Digest Archive vol 1 Issue 339
From: owner-champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 1999 10:54 AM
To: champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Subject: champ-l-digest V1 #339
champ-l-digest Thursday, May 13 1999 Volume 01 : Number 339
In this issue:
Amber Character Plan
Re: Yul Brynner (et al)
Re: Celebrity Champions (was Yul Brynner)
Re: Farie Fire?
Re: Amberite Question
Re: Amber Character Plan
Re: Diceless (was CHAR: Benedict)
Star Wars Minature and Playset
Re: Amberite Question
Re: Amberite Question
Re: Amber Character Plan
Re: Star Wars Minature and Playset
Re: Amberite Question
CHAR: Benedict, Weapons Master of Amber -Second Draft
Re: Amberite Question
Re: Diceless (was CHAR: Benedict)
The Hero system
Re: The Hero system
CHAR: Drow (background)
CHAR: Drow (female)
CHAR: Drow (male)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 19:47:25 -0400
From: "Scott C. Nolan" <nolan@erols.com>
Subject: Amber Character Plan
I have been asked which characters I plan to writeup from the Amber
books. The short answer is: all of them. The long answer is:
Benedict
Bill Roth
Bleys
Brand
Caine
Coral
Corwin
Dalt
Dara
Delwin
Despil
Dierdre
Dworkin
Eric
Fiona
Florimel
Frakir
Gerard
Ghostwheel
Gilva
Jasra
Julia Barnes
Julian
Jurt
Llewella
Luke
Mandor
Martin
Merlin
Nayda
Oberon
Random
Sand
Suhuy
Vialle
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 10:31:23 -0700
From: Rick Holding <rholding@actonline.com.au>
Subject: Re: Yul Brynner (et al)
Michael Surbrook wrote:
>
> On Mon, 10 May 1999, Bob Greenwade wrote:
>
> > Possibilities I can think of offhand (and each probably has more movies
> > that would be good source material that I just don't know of):
> >
> > Rutger Hauer - Blade Runner, Ladyhawke, Blind Fury
>
> Blood of Heroes, Flesh and Blood and a few others
One thats on cable down here at the moment is called "Crossworld".
Mystic scifi.
> > Sean Connery - early James Bond movies, Indiana Jones & the Last
> > Crusade, Highlander, ffolkes
>
> Outland
Can we count voice jobs? Like perhaps "Dragonheart"?
- --
Rick Holding
If only "common sense" was just a bit more common...
or if you prefer... You call this logic ?
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 10:33:39 -0700
From: Rick Holding <rholding@actonline.com.au>
Subject: Re: Celebrity Champions (was Yul Brynner)
Bob Greenwade wrote:
> I think Michelle Pfeiffer would have some good ones too, with the title
> role in Ladyhawke, Catwoman in Batman Forever, and an ex-marine high school
> teacher in Dangerous Minds for starters.
Dont forget her role in "Wolf." She ended up as a werewolf, (or at
least that was the implication.)
- --
Rick Holding
If only "common sense" was just a bit more common...
or if you prefer... You call this logic ?
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 10:45:21 -0700
From: Rick Holding <rholding@actonline.com.au>
Subject: Re: Farie Fire?
Dr. Nuncheon wrote:
>
> On Tue, 11 May 1999, Michael Surbrook wrote:
>
> > While on the subject of spells, anyone have any suggestions on how to
> > model the AD&D spell "Farie Fire"? It outlines someone with bright
> > flames, making them easier to hit. I was thinking that a Drain vs DEX,
> > only to lower DCV might work. Any one have any comments as to how ell
> > that might work?
>
> Another thought might be Skill Levels, usable by others, AE, only to hit
> outlined target...but I think the drain is probably the easiest thing to
> do. You might want to say 'lowered DCV only applies to people whoc an see
> the fire' - a minor limitation, but it's there. Blind or Flashed
> characters would get no benefit from their opponent being outlined with
> bright light...
>
> You might also want to link a CE to it - having Faerie Fire on you would
> make it essentially impossible to use Stealth, and I think it might even
> defeat Invisibility, but I'm not sure about that last one.
Thats right. While it wont make the invisible target visible, it will
outline him in violet fire and hence seeable. It will also affect a
larger area than just one hex. By the old AD&D rules, it would affect a
certain amount of linear feet, so about 12 feet per person.
- --
Rick Holding
If only "common sense" was just a bit more common...
or if you prefer... You call this logic ?
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 11:08:21 -0700
From: Rick Holding <rholding@actonline.com.au>
Subject: Re: Amberite Question
Scott C. Nolan wrote:
>
> >> The more difficult question (for me) is how to model the Amberite's
> >> ability to seek things out in shadow. For instance, without knowing
> >> the location in infinite shadow of his sword, Greyswandir, Corwin is
> >> able to simply move to its location. Is this a form of summoning?
