From:	Sebastian Wiers m0ng005e@*********.com
Subject:	Aztlan
Date:	Wed, 29 Sep 1999 03:56:19 -0500

> Hey guys, just a question, what is it whith Aztlan anyways, i read the
> Sourcebook, and I must admit I was impressed, it was quite close to
reality
> but then again some things werent. So I wanted to ask you what are your
> opinions about thee subject. why are we the bad guys, any reasons are well
> accepted just dont ofend remember there are some of us here, and nothing
> will do any harm.
> thanks.
> ATTE el MORRIS

If you didn't get it from the Aztlan sourcebook, you need to pick up on
the "ancient history" of Shadowrun, also known a "Earthdawn".
Basically,
Aztlan's most powerful blood mages are in league with entities that would
loove to destroy all metahuman life, or at least render them all mad. This
was a big thing in Shadowrun when that book was written, but the danger
posed by those entities has since been greatly reduced; it a plotline FASA
doesn't want to take any farther.
So, really, Aztlan and Aztechnolgy are not "bad guys" any more than Tir
Na Nog or Saeder Krupp. The sourcebook does paint an ugly picture of blood
magic and give the impression that blood mages run the country, but recent
events and products reduce thier impact. Sure, they are scary, but every
mega has its dirty tricks.
Of course, Aztechnolgy IS the corporate descendant of the current day
central american drug cartels, and thier associated miltary, paramilitary,
and spooks. They were into shadowruns (or at least nasty violent coercion)
as part of thier birthright, so to speak, and they still do them very well.
Of course, so does Cross...
Also, theres the simple fact that they kick ass in magic; they don't
just have powerful "bad magic", but also more "normal" magic firepower
than
any other corp. Aztechnolgy has LOTS of normal and intiated mages and
shamans, and uses them more heavily than any other corporation.
Plus, theres the fact that they are just plain economically powerful;
they are number one (or close to it and gaining) in several areas, including
food production. I dunno, that's kind of scary in itself...

Mongoose