Re: XBOAT digest 219

Bart Van Brabant-Phillips Petroleum Int. AG wrote:
>
> Why can't or wouldn't Aslans not use a Sneak Attack? They can have an
> extraordinary feeling about Honor, but Honor can be relative. I can
> think of one good reason to use a SNEAK ATTACK and to receive all the
> HONOR I can get, and that is VICTORY.

	However, the Aslan do not see honor as relative.  It is a
concrete item as real as a slap in the face for them.  In their own words:
-from Solomani&Aslani, pg 44-

	'...the Trokh term translated as "honor" - means nothing
	but "spirit of strength", a disiplined life devoted to
	the *proper and balanced way of doing things.*  Honor is
	not what we strive for - it is what we are.
		When we seek balance...when we speak openly and act
	forthrightness, we act honorably...In contrast stand the
	deed called rukhta: nurder...ruining a good reputation...These
	acts are anathema to us..Aslan who commit such crimes
	cease to be Aslan.'

	Immediately, we see the Aslan who believes that some actions make
one cease to be an Aslan -ie they become *barbarric*, out of balance,
uncultured.

-from S&A, pg 57-
	'Non-Aslan, particuarly the Solomoni and the Imperials, seem
	to take special delight in surprise attacks and ambushes.  To
	our way of thinking, these ploys...fall under the classification
	of crimes of honor.'

	One who commits such an act -ceases to be Aslan.-  Imagine the
acts you would have to commit for other pople to consider you *inhuman*.
Not nice acts, huh?

>
> When you compare to Klingons in the ST universe, they also have an extreme
> honor feeling, but they use sneak attacks, they even cloak their vessels.
	But thiers is an honor of doing,  a type of 'What does not kill
me' and all that.  An Aslan does not gain honor- he IS honor.  There is
as much to gain from avoiding an unnecessary fight in Aslan eyes and not
avoiding a necessary fight.  Imagine a Klingon gaining honor for avoiding
a fight...

> I don't think that any army, whatever the level of honor of race or region
> is, will exclude the possibility of a sneak attack, if this brings a certain
> or full victory.

	Perhaps true for any human army you may think about (but maybe
not, there are Aslan who are biologically human).  But the Aslan are not
human, and cannot be judged by human standards.

	As a final reason, consider this Aslan saying (translated loosely):
	-Lean honor is better than fat shame.-
	Yes, the Aslan could have used a sneak attack, but all they would
be left with was their 'fat shame' of their crimes against honor.

	No, Im not an Aslan, but I know one in an RPG.
				-Vanya