benlehman

Why are there 3 CAs? Oh, lordy.

The proper Forge-theory answer to this is "Hey, well, no other CA types have been observed, identified, or anything like that."

I have my own. Which I think will go in a second post.

As to your second question: Yes. That can and does exist. I've done it, with a somewhat-modified version of Riddle of Steel. It is *way* more difficult than it seems.

First, you need to have a group with different preferences for play, that know and understand each other's preferences, and are willing to deal with less-than-optimal play as long as they will get their optimal play eventually. This requires, probably, at least a decade of playing together and built up trust.

Second, you need a GM who can masterfully craft situations that will appeal to one group or the other, and change gears without grinding them.

Lastly, and least importantly, it helps to have a system which doesn't actively hurt either CA.

If you understand that the absolute most important part here is the social bonds, trust, and mutual understanding between the players, then you're with me.

So, yes, you can switch CAs during play.

Can you write a system that somehow forces its players to switch CAs? No. Can any system, ever, force its players to play it in a certain manner? No.

You can write a system that supports this sort of play, I suppose, but any group that has been playing for that long will have probably found their own systematic devices to handle it.

yrs--
--Ben