-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- (08-01-98) | Guide to the Mentat System of Dune III | Dune III 1.1 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Process from the inquiring Mentat's perspective 2.1 Planning 2.2 Submitting the plan (*) 2.3 Dealing with the results 3. Process from the opposing Mentat's perspective 3.1 Deciding the merits of the inquiring Mentat's plan 3.2 Identifying affected props 3.3 Formulating the response and responding 4. Process from the Prop Controller's perspective 5. Process from the Administration's perspective 6. Example 7. Dealing with system abuse & conflicts (*) Indicates that the section has changed since the last revision. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1. Introduction This guide is intended as a comprehensive explanation of the Mentat system of Dune III. Anyone who controls a non-character prop, all faction heads, and all mentats should be familiar with this system and should have this guide nearby when using the system. This system is designed to allow for any type of calculation to be performed and for those involved to be creative in their choices. The administration will review this process in the event that an involved party complains that someone is abusing the system. We expect Mentats to develop reasonable plans and to be realistic and fair about what could be learned on any given calculation. Remember this game is about good role-play and having fun. The goal is not to win, but to play with style! This system was designed to be used by Mentats on both sides of a calculation. Its success is squarely on the shoulder of the Mentats, who have the most to gain from success and the most to lose from failure. If you have any questions that are not sufficiently answered within this guide, please either contact a Mentat Sphere Administrator (see 'oocinfo spheres') or send e-mail to the Administration at dune3-admin@fremen.org. The current version of this guide can be found at the Dune III web site under "Guides": http://www.fremen.org/muds/dune3/. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 2. Process from the Mentat's perspective --------------------------------------------- 2.1 Planning The first step in your process is to decide what information he wishes. You will make a calculation based upon available information to get a result. The second step is to gather information. You have many methods available to gather information. Possible methods for gathering information include, but are not necessarily limited to, direct contact with others, using a spy network, bribing officials, researching archives, and researching CHOAM and Landsraad official documents. You need to devise a plan that will maximize role-play and minimize the need for NPCs. Obviously, a good portion of a plan could use NPCs, though. The third step is to decide how much time and monetary resources will be spent to gather the information. You can expect that your results will be greatly swayed by your training and the resources allotted. --------------------------------------------- 2.2 Submitting the plan You must submit your plan to the opposing Mentat whose faction most directly has the information you require. It is at the discretion of you and the opposing Mentat whether to edit the plan before moving forward. If the plan doesn't involve an opposing Mentat (for instance, what is the likelihood of a natural disaster on my faction's home world?), determine who controls the prop most directly involved (in this example, the prop would be the home world, controlled by its faction head), and treat the Controller as if he were the opposing Mentat. A copy of the plan, once agreed upon by each Mentat, should also be submitted to the Administration at dune3-mentats@fremen.org for archival and review purposes. --------------------------------------------- 2.3 Dealing with the results Once the plan is submitted in its final form, you simply wait for a reply. The opposing Mentat writes back a set of facts, which may or may not be true, the ratio of truth to lie being directly affected by your level of training, the quality of the plan, and the time and resources devoted. You then formulate your own conclusion from these facts. Yes, this system is entirely subjective, but it also provides for the closest approximation to how a Mentat would truly go about his job and provides a potentially large amount of enjoyment by its participants. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 3. Process from the opposing Mentat's perspective --------------------------------------------- 3.1 Deciding the merits of the inquiring Mentat's plan You become involved in an inquiring Mentat's calculation only when that Mentat submits a plan for gathering information about your faction. You should review the submission and decide whether it needs more work to be a viable plan. If it does, you should directly contact the inquiring Mentat and discuss methods for improving the plan. If it does not, then you are ready to decide the plan's merits. You should consider the likelihood that each portion of the plan could happen as planned. In considering the likelihood, you should take note of your faction's security level, the level of training of the inquiring Mentat, and the time and money invested in the plan. --------------------------------------------- 3.2 Identifying affected props You must identify which props are affected and contact those props' Controllers, informing them of what information is requested and what portion of the information should be accurate. The Controller then responds with the data, tempered by the likelihood for accuracy, you requested. Likely, you will always need to consult with your faction head as he controls the faction prop. --------------------------------------------- 3.3 Formulating the response and responding Once all bits of data are collected that are needed for the response, you must send these data points and any other pertinent information to the inquiring Mentat. Please try to send bits of information and not complete thoughts. Construct your response keeping in mind that you want a number of interpretations to be inferred. You should send a copy of the above response combined with a short explanation of your choices to the Administration for archival and review purposes at dune3-mentats@fremen.org. