alt.WAR, Fixing War's problems by writing a new book Options

[Nath]

Now, I don't know if Aztechnology does have space technology, perhaps they would want a facility deep inside the jungle, away from prying eyes to make their own experiments into space (does Blood Magic work in space?)?

They have their own space station, the Spindle, so it's fair to assume they do.

According to Target: Wastelands pages 77-78, and Corporate Guide, page 88, Aztechnology relies a lot on the Buttercup-owned Shibata Construction & Engineering and other corporations for space operations.

About the skyhook, I'd quote Corporate Guide, page 69.

But perhaps the most notable development for Aztechnology Latin America is the Corporate Court’s recent announcement that its orbital elevator will be anchored somewhere in the continent’s equatorial region. Aztechnology has already been contracted to provide ground-based elements for the elevator. Undoubtedly, this development will boost the profile of the Latin American division over the next decade and command close attention from the Aztechnology board.

> Prime locations being prospected include a site in the former states of Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. It’s likely that construction on the anchor facility for the skyhook won’t start until late 2074. If the Azzies have cornered the ground infrastructure and security, they’ve accomplished a significant coup. This project will have a much larger economic impact than the African mass-driver and will boost the entire South American economy.
> Orbital DK

[sabs]

This could be another good reason why they're trying to establish land supremacy in northern South America.

[Doc Chase]

Why not release this in episodes?

There's nothing stopping us from writing about the wars in all their glory - but there are many. Let us start with the rewrite/remake of what War! is, then we can branch out where we want to go - Desert Wars, Survivor, Asia, Pirates of the Seven Seas, and so on.

[hermit]

That was my idea. Episodes/Issues

Would also make the writing easier on us and allow us to release the gear in bits where the scenario offers immediate applicability (unlike Bogota for supercarriers and tanks).

And thanks for the input, Nath. Also, would you like to participate?

[Brazilian_Shinob...]

I think we already had enough brainstorming to move on and start writing.

So, how are we going to do this? Google docs?

We need a manager to define deadlines and divide the work.

[Doc Chase]

That was my idea. Episodes/Issues

Would also make the writing easier on us and allow us to release the gear in bits where the scenario offers immediate applicability (unlike Bogota for supercarriers and tanks).

And thanks for the input, Nath. Also, would you like to participate?

Yes. It may not have come across as such, but I was agreeing with you. I am not feeling well today. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

The Skyhook site in Venezuela...Hmm. That may very well end up being around Maracaibo because of proximity to the ports.

[hermit]

So, how are we going to do this? Google docs?

I'd like to do this on our own little forum where we coordinate and drafts are posted. I'd say we agree on deadlines and do this as a team, then review each other, or maybe Neuroses can help us there (I get this right that we ALL are non-natives right now? So a native to polish might be in order).

Edit: No, Doc likely is an English native as well.

Never worked with google docs, so I cannot really say if that would work better. I'd like to have the possibility of coordination via a forum or other relayed messages service, though.

Yes. It may not have come across as such, but I was agreeing with you. I am not feeling well today.

No prob, I thought I had not been clear enough.

The Skyhook site in Venezuela...Hmm. That may very well end up being around Maracaibo because of proximity to the ports.

That could also be a reason for Amazonia to push there. "No evil technology in our South America! Sirrug says RAWR!"

Actually, Sirrug could attack the prelim clearing and construction and mapping crews on that site to send a message to Aztlan.

[sabs]

Maracaibos is in fact a good site for it.
Sirrug could try. But even Sirrug might not do that. Given the CorpCourt's interest in the project.

I have issues with Google Docs and work, they tend to firewall block the damn thing.

Can we ask the Happy Dumpshock people for a locked sub-forum?
Is that a possibility?

I like the idea of multiple 'issues'

First up being Amz/Atz

DO an outline of the Issue.
See who wants to work on what.
Get first drafts in, and see if we have good stuff, or complete drek.

I'm sort of a native speaker. I speak English fluently, although I have the occasional French idiosyncracy that slips in. What I get for moving to the States at 9 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Doesn't someone have a huge Caracas write up already in existence? would they be willing to contribute a cut down, say 6-7 page write up?

