Profile for Suspicious Vlish
Field | Value |
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Displayed name | Suspicious Vlish |
Member number | 2245 |
Title | Infiltrator |
Postcount | 522 |
Homepage | http://N/A |
Registered | Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
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Where will G5 be? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Thursday, April 5 2007 22:41
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I think it's reasonable to assume that the game will be set in either Western Terrestia (if the stalemate ending is selected), or the 'Other' continent (if the Rebels manage to overwhelm the Shapers in Terrestia') I also wouldn't be surprised if the Sholai played a major part in GF5. If there is indeed a stalemate between the Shapers and their former slaves, there will most likely need to be an external factor to tip the balance. That external factor may just be the Sholai. To be honest, if I was a Sholai, I wouldn't feel too comfortable about the Shaper Empire, even though they are across the sea. It's been constantly observed (even by the visiting Sholai diplomat in GF3), than the Shapers must control everything. It's inevitable that one day, if the Shapers regain control of their two land continents, they will begin planning for the assimilation of Sholai lands. Spiff quote:Why do you need to travel to the Western continent to face the Shaper Council? I'm quite sure that there is a Shaper Council on Terrestia. From memory, you meet them on Terrestia after finishing every game. [ Thursday, April 05, 2007 22:44: Message edited by: Suspicious Vlish ] -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Which kind of spells do you like. in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Thursday, April 5 2007 05:59
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I've always dreamt of being able to cast Diamond Spray. I remember a mage in GF3 being able to cast the spell, so why not a canister addict? -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Ideologies of Geneforge (4) in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Thursday, April 5 2007 02:21
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Stillness: quote:This has nothing to do with sensitivity. I don't really care two hoots what Emp has to say. It's a free country. However, I won't get lured into a debate with him. It's very time consuming, and nothing is ever achieved. It merely degenerates to Emp pretty much manipulating and re-interpreting the game to suit his pre-conceived axioms. [ Thursday, April 05, 2007 02:30: Message edited by: Suspicious Vlish ] -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Ideologies of Geneforge (4) in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Wednesday, April 4 2007 21:09
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The civilians aren't being targeted... they are merely collaterol damage. Bad luck for them, I guess. [ Wednesday, April 04, 2007 21:52: Message edited by: Suspicious Vlish ] -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Why does Ahkhari... in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Wednesday, April 4 2007 19:01
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IMHO, there was no need whatsoever to have the PC push the button. It would have been fine if Blaze pushed the button, and the PC can decide whether they covertly sabotage the machinery/allow for the Shaping of the Unbound/side with the Shapers in a direct attack. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Which kind of spells do you like. in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Wednesday, April 4 2007 18:58
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Favourite spells? Mass madness, dominate/charm (they are the same spell, really...), terror, essence orbs, ice spray, kill, aura of flames. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Why does Ahkhari... in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Wednesday, April 4 2007 15:40
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Why exactly does Ahkhari allow the PC to push the button to make the Unbound? Why doesn't he just do it himself? Isn't it a little risky to let an 'inferior specimen' meddle with such a delicate project? Or is the Drakon showing the human which fought alongside them as an equal some grudging respect? -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Ideologies of Geneforge (4) in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Wednesday, April 4 2007 15:38
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Sir Spiff: quote:Ahh, fair enough. I see what you're saying now. I still find the comment that 'Shaper society is orderly, hence the Creations and humans oppressed within it shouldn't cause trouble' objectionable. An orderly society isn't necessarily a society I'd want to live in. An orderly society which is rounding my people up for genocide (Nazis = Perfect example) isn't going to earn my support, even if it does bring some people (the Germans?) prosperity. I'd rather take the alternative. quote:So getting someone on the opposition to spy for you counts as diplomacy? So the Soviets would have been engaging in diplomacy with America if they had planted a few KGB agents in the Pentagon? quote:True, he doesn't need your help. But it sure makes things easier for the Shapers if they have a double agent carrying out the dirty, violent work for them. I don't consider employing someone to do the killing for you 'diplomacy'. quote:All that GF4 demonstrated is that the Shapers are willing to negotiate reluctantly with soldiers in the opposing faction, as long as that soldier is willing to sabotage, spy and kill enemies of the Shapers. The Shapers still lack the ability to negotiate with the resistance. Perhaps if they had a 'sit-down' with the humans, Drayks, Drakons, and Eyebeasts, then perhaps they could come to a compromise. At the worst, they could attempt to negotiate a truce. But the Shapers, a supposedly 'peaceful' people, won't do this. Quite simply, the Shaper Empire doesn't thrive on peace. It thrives on violence. They only know how to maintain control by brutally crushing anyone who objects to their totalitarian rule. quote:If that indeed is true, then the Rebellion is achieving its goal, isn't it? If extreme violence forces the Shapers to rethink their attitudes towards non-Shapers, then resistance has been successful. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Ideologies of Geneforge (4) in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Wednesday, April 4 2007 13:37
