I'm a big fan of Bladerunner and Neuromancer, so this premise is nothing new.
My premise for a session is that in this cyberpunk world there is an agency called Turing Police (mentioned in the Sprawl Saga), which is for detecting and containing (possibly destroying) any emergent self-aware AIs.
I want to play a veteran Turing Police operative whose own mind is trapped inside cyberspace when a renegade AI he was tracking takes over his e-brain. Now he must find a way to stop the AI who took over his body, while evading the same Turing Police agency of which he used to be a part, since he is now a disembodied entity.
Showing posts with label shock: social science fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shock: social science fiction. Show all posts
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Friday, May 27, 2011
Final thoughts on Shock: God For A Day
The first thing that pops to mind is that I need more practice as a storyteller. While I've been away from the blog and roleplaying, I've dedicated myself to having a lot of fun with bad B movies (thanks Millcreek!), and I feel like my finished Shock session fits the mold-- bad dialogue, melodrama, and plot holes galore. If it was by some ironic twist of fate made into a movie, I could totally see it looking like The Thirsty Dead (hilarious bad movie, by the way).
I think the play sessions were fun for me, though, and I think that the structure I worked out will be useful for future sessions of Shock.
I think the play sessions were fun for me, though, and I think that the structure I worked out will be useful for future sessions of Shock.
Kaluvan Scene #4 – Conflict Breakdown
[Summary of last scene:
Kaluvan, under the compulsion of his last vision, is still preaching the new Revelation to the crowd, as are other Oracles. They are all denouncing the Kinta’s lies in setting up a false worship, and suppressing the true Revelation.
The so-called Infidels had infiltrated the Oracles with their own agents. Suggestions of this Goddess were implanted as a means of disruption. The combination of hypnotic suggestions and mind altering drugs made it possible to compel people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do.
Kaluvan and the other Oracles successfully move people’s hearts. They excitedly receive their “liberators” as brothers and sisters, only to be subjugated again. This time, by mass hypnosis which makes them fear losing their hard won “liberty” against a perpetual enemy, kept at bay by their new “protectors”.
(Pretty hamfisted, I know)
]
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Conflict Breakdown:
[Antagonist has 3 credits left. This will be the final scene.]
Kaluvan, under the compulsion of his last vision, is still preaching the new Revelation to the crowd, as are other Oracles. They are all denouncing the Kinta’s lies in setting up a false worship, and suppressing the true Revelation.
Protag: Kaluvan’s intent is to figuratively open the gates of the invading army by opening the people’s hearts to them. The people will welcome the invaders as liberating brothers and sisters. They are God’s true army.
Step 1: Choose Minutiae from the Shock
Randomly choose 1d4 existing Minutae from the Shock associated with your Protagonist.
Is the current vision of God false? Is God in fact a Goddess? Is there no God? [Implied in narration but unanswered.]
Step 2: Choose Minutiae from the Issue(s)
For the Issue associated with your character, ask Mythic: Will any Minutae from this Issue be used? Odds 70 .
Is there a Goddess that can make you love her against your free will? Is the use of hypnosis in conjunction with Besh (or some other substance?) enough to do that? [implied in narration but unanswered conclusively]
Opposition is kept in check via the use of fear. [So far, I've only implied this in narration.]
The Kinta can and will control your major life decisions.
Step 3: Additional Minutiae
Ask Mythic: Will any additional Minutae be used? 30% answer-17-Yes
If Yes, randomly determine from which unused group (liklely other Issues) . Then randomly choose 1d4 minutiae. You will use them through the lens of your Shock/Issue intersection.
There is an underground conspiracy to undermine the current planetary order
Antagonist: The so-called Infidels had infiltrated the Oracles with their own agents. Suggestions of this Goddess were implanted as a means of disruption. The combination of hypnotic suggestions and mind altering drugs made it possible to compel people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do. [already implied in the fiction]
Protag: Kaluvan’s intent is to figuratively open the gates of the invading army by opening the people’s hearts to them. The people will welcome the invaders as liberating brothers and sisters. They are God’s true army.
This is Submission to the new Revelation.
Submission vs Rebellion – 3: must roll over 3
3d10: 6,1,9 `
3d14: 1,3,2
Antag’s stake: Both the native underground resistance, and the visions of the “Goddess” are a creation of the so-called infidels’ agents [Ianego turned, and Sinamar]. After their “liberation”, they also exploit and control the population.
[Mythic twist: 34,58: Lie, Stalemate]
They are made to fear losing their new “protectors”, who protect their “liberty” against their enemies. The war against them is perpetually in stalemate. This is done via mass hypnosis.
They also begin to lie about threats to their newfound “liberation”
This is Lies.
Truth vs Lies 7: Must roll under 7.
[Will Mythic use 2d10 towards antag intent? 50% answer 19-yes]
2d10: 10,3
1d4: 2
[Will audience participate? 50% -13-yes. Will it help protag’s intent? 50%-No. Will it help antag’s intent? 50%-28 yes]
1d4: 4
They both accomplish their intent.
Kaluvan and the other Oracles successfully move people’s hearts. They excitedly receive their “liberators” as brothers and sisters, only to be subjugated again. This time, by mass hypnosis which makes them fear losing their hard won “liberty” against a perpetual enemy, kept at bay by their new “protectors”.
Kaluvan, under the compulsion of his last vision, is still preaching the new Revelation to the crowd, as are other Oracles. They are all denouncing the Kinta’s lies in setting up a false worship, and suppressing the true Revelation.
The so-called Infidels had infiltrated the Oracles with their own agents. Suggestions of this Goddess were implanted as a means of disruption. The combination of hypnotic suggestions and mind altering drugs made it possible to compel people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do.
