Digest Archives Vol 1 Issue 108
From: owner-champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Sent: Saturday, December 26, 1998 11:17 AM
To: champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Subject: champ-l-digest V1 #108
champ-l-digest Saturday, December 26 1998 Volume 01 : Number 108
In this issue:
Re: A Christmas Carol
Re: House Rule: Please Comment
Re: [APBA:17627] A Christmas Carol
Re: Zero phase actions
Let's do the time warp... again?
Re: House Rule: Please Comment
Re: House Rule: Please Comment
RE: Let's do the time warp... again?
Merry Christmas
[none]
Re: House Rule: Please Comment
Re: Zero phase actions
Re: Advantages on STR (was Zero phase actions)
Re: Let's do the time warp... again?
RE: House Rule: Please Comment
Re: Fwd: The Twelve Days of Chri...
CHAR: Anita Carstairs (was Stupid Precog Tricks)
GENKI (The Dark Devil)
Re: Zero phase actions
Re: Zero phase actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 09:37:08 -0500
From: Mike Christodoulou <Cypriot@concentric.net>
Subject: Re: A Christmas Carol
Fellow Listers,
I don't mind off-topic posts. I really don't. I can choose to
read them or not, as my mood hits me.
However, since there seem to be more and more of them lately,
would the poster please be so kind as to at least indicate
"OFF-TOPIC" in the header?
====================== =================================================
Mike Christodoulou "Never doubt that a small group of committed
Cypriot@Concentric.Net citizens can change the world. In fact, it is
(770) 662-5605 the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead
====================== =================================================
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 22:49:52 -0500 (EST)
From: "Daniel P. Pawtowski" <dpawtows@acm.vt.edu>
Subject: Re: House Rule: Please Comment
>
> Mind Control, as it is now, is much more of an "all or nothing"
> approach than it is in almost all examples in the literature. In
> almost all cases in the literature where the "Mind Control" can be
> resisted, there exist delays, slowdowns, moments of hesitation which
Well then- it would seem that the various other examples of Mind
Controll are all "less useful" than the Hero version. So I suppose
one could handle this by suitable Limitations: "Target's body obeys,
but can speak normally", or "Target can make Ego rolls to resist
whenever the command is against a Psych Lim", or other variations.
One could define the amount of 'resistance' they make by how much
they make the Ego roll.
i.e, Megaguy can't make a breakout roll for 5 more hours, but when
ordered to kill his grandmother, he makes an Ego Roll by 3, and then,
say, uses that to put a -3 on his own OCV to hit.
Daniel Pawtowski
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 09:12:03 -0800
From: Michael Robinson <bravefan@bellatlantic.net>
Subject: Re: [APBA:17627] A Christmas Carol
Glen Sprigg wrote:
>
Calm Down Glenn, lol, try furby.com or ebay
Mike Robinson
> To be sung to the tune of 'The First Noel.'
>
> The worst Noel,
> For one such as myself,
> Comes from searching for Furbys
> On empty store shelves.
>
> And despite all the gifts
> Sitting under the tree,
> The kids will be screaming
> That "Santa hates me!"
>
> Oh hell, oh hell, oh hell, oh hell!
> "Shopping for Christmas is rotten!" I yell.
>
> The stress builds up,
> My neck cords get thick.
> And the price of new software
> Is making me sick.
>
> My credit cards are maxed,
> my back's getting sore,
> The parking lot's jammed;
> I can't take this no more!
>
> Oh hell, oh hell, oh hell, oh hell!
> "Shopping for Christmas is murder!" I yell.
>
> *******************
>
> To those who might care, a Christmas Carol of my own creation (not a
> satirical one) will be performed for the first time at the Christmas Eve
> mass at my church. I'm excited about this, as I'll be playing it live in
> front of a pretty big congregation.
>
> And to everyone, I would just like to add the following:
>
> Forget about 'Season's Greetings;' Merry Christmas, everyone, and God bless!
>
> Glen
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 11:28:41 -0800 (PST)
From: Dale Ward <daleaward@rocketmail.com>
Subject: Re: Zero phase actions
Greetings!
- ---Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com> wrote:
> > This brings up an interesting question (at least, to MY mind).
> >
> > How do you figure the cost of an advantage to a characteristic that you
> >have not increased over the base (i.e. FREE) points?
> > For instance, in the above example, if the desolid character only had
> >his original base STR of 10, how much would it cost to add Affects Solid
> World?