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 4. Process from the Prop Controller's perspective A Mentat or faction head will contact you if a portion of an inquiring Mentat's plan affects your prop. The Mentat will supply the information requested and the likelihood that the information you supply will be accurate. Taking these factors into account, you review any pertinent previously set information about your prop for potential contradictions and formulate a response. This response needs to be truthful to the extent that you choose based upon the likelihood for an accurate response. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 5. Process from the Administration's perspective The Administration archives the inquiring Mentat's request, the opposing Mentat's response, and opposing Mentat's short explanation for his choices. We will review these submissions in the event of a conflict (see section 7 below). We may also randomly review the actions of a Mentat from time to time to ensure that there have been no gross abuses of the system. Please note that these reviews are not to nit-pick or second guess. It is entirely up to the involved parties how to deal with their props and how to act properly using the consent system. We will step in ONLY when there has been a gross abuse of the Mentat system. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 6. Example In preparation for an assaination attempt upon Count Morotai, the House Penchi Mentat wishes to calculate the security level of House Morotai's Kaitain Estate. The Penchi Mentat, a simulationist, chooses to spend two full RL months and one-fifth of House Penchi's net income for those two months (~50,000 solaris). The Penchi Mentat decides to pursue the following avenues to gather data for his calculation. * Inserting a trained spy into House Penchi's diplomatic corps for a visit to Penchi's estate to gather intelligence (PC). * Contacting indirectly various informants from House Morotai, such as vehicle drivers and pilots and servants for the observed number of bodyguards around and paranoia of the royal family (NPC). * Attempting to abduct a mid-to-high level security officer for House Morotai and interrogate (PC, if possible). The Mentat embarks upon getting the PC portion of the data collection in motion, potentially collaborating with House Morotai in developing a tiny-plot for the abduction attempt. He sends his plan (via e-mail) to the Mentat of House Morotai, cc'ing dune3-mentats@fremen.org for archiving. The Morotai Mentat reads the plan, notes that no other non-player props are affected, and decides the following after consulting with his faction head. * The insertion of the spy is completely determined the RP and is beyond his control * Given the quality of the Penchi Mentat and the quantity of resources devoted, the data collected from these sources should be about 85% accurate. He further decides that these informants will have no sensitive information, given their relatively low positions. * The attempt, if possible to be RPed, will be done solely through RP. If it must be done NPC, the faction head notes that his security level is extremely high (18 out of 20), so the likelihood of a successful abduction is 15%. He decides to first go back to the Penchi Mentat OOCly to discuss what the possible outcomes of a failed attempt could be, possibly re-working the plan. Assuming the third option is done via PC means, the Morotai Mentat immediately writes back to the Penchi Mentat the following: The first and third methods for gathering data will be handled strictly through RP. The remainder of your request will be dealt with when the timeframe you chose for calculation has elapsed (two RL months). After those two RL months have passed, the Morotai Mentat writes: From your sources within House Morotai, you learn that the Royal Family typically are not guarded within the confines of the estate, save for the Count, who always, outside of personal quarters, has a shadow bodyguard. When the family leaves the estate, two bodyguards accompany, no matter the number of family members. The Morotai Mentat combines the above to sections (his decisions and report to the Mentat) and sends it to dune3-mentats@fremen.org for archiving. The Penchi Mentat, upon completing the necessary RP for the two items, combines all the data gathered and draws his own conclusions. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 7. Dealing with system abuse & conflicts In the event that a Mentat, faction head, or Prop Controller suspects that someone is abusing the system, you can write a complaint to dune3-admin@fremen.org. We will investigate your complaint, reviewing the materials archived from the incident in question and attempt to rectify the situation in a timely manner that is acceptable to all parties. As a parting note, please remember this game is about good role-play and having fun. The goal is not to win, but to play with style! Please everyone act as an adult, and we shall all have a great time with Dune III. - Broncalo / Christian Dune III Administrator