> >
> >Memorized Location, Sword? Can they find things they aren't already familiar
> >with?
>
> An Amberite can find anything that exists, given time and a lack of
> opposition.
Its worse than that. First page of "The guns of Avalon".
Quote
"After a time, I stopped at a hollow tree that had to be there. I
reached inside and drew forth my silvered blade and strapped it to my
waist. It mattered not that it had been somewhere in Amber. It was
here now, for the wood that I walked was in Shadow."
End Quote.
Definitely a form of summoning which allows specific items to be
received. All that is required that the person be moving and hence can
control what will come around the bend. The birds mentioned elsewhere
were constructs of the mind, able to travel through Shadow and deliver
messages, in the case of the white bird, to himself in an unexpected
location (a strange form of precog?).
The members of the Court Of Chaos have a different form of summoning.
They sit and reach through Shadow for what they want. Merlin at one
point grabbed a couple of beers from elsewhere, then a pizza.
Both methods could be modeled with summoning or creational
transformation with different limitations or procedures depending upon
what you want.
- --
Rick Holding
If only "common sense" was just a bit more common...
or if you prefer... You call this logic ?
------------------------------
Date: 12 May 1999 21:10:57 -0400
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>
Subject: Re: Amber Character Plan
- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
* "Scott C. Nolan" <nolan@erols.com> on Wed, 12 May 1999
| I have been asked which characters I plan to writeup from the Amber
| books. The short answer is: all of them. The long answer is:
I have a question: where are you going to archive your writeups?
- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v0.9.6 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org
iD8DBQE3Oiahgl+vIlSVSNkRAqLiAJ9r5uLp/PAiq2pn4iQkhVr+K8sjTQCguWai
aN/jDfjupCeQ98IpVGAR1xY=
=CxOf
- -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
- --
Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net> \ Happy Fun Ball may stick to certain types
Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ of skin.
PGP Key: at a key server near you! \
------------------------------
Date: 12 May 1999 21:15:36 -0400
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>
Subject: Re: Diceless (was CHAR: Benedict)
- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
* Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com> on Wed, 12 May 1999
| My system for Diceless Hero isn't for everyone by any stretch of the
| imagination, but it's gotten some good reviews. :-]
This always brings up a pet peeve of mine: the White Wolf. For all their
talk about how their rules are designed to keep dice out of the way of
Role-Playing (like it's some kind of High Art or something :), they have
invented more ways of throwing dice at a situation than I have ever seen.
And over the past five years or so, they have gone through at least *FOUR*
different combat systems.
Champions is what, 15, maybe 20 years old? And in that time, how many
times has the combat system been fundamentally rewritten? None. Says
something for it, ya think?
- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v0.9.6 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org
iD8DBQE3Oie4gl+vIlSVSNkRAnvxAKD4zrUapfeJTLa067UPQ+IA69TeYgCg4nlw
aZn4y14wnSVs+W/U5VphfaU=
=MfBK
- -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
- --
Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net> \ Happy Fun Ball contains a liquid core,
Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ which, if exposed due to rupture, should
PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 22:07:39 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Star Wars Minature and Playset
Today, I bought a Star Wars Jabba the Hutt Throne Room action scene from
AMT Ertl. It costed me about eight bucks. I was hoping it would be
scaled close enough to minature scale for me to use.
It was actualy _perfect_ scale.
The set itself measures a cool 10-11 inches by 15-17 inches.
The base is a nice light mocha tan, unpainted. It's vacuformed plastic,
but appears sturdy.
The rest of the pieces are grey plastic. Some have bases, others don't
need them. Aside from the three archways and Jabba's recling slab, the
set included EphantMon, Droopy Mc Cool, R2-D2, Squid Head, Hermi Odle, Max
Rebo w/ base, Bib Fortuna, Sy Snootles, two Gamorrean guards, (my
favourite) Wal Cabasshite, Yak Face, Salacious Crumb, Yuzzum, Bubo, Boba
Fett, c-3PO, Oola, Hoover, Princess Leia, Han Solo (Carbonite Frozen and
Unfrozen), the Mole, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Gargan, Lando Calrissian,
and Jabba himself.
Some pieces are absolutely diminutive (Salacious) while Jabba himself is
HUGE!
All the pieces were in really good condition with little to no casting
lines. The larger figures snap ogether Minimal gluing is required.
All for eight bucks...
I wonder if Mike Surbrook is going to do any more write-ups for Star Wars?
:)
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 21:46:43 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: Amberite Question
On Thu, 13 May 1999, Rick Holding wrote:
> > An Amberite can find anything that exists, given time and a lack of
> > opposition.