>
> Any advantage to STR (or any other Characteristic) should be based on
> its total value. Thus, Affects Solid World (again, that's a +2 Advantage,
> not +1) on 10 STR would cost 20 points.
Since both Bob and Wayne Shaw came up with the same answer, this reply is
to both.
While I can see what you're saying, I have to disagree with the
interpretation. I *DO* agree that the advantage should cost SOMETHING, but you
can't compute the TOTAL cost from the cost of the STR because the STR cost you
nothing! Zero times anything is still Zero.
This has been a thorn in my side about HSR for years, and the ONLY reason
I even CONSIDERED using Fuzion (modifiers in Fuzion are simply added to the
base cost of what they modify). Unfortunately, IMO Fuzion has far more
problems than HSR, so I stick with the tiger I know rather than the one I fear.
I want to apologize to the list for taking this thread so far off it's
original track.
Dale A. Ward
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 11:36:20 -0800 (PST)
From: Dale Ward <daleaward@rocketmail.com>
Subject: Let's do the time warp... again?
Greetings!
I suppose I should just grin and nod and pretend nothing has happened...
but it's driving me crazy and I have to know.
Why is it that my mail server shows (only for THIS list) replies to
messages that are dated before the message to which they are replying?!?!?
Is this list in a closed time loop or are some of it's members merely
psychic?
Or...
Have I finally gone 'round the bend?
Dale A. Ward
(looking for the nearest Tardis)
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 09:34:50 EST
From: ErolB1@aol.com
Subject: Re: House Rule: Please Comment
In a message dated 98-12-21 20:57:11 EST, voxel@theramp.net writes:
> There isn't really a need for this kind of micromanagement to be added to
> the rules; all such considerations should already be factored in when the
GM
> determines the initial difficulty for the Mind Control. In other words,
> don't say "Oh, gee, this character has a Code v. Killing, that'll require
> another 15 points of effect"; rather, say "This character has a code v.
> killing, so I can assume out of hand that he's going to be 'violently
> opposed' to this action".
OTOH, it doesn't sit well with some people (including me) to not have a
distinction between being 'violently opposed' and '*really* violently
opposed.' Should it really be no harder to mind control Superman into killing
Lois Lane than to mind control him into killing a random bank robber?
I don't care for micromanagement either, but I could see extending the chart:
+30 Violently Opposed
+40 Violently Opposed Two Different Ways
+50 Violently Opposed Three Different Ways
Erol K. Bayburt
Evil Genius for a Better Tomorrow
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1998 04:41:31 -0600
From: "Michael" <mlnunn@scrtc.blue.net>
Subject: Re: House Rule: Please Comment
>OTOH, it doesn't sit well with some people (including me) to not have a
>distinction between being 'violently opposed' and '*really* violently
>opposed.' Should it really be no harder to mind control Superman into
killing Lois Lane than to mind control him into killing a random bank
robber?
>
>I don't care for micromanagement either, but I could see extending the
chart:
In a sense it already is, if you consider the other Psych Lims, figure in.
In the above example. Supes would be Violently Opposed to killing a Bank
Robber +30. (20 pt code vs killing)
He is in love with Lois,(his DNPC) so it would gain a +10.
If he has protective of friends as a 20 pointer, he could have another +10,
or maybe even 20.
That would cover making it harder to control him into killing Lois.
Michael
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1998 04:08:27 -0800
From: "Filksinger" <filkhero@usa.net>
Subject: RE: Let's do the time warp... again?
From: Dale Ward
>
>
> Greetings!
>
> I suppose I should just grin and nod and pretend
> nothing has happened...
> but it's driving me crazy and I have to know.
>
> Why is it that my mail server shows (only for THIS
> list) replies to
> messages that are dated before the message to which they
> are replying?!?!?
Its a side effect of how some mail software handles time zones.
Filksinger
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1998 04:08:33 -0800
From: "Filksinger" <filkhero@usa.net>
Subject: Merry Christmas
As the resident filksinger, I've decided to properly wish you all a
Merry Christmas. Enjoy!
**************
Major Holidays
Gary McGath, Copyright 1998
TTTO "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General" by Arthur
Sullivan
A Merry Christmas, happy Chanukah, and joyous Holiday,
Sweet Solstice, cozy Kwanzaa, and right Ramadan for Allah day,
And happy birthday, Isaac Newton, likewise for Beethoven too,
In concert hall or church or mosque or synagogue or coven too.
Ta Chiu, God bless you merry gentlemen who follow Zen and Tao,
And Pasko in the Philippines, and King's Birthday in Thailand now.
