Shemarrian Nation Review

The Galactus Kid · Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:24 pm

Wangfucius wrote:OK, upon GK request, here we go.

It's really, really good. Well worth the buy.

Lots of good fluff concerning the Shemerrians themselves. Focuses mostly on the lies they tell the outside world. Paints a very good in-game picture of what these NPCs should look and act like. Moderate crunch, new weapons and robots (although most are "variants"). The R'Mar alien is an AWESOME OCC/NPC (rolling one up later). This, along w/ madhaven, dino books and FQ pretty much finishes east coast NA. This and SB1: revised should be sold as a combo pack. Good amount of Archie related metaplot. Art was above average, not too many recycled images. Art was best in shemarrian depictions. Their weapons were well drawn also. Kinda wish the crunch was a little less formulaic.

I'll watch this post for follow up questions.

Can you give a bit more detail on the R'Mar? Are they an Archie creation?

Aramanthus · Unread post by **Aramanthus** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:38 am

Sounds great! I can't wait to get a hold of it!

ZINO · Unread post by **ZINO** » Fri May 01, 2009 11:55 am

Aramanthus wrote:Sounds great! I can't wait to get a hold of it!

i already got it and let me tell you this YOU will enjoy it
I am going to get a players Oof guard
I Give it four and half stars out of five

GaredBattlespike · Fri May 01, 2009 5:34 pm

(Failled Save VS Buy-New-Book) "Must...Get...Shemarrian Nation...Soon!"

I will see about this one myself! I like the A.R.C.H.I.E. metaplots. Always have. Always will.

:bandit:

rat_bastard · Unread post by **rat_bastard** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:40 pm

90% of this book is pretty damn cool, I have only minor issues with it. It does not have the utility of merc opps or mercenaries (both books as vital as RUE to me) But I am very very happy with this book.

My first issue is the sdc Hunting Rifle included. It s not that they decided to include a SDC rifle or that it has any sort of scaling issues. The Issue is that a suposedly alien race is using a tried and true human caliber of rifle that does not sit well with me. So in my games the rifle uses a Unique caliber that is functionally identical to the 30.06 caliber that is listed.

The Second is with the Shemarian Berserker, its a Shemarian who is primarily focused on melee combat. In my games they have auto-dodge and plasma swords, in the book they have normal combat skills and vibra blades...

Other than that the book is a very impressive first book and I am even more excited to read other Singsapaugh offerings palladium will publish. I deeply regret not being able to have Singsapaugh sign my book as I bought it.

Next year Singsapaugh, next year.

rat_bastard · Unread post by **rat_bastard** » Fri May 01, 2009 11:54 pm

Oh, and the War goddess should have Stolen mechanoid forcefields.

Balabanto · Unread post by **Balabanto** » Sat May 02, 2009 12:39 am

I think the biggest problem with the book is the detectability of the signal that links to the satellites. I would assign it a penalty, but it should still be detectable by communcations experts and people doing random sensor sweeps. There need to be rules covering that.

Josh Sinsapaugh · Sat May 02, 2009 12:51 am

rat_bastard wrote:Oh, and the War goddess should have Stolen mechanoid forcefields.

I didn't want to make it too mean because I was afraid it would've got cut if it was too powerful. I did consider that though.

~ Josh

rat_bastard · Unread post by **rat_bastard** » Sat May 02, 2009 12:55 am

Josh Sinsapaugh wrote:
rat_bastard wrote:Oh, and the War goddess should have Stolen mechanoid forcefields.

I didn't want to make it too mean because I was afraid it would've got cut if it was too powerful. I did consider that though.

~ Josh

Well, as I said, it is a really good Book, I am really excited about reading more of your work. I play a seriously powerful game so my Shemarians are sporting force fields.

taalismn · Unread post by **taalismn** » Sat May 02, 2009 2:55 pm

Argh! How is it I got the latest Rifter before my copy of Shemarrian Nation?!

