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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Khur" data-source="post: 567251" data-attributes="member: 5583">Reality?I can only assume this question is aimed at me, but you must note that I didn't say I believe there was a conspiracy about 911. I said, and accurately, some persons do believe such a thing. Thus, I'm a little confused by the preachy seeming of this post. My points were merely building off of the fact that others stated the possibility of a "shadow government conspiracy" was an interesting and viable alternative. Further, the original querist, Velenne, seemed interested in the idea that Agents of PSI were responsible in a desperate act to eradicate a puppeteer infestation. Since PSI would probably be an American agency, or one allied with the law enforcement agencies of the US, a cover-up then becomes necessary.We're talking about modern pulp fiction here, fantasy modelled on the events of the day, not what really happened on 911. Modern pulp fiction loves a good conspiracy, and a threaded plot in which enemies become duped allies is even better. PSI funds a terrorist cell (whom they would normally oppose) and helps them get a bomb through covert action, helps them infiltrate the island of Manhattan, and BOOM! No more puppeteers in NYC, and a million less Americans. Further, PSI could have used the whole thing to get more information on the terrorists in question, possibly locating several of their holdings, and several prominent figures in the organization--a basis for other adventures.Besides, adding psionics into the mix makes a large, unknown conspiracy more plausible. Once again, this is not about reality, but possibility in fiction. I've found that every player with whom I've gamed loves a layered plot, mixed in with a few black & white scenarios that allow the heroes to accomplish something meaningful.My point is also realism, thus higher plausibility of the adventure, in which Velenne also seems interested. The US would not go to Defcon 1 (or 2) and then simply stand down and do nothing. Someone would be blamed, if nothing else, just because the American public needs to feel the government is doing something. That means if such a conspiracy occurred and there was a successful cover-up, which is not beyond the realm of believability, then there would be geopolitical and military repercussions. Including those in an adventure background makes the adventure feel more real, which is a good thing.Now, there's nothing wrong with a simple "good guy/bad guy story", but it doesn't sound like Velenne wants simple. Most modern fiction seems to support the idea of at least a few layers to the truth, however. This is especially true when an author is thoughtful enough to not objectify an enemy in a story, but rather show the human element, though misguided, of extremists who think they are doing the right thing, even when that "thing" involves killing thousands of innocent persons.Even a story of mostly black & white, like the flaccid Sum of All Fears, has a layer or two. The point is a good story tries to seem real, and tries not to objectify any part of the plot to the point it becomes cardboard. Taking possibilities from the headlines of today is one reason d20 Modern has so much going for it. Dozens of adventure hooks in every news organ.<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /></blockquote>

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