Pearl Harbor Day, Midvinterblot, or Wassail night, or day of Yule,
Or any other good excuse to get you out of work or school. (Repeat 3x)
The Festival of Bonfires, also Ganna for the best of all,
And in Tibet they say that there's a butter sculpture festival,
And so, whatever you decide that you would like to call a day,
We wish to you a happy, joyous, merry winter holiday.
**************
Merry Christmas
Joyeuse Noel
Feliz Navidad
Mele Kelikimaka
Filksinger
------------------------------
Date:
From:
Subject: [none]
------------------------------
Date: 24 Dec 1998 18:33:12 -0500
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>
Subject: Re: House Rule: Please Comment
- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
"DN" == David Nasset, <davidn@edmark.com> writes:
DN> So, if you used Mind Control on a villain in my campaign and told him
DN> to attack his allies, and you succeeded, but I declared that he fought
DN> you for two Turns before acting, you wouldn't object?
I would object on the grounds that he is fighting me insted of dealing with
the Mind Control.
Time stops. Everyone watches the dramatic physical manifestation of the
victim's mental anguish. Time resumes. What you are asking for is the
mechanization of solilloquies.
An important thing to remember is that the victim of Mind Control is
frequently not a senseless puppet. Most of the time the victim should
perform the command in the same way he would if it were his own decision.
I would expect a sniper given the command "attack your allies" to
reposition himself appropriately to carry out the order. If you want a
puppet, include the +10 'trance state' modifier in your effect roll.
- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v0.9.0 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: For info see www.gnupg.org
iD8DBQE2gs84gl+vIlSVSNkRAte1AKDbqL4a4tqENOqPcl5Khi0ztejZ5gCeKRHx
WPwOLZvSn/fr7M2gUEzucv8=
=kVHw
- -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
- --
Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net> \ Warning: pregnant women, the elderly, and
PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ children under 10 should avoid prolonged
GPG Key: same as my PGP 5 (DH) key \ exposure to Happy Fun Ball.
------------------------------
Date: 25 Dec 1998 09:33:59 -0500
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>
Subject: Re: Zero phase actions
- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
"DW" == Dale Ward <daleaward@rocketmail.com> writes:
DW> While I can see what you're saying, I have to disagree with the
DW> interpretation. I *DO* agree that the advantage should cost SOMETHING,
DW> but you can't compute the TOTAL cost from the cost of the STR because
DW> the STR cost you nothing! Zero times anything is still Zero.
Your 'free' 10 points of Strength cost you no character points, but it has
an active cost of 10 points. If you want to buy Armor Piercing for it, it
will cost you 5 points: 10 * (1 + 0.5) = 15.
- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v0.9.0 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: For info see www.gnupg.org
iD8DBQE2g6JWgl+vIlSVSNkRAg1IAJ0d100emmBdeP2ve+H4uDSjKzL3XACgxZRw
G7Cs6xFcgAJvi3orQ3xBFno=
=MHCu
- -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
- --
Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net> \ Warning: pregnant women, the elderly, and
PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ children under 10 should avoid prolonged
GPG Key: same as my PGP 5 (DH) key \ exposure to Happy Fun Ball.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1998 07:00:41 -0800
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: Advantages on STR (was Zero phase actions)
At 11:28 AM 12/24/98 -0800, Dale Ward wrote:
>Greetings!
>
>---Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com> wrote:
>> > This brings up an interesting question (at least, to MY mind).
>> >
>> > How do you figure the cost of an advantage to a characteristic
that you
>> >have not increased over the base (i.e. FREE) points?
>> > For instance, in the above example, if the desolid character only
had
>> >his original base STR of 10, how much would it cost to add Affects Solid
>> World?
>>
>> Any advantage to STR (or any other Characteristic) should be based on
>> its total value. Thus, Affects Solid World (again, that's a +2 Advantage,
>> not +1) on 10 STR would cost 20 points.
>
> Since both Bob and Wayne Shaw came up with the same answer, this
reply is
>to both.
>
> While I can see what you're saying, I have to disagree with the
>interpretation. I *DO* agree that the advantage should cost SOMETHING, but
you
>can't compute the TOTAL cost from the cost of the STR because the STR cost
you
>nothing! Zero times anything is still Zero.
This is precisely the reason that you don't use the total *cost* when
computing an Advantage to STR; you use the total *value* -- IOW, what it
would cost if you had to buy it up from Zero. That's why a +2 Advantage on
10 STR would cost 20 points (the value I give above, which you apparently
missed).
