sorry, RL is hectic, I've been skipping things I meant to answer ages ago.
> > I am definitely assuming that we're writing (in English) primarily
> > for people for whom English is their first language, yes.
> From my point of view, that is about 50% true. I come from a place where people buy and use
> English language gaming material while gaming in another language, and that is true for much of the EU. ....
> That's quite a population base of non-native speakers.
It sounds like it yes - I hadn't realised there were so many of them. Understandably silent, I suppose: reading in another language is much easier than writing in it.
> People whose writing can compare to that of native speaker authors are
> rare (not sure I fall into that category, since I am quite painfully aware of the limited
> active vocabulary I am using when writing in English). Good enough for discussion
>purposes, and even gaming, but severly challenged when writing prose.
I don't remember seeing any fiction you've written. FWIW, your writing of factual prose comes across to me as that of a native English speaker, and an unusually well-educated one at that. I'd rate it as better than mine. The only problem I ever have with your vocabulary is when you use technical words I don't recognise and I have to go and look them up.
> > Who had red hair, and led a rebellion that did well initially, then
> > failed.
> Failed heroically - something Kallyr avoided at Larnste's Table.
I really must work out how she avoided the "heroically" trap. That isn't like her.
> > Manching looks interesting.
> Very interesting - if you are at Tentacles, I can show you some video
> material I bought at the museum there.
Sorry, I won't be at Tentacles.
> I have a French comic series "Vae Victis" which has a red-haired British slave girl
> becoming an adversary of Caesar. Her name is Bodicea...
> About as historical as "300", but using De Bello Gallico imaginatively.
Yes, I remember you recommending I read that a while back. I even found a copy on Ebay, and it's on a shelf somewhere: still in the wrapper :(
> > The Fishbourne palace is famous because it's so well-preserved,
> > and because as a result, we all go on school trips
> > there, but again, I wouldn't bother using that as a public analogue.
> Sounds like a place to visit when I next tour to the island...
Better check first, I was 12 when I saw it, it may have changed. For all I know, it's under a motorway :(
> I think the Heortlings would be very disappointed when an invader fails to produce strange new ideas in their invasions.
That disappointment could be the basis of an amusing short story...
> Sure. Let's take Caesar.
> French version: Caesar and his legions conquered France and undertook
> pacifying expeditions across the borders.
> UK version: After conquering France, Caesar campaigned in Britain, and
> fought the druids.
Surely in both cases we'd say "Gaul"?
> German version: Having subdued the Helvetii, Caesar fought against the
> Suebes led by Ariovist, and pushed them back across the Rhine.
> Italian version: Having assured the loyalty of his legions in 10 years of campaigning in the north, Caesar returned to Italy.
Rubicon, etc?
> US version: Founder of the Roman Empire.
> Maybe a bit exaggerated, but that's how school history relates to those events.
From what Chris was saying, would the Americans know that much??
> I haven't read the German one - will have to find and re-read the
> David Drake.
http://www.webscription.net/p-300-an-oblique-approach.aspx
> A Baen Free Library book. Just download for free, and have a look.
Have downloaded (along with a few other things) - thanks!
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