Campaign Setting: Age of Avarice

[Tornado]

The year is 2146, and the universe is at peace, united under the flag of the International Economic Union. Time and instability have turned the IEU from little more than the printer of a unified currency to the controller of the largest armed forces, the overarching decider of economic policy and the administrator of human colonization.

Thanks to the development of effective, fairly cheap interstellar travel, first contact has been made with two less-sophisticated sapient societies, the Irai and Libids. Upon first contact, these species were technologically equivalent to the bronze and hunter gatherer ages of human civilization, respectively. As of yet, no other technological civilization has been detected, much to the relief of the upper echelons of the IEU military and the disappointment of 20th century dreamers.

Alongside all these interstellar developments are developments in genetics, chemistry, physiology, neurology, prosthetics and cybernetics which allow for the change of human beings on countless levels. Ultimately, however, they are all still human, and sentient artificial intelligence has remained the constant domain of futurists for the past century.

http://ageofavarice.weebly.com/index.html

Still a work in progress, but I'd be interested in any opinions.

Any at all.

Please, I'm begging you...

e: god those last couple lines read really pathetically. lol. ignore it.

[Roy_The_Ruthles]

What do PCs do? What is a standard adventure?

[Tornado]

What do PCs do? What is a standard adventure?

Anything they feel like. :P

Seriously: police/detective/investigative work (federal or local), trade and transit between planets (or countries, I suppose), smuggling, assassination, other criminal enterprises, security work, special forces activities, espionage, corporate espionage, etc.

Standard adventure probably goes something like: PCs are given a seemingly standard job (whatever they do for a living) to do, then (shocking twist!) something/everything isn't like they thought it was/goes horribly wrong.

[Manic Typist]

It does seem very interesting, although I feel very little motivation to play one of the alien species since they seem so limited compared to humans (not the discrimination, but rather.... physiologically).

However, as a human PC, I think I'd really enjoy INTERACTING with them.

[Ranxerox]

The campaign title suggest dystopia but the description is more utopia. Can you resolve that contradiction a bit?

[Lucius]

Fascinating.

May need a little more work on pointing out where the adventures are.

Lucius Alexander

Age of Palindromedaries

[Tornado]

It does seem very interesting, although I feel very little motivation to play one of the alien species since they seem so limited compared to humans (not the discrimination, but rather.... physiologically).

However, as a human PC, I think I'd really enjoy INTERACTING with them.

I was shooting for fairly psychologically distinct (to the point that you can say, "look, this is something the alien does that humans do not do" rather than adjusting statistics about human behavior), but not unplayably so. With the Etachi, I can see that (I actually forgot to make a note of the fact that you can just clip the "domesticated" off the Etachi character sheet), and the Mazkai to a lesser degree, but why the Libids?

The campaign title suggest dystopia but the description is more utopia. Can you resolve that contradiction a bit?

The International Economic Union could be thought of as "running" society at large, but it has a very high degree of indifference to humanitarian issues. It prioritizes the strategic and economic above the social and political. It has, in the past forty years, started not one but two wars that were more-or-less naked aggression in the name of economic stability (not to mention the occasional violent outbreaks during the integration of Armab).

What's more, despite its lenient tendencies towards dictatorship, lack of social and/or political rights, poverty, and so forth, society is more or less stuck with the IEU. The armed forces of the IEU (including logistics, etc) are 40 million people who can beat down anyone who starts a fight - so no one does.

To be honest, the title is the best thing I could come up with.

e: Added some adventure seeds on the Planets page, at the bottom of the entries for Bapakaba and Heriko.

[Manic Typist]

Actually, I find the Mazkai to be the most friendly towards being a PC, although playing an undomesticated Etachi has promise, although not always suitable since it would probably focus a great deal on resisting Mazkai oppression. Might not be suitable for all campaigns, although it could be toned down into perhaps just a strong dislike of and passive aggression towards Mazkai interacted with...

But the Libids are the ones I find....well, most alien. While they are VERY interesting, and I like them.... as a PC, I'd be worried about that sleep inhibition. I think it's more than Infrequently, since I can be functional a maximum of eight hours straight. How often will a Libid adventurer be inconvenienced because the party has been going for longer than that on some mission? They'll also need special facilities on a ship, which could be cool in terms of creating ambiance in terms of the Libid will usually be found in what amounts to a greenhouse (basking under panels that emulate the sun). But if they're captured, they're even more disadvantaged unless the captors make special arrangements for the Libid, which can happen every now and then but often might straight disbelief.

Just some thoughts. I'd consider playing them, but I'd want to have a detailed discussion with the GM to make sure I know what I'm getting in to. I'd also like a picture because, well, it's always nice to have a picture.