Kaluvan and the other Oracles successfully move people’s hearts. They excitedly receive their “liberators” as brothers and sisters, only to be subjugated again. This time, by mass hypnosis which makes them fear losing their hard won “liberty” against a perpetual enemy, kept at bay by their new “protectors”.
(Pretty hamfisted, I know)
]
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Conflict Breakdown:
[Antagonist has 3 credits left. This will be the final scene.]
Kaluvan, under the compulsion of his last vision, is still preaching the new Revelation to the crowd, as are other Oracles. They are all denouncing the Kinta’s lies in setting up a false worship, and suppressing the true Revelation.
Protag: Kaluvan’s intent is to figuratively open the gates of the invading army by opening the people’s hearts to them. The people will welcome the invaders as liberating brothers and sisters. They are God’s true army.
Step 1: Choose Minutiae from the Shock
Randomly choose 1d4 existing Minutae from the Shock associated with your Protagonist.
Is the current vision of God false? Is God in fact a Goddess? Is there no God? [Implied in narration but unanswered.]
Step 2: Choose Minutiae from the Issue(s)
For the Issue associated with your character, ask Mythic: Will any Minutae from this Issue be used? Odds 70 .
Is there a Goddess that can make you love her against your free will? Is the use of hypnosis in conjunction with Besh (or some other substance?) enough to do that? [implied in narration but unanswered conclusively]
Opposition is kept in check via the use of fear. [So far, I've only implied this in narration.]
The Kinta can and will control your major life decisions.
Step 3: Additional Minutiae
Ask Mythic: Will any additional Minutae be used? 30% answer-17-Yes
If Yes, randomly determine from which unused group (liklely other Issues) . Then randomly choose 1d4 minutiae. You will use them through the lens of your Shock/Issue intersection.
There is an underground conspiracy to undermine the current planetary order
Antagonist: The so-called Infidels had infiltrated the Oracles with their own agents. Suggestions of this Goddess were implanted as a means of disruption. The combination of hypnotic suggestions and mind altering drugs made it possible to compel people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do. [already implied in the fiction]
Protag: Kaluvan’s intent is to figuratively open the gates of the invading army by opening the people’s hearts to them. The people will welcome the invaders as liberating brothers and sisters. They are God’s true army.
This is Submission to the new Revelation.
Submission vs Rebellion – 3: must roll over 3
3d10: 6,1,9 `
3d14: 1,3,2
Antag’s stake: Both the native underground resistance, and the visions of the “Goddess” are a creation of the so-called infidels’ agents [Ianego turned, and Sinamar]. After their “liberation”, they also exploit and control the population.
[Mythic twist: 34,58: Lie, Stalemate]
They are made to fear losing their new “protectors”, who protect their “liberty” against their enemies. The war against them is perpetually in stalemate. This is done via mass hypnosis.
They also begin to lie about threats to their newfound “liberation”
This is Lies.
Truth vs Lies 7: Must roll under 7.
[Will Mythic use 2d10 towards antag intent? 50% answer 19-yes]
2d10: 10,3
1d4: 2
[Will audience participate? 50% -13-yes. Will it help protag’s intent? 50%-No. Will it help antag’s intent? 50%-28 yes]
1d4: 4
They both accomplish their intent.
Kaluvan and the other Oracles successfully move people’s hearts. They excitedly receive their “liberators” as brothers and sisters, only to be subjugated again. This time, by mass hypnosis which makes them fear losing their hard won “liberty” against a perpetual enemy, kept at bay by their new “protectors”.
Sercet Scene #3 - Conflict Breakdown
[ This one should have come directly after Kaluvan's scene.
Summary:
A number of servants has shown up to where Sercet and Rhea are taking shelter. They come for
Sercet, but Rhea speaks what Sercet recognizes as the Infidel language to the servants.Rhea is able to convince Sercet to move on, and join the flow. Sercet does so, though he still has the same feelings inside, so has doubts about this new reality. In private, he attempts to connect with his God once more via the Bhesh drug—to test once and for all his faith. In the process, he overdoses, but does find his God. Sercet goes into a peaceful eternal sleep on his God’s bossom. ]
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Summary:
Given the unrest that has begun, Sercet has taken Rhea back to the Sacred City in order to keep both of them safe until the turmoil has subsided.
Some Oracles seem to have gone mad; proclaiming a new Revelation from the true Goddess of time forgotten, while condemning the Kinta. Given the sacredness of the Oracles, the unrest has magnified, while the Kinta violence has just begot more violence. The mob has overflowed into the Sacred City. A number of servants has shown up to where Sercet and Rhea are taking shelter. They come for
Sercet, but Rhea speaks what Sercet recognizes as the Infidel language to the servants.
A very heated exchange occurs, but they eventually leave him alone. Rhea seems conflicted inside, and finally tells him: “It’s over, Sercet. The old must be abandoned.”
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Sercet Scene #3 - Conflict Breakdown
[The antagonist only has 4 credits left, so this will be Sercet’s last scene. Story goal must be resolved in this scene. ]
Given the unrest that has begun, Sercet has taken Rhea back to the Sacred City in order to keep both of them safe until the turmoil has subsided.
Step 1: Choose Minutiae from the Shock
- Randomly choose 1d4 existing Minutiae from the Shock associated with your Protagonist.
· Is the current vision of God false? Is God in fact a Goddess? Is there no God? [Implied in narration but unanswered.]
Step 2: Choose Minutiae from the Issue(s)
- For the Issue associated with your character, ask Mythic: Will any Minutiae from this Issue be used? Odds 70 . Answer: 70 Yes
- If "Yes", randomly choose 1d4 existing Minutiae from the Issue associated with your Protagonist
· Have rebels infiltrated the ranks of the Oracles/Mediums with visions of a "Goddess"? [Implied in narration but unanswered.]