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SoT: quote:You're making the assumption that nests = eggs. Mice and hares also make nests. Battle alphas have been shown to have nests. None of them are egg laying creatures. ;) -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Are Drakons superior beings? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Wednesday, April 4 2007 04:09
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I'm a lefty ;) -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Are Drakons superior beings? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Wednesday, April 4 2007 03:31
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Interesting. So a human with Parkinson's disease is inferior to a healthy human being? A left hander in the early 1900's would have been inferior to a right hander, because all of the utilities were crafted with right handers in mind? Drakons have been observed to have some ability to use their claws. They can write (clumsily), and they can make canisters. Perhaps the problem here is that there aren't any Drakon sized tools. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Ideologies of Geneforge (4) in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Wednesday, April 4 2007 03:22
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Oh boy. Here we go again. :P Sir Spiff: quote:Not necessarily. A hypothetical to demonstrate why this is so: Imagine that you have a pharoah from ancient Egypt. This pharoah, and his elite guard, use slave labour to build fantastic pyramids and monuments, cities and temples. The slaves are routinely beaten and starved to keep them in line. At the end of every day, they are shackled in an underground prison. You walk down the streets of this pharoah's empire, and you see order, and what is clearly a functioning society. Now, we must ask two questions: 1. Are the people of this Empire prosperous? 2. Is this a civilization you would want to live within? Quite simply, merely because civilization X is more orderly than civilization Y does mean that it is preferable to civilization Y. Also note that life under the Nazi regime, or Stalin totalitarian regime, was quite orderly. Life under the regime in V for Vendetta was also very orderly, with curfews enforced. Would you want to live in those societies? quote:Well, no, that's where you're dead wrong. The Shapers do NOT bring peace. Two powerful arguments to demonstrate why are as follows: 1. The only reason there is peace within the Shaper Empire is because the Shapers have used extreme violence to wipe out all opposition. A 'peaceful' nation does not use extreme violence to maintain stability. The hypocrisy of maintaining peace with war is explored in '1984' by George Orwell. I suggest you read it. 2. The Shapers clearly do not want peace, given that they refuse to negotiate with the Rebellion. Any empire or nation who is genuinely interested in peace would at least attempt some measure of diplomacy with the opposition, before resorting to gratitious violence. As I've stated in the past: The Drakons make peace difficult, but the Shapers make peace impossible. If the Shaper regime were to grant autonomy to serviles, allow Drayks and Drakons to exist, and allow ordinary humans to have a say in the regulation of Shaping and magic, it's reasonable to assume that most popular support for the Rebellion would bleed away in a microsecond. The fact that the Shapers won't do this is very telling. Quite simply, they are a war-like sect which enforces its whim with violence, oppression, and a monopoly of the Shaping arts. quote:The Drakons don't bring peace. Wow, what a surprise, given that they are under constant threat of extermination. What do you expect them to do... lie down and die, so that 'peace' can reign in the Shaper empire? That's the most god damn ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Perhaps countries under Nazi occupation should have laid down their arms, in the interest of maintaining 'peace'. quote:Conjecture. The Drakons haven't been given a chance to govern in peacetime, so it's really not known how they would react. I'd argue that the Drakons have a tendency to be violent and uninhibited because they are at war with a superior opponent who wants to wipe them off the face of the Earth. The Drakons are merely reacting to genocide in a manner which any human race would. With extreme violence and prejudice. If someone first created me, enslaved me, and then targeted me for extermination, I would use any means necessary to save my own life, and that of my race. [ Wednesday, April 04, 2007 03:24: Message edited by: Suspicious Vlish ] -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Ideologies of Geneforge (4) in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Wednesday, April 4 2007 01:28
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Lord Safey: quote:Really? The emancipation of creations is not worthwhile? The right of self-determination for humans is not worthwhile? The right of Drayks and Drakons to exist is not worthwhile? quote:And I see such possibilities as irrelevant. 