[Tornado]

Actually, I find the Mazkai to be the most friendly towards being a PC, although playing an undomesticated Etachi has promise, although not always suitable since it would probably focus a great deal on resisting Mazkai oppression. Might not be suitable for all campaigns, although it could be toned down into perhaps just a strong dislike of and passive aggression towards Mazkai interacted with...

Lots of undomesticated Etachi flee Ozto, there aren't that many Mazkai in space, and once you get out, you're out. An undomesticated Etachi just rolls on his lonesome and deals with people who think just because he's an Etachi, he must be domesticated.

But the Libids are the ones I find....well, most alien. While they are VERY interesting, and I like them.... as a PC, I'd be worried about that sleep inhibition. I think it's more than Infrequently, since I can be functional a maximum of eight hours straight. How often will a Libid adventurer be inconvenienced because the party has been going for longer than that on some mission?

Not often? I dunno, it seems like eight hours of straight activity is unlikely no matter how you slice it.

They'll also need special facilities on a ship, which could be cool in terms of creating ambiance in terms of the Libid will usually be found in what amounts to a greenhouse (basking under panels that emulate the sun). But if they're captured, they're even more disadvantaged unless the captors make special arrangements for the Libid, which can happen every now and then but often might straight disbelief.

If you do get captured, your captors obviously want you alive so they have to make some concessions in pursuit of that. If the captors don't care about whether you live or die, why would they feed you?

Just some thoughts. I'd consider playing them, but I'd want to have a detailed discussion with the GM to make sure I know what I'm getting in to. I'd also like a picture because, well, it's always nice to have a picture.

There is now a picture of the species at the top of the Species page. See if you can figure out which is which. Here's a hint: I'm pretty sure the human is the one on the far right.

[Lucius]

Lots of undomesticated Etachi flee Ozto, there aren't that many Mazkai in space, and once you get out, you're out. An undomesticated Etachi just rolls on his lonesome and deals with people who think just because he's an Etachi, he must be domesticated.

If Etachi normally live in large communities, being a solitary exile sounds like a lonely existance. Why wouldn't they form mutally supportive large groups like they were used to, perhaps around a nucleus of a Human or Human small group instead of a Mazkai family - hey, these people won't eat you, pay you for your work and let you own your own stuff, and won't stop you if you decide to leave for some reason! I can imagine a trading company with a few merchant ships, officered by Humans but crewed by Etachi...I can also imagine, given that Age of Avarice is a "capitalist utopia," Human/Etachi conversations where a glimpse of the Etachi's outside perspective leaves the Humans wondering what the distinction really is between "domestication" and "employment."

How does an Etachi come to be "undomesticated?"

I suppose that there may be "wild" Etachi on the homeworld. I wonder, in small bands like the Mazkai (suggesting that was the pattern of their common ancestor) or large groups? And with what level of culture? If they are hunter-gatherers that may suggest one sort of narrative, but if some of them are agricultural and have (relatively) sophisticated technology like bronze working or written language, the question arises of how much Mazkai culture may have been originally Etachi.

There may be "feral" bands who were abandoned (perhaps their owners died? or were killed?) or escaped, and are self-perpetuating; these may exist instead of or in addition to Etachi who were always independent.

Incidentally, I haven't run the numbers, but how quickly do the Etachi need to reproduce to keep the Mazkai fed? And where they're free of their natural predator, isn't overpopulation a potential problem?

Lucius Alexander

Does a backandforthtrian outbreed a palindroemdary?

[Tornado]

If Etachi normally live in large communities, being a solitary exile sounds like a lonely existance. Why wouldn't they form mutally supportive large groups like they were used to, perhaps around a nucleus of a Human or Human small group instead of a Mazkai family - hey, these people won't eat you, pay you for your work and let you own your own stuff, and won't stop you if you decide to leave for some reason!

Well, because then they're on bottom again. An undomesticated Etachi hates to be on the receiving end of orders, and that's the main reason they generally run away from Mazkai.

I can imagine a trading company with a few merchant ships, officered by Humans but crewed by Etachi...

This calls to mind, vividly, certain modern scenarios (mainly the national composition of merchant shipping), so I have to say it's an altogether likely scenario.

I can also imagine, given that Age of Avarice is a "capitalist utopia," Human/Etachi conversations where a glimpse of the Etachi's outside perspective leaves the Humans wondering what the distinction really is between "domestication" and "employment."

Employees form unions (hopefully).

How does an Etachi come to be "undomesticated?"

Literally can't believe I didn't write this down on the site (until now), but it's basically biological. Etachi-related biology is a bit sketchy, so it might be genetic or it might be some in-utero effect, but they're just born that way.

