| Pages: [1] :: one page |
| Author |
Topic |
|
CCP Gnauton
    |
Posted - 2008.07.28 16:47:00 -
[1]
Continuing with the weekly publication of fiction material for your perusal, dear readers, we present you with Masks of Authority, a small look into the strange world of the Caldari mega-corporations' private police forces. Faithfully recorded by myself and illustrated by our skilled cadre of graphic designers, this humble primer will hopefully serve to deepen your knowledge of New Eden just a smidge.
Enjoy. |
|
Kai Zion
The Zion Accounts
|
Posted - 2008.07.28 17:14:00 -
[2]
Edited by: Kai Zion on 28/07/2008 17:21:00
 Originally by: CCP Gnauton
Enjoy.
Oh yeah. I did greatly.
Awesome insight into Caldari society, truly fascinating stuff! The Home Guard/Peace and Order etymology is particularly wicked, as is the "dichotomy" you allude to. I also really enjoyed the closing observations about how the "old era" will fare in these coming times...most interesting. Such cool stuff, I love it. A torrent of information that just built the world up even further, reshaping and reaffirming opinions on issues that haven't been nailed down since conception, all with so many more added shades of grey to play with too. Epic win...thank you Gnauton! 
The idea of a "regional police" has me thinking too. Presumably something along the lines of CONCORD, except on a national scale, which is then subdivided into regional task forces? I wonder if it's like that... i.e. Composed up of various corporation's forces which are scattered across the regions. It's another interesting addition that sparks all sorts of thoughts and questions.
 |
Svetlana Scarlet
Caldari
Caldari Independent Navy Reserve
|
Posted - 2008.07.28 17:34:00 -
[3]
Originally by: Kai Zion
The idea of a "regional police" has me thinking too. Presumably something along the lines of CONCORD, except on a national scale, which is then subdivided into regional task forces? I wonder if it's like that... i.e. Composed up of various corporation's forces which are scattered across the regions. It's another interesting addition that sparks all sorts of thoughts and questions.
I enjoyed it as well, and I hope we get more of these encyclopedia-style entries in the future. I did notice that a lot of this contradicts what is in the novel (though frankly, I much prefer the version presented in this chronicle), but the thing Kai mentions above seems very out of character for them from what we've been told before. Previously, we'd been told that the Caldari State is organized along corporate lines, not on geographical ones; there's no "governor of Jita," for instance; corporate enclaves are controlled through their corporations, which then interact on a national level through the various elements of the State government (the CEP, CBT, CN, and HR). "Regional police" don't really fit in to this unless, I suppose, they are part of the CBT's internal organization. I have always assumed that for all intents and purposes, the corporate security forces maintain supremacy inside all corporate enclaves (which is most, if not all, of the State) and the CBT can only intervene if there is a problem between two corporations.
I also find it hard to swallow that the corporate CEOs would have any reason to hand over control of their military forces to Tibus Heth, considering the prevailing opinion among CEOs seems to be that he can't be trusted and that going along with him is like riding the tiger -- for them to hand over their aces in the hole seems like a stretch at best. On the other hand, this is how I feel about the whole Tibus Heth plotline period, so....
--
CAPT Svetlana Scarlet
CAIN Chief of Diplomatic Staff
 |
Kai Zion
The Zion Accounts
|
Posted - 2008.07.28 17:45:00 -
[4]
Edited by: Kai Zion on 28/07/2008 17:48:39
Ah, but we were only told they weren't organised along regional lines when it comes to things like, to use your example, governance.
It appears that the crucial matter of security deviates from that and is handled on a regional basis. Considering the realities of what security entails, I find that very..hmmm...efficient! Reeks of Caldari pragmatism to me!
Think about it, when you have co-ordination at a regional level you can avoid a lot of impracticalities and hindrances. The Chron highlights the murky swamp that is the local-level political and legal situation. I personally doubt that effective and efficient law enforcement would exist if they came up against that each and every time.
In a situation where you need the various security forces of corporately-owned systems working in concert to share intelligence and the like, and with something as huge as security at stake, I imagine you'd run into trouble. If a borderline system patrolled by only one, decentralised security force observes a Guristas strike force poised to wreak financial ruin upon their competitors, I can imagine them suddenly become distracted by more pressing concerns, like going over their backlog of parking fines!
No...the State would want to ensure things operate as smoothly as possible when it comes to security. Legal and financial disputes don't carry the same potential urgency or need as something like this. I think law enforcement that is defined by the geographical borders, not corporate sovereignty makes far more sense logistically, even if it is, as you've noted, a deviation from the way they operate other key sectors of Caldari society.
Dunno...does that make sense? Does to me 
 |
Dex Nederland
Caldari
Lai Dai Infinity Systems
|
Posted - 2008.07.28 18:40:00 -
[5]
I have to say thank you and much improved over your last one.
Quote:
The Lai Dai Protection Service, meanwhile, are regularly shown to be a group of dashingly handsome tactical geniuses who devise complex original stratagems at the drop of a hat, usually under circumstances of extreme duress.
Quality over Quantity :)
Now I just need to make a short video to that effect...
