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Radiant Citadel - Things WoTC Doesn't Want D&D Gamers To Know

Started by RPGPundit, July 22, 2022, 11:33:05 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

Effete

Quote from: VisionStorm on July 23, 2022, 02:38:53 PM
My favorite part is how Radiant Citadel seems to have socialist underpinnings, with heavy hints that money doesn't matter, yet it's also simultaneously supposed to be a trade hub at the same time. It's like, make up your minds people! Do you hate capitalism and money doesn't matter? Or do you love commerce and want to take everyone's money?

Why should we assume the traders are doing it under their own free will? It's a "trade hub" because the people are forced to produce a certain amount of product specifically for the purpose of distributing it to others. That's how communism works in practice. My mother grew up in rural communist Poland and she told us how the government would give them various seeds to plant and imposed a quota on them. Whatever was left over, you got to keep (and sell privately if you wanted). If you didn't grow enough, the government took everything and you starved. It was essentially forced labor.

Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on July 23, 2022, 03:06:48 PM

Maybe it's all a barter economy? After all, one could make the case that it's not trade or money socialism abjures, it's capital, i.e. the accumulation of wealth to the point of creating an investor vs. non-investor class.

Then there must be limits on how much of something someone can buy too. The accumulation of anything is tantament to wealth; currency is merely a convenient placeholder. Barter-economies put everyone in crutches and stifle economic growth. If you make furniture, you can only make a certain amount of things before you expend your raw materials. You must then barter for more raw materials, and hope the producer of those materials needs whatever you made. If they need a bed but all you made was tables and chairs, you're fucked. The only feasible way it can work is to have an "on-demand" barter economy, but then everyone is perpetually waiting for whatever they need. There won't be "trade hubs" because it would be economically irresponisble to make ANYTHING in surplus.

Ergo - the trader's in the Radiant Citidel are being forced to produced.

Quote(Oooh -- now I'm imagining a city driven by a vast web of necromantic talismans, where the currency everybody uses is literally drawn from one's own life force, and you can never buy more than what you decide you can afford to sacrifice in bodily vitality and health.)

This is actually a pretty cool idea. It's still nightmare fuel, but with the right rules in place, it can make a pretty neat alternative to money.
Assuming everyone's soul has the same "weight" or "worth," and you MUST store souls within your own body, people could trade soul fragments back and forth as if it were currency. You can never buy more than you're worth, and you can never have more soul fragments than what makes up a full soul (i.e., you body can't have more than one soul).

jhkim

Quote from: VisionStorm on July 23, 2022, 02:38:53 PM
My favorite part is how Radiant Citadel seems to have socialist underpinnings, with heavy hints that money doesn't matter, yet it's also simultaneously supposed to be a trade hub at the same time. It's like, make up your minds people! Do you hate capitalism and money doesn't matter? Or do you love commerce and want to take everyone's money?

It's like these people can't resist the urge to stick their ideology into everything, even if the core concept bears no relation to it.

There's plenty of mention of trade, hiring, and taxes -- so I don't see it as saying that money doesn't matter.

You seem to be saying that something must either be 100% libertarian free market, or 100% communist, but both at present and in history, that's never been the case. There have been a lot of societies (past and present) where some things were communally handled, but other goods are freely traded for money.

Thorn Drumheller

Quote from: VisionStorm on July 23, 2022, 02:38:53 PM
My favorite part is how Radiant Citadel seems to have socialist underpinnings, with heavy hints that money doesn't matter, yet it's also simultaneously supposed to be a trade hub at the same time. It's like, make up your minds people! Do you hate capitalism and money doesn't matter? Or do you love commerce and want to take everyone's money?

It's like these people can't resist the urge to stick their ideology into everything, even if the core concept bears no relation to it.

Exactly! And the thing that shouted the highest hypocrisy is the "mind control" magic that makes everyone behave. While I don't have, nor will I have, the book I'm told the magic is controversial in universe but they'll still use it for the "better" good.

Do the sjdubs realize they are the new fascists?
Member in good standing of COSM.