[hermit]

Can we ask the Happy Dumpshock people for a locked sub-forum?
Is that a possibility?

Or that. I'd like for the guys from the Gaming Den to be able to have a look at it too, though ... and give soem input sometime. Some of it here has been quite valuable. Hence my idea of an own little place. But a DS subforum would also be nice.

[Doc Chase]

Doesn't someone have a huge Caracas write up already in existence? would they be willing to contribute a cut down, say 6-7 page write up?

Moo hoo ha ha.

What Abschalten and I have been creating for Caracas would fill its own sourcebook. I'll chat with him and see what we'd be willing to pare down - for now, there's a lot on locations and not as much on culture and such but we've got a local Caracan in the PbP game so I'll see what I can do about drawing him in to fill the blanks, as it were. 7-8 pages is doable for what we're looking at.

I think Abs might like a bit more reasoning for the stuff going on in Caracas now.

[sabs]

Only some?
*BIG PUPPY EYES*

[Doc Chase]

Only some?
*BIG PUPPY EYES*

Don't sweat it, he's probably talking about half the crap on Auchwitz I put in the other War thread. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[sabs]

Moo hoo ha ha.

What Abschalten and I have been creating for Caracas would fill its own sourcebook. I'll chat with him and see what we'd be willing to pare down - for now, there's a lot on locations and not as much on culture and such but we've got a local Caracan in the PbP game so I'll see what I can do about drawing him in to fill the blanks, as it were. 7-8 pages is doable for what we're looking at.

I think Abs might like a bit more reasoning for the stuff going on in Caracas now.

Well, whats' the stuff going on in Caracas (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
We can certainly work it in.

I think Caracas being the Free City where everyone who isn't AZT or AMZ who wants to play in the sand box is.. including UN observers, etc... makes for alot of shadowrunning possibilities.

[sabs]

Don't sweat it, he's probably talking about half the crap on Auchwitz I put in the other War thread. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'm actually kidding (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Just thought it was funny.

I liked the crap on Auschwitz you put in the other thread.

I mean, you know, for crap on Auschwitz. I'd play that adventure.

[hermit]

Yeah, that adventure was playable. I might even run it myself sometime.

We could host Caracas as part of alt.Shadowrun, but we certainly could work stuff from Caracas into alt.War 1: Rumble in the Jungle.

[Stahlseele]

I'm actually kidding (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Just thought it was funny.

I liked the crap on Auschwitz you put in the other thread.

I mean, you know, for crap on Auschwitz. I'd play that adventure.

i would not.
too scary <.<

[Doc Chase]

Well, whats' the stuff going on in Caracas (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
We can certainly work it in.

I think Caracas being the Free City where everyone who isn't AZT or AMZ who wants to play in the sand box is.. including UN observers, etc... makes for alot of shadowrunning possibilities.

Currently, Caracas is on the brink. AZT has sent Shorned Ones into the city in large numbers to clear out, well, pretty much anyone that AZT doesn't like. This includes any Shadowrunners that they may have dirt on, influential people that don't have direct Azzie ties, leading members of the more powerful gangs in town, and other folks.

They're also doing it in as flashy and noisy a manner as possible to scare the populace into accepting 'assistance' from a more stable government - Aztlan. Survivors of the Shorned Ones strikes are often blamed for the attacks, likely prompted by other AZT operatives and the gangs are busy fighting one anotehr rather than the Azzie troops that are going to roll in. They're mobilizing to invade under the auspices of 'national emergency' much like Pueblo did with LA, and only the guerilla fighters of Amazonia, Shadowrunners, and the gangs can slow down or stop the incursions.

A lot of the Caracan information we had is, as I said, locational. We've started painting Caracas' Z-rated areas such as La Rinconada, the red light districts of Nueva Caracas, middling areas such as La Guaira and Parque del Este, and commercial zones like Chacao or even El Avila where the super-rich hide.

