ParanetOnline

The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: Magicpockets on February 23, 2013, 12:07:30 PM

Title: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Magicpockets on February 23, 2013, 12:07:30 PM
Hi all,
in our last gaming session, a discussion came up regarding Summer Court and Black Court. The other players argued that as Summer Knight, my character would not condone wiping out the Black Court, reasoning that Summer stands for life and that even the undead have the right to live. I, on the other hand, have called shenanigans, and stated that (other than the Winter Court) the Black Court is anathema to everything Summer stands for, and that as Summer Knight, my character is likely to support their eradication.

What do you people think about this matter? And yes, this is partly related to this (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,37145.0.html), although I fear such discussion may derail this thread.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Tedronai on February 23, 2013, 12:22:47 PM
As Summer Knight, and thus a mortal possessing free will, your character may support or reject any stance you see fit.  The stance of your Court is another matter.
I, personally, would suggest that their inclinations would be towards the destruction of such abominations, but ultimately, such matters rest with the Table.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on February 23, 2013, 12:37:27 PM
I'd say that, as a whole, Summer wouldn't give a fuck. Everything has its predators, mortals included, and the Black Court are just one more...but on the other hand, sometimes species die, and the Black Court have failed to adapt to a changing environment, so they're on the way out anyway.

As an individual, your character can believe whatever he wishes, and given Titania's and all of Summer's belief in 'the wisdom of the heart' and going with your gut, the Court's pretty likely to back the Knight's choice to a fairly strong degree.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: blackstaff67 on February 23, 2013, 01:50:49 PM
Black Court Vampires are NOT alive.  They are dead.  Corpses animated and filled with unholy energy that see Humanity as food.  The Undead have ceased living.  At least the White Court vamps (technically alive from what we know of them) procreate through more recognizable means (carry and give birth to live young, etc.).  They are not part of the natural cycle of Nature as a Summer Fae would understand it, especially given that Summer would be about life, light and growth. 
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Lavecki121 on February 23, 2013, 03:03:03 PM
Yea i agree with black staff, if their argument is that you should be pro life, black court are not alive. But yes your character has free will, you could go on a rampage and kill all of the black court if you wanted, there may be repercussions, but you can do it
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: JDK002 on February 23, 2013, 03:33:04 PM
I tend to agree that Summer wouldn't mind seeing the Black Court gone.  They aren't alive, they don't promote life and growth.  They kill, and kill, and kill, more so then we've seen Winter do in the books.  If Summer has no problem killing agents of Winter, they certainly wouldn't be against killing Black Court.

Honestly, the counter arguement your players are giving is rethoric that makes no logical or canoncal sense.  It would mean that summer would be against killing anything and everything, and we know from the books that the Summer Knight has no problem throwing down against supernatural baddies.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: UmbraLux on February 23, 2013, 03:58:15 PM
What do you people think about this matter?
Have you read Cold Days yet?  It goes into the Sidhe courts' motivations in some depth.  Simply put:
(click to show/hide)
So the existence or nonexistence of any particular vampire court doesn't directly impact the goals of either Sidhe court. 

That should leave it to personal motivations.  Are any aspects relevant?
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Magicpockets on February 23, 2013, 09:25:25 PM
Thanks for the responses so far, people! Glad so many agree with me, almost thought I was wrong on the issue.

I have read Cold Days, and remember that part. As for personal motivations, here are my character's aspects, in the order they appear on my sheet:
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: polkaneverdies on February 23, 2013, 10:32:28 PM
Woj has stated that everyone (which would include the sidhe) resented how powerful the black vamps became.
That was before the stokerlypse but the speed at which their powerbase can grow was a large part of the problem everyone had with them. I doubt very few major players would be sad if the final blacks were taken out.

It certainly sounds like Your fellow players are pulling shenanigans just to save Catherine the great.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Taran on February 24, 2013, 02:57:08 AM
Do the accords play into this?  Can you just kill another signatory of the accords without repercussions?

Could you use the accords to solve any issues?  A duel?
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 24, 2013, 07:15:10 AM
Taran has a really good point, is it legal to off the Rukh in the proposed manner?  If no you could always back down for now and maneuver to set her up like Bianca did to Harry.

Or just back down for now and get her later period.  It seems like each of you has stuff going on behind the other's backs, so adding another level of intrigue can't hurt, an open confrontation is likely to go south at the speed of light.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on February 24, 2013, 09:04:29 AM
Combat between accorded parties seems acceptable. After all, the Reds were at war with the White Council and still abiding by the Accords circa Death Masks. So...yeah, that seems okay as long as it wasn't done while an invited guest or something.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Taran on February 24, 2013, 12:31:39 PM
That was officially sanctionned war.  Harry started the war because he blew up bianca's mansion against the letter of the accords.  There was a peace or cease-fire prior to that.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Vairelome on February 24, 2013, 01:56:31 PM
If you look at the descriptors and affinities of Summer Magic, you find a fairly large percentage of the banes of the Black Court.  This should be relevant, if not necessarily dispositive.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Magicpockets on February 24, 2013, 01:59:30 PM
Taran has a really good point, is it legal to off the Rukh in the proposed manner?  If no you could always back down for now and maneuver to set her up like Bianca did to Harry.

Doubt that's gonna work. The Rukh is one of the strongest, if not the strongest Black Court Vampire in existence, and has displayed patience and cunning. In a fair fight, there's no way we are gonna take her even if we work together, and right now, the party is split. Right now, she is weakened, after suffering a major thaumaturgical attack that filled her hunger track and physical consequences. If we are ever gonna off her, it's now or never.

Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: polkaneverdies on February 25, 2013, 03:25:05 AM
Strong indications in the book point to blamps not being part of the accords.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: AstralBlade on February 26, 2013, 03:25:47 PM
I definitely agree that the Black Court is pretty much antithetical to the Summer Court. The BC is pretty much death and decay. The fact that they are living dead does nothing to dispel this notion.

