Why I don't like GURPS Yrth

[Gold & Appel Inc]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Maybe, but who judges 'sincere'?

Long examination by two different mullahs who must concur, IIRC. Or maybe that was somewhere IRL; couldn't find a page ref.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Maybe, but who judges 'sincere'?

Members of the clergy and/or ruling class with a reputation for having high Body Language, Psychology, Detect Lies, and/or Empathy?

[Phil Masters]

One suspects that sentence is 60% too long.

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

Yup, there could be some sort of rationalization that Orcs don't qualify, as they are inherently incapable of being "true" muslims.

I expect the ranks of the Ghulams to be pretty mean, with frequent infighting. However, if structured properly, this infighting could just serve to remove weak and undesirable orcs. Prison culture is a good comparison: you do see remarkable co-ordination and discipline between violent people who are otherwise incapable of interacting in a legal, civil fashion with other people.

As long as you don't get a smart orc, the system ought to work fairly well.

And if the shocktroopers of the ruling class are diabolical, brutal Orcs, then that's definitely a useful tool for social coercion.

In Yrth the shock troopers of the ruling class is generally the ruling class. But brutal orcs might be useful.

[Verjigorm]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

In Yrth the shock troopers of the ruling class is generally the ruling class. But brutal orcs might be useful.

Historically, the Caliphates on earth had a problem with constant infighting and the loyalty of their tribal forces. To circumvent this, they used Ghulams on a large scale, because the Ghulams(theoretically, at least) didn't have any preexisting tribal relationships or rivalries, and they also wouldn't be accepted as rulers, so they couldn't usurp the Caliph's position.

I don't see why Yrth would be any different.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Phil Masters

One suspects that sentence is 60% too long.

I think it's actually closer to 70; 42/131 characters is 32%, so -68%.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Phil Masters

One suspects that sentence is 60% too long.

Ending after "class" would be simplest and probably most accurate.

To save more of it you'd have to completely change what comes after "reputation". Choosing perhaps "piety" or "political influence" depending on exactly where you think the line for being just cynical enough should be drawn.

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

Historically, the Caliphates on earth had a problem with constant infighting and the loyalty of their tribal forces. To circumvent this, they used Ghulams on a large scale, because the Ghulams(theoretically, at least) didn't have any preexisting tribal relationships or rivalries, and they also wouldn't be accepted as rulers, so they couldn't usurp the Caliph's position.

I don't see why Yrth would be any different.

Those were human Ghulams. In any case Moslem states often relied for their shock element on a warrior aristocracy not much different from knights with a core element like Mamelukes or Janisaries. While these were technically servile units after enough time the official status became meaningless. They weren't ORDINARY Ghulems.

The best nonhuman comparison to that sort of thing on Yrth was Imperial reptile men.

In Yrth the Moslems would probably still rely on humans for their shock element; it was a prestigeous line of work after all. It would continue to be so even if they were nominally slaves. Orcs in that position however would simply be chopped down by the Megalans. It is really hard to see any use a human empire would have for orcs except as torturers.

[combatmedic]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Yes, though having your law enforcement be enthusiastic about beating people up is often less than optimal.

Orcs seem pretty good for brute squads. What sort of law enforcment did you have in mind?