Balabanto · Unread post by **Balabanto** » Sat May 02, 2009 4:35 pm

Who knows? The Postal Service is a screwy thing.

rat_bastard · Unread post by **rat_bastard** » Sat May 02, 2009 10:35 pm

I also have to wonder about the door to door salesman Shemarian who follows Archie's imperative to sell life insurance up and down the East Coast. I wonder what inspired josh to include that...

runebeo · Unread post by **runebeo** » Sat May 02, 2009 11:39 pm

Shemarrian Escort Service is what every Rifts fan really wants. Just one of theses ladies can take on 4 Altara, Blind Warrior Women and lick them all!

rat_bastard · Unread post by **rat_bastard** » Sun May 03, 2009 12:01 am

runebeo wrote:Shemarrian Escort Service is what ever Rifts fan really wants. Just one of theses ladies can take on 4 Altara, Blind Warrior Women and lick them all!

I'll be in my bunk...

Balabanto · Unread post by **Balabanto** » Sun May 03, 2009 12:51 am

I don't know whether being in the top bunk above Rat Bastard or the bottom bunk below Rat Bastard is worse in that situation.

taalismn · Unread post by **taalismn** » Sun May 03, 2009 2:16 pm

Balabanto wrote:I don't know whether being in the top bunk above Rat Bastard or the bottom bunk below Rat Bastard is worse in that situation.

I don't wanna be in the same ROOM with him in that situation.... :shock:

AzathothXy · Unread post by **AzathothXy** » Sun May 03, 2009 5:38 pm

taalismn wrote:
Balabanto wrote:I don't know whether being in the top bunk above Rat Bastard or the bottom bunk below Rat Bastard is worse in that situation.

I don't wanna be in the same ROOM with him in that situation....

I don't wanna be in the same state. Just to be sure.

Tricky · Unread post by **Tricky** » Sun May 03, 2009 6:00 pm

Ok, I must admit, I was alittle skeptical about this book. With so much of the Rifts world (heck, Rifts North America) still undocumented, spending time on Archie's tinkertoy barbies seemed like a waste.

But this is a good book. Archie is a great concept character, and the Shermerrians by extention are a great concept. Seeing how they've pulled the wool over everyone's eyes is nice piece of work. I mean, think about which would be more plausible to your average person in P.A. America: The shemarrian's are a unique race of D-bee cyborgs, or that they are android creations by a mad, sentient pre-Rifts supercomputer, determined to rule the world?

I know the truth, and the second (true) option does sound pretty far fetched! :wink:

I had an idea while reading the book: since in one of the rifters, Archie created an android rep. for Titan Robotics that looks like a certain boyishly cute male actor of the 20th-21 century, what if every Shermerrian has the face of a 21st century supermodel, actress, or celebrity. (if I was better with photoshop, I'd alter some Swimsuit issues or pics from photo shoots... :twisted:

)

ZorValachan · Unread post by **ZorValachan** » Mon May 04, 2009 6:37 am

I'm not an Archie fan at all. An anti-Archie person in fact. I hate the little toaster that could. In the original sourcebook, I only liked the concept of the Shemarrians, nothing else dealing with Archie. I really didn't care for the Rifts:Mechanoids book because of Archie being in it. In R+E, I did find the Republican back story fleshing out Archie made him a little tolerable. I got Shemarrian Nation, solely because they were the only thing I liked originally about Archie.

And the book was damned good. I am also impressed that Josh understood cultural anthropology enough to state a few times throughout the books on the 'holes' in the fake history, and how the human myth-makers are doing as good or better job in this than Archie/Hagan themselves. That he acknowledged the inconsistancies and gave plausible reasons people overlook them gets 2 thumbs up! And the fact that nothing went above the 2D6x10 MD mini boom gun in their weapons was nice.

Mech-Viper Prime · Mon May 04, 2009 3:34 pm

The Shemarrian Nation.

Nice work Josh

Josh Sinsapaugh · Mon May 04, 2009 5:03 pm

Thanks to everyone that has given me kudos, as well as for those that have nits with the book. I appreciate it.

And seriously: If anyone hates the book, speak up too. Part of me wants to hear those reviews more. If you are afraid that you'll be flamed or construed as a hater then by all means PM me or E-mail me instead.

~ Josh

Todd Yoho · Unread post by **Todd Yoho** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:51 pm

Josh Sinsapaugh wrote:Thanks to everyone that has given me kudos, as well as for those that have nits with the book. I appreciate it.

And seriously: If anyone hates the book, speak up too. Part of me wants to hear those reviews more. If you are afraid that you'll be flamed or construed as a hater then by all means PM me or E-mail me instead.

~ Josh

Your book suxxors. Only because I don't have a copy yet.

