NAN Fading, Has the NAN somehow faded into obscurity? Options

[Synner667]

In Gibson's Count Zero, there's a description of using a Knowsoft, which is really like the knowledge is just there in your brain, in a kind of invasive way. It makes sense, since Linguasofts and Knowsofts use DNI.

It just overwrites the short term memory.

I use skillsofts as punishments, since they take priority over your own skill...
...Implant a low level skillsoft into a high skill character = instant dumbdown !!

[Mordinvan]

The Cyerpapacy's Faith Chips - mmmm, feel that goodness...

We can simulate the feelings of religious experiences with drugs and magnetic fields now, so having a 'faith head' chip is certainly not impossible.

[Inca]

Personally I'm happy to see the NAN get quietly pushed aside, the very idea that the Great Ghost Dance could overthrow the countries of North America is simply too silly to suspend my disbelief. Even if you ignore the actual real-life status of Native Americans, in the fluff they were subjected to death camps so instead of robust warriors you have a bunch of starving mal-treated escaped prisoners.

Of course, I supose the fact that they had the backing of a Horror/Elf might keep them from outright being squashed by the military but it would hardly allow them to seize large portions of land.

The power of the Great Ghost dance was and continues to be unmatched. As long as Daniel Howling Coyote was the leader of NAN the U.S.A. knew that he could level entire cities just by dancing with his starving mal-treated people. Even in 2072 that type of power would force any government to submit...and no one has seen that type of power since. Compound that with the fact that the world's peoples still were grappling with the reality of the Awakening. The sixth world almanac really helps in fleshing this out. It also shows how most of the land taken back by NAN was simply taken back to return it to it's pre-colonized state. Many tribes have gone back to their old ways of living off the land and thus need huge swaths of land just for small groups of tribes to survive as hunter gatherers. As to why the UCAS hasn't tried to take back the land once they obtained a sizable magical capability...I feel that part of the reason Howling Coyote just "disappeared" is that he really is keeping an eye on his people ready to punish anyone who threatens their safe-haven. One theme which reoccurs a lot in shadowrun is that the fact that there is any status quo at all hints to the fact that there are powerful forces such as dragons, spirits, etc. which allow certain things to play out and then will interfere in other events. The only reason great dragons don't just destroy everything is rather a mystery and it has to do with simply how they "work". I don't see why NAN requires a suspension of disbelief greater than any other when it comes to shadowrun. Besides, it's the whole reason I got into shadowrun. It was so sweet to see U.S. eat some pay-back....and nothing short of a miracle (magic) could ever bring something like the restoration of Native land...so that's why I play shadowrun and not cyberpunk. That's the whole reason i can swalllow things like elves and dwarves plopped down right into a William Gibson type world.

[CanRay]

We can simulate the feelings of religious experiences with drugs and magnetic fields now, so having a 'faith head' chip is certainly not impossible.

What do you mean, "Now"?

Religions have been using drugs for time uncounted. It's the opiate of the masses because, well, they have a tendency of using things like Opiates!

[sabs]

^^^^^^^^^^

"ToS, like those apply to ME! I'm right !"

[CanRay]

Hey, at least I stand by my statements. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Faith Chips are a good idea, as it allows televangelists to spread their word without being on the 'Trid 24/7.

Better?

[sabs]

Hey, at least I stand by my statements. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Faith Chips are a good idea, as it allows televangelists to spread their word without being on the 'Trid 24/7.

Better?

A knowsoft of "Better Living Through Christ?"
or maybe a knowsoft: "Living your life the Catholic way"

[CanRay]

Actually, a "Humanis Policlub 4.7" chip might come in handy on some Shadowruns. Especially for those metas that can pass as human.

[sabs]

Well, except the PoliClub would never allow it.
And if it did exist, the only reason they would allow it, is because it worked. So you chip that in for an undercover mission, and all of a sudden you're actually a card carrying member of the PoliClub?

[CanRay]

No, but you can speak the language of hate they do.

You know, "How many Keeblers at the bottom of the Ocean make a good day?" "As many as you can drown.", things like that.

[Synner667]

No, but you can speak the language of hate they do.

You know, "How many Keeblers at the bottom of the Ocean make a good day?" "As many as you can drown.", things like that.

Erm...
...Actually, to be a proper Cyberpapacy Faith Chip, you'd actually believe - you'd not be faking...
...You'd not want to take it out, because it'd be how you think.

Being able to spout a few rubbish jokes isn't really believing the doctrines...


Why do you think the Cyberpapacy invited millions into their surgical areas and gave away cyberware ??
They "forget" to tell people about the implanted Faith chips...


But back on topic...
...The whole issue of the NAN has never bothered me, because I've never wanted to play in the US, and to be honest, the whole Native American thing was the only real difference between SR and any of the other cyberpunk rpgs [and the urban fantasy elements, I guess - though others have/had them].

[Ascalaphus]

Why do the Faith Chips just scream Fallout to me?

[CanRay]

"Pray to Robot Jesus! Or his Laser Eyes will fry you where you stand!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[sabs]

Why do the Faith Chips just scream Fallout to me?

The Cyberpapacy is part of the Torg Multiverse

[Mordinvan]

What do you mean, "Now"?

Religions have been using drugs for time uncounted. It's the opiate of the masses because, well, they have a tendency of using things like Opiates!

I mean the 'deep spiritually fulfilling' sensation people refer to as a religious experience, not just any form of altered state associated with any generic religious custom.

[Yerameyahu]

It's kind of suspect that people do refer to a mere sensation as religious. Alas.

[Mordinvan]

It's kind of suspect that people do refer to a mere sensation as religious. Alas.

Being able to meditate in a fashion needed to generate such an experience has long been an important part of many religious traditions. I see having a chip which could help 'train' one to be able to achieve such a state as being a key piece of religious instruction in shadowrun.

[CanRay]

Or a way to "Cheapen" religion so that it can be better used to control the masses.

Look at what Winternight did with God Chips.

[Mordinvan]

Or a way to "Cheapen" religion so that it can be better used to control the masses.

Look at what Winternight did with God Chips.

Yes... perhaps you thought I was trying to make another point?

[CanRay]

There really needs to be a sarcasm font.

[Brazilian_Shinob...]

There really needs to be a sarcasm font.

Yes, it would HELP a lot not being misunderstood.

[pbangarth]

Well, if you would go to the trouble of changing the font, you could also put the little sarcasm emoticon in the text.

Not that it would help much with some people! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sarcastic.gif)

[CanRay]

Not that it would help much with some people! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sarcastic.gif)

Hey... Why is everyone looking at me?

[Brazilian_Shinob...]

Well, if you would go to the trouble of changing the font, you could also put the little sarcasm emoticon in the text.

Not that it would help much with some people! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sarcastic.gif)

Yeah, it doesnt help much either... Some people still won't be able to tell you are making a joke.

[Dwight]

Meh, magical nukes ARE impressive, but they aren't war winners when the other side also has access to their own non-magical nukes.

1) They can create a Cold War situation, and a statemate can be a win when your country surviving is the win condition.
2) Non-magical nukes aren't nearly as impressive in the 6th world, certainly not when you consider that there are very effective ABM on magical wings (and the alarming frequency of misfires (IMG:style_emoticons/default/embarrassed.gif) ).