As far as backlash from the Accords i doubt that is going to be much of a problem considering the BC can't retaliate, since you know they'll be gone and will not have an arbitrator to complain or lodge a complaint with. I kind of see the Accords like the Drow society in Forgotten realms, it is largely to prevent large scale free for all wars that would leave the earth a smoking ruin. If the said faction is taken out cleanly and smoothly i cant see anyone sticking their own necks out to call foul-play.

For example, in Grave Peril
(click to show/hide)

Also in Death Masks,
(click to show/hide)

Finally, in Small Favor,
(click to show/hide)

So in short, Yea, wipe them out. The only repercussion i can forsee are those dealing with your own Court, if Titiana did not want them wiped out or something but i highly doubt she cares.

In any case it always results altercations between the two participating parties.

Dead men tell no tales...or rather dead vampires
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Magickal_Grenadier on February 26, 2013, 09:27:20 PM

So in short, Yea, wipe them out. The only repercussion i can forsee are those dealing with your own Court, if Titiana did not want them wiped out or something but i highly doubt she cares

In addition in Cold Days.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on February 26, 2013, 09:33:00 PM
In addition in Cold Days.

(click to show/hide)

Uh...no. Just no.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: narphoenix on February 26, 2013, 09:37:14 PM
Although, if CD is any indication, vamps are basically seen as cockroaches by the fae, seeing as
(click to show/hide)

So, Titania just might not care about the Black Court.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 26, 2013, 09:39:47 PM
To further's Narphoenix point - even if the fae is crazed or morally depraved they still hold humans in a place of value (reproduction, amusement, etc); vampires have no value to them and they actively de-value humanity (eat them, turn them, etc). So there might be a bit of a compettion factor there as well in the supernatural ecosystem of the Dresden-verse.

@Deadmanwalking
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: narphoenix on February 26, 2013, 10:33:56 PM
@Dr and Deadman: Oh I see beautiful things happening regardless...
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 26, 2013, 10:35:10 PM
@Narphoenix
Glad to see your zeal is spilling out into other threads Nar  :P
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Magickal_Grenadier on February 26, 2013, 11:32:18 PM
Uh...no. Just no.

(click to show/hide)

I must be more tired than I thought... My bad.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Lavecki121 on February 26, 2013, 11:50:27 PM
I will say what I said in the other thread. Just kill em all and by all I mean the bcv, there is nothing doing your character from dropping a fire nuke into the grave
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Magickal_Grenadier on February 26, 2013, 11:52:40 PM
I will say what I said in the other thread. Just kill em all and by all I mean the bcv, there is nothing doing your character from dropping a fire nuke into the grave

Seems to be the default action in the Dresdenverse. Kill it with fire! BOOM!
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 26, 2013, 11:56:35 PM
I actually am enjoying the fact that this is causing tension among your PC's. The players seem to be playing as their characters not as players who are running a character. Ultimately it MIGHT be in everyone's best interest to kill The Rukh but emotions are getting away from people.

It makes for interesting stories and better games.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on February 27, 2013, 12:14:06 AM
I actually am enjoying the fact that this is causing tension among your PC's. The players seem to be playing as their characters not as players who are running a character. Ultimately it MIGHT be in everyone's best interest to kill The Rukh but emotions are getting away from people.

It makes for interesting stories and better games.

I agree with this. I disagree with the GM's seeming reactions, though. those smack of the exact opposite - putting the fact that it's a game over the legitimate interests of the characters. Especially the prohibition on inter-PC conflict.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 27, 2013, 01:05:00 AM
Too true Deadmanwalking.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Tarion on February 27, 2013, 12:04:05 PM
Honestly, I don't buy the idea that the Summer Court would be opposed to genocide.
 
They're about growth and progress sure, but they don't seem to hold reverence for any particular species.  To quote Bob in Summer Knight
Quote
"A war [between the Courts] could start the next ice age, or set off an era of rampant growth."
"That last one doesn't sound so bad."
"No. Not if you're an Ebola virus. You'll have lots of friends."
The idea that every species matters is a distinctly human one, and I doubt the Summer Sidhe care.  They're not conservationists.  In fact, if anything, that would fall under the kinder aspects of Winter - Stasis. 

If a species, such as the Black Court, is no longer suited to it's environment, it's natural that it will be supplanted by more powerful, better suited creatures.  The Black Court is an evolutionary dead end, and the sooner they're cleared away, the sooner new life can replace them. 

And that's even if you accept "undead" as a form of life, which I don't think is necessarily justified in the Dresden Files. 
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Vairelome on February 27, 2013, 01:00:39 PM
"Genocide" is a rather heavily loaded term.  In general usage, it has extremely negative connotations; the real-world events labeled "genocides" were uniformly horrific and evil events.  It follows that applying the word genocide to a particular event implies that the party responsible for causing it has done a terrible thing, morally speaking.

Given that, "genocide" is a totally inappropriate description when applied to the events in Changes or the theoretical elimination of the last bits of the Black Court.  According to the author and the most reliable sources inside the text of the books, both the Red and Black Courts consist of inhuman monsters that feed on the suffering and death of humanity without pity or remorse.  It is standard practice for RCVs to enslave entire towns of people--men, women, and children--by addicting them to RCV saliva so that the vampires may feed and kill at will without fear of resistance.  BCV routine is worse; see any of the descriptions of Renfields, for example.

