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Star ArmyⓇ is a landmark of forum roleplaying. Opened in 2002, Star Army is like an internet clubhouse for people who love roleplaying, art, and worldbuilding. Anyone 18 or older may join for free. New members are welcome! Use the "Register" button below.

Note: This is a play-by-post RPG site. If you're looking for the tabletop miniatures wargame "5150: Star Army" instead, see Two Hour Wargames.

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  • 📅 January 2025 is YE 47.1 in the RP.

Saluting in the Star Army

The way I had envisioned the mix is that a bow is still permitted for anything, however there are certain times where a salute is allowed simply for time and convenience.

My suggested list of when saluting should be allowed:
-combat zones
-when passing someone of higher rank in an informal setting (A Heisho passes a Chusa on the way to the space station's gym)
-for time-sensitive scenarios (need to use the bathroom?)
-When space doesn't permit a bow (in a cramped engineering corridor)
 
All of these circumstances can be covered with a nod and verbal response too. The Japanese language has many levels of formality which would work in tandem with this.

If saluting is optional, that's fine. I want the option to refrain from saluting because it messes with my perspectives of Yamatai.
 
Ira said:
Typically saluting in combat zones is forbidden for obvious reasons.
Click to expand...


I suppose combat zones was the wrong word. I was thinking more Base of Operations. So basically when you're in camp in an enemy territory.
 
The only time salutes cannot be replaced with bows is when you are in motion and for things that take an extended time like lowering the flag and listening to the anthem music.
 
Yes.

Sound that sound okay now that I explained it more?
 
I like that Wes made this change, as certain situations (when reporting for duty) call for a salute, whereas the bow is a general, all-purpose sign of respect. Within the SAoY this is apparent, but outside of it, my characters always bow (except for my Iroma), such as my samurai and karate student.
 
This thread is very interesting in terms of analyzing Yamatai's relationship to Japan and also in that I went against almost everyone important on the site. Wow. In the end I think we did a good compromise where bowing is still good for almost everything, so most players who were set on bowing, like in the early days of Star Army, can still do that, and at the same time the saluters stopped getting slapped by annoyed captains.

Plus we got this out of it:

1571786916945.webp
 
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Its a compromise that I can live with. I personally prefer the bow, because it separates us from Nepleslia.
 
While I don't like the idea of slapping people who saluted, I do find myself drawn to bowing, or having bowing as a major way of doing things. It gives nice flavor in a way that saluting, being more generic, doesn't.
 
Ultimately though, while bowing is definitely a thing in Yamatai, the salute is used in the Star Army because it separates Yamatai's soldiers from Yamatai's civilians.

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