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

[Reemull <reemull@yahoo.co.uk>]

> From: Mr. Christopher McGlothlin, M.Ed. 
> At 11:32 AM 5/20/2002, reemull@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
> >Focusing on  Texas Rangers and the supernatural element, again there
> >will be spoilers so here's the obligatory spoiler space.
> >
> >
> >S
> >P
> >O
> >I
> >L
> >E
> >R
> >S
> >
> 
>          That's my own conception as well, for what it's 
> worth. It's the 
> reason so much of the book is given over to decidely 
> non-arcane Ranger 
> Gear, new Fightin' Maneuvers and new Aptitudes.

Actually I realise this was pretty skewed as I did skip the non-arcane
stuff.  To be honest I love the Fightin' Maneuvers, I got the
impression that they'll be of less worth to D20 gamers than those using
the classic system as a lot of them seemed to be similar to existing
feats.  Although the method of integrating them in the game will be of
benefit.  I didn't mention the Ranger gear at all as previous topics
had centred on the LeMat Undertaker.

> >Here I find they not only have an arcane background (AB) 
> that reads like a
> >factory production line of Shootists (ok maybe a bit unfair),
> 
>          I would say so, but feel free to attribute that to bias.

As I said I felt that was a bit unfair - but I couldn't think of other
words to get my point across. It was just my thoughts as I realised
that the TR have effectively a monopoly in Shootists (although I do
realise that DocH can tutor who ever he pleases)

>          To be accurate, there are NO full-fledged 
> Abominations in the 
> Rangers' ranks, and there never have been. There are some ABs 
> in the ranks 
> that may not always act on the side of the angels (Harrowed, 
> Vampires, 
> Werewolves), but all of these are allowable as player 
> characters, and when 
> played as such have never been classed as Abominations.

Sorry, my bad - the terminology I use is incorrect - I guess that
because Vampires and Werewolves were abominations prior to RVC2, I
still tend to view them as abominations, even when they are PC's.  The
Harrowed I class on their own as they always were kept separate.

Thinking about it I have more of a problem with vampires than any other
type (werewolves are affected by their "condition" only at set
predictable times, vampires are a different ball game altogether). 
After reading RVC2 I remember thinking that PC vampires are really not
particularly stable for any real length of time.  Hence recruiting them
and encouraging them to use their abilities is hastening that person
down the road to abomination (actually an interesting thought - the TR
are effectively hastening them to their doom - I wonder if that causes
some sleepless nights for Gen King).  Maybe the TR have some experience
in knowing what side effects to look for that indicate that their
vampire recruit is starting to slip towards the darkness.  

>          Whether any of us see it or not, this was already an 
> established 
> part of DL long before LS was commissioned. I did my best to 
> expand and 
> clarify what had been written before, and my sincere 
> apologies if I failed 
> to please.

No need to apologise - I am really just trying to marry up my picture
of the Texas Rangers with that presented in the book - it's been a
while since I read through some of the sections in the main books so I
accept my ideas may have slipped from the established Deadlands world.

> >Hucksters: 
>          True dat, but here I was bound by the HOE Cyborgs 
> book, which as a 
> lengthy "Twern't that way at all, sonny!" 
> revision/clarification of "Shoot 
> it or recruit it." Regardless of my obligation to honor prior 
> continuity, I 
> think the HOE version is much more game-able, and therefore 
> preferable.
> 

Ah - I only have a few HOE books and Cyborgs isn't one of them - this
makes sense.

> >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
> 
>          Those sort don't get recruited in the first place.

I could just imagine my players characters with AB's wanting to become
TRs and then after realising the limitations placed on them, wanting
out relatively quickly. Lacking any real avenue to leave, they'd
probably just bug out while on a mission.

> 
>          You make it sound as if every Ranger single mission 
> has a vampire 
> assigned it.;-)
>          The book is clear, I think, that this is not the 
> case. It is also 
> clear that if you're on a Ranger mission and HQ has sent a 
> werewolf to help 
> you, the sh!t, as they say, has indeed hit the fan, and hard.

OK - maybe my misunderstanding comes more from the picture of the
"vampire/werewolf/someone else" rather than the actual text; this
possibly gave me the impression that their use was more blatant than is
obviously the case.  Also being from what is effectively a small island
I also get the impression that I misunderstand the whole scale of the
area that the TR have to cover, hence although the number of  the band
seem high - they are extremely thinly spread over a wide area.

> 
>          That's why "band members" don't get Ranger Gear, 
> Badge included. 
> They are "deniable assests", of a sort.

Ah, I must have missed the fact that the don't get the gear - thanks.

> 
> >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.
> 
>          As I said, it's been an element of the organization 
> since DL's 
> beginnings. If you do not care for this element, then I 
> respect your views, 
> but I remain at a loss to explain why its inclusion in LS 
> surprises you so.

> I fail to see why 
> the Rangers accepting backgrounds long open to DL players 
> blackens them so.

Ok the "sell out" comment was another that I thought was a bit strong
when I typed it.  Looking again I guess I have less (no) problems with
characters with AB's than I do with werewolves and vampires.  RVC2
pretty much states that vampire characters are on the fast road to
being a full fledged abomination - werewolves I would say are moving a
little slower down the same road, but their destination is the same. 
Just my take on that situation, however at the same time it would be
fun to see the posses face when the vampire they've confronted turns
out to be a ranger :-).  

Which brings to mind another point, is there any treatment for these
infected individuals (werewolves and vampires primarily)?  Is General
King happy to just use these talented folks and watch for when they
lose control, or is there some military program that has a little
funding that allows it to look into legends about cures for such
ailments?  

Cheers

Roy


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Everything you'll ever need on one web page
from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts
http://uk.my.yahoo.com