[GURPS IST] Scientology in the IST Universe?

[vierasmarius]

Originally Posted by Bandii

My premise is that Tom Cruise, after weeks of erratic behavior, erupts explosively (for certain values of explosively) during the infamous Oprah interview...

Literally? Sounds messy.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by cptbutton

I don't know how superpowers work in IST, but maybe Scientology works there in the sense of a way to gain superpowers.

A clear, were he to work as advertised, would have a high IQ and various TK powers, probably some Mind Shield. Of course, if you want more, you gotta spend more loot. $ for points?

[Bandii]

Originally Posted by vierasmarius

Literally? Sounds messy.

Ewww...horrible mental image that. Erupt being the term I use "in-game" for when a super first manifests his powers. In this case he develops superman-esque powers and claims he is the bodily re-incarnation of Xemu.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Bandii

Ewww...horrible mental image that. Erupt being the term I use "in-game" for when a super first manifests his powers. In this case he develops superman-esque powers and claims he is the bodily re-incarnation of Xemu.

That doesn't actually make a lot of sense in the context of their theology. It would be more likely that he'd just believe that he was manifesting OT abilities.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

That doesn't actually make a lot of sense in the context of their theology. It
would be more likely that he'd just believe that he was manifesting OT abilities.

Comic books aren't known for rigid adherence to mythology. I mean come on, comic Thor has blonde hair. ;)

[Gold & Appel Inc]

Originally Posted by cptbutton

I don't know how superpowers work in IST, but maybe Scientology works there in the sense of a way to gain superpowers.

It could be involved as a catalyst, sort of... IIRC all supers in-setting must first possess the right genes, but then most must wait for some sort of traumatic event to set it off if puberty doesn't do the job. A major religious breakthrough of any sort (including completely, but convincingly, imaginary) could qualify for some individuals.

[Michael Cule]

This leads me to speculate even more unpleasantly on Hubbard in the TECHNOMANCER universe.

There's a chap who would take one look at the newly rediscovered arts and sciences of magic and decide he wanted in whether he had the natural gift for magic or not...

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Michael Cule

This leads me to speculate even more unpleasantly on Hubbard in the TECHNOMANCER universe.

There's a chap who would take one look at the newly rediscovered arts and sciences of magic and decide he wanted in whether he had the natural gift for magic or not...

Kind of hard to raise a cult in a world with magic, when you don't have it, I would imagine.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Kind of hard to raise a cult in a world with magic, when you don't have it, I would imagine.

Spellcasting isn't the only way to skin the black cat in Technomancer. Stalin's an undead tyrant there. Why not Hubbard?

Probably a lot of con games there involving the secret ways to gain magic that you don't now have. A teensy-tiny bit of real gold goes a long way towards salting the gold mine.

Consuidering that Technomancer has _real_ Potions of Weigth Loss and Youth all that displaced fraud-energy has to go somewhere.

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by Michael Cule

There's a chap who would take one look at the newly rediscovered arts and sciences of magic and decide he wanted in whether he had the natural gift for magic or not...

He'd feel absolutely certain that he had it. He had managed to impress Jack Parsons with his skill and knowledge, after all.