention."
I shake my head. "No."
"Then onto the next item on the agenda."
Greece as a Themyscrian protectorate.."And what will Queen Hippolyta want in return? I don't think that we.. want to offer her a throne."
Now there's a thought. Of course, the position of king was ceremonial for a long time before finally being abolished, but it would be interesting to see Hippolyta in command of a modern nation.
Aye, most people don't even know the name of the Hellenic god of the sun, and poetry. They know his Roman name instead. It's odd how much we get from the Roman version of things, even though there's access to greek stuff as well.Even his name is overlooked in favour of the Roman 'Hercules'...
Would be kind of awkward to have a god swear to another god of a different pantheon.
I'm guessing the Goddesses' Blessings prevented it from being noticed. That or the Sheeda had learned of Themyscira from legends overheard in previous harrowings and knew not to go looking
Sounding a bit accusatory there, missus. Are you going to have a problem with a 'heathen' keeping your people from economic collapse?
'Did not appear to know', eh? I suspect she knew exactly what it was, but diplomatically played dumb about it. After all, Herakles' less palatable acts have been whitewashed over the millennia... Even his name is overlooked in favour of the Roman 'Hercules'...
I wonder how much of that (in the DC verse) is a result of Darkseid talking them into splitting the pantheon in two, and various shenanagans that resulted from that
1) That would be being right for the wrong reasons,Because the last time a country tried to do that to its citizens it worked out so well.
That was sarcasm by the way.
Because the last time a country tried to do that to its citizens it worked out so well.
That was sarcasm by the way.
The fellow's anger aside, that is kind of skeevy, Dimmey. I'm not sure the Themscirans would be happy with something like that either.
Eugenics2) But it's not, because it's not eugenics in the first place, but a limited superhuman creation program if I understand correctly.
Thank you, corrected.
It is, but Professor Prokopios has spent quite a lot of time making sure that Greece doesn't join.Is the EU not a thing here? Feels like they would cooperate and invest in super protection together.
Are the Sons of Themyscira a thing here? I'm pretty sure the government of Greece would be happy to take them off their hands if the amazonians don't want them.
Eugenics
noun:
The study of how to arrange reproduction within a human population to increase the occurrence of heritable characteristics regarded as desirable.
It kinda is Eugenics by the literal definition of it.
Are the Sons of Themyscira a thing here? I'm pretty sure the government of Greece would be happy to take them off their hands if the amazonians don't want them.
Fair enough
You are still doing it to increase the occurrence fo heritable characteristics regarded as desirable.
The definition of species is malleable but to my understanding, if humans and greek gods can produce fertile offspring (they can) then the ancient greek gods could be considered a branch of humanity. Therefore it would be specific to a human population.Yes, but that falls under the broader term of selective breeding, since it's not specific to a human population.
Because humans are such special snowflakes we need separate words for everything.
I assume that Tsipras' left wing government never amounted to much in this timeline?"I am well aware that I am the only person at this table who did not swear his oath of office on a bible.
Just create an NGO with a dating app. Also, there are Hellenist revivalists in Greece even in the real world today (I even personally know some weird ones that somehow combine that belief with unorthodox Christianity), so I can't imagine that it would be too hard to find willing participants and even some funding."No." The Prime Minister shakes his head. "I will speak with Queen Hippolyta, but Greece is not in the business of… Eugenics. Do you have anything else to bring to our attention."
I guess in a world where everyone knows that there is at least something real behind the Hellenic gods/daemons the Orthodox Church would have clung to anti-paganism much more strongly over the centuries instead of moving on to more interesting questions and letting the Greek gods become just another part of shiny history.
I'm confused. Helios is one of the gods I don't know the Roman name of and Apollo doesn't have a Roman name. Who do you mean?Aye, most people don't even know the name of the Hellenic god of the sun, and poetry.