A Question for CDN's Asari Members

So a while ago it was revealed that the Asari were holding a huge-ass Prothean beacon on their homeworld, which contained something vital to the Crucible. Now, Council law says that if you hold this kind away and keep it for yourselves, you're in deep shit.

Obviously, no-one cared about it then because, well, Reapers and Crucible going kaboom kinda skewed priorities. But with that knowledge now general public (Alongside the Asari telling Earth and Palaven where to shove it before Thessia got attacked), would the Asari members of CDN say that opinion of the Asari would have changed, even just a little?

I don't really mind personally- just a merc and all that- but I thought it'd be something to talk about.

That's nice and all but if change is going to happen it really shouldn't happen at your pace unless you want to be left in the dust. You are literally the only species that lives as long as you do and spend so little time advancing your species and now the stranglehold that your government held over Citadel Space has been shattered. General fallout and change as a result from the war are not going to be centuries in the making, they are happening now and right now, even the elcor are reacting faster to the change then your species.

While sticking your fingers in your ears and screaming might have worked before now it won't. You have to contend with the krogan now, maybe the rachni and certainly the geth as well. I don't know how long rachni or geth last but regardless, there are now other species gaining power that won't have to swap out their leaders every century like every other species has to and I'm fairly certain as the geth and rachni are a hive mind they will not forget and the krogan area a species with no hard deadline as far as I know with numerous survivors still around from their rebellions, a war that was about 1400 years ago. I've also been told that there are still krogan alive who saw rachni during the wars and dear gods the amount of time that would be is mind boggling for me.

I'm cool with you guys losing power to the Terminus systems but man did I hope it would be for some other reason then your ability to move slower then elcor on hard core depressants.

Regarding the situation in Nimbus Cluster a clarification seems in order.
While it is true that the Cluster is still containing a number of criminal elements of piracy, space traffic along the main shipping lines and in convoys is absolutely safe inside the cluster between and in major systems. Expeditionary fleets and special task forces are seeking and weeding out the bases of piracy throughout the cluster, supported by additional local republican patrols.

A state of alert is still in effect to assist asari naval forces. Single ship travel between systems and inside remote systems is still discouraged at this point, please follow the security advice of Pelion relay control.
Safe travels!

Ah, the delights of asari propaganda! And how long have you been working for the transit authority, my dear, that you puppet their words with such alacrity?

For the rest of the group... Do be careful in the Nimbus, hmm? There's a particularly believable rumor that the more successful pirates have recently implemented some top-notch training regimens, perhaps even ones with a special focus on how to combat (or more importantly, neutralize) the asari biotics advantage. We wouldn't want any of you delightful sapients to see your belongings and persons fall into less-than-scrupulous hands, would we?

So, you know, since I've gone 'round this little walkabout with your predecessors on the forum before and what I've found works really well in summoning the will to continue and/or live (besides...whatever I'm drinking right now, it's fruity and it's sweet and I kinda love it) is this little game I like to play. Point by point, are you ready Madame Matriarch?

It's called "Let's Scroll Up the Fucking Page" and it's loads of fun!

Ooooooh so close. Here' let's try another, see if we can find a rebuttal for this poor orphaned argument:

Oh ouch. No joy. But you know what they say, third time's the charm yeah? Let's give it one more go.

OH. NO. SUCH. LUCK. No I'm afraid I'm going to have to dock you for deliberate obfuscation, you don't get the point. Sorry darling and thanks for playing.

Let's take a look at what else you missed out on: "Poor Babby Councilor or How Tevos Totally Didn't Shit the Diplomatic Bed", "Tone Arguments and How To Ignore People Calling you out on your Logical Fallacies", and, last but certainly not least, "My Little Ageist Oligarchy Can't Possibly Be This Cute".

See? Wasn't this relaxing? I think it-

shit spilled my drink, I'm sorry one second

Right back! As I was saying yes you're moderately terrible at this whole debate thing.

Whiiiich is a shame because, you know, Matriarch.