Killing the monsters that prey on humanity is not wrong.  Finishing the job on the Red or Black Courts is not genocide.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Tedronai on February 27, 2013, 01:13:53 PM
More abstractly, the context that creates the connotations of the term 'genocide' (ie. our morally ambiguous world) is fundamentally dissimilar to the one in which it is being used.
The connotations inherent to the term in a morally ambiguous world, then, must similarly be fundamentally dissimilar when the term is applied to a world where unambiguous evil demonstrably exists, and those connotations become inapplicable when the term is applied to a group embodying such evil.
The strict definition of the term, insofar as it CAN apply to non-human groups, however, does apply to these unambiguously evil groups.

tl;dr:  Just because it's genocide, doesn't mean it's wrong...at least not from the perspective of moral absolutism in the face of unambiguous evil
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Lavecki121 on February 27, 2013, 03:52:06 PM
That was a lot of big words to simply say that Genocide can simply refer to destroying an entirety of a certain race/species/creature
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 27, 2013, 05:30:47 PM
@Tedronai
That is only if you subscribe to the idea of moral absolutism or unambigious evil.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Tedronai on February 27, 2013, 05:32:27 PM
@Tedronai
That is only if you subscribe to the idea of moral absolutism or unambigious evil.
The setting at hand would seem to do so, and most certainly does from the perspective of certain individuals and groups within it.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 27, 2013, 05:38:06 PM
The setting, i.e. the Dresden-verse is flexible-ish in that regard. A lot of what we see in the setting is of course seen through the eyes of an arrogant man with a fairly inflexible world-view. Groups and individuals are going to have their own viewpoints, which is fine and they can of course use that to justify whatever actions they want to take. Doesn't make killing or not killing this Black Court vampire right in an absolute sense; only in a relative sense to the parties in the situation.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Tedronai on February 27, 2013, 05:45:37 PM
That would be why I included those qualifiers.
'From the perspective of moral absolutism and the existence of unambiguous evil, which seem to be the perspectives of at least a few groups and powerful entities within the system'

In-character, in-setting, it is entirely reasonable, all else being equal, for an individual to come to the conclusion that the wholesale destruction of a group such as the Black Court would be a Good act.  In-character, in-setting, other individuals may very well disagree.
Out-of-character, out-of-setting, the perspectives of the various players are not actually all that relevant except insofar as they influence what sorts of issues those individuals are comfortable with exploring, and to what degree.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 27, 2013, 06:01:45 PM
So while the players/characters can use whatever logic or morality they want to justify their actions, the issue at hand in the party is that there is no bridge to build. Everyone thinks something different. None of them are wrong or right, but no one can be expected to be made to agree just because "it's obvious, she's bad we're good" when everyone is of a different point of view.

The GM really needs to take ownership of his role in this scenario - does he want to guide the players down a certain path, does he want to help arbitrate this dispute, or does he want it to be a free-for-all. Unless I missed it, it seems like the GM is dropping the ball a bit.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Tedronai on February 27, 2013, 06:10:12 PM
Unless I missed it, it seems like the GM is dropping the ball a bit.

That's the sense that I got, starting with the skipping of the social conflict that could plausibly have averted this entire impasse.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 27, 2013, 06:19:40 PM
Aye - it also sounds like there is a conflict of expectation at the table. The players are playing their characters out as they should be it almost seems like the GM wasn't expecting that. THEY were making the moralistic assumption that, if he brought his players to this point that their CHARACTERS would all make have the same judgement as they did/are.

Long and the short of it: communication is the key!
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Lavecki121 on February 27, 2013, 07:00:26 PM
Yea i really dislike that the GM said that he would not use the dice to determine the outcome, and instead will just decide with the majority, which excludes the OP
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 27, 2013, 07:04:08 PM
Agreed - that is against the spirit of DFRPG and role-playing games in general. The table sounds like it could use greater communication overall. In this case, I think the character in question needs to play it out and the player needs to communicate that "Hey, you are all doing what you have to/want to do, and so am I" IF a better arrangment can't be reached.

Communication, communication, communication!
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Mr. Death on February 27, 2013, 07:50:38 PM
I'm with the OP, yeah. According to Jim and the books, it seems that nobody gets along with the Black Court, including the other vampires. It makes no sense to me that the Summer Court would be against wiping out the Black Court for the stated reason of "life is life" because the Black Court are, by definition, not life, but instead walking, talking, death.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: JDK002 on February 27, 2013, 08:06:10 PM
I know this is based off very limited information, but it seems like your GM ignored basic core game mechanics to railroad the story in the direction he wanted.  It seems you threw him off his story planning.  Despite this it sounds like he is continuing to ignore mechanics, or rather flat out not allow them, to push his own story agenda.  There's many many game mechanics he could of used to prevent your current impass, a simple compel may have been able to avoid the entire thing.  But for some reason chose not to employ any of them.

Your GM needs to either A. Start adjusting his story based on what you as players are doing instead of disallowing mechanics whenever it suits him.  Or B. Be very transparant regarding the situation.  By that I mean if he really needs the NPC alive, he needs to tell all of you that and ask that you work with him on this.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 27, 2013, 08:22:48 PM
If anything, taking out a powerful vampire is one less possible threat to Summer's power. Preemptive strikes for the win!

@JD
Here, here!
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Lavecki121 on February 27, 2013, 09:04:33 PM
Hey MagicPockets, What are your skills? As in what are you stated at for them. You could make a couple declarations and easily get everyone on your side. For instance a rapport declaration to say that you saw this BCV with other people when she is supposed to love the Werewolf. or a deciet declaration to say that this BCV is planning on wiping out all the RCV's and thier Infecteds.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: JDK002 on February 27, 2013, 09:21:11 PM
Hey MagicPockets, What are your skills? As in what are you stated at for them. You could make a couple declarations and easily get everyone on your side. For instance a rapport declaration to say that you saw this BCV with other people when she is supposed to love the Werewolf. or a deciet declaration to say that this BCV is planning on wiping out all the RCV's and thier Infecteds.
You may have missed the earler post he made.  Apparantly the GM doesn't want the outcome to be decided by dice rolls.  Which in my opinion is bogus, when a group can't agree on a path the dice are exactly what should decide things.

From the sound of it the GM has basically hamstrung the players.  Forcing them to either all agree one way or the other.  Or the GM will make an executive decision and go with majority rules.  Which again in my opinion, defeats the entire purpose of playing.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 27, 2013, 09:26:14 PM
Absolutely.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Lavecki121 on February 27, 2013, 10:20:40 PM
You may have missed the earler post he made.  Apparantly the GM doesn't want the outcome to be decided by dice rolls.  Which in my opinion is bogus, when a group can't agree on a path the dice are exactly what should decide things.

From the sound of it the GM has basically hamstrung the players.  Forcing them to either all agree one way or the other.  Or the GM will make an executive decision and go with majority rules.  Which again in my opinion, defeats the entire purpose of playing.