- ---
Bob's Original Hero Stuff Page! [Circle of HEROS member]
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/original.htm
Merry-Go-Round Webring -- wanna join?
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/merrhome.htm
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1998 17:26:16 -0500
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Let's do the time warp... again?
At 11:36 AM 12/24/98 -0800, you wrote:
>Greetings!
>
> I suppose I should just grin and nod and pretend nothing has happened...
>but it's driving me crazy and I have to know.
>
> Why is it that my mail server shows (only for THIS list) replies to
>messages that are dated before the message to which they are replying?!?!?
>
Quick guess: not everyone has the correct time on their computer. On
another list I'm on, there's a guy in Japan who's mailserver is in Hawaii.
So his messages should be stamped +0930, but instead they show -0800. But
the time on the message comes off his computer, so it shows that it was
sent about 18 hours from now from Hawaii.
> Is this list in a closed time loop or are some of it's members merely
>psychic?
>
Or it could be one of those AOL things.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1998 15:11:51 -0800
From: "Filksinger" <filkhero@usa.net>
Subject: RE: House Rule: Please Comment
From: Stainless Steel Rat
>
>
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> "DN" == David Nasset, <davidn@edmark.com> writes:
>
> DN> So, if you used Mind Control on a villain in my
> campaign and told him
> DN> to attack his allies, and you succeeded, but I declared
> that he fought
> DN> you for two Turns before acting, you wouldn't object?
>
> I would object on the grounds that he is fighting me insted
> of dealing with
> the Mind Control.
>
> Time stops. Everyone watches the dramatic physical
> manifestation of the
> victim's mental anguish. Time resumes. What you are
> asking for is the
> mechanization of solilloquies.
No, I am not. I do not believe that you understand what I am saying.
These pauses and effects, which are common in almost all genre's with
Mind Control, actually have significant effects upon combat. I am not
talking about soliloquies, I'm talking about people who are given
commands to harm their allies, but who resist continuously, and thus
slow their own actions enough to create delays, minuses to their own
OCV, or reduce their movement sufficient to allow their allies to stop
or escape them.
> An important thing to remember is that the victim of Mind Control is
> frequently not a senseless puppet. Most of the time the
> victim should
> perform the command in the same way he would if it were his
> own decision.
Which is exactly my point. They don't hesitate needlessly, move very
slowly, or pull their punches or throw them off by resisting. These
are all non-existent in HERO, but common in stories involving Mind
Control.
> I would expect a sniper given the command "attack your allies" to
> reposition himself appropriately to carry out the order.
> If you want a
> puppet, include the +10 'trance state' modifier in your effect roll.
I don't want a "puppet". In fact, the "puppet" would be even _worse_
from my point of view. I want Mind Control to allow for people who are
controlled enough to force them to perform actions, but who, due to
their resistance, perform poorly. They hesitate long enough to have a
significant effect upon combat. They move slowly when chasing people
to kill them. They slow their actions sufficiently to give themselves
a lower OCV and/or DCV. Furthermore, since it fits so well with
virtually all genres featuring Mind Control, I want some variation on
this to be the default.
Under the present system, he can say, "Run away, I'm trying to kill
you!" as much as he wants, or do a soliloquy-like hesitation, but he
follows the command as well as if it was his own idea. Significant
combat effects of resistance to Mind Control don't exist, except for
throwing off its effects entirely. This is the "all-or-nothing" effect
to which many have referred. Personally, I'd rather have more detail.
One possibility, which would also address the concerns of those who
claim that Mind Control isn't effective enough, is to make the targets
hesitate longer and move more slowly or clumsily if they make their
EGO rolls, but not escape entirely unless they roll particularly well.
This makes Mind Control more effective while allowing for the kind of
'partial resistance' that I would like to see.
Filksinger
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1998 21:04:57 -0500
From: "Robert A. West" <robtwest@erols.com>
Subject: Re: Fwd: The Twelve Days of Chri...
Tim Statler wrote:
> > The Twelve Days of Christmas
> >
> > December 14,
> > December 15,
* * *
> > December 25
Whoops! Not to be a joke-pooper (especially with all those birds already
doing it all over poor Jenny's house), but the Twelve Days of Christmas
are the twelve days *after* Christmas (December 25) until Ephiphany
(January 6). Traditionally, Christmas decorations were left up through
Twelfth Night (Jan 5, the eve of Twelfth Day, or Epiphany), and
wassailing, caroling and gift-giving continued during this whole period.
