In another thread, we started talking about the Serenity RPG.  I mentioned that given what we currently know about the 'verse it might be difficult to come up with game that differs much from the series/movie plot line.

Anyway, here's a place to start talknig about other plot ideas.  

Spoiler

We've seen that the alliance was responsible for the Reavers,

so what other insidious plots might the purple bellies be up to?  what other plot arcs lie out there waiting to be tapped?

Remember the most dangerous thing about the Alliance - it honestly believes it knows what is best for all mankind.

It also believes that the ends always justify the means.

Any plotline you make involving the Alliance should involve those two philosophies at its core.

Since we know most of the planets and moons were made habitable by terra-forming, what if the Alliance attempted to retro-terra-form (I like making up hyphenated words!) the outer planets? The original idea, if I understand the setting, was to set up colonies that would somehow benefit the core worlds. The people on the outer planets are no longer protected by the Alliance and have become absolutely barbaraic. It's necessary to bring them "back into the fold," and the only way to really do this is by making the outer planets unlivable (until such time as they can be colonized in a profitable and orderly manner). With their planets destroyed, the population would need to move closer and closer to Alliance territory, where the Alliance can provide greater security and order.

Or the retro-terra-forming is a plan to make the colonists reach out to the Alliance for help, so the Alliance can show how backward the colonies are and how benevolent the Alliance is. And if they don't ask for help . . . well, maybe they're just too stupid to live.

You remember the backstory incorrectly, FR. The outer moons are all part of the Alliance now, and exist solely for its profit. That's what the war between the Alliance and the Independents was all about - the core planets (Alliance) wanted direct rule of the entire solar system. And they won. Which is why the system is so unfriendly a place for Mal and his crew.

Yes, I recall that part, but it also seemed, from the series and the movies, that the Alliance barely has any precense on the outer planets. In "Serenity" it was mentioned this was due to the cost, which was where I was thinking the Alliance might prefer the population in a more concentrated area, under its control.

One thing I never understood was how the Alliance profits off the outer planets/moons. I mean, we never see much wealth until we get closer to the core. I had a discussion about this with Krysst, and I don't recall it being concluded.

Well, we haven't seen the official take on Blue Sun, have we. For example, there's this soda commercial – who knows what they put in there? They could use their products to instill dependancy, sort of like cigarettes or McDonalds.

"Damn, I need another Blue Coke, right now."

Another thing could be they sentence criminals to man a run-down freighter heading to a far-off colony by autopilot, and if they survive, then they can go and harass the outer rim; if the ship breaks down, then surely they weren't meant to make it. Either way, they're not Alliance problem anymore.

The Alliance's insidious plots have to - at least on the surface - seem altruistic.  But - as was mentioned by Name Lips - anything is acceptible in pursuit of their altruistic goals.

#1 - Mind Control.  What about the Alliance installing some kind of mind-control chip in the leaders of the fringe planets & moons?  A way to "Help guide the better intentions of the leaders of these outlying worlds towards the truth and peace that is the Alliance."  Of course, this means that for any outlaw ship's crew, they have to be careful who they're talking to and about what... because these networked chips can relay information back to the Alliance.  The implanted people may not even be aware that they've been 'bugged.'

#2 - Subliminal Messaging.  We know this was used in the movie to lure River, but this can't be the only time the Alliance has used subliminal messages to move people to action.  Maybe they are also using it to manipulate people peacefulness in the core worlds... and maybe it's being used to manipulate people to rebel against the rule of governments that stand too independently.  Since of course, independence is in contrast to the existence of the collective perfection that is the Alliance.

Quote from: FraserRonaldYes, I recall that part, but it also seemed, from the series and the movies, that the Alliance barely has any precense on the outer planets. In "Serenity" it was mentioned this was due to the cost, which was where I was thinking the Alliance might prefer the population in a more concentrated area, under its control.

One thing I never understood was how the Alliance profits off the outer planets/moons. I mean, we never see much wealth until we get closer to the core. I had a discussion about this with Krysst, and I don't recall it being concluded.

How do first world countries profit from 3rd world countries?  By buying the resources those worlds have at low prices and shipping them elsewhere.

Quote from: Xavier LangHow do first world countries profit from 3rd world countries?  By buying the resources those worlds have at low prices and shipping them elsewhere.