Yea I did note this, and I think it is stupid. If there are any updates ont his game I would love to hear em MP
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 27, 2013, 10:43:48 PM
Yea, we all want to know how this one gets resolved.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: polkaneverdies on February 28, 2013, 12:15:41 AM
Has your character mentioned overhearing  that the blamp was the one leading the attacks against the venatori?
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: blackstaff67 on February 28, 2013, 05:32:04 AM
Choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo... ;D
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Lavecki121 on February 28, 2013, 05:45:27 AM
What's that? A train? It must be coming down this railroad
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 28, 2013, 05:52:25 AM
Sounds like Magicpocket is about to get railed.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Magicpockets on February 28, 2013, 09:05:11 AM
Tomorrow is our next session. I'll let you know how it goes.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: gantrakk on February 28, 2013, 10:10:39 AM
A quick one on the genocide angle. I suggest asking your fellow players if they have moral objections to the use of antibiotics or bleach, just think of all those tiny lives they are expunging from the world with there genocidal ways. I really don't think they know what a black court vampire is, it needs to kill regularly to "live" just existing automatically makes it a mass murderer and habitually mind fries people, the bubonic plague should be a more sympathetic character.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Jack B on February 28, 2013, 07:59:52 PM
A couple of points:

1) It's all in the language.  Genocide is a loaded term.  Extermination actually fits the situation better since blamps are not alive in the first place (and nobody is insulting them by calling them politicians). 

(From dictionary.com)

gen·o·cide
[jen-uh-sahyd] Show IPA
noun
the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.

ex·ter·mi·nate
[ik-stur-muh-neyt] Show IPA
verb (used with object), ex·ter·mi·nat·ed, ex·ter·mi·nat·ing.
to get rid of by destroying; destroy totally; extirpate: to exterminate an enemy; to exterminate insects.

2) I've never heard of an arms dealer not wanting two or more parties to go to war.  War is when the profits shoot sky high (pun intended)

3) In the vein of Leveki's comment earlier, if your character has any ranks in scholarship, use it to make a declaration that Catherine is having an affair with a werehorse since a mere werewolf can't cut it.  (google Catherine the Great and Horse to see the historical context and have fun with the widespread rumour of the cause of her death).

4) This situation seems like what social combat is designed for.  It's a shame that the GM isn't willing to go that route.

5) Although it's never happened to me in DFRPG, I have had a few campaigns derail at some point and devolved into inter-party violence.  They may stir up the blood but, as long as no real-life friendships are jeopardized, they can be fun and make quite a story.  In fact some of them are my more vivid gaming memories even if we had to start a new campaign shortly after.

6) When in doubt, follow the old Military Engineering Axiom: "There is no situation in the human condition that cannot be solved through a properly sized, shaped, packed, placed, timed, and detonated charge of high explosive!"  ;D

Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 28, 2013, 08:36:31 PM
Also the difficulty of solving any problem is inverse the to size of the explosion.

Also, if it does come to blows don't forget that with concessions and take outs no one actually has to die.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 28, 2013, 08:37:52 PM
I find that the Fate System is so wildly flexible that this shouldn't even have been an issue...if not for the GM that is...
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 28, 2013, 08:39:19 PM
I think pretty much everyone on the forum has agreed about that already.  Time to quit griping about it though.  Just be glad it's not our game.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 28, 2013, 08:56:22 PM
Not a gripe so much as an observation regarding the continued discussion - no matter the tools available (like concessions) it seems that issue always circles back round to the GM. And I am glad it isn't my game...very, very glad...
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Jack B on February 28, 2013, 09:01:28 PM
Not a gripe so much as an observation regarding the continued discussion - no matter the tools available (like concessions) it seems that issue always circles back round to the GM. And I am glad it isn't my game...very, very glad...

I don't know.  Apart from this particular incident it sounds like (s)he is a good gm.  The scope and creativity in the backstory make it sound like a very good game.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 28, 2013, 09:12:28 PM
Not knowing the individual personally, it just sounds like they might be clinging a bit too much to their own creative vision. That's a toughy when it comes to role-playing in a group. I hope it works out for the best in the end - definitely interested in the outcome on this one.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 28, 2013, 09:30:26 PM
I've done some GMing, it can be really hard to let story ideas go, but you know the old maxim, "Any plan will fall apart when it encounters the party."
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 28, 2013, 09:34:10 PM
Aye Mrmdubois, aye. I'll get on my soapbox for a sec again and say that communication of expectation around the group is key. Everyone will go home happier.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Magicpockets on March 02, 2013, 12:03:09 PM
Alright people, yesterday's session happened, here's the update on the situation:
My character received a couple of visions via Cassandra's Tears (first time that happened since the campaign started!). They were:
-The Venatori cell leader gathering together with a couple of agents, and speaking about the need to exterminate all supernaturals, including vampires, fae, changelings and wizards. A person attempting to leave the meeting was shot.
-A gathering between the 5 leading Black Court Elders, including our Rukh. My character didn't get a good look at the other's faces (everyone was wearing a black robe). They were discussing a peace treaty to be presented to the White Council. Catherine was accused of making too many concessions.
-A scene with our werewolf and the Rukh making out. There seemed to be no sign of coercion.

Based on the new information, I made a declaration that my character intentionally lured the Umbrorum leader to the site, in order to stall the execution for the others to arrive. It's a major arsepull, but quite frankly, I was tired of all the infighting. We decided to take him hostage and use him as leverage to free the Rukh, who was still trapped and weakened. A fight ensued, revealing the Umbrorum as a Red Court Vampire, not just an infected (which we previously assumed). With the sun rising, he fled, and we overwhelmed the opposition. We brought the Rukh back to her home, where we brought her up to speed on the situation (after she fed). My character deduced that her human guise was some kind of flesh mask. We went back to Alcatraz, and searched some of their leftovers, which we used for a tracking spell. We found the new hideout, and that's where we stopped with the session.

