Q. 1 – How did you review the material in this draft? Gave it a thorough read-through. Q. 2 –What’s the most critical problem you’ve identified in these rules? Does the +10 SOM for the Stalker include the Hardened Skeleton and Muscle Augmentation, or are those bonuses on top of that +10? I'd also suggest raising Predator to 15 or 20 CP. Killer Instinct would be fine for non-uplifts, in my eyes. Q. 3 – What’s the best part of these rules? I really like the concept of the Stalker morph! Q. 4 – Do the traits provide enough options for playing different types of uplifts? Agree strongly. These are a lot of fun, though I feel that some would be fine for everyone (Killer Instinct) or for AGIs. Q. 5 -- Is there anything else you’d like to see in regards to uplifts in this book? Uplifted Elephants! We know they exist, but were wiped out in the Fall; ten years is enough time to re-fund the project! I also think that bringing in uplifted felines is dangerous, as it opens to door to other animals that might not make sense (Canines).

I guess I just don't share the author's vision of what uplifts should be. The reason for that is; after this proposal, the core book, and Panopticon I still can't figure out what the author's believe uplifts should be or what 'sapience' means. Most of my issues are not with the rules because there really aren't very many rules dedicated specifically to uplift play. Very few people that I've encountered see them as anything other than "furries" (in the most derogatory sense), that is the fault of the fluff text. The fluff text concerning the animal/transhuman nature of uplifts is both contradictory and bland. [b]Q. 1 – How did you review the material in this draft?[/b] Critical reading. [b]Q. 2 –What’s the most critical problem you’ve identified in these rules?[/b] A major premise of EP is the divisibility of ego and morph. While the rules set provides adequate support for playing, (for example), a character sleeved in an Octomorph, there is very scanty support for playing an Octopus Ego. This hand full of generic traits, (and one furry morph), do little to help and the supporting fluff and plethora of sidebars with no corroboration in the rules just makes things worse. (I'll get to specifics after I've answered the required questions.) [i]Is there an endemic problem you think is underlying this rules set?[/i] Yes! All of the traits that might help alleviate the problem of "Dude in a animal costume" uplift characters are optional when they ought to be directly assigned to each specific species of uplift. If you're going to make traits that support role play as an uplift you shouldn't make the player buy them for the character. [i]Is this material too complicated for your liking?[/i] No. It's overly simplistic and should either be fully developed or cut completely. As is, this is a lot of wasted column inches. (This reads like the development team isn't very interested or devoted to the concept of uplift. If that's the case then dump it. No one will miss this.) [i]Is there a specific rules item you think is egregiously broken and needs to be fixed? [/i] the 4 hour time threshold on uplift psychosurgury options is too short. Should be at least days, probably weeks. I refer to the core book pages; 231-232. (Unless you're changing the timeframes for all psycho surgury in Transhuman, Which I advise against.) [i]Is there anything that you simply think *must* be changed?[/i] Dump all of the Bast, Bastet, and the Stalker morph from Transhuman. Please. Really, PLEASE DON'T DO THIS. Uplifts are watered down enough as it is. Further; if you insist on inflicting a cat furry on the fandom then you can't write; "Thumb articulation on the forepaws allows for a slightly clumsy grip" in the fluff and then fail to make it a disadvantage in the stats. Also concerning the Stalker; "addition of transgenic vocal structures allow for grumbling speech, but those are the only nods towards any type of socialization." Where is the matching disadvantage in the stats? Impaired Linguistics is on page 147 of Panopticon. Finally; The Stalker is a *POD MORPH* why is it even in the uplift section? Put it with the rest of the kooky new morphs. I'd "enjoy" having to rule Zero this just as much the Bastet or Samsa or the Grey or vampires. [b]Q. 3 – What’s the best part of these rules?[/b] [i]Is there anything that you absolutely loved?[/i] "Uplifts, by their very being, pull out sharp contrasts between other transhumans’ viewpoints and ideologies, and can reflect and comment on them from truly different perspectives to give insight and criticism. Those uplifts that choose to build their own social models and create culture immediately position themselves among the most daring thinkers and philosophers that transhumanity has ever boasted." ^_^ THIS! The ONLY reason to pursue uplift other than the edification of neuroscientists. The text goes on in "Through Wild Eyes" to briefly explain that "some areas of their mental architecture were left alone during the uplift process" (I suppose this could cover the fact that MOST of an octopus' brain is in its LEGS.) The fluff goes on to briefly expound on some of the more puerile effects of these "truly different perspectives". Please develop this further for each species and support it with rules (I'll propose a method after I've answered the required Questions.) [i]Something that you sincerely think *must* make it into the final version?[/i] The trait's and "building better Beasts" sidebar are a fair start to supporting uplift play. However I don't think any of this should be included in the final version without further development. Feral Uplifts: I'm torn about the sentiment expressed in this sidebar but it does state some facts that are generally true re; gender discrimination, sexual violence, individual rights. The discussion completely ignores a HUGE part of Darwinian social organization which is the dominance game that is so important and prevalent in all social species. This should be included to keep players in mind of the bestial nature of uplift character's in general, even if the author's standpoint is that these traits are incompatible with sapience. Basically, I feel that these feral tendencies, in part or in whole, should be part of the pathos of any uplift character. [b]Q. 4 – Do the traits provide enough options for playing different types of uplifts?[/b] No. [i]Were there any traits you thought were superfluous?