*reads Calliope’s example * AHHHH! It’s like epistasis or whatever the reverse of epistasis is...or something...

I haven’t really been reading this thread nor have I ever posted on it before tonight. I just glanced at page 4 and my brain started tweaking because I’m in AP Bio right now and I just took my genetics test today so my head is full of inheritance patterns and alleles and genetic disorders and whatnot.

Now I want to know what Twyla’s genotype is...hmm

*goes with the plot flow*

I think that having the DNA get altered would be interesting. Are we think it's temporary or will the DNA just stay that way? I guess I'm just curious as to if it would be long-term or short-term. I'm not sure if the mutation would fade after a while if it's in there and altering things. I don't know tons about this kind of stuff. I've had biology, but I'm only a junior in high school and the only teach us so much.

The effects are supposed to be temporary. (Though I imagine there might be some negative side effects to repeatedly messing with your own DNA.)

*imagines people melting away into goup*...
If we treat it like a drug, the more you use it the less temporary the damages are....
Meaning if you use it too much at once, or too many times it should probably do permanent damage, but otherwise you can recover.

>.> Least that's what I figure.

Uhmmm no. Damage to DNA gets consecutively worse. In this case good paracelsus is a little wrong with his "The dosis makes the poison". A single Molecule of a mutagen may eventually kill you, but its the long time exposure that raises to odds to reailty.

I think Lori's original idea was that the mutant-like powers are temporary, but the DNA damage gets worse and worse with repeated use. And since they have to keep taking it to keep their power, they've got a dangerous incentive to do so...

I'm so excited to finally post a reply. I've been away and struggling so hard to get caught up and this thread was on my list! Forgive me, this may get lengthy.

As far as the drug is concerned, why not make it legal? Ive been reading this really cool online comic called "superseed" where people with powers can donate their sperm to a sperm bank and then there's all this commotion over planning to have a baby with a chance of having super powers. It just got me thinking. The Order could have commercials, adds etc akin to what they show on the TV series "V" where the most dangerous person comes off so caring and concerned for the world. Hiding their evil under a mask of wanting to bring everyone together. I think we could have a lot of fun campaigning for the drug (enhancer!) and there would be a lot of FDA style loop holes we could exploit that have derived origin in TVs and Movies, none real of course but totally feasible for this. Perhaps the order can be selling the legal stuff up front and it's effects are very mild and easy but hawking extreme stuff on the side illegally. The legal stuff would be great promotion for those who get a taste and just dont want to stop. And of course the Order could appear very upset that they have a 'competitor' who is selling untested drugs. I mean, you tell people not to want something and the want it.

Anyway, the ideas are endless. I think we could do a whole lot by having a version of it legal and a illegal version but I'll have fun with it either way. The order could even set up "rehab clinics" for those unfortunate souls... oh my!

As for the technology it doesnt even have to come to that. Herbal supplements today can enhance a person's abilities. Ginseng can give you a stronger immune, Kerotene strengthens your night vision, Ginkobiloba helps your memory and your circulation. And as far as drugs I'm living proof that there are medications on the market for gene therapy. Uh hello, born 4 months premature with no expectation to live and now have a neurological disorder that requires constant therapy to tell those genes to stop? And I can tell you as a profesional from my education... oh wait I can even tell you the text book, (child psychology a contemporary viewpoint- mcgraw hill/ryerson) ... that in the very near future parents will be able to pick their childs genes! There's tones of academic journals on it. Many written by this guy who totally endorses infant euthanasia for the purpose of furthering these studies (which FYI I'd never approve of)

Common drugs now like steroids give people almost inhuman strength just like adrenaline, Cannabis can cause hallucinations and emotions not usually felt, etc etc all those things could be mutations.

BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO GO THE TECHNOLOGY ARGUMENT ROUTE FURTHER....
There is absolutely no reason why we can;t have a site vote. Rarely in site history have the mods ever stuck something down for the sake of a plot. It was called registration plot and it nearly killed the site. We allowed things for that plot that arent normally allowed with the understanding they were to help us get through that plot. There was a vote and that's what we did. That's also why after making that clear we insisted people not use those specifics after the plot as an unfair advantage against other players.

I really find the comment "If the mods can't follow their own rules, should we have to?" to be incredibly inappropriate and encourage ANYONE who feels that way to PM me @ n00b account. We are the most democratic RPG on the web, you will not find another so flexible in it's rules, willing to take as much member suggestion as possible, and willing to conform to the needs of the member. We're always willing to hash things out and thus I suggest, if people really are concerned about this particular aspect of this plot breaking the site rules that we vote (anon of course) on whether or not we feel it appropriate to bend it for the plot purpose. If we all agree to bend it or majority, than we can amend that site rule to say something along the lines of "however this rule is subjected to member veto during a site wide plot" or something.

The rule was not intended to be used as a nit picking tool like this. It makes me think it needs rewording anyway (open to suggestions). The rule was in place frankly because technology was being abused by many members and starting to become more dominant that the mutant theme of the site. When we started getting things to die down it became very apparent that a few members were abusing their technology.

