[UA] Re: The Metal Eaters (was Steampunk)

[John C]

>There is an alternate twist that I'd include because I'm nuts about
>evolution theory and mutation. Since, the little guys run down over time,
>the lunchboxes take on flaws during their lifetimes. Every once in a while,
>the flaw is one that can be passed down to the next generation. Sometimes
>this flaw helps the new Lunchbox in it's mission to "eat" and reproduce.
>Voila! A microcosm of evolution is born. I like the idea of the characters
>walking up to the edge of a gorge where there used to be a junk yard. Now 
>it
>is a primordial jungle of metal! Maybe not completely UA in mood, but I'm
>going for a bit more on the weird side than on the grim and dirty side this
>time around.

Now *this* I like.  A lot.  I'm figuring on making some small changes to 
Mechanomancy -- creations are powered by ghosts, and the taboo is that the 
Clockworker cannot use any parts that he's paid for; everything has to have 
been already discarded by someone.

But anyway, I love the idea of a Clockworker creating devices simply for the 
pleasure of watching their "decendants" evolve.  And you'd have to figure 
that somehow, somewhere down the line, you'd end up with some of them 
sentient.  maybe even with their own version of the Clergy....

John Crimmins                     john1x at hotmail.com
     http://www.voicenet.com/~johncrim/index.html
   "Yes, I am acquainted with Mr. DePalma," Dr. Hsu said.  "He was
my pupil years ago.  A young man not without talent, but slapdash,
and huckle-muckle in his worksmanship."
   "What did you say?" the mayor asked.
   "He's a jerk," Dr. Hsu Ting Feng said.
           -- Daniel Pinkwater, _The Hoboken Chicken Emergency_

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