Re: GM Dilemma

From: dddawson@hindmost.lpl.arizona.edu (Doug Dawson)

Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000 17:02:38 +0000

>
>The plotline I'm referring to revolves around a string of jewelers and
>diamond depots that have been heisted of their uncut diamonds.  The
>robbers were some ex-military types wearing power-armor, and it seems
>the armor they're wearing might have been inspired by a prototype of a
>Warder, a suit of power-armor used by guards at a metahuman prison.
>This assumption is even more probable due to the fact that the Warder
>prototype blueprints were recently stolen from a Smithsonian.
>
>Now, this is only one aspect to this plot.  Another point that has been
>rising is that the uncut diamonds might be related to the "blood
>diamond" trading that apparently was going on between jewelers and the
>Unita militia in Africa.  Such trading has been embargoed by the U.N.,
>but there's still specualtion that it still occurs.
>
>The "blood diamond" theory is coming from a player-character, but as a
>GM, I must say that I especially liked it.  The only problem with this
>theory is that the diamonds weren't being traded by the armored men, as
>these armored men were clearly stealing the diamonds.
>
>Does anyone have any suggestions on how I might piece this all together
>to make a plausible connection out of it?  Any and all suggestions would
>muchly be appreciated.

Two options spring to mind.  First is that the depots were, in fact,
dealing in "blood diamonds," secretly.  The robbers, needing money or
perhaps diamonds for some other purpose, were targetting them because
of this fact (like a crook who only robs other crooks, or targets
drug dealers, etc.).  In this case, you might be able to establish
some sympathy for the robbers.

Going the other way, the robbers are in cahoots with the diamond depots, who
have been trading in "blood diamonds," but who are now under increased scrutiny.
In order to cover up their activities, they arranged for the robberies.
(Possibly to remove evidence, possibly for insurance fraud, or some such.)
This route is good if you don't want any sympathy for anyone involved.

The Warder connection works better with the first option, I think.  If a
policeman (or prison guard) has to go bad, it might be a salve to their
conscience to target only criminals.  (Needing actual diamonds instead of
money is probably a good idea, to explain why they're targetting _these_
bad guys and not, say, drug dealers.)

References

GM Dilemma
i_am_superdude@yahoo.com
Tue, 19 Dec 2000 16:35:24 +0000