Not a formal proposal at this time.

I suggest that this be used as a collection point for data, analysis, and hypothesis of who what and where the Masters exist.

For instance, the fiction piece implies that there is some sort of communications between the Alpha Octant (Director of Operations, Base Oneshot, Pharoahs Cartel, Orion Pirate Clan) and the Prisoners of the Masters (and thus, by implication, a source of data on the Masters available to both the Orions and the Federation Star Fleet.

Comments, conjecture and "brain Storming" are welcome.

Let the discussions begin!

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - 09:46 pm: Edit

Just to get the ball rolling, my initial assessment on the masters:

A small polity (perhaps a single star system?!?) the Masters apparently command sufficient power to seize starships at will, without combat, killing or wounding the crews.

The Masters apparently intend to continue playing their games for an extended period of time, hence the comments about selecting certain of their prisoners for some sort of "breeding program" (not discussed in detail in the source document). (see Captains Log#3, page 3 2nd column 14th paragraph).

The Prisoners apparently know what sector the Masters are located in, but have been unable to communicate that information to HQ (of any of the alpha quadrants races). (se Captains Log#3, page 4 column#2, paragraph 18).

And lastly (or so far, atleast!) the Masters have some sort of base/repair facility referred to as "spare parts".

comments, additional data, other conjecture?

By Jonathan Jordan (Arcturusv) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 06:59 am: Edit

Has there ever been any confirmation that The Masters have some power granted throgh evolution and biology, or are their powers more derived from technology? I've wondered about that myself since reading the scenario on how The Masters select proper crews (Some roving ball of death they need to kill in order to be determined Worthy). Less spooky magic and psionics and more like some device designed to go and pop them through some type of controlled Vortex should it die. I suppose it doesn't really matter, still the same effect, but it gives a different perspective on them to me.


Sadly I've never seen Captain's Log #3, so no help there.

By Sean O'Carroll (Terryoc) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 07:21 am: Edit

IIRC there's a throwaway line in one of the FC scenario blurbs that the masters exist "in the centre of the Galaxy". Do their prisoners know this? Perhaps they can see the sky and their ships' computers are able to calculate their position?

Since the center of the galaxy is unexplored, who the heck knows how much of it the Masters control? And if they have the power to simply kidnap ships, any ship stumbling on the Masters' domain would be lucky to escape. I think it's probable that the Masters have kidnapped ships from all over the Milky Way (and possibly beyond??)

I see the Masters as super-duper powerful "plot device" aliens in the mold of the Organians (only evil). They may be further defined if there are ever more stories about the Masters.

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 10:03 am: Edit

Does any one have a list of the Scenarios that involve the Masters?


I know there was (SL50.0) THE FIRST ROUND, (published in Captains Log #3,)and (SG30.0) COMBAT RALLY... but I can't recall any other scenarios that involve the masters.

Are there others?!?

By Michael C. Grafton (Mike_Grafton) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 11:23 am: Edit

"sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic...z'

Or words to that effect.

By John Trauger (Vorlonagent) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 01:06 pm: Edit

Or in this case, "A sufficiently evolved lifeform is indistingusihable from a god?"

By Jonathan Jordan (Arcturusv) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 01:26 pm: Edit

There's also Phaser Tag (SL146.0) from Captain's Log #15. The Orb, SL192 from Captain's Log 21.

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 03:12 pm: Edit

Maybe the Masters have the technology to artificially create/manipulate Vortexes (see latest captains log) for their ability to snatch single un supported star ships throughout the Alpha Quadrant.

Bring the ships into their star system (or whatever region they abide in) and use (pick one or choose your own) Psionics, advanced technologies, time travel...

What ever method they used, it appears to have been very effective.

By Michael Bennett (Mike) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 03:22 pm: Edit

They may be not-so-benevolent Metron types...

By Shawn Hantke (Shantke) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 05:50 pm: Edit

If Star Fleet and The Orions are in contact with the Masters, maybe they can finaly shed some light on the Xorkelians and the true nature of the Andromedans.

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 06:05 pm: Edit

It gets better than that, IIRC the fiction piece mentioned that the Orions were going to contact the Klingons and the Romulans and arrange some sort of organized research/action plan.

