True North - Revision history

W2 at 18:09, 30 June 2015

2015-06-30T18:09:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:09, 30 June 2015
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	== External Reviews ==		== External Reviews ==
	~~From~~ http://harmless-one.livejournal.com/38009.html: "This one is about Cimi and his teammates. They play on the best team in an ancient Mayan city but there's a catch in that they are the sacrificial team, always meant to lose because they represent some evil element in a myth or some beaten foe. Even the rules of the game are stacked to make sure they lose. And the losers get sacrificed to the gods, which is where the big tension in the story comes from because Cimi certainly doesn't want to go out like that. This one is somewhat sad and has a kind of slower, thoughtful pace, if that makes sense. It also has a LITERAL Deus Ex Machina ending. There's your obligatory sex scene, but it's the last thing on your mind since you end up really caring about Cimi's plucky determination to change his fate. The game featured in the story is a doozy and there is more information on it in the wiki for the story."		*http://harmless-one.livejournal.com/38009.html: "This one is about Cimi and his teammates. They play on the best team in an ancient Mayan city but there's a catch in that they are the sacrificial team, always meant to lose because they represent some evil element in a myth or some beaten foe. Even the rules of the game are stacked to make sure they lose. And the losers get sacrificed to the gods, which is where the big tension in the story comes from because Cimi certainly doesn't want to go out like that. This one is somewhat sad and has a kind of slower, thoughtful pace, if that makes sense. It also has a LITERAL Deus Ex Machina ending. There's your obligatory sex scene, but it's the last thing on your mind since you end up really caring about Cimi's plucky determination to change his fate. The game featured in the story is a doozy and there is more information on it in the wiki for the story."

			*https://fairyninjas.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/ssbb-55-guys-and-balls/: "This was a fascinating tale about the ball game that the pre-Colombian cultures played, from the point of view of the sacrificial players. It was intermixed with (altered) folk-lore and myth, and it was a really fantastic piece, IMHO."

	[[category:text]]		[[category:text]]
	[[category: 2015]]		[[category: 2015]]
	[[category: M/M]]		[[category: M/M]]

W2 at 15:36, 28 June 2015

2015-06-28T15:36:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:36, 28 June 2015
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	- Pre Classic Mural at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Bartolo_(Maya_site) San Bartolo]		- Pre Classic Mural at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Bartolo_(Maya_site) San Bartolo]

			== External Reviews ==
			From http://harmless-one.livejournal.com/38009.html: "This one is about Cimi and his teammates. They play on the best team in an ancient Mayan city but there's a catch in that they are the sacrificial team, always meant to lose because they represent some evil element in a myth or some beaten foe. Even the rules of the game are stacked to make sure they lose. And the losers get sacrificed to the gods, which is where the big tension in the story comes from because Cimi certainly doesn't want to go out like that. This one is somewhat sad and has a kind of slower, thoughtful pace, if that makes sense. It also has a LITERAL Deus Ex Machina ending. There's your obligatory sex scene, but it's the last thing on your mind since you end up really caring about Cimi's plucky determination to change his fate. The game featured in the story is a doozy and there is more information on it in the wiki for the story."

	[[category:text]]		[[category:text]]
	[[category: 2015]]		[[category: 2015]]
	[[category: M/M]]		[[category: M/M]]

W2 at 15:50, 27 June 2015

2015-06-27T15:50:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:50, 27 June 2015
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	True North is a story written by [[SeishinNoUwagi]] and illustrated by [[enkaiein]]. It originally ran in [[Issue 55]] at http://s2b2.livejournal.com/310500.html, and ~~will be~~ mirrored at http://www.shousetsubangbang.com/mirror/.		True North is a story written by [[SeishinNoUwagi]] and illustrated by [[enkaiein]]. It originally ran in [[Issue 55]] at http://s2b2.livejournal.com/310500.html, and is mirrored at http://www.shousetsubangbang.com/mirror/true-north/.

	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

Chaqueta-mental: /* The Ball Game In True North */

2015-06-26T06:05:12Z

The Ball Game In True North

Chaqueta-mental: /* The Ball Game In True North */

2015-06-26T05:58:27Z

The Ball Game In True North

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:58, 25 June 2015
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	- The ball represents the sun.		- The ball represents the sun.

	- The stone markers around the perimeter of the court represent positions of the sun. The royal team (representing the Sun God No'oh) works to move the sun from West to East, through the underworld, to end at dawn (represented by the stone ring at due East). The sacrificial team (~~represented by~~ the Underworld Lords) works to move the sun from East to West, through the sky, to end at dusk (represented by the stone ring at due West). To progress, players must use the ball to hit the stone markers in the proper order.		- The stone markers around the perimeter of the court represent positions of the sun. The royal team (representing the Sun God No'oh) works to move the sun from West to East, through the underworld, to end at dawn (represented by the stone ring at due East). The sacrificial team (representing the Underworld Lords) works to move the sun from East to West, through the sky, to end at dusk (represented by the stone ring at due West). To progress, players must use the ball to hit the stone markers in the proper order.