Thorn Drumheller

Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on July 23, 2022, 04:36:35 PM
Quote from: jeff37923 on July 23, 2022, 03:17:26 PM
Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on July 23, 2022, 10:42:25 AM
Quote from: Effete on July 23, 2022, 01:36:04 AM
wHiTe PeOpLe ArE nOt a MoNoLiTh.

Though my personal proportions have on occasion veered distressingly close to 1x4x9.

I see what you did there.....

I wondered if anybody would get that joke.  ;D

Not I, I are too dense mofo.
Member in good standing of COSM.

Stephen Tannhauser

Quote from: Thorn Drumheller on July 23, 2022, 07:09:41 PM
Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on July 23, 2022, 04:36:35 PM
Quote from: jeff37923 on July 23, 2022, 03:17:26 PM
Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on July 23, 2022, 10:42:25 AM
Quote from: Effete on July 23, 2022, 01:36:04 AM
wHiTe PeOpLe ArE nOt a MoNoLiTh.

Though my personal proportions have on occasion veered distressingly close to 1x4x9.

I see what you did there.....

I wondered if anybody would get that joke.  ;D

Not I, I are too dense mofo.

The alien Monolith from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey has proportions of 1 by 4 by 9.
Better to keep silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. -- Mark Twain

STR 8 DEX 10 CON 10 INT 11 WIS 6 CHA 3

Omega

Quote from: Jam The MF on July 23, 2022, 10:23:37 AM
A new adventure-filled hardback book release, without any harm caused by conflict.  That sure does sound exciting....

Odds of that being true are so low as to approach zero. At least one of the adventures involves dealing with a haunted farm and undead. So unless the PCs are supposed to talk the zombies to re-death. Peaceful resolution seems rather unlikely.

Not to mention the Citadel is not the 'safe space' they claimed.

Omega

Quote from: VisionStorm on July 23, 2022, 02:38:53 PM
My favorite part is how Radiant Citadel seems to have socialist underpinnings, with heavy hints that money doesn't matter, yet it's also simultaneously supposed to be a trade hub at the same time.

It's like, make up your minds people! Do you hate capitalism and money doesn't matter? Or do you love commerce and want to take everyone's money?

It's like these people can't resist the urge to stick their ideology into everything, even if the core concept bears no relation to it.

Barter would be a viable form of trade. Thats how it was in Planescape too. There was a mix of barter and coin as there was a huge variety of visitors. Again Citadel seems to be cribbing notes from Sigil.

WOTC couldnt make up their minds if they wanted to.

Of course. That is how this SJW cult works every damn iteration. Diversity for diversity's sake no matter how mentally stunted or even harmful it is to do so. Moreso because its always based on whatever is trendy rather than any positive intent. Made all the worse because it undermines any honest attempts at having a varied crew in anything just for fun or because it does make sense to have. Or have an interesting trade system that works and is flexible enough to handle more than just barter. And Planescape did that with just a few sentences.

D&D is one of the few RPGs where real diversity has been hard coded into the game out the gate. But of course every iteration the cult clains it never was and nor we need real diversity. ad nausium.

Radiant Citadel just builds on the stupid. Fake safe spaces. Ham handed economies aping work done by writers light years ahead of them that they have the gall to label wacist because of course.

They could have put out something good if they had dropped all the agenda posturing. And the outright lies about what the setting really is.

GeekyBugle

Quote from: Omega on July 24, 2022, 12:39:29 AM
Quote from: VisionStorm on July 23, 2022, 02:38:53 PM
My favorite part is how Radiant Citadel seems to have socialist underpinnings, with heavy hints that money doesn't matter, yet it's also simultaneously supposed to be a trade hub at the same time.

It's like, make up your minds people! Do you hate capitalism and money doesn't matter? Or do you love commerce and want to take everyone's money?

It's like these people can't resist the urge to stick their ideology into everything, even if the core concept bears no relation to it.

Barter would be a viable form of trade. Thats how it was in Planescape too. There was a mix of barter and coin as there was a huge variety of visitors. Again Citadel seems to be cribbing notes from Sigil.

