| From: | "J. Keith Henry" <Ereskanti@***.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: A WildCat, a Navy SEAL, and a Tir mage go into a bar... |
| Date: | Fri, 18 Jul 1997 20:19:53 -0400 |
Victor) writes:
<<< !!! Warning Fire-fighting Samurai have Entered the Building !!!
>>>
> (and yes, anyone can
> come up with some BS story that'll link 'em, but BS by anyother name
> still stinks.'
A geez, here it comes...
> To which Kohl replys:
> First off, TopCat, The SEALS work for the UCAS, NOT CAS! Second, as
> anyone whose actually been in the military can tell you, the prime
> reason for these two disparate peoples for working together comes down
> to one word...PROFESSIONALISM!
Excuse me, pardon me, first interupt. Game World Gentleman, both nations
have variations on the theme...
> A spec forces commando, if the objectives or opposition were the
> same, these two people would MUCH rather work together than with a bunch
> of disorganized, improperly (if at all) trained, UNPROFESSIONAL
> Shadowrunners [Yes, I know that there are many Sr groups that don't fit
> this mold, but the military mentality, even a really loose one like
> mine, tends to gravitate towards order of regimentation, as opposed to
> the chaotic decisionmaking evidenced by your typical 'amateur' Shadowrun
> team.].
Hey, working on the fly is required in many, if not most, decision made
plans. Be careful of the word amateur. Mice or Man, does it matter what the
game plan dives?
> If the Tir mage is also a former spook, works just as well. Not all
> spec forces teams love and share a 'warm, fuzzy feeling' for each other,
> BUT most are professional enough to work together to get the job done.
> And who knows, after working with their opposite numbers for awhile,
> they may just develop a grudging respect for one another. This would go
> a long way to laying down more lasting links between the trio, than to
> simply lump them all together as types that should get along and say,
> you're a team.
> Military, and spec forces in particular, are trained in a certain
> discipline that most amateur shadowrunners have no wish to emulate.
> [Look at Argent from Nigel Findley's books. He ran a team of
> Shadowrunners that was almost totally composed of ex-military, and they
> functioned like a well oiled machine. I'd say more, but then I'd need
> spoilers :-].
No, actually you wouldn't. Argent and his team, especially Peg (the decker?)
have a structure that most real game groups can't hope to emulate. It's
called total author override or GM Control Mode. A single GM can create an
awesomely well oiled machine, but a group of nutty cased runners by players
(be they any level of power or munchkinism) can destroy the machinations of
all.
> You seem to think that anyone who can come up with a interesting
> and CONVINCING storyline, OTHER than you, why these three should hang
> together is full of BS! Now, if THAT isn't full of hubris, and a good
> helping Mad Cow Kaka, I don't know what is! As a GM, you're supposed to
> HELP the players find a reason to stick together. It's hard, and it
> doesn't always work out, but that doesn't mean you aren't supposed to
> try. And don't give me the reason that you don't have the time. I'm
> pretty sure I'm a GOOD deal older than you are, and if anyone doesn't
> have time to waste on foolishness, it's me.
Okay, just what are the roles of the GM then? Guy, it must be me, because of
the last 4 major subjects that -I- have brought up, the two of you have jibed
or worse at each other.
> Only a civilian would make an assumption like that these three
> would have no reason to stick together as BS! [And NO, I'm NOT bashing
> civilians; I'm one right now, and enjoy it quite fine, thank you!] I
> suggest you take a look at the Shadowrun Military Page, and talk to a
> few of those guys over there, so's you get a better idea what you're
> meandering about.
On that topic, could I and the rest of the mail group have that address?
> Or, maybe I'm totally wrong, and they'll vindicate you. Who
> knows...
>
Vindication is sign of the totally out of control. Jurisdiction is the
boundary of the Legally Vindicated.
-Keith