	- The 13 and 9 stone markers on each side of the court represent the 9 layers of the underworld and the 13 layers of heaven.		- The 13 and 9 stone markers on each side of the court represent the 9 layers of the underworld and the 13 layers of heaven.

Chaqueta-mental: /* Summary */

2015-06-26T05:54:56Z

Summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:54, 25 June 2015
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	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

	In ancient Mesoamerica the Gods demand sacrifice so that the crops will grow, the earth will turn, and the sun will always rise. When ~~humans~~ sacrifice themselves to sustain the Gods, the greatest sacrifice of all may be the hearts of those who play the ball game.		In ancient Mesoamerica the Gods demand sacrifice so that the crops will grow, the earth will turn, and the sun will always rise. When men sacrifice themselves to sustain the Gods, the greatest sacrifice of all may be the hearts of those who play the ball game.

Chaqueta-mental: /* Story Notes */ Added "bird" bullet point, general edits

2015-06-26T05:54:01Z

Story Notes: Added "bird" bullet point, general edits

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	- Historically there is no Mayan God of the North Star, despite an otherwise extensive astrological pantheon. During the Classic period the part of the sky that we identify as 'true North' was empty black space that the Mayans called "The Heart of the Sky." Polaris has only recently shifted to occupy its present day location. The story plays with the idea that Polaris was made and placed in the sky by a Mayan God.		- Historically there is no Mayan God of the North Star, despite an otherwise extensive astrological pantheon. During the Classic period the part of the sky that we identify as 'true North' was empty black space that the Mayans called "The Heart of the Sky." Polaris has only recently shifted to occupy its present day location. The story plays with the idea that Polaris was made and placed in the sky by a Mayan God.

	- The version of the ball game shown in the story was a complete invention of the author. Very little is known about how the ancient Mayan played the sport and there were many versions of the game depending on time period and geography. Some commonalities included: Players could not touch the ball with their hands, and the hips in particular were used to 'throw' and receive the ball. Balls were made of rubber and were generally quite heavy. Courts could vary in size but were typically sunken rectangles between sloping sides (the court in True North is an oval, the only complete departure from historical fact in the portrayal of the ball game). Players likely wore leather hip guards and heavy girdles that offered protection and could lend more force in propelling the ball. Courts could include stone markers and/or rings; the purpose of these structures in unclear, however it's thought that passing the ball through a ring was a game ending event. Teams could include either 2, 3 or 4 players per side. The ball game was considered a sport for royalty, though was not limited to them; it was also highly ritualized, with sacrifices of players being a probable occurrence (though how common ~~of one~~ is not known). For an explanation of the Ball Game as it is played in True North, see section below.		- The version of the ball game shown in the story was a complete invention of the author. Very little is known about how the ancient Mayan played the sport and there were many versions of the game depending on time period and geography. Some commonalities included: Players could not touch the ball with their hands, and the hips in particular were used to 'throw' and receive the ball. Balls were made of rubber and were generally quite heavy. Courts could vary in size but were typically sunken rectangles between sloping sides (the court in True North is an oval, the only complete departure from historical fact in the portrayal of the ball game). Players likely wore leather hip guards and heavy girdles that offered protection and could lend more force in propelling the ball. Courts could include stone markers and/or rings; the purpose of these structures in unclear, however it's thought that passing the ball through a ring was a game ending event. Teams could include either 2, 3 or 4 players per side. The ball game was considered a sport for royalty, though was not limited to them; it was also highly ritualized, with sacrifices of players being a probable occurrence (though how common is not known). For an explanation of the Ball Game as it is played in True North, see section below.

	-Autosacrifice (where a person offers there own blood or ~~other fluids~~) was more common than human sacrifice in Mayan culture. Ritualized implements, such as jade stilettos, sting ray spines, certain shells, etc., were used to pierce ones own ear lobes, tongue, or genitals, especially among royalty and the priesthood. Piercing ones penis, whether flaccid or erect, had ~~symbolical~~ ties to fertility and virility. Women would pierce earlobes or ~~their~~ tongues. Non royals also pierced arms, legs, and hands.		- Autosacrifice (where a person offers there own blood or semen) was more common than human sacrifice in Mayan culture. Ritualized implements, such as jade stilettos, sting ray spines, certain shells, etc., were used to pierce ones own ear lobes, tongue, or genitals, especially among royalty and the priesthood. Piercing ones penis, whether flaccid or erect, had symbolic ties to fertility and virility. Women would pierce earlobes or tongues. Non-royals also pierced arms, legs, and hands.