In some districts in medieval times, the holiday festivities carried on
through Candlemas Eve (February 1)! After a forty-day party, I suppose
that Lent was a welcome break.
By the way, the tradition of keeping decorations up through Twelfth
Night causes no end of irritation when public decorations are taken down
and municipal tree collections are scheduled before January 6. Of
course, this same tradition involves decorating the Christmas tree on
Christmas Eve, or on the day of the Solstice, or on the fourth Sunday of
Advent, not in late November! In fact, it was regarded as ill luck to
bring holly indoors before the 24th of December.
Many of the twelve days have their own names and feasts, which are
memorialized in carols which are still sung by people who are ignorant
of their original purpose. Thus, December 26 is the Feast of the
Innocents, and is memorialized in the old carol:
Refrain:
Bye-bye, lullay, thou little tiny child,
Bye-bye, lully, lullay.
Thou little tiny child, bye-bye lully, lullay!
Verse:
Oh, sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day,
This poor youngling, for whom we do sing
Bye-bye lully, lullay?
(Refrain)
Verse:
Herod the King, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day,
His men of might, in his own sight
All young children to slay!
(Refrain)
Verse:
Then woe is me! Poor child for thee!
And ever morn and day,
For thy parting, nay say nor sing,
Bye-bye lully, lullay.
December 27 is the feast of St. Stephen, which is referred to in the
modern carol:
Good King Wenceslas looked out,
On the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night,
Though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight,
Gathering winter fuel.
"Hither, page, and stand by me!
If thou knowest, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest-fence,
By St. Agnes' fountain."
"Bring me flesh, and bring me wine.
Bring me pine logs hither!
Thou and I will see him dine,
When we bear them thither!"
Page and monarch forth they went,
Forth they went together,
Through the rude winds' wild lament,
And the bitter weather.
"Sire! The night grows darker now,
And the wind grows stronger.
Fails my heart. I know not how
I can go on longer!"
"Mark my footsteps, good my page,
Treadst thou in them boldly.
Thou wilt find the winter's rage,
Freeze thy blood less coldly!"
In his master's steps he trod,
Where the snow lay dinted.
Heat was in the very sod,
Which the saint had printed.
Therefore Christian men be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing.
He who now will bless the poor,
Shall himself find blessing.
Of course, January 6 is a dual celebration. As Epiphany is marks the
baptism of Jesus by John. As Twelfth Day, it celebrates the visit of
the Wise Men to the baby Jesus, bearing gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Tradition has given them names and made them kings:
Verse: (all)
We three kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Refrain:
Oh! Star of wonder, star of night!
Star with royal beauty bright!
Westward leading, still proceding,
Guide us to thy perfect light!
Verse: (Melchior)
Born a king on Bethlehem's plane,
Gold I bring to crown him again!
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
(Refrain)
Verse: (Balthazzar)
Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a deity nigh.
Prayer and praising, all men raising,
Worship him, God most high!
(Refrain)
Verse: (Caspar)
Myrrh is mine, it's bitter perfume,
Breathes a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
(Refrain)
Verse: (all)
Glorious now behold him arise!
King and God and Sacrifice!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Earth to Heaven replies.
(Refrain)
Anyway, have a Merry Christmas, and a merry Twelve Days, too! As for
the New Year, may your days be filled with enough gold for your needs,
may no one be frankly incensed with you, and may you have every reason
to be Myrrh-y!
Robert A. West
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1998 23:16:34 EST
From: llwatts@juno.com (Leah L Watts)
Subject: CHAR: Anita Carstairs (was Stupid Precog Tricks)
A while back, I asked for ideas for a precog character. Here's a draft
of the character, if anyone has feedback.
I deliberately chose to write her as a heroic-level character -- I've got
an idea for a Champs game (probably set in San Angelo) where all the
characters would be LPMs, and wanted to see how the point levels would
work out. Other notes are at the end of the post.
