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Thread: Those Darn Vos

  1. #1
    Jim Cooper
    Guest

    Those Darn Vos

    Hello everybody!

    I have yet another query for you all:

    How do you portray the Vos society - Lawful, or very chaotic?

    I'm having a problem in that, while I can see that the Vos culture
    supports a very chaotic view, aren't they supposed to follow a rigid
    code of honor and such? Wouldn't following this code of honor, then,
    make the Vos lawful? To the outsider, of course, Vos are seen as only
    one tiny step up from goblins and orogs (and this is debatable) - yet
    there is this code thingy. How do all you DMs out there present this?
    I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around this one ...

    Ed, if possible, can you give us an example? For instance: If a Vos
    regent made a promise to the regent next door to his realm, would he
    honor it? For how long, if ever? Does their code of honor only apply
    to the Vos? (That seems familiar ...)

    (I guess I better go reread TotHW again ...)

    Cheers,
    Darren

  2. #2
    Pieter Sleijpen
    Guest

    Those Darn Vos

    Jim Cooper wrote:
    >
    > Hello everybody!
    >
    > I have yet another query for you all:
    >
    > How do you portray the Vos society - Lawful, or very chaotic?
    >
    > I'm having a problem in that, while I can see that the Vos culture
    > supports a very chaotic view, aren't they supposed to follow a rigid
    > code of honor and such? Wouldn't following this code of honor, then,
    > make the Vos lawful? To the outsider, of course, Vos are seen as only
    > one tiny step up from goblins and orogs (and this is debatable) - yet
    > there is this code thingy. How do all you DMs out there present this?
    > I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around this one ...
    >
    > Ed, if possible, can you give us an example? For instance: If a Vos
    > regent made a promise to the regent next door to his realm, would he
    > honor it? For how long, if ever? Does their code of honor only apply
    > to the Vos? (That seems familiar ...)

    In my opinion the question you ask, is the wrong kind of question.
    Alignment is an arguable thing and open to very personal
    interpretations. Even if you concider the 'might makes right' attitude
    central to the Vos' code, lawful. The other cultures on Cerilia will
    hardly concider it lawful. You question should be, what exactly is this
    code of conduct?

    Let me proceed with your example. If the code states that breaking a
    promise should be punished by the one who suffers because of it, then
    the Vos regent could break his promise if he was stronger. The other
    tribes mights state that the code was not broken, because he was
    stronger. Is this chaotic behaviour? In the opinion of the Khinasi or
    Anuireans most certainly, but to the Vos it might be the law. On the
    other hand if the code states something else, then the whole story might
    be different.

    Before you can awnser the question how strict do the Vos keep to their
    code of conduct (lawful vs. chaotic), you need to awnser what exactly
    their code of conduct is. And even then you might concider there code of
    conduct chaotic...

    Pieter Sleijpen

  3. #3
    DKEvermore@aol.co
    Guest

    Those Darn Vos

    In a message dated 1/19/99 9:53:48 PM Central Standard Time,
    Jim_Cooper@bc.sympatico.ca writes:

    > I'm having a problem in that, while I can see that the Vos culture
    > supports a very chaotic view, aren't they supposed to follow a rigid
    > code of honor and such? Wouldn't following this code of honor, then,
    > make the Vos lawful? To the outsider, of course, Vos are seen as only
    > one tiny step up from goblins and orogs (and this is debatable) - yet
    > there is this code thingy. How do all you DMs out there present this?
    > I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around this one ...
    >
    I run the Vos as generally Chaotic Evil, but use this (because I don't use
    alignments in my game system) just as a guideline. They tend to be chaotic
    when acting in a group. Attack here, raid there. Kill this, enslave that.
    Almost totally random. It becomes specific and directed in times of blood
    feud and when a change in leadership is due.

    In fact, I generally portray goblins as Lawful Evil. Slimey little buggers
    (well most of 'em are small) who'll twist any situation to their advantage but
    are too cowardly to actually break "the rules". If they did, then they might
    have to pay the consequences and they don't want to do that! :) You might
    think therefore, in my campaign goblins are a step up from Vos!

    later!
    Dustin Evermore

  4. #4

    Those Darn Vos

    The Ever Stupendous and always mysterious Darren (mostly referred to as Jim)
    wrote:

    > How do you portray the Vos society - Lawful, or very chaotic?

