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Unlike the tradional, romantic image of duels with blades or pistols often fought merely to the point of a honorable surrender, the Courts of Senkar follow a somewhat different view of the proceedings. When challenged to a duel, an individual's life and legacy are seen as having been threatened, for why would civilized individuals resort to single combat if cunning and skill at negotiation could still win the day? As such, any and all means upon the beginning of the duel are seen as fair game, barring possible exclusions made when terms of the battle are first set up... but such exclusions often risk the prestige of the one demanding such leniency.

Following this line of thought, Senkar's nobility and geniuses have developed a variety of means in their efforts to get ahead of competition desperate enough to attempt their demise via sanctioned duels. As any and all weapons are permitted inside the dueling area and they are not required to be disclosed to one's enemy (for the fault is entirely theirs should they be caught off-guard), variety of hardsuit-mounted assasination tools such as needle launchers, rings firing powerful bursts of focused laser fire or even skin-covering contact toxins have been developed to confuse and eliminate the brash and unwary. More traditional weapons like blades or high-caliber firearms are still popular, however, as skill often trumps a cocky newcomer who attempts to win our with one clever trick and no training in the dueling arts at all.

Three major types of accomplished duelist have arisen from among the ranks of geniuses and nobility of the United Houses. The first are the dextrous and cunning sort, most likely to resort to hidden weaponry and lethal surprises: they often walk into dueling arenas seemingly unarmed, thier suits and bodies bristling with lethal technology. The second sort have trained themselves to master their weapon at exclusion of all else, having kept their eyes open for news of possible tricks shaking the scene and rarely being taken by surprise despite their simpler approach to combat. The final sort are the ones who have taken to augmenting their bodies heavily or wearing powerful battle armors of their own design, trusting impenetrable defensive measures to safeguard them through any onslaught.

In the end, however, duels are seen as flashy and risky gambits, whereas real power is in maneuvering behind the scenes and consolidating means to enact one's will with only few individuals ever being the wiser. Of course, the brashness of youth guarantees that dueling as a tradition is unlikely to ever truly disappear.

First, dear reader, I must ask you to humor me for but a simple moment as I present you with a simple question: what is Power?

Is it wealth? Political influence? Legions of soldiers at one's beck and call? Or even the capability to raze or grow civilizations themselves?

Ultimately, while each of those things are a means to power, they themselves fail to truly grasp the meaning of the word. Power, in essence, is simply the ability of an individual to shape the universe to their will, to affect the course of things otherwise removed from their influence. And in that simple truth, we find the reason for the shape of nobility aboard the City of Wonders.

Every more and fashion choice can speak of power, or lack therof, and skill of using that power... and those of high status aboard my city know this. It is one thing to wear the wealth of a Merchant Prince upon your person, but another thing entirely to make such a display scream anything but desperate need for validation. To show one's wealth, indeed, relies on displaying it in manner which tells of it but does not scream it. The immaculate cut of your suit, the microscopic decoration that causes your attire to ripple to the naked eye, a small lapel pin speaking of ownership of an entire aerostat: all of these can do the trick just as well, and show discretion and appraising eye instead of desperation.

It is not enough to hold means to power. You must show control, understanding of small details and keen intelligence. Overt ostentation is a sin to those who would be the Grey Eminences directing the course of this new era. It is as an old saying notes: "power you cannot control is no power at all".

Of course, I can almost hear what you mumble to yourself now as you peer at my words. There are many more...obvious nobles and people of means around the system, individuals who simply flaunt their riches in their attire and their military might in their speeches. While this is true, here in Senkar every noble and scientist has earned their place with their accomplishments and their strive for perfection. The image of control is harder to maintain and easier to lose than the image of immediate riches.

So, how beyond your choices of attire and presentation would you quietly tell of your importance? A certain way to make an impression is to allow your reputation to reach others through unrelated (or seemingly unrelated) channels, for while yelling out one's accomplishments is certainly a way to handle things (should one have the proof of such accomplishments at hand), it shows much more reach and connections to get others to market your image to the galaxy for you.

