[Torg] Conversions (Social Axiom, 8 of 8)

[Jones Jasyn]

As with all altered axiom charts, conversion notes are necessary.

The Cosms

Aysle
Torg: 18
Straight Conversion: 13
Suggested: 11
Notes: Aysle’s medieval world view is better reflected with a 11.  Neither the birth of psychology nor Adam Smith’s economic theories are appropriate for the reality. Though an 11 does include the concept of the State, something not appropriate for standard D&D-esque fantasies.

In Aysle's case, Uthorion's reign concentrated power into the hands of Pella Ardinay (her government becoming "the state.") The extant ethnic groups of the cosm (the Corsairs, Vikings, etc.) are essentially identical to nations, even in the current material. Clearly, Ardinay's empire will have had to struggle against nationalist movements ("Only elves should rule elves" and such).

Also, for those so inclined to research further, mercantilism is a perfect concept to embody Ardinay's administration of conquered cosms, at least until they are destroyed. 3327 isn't the only one who can extract material resources from a cosm.

Core Earth
Torg: 21
Straight Conversion: 14
Suggested: 15
Notes: Information on converting Core Earth can be found in message # 4.

Cyberpapacy
Torg: 18
Straight Conversion: 13
Suggested: 10
Notes: The Cyberpapacy does not live up to its full Social rating, it is more medieval than Aysle.  A 10 is far more appropriate to the cosm than a 13.

Land Below
Torg: 8
Straight Conversion: 7
Suggested: 6
Notes: As described in the sourcebook, the cultures of the Land Below are mainly tribal (Axiom 5), but the Pyrians are axiom 6. They are described as "developing taxation" to support "armies of conquest." This could indicate an axiom of 7, but it could also indicate an axiom of 6, which the Pyrians are trying to exceed. This is more interesting than just a 7, so a 6 (pushing into 7) is the suggested value.

Living Land
Torg: 7
Straight Conversion: 6
Suggested: 5 (or 18)
Notes: A 5 represents the tribal societies the Living Land is (a 6 does not). For an alternate take with Social 18, see message # 6.

Nile Empire
Torg: 20
Straight Conversion: 14
Suggested: 14
Notes: A 14 is the Social of the Nile Empire, perfectly.

Nippon Tech
Torg: 22
Straight Conversion: 15
Suggested: 14
Notes: The description of Nippon Tech's Social axiom in the rulebook, despite its stated value, is indistinguishable from any modern nation-state after 1918. Specifically mentioned in the Nippon Tech Sourcebook (pg. 68) are "relatively rigid bureaucracies", economic dislocation, poverty and crime. Also mentioned is Japanese businesses adopting feudal structures (most closely resembling Social 11 royal monopoly joint-stock companies).

And what of the Triad (pg. 16-18)? Three corporations, who together rule the world as a dictatorship. Old Torg's Social 22 didn't represent a "one world government", see pg. 95, Torg Rulebook. The behavior and institutions of the Triad differ not at all from modern day China, a classical oligarchy (possible as far back as Social 8).

Even with the state existing as an institution (the corporations having seized power, becoming the government), their form of government would be possible at an 11 or 12. If we stipulate that they qualify as ideological states (economic monopolism being their ideology), this makes them akin to Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany, both Social 14 ideological totalitarian states (a perfect description of the Triad). Nippon Tech is not now, and never was, more socially advanced than Earth.

The material in the Nippon Tech Sourcebook supports a Social of 14, certainly not a 16 (which disposes of "rigid bureaucracies" altogether). Their one Social 15 advancement, the credit as an intangible monetary unit, could be a bleeding edge development, the very first inklings of Axiom 15. This is perfectly supportable, within the rules.

Social 14 fits best.

Orrorsh
Torg: 20
Straight Conversion: 14
Suggested: 13
Notes: Orrorsh has a Victorian social order.  A 13 is more appropriate than a 14. A 14 is the 20th century, from 1918 on. A 13 better represents the Victorians and other Gaean cultures.

Space Gods
Torg: 7
Straight Conversion: NA
Suggested: 17
Notes: The Space Gods need to be able to incorporate alien races into their social structures. Social 17 allows for alien languages to be analyzed an understood, as well as a comprehensive understanding of alien society. A 17 is probably the lowest plausible Social.

As described in the Space Gods Sourcebook, the alien races are not integrated into Akashan society as factions, they are client states, like those that flourished at Social 14, but on a species level (even using the term "client races.") An 18 would represent the client races becoming integrated into Akashan society, where a Gudasko could have just as good a chance of becoming Rotan as a Zinatt. The client races are not equal, the Akashans rule them ("for their own good," the imperialism of Social 13), making Social 17 the most accurate translation of the extant campaign material.

Tharkold
Torg: 20
Straight Conversion: 14
Suggested: 14
Notes: The Law of Ferocity restricts social interactions. War is supported with a full 14, economic activity reduced to an 8, and other social interactions function at a 9.

Tz’Ravok
Torg: 18
Straight Conversion: 13
Suggested: 6
Notes: The “official” Social axiom of Tz’Ravok is impossible to credit. It correlates with the global age of imperialism and the birth of psychology. Tz’Ravok is a tribal culture, slightly more advanced than the Living Land, it can in no wise be a 13. A 6 is most appropriate (as it allows for written records, even in their tribal culture).
--
Jasyn Jones
jasynj (at) gmail (dot) com

"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
Ulysses, Alfred Lord Tennyson

Check out my Torg webpage, Storm Knights:
web.me.com/stormknights/