Forsooth wrote:
I'm hardly an expert on cabals, but I don't think it's too hard. As pointed out, if the leader intends to unite his tribunal with his cabal of choice, it's trivial. Whether or not the leader joins the cabal, he can bring in all the cabal members. Said cabal members can verify whether each tribunal member is a cabal member. Join or be kicked. No more spies!.
For the love of Pete, you need to learn to read. I flat out said that would be collusion, which would be easy for an immortal to spot and punish. This flat out wouldn't work so long as the Imms state collusion is illegal.
Forsooth wrote:
And there are other measures for the tribunal purist. Alignment can't be concealed. Philosophies can't be entirely concealed. Is a Druid likely to kill a priest of Nashira in cold blood, graphically defile the altar, and raze the surrounding forest? Sounds like a great membership requirement to me. Or the leader can just insist an applicant attack the cabal guardian while he watches.
Yes, a leader could attempt to come up with tests for every cabal but they would have a limited window in which to make the applicant jump through those hoops. Also there are is a minimum of three cabals that these tests would have to be preformed for. And that doesn't account the quick thinking player that finds ways around them or the loop hole that justifies them or the cabal leader that allows it for the greater good. To put it simply there is no absolute test, especially if the cabal leader allows a small sin to promote the greater good.
Forsooth wrote:
Quote:
Only leaders with poor character judgment skills would deny their tribunal the boost a dual member would bring it.
That's because you're thinking in terms of raw power, not split loyalties. Frankly, tribunals don't need a lot of power to defend a city. What they want are trustworthy friends. Say I'm the Talon tribunal leader. Why exactly do I want someone in my organization who
is sworn to the King of Taslamar (Hammer) - Everybody loves a traitor!
is opposed to civic expansion (Druid) - A big help on building projects!
is opposed to wanton violence (Fist) - Just what you want in a soldier!
is opposed to law on principle (Harlequin) - He'll be a great cop!
commits murder as an act of worship (Adept) - *add your own joke here*
Sure you can make jokes about the Druids being a pain for building projects but a soldier will have little effect on that. In fact every example you list is nothing more then a stereotype that might only apply every so often. You think I'm not adjusting for split loyalties? Of course I am that is part of the fun of this suggestion. As a tribunal leader IF you know one of your members is a Druid, you know 90% of the time he is fine. The only times you have to worry is when his beliefs come in conflict with the tribunal's goals, and then it is a great test of loyalty. If the tribunal leader doesn't know the member is a Druid there is no issue at all. Seriously, you have to start thinking things through more.
Forsooth wrote:
Quote:
Why will the “home for newbies” be gone? Wouldn’t a paranoid leader grab onto the newbie because he knows they can be trusted?
Do you really think that allowing spies means less caution instead of more? Let's be serious.
I'm very serious and I guess the obvious is too much for you too handle. If the tribunal leader knows the player is a newbie there are less OOC corruption concerns as well as less IC corruption concerns then the average player brings. Therefore, there is less chance of a spy and an increased reason to induct the newbie. Not to mention by taking a newbie under your wing you build loyalty which is more valuable.
Forsooth wrote:
Granted, covert cabal actions that affect tribunals would be really cool. But this dual-membership method is dependent on benign neglect by tribunal leaders. They don't have much incentive to see their organizations in chaos.
It has nothing to do with neglect by the tribunal leaders. There is no way to stop dual membership from the tribunal point of view. Hence, a tribunal leader must aspire to be a good judge of character in inducting patriot. He must also be quick to punish traitors. And he must find ways to build loyalty among his troops just as all good generals through out history have. Think about it, in the real world spies get into governments and armies. That can't be stopped just slowed; the important thing is how to handle it.
PS. From a dual member point of view, if/when a time comes that splits my loyalties, to me that seems like great RP opportunity and great fun.
Lei Kung