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Well, I'm back. My appointment went pretty well. At least nobody wound up drunk and no shots were fired. But I digress...
When considering SE aspects of the "Forgotten Faction", I'm still a little puzzled myself on what those should actually be. Definitely a plus on both morale and growth. If we follow the stereotype for people like this, i.e., a bit on the lazy side, then that might translate into a minus on industry. However, I don't think the stereotype applies all that well.
I hadn't thought much about "Planned" economy, but I think Jakjon is correct on that. Neither "planning" nor efficiency seem to be real high at the moment. Nor do I know if efficiency is going to change much. Planning most probably will remain at some state near to chaos.
Research actually has me a bit puzzled. I honestly can't say at this point whether there is a strong aversion to "book learnin'" or simply a lack of opportunity. They are actually going to do a little bit of work along those lines throughout the course of the story, but not in a "formal environment" such as a university or research center. But they are very curious and like to "figger things out". If the Believers are a "-2" on Research because of a strong distrust or antipathy toward "worldly science", then at worst I would give the "Forgotten Faction" no more than a "-1". Also, I don't think I would stick them with the inability to choose "Knowledge".
I hadn't thought about their optimal Values setting until you raised the question. Actually, I don't think any of the game settings, Power, Knowledge, or Wealth, apply as desired settings or aversions either one. That probably makes them a hybrid faction. Usually, the warmonger and builder factions have particular values settings they either want or avoid. Usually, the hybrids can move among the three with equal ease, depending on the situation.
At this particular point, I would be inclined to give them a "-1" for efficiency and a "-1" for police. This could be a particularly troublesome combination at the beginning of the game, especially as they tried to expand. I would give them a "+2" for growth, a "+1" for morale, and possibly a "+1" for support. I think I would accept any political setting, but give them an aversion to a Planned economy (actually, the more I think about it, the more "correct" that sounds). If they get a "+1" for support, I might be inclined to give them a "-1" for research. I'm not sure I would alter any of the other settings.
The other interesting questions are: (1) What is their research agenda? (2) What starting tech? (3) Are there any favored SE settings? (4) What is their personality?
I'm not sure I have a clue on how to answer these questions yet, except to say they are definitely erratic in personality. As far as starting tech, I would probably choose Social Psych, so they can build a Rec Commons fairly early. They haven't done much Exploring, Building, Discovering, or Conquering, so maybe they should use double-blind research?
As soon as we get this nailed down, I shall be forced to go into the faction editor, build them, and then play them a while. From the storyline, the factions that they will be most involved with are: Spartans, UoP/Cyborgs (pick one), Morganites, Usurpers, Caretakers, and Believers. That will be a pretty decent mix.
Any other thoughts or comments?
A couple of comments on chapter 5:
There actually is (or was) a town in West Virginia named Stonecoal.
The character of "Gayle Storm" was outlined the way she was written from the very beginning, though the name was selected from the forum. The name is an alias for the (in)famous "Googlie". Her assistant, Paula Forbes, was originally outlined as a male character, but I changed the gender to female so I could use the name "Paula Forbes", which is another penname for "Googlie". This in effect makes Googlie Googlie's assistant, and that was just too good to pass up. We'll have to see if this has strange psychological ramifications of some sort.
The Progenitor character was unnamed, and the name selected just seemed perfect to me. I would bet that Jakjon never saw that coming.
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Old age and treachery: the perfect cure for youth and ambition...
When considering SE aspects of the "Forgotten Faction", I'm still a little puzzled myself on what those should actually be. Definitely a plus on both morale and growth. If we follow the stereotype for people like this, i.e., a bit on the lazy side, then that might translate into a minus on industry. However, I don't think the stereotype applies all that well.
I hadn't thought much about "Planned" economy, but I think Jakjon is correct on that. Neither "planning" nor efficiency seem to be real high at the moment. Nor do I know if efficiency is going to change much. Planning most probably will remain at some state near to chaos.
Research actually has me a bit puzzled. I honestly can't say at this point whether there is a strong aversion to "book learnin'" or simply a lack of opportunity. They are actually going to do a little bit of work along those lines throughout the course of the story, but not in a "formal environment" such as a university or research center. But they are very curious and like to "figger things out". If the Believers are a "-2" on Research because of a strong distrust or antipathy toward "worldly science", then at worst I would give the "Forgotten Faction" no more than a "-1". Also, I don't think I would stick them with the inability to choose "Knowledge".
I hadn't thought about their optimal Values setting until you raised the question. Actually, I don't think any of the game settings, Power, Knowledge, or Wealth, apply as desired settings or aversions either one. That probably makes them a hybrid faction. Usually, the warmonger and builder factions have particular values settings they either want or avoid. Usually, the hybrids can move among the three with equal ease, depending on the situation.
At this particular point, I would be inclined to give them a "-1" for efficiency and a "-1" for police. This could be a particularly troublesome combination at the beginning of the game, especially as they tried to expand. I would give them a "+2" for growth, a "+1" for morale, and possibly a "+1" for support. I think I would accept any political setting, but give them an aversion to a Planned economy (actually, the more I think about it, the more "correct" that sounds). If they get a "+1" for support, I might be inclined to give them a "-1" for research. I'm not sure I would alter any of the other settings.
The other interesting questions are: (1) What is their research agenda? (2) What starting tech? (3) Are there any favored SE settings? (4) What is their personality?
I'm not sure I have a clue on how to answer these questions yet, except to say they are definitely erratic in personality. As far as starting tech, I would probably choose Social Psych, so they can build a Rec Commons fairly early. They haven't done much Exploring, Building, Discovering, or Conquering, so maybe they should use double-blind research?
As soon as we get this nailed down, I shall be forced to go into the faction editor, build them, and then play them a while. From the storyline, the factions that they will be most involved with are: Spartans, UoP/Cyborgs (pick one), Morganites, Usurpers, Caretakers, and Believers. That will be a pretty decent mix.
Any other thoughts or comments?
A couple of comments on chapter 5:
There actually is (or was) a town in West Virginia named Stonecoal.
The character of "Gayle Storm" was outlined the way she was written from the very beginning, though the name was selected from the forum. The name is an alias for the (in)famous "Googlie". Her assistant, Paula Forbes, was originally outlined as a male character, but I changed the gender to female so I could use the name "Paula Forbes", which is another penname for "Googlie". This in effect makes Googlie Googlie's assistant, and that was just too good to pass up. We'll have to see if this has strange psychological ramifications of some sort.
The Progenitor character was unnamed, and the name selected just seemed perfect to me. I would bet that Jakjon never saw that coming.
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Old age and treachery: the perfect cure for youth and ambition...
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