Another path to relevance are accomplishments in fields of medicine and science: men with powerful secrets often find opportunities practically thrust into their grasp, and scientists are well-respected in our elite circles.

Finally, should you simply be powerful enough, there is certain sort of outrageous status in simply disregarding displays of fine control or carefully selected image and simply seeing your will through your way with suitable unstoppable power. It is this particular sort of personal power that cults are often founded to venerate, after all...

Unlike the tradional, romantic image of duels with blades or pistols often fought merely to the point of a honorable surrender, the Courts of Senkar follow a somewhat different view of the proceedings. When challenged to a duel, an individual's life and legacy are seen as having been threatened, for why would civilized individuals resort to single combat if cunning and skill at negotiation could still win the day? As such, any and all means upon the beginning of the duel are seen as fair game, barring possible exclusions made when terms of the battle are first set up... but such exclusions often risk the prestige of the one demanding such leniency.

Following this line of thought, Senkar's nobility and geniuses have developed a variety of means in their efforts to get ahead of competition desperate enough to attempt their demise via sanctioned duels. As any and all weapons are permitted inside the dueling area and they are not required to be disclosed to one's enemy (for the fault is entirely theirs should they be caught off-guard), variety of hardsuit-mounted assasination tools such as needle launchers, rings firing powerful bursts of focused laser fire or even skin-covering contact toxins have been developed to confuse and eliminate the brash and unwary. More traditional weapons like blades or high-caliber firearms are still popular, however, as skill often trumps a cocky newcomer who attempts to win our with one clever trick and no training in the dueling arts at all.

Three major types of accomplished duelist have arisen from among the ranks of geniuses and nobility of the United Houses. The first are the dextrous and cunning sort, most likely to resort to hidden weaponry and lethal surprises: they often walk into dueling arenas seemingly unarmed, thier suits and bodies bristling with lethal technology. The second sort have trained themselves to master their weapon at exclusion of all else, having kept their eyes open for news of possible tricks shaking the scene and rarely being taken by surprise despite their simpler approach to combat. The final sort are the ones who have taken to augmenting their bodies heavily or wearing powerful battle armors of their own design, trusting impenetrable defensive measures to safeguard them through any onslaught.

In the end, however, duels are seen as flashy and risky gambits, whereas real power is in maneuvering behind the scenes and consolidating means to enact one's will with only few individuals ever being the wiser. Of course, the brashness of youth guarantees that dueling as a tradition is unlikely to ever truly disappear.

First, dear reader, I must ask you to humor me for but a simple moment as I present you with a simple question: what is Power?

Is it wealth? Political influence? Legions of soldiers at one's beck and call? Or even the capability to raze or grow civilizations themselves?

Ultimately, while each of those things are a means to power, they themselves fail to truly grasp the meaning of the word. Power, in essence, is simply the ability of an individual to shape the universe to their will, to affect the course of things otherwise removed from their influence. And in that simple truth, we find the reason for the shape of nobility aboard the City of Wonders.

Every more and fashion choice can speak of power, or lack therof, and skill of using that power... and those of high status aboard my city know this. It is one thing to wear the wealth of a Merchant Prince upon your person, but another thing entirely to make such a display scream anything but desperate need for validation. To show one's wealth, indeed, relies on displaying it in manner which tells of it but does not scream it. The immaculate cut of your suit, the microscopic decoration that causes your attire to ripple to the naked eye, a small lapel pin speaking of ownership of an entire aerostat: all of these can do the trick just as well, and show discretion and appraising eye instead of desperation.

It is not enough to hold means to power. You must show control, understanding of small details and keen intelligence. Overt ostentation is a sin to those who would be the Grey Eminences directing the course of this new era. It is as an old saying notes: "power you cannot control is no power at all".

