One of the things Dave did right in TNE was the Ithklur. In their first appearance in classic Traveller, they were hapless victims of the Hivers.
The TNE version was much more interesting. They raised the interesting question of "who was manipulating who"? Is hard core integrity a more effecient manipulation technique than being someone whose society and values can change at the drop of a hat? Are chauffeurs in charge, or are the people who ride in the back?
And why do the Ithklur do things that they know make humans feel uncomfortable? They're not ignorant of human (Solomani) society, so why, exactly, do they do things that bother Solomani humans, like wearing Santa Claus caps? (Of course, those are icons of a particular human society, not of humaniti in general).
Coincidence, of course. Or are they better manipulators than the Hivers?
Like I said, I really like the Ithklur.
Unfortunately, I've never really had a chance to use them in a game.
Who has, and have you ever messed with your players heads while doing so?
The TNE version was much more interesting. They raised the interesting question of "who was manipulating who"? Is hard core integrity a more effecient manipulation technique than being someone whose society and values can change at the drop of a hat? Are chauffeurs in charge, or are the people who ride in the back?
And why do the Ithklur do things that they know make humans feel uncomfortable? They're not ignorant of human (Solomani) society, so why, exactly, do they do things that bother Solomani humans, like wearing Santa Claus caps? (Of course, those are icons of a particular human society, not of humaniti in general).
Coincidence, of course. Or are they better manipulators than the Hivers?
Like I said, I really like the Ithklur.
Unfortunately, I've never really had a chance to use them in a game.
Who has, and have you ever messed with your players heads while doing so?