The Ur-Quan Masters Discussion Forum

The Ur-Quan Masters Re-Release => General UQM Discussion => Topic started by: Admiral Zeratul on March 28, 2012, 10:57:00 pm



Title: The Dravatz
Post by: Admiral Zeratul on March 28, 2012, 10:57:00 pm
Here is another something for all of you bipedal ultronomicons to ponder, as I am apt to introduce.

Fwiffo mentions the Spathi have the best qualities of both the clam and the Dravatz, which is not native to our world. Who or what are the Dravatz?


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: Death 999 on March 29, 2012, 03:05:15 am
Find the best qualities of the spathi, that are not shared by the clam. Design a species that has those qualities, and no other qualities that are even better.


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: CelticMinstrel on March 29, 2012, 06:14:44 am
My assumption was that they're native to Spathiwa.


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: Kwayne on March 29, 2012, 03:59:22 pm
Dravatz = Spathi - clam  ;D

A worthy task for a SPORE creature creator!


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: JudgeYohance on March 29, 2012, 07:19:57 pm
I guess the real problem is even if I use Spore to try and make this thing....We still need to know what the worst qualities of Dravatz are.........for that matter, what are the best qualities of a Spathi that are not shared by a Clam?


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: Steve-O on March 31, 2012, 04:12:30 pm
Fwiffo mentions the Spathi have the best qualities of both the clam and the Dravatz, which is not native to our world. Who or what are the Dravatz?

Well, asking "who are the Dravatz" implies that a Dravatz is sentient.
It seems reasonable to assume that a Dravatz is a creature native to Spathiwa.

One could certainly argue that sentience is a quality that might be held by a Dravatz.  It would certainly be high up there on the list of "good qualities" and it's not (at least as far as I know) a quality of clams.  However, I suspect that a second sentient species on Spathiwa would have merited more than just a passing metaphorical reference, especially since you can visit Spathiwa during the course of the game.

Therefore, I do not believe Dravatz (Dravatzes?) are sentient.

The other thing to consider when brainstorming the "best" qualities of a Dravatz would be what the Spathi consider to be good qualities.  Clearly, courage in the face of adversity is not one of these things.  Perhaps a Dravatz is particularly good at hiding from predators, or defeating them by throwing rocks from trees.



Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: Quinarbre on March 31, 2012, 04:32:29 pm
The other thing to consider when brainstorming the "best" qualities of a Dravatz would be what the Spathi consider to be good qualities.  Clearly, courage in the face of adversity is not one of these things.  Perhaps a Dravatz is particularly good at hiding from predators, or defeating them by throwing rocks from trees.

Interesting line of reasoning, but you're forgetting the uttermost quality the Spathi would acknowledge in another species : that they pose no threat to the Spathi themselves.


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: Admiral Zeratul on March 31, 2012, 07:27:41 pm
I would think the shell to be one of the best qualities of the clam, as it helps it defend itself. The Spathi do not appear to have shells, though.


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: oldlaptop on March 31, 2012, 08:02:03 pm
I would think the shell to be one of the best qualities of the clam, as it helps it defend itself. The Spathi do not appear to have shells, though.

Well, we only ever see the upper half of a Spathi, and there is in-game dialog that comes right out and *says* they have shells (albeit for comic effect):

Quote from: The Safe Ones
We sent out a ship to meet the oncoming Dreadnoughts
we wanted to tell the Ur-Quan about the Evil Ones, so they could safely avoid our planet
but when we got close, the Ur-Quan started blasting out this overwhelming signal
`SENTIENT LIFE. WE ARE THE UR-QUAN. INDEPENDENCE IS INTOLERABLE. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.' -- you get the idea
anyway, in a moment of panicked genius, the Captain blurted out
`Hold! What you are doing to us is wrong! Why do you do this thing?'
To everyone's amazement, the Ur-Quan fleet stopped dead in space.
The Ur-Quan fixed a tight communication beam on the ship
and the creature spoke a long while and with great passion
almost as though it were intoning a high ritual.
The words he spoke were of planet-shaking significance!
At least, we assume so. We can't be really sure, because all of the Spathi on board at the time
were curled tightly in their shellcases, and couldn't hear very well.
Maybe if you get the opportunity Captain, you can try to ask the question again.