Step 3: Additional Minutiae
- Ask Mythic: Will any additional Minutiae be used? Odds 40% Answer-70 No
Step 4: "Destroy the Protagonist's Life"
Antagonist: Some Oracles seem to have gone mad; proclaiming a new Revelation from the true Goddess of time forgotten, while condemning the Kinta. Given the sacredness of the Oracles, the unrest has magnified, while the Kinta violence has just begot more violence. The mob has overflowed into the Sacred City.
A number of servants has shown up to where Sercet and Rhea are taking shelter. They come for Sercet, but Rhea speaks what Sercet recognizes as the Infidel language to the servants.
Mythic twist: [8,5][Oppose,Inside]
A very heated exchange occurs, but they eventually leave him alone. Rhea seems conflicted inside, and finally tells him: “It’s over, Sercet. The old must be abandoned.”
[This time, we are just going to settle the Story Goal as the Antagonist does not have enough credits for more than one conflict.]
Step 5: After the Protagonist has had a chance to react:
[This time, we are just going to settle the Story Goal as the Antagonist does not have enough credits for more than one conflict.]
Protagonist Stakes: Sercet refuses to rebel against God and join what he considers a blasphemy and a lie. This causes Rhea to abandon him in disgust.
Will use Truth, as he believes it in his heart of hearts.
Truth vs Lies – 6 : Roll over 6
3d10: 10,7,4
Antagonist Stakes: Sercet goes on a Besh trip one last time, seeking reassurance from his God. He does not find God, however. There is nothing.
Mythic twist: [74,56]: Divide,Wishes: Sercet will die conflicted.
[Will Mythic use 2d10? 50% - 83 – no. Will it use 3d10? 50% 45 –Yes]
Will use Lies, as God is a lie to the Antagonist.
Truth vs Lies – 5: Must roll under 5
3d10: 8,8,5
1d4: 4
[Will Audience participate? 50% - 48-Yes. Will it use it to help Sercet’s intent? 50% - No. Will it use it to help Antagonist intent? 62-no. It will use it against Sercet’s intent.]
1d4: 3
Sercet fails his itent [10-4-3 = 3 < 6 ]
Antagonist roll falls exactly on fulcrum.
Sercet has overdosed.
Opposition is Protagonist, and gets to tell what happens, if Antag fails intent: If Antag fails, Sercet finds his God, and feels like he goes into an eternal sleep in his God’s bossom.
3:d10: 10,7,7 – antagonist fails [7 > 5]
Interpretation: Rhea is able to convince Sercet to move on, and join the flow. Sercet does so, though he still has the same feelings inside, so has doubts about this new reality. In private, he attempts to connect with his God once more via the Bhesh drug—to test once and for all his faith. In the process, he overdoses, but does find his God. Sercet goes into a peaceful eternal sleep on his God’s bossom.
Erro Scene #3 - Conflict Breakdown
[I should have published this scene before Sercet's, but it's the same difference.
Summary:
Summary:
Seeing that it is no longer safe anywhere, Erro has escaped from his own household hoping to avoid his former servants. He has adopted the disguise of an Oracle, joining in the denouncing whenever he can’t avoid contact with people.
Cavanu intercepts Erro as he runs into a crowd. “Hello, father”. He spits it out like vinegar. Erro notices that he is now walking without crutches. He accuses Erro of bringing this doom upon the Kinta, for forsaking their role as shepherds; for twisting the Revelation to fulfill their own greed. Cavanu talks about how the Kinta was never meant to control people’s lives, or rule them. The Kinta should have cared for the flock, selflessly. God’s rewards for the faithful, Kinta or not, would be in the next world. He accuses Erro, in front of the crowd, of once more displaying his greed and his lies by adopting the supposed new Revelation. He accuses Erro of being part of the power keeping the populace from achieving their dreams.
Erro tries to silence Cavanu, but Cavanu stabs him in front of the crowd. “This is for Mother.” As Cavanu speaks those words, he fatally stabs his own father. As the furious crowd moves into him, Cavanu vainly tries to explain again who Erro is, but in their frenzy they fail to listen to him. As far as they are concerned, an Oracle has been martyred.
Cavanu is beaten to death, and Erro’s body is lifted up as he is proclaimed a saint, nobody recognizing who he really was. If anyone recognized him, they never exposed the truth, as this martyrdom has cemented the people behind the new reality.]
Erro Scene #3 - Conflict Breakdown
[Antagonist has 6 credits left. I’ve decided we should settle Erro’s story goal here.]
Seeing that it is no longer safe anywhere, Erro has escaped from his own household hoping to avoid his former servants. He has adopted the disguise of an Oracle, joining in the denouncing whenever he can’t avoid contact with people.
Step 1: Choose Minutiae from the Shock
- Randomly choose 1d4 existing Minutae from the Shock associated with your Protagonist.
· Serve God in this world, and expect amazing rewards in the next world.
· The Kinta's role is that of rulers and shepherds.
· Subjects often serve God by being recruited to fulfill and fulfill his Divine Design as defined by the leadership.
· Is the current vision of God false? Is God in fact a Goddess? Is there no God? [Implied in narration but unanswered.]
Step 2: Choose Minutiae from the Issue(s)
- For the Issue associated with your character, ask Mythic: Will any Minutae from this Issue be used? Odds 70 .
- If "Yes", randomly choose 1d4 existing Minutae from the Issue associated with your Protagonist
- A war against "unbelievers" is taking place. This war is being used to maintain power and provide resources to maintain lifestyle of Kinta. The Sun Fields was built to aid in this war. [Stated via narration. What's unanswered is who these unbelievers are?]
Step 3: Additional Minutiae
- Ask Mythic: Will any additional Minutae be used? 30%
Answer: 71-no
Step 4: "Destroy the Protagonist's Life"
Once you come up with an idea on how to do that, let Mythic add its own twist by using the Action/Subject table. Re-interpret idea based on the results.
