I have begun pilot testing the concept of Multi-Reality Disaster Relief Corps. This would be a non-aligned group of healers and other disaster relief specialists who could go in (request only) to assist the existing disaster-relief personnel of any reality. My primary focus will be on the recruitment and training of highly-skilled shadows with a challenge and danger-tropic nature. I am not mostly coming here to recruit, most Cornellians don’t have the luxury of much time for one-individual-at-a-time worldsaving.
Some of the things I need for this:
* material and financial support
* diplomatic assistance – I now have precedent for working with two realms, I would like to establish credibility with as many as possible.
* a discussion of the a) reasons why this is a bad idea, and b) the ways it could go wrong, so I can attempt to fireproof the personnel from those risks as much as possible. Problem solving of those issues is also welcome.
So, let me know what you all think.
Maria,
I applaud your efforts and am willing to assist personally.
Best,
Mathilda
(OOC- terribly sorry for the original typo.)
(OOC COMMENT ONLY: Apologies to Maria’s player given my other responses to you I’d ordinarily comment on this, unfortunately I can’t given IC events. In fact, your question probably marks the point where I’d be going beyond general responses to events known to me prior to my current circumstance. In fairness i think I can’t post beyond this until the situation is resolved. Sorry, Stephanie.)
(OOC: Mathilda…sorry to be a nerd but I think you applaud Maria rather than being appalled by her.)
(That’s fine, Stefanie. I appreciate that I made a typo and it is important that it be corrected.)
(Actually it was humorous. It’s Stephanie btw.)
(Apologies. I know several who spell it the other way, but still it was careless to default to that spelling. I am sorry. It was rather humorous. Ah, well, such are the pitfalls of typing quickly and not doing a read through before posting. Should that be ‘It’s’ Stephanie?)
(True. It should. I omitted the apostrophe, which is just wrong without the redeeming quality of humor.)
[Stands ready with the riot hose, for no reason other than the humorous.]
I second the applause.
I’m willing to make some introductions in the order side of things if you’d like. There are a small number of them that would probably be very happy to have people cleaning up messes rather than making them.
As for advice, I have two related suggestions that I can’t emphasize strongly enough. First, have some way of knowing when things are going south. Second, have a quick way out of shadow. It is way too easy for anyone, especially non-Cornellians, to be caught unawares and unable to get out of the path of the storm.
It should be relatively easy to cobble together magical and technological devices that work like radiation badges to warn when things are getting unstable. I’m happy to help with a template for the magical version although most aware realms could probably produce them cheaply.
As for evac, if you have the funds or the contacts Trumps to a HQ/hospital are probably best. I’m at something of a loss for more budget friendly escape plans for a relief corps. Does anyone else have thoughts on the matter? And nobody better suggest Ley magic.
I have some ideas, Maria, but I don’t want to incite what passes for vigorous debate on this board by proposing something controversial. 🙂 I’ll do some checking, see if any worthwhile possibilities present themselves, and contact you. After that you can do your own research, which may actually bring you right back here.
Stay safe in your pursuit of good works.
Gudrun: My understanding, and my sympathy. The business of the average Cornellian and their player-associates is much of the reason I want this staffed primarily by high-functioning and highly-skilled Shadow folks. I’d rather not have its absolute ability to function, at least for a routine, bush-league emergency, to be hampered by the vagaries of executive-level scheduling. (:
All: Thank you for skirting the flame war within the framework of grammarianism. I sincerely don’t want to have to ban all those I deem to have a confrontational or incendiary list history from my discussion threads, valuable perspective would be lost.
Annabelle: I knew team-activated multidimensional transport would be a priority. Any insight you have regarding early warning systems would, indeed, be greatly appreciated.
Damien: Thank you. As a newbie and non-Power-wielder, I’m a bit like a human adolescent: big dreams, lots of drive, lots of personal potential, limited resources – and a resulting need for much cautioning, mostly to be ignored; much advice, mostly to be listened to; and many resources, sponged off those who have enough to spare. (:
And, back to the discussion:
I am a relative newcomer to the world of capital-R Realms and the like. For those with more experience, which do you think will be amenable to this? Which are likely to decline an assist, if offered? Are there any realms with necessary cultural or protocol standards I need to know about before beginning a conversation with their Powers That Be?
Maria, glad to hear from you again. I can think of few Realms that would outright refuse aid. Some, may if worried about a breach of enlightenment or other lack of awareness by the general populace I will emphasize the need for Evac. Other issues: it is likely that the situations this corps would be working in would involve multiple Realms. Conflict, pear shaped covert ops, shadow storms these disasters could all bring about contact with multiple parties in one space.
Additionally humanitarian aid could well bring your people into contact with the Servants of the Light and the Dark. You can find plenty of discussion on this topic everywhere.
I offer my support of this endeavor and Blue Sky. I would love to discuss things in person. You can leave a message for me in Animus, Spec Ops, or any Animan Embassy.
Regards,
A. C. Smith of Sygyl.
A safe way of being brought up to speed on those cultural issues would be to rely on Pilot carriages to visit places that are new to you. They’ve treated me quite well in the past and come with a ready person who can give you specific advice regarding where ever you are going.
The trade off is that you’ll be arriving in the equivalent of airports most of the time and will get the pleasure of going through customs. That may be a perk in this case, though. If your pilot neglects to mention something important, you can pretty much bet the local customs officer will be on the ball.
As for which realms are likely to offer aid I’ll second A.C.’s sentiment that few would refuse if asked. That said, the newer realms seem more eager to be proactive in their cosmic maintenance while the older realms tend to take a longer view on the idea of what is actually their problem.
Maria, you have my thanks for the lives you saved on both sides of the Rebma conflict. I will help in whatever way I can.