The Technocracy-Vagrant Question

[Zephyranthes]

Expanding upon the point laid out prior, I want to further elaborate on the Vagrant perspective in this matter, as well as touch upon broader questions of our identity.

At present, I do not think it is unreasonable to claim that the Vagrants are one of the more esoteric, misrepresented and difficult to understand factions in the mod. Several of our materials are outdated and much of what exists ingame and has occurred through story is incomplete at best. Admittedly, a fair amount of these issues rest upon my own head as leader of the official player faction. I have endeavored to try and write new material for the group, though life issues and my own inability to properly complete these projects has stymied progress. I apologize for this.

What Vagrants have evolved into among our smaller playerbase is a bit at odds with the traditional interpretation of Nomads by the majority of the playerbase. The ingame description specifies that they are a separate mindshare from the Omicron-based Nomads, are in possession of jump technology, and are known to cut deals and collaborate with humans when the need arises. The consequences of the first point and the rationale behind the third point are ill-defined by readily-available resources.

Essentially, Vagrants' experiences away from Sirius and returning to Sirius have forged a new perspective and divergent evolution. Forced to confront the fact that their attempts to oust humanity through force of arms and traditional infiltration had failed, along with needing to adapt to adverse conditions away from the cradle designed by their creators, the Vagrants had to examine how and why humanity was able to overpower them. Pain and hurt and fear all play a role in the Nomad hatred of humans, but with Vagrants, forced into a position where they lacked material support from other Nomads and butted up against humanity, they needed to understand their enemy. Figure out what makes them tick. The natural consequence of such inquisition and investigation is the development of nuance and deliberation, oftentimes, leaving the Vagrants in a puzzling position. They decided playing the diplomatic and political game, rather than the pure manipulation and bloodlust they once knew, might be an effective alternative.

This does not mean their violence has completely evaporated and they became magically friendly Nomads, however. The Vagrants still long to grow, adapt, and pick up the pieces of their forebears' legacy. Humans sit atop this legacy, clumsily exploiting it and risking both its destruction and further untold damage. As such, to often prevent the loss of this legacy, preempt human possession of it, or mere defense (reactive self-defense or preemptive strikes), violence can be the most effective tool. Greedy human exploitation, such as that seen in Earhart, the artifact trade, or crude and dangerous usage of DK tech (human jump drives, adapted blasters, etc.), is often a flashpoint for Vagrant attacks.

This ultimately leads us to Vagrant-Technocrat relations and Vagrant dealings with others as a whole. Technocrats, generally, are a lot better about being mindful with technology and cataloging it, and both groups collaborate on certain scientific endeavors where a human or Nomad perspective can offer new paths. There were no attempts made to subvert or possess the Technocracy, nor did the Technocracy ever provide military or substantial material aid to the Vagrants. Their relationship has had a rather gray status since its inception. This requested change is less of a reversal or change in stance as much as it is a clarification of the present state of affairs.

Vagrants, in studying humans and their workings, understand the importance of good faith and trust in any potential working relationship. Constantly attempting to subvert, trick, or alter the dynamics of a diplomatic connection ultimately undermine the reputation and trustworthiness of any party trying to negotiate. Out of roleplay, this is a huge obstacle for Vagrants doing any kind of diplomacy as stated in their NPC card. No one, inRP and OORP, is terribly willing to engage on a faction level with a group that all but shouts from the rooftops that to deal with them is to invite ruin. Unless the aim of a story being told is to pursue this explicitly, people typically do not engage with it. In a way, despite being a different faction, Vagrants remain pigeonholed into being the archenemy of humanity by virtue of being Nomad. Not even going to get into how Vagrant infection and sympathizers have usually worked or how they should work going forward.

The solution, I believe, is to increase the difference and disparity between the Omicron Nomads and the Vagrants. Make them stand more as gameplay/mechanical opposites and equals (ZoI, ID allowances, etc.), have their own separate infectee groups, and finally, having them slide into hostilities. Perhaps it's foolhardy of me to believe, but I think that if Vagrants were to stand in opposition to their former brethren (who desire, at best, their reassimilation and the ultimate subsuming of their unique identity), it would provide a more solid foundation for humans being led to think that collaboration with the Vagrants isn't so blatantly shooting themselves in the foot. This would go a long way to resolving the identity confusion and lack of direction plaguing the faction.

I am more than happy to clear up misconceptions, discuss further, and open dialogue with those interested in understanding.