n7axw wrote:SWM wrote:Did you read the FAQ?
Merlin WILL NOT do that, because of the danger that he loses instantly. Merlin is trying to save the entire human race. But if the OBS wakes something up under the Temple, Merlin loses. There would be no second chance. Testing whether the OBS will trigger on electrical equipment is gambling with the future of the entire human race.
Merlin does not need electricity to defeat the CoG. He does not need to introduce electricity until he is certain that the OBS and whatever is under the Temple are neutralized. Merlin will not experiment with electricity. He is not going to roll the dice with the fate of humanity on a single toss.
I'm not really contradicting you here, SWM. But I don't quite understand how the force of logic is different for steam as opposed to electricity. Merlin set up a test to see if he would get a reaction to steam on the Castaway Is. The presumption was that should the OBS react it would be to attack the Castaway Is. Why would the presumption be different should a similar test be arranged for electricty?
Don
There are two differences between steam and electricity. 1) Merlin was almost certain that steam would not trigger the OBS.
2) Merlin decided that he needed steam manufacturing in order to defeat the CoGA.
Merlin decided that risk was low enough and the benefit was important enough to test it. On the other hand, electricity is specifically prohibited by the Proscriptions. If anything will trigger the OBS, then electricity will do it. Merlin does not need electricity to advance his plans at this point. The high risk of triggering the OBS and the lack of need for electricity means that Merlin will not experiment with electricity.