At the end of the day, your mods are here for you. Our rules have always been based 99% on member input and 1% on Mod experience. You think you debate on things? You should all see what goes on behind the scenes when we're trying to hash these things out we represent YOU and though we have rules that you have contributed to this does not make us hypocrites if we listen to your cries of change. We're reasonable people here. I'd hate to miss out on such an awesome plot because we're getting too caught up in the politics of site rules instead of understanding the rules for what they are meant to be.

So, recap,
1) I think it could be an interesting avenue to consider some version of the drug legal

2) Yes, the technology is in the making and very well could get there. Just like we all very well could start mutating and evolving. This is not some giant jump out of our universe such as wizardry or technomazing (sp) would be

3)If people really are concerned, we can vote on the use of the rule with this plot and quite possibly with member input amend said rules (FYI this is what the suggestions forum is for! If you think something needs changing go there, if you want to know why we have something the way it is hit the faqs and the q and a~!)

4) In future if you have a personal issue with mods, or another player on the site, it is more appropriate to PM. We're all just people here, and no one deserves to be spoken to or about like they're idiots unless I'm up on pain killers... then you can speak away because I'm awfully idiotic. I think the other mods were awfully graceful with a few of the comments in this thread because they DO work very hard to be unbiased... but you know, poor sick old me just cant let those slide.

5) I love the idea of the drug having degenerative effects. Because real drugs do this. Even with me with my own personal treatment take for instance nerve blocking and quortazone shots. Short term fix, cause long term damage with repeated use! that's why docs put a cap on how many times someone can have it done.

I had an idea about power enhancement, but I was thinking a little differently. I just watched the end of the first season of Xmen Evolution and they have some machine that advances the person inside's powers to their ultimate form. I was thinking it could be interesting to have the Order get hold of something like that.

Something that makes their characters amazingly powerful, the upgrades would have to go through a modding process of course. But anyways, then they could break into teams. First a team attacks a major civilian hotspot, and thus the xmen run out to intervene, and are confronted with Super Mutants! Then another team of super mutants attacks the mansion cos the xmen are away and yet another team attacks the Kabal HQ.

Of course for whatever reason the machine would not work as planned and the effects wouldn't be permanent like they had thought, but I think it could be really fun for the Order characters to see their ultimate form, and also fum for the other people who get to be in a giant fight with the SM's. Maybe this could be another one for down the road if everyone is set on the drugs plot, but I figured I'd just put it out there.

The other idea I had was something to do with introducing Sentinels to the site. That could be a bit of fun.

The Order had created the Haywire Virus, which did the same as the machine that Magneto used to enhance the mutants. But in exchange of their powers being enhanced, they lost control over them. For a thread or two, super mutants are okay. However, for a period of time and having their control as well (because Magneto's machine gave them ultimate control over their powers), super mutants running around the site might prove troublesome. Limitations is what makes RP fun, otherwise, why would one even want to start a fight when he/she knows that they don't really stand a chance against one of this ultimate level mutants.

Taking Circe as an example, this is how I picture this ultimate form: control of molecules, without limitations when it comes to the number of atoms contained by the molecules aka complexity of the object she is manipulating. Possibly, not even the need to know the molecular structure of the matter she is manipulating. In this ultimate form, she could practically blow your head off your shoulders before you have the chance to even get near her. Fun? I know that this wouldn't be fun for me.

And she's just one mutant. Imagine what will happen if a team of super mutants attack.

And what would be the reason for the Order to attack both the Mansion and the Mondragon Labs? Hatred? Revenge? What good it will do in the end if they attack? Feeling good cause they beat them? That can be obtained without super powers, I believe.

Besides that, I for one, think that I like more the subtle approach that Lori is choosing to use for the Order right now instead of the massive murdering and violence. Of course, murdering humans and violence is fun but having another goal besides that is even better. For example, the Kabal take-overs. There's smashing and violence in them but in the end they will lead to global dominion. Good goal, I'd say.

So I think that the drug plot would serve the Order's goal better than having some major OP players running around. (Think that this might upset players that are part of the X-Men or Kabal. "Why do the Order gets to play OP and we can't?" And if this machine/drug that turns mutants into super mutants would be accessible to everyone, then we'd pretty much have lots of people running around with super powers. Maybe have the mods choose who gets the powers and who not? Again, I think that some might not feel so good about being denied a chance to have super powers.)

As for Sentinels. MRO had the Stalkers, which are practically better versions of the Sentinels, used during the Registration Plot. Because, Sentinels/Stalkers would be used with a reason, right? In the Registration Plot, they were used to trap mutants so they could be delivered to the camps. Without a registration act, I hardly see any reason for Sentinels/Stalkers to be used.

Buuut, this is just my opinion, of course.

Whoot to Calliope for figuring out how two mutants could have ahuman child! I have been trying to figure that one out for a while but couldn't do it.