Paul Kidd has given me permission to post his missing footnotes for Flayrah's readers:
1. "Quoll"
In its un-mutated form, the Western Australian Quoll (“Chuditch”) or Australian Native Cat is a charming little creature – bright eyed, bushy tailed, and capable of taking a human finger off merely for the thrill of it. Inquisitive, clever and quick, they are the clearest possible illustration that ‘cute’ does not necessarily mean ‘cuddly’…
6. "Omega Ale"
The mutagenic properties of Omega ale would probably get it banned in any sensible society. Exported from “’Snappy’s Tavern” to many other villages, it was originally intended simply as a relaxing drink – leading the export kegs to all be marked “The Stuff That Refreshez.” Once the mutagenic properties were discovered, the local council insisted the motto be changed to “The stuff that can randomly alter your DNA, with possibly horrific results”. Fortunately, due to low literacy levels, this did not substantially reduce sales.
9. "Religion"
Gods gain little respect amongst the denizens of the Westralian Desert. There are, however, a few legendary names from the past that are well revered. Darwin, patron of alpha mutation, and Oppenheimer, patron of bright ideas are the most popular. Enola Gay, patron of unexpected deliveries, also still enjoys a certain notoriety amongst caravan guards and those with two or more heads.
10. "Religion pt 2"
All in all, the ancient gods are not taken seriously. Whoever the gods are, apparently none of them saw that Gamma Terra was coming.
Ancient truck drivers, travelling to many lands, once carried the images of gods inside their vehicles. Scholars have identified many of these deities – including Wuff – the nodding-headed dog that watches out for dangers. Alo’ha, the grass-skirted goddess that made for happy home coming, and of course, the dice images that represent the gods of good fortune.
The chrome images of naked women often found upon mudflaps are collected and revered by the most pious Sand Town residents. These chrome images, depicting as they do the naked female form, clearly represent the spirit naked before the great journey of life. The ancient truckers were obviously a pious and deeply philosophical breed.
11. "Tea!"
Aaah tea! This noble beverage, steeped in tradition, is still grown by the denizens of the Western Australis desert. The camellia bushes are lovingly fed and watered, then chased in a yearly round up and driven to market. Plucked and shorn, the plants are returned to the wilds, while the leaves are threatened, clubbed into submission, cured and dried.
Tea comes in a number of distinct varieties: The most common are Black knobbly, Longhorn, Strontium blue, and Shaani’s favourite – Irish Breakfast with just a smidge of Beryllium 90.
13. "Water"
Water, of course, is the most priceless commodity in the desert. It defines trade routes – citizenship at ‘Watering Hole’ grants set rights to draw water from the village well.
Swimming in a major water source can sometimes irritate the locals. At ‘Watering Hole’, it would be a faux pas. The giant Water Fleas from Darkfield Cistern, however, claim that their presence actually improves the flavour.
- All in all – we suggest that you stick to the tea…
17. "Trail ration"
Biltong: A delicacy generally made by lovingly laying sliced road kill in a vat of vinegar, roliling it in herbs, and then hanging it out to dry on the back porch for a few days. The resulting tasty treat can be used as iron rations on treks across the veldt. It also makes a handy kosh for self defence situations. A skilled hunter could theoretically bludgeon animals to death with lumps of their own preserved, marinated relatives.
Paul Kidd has given me permission to post his missing footnotes for Flayrah's readers:
1. "Quoll"
In its un-mutated form, the Western Australian Quoll (“Chuditch”) or Australian Native Cat is a charming little creature – bright eyed, bushy tailed, and capable of taking a human finger off merely for the thrill of it. Inquisitive, clever and quick, they are the clearest possible illustration that ‘cute’ does not necessarily mean ‘cuddly’…
6. "Omega Ale"
The mutagenic properties of Omega ale would probably get it banned in any sensible society. Exported from “’Snappy’s Tavern” to many other villages, it was originally intended simply as a relaxing drink – leading the export kegs to all be marked “The Stuff That Refreshez.” Once the mutagenic properties were discovered, the local council insisted the motto be changed to “The stuff that can randomly alter your DNA, with possibly horrific results”. Fortunately, due to low literacy levels, this did not substantially reduce sales.
9. "Religion"
Gods gain little respect amongst the denizens of the Westralian Desert. There are, however, a few legendary names from the past that are well revered. Darwin, patron of alpha mutation, and Oppenheimer, patron of bright ideas are the most popular. Enola Gay, patron of unexpected deliveries, also still enjoys a certain notoriety amongst caravan guards and those with two or more heads.
10. "Religion pt 2"
All in all, the ancient gods are not taken seriously. Whoever the gods are, apparently none of them saw that Gamma Terra was coming.
Ancient truck drivers, travelling to many lands, once carried the images of gods inside their vehicles. Scholars have identified many of these deities – including Wuff – the nodding-headed dog that watches out for dangers. Alo’ha, the grass-skirted goddess that made for happy home coming, and of course, the dice images that represent the gods of good fortune.
The chrome images of naked women often found upon mudflaps are collected and revered by the most pious Sand Town residents. These chrome images, depicting as they do the naked female form, clearly represent the spirit naked before the great journey of life. The ancient truckers were obviously a pious and deeply philosophical breed.
11. "Tea!"
Aaah tea! This noble beverage, steeped in tradition, is still grown by the denizens of the Western Australis desert. The camellia bushes are lovingly fed and watered, then chased in a yearly round up and driven to market. Plucked and shorn, the plants are returned to the wilds, while the leaves are threatened, clubbed into submission, cured and dried.
Tea comes in a number of distinct varieties: The most common are Black knobbly, Longhorn, Strontium blue, and Shaani’s favourite – Irish Breakfast with just a smidge of Beryllium 90.
13. "Water"
Water, of course, is the most priceless commodity in the desert. It defines trade routes – citizenship at ‘Watering Hole’ grants set rights to draw water from the village well.
Swimming in a major water source can sometimes irritate the locals. At ‘Watering Hole’, it would be a faux pas. The giant Water Fleas from Darkfield Cistern, however, claim that their presence actually improves the flavour.
- All in all – we suggest that you stick to the tea…
17. "Trail ration"
Biltong: A delicacy generally made by lovingly laying sliced road kill in a vat of vinegar, roliling it in herbs, and then hanging it out to dry on the back porch for a few days. The resulting tasty treat can be used as iron rations on treks across the veldt. It also makes a handy kosh for self defence situations. A skilled hunter could theoretically bludgeon animals to death with lumps of their own preserved, marinated relatives.
Fred Patten