WOTC couldnt make up their minds if they wanted to.

Of course. That is how this SJW cult works every damn iteration. Diversity for diversity's sake no matter how mentally stunted or even harmful it is to do so. Moreso because its always based on whatever is trendy rather than any positive intent. Made all the worse because it undermines any honest attempts at having a varied crew in anything just for fun or because it does make sense to have. Or have an interesting trade system that works and is flexible enough to handle more than just barter. And Planescape did that with just a few sentences.

D&D is one of the few RPGs where real diversity has been hard coded into the game out the gate. But of course every iteration the cult clains it never was and nor we need real diversity. ad nausium.

Radiant Citadel just builds on the stupid. Fake safe spaces. Ham handed economies aping work done by writers light years ahead of them that they have the gall to label wacist because of course.

They could have put out something good if they had dropped all the agenda posturing. And the outright lies about what the setting really is.

Capitalism understood not as the strawman that Marx built and named but as an economic system is nothing but the free exchange of money for goods or services.

Now, what's money? A means of exchange with a value we all agree upon. But since money is just a means of exchange then bartering my chickens for your cow is also capitalism as long as the bartering is made freely.

But I doubt the authors even went that way, I bet there's money involved, because they are stupid.
Quote from: Rhedyn

Here is why this forum tends to be so stupid. Many people here think Joe Biden is "The Left", when he is actually Far Right and every US republican is just an idiot.

"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."

― George Orwell

Thorn Drumheller

Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on July 23, 2022, 11:11:34 PM
Quote from: Thorn Drumheller on July 23, 2022, 07:09:41 PM
Not I, I are too dense mofo.

The alien Monolith from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey has proportions of 1 by 4 by 9.

Ahhhh, perfect. Thanks, Stephen. I did done learnded sumthin
Member in good standing of COSM.

RPGPundit

Quote from: GeekyBugle on July 24, 2022, 11:04:59 AM
Quote from: Omega on July 24, 2022, 12:39:29 AM
Quote from: VisionStorm on July 23, 2022, 02:38:53 PM
My favorite part is how Radiant Citadel seems to have socialist underpinnings, with heavy hints that money doesn't matter, yet it's also simultaneously supposed to be a trade hub at the same time.

It's like, make up your minds people! Do you hate capitalism and money doesn't matter? Or do you love commerce and want to take everyone's money?

It's like these people can't resist the urge to stick their ideology into everything, even if the core concept bears no relation to it.

Barter would be a viable form of trade. Thats how it was in Planescape too. There was a mix of barter and coin as there was a huge variety of visitors. Again Citadel seems to be cribbing notes from Sigil.

WOTC couldnt make up their minds if they wanted to.

Of course. That is how this SJW cult works every damn iteration. Diversity for diversity's sake no matter how mentally stunted or even harmful it is to do so. Moreso because its always based on whatever is trendy rather than any positive intent. Made all the worse because it undermines any honest attempts at having a varied crew in anything just for fun or because it does make sense to have. Or have an interesting trade system that works and is flexible enough to handle more than just barter. And Planescape did that with just a few sentences.

D&D is one of the few RPGs where real diversity has been hard coded into the game out the gate. But of course every iteration the cult clains it never was and nor we need real diversity. ad nausium.

Radiant Citadel just builds on the stupid. Fake safe spaces. Ham handed economies aping work done by writers light years ahead of them that they have the gall to label wacist because of course.

They could have put out something good if they had dropped all the agenda posturing. And the outright lies about what the setting really is.

Capitalism understood not as the strawman that Marx built and named but as an economic system is nothing but the free exchange of money for goods or services.

Now, what's money? A means of exchange with a value we all agree upon. But since money is just a means of exchange then bartering my chickens for your cow is also capitalism as long as the bartering is made freely.

But I doubt the authors even went that way, I bet there's money involved, because they are stupid.

Well, for example, it seems that when adventurers first arrive at the citadel they are immediately taxed, but that tax can be in coins, or jewels or gems, or in objects of values, magic items, or (I think) services. So the implication in the setting is that money is not considered a sole form of currency at least.