All in all, it turned out ok, I guess. Not quite happy about it (it's an almost 180° turn in my character's personality), but at least it goes on.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Taran on March 02, 2013, 01:10:28 PM
:P

Could you mention to the GM that it was really not in your characters personality?  Maybe there's something else going on that could be worked out?  Hope you got some FP's out of it.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Lavecki121 on March 02, 2013, 01:55:12 PM
I wonder what he would have done if you didn't have that power. Also it does seem like a cop out to make your character agree
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 05:43:23 PM
Seems to me it worked out as well as it could given the messy set-up. The real "bad-guy" was revealed and everyone went home mostly happy. I do think you should probably be compensated for the entire situation in-game Magicpockets - maybe a few Fate points or such.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Magicpockets on March 02, 2013, 05:53:54 PM
Well, I had to spend 2 Fate points to get the visions (one for each person it related to), because the DM said he wouldn't be giving me Fate points for what he considered an advantage for my character. Therefore, the encounter cost me a total of three FP (one for the Retcon, two for Cassandra's tears).
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: blackstaff67 on March 02, 2013, 05:55:33 PM
Alright people, yesterday's session happened, here's the update on the situation:
My character received a couple of visions via Cassandra's Tears (first time that happened since the campaign started!). They were:
-The Venatori cell leader gathering together with a couple of agents, and speaking about the need to exterminate all supernaturals, including vampires, fae, changelings and wizards. A person attempting to leave the meeting was shot.
-A gathering between the 5 leading Black Court Elders, including our Rukh. My character didn't get a good look at the other's faces (everyone was wearing a black robe). They were discussing a peace treaty to be presented to the White Council. Catherine was accused of making too many concessions.
-A scene with our werewolf and the Rukh making out. There seemed to be no sign of coercion.

Based on the new information, I made a declaration that my character intentionally lured the Umbrorum leader to the site, in order to stall the execution for the others to arrive. It's a major arsepull, but quite frankly, I was tired of all the infighting. We decided to take him hostage and use him as leverage to free the Rukh, who was still trapped and weakened. A fight ensued, revealing the Umbrorum as a Red Court Vampire, not just an infected (which we previously assumed). With the sun rising, he fled, and we overwhelmed the opposition. We brought the Rukh back to her home, where we brought her up to speed on the situation (after she fed). My character deduced that her human guise was some kind of flesh mask. We went back to Alcatraz, and searched some of their leftovers, which we used for a tracking spell. We found the new hideout, and that's where we stopped with the session.

All in all, it turned out ok, I guess. Not quite happy about it (it's an almost 180° turn in my character's personality), but at least it goes on.
1) Exterminate the FAE?  Good luck with that.
2) Assume said Peace Treaty with White Council involves no more possessing/consuming humans.  With that particular Umborum revealed as RCV, no need to see Umbrorum as plot villains.  Also points out treaty with WC useless as Red Court see BCV as competition.  Are Red Court hand-in-hand with White Council?  Point out to Umbrorum they've been penetrated and need to clean house.
3) Who did BCV feed upon, not that any of you are Defenders of Humanity...
4) Hope your character had a strong stomach watching WW and BCV make out.  Just can't get pic of Mavra making out with Loup Garou out of my mind...ewwwww.
5) Wonder what BCV did to start war with White Council.  Is this common knowledge in supernatural community?
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Taran on March 02, 2013, 06:08:24 PM
You spent 2 FP's!?  Cassandra's Tears is specifically supposed to bring up compels.  That's shitty.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 06:22:39 PM
Well, I had to spend 2 Fate points to get the visions (one for each person it related to), because the DM said he wouldn't be giving me Fate points for what he considered an advantage for my character. Therefore, the encounter cost me a total of three FP (one for the Retcon, two for Cassandra's tears).

...Really? *facepalms*

I know I've been preaching it, but it sounds like some real communication is needed here. Maybe take the GM to the side after a game and express your concerns. I don't know...anyway, way to be a trooper and take it on the chin for your table!
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Mrmdubois on March 02, 2013, 06:53:22 PM
Quote
4) Hope your character had a strong stomach watching WW and BCV make out.  Just can't get pic of Mavra making out with Loup Garou out of my mind...ewwwww.

Is your GM a fan of Ms. Duck? >_>
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on March 02, 2013, 07:29:00 PM
Well...assuming all that's true, I suppose that's a reasonable ending.

Still, making the Venatori some kind of Nazi extermination squad and the Black Court anything but completely irredeemable monsters is the kind of thing you should really talk about with your players, since it's a setting change on par with there being no White Council or Laws of Magic...
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 07:35:38 PM
@Deadmanwalking
While the end of the arc is, to me, believable the GM really needed to communicate and set those expectations. Kinda key.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on March 02, 2013, 07:43:04 PM
@Deadmanwalking
While the end of the arc is, to me, believable the GM really needed to communicate and set those expectations. Kinda key.

Believable in universe? No. Not really. Considering who and what the Venatori really are (as per Backup)...the idea of them doing as described is pretty much impossible for me to believe.

And, in setting, so is a member of the Black Court being anything but a horrible monster. Any who did somehow wind up with a scrap of conscience would commit suicide given that they seem incapable of leaving those they feed on alive, and how often they need to feed.

Now, both these points are being strongly implied to be different in the GM's setting, which is fine...but a huge change from canon, and should thus probably be discussed or mentioned at some point.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 07:52:52 PM
@Deadmanwalking
Was it the Venatori or the Venatori Umborum? It is less believable for the former and not really so much for the later (there are "bad" apples everywhere). And a Black Court Vampire being a horrible monster is mostly perspective - I have no issue with the way the Catherine the Great character was handled.

My problem would be that all of this wasn't laid out in some manner ahead of time. The expectations were clearly more in-line with your statements Deadman versus the vision of the GM and like you said as well needed to be discussed. I hope Magicpocket at least brought this to his GM's attention.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Mr. Death on March 02, 2013, 08:34:05 PM
You had to spend fate points to get visions that coerced you into doing something neither you nor your character wanted to do?

Pardon my language, but that's bullshit.

I think maybe your GM misunderstands just what Cassandra's Tears is supposed to do. It's visions of the future, yes, but visions that nobody else believes. It should have been a monumentally difficult task for your character to convince the others that any of those things were true.

