From alt.pub.dragons-inn Mon Nov 14 09:55:30 1994
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From: dwomack@runner (Dave)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Admin] - CIA - Sigh...Gunpowder
Date: 11 Nov 1994 19:10:50 GMT
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>From  muffy@expert.cc.purdue.edu (John Hogg)

>I've noticed an awful lot of guns working in Generica recently(CIA thread),
>but figured the parties involved were using magic or some such thing to allow
>their firearms to work.

No...the basic premise is that everything functions just as it
does in the 'real world';  except, magic does work.  The population
in general is circa medieval europe.

>However in a more recent posting, one of the characters began to mesh with a
>city's population to comprimise several key officials and to advance the
>progress of gunpowder and explosives using his vast knowledge of chemestry.
>I thought no firearms were allowed in Generica.
>I believe the premise was that the laws of physics in Generica were the same as
>they are in reality, except for some reason (magic or otherwise) gunpowder
>just didn't work.
>Please correct me(and possibly post a response, not a flame)
>I also respectfully appologise to the authors of the CIA thread if they are
>offended or misrepresented by me, and would also appreciate a response or
>correction by any of them.
>
>Thanks!
>John Hogg
>muffy@expert.cc.purdue.edu

In response to Mr. Hogg, please let me respond candidly about the
CIA thread, and the developments and devices therein. 

Since this thread started, an amazing volume of critical comments
have been directed at it;  this has been particularly surprising
insofar as the FAQ specifically states a policy of non-interference.
In fairness, there have been a number of very kind 'regulars'
whose help and thoughts on issues have been greatly appreciated.
However...the solution we have adopted, in order to somewhat reduce
the volume of criticism, is two-fold:

a).  We are in a largely undeveloped and unexplored portion of the
overall fantasy world.  Hence, our actions do not clash with, nor
do they modify or eliminate, existing development by other or prior
posters.

b).  As numerous other posters have done and are doing, we are in
a parallel (but not equivalent) universe;  thus, while the places
and people may appear to be the same as in Generica, this is not,
technically speaking, Generica.  Hence, if any such rules against
gunpowder and the use thereof are existent, they are rendered null,
void, and moot via this device.

Finally, it seems incredible that gunpowder and other such chemical
reactions would be prohibited when such science fiction devices
as laser pistols are seemingly permitted and used within Generica
proper.

Hopefully this will somewhat clarify our position, and perhaps
reduce the concerns that seem to be shared by a number of 
people.

Regards,

Dave