Re: IEN Fascists?

	I am really enjoying this thread.  Here are my two cents:

	I have never really liked the alignment system.  I don't like
races to be black or white, but rather grey.  Rigid attitudes are good
for individuals, but not groups that can change due to their environment.
	I treat humanoids as barbarians.  They have bad hygiene, low
technology, and are not educated.  However, humanoids in wildspace (and
some terrestrial enclaves) have greater opportunities.  Some of these
include the ability to develop on a world by themselves without the
threats of other races.  Others include aid by races lacking a prejudicial
bias.  The result is that wildspace humanoids are more educated,
understand and use advanced technology (like spelljamming), and are
generally more aware of their surroundings.  This enables them to
function in a more "civilized" manner and also makes them more agreeable
to other races.
	Humanoids such as orcs still have a highly agressive nature as
part of their genetic makeup.  This can get them into trouble, but does
not relegate them to the status of local villain.  Think of the Klingons
in Star Trek, for example.  They enjoy fighting.  They live for
conflict.  But they can get along with others as well.
	However, some races have a bigoted attitude toward humanoids.
The Elven Imperial Navy has an inbred distrust.  All humanoids are
savages to them.  The Elves tend not to be genocidal, but they are
willing to use lethal force to get their way.  For historical examples,
consider the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and Incas or U.S. manifest
destiny and the treatment of native americans.  "We want the gold/land
and you're in our way."
	Finally, one of the reasons I use this policy for humanoids is
that I grew sick of players killing every humanoid they came across.
"Oh, it's an orc.  Kill it."  Humanoids were considered to be
unintelligent monsters to be slaughtered at will.  By giving humanoids a
more flexible attitude, it keeps the players off balance and prevents
them from making automatic assumptions.

John McCloud