Research reactions

Research reactions

Brain Power

Triggers when New Jericho researches Neural Implant Technology

Synedrion Citizen Stas: This New Jericho neural tech we've been hearing about... it sounds like a pretty cool technology, really, but has anyone thought about how easily it could be abused by, uh, I don't know, an autocratic leader with delusions of grandeur?

It is a worrying possibility

It is, isn't it? Sometimes I miss the days when such questions were just science fiction. But I guess sooner or later, the future arrives, and then you have to deal with it.

New Jericho's attitude towards Synedrion -3

Synedrion's attitude towards New Jericho -5

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -4

This is just a weak attempt to fix a deeper problem with human biology

That seems like the sort of thing the Exalted would say. But I don't see the problem with the technology itself. Why is a technological fix worse than a biological one?

Hmm, because the biological fix is permanent. I guess I actually kind of see your point... but still, the real problem here is how the technology will be used in the long run.

New Jericho's attitude towards Synedrion -3

Synedrion's attitude towards New Jericho -6

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -1

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -4

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

New Jericho is a society of laws and principles. There will be no abuse

You think so? Because to me it seems like these principles never find structural expression and are thrown aside all too easily when it's convenient. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe New Jericho is all you believe it to be. I hope so.

New Jericho's attitude towards Synedrion -3

Synedrion's attitude towards New Jericho -5

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -3

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

No comment

New Jericho's attitude towards Synedrion -4

Synedrion's attitude towards New Jericho -4

The Old Ways

Triggers when: New Jericho researches Armadillo development

Disciples of Anu Taxiarch Nergal: My sources tell me New Jericho has developed a new type of APC. I hope they intend to use it to fight the Pandorans, not their fellow human beings. But the real question is - how can you win a war if you don't understand the battlefield? Al the vehicles in the world won't help you if you cling to the delusions of the old world. I should know. I remember the wars of the old world better than anyone.

A military victory is possible. Tobias West has a plan

An interesting display of faith. But all the great leaders of the old world thought they had plans, and where are they now?

Disciples of Anu's attitude to New Jericho -6

Synedrion's attitude to New Jericho -3

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -3

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +6

New Jericho is the last spasm of a dying order

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to New Jericho -4

Synedrion's attitude to New Jericho -3

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -5

Humanity needs all the tech it can get

Well... fair enough, actually. But we do have to be careful.

Disciples of Anu's attitude to New Jericho -4

Synedrion's attitude to New Jericho -3

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +1

The Legend of Fort Bacon

Triggers when Phoenix Project researches Food Harvesting Technology

New Jericho Tobias West: Are you aware of the Legend of Fort Bacon? It's a tall tale, a myth of the post-apocalypse, that circulates among our soldiers. It tells of a haven where people have found a way to safely eat the Pandorans... which, if reports are to be believed, actually taste of bacon. It's a very human response, I suppose, not unlike the utopias dreamed up by medieval peasants.

But despite what Synedrion may tell us, there is no land of plenty, no secret have ruled by Prester John. The reality of this world is constant struggle against infection. And I wonder: has the Phoenix Project forgotten that? Have you decided to set up your own little Cockaigne, where the corpses of our enemies are a source of health and happiness?

Harvesting nutrients from Pandorans is a pragmatic choice guided by reason

A logical argument, at least on the surface. But I remember how many irrational policies were justified by an appeal to pragmatism, even as the Pandoravirus was destroying the world we knew. I would advise avoiding short-term thinking, and considering the long-term risks inherent in this technology you have developed. The pandorans are the problem, not the solution.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -4

New Jericho's attitude to Synedrion -2

The process is entirely safe. Oposing it because of mysophobia is absurd

To recognize the nature of the war we are fighting is not a type of phobia. I do not ascibe quasi-magical abilities to the pandorans; I merely understand that reasonable precautions are essential. How many innocents died in shelters that were supposed to be safe? How many armies were wiped out by nothing more than clouds of mist? We should never underestimate the Pandoravirus.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -5

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

Partaking of the flesh of the enemy is a step towards learning to exist in the new world

It saddens me to hear such foolishness coming from the Phoenix Project. This isn't science, it's superstition.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -8

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5

The Pandoran Stain

Triggers when Mutagen Harvesting is researched by Phoenix Project

New Jericho Tobias West: Do you really think the answers we need as a species lie in Pandoran biology, in plundering the invaders for their mutagens? The Disciples believe that humans need to evolve, to mutate - but don't you see the inherent misanthropy of this philosophy, blaming humanity for what was done to it by an alien aggressor? The very premise is profoundly unethical. If we start telling ourselves that we need the Pandorans in order to improve ourselves... how are we any better than the collaborator who tells himself the enemy will make things better in the long run?

