Difference between revisions of "The Words"

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==Context==
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{{UrQuanNav}}
When the two [[Ur-Quan]] subspecies freed themselves from [[Dnyarri]] slavery, the [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Green Ur-Quan]] formulated their [[Path of Now and Forever]], dictating that all non-Ur-Quan sentience must be enslaved to prevent the appearance of other Dnyarri-like threats to the safety of the Ur-Quan.
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'''The Words''' is the title usually given to the special phrase to which both [[Ur-Quan]] factions have an almost ritualistic response, explaining why they do what they do. The Words are usually stated as "Hold! What you are doing to us is wrong! Why do you do this thing?".
  
The [[Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah|Black Ur-Quan]] did not agree, and a charismatic fleet officer named [[Kohr-Ah_(Character)|Kohr-Ah]] proposed an alternative, the [[Eternal Doctrine]] — that all races besides the Ur-Quan are "filth" which may evolve into threats and therefore must be annihilated beforehand.
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The Words were first spoken as a plea by the [[Mael-Num]] to the [[Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah|Kohr-Ah]] as the Kohr-Ah fleet was preparing to "cleanse" the Mael-Num homeworld. Because of the simplicity and clarity of the question, the Kohr-Ah "felt compelled to explain." During the explanation, the [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Kzer-Za]] fleet, having [[slave-shield]]ed the [[Faz]] and having heard of the "cleansing" of the [[Yuptar]], arrived to oppose the violent enforcement of the [[Eternal Doctrine]]. This encounter marked the first [[Doctrinal Conflict]].
  
==The Words==
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Although only the Kohr-Ah were present at the first uttering of The Words, both the Kohr-Ah and the Kzer-Za respond to the special phrase. The Kohr-Ah response is very notable, delaying the destruction of the speaker of The Words for several minutes and giving many details of the Ur-Quan history. The reaction is so entrenched that the Kohr-Ah will continue the recitation even if the one who spoke The Words protests. On the other hand, the Kzer-Za response is a much shorter summary of their history; however it is not devoid of the same high emotion shown by their Kohr-Ah cousins.
The Kohr-Ah proceeded to apply their Doctrine on the [[Mael-Num]], who broadcasted a simple, yet moving plea - "Hold! What you are doing to us is wrong! Why do you do this thing?", which was to be remembered in history as ''the Words''. The Kohr-Ah felt compelled to explain, thus giving time to the Kzer-Za to arrive and contest their actions. Someone opened fire, and the Ur-Quan civil war ([[Doctrinal Conflict]]) began. Meanwhile, the [[Mael-Num]] escaped.
 
  
To this date, the Kzer-Za and the Kohr-Ah still feel compelled to explain their motives to anyone saying the Words, though the Kohr-Ah reaction is far greater — the Kzer-Za only present an abstract of the whole story.
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There are only three known instances of someone saying The Words to the Ur-Quan:
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*the Mael-Num over twenty-thousand years ago
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*the terrified [[Spathi]] captain, who was sent to first meet the approaching Kzer-Za fleet, in "a moment of panicked genius"
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*[[The Captain]]
  
 
==Gameplay notes==
 
==Gameplay notes==
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The Words are available as a conversation option after being learned from either the:
 
The Words are available as a conversation option after being learned from either the:
  
*[[Ariloulaleelay]] (by asking "Can you give us any more information?" for the second time)
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*[[Arilou Lalee'lay]] (by asking "Can you give us any more information?" for the second time)
 
*[[Safe Ones]] (by asking "Have there been any developments of significance?" for the third time)
 
*[[Safe Ones]] (by asking "Have there been any developments of significance?" for the third time)
 
*[[Pkunk]] (by asking them "I am still having a little trouble defeating the Ur-Quan. Any advice?") — they say the Words in a slightly different way - "Hold! Why do you do this! What you are doing is wrong!".
 
*[[Pkunk]] (by asking them "I am still having a little trouble defeating the Ur-Quan. Any advice?") — they say the Words in a slightly different way - "Hold! Why do you do this! What you are doing is wrong!".
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In the [[Role Playing Resource Guide]], the places where you can learn the Words are misidentified — the Guide says that the Words may be learned from the Pkunk, the [[Melnorme]] (instead of the Arilou) and the Spathi ships (instead of their [[Ruling Council]]).
  
