Gray Lensman
SOC-13
That brings us back to the punish the individual NOT the group point doesn't it. Asked and Answered, Yes?
Spiritualism in the OTU
- Thread starter Sifu Blackirish
- Start date
That brings us back to the punish the individual NOT the group point doesn't it. Asked and Answered, Yes?
Keklas Rekobah
SOC-14 1K
Cult of the Dead*
This "religion" seems to have originated somewhere among the Sword Worlds. Although few in number, the Dead have gained fame for their resolve in battle, especially when faced with overwhelming odds. They fight until either they or their enemies are all killed or incapacitated. While the Dead will take prisoners, any member of the Dead would rather be killed than captured.
The Cult of the Dead is actually a military order, accepting only those who turn their backs on lives of comfort and privilege to embrace lives of hardship, discipline, and seemingly endless drills. They get their name from their induction ritual, which is more of a funerary rite. In it, the inductees read from their Last Wills and Testaments, thus dispersing their personal belongings and giving a final message to their loved ones. Then the Caretakers cloak the inductees in hooded robes and lead them away to "Coffin Ships", which will take them away to their new lives.
While this is a time of mourning for the families, it is also a moment of pride, because from this point on, the inductees are legally dead, having "given their lives" for the Greater Good. Thus, they face battle having already "died" -- at least insofar as their old identities are concerned -- and they have no fear of bodily death. Desertion is never an option -- no one has ever "returned from the dead".
The Dead wear uniforms of black, gray or white. Their heads are shaven, and they wear no jewelry or military decorations -- only rank and rate insignia. While most keep their personal names, they are officially known by their Rank, Name of Home-World, and date of induction. Any previous "Social Identity" numbers died with their old lives. They are implacable in battle, never check morale, and live only to fight, win and die.
(*The Cult of the Dead was inspired by the "Dorsai!" series by Gordon R. Dickson.)
This "religion" seems to have originated somewhere among the Sword Worlds. Although few in number, the Dead have gained fame for their resolve in battle, especially when faced with overwhelming odds. They fight until either they or their enemies are all killed or incapacitated. While the Dead will take prisoners, any member of the Dead would rather be killed than captured.
The Cult of the Dead is actually a military order, accepting only those who turn their backs on lives of comfort and privilege to embrace lives of hardship, discipline, and seemingly endless drills. They get their name from their induction ritual, which is more of a funerary rite. In it, the inductees read from their Last Wills and Testaments, thus dispersing their personal belongings and giving a final message to their loved ones. Then the Caretakers cloak the inductees in hooded robes and lead them away to "Coffin Ships", which will take them away to their new lives.
While this is a time of mourning for the families, it is also a moment of pride, because from this point on, the inductees are legally dead, having "given their lives" for the Greater Good. Thus, they face battle having already "died" -- at least insofar as their old identities are concerned -- and they have no fear of bodily death. Desertion is never an option -- no one has ever "returned from the dead".
The Dead wear uniforms of black, gray or white. Their heads are shaven, and they wear no jewelry or military decorations -- only rank and rate insignia. While most keep their personal names, they are officially known by their Rank, Name of Home-World, and date of induction. Any previous "Social Identity" numbers died with their old lives. They are implacable in battle, never check morale, and live only to fight, win and die.
(*The Cult of the Dead was inspired by the "Dorsai!" series by Gordon R. Dickson.)
captainjack
SOC-13
Very clever. Very clever indeed. Just to let you know, as a result, I hate you and plot your destruction......
Major B
SOC-14 1K
Not to threadjack, here is a link to my post in the Bookshelf thread on SOS From Three Worlds by Murray Leinster. The author makes several references to the potential effects of the silence in overdrive (the author's version of jump) and the background noise piped in the prevent crewmembers from going insane.
I've stolen the idea of the background noise as a bit of flavor for MTU, and now I'm stealing this idea to describe what happens to those who turn off the background noise.
I imagine psions, with their enhanced sensory capabilities, would have a plethora of beliefs. Depending on how deeply underground or how public and open they were, psions would either form small cults, little more than individual covens, small groups of people organised like loose cells, or they would have some sort of back street religion, like the religions of the street kids of the favelas of Rio or the low-rent areas on the wrong side of the tracks in any number of American towns, particularly those towns with a heavy mixture of different races united in poverty and disenfranchisement.
Examples:
- The Sisterhood: An underground railroad of psions, mostly run by females. Originated as an underground railroad for battered women escaping domestic abuse, but has mutated over the years to provide shelter to homosexual teens escaping homophobia and, eventually, psions. More pragmatically - minded than most, the Sisterhood nonetheless considers their mission to be a sacred duty.
