Magic

Had an interesting (if brief) conversation with some friends about magic/magic beings existing and how it'd affect society. Granted I've had more reference to the idea due to the various RPGs I've read that posit normal mortals into a more visible supernatural world. The problem I'd have with magic being introduced is if it became as common as say Harry Potter level then mere mortal beings that lacked any advantage would very quickly become second class citizens. The simple fact is even if most magic users would be nice eventually you'd get some who'd take advantage of those less gifted and the checks and balances in society we take for granted: that we're all essentially the same stock unit with the only variety being the detailing and maybe a few tune-ups under the hood. A model-T is never going to beat an M1 Abrams and trust me the Abrams won't even have to turn on its engine.

Magic is an elitist thing. Those who have it prosper, those who don't, well, don't. Technology, especially new/advanced technology, acts in somewhat similiar ways with the difference that technology is not nearly as limited in its use. Noone needs special powers to fire a gun, just a trigger finger. A magic user would need the innate ability to be able to cast a spell or what-not. Hence they are limited but those who have it do well over their peers.

So that's the short of it. More later perhaps.

Conceptually

So thinking that this blog may become the dreaded resting place for random RPG stuff for the time being. So it gets some use.

Plugging away through Rifts books since they all live on the tablet and I actually really, really enjoy reading books off the tablet. It's fun and it proves that I made a good choice when I bought this lovely little box!

Anyhow I was plugging through the Coalition Wars worldbook and it was covering the lovely "Nut Set" (aka NTSET) operatives. Despite my complete reservations for playing any Coalition characters, considering they are human supremacists or worse, the concept does intrique me of being the forefront protectors of citizens deep in the bowels of a gigantic city.

It mixes sort of a CSI theme with frontline soldier theme. Considering their job the tech available is limited to what fits in the bowels of a ctiy and the technological limits of the Coalition (even there there is the possibility of acquiring tech beyond that (NGR/Triax, alien tech, etc). You are limited to being either a plain human, Psi-Stalker, or Dog-Boy to an extent. You could probably pull off a Juicer and I think there are a couple other variations of Psi-whatevers that the Coalition allows that could get wrangled in. Plain humans have a fair amount of options from Dead-Boy to ISS Spectors, to straight up NTSET Operative.

I suppose you could play are really a strange game where a NTSET Operative works with good D-Bees, magic users, or magic beings to protect the average citizen even though if she is found out probably be executed and they magical beings are essentially putting themselves at risk no matter what and for no reward (barring the NTSET op covering up their existence).

Anyhow, if I get brave maybe I will try and do that sometime. Seeing as how hard it is to find time and people probably not.