Your GM just utterly abused a power to railroad you into something you yourself said is a 180 from your character's personality, and then made you pay for it from your own Fate Points.

I'm starting to think you have a really bad GM.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on March 02, 2013, 08:40:32 PM
@Deadmanwalking
Was it the Venatori or the Venatori Umborum? It is less believable for the former and not really so much for the later (there are "bad" apples everywhere).

The latter are a wholly owned subsidiary of the former (in a quiet way, but still). I suppose a rogue member is possible, but this sounded like an organizational directive, not one loony.

And considering the Archive owns the Venatori and would be unlikely to put up with that shit in her wheelhouse...

And a Black Court Vampire being a horrible monster is mostly perspective - I have no issue with the way the Catherine the Great character was handled.

No...anything that eats people as their sole source of nourishment is pretty much a horrible monster. You can argue the subjectivity of their evil, I suppose, since they have little choice in the matter, but not their monstrousness. That's a monstrous thing to do.

My problem would be that all of this wasn't laid out in some manner ahead of time. The expectations were clearly more in-line with your statements Deadman versus the vision of the GM and like you said as well needed to be discussed. I hope Magicpocket at least brought this to his GM's attention.

This I agree with completely.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Mr. Death on March 02, 2013, 08:46:07 PM
Seriously, though, did the GM read either rule book? Because he seems to be getting a lot just plain wrong about the nature of several types of creature, the relationships between all the participating organizations, and even how the powers and compels are supposed to work.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 08:55:07 PM
@Deadmanwalking
#Venatori: I would have to dig up the post regarding this, but my impression from my memory of reading said post would point to The Archive not having an iron-hand on The Venatori. She directs them in their purpose yes, but she isn't this visible supreme leader or what not.

To your other point - I believe it was one "crazy leader" of one cell that decided to stir the pot (hence why said leader shot one of his own operatives). It's plausible from where I sit (though it can be debated if it was used compellingly or not).

#Monsters: Says the sheep to the wolf eh? I bet if cows or a stalk of corn could talk they would claim humans are horrible monsters that must be wiped out as well. I'm not saying I like the idea of sitting at a table with another being that thinks of me as food but I'm also not going to stand up on the table and call it a monster through my mouthful of steak. My hypocrisy only goes so far.  :P

@Mr. Death
Some of this might also just be getting lost in translation...but yea, I agree that the GM seems to have gone off the reservation a bit.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on March 02, 2013, 09:04:34 PM
@Deadmanwalking
#Venatori: I would have to dig up the post regarding this, but my impression from my memory of reading said post would point to The Archive not having an iron-hand on The Venatori. She directs them in their purpose yes, but she isn't this visible supreme leader or what not.

Well, of course not. Still, she would instantly know if anyone was involved in a genocide scheme like this...and probably do things about it, since it's from people whose very existence she's responsible for to some degree.

To your other point - I believe it was one "crazy leader" of one cell that decided to stir the pot (hence why said leader shot one of his own operatives). It's plausible from where I sit (though it can be debated if it was used compellingly or not).

Eh...that wasn't the impression I got. Still, I suppose that's more plausible.

#Monsters: Says the sheep to the wolf eh? I bet if cows or a stalk of corn could talk they would claim humans are horrible monsters that must be wiped out as well. I'm not saying I like the idea of sitting at a table with another being that thinks of me as food but I'm also not going to stand up on the table and call it a monster through my mouthful of steak. My hypocrisy only goes so far.  :P

Well, if they could talk, they'd be sapient beings, and completely right. Eating something non-sapient is not the same thing as eating a thinking being. This isn't hypocrisy, it's the difference between apples and oranges.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 09:13:15 PM
@Deadmanwalking
But only if they wrote it down!  :P

Well...I'm just trying to give some benefit of the doubt based on what we're being told. As I said, it just might not be that compelling of a plot point, but it isn't entirely off base.

Eh...I'm going to have to agree to disagree with you on that point. We cannot judge a being as monstrous simply because of its dietary needs. If they could live any other way and CHOSE to eat people then I would agree with you.

I'm not saying we can't murder them on the basis of their dietary needs - survival of the fittest and such. I'm just saying we shouldn't obfuscate the issue by calling them monstrous evils that just HAD to be expunged from existence. Humans want to kill them - to preserve our place as the dominant species, for vengeance's sake, or simply because we can.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on March 02, 2013, 09:26:25 PM
@Deadmanwalking
But only if they wrote it down!  :P

Any of it. Or got it recorded in some way. Or just left certain gaps in the records she can divine it from. The Archive is scary.

Well...I'm just trying to give some benefit of the doubt based on what we're being told. As I said, it just might not be that compelling of a plot point, but it isn't entirely off base.

True enough, I suppose. Still, communication is important.

Eh...I'm going to have to agree to disagree with you on that point. We cannot judge a being as monstrous simply because of its dietary needs. If they could live any other way and CHOSE to eat people then I would agree with you.

That's a judgment on evil, not being a monster (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monster). I'm using a combination of the second and fourth definitions, mostly. There's no moral judgment necessarily implied. Mab's a monster, for example, as is Titania. So's Uriel. And so are the Black Court.

I'm not saying we can't murder them on the basis of their dietary needs - survival of the fittest and such. I'm just saying we shouldn't obfuscate the issue by calling them monstrous evils that just HAD to be expunged from existence. Humans want to kill them - to preserve our place as the dominant species, for vengeance's sake, or simply because we can.

Again, there's a moral distinction between killing non-sapient things and sapient things. And I never called the Black Court evil (I'd actually be inclined to say they are, but it has little to do with their dietary needs, and isn't what the discussion was about anyway).
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 09:39:41 PM
@Deadmanwalking
I like The Archive...I like her gooood.

Oh totally. We can sit back here and look at it objectively and see what COULD have been, but ultimately what matters is what happened at their table. And what happened was, as the saying goes, is a failure to communicate!

But, as I alluded to earlier this is subjective and a matter of perspective. We're all monsters to someone. Thus I feel we should be careful about bandying around such terms if we're to be objective.