			- "Bird" is, in fact, a historically accurate euphemism for a Mayan penis.

	- All other portrayals of Classic Mayan culture were taken from the literature (see references).		- All other portrayals of Classic Mayan culture were taken from the literature (see references).

W2 at 14:45, 22 June 2015

2015-06-22T14:45:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:45, 22 June 2015
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	True North is a story written by [[SeishinNoUwagi]] and illustrated by [[enkaiein]]. It originally ran in [[Issue 55]] at http://s2b2.livejournal.com/, and will be mirrored at http://www.shousetsubangbang.com/mirror/.		True North is a story written by [[SeishinNoUwagi]] and illustrated by [[enkaiein]]. It originally ran in [[Issue 55]] at http://s2b2.livejournal.com/310500.html, and will be mirrored at http://www.shousetsubangbang.com/mirror/.

	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

W2 at 12:35, 22 June 2015

2015-06-22T12:35:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:35, 22 June 2015
Line 1:		Line 1:
	True North is a story written by [[~~Seishin No Uwagi~~]] and illustrated by [[enkaiein]]. It originally ran in [[Issue 55]] at http://s2b2.livejournal.com/, and will be mirrored at http://www.shousetsubangbang.com/mirror/.		True North is a story written by [[SeishinNoUwagi]] and illustrated by [[enkaiein]]. It originally ran in [[Issue 55]] at http://s2b2.livejournal.com/, and will be mirrored at http://www.shousetsubangbang.com/mirror/.

	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

Chaqueta-mental: /* Story Notes */ added notes on autosacrifice

2015-06-22T00:08:29Z

Story Notes: added notes on autosacrifice

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:08, 21 June 2015
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	- The version of the ball game shown in the story was a complete invention of the author. Very little is known about how the ancient Mayan played the sport and there were many versions of the game depending on time period and geography. Some commonalities included: Players could not touch the ball with their hands, and the hips in particular were used to 'throw' and receive the ball. Balls were made of rubber and were generally quite heavy. Courts could vary in size but were typically sunken rectangles between sloping sides (the court in True North is an oval, the only complete departure from historical fact in the portrayal of the ball game). Players likely wore leather hip guards and heavy girdles that offered protection and could lend more force in propelling the ball. Courts could include stone markers and/or rings; the purpose of these structures in unclear, however it's thought that passing the ball through a ring was a game ending event. Teams could include either 2, 3 or 4 players per side. The ball game was considered a sport for royalty, though was not limited to them; it was also highly ritualized, with sacrifices of players being a probable occurrence (though how common of one is not known). For an explanation of the Ball Game as it is played in True North, see section below.		- The version of the ball game shown in the story was a complete invention of the author. Very little is known about how the ancient Mayan played the sport and there were many versions of the game depending on time period and geography. Some commonalities included: Players could not touch the ball with their hands, and the hips in particular were used to 'throw' and receive the ball. Balls were made of rubber and were generally quite heavy. Courts could vary in size but were typically sunken rectangles between sloping sides (the court in True North is an oval, the only complete departure from historical fact in the portrayal of the ball game). Players likely wore leather hip guards and heavy girdles that offered protection and could lend more force in propelling the ball. Courts could include stone markers and/or rings; the purpose of these structures in unclear, however it's thought that passing the ball through a ring was a game ending event. Teams could include either 2, 3 or 4 players per side. The ball game was considered a sport for royalty, though was not limited to them; it was also highly ritualized, with sacrifices of players being a probable occurrence (though how common of one is not known). For an explanation of the Ball Game as it is played in True North, see section below.

			-Autosacrifice (where a person offers there own blood or other fluids) was more common than human sacrifice in Mayan culture. Ritualized implements, such as jade stilettos, sting ray spines, certain shells, etc., were used to pierce ones own ear lobes, tongue, or genitals, especially among royalty and the priesthood. Piercing ones penis, whether flaccid or erect, had symbolical ties to fertility and virility. Women would pierce earlobes or their tongues. Non royals also pierced arms, legs, and hands.

	- All other portrayals of Classic Mayan culture were taken from the literature (see references).		- All other portrayals of Classic Mayan culture were taken from the literature (see references).

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:05, 25 June 2015
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	- The stone markers around the perimeter of the court represent positions of the sun. The royal team (representing the Sun God No'oh) works to move the sun from West to East, through the underworld, to end at dawn (represented by the stone ring at due East). The sacrificial team (representing the Underworld Lords) works to move the sun from East to West, through the sky, to end at dusk (represented by the stone ring at due West). To progress, players must use the ball to hit the stone markers in the proper order.		- The stone markers around the perimeter of the court represent positions of the sun. The royal team (representing the Sun God No'oh) works to move the sun from West to East, through the underworld, to end at dawn (represented by the stone ring at due East). The sacrificial team (representing the Underworld Lords) works to move the sun from East to West, through the sky, to end at dusk (represented by the stone ring at due West). To progress, players must use the ball to hit the stone markers in the proper order.