- The Lathurin Society: A very low profile mystical order of psions, of mixed gender and race but with two things in common: an interest in psionics, and immense wealth or public prestige. Lathurinites practice their psionics in secret, away from the disapproving public gaze. A deeply secret society, they are dedicated to furthering the cause of psionic proliferation through covert means, such as sponsoring underground Psionics Institutes (disguised as free clinics) and funding private research into psionics on the quiet.
- Trickster's Brigade: Every spiritual culture has its Trickster, and even in the TU various rogues and shady individuals exist who claim to follow some sort of Trickster or Cosmic Clown. The Brigade are a band of merry psions whose psychic practical jokes - hacking public facilities such as transportation or sanitation networks using passcodes lifted from workers' minds, exposure of dark secrets held by prominent politicians, risky use of psionic emotion projection in crowds to spread dissent and break up the mass manipulations of rabble-rousing pedagogues - are aimed as much to weaken anti-psionic prejudice and mitigate the effectiveness of organised psion persecution as they are to raise a laugh. Though some of the Brigade's victims might not find being the butt of their jokes much of a laughing matter at all.
Examples:
- The Sisterhood: An underground railroad of psions, mostly run by females. Originated as an underground railroad for battered women escaping domestic abuse, but has mutated over the years to provide shelter to homosexual teens escaping homophobia and, eventually, psions. More pragmatically - minded than most, the Sisterhood nonetheless considers their mission to be a sacred duty.
- The Lathurin Society: A very low profile mystical order of psions, of mixed gender and race but with two things in common: an interest in psionics, and immense wealth or public prestige. Lathurinites practice their psionics in secret, away from the disapproving public gaze. A deeply secret society, they are dedicated to furthering the cause of psionic proliferation through covert means, such as sponsoring underground Psionics Institutes (disguised as free clinics) and funding private research into psionics on the quiet.
- Trickster's Brigade: Every spiritual culture has its Trickster, and even in the TU various rogues and shady individuals exist who claim to follow some sort of Trickster or Cosmic Clown. The Brigade are a band of merry psions whose psychic practical jokes - hacking public facilities such as transportation or sanitation networks using passcodes lifted from workers' minds, exposure of dark secrets held by prominent politicians, risky use of psionic emotion projection in crowds to spread dissent and break up the mass manipulations of rabble-rousing pedagogues - are aimed as much to weaken anti-psionic prejudice and mitigate the effectiveness of organised psion persecution as they are to raise a laugh. Though some of the Brigade's victims might not find being the butt of their jokes much of a laughing matter at all.
Keklas Rekobah
SOC-14 1K
"The Making of Star Trek" also touched on the idea of a star-faring society needing background noises -- chirping birds, buzzing insects, falling rain, blowing wind, et cetera -- played just below the threshold of perception in order to prevent cabin fever.
So Listeners are inducing a form of sensory deprivation in order to "hear" divine inspiration. I wouldn't be too surprised if a few of those scouts also began to "see" angels ... inside the airlock ... inviting them to go outside for a walk ...
BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
Of course, then there are those like a PC in the last Traveller campaign I ran.
The party had learned that one of the crew (NPC hireling aboard the PC-owned ship) was a spy for the Vilani (Interstellar Wars scenario set in TC space), but wished to defect. The problem was that there was a bomb implanted into her femur... which could not be removed, and which had a timer that had to be reset at her regular debriefings (or she go "BOOM" one day).
The psion PC had teleportation... and teleported the bomb into space outside the ship... while the ship was in Jumpspace!!
Ever since, he will swear "I can tell what jumpspace is thinking"... with a strange look in his eyes while he repeats that phrase 2-3 times.
You see... he barely made the Sanity roll I had him make.
The party had learned that one of the crew (NPC hireling aboard the PC-owned ship) was a spy for the Vilani (Interstellar Wars scenario set in TC space), but wished to defect. The problem was that there was a bomb implanted into her femur... which could not be removed, and which had a timer that had to be reset at her regular debriefings (or she go "BOOM" one day).
The psion PC had teleportation... and teleported the bomb into space outside the ship... while the ship was in Jumpspace!!
Ever since, he will swear "I can tell what jumpspace is thinking"... with a strange look in his eyes while he repeats that phrase 2-3 times.
You see... he barely made the Sanity roll I had him make.
Andrew Boulton
The Adminator
Very clever. Very clever indeed. Just to let you know, as a result, I hate you and plot your destruction......
You and the rest of the universe.
Garyius2003
SOC-13
The Synod of the Arbiter.
The Synod has grown rapidly in several dozen worlds in the Imperial Core region. Most adherents tend to be from the lower classes of world societies. Recruiting by missionaries has been very successful in public assistance areas and among law enforcement reform center populations. To date the Synod members have been overwhelmingly human, despite efforts of outreach to other races.
