Splats

[Erik Boielle]

Now as you may know, White Wolf constantly overuses its splat concept for roleplaying games.

So everyone is divided in to a selection of handy, easy to remember stereotypes.

Now, while I sometimes feel it is unnecessary and annoying to have all the cleaners divided up in to

The Sons Of Willie

The Daughters of Overweight Aging Woman

The illegal asylum seekers

, the masses do seem to like them, and Dragon Clan vs Crane Clan is so much easier to remember than some of the real ones.

And I think the New New Era would be a great time to put some water between the some of the people, and really show how non-homogenous and cosmopolitan the place is.

Through Splats!

I'm seeing a full page spread for each faction with an iconic character illustrating each one!

Big Eyes!

Small Mouths!

Do to Traveller what the New Battletech did to Battletech!

So, we come to the age old question of how our faction member goes about getting a can of Coke from a Coke machine when he has no change

A Star Viking Will burn a hole in the machine with his laser rifle, load all the cans in to a cart, sell them at auction and then be faintly surprised that the coke machine isn't working anymore and all the other coke machines he encounters from then on have three inches of steel plate welded over the front.

A Fourth Imperium Nobleman Will give a rousing speech to the men about how it is mans destiny to drink Coke, and then adjourn for canapés while the plebs get on with getting the Coke out of the Machine.

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Hmmm. That was going to be something talking about how nice it might be to have lots of different human states, all with different views on how to do things and fighting with each other. But I think I went off track somewhere.

 

[MJD]

"A Fourth Imperium Nobleman Will give a rousing speech to the men about how it is mans destiny to drink Coke, and then adjourn for canapés while the plebs get on with getting the Coke out of the Machine."

No he bloody well won't. Or if he does, he'll be out of a job within a week. This is a nobleman who probably got (or was ratified in) his title for funding or leading a Coke-getting expedition into the Wilds. Or heading a research company into better ways to get coke out of machines.

To pusdh this analogy further - a 4I noble would be expected to lead the so-called plebs in obtaining Coke, organize a guard so that nobody could steal theuir Coke, and maybe command the rearguard as the Coke-bearers withdrew to safe territory. If he isn't willing to do those things then he's not a noble. Not for much longer anyway.

 

[Jame]

Splats? You mean, "I've got you!" "No you didn't!" "YES I DID - SPLAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!"

Don't we have enough of that in Traveller, especially TNE, already?

 

[Erik Boielle]

Originally posted by MJD:
No he bloody well won't.

Well yeah, you see thats kinda what I mean.

One would liky say that a Star Viking would do well to ensure he isn't burning irreplaceable locking mechanisms*

And stuff.

But then, instead of a steriotypical Upper Class and Cohen the Space Barbarian you get Paul and James, two guys who live in different places.

Now, B is probably more honest, but A is so much easier to play, in my experience.

And explain to new people.

So I was hoping to see some painting with primary colours.

You were probably just reacting to my cheap shot at aristocrats though.

But I'm always going to see upper class where you say noble ariso though.



*There is a sudden sound of snapping as an analogy is streched To Far.

 

[MJD]

No, I'm not having a go at a cheap shot at aristocrats. I'm saying that the nobility of the 4I are leaders and servants also. They earn their keep in the manner of the fyrdal lord who lived well but was expected to go fight alone against half a dozen bandits to protect his tenants.

Your take on the 4I is your own business, and I know it's colored by your own anti-aristocrat prejudice. Fine. I'm just pointing out the official version - that the nobles of the 4th imperium are, well, noble.

Or else they're fired.

 

[MJD]

By the way, who wants a game setting full of easy stereotypes? Not me. So it won't be happening.

 

[aoehler]

Damn. Martin, I was sooooo looking forward to a book of easy stereotypes.

 

[MJD]

well, for my next big disappointment, how about this - there is no one truth about the Hivers.

 

[MJD]

Oh yeah, and I forgot: Daryens are not elves. Sword worlders are not kilingons, the Vilani are not Sassanid Persians tranplanted to the far fuutre, with the Vargr an analogue of the Alans...

... or anything like that.

(Chuckle.)

Get used to disappointment..!

 

[Erik Boielle]

Well the world does like steriotypes.

Vampire, Werewolf Exalted all have their splats and they do well.

DnD has either Fighter/Thief/Wizard or Elves in the Forests and Dwarves in the mountains.

And I've played in some very sucessful games of L5R,

And starwars where the characters could have neatly fitted the classes Pilot, Jedi, Ninja and Large Alien Killing Machine*.

In short, I like my conflict telegraphed, and I believe the list of most popular games shows most agree.

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And who sacks the nobles?

When noble A (who we shall call the emperor) wants to sack noble B (the popular fleet commander) do you have a civil war?

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Anyway I'm not so much looking for steriotypes as for clear blue water between factions.

Cause variety, and the non-rationality and sheer bloody mindedness of people, is the spice of life.

*This was usually me, although the others switched roles somewhat

 

[alanb]

Originally posted by Erik Boielle:
And who sacks the nobles?

When noble A (who we shall call the emperor) wants to sack noble B (the popular fleet commander) do you have a civil war?

Yes.

Nobles, pretty much by definition are Very Important People. They aren't bureaucrats to be hired and fired.

The other problem the 4I is going to have deal with is incorporating local elites into its power structures. The end result is that much/most of the nobility are going to be TED types from the Wilds...

Frankly, chinless wonders would be preferable to these gangsters. Of course, a few generations of inbreeding will solve the problem well enough.

Alan B