Star Vikings

 I used to wonder how people managed to post the same message twice, well
now I know- As I posted this message the first time the network failed big
time and I never got a reply, so I'm trying again... sorry if you read/
ignore it twice, VERY sorry if you pay to use Internet. I'll go now...

Re: Path of Tears
  As Allen? Shock pointed out, the RCES are now described as a reasonably
"peaceful" and diplomatic group. You could always guess that it was
the intention of GDW to paint them in a good light, it was just that
all the previous descriptions of the Chicken Stealers in TNE tended
to show their "Ubermensch" (sp) attitude. Those who considered the
RCES to be self-serving totalitarian evangelicals trying to force
people to accept their twisted morality... certainly had a point-
but they never thought that was the whole story.
  I think it's good that they HAVE finally shown the nice side of the
Star Vikings in more detail, and Path of Tears sounds a good book-
I would have difficulty running the RCES as good guys with the info
in TNE, and I do want to hear about it, for the following reason...
  As Traveller as gone on, it has certainly made it a tradition to
show both sides of the story for every society- it was always at the
GMs discretion whether to use good/bad (Zhodani/Solomani/K'Kree etc)
or simply "tell it as it is" and let the PCs decide, so doing the
same for the RCES is to be expected
  (and BTW- the two sides certainly applied to the Third Imperium,does
anyone remember how nasty it seemed in Adventure 1- The Kinunir?)

   Here's a big hello to the new, improved, nicer RCES. Some have been
using them from the start, some just wanted a bit more evidence than
that given in TNE.

  And, Allen, it's a bit unfair to knock T:2000 to defend TNE- the
time in T:2000 is ALSO a time of rebuilding when looked at in an
optimistic way- most of the scenarios are "Help these people/ Do this
Mission because it will help to rebuild society"  it's just that most
of the time this involves breaking heads. Looked at that way the basic
TNE "smash and grab" missions do sound like T:2000 in space. TNE is
certainly "Dark" in the sense that things are still unpleasant out
there, the problem is where PCs use this as an excuse to be amoral
mercenaries, which isn't the intention even in many other games that
have been labeled "Dark" (maybe so they will sell).
- -  fortunately in TNE it is clearly stated that the goal is to
improve things (This is not too different to other "Dark" games-
Mike Pondsmith got fed up of PCs refusing to act as the heros he
expected in CP2020 so he wrote CyberGeneration, which says
clearly "things are bad, you have to improve them". TNE isn't out
there on it's own).
                    ------------------------------------

and Simon Hibbs pointed out...
>As for the 'TNE is a load of crap' versus 'TNE is as good a background as
>any' debate. I realy don't give a toss. I will continue to buy what I want,
>raid for useable material then run whatever kind of game I like. Why can't
>everyone else just do that same and stop slaging off each other's campaign
>background.

  I think that pretty much says it all.
  (but I still think it was a good question for discussion)

  and finally, for David Johnson-
      Star Vikings are what people call the RCES when they first arrive
      Arses are what people call the RCES when they have left
      Sir is what people call the RCES once they arrive to stay
      Regency is the new name for the Domain of Deneb, with slightly
      more democratic government and legal psionics. Norris set it
      rolling and was first Regent.
                                 I cann't believe I defended T:2000

                                             Anthony K.
                              (someone must have been telling lies about me)