Let's talk Gaians

[Marburg]

There's alot of talk about the Gaians all over the place lately & most of it is by people who don't play them.

So, I'd like to start the discussion by asking why people see them the way they do.

The Basic Rep card:

The Gaians are a terrorist faction opposed to any alteration to the natural environment of a planet, specifically those brought about through terraforming. Many of the modern Gaians are ordnary criminals and pirates who consider an alliance with the Corsairs to be the best way to ensure their survival.

I've heard many times from a number of people that it doesn't make sense that the Gaians would be opposed to terraforming. My question is why does it not make any sense? It's clear in the very 1st line above, & in the primary infocard explains why:

-- but the Gaians had already broadened their horizons by an influx of radical elements from Cambridge who sought a ban on terraforming technologies.Planetform, Inc.was the natural target.What emerged was a militant terrorist group philosophically opposed to the exploitation of planets, and terraforming in particular.

Now, as far as popular view that the Gaians being nothing but a pirate faction: Sure, I can see where people would like to call em that & move on w/o a second thought, but the key word in the second sentance about them being pirates is 'many'...but 'many' does not mean 'most' or 'all' by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, we are allied with the Sairs, but that still dosn't change the definition of the word. What it does in my mind is create a division of focus within the faction between the 'many' and the rest, & is the entire reason the NLH exist (btw, the NLH name is officially changing very very soon)

Now let's take a look at the genesis of the faction:

Soon after tourists began to arrive in Edinburgh in 690 AS, Cambridge scientists voiced their concern over the enormous ecological damage that even the most regulated visits could inflict on the planet. Almost from birth Cambridgers had drilled into them the stories of how New London & Leeds were blighted, so they tended to be very environmentally sensitive. A few of the younger and more militant scientists studying on Edinburgh accually went so far as to begin a campaign to sabotage tourist transports in an effort to discourage visits, but with little effect.

So, 127 years ago, Cambridge scientists began to get get disgruntled about the influx of tourists, fearing that the love of the almighty credit will soon ruin the system & their research, so a small number of those angrier scientists took it upon themselves to attempt to put a stop to it by trying to keep the transports from reaching the planet.

Once cobalt was discovered on Gaia in 740, the BMM began to make noises in New London about the need to establish a mining base there. What had been a quiet, bloodless campaign of active resistance blossomed into full-fledged conflict. Graffitti with slogans such as "GAIA WILL NOT BLEED" was spotted soon after. The eco-terrorist movement had begun.

Ok, 50 years worth of quiet, ineffective non-violent sabotage by a small number of scientists made them finally snap in frustration after BMM swooped in & it forced the scientists to draw 1st blood & became the Gaians.

Eventually any plans to mine the surface of Edinburgh were dropped -- mostly out of fear that it might cut into the burgeoning tourist industry -- but the Gaians had already broadened their horizons by an influx of radical elements from Cambridge who sought a ban on terraforming technologies.Planetform, Inc.was the natural target.What emerged was a militant terrorist group philosophically opposed to the exploitation of planets, and terraforming in particular. The group enjoyed considerable popular support on Cambridge, funded by the efforts of the legitimate arm of the Gaians called the Green Front.

This is where it gets meaty: Now that blood has been spilled & the radicals came in, the planet Gaia itself is no longer the primary focus of the Gaians, & why I consider every argument I've ever heard about the Gaians just wanting Gaia to be left alone, nothing but pure & lazy ignorance.

So, now it's 817 & the Gaians have been militant blood spillers for 77 years. & although they come from a tradition of education, why on earth would anyone think they are still scientists or even ::groan:: hippies.

My Grandfather was a restauraunt manager in Boston 50 or 60 years ago, but that doesn't make me a restauraunt manager myself.

Come on, bring it let's talk

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