Caldari! Caldari! Caldari!

I have to say this. Caldari rocks.

For those not familiar with the name, thats one of the four (playable) races in Eve Online.

I have a love for history but never so intense when it comes to the history of imperial Germany all the way to world war 2. Today, people view the kaiser as monarch, and since it wasnt a constitutional monarchy, it was thus considered...well... bad. And of course Adolf Hitler is the most "Evil" person to ever have existed. But in both cases what interests me is the supreme national pride that these people have. I mean sure, British or Americans or others may have national pride too, but none portrayed that so intense like the Germans. Japanese would be among the only rivals.

The history of Caldari in the game is somewhat similiar, to a point I would think the developers used Germany as an inspiration. Caldari was a smaller state than their nemesis, the Gallenteans. While in comparison, Germany maybe bigger than England but taken into context of colonies, abroad, Germany might as well be considered the smaller. In much the same way as their real world counterparts, Caldari navy was thus smaller but more advanced. The Caldari-Gallente war has traits of the real world battle of Jutland in World War I. Caldari, like the Germans, had better tech but smaller navy. They fought, and it would almost seem they got the upperhand tactically. They were among the first to use capsuleers and frigates, and made one hell of a stand against their numerically superior Gallentean foes. Nevertheless, while theyre tactically sound, Gallenteans took the strategic victory, and while fighting seem inconclusive, one could say Gallenteans won as they took Caldari Prime.

Reading upon the Empyrean Age Book, one could see how industrious caldaris were, and that their national martial pride is awe inspiring. Personally I value martial pride. Some idealists may say thats war mongering but I think its better to not just be strong in words, but also have a strong backing to support your mighty words. Which is sad, considering their fall from grace because of 'free market' economies and other stuffs that's typical of westernized democracies; corruption, power play, strong individualistic and turning away from the communal glory that symbolizes Caldari tradition.

For whatever the circumstances, Tibus Heth rose from among the lower ranks, a common worker and galvanized a nation. He stood for the people. His people. And while he preached war, (which just like anyone of the smaller states today should they do so against some western power, they get heavily criticized and maybe even attacked.) it must be understood others may think it irrational but from the man inside it all, it might seem the only way. They were quite... desperate.

The theme at the end of all this I guess is the age old debate since the enlightenment age. Rational thinking of the enlightenment age against the newer Romantics point of view regarding the emotions of man. Today we are always arguing for the rationale, and while it maybe good or even best, if the heart does not feel for it, I dont think the peace will last. Ultimately, whether we choose to compromise or not, whether wethink it through rationally or not, what we want is for our heart to be satisfied. And different people have different expectations.

My aspirations always go for the people who dare defy the great odds against them, with little but a strong heart to overcome it all...

For me, that is Caldari.