Of course, I can almost hear what you mumble to yourself now as you peer at my words. There are many more...obvious nobles and people of means around the system, individuals who simply flaunt their riches in their attire and their military might in their speeches. While this is true, here in Senkar every noble and scientist has earned their place with their accomplishments and their strive for perfection. The image of control is harder to maintain and easier to lose than the image of immediate riches.

So, how beyond your choices of attire and presentation would you quietly tell of your importance?

Unlike the tradional, romantic image of duels with blades or pistols often fought merely to the point of a honorable surrender, the Courts of Senkar follow a somewhat different view of the proceedings. When challenged to a duel, an individual's life and legacy are seen as having been threatened, for why would civilized individuals resort to single combat if cunning and skill at negotiation could still win the day? As such, any and all means upon the beginning of the duel are seen as fair game, barring possible exclusions made when terms of the battle are first set up... but such exclusions often risk the prestige of the one demanding such leniency.

Following this line of thought, Senkar's nobility and geniuses have developed a variety of means in their efforts to get ahead of competition desperate enough to attempt their demise via sanctioned duels. As any and all weapons are permitted inside the dueling area and they are not required to be disclosed to one's enemy (for the fault is entirely theirs should they be caught off-guard), variety of hardsuit-mounted assasination tools such as needle launchers, rings firing powerful bursts of focused laser fire or even skin-covering contact toxins have been developed to confuse and eliminate the brash and unwary. More traditional weapons like blades or high-caliber firearms are still popular, however, as skill often trumps a cocky newcomer who attempts to win our with one clever trick and no training in the dueling arts at all.

Three major types of accomplished duelist have arisen from among the ranks of geniuses and nobility of the United Houses. The first are the dextrous and cunning sort, most likely to resort to hidden weaponry and lethal surprises: they often walk into dueling arenas seemingly unarmed, thier suits and bodies bristling with lethal technology. The second sort have trained themselves to master their weapon at exclusion of all else, having kept their eyes open for news of possible tricks shaking the scene and rarely being taken by surprise despite their simpler approach to combat. The final sort are the ones who have taken to augmenting their bodies heavily or wearing powerful battle armors of their own design, trusting impenetrable defensive measures to safeguard them through any onslaught.

In the end, however, duels are seen as flashy and risky gambits, whereas real power is in maneuvering behind the scenes and consolidating means to enact one's will with only few individuals ever being the wiser. Of course, the brashness of youth guarantees that dueling as a tradition is unlikely to ever truly disappear.

First, dear reader, I must ask you to humor me for but a simple moment as I present you with a simple question: what is Power?

Is it wealth? Political influence? Legions of soldiers at one's beck and call? Or even the capability to raze or grow civilizations themselves?

Ultimately, while each of those things are a means to power, they themselves fail to truly grasp the meaning of the word. Power, in essence, is simply the ability of an individual to shape the universe to their will, to affect the course of things otherwise removed from their influence. And in that simple truth, we find the reason for the shape of nobility aboard the City of Wonders.

Every more and fashion choice can speak of power, or lack therof, and skill of using that power... and those of high status aboard my city know this. It is one thing to wear the wealth of a Merchant Prince upon your person, but another thing entirely to make such a display scream anything but desperate need for validation. To show one's wealth, indeed, relies on displaying it in manner which tells of it but does not scream it. The immaculate cut of your suit, the microscopic decoration that causes your attire to ripple to the naked eye, a small lapel pin speaking of ownership of an entire aerostat: all of these can do the trick just as well, and show discretion and appraising eye instead of desperation.

It is not enough to hold means to power. You must show control, understanding of small details and keen intelligence. Overt ostentation is a sin to those who would be the Grey Eminences directing the course of this new era. It is as an old saying notes: "power you cannot control is no power at all".

