Shadowrun

Shadowrun General => The Secret History => Topic started by: asarualim on <11-27-12/1747:31>

Title: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: asarualim on <11-27-12/1747:31>
Ok, first time poster, relatively new to Shadowrun but 15+ years rpg experiences (mostly I get stuck on GM duty, but whatever).  So I've been reading through the various SR sourcebooks (BTW, I really enjoy just reading them, love the whole Jackpoint posting thing and the way you guys really think about the social consequences of technology, and when I read about how you included prediction markets in one of the books I nearly fell off my chair, I've NEVER run into someone who didn't know about prediction markets outside of serious economics nerds, never expected it in a RPG!) and there is something that is seriously bothering me: why would anyone try to summon the Horrors?

I mean that is what Aztech is trying to do right?  They want to bring the Horrors back to earth early?  This just strikes me as colossally stupid, if you are in charge of a major mega-corporation and basically own your own nation you're the head cheese, you don't invite Cthulhu to dinner.  Best case scenario: he takes charge and you've lost all your power and autonomy.   Worse case scenario: end of life on earth.  Most probable scenario: Cthulhu eats you, spends eternity raping your soul, and the rest of meta-humanity Thor Shots your corp & country back to the neolithic period.

So what am I missing?  Is there something in one of the sourcebooks (references please so I can buy it) that explains it?  Are the deluded and delusional, unknowingly manipulated by the Horrors?  Could they be just extremely short sighted?  Or is this something that has yet to be revealed and the writers are setting us up for a Heel/Face turn?  Or (and I hope this is not true) they are suppose to be our unsympathetic villain that everyone loves to hate?

Thoughts please!
Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-27-12/1830:38>
The only person who really knew is dead. Everyone else has just been making it up as they go along. :)
Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: Wakshaani on <11-27-12/2000:26>
*pours a 40 out for Nigel Findley*

For me, I always figured it was classic hubris. Oh sure, the thing will eat your soul and destroy all that you held sacred ... but *I* can handle it. I've done the reading, looked at the charts, and have it timed flawlessly. The other were just weak where I, *I* have the will to TRIUMPH!

The notes he leaves behind, of course, will be the key to unlocking the secret the NEXT time some yutz gives it a go.
Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: Ethan on <11-27-12/2013:46>
Figured it was a means to an end. If there was a way to unleash the Horrors early, direct them at your competitors, then you've got it made. Others are in it for personal gain, some may be dupes.

Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: TheWanderingJewels on <11-28-12/0746:23>
Well the Cult of the Smoking Mirror in Azltan is being the whole bring Unmentionable Things Here catagory, but a large part of the locals haven't really for a clue as to what they are doing. Throw in the Aztech Pantheton (which has some truly messed up theology), general ignorance of Blood magic goings on, anda Film-Noir Style setting. And you got a combination for potentially explosive rebellion once Word Get's Out.

Most Blood Mages are bent behind the brain, even by Aztlan theological standards. so who knows.

Dollars to Donuts the underground Catholic Church and Amazonia are working to stop this tho
Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: Mirikon on <11-28-12/1129:02>
Just remember that in Earthdawn, even after the Scourge there were Horror cults. Some people think that helping the big bad will allow them to rule over those that are left, and others simply want to watch the world burn. Some are just plain crazy, and have no expectations of living past summoning their 'god'.

The puppetmasters in the shadows of Aztechnology have been working to bring the Horrors over sooner ever since the Harlequin's Back module. The reason Dunkelzhan blew himself up is because the Azzies found and were preparing to use a major magical mojo spot to do Bad Things(tm). The reason Aztlan doesn't get along with any country or megacorp controlled by dragons and immortal elves is because they all know what the Azzies are up to. The fact that the Azzies have gone out of their way to antagonize the dragons hasn't helped, either.
Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: asarualim on <11-28-12/1558:24>
Ahh, I see.  I failed to realize that as Aztechnology is not a monolithic organization but rather internally divided but different factions working towards disparate goals.  So basically the Horror cults are saying, " I, for one, welcome our new extra-planar overlords!"

Thanks for the info and keep up the good work!  Shadowrun is an awesome game, I just wish it was easier to get a gaming group together these days that didn't disintegrate after six months.
Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: Sengir on <11-28-12/1804:45>
I mean that is what Aztech is trying to do right?  They want to bring the Horrors back to earth early?  This just strikes me as colossally stupid, if you are in charge of a major mega-corporation and basically own your own nation you're the head cheese, you don't invite Cthulhu to dinner.  Best case scenario: he takes charge and you've lost all your power and autonomy.   Worse case scenario: end of life on earth.  Most probable scenario: Cthulhu eats you, spends eternity raping your soul, and the rest of meta-humanity Thor Shots your corp & country back to the neolithic period.
If you knew for certain that he will inevitably come over, why not put yourself on good terms with him instead of waiting and dying? Collaboration has always happened.

Quote
Or (and I hope this is not true) they are suppose to be our unsympathetic villain that everyone loves to hate?
Well, that also might play a certain role...
Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-28-12/1938:48>
That would be unfortunate and lazy.
Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: Mithlas on <11-29-12/2100:13>
I think another possibility (hinted at, mind you, I don't think any of us have a certain idea) is that the Feathered Serpents (dragons) there are directing some of these things - there is implication they taught Aztlan blood magic which was thought lost with the swing away from magic after Earthdawn.

Why are they doing this? Well, they (or some) might be corrupted by the Horrors way back in the Fourth World, some might be trying to use blood magic knowing it's in some ways stronger than regular magic and hoping that this will let them make a weapon (or shield) for when the Horrors do come. Sure, it may wipe out all other life, but at least The Mother Country will be left, right? There's a lot of possibilities, but I agree with you that they're all (objectively) monumentally stupid.
Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: Crimsondude on <11-29-12/2235:01>
I recall something was written along those lines by RedBrick or LRG or whoever had the ED license after FASA imploded.

Eh.
Title: Re: Azzies and the Horrors
Post by: Mirikon on <11-30-12/0116:48>
In the Aztlan sourcebook, there is a mention of a shaman who was on a vision quest over Tenochtitlan and saw an Eastern dragon land on the Aztechnology pyramid. The shaman didn't know what to make of the dragon's aura, but from his description, the Big D's 'guests' figured that it was Corrupted. And since the shaman shouldn't have any way of knowing about such things, that made them very concerned.