>
> Its worse than that. First page of "The guns of Avalon".
>
> Quote
> "After a time, I stopped at a hollow tree that had to be there. I
> reached inside and drew forth my silvered blade and strapped it to my
> waist. It mattered not that it had been somewhere in Amber. It was
> here now, for the wood that I walked was in Shadow."
> End Quote.
>
> Definitely a form of summoning which allows specific items to be
> received.
Or the SFX of regaining a Focus. ;)
It's worth noting that Corwin never does this with, say, a pack of Trumps,
even when it'd be useful to have one. I have to wonder if he's able to do
it because of his connection with Greyswandir...
J
Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 23:40:37 -0400
From: "Scott C. Nolan" <nolan@erols.com>
Subject: Re: Amberite Question
>> > An Amberite can find anything that exists, given time and a lack of
>> > opposition.
>>
>> Its worse than that. First page of "The guns of Avalon".
>>
>> Quote
>> "After a time, I stopped at a hollow tree that had to be there. I
>> reached inside and drew forth my silvered blade and strapped it to my
>> waist. It mattered not that it had been somewhere in Amber. It was
>> here now, for the wood that I walked was in Shadow."
>> End Quote.
>>
>> Definitely a form of summoning which allows specific items to be
>> received.
>
>Or the SFX of regaining a Focus. ;)
>
>It's worth noting that Corwin never does this with, say, a pack of Trumps,
>even when it'd be useful to have one. I have to wonder if he's able to do
>it because of his connection with Greyswandir...
This is how I see it. Note that in order to get a set of Trumps, Corwin
put his life on the line to sneak into the library of Castle Amber and
take the set that was under glass. Whereas he just willed Greyswandir
to be in the right shadow. Note that both Greyswandir and the Trumps
partake of the nature of the Pattern.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 00:06:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: Amber Character Plan
On 12 May 1999, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:
> * "Scott C. Nolan" <nolan@erols.com> on Wed, 12 May 1999
> | I have been asked which characters I plan to writeup from the Amber
> | books. The short answer is: all of them. The long answer is:
>
> I have a question: where are you going to archive your writeups?
I have Scott's permission to post his characters on my site. I assume he
is also going to place his characters on his.
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"Think for yourselves and question authority."
Dr. Timothy Leary
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 00:06:56 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: Star Wars Minature and Playset
On Wed, 12 May 1999, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> I wonder if Mike Surbrook is going to do any more write-ups for Star Wars?
Nope. Sorry.
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"Think for yourselves and question authority."
Dr. Timothy Leary
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 23:26:58 -0500
From: Lance Dyas <lancelot@radiks.net>
Subject: Re: Amberite Question
"Scott C. Nolan" wrote:
> >> > An Amberite can find anything that exists, given time and a lack of
> >> > opposition.
> >>
> >> Its worse than that. First page of "The guns of Avalon".
> >>
> >> Quote
> >> "After a time, I stopped at a hollow tree that had to be there. I
> >> reached inside and drew forth my silvered blade and strapped it to my
> >> waist. It mattered not that it had been somewhere in Amber. It was
> >> here now, for the wood that I walked was in Shadow."
> >> End Quote.
> >>
> >> Definitely a form of summoning which allows specific items to be
> >> received.
> >
> >Or the SFX of regaining a Focus. ;)
> >
> >It's worth noting that Corwin never does this with, say, a pack of Trumps,
> >even when it'd be useful to have one. I have to wonder if he's able to do
> >it because of his connection with Greyswandir...
>
> This is how I see it. Note that in order to get a set of Trumps, Corwin
> put his life on the line to sneak into the library of Castle Amber and
> take the set that was under glass. Whereas he just willed Greyswandir
> to be in the right shadow. Note that both Greyswandir and the Trumps
> partake of the nature of the Pattern.
