31 March 2011

Back to the future (again)

I am making some headway on Starry Messengers. I have the five pairs of words which will make up the transitions and I think I have a way to make this meaningful.
The Five pairs of character foci (I have no idea what to call them)
Sword / Gun
Myth / Invention
Guild / Patron
Church /  State
Country / City
My thinking now is that I want each word you choose to allow access to a set of skills. As a result of this I am thinking about the character types so I can make sure that the skill bits I want are all represented. I was wondering if you would mind helping me think about the clockpunk versions of the Cyberpunk character classes.
Here is a list from wikipedia
Role Description Special Ability
Cop Maximum lawmen on mean 21st century streets Authority
Corporate Slick business raiders and multi-millionaires Resources
Fixer Deal makers, smugglers, organizers and information brokers Streetdeal
Media Newsmen and reporters who go to the wall for the truth Credibility
Netrunner Cybernetic computer hackers Interface
Nomad Road warriors and Gypsies who roam the highways Family
Rockerboy Rebel rockers who use music and revolt to fight authority Charismatic Leadership
Solo Hired assassins, bodyguards, killers, soldiers Combat Sense
Techie Renegade mechanics and doctors Jury Rig/Medical Tech

Role - Description  - Special Ability
Cop - Maximum lawmen on mean 21st century streets  - Authority
Corporate - Slick business raiders and multi-millionaires  - Resources
Fixer - Deal makers, smugglers, organizers and information brokers - Streetdeal
Media - Newsmen and reporters who go to the wall for the truth - Credibility
Netrunner - Cybernetic computer hackers - Interface
Nomad - Road warriors and Gypsies who roam the highways - Family
Rockerboy - Rebel rockers who use music and revolt to fight authority - Charismatic Leadership
Solo - Hired assassins, bodyguards, killers, soldiers  - Combat Sense
Techie - Renegade mechanics and doctors - Jury Rig/Medical Tech

How do you see the clockpunk versions of these as different from the ones we grew up on? I don't yet see a "NET" in the game which is funny because I first thought about it in the context of Traveller, which doesn't have a net. I see the corporate as the secret societies having moved into the light in the change. that sort of thing. I don't want to influence you too much.

1 comment:

  1. Cop = Soldier/Guard
    Corporate = Banker/Merchant
    Fixer = Factor/Smuggler
    Media = Inquisitor/Reformer (e.g., Torquemada, Luther)
    Netrunner = Occultist (e.g., John Dee)
    Nomad = Vagabond
    Rockerboy = Minstrel
    Solo = Mercenary (condottiere, Landsknecht, etc.)
    Techie = Artist/Inventor (e.g., DaVinci)

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