I know you weren't making a moral judgement. Ultimately what I was saying there is that people come up with all kinds of reasons to do what they want to do. I just like to be clear that is all those are, justifications for actions and not objective truths.

"I killed the monster because they ate my brother" is a great justification for the action, but just because it ate your brother doesn't make it a monster objectively.

As an aside to this, and I'll put this out to Magicpocket, did the GM delve into this type of debate? What makes a monster, what is human nature, and dealing with alternative perspectives are great themes that I think urban fantasy and the Dresden-verse makes great settings for.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Tarion on March 02, 2013, 09:51:05 PM
You had to spend fate points to get visions that coerced you into doing something neither you nor your character wanted to do?...
Your GM just utterly abused a power to railroad you into something you yourself said is a 180 from your character's personality, and then made you pay for it from your own Fate Points.

I'm starting to think you have a really bad GM.
Honestly have to agree.  It feels like your GM has a plan for where he wants to take the plot, and is going to push you into it. 

I'd be sceptical about this level of railroading in another RPG.  In FATE, it's pretty awful. 
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 09:54:22 PM
Just say NO to railroading!
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Vairelome on March 02, 2013, 09:59:11 PM
Signing on to what everyone else has said: your GM is incompetent, and managed to rape both the DF setting and the DFRPG rules in one fell swoop.  Well done.  He must have gotten up very early in the morning to accomplish all that.

Naturally, YMMV, but I wouldn't play with someone like that.  The situation to begin with was bad enough, but damn, the resolution doubled down on everything that was wrong.  Abusing Cassandra's Tears on top of everything else?  Wow.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on March 02, 2013, 10:02:29 PM
@Deadmanwalking
I like The Archive...I like her gooood.

Oh totally. We can sit back here and look at it objectively and see what COULD have been, but ultimately what matters is what happened at their table. And what happened was, as the saying goes, is a failure to communicate!

True.

But, as I alluded to earlier this is subjective and a matter of perspective. We're all monsters to someone. Thus I feel we should be careful about bandying around such terms if we're to be objective.

I disagree. Many people aren't monsters to anyone. And even those of us who are, by some standards, monstrous, should just deal with that fact, not hide from it.

I know you weren't making a moral judgement. Ultimately what I was saying there is that people come up with all kinds of reasons to do what they want to do. I just like to be clear that is all those are, justifications for actions and not objective truths.

There are objective truths, though. The sky appears blue, I exist, etc. And I'd argue that certain moral statements are objectively true as well: Torturing someone without their consent for your own amusement is wrong, for example.

"I killed the monster because they ate my brother" is a great justification for the action, but just because it ate your brother doesn't make it a monster objectively.

Again, speaking objectively, I think eating exclusively other sapient beings makes one a monster. That's...pretty terrifying and dangerous however you justify it on a moral level. And being truly terrifying and dangerous makes something a monster.

As an aside to this, and I'll put this out to Magicpocket, did the GM delve into this type of debate? What makes a monster, what is human nature, and dealing with alternative perspectives are great themes that I think urban fantasy and the Dresden-verse makes great settings for.

It's an interesting debate, yeah. I don't know if the Black Court are the right creature type to be having it about, though.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 10:12:28 PM
I think they or any other vampire are perfect to have it about. Just look at our debate here. Again though, I think we're just not going to agree on our perspective on what makes a monster. That's fair to say ya?

There are certainly truths that seem to be objective - like the sky on Earth being blue. I disagree that there are moral statements that are objectively true - the example of torture you used is subjectively true to you. To someone else, especially a being of alien intelligence, that might just be what they call Tuesday.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on March 02, 2013, 10:22:41 PM
I think they or any other vampire are perfect to have it about. Just look at our debate here.

The only way to argue that the Black Court aren't Evil is to argue that Evil doesn't exist. Which is a potentially valid argument, but not nearly as interesting as arguing about, say, the White Court or the Fae and whether what they are and do counts as evil even if it does exist.

Again though, I think we're just not going to agree on our perspective on what makes a monster. That's fair to say ya?

That seems reasonable.

There are certainly truths that seem to be objective - like the sky on Earth being blue. I disagree that there are moral statements that are objectively true - the example of torture you used is subjectively true to you. To someone else, especially a being of alien intelligence, that might just be what they call Tuesday.

I'd argue that any such being is evil. The Naagloshii is a good example of precisely this.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 10:37:44 PM
@Deadmanwalking
Evil is a moral judgement and is subjective. I can't argue that you're wrong in your subjective belief on that but I can disagree with the idea of you saying its an objective truth. So we'll agree to disagree - but this was fun!
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on March 02, 2013, 10:48:49 PM
@Deadmanwalking
Evil is a moral judgement and is subjective. I can't argue that you're wrong in your subjective belief on that but I can disagree with the idea of you saying its an objective truth. So we'll agree to disagree - but this was fun!

Yup, agreeing to disagree seems the way to go. And indeed it was.

For the record, I agree that most standards of evil are at least somewhat subjective, I just think a few specific things go beyond that, and are objectively wrong.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 10:56:33 PM
Objectively - no, there aren't.

Are there certain things that we all might NOW subjectively agree are wrong...sure! Going back to the torturing the unwilling for pleasure - I agree with you that isn't right. Doesn't make it an objective truth...but I think you could find a consensus on that among humans.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on March 02, 2013, 11:13:44 PM
Objectively - no, there aren't.

Depends on what you believe the nature of the universe is. And, I suppose, how you'd define objective.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 11:15:14 PM
Oh of course - I was just restating my position on that divide while demonstrating where we have common ground on such issues. I think that's good for us to know since we'll soon be playing together eh?  ;D
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Deadmanwalking on March 02, 2013, 11:17:30 PM
Oh of course - I was just restating my position on that divide while demonstrating where we have common ground on such issues. I think that's good for us to know since we'll soon be playing together eh?  ;D

True, true.  :)

And I never thought for a moment you didn't agree that torture for pleasure was wrong. We were having a debate about the nature of subjectivity and objectivity, not really personal morality per se.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 11:22:17 PM
Agreed!