He spent points on Greyswandir... not on the trumps easy definition.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 02:02:14 -0400
From: "Scott C. Nolan" <nolan@erols.com>
Subject: CHAR: Benedict, Weapons Master of Amber -Second Draft
BENEDICT, PERFECT WARRIOR
25 STR 15
16 DEX 18
20 CON 20
18 BODY 16
15 INT 5
17 EGO 14
20 PRE 10
14 COM 2
10 PD 5
8 ED 4
5 SPD 24
13 REC 8
60 END 10
50 STUN 9
Characteristics Cost: 160
48 6 Levels: all combat
30 3 Levels, all skills
15 3D6 Luck
8 WF, Common Melee, Common Missile, Small Arms, Heavy Weapons
12 0 END on STR
5 Def Block
5 Def Strike
4 Killing Strike
4 Martial Block
4 Martial Dodge
4 Martial Escape
3 Martial Grab
4 M Strike
3 Martial Throw
4 Nerve Strike
5 Off Strike
5 Takeaway
4 Weapon Bind
8 Damage Class +2DC
5 Combat Driving 13-
3 Combat Piloting 12-
3 Demolitions 11-
3 Navigation 11-
3 Paramedic 12-
3 Riding 12-
3 Systems Operation 12-
15 Tactics 18-
3 Linguist
3 Traveler
45 20 100-point Agents
80 Army of the moment 16, 000 50-point Followers
4 PKG, "Biomechanical Arm", OIF
(4) 15 Power Defense, Only for Arm
3 Life Support, immune to aging
4 1 BODY Regen, recovery rate: per day, Regeneration of Body
parts takes years
3 Ambidexterity
11 16- Combat Sense
27 12- Danger Sense, any attack, immediate vicinity
5 Defense Maneuver
9 15- Fast Draw
35 12- Find Weakness, all attacks
75 MP (75), "Pattern Powers"
2m Shadow Travel -
XD Move, any dimension, Does not function in Amber, Requires
sight and physical movement, Extra Time (based on 'distance'
and Endurance spent), Others May Follow (+0)
1m Find Object of Desire -
Detect Object of Desire, Does not function in Amber,
Transdimensional
1m Alter Probability -
2" Change Environment, Subtle Changes only, Does not function
in Amber
5m Pattern Defense -
10 1/2D6 Dispel, "Chaos Powers", vs SFX (one power),
Concentrate, constant concentration
3u Blood Curse -
5d6 Unluck, Only useable at or near death, Usable Against Others,
Transdimensional, any dimension
16 MP (40), "Psychic Combat", Must have flesh-to-flesh,
eye-to-eye or power contact, Concentrate, 0 DCV, constant
concentration
2m 3D6 Ego Attack
3m 8D6 Mind Control
2m 6D6 Telepathy
22 MP (45), "Trump Powers", OAF
2m Mind Link, related group, any distance, any dimension
3m 8D6 Mind Scan, Does Not reveal location of Target, Area
Scanned (the Trump) contains only one mind
3m XD Move, group of dimensions, Only to person/place pictured
on Trump, Only with cooperation of person pictured on trump,
Usable By Others, doesn't lose power
20 Benedict's Tan Horse 100-point Follower
24 PKG, "Benedict's Belt of Armor", IIF
(24) 10/10 Armor
24 PKG, "Benedict's lance"
(11) 2D6 HKA, STR Min 15, OAF
(13) Shape Shift, "to various weapons", limited group of shapes,
Only to shapeshift lance
Powers Cost: 653
Total Cost: 813
Base Points: 100
5 Distinctive, "Missing right lower arm", easily concealable,
minor
10 Physical Lim, "Missing Right Lower Arm", frequently, slightly
10 Watched, "Oberon", more powerful, noncombat influence, harsh,
appear 8-
10 Psych Lim, "Detests Talk of the Succession", common, moderate
10 Psych Lim, "Does not want throne", uncommon, strong
10 Psych Lim, "Driven to the be the best warrior in existence",
uncommon, strong
15 Psych Lim, "Protective of Servants and Friends", common, strong
10 Rep, "Greatest Warrior in Existence", occur 8-, extreme
reputation
633 Sleepy Hollow Bonus
Disadvantages Total: 713
Experience Spent: 0
Total Points: 813
Appearance:
"Then there was Benedict, tall and dour, thin; thin of body, thin of face,
wide of mind. He wore orange and yellow and brown, and reminded
me of pumpkins and scarecrows and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
He had a long, strong jaw and hazel eyes and brown hair that never
curled. He stood beside a tan horse and leaned upon a lance about
which was twined a rope of flowers. He seldom laughed."
History:
Benedict of Amber is the oldest surviving descendant of King Oberon,
and has dedicated millennia of his immortal life to becoming the perfect
warrior. A lean, wiry man, Benedict is feared and respected by all his
siblings, and none cross him lightly.
Benedict is an exact man. He uses words like he uses weapons -
precisely, with no waste and with little revealed emotion. He holds
close to the few friends he has, and is slow to make others. He
holds himself above and apart from the internecine squabbling of
his relatives. Only a threat to Amber herself will cause him to get
involved, and then with swift and deadly results.
This is a man who watches a battle unfold in one shadow, then
moves to a nearby shadow to watch the whole battle unfold again,
with only one tiny detail altered. And then repeats the process
hundreds of times, learning to anticipate every possible strategem,
every possible nuance of battle.