Antagonist: Cavanu intercepts Erro as he runs into a crowd. “Hello, father”. He spits it out like vinegar. Erro notices that he is now walking without crutches. He accuses Erro of bringing this doom upon the Kinta, for forsaking their role as shepherds; for twisting the Revelation to fulfill their own greed.
[Mythic twist: 32, 56: Delay, Wishes]
He talks about how the Kinta was never meant to control people’s lives, or rule them. The Kinta should have cared for the flock, selflessly. God’s rewards for the faithful, Kinta or not, would be in the next world. He accuses Erro, in front of the crowd, of once more displaying his greed and his lies by adopting the supposed new Revelation.
He accuses Erro of being part of the power keeping the populace from achieving their dreams.
Protagonist stakes: Erro tries to silence Cavanu, but Cavanu stabs him in front of the crowd. “This is for Mother.”
Protag uses Lies, as Erro is paying for all his lies.
Truth vs Lies- 5 : must roll under 5
3d10: 3,1,10
1d4: 4
Antagonist stakes: Cavanu exposes Erro for what he is.
Antagonist uses Rebellion. It’s an act of rebellion.
Submission vs Rebellion 6: must roll under 6
[Will antagonist use 3d10? 50% answer 46-Yes]
3d10: 4,9,10
3d4: 1,2,2
[Will Audience participate? 50% - 22 yes. Will it help Protagonist intent? 50% 33-yes. Doesn’t matter, Protag already won intent.]
As Cavanu speaks those words, he fatally stabs his own father. As the furious crowd moves into him, Cavanu vainly tries to explain again who Erro is, but in their frenzy they fail to listen to him. As far as they are concerned, an Oracle has been martyred.
Cavanu is beaten to death, and Erro’s body is lifted up as he is proclaimed a saint, nobody recognizing who he really was. If anyone recognized him, they never exposed the truth, as this martyrdom has cemented the people behind the new reality.
Kaluvan Scene #3 - Conflict Breakdown
[It's been so long since I looked at this draft that I really don't feel the inspiration to write down dialogue. The most I can do is summarize it by taking the sketches out of the conflict breakdown that follows.
Kaluvan has been single mindedly immersing himself into meditation and the duties of the monastery as a way of avoiding thoughts about his family. He has just finished another cleansing session with Sinamar. He doesn't know now when he will serve as Oracle.
Meanwhile, the Holy Army has already been defeated, and is actually in retreat. Nobody outside of the Kinta seems to know this, however.
During his Cleansing with Sinamar, Kaluvan once again has a vision of the Goddess. She reveals to him that she has turned against her Shepherds, for misleading the Flock. She claims Kaluvan as her prophet, and he is to deliver the message: “Return to the Holy Mother. Rise up against the false god.” The Goddess promises reunification with his family (that he loves the most in the world).
Initially, Kaluvan resists this as another reaction to the Bhesh or a cruel joke of some kind. Kaluvan will not risk his family or friends any further for some false vision. However, his will is overpowered, and as a result loses his faith in the old God, and begins to think that we are nothing but puppets of destiny (both of these new "features" added to his character sheet, per Shock rules. ).
Kaluvan begins to spread the new Revelation and to renounce the Kinta loudly, like a mad preacher. First, inside the monastery. He then leaves the monastery and does the same outside, where there are already signs of unrest.
His wife is taken to Repentance, being accused of taking part in the unrest. His boy is taken away to an orphanage to be taught by Kinta. ]
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Kaluvan Scene #3 - Breakdown
[Antagonist has 9 credits left. At least one more scene left.]
Step 0: What is the Protagonist doing?
Kaluvan has been single mindedly immersing himself into meditation and the duties of the monastery as a way of avoiding thoughts about his family. He has just finished another cleansing session with Sinamar. He doesn't know now when he will serve as Oracle.
Step 1: Choose Minutiae from the Shock
We will choose 2 random minutiae from the shock:
· Subjects are induced to connect to the Godhead via a natural chemical that affects brain waves (Bhesh). The subject is hypnotically guided by someone older in the faith.
· Subjects often serve God by being recruited to fullfill and fulfill his Divine Design as defined by the leadership.
Step 2: Choose Minutiae from the Issue(s)
For the Issue associated with your character, ask Mythic: Will any Minutae from this Issue be used? Odds 70 .
Answer: 64 - Yes.
If "Yes", randomly choose 1d4 existing Minutae from the Issue associated with your Protagonist
Will randomly choose 3 Minutiae (1,2,5):
· Opposition is kept in check via the use of fear. [So far, I've only implied this in narration.]
· Speaking out against those over you is to rebel against God.[So far, I've only implied this in narration.]
· The Kinta can and will control your major life decisions.
If you have cool new Minutiae you want to use in this scene, ask Mythic: Will the new Minutiae be modified (by Mythic)?
I want the following Minutiae: "The Kinta has been withholding the truth about the War. The tide turned significantly in years past, and the Holy Army has been on the defensive. The Infidels are nearly at the door."
If "Yes", roll on the Action/Subject table. This will be Mythic's twist to the new Minutae.
[53,70]: Adversity, Extravagance: The Holy Army has already been defeated! They're just fleeing!
Step 3: Additional Minutiae
Ask Mythic: Will any additional Minutae be used? Odds 40%
Answer: 91-No
Step 4: "Destroy the Protagonist's Life"
During his Cleansing with Sinamar, Kaluvan once again has a vision of the Goddess. She reveals to him that she has turned against her Shepherds, for misleading the Flock. She claims Kaluvan as her prophet, and he is to deliver the message: “Return to the Holy Mother. Rise up against the false god.”
Once you come up with an idea on how to do that, let Mythic add its own twist by using the Action/Subject table. Re-interpret idea based on the results.
[39,56]: Bestow, Wishes: If he does this, the Goddess promises he will be reunited with that he loves the most.