We're also told that all power and resources are distributed equitably.
Additionally, that everyone in the city receives a universal basic income.
And that health care is socialized (including resurrection spells, made easier by the fact that because the spire is full of the Power of Leftism or whatever, healing in the citadel is always at max effect and with not material component requirements).
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GeekyBugle

Quote from: RPGPundit on July 24, 2022, 02:50:58 PM
Quote from: GeekyBugle on July 24, 2022, 11:04:59 AM
Quote from: Omega on July 24, 2022, 12:39:29 AM
Quote from: VisionStorm on July 23, 2022, 02:38:53 PM
My favorite part is how Radiant Citadel seems to have socialist underpinnings, with heavy hints that money doesn't matter, yet it's also simultaneously supposed to be a trade hub at the same time.

It's like, make up your minds people! Do you hate capitalism and money doesn't matter? Or do you love commerce and want to take everyone's money?

It's like these people can't resist the urge to stick their ideology into everything, even if the core concept bears no relation to it.

Barter would be a viable form of trade. Thats how it was in Planescape too. There was a mix of barter and coin as there was a huge variety of visitors. Again Citadel seems to be cribbing notes from Sigil.

WOTC couldnt make up their minds if they wanted to.

Of course. That is how this SJW cult works every damn iteration. Diversity for diversity's sake no matter how mentally stunted or even harmful it is to do so. Moreso because its always based on whatever is trendy rather than any positive intent. Made all the worse because it undermines any honest attempts at having a varied crew in anything just for fun or because it does make sense to have. Or have an interesting trade system that works and is flexible enough to handle more than just barter. And Planescape did that with just a few sentences.

D&D is one of the few RPGs where real diversity has been hard coded into the game out the gate. But of course every iteration the cult clains it never was and nor we need real diversity. ad nausium.

Radiant Citadel just builds on the stupid. Fake safe spaces. Ham handed economies aping work done by writers light years ahead of them that they have the gall to label wacist because of course.

They could have put out something good if they had dropped all the agenda posturing. And the outright lies about what the setting really is.

Capitalism understood not as the strawman that Marx built and named but as an economic system is nothing but the free exchange of money for goods or services.

Now, what's money? A means of exchange with a value we all agree upon. But since money is just a means of exchange then bartering my chickens for your cow is also capitalism as long as the bartering is made freely.

But I doubt the authors even went that way, I bet there's money involved, because they are stupid.

Well, for example, it seems that when adventurers first arrive at the citadel they are immediately taxed, but that tax can be in coins, or jewels or gems, or in objects of values, magic items, or (I think) services. So the implication in the setting is that money is not considered a sole form of currency at least.

We're also told that all power and resources are distributed equitably.
Additionally, that everyone in the city receives a universal basic income.
And that health care is socialized (including resurrection spells, made easier by the fact that because the spire is full of the Power of Leftism or whatever, healing in the citadel is always at max effect and with not material component requirements).

So like most of human history even after money was invented? Even today, if you can't pay your taxes but you own stuff the government steals your stuff to cover the taxes plus their expenses in stealing your stuff.

Off course they have a magical NHS, one that works as intended because it's magical, and off course healing doesn't require material components in their commie utopia, these idiots think all things just fall from heaven.
Quote from: Rhedyn

Here is why this forum tends to be so stupid. Many people here think Joe Biden is "The Left", when he is actually Far Right and every US republican is just an idiot.

"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."

― George Orwell

Ghostmaker

Quote from: RPGPundit on July 24, 2022, 02:50:58 PM
And that health care is socialized (including resurrection spells, made easier by the fact that because the spire is full of the Power of Leftism or whatever, healing in the citadel is always at max effect and with not material component requirements).
Interesting, because that sort of effect should only be seen on the Positive Energy Plane or adjacent to it.

EDIT: The reason I make that point is because the Radiant Citadel is supposedly built on the Ethereal Plane (presumably, the Deep Ethereal), which is probably the easiest plane to reach for mortals.

