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Dumpshock Forums _ Shadowrun _ Opus Dei & The Priory Of Scion

Posted by: FlakJacket Aug 18 2003, 10:50 PM

On the recommendation of a friend I got a book called 'The Da Vinci Code' out of the library. It's a so/so read but I wont spoil the plot for anyone that might read it.

Two organisations that are involved in the plot are the Priory- depending on which sources you believe one of the oldest surviving secret societies still active with something to hide- and Opus Dei- a conservative prelate of the Catholic church- and on who you believe on this one, either the greatest thing since sliced bread or Satan's sixth column.

Have either of them come up in the Shadowrun world? I'm absolutely certain that they have but I can't for the life of me find any sources now. Muy annoying. Any help is much appreciated.

Posted by: Ancient History Aug 18 2003, 11:07 PM

Yes. Black Madonna also includes the Priory of SIon, and is a damn better read too.

Posted by: Crimsondude 2.0 Aug 19 2003, 03:22 AM

I find that hard to believe, especially since everything the authors touch turns to crap.

Posted by: Ancient History Aug 19 2003, 03:26 AM

If you consider their work as stand alone, and not necessairilly connected in any way to officialdom, like somebody retelling their own private campaign, it works out nicely. They can write, they just fudge things to fit their stories better.

That and "The Da Vinci Code" was really, really, really crap. Not Danielle Steele crap, but a pubic hair away, honest.

Posted by: FlakJacket Aug 19 2003, 05:26 AM

You thought that? Well, you have absolutely no taste so I just get to discount and ignore you.

Posted by: Drain Brain Aug 19 2003, 12:42 PM

Carl Sargent & Marc Gascgoine = Good!

Or, in better English, "I very much enjoyed the Novels "Streets of Blood," "Nosferatu" and "Black Madonna" by the afore mentioned pair.

Good stuff - plus, IIRC, the first instance (beyond Verner's pal) of Catholic Magic!

Posted by: Synner Aug 19 2003, 02:05 PM

Although I share Flak's aversion to much of Gascoigne and Sargent's creations I do think their books do have their virtues and are well researched. Unfortunately the authors tend to fixate on much the same doom and gloom that fills their old Warhammer creations and never quite get into the cyberpunk style. Gothic noir perfect, fantasy cyberpunk no.

On the other hand having read "The Da Vinci Code", I have to agree with Ancient that the book is entirely too fanciful. If you know anything about the "true" Priory and the Opus Dei you'll know what I'm talking about. This is about as fanciful revisionism as you get.

Its as if the authors researched their subjects picked a few unrelated points in the mythos that stood out and built on them mostly disregarding a lot of other references and sources along the way.

Posted by: FlakJacket Aug 20 2003, 06:43 AM

QUOTE (Synner)

Although I share Flak's aversion to much of Gascoigne and Sargent's creations I do think their books do have their virtues and are well researched.

Yeah. I actually loved the characterisation that they did- Streak, from 'The Black Madonna' is one of my favourite Shadowrun characters. What always put me off was as Synner said, either they got the tone wrong, the background research or more commonly they just went with really munchy/over the top storylines. 'Streets of Blood' was probably the most realistic, and that pushes it in places. :/

Posted by: White Knight Aug 20 2003, 12:05 PM

QUOTE (Synner)

Unfortunately the authors tend to fixate on much the same doom and gloom that fills their old Warhammer creations and never quite get into the cyberpunk style.

No comment on their constant elves-uber-alles attitude? I've always found that to be the most irritating element of their writing (and not in keeping with the rest of Shadowrun).

Posted by: Nath Aug 20 2003, 02:49 PM

QUOTE (White Knight)

No comment on their constant elves-uber-alles attitude? I've always found that to be the most irritating element of their writing (and not in keeping with the rest of Shadowrun).

Personally, not as much as their French-unter-alles attitude

By luck it has a limited impact on the story, that was worst in London and TNN SBs. Bah, theyre English, still didn't got over Hastings...

Posted by: Ancient History Aug 20 2003, 03:11 PM

There's a reason the English named their end Waterloo Station...