More alternate ancient history:
> >In the beginning the Droyne were a more or less normal race.
>
> Please define "normal" in this context. Are you assuming that "normal"
> really means "like us"?
If you by 'us' mean Vargr, Aslan, Hivers, K'kree, Prt', Brin, Phins,
Bwaps, Vilani, Solomani, Zhodani and so on, then, yes, I assume that
normal means like us:)
The trouble with Droyne is that there is no Droyne psycology beyond what
is dictated by the casts(1). I've looked in the Droyne Alien Module, I've
talked to TML'ers who have played Droyne and I've read several adventures
involving Droyne, and nowhere is there a sign of any Droyne psycology.
In absence of any psycology apart from the casts, people tend to let them
behave like humans, plus the cast, and this is obviously wrong since they
isn't humans. But the alternative seems to be to let them behave like
casted clones.
Note that I don't question the existance of a species of casted clones, I
don't even question the existance of a sentinent race of casted clones
(although I think it is unlikely), but I do question that they would develop
to more than low TL0. (2)
My suggested explanation is that the pre-grandfather Droyne had casts, but
that those casts were social constructs and not biologically determined.
What Grandfather did when he had the technology to do so was to turn these
social constructs into biological determinism, probably through breeding
programs and genetic manipulation.
The reason for this was that he wanted to cement his position as supreme
dictator-for-life over the Droyne. Originally, before the war, he probably
controlled the casting through chemicals since his psicom required a very
high TL.
[Rather nasty setup: either the Droyne would become semi-intelligent
chirpers or they would become casted clones working for the glory of
Grandfather]
Unfortunately, by removing their psycology he also removed the qualities
that he needed in assistants, which is why he started on children and
grandchildren, and Vargr, and Humans and whatever.
After the war and Grandfathers withdrawal all Droyne became chirpers
(naturally) until he ventured forth and found all there chirpes colonies
scattered all over charted space.
For some unknown reason, 'conscience' is right out considering his previous
actions against the Droyne, he installed functions in psicom to handle the
casting and instituted the sport-class to replace himself.
> ---Steve
(1) Except for the sports, of course, but they seem to be a post-war
development.
(2) According to the sources, the Droyne were far above TL0 when Grandfather
appeared.
- -bertil-
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