Protagonist: Kaluvan has enough presence of mind to think this is another reaction to the Bhesh or a cruel joke of some kind. Kaluvan will not risk his family or friends any further for some false vision.
Step 5: After the Protagonist has had a chance to react:
Assume that a Conflict is called for or ask Mythic if it will call a Conflict. Odds should be 70%.
Answer: 34. Mythic calls a conflict. Let’s set the stakes.
Protagonist: If I win, Kaluvan resists this command, and confronts Sinamar regarding these visions. She and Ianego will tell him whatever the truth is.
Antagonist: If I win, his wife and child are caught in the turmoil of the starting revolution. She is identified as one speaking out against the Kinta, and sent to Repentance as part of the crackdown.
Protagonist: I don’t really want that to happen to wife and child, so I’ll use 1d10 and 3d4. I will use Truth, because I want to learn the Truth.
Truth vs Lies – 4 : needs to roll over 4
1d10: 3
3d4: 3, 2, 4
[Antagonist will use 6 credits]
Will Antagonist use 3d10 towards his intent? 65% Answer: 9-Yes
Antagonist will use Rebellion, because he wants Kaluvan’s family will be swept by the events of the rebellion.
Submission vs Rebellion 7 : Needs to roll under 7
3d10: 2,4,5
3d4: 3,4,2
[Will audience participate? Odds 50% answer: 64- no]
Kaluvan fails his intent.
Antagonist achieves his.
[I don’t like the Protagonist result, so I’m risking the “God rewards sacrifice” link. If I lose again, this link will be changed to “God is not with us”.]
Protagonist: 1d10: 2
Kaluvan fails again. Link is changed to “God is not with us”
Protagonist has also gained two new features:
· I am just a puppet
· We cannot fight against destiny
He begins to spread the new Revelation and to renounce the Kinta loudly, like a mad preacher. First, inside the monastery. He then leaves the monastery and does the same outside, where there are already signs of unrest.
His wife has been taken to Repentance, being accused of taking part in the unrest. His boy has been taken away to an orphanage to be taught by Kinta.
[Antagonist has 3 credits left. Story goal will be resolved on Scene #4.]
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sercet's Scene #2
School is over; the kids have been sent home. Sercet and Rhea walk on the same park where she had taken the children.
Seeing the same spot where the children had been sitting, Sercet says, "Your students are quite fiery. You have your hands full."
"I manage." replies Rhea with a smile.
"Perceptive too." continues Sercet, tapping his temple with his index finger. They both know he is trying to draw her into a debate. Sercet enjoys her sharp thinking, and her honest manner with him.
"More perceptive than they are given credit for. Yet, impressionable."
"Yet, their thoughts are ultimately their own."
"True."
"What are your thoughts?"
"On Haroun's outburst?"
Sercet nodded.
"The boy doesn't know better."
"But he's not completely wrong." Sercet smiles.
"No." Rhea half smirks. "Being right can have consequences, however."
"The Kinta's duty is to ensure the law is honored."
"What if the law is a dishonor itself?"
"That would only be true if its source was imperfect."
"God is perfection. Yet, does every law come from Him?"
"Isn't that is what the Revelation teaches?"
"That is what the Kinta teaches, yassat." she smiles. "The Revelation teaches that all authority comes from him."
"Can that authority be taken away?"
Just as Rhea was considering the question, they are interrupted by a boy's crying.
"Yasu, yasu! They're taking my parents away. Please stop them!" Haroun grabs hold of Rhea's skirt as he pleads. Not far behind Haroun, walks a young Kinta.
"What is the meaning of...", demands Sercet before he is cut off.
"The boy is to be protected from his parents." Interrupts the young Kinta. "Not only are they a threat to his faith, but to the people at large. We are all lucky that a loyal servant of God alerted us to their plot."
"What plot?" asks Rhea.
The young Kinta arrogantly looks at her, as if unbelieving her audacity to question him.
"You will answer her question." Sercet orders sharply. The young man hesitates, as he struggles with his pride. "Answer her!"
"They rebelled against God. They were plotting to destroy the Sun Fields." He answers with distaste on his tone. "That's what liberal interpretation of the Revelation engenders," he then says, looking at Sercet. "You are expected at the council, yassat."
Turning to Haroun, the young man commands, "We must go."
"The boy is not going anywhere," says Sercet, without moving as if expecting to be obeyed.
"Pardon?"
"What is your name?"
"Dygojikan."
"Yassat Dygojikan, you are to bring Haroun's parents home, and you will bring the boy back to them."
"It is not your place to make this decision." Dygojikan answers defiantly.
"Young yassat, I won't repeat myself: You will stand down, or face the consequences."
A pause. "But the council--"
"I will worry about the council. You may carry out my order." Sercet cuts him off, and turns his back on him.
Dygojikan, fearing the older Kinta's authority, and feeling humiliated, brusquely grabs the boy by the arm. "Let's go."
Sercet looks in Rhea's frightened eyes and suggests, "You should probably go home, yasu."
Rhea just nods, her response barely audible, "Yes yassat"
-----------------------------------------0------------------------------------------
Days later, Sercet presents himself at the council meeting. The discussion has been going on for some time. A red faced council member is trying to berate Sercet about his action.
"But you have interfered with the enforcement of the law."
"Quite the contrary, yassat. My duty is to ensure the law is applied justly."
"And you have humiliated and challenged the authority of a fellow Kinta!"
"I simply exercised my privilege, as my rank and position entitle me, to intervene in a matter of the law.If you wish, as my peers, to hold an inquiry and trial regarding the facts of this family, and my subsequent intervention, you may as is the council's right. I am prepared to defend my actions according to what I have discovered."
At the members exchange looks, and some murmured conversation. A different member, with a more conciliatory if not entirely genuine demeanor, says, "Yassat Sercet. We have reviewed your evidence, and have found your explanation of the law to be excellent...as usual. Further inquiries or a trial would be superfluous."
