AW: [DL] LS & the supernatural (spoilers)(long)

["Markus Finster" <markus.finster@chello.at>]

>
> Focusing on  Texas Rangers and the supernatural element, again there
> will be spoilers so here's the obligatory spoiler space.
>
>
> S
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> S



>
> Harrowed: I could understand the TR accepting Rangers who had become
> harrowed in the line of duty, their capabilities would be well known,
> their grit without question - however I would still expect them to go
> on a "review" period and to have limited career prospects.  I just
> cannot see a TR weighing up any harrowed they stumble across as being a
> potential Ranger.

But this way makes it a lot easier for Harrowed player characters to become
Texas Rangers.
Otherwise, it would be highly unlikey. Some players might even shoot any
Harrowed player character on sight, because it is "his duty".

> Hucksters:  I can picture a Ranger using a gut instinct to determine
> whether a huckster has the capability to be a TR - and think this fits
> quite well.  However the "if they say no - give them a telling off and
> send them on their way" seems significantly toned down from their
> initial "shoot or recruit".  I guess  it is necessary as otherwise a
> Marshall will have a nightmare as everytime he uses a NPC with an a AB,
> the PC's will enjoy pointing at the "shoot or recruit" motto as he
> blasts the poor sucker.  However I think there is potential for some
> nice roleplaying situations focused around the "shoot or recruit"
> guidelines.

Well, a Ranger could still kill any NPC-Huckster.

> Abominations: Ok, my views are pretty clear from above.  I can
> understand why a few abominations will be strong enough and patriotic
> enough to serve their country - however I'm unsure why the majority of
> those that have been recruited under the "shoot or recruit motto" stick
> with it (or more importantly why the TR want them).  They must surely
> realise their career path is nil and although the TR threaten to shoot
> them if they leave it is surely a matter of time until some beastie
> gets them anyway.  To my mind they get very little out of it and so I
> would expect these critters to bug out whenever the opportunity
> presents itself - which is surely a real hazard for any Rangers working
> with them.  Is it worth the risk - I assume General King thinks so -
> but if I was a Ranger out on the job in the world of Deadlands - I'd
> rather watch my own back than trust it to an abomination.  I guess
> there must be some real tension in the TR ranks, however this isn't
> really alluded to in the book.

To the tension - it's the managements's view, so-to-speak. In every company
there are the opinions of the higher ranks, and then there's the knowledge
of the workers ;-)
And again, I guess this was just included to allow Vampire player characters
to become or stay Rangers. if you don#t like it, assume that there are no
abominational Rangers.

> After reading this section I was left thinking - are they really that
> desperate?  I also figured that General King has left himself wide open
> to (at least?) two potential headaches in future
>
> 1) Using a TR badge to convince someone that your guns glowed due to a
> new fangled invention is one thing - however having the person that
> showed you it - turn into a werewolf would really detract from the
> Texas Rangers reputation.   Essentially what are the confederacy's
> citizens to think if it ever gets out that the Texas Rangers include
> abominations - in my view it would most probably destroy the TR.
> Possibly some interesting adventures here with the future of the TR
> resting on the outcome especially if people in the Union found out?

As I understood it, the musicians are for special assignments only - so if
they are sent in, then some people seeing a werewolf with a ranger badge
should be the LEAST problem.


> In general I feel that the high supernatural aspect of the TR is a bit
> of sell out (by the TR) I expected better of them.  They come across as
> being very upright good and noble - but there seems to be a fundamental
> rottenness within the organisation if they are allowing abominations
> in.  Don't know if I'll use abominations in the ranks or not - maybe
> limiting them to a very low number (rather than having a band - there
> would be a dozen or less).

Well, there aren't that many:
2 musicians per companie and a few per regiment.
we have 30 companies - that makes it 60 musicians. add another 15 regimental
bands and you have 75 Rangers with an Arcane Background.
The majority of these will be Mad Scientists, Hucksters and Harrowed. Throw
in a handful of Voodooists and maybe one or two shamans and that's about it.
So, there might be one or two vampires and there might be one or two
werewolves. I don't have a problem with that.

Markus