New HavenForumsGame Discussion63rd Borough Thoughts
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Maina.
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I’ve been thinking about the nature of the 63rd after all the forum conversations as well as some recent IC events since Fairefield fell.
I was looking back at ATS answers, and Nova said this of Lieutenant guests:
“They’re intended to just rabble rouse on grid, basically their role is to help represent the 63rd and the threat they pose, so specifically to help 63rd controlled boroughs feel like scary places being run by fascist demons.”
Additionally, we know that the 63rd respect elections: that is, when a borough votes out the 63rd, the 63rd packs up and leaves.
Finally, we know that businesses keep operating in 63rd controlled boroughs.
What does this all mean? I’m not sure. Here are some initial thoughts, though:
– Living in a 63rd controlled borough is like living in a place edging towards a totalitarian state, perhaps like pre-Berlin Wall East Germany. There’s still hope that things will get better (the next election) but the day to day life involves a considerable erosion of rights and freedoms.
– The 63rd are not enemies in the way that monsters (both mist and guest) are. They may kill vNPCs in the borough to prove some point, but they are trying to govern, not flatten.
– Even when there aren’t Lieutenant guests around to reinforce the ambience, we should treat RP in 63rd-controlled boroughs like we are visiting someplace with a powerful police state and no particular rights. There should be (I think) an air of paranoia, but less that someone is going to launch a military assault on you and more, that as a person living in the city, you are going to be seized by a paramilitary force.
– People in 63rd controlled districts voted for the 63rd, presumably for all of the reasons people vote for strongmen governments anywhere. Some of them will be motivated by fear, some by populism. New Haven’s government doesn’t seem very strong (when is the last time a New Haven Police Officer on grid stopped a werewolf from rampaging?) and so maybe the 63rd seems like a good alternative when the societies and factions aren’t policing problems.
– Opposition to the 63rd should look like the whole gamut of opposition to totalitarian forces in an urban city, from armed revolution (like rebels in Central America or South Africa) to non-violent protest to anything else.
– People may make deals with the 63rd, for the same reasons: hope to have electoral success later, understanding that they are in power and need to be dealt with, etc.
In general, it seems to me that when I read the lieutenant powers and everything else about the 63rd, they represent the extreme end of a civil society, possibly just across the line, but they do exist on the same spectrum as ordinary New Haven society does. That’s at least how I intend to play my interactions with them, absent further clarification from staff. Do other people have other thoughts?
I think it’s intended to be much more severe.
society read all the 63rd legion
The basic description of The 63rd Legion.One of the many legions of hell, the 63rd was commanded to find a way to use
New Haven to breach a path from hell into Earth and other realms beyond. They
operate with a strict military hierarchy and dominate their enemies with ruthless
sadism. While most of the lieutenants of the 63rd are too powerfully demonic to
enter into New Haven the legion has discovered a vulnerability, if the population
of a borough becomes sufficiently corrupted their more powerful members can enter
it. They use this vulnerability to try and take over as much of the city as
possible, subjecting civilian populations to a brutal, authoritarian rule. It’s
suspected that if they can corrupt the whole city in this way, that it may create
a bridge to bring all the forces of hell to earth.
The goals of The 63rd Legion.Corrupt the population: Tempt or scare residents of the boroughs of New Haven to support them and vote for their puppet candidates.
Demoralize their enemies: Intimidate and scare other factions away from opposing them.
Recruit Assets: Find humans willing to work for or spy for them.
Promote Despair: Promote general feelings of helplessness and despair among the population.
Maintain Order: Maintain perfect authoritarian order over the boroughs they control.
The npcs of The 63rd Legion.Marshal Lucian Blackthorn
Marshal Blackthorn is the commander of the 63rd and orchestrates the systematic corruption of the city’s boroughs with the precision of a master strategist. His approach is calculated rather than brutal, he believes humans are most effectively corrupted through their own choices and weaknesses rather than through force alone. Those who spend time in his presence often report feeling a subtle sense of dread and an inexplicable desire to please him, even against their better judgment. His patience is legendary among the ranks, willing to wait decades to corrupt a single influential target if necessary.
Prefect Mara Vex
As head of the Architects, Prefect Vex oversees all intelligence operations, planning, and research initiatives. She personally designed many of the psychological manipulation techniques used by the 63rd in New Haven. Known for her brilliant tactical mind and ruthless efficiency, she views humans as fascinating but ultimately predictable creatures to be studied and exploited. Mara exudes a cold charisma that draws people to her despite their instinctive wariness. She speaks directly and precisely, often catching others off guard with her blunt assessments.
It’s not ‘edging towards authoritarianism’ but instead ‘a brutal, authoritarian rule.’ But yes, they want to corrupt rather than kill so they can build their highway to hell. Murdering people in the streets loses them support and pushes people away from their corruption, so I’d agree that it’s more a fear about getting seized than attacked. In my opinion, the worst things that can happen to you in the game and the setting aren’t death but instead the things that can be done once you’re tied up that you can do nothing about. And that’s what they do. They abduct people off the streets to make them compliant out of public view. Fear, corruption, hopelessness, despair.
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