"Thank you, yassat."
"However," the council member continues, "We are concerned about your constant involvement with non-Kinta, seeing as your views are somewhat, shall we say, liberal."
"Have you found any problems with my interpretations of the Revelation that you wish to discuss?"
"Yassat," he replies dismissively. "As we all know, these matters are far from settled. They do require discussion, but this is not what this meeting was convened for." Then more personally and informally, "Sercet, all we ask from you is to keep more distance from non-Kinta...for a while. Your views could be misinterpreted, and might indirectly encourage rebellion against God."
"Have you proof of this?"
"No, but that is hardly the point.", the Kinta member protested
"But it is the point, yassat. Unless you have proof that I am misleading the flock, I will continue to be a light and a beacon for them, as we are commanded by the All Knowing." After a pause, "Now, if you have no further questions from me, I will take my leave, yassat."
The council consults amongst themselves for a few moments, and Sercet overhears murmurs along the lines of "We can't hold him back with no proof." Then, with frustration in his voice, the Kinta member says, "We have no further inquiries, yassat."
Sercet nods and leaves the room
-----------------------------------------0------------------------------------------
Sercet has come to see Rhea as usual at her school. For a moment she seems glad to see him, but as they converse he notices that her usual openness is gone.
"I wanted to apologize for what happened."
"It wasn't your doing , yassat." She says, as she quietly erases the chalkboard. "I appreciate what you did for Haroun."
"I just did what was righteous."
"Yes." She says, finding ways of keeping herself busy and avoid eye contact.
Sensing that she's holding something back, Sercet continues, "Yasu Rhea, you can still trust me."
"I know you are the same person I admire. I...It is not right for me to be so free with you, or to question matters of faith. "
"Nonsense, Rhea."
"It is better not to question things over which you have no power."
"Things can change...will change for the better, if we believe together, if we work together."
"Yassat, it's no longer safe. For me or for the children."
But Sercet senses something more underneath. "So you are surrendering. "You gave into fear."
To this, Rhea shows no response. A long silence goes by and Sercet says, "You'd rather forsake yourself and the next generation and the next to suffer in this twisted mirror of God's vision."
Suddenly, anger and defiance in her eyes. "You are right." She walks over to a poster with the Kinta's seal. "Belief and good intentions are not enough," she says as she tears the poster from the wall, and proceeds to rip it to pieces. "Maybe it should all be torn down."
Sercet can only watch in stunned silence as she continues to deface or destroy anything symbolic of the Kinta and their version if religion. Books, pictures, decorations, nothing is safe. "Tell me, yassat: Why do we need the Kinta when all it does is gorge itself on our misery?" Her voice gets louder. "Why do we even need religion if this is the best it can do for us?"
When all her rage is spent, they both notice that a couple of the school servants are watching with puzzlement. One look from Sercet sends them scurrying.
"It's no use, is it Sercet?" She finally says, suddenly sounding tired and older than her age."We will never overthrow the Kinta."
"We don't need to. We can transform it, and everything outside it.We can renew God's true vision for us. Trust me, dearest Rhea." He says, holding her for the first time since he's known her.
[See conflict breakdown here.]
Seeing the same spot where the children had been sitting, Sercet says, "Your students are quite fiery. You have your hands full."
"I manage." replies Rhea with a smile.
"Perceptive too." continues Sercet, tapping his temple with his index finger. They both know he is trying to draw her into a debate. Sercet enjoys her sharp thinking, and her honest manner with him.
"More perceptive than they are given credit for. Yet, impressionable."
"Yet, their thoughts are ultimately their own."
"True."
"What are your thoughts?"
"On Haroun's outburst?"
Sercet nodded.
"The boy doesn't know better."
"But he's not completely wrong." Sercet smiles.
"No." Rhea half smirks. "Being right can have consequences, however."
"The Kinta's duty is to ensure the law is honored."
"What if the law is a dishonor itself?"
"That would only be true if its source was imperfect."
"God is perfection. Yet, does every law come from Him?"
"Isn't that is what the Revelation teaches?"
"That is what the Kinta teaches, yassat." she smiles. "The Revelation teaches that all authority comes from him."
"Can that authority be taken away?"
Just as Rhea was considering the question, they are interrupted by a boy's crying.
"Yasu, yasu! They're taking my parents away. Please stop them!" Haroun grabs hold of Rhea's skirt as he pleads. Not far behind Haroun, walks a young Kinta.
"What is the meaning of...", demands Sercet before he is cut off.
"The boy is to be protected from his parents." Interrupts the young Kinta. "Not only are they a threat to his faith, but to the people at large. We are all lucky that a loyal servant of God alerted us to their plot."
"What plot?" asks Rhea.
The young Kinta arrogantly looks at her, as if unbelieving her audacity to question him.
"You will answer her question." Sercet orders sharply. The young man hesitates, as he struggles with his pride. "Answer her!"
"They rebelled against God. They were plotting to destroy the Sun Fields." He answers with distaste on his tone. "That's what liberal interpretation of the Revelation engenders," he then says, looking at Sercet. "You are expected at the council, yassat."
Turning to Haroun, the young man commands, "We must go."
"The boy is not going anywhere," says Sercet, without moving as if expecting to be obeyed.
"Pardon?"
"What is your name?"
"Dygojikan."
"Yassat Dygojikan, you are to bring Haroun's parents home, and you will bring the boy back to them."
"It is not your place to make this decision." Dygojikan answers defiantly.
"Young yassat, I won't repeat myself: You will stand down, or face the consequences."
A pause. "But the council--"
"I will worry about the council. You may carry out my order." Sercet cuts him off, and turns his back on him.
Dygojikan, fearing the older Kinta's authority, and feeling humiliated, brusquely grabs the boy by the arm. "Let's go."