You know this would be oodles more believable if you actually deigned to acknowledge what they were actually standing for instead of conflating them with generalized "protests and demonstrations" about, your words, "things". But you haven't. Because you can't. You physically cannot afford them any shred of legitimacy because that would mean there's someone out there who thinks bad things about you and, gasp le gasp, they're not a pile of inbred space-sheep fuckers.

Except this is a baldfaced lie. Like, I can't even give you the benefit of the doubt here. This is plain, flat out, good old fashioned dishonesty. And here I was thinking all you had in you was vanilla passive aggression and deliberate thickheadedness. Progress.

So, tell me, if Maidens and Matrons are so pervasive in positions of power why are essentially all of the major political institutions, the largest corporations, the upper echelons of the military, and ever. Single. City. of any importance helmed by Matriarchs? Why are Matriarchs the foundations for the Forum's oldest and most powerful factions? Why are Matriarchs the ones who shape public opinion and policy rather than, you know, the people. Which is what one would expect in a society that prides itself on being a democracy. Call it was it is dear, it's basically petty autocracy. The opinions of the people don't really matter when a Matriarch can snap her fingers and have ten million boilerplate opinions flooding the Forums. Oh sure you go on about how nobody has to listen to Matriarchs. They're completely free to defy the strictures and conditioning of a society that idealizes Matriarchs as founts of immutable wisdom and architects of vision and intricacy.

Tell me are you trying to convince me or yourself?

...also if your entire society is based on arguing online why are you all so terrible at online arguments?

You literally just shot your own argument in the foot. I didn't even have to do anything, you undermined whatever point you were making pretty goddamn efficiently on your own.

Because the current system has worked so well. You're only politically reviled, hemorrhaging control over the eezo industry, geopolitically suspect, and incapable of securing your own borders.

Amazing.

...Really. Really. You're really going to do this. You're really going to call it a religious cabal and a "product of a more superstitious time". I...wow. These weren't techno-priestesses praying over the beacon for wisdom and guidance you miserable sack of argumentative jobbery. These were your generals. Your admirals. Your CEO's and political elite.

I don't know what's more disgusting, that you're conflating a governmental conspiracy with organized religion in an attempt to discredit it or that you're still trying to sell the open minded view after saying that.
Except. You know. That said Matriarchs fucked over, in order, their subordinates, the Republics as a whole, followed shortly thereafter the entire galaxy. Not just individual Republics. That Thessia's trying to contain it as such speaks decidedly ill of your precious "New Guard". Strange because what I imagined was the Republics bundling their dirty laundry off to some tropical planet and a mansion to live out it's days in quiet luxury and lo and behold I was right. Oh yes those naughty naughty Matriarchs, I'm sure being waited on hand and foot is teaching them their lesson about hiding Prothean Artifacts and dooming unprepared billions to industrial scale murder by godsquid. I mean, not like they have their financial assets intact or anything. Or their properties. Or their retinues. Or their diehard adherents since, going off everything that I'm seeing here, if there's one thing Republican toadies love it's a doomed cause.

I'm not the one conflating my head-up-the-ass political dogma with the entirety of my species's perspective as if I spoke for them my dear. The xenophobia card is an easy card to play, and neatly absolves you of any actual introspection because "I can't be wrong, HE'S JUST RACIST". I'd say I was disappointed in your showing if you hadn't already uh...thoroughly shat upon your own credibility about halfway through. Now I'm just morbidly amused.

...when did you learn how to be witty. When did you learn how to write polysyllabic and cogent arguments.

...When did you learn how to write?

Put some elbow grease into it darling, you're not going to get anywhere with that white-wash at this rate you kn-

...you beautiful motherfucker. Hahahahaha.

...

I hate my job.

I am flattered, I feel young again.

Also I am just a terrible dancing partner, not just due to my leg now, I never was good at it. I am not following your step.

Do you have any substantial input to anything or do you only do voiceover commentaries from post two onward? (This is a rhetorical question, Mr_Sandman). You mostly sound like one of those commentators who think of themselves as terribly entertaining while telling funny little made up stories in animal shows. I hate these shows but the kids mostly love them for some reason. “Look at this little Ice Walker and how very twee he is trying to clean is feathers before his mum gets home to the nest…” If only you would work on your foul speech and grammar a bit. But I guess you are at least as resistant to outside opinions as you think asari matriarchs are.

