OTU Only: What is your take on the Zhodani?

[mike wightman]

Pretty much says it all.

 

[flykiller]

there is no way to know what the consulate is. mind-reading? psychic alteration? we have no experience in any of this and speculation as how it all would pan out never rises above speculation. my guess is that it would be a happy north korea with hive people marching around in 18th century battalions, but that response isn't in the poll and there's no way to know anyway.

 

[Timerover51]

I ignore them, and focus on the area to the Rimward of the Solomani Sphere. Not that many Zhodani there.

 

[Hyphen]

I ignore them, and focus on the area to the Rimward of the Solomani Sphere. Not that many Zhodani there.

That you know of.

"Nothing to see here, citizen. These are not the Solomani you are looking for, move along."

 

[mike wightman]

Could a mod add a 'goose stepping hive mind' option?

 

[McPerth]

Could a mod add a 'goose stepping hive mind' option?

Done, but could you please clarify me what does this mean (please remember, for some of us English is not native language). I understand what a hive mind is, but I don't understand the full sentence.

 

[mike wightman]

It's to allow flykiller to vote - it means a totally mind controlled society with the proles as mindless automatons.

And many thanks for adding the option by the way - even if it only gets one vote.

 

[Timerover51]

That you know of.

"Nothing to see here, citizen. These are not the Solomani you are looking for, move along."

In my Universe, the Zhodani do not exist, at all. If running something in the somewhat OTU, they are not there a full sector to the Rimward of the Solomani Sphere.

 

[flykiller]

It's to allow flykiller to vote

... I ... don't know what to say ... I feel so ... accommodated ... (sniffle) ....

 

[Enoki]

Psionics are overrated... Although I usually play the "other side" of the Empire, there are some psionic capable groups around. It can be an advantage, but I try hard not to make it overwhelming.

 

[Timerover51]

Psionics are overrated... Although I usually play the "other side" of the Empire, there are some psionic capable groups around. It can be an advantage, but I try hard not to make it overwhelming.

Also, as I pointed out here, no one ever allows for nasty Psi.

http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/showthread.php?p=490248#post490248

Did the opposition leader actually die of a heart attack, or did a Psi Assassin clamp one of his heart values shut? Did the admiral die of a stroke naturally, or did a Psi teleport a small blood clot into his carotid artery?

 

[flykiller]

Did the opposition leader actually die of a heart attack, or did a Psi Assassin clamp one of his heart values shut? Did the admiral die of a stroke naturally, or did a Psi teleport a small blood clot into his carotid artery?

by it's structural and chemical signs, medical examination will confirm or deny with no doubt a heart attack or the lack thereof. it will not detect psi intrusion, but if it was not a heart attack then the medical exam will make that clear.

as for teleporting a blood clot, genetic analysis will determine if the blood clot is native to the person or not.

 

[Timerover51]

by it's structural and chemical signs, medical examination will confirm or deny with no doubt a heart attack or the lack thereof. it will not detect psi intrusion, but if it was not a heart attack then the medical exam will make that clear.

as for teleporting a blood clot, genetic analysis will determine if the blood clot is native to the person or not.

But are they going to even look for such evidence? And if they find it, then what? How do you prove that a given Psi did such a thing?

 

[flykiller]

But are they going to even look for such evidence?

opposition leader otherwise healthy suddenly keels over? you betcha.

And if they find it, then what?

look for the psi-mole. they always think They're. So. CLE. ver.

How do you prove that a given Psi did such a thing?

imperial nobility don't deal in proof except with each other. they are the citizens, everyone else is hoi polloi.

 

[Timerover51]

imperial nobility don't deal in proof except with each other. they are the citizens, everyone else is hoi polloi.

So, you are essentially saying that when it comes to nobility, they can do whatever they desire, and only have to worry if it upsets some other noble.

An interesting universe you have.

 

[flykiller]

between "don't deal in proof" and "do whatever they desire" is an exceptionally wide range of possibilities. but if that's how you see it, you'd be well-supported by world history.

 

[Ulsyus]

Psionics are overrated... Although I usually play the "other side" of the Empire, there are some psionic capable groups around. It can be an advantage, but I try hard not to make it overwhelming.

Just give 'em lenses or torcs to boost their powers, that'll sort out the men from the mentally-miniscule boys

 

[RossWinn]

Epithets

It's fairly obvious from the media coverage as Illustrated in the Traveller news service that the Imperium has an extremely negative view of the Consulate. If most of this were true I don't think that they would have a functional government or economy. Therefore it seems empirically proven that is Zhodani Society is much more open then perceived in the Imperial media.

 

[GypsyComet]

The irony here is that the supposedly middle of the road choice ("No better or worse") is still pretty damning.

 

[Condottiere]

That would depend on the alternative(s).

I like to think that a lot of the Solomani electorate are well aware of the shortcomings of their polity; with the Zhodani, that may be only allowed in the upper upper echelons, the rest of the dissenters get sent to Room 101.