Sercet looks in Rhea's frightened eyes and suggests, "You should probably go home, yasu."
Rhea just nods, her response barely audible, "Yes yassat"
-----------------------------------------0------------------------------------------
Days later, Sercet presents himself at the council meeting. The discussion has been going on for some time. A red faced council member is trying to berate Sercet about his action.
"But you have interfered with the enforcement of the law."
"Quite the contrary, yassat. My duty is to ensure the law is applied justly."
"And you have humiliated and challenged the authority of a fellow Kinta!"
"I simply exercised my privilege, as my rank and position entitle me, to intervene in a matter of the law.If you wish, as my peers, to hold an inquiry and trial regarding the facts of this family, and my subsequent intervention, you may as is the council's right. I am prepared to defend my actions according to what I have discovered."
At the members exchange looks, and some murmured conversation. A different member, with a more conciliatory if not entirely genuine demeanor, says, "Yassat Sercet. We have reviewed your evidence, and have found your explanation of the law to be excellent...as usual. Further inquiries or a trial would be superfluous."
"Thank you, yassat."
"However," the council member continues, "We are concerned about your constant involvement with non-Kinta, seeing as your views are somewhat, shall we say, liberal."
"Have you found any problems with my interpretations of the Revelation that you wish to discuss?"
"Yassat," he replies dismissively. "As we all know, these matters are far from settled. They do require discussion, but this is not what this meeting was convened for." Then more personally and informally, "Sercet, all we ask from you is to keep more distance from non-Kinta...for a while. Your views could be misinterpreted, and might indirectly encourage rebellion against God."
"Have you proof of this?"
"No, but that is hardly the point.", the Kinta member protested
"But it is the point, yassat. Unless you have proof that I am misleading the flock, I will continue to be a light and a beacon for them, as we are commanded by the All Knowing." After a pause, "Now, if you have no further questions from me, I will take my leave, yassat."
The council consults amongst themselves for a few moments, and Sercet overhears murmurs along the lines of "We can't hold him back with no proof." Then, with frustration in his voice, the Kinta member says, "We have no further inquiries, yassat."
Sercet nods and leaves the room
-----------------------------------------0------------------------------------------
Sercet has come to see Rhea as usual at her school. For a moment she seems glad to see him, but as they converse he notices that her usual openness is gone.
"I wanted to apologize for what happened."
"It wasn't your doing , yassat." She says, as she quietly erases the chalkboard. "I appreciate what you did for Haroun."
"I just did what was righteous."
"Yes." She says, finding ways of keeping herself busy and avoid eye contact.
Sensing that she's holding something back, Sercet continues, "Yasu Rhea, you can still trust me."
"I know you are the same person I admire. I...It is not right for me to be so free with you, or to question matters of faith. "
"Nonsense, Rhea."
"It is better not to question things over which you have no power."
"Things can change...will change for the better, if we believe together, if we work together."
"Yassat, it's no longer safe. For me or for the children."
But Sercet senses something more underneath. "So you are surrendering. "You gave into fear."
To this, Rhea shows no response. A long silence goes by and Sercet says, "You'd rather forsake yourself and the next generation and the next to suffer in this twisted mirror of God's vision."
Suddenly, anger and defiance in her eyes. "You are right." She walks over to a poster with the Kinta's seal. "Belief and good intentions are not enough," she says as she tears the poster from the wall, and proceeds to rip it to pieces. "Maybe it should all be torn down."
Sercet can only watch in stunned silence as she continues to deface or destroy anything symbolic of the Kinta and their version if religion. Books, pictures, decorations, nothing is safe. "Tell me, yassat: Why do we need the Kinta when all it does is gorge itself on our misery?" Her voice gets louder. "Why do we even need religion if this is the best it can do for us?"
When all her rage is spent, they both notice that a couple of the school servants are watching with puzzlement. One look from Sercet sends them scurrying.
"It's no use, is it Sercet?" She finally says, suddenly sounding tired and older than her age."We will never overthrow the Kinta."
"We don't need to. We can transform it, and everything outside it.We can renew God's true vision for us. Trust me, dearest Rhea." He says, holding her for the first time since he's known her.
[See conflict breakdown here.]
Sercet Scene #2 - Conflict Breakdown
Sercet's Scene #2:
School is over and the kids have been sent home. Sercet and Rhea are now walking on the same park where the children had their outing. He enjoys debating matters of faith and authority with her, as she is very sharp and fearless with him. They enjoy a special kind of rapport.
Sercet, of course, will challenge this with his superiors and make them back off. [Will Mythic declare this a conflict? Odds 70% - 82 - No]
Sercet is knowledgeable in the interpretations of the law, and his own position carries weight, so Sercet succeeds in making the Kinta back off from Haroun's family and Sercet's own involvement with the non-Kinta.
However, the whole incident scares Rhea into distancing herself from Sercet, seeing as it endangers her and her students. [Mythic Twist: Return Status Quo] Not only that, the scare has provoked her to think that the Kinta is right! They should not be mingling so freely or debating religion so freely. Sercet will convince her of her error, and of the fact that reform is needed. [Will Mythic declare this a conflict? Odds 70% - 6- Extreme Yes]
[Sercet's stake: If he wins he brings Rhea to his way of thinking, to the need for reform, and allays her fears.
He will use Rebellion.
Submission vs Rebellion - 8. Sercet must roll under 8
2d10: 1, 9
1d4: 3
Antagonist's Stake: The incident so affects Rhea, that along with Sercet's prior debates and views, she becomes completely radicalized beyond what Sercet imagined
(New rule: Since the Shock: rules book states that Antagonitsts should use between 3 and 6 credits, I will randomize as follows with a 1d4:
1 = 3 credits
2 = 4 credits
3 = 5 credits
4 = 6 credits)
1d4: 5 credits (4 credits left)
Antagonist will use Rebellion.