I suppose that there may be "wild" Etachi on the homeworld. I wonder, in small bands like the Mazkai (suggesting that was the pattern of their common ancestor) or large groups? And with what level of culture? If they are hunter-gatherers that may suggest one sort of narrative, but if some of them are agricultural and have (relatively) sophisticated technology like bronze working or written language, the question arises of how much Mazkai culture may have been originally Etachi.

Etachi naturally operate in large groups. Their common ancestor probably did too.

There may be "feral" bands who were abandoned (perhaps their owners died? or were killed?) or escaped, and are self-perpetuating; these may exist instead of or in addition to Etachi who were always independent.

These "feral" bands would either snake out (difficult, given their domestication, but stray dogs manage), become lead by an undomesticated Etachi, or be reabsorbed into some other Mazkai's herd.

Incidentally, I haven't run the numbers, but how quickly do the Etachi need to reproduce to keep the Mazkai fed? And where they're free of their natural predator, isn't overpopulation a potential problem?

With Mazkai and Etachi populations matching each other at a 1:50 ratio, Etachi's population growth (excepting Mazkai consumption) must be 3% per year more than the Mazkai's population growth. A significant effect, but not too serious.

The far more deleterious effect leading to population growth is the short generational cycles of the Etachi and the fact that they are effectively going through what developing countries went through. Over the 1928-89 period (~3 generations), the populations of some developing countries increased fivefold or more. Since Etachi have shorter growth and gestation cycles, the effect nearly doubles. Then there's the question that the reason population growth eventually declined for humans may not hold true for Etachi.

In any case, the problem lies decades ahead. Ozto has more land and fewer people than Earth, so it's not a huge worry at the moment.

[Manic Typist]

Not often? I dunno, it seems like eight hours of straight activity is unlikely no matter how you slice it.

Actually, I'd say that it's incredibly likely no matter how you slice it. The average citizen today is usually up for well over 8 hours in a given day; and you don't need to be active for 8 hours continuously but rather have 8 or more hours where you don't have the luxury of falling asleep. For example, imagine crew of adventurers on a job. Morning briefing over breakfast at 0730, arrival at spaceport 0815, meeting with contact regarding job 0830, traveling several hundred miles (via crew's vessel, or skimmer if most spaceships are not atmosphere capable) to an isolated outpost or town...let's say.....1235. Lack of radio contact upon arrival, performing several flybys or a general aerial survey to precisely locate the place/landing area/see what's up.....1250. Landing and discovering that the place is a burned out wreck, with bodies everywhere.... 1315. Picking threw the debris, searching for clues, survivors, and the individual you were supposed to deliver the cargo to.....1345. Discovery of something of interest, analyzing/interviewing it and then group talk discussing what to do next/the implications of whatever was learned....at least 1400..... Getting ambushed by whoever did this and being forced to take cover in the ruins and engage in a firefight....1415....evading capture as they bring in reinforcements and cut you off from your ship, engaging in a game of cat and mouse or trying to locate a force multiplier/active communication link up to call for help/find another ship.....1500. That leaves just a 30 minute window to try to take back the ship or escape before the Libid begins to hallucinate, and what if they need to wake until dark to do so?

You said it yourself, most investors are leery of getting involved with a potential workforce that is incapable of working even 10 hours a day.

This isn't surmountable, and the more I think about it the more I discover that I actually kind of like it FOR the difficulties it presents. Perhaps the Libid needs to take a nap while they're hiding out.... which means one less PC alert for someone sneaking up on them, and an additional potential liability. He has to be protected by the PCs, and it could be difficult to wake or move him in a hurry if an attack occurs. But regardless, the issue DOES exist, and I'd say more than Infrequently. Personally.

If you do get captured, your captors obviously want you alive so they have to make some concessions in pursuit of that. If the captors don't care about whether you live or die, why would they feed you?

Well, not really, and maybe they aren't.

There is now a picture of the species at the top of the Species page. See if you can figure out which is which. Here's a hint: I'm pretty sure the human is the one on the far right.

Thanks, I found those really useful. Do the Mazaki and Libids normally forgo clothing?

[Lucius]

Literally can't believe I didn't write this down on the site (until now), but it's basically biological. Etachi-related biology is a bit sketchy, so it might be genetic or it might be some in-utero effect, but they're just born that way.

So they would serve one or both of two evolutionary purposes.

Either they would be the "natural" pack leaders, and "domestication" was basically the Mazkai eliminating these individuals and, in effect, taking their place.

Or they are the species' "scouts," driven to leave the group and seek out new territory to colonize, either by linking up with others like themselves for breeding (and the second generation, due to "regression towards the mean" would be more typical) or by persuading a portion of the more suggestible herd to follow them.

In space, maybe one of them would be captain and the Humans would be crew, after all.

I take it by the way that Mazkai and Etachi are not crossfertile and are incompatible as far as mating and breeding goes?