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: Dabir on April 01, 2012, 12:57:31 am
Also note that the best qualities of the Spathi may not be the best qualities of the clam *OR* the Dravatz, so taking it apart and seeing which bits don't look like a clam isn't necessarily going to help.


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: meep-eep on April 01, 2012, 12:26:52 pm
Also, from the 1998 IRC chat (Fwiffo is both Fred and Paul):
Quote
<Xxyl> Here's an argument I've been having....Spathi have shells or no?
<Fwiffo> I think Spathi's didn't naturally have shells, but based on their desire for safety, they might adopt them as a fashion.


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: Grand Master Planet Eater on April 01, 2012, 01:53:18 pm
Fwiffo mentions the Spathi have the best qualities of both the clam and the Dravatz, which is not native to our world. Who or what are the Dravatz?

Well, asking "who are the Dravatz" implies that a Dravatz is sentient.
It seems reasonable to assume that a Dravatz is a creature native to Spathiwa.

One could certainly argue that sentience is a quality that might be held by a Dravatz.  It would certainly be high up there on the list of "good qualities" and it's not (at least as far as I know) a quality of clams.  However, I suspect that a second sentient species on Spathiwa would have merited more than just a passing metaphorical reference, especially since you can visit Spathiwa during the course of the game.

Therefore, I do not believe Dravatz (Dravatzes?) are sentient.

The other thing to consider when brainstorming the "best" qualities of a Dravatz would be what the Spathi consider to be good qualities.  Clearly, courage in the face of adversity is not one of these things.  Perhaps a Dravatz is particularly good at hiding from predators, or defeating them by throwing rocks from trees.



Maybe the Evil Ones ate them all


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: JudgeYohance on April 02, 2012, 02:19:56 am
Well let's think, the following I think are the most important attributes a Spathi could have according to their line of thinking and our conversations with them

The Ability to protect themselves (The Shell from the clam)
The Ability to hide (I would argue that clams hide themselves in the sand but let's assume this is a Dravatz trait)
The Ability to run (That must be a Dravatz trait)
To be rich, powerful and surrounded with women and weapons to fend off any attackers that may hurt their paradise (Clearly they learned this trait from me)

So assuming that last trait is based on me and was mentioned by accident, and assuming the Dravatz are not a sea life form like the clam. It is likely a fast and clever creature that is skilled at evading predators with a thin body and small stature.


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: Admiral Zeratul on April 02, 2012, 08:13:37 pm
Well let's think, the following I think are the most important attributes a Spathi could have according to their line of thinking and our conversations with them

The Ability to protect themselves (The Shell from the clam)
The Ability to hide (I would argue that clams hide themselves in the sand but let's assume this is a Dravatz trait)
The Ability to run (That must be a Dravatz trait)
To be rich, powerful and surrounded with women and weapons to fend off any attackers that may hurt their paradise (Clearly they learned this trait from me)

So assuming that last trait is based on me and was mentioned by accident, and assuming the Dravatz are not a sea life form like the clam. It is likely a fast and clever creature that is skilled at evading predators with a thin body and small stature.

+1

You have solved the mystery! Excellent work for you, friend, and for a prize you get a bunker for protection. (Complementary machine gun nests will be included later)

(http://www.axishistory.com/fileadmin/user_upload/b/bunkers-r667.jpg)


Title: Re: The Dravatz
Post by: JudgeYohance on April 04, 2012, 04:26:16 pm
Awesome! Finally a place where I can store game collection.

*Comes out in tuxedo*

I would like to thank everyone who voted for me.

I'd like to thank my role models...Yohance clone 124.....clone 132....and clones 356-365 .

The Utwig for making me realize that no matter how pathetic I may feel, they are always worse which makes me smile.

The Spathi for spilling the beans to me about what the Dravatz actually are after I threatened them with a carrot, a rabbit and a Richard Simmons workout video.

And of course all the little people I stepped on in order to get this far. Without your failures, I never would be as awesome as I am today.