And his skill is not only that of a general. He can beat any foe
with any weapon, in any situation. Only with the cleverest strategem,
and the most unforseen circumstance, can an opponent hope to
beat him. And then they run like hell, if they've got any brains at all.
Benedict is a force of nature to most people, unknowable and
unstoppable. To his few friends, his friendship is something
to be cherished and savored. Likewise, he has a sense of
humor. Most people simply miss it, for it is dry in the extreme.
In the Chronicles, Benedict stays away from Amber, but is at
last drawn into the fray when Oberon, disguised as Corwin's
friend Ganelon, murders his servants as a way to get Benedict
moving. Thinking Corwin was responsible, Benedict tracks
Corwin relentlessly across shadow. Corwin only barely
escapes by leading Benedict into a patch of Black Road
grass, something new that the perfect warrior had never encountered.
Later, Benedict arrived at Amber in the nick of time to rescue Amber
from the armies of Chaos, and then lead Amber's army to attack
Chaos at the battle of Patternfall.
At one point, Corwin gave Benedict a silver mechanical arm he'd
cut off a dream-like copy of Benedict in Tir-na Nog'th. Later, the arm
saved the day when everyone, including Benedict, was frozen by a
spell. Still later, a dream-like copy of Corwin arrives to cut the arm
away from the real Benedict.
NOTES:
1. Benedict should be adjusted to fit the campaign in
which he appears. Like all Amberites, he could appear in virtually
any campaign, as he moves through shadow at will. In a martial arts
campaign, give him more martial arts. In a superhero campaign,
he would have more powerful weaponry and defenses at his
command. In any campaign, the GM should ensure that he has
more skill levels and more skill in Tactics than anyone else in
the campaign.
2. The Luck is representative of Benedict's ability to outthink
you at every turn. But it isn't luck - it's planning.
3. The Belt and shapeshifting lance are mere conjectures. Benedict
can draw on weapons and armor from anywhere in shadow, and these
are only examples of the sort of things he might have at his disposal.
4. The Extra-Dimensional Movement powers of his Pattern Powers
multipower allows others to follow him. This could be armies or
assassins, so I have given it a +0 cost, figuring that it balances out.
5. The "Alter Probability" power allows small changes, like finding
a quarter when he needs one. This does not allow large changes
like summoning the quarter into his hand.
6. The Trump powers require a pack of cards known as trumps. The
Trumps show all the members of the family and allow mental contact
when concentrated on. If the contact is refused, it can be forced (modelled
here with Mind Scan). Note that the Mind Scan only has to contend with
one mind, the only one within the card.
7. The Psychic combat powers are present for completeness, although
they're not in Benedict's idiom. If he or any Amberite should make contact
via a trump, he can try to control or attack the recipient of the contact.
Benedict knows all the mental maneuvers from "The Ultimate Mentalist"
and can use them with skill.
8. Benedict's danger sense is a result of his highly honed senses and his
uncanny ability to notice the tiniest signs of danger. A truly undetectable
attack, such as an orbital bombardment, -might- not trigger his danger
sense.
9. "Find Weakness" is made for Benedict. That is what he does. He will
study your defenses, note your weaknesses, and teach them to you, the
hard way.
10. Benedict can fight all day without tiring or slowing down. He single-
handedly fought the army of the Moonriders. Corwin wonders whether
severing Benedict's cerebral cortex would slow him down. Hence the
0 END on his Strength.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 00:26:32 PDT
From: "Jesse Thomas" <haerandir@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Amberite Question
On Thu, 13 May 1999 Rick Holding <rholding@actonline.com.au> wrote:
> Both methods could be modeled with summoning or creational
>transformation with different limitations or procedures depending upon
>what you want.
As much as I hate to say it, this might be a job for a VPP with a limited
power set, say, "Only Summons and Transforms." I'd call that a -1/4 at
most, since Summon and Transform are so versatile. It is made clear in the
novels, not just the RPG, that an Amberite, given sufficient time, can
conjure up just about anything. Witness Random's acquisition of a horse and
new clothes after escaping from Brand's prison.
Jesse Thomas
haerandir@hotmail.com
_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 06:12:59 -0700
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: Diceless (was CHAR: Benedict)
At 09:15 PM 5/12/1999 -0400, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:
>
>Champions is what, 15, maybe 20 years old? And in that time, how many
>times has the combat system been fundamentally rewritten? None. Says
>something for it, ya think?
Absolutely. My diceless system, and virtually any other house rules and
options I've come up with, are exactly that -- house rules and options.
The Hero System has withstood the test of time in its consistency and
flexibility.