I am a little confused on the regional police forces, are these part of CBT (which doesn't make much sense) or the CN or an organization we don't know about. The Caldari Customs agents on the gate - who do they belong to? The same organization?
May have to work on setting a pod pilot parallel of the Haadoken Summit. I know there is Isukone Black Watch as well as my corp, who else is out there :)
The last bit I think is crucial, Heth's hold on power is tenuous and he has to continue to tread a thin line; or the Megacorps will remove him from power.
 Founder Heiian Society |
Vendrin
Caldari
|
Posted - 2008.07.28 23:09:00 -
[6]
Bout time we got a nice chron like this. Just pure info.
 |
Logan Xerxes
State Protectorate
|
Posted - 2008.07.29 00:21:00 -
[7]
Excellent read, I love chrons like this!
Quote:
Regional Police stuff.
I'd imagine this is covering things like KK or Ishukone stations in Amarrian space.
|
Dex Nederland
Caldari
Lai Dai Infinity Systems
|
Posted - 2008.07.29 00:42:00 -
[8]
Good point Logan, there are Caldari Corporate stations/assets scattered throughout the cluster, but then what about those foreign corps in State space?
Founder Heiian Society |
Svetlana Scarlet
Caldari
Caldari Independent Navy Reserve
|
Posted - 2008.07.29 04:03:00 -
[9]
Edited by: Svetlana Scarlet on 29/07/2008 04:05:16
Originally by: Logan Xerxes
I'd imagine this is covering things like KK or Ishukone stations in Amarrian space.
Excellent point, I didn't even think of that. I suppose the corporate forces wouldn't have any choice but to agree to foreign jurisdiction in those cases as a condition of doing business.
And Dex, as far as the opposite situation, I'd assume that the Caldari would allow them to maintain their own affairs as long as they didn't threaten other corporate enclaves or nationalized territory (intercorporate waters, so to speak), in which case the CBT or Navy would be able to exert their own jurisdiction -- the same as would happen with any other corporate enclave, really.
--
CAPT Svetlana Scarlet
CAIN Chief of Diplomatic Staff
|
Hurs Sokira
Caldari Independent Navy Reserve
|
Posted - 2008.07.29 04:15:00 -
[10]
THANK YOU. This is SO much better than all the ridiculous FW storylines (not to mention the atrocious "Empyrean Age" book). A simply-written, but imaginative "infodump" is much more interesting and engaging than all the overwrought "drama" we had to endure recently.
Dear CCP, please make this chronicle a first step in return to your original roots. You did not need "tie-in" books and "extreme" storylines to create EVE universe that was so compelling to many players. Several well-written paragraphs, consistent with previous background, set in gritty, yet realistic universe, with a little dash of imagination is all it takes. Leave it to the players to provide the drama.
|
Yoshito Sanders
Amarr
Caldari Independent Navy Reserve
|
Posted - 2008.07.29 04:46:00 -
[11]
I have to agree, more info dump chrons would be awesome.
|
Garion Avarr
Amarr
Zero Zero Traders
YTMND.
|
Posted - 2008.07.29 05:10:00 -
[12]
I certainly agree that infodump chrons are nice to have some of -- and have advocated for having some more -- but I don't think we need to go overboard with them -- the infodumps give us more detailed info on specific topics of interest, but it's the story chrons that give us a picture of life in Eve, that reveal all those little things that no one really thinks about, but that make a universe a universe.
While they don't give large amounts of information about any one particular subject, they give, overall, as much or more info about Eve than infodump chrons.
A balance is what is needed -- and fortunately, it looks as if we may finally be going to get that balance.
________________________________
This is not a signature. |
Myrhial Arkenath
Ghost Festival
|
Posted - 2008.07.29 07:12:00 -
[13]
I can only echo "yay for infodumps". Although the FW crons were informative in their own way as well.
 |
Hurs Sokira
Caldari Independent Navy Reserve
|
Posted - 2008.07.29 23:34:00 -
[14]
Originally by: Garion Avarr
..it's the story chrons that give us a picture of life in Eve, that reveal all those little things that no one really thinks about, but that make a universe a universe.
While they don't give large amounts of information about any one particular subject, they give, overall, as much or more info about Eve than infodump chrons.
I strongly disagree. What use to me, as a player, the information that Jamyl Sarum is a zombie telepath and Caldari CEOs are bunch of perverts? What actions can I take _in game_ to react to that "information"? Note that all that "drama" that was revealed in the novel and FW storyline did not really encouraged players to do anything other than shake their heads in disbelief.
On the contrary, a simple "infodump" fact that Caldari security corps hold regular tournaments has already triggered activity among players, people are organizing similar tournament amongst capsuleer corps. People want to be active part of the universe, not passive spectators, watching some puppets move when CCP pulls their stings.
If I wanted corny storylines and over-the-top characters, I'd watch soap operas, thank you very much. Leave zombies, telepaths and other freaks to "World of Darkness" MMO, where it belongs.
|
Ravin Abai
Amarr
Cruoris Seraphim
|
Posted - 2008.07.30 18:22:00 -
[15]
Cut the *****ing Hurs, we've all heard it before.