Sigh. They just want to keep breaking the rules so they can have their little made up Sigil knockoff.

jhkim

Having watched the video, I'm reminded of back in my teens when I went to go see The Last Temptation of Christ with a group from my church and discuss it afterwards. While we were in line, there were a bunch of protesters handing out pamphlets about how awful and blasphemous the movie is - without having seen it.

In general, there's plenty to criticize in Journeys through the Radiant Citadel, but Pundit is explicit that he hasn't read it, and is just going by rumors he hears about it.

He also does a lot of declaring what the creators really think (like "they hate white people") and then clarifying that they don't say those things, but he just knows the impurity in their hearts.

Quote from: GeekyBugle on July 25, 2022, 01:28:51 PM
Quote from: RPGPundit on July 24, 2022, 02:50:58 PM
Well, for example, it seems that when adventurers first arrive at the citadel they are immediately taxed, but that tax can be in coins, or jewels or gems, or in objects of values, magic items, or (I think) services. So the implication in the setting is that money is not considered a sole form of currency at least.

We're also told that all power and resources are distributed equitably.
Additionally, that everyone in the city receives a universal basic income.
And that health care is socialized (including resurrection spells, made easier by the fact that because the spire is full of the Power of Leftism or whatever, healing in the citadel is always at max effect and with not material component requirements).

So like most of human history even after money was invented? Even today, if you can't pay your taxes but you own stuff the government steals your stuff to cover the taxes plus their expenses in stealing your stuff.

Off course they have a magical NHS, one that works as intended because it's magical, and off course healing doesn't require material components in their commie utopia, these idiots think all things just fall from heaven.

Someone who creates a setting gets to define how magic powers work in a given world, as well as larger cosmology. Within their world, they are right. For example, in Pundit's Lion & Dragon - the monotheistic Church of the Unconquered Sun and the God of Law is defined as good, and the forces of chaos opposed to it are evil and a threat to human survival. Heresy and heathenism are "a direct threat to humankind in this life and the next".

Overall, the Radiant Citadel itself is a left-leaning utopia - but it seems the equivalent of fantasy nordic country or similar, rather than a communist country like Cuba. I don't think it works well as a gaming setting. It seems like a weak wrapper element to bring together the anthology of 13 adventures each in their own mini-setting, and it's my least favorite part of the book. However, that doesn't justify making up false stuff about it.

1) Pundit's charges of community policing are the most off-base. The book specifies a highly trained guard who deal with violence and inspectors for non-violent crime.

2) There's no suggestion that money isn't important or that *all* resources are distributed. Indeed, the multiple mentions of taxes, tariffs, and tolls scaled to means contradict this.

3) As one example, healing isn't free for anyone except the poorest. As the book puts it, "The House of Convalescence turns no one away; healing is priced according to one's means, and the poorest are served without charge." That could be called socialist because pricing is according to means, but people still have to pay. Historically, many church-run institutions would help heal the poor as well as provide other services, tithing members to pay for it. Alms is a common practice in Christianity and one of the pillars of Islam.

Thorn Drumheller

Quote from: jhkim on July 25, 2022, 03:40:02 PM
Having watched the video, I'm reminded of back in my teens when I went to go see The Last Temptation of Christ with a group from my church and discuss it afterwards. While we were in line, there were a bunch of protesters handing out pamphlets about how awful and blasphemous the movie is - without having seen it.

In general, there's plenty to criticize in Journeys through the Radiant Citadel, but Pundit is explicit that he hasn't read it, and is just going by rumors he hears about it.

He also does a lot of declaring what the creators really think (like "they hate white people") and then clarifying that they don't say those things, but he just knows the impurity in their hearts.

Quote from: GeekyBugle on July 25, 2022, 01:28:51 PM
Quote from: RPGPundit on July 24, 2022, 02:50:58 PM
Well, for example, it seems that when adventurers first arrive at the citadel they are immediately taxed, but that tax can be in coins, or jewels or gems, or in objects of values, magic items, or (I think) services. So the implication in the setting is that money is not considered a sole form of currency at least.