Unlike the tradional, romantic image of duels with blades or pistols often fought merely to the point of a honorable surrender, the Courts of Senkar follow a somewhat different view of the proceedings. When challenged to a duel, an individual's life and legacy are seen as having been threatened, for why would civilized individuals resort to single combat if cunning and skill at negotiation could still win the day? As such, any and all means upon the beginning of the duel are seen as fair game, barring possible exclusions made when terms of the battle are first set up... but such exclusions often risk the prestige of the one demanding such leniency.

Following this line of thought, Senkar's nobility and geniuses have developed a variety of means in their efforts to get ahead of competition desperate enough to attempt their demise via sanctioned duels. As any and all weapons are permitted inside the dueling area and they are not required to be disclosed to one's enemy (for the fault is entirely theirs should they be caught off-guard), variety of hardsuit-mounted assasination tools such as needle launchers, rings firing powerful bursts of focused laser fire or even skin-covering contact toxins have been developed to confuse and eliminate the brash and unwary. More traditional weapons like blades or high-caliber firearms are still popular, however, as skill often trumps a cocky newcomer who attempts to win our with one clever trick and no training in the dueling arts at all.

Three major types of accomplished duelist have arisen from among the ranks of geniuses and nobility of the United Houses. The first are the dextrous and cunning sort, most likely to resort to hidden weaponry and lethal surprises: they often walk into dueling arenas seemingly unarmed, thier suits and bodies bristling with lethal technology. The second sort have trained themselves to master their weapon at exclusion of all else, having kept their eyes open for news of possible tricks shaking the scene and rarely being taken by surprise despite their simpler approach to combat. The final sort are the ones who have taken to augmenting their bodies heavily or wearing powerful battle armors of their own design, trusting impenetrable defensive measures to safeguard them through any onslaught.

In the end, however, duels are seen as flashy and risky gambits, whereas real power is in maneuvering behind the scenes and consolidating means to enact one's will with only few individuals ever being the wiser. Of course, the brashness of youth guarantees that dueling as a tradition is unlikely to ever truly disappear.

First, dear reader, I must ask you to humor me for but a simple moment as I present you with a simple question: what is Power?

Is it wealth? Political influence? Legions of soldiers at one's beck and call? Or even the capability to raze or grow civilizations themselves?

Ultimately, while each of those things are a means to power, they themselves fail to truly grasp the meaning of the word. Power, in essence, is simply the ability of an individual to shape the universe to their will, to affect the course of things otherwise removed from their influence. And in that simple truth, we find the reason for the shape of nobility aboard the City of Wonders.

Every more and fashion choice can speak of power, or lack therof, and skill of using that power... and those of high status aboard my city know this. It is one thing to wear the wealth of a Merchant Prince upon your person, but another thing entirely to make such a display scream anything but desperate need for validation. To show one's wealth, indeed, relies on displaying it in manner which tells of it but does not scream it. The immaculate cut of your suit, the microscopic decoration that causes your attire to ripple to the naked eye, a small lapel pin speaking of ownership of an entire aerostat: all of these can do the trick just as well, and show discretion and appraising eye instead of desperation.

It is not enough to hold means to power. You must show control, understanding of small details and keen intelligence. Overt ostentation is a sin to those who would be the Grey Eminences directing the course of this new era.

Unlike the tradional, romantic image of duels with blades or pistols often fought merely to the point of a honorable surrender, the Courts of Senkar follow a somewhat different view of the proceedings. When challenged to a duel, an individual's life and legacy are seen as having been threatened, for why would civilized individuals resort to single combat if cunning and skill at negotiation could still win the day? As such, any and all means upon the beginning of the duel are seen as fair game, barring possible exclusions made when terms of the battle are first set up... but such exclusions often risk the prestige of the one demanding such leniency.