Through the IC thread, we're discovering how the city works in regards to the shadows. Caracas requires you to know people, lots of people. It has a sense of social credit like LA or Hong Kong has - knowing the right people in the right places can put you above reproach in the shadows, and a bribe in the right area can turn a bloodsworn enemy into a temporary friend. State intelligence agencies, particularily the CAS, have assets in the area to slow the Azzies down by any clandestine means at their disposal, and that means shadowrunners.

The Catholic Church is also in the area, doing what they can to provide humanitarian aid. According to Shadows of Latin America (of what we have of it), Caracas has had UN peacekeepers enforcing the borders for decades. I wouldn't mind cutting this part out until the states of emergency are declared and the city starts to burn - the UN starts to mobilize, but the Azzies are there first. Aztlan wants the city to capitulate, but if they can hold out until sufficient pressure from the UN causes the Azzies to turn away...

[hermit]

That's what I like. That an the angle that you'Re there to try and release them from their curse and it wraps up in this creepy mexican standoff while the sylvestrine uses the magical pen of damnation (it sure writes in blood and faint screams are heared every time it touches paper. The screams, pleas, curses and cries of those being tortured for this man's sick experiments.

Nice outset for Caracas. Really colors up the city. did you work in the stuff from Ghost Cartels too?

[Doc Chase]

That's what I like. That an the angle that you'Re there to try and release them from their curse and it wraps up in this creepy mexican standoff while the sylvestrine uses the magical pen of damnation (it sure writes in blood and faint screams are heared every time it touches paper. The screams, pleas, curses and cries of those being tortured for this man's sick experiments.

I thought about making the research assistant a descendant of one of the guards or even the warden, and she has to sign the order in her blood, killing her in a final act of absolution for the sins of her bloodline.

In all seriousness, I might see about developing a whole arc, putting it to paper, and then posting it for people to use.

Abschalten is working in what he can from Ghost Cartels - the IC thread picks up at the tail end of the campaign. KondOrchid is mroe or less through, Rivieros has disappeared, and now Caracas is starting to burn as the Azzies start to capitalize on their gains. Meanwhile the UN starts to mobilize because of the destabilization in the city.

[Nath]

And thanks for the input, Nath. Also, would you like to participate?

Currently, I have no idea of what part I could actually write. Plus, my writing skill in English is somewhat subpar (not being a native speaker and that). I can at least provide some fact checking, something I'm quite good at.

[Doc Chase]

Currently, I have no idea of what part I could actually write. Plus, my writing skill in English is somewhat subpar (not being a native speaker and that). I can at least provide some fact checking, something I'm quite good at.

What will differentiate this from many pieces is the research we do and the way we make it fit in the existing canon structure (provided we treat War! as something that doesn't exist). That being said, you provide a valuable service. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[hermit]

I thought about making the research assistant a descendant of one of the guards or even the warden, and she has to sign the order in her blood, killing her in a final act of absolution for the sins of her bloodline.

And the ritual will KILL HER. And she KNOWS.

In all seriousness, I might see about developing a whole arc, putting it to paper, and then posting it for people to use.

It's true, nice things can grow from shit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Yes, if you feel the inspiration, do. I'm starting to be excited about this too.

Currently, I have no idea of what part I could actually write. Plus, my writing skill in English is somewhat subpar (not being a native speaker and that). I can at least provide some fact checking, something I'm quite good at.

Don't sweat it; except for Doc, hardly anyone on this project is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) But yes, fact checking would also be VERY welcome.

[sabs]

Currently, Caracas is on the brink. AZT has sent Shorned Ones into the city in large numbers to clear out, well, pretty much anyone that AZT doesn't like. This includes any Shadowrunners that they may have dirt on, influential people that don't have direct Azzie ties, leading members of the more powerful gangs in town, and other folks.

They're also doing it in as flashy and noisy a manner as possible to scare the populace into accepting 'assistance' from a more stable government - Aztlan. Survivors of the Shorned Ones strikes are often blamed for the attacks, likely prompted by other AZT operatives and the gangs are busy fighting one anotehr rather than the Azzie troops that are going to roll in. They're mobilizing to invade under the auspices of 'national emergency' much like Pueblo did with LA, and only the guerilla fighters of Amazonia, Shadowrunners, and the gangs can slow down or stop the incursions.

