Anti-Aether, The Great Debate

[Soresu]

Recently, I have been seeing a slew of "Anti-Aether" countermeasure systems. In truth, I've been finding Anti-Aether devices akin to your standard EMP. It knocks out electronics (Which would after a time begin rebooting), or fries them if given a significant pulse. It is not a permanent thing, but one that lasts from a few seconds, to minutes, or extremely rarely (Due to slow Personnel Response) hours.

As it stands, to my current knowledge, Aetheric Denial (Ala Maras) may have been used, once, or twice. I've never really kept track, and care not to. However, I do believe the number to be insignificant, yet the burgeoning "Anti-Aether" Countermeasure thing has been booming (I've only recently begun paying attention to such things as this, since I've more or less not advocated, nor spoken against any of i leaving it to others to do the debating.). As far as I know, there is a few different modes of "Anti-Aether" Devices, and how they work, their properties, after effects and the like. I was wonder if it covers it all, or one set mode, etc etc.

It's not that I can't understand, "Hey, our power source is compromised, we need to find a way to stem this." It's that, the way everything is worded, it is finality (I have also not seen "Anti-Aether" Countermeasure Device pages so I am unclear on how it is done). Does situations involving such a possibility as power failure not provide ample RP possibilities for would be engineers, scientists an opportunity to really shine? To induce a feeling of dread in the reader, and writer that only heightens the feelings of emotional plight one feels for the people in the situation to the point of the reader's interest becoming even more pique'd?

I am not say something shouldn't be done to try and stem Aether's previous track record, but I am asking is it necessary to continue down the beaten path of "It can't be countered."? The possibilities for roleplay are immense and literally untapped. Actively, you could try and uncover ways of trying to keep aether generators pumping energy into a ship ICly, instead of OOCly doing so ripping the chances away for possibly great, and epic RP opportunities. As the GM of a plot, the effects of the Anti-Aether devices of the setting are subject to their whim after all. It just seems a wasted chance for immersive roleplay experience.

It provides chances for a player who plays an engineer, scientist, or just your average joe who gets an idea to have a bit of spotlight, and maybe in the eyes of their peers be a hero, or savant for that subject.

What I am trying to say is, this, this shouldn't be viewed as a wholly bad thing. Something to be feared, or find agitating, frustrating and the like. But one of possibilities. I am not saying it is a good thing either, it is a neutral thing, and is taken differently from person to person. I view it as a chance to approach RP from a different angle, and to dig into a character's abilities, as well as plot element potential. Someone else may find it differently. And, I would like to remind everyone, other sources of power also have something akin to "Anti-Aether" device counterparts.

Anti-Matter has the Electrons, Fusion and Fission, their limited outputs, induced decay, overloading the system etc etc. So in truth, I've not really seen the harm in this, and I would hope others would as well, and at the possibilities offered. The Good, the Bad, The Ugly, and The Entertainment of the players and readers.

 

[Fred]

Ever since around the time the Lorath have been introduced in SARP, a group of people have sort of assembled whom were very critical over much of Wes' work, and also seemed determined to effectively pull the carpet under his favored faction - the Yamataians.

In that vein... Wes has grown tired of that assembly of people threatening him with anti-aether - when the tech has obviously grown beyond the very occasional use for plot purposes - and is determined to restore the playing field to what it was before the technology was introduced.

He also considers Xiulurium shielding more than sufficient to block the detrimental effects of aether denial devices and such.

* * *

From the last time I talked to him, that seemed to be his position and should eloquently portray how he prefers his setting in that light.

 

[Soresu]

In otherwords, what?

I also cannot really understand how Xiulurium, a stealth armor can shield against an AoE (Area of Effect) type thing that deals with a transdimensional dirac sea equivalent source of energy, if Aether draws from a pin pointed source in space, and something were to go off, disruption would occur of the surrounding space disrupting the flow. You would be trying draw water from a faucet that has had the pipe main closed for the time being. If you tried to go a few feet away, the same thing you could effectively side step it by going outside of the area.

