Campaign Brainstorming: "The New Abbey"

[Victor]

I think I will create two orders that are diametrically opposed on this matter for the campaign.

One rejecting technology. But would they be limited to one world? As star travel is a matter of technology. They could even be one of the heresies--albeit a minor an mostly unnoticed one. Maybe even confined to one planet; or, springing up independently on a number of planets.

The other extreme would be a more mainstream order that embraces technology and gets around more.

Perhaps the restriction for the more moderate group would be limited to personal technology.

Just as many Amish accept a community telephone at the end of the street, they won't have one in their home. In a similar vein, these folk might accept riding on a starship, but would never be pilots or crew, and might even make use of computers (even if they require someone else to operate it for them), but would not carry personal information devices or other electronics upon their person.

They would be less prone to persecutory inquisition, I'd think. They might have a much stronger influence within the church on a political level, though. Perhaps the Church as a whole still has doctines (similar to what Major Tom suggested earlier) refuting that machines, having no soul, cannot prove the existance of the god, and that the god's work can not be done by those without souls, by machines, or by those without faith. This group might then be an important part of the church's intellectual and spiritual security, and thus the church tolerates (and, to an extent protects) the more hard-line anti-technologist sect.

[travellerne]

Nuns: Black or white bikinis and habits
Monks: Thongs
Priests: Thongs and shiny capes

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Too late! I've written it in.

[dbsousa]

Perhaps the restriction for the more moderate group would be limited to personal technology.

Just as many Amish accept a community telephone at the end of the street, they won't have one in their home. In a similar vein, these folk might accept riding on a starship, but would never be pilots or crew, and might even make use of computers (even if they require someone else to operate it for them), but would not carry personal information devices or other electronics upon their person.

They would be less prone to persecutory inquisition, I'd think. They might have a much stronger influence within the church on a political level, though. Perhaps the Church as a whole still has doctines (similar to what Major Tom suggested earlier) refuting that machines, having no soul, cannot prove the existance of the god, and that the god's work can not be done by those without souls, by machines, or by those without faith. This group might then be an important part of the church's intellectual and spiritual security, and thus the church tolerates (and, to an extent protects) the more hard-line anti-technologist sect.

More to the point, the Amish decide what role new tech will play in their lives. They use cell phones at work to do business, but they have no place in the home. Rather than being "anti-technology", perhaps they have elaborate rules for how tech may be used. For example, only high priests may send and recieve interstellar communications, and followers may only travel between stars in groups of 12 or more...

[travellerne]

More to the point, the Amish decide what role new tech will play in their lives. They use cell phones at work to do business, but they have no place in the home. Rather than being "anti-technology", perhaps they have elaborate rules for how tech may be used. For example, only high priests may send and recieve interstellar communications, and followers may only travel between stars in groups of 12 or more...

Hi dbsousa,

I think that's a really cool idea. Do you want to give them a name? Maybe write up and post a character package here. If not, I'm sure I eventually will but it's neat to get input from others.

TNE

[Major Tom]

HI All,

For your review, here is the initial design of a minor artifact that will be in the first story of "The New Abbey." Comments and feedback are encouraged.

TNE

Disk Gun

A rare artifact from a lost, possibly alien, civilization, the Disk Gun fires 
saucer shaped grenades that target a visible target directly or can fly 
around obstacles to home in on the most powerful source of radio energy 
within range (i.e. radio transmitters, radars, cell phones, etc.). The Anti 
Radiation Missile feature of the Disk Gun tells the user when there is a 
radio target in range; the user just pulls the trigger and the disk projectile 
seeks the target and attacks immediately. The user should insure that the 
nearest radio source is not friendly. If the disk misses it still explodes in or 
near the target hex.

14  Explosive Disk: RKA 1 1/2d6, Area of Effect (One Hex; +1/2), 
     Indirect (+3/4); OAF Difficult (-1 1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4), 
     6 Charges (-3/4) 14
13  Anti Radiation Missile: High Range Radio Perception (Radio Group),
     Increased Arc of Perception [360 Degrees], Targeting, 
     Telescopic (+8 versus Range); Passive, OAF Difficult (-1 1/2)
5   Homing Sensors: +6 OCV with Explosive Disk; OAF Difficult (-1 1/2)

32  Total Cost

Finally... something that the Holy Brothers of the Eternal Chaingun can drool
over.

Major Tom

[travellerne]

HI All,

I'm looking for some ideas for names for the planet (ringworld actually) that is the Church headquarters. I'm not happy with:
New Mecca - it's been done a lot already
Holy Planet - variant of Holy See but not very imaginative

What could be exotic, somewhat grand, sound ecclesiastical and yet sound original?

Thanks,
TNE

[Teflon Billy]

How about Sophia

It's supposed to mean Holy Wisdom.

TB

[Major Tom]

Let's see... it's a ringworld upon which this interstellar ecclesiasty has chosen
to establish its primary seat of power... why not keep it simple and call it "The
Halo"?

Major Tom

[Major Tom]

More to the point, the Amish decide what role new tech will play in their lives. They use cell phones at work to do business, but they have no place in the home. Rather than being "anti-technology", perhaps they have elaborate rules for how tech may be used. For example, only high priests may send and recieve interstellar communications, and followers may only travel between stars in groups of 12 or more...

One possible name that could be used for the Amish-type group would be
Quorumists (inspired by the word "quorum", meaning any gathering of 12
or more individuals).

Major Tom