A lot of the Caracan information we had is, as I said, locational. We've started painting Caracas' Z-rated areas such as La Rinconada, the red light districts of Nueva Caracas, middling areas such as La Guaira and Parque del Este, and commercial zones like Chacao or even El Avila where the super-rich hide.

Through the IC thread, we're discovering how the city works in regards to the shadows. Caracas requires you to know people, lots of people. It has a sense of social credit like LA or Hong Kong has - knowing the right people in the right places can put you above reproach in the shadows, and a bribe in the right area can turn a bloodsworn enemy into a temporary friend. State intelligence agencies, particularily the CAS, have assets in the area to slow the Azzies down by any clandestine means at their disposal, and that means shadowrunners.

The Catholic Church is also in the area, doing what they can to provide humanitarian aid. According to Shadows of Latin America (of what we have of it), Caracas has had UN peacekeepers enforcing the borders for decades. I wouldn't mind cutting this part out until the states of emergency are declared and the city starts to burn - the UN starts to mobilize, but the Azzies are there first. Aztlan wants the city to capitulate, but if they can hold out until sufficient pressure from the UN causes the Azzies to turn away...

What is your time table on the Caracas thread?
I like that. It's a nice setup.
Maybe it's like Rwanda. The UN is there, but their 'Rules of Engagement' suck. They aren't allowed to do anything. Just keep the UN workers safe.

As we move from 2072 to 2073, perhaps we can make things change.
The Caracas Leadership approaches the UN, and Corporate Court, asking for help from AZT. Maybe a group of shadowrunners provides enough proof to sway the outcome.
The CAS lands a real force in Caracas. The UCAS feels obliged to do the same. (They've got a Whose the Real US competition going). The French Foreign Legion, Ares, Renraku, bring in a more unified force to stabalize Caracas after a certain time?

[Doc Chase]

The Caracas IC thread is currently predating War! by exactly one year - the first post was dated 17 November, 2071. I believe that Ghost Cartels was right around the same timeline.

In the release of recent books, we haven't had any information from South America save that there's going to be groundbreaking on the Skyhook soonish, the Cartels get nearly decapitated, and then OMGBOGOTA.

If we went with the IC thread, then Amazonia getting directly and overtly involved in Caracas with Aztlan would be reason enough for the UN to send a unilateral peacekeeping force with units from all member nations - including CAS, UCAS, Germany, perhaps even the NAN. Amazonia, provided they're a member (I think they are) would be pushing for them to send the force, whereas Aztlan is fighting it under the auspices that it isn't necessary, they're a peacekeeping operation, spin spin spin.

Ideally, and I'd have to talk to Abs about what's going down, the Azzies would blockade the port while their teams worked, offer humanitarian aid in the form of bombs and bullets, and when the city completely implodes then they would roll in their land forces. Right now we're barely three or four days in and the Aztlan navy is starting to blockade La Guaira.

I could see the Azzies setting up a forward operating base where they're 'observing and containing', the Amazonians infiltrating the city to set up a resistance to Aztlan, and member nations of the UN who have assets on the ground starting to hunker in and do the same thing while the official declaration of assistance to the Free City of Caracas gets mired in so much red tape it takes them a year to start sending anyone.

Meanwhile, the shadow war in Caracas, Maracaibo and other places gets so hot that when the Amazonians get caught with a black ops team on a sanctioned run in the Azzie forward base, they declare open war. In response, Amazonia gets nailed to the cross by the UN, but the unilateral force still moves in to 'restore order'. Now you've got all these factions heating up the shadow war even further.

Gonna have to think about the possibles. It really depends on where Abs wants to take the Caracas thread, and I don't want to tie his hands on what he has planned.

[sabs]

Yeah, we don't want to do that either. Although it effects what we want to write pretty severely (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I like your idea of an AMZ sanctioned run even better than my Agent Orange idea.. although I guess they could be the same thing. Well, let us know so that you guys can use the setting in a direction you like (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)