We're also told that all power and resources are distributed equitably.
Additionally, that everyone in the city receives a universal basic income.
And that health care is socialized (including resurrection spells, made easier by the fact that because the spire is full of the Power of Leftism or whatever, healing in the citadel is always at max effect and with not material component requirements).

So like most of human history even after money was invented? Even today, if you can't pay your taxes but you own stuff the government steals your stuff to cover the taxes plus their expenses in stealing your stuff.

Off course they have a magical NHS, one that works as intended because it's magical, and off course healing doesn't require material components in their commie utopia, these idiots think all things just fall from heaven.

Someone who creates a setting gets to define how magic powers work in a given world, as well as larger cosmology. Within their world, they are right. For example, in Pundit's Lion & Dragon - the monotheistic Church of the Unconquered Sun and the God of Law is defined as good, and the forces of chaos opposed to it are evil and a threat to human survival. Heresy and heathenism are "a direct threat to humankind in this life and the next".

Overall, the Radiant Citadel itself is a left-leaning utopia - but it seems the equivalent of fantasy nordic country or similar, rather than a communist country like Cuba. I don't think it works well as a gaming setting. It seems like a weak wrapper element to bring together the anthology of 13 adventures each in their own mini-setting, and it's my least favorite part of the book. However, that doesn't justify making up false stuff about it.

1) Pundit's charges of community policing are the most off-base. The book specifies a highly trained guard who deal with violence and inspectors for non-violent crime.

2) There's no suggestion that money isn't important or that *all* resources are distributed. Indeed, the multiple mentions of taxes, tariffs, and tolls scaled to means contradict this.

3) As one example, healing isn't free for anyone except the poorest. As the book puts it, "The House of Convalescence turns no one away; healing is priced according to one's means, and the poorest are served without charge." That could be called socialist because pricing is according to means, but people still have to pay. Historically, many church-run institutions would help heal the poor as well as provide other services, tithing members to pay for it. Alms is a common practice in Christianity and one of the pillars of Islam.

Hi jhkim. I'm not going to argue your logic. For me, what WotC has proven is I'm no longer in their desired demographic. My money will be taken elsewhere. I'm not going to buy/read this product. I've seen reviews from folks who have purchased it. Would there be something from this I could use in my game? Probably, but my gaming dollar isn't going to go here as this book, and previous, is taking the game in a direction I don't like.

It's just like 2nd edition, my favorite. They came out with settings that just didn't hold interest for me. So like 2nd, they're fracturing the player base in my opinion. But, for me, the way WotC seems to be pandering to certain groups makes my gaming dollar decisions easier.
Member in good standing of COSM.

RPGPundit

Quote from: jhkim on July 25, 2022, 03:40:02 PM
Having watched the video, I'm reminded of back in my teens when I went to go see The Last Temptation of Christ with a group from my church and discuss it afterwards. While we were in line, there were a bunch of protesters handing out pamphlets about how awful and blasphemous the movie is - without having seen it.

In general, there's plenty to criticize in Journeys through the Radiant Citadel, but Pundit is explicit that he hasn't read it, and is just going by rumors he hears about it.

He also does a lot of declaring what the creators really think (like "they hate white people") and then clarifying that they don't say those things, but he just knows the impurity in their hearts.

Where did I say "they hate white people"?

Quote
Quote from: GeekyBugle on July 25, 2022, 01:28:51 PM
Quote from: RPGPundit on July 24, 2022, 02:50:58 PM
Well, for example, it seems that when adventurers first arrive at the citadel they are immediately taxed, but that tax can be in coins, or jewels or gems, or in objects of values, magic items, or (I think) services. So the implication in the setting is that money is not considered a sole form of currency at least.

We're also told that all power and resources are distributed equitably.
Additionally, that everyone in the city receives a universal basic income.
And that health care is socialized (including resurrection spells, made easier by the fact that because the spire is full of the Power of Leftism or whatever, healing in the citadel is always at max effect and with not material component requirements).