This actually brings us back around to the actually thread discussion in that COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY and this is what broke down in poor Magicpockets game. See, if he and his GM had a discussion like this Deadman, I think this whole thing would have been avoided.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: blackstaff67 on March 02, 2013, 11:31:37 PM
Regarding Cassandra's Tears:
"Hey, werewolf, I totally saw you and the BCV making out.  Nice birthmark."
"LIAR!  No way you could have seen that!"

"Hey, the Black Court is trying to make peace..."
Nope."
"...with the White..."
"Nope.  Nada.  Impossible."
"Council.  Catherine's making too many concessions."
"(vocalization of a raspberry)"
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 02, 2013, 11:40:30 PM
Hahahahahahahah...that'd have made the whole thing a bit more amusing ya?
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: 123456789blaaa on March 02, 2013, 11:40:58 PM
On the subjective vs objective thing...it's worth noting that in the Dresdenverse Jim seems to be going for Objective good and evil:

Quote
The topic has devolved to Hitler.  As soon as it gets to drugs or Hitler, that's symptomatic of a thread that is about to die (or at least *should*).

I think the points being raised about the relative values of good and evil have merits on either side of the argument.  It's a big, complicated issue--you can tell, because we've all been arguing about it since we got a larynx, and a huge chunk of people on the planet /still/ don't pay much more than lip service to "good."

There's something to be said for identifying good and evil as tags applied to someone else--beauty is in the of the beholder, after all.  It stands to reason that therefore ugliness is as well.  We see something, and we make a judgment.  Is this pretty?  Is this hideous?  We pick an answer, and label it "pretty" or "not pretty."  But not everyone can agree on what is and isn't pretty.  It's subjective to an external viewpoint.

On the other hand, I don't subscribe to the "world of all grays" philosophy, either, because I have Photoshop.  You can make any shade of gray that you want--but as you start changing those RBG values around, take a look at what happens.  Grey goes black WAY before you get to the actual "value" of black.  Technically, yeah, it's grey.  But looking at it, it's as close to black as makes no never mind.

Evil's out there.   People walk into it all the time.  Some of them do it with their eyes open, but the majority just sort of drift down the gradient into the dark.  They're like a lobster being cooked in a slowly heated kettle of water--they begin to lose their sensitivity to the increasing intensity, and before they know it they're breathing through a plastic helmet and choking people to death with their brain.

Apparently, I get philosophical when I'm sleep-depped.

Jim

You can see examples of this in-universe too. Beings like Grevane and HWWB are about as evil as you can get without being cartoonish.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Hick Jr on March 02, 2013, 11:49:41 PM
Hell, Grevane is cartoonishly evil. It'd be amusing if he wasn't so horrifying. Like if Cobra Commander suddenly broke into Joe's base and slaughtered them. The episode ends with Destro and Dr. Mindbender playing soccer with Scarlett's head.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: 123456789blaaa on March 02, 2013, 11:58:14 PM
Hell, Grevane is cartoonishly evil. It'd be amusing if he wasn't so horrifying. Like if Cobra Commander suddenly broke into Joe's base and slaughtered them. The episode ends with Destro and Dr. Mindbender playing soccer with Scarlett's head.

Heh. Yeah.

I will now summarize Victor Sells, Grevane, Corpsetaker, the Naagloshii, Evil!Bob, the snake denarian, and Lord Raith in one sentence:

I AM AWESOME bla bla bla YOU SUCK bla bla bla I LOVE BEING A DICK bla bla bla etc.

It gets kind of one-note after a while  :P
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Mr. Death on March 03, 2013, 12:02:00 AM
Hell, Grevane is cartoonishly evil. It'd be amusing if he wasn't so horrifying. Like if Cobra Commander suddenly broke into Joe's base and slaughtered them. The episode ends with Destro and Dr. Mindbender playing soccer with Scarlett's head.
You ever seen GI Joe Resolute? It's exactly that. ... Well, not exactly, but it starts with one of the Joes being found murdered, then Cobra Commander destroys Moscow while saying, basically, "The gloves are off, assholes."
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Dr.FunLove on March 03, 2013, 12:03:00 AM
@123456789blaaa
Yea, and I fully understand that is what Butcher believes but as a player in that sand-box and as a human being that lives in a world that is appears to be extremely relative, I don't buy into it. In-game, it really depends on the character, but looking on the outside I just don't jive with it.

Butcher is entitled to his belief structure and to write on it. Doesn't mean we all have to like it! I read the Dresden Files despite his moral and religious musings because they're fun action romps that have good internal continuity and utilize mythology in a fun and interesting way for the most part.

I also agree about all the cartoon "evil". People can be dick-bags without breaking it down into a black and white argument. Butcher clearly doesn't think that way though. It's cool.

@Hick Jr.
That is pure gold sir.

@Mr. Death
Sounds awesome!
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Taran on March 03, 2013, 01:54:17 AM
You had to spend fate points to get visions that coerced you into doing something neither you nor your character wanted to do?

Pardon my language, but that's bullshit.

I think maybe your GM misunderstands just what Cassandra's Tears is supposed to do. It's visions of the future, yes, but visions that nobody else believes. It should have been a monumentally difficult task for your character to convince the others that any of those things were true.

This is what I was trying to get to.  It's supposed to complicate your life - give you FP's and put an aspect on the world that can be compelled and tagged at the appropriate moments so that things get pointed to what happens in the vision.  It's a rail-road tool, I suppose, but it requires that PC's get compelled constantly if their motivations are counter to the visions.  Also, as Blackstaff pointed out, when you try to explain the visions people say, "yeah whatever, there, crazy guy."

It actuallymight be fitting for your character to have not done what his character thought he should do.  He got confused by the visions, had doubts about his original instincts,  "What!  Maybe the BCV isn't so bad?"   But man, you should've gotten a FP for every "concession" you made.
Title: Re: Relations between Summer Court and Black Court
Post by: Lavecki121 on March 03, 2013, 04:10:09 AM
Yea, spending three of your fate points to go along with what everyone else wanted is the stupidest thing Ihave ever heard. You should show your group this conversation. Beck have your GM post his rational, because I would really like to hear it.