[/i] Not superfluous but completely wrong and fairly offensive in the case of the Predator and Killer instinct traits. Predation is not about killing its about Hunting and Eating. There's nothing in nature or science indicating that animals receive any satisfaction from killing but it's pretty obvious that they can enjoy hunting and playing with their prey and, especially, eating. Killing, as a goal, is a very human thing to do. These two traits just water down the concept of uplift as animal even more. They are ill conceived, urbanized, ideas of animal behavior. [i]Any uplift aspects you thought weren’t represented?[/i] TONS. Here are some outlines of examples. Non mamalian Chemistry: (Negative Morph Trait) Medicine [field] tests made on a morph with non mammalian chemistry suffer a negative modifier (octopi, crabs, can't take a blood transfusions or aspirin, for example.) Some compounds common in human habitats are poisonous (chocolate and dogs for example). Micro gravity impairment: (negative trait) Quadrupeds and any morph that lacks at least two highly flexible grasping limbs has a major impairment when trying to maneuver in microgravity including; launching, alighting, mid flight reorientation, rebounding, and maintaining a perch. Impaired Proprioception: (Negative Trait) Many multi-limbed morphs, including cephalopods, do not have the neural structure and somatic processing capacity sufficient for the brain to determine the position of the body and all arms simultaneously. The only way an octopus or squid knows how it's arms are moving is by watching them. Thus these characters are limited to 1 level of the ambidexterity trait. Pack/Herd Socialization: (negative Trait) Many animals; Primates Cetations, benefit from a well established social structure and knowing their place in that structure. Uplifts of these species have a difficult time socializing or participating cooperatively with groups that have highly flexible or lack centralized leadership or those groups where leadership is based on alien (to the uplift's species) concepts of merit or dominance. Dominance Urge: (negative trait) Achieving recognized social status is a primary urge of the character. Unfortunately they are neurologically wired to achieve status by means of dominance and aggression. While intimidation and coercion can be effective at getting the character to the top of the heap there is often social blowback that damages the character's rep in the broader transhuman networks. The character must spend triple Rez to increase his rep on the @, E, F, & R networks and gains the Enemy trait at no bonus. Empathy Disconnect: (Negative trait) Some uplifts cannot identify with the condition of other transhumans. The uplift does not understand strong emotions in other people and suffers a negative modifier to Kinesics, Persuasion, and Protocol tests. However the character is hardened to viewing extreme violence and torture and does not take stress from those situations. Isolationist: (negative trait) The uplift character comes from a solitary species. They need both physical and emotional solitude and can tolerate only a few hours of personal interaction each day. After this time they cannot participate or benefit from teamwork tests and make all social tests including networking at a negative penalty. At a higher cost the uplift may be required to make composure checks to avoid becoming violent when forced to interact for extended periods, however, they do not suffer stress from periods of extended isolation. Mating Urge: Negative trait, morph or ego) the uplifts chemistry and basic neurology drive the character to procreate at regular intervals. The uplift will experience the effects of a minor addiction while they seek and court an appropriate mate. At the lower cost the penalties will be removed once copulation with the selected mate has been completed. At a higher cost the penalty may not be removed until insemination has been achieved. Barks at Vacuums: (negative trait) Aside from the general sociopathic tendencies of any feline based uplift and the microgravity shedding of all attempted canine lines, the most intractable problem with these base species is the incurable intolerance for suction based cleaning devices and drones. Upon encountering any vacuum type cleaning apparatus all canine based anthromorphs will repeatedly shout a loud warning and posture threateningly near the device until it ceases operation, (after which time they will ignore it and look sheepish.) All feline based anthromorphs will startle and race immediately to hide under or inside of the nearest sleeping compartment. There is no test that may enable the character to resist this behavior. Natural Mimic: (positive Trait) The uplift comes from a species that has the natural neurology to mimic physical objects or sounds. They receive a bonus on tests to impersonate a voice or reproduce a sound. Or they may get a bonus to disguise or stealth checks when trying to blend into an environment. [b]Q. 5 -- Is there anything else you’d like to see in regards to uplifts in this book? We still have some room. Tell us what you’d like us to add.[/b] Instead of optional traits and motivations that may be taken to define the Ego of each uplift species I'd like to see species specific uplift backgrounds. These Backgrounds would help to define those 'stereotypes' that have been hinted at but never fully stated and allow the player to play for or against them at their whim. It shouldn't be too hard to think of a balanced positive and negative trait, and a set of skill modifications to give each species background that would set them apart from general transhumans and other uplifts. A final word. I believe the designers have stated that uplifts are not and should not be equivalent to furries or "Dude in a animal suit". If that is accurate then a lot of work needs to be done to define uplifts as uplifts and not furies. Too much of this document, Especially the use of american idioms in quotations of a cetacean and the inclusion of a cat *pod morph* with a weapon mounted on it's back is just cartoonish. (Seriously WTF!?) I like cartoons; Brave Star, Thunder Cats, Heman, anything hanabarbara did with lasers or swords and anthropomorphic animals is entertainment gold for me. I don't have a problem with furries. But I can get cartoonish bullshit pseudo science in Lots of other games that do it better and make it more fun than Eclipse Phase will. So please tighten this up thematically and make uplifts be sapient animals. I'm sorry if my words seem overly harsh. I love you guys for the work that you do, I just don't think this is up to the Standards of EP.

I have nothing to add here, save [b]pay attention to this[/b]. Dead. On.