Leah
- ----------------
Anita Carstairs
Characteristics:
Value Stat Cost
10 STR 0
14 DEX 12
13 CON 6
10 BODY 0
13 INT 3
13 EGO 6
15 PRE 5
14 COM 2
4 PD 2
3 ED 0
3 SPD 6
5 REC 0
26 END 0
25 STUN 3
Characteristics Cost: 45
Skills/Powers:
Precognitive Abilities:
18 Precognitive Clairsentience, Normal Sight &
Hearing, 9- Activation (4 END)
10 2 Combat Skill Levels: DCV only
5 +15 PRE, Defensive Only, Only for foreseen
events
10 11- Danger Sense (in combat)
Combat Skills:
20 Martial Art -- Aikido
(5) Redirect
(4) Martial Dodge
(4) Joint Lock/Throw
(4) Martial Escape
(3) KS: Aikido 12- (INT based)
3 Breakfall 12-
5 Defense Maneuver
Professional/Background Skills:
4 KS: photography 13- (INT based)
4 PS: Photographer 13- (INT based)
3 Concealment 12-
3 Conversation 12-
3 Combat Driving (cars) 12-
3 Computer Programming 12-
1 Fam.: Electronics 8-
3 High Society 12-
3 Paramedic 12-
3 Persuasion 12-
3 AK: campaign city 12-
1 TF: cars
Powers Cost: 105
Total Cost: 150
Base Points: 75
15 DNPC, normal, useful skills, appear 14- (random DNPC)
5 Professional Rivalry (another photographer)
Psych Limitations:
10 Afraid to tell others about her visions (uncommon, strong)
15 Wants to help people (common, strong)
10 Distinctive Feature: Style Disadvantage
10 Susceptability: 2d6 STUN from precognitive visions
(instant effect, uncommon)
10 Hunted: street gang, 8- (more powerful, limited area)
Disadvantages Total: 75
Experience Spent: 0
Total Points: 150
- -----
Background:
Anita Carstairs had always had vivid dreams, but there was something
different about the one that woke her during the summer she turned 9.
She knew somehow that it wasn't just a nightmare. Then, two weeks later,
her parents were getting ready to drive into town, and Anita realized her
dream was being played out in real life. She tried her best, but she
couldn't persuade her parents to wait. Anita watched them start down the
street, and then watched a drunk driver veer across the median and hit
their car, which exploded -- just like in her dream.
After the funerals, Anita went to live with her grandparents. She didn't
have much trouble adjusting to a new school, but dealing with her
parents' deaths was harder. Unfortunately, the psychiatrist she was sent
to knew almost nothing about paranormal abilities. He refused to believe
that she could have foreseen the accident, instead insisting that she was
making it up to get attention. After 6 months of this, Anita's family
switched doctors, but the damage was done. Anita eventually recovered
from her grief, but was convinced that telling others about her dreams
was bad.
As she grew up, Anita had other dreams that came true. She was afraid to
tell anyone about them, but learned (after a dream of a diving accident)
that if she could manage to be at the site of a vision when it occured,
she could help. She didn't seem to panic as badly as others, since it
wasn't a surprise to her.
When she was 16, she went to a demo sponsored by a local martial arts
school, and became interested in aikido. Her instructor never said
anything to indicate that he knew of her visions, but he recommended she
practice several meditation techniques. Shortly after Anita began
meditating, she discovered that she could occasionally call up visions of
the future while awake.
After high school, Anita went to the local community college and studied
photography. She set up her own studio after graduation, and has
photographed several debutante balls and society weddings. Society work
may pay the bills, but Anita has gotten much more enjoyment through
helping people. Her precognitive visions are too undependable for her to
take up full-time adventuring, but if she ever gains full control over
her visions that could change.
Appearance:
Anita is 5'6", 145 pounds. She has wavy black hair, normally
shoulder-length, pale skin, and blue eyes. Given any choice in the
matter, she dresses casually, but if working outside her studio she will
wear whatever lets her fit in -- from a Mickey Mouse hat while taking
kindergarten class pictures to formal dresses when photographing a
wedding.
Notes:
Her powers are fairly simple. The Danger Sense, Defense Maneuver and DCV
levels reflect her reactions to subconscious readings of the immediate
future. The defensive PRE simulates the fact that she can prepare
mentally to deal with the situation she has foreseen.
(As was hinted at in the background, she still gets "spontaneous" visions
of the future. I suppose I could have bought Precog twice, once NCC for
GM option visions and once with the Activation Roll for her
sorta-controlled visions, but why? Just tell the GM he's got permission
to use her Precog as a plot device, a la Justice Inc.)
On her disads: Anita has a strong tendency to get overprotective of the
people she's helping. Hidden in her subconscious, there's still the
little girl who thinks she should have been able to save her parents, and
she's still trying to make up for their deaths. This could be modified
with therapy, but first Anita would have to realize that she's doing it.