We do what we much to survive

Perhaps... but at what cost? One could argue that the Pandorans themselves are a form of survival; they are part human, and they are alive, so there is biological continuity between us and them. But do they contain any of what is worthwhile about humanity?

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3

Recognizing humanity's biological flaws is not misanthropy

Not only is it misanthropy, it is also a denial of human agency, of our ability to make choices. At best, it's a way of distracting from failures of the will; at worse, it's outright treason against our species.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -6

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +4

This is none of New Jericho's business

Unfortunately, since our mission is defending humanity from all biological threats, it is our business.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -3

The Weapon

Triggers when Pandoravirus research is finished by Phoenix Project

Our research regarding the nature of the Pandoravirus has caused a great deal of controversy within the factions.

Tobias West sees our research as confirmation of what New Jericho has always preached: the Pandorans are invaders, a military solution is the only way forward, and anyone who disagrees is helping the enemy. In Synedrion, internal debates rage. What are the socio-political rights of creatures created by a bioweapon? Should we even be trying to co-exist?

As for the Disciples of Anu, there is no official statement from the Exalted or the Synod of Yearning, but rumors suggest they are neither surprised nor worried.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project +2

Victory by Understanding

Triggers when Scylla Vivisection research is finished by Phoenix Project

New Jericho Tobias West: Congratulations on capturing a live specimen of such a fearsome predator. It can't have been easy, and I admire your dedication to understanding the enemy.

Player reply: Thank you.

Some of my people think killing the Pandorans is enough, but if that were true, why did all the armies of the world fail to stop them? To win a war, you need to know when and where to strike. Maybe we're a step closer now.

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +3

Control

Triggers when Pandoran Telepathic Nodule research is finished by Phoenix Project

Our research has once again caused controversy.

To New Jericho, the existence of the telepathic nodule is unsurprising: they have always seen infection as an attack on human will. But it's made their relationship to the Disciples of Anu deteriorate even further, as they now see the Disciples as not only trying to pervert, but to enslave humanity.

To Synedrion, confirmation that the Pandorans are controlled by an external force is deeply shocking. To the Polyphonic Tendency subfaction, it means co-existence is no longer as simple: the Pandoran creatures must be liberated first. But the Terraformers argue that this is naive; the task is to take control of the Earth for humanity, not romanticize the alien invaders.

The Disciples, meanwhile, have released a rare official statement from the Exalted: "Behold, our people have drunken deep of the Waters of Life, and yet they are free. Our path leads not to enslavement, but to liberation from the flaws of the old flesh."

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +2

New Jericho's attitude to Disciples of Anu -5

Know Thy Enemy

Triggers when Yuggothian Entity research is finished by Phoenix Project

Finally, we have revealed the true enemy behind the Pandoravirus: the Yuggothian Entity.

For New Jericho, this is excellent news. Finally, a proper war with clear sides - and they know which side they're on. There's no more time for traitors or accommodationists.

For Synedrion, it's now a question of philosophy - do they want to seize the master's tools and transform the world, or destroy this cosmic hierarchy and let things take their own course? The answer will have to be reached democratically.

The Disciples of Anu have no official statement on any parallels between the Yuggothian Entity and their Dead God. The Liturgy of the Divine Flesh draws close, and they have more important things to focus on than the ravings of those trapped in ideologies of the old world.

Outcome: New Jericho's attitude to Disciples of Anu -5, Disciples of Anu's attitude to New Jericho -5, New Jericho's attitude to Synedrion -3.

By our hand

Triggers when Virophage Injector research is finished by Phoenix Project

Despite our enhanced security protocols, information regarding the Virophage injector has leaked out. As a result, all factions have ceased diplomatic relations with us. At this point, war is inevitable.

There's only one way forward now. Either we take the ultimate risk, or humanity falls.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -50, New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -50. Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -50

Beyond the human

Triggers when Mutation Technology research is finished by Disciples of Anu

New Jericho Tobias West: The more the Disciples of Anu invest into this mutation tech, the further away they will move from what New Jericho considers humanity. This is not a threat, but a statement.

There is still time to look to reason, not superstition, for solutions. To seek answers in human will, instead of submission to the alien. But that time is running out.

New Jericho's attitude to Disciples of Anu -8

Disciples of Anu's attitude to New Jericho -4

The Hound of Anu

Triggers when Mutog War Beast research is finished by Disciples of Anu

New Jericho Abongameli Smith: This "Mutog" research the Disciples are engaging in is deeply troubling. Fooling around with mutation is dangerous enough to begin with, but to not even have a proper way of controlling the creature you've created?

How long before one of these creatures goes berserk? How long before there are unexpected consequences to their genetic composition? How long before a few of them get free and start breeding? Is the Exalted trying to fight the Pandorans, or strengthen them?

New Jericho's attitude to Disciples of Anu -6