And eh, I'm a wizard, and wizards are magic, I think that should settle things on how I'm not dead. One of your soldiers threw me pretty far and an enemy soldier used me as target practice, so that should explain the damage :)
And I believe that sword's name is Damascus Parastin? Pretty weird guy, got a detachable head and all that stuff. That's the guy who threw me by the way. And augmented weapons? Ehh buddy I've seen plenty of them in other countries, pretty surprised you guys dont have any. Why don't you have any by the way? Don't you want the war to end? Like robots could work, cyborgs even if you can't like program AI for them :3
*the fact he's saying all of this in a horribly cheery voice, like this is all one big joke to them, makes this sound even worse.*
"I should—did you say a detachable head? He’s a relic’kin?! He’d have to be…"
"Find me information on this “Damascus Parastin” and have scouts sent out and generals notified. It is of the utmost importance we have everyone left from that disastrous battle at least questioned, and we cannot afford to lose what could be a relic’kin sword if what this insolent 'messenger' says is true..."
"They’ve been slow to build and make more viable…we do not need nor want junk on the battlefield; we’d lose far more than we’d gain in resources that way—the last thing we need is our weapons spontaneously and frequently catching fire. Recently however, they’ve made quite the breakthrough with how reliable they are. It’s just a bit…slow to scale as it currently stands, unfortunately. I’ve gotten word we’ve begun sending more out towards the front lines however, which should bode quite well for us."
"Regardless…guards, arrest this impudent “wizard.” I want them out of my sight."
(Hmmm, gonna ask a buncha worldbuilding questions here so you can ramble /silly
Do the countries have their own flag? Or any sort of symbol that represents them, especially on the battlefield? [ie. like national animals, coat of arms, etc. {also whats the name of the fruitfolk country? Unless I've missed it, I've only seen the objecthead country and the neutral country being named dropped, being Makariosvia and Selcouth respectively.}]
And are the leaders like royalty? Seeing from how both Adust and Bollide being refered to with honorifics, I've been wondering for a while.
And uh are objectheads like... not organic? Seeing how Bollide refers to fruitfolk as "organic degenerates" I'm enclined to believe that they are inorganic creatures unless proven otherwise.)
(Sorry this has taken Eons to answer! Also no, I've not mentioned the name of fruitfolk's country, so I shall do that now!)
Anyway! Yes, each nation does have its own flag; In order:
Viriden (Fruitfolk), Makariosvia (Objectheads), Selcouth (Neutral)
On the battlefield the flags are usually used, but banners with the colors of their respective nations are also common. Symbols are sometimes also used on banners or as decorative flares and good luck charms before going into a battle. As for the symbols themselves (speaking generally):
Viriden
Symbols include a golden fruit bowl filled with with either gold fruits, or fruits made of different precious gems. Another common one is an eternal tree bearing every fruit. Golden vines twisted together to represent strength is a favorite of the nation to use as well
Their national animal is the hummingbird
Makariosvia
Symbols include star-headed figures, as well as circuitry to represent their strives for progress. Another common symbol is a headless figure like that of a pedestal whom can swap its head a whim; it has been adapted as a symbol to represent the diverse variety of objectheads there are nowadays.
Their national animal is the ant (Insects count as ammonals I take no critisism on this (silly))
Selcouth
Symbols include a lotus with an eternal fire at its center, typically drifting along water; Never burning the flower, and never extinguishing the flame. Water and Fire in tandem are generally used as symbols of balance within the nation: in fact, their neutrality is often depicted as balanced scales with fire on one side and water on the other.
Their national animal is the deer
(More/the rest is answered under the cut)
The leaders are generally akin to royalty in one way or another to some degree, yes.
In the fruitfolks' case, the ruling line goes until a poor leader is "uprooted" and a new one is instated, but a new line of leadership can also result from just the previous line dying out.
When a new leader comes into power, they have two to three years to prove themself to be a good leader after choosing their name or they will be uprooted in favor of a new one. The Adust family is the most recent line, and happen to be dragonfruit. The line before them were pomegranates, and they probably would've lasted longer had the last one of that line not been murdered. Xe was a close friend of the Adusts and one of the most beloved leaders of Viriden, and lets just say, the culprit was dealt with at a very public execution for the first time in many years.
In the objectheads' case, it has mostly been Nacre's family line in some form since the proper establishment of the nation. While the torch is passed down through the family, typically to the one(s) who show good leadership skills and are well liked by the people, they're treated less like traditional royalty. Respected yes, but there's not exactly bowing most of the time. Their "assistants," or moreso second in commands, are voted on and chosen by the people--typically from a selection the new leader knows and respects. In Nacre's case, Ilus.
In the Selcouth's case, there is the Eternal Flame, the Queen (gender neutral), and the Council below them. The Eternal Flame and Queen are like royalty, though act moreso as just figureheads at the end of the day. Most big decisions are talked with among all of them, though smaller things may be taken care of by either the "royals" or the council with little fuss. The Eternal Flame and Queen do have the final say at the end of the day, though this may change if the people themselves are involved in some big way for whatever reason (for example, something nation wide, like a war--which no one wants to be apart of).