'Could, should, might, maybe'. Even if the results of a revolution turn out to be unfavourable, that does not change the fact that the revolutionaries fought for a valid cause. An excellent example to demonstrate my point is the Russian Revolution. The revolutionaries had a legitimate grievance against the Czar and his minions. The peasants were starving, and dying in a bloody war. They were shot at by the Czar's troops. They rose up. Sure, 30 years down the track, they had a communist dictatorship. But I'm sure that even you will agree that rising up against their oppressors was the only real option available to the Russian people. The fact that things ended up under Stalin is just bad luck. Quite simply, the Drakons COULD end up being the new Shapers. Maybe, maybe not. But one thing is for certain... the current system under the Shapers is oppressive. So the options are either: 1. The Creations and humans allow things to remain the way the are, where they are guaranteed to be oppressed by Shaper rule. or 2. The Creations and humans fight for independence, with the possibility that another oppressive regime may take the Shapers place. As Emperor once said regarding an alliance with the Nazis... "I can't fight the Nazis while under the bootheel of the Imperial Japanese" (not an exact quote, but you get the idea.) Likewise, the serviles, humans and drayks can't fight the Drakons while under the bootheel of the Shapers. So let's deal with one oppressor at a time, hmmm? Throw off Shaper oppression first. If the Drakons become dominative, then we can work from there. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Ideologies of Geneforge (4) in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Tuesday, April 3 2007 23:20
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I agree whole heartedly with Rebel (more specifically, Taker) ideology. The Shaper regime is oppressive, cruel and callous. The only way that humans and creations will take their free is via force. As for this nonsense about causing chaos. Every revolution has resulted in temporary chaos, which progressed to anarchy, which progressed to a stable form of government. [ Tuesday, April 03, 2007 23:47: Message edited by: Suspicious Vlish ] -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Best PC class? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Monday, April 2 2007 23:12
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I think the problem is that some people here who have played a Lifecrafter attempted to preserve their creations, which is both irrational, and a pain in the ass. You learn better and higher level creations throughout the game, so why bother leveling up crappy creations, which also steal a share of EXP gained? -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Are Drakons superior beings? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Monday, April 2 2007 23:08
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Stillness, that was a fantastic point about the three types of Unbound. I agree that the Drakons tend to be cold-hearted, but only because the situation forces them to be so. Leadership is a heavy burden, and sometimes you have sacrifice your own soundness of mind for the greater good. All generals in any war are sometimes forced to regard their soldiers as 'chess pieces', and consider committing ethically questionable actions in order to obtain victory (ie. The firebombing/nuking of Japan). [ Monday, April 02, 2007 23:09: Message edited by: Suspicious Vlish ] -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Are Drakons superior beings? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Monday, April 2 2007 21:03
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Mor: quote:Quite the contrary! Due to his excessive canister usage, and obvious experience, Monarch was perhaps the best that humanity as a whole had to offer. Answer this simple question. Have you seen any humans, apart from Barzhal and Trajkov, demonstrate the same level of power observed in Monarch? Does the average Shaper possess the ability to make creations such as the Titan, or the Unbound? Due to their canister induced genetic superiority (and to a lesser extent, their innate resourcefulness), Monarch, Barzhal and Trajkov are exceptional examples of an inferior species. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Are Drakons superior beings? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Monday, April 2 2007 18:53
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M: quote:Well, no, it's not debatable as to whether Drakons can control the Unbound. It's revealed consistently that they indeed can exert a significant measure of control over the Unbound. Their control is not absolute, but neither is a parent's control over their child. Whether the Drakons can control the Unbound is not in question. How much control they can exert apparently depends on the individual Drakon, with A. Blaze being the most skilled. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Are Drakons superior beings? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Monday, April 2 2007 14:13
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vld: quote:Perhaps they should hide in the attic, much like Anne Frank... As to the continuous mentioning of the Titan, may I point out that: 1. Monarch did not demonstrate himself capable of mass-producing the Titan. The Drakons are capable of mass-producing the Unbound. 2. I'd argue that the Unbound are indeed stronger. The prototypes you are forced to fight are slightly less difficult than the Titan, and the unfinished Unbound that Blaze uses to attack you if you side with the Shapers is roughly equal in strength. 3. Monarch was not capable of controlling the Titan, whereas the Drakons were capable of controlling the Unbound. [ Monday, April 02, 2007 14:20: Message edited by: Suspicious Vlish ] -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Are Drakons superior beings? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Monday, April 2 2007 05:18