A street gang wants revenge -- Anita rescued the target of a carjacking,
and three gang members went to jail in the aftermath. Fortunately for
her, the gang would have to violate other gangs' territories in order to
search the whole city, and they're not strong enough for that.
Anita turned down a job offer from an established photography studio in
order to start her own. That studio's owner took offense, and has tried
several times to get Anita's clients away from her.
Finally, there is some physical shock associated with her visions, most
likely because Anita does not have control over the power.
___________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html
or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1998 22:45:08 -0600
From: "Logan Darklighter" <logand@cyberramp.net>
Subject: GENKI (The Dark Devil)
This is my first outright posting to this group. So please be gentle.
^_^;;;;
Mecha Conversion
GENKI (Translation: The Dark Devil)
Val Char Cost Roll Notes
45 STR 15 16- 12.5 Tons
14 Body --- 12-
4 SIZE 20
16 DEF 42
23 DEX 39 14- OCV: 8 / DCV: 6
4 SPD 7 PHASES: 3, 6, 9, 12
Total Characteristics Cost: 123
Movement: Ground: 20" / 40" Superleap: 28" / 56"
Powers:___________________________________________________________________
Twin Pumped Lasers: (OIF, Bulky -1)
4d6 RKA
Penetrating (+1/2),
No Range Penalty (+1/2),
Increased Max Range x5 (+1/4),
0 End (+1/2),
60 Degree Arc (-1/2) (66)
20MM Vulcan Cannon: (OIF,Bulky -1)
3d6 RKA
Autofire x10 (+3/4),
60 Charges (+1/2),
180 Degree Arc (-1/4) (45)
Multi-Missile Launcher (OIF, Bulky -1)
10d6 EB
Autofire x5 (+1/2),
Explosion (+1/2),
Indirect (+1/4),
30 Charges (+1/4) (62)
(Note: The Indirect Advantage is not for "phasing through walls" or
anything so esoteric, it is simply there to simulate the fact that the
missiles can be targeted as indirect fire. They can be fired "over the
horizon" over or around buildings and corners.)
Legs: (OIF, Bulky -1)
+14" Ground Movement (20" Total) (14)
Shrinking, 2 Lvls,
Only for Folding legs to
Fit 2.5 x 2.5 meter Spaces (-1),
0 End (+1/2) (10)
Jump Jets: (OIF, Bulky -1)
20" Superleap (5)
Leg Spikes: (OIF, Bulky -1)
Clinging 45 STR (5)
Communications: (OIF, Bulky -1)
High-Range Radio Hearing and Transmit (5)
Optics: (OIF, Bulky -1)
Infra-Red Vision (2)
Ultra-Violet Vision (2)
+6 Telescopic (4)
Flash Defense -12 (6)
Sealed Environment: (OIF, Bulky -1)
Life Support, Self Contained Breathing,
5 Hour Limit, (-1/4) (4)
Life Support, Safe in Vacuum/High Pressure,
Radiation, Extreme Heat/Cold (4)
Wire Tentacles: (OIF, Bulky -1)
Extra Limbs x2 (2)
4" Stretching, Only on Wire Tentacles (-1/2), 0 End (+1/2) (12)
Operator Neurolink System: (OIF, Bulky -1)
Elemental Control (3)
a - +5 DEX, doesn't add to figured (-1/2) (3)
b - +1 SPD, doesn't add to figured (-1/2) (3)
c - +3 Lvls w/ ATAV Weapons (4)
NOTE: I'm not sure if the above EC should have the Advantage: Usable By
Others or not. At first glance it seems that the operators of the vehicle
would have the advantage of whatever the vehicle provides by default. But
you may disagree. In any case, the only reason for the above would be to
match the Pilot and Gunner reaction times to that of the mech listed in the
basic stats. As always, if you feel it's abusive, remove it.
Total Powers Cost: 261
Disads
Susceptability:
1d6 DEX Drain Per Segment in
intense Magnetic Fields (20)
Distinctive Features:
Four-legged Mecha: Not concealable, Extreme (25)
Watched:
Hou Bang, Mo. Pow. NCI (15)
Physical Limitation:
Incredibly Complex to Maintain and Repair (20)
Requires Special Training to Operate,
All the time, Slight, (15)
Requires Two Operators for full capabilities, All the Time,
Greatly (20)
Reputation:
Mysterious Killing machine, Extreme Rep, 14- (20)
Total Cost: 384
Total Disadvantages: 150
Base: 249
Cost To Hou Bang: 50 (Divided into 25 Points apiece for the two Operators)
Creation Notes: This is my Hero System version of one of the coolest mecha
I've ever seen. The Genki (Dark Devil) from Bubblegum Crisis #7 Double
Vision. The Genki was truly a fearsome machine. Capable of taking on a squad
of standard BU 55C Combat Boomers and holding it's own. Against anything
less than a Doberman or giant boomer it was nearly unstoppable. The armor
proved impervious to the KnightSabers weaponry, and Kou, the standard gunner
and copilot, acting alone, dealt Priss her first outright defeat in the
series.