The primary belief of the Synod is that the Galaxy is sentient and the creator of all life. All Galaxies are also gods, but ours is the creator and lord of all life within it. The Galaxy prefers to be called the Arbiter, and it judges each lifeform within for adherence to its tenants for life.
The center of the Galaxy is also the Center of the Arbiter, the most holy of places—and also the place that it chooses to interact with favored lifeforms directly.
The worship leaders of each Temple on a world elect a World-leader, who serves on the faith’s Guiding Commission. The Commission elects a Leader, who serves for life, and who is blessed with direct revelations from the Arbiter as the Arbiter decides such commands are warranted.
The Commission accepts the donations from Temples and uses the funds to establish important works, such as study colleges, revisions of doctrine, the operation of missionary training colleges, and diplomatic missions and interactions with world governments and the Imperium.
Missionaries themselves are directly supported by wealthier members through a subscription system.
The basic tenants for each lifeform are
1. To be the best at carrying out the design for that type of lifeform. A fish which feeds on plant life does its best by multiplying without wiping out its food sources. A human does best by reproducing within the limits of the local area and food supply, while at the same time extending aid to other humans.
2. Assistance to similar life forms. A plains hunter animal does best when it leaves some food for scavenger animals. A human should assist the Aslan to the extent it does not effect the populations of believer humans.
3. Respect the Arbiter. Spread its message, both through daily group worship and study, and through supporting missionary work.
4. The Arbiter judges each lifeform upon its death, to decide if it is worthy of being reborn as a higher lifeform, or if it is remerged with the Galaxy.
The Arbiter demands from each follower, as they are able to do physically and monetarily, the following:
1. Daily group worship.
2. Study and debate as to what activities would be most pleasing to the Arbiter.
3. Support of fellow Synod members who are in hardship.
4. Reproduction to the extent the member can raise the children successfully.
5. Support of like races who are in hardship.
6. Travel to space to view the Arbiter’s home without the interference of atmosphere.
7. Support of missionaries.
8. Travel to Core to meet with the Arbiter and give a direct accounting of your life.
No member has successfully traveled to the Core, but the faith has dispatched private diplomats to meet with the Zhodani to inquire about transportation of cold sleep berths towards the Core. The trip was planned and funded because of a revelation given to the prior Leader by the Arbiter some nine years ago. The Embassy is believed to have arrived eighteen months ago.
The Synod has grown rapidly in several dozen worlds in the Imperial Core region. Most adherents tend to be from the lower classes of world societies. Recruiting by missionaries has been very successful in public assistance areas and among law enforcement reform center populations. To date the Synod members have been overwhelmingly human, despite efforts of outreach to other races.
The primary belief of the Synod is that the Galaxy is sentient and the creator of all life. All Galaxies are also gods, but ours is the creator and lord of all life within it. The Galaxy prefers to be called the Arbiter, and it judges each lifeform within for adherence to its tenants for life.
The center of the Galaxy is also the Center of the Arbiter, the most holy of places—and also the place that it chooses to interact with favored lifeforms directly.
The worship leaders of each Temple on a world elect a World-leader, who serves on the faith’s Guiding Commission. The Commission elects a Leader, who serves for life, and who is blessed with direct revelations from the Arbiter as the Arbiter decides such commands are warranted.
The Commission accepts the donations from Temples and uses the funds to establish important works, such as study colleges, revisions of doctrine, the operation of missionary training colleges, and diplomatic missions and interactions with world governments and the Imperium.
Missionaries themselves are directly supported by wealthier members through a subscription system.
The basic tenants for each lifeform are
1. To be the best at carrying out the design for that type of lifeform. A fish which feeds on plant life does its best by multiplying without wiping out its food sources. A human does best by reproducing within the limits of the local area and food supply, while at the same time extending aid to other humans.
2. Assistance to similar life forms. A plains hunter animal does best when it leaves some food for scavenger animals. A human should assist the Aslan to the extent it does not effect the populations of believer humans.
3. Respect the Arbiter. Spread its message, both through daily group worship and study, and through supporting missionary work.
4. The Arbiter judges each lifeform upon its death, to decide if it is worthy of being reborn as a higher lifeform, or if it is remerged with the Galaxy.
The Arbiter demands from each follower, as they are able to do physically and monetarily, the following:
1. Daily group worship.
2. Study and debate as to what activities would be most pleasing to the Arbiter.
3. Support of fellow Synod members who are in hardship.
4. Reproduction to the extent the member can raise the children successfully.
5. Support of like races who are in hardship.
6. Travel to space to view the Arbiter’s home without the interference of atmosphere.
7. Support of missionaries.
8. Travel to Core to meet with the Arbiter and give a direct accounting of your life.
No member has successfully traveled to the Core, but the faith has dispatched private diplomats to meet with the Zhodani to inquire about transportation of cold sleep berths towards the Core. The trip was planned and funded because of a revelation given to the prior Leader by the Arbiter some nine years ago. The Embassy is believed to have arrived eighteen months ago.
