Posted by Proud Blade(VIP) on April 24, 2000 at 16:53:08:
In Reply to: I believe Imm's should not anath mortals. Very long. posted by Graatch(VIP) on April 24, 2000 at 13:41:26:
I'd like to see the empire IMMs have the Anath button available, but constrain themselves to not do it through omniscience.
As an example, let's say I'm an Imperial. I'm talking with a prospective BloodOath in front of two centurions, and I say something dumb. Unbeknownst to me, big Z is snooping me. I think it would be perfectly acceptable Zulgh would then switch into one of the centurions, and report what the centurion heard:
[EMPIRE] An Imperial Centurion: ProudBlade, how dare you speak of the Emperor as a pink-pantied sissy-boy? Your superiors will hear of this treachery!
Then, *smack* Anath. If no Council members are around, have the Omegus chime in. I shouldn't get away with that sort of thing just because the Council isn't logged in.
On the other hand, if I snuck off to some quiet cave, and said the same things, confident that no one is around, the IMM would let it slide. This would create a chance for -smart- politics and subterfuge. (The role command should also help here.)
Another fine way for an IMM to 'test' Imperials would be either to vis and interrogate them on Imperial dogma, or switch into a mob and talk to them that way. The 'victim' should be picked more or less randomly, and the questions should include a chance for a well-played Imperial to answer correctly.
Finally, mortals should take an active role in getting other Imperials anathed. There's only one Emperor, and one Sect Leader, and it's well in-character to sell out useless Imperials to rise through the ranks. Far too many people join Empire thinking it's some kind of "Evil Superteam". It's not. Clinb the ladder, or expect to get knocked off. And it's the other -competent- Imperials you should watch the closest. The human shields will fail on their own eventually, and your efforts should be spent making sure your true competition eats it.