What I find noteworthy though is your question regarding the secluded exile. You seem to have a very funny idea about what that means. Either intentionally provoking an explanation or really from unawareness. The rundown is, remote abandoned mining asteroid, alone or in small groups, mostly self dependent, bi-monthly supply drops or some such. Needless to say, no extranet but I think they can take a few books. Or write some, thinking of it. (Lady Kafak’s “the Burrow” for example) It’s quite the horror to be honest.

Falsequote. These people instrumentalized the old cult and the infrastructure, a sacred place where nobody asked questions really, whose origins remain shrouded in history (and everybody was content with that, it was seen as “fitting atmosphere for a temple” after all, even those that weren’t into Athame cult). The true priestesshood ages and ages ago in the beginning made the conspiracy possible and easy, and played into the hands of those operating the conspiracy until now and they used it to their advantage in a manipulative way, no doubt.

It was one of the last remains of the old cult, a place that concentrated all the remaining mystification about Athame. It was not them using the actual present beliefs in people about Athame (in reality, the religious everyday life aspect was already on the decline for centuries), but a general tendency to not look so close, in, how can I phrase this…in just wanting to keep mysteries about the place and not asking questions or peeling the layers. Even mere remains of such large religious cults tend to shroud people’s visions in strange ways sometimes. From what little I read about humans, you are familiar with the concept of false respect towards self acclaimed religious authorities leading to large scale physical harm.


It is not that total as you make it sound but still it’s a point.
Asari live long lifes. And asari step through all the life stages. So eventually, a maiden, becomes a matron, becomes a matriarch.
Do you already detect the pattern? You don’t get just handed a large enterprise with a handshake when you hit 700.

A similar thing goes with offices in many cases, where the really good and best accepted (yes, well, you know, I know what you think now) stay in office just until they are matriarchs. In other cases, most of the time, matriarchs who hands over daily operations of their businesses to matron directors seek out a new challenge in public service. Some also opt for beachfront properties on Nevos or some such, enjoying the royalties, it really depends.

But here now comes again the tidal change thing (in case you remember). The drain of the Reaper war, especially on Thessia combined with the crisis of faith some of the matriarchs caused will lead to a lot of younger blood in offices that are not coming from matriarchs ranks. You will see and can already see more younger types there. Seems I have more faith in asari youth than you do, you culture pessimist.

I suggest you read up on how systemic consensing works. It’s a widespread l.e.d. system these days. I for all I know can’t call up ten million minions though. I don’t even want to, but that’s the point where I am losing you anyway I guess.
I don’t want to because it is not beneficial for the community and not myself in consequence. Matriarch Average is not outside of the community. In fact, having a valid interest in a prospering community will sure add to the fact that people entrust us with more offices. We have a lot to lose (and to gain of course).

When attempted manipulation comes out – and it will come out, public analysis commentary and VI statistics is what fills pages and pages of asari press – you are done for in public. Happens rarely but sometime.

I don’t know nor care if you are a racist or think that I think you are. You seem more of the kind who laughs loudest at his own witty jokes, not caring much about others. You know, the person at the party some look up to in awe while some are kind of awkwardly irritated.
Do you ever go to parties and do you actually dance?

Ah, of course that despicable activity which may have directly led to the death of billions was simply one isolated sect of religious fanatics, rather than a widespread faith with an established center in the asari capital and government support. Of course it was. To claim otherwise would be to imply that the asari government may have behaved in a less-than-perfect fashion, which, as we all well know, is entirely impossible.

Please. The war is over, deniability is long since entombed. Let's move on to the shame and recrimination, already!

...Yeah, I'm sorry, part of me insists on reading this as "it was a good place to hide a beacon". Of course it was a good place to hide a beacon! Your government was hiding a beacon, they'd pick a good place to hide it. But you stole it for the tech. Not complicated and everything else is blah blah blah.



I would be totally happy if every person in your government got fired and was replaced by Reaper War Vetrans age under 400. At the very least, it would mean that all the idiots who ran you into the ground were gone.