However, once I do obtain a copy, I will be sure to hate it with the passion of a thousand fiery suns, and will set the internet aflame with my criticisms because you are a very talented writer and I must crush you before you produce what I am sure will be more excellent works.

Josh Sinsapaugh · Mon May 04, 2009 5:53 pm

You either fail or winz at internets.

Not sure which...

~ Josh

cornholioprime · Mon May 04, 2009 6:15 pm

Todd Yoho wrote:
Josh Sinsapaugh wrote:Thanks to everyone that has given me kudos, as well as for those that have nits with the book. I appreciate it.

And seriously: If anyone hates the book, speak up too. Part of me wants to hear those reviews more. If you are afraid that you'll be flamed or construed as a hater then by all means PM me or E-mail me instead.

~ Josh

Your book suxxors. Only because I don't have a copy yet.

However, once I do obtain a copy, I will be sure to hate it with the passion of a thousand fiery suns, and will set the internet aflame with my criticisms because you are a very talented writer and I must crush you before you produce what I am sure will be more excellent works.

Oh, it's on, y'all!!

The Shemarrian Hordes versus the might of Dinosaur Swamp??

Who shall win....the Metallic....or the Muddy??

:thwak:

Todd Yoho · Unread post by **Todd Yoho** » Mon May 04, 2009 6:52 pm

Josh Sinsapaugh wrote:You either fail or winz at internets.

Not sure which...

~ Josh

Can I do both? Can I fail and winz? Would that be finz?

Hey, man, based on what everyone is saying, you have made a great contribution to Rifts. I can't wait to get a hold of copy.

Shawn Merrow · Unread post by **Shawn Merrow** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:14 pm

Phalanx wrote:
AzathothXy wrote:
taalismn wrote:
Balabanto wrote:I don't know whether being in the top bunk above Rat Bastard or the bottom bunk below Rat Bastard is worse in that situation.

I don't wanna be in the same ROOM with him in that situation....

I don't wanna be in the same state. Just to be sure.

I was in the same room when he dry humped Mark Hall's leg. Trust me, you're right.

I need your address to send the bills for the therapy to get that image out of my head. :frazz:

ZINO · Unread post by **ZINO** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:25 pm

taalismn wrote:Argh! How is it I got the latest Rifter before my copy of Shemarrian Nation?!

you went with fedx instead of UPS :lol:

ZINO · Unread post by **ZINO** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:28 pm

taalismn wrote:
Balabanto wrote:I don't know whether being in the top bunk above Rat Bastard or the bottom bunk below Rat Bastard is worse in that situation.

I don't wanna be in the same ROOM with him in that situation....

DhAkael · Unread post by **DhAkael** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:59 pm

AzathothXy wrote:
taalismn wrote:
Balabanto wrote:I don't know whether being in the top bunk above Rat Bastard or the bottom bunk below Rat Bastard is worse in that situation.

I don't wanna be in the same ROOM with him in that situation....

I don't wanna be in the same state. Just to be sure.

Infinity minus one dimensions away from that situation thank you :thwak:

Library Ogre · Unread post by **Library Ogre** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:12 pm

Phalanx wrote:
AzathothXy wrote:
taalismn wrote:
Balabanto wrote:I don't know whether being in the top bunk above Rat Bastard or the bottom bunk below Rat Bastard is worse in that situation.

I don't wanna be in the same ROOM with him in that situation....

I don't wanna be in the same state. Just to be sure.

I was in the same room when he dry humped Mark Hall's leg. Trust me, you're right.

I was in the same PANTS when he dry-humped Mark Hall's leg. Trust me, he'll be getting a bill from my therapist. ;-)

Balabanto · Unread post by **Balabanto** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:37 am

Mark Hall wrote:
Phalanx wrote:
AzathothXy wrote:
taalismn wrote:
Balabanto wrote:I don't know whether being in the top bunk above Rat Bastard or the bottom bunk below Rat Bastard is worse in that situation.

I don't wanna be in the same ROOM with him in that situation....

I don't wanna be in the same state. Just to be sure.

I was in the same room when he dry humped Mark Hall's leg. Trust me, you're right.

I was in the same PANTS when he dry-humped Mark Hall's leg. Trust me, he'll be getting a bill from my therapist.

And he hasn't cleaned them since!

