User talk:MJ12 Commando
Caste System Analysis
This uses two and four caste systems at varying transgenic levels for an analysis.
Low End: Alpha+ vs Replicating Option
Alphas with Int are +1 phys/+1 rea/+1 int/+1 soc, vs 4xcastes with each one at +1.
Alpha+s cost 26*4 = 104, vs 4x castes costing 12 (for phys and soc) or 14 (for int and rea).
Total cost is 54 for option #2, for identical civilian bonuses, before transgenic tech index is factored in. Assuming the lowest possible transgenic tech index (of 2), the total cost is 96 for an Alpha+ versus 18 for four castes.
Conclusion: Caste system needs to be nerfed into the ground. Suggested penalty: -1 morale for each caste past the first. This roughly equalizes a four-caste replicating spread with the actual transgenics via dot cost (the Alpha+ costs 5 transgene +s, the replicating spread costs 1).
High End: Dawn+ vs Replicating Option=
Super Dawnies are +3 in everything, vs 4x castes with each at +3.
Super Dawnies cost 90*4 = 360, vs 4x castes costing 42 (phys/soc) and 48 (int/rea).
Total cost for option #2 is 180, or a difference of 9 pluses. Factoring in Dawn transgenic technology (-10 cost break) the difference is 100 for the castes versus 320 for the unified template.
Conclusion: Caste system is probably more powerful than the low end suggests as transgenic benefits increase. As it stands, there is literally no reason to take a non-caste system due to the incredible benefit granted by caste system.
Transcendence Planning
Hellas Party
For: Acatalepsy, FBH, Phantom Llama, Guest Starring Yhor and Wynia and the other two Valkyries (and whoever wants to come)
The Shining Star of Mytilini has been invited to perform by the Tyrant of Neo Kordelio, and like always, her concerts are a sight to behold. What the Tyrant doesn't realize is that she's written a 20 minute long diatribe on all of his shortcomings, physical, mental, and political. Either way, the look on his face will be entertaining.
What Sappho doesn't realize is that there's no less than two dangerous terrorists running around who have seen her as a very useful bargaining chip... or propaganda tool.
And taking out the "Tenth Muse" is a rather telling psychological blow for those who wish to strike a blow against divine rule, like Santiago. Look at the favored of the gods. Watch as the gods fail to lift a single finger in her protection. Now do you understand what your masters are?
Oh, let's not forget. There are two Valkyries in full battle rattle and a dark elf with a gigantic axe ready to crash this party too. The pyrotechnics here won't solely be limited to the stage.
Men of Midgard
For: Norseman, Liam-Don, Bossmuff, Kyoki
Good news, you three. Odin's incredible tracking and signals intelligence skills have found you your latest quarry. Normally you should be choosing the slain in a less direct sense, but Freyja doesn't issue you that pretty golden power armor and those multi-lances for kicks you know. And it's rare for one of the Svartalfar Dark Elves to get any opportunity to get out of those dark forge caverns. :(
Odin's tracked him and his rogue Valkyrie trainee down to a planet in the Hellenic arm, Neo Kordelio. Try not to make too much of a scene if he refuses to surrender to the judgement of the Aesir.
Task Force Tiamat
For: Entropy, Mad Wookie, Hollewanderer, Duneczan, Kensai
The recent Tiamat raids on Marduk space have integrated Naga technology in their design. Normally Marduk would wish to handle this alone, but a coalition threat is possibly problematic. For now.
Additionally, some suspect that someone had to have a hand in the underworld to bring Tiamat back. The Vistulans might know a bit about this, and as a bonus, the farther away Boleslava is from Veles, the less likely she's going to get hit by a redirected meteor from the giant cyborg dragon-god.
On The Jade Emperor's Secret Service
For: Andronicus, LineArk/Exhack, Megaguiras, Oseng, Fivemarks, Aeon
A rogue Hashmalan assassin and a djinni warrior have assassinated a middle-ranking planetary bureaucrat presiding over a planet on the Hashmalah-Tian borders. Apprehend him and bring him to the justice of the celestial bureaucracy.
What that "rogue" assassin and his buddy do know and you don't was that the bureaucrat was under the corrupting influence of Ahriman. Try to find a way to prove your innocence, you two. Without a significantly larger bodycount. You are working for Ormazd here.
The Empire Building Coalition
For: Shrike, Silence, General G, Arc
The gods don't care too much about random conquest as long as you make sure to keep their temples intact and pay them proper trible. You've got a merry band of pirates, tyrants, and captains. There are plenty of planets ripe for the taking.