Jerry Friedman wrote: > I almost agree with you and Mark. My impression was, "Marx and > Engels have proved that feudalism leads through a dialectic > process to capitalism, eventually industrial capitalism, which in > turn leads to a socialist revolution and the dictatorship of the > proletariat. Dragaera is still too feudal and not capitalistic or > industrial enough to be ready for socialism." Here I'm attempting > a Marxist point of view, which I assume is Steven's but isn't mine. I always thought what Verra was trying to say was: In a world dominated and controlled by the Great Cycle, this great big stone tablet that even we Gods don't fully understand, the ideas of Marx and Engels simply won't work. How can you have a socialist revolution when, once the next Cycle comes around, it moves right back to feudalism? Not only that, but the mass of "Noble Houses" have sorcery and Elder Sorcery, and this throws the calculations off even further. A bummer for Kelly's Gang, but them's the facts. The only way to really bring about the future Kelly desires is to destroy the Great Cycle. Hmm... Maybe that's the Last Contract? Kelly hires Vlad to assassinate the Great Cycle! Another All-Expenses Paid trip to the Land of the Dead, with chisel and hammer in hand.... Okay, maybe not. <grin> :) Chris "He is a lover of his country who rebukes and does not excuse its sins." - Frederick Douglass