Lucius Alexander

The palindromedary wonders how often Mazkai have resorted to eating Mazkai

[Tornado]

Sorry if this response is a bit laconic, it's been eaten twice by Windows Auto Update restarting my computer.

Actually, I'd say that it's incredibly likely no matter how you slice it. The average citizen today is usually up for well over 8 hours in a given day; and you don't need to be active for 8 hours continuously but rather have 8 or more hours where you don't have the luxury of falling asleep. For example, imagine crew of adventurers on a job. Morning briefing over breakfast at 0730, arrival at spaceport 0815, meeting with contact regarding job 0830, traveling several hundred miles (via crew's vessel, or skimmer if most spaceships are not atmosphere capable) to an isolated outpost or town...let's say.....1235. Lack of radio contact upon arrival, performing several flybys or a general aerial survey to precisely locate the place/landing area/see what's up.....1250. Landing and discovering that the place is a burned out wreck, with bodies everywhere.... 1315. Picking threw the debris, searching for clues, survivors, and the individual you were supposed to deliver the cargo to.....1345. Discovery of something of interest, analyzing/interviewing it and then group talk discussing what to do next/the implications of whatever was learned....at least 1400..... Getting ambushed by whoever did this and being forced to take cover in the ruins and engage in a firefight....1415....evading capture as they bring in reinforcements and cut you off from your ship, engaging in a game of cat and mouse or trying to locate a force multiplier/active communication link up to call for help/find another ship.....1500. That leaves just a 30 minute window to try to take back the ship or escape before the Libid begins to hallucinate, and what if they need to wake until dark to do so?

Sleep during the four hour trip.

You said it yourself, most investors are leery of getting involved with a potential workforce that is incapable of working even 10 hours a day.

PCs don't work 9-5 jobs.

This isn't surmountable, and the more I think about it the more I discover that I actually kind of like it FOR the difficulties it presents. Perhaps the Libid needs to take a nap while they're hiding out.... which means one less PC alert for someone sneaking up on them, and an additional potential liability. He has to be protected by the PCs, and it could be difficult to wake or move him in a hurry if an attack occurs. But regardless, the issue DOES exist, and I'd say more than Infrequently. Personally.

It would depend, I guess, on the campaign & GM style. It's not like people really keep track of how much sleep their human character gets.

Well, not really, and maybe they aren't.

I suppose, though killing someone is a lot easier than taking and keeping someone captive.

Thanks, I found those really useful. Do the Mazaki and Libids normally forgo clothing?

Libids do, though I should probably have put a loincloth on the Mazkai (I have now).

So they would serve one or both of two evolutionary purposes.

Either they would be the "natural" pack leaders, and "domestication" was basically the Mazkai eliminating these individuals and, in effect, taking their place.

Or they are the species' "scouts," driven to leave the group and seek out new territory to colonize, either by linking up with others like themselves for breeding (and the second generation, due to "regression towards the mean" would be more typical) or by persuading a portion of the more suggestible herd to follow them.

What's the evolutionary purpose of sociopathy? Similar thing. It's basically a screw-up in the Etachi's brain where all his domesticated bits don't work right.

I take it by the way that Mazkai and Etachi are not crossfertile and are incompatible as far as mating and breeding goes?

Completely incompatible.

The palindromedary wonders how often Mazkai have resorted to eating Mazkai

Rarely, similar to human cannibalism. Etachi are far more common, and easier to get your hands on even if you don't have your own.

[Lucius]

What's the evolutionary purpose of sociopathy?

Well, according to researchers such as: Grant T. Harris, PhD; Marnie E. Rice, PhD; N. Zoe Hilton, PhD; Martin L. Lalumiere, PhD; and Vernon L. Quinsey, PhD, as expressed in their paper a few years ago

http://psycserver.psyc.queensu.ca/qu...cSexuality.pdf

It would seem to be a genetic trait that perpetuates itself because it has some value in an evolutionary sense, in that it's linked to behaviors that result in frequent reproductive success.

Completely incompatible.

Suggesting they split from a common ancestor quite a while ago.

That speciation event probably required geographic seperation (perhaps with one branch moving into an environment favoring smaller bands, leading to the evolution of the Mazkai.)

When the two species first encountered each other, the Etochi would have been, obviously, not "domesticated." If some Etochi appear without the behavioral traits considered desirable by Mazkai and most modern Etochi, it seems more likely to me that they are either a regression to the more primitive (predomesticated) type (which probably means an inherited fear and loathing for Mazkai, a natural predator of the Etochi) or the occurance of what in former times would have been a "herd leader" (disinclined to deference and obedience) rather than the appearance of some strange new mutation.

Lucius Alexander

Often associated with the appearance of strange new palindromedary taglines