So like most of human history even after money was invented? Even today, if you can't pay your taxes but you own stuff the government steals your stuff to cover the taxes plus their expenses in stealing your stuff.

Off course they have a magical NHS, one that works as intended because it's magical, and off course healing doesn't require material components in their commie utopia, these idiots think all things just fall from heaven.

Someone who creates a setting gets to define how magic powers work in a given world, as well as larger cosmology. Within their world, they are right. For example, in Pundit's Lion & Dragon - the monotheistic Church of the Unconquered Sun and the God of Law is defined as good, and the forces of chaos opposed to it are evil and a threat to human survival. Heresy and heathenism are "a direct threat to humankind in this life and the next".

Overall, the Radiant Citadel itself is a left-leaning utopia - but it seems the equivalent of fantasy nordic country or similar, rather than a communist country like Cuba. I don't think it works well as a gaming setting. It seems like a weak wrapper element to bring together the anthology of 13 adventures each in their own mini-setting, and it's my least favorite part of the book. However, that doesn't justify making up false stuff about it.

1) Pundit's charges of community policing are the most off-base. The book specifies a highly trained guard who deal with violence and inspectors for non-violent crime.

Now who's lying?! Here's their entire text on law and justice:  "Public safety and peacekeeping are administered through a variety of councils and organizations designed to address specific issues. The House of Convalescence helps those living with mental illness, while inspectors investigate nonviolent crimes and use nonlethal methods of detainment. Theft is uncommon in the city, and rehabilitation and restorative justice are preferred methods of addressing wrongs. Highly trained local guards mobilize to
handle the rare incidents of violence, and citizens are expected to proactively intervene if needed. The worst offenders are sentenced to a controversial
Djaynaian punishment wherein the criminal is subjected to a ritual that prevents them from repeating their crime and then is banished from the city."

So Peacekeeping is NOT the product of a centralized police force. It is handled by "a variety of councils and organizations", there is no single police force. The default is to assume that crime is a mental disorder, while nonviolent crimes are handled by "inspectors".
Theft is miraculously uncommon in the city though no reason whatsoever is given... Is it the lack of a single unifying culture? The Lack of police? the lack of caucasians? I mean, to leftists its obvious that crime is REALLY the fault of some combination of those three, and 3rd-World Sigil has none of the above, so that's probably it.
Rehabilitation and restorative justice is the preferred method to addressing wrongs, which means criminals say they're sorry and leftists bully the victims into saying that's enough.

And then we get to the key part, where YOU did exactly what you accuse me of doing.  You said above "the book specifies A highly trained guard" (note the "A").
The actual text here says "Highly trained LOCAL guardS". (note the lack of the a, the word local and the s at the end of guard)

YOU changed the text to fit your narrative, wanting to pretend that 3rd World Sigil has a single organized police force. IT DOES NOT. The text makes that very clear. A variety of organizations and councils administer peacekeeping and justice, and (presumably in each ethnic ghetto of 3rd World Sigil) there's (DIFFERENT) 'highly trained' LOCAL guardS (plural), meaning STREET GANGS with QUASI-GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY, exactly of the kind you see these days in Venezuela, Argentina, Seattle, Portland, Zimbabwe and other 3rd world shitholes.


YOU lied.


Quote
2) There's no suggestion that money isn't important or that *all* resources are distributed. Indeed, the multiple mentions of taxes, tariffs, and tolls scaled to means contradict this.

3) As one example, healing isn't free for anyone except the poorest. As the book puts it, "The House of Convalescence turns no one away; healing is priced according to one's means, and the poorest are served without charge." That could be called socialist because pricing is according to means, but people still have to pay. Historically, many church-run institutions would help heal the poor as well as provide other services, tithing members to pay for it. Alms is a common practice in Christianity and one of the pillars of Islam.

Yes, I'm sure they were basing this on their deep rooted Christian faith, and not in the gospel of modern leftism.  Quit trying to pretend these people give a twopenny fuck about historical precedent. They are engaging in a masturbatory fantasy of what they imagine modern day america would be like if they had full control.
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