- ---
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: Thu, 13 May 1999 07:00:05 -0700
From: Tracy L Birdine <hawk291@juno.com>
Subject: The Hero system
On Thu, 13 May 1999 06:12:59 -0700 Bob Greenwade
<bob.greenwade@klock.com> writes:
> At 09:15 PM 5/12/1999 -0400, Stainless Steel Rat wrote:
> >
> >Champions is what, 15, maybe 20 years old? And in that time, how many
> >times has the combat system been fundamentally rewritten? None. Says
> >something for it, ya think?
>
> Absolutely. My diceless system, and virtually any other house
> rules and options I've come up with, are exactly that -- house rules
and options.
> The Hero System has withstood the test of time in its consistency and
> flexibility.
AMEN, BRUDDA!!!
Seriously, I'm taken out of the loop for awhile and come back to find a
semi flame war going on about "Hero Political Tactics" and "Lying".
My God! Give us a break!
First off, I don't remember reading anywhere in the rules book that you
*have* to follow *all* the rules chapter and verse. After all, what do
you think *House Rules* mean?
Initially, I was a little miffed because I had *just* gotten Edition 4.1
and learned a few days later that 5th Edition was coming out. I
automatically assumed it was going to make all my character sheets
instantly obsolete. (I'm a real late comer to the system)
Whew! I am happy to see that will not be the case. Not that that I'm
not going to purchase 5th E anyway, 'cause Iyam!
To let you in on a little secret, I have--had, been developing a
roleplaying system based on an SF novel I had been writing at the time.
I started way back in, oh, about 1989 or thereabouts.
1997 I run into the Hero System (which heretofor I had been avoiding
'cause I *thought* it was only for SuperHero gaming for which, except for
a few exceptions, is a genre I generally dislike).
An initial readthrough stopped me cold in my tracks. Mind you, my system
was about 98% completed. In fact the core game engine was done and it
had actually been playtested, all that was left to do was some more
background material.
I looked at the Hero system with its infinite flexibilty and immediately
came to the conclusion I was trying to re-invent the wheel. Hero did
exactly what I wanted it to do and far more elegantly than *I* could ever
come up with. I was introduced to the segmented combat table and my draw
dropped. It's simulates simultaneous action with characters of varying
speeds far more realistically than I'd ever seen before.
So I simply abandoned years of hard work on the spot and started
converting the background material to Hero rules. I haven't regretted it
since.
Oddly enough, I'll probably never ever use Hero for Superhero gaming (I
still dislike the genre as a whole, but that's just simply a personal
preference and not because there's anything wrong with it.) I'm just an
SF/Fantasy/Contemporary Adventure kinda guy.
I looked at the fusion rules and went, "eh." Hero is just fine.
Question though: Will there be any *major* changes in the vehicle rules?
I've got a slew of vehicles waiting to be done up on actual sheets, but
waiting to see what 5th E will do about the rules...
|- /\ \\/ |< [ ICQ: 32038562 ] ghostwalker@ifr-inc.org
CO/4th Batt., The Horsemen, Black Horse Regiment
*---===( )===---*
Black Horse Webpage: http://www.ifr-inc.org/staffpages/tb.html
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 10:14:54 -0400
From: Geoff Speare <geoff@igcn.com>
Subject: Re: The Hero system
>Question though: Will there be any *major* changes in the vehicle rules?
> I've got a slew of vehicles waiting to be done up on actual sheets, but
>waiting to see what 5th E will do about the rules...
One would hope that the widely acclaimed Incomplete Character Rules would
be brought into 5th Edition and used to "unify" vehicles, bases, computers,
ghosts, etc., but it's only a hope as far as I know...
Geoff Speare
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 10:42:35 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: CHAR: Drow (background)
DROW
Appearence:
The drow are a race of elves that have been driven far below the Earth's
surface. They are not very tall, averaging only 5' in height, with solid
black skin and silvery hair. As with all elves, they are slight of build
and have long nimble fingers and toes.
Ecology:
Drow live far underground, in great caverns and tunnels where they build
huge cities that rival even those of the dwarves. They they live in
perpetual twilight, growing various fungi and other subterranean creatures
for their food. The drow are also great magicians and use various forms
of magic to aid them in survival.
Motivations:
Because of the ages old enmity between the dark elves and their
surface-dwelling kin, the drow are usually driven by a desire for revenge
on their fairer brethren. The drow will consort with demon and other
horrid monsters, an enact great schemes to wreck havoc among the surface
elves, and their allies, the fairies and humans.
Combat Techniques:
As creatures of darkness, the drow prefer to strike from the shadows,
slipping in and out unseen and unheard. They are very stealthy and can
move in virtual silence if needed. They are all knowledgeable in certain
spells and will use them to harass and disrupt their opponents, before
striking with physical weapons. In general, the drow will use Dancing
Lights to mislead opponents, Darkness to confuse them and Farie Fire when
moving in for the final kill.