	- The 13 and 9 stone markers on each side of the court represent the 9 layers of the underworld and the 13 layers of heaven.		- The thirteen and nine stone markers on each side of the court represent the 9 layers of the underworld and the 13 layers of heaven.

	- The court is quartered by the 4 holy directions: North, East, South, and West. Each section of the court takes the color represented by its guiding direction, North = white, East = red, South = yellow, and West = black.		- The court is quartered by the 4 holy directions: North, East, South, and West. Each section of the court takes the color represented by its guiding direction, North = white, East = red, South = yellow, and West = black.

	- In Mayan theology, each number is associated with a patron god. The god, in turn, is associated with certain symbols and images. The stone markers take their names from these associations. *Note: the Deity names below are the actual Deities known to the Maya, not the fictitious names used in True North		- In Mayan theology, each number is associated with a patron god. The god, in turn, is associated with certain symbols and images. The stone markers take their names from these associations. Note: the Deity names below are the actual Deities known to the Maya, not the fictitious names used in True North.
	- 1. Xiuhtecuhtli, god of fire, time, and the calendar. Also patron of the day sign Water		1. Xiuhtecuhtli, god of fire, time, and the calendar. Also patron of the day sign Water
	- 2. Tlaltecuhtli, a bisesexual manifestation of the earth. Also known as "Earth Lord."		2. Tlaltecuhtli, a bisesexual manifestation of the earth. Also known as "Earth Lord."
	- 3. Chalchiuhtlicue, goddess of groundwaters. Also patron of day sign Serpent.		3. Chalchiuhtlicue, goddess of groundwaters. Also patron of day sign Serpent.
	- 4. Tlazolteotl, a female manifestation of the moon. Also called 4 chert.		4. Tlazolteotl, a female manifestation of the moon. Also called 4 chert.
	- 5. God "L", a Jaguar god.		5. God "L", a Jaguar god.
	- 6. Mictlantecuhtli, a Death Lord. Also patron of the day sign Dog.		6. Mictlantecuhtli, a Death Lord. Also patron of the day sign Dog.
	- 7. Centeotl, the Maize Lord. Seven is considered to be the most auspicious number.		7. Centeotl, the Maize Lord. Seven is considered to be the most auspicious number.
	- 8. Tlaloc, a storm and rain god. Also patron of the day sign Deer.		8. Tlaloc, a storm and rain god. Also patron of the day sign Deer.
	- 9. Ehecatl, the wind aspect of Quetzalcoatl. Wears a buccal (duck) mask through which to blow wind.		9. Ehecatl, the wind aspect of Quetzalcoatl. Wears a buccal (duck) mask through which to blow wind.
	- 10. Tezcatlipoca, an omnipotent creator god. Also known as "Smoking Mirror."		10. Tezcatlipoca, an omnipotent creator god. Also known as "Smoking Mirror."
	- 11. Xipe Totec, a solar god. Also patron of day sign Eagle.		11. Xipe Totec, a solar god. Also patron of day sign Eagle.
	- 12. Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, the aspect of Quetzalcoatl corresponding to the Morning Star. Also known as "Dawn Lord"		12. Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, the aspect of Quetzalcoatl corresponding to the Morning Star. Also known as "Dawn Lord"
	- 13. Cihuacoatl, a mother goddess. Thirteen is considered an evil omen.		13. Cihuacoatl, a mother goddess. Thirteen is considered an evil omen.

	- There are 4 members to a team, one player per colored section of court. Players are split into raiders and guards (offense and defense), with raiders attempting to hit stone markers ~~with the ball~~ and guards attempting to block. The royal team's raiders would be in the red and yellow sections of the court and the guards would be in the black and white. For the sacrificial team these positions would be reversed.		- There are 4 members to a team, one player per colored section of court. Players are split into raiders and guards (offense and defense), with raiders attempting to hit stone markers and guards attempting to block. The royal team's raiders would be in the red and yellow sections of the court and the guards would be in the black and white. For the sacrificial team these positions would be reversed.

	- The stone markers at due South and due North are ~~symbolical~~ and do not need to be hit.		- The stone markers at due South and due North are symbolic and do not need to be hit.

	- Because the sacrificial team is meant to lose they must play with handicaps. The first point always goes to the royal team. The sacrificial team must hit 13 markers to the royal's 9. Because Black Thirteen is a penalty marker, the sacrificial team must conduct a successful raid on Red Maize in order to progress.		- Because the sacrificial team is meant to lose they must play with handicaps. The first point always goes to the royal team. The sacrificial team must hit 13 markers to the royal's 9. Because Black Thirteen is a penalty marker, the sacrificial team must conduct a successful raid on Red Maize in order to progress.