    I think it depends on the faction you are referring to. The Nona Vos, IMO, are
    the 'new breed' of Vos, and are trying to instill a more Lawful approach (As
    the majority of Anuire would see it) to their culture. I see the Nona fighting
    to organize the tribes into a structure which is based on something more than
    just strength & might.

    While the rest of Anuire advances (socially & technologically), the Vos remain
    static, and it is the view of the Nona that they too must adopt some 'non Vos'
    ways if they are to survive as a people. Migration away from clans & tribes,
    into permanent settlements is a major point in their arguments I believe.

    The Torva Vos on the other hand, are the traditional warriors & wanderers.
    They cling to 'the old ways' of Kriesha and might makes right is perfectly
    sensible in their eyes. These chaps would be a more chaotic nature I believe,
    preferring to fight before thinking, and dying before compromise.

    > I'm having a problem in that, while I can see that the Vos culture
    > supports a very chaotic view, aren't they supposed to follow a rigid
    > code of honor and such? Wouldn't following this code of honor, then,
    > make the Vos lawful? To the outsider, of course, Vos are seen as only
    > one tiny step up from goblins and orogs (and this is debatable) - yet
    > there is this code thingy. How do all you DMs out there present this?
    > I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around this one ...

    I tend to think of the vos code of honour very much like the Klingons of Star
    Trek. Yes, they are honourable, but they are at the same time very savage,
    brutal and unyielding, especially towards other Vos. Non Vos would have to
    earn the right (not an easy thing to do) to even be considered an equal, and
    most would likely be seen as unworthy of such an honour. They still have laws,
    but these are so twisted (in an Anuirean sense), that impaling someone on a war
    spear because he slighted your mothers honour may be a totally acceptable
    practice.

    > Ed, if possible, can you give us an example? For instance: If a Vos
    > regent made a promise to the regent next door to his realm, would he
    > honor it? For how long, if ever? Does their code of honor only apply
    > to the Vos? (That seems familiar ...)

    I think this would depend very much on who the Vos Chief is, the neighbor in
    question, and the circumstances involved. Someone like Andrei (Rovninodensk)
    would likely honour such an agreement until the neighbor proved 'dishonourable'
    in some fashion. He might regret giving his oath moments afterwards, but would
    still uphold his pledge I think. Now, Danica (Rovninodensk) would likely ally,
    cheat, steal, murder, and squirm at the first opportunity, and find some 'loop
    hole' in the very definition of the agreement in order to break it (while
    maintaining an air that she did not.) Think of it as Worf vs. The Durass (sp?)
    Sisters. Both are Klingon, and both follow the honour dictates of their
    society, but each upholds this in their own fashion, depending upon how they
    can 'interpret' & manipulate' the circumstances & actions of others. It is
    only a dishonour if you get caught after all....

    All in all, I see the Vos as a torn people, fighting to maintain their
    traditional way of life, yet struggling to grow and advance at the same time.
    They are both Lawful and choatic, yet neither. Their rigid lifestyle and
    traditions are both their strength and their weakness I think.

    I would watch a few thousand episodes of STNG & observe the intricacies of the
    Klingon society. It is very similar in design to what I veiw as the Vos.

    At least, that's how I see it.

    Morg
    - --
    "I hate it when my brain stem hurts."
    The New Draftmine Repository:
    http://members.home.net/morgramen/index.html

  5. #5
    Jim Cooper
    Guest

    Those Darn Vos

    Pieter Sleijpen wrote:
    > Before you can awnser the question how strict do the Vos keep to their
    > code of conduct (lawful vs. chaotic), you need to awnser what exactly
    > their code of conduct is. And even then you might concider there code of conduct chaotic...<

    Good point, Pieter.

    I will revise my question:

    Can anyone give me a quick and dirty summary of what they believe the
    Vos cultural code of conduct should be?

    Thanks.

    Cheers,
    Darren

  6. #6
    Jim Cooper
    Guest

    Those Darn Vos

    DKEvermore@aol.com wrote:
    > If they did, then they might have to pay the consequences and they don't want to do that! :) You might think therefore, in my campaign goblins are a step up from Vos!<

    Heh. Actually, that IS how I play goblins! :) But I was thinking: Are
    the Vos really mindlessly violent? (Ya, I know, deep down inside, the
    Vos part of me screams out "OF COURSE!" :D)

    So, perhaps, maybe it would be more helpful to us if we compared goblin
    culture to Vos culture and see where the differences lie ...

    Cheers,
    Darren

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