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Still: quote:Huh? Where did I do that? quote:Again, where did I do that? quote:I'm simply pointing out that no known culture on Earth, either in real life or the Geneforge World, has evolved so quickly. And I do feel that in some instances, it is appropriate to draw on real life experiences to make a point. quote:But certain races and groups have been forced into the same situation that the Drakons have been. How much progress did the Jews make during the Nazi genocide? Or the Armenians? How much progress did the various barbarian tribes make during Roman invasion? What about countries under Soviet Russian occupation? Quite simply, it's horrendously difficult to evolve socially and technologically when you're under constant threat of genocide. And yet, despite such adversity, the Drakons have perserved. They have not only advanced as a 'people', they have managed to successfully turn their enemy's technology against them. quote:Well, no. They are a long distant ancestor to humanity. But I guess we're veering off track. Can we agree that humanity most likely could not evolve socially or technologically to the same extent the Drakons have, in such a short period of time? quote:Really? [quote - having science, technology, art, and cultured society. [/quote] Ahh, but you see, that's where you are wrong. Humanity's grasp of the arts, science, cultured society, and technology, evolved over tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of years. Even 'barbarian' tribes conquered by more advanced invaders (the Romans, Western colonialist) took more than one generation to master advanced techniques of their oppressors. quote:Of course Jeff isn't going to mention this stuff in the game, so it really is a blank card. But I'd be rather surprised if the humans in Geneforge sprang out of thin air, with complete knowledge of Shaping, technology, architecture, agriculture, etc. I think it would be reasonable to assume that the speed of their development resembles that of real life civilizations from the Middle Ages. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Problems with Help the Rebels quest. in Geneforge Series | |
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written Monday, April 2 2007 05:01
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You can solve your dilemma by going to Dhonal's and giving the canister to Shaper Danell for destruction. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Battle skills for an infiltrator - why? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Monday, April 2 2007 03:58
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You're right. Baton/sword skills are pointless. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Are Drakons superior beings? in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Monday, April 2 2007 03:55
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Yes, and that's the point. Drakons are willing to evolve as a species, from Drayk to Ur-Drakon and beyond. Every generation is superior to the last, with one or two exceptions (Ghaldring). The Drakons are continually improving themselves. However, only a small minority of humans seem to partake in canister usage, and advance beyond their pink, fleshy inferiority. They aren't representative of the entire human species. If the vast majority of humanity made self-shaping ritualistic, then they'd have a good case for claiming that humanity was equal with the Drakonian race. But until then, as Shodan would say, Barzhal and Monarch are "Remarkable example(s) of a pathetic species". Their superiority isn't propogated on to the next generation of humanity. The human species remains Homo Sapien, and never makes the transition to Homo superior. Perhaps when Monarch and Lilita have children, things will change. In fact, mentioning Shodan has reminded me of a quote from System Shock 2. "With only a few short years of evolution, they've [the Many] been able to conquer this starship, mankind's mightiest creation. Where were we after forty years of evolution? What swamp were we swimming around in, single celled and mindless? What if SHODAN's creations are superior to us? What will they become in a million years, in ten million years? What's clear is that SHODAN shouldn't be allowed to play God. She's far too good at it." Retrieved from "http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/System_Shock" The quote is also apt for the Drakons. Created by Barzhal to be mere slaves and unthinking killing machines for humans, in a short period of several decades, they have evolved into intelligent, introspective, autonomous beings. They are resourceful: They have stolen Shaper knowledge, adapted and improved it for their purposes, and turned it on their former masters. There is ample evidence to suggest that they may even be better at it than their former masters! They have formed a complex civilization, complete with laws and a political structure. They are capable of waging a war against a militarily superior enemy. A new race, after 20 years into its existence, was partially responsible for conquering Dhonal's Isle, primarily responsible for managing to conquer a fair share of Terrestia. For those who smirk at the Drakon's achievements, who claim that they are mere 'posers' with stolen knowledge, what had humans (in the game and real life) achieved after 20 years of evolution? By how much had they improved themselves in such a short time span? How many barbarian tribes managed to successful adopt the techniques of the Romans, and use it against them, in such a short time period? Even the serviles, a highly intelligent race, took centuries to learn just the basics of how to function as autonomous beings. What many people here can't appreciate is the magnificence of the servile, Drayk and Drakon. The very fact that they managed to learn how to function as autonomous beings, despite the fact that the Shapers attempted to shape such desires out of them, is truly remarkable. They overcame an internal barrier which the Shapers erected, which was never meant to be broken. The fact that they destroyed this internal barrier erected by their masters and learnt how to function as autonomous beings is their greatest victory against the Shapers. It is better to die on your feet, than live on your knees. [ Monday, April 02, 2007 04:04: Message edited by: Suspicious Vlish ] -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Useful creations/spells in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Monday, April 2 2007 03:28
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Spiff: quote:Huh? Clawbugs do pitiful damage. -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |
Gazer/Eyebeast Immunities in Geneforge 4: Rebellion | |
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written Sunday, April 1 2007 22:55
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Oh, I've also discovered that ancillary lightning damage does not apply to Gazers (ie. If they are hit by a Kyshakk). -------------------- VIVE LA TAKERS! VIVE LA REBELLION! VIVE LA GHALDRING! Posts: 522 | Registered: Friday, November 15 2002 08:00 |