Racial identity

Discussion on the 1879 roleplaying game.
Post Reply
Cosmic55
Posts:13
Joined:Tue Feb 14, 2017 4:38 pm
Racial identity

Post by Cosmic55 » Tue Feb 14, 2017 4:43 pm

I haven't bought the game yet. Still gathering info. :)

Am I understanding correctly that people changed in to metahumans like Shadowrun...but do they still have regular memories? If it's only been a couple of years, I feel like there isn't much of racial identities yet?

User avatar
Andrew1879
Posts:376
Joined:Sun Nov 27, 2016 2:41 pm

Re: Racial identity

Post by Andrew1879 » Tue Feb 14, 2017 5:18 pm

This is correct. The Awakening happened in the course of a single month, with elves, dwarves, snarks (orks), and trolls all pretty much appearing at once, as the Boojum races. Thus, any Boojum playable as a character was base-stock human until two years ago, unless they've changed more recently. They do retain their memories. Some change their names, for various reasons. Racial identity is just starting to become a thing, starting with the trolls due to obvious considerations of size. Other racial enclaves are forming, and there's beginning to be some expectation born of self fulfilling prophecy, with elves in the aristocracy, dwarves working as mechanics and engineers, and snarks and trolls in the military. The London sourcebook, currently in second draft, will expand on this, with the House of Rentezes, a household that is effectively the beginning of snark tribalism, although right now it accepts the other three Boojum races as well. Here's the short version:

Taking up four households thus far on Shepherd’s Lane (Homerton, E9) and putting in papers on a fifth, the House of Rentezes started out with a few Boojum soldiers staying together after their enlistment ran out and their families wouldn't take them back. The Rentezes take in Boojums who have no family for whatever reason, with their membership consisting primarily of snarks and trolls for tolerably obvious reasons. Members drop their old family name and take the surname of Renteze (pronounced rin teasy), creating what is in effect a family line. They provide support for each other, and run a private agency to help Boojums find work. Sometimes they have to invent their own, such as Diba Renteze, who converts houses to fit dwarves and trolls, or Alex Renteze, who makes jewellery, specialising in decorations for horns and tusks. Several Renteze snarks have found employment as orderlies at the Hackney Fever Hospital three blocks away, taking advantage of their resistance to disease. This in turn has taught the patients that a fierce exterior may hide a kind and caring person. The Rentezes also field a mercenary infantry unit, currently just two platoons, but their membership is growing.

Cosmic55
Posts:13
Joined:Tue Feb 14, 2017 4:38 pm

Re: Racial identity

Post by Cosmic55 » Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:40 pm

Sounds great! Certainly has "the awakening" feel, but from a story perspective it is a very different place than say Shadowrun. I'm sure the meta plot will advance it, but for now...that's very cool.

I appreciate the quick response! More questions to follow! (I have shovelling to do LoL)

Post Reply