That and using them for low cost manufacturing. Now I know Firefly and Serenity didn't show us the entire 'Verse, and maybe the RPG has more info in it about this, but we were never shown any major manufacturing center (correct me if I'm wrong, I actually haven't watched the series or the movie in a few months) and the only major resource acquisition I recall was mud.

I guess one can simply make the assumption that this is the reason and leave it at that.

So, what insidious Alliance plot can one hatch around resource acquisition or manufacturing? Hmmmmm.

Quote from: FraserRonaldSo, what insidious Alliance plot can one hatch around resource acquisition or manufacturing? Hmmmmm.

A shipping monopoly?

Quote from: FraserRonaldThat and using them for low cost manufacturing. Now I know Firefly and Serenity didn't show us the entire 'Verse, and maybe the RPG has more info in it about this, but we were never shown any major manufacturing center (correct me if I'm wrong, I actually haven't watched the series or the movie in a few months) and the only major resource acquisition I recall was mud.

Paradiso in "The Train Job" was a mining town under the Alliance's thumb. Basically analogous to a coalmining town where crappy work conditions gives everyone a disease.  Alliance is extracting wealth through the very lives of the people there.

The basic Alliance stategy for making money is keeping costs low. Dirt low. They have a limited security presence because posting guards would cost money. And what do they really need to protect what? Anything of value they take. If you try to build up any sort of industry or business that makes you more obvious to spot, so it is easy for the Alliance to stop by and periodically collect their "due".

If you are trying to sell things of value for currency or semi-liquid assest you have to head towards the Core because that is where the wealth is already concentrated.  Toward the Core and straight into the waiting arms of the taxman, or throw your lot in with smugglers and hope you dodge the taxman.

Another "wealth" that the Alliance can exploit is shown in "Heart of Gold", entertainment. Not the whorehouse itself, but the whole damn planet is the toy of Ranse. Something of an enormous sized sandbox that just wouldn't be as feasible in the Core at that scale.

QuoteSo, what insidious Alliance plot can one hatch around resource acquisition or manufacturing? Hmmmmm.

You want insidious? Wellll.....creating a market for medicine by creating and spreading the nonleathal, non-debilitating, but highly motivating disease. Motivation such as chronic extreme pain, the virus as the ever vigalent tax collector. But have them frame it differently, as the virus also cures some other "ailment". Such as completely blocking the effects of alcohol (through extremely rapid metabolism).  Alcohol is incredibily cheap and easy to create. It would be nigh untaxable in the colonies....directly at least.

The Alliance helps out the colonies by defeating alcoholism!  The cure just has this unfortunate side-effect that unless you buy your monthly supply of Booze-Away™ you are subject to intense pain. Booze-Away™ isn't a cure, just a maintenance. The cure for the virus is limited to the Core because controlling alcoholism there can be done directly by the proper authorities...via taxation! :heh:

Oh, and the virus has a relatively long incubation time to keep it from spreading like wildfire if it ever does make it to the Core.

The virus idea is a good one, but I wonder if what happened on Miranda might make them think twice. Not forever, but it might be one reason why the Alliance hasn't done anything like that. Also, like the original poster said, they do see themselves as the good guys.

So, maybe they figure Miranda was a good idea, but done poorly. Luckily, there are plenty of other planets on which to try it out, keep at it until it works. If the PCs happen to be on one of those planets, or intercept information about it, that could set them on the trail. Or it happens to a planet to which they have ties, and they arrive after the virus has burned itself out, but not before the new Reavers (or whatever the new test creates) finish their work planetside.

And again, there's always creating a false threat in order to make people turn to the Alliance for protection. The Reavers might be a tool they could use, but that threat exists, and no one is screaming to the Alliance for help. It would have to be substantial. Heck, it might even be real. What about a theat that actually exists, like a comet or asteroid on a direct course for one of the more populous outer rim colonies? Who else could help but the Alliance? And what would be their price?

Quote from: FraserRonaldWhat about a theat that actually exists, like a comet or asteroid on a direct course for one of the more populous outer rim colonies? Who else could help but the Alliance? And what would be their price?

And who tweaked the comet or asteroid's orbit so that it was on a collision course with the colony in question?

Quote from: Name LipsAnd who tweaked the comet or asteroid's orbit so that it was on a collision course with the colony in question?

They are so evil it must be pronounced Ee-Vile.

How about the alliance using the Reavers... If they could be controlled