For Your Information

[papillio_tempestatis]

I think I should just make this clear so I don't have any arguments about it.

I live on the Discworld. It is flat. It has a turtle under it. The sun and moon go around it. If I say something that doesn't make sense to all you people who live on round worlds, that is why.

And please don't tell me it's a myth, by the way. I used to live in a port town, I have spoken to sailors who have seen the Rim. I've been far enough Hubward once or twice that I've been able to see the tall mountain at the Hub, the one father says they call the home of the gods in Ankh-Morpork.

That is all. I just wanted to clear it up.

Comments

[dual_wield_hax]

I can believe it. Considering I'm stuck in a 100 level castle in the sky right now.

[papillio_tempestatis]

... In the sky? You mean like floating?

I'm assuming it's a magic castle, then? Though I don't know if there's any magic around that I'd actually trust to do that. It's not always exactly the most reliable thing in the world.

[dual_wield_hax]

In the sky. Floating.

It's technology. The world I'm in is digital. It's a long boring story that I should really write down.

[papillio_tempestatis]

Perhaps we should just have a general "strange things about our worlds" post somewhere that we can refer people to.

... I have to admit that I'm not actually entirely sure what digital means.

[dual_wield_hax]

Like some kind of world reference guide of sorts.

It means it's data, inside a computer. Kind of like the community, but it's got a different set of accessible ports.

[papillio_tempestatis]

Mm. It's definitely a thought. Though we might have to keep updating it when we run into people who don't understand terms we use. I think just using directions could do it - I had never heard the words "north" and "south" in my life until I joined the community.

... You're inside a computer? How exactly does that work?

[dual_wield_hax]

Really? That is quite the difference to be honest. I'm surprised. But different worlds and all...

Virtual technology. In a game actually, that kind of trapped everyone inside.

[papillio_tempestatis]

Well, "north" and "south" have something to do with living on a round planet, don't they? From context I think we've got "hubward" and "rimward" instead.

... It what.

[dual_wield_hax]

That would make more sense come to think about it.

Yeah, long story.

[smokepraylove]

So much for thinking two suns and five moons made my little pebble unique. This community really does take all kinds.

[papillio_tempestatis]

... How is there room in the sky for all of those?

[smokepraylove]

I've never really thought of the sky as something with limited space...

[papillio_tempestatis]

With that many I'm just surprised they don't run into each other.

[... Again, geocentric. Butterfly isn't that familiar with how orbits work.]

[smokepraylove]

The two suns are far enough away, at least... [Wolfwood isn't enough of a physicist to explain it, either.] Come to think of it, if you're riding a dinner plate on a turtle, your sky has to be pretty unpredictable.

[papillio_tempestatis]

I suppose that helps. Do you go around your suns, then, instead of the other way around?

The stars change over time, of course. Generally very slowly, if only because of how far away they are.

[smokepraylove]

Your sun goes around you... or, your turtle?

[papillio_tempestatis]

I'm... not entirely sure. It doesn't make too much difference to us on the Disc, anyway, whether it's the Disc or the turtle that the sun goes under at night.

[trustmybase]

And where do you go if you sail off? Still the same space around it?

[papillio_tempestatis]

If you sail off, you go over the Rim. I thought that would have been obvious.

Presumably you would fall toward Great A'Tuin - the turtle - but considering that no one swept over the Rimfall has ever come back I suppose we can't say for certain.

[trustmybase]

Yeah, I got the Rim part. I'm just curious if the turtle actually ate you or if normal rules kick in.

[papillio_tempestatis]

Considering how big it is, I'm not sure it would take notice even if you did fall near its head. I don't know what you mean by "normal rules", though.

[trustmybase]

Atmospheres, solar systems, other planets, that kind of thing.

[papillio_tempestatis]

We've got an atmosphere. What do you think we breathe?

I think in my world, my... dimension, other planets might possibly require other turtles. Which would be interesting, yes, but I think we would have noticed if there were any nearby.

[trustmybase]

[She grins.] You tell me you're living on a turtle and get surprised if I wonder if the atmosphere is different

[papillio_tempestatis]

Well, the way you said it sounded like you didn't think we had one at all.

Anyway, we don't live on a turtle. The Disc is on top of it. Actually, there are elephants in the middle. [This is apparently an important distinction.]