It would be akin to an FTL deadzone from how I am understanding it (Not total disruption, something maybe like ECM? Jamming, or White Noise and snow.) from the explanations pulled up from the half a dozen threads I've just sheafed through. It isn't a permanent thing from what I can tell (This, at least is my theory on how it would be done. I maybe completely wrong.) I will avoid a more direct rationale with the above, and stick to what I came in here with which I am apt at wishing to come to some understanding with.

~~~~

If something says it does something on the wiki, that is perfectly fine. However, we, as the GMs of given plots have the power to decern how something that is used against our ships, or people, or what we are using at the time truly works.

I'm seeing opportunities of RP with this, instead of saying "It doesn't work, no, it can't work." OOCly, why not allow people to research, and develop counters to such things through IC means? This also provides the means of explanation for wiki articles explaining the how and why. Protecting one's faction is all well and good, and while this is a serious threat to the prosperity of a given faction, threats are ment to be countered, or met head on. Give it a chance, one scenario I was thinking of before I fell asleep last night could give a half-way decent drop in for researching ways to adapt to "Anti-Aether" devices as they are now.


During the few instances of Aether disruption catalogged or recorded, I am sure readings on output, and information would have been taken. Someone could come across this, find it fishy, or fascinating, and think, "Someone's found a way to counter it." something previous Yamataian science had thought to be uncounterable, a counter an 'Anti' has been found a mode of dampening the only discovered source of power thought to be the greatest. Naturally, it would be a race against time before information on it spreads. People would be pouring over what was found, investigations launched, whole scientific divisions working to find a cure.

But maybe, just maybe a select few, or a single individual could find a means. Through painstaking research, and experimentation. This could provide great chances for people who make these types of characters to really have a chance for greatness, to tap into something previously only a trickle came through. True, genuine, fear. Your greatest asset has suddenly become your greatest detriment something so cataclysmic it could effect your empire or faction so much, it could change it forever. How can this be undone? How can it be changed? Who can do it? How? And by what means?

That is what I am trying to get at.

 

[OsakanOne]

Therefor, wouldn't Yamatai be trying to capture the Maras, not destroy it - to plug their holes?

I'm all for this notion.

 

[Exhack]

I'll be perfectly frank when I say that I can genuinely sympathize with Wes on this issue. People are trying to negate what is essentially the backbone of a faction he's been working very long and hard on, without really thinking of the amount of effort he's put in. Maybe this is because, inversely, the same things were done to them, but that's an argument for another time.

I would oppose someone developing 'spacial normalization' fields that negate space compression in much the same manner.

 

[Soresu]

I, personally choose not to discuss the "I'd be opposed to" game on something regarding someone trying to do something against a faction I play on (Which, is currently very limited). I'd just really rather avoid that can of worms as much as I can. Since I'm not here to thrash, or trash any factions, nor do I have any inclination to do so. And to help avoid it in here in general since it would be refreshing to keep it nice, smooth, calm and level headed as it has been.


Well, strictly speaking, I am not opposed to Aether nor the subject of Anti-Aether (Not saying everything should have an Anti, just I find an untapped opportunity here for the normally overlooked scientist types to really shine, it happened to me in the past, and portions of my character's expertise went on into obscurity, and I wouldn't like it to happen to others). I'm trying to spin what has turned to a sour topic, to something that could provide opportunities to further character development and turn it from a sour subject, into a positive, or provide a possible solution, a way to go about it minus any assumptions that could crop up along the way. "Well, I may negate it, but why can't we have fun with it along the way?" type thing.

 

[Fred]

Soresu, I admit that most of your points I can relate with. Those are opinions I've already expressed to Wes - or close enough.

However, at some point, Wes didn't give out a "I want my faction to be better against stuff" and all that. He instead answered me with an expression of his desires and feelings on the topic. I can not relate with his point of view... but I can relate with his feelings. It gives me insight in how and why he does things; allows me to relate and sympathize with his position.

