The last time the Underground Syn Report covered a syndrome affecting the residents of Syn was over a year ago. Last time we covered the very common Frightened Kitten Syndrome; a serious syndrome affecting many. This time; we have another serious syndrome affecting the more stronger gangs of Syn. This serious syndrome is known as the Active Statue Syndrome. What is the Active Statue Syndrome? Breakdown time.
Active – ready to engage; participate to do things
Statue – a carved still figure of a person or animal usually life size or larger
Syndrome – condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms
Is Active Statue Syndrome simply a combination of these 3 words? No it isn’t because it’s meaning would have nothing to do with Syn and it’s citizens. This syndrome is behavioral of a active statue. What makes a active statue?
First we look into statues. Through out the eras of history; statues have been sculpted to honor Gods; Leaders; Rulers; Inventors; Athletes; Legends and Mythical Creatures. Some of these statues; especially those in wax museums may appear living. Statues do not move; statues are sculpted to be admired by us. Could statues serve any other function?
In 200 BCE; the first emperor of China; Qin Shi Huang had a active army that was small compared to other armies at the time. Qin Shi devised a cunning plan; he would have 700 workers erect over 8,000 statues modeled after his Terracotta soldiers to protect a tomb. Although the statues did absolutely nothing; it gave the impression Qin had a large army of great power. The statues were so effective in intimidating enemies away the tomb was never attacked. The statues confused threats because they could not predict the real numbers Qin had; the enemies did not want to risk finding out how many were actually active. This was the first time in recorded history statues were used for combat purposes.
Some argued the statues were never attacked because the area was an ancient safe zone
Could a ancient technique used thousands of years ago still work in the modern age? The smartest modern strategists will draw inspiration from proven strategies used through out history and reintroduce them to the 21st century with a modern day spin. Could this mean the concept of using life-like statues is not a ancient one? Yes it does and the most successful gangs of Syn today have this ancient technique in their playbook. It is unknown who was the first to employ statues; but it is well known multiple gangs are using statues today.
Today; modern day Syn; about 95% of residents are doing nothing at any given time. Only about 20% will step out sometime during the day to participate in roleplay. The other 80% are camping away from keyboard to earn free experience points doing nothing. They are camping on a text viewer; unable to cam and move or so we are lead to believe. One gang intents another; backup is called and everyone available rushes to the fight. The intenting gang has lost the fight and are confused; the other side had more active than they could find out through metagaming. The intenting gang was duped and underestimated an enemy that has overpowered them; but how?
They have employed statues. They used the same strategy invented by the first emperor of ancient China and improved it for modern day Syn City. Qin Shi idea worked because he gave the enemy the impression he wanted to give them. Stronger gangs are using statues to give the enemy the impression they seek too; it may be a different one; but the use of statues is the same; to fool the enemy.
Newer statues made out of mesh rezzing in parts after relog
The losing gang that has done intent because they believed it was the right time to launch an attack. The bosses were confident with their strength compared to the enemy and gave the order. However; little did they know; the enemy had strength hidden away. They had a few strong members who appeared to be on a text viewer; not moving; not roleplaying but were on viewer waiting patiently for the next fight to occur. The Underground Syn Report classifies such traits of behavior as the Active Statue Syndrome.
Active Statue Syndrome – condition where person appears to be inactive displaying traits of camping away from keyboard on a text viewer to persons not affiliated in their gang but is active and waiting on a real viewer for the next fight.
The Active Statue Syndrome is one of the most troubling syndromes as persons affected by this syndrome won’t be known until the damage has been done. Active Statues will do all or most of the following:
- Active Statues shall not talk to any group chats that may have enemies present.
- Active Statues shall not come out to roleplay.
- Active Statues shall not make any movements.
- Active Statues shall have their camera crosshairs to others disabled.
- Active Statues shall turn off their AO and ensure avatar’s head follows mouse is disabled.
- Active Statues shall detach their AO before relog.
- Active Statues may purposely wear the wrong tag and change it after intent.
- Active Statues shall always surprise your side with their unexpected appearance.
This capped statue had “no perm effects” missing in limits
Active statues won’t be known before a fight; but after a few fights one should be aware of them and adapt accordingly. One should be better prepared for the next time if statues are costing fights and assume the Active Statues are always active. The best counter is to employ statues of your own while using every tool available at your disposal; such as hiring a strong merc for additional assurance and enemy confusion. Qin Shi imposed the impression he wished on his enemy before a battle would occur; the brightest minds of modern Syn are accomplishing the same with a modern day twist.
Underground Syn Report 