Well, what about this? I�ve been thinking about a _variant_ game for some time, and I came up with this draft proposal:
This game is a variant game, based on the Erratic variant. Game brinl1 was a standard game for the members of the Brin-l mailing, and this game might be its sequel (or revenge). I keep the suggestion that each country should be roleplayed by a different race, according to the list E = Earthlings, F = Jophur, G = Gubru, I = Thenannin, R = Soro, T = Tandu, A = any other. In this way, I hope to preserve good feelings, because you will not be stabbed by "Alberto, my trustful friend" but by "The Suzerain of Beam and Talon, that bloodthirsty bird". The use of such races, names, etc, is strictly for informal use by amateurs with no financial transactions involved; such rights of use are provisional and may be revoked at any time. All copyrights and trademarks, including "Uplift", "Startide" and other terms in the Uplift Universe by David Brin are reserved by David Brin. The Erratic part will be adjudicated manually, and the map, the moves and the rules will be posted at... http://www.geocities.com/albmont/brinl2.htm Initially, the rules will be those of the Standard Diplomacy. Before each movement turn (except the first), there will be two extra phases: the proposal phase, and the voting phase. During the proposal phase, each power will make a suggestion of a rule change to the GM. During this phase, players are free to negotiate among themselves or with the GM. When this phase is finished, the GM will list all rule change proposals, anonymously, and to each one of them assing a "vote number". Some complex rules may have more than one "vote number" (meaning that it may be partially accepted). The GM reserves the right to add his own proposals to the game. If an extreme situation happens, the GM reserves the right to change any rule without voting. The next phase is the voting phase (negociations are, again, free), and each power votes according to the rule 1 vote for each SC owned in the previous build phase. The votes may be concentrated in one proposal, or they may be freely split among them. Votes can be yes, no, and each power may chose to use less votes than he has SCs. Each proposal that has strictly more yes-votes to no-votes and has at least as many yes-votes as its "vote number" becomes immediately valid. Contradictions shall be clearly stated in advance. The assignment of the "vote number" is entirely the GM's choice. However, whenever possible, I will try to assign as: (a) neutral, small changes require 1 vote (ex: make Caspian Sea passable) (b) modifications basically require 10% of the total number of SCs (ex: two Armies may join to create a 2A unit) (c) modifications that clearly benefit one power will require about an extra 10% of the total number of SCs (ex: make London a "double" SC) (d) modifications that clearly harm one power will require about an extra 20% of the total number of SCs (ex: remove the SC from Sevastopol) (e) modifications that increase the difficulty of adjudicating the game require about an extra 10% of the total number of SCs (f) major modifications will require more votes than minor modifications (ex: eliminating one power will require 75% of the total number of SCs) (g) modifications that mimic events in the Uplift Universe will have a reduction in the "vote number" Alberto the GM