This was a good chronicle, by the way.
|
Stitcher
Caldari
Duty.
|
Posted - 2008.07.30 23:47:00 -
[16]
Don't want to hear it, Hurs. Some of us like stuff that's of no practical use. Hence; Ambulation.
Personally, I like both types. Imagine how much fun it must be to be me.
Good Chronicle, btw. I do have one question, though.... "Haadoken"?
-
Lt. Verin "Stitcher" Tarn-Hakatain. |
Avel Kereka
Amarr
The Aegis Militia
Aegis Militia
|
Posted - 2008.08.01 05:41:00 -
[17]
Top-notch stuff.
 |
Garion Avarr
Amarr
Zero Zero Traders
YTMND.
|
Posted - 2008.08.01 08:10:00 -
[18]
Originally by: Hurs Sokira
Originally by: Garion Avarr
..it's the story chrons that give us a picture of life in Eve, that reveal all those little things that no one really thinks about, but that make a universe a universe.
While they don't give large amounts of information about any one particular subject, they give, overall, as much or more info about Eve than infodump chrons.
I strongly disagree. What use to me, as a player, the information that Jamyl Sarum is a zombie telepath and Caldari CEOs are bunch of perverts? What actions can I take _in game_ to react to that "information"? Note that all that "drama" that was revealed in the novel and FW storyline did not really encouraged players to do anything other than shake their heads in disbelief.
On the contrary, a simple "infodump" fact that Caldari security corps hold regular tournaments has already triggered activity among players, people are organizing similar tournament amongst capsuleer corps. People want to be active part of the universe, not passive spectators, watching some puppets move when CCP pulls their stings.
If I wanted corny storylines and over-the-top characters, I'd watch soap operas, thank you very much. Leave zombies, telepaths and other freaks to "World of Darkness" MMO, where it belongs.
I suppose I did not explain myself properly. What I meant was that story chrons, in the course of the narative, reveal those ordinary everyday things that everyone who lives in a world would know about, but that we would never know about, because we don't live in the universe, our characters do. Things that aren't important enough to have an infodump about them, but that make the universe 'real.'
Like stations simulating seasons and having a fair reproduction of planetary conditions in some areas, plus a dozen little tidbits.
Or various little peices of Amarrian culture, and racing.
Or that the Amarrians consider looking old to be a good thing, plus many more little things
Ect.
The point is, while the story itself isn't particularly useful for RP, and the plot is usually of no value to our characters, the telling of a story incidentally reveals many things that are useful to RP, things that we would never learn from infodumps.
________________________________
This is not a signature. |
Conrad Davanev
Caldari
|
Posted - 2008.08.03 07:21:00 -
[19]
Whilst I prefer the infodumps there is nothing wrong with having some fiction, as altready said they add little bits of background detail we would not get from infodumps and are a good way to establish atmosphere.
I think some of the negativity comes from the recent faction war stuff which some of find out of character with the previously established universe and too polarizing in terms of "Caldari/Amarr evil, mini/Gallente good".
That said this last piece was good, solid information.
|
Veron Daerth
Amarr
Blood Meridian
|
Posted - 2008.08.03 21:43:00 -
[20]
Completely agree with the "infodump = yay" crowd. That said, the various story chronicles do add good background info. What really ... irritates me is when people use the various things in the chronicles to illustrate an RP point and then expand that point to encompass the entire nation.
Example. People could take this story, and then go on to say that all holders in the empire are sadistic, psychotic, introverts that enjoy having little children cut in half and to torture random people from their vassals and such. Frankly, you cant build a society with those kind of people in total control. Certainly not one that has lasted as long as the Empire is supposed to have.
There are a lot of EvE Chronicles that have small things and details about each nation that, while pertinent to the chronicle, not so pertinent to the entire nation or culture. I wont even touch the book, which my friend Dylan read and promptly told me to never look at if I valued my Amarrian self image. It seems Mr. Gonzales was a bit.... linear ... in his appreciation of how the societies of EvE are built.
|
Stitcher
Caldari
Duty.
|
Posted - 2008.08.04 01:53:00 -
[21]
Edited by: Stitcher on 04/08/2008 01:54:21
Originally by: Veron Daerth
There are a lot of EvE Chronicles that have small things and details about each nation that, while pertinent to the chronicle, not so pertinent to the entire nation or culture. I wont even touch the book, which my friend Dylan read and promptly told me to never look at if I valued my Amarrian self image. It seems Mr. Gonzales was a bit.... linear ... in his appreciation of how the societies of EvE are built.
I disagree with your friend, but this discussion really is getting old. While I agree that the novel was written from what I would tend to call a "Gallente" perspective, it's not half as unkind towards the Amarrians as some of its more loudmouthed critics (no offense, Dylan) are making out.
It's not like they're all portrayed the same way. Just don't make the same mistake that most people seem to have made, and assume that Chamberlain Karsoth represents the character of his entire culture. Focus on the lesser Amarr characters instead.
-
Lt. Verin "Stitcher" Tarn-Hakatain. |
| Pages: [1] :: one page |
| First page | Previous page | Next page | Last page |