Philip the Bard Rests

Philip the Bard is preparing for this weekend's gig at the Bird in Hand in Harappa City. He will return on Monday with stories from the Earth Revolution.

Have a Great Weekend . . .  Go Raiders!

Philip the Bard's Harappan Blog: the Harappans who first went to Earth

The Harappan Delegation to Earth

Greetings devine readers. I’ve been discussing the impact of the first Harappan diplomatic mission to Earth, and I realize that some of you may not know the story of how the Harappans were treated when they got to Earth.

After passing through quarantine they were taken to a little town called Johnson’s Corner.

But first, maybe I shoud list the Harappan delegation.

Dorian Thain: He was asked to go along as one of the two spots given to the Librarians. His mentor Rodin Cooper suggested Dorian be included because he was bright and tough. It wasn’t like he was to be a body guard but Rodin though someone with some physical capabilities might come in handy.

Geoffrey Swain: He was one of the Librarians and a scholar of Earth and Harappan literature. He has since been one of Dorians closest political advisors.

Alice Toten: She was one of the two Caelumite representatives. She didn’t have much involvement in the mission to Earth but since she has been a driving force in the Paladin Society.

David Green: The other Caelumite. He as well did not have a big impact on Earth but is known for being killed by a stray bullet from a gunfight in the street in front of his bar as he was meeting Max Gavaskar. Much later is was revealed why he was in Salmo on Lava in the first place.

Mary Carmini: One of the two Salusian representatives. History tells us her goal from the beginning was to secure special rights for Salus over the other peoples of Harappa. She was unsuccessful at that but she did become hevily involved with the Kinghts of Tarsus and expanded her influene through them.

Rand: The other Salusian delegate appeares to be no more than a body guard for Mrs. Carmini. It is believed he remained on Earth. Rumors are that his family was wipped out in the tsunami on Harvest Day.

Monday we’ll tell what happened when they got to Johnson’s Corner

In the meantime have a great weekend. Me and the Gutterminds will be appearing at the Bird in Hand saturday night in Harappa City. See you there.

Never mix red wine with Oodo.   

Philip Normer

Kushan Year 87

Earth Year 2479

Philip the Bard's Harappan Blog: The Knights of Tarsus

The Knights of Tarsus

Greetings spirited readers.

Never has so few done so much to so many. The Knights of Tarsus hold a dark spot in human history. I suppose their original goals were noble in some way but once the Earth Revolution got going their influence was nothing but horrible.

Before the Revolution they were an underground Christian cult. All the religions of humanity were forced into hiding during the reign of the Greenies. Only Marcus Johnson could be honored, to do otherwise was heretical.

When Dorian was abducted by the Friends, who also had a Christian background, I am told, Mary Carmini was contacted by the Knights of Tarsus. Serendipity often plays a part in history and it make an appearance here. Mrs. Carmini was from Salus on Harappa. The Salusians were followers of the Founders son who broke away from the beliefs of his father during the Schism.

Apparently the Founder, against his own prohibitions, had brought with him some old Earth literature. His book collection included a Christian Bible and the book was shared among the Salusian elite. Mary Carmini would have been well acquainted with the book and was, therefore, receptive to the Tarsan overtures.

When Mary Carmini became involved with the group that is when we see them adopting a more militant stance. Some historians claim they would have never become so political (or influential) without Carmini’s involvement.

Upon her death the Tarsans almost immediately began working toward world peace with the Maausk movement in northern Europe.

During Carmini’s involvement with them they expanded their charter and declared themselves a political movement and they launched a military campaign that decimated eastern North America and Europe.

They built missions on Harappa, Lava and one on Kusha. Of course everyone knows what happened at the mission on Kusha and how that affected the Mother. That story is to be told in the novelization “Kusha”which should be out by the end of the year.

Never mix red wine with Oodo.   

Philip Normer

Kushan Year 87

Earth Year 2479

Contest Details

WIN FREE STUFF

Name Max’s Starship Contest

Our hero, Max Gavaskar will be given her very own starship in the final book of her series “The Mother of the Galaxy”. 

What should she call it?

I’m hosting a contest to name this ship. I reserve the right to not use the winning entry. I will be the judge and my decision is final.

FIRST PRIZE will be a paper copy of “The Gavaskar Field” and a copy of “Kusha” when it comes out this winter.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, October 15.

Judging criteria: The name needs to reflect the owner of this vessel. You should consider Max and her interests.

Many of you have read the book and know her but for those who don’t or those who want a refresher: Max Gavaskar is a brilliant young woman. She is reserved, analytical, shy and serious. She grew up on planet Harappa, daughter of two university professors. She is well educated and well read but her focus has always been more on the sciences than the arts. So far, the tradition in Max’s culture is to name ships after prominent scientists, but this is not a firm rule.

I would be most happy to answer any questions about her or you can read earlier entries in this blog for more information about Max Gavaskar.

Good Luck

Earth Year 2013

Never mix red wine with Oodo.

Philip the Bard's Harappan Blog: Continued history of the Earth Revolution

The SID makes nice with the Harappan delegation.

After the Greenfield Blast Dorian and the Friends went underground as best as they could.

At the same time rumors of the Harappan Curse were starting. Apparently we Harappans are infected with a disease called the Harappan Curse. It is something we picked up from living with so much illumaphane so long. Most Harappans had the curse at one time in their life. Some died of it. 