Library Ogre · Unread post by **Library Ogre** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:41 am

Balabanto wrote:
Mark Hall wrote:
Phalanx wrote:
AzathothXy wrote:
taalismn wrote:
I don't wanna be in the same ROOM with him in that situation....

I don't wanna be in the same state. Just to be sure.

I was in the same room when he dry humped Mark Hall's leg. Trust me, you're right.

I was in the same PANTS when he dry-humped Mark Hall's leg. Trust me, he'll be getting a bill from my therapist.

And he hasn't cleaned them since!

Only because I was lazy about doing laundry the instant I got home...

Balabanto · Unread post by **Balabanto** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:41 am

Ewwww!

cchopps · Unread post by **cchopps** » Tue May 05, 2009 3:16 pm

Josh Sinsapaugh wrote:Thanks to everyone that has given me kudos, as well as for those that have nits with the book. I appreciate it.

And seriously: If anyone hates the book, speak up too. Part of me wants to hear those reviews more. If you are afraid that you'll be flamed or construed as a hater then by all means PM me or E-mail me instead.

~ Josh

Josh, I really enjoyed your book. For the most part my thoughts are in line with what rat_bastard has said (dry humping and bunk aside). I would like to add that I really enjoyed your writing. This book just read really well.

The main thing that I wish it had was a map!! Show the different states that make up the SN and how it overlays with other groups in the area and maybe a breakdown of Shemarrian density in those areas. It isn't too hard I guess for a GM to make that themselves, but for me would have been a handy reference.

I look forward to future books from you!

C. Chopps

Josh Sinsapaugh · Tue May 05, 2009 6:56 pm

Sunu wrote:Do Shemarrians use names, for dealing with outsiders?

Yes.

cchopps wrote:Josh, I really enjoyed your book. For the most part my thoughts are in line with what rat_bastard has said (dry humping and bunk aside).

Thanks. I appreciate it. And yes, a map probably would have been prudent.

vampire_hunter_D wrote:BTW, if Josh is still out there, do you think scavengers got teh Navy Depot and teh other Army installations around here too?

In my opinion: More than likely, in fact I would wager that they were looted within the first few hours of the Great Cataclysm. I leave that decision up to individual G.M.s though.

Icemaster109 wrote:Does this book have any Titan merchandise?

Nope. I would like to see more Titan merchandise, personally.

~ Josh

Aramanthus · Unread post by **Aramanthus** » Wed May 06, 2009 3:04 am

I've been going over it since I got it. Great job Josh!

sHaka · Unread post by **sHaka** » Thu May 07, 2009 7:56 am

It's finally reached my FLGS and, especially after reading the above (minus the man-grinding), my order will follow shortly. :ok:

Sureshot · Unread post by **Sureshot** » Thu May 07, 2009 2:12 pm

It still has not arrived at my LGS. I'm hoping it will arrive this Friday. I wanted to ask Josh if he would ever want to write a Titan Robotics book? With Archie-3 being so prominent in North America and with the Shermirran Nation book released imo it would sell well.

Danger · Unread post by **Danger** » Thu May 07, 2009 2:38 pm

I'd like to see a Titan Robotics book as well.

Josh Sinsapaugh · Thu May 07, 2009 2:45 pm

Sureshot wrote:It still has not arrived at my LGS. I'm hoping it will arrive this Friday. I wanted to ask Josh if he would ever want to write a Titan Robotics book? With Archie-3 being so prominent in North America and with the Shermirran Nation book released imo it would sell well.

Would I? Yeah.

Though, in my opinion, I (and any other Freelancer) should wait awhile for a book of that sort. Especially because I don't want to pidgeonhole myself.

~ Josh

Sureshot · Unread post by **Sureshot** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:57 am

Josh Sinsapaugh wrote:Would I? Yeah.

Though, in my opinion, I (and any other Freelancer) should wait awhile for a book of that sort. Especially because I don't want to pidgeonhole myself.

~ Josh

Understood. I just want to see more information on North America. As most of my games usually start there.

The Galactus Kid · Fri May 08, 2009 9:42 am

Sureshot wrote:
Josh Sinsapaugh wrote:Would I? Yeah.

Though, in my opinion, I (and any other Freelancer) should wait awhile for a book of that sort. Especially because I don't want to pidgeonhole myself.

~ Josh

Understood. I just want to see more information on North America. As most of my games usually start there.