I'm certain we each have our own virtuoso version of what, or how, we feel SARP should be like... or how it ought to be. Some are also very good reasons too. But ultimately, our roles as Game Masters makes it so that we've been appointed in helping Wes flesh out his vision of SARP to his playerbase. We're often left our own individual liberties to encourage creativity... but it's still Wes' vision we (should) be supporting.

Endline is that Wes doesn't want anti-aether technologies around anymore. If there are any power drains happening, he wants those to happen only for plot purposes (and those preferably few and far between) ...rather than see the tech actively employed, produced, and so forth. This does not deny opportunity in itself because some of that is put into the purview of our attention but this does narrow the basis and scope of how much Wes wants it used.

 

[Soresu]

Except...I didn't say better against stuff. I said why not use this as an IC way of doing away with it. But let some of the factional players get some limelight on it as well by sharing their character's insights on how to do so. I was also of the opinion of it being plot oriented. But, you said it best in an earlier post, some people thought otherwise.

 

[Fred]

Basically, Soresu, you're asking that Wes leave the chance for tech-oriented players to get around the danger posed by anti-aether devices by coming up with their own solutions and then seeing it employed more widely?

It'd make sense.... if it hadn't already been a done deal. *points the Plumeria* Alternate power sources pretty much in part bridge the problem. The rest is KFY's designers work on giving their aether generators 'shielding' to counter it. *points the Sharie* This seems pretty established by the point this enters service.

I don't think that's happening. Wes left some room to wiggle before and only ended up regretting it. Why should he again? My arguments of providing challenges and the opportunities and tools to meet them under adversity certainly didn't seem to sway him.

 

[Soresu]

Honestly, you don't even have to be tech oriented for it. A basic understanding of the setting would work just as well as long as it can be rationally explained.

 

[Fred]

I'm not sure as to why Wes hasn't replied to this yet. I've pretty much said my piece and I hate carrying out debates out of endurance (simply repeating on and on one's point of view until the other side folds).

Wes, please address this and tell Soresu what you want in regards to it, and why you feel so. I've grown quite tired of this sort of silent, cold war you've been having with those you term as the 'Lorath Punks' and I'd like you to come in clearly on the topic and resolve it once and for all. I know your motivations don't revolve only around anti-aether and if you want your problems solved, you're going to have to come forward with them when confronted and express how you feel, why you feel that way, and lay down how you want SARP to be as a consequence.

 

[Soresu]

Wait...what? Lorath Punks? I hope I'm not part of this. I've taken a decidedly very neutral point of view on the topic of this thread.

@Fred: I also appreciate your patience and insights on this. Truly, imo it's been fairly enlightening from one person to another.

 

[Wes]

First, don't take the "Lorath Punks" thing too seriously. It was said in jest and was referring to the OOCly anti-Yamatai, anti-Wes people. Lorath dudes came up because their making anti-aether stuff standard instead of a sparingly used plot device is a prime example of the tech side of that.

Anyway, for a time I was hoping to fade out aether usage...but I gave up on that over a year ago when I found that aether was basically the only power source that could give ships the power they need without dragging around tons of volatile anti-matter.

I have recently been reconsidering the way aether works...basically, I'm no longer sure aether or (anti-aether) devices should have any effect on other aether devices no matter how close they are together...there also shouldn't be aether "waves" that can be detected. I would rather ships detect the heat given off or something.

Now it's very late so I may be rambling incoherently, but here's the important part:

Aether is not only the cornerstone of almost everything in Yamatai, but it's also a key part of the very foundation of the entire SARPiverse. Aether is special. It's like The Force from Star Wars, or the Spice from Dune. It's the defining and unique element of the setting.

 

[Soresu]

Technically speaking, whenever I read about if two aether generators were together, they interfered. I more or less thought of it as less of interference and more of the fact that the possibility of the energy draw for that given "point" in space had the occupied sign on, or there wasn't much flow left over to allow proper function of the other, kind of like trying to fill a big pool up with a garden hose.