As drow are inherently resistant to magic, they will often target
magicians first, seeking to kill them before dealing with any other
opponents. When entering combat, the drow prefer to hurl short javelins
or use small crossbows before closing with sword and dagger.
As the drow cannot abide bright light (any drow caught in bright light
suffers a -3 to his DEX and all PER rolls are at -3), they will avoid any
such area. This includes daylight, bright fires, or magical light. If
forced to engage in battle in such an area, they will do their best to
eliminate the light source, or - if that is not possible - move aware from
it and to a battleground more to their liking.
Equipment:
The drow use mail armor of the finest quality, as well as swords, daggers
and maces of a strange alloy. The mail is superior to human made mail (+1
DEF) and yet weighs less (1/2 normal weight). Their arms are noted for
their sharpness (+1 Damage Class) as well.
Other Names: Dark Elves
Rumors:
Drow society is a matriarchy, led by priestesses that directly serve the
drow patron; a great demoness said to be named Loth. She is apparently a
vain patron and has little liking for male priests. Some have also said
that the drow serve the great Chaos lord Aroich, and offering him captured
surfaces elves as sacrifices.
Designer's Notes:
The drow have to be some of the nastiest races in AD&D. They all cast
magic, they all have magic resistance, they all wear enchanted gear, they
move silently, they wear cloak and boots of elvenkind, they ...
Anyway, the drow are actually an interesting race, mainly because of all
the baggage that goes along with one. Besides,what's not to like about
chaotic Evil Elves? Anyway, as a Fantasy Hero race, the drow are a major
headache. A female drow is a base 249 points, *not* counting her optional
spells! Give her a good selection of skills and she's 300 easy. Great as
an NPC, probably not too good a PC.
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"I registered my copy of the Bible. I'm hoping to get an upgrade
in the mail."
Darren Hansen
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 10:46:55 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: CHAR: Drow (female)
DROW
(female)
Val CHA Cost Roll Notes
11 STR 1 11- 112kg; 2d6
17 DEX 21 12- OCV: 6 / DCV: 6
10 CON 0 11-
10 BODY 0 11-
15 INT 5 12- PER Roll 12-
13 EGO 6 12- ECV: 4
14 PRE 4 12- PRE Attack: 2 1/2d6
12 COM 1 12-
3 PD 1 Total: 3 PD
3 ED 1 Total: 3 ED
3 SPD 3 Phases: 4, 8, 12
4 REC 0
20 END 0
21 STUN 0
Total Characteristics Cost: 43
Movement: Running: 8" / 16"
Swimming: 2" / 4"
Cost Powers & Skills
Combat Training:
5 Combat Skill Levels: +1 with Bow, Swords
Drow Spells:
7 Clairvoyance: Clairsentince: Sight, Gestures (-1/2), One Use
Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4)
9 Dancing Lights: Images: vs Sight, -3 to PER, 2" radius (+1/4),
Gestures (-1/2), One Use Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4)
11 Darkness: vs Sight group, 2" radius, Gestures (-1/2), One Use
Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4)
2 Detect Lie: Detect: Lies, Sense, Gestures (-1/2), One Use Lasting
One Turn (-1 1/4) 12-
13 Dispel Magic: Dispel: 12d6, Vs any power with a magical special
effect (+1/4), Gestures (-1/2), One Use per Day (-2)
9 Farie Fire: Supress: 7d6 vs DEX, Set Effect: 21 points
supressed (-0), Supresses DCV Only (-1), Gestures (-1/2), One Use
Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4)
3 Farie Fire: Images: vs Sight, +4 to PER, Only to counteract
darkness penalties (-1), Gestures (-1/2), One Use Lasting One
Turn (-1 1/4), Linked to Supress (-1/2)
17 Suggestion: Mind Control: 12d6, Gestures (-1/2), One Use per
Day (-2)
Drow Racial Powers:
72 Magical Resistance: Dispel: 12d6 vs Any single power with a
magical SFX (+1/4), Damage Shield (+1/2), Personal
Immunity (+1/4), 0 END (+1/2), Persistent (+1/2), Always On (-1/2)
4 Quick Movement: +2" Running (8" total), END 2
8 Silent Movement: Invisible Power Effects: Hearing (+1/2), On up to
8" of Running, END 1
5 Infravision: IR Vision
3 Nimble Fingers: Talent: Ambidexterity
Drow Background Skills:
2 AK: Underworld 11-
3 Climbing 12-
3 Detect Altered Stonework: Detect: Traps/pits/ambushes in an
underground or stonework environment 12-
3 KS: Caves and Underground Tunnels 12-
3 KS: Stonework Construction 12-
3 Shadowing 11-
3 Stealth 12-
3 Survival 11-
4 WF: Common Melee Weapons, Common Missle Weapons
3 Linguist
1 Common (fluent)
0 Drow (native)
1 Elven (fluent)
1 Gnome (fluent)
2 Silent Language (fluent with accent)
2 Subterranean Trade Tongue (fluent with accent)
Optional Drow Spells:
2 Levitate: Flight: Flight: 5", Only to hover or go up and
down (-1), No Noncombat Flight (-1/4), Gestures (-1/2), One Use
Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4)
7 Detect Magic: Detect: Magic, Sense, Ranged, 360 degrees,
Gestures (-1/2), One Use Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4) 12-
5 Know Alignment: Detect: Aura/psyche, Sense, Dicriminatory, Ranged,
Gestures (-1/2), One Use Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4) 12-
205 Total Powers & Skills Cost
248 Total Character Cost
75+ Disadvantages
15 Distinctive Features: Black-skinned elf with silvery hair (C, Maj)
10 Physical Limitation: Cannot abide bright light (I, G)
Psychological Limitation:
10 Despise their surface brethren (U, S)
10 Reputation: Evil 'dark' elves (ext) 8-
128 Experience
248 Total Disadvantage Points
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"I registered my copy of the Bible. I'm hoping to get an upgrade
in the mail."