Massive concept- given that the Feds were at war with the Klingons and Romulans... and both sides were working with the Orions...

I wonder what really happened...

By Sean O'Carroll (Terryoc) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 07:42 pm: Edit

There was a Space Hockey scenario in the Tournament Book, but I don't know the scenario number.

By Kenneth Jones (Kludge) on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 11:01 am: Edit

The Masters are also masters of using S7.0 Ship mods. Aka "DOOMSLAYER"

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 11:29 am: Edit

We should also point out that they have some sort of manufacturing capacity, as they were able to replicate/manufacture new Type IV fast drones in a very short period of time (per the fiction story in Captains Log #3).

If such a capacity is based on technology rather than some sort of mental based powers... then it might be possible to... ah well... perhaps we should let that thought wait for some enterprising author to submit a new fiction peice about the Masters!

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 06:08 pm: Edit

There is a practical aspect to the Masters to consider.

If they are a technology drive society rather than a energy/psionic/telepathic powered group, then they will need resources.

A lot of resources.

enough to keep their world supplied with the necesities such as Dilithium crystals (or what ever power source they are using), metals, minerals, and even (hard as it may be to beleive) food stuffs.

They need to provide foods for thier own people plus their own populations.

One has to wonder if thier transportation/vortex thingee can manipulate time as well as distance... after all, they seem to be able to capture starships all over the alpha quadrant instantaeniously... why not go back and pick up some early years Carnivons?

That would give us the excuse to come up with General War Refits of Carnivon hulls since the Masters can manufacture what ever components they need.

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 04:28 pm: Edit

You know... if the Masters matter/transportation /vortex thingee is based on technology unknown before or during the General war... perhaps the Masters are from the future where such technology is available... that might explain (atleast to the present time) why no X tech ships were referred to in the stories... the masters are avoiding contact with prisoners who might recognize some aspects of the technique?!?

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 10:46 pm: Edit

Something else to consider.

the Captains log story spoke about a prisoner "Breeding program".

I wonder, if left alone with a M class planet for populate... how long would it take to generate a sizeable population of workers/drones/slaves for the Masters games?!?

If they don't go that route... that might be an indication that their powers to control large numbers of sentient beings is limited in some way...

just a thought.

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 09:08 pm: Edit

How about a far out in left field suggestion:

The masters are located in the center of the galazy... and have a number of inhabitable M clss worlds that were abandoned by the old kings/who ever...

What if they populated one or more worlds with Carnivon prisoners?

What if they excercised direct mental/technical control over the Carnivons?

What if they said that the persons/beings/races that were inflicting such dishonor upon them were the Feline races(Lyran/Kzinti)?

With 100+ years to play around (say they didnt try to invaded til after operation unity was over and disassembled...call it year 210 say)...

What would a Year 210 Carnivon fleet look like after having spent 20+ years testing and perfecting their designs in combat with some of the Alpha quadrants best warships?

Atleast we would have an excuse for GW and X technology Carnivons... and do it out side of sargaso space...

By Stacy Brian Bartley (Bartley) on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 09:32 pm: Edit

After the XORK comes the CARNIVONS!

regards
Stacy

By Jason E. Schaff (Jschaff297061) on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 05:46 pm: Edit

No... The Xorks ARE the Carnivons!!! :-)

(runs away, weaving in a serpentine fashion!)

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 08:45 pm: Edit

No, the Xorks are not Carnivons... some of the hints (G.O.D.) has dropped pretty much rule out that option.

By Stacy Brian Bartley (Bartley) on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 08:52 pm: Edit

Jeff
Pretty sure Jason was being humorous
regards
Stacy

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 09:40 pm: Edit

Stacy,

That same joke has been stated and restated for years now...

What ever the Xorks are (and SVC isnt spilling the beans AFAICT) they arent going to be as easy to make extinct as the Carnivons were.

By Stacy Brian Bartley (Bartley) on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 10:31 pm: Edit

Jeff
I've been following SVC pronouncements in re Xorks just as closely as you or anyone else. Even if a joke's been made before doesn't necessarily mean Jason knew it or that levity is out of place. Until SVC chooses to spill the beans speculation and levity concerning the Xork is all we have. Why be a spoil sport?
regards
Stacy