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The Question Box
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I started this thread once before, but it was burried in the sands of time. Hopefully I'll be around long enough to keep this one alive. ^_^

The idea behind this is fairly simple: sometimes, no matter how much you try to research something for a story, the Internet and reference books fail you. Fortunately, other people often turn out to know the exact thing you're looking for. I'm a stickler for research, and having a fact vauge or wrong drives me insane. I know a lot of people hoard facts, so everyone's expertise will be welcome.

This thread, I figured, could consolidate a lot of the question threads in this forum, making it easier for the mods and everyone all around.

When you're posting a question:

--Please be specific as to what information you need
--Make an honest attempt to find out what you need before asking here
--Don't complain if no one replies. Gaia's huge, so if no one here knows, it must be a right puzzler.
--Try to answer a few questions

When you're replying to a question:

--Please specify or quote the question you're answering
--Include links to relevant sites, if you can
--Be respectful
--Try not to repeat what other people have said, unless you have a few points to add

Ready, then? Set? Fire away!

Yes, I loved that section of the NaNoWriMo forums... lovely useful, it was.

Okay, I've got a question...

Does anyone know how much it would cost to fly to the Orkney Islands-- the little group of islands north of Scotland, from, say, Washington, DC? I'm assuming that one would have to fly into a bigger place, maybe Edinburgh or even London. Also, any idea how long it might take?

The net never fails me ... except when Road Runner goes down. Google and everything2.net (the latter is not necessarily work, or family-friendly, but it's hostile to those in a text-only manner) babeh.

(For Raincrow) I'm not sure about the rest, but I'd say if they're going the LONG way, and they reach the capitol in the day, that's WAY too close to the border, unless either a) the country isabout two day's journey across (going the long way), or b) it's so peaceful around there, no one's known the meaning of the word "war" (and so on) for over a millenium (okay, exaggeration, but I think you get my point.)

Sorry I couldn't help you more, but (just guessing here, don't take my word on it) if they're used to traveling burdened, they could probably go a few miles in a day.

In my opinion, the only reason to have a capital city near the border is (other than it being small and/or peaceful, like Anrea said) is that it's on or surrounded by some type of natural defence, like mountains, a very high and rugged plateau... Even in between two rivers could probably work if the country in question and the surrounding countries are extremely landlocked and don't have use for boats. (I'd think that any invaders coming from a long distances wouldn't want to have to bring boats or construction supplies, but who knows. Some leader in the Middle East did it ages ago sweatdrop ) You said your characters were going by an underground route so even with mountains and such on the surface, it might be easier for them to get to the city.

I think in the last Question Box thread someone asked about walking/riding rates for humans. Could be wrong though, I only lurked and it was a while ago that I read it.

Hmm. In Western civilization, rendedangel, dogs usually symbolize fidelity, honor, and patience. In the Bible, however, the only mention of dogs is as techerous animals that surround people when they're already in trouble. I suppose it depends on the point of view.

That's interesting. . . Perhaps the Bible leaves out distinctions between wild and domesticated dogs, and is referring to jackals or something. The general consensus seems to be that dogs represent fidelity, stability, and patience. Thanks ^ ^