Keklas Rekobah
SOC-14 1K
The webcomic Phoebus Krumm featured a similar religion, called "Corism", that has split into two factions ...
<Snipped:
Originally Posted by Major B
... SOS From Three Worlds by Murray Leinster. The author makes several references to the potential effects of the silence in overdrive (the author's version of jump) and the background noise piped in the prevent crewmembers from going insane...
>
I imagine one could talk to the K'Kree about piped in noises and such. Seems similar to the effects they use to deal with living aboard a ship in (**shudder**) enclosed spaces...
Originally Posted by Major B
... SOS From Three Worlds by Murray Leinster. The author makes several references to the potential effects of the silence in overdrive (the author's version of jump) and the background noise piped in the prevent crewmembers from going insane...
>
I imagine one could talk to the K'Kree about piped in noises and such. Seems similar to the effects they use to deal with living aboard a ship in (**shudder**) enclosed spaces...
another source of ideas
Anyone interested in a great space opera adventure in a religious setting (or perhaps a setting involving religion?) is directed to seek out the book "Cestus Dei" by John Maddox Roberts.
The book can serve as an introduction to a fantastic adventure or campaign in ATU. (ATU = Any Traveller Universe. I've not seen that acronym used before.)
Anyone interested in a great space opera adventure in a religious setting (or perhaps a setting involving religion?) is directed to seek out the book "Cestus Dei" by John Maddox Roberts.
The book can serve as an introduction to a fantastic adventure or campaign in ATU. (ATU = Any Traveller Universe. I've not seen that acronym used before.)
Gray Lensman
SOC-13
Used alla the time as Alternative Traveller Universe, but since it's basically tthe same we will let you slide (this time, LOLOLOLOL). :rofl:
BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
AnyTU
iron warrior
SOC-12
As far as a pure travelelr religion goes I think that one called something like "The Apotheosians" would be interesting.
The apotheosians believe in bringing about Apotheosis, the literal elevation of mortal beings to divinity thru their own effort.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis
They believe the Ancients achieved this state long agorofl and that's why they're gone (
) now, having transcended the material universe as being of pure divinity. oo
They claim "the government" knows this and deliberately limits technology and science to prevent a new apotheosis as they would rather reign in the moral world that share divinity with the masses. (Sort of a "better to reign in hell than serve in heaven" attitude)
As such, the apothosians violently oppose limits on genetic engineering, cybernetic augmentation, artificial intelligence, etc. believing such to be ways to uplift humanity and achieve apotheosis.
One belief of the Apotheosians is that a true, fully functional AI might become a literal Divine being and uplift it's creators, which is another of their "What happened to the ancients?" theory.
Needless to say, they have violent disagreements with the 3I and other agencies. Nonetheless, they often make a convincing argument for their views by citing the possibility that the Ancients achieved this state in light of the lack on publicly known conclusive evidence to the contrary.
That's a group I might add to some traveller, or other SFRPG, sometime. It fits into traveller quite well as the mystery of the Ancient's disappearance adds some apparent veracity to their claims of the possibility of achieving apotheosis. If you like the idea, have fun with it.
The apotheosians believe in bringing about Apotheosis, the literal elevation of mortal beings to divinity thru their own effort.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis
They believe the Ancients achieved this state long ago
rofl and that's why they're gone () now, having transcended the material universe as being of pure divinity. ooThey claim "the government" knows this and deliberately limits technology and science to prevent a new apotheosis as they would rather reign in the moral world that share divinity with the masses. (Sort of a "better to reign in hell than serve in heaven" attitude)
As such, the apothosians violently oppose limits on genetic engineering, cybernetic augmentation, artificial intelligence, etc. believing such to be ways to uplift humanity and achieve apotheosis.
One belief of the Apotheosians is that a true, fully functional AI might become a literal Divine being and uplift it's creators, which is another of their "What happened to the ancients?" theory.
Needless to say, they have violent disagreements with the 3I and other agencies. Nonetheless, they often make a convincing argument for their views by citing the possibility that the Ancients achieved this state in light of the lack on publicly known conclusive evidence to the contrary.
That's a group I might add to some traveller, or other SFRPG, sometime. It fits into traveller quite well as the mystery of the Ancient's disappearance adds some apparent veracity to their claims of the possibility of achieving apotheosis. If you like the idea, have fun with it.
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BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
The Wiki article lacks a reference.
Stargate (TV series)
Stargate RPG has already been written...
http://www.stargate-rpg.com/
Ascension ring a bell?
http://stargate.wikia.com/wiki/Ascension