Submission vs Rebellion 6. Antagonist must roll under 6.
Will Antagonist use 4d10? Odds 65% (Somewhat Likely) - 46 - Yes)
4d10: 5, 4, 2, 5
2d4: 4, 4
Will Audience participate? Odds 50%, 67-No
Results: Sercet succeeds with his roll of 1 (+4 from Antagonist = 5, which is still under 8).
Antagonist roll of 2 + 4 (from Sercet) lands right on the Fulcrum of the Praxis Scale. Escalate!]
Interpretation: Sercet succeeds in convincing Rhea of the need to reform and resist the things that are unreasonable and wrong with the Kinta and the way it rules.
[Antagonist's roll lands on Fulcrum]
However, he sees that he may have awakened something more in Rhea. He sees the internal struggle in her. Is it enough to just resist some of it? Do we just need to get rid of the whole Kinta? Is the religion even necessary to live? She is screaming this all out loud while defacing everything having to do with Kinta in sight. Daring Seret to answer, while Sercet is struggling to silence her lest they both be punished.
[Mythic's twist: Passion Opulence]
She is also railing against the disgusting opulence the Kinta lives in while everyone else sacrifices their lives and their dreams.
[Reroll Antagonist stake:
Antag: 4d10: 9, 2, 2, 6
Sercet: 1d4: 4
Will Audience participate? Odds 50% - 38 Yes
Will it help the Antagonist? Odds 50% - 75 No. It will help Sercet.
The Antagonist fails his intent (2+4+3 > 6).]
Rhea's meltdown starts to attract attention from others, and when she realizes this, she gets a hold of herself.
[Mythic's Twist: Passion Illusion]: Her passionate meltdown draws attention, but when she sees what is in people's faces, she sees her own powerlessness to totally overthrow the system. She sees it as a pipe dream.
School is over and the kids have been sent home. Sercet and Rhea are now walking on the same park where the children had their outing. He enjoys debating matters of faith and authority with her, as she is very sharp and fearless with him. They enjoy a special kind of rapport.
- Step 1: Choose Minutiae from the Shock
- It is the will of the All Kowing that a select few of his servants [the Kinta] live apart from the rest of his subjects, in the glorious Sacred City.
- Step 2: Choose Minutiae from the Issue(s)
- For the Issue associated with your character, ask Mythic: Will any Minutae from this Issue be used? Odds 70 . 93-No. (I may have to create some new ones)
- Step 3: Additional Minutiae
Ask Mythic: Will any other existing Minutae be used? Odds: 50% 57-No- Step 4: "Destroy the Protagonist's Life"
Sercet, of course, will challenge this with his superiors and make them back off. [Will Mythic declare this a conflict? Odds 70% - 82 - No]
Sercet is knowledgeable in the interpretations of the law, and his own position carries weight, so Sercet succeeds in making the Kinta back off from Haroun's family and Sercet's own involvement with the non-Kinta.
However, the whole incident scares Rhea into distancing herself from Sercet, seeing as it endangers her and her students. [Mythic Twist: Return Status Quo] Not only that, the scare has provoked her to think that the Kinta is right! They should not be mingling so freely or debating religion so freely. Sercet will convince her of her error, and of the fact that reform is needed. [Will Mythic declare this a conflict? Odds 70% - 6- Extreme Yes]
[Sercet's stake: If he wins he brings Rhea to his way of thinking, to the need for reform, and allays her fears.
He will use Rebellion.
Submission vs Rebellion - 8. Sercet must roll under 8
2d10: 1, 9
1d4: 3
Antagonist's Stake: The incident so affects Rhea, that along with Sercet's prior debates and views, she becomes completely radicalized beyond what Sercet imagined
(New rule: Since the Shock: rules book states that Antagonitsts should use between 3 and 6 credits, I will randomize as follows with a 1d4:
1 = 3 credits
2 = 4 credits
3 = 5 credits
4 = 6 credits)
1d4: 5 credits (4 credits left)
Antagonist will use Rebellion.
Submission vs Rebellion 6. Antagonist must roll under 6.
Will Antagonist use 4d10? Odds 65% (Somewhat Likely) - 46 - Yes)
4d10: 5, 4, 2, 5
2d4: 4, 4
Will Audience participate? Odds 50%, 67-No
Results: Sercet succeeds with his roll of 1 (+4 from Antagonist = 5, which is still under 8).
Antagonist roll of 2 + 4 (from Sercet) lands right on the Fulcrum of the Praxis Scale. Escalate!]
Interpretation: Sercet succeeds in convincing Rhea of the need to reform and resist the things that are unreasonable and wrong with the Kinta and the way it rules.
[Antagonist's roll lands on Fulcrum]
However, he sees that he may have awakened something more in Rhea. He sees the internal struggle in her. Is it enough to just resist some of it? Do we just need to get rid of the whole Kinta? Is the religion even necessary to live? She is screaming this all out loud while defacing everything having to do with Kinta in sight. Daring Seret to answer, while Sercet is struggling to silence her lest they both be punished.
[Mythic's twist: Passion Opulence]
She is also railing against the disgusting opulence the Kinta lives in while everyone else sacrifices their lives and their dreams.
[Reroll Antagonist stake:
Antag: 4d10: 9, 2, 2, 6
Sercet: 1d4: 4
Will Audience participate? Odds 50% - 38 Yes
Will it help the Antagonist? Odds 50% - 75 No. It will help Sercet.
The Antagonist fails his intent (2+4+3 > 6).]
Rhea's meltdown starts to attract attention from others, and when she realizes this, she gets a hold of herself.
[Mythic's Twist: Passion Illusion]: Her passionate meltdown draws attention, but when she sees what is in people's faces, she sees her own powerlessness to totally overthrow the system. She sees it as a pipe dream.
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