The Harappans who first went to Earth were initially put into quarantine and nothing was found but the Curse started spreading wherever the Harappan delegates went. The SID came up with a preventative medication and stopped the spread of the disease. The Tarsans however eschewed the cure and the curse spread through them.

The SID freed the remaining captive Harappans from Johnson’s Corner and brought them to Sagan. The Harappan delegates then helped bring in Dorian and his girlfriend at the time and now wife, Alex Hunter.

The SID was not unhappy that Dorian had stirred the pot and brought down the LC but they were concerned that political instability on Earth would hinder their operations.

Dorian was asked to tour the globe and speak out for reason and peace. The other Harappan delegates except for Mary Carmini and her body guard Rand were allowed to return home.

Dorian’s tour was going fine until he got to Cascadia. For some unknown reason at that time the SID declared Dorian an enemy of the state and issued warrants for his arrest. To this day we do not know why the SID turned on Dorian. As it is history tells us that Dorian was able to escape Earth and return home just in time to negotiate a settlement between the Earthers and Harappans. We’ll tell that story someday but tomorrow we’ll discuss the Knights of Tarsus and their brief but powerful influence in human history.

Never mix red wine with Oodo.   

Philip Normer

Kushan Year 87.

Earth Year 2479

Philip the Bard's Harappan Blog: The Greenfield Blast

The Greenfield Blast.

Greetings dynamic readers. We’ve been discussing the fall of the Greenies and their LC (Leadership Council) on Earth. The Greenfield event was the beginning of the end for the Greenies.

My friend, Dorian Thain was traveling with a group who called themselves The Friends. He had been speaking out about the Green Bible. Over several days Dorian made speech after speech and was gathering quite a following.

A presentation was set for a place called Greenfield. It wasn’t a town of any sort but a large open field that was used for sports and other gatherings. Estimates range from three to ten thousand people in attendance. Dorian told me that he thought the crowd was around seven thousand.

Dorian started his talk and things were going quite well. He spoke about the Green Bible and how the Harappans were being held captive in Johnson’s Corner.

Then things got confusing. Dorian was abruptly ushered away from the stage and into the woods. Moments later three LC flying craft were hovering over the field dropping soldiers to the ground. It is assumed they intended to arrest as many Friends as possible as well as capturing Dorian. We don’t know for sure because someone launched a shoulder fired missile at one of the LC vehicles which caused at least two of them to come crashing down on the crowd below.

Over the years many people have been blamed for that assault. Estimates for a death toll were between two and three thousand people. Of course the Friends and Dorian were the first suspects but then the Knights of Tarsus claimed responsibility, To date there is no proof either way. I must say here that Dorian has always claimed he had nothing to do with this and I for one believe him. He wont say so publicly since he has no proof but I know that Dorian believes that Mrs. Carmini was at least involved if not in charge.

Word of the Greenfield Blast spread quickly. History tells us that it was the last act of the LC. It was just a matter of a few months before their compound in Paxville was overrun by a Tarsan Missionary Force led by Harappan Mary Carmini.

The LC was never a factor after that. There were a few loyalists that tried to start up a resistance but the Tarsans and other revolutionary groups had the power and momentum.

It was at this point in history that the SID made their move. Tomorrow we’ll talk about how they brought in the “good” Harappans and got their aid . . . at least until Harvest Day.

Never mix red wine with Oodo.   

Philip Normer

Kushan Year 87

Earth Year 2479

Philip the Bard's Harappan Blog: How peaceful was the Pax Veridis?

How peaceful was the Green Peace?

The Pax Veridis was certainly one of the more significant periods in Earth history. It is considered to be the period from 2184 until Dorian Thain and the other Harappans on the first diplomatic mission to Earth pointed out problems with the Green Bible in Earth year 2391 (Harappan Year 200).

We’ll discuss the fall of the Greenies tomorrow.

Today we discuss the period of the Pax Veridis. Called the Green Peace because for over two hundred years there was no open conflict or war on Earth. There was oppression, a stifling of the arts and a crackdown on any dissent.

Things were rough for anyone with an idea of their own, but the trains ran on time and everyone had a job. No one starved during the Pax Veridis but nothing of lasting value was created either.

The early part of the Pax Veridis was when the LC or Leadership council solidified their power base. The Scribes Guild began as the mouthpiece for the LC as the LC went underground. The Criers which formed more organically as a response to failing media infrastructure during the decades of environmental disasters were quickly brought into the government fold and used as venues for LC propaganda.

The final block that formed the government apparatus was the SID. They were created directly by the LC. The SID was tasked to provide a manufacturing base, supplement crops grown in village farm cooperatives and to continue scientific research.

Over the roughly two hundred years following the creation of the SID they became more and more independent, so that by the time Harappan diplomats wrecked the credibility of the LC the SID saw that as an opportunity to establish their own political power. History tells us how THAT went.

The LC’s penchant for working from the background did not serve them well when things started falling apart. When the Earth Revolution began in Greenfield, N. A. the LC had no real way to respond. Their police force had diminished over the years and offered no protection for members of the LC. Their fall was swift and complete.

Tomorrow: The Fall of the Greenies and Greenfield.

Never mix red wine with Oodo.   

Philip Normer

Kushan Year 87

Earth Year 2479