[Torg] World Law (Genre and Being Real, 6 of 6)

[Chad Dickhaut]

--- On Mon, 2/15/10, Phil Dack <philipdack at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Well.... maybe not 100%. The bit I wouldn't implement is
> the world law. I like the idea, I like the possibility
> exchange and possibility flexibility, but the specific world
> law suggested wouldn't work for me. I can see the natural
> consequences of Jasyn's argument, but it strikes me that the
> increased adaptability should be more universal than
> cosm-specific. I wonder whether simply making 4-case
> contradictions into 3-case contradictions for Core Earthers
> would do it?

I'm in much the same boat.  I agree with the basic premise in regard to
genres in "CE" fiction reflecting other cosms (in fact, I'd always more
or less took that position as read), but I'm not so keen on the proposed
world law.  It isn't so much that it's game breaking, but it just sort
of seems metaphysically wrong to me (read: it doesn't gibe with my personal interpretation of Torg ;o)).  I can see how being familiar with 
a genre that is similar to an invading cosm might help in adapting to that cosm's reality (or at least cut down the culture shock of living in its realm).  On the other hand, if a Core Earther sets his expectations about how an invading reality should work solely on "genre-related" fiction, there are bound to be points where his expectation diverge from the reality of the realm.  I remember an example from the Godnet sourcebook where a cyberpunk wannabe kid was confused when his run in the Godnet didn't match up with William Gibson's fiction.

I had thought of the "3-case contradiction" solution, but now I'm leaning toward just adjusting CE reconnection difficulties to reflect the general adaptability of CEers in the face of alien realities.  If one really wanted to allow for Core Earth characters to develop proclivities to particular realities, I'd maybe give them +3 to their reconnection totals when reconnecting with a tool or skill from their "2nd reality".

Chad