Following this line of thought, Senkar's nobility and geniuses have developed a variety of means in their efforts to get ahead of competition desperate enough to attempt their demise via sanctioned duels. As any and all weapons are permitted inside the dueling area and they are not required to be disclosed to one's enemy (for the fault is entirely theirs should they be caught off-guard), variety of hardsuit-mounted assasination tools such as needle launchers, rings firing powerful bursts of focused laser fire or even skin-covering contact toxins have been developed to confuse and eliminate the brash and unwary. More traditional weapons like blades or high-caliber firearms are still popular, however, as skill often trumps a cocky newcomer who attempts to win our with one clever trick and no training in the dueling arts at all.

Three major types of accomplished duelist have arisen from among the ranks of geniuses and nobility of the United Houses. The first are the dextrous and cunning sort, most likely to resort to hidden weaponry and lethal surprises: they often walk into dueling arenas seemingly unarmed, thier suits and bodies bristling with lethal technology. The second sort have trained themselves to master their weapon at exclusion of all else, having kept their eyes open for news of possible tricks shaking the scene and rarely being taken by surprise despite their simpler approach to combat. The final sort are the ones who have taken to augmenting their bodies heavily or wearing powerful battle armors of their own design, trusting impenetrable defensive measures to safeguard them through any onslaught.

In the end, however, duels are seen as flashy and risky gambits, whereas real power is in maneuvering behind the scenes and consolidating means to enact one's will with only few individuals ever being the wiser. Of course, the brashness of youth guarantees that dueling as a tradition is unlikely to ever truly disappear.

First, dear reader, I must ask you to humor me for but a simple moment as I present you with a simple question: what is Power?

Is it wealth? Political influence? Legions of soldiers at one's beck and call? Or even the capability to raze or grow civilizations themselves?

Ultimately, while each of those things are a means to power, they themselves fail to truly grasp the meaning of the word. Power, in essence, is simply the ability of an individual to shape the universe to their will, to affect the course of things otherwise removed from their influence. And in that simple truth, we find the reason for the shape of nobility aboard the City of Wonders.

Unlike the tradional, romantic image of duels with blades or pistols often fought merely to the point of a honorable surrender, the Courts of Senkar follow a somewhat different view of the proceedings. When challenged to a duel, an individual's life and legacy are seen as having been threatened, for why would civilized individuals resort to single combat if cunning and skill at negotiation could still win the day? As such, any and all means upon the beginning of the duel are seen as fair game, barring possible exclusions made when terms of the battle are first set up... but such exclusions often risk the prestige of the one demanding such leniency.

Following this line of thought, Senkar's nobility and geniuses have developed a variety of means in their efforts to get ahead of competition desperate enough to attempt their demise via sanctioned duels. As any and all weapons are permitted inside the dueling area and they are not required to be disclosed to one's enemy (for the fault is entirely theirs should they be caught off-guard), variety of hardsuit-mounted assasination tools such as needle launchers, rings firing powerful bursts of focused laser fire or even skin-covering contact toxins have been developed to confuse and eliminate the brash and unwary. More traditional weapons like blades or high-caliber firearms are still popular, however, as skill often trumps a cocky newcomer who attempts to win our with one clever trick and no training in the dueling arts at all.

Three major types of accomplished duelist have arisen from among the ranks of geniuses and nobility of the United Houses. The first are the dextrous and cunning sort, most likely to resort to hidden weaponry and lethal surprises: they often walk into dueling arenas seemingly unarmed, thier suits and bodies bristling with lethal technology. The second sort have trained themselves to master their weapon at exclusion of all else, having kept their eyes open for news of possible tricks shaking the scene and rarely being taken by surprise despite their simpler approach to combat. The final sort are the ones who have taken to augmenting their bodies heavily or wearing powerful battle armors of their own design, trusting impenetrable defensive measures to safeguard them through any onslaught.

In the end, however, duels are seen as flashy and risky gambits, whereas real power is in maneuvering behind the scenes and consolidating means to enact one's will with only few individuals ever being the wiser. Of course, the brashness of youth guarantees that dueling as a tradition is unlikely to ever truly disappear.

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