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| On Factions, Influence And Power:; Who has the strings behind the cord? | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 18 2012, 09:37 PM (232 Views) | |
| Captain Vanguard | Jul 18 2012, 09:37 PM Post #1 |
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Honorary wielder of the Paladin Button.
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So I was presented with a question today by a nameless friend and its a pretty valid one I reckon, but answering privatley might not educate everyone that might be interested in the answer to this. The question was, how much influence does one faction have over the other, its a valid question so ill elaborate in my best possible TL:DR version. If your looking for influence then really 'every' faction can influence the other, but its a matter of how and what methods they use. A Hardhead might bully another faction with the threat of a military crackdown, while the Indeps might make a giant protest with hundreds of thousands of cagers all complaining about the increased city tax. The methodology should really be key based upon that factions belief. A Taker for example is likley going to use the dirt his faction has on people and the dark behind them to blackmail people into doing what he wants. A Sensate might take a surpisingly similar approach, but instead of digging up history, they would more likley invite you to the best sensate orgy you ever had, then record it and present it to you with the threat that if you dont cooperate your wife will learn everything. Each Faction really has their own way to get another faction to do what they want, weather its the promise of a reward, the fear of blackmail or the raw subjication of a sharp and unyielding threat. The factions have many ways as much as the people that follow them. In the end, it is down to personal belief. Sigil was once described by a reviewer as "a city full of philosophers armed with clubs" its a good nutshell to sum up the general attitude of the factions. Its a bible fight, except its not with bibles but with ideals and each faction is trying to outwit the other factions by imposing their ideals on newcommers to the city, recruiting them into those ideals, building power and reputation and eventually the end goal, taking the cage for themselves. How they do that, is literally as varied as the grey atmosphere of the cage itself. So ultimatley, be creative, think about what your factions beliefs stand for, how would those beliefs apply to influence and how would they best influence others? Does a Taker have to fear being arrested by the Harmonium? Or does he have enough friends in high places to bribe a corrupt Guvner into making the situation turn the other cheek. Does a Anarchist have to fear the Mercykillers imposing upon him for taking a few risks in his carrear? Or can he hire some Sensate assassins to handle the matter while he brushes everything under a rug? Its entirley possible to do 'all' of these things, everybody lies, the factions use each other as much as they oppose each other. So, thats my... TL:DR version I guess in the shortest possible phrasing and hopefully simplified anyone can get it really. Dont be shy to use blackmail on a Hardhead, if you know a Measure that is more than happy to take a bribe then your more than welcome to make that irritating notary kneel before you if he causes you trouble. Dont be afraid to impose the law either, though always be ready to accept that when your faction brings problems to other factions, other groups might also get involved the more that issue becomes severe. Best way to handle it without getting caught? Use others, and make them take the fall. |
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Justice must be forfilled, at any cost. People must believe to be believed in. One cannot expect power freely. Imagination is the key to insight. Industry is born from progress. Gods interfere with mans ambition. | |
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| MirielKanan | Jul 19 2012, 12:33 AM Post #2 |
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Namer
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Thankee much, was very informative. |
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| Ceremorph | Jul 19 2012, 02:33 AM Post #3 |
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Dark Mistress of the Toolset
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Also, it's worth pointing out that none of the factions are truly monolothic. Take the Mercykillers as an example: Factol Alisohn Nilesia is LE and moderately insane, believes there should only be two sentences for lawbreakers (a quick death and a slow death), and is "engaged" to Factol Darkwood of the Takers. Her encyclopedic knowldge of Sigilian law gives her the respect of the Guvners. Meanwhile, her second-in-command is a Paladin, believes in rehabilitation, and has close ties with members of the Harmonium. Members of the faction fall between and even beyond this standard, ranging from Judge Dredd-style dispensers of justice for justice's sake, to inveterate sadists (such as the NPC Phoebe, warden of the deep cells, that I roll out from time to time). Every faction is going to have that sort of range within its membership. |
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We rode on the winds of the rising storm, We ran to the sounds of the thunder. We danced among the lightning bolts, and tore the world asunder. | |
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| DemonAbyss10 | Jul 19 2012, 04:09 AM Post #4 |
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Namer
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Exactly. I even have my own example with Daevos, as to what direction I 'want' to take him. He has his sights set beyond simple taxes. He considers taxes themselves a hinderance to the factions true potential, which lies in banking, loans in particular. As for Ven, he is 'different'. All I can really say on that. Then there are those who outright refuse to join factions due to their Ideological/Moral Viewpoints, such as Zaed. Doesn't mean he can't have good relations with members of such though. And for the Ciphers, since I very rarely even see players so much as touch the faction. I can equate Vai with the whole Training, Training and yet more Training Lifestyle. He simply views every opportunity as a chance to improve upon the merging of mind, body, and spirit further and further. That Coupled with an extreme introvert personality. Well introspective to put it right. Signers, there are many different types and methods. Ordethus uses his own knowledge of patterns to make his predictions. Sometimes he will 'cheat' as well, but not always. Yet he truly believes their message, such happens due to belonging to an order of Eldritch/Psionic Loremasters who do nothing but study the Far-realms and planar Anomalies. |
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Characters -Moriarcis: Lvl 20 Necromancer -Ordethus: Lvl 20 (21) Telepath Warlock/Alienist -Orionis: Lvl 8 Dirge of Tiamat -Zaed Nahalis: Lvl 28 Hextorite Blademaster -Skor Addamar: Lvl 22 Ex-Collector -Ven: Lvl 9 (10) Old School Assassin -Vai'aian: Lvl 18 (20) Zerth Monk
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| Captain Vanguard | Jul 19 2012, 02:38 PM Post #5 |
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Honorary wielder of the Paladin Button.
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Each faction has their own way of handling a philosophy and within those philosophies every member has their own way of interpriting it. Felicia for example may be interested in profiteering and business empire but she also knows the core of the Taker philosophy is narrowed down to survival of the fittest. So shes not just going to go around taking taxes from people and earning their ire when she can merchandise to them instead and use their respect. If anything, Daevos was more iconic as a Taker than most, because Takers are more like Mercinaries than Indeps are. Their entire lifestyle revolves around earning what you keep and letting no competition bar your way in keeping it. |
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Justice must be forfilled, at any cost. People must believe to be believed in. One cannot expect power freely. Imagination is the key to insight. Industry is born from progress. Gods interfere with mans ambition. | |
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| DemonAbyss10 | Jul 19 2012, 11:02 PM Post #6 |
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Namer
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Yeah that is the intent with him. The other path I have been thinking of is taking him down the mercenary company path, as in actually running one. Especially due to the brux RP opening up that possibility further. He already has his own crew, so it might be good for him to expand eventually. |
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Characters -Moriarcis: Lvl 20 Necromancer -Ordethus: Lvl 20 (21) Telepath Warlock/Alienist -Orionis: Lvl 8 Dirge of Tiamat -Zaed Nahalis: Lvl 28 Hextorite Blademaster -Skor Addamar: Lvl 22 Ex-Collector -Ven: Lvl 9 (10) Old School Assassin -Vai'aian: Lvl 18 (20) Zerth Monk
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| deusex2 | Jul 20 2012, 04:01 AM Post #7 |
Greybeard
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Rylif uses tax collection to advance himself within the faction ranks, he wants to get an extensive access to Taker's archives for personal use because he has a goal of his own. He also tries to earn some jink whenever he can because jink makes a mutliverse go around and personal inquiries aren't cheap. |
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