Talk:Rapier

Why is it that every Québecois (or equivalent) fictional characters I'm aware of that were invented by foreigners tend to be unstable and/or homosexual ? I'm not offended, just curious as to why that is.

As to the nitty-gritty, I would just make a few suggestions:

- 2 real-life (but now defunct) comic book companies from québec publishing super-heroes were "Andromède" and "Héritage". The first flopped after about a year and the second did mostly translation of US comics.

- There is no Ville-marie police force, only the nation-wide Maréchaussée.

- Apart from translated US comics (and then not always), the format you described wasn`t realy used. Localy made strips were either magazine (with more then one characters and stories), large cardboard covered albums or small black & white pocket format (about the thickness of a novel).

- Last point (but a biggy) super-heroes comics were never big in québec (nor New Francy I assume). The types that was popular were those in the franco-belgian style (astérix, tintin, Spirou, etc...) or localy produced equivalent. The only local super-hero (if the term is used loosely) that achieved cult status was "Red Ketchup", the drug adicted, penguin hating, red-haired albino superhuman FBI agent (did I mentioned it was a parody ?).

Now, that doesn`t mean Rapier can`t exist or need to move state but probably it would be one of those thing better known outside the country then within (like Leonard Cohen *here*). Incidently, if her name is supposed to be in Francien/french and not a translation of it, it should be "Rapière"

Hm. Don't know why either. Maybe we're just looking for something exotic but close-by? And New Orleans is over-used? Me, I was interested in doing something French but thought New Francy kinda under-represented.

I am presuming some things about the international market for superheroes here, partially on the premise that in order for so many cross-cultural, cross-ethnic, multi-pseudo-nationalistic entities to exist, there must be some a few more fundamentals everybody agrees upon. For example, in IB there seems to be (for lack of a better way of putting it) more patience. The process of getting somewhere or achieving something is not quite so ignored as it tends to be in the West *here* and (probably because ethnicities are given so much more their due) it seems to me most cultures are a tad more tolerant of trying out new things. If you think it really necessary, I would be glad to include something about how the book is produced in New Francy but is mostly sold abroad. Either way, I'm presuming that is where the really big markets for same are--the NAL and elsewhere.

I was actually translating her nom-de-guerre into English. Odds are the book itself would be published as L'Epee d'Azreal or something like that.

Can you tell me anything about the Maréchaussée please? I did read the entry on New Francy but there wasn't that much there. Many, many thanks for the feedback! Zahir 16:11, 30 October 2005 (PST)

Thanks, I`m sure there is some local readers (I did after all collect some US comics in my youth) but to make it too big would change the culture (or at least its perception).

The maréchaussée is simply a police force with detachments in the various village and town. Its is more or less the equivalent of the Sûreté du Québec *here* but covering all the territory (*here* Montréal is one of the few places with its own police force in Québec)`.

Was there anything specific you wanted to know ?--Marc Pasquin 16:36, 30 October 2005 (PST)

Okay, let us go with it being something of a "cult" status in New Francy itself, but very popular abroad (which is actually what makes it financially viable). Yes?

About the maréchaussée: (1) How would you describe its institutional culture? Macho? Very elite and professional? Grunts on the frontline of law enforcement? (2) In IB how does the maréchaussée currently view its female members--assuming they have some? What is their policy regarding homosexuality? (3) What is the ranking system used? Nothing too elaborate, just a quick precis. And (4) Does--or might it--have the equivalent of a "Special Branch" such as that of Scotland Yard? Zahir 16:50, 30 October 2005 (PST)

Cult: How about something along the lines of "despite a small (but very faithful) following in its homeland, Rapier as proven quite popular abroad"

1- Sorry to be unhelpful but nothing particularly spring to mind. they are simply perceived as another group of civil servants. Their colleagues of the Guard tend to be seen as more glamourous.

2- Woman are still under represented although the government is trying to get more unboard. Homosexuality is legal and afforded full equality (though still not accepted by all).

3- It goes something like this (subject to tweaking): Gendarme, Brigadier, Maréchal des logis, The officers are: Cornette, lieutenant, Capitaine, Mestre-de-camp, Directeur (leader of a detachment) Directeur-Général-Adjoint and Directeur-Général (the big boss)

4- No. Anti-terrorists duties are handled by a section of the Guard. I haven't realy thought about subversives but I assume it would be handled by a civilian organisations reporting to the government.

--Marc Pasquin 15:51, 31 October 2005 (PST)

Okay. In my imagination's eye I'll think of them as kinda like a cross between postal workers and the FBI. (that is actually an interesting, if ODD, image...). I guess I can make Sylvie's father a Capitaine? Retired. And assume that perhaps many gays prefer to still "remain in the closet" at least while at work. Any suggestions for a good name for some super-secret government bureau that is in charge of investigating and dealing with the paranormal? Zahir 15:59, 31 October 2005 (PST)

Sounds about right. For the name, how about "Le bureau du septième jour" [the bureau of the 7th day] ? it sound vage enough for a secretive organisation but is a reference to a French-Canadian legend that tells how the Devil created the land of Québec from clays leftover on the seventh day of creation by the Good God. He never realy got over people spoiling his land and this is why weird things tend to happen (in a bid to scare us away). The Devil (whom we call "Le Yâbe") tend to figure prominently in our legends. --Marc Pasquin 16:48, 31 October 2005 (PST)

Thankee! Zahir 17:59, 31 October 2005 (PST)

Seraphim or Nephilim?

An Angel is typically a Seraphim; Nephilim are the angels of the devil. Nephilim Seraphim. Possibly, by the context I gatherfrom this article, Nephilim would be the most correct. To you to decide.BoArthur 16:14, 30 October 2005 (PST)

Actually, supernatural-type things are not as codified as we like to sometimes think or imagine. This is simply because they aren't tangible in the same way, for example, birds are. Figuring out the different types of Owl is one thing, and folks have come up with some fairly authoritative answers on that one. Try to do the same with Angels (Fallen or otherwise) and you're left with a lot more...well, leeway...in interpretation. Nephilim has been used elsewhere to describe the offspring of an angelic being and a mortal. Seemed like a good word to use. Zahir 16:20, 30 October 2005 (PST)

De Les

In French, wouldn't one say "L'Ordre des Chevaliers de Sion"? Or is it different in Quebecois/Laurentien?

Yes, if Laurentian follows French convention, which I wonder if they do. Marc? BoArthur 07:07, 1 August 2006 (PDT)

You're right about the francian thing. In laurentian it would be "El Orde dae Joualiae d'Zion" or something like it (laurentian is a work in progress). --Marc Pasquin 04:34, 2 August 2006 (PDT)