[UA] Avatar: The Mentally Ill Mathematician?

[Tim Toner]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ua-bounces at lists.unknown-armies.com [mailto:ua-
> bounces at lists.unknown-armies.com] On Behalf Of Daniel Butler
> Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 1:19 PM
> To: The Unknown Armies RPG Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [UA] Avatar: The Mentally Ill Mathematician?
> 
> This is personally what I don't like about The Avatars in UA. The
> Archetype
> is supposed to be a universal component of humanity but where does The
> Mentally Ill Mathematician fit into Aboriginal culture? Not anywhere
> really.
> Thus, Archetypes should really be quite generic, actual Archetypes that
> people fit but as they grow in power they can actually twist that
> Archetype
> to fit their own ends.

Eh, I'm not so bothered by this.  Avatars aren't quite the "universal
component of humanity," in the sense that they can be found everywhere and
anywhere.  They more reflect the potential of the human race in all its
infinite diversity.  The Clergy fills because the simplest ideas undergo
refinement and evolution, until they're entirely a new species altogether.
How many Archetypes depend on something being communicated?  How many would
be relevant in a pre-verbal human society?  That's a heck of a nit to pick,
but it shows how simple things transform society, and leave places for
Avatars to ascend.  I think the concept of the WECHBY is buried deep in our
memetic structures, but it took porn, with its simultaneous elevation of
woman and degradation of woman, to kick the concept into high gear.  At what
point is that crossover reached?  I'm not sure, but it could have something
to do with esoteric societies being founded around the concept, developing
specialized language and ritual to separate it from its antecedents.  Then
once the idea reaches a critical mass of adherents, it can go one of two
ways:  either it's embraced by the world as a whole, at which point
ascension becomes likely, or the esoteric society folds in on itself, in
defiance of the natural order, and it becomes for all intent and purposes,
the root of a new school of magick.  Sometimes it does both, which helps
explain why some schools have an Archetype closely linked with it.

As for bennies that might result from using the proper symbols of an Avatar,
I'd be hesitant to just allocate shifts based on the length the Godwalker
goes to when he's tooting his own horn.  Instead of that, I'd give a degree
of immunity when the Godwalker is forced to indulge in un-Godwalker-like
activity (not breaking Taboo, just doing things that go against the grain,
such as a Healer using his Medicine skill to maim someone)--reality is
looking at the symbols, not the action.  Otherwise, being a Godwalker kinda
sucks, since reality keeps announcing your entrance and exits no matter
where you go.  There has to be some practical benefit to never getting the
drop on anyone, mojo-wise.  It would be so much handier if everyone assumed
you were going to act a certain way, thanks to the symbols, and you were
able to get the drop on them in a big way.  It also allows for the
wiggle-room necessary to put your own spin on things when you get to be the
Avatar.



Republicans for Voldemort 
Because Fictional Elections Deserve Fictional Characters. 
http://www.goats.com/archive/030808.html