Aside from it's deadly weaponry and thick armor, one of the things that made
the Genki stand out was it's awesome agility and movement abilities. It
could leap literally ten times it's own height, cling to any surface it
could sink it's claws into, fold a segment of it's legs to fit into tight
spaces and still be able to move at a good clip.
I tried to come up with Disadvantages that seemed to fit what I had seen in
the show, or were reasonable extrapolations based on my conception of how
things work. The DEX Drain in Intense Magnetic fields was not shown in the
show, but seemed to me a reasonable limitation based on the idea that it is
not moved via hydraulics but via myomer style muscles similar to what
Boomers use. I figure that much like the M-66 (another anime) the Genki's
performance might start to degrade if someone activated an EMP field around
it.
CAUTION!!!
This writeup is _EXTREMELY_ powerful. If you use it in a superhero game, I
recommend that it be used against heroes who have a _lot_ of experience
and/or power. I originally designed this with the intent to use it as a
VIPER mecha. But reconsidered once I had finished. The players weren't
anywhere _near_ capable of fighting this thing!! Maybe when I get in a game
where everyone is about 500 points I might reconsider springing this on
them.
If you want to downpower the Genki for use in your campaign, I recommend
doing away with the reflex booster, the missiles, reduce the armor from 16
to a more reasonable 12-13, and reducing the level of the attacks by a die
or two or removing some of the more obnoxious advantages and limitations.
Any feedback would be appreciated, as usual.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 01:22:58 EST
From: Firelynx16@aol.com
Subject: Re: Zero phase actions
In a message dated 12/25/98 3:05:51 AM Central Standard Time,
daleaward@rocketmail.com writes:
> --Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com> wrote:
> > > This brings up an interesting question (at least, to MY mind).
> > >
> > > How do you figure the cost of an advantage to a characteristic
that
> you
> > >have not increased over the base (i.e. FREE) points?
> > > For instance, in the above example, if the desolid character only
> had
> > >his original base STR of 10, how much would it cost to add Affects Solid
> > World?
> >
> > Any advantage to STR (or any other Characteristic) should be based on
> > its total value. Thus, Affects Solid World (again, that's a +2
Advantage,
> > not +1) on 10 STR would cost 20 points.
>
> Since both Bob and Wayne Shaw came up with the same answer, this reply
> is
> to both.
>
> While I can see what you're saying, I have to disagree with the
> interpretation. I *DO* agree that the advantage should cost SOMETHING, but
> you
> can't compute the TOTAL cost from the cost of the STR because the STR cost
> you
> nothing! Zero times anything is still Zero.
>
Whether the base STR costs the character in character points or not is
irrelevant. The issue is whether there are *any* character points associated
with that base STR, and there are. This is seen very easily when you buy STR,
or any Characteristic, down. And it is those same character points associated
with that base STR that any Advantages are applied to when working costs out.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 10:43:55 EST
From: ErolB1@aol.com
Subject: Re: Zero phase actions
In a message dated 98-12-25 04:05:51 EST, daleaward@rocketmail.com writes:
> While I can see what you're saying, I have to disagree with the
> interpretation. I *DO* agree that the advantage should cost SOMETHING, but
> you
> can't compute the TOTAL cost from the cost of the STR because the STR cost
> you
> nothing! Zero times anything is still Zero.
The way I do this sort of thing (in Heromaker) is to buy down 'base' STR to 0
(getting 10 points back), and then buy 10 STR as a power, with the advantage
tacked on normally. (10 STR, +2 Affects Solid: 10 pts with a +2 advantage = 30
pts)
Overall cost is 20 points, which is the same as the Bob & Wayne method, but
which I find simpler to understand.
Erol K. Bayburt
Evil Genius for a Better Tomorrow
------------------------------
End of champ-l-digest V1 #108
*****************************
Web Page created by Text2Web v1.3.6 by Dev Virdi
http://www.virdi.demon.co.uk/
Date: Tuesday, April 27, 1999 04:23 PM