I've got a ton of notes and a couple of documents started regarding Titan Robotics and their expansion into other markets. New weapons, robots, and vehicles too.

Library Ogre · Fri May 08, 2009 11:46 am

Sureshot wrote:Understood. I just want to see more information on North America. As most of my games usually start there.

Hit 3000 words last night. If I don't hear from my buddy about going to see Star Trek, I'll probably pound out a few hundred more today.

Danger · Unread post by **Danger** » Fri May 08, 2009 11:57 am

Wangfucius wrote:
Mark Hall wrote:
Sureshot wrote:Understood. I just want to see more information on North America. As most of my games usually start there.

Hit 3000 words last night. If I don't hear from my buddy about going to see Star Trek, I'll probably pound out a few hundred more today.

3000 words on what (if I may be so bold)?

I was just about to ask the same thing. Are we still talking about Titan Robotics?

Balabanto · Unread post by **Balabanto** » Fri May 08, 2009 12:28 pm

I hope he goes away. Insane Artificial Intelligence=not an interesting plot. Republicans trashing him and people with plans, motivations, and desires, and all that delicious internal political backstabbing? Interesting plot.

runebeo · Unread post by **runebeo** » Fri May 08, 2009 12:42 pm

I'm with you. I'd love to see a major shake up in the CS & North America. I could still see Archie make a later return with a new robot army down the road. Just think if Archie got together with Jughead, robotic burger waitress on roller blades with vibro-trays.

Library Ogre · Fri May 08, 2009 12:49 pm

Wangfucius wrote:
Mark Hall wrote:
Sureshot wrote:Understood. I just want to see more information on North America. As most of my games usually start there.

Hit 3000 words last night. If I don't hear from my buddy about going to see Star Trek, I'll probably pound out a few hundred more today.

3000 words on what (if I may be so bold)?

Sureshot was asking for more information on North America. I spent a chunk of Open House bending the ear of anyone who wanted to talk about "Coalition Homefront." I've got 20-some pages of notes about it.

taalismn · Unread post by **taalismn** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:01 pm

Still waiting on my copy...hopefully this Friday as well....(taptaptappitytap) :roll:

DhAkael · Unread post by **DhAkael** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:15 pm

Snagged my copy today and am in the middle of reading it.
So far, so decent.
I only have ONE, major nit with it.
The assumption that no one will ever find out the Shemarrians are not genuine.
-kaff kaff kaff metaplot koff koff-

Errrmmmm... okay, for the average beginer player & GM, I can say, sure, "I'm hip with that concept".
However, I've been running Rifts since it's first publication first printing and the campaigns are all interconnected , despite having multiple player groups. In all this time, yes, Lazlo (which is home base for 99.99997% of all my games) has found out that the Shems are constructions, but have no idea they are localy built (That part still jibes with Josh's meta plot).

Constantly reiterating that Erin Tarn is a moron, the CS and Free Q's are arrogant xenophobes, and the vast majority of the continent are ignorant hicks makes some GM's, who want to evolve their games, a little annoyed. No matter how much they may agree to the above points

All that being said, I like the book for the most-part and definately like that yes, they Shem's have changed and are now more plausible as a "culture".
I'm thinking at a later point (in my own campaign mind you, this is just GM pie-in-skye thoughts), one of the 'Tribes' may actually start to REALLY think for themselves. Be it through close proximity to rift energy, a salvaged alien arifact, 'other' force or chaos-theory in action (any suitably complex system due to instabilities in all structures, begin to alter and mutate) Said tribe could concieveably become truly independant and go their own way. This would of course cause both ARCHIE and Hagan no end of coniptions. Also, what would the PC's do if they interact with the now free Shemarrian people? Help them in their quest to find a new home away from the East-lands?
Try to dig into the secrets of the Shem-Nation? please note; though independant, these freed-thinker Shemarrians would still hold their core programming for at least 1 or 2 more generations, and act to keep their secrets just that.

A darn good first effort and worthy of 4 stars out of 5. :ok:

Daniel Stoker · Fri May 08, 2009 6:21 pm

I do have a question, I'm still working on finishing the book but what on earth would happen if a Psychic with Telemechanics got ahold of some of a Shemarrian and used the power? Wouldn't they at least gather that it's a robot/robotics and not Bionics?

Daniel Stoker