Bolero

Yeah I've thought about Azad so many times. Also Damage. I wish I could think of a way to map them onto a mafia game. I definitely think the ships/drones/SC peeps could make a great game, and I can certainly see how I might do that.

Oh I forgot to add, when I run a game on Consider Phlebas I'll know what role to make sure you get. I'll just keep randomizing until you land in the right spot

I was thinking of making a couples game based on culture ships and drones or something like that. Skaffen Amtiskaw and Dizet Sma for example, although there aren't any specials in couples games and drones would make awesome power roles.

I really loved Player of Games. I read it on holiday years back, one of the books which really changed my life. Banks had a lot to do with me losing religion and rediscovering philosophy.

It's not insignificant that my last days as a Jehovah's Witness began pretty much the same time I bought my first Banks book, Excession, in 1995. After that it was The Wasp Factory, followed by Player of Games and Consider Phlebas. I read Whit just after I was disfellowshipped (excomm'd), and it was just awesome. Immediately gave it to my (then) wife, who was raised a JW, after she left the religion a few months (and a lot of discussions with me) later.

So yeah, when it comes to "having an effect", I can totally related to that. All good literature should.

Where/how did you come across it? And why are you a bigger Banks geek than me?

Wow, really. So I guess I got SC right, Perostock Balveda?
That's awesome. Cool.

I have been wondering. Is it a Banks character? One of the SC agents, the one from Matter perhaps? I tried a google image search but that was useless.

The cult was an awesome addition. I wish I'd had one more day and amok one less recruit though.

If the hyperbole and fearful talk as demostrated by worldswhatsisname are an example of what you're being subjected to, I feel for you and hope it doesn't get you down.

Although I've seen it all before, having come to this point (MR), I find heirarchical forums totally unappealing, and some are just intolerable. Would really like to see MindRomp kick on a bit .. It was a pretty good start, but just ticking over atm.

On a mafia note .. I'm very busy and distracted with irl stuff atm but if the signups are still open when things settle down, I'll be in.