 
===Relevance to the plot===
 
===Relevance to the plot===
The Words have no effect on gameplay, but are an alternate way of learning the backstory of the Ur-Quan besides asking the [[Melnorme]] for "historical data".
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The Words have no effect on gameplay, but are an alternate way of learning the backstory of the Ur-Quan besides purchasing "historical data" from the Melnorme.
  
==Miscellaneous==
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[[Category:Ur-Quan|Words, The]]
*In the [[Role Playing Resource Guide]], the places where you can learn the Words are misidentified — the Guide says that the Words may be learned from the Pkunk, the Melnorme (instead of the Arilou) and the Spathi ships (instead of their [[Ruling Council]]).
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[[Category:Historical events|Words, The]]
*Races known to have uttered the Words:
 
**[[Mael-Num]]/[[Melnorme]]
 
**[[Spathi]] (when the Ur-Quan arrived in Spathi space, a terrified captain said the Words, and the Ur-Quan began explaining their actions, though the Spathi couldn't hear them, being hidden in their shells)
 
**[[Human]]s (dependent on player actions)
 

Latest revision as of 21:52, 27 August 2012

Ur-Quan Topics
Species
Ur-Quan
Kzer-Za • Kohr-Ah
History
Sentient Milieu
Slave Revolt
Slave War
The Words
Doctrinal Conflict
Second Doctrinal War
Personalities
Kzer-Za • Kohr-Ah
Philosophies
Path of Now and Forever
Ur-Quan Hierarchy • Battle Thrall • Fallow Slave • Oath of Fealty Doctrinal Conflict
Ships
Dreadnought • Marauder • Sa-Matra
Science
Excruciator • Slave Shield • Talking Pet

The Words is the title usually given to the special phrase to which both Ur-Quan factions have an almost ritualistic response, explaining why they do what they do. The Words are usually stated as "Hold! What you are doing to us is wrong! Why do you do this thing?".

The Words were first spoken as a plea by the Mael-Num to the Kohr-Ah as the Kohr-Ah fleet was preparing to "cleanse" the Mael-Num homeworld. Because of the simplicity and clarity of the question, the Kohr-Ah "felt compelled to explain." During the explanation, the Kzer-Za fleet, having slave-shielded the Faz and having heard of the "cleansing" of the Yuptar, arrived to oppose the violent enforcement of the Eternal Doctrine. This encounter marked the first Doctrinal Conflict.

Although only the Kohr-Ah were present at the first uttering of The Words, both the Kohr-Ah and the Kzer-Za respond to the special phrase. The Kohr-Ah response is very notable, delaying the destruction of the speaker of The Words for several minutes and giving many details of the Ur-Quan history. The reaction is so entrenched that the Kohr-Ah will continue the recitation even if the one who spoke The Words protests. On the other hand, the Kzer-Za response is a much shorter summary of their history; however it is not devoid of the same high emotion shown by their Kohr-Ah cousins.

There are only three known instances of someone saying The Words to the Ur-Quan:

  • the Mael-Num over twenty-thousand years ago
  • the terrified Spathi captain, who was sent to first meet the approaching Kzer-Za fleet, in "a moment of panicked genius"
  • The Captain

Gameplay notes[edit]

Sources of information[edit]

The Words are available as a conversation option after being learned from either the:

  • Arilou Lalee'lay (by asking "Can you give us any more information?" for the second time)
  • Safe Ones (by asking "Have there been any developments of significance?" for the third time)
  • Pkunk (by asking them "I am still having a little trouble defeating the Ur-Quan. Any advice?") — they say the Words in a slightly different way - "Hold! Why do you do this! What you are doing is wrong!".

In the Role Playing Resource Guide, the places where you can learn the Words are misidentified — the Guide says that the Words may be learned from the Pkunk, the Melnorme (instead of the Arilou) and the Spathi ships (instead of their Ruling Council).

Relevance to the plot[edit]

The Words have no effect on gameplay, but are an alternate way of learning the backstory of the Ur-Quan besides purchasing "historical data" from the Melnorme.