Are the Objectheads Inorganic?
Yes and no. An objecthead's head is inorganic, while their body is organic and would be similar to a human's (with several internal exceptions, such as a few different or added organs and the skeleton being also considered "inorganic" in most places).
The insult "organic degenerates" is used in relation to fruitfolk's heads being organic, and fruitfolk may use terms like "inorganic freaks" in the same way.
Hybrids involving fruitfolk and objecheads, however, are a different story--though uncommon nowadays. Often refered to as "Plantheads" or "FloraFolk" if that gives any hints
*A tired, yet cheery voice appears, seemingly out of nowhere*
Hey, hey Mr. Adust, Ms. Adust? Whatever you prefer, are you aware that there are heinious experiments happening amongst your citizens? I saw an escaped experiment wandering around in the woods, and I heard of a doctor who's possibly involved in this utterly horrible act! A Dr. Rindfell I believe is the name...
"And how dare you accuse my people of such things! We do alter ourselves, but to call such acts heinous? Preposterous! We do nothing but make ourselves stronger, not one would do anything outside of our current research without prior authorization and letting me know about it."
"And I know not of a Dr. Rindfell specifically, though I vaguely recognize that last name. A respected one in the medical field, I think. I’ve no reason to suspect a civilian doctor of anything like that—he isn’t anyone from my hired labs as far as I’m aware."
Dear Seedenal, where are you now? Are you still lost in the woods?
"I'm not going anywhere in particular, I'm just sort of hiding from people as not to startle anyone! My appearance seems to scare most, especially when I have my big flight wings out proper..."
"..though if I don't know where I exactly came from, or where I'm going, does that make me lost? I'm not really sure...I guess I didn't really think about it."
(WOOHOO THE VOID'S BACK FROM THE TRIP, HOPEFULLY IT WAS A FUN ONE :DDD)
*As guards approach, the wizard's cheery tone drops, leaving only an empty cold stare, as if it was a facade*
Oh? That's how you treat someone who lets you know important stuff? Or are you so paranoid that you believe I'm nothing more than some mad plush doll? Well then, fuck you then, if you're not gonna try and kill me, jail's boring! *flips the bird* I'm going to the other side then you bloody glass trinket! I bet they can make better weapons than you can!
And... I cast fireball you piece of F grade seaglass!
*the wizard casts fireball, before promptly leaving to see the other leader*
[It was indeed a fun one! Lots to enjoy!]
(Chaos erupts almost immediately. A couple guards make an attempt chase after the wizard for a brief moment, though to little avail.
Nacre can barely hear xir own thoughts, a ringing in their ears making itself louder and louder. The heat and light from the spell causes xem to throw xirself out of the way despite this, though not without injury as some of the flames swallow part of xir shoulder. Xe hits the floor with a loud thud, and a quiet crack.
Ilus rushes over as more guards run in, many tossing water on remaining flames. The leader can't process what exactly sea's saying, but somewhere deep down, it eases xem to know Ilus is there.
Yet, somewhere deeper down, an old nickname hurts more than fire ever could.)
(Old memories and regrets never seem to leave fully, do they?)
*a wizard covered in stitches and bullet holes manifests from where that raspy voice was coming from, wearing broken glasses*
*ahem* Buddy, buddy, I've seen plenty of fruitfolk and other entities similar to them, and trust me, this is the most important information I can give you. I don't have a point in lying since the truth is far more amusing than what I can conjure up.
There is an augmented weapon running around, and it's clearly a pomegranate, I've seen pomegranates before and trust me, this one's different. I'm actually rather surprised you didn't get like, any reports from your soldiers or anything.
This one's far too tall, can fly, and I've seen them with some weird ahh holy sword before. I've got a rosary here in my pocket and they didn't like, convulse or like have any reaction to it when I got close. No seriously, I swear on my grave when I say that not much happened.
But hey, what am I to say? I also know one of your soldiers ran away from battle, a sword object head I believe. But hey, maybe this is all bullshit in your sight, you seem to be VERY PARANOID afterall.
"How are you even walking, let alone alive...?"
"Regardless…with the…recent event on the battlefield, we—Pardon, did you say a sword? Were they from the recently deceased squadron? If they retreated, there’s a chance that soldier is still alive…"
"Fetch me records of those in the unit and see if there were any swords in service! Weapon-headed objects are rather uncommon, especially in this age…they often make for formidable soldiers, however."
"If…that dragonfruit wouldn't dare order something like that, would he..? She wouldn't…right? They…an augmented weapon…? It can't be. It.. it can't be true, can it…?"
Lodi, then. Maybe I should just assume the average person around here would just prefer to be called by name instead of the other way around... -popstander
(Good, that's very good to hear! Phew.)
"I'm surprised this fella here doesn't mind! I guess I kinda assumed swords would just be more formal in my head? He is very polite though so that checks out and I'm counting it. I used to sword fight with sticks and give them cool names actually!"
"I still sword fight with sticks and give them names but there's been no one to do it with lately. And most think it's weird. Their loss, really. Think I could get this guy to do it if I asked him?"
