TiaraLi

Good idea, SNM, my only problem is that if everyone has their own specific idea of what happened, then if you make a scenario that doesn't fit in with that idea, lots of people will be annoyed with your scenario to start with because it won't fit the 'facts', whereas if you start with a relatively neutral idea they may or may not like your setting, but it's more difficult to actually argue with its accuracy. Although lots of people seem to like arguing about others' scenarios around here... maybe i'm just a chicken! I guess the same kind of goes with putting a 'moral' in your story. If you pick a moral that isn't mainstream, for example a specific religious idea, then you must be prepared for backlash. So its up to you; are you doing this for other's entertainment, or to try and preach? Or are you just trying to put a moral in to make the story seem more real, as if it really matters what happens in the scenario? I'm on the pc, so i haven't played any user scenarios for BoA yet, but I have read through the reviews of the two that are there. One of them got some scathing reviews because it was preachy. However, on the tables list it actually says a description something like 'when god declares war on the modern' (i think) so at least people were warned. Hmm I don't really think I have an argument here, just a listing of ideas. If you have a well done moral to your story, it can add realism to it. If you have a preachy moral, it can bug people who are just here for entertainment. If you can handle the criticism, you can at least be happy that some might listen to your 'message'. But those who are annoyed may avoid any scenarios you make in the future.

Hey, this is my first post so please forgive me if I get things wrong. My view of VoDT is that the message is far more complex than 'pollution is bad'. There is an official order from the Empire saying that all magical processes in the school must be ended. This includes the waste disposal system. There is not time to get rid of all the waste first, what with everyone needing to pack and try and finalise other experiments which were potentially dangerous. Heck, just look at all the loot that got left behind, that wouldn't have been left there if there was time to deal with everything before leaving! My view of it is this: the Empire makes a declaration. When the Empire makes a declaration, you obey or you lose your life. The problem is that the Empire is a government organisation that has no understanding of the way a magic school works, or the potential dangers of closing it down without the time needed to deal with issues like waste. They just say the command, and chop the heads off those who haven't immediately obeyed. In the school, there were those who understood the dangers. Some were frightened enough to be loyal to the empire, and others tried to deal with the issue of the waste. There was a battle, and those loyal to the empire won out. The others died, but not after trying to leave instructions so that others could fix the problem later. To me, the issue isn't a poorly disguised 'pollution is bad', but a discussion as to who should be making decisions about dangerous situations. Is it wise to have a government making decisions on things they have no knowledge about? Is it wise to simply trust your government to do the right decision, despite your own knowledge of a subject telling you that they are making a foolish decision? I hope someone else can see my point of view.