What is vesala?

[mactavish]

Having spent several days looking over the Cardassian material posted by Steve Kenson, I find the term vesala numerous times. Now I have a general idea that this relates to Cardassian political influence and power, but it is never clearly explained (at least not to my satisfaction).

So, what the heck is vesala and how can it be implemented into a Cardassian-heavy campaign?

mactavish out.

[Don Mappin]

Wait until the DWS where there are characters with the Vesla trait and scores! I hope Steve is planning on putting something out on this.

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Don
trekrpg@trekrpg.net

[mactavish]

But Don, I'm already waiting for the DWS! Don't make me wait more!

mactavish out.

[Steve Long]

Vesala's mentioned briefly in the DS9 core book.

To quote from what you would've read in Iron and Ash: The Cardassians:

[V]esala is a Cardassian’s personal influence—his ability to use a network of mutual obligations to obtain things (like a bigger house), accomplish goals (like going up in rank) and generally to get things done in a society often mired in corruption, bureaucracy, and petty exercise of authority.

Cardassian society, as envisioned by myself, Christian, and the I&A authors, depends heavily on Vesala. It's shot through with corruption and other problems, such that who you know (and what they can do for you) often matters a lot more than your own merit. The book had a system whereby characters earned Vesala Points and spent them to acquire things or exercise personal influence.

Sadly, since that manuscript's not one I have the right to distribute, the full rules on Vesala are likely to remain unknown to anyone but me.

Steve Long

[Dan Gurden]

But on the plus side... I believe the guys on the fan based Cardassian suplpement had picked up on this and were working on a Vesala system influenced heavily by Romulan Glory...

So theres something to look forward too...

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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts from a random mind!"

[Greg Smith]

Of course, it will be covered in the fan-written Cardassian sourcebook.

Anomaly, are you listening?

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Greg

"Calm may work for Locutus of Borg here, but I'm freaked and intend to stay that way."

[Anomaly]

Yeah, I'm listening. I've been plugging away at it.



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Anomaly

Anomaly TrekMUX: http://anomaly.mybis.com