Darren Hansen
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 10:53:22 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: CHAR: Drow (male)
DROW
(male)
Val CHA Cost Roll Notes
9 STR -1 11- 87.5kg; 1 1/2d6
17 DEX 21 12- OCV: 6 / DCV: 6
10 CON 0 11-
10 BODY 0 11-
14 INT 4 12- PER Roll 12-
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
11 PRE 1 11- PRE Attack: 2d6
12 COM 1 12-
3 PD 1 Total: 3 PD
3 ED 1 Total: 3 ED
3 SPD 3 Phases: 4, 8, 12
4 REC 0
20 END 0
20 STUN 0
Total Characteristics Cost: 31
Movement: Running: 6" / 12"
Swimming: 2" / 4"
Cost Powers & Skills
Combat Training:
5 Combat Skill Levels: +1 with Bow, Swords
Drow Spells:
9 Dancing Lights: Images: vs Sight, -3 to PER, 2" radius (+1/4),
Gestures (-1/2), One Use Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4)
11 Darkness: vs Sight group, 2" radius, Gestures (-1/2), One Use
Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4)
9 Farie Fire: Supress: 7d6 vs DEX, Set Effect: 21 points
supressed (-0), Supresses DCV Only (-1), Gestures (-1/2), One Use
Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4)
3 Farie Fire: Images: vs Sight, +4 to PER, Only to counteract
darkness penalties (-1), Gestures (-1/2), One Use Lasting One
Turn (-1 1/4), Linked toSupress (-1/2)
Drow Racial Powers:
72 Magical Resistance: Dispel: 12d6 vs Any single power with a
magical SFX (+1/4), Damage Shield (+1/2), Personal
Immunity (+1/4), 0 END (+1/2), Persistent (+1/2), Always On (-1/2)
6 Silent Movement: Invisible Power Effects: Hearing (+1/2), On up to
6" of Running, END 1
5 Infravision: IR Vision
3 Nimble Fingers: Talent: Ambidexterity
Drow Background Skills:
2 AK: Underworld 11-
3 Climbing 12-
3 Detect Altered Stonework: Detect: Traps/pits/ambushes in an
underground or stonework environment 12-
3 KS: Caves and Underground Tunnels 12-
3 KS: Stonework Construction 12-
3 Shadowing 11-
3 Stealth 12-
3 Survival 11-
4 WF: Common Melee Weapons, Common Missle Weapons
3 Linguist
1 Common (fluent)
0 Drow (native)
1 Elven (fluent)
1 Gnome (fluent)
2 Silent Language (fluent with accent)
2 Subterranean Trade Tongue (fluent with accent)
Optional Drow Spells:
2 Levitate: Flight: Flight: 5", Only to hover or go up and
down (-1), No Noncombat Flight (-1/4), Gestures (-1/2), One Use
Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4)
7 Detect Magic: Detect: Magic, Sense, Ranged, 360 degrees,
Gestures (-1/2), One Use Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4) 12-
5 Know Alignment: Detect: Aura/psyche, Sense, Dicriminatory, Ranged,
Gestures (-1/2), One Use Lasting One Turn (-1 1/4) 12-
160 Total Powers & Skills Cost
191 Total Character Cost
75+ Disadvantages
15 Distinctive Features: Black-skinned elf with silvery hair (C, Maj)
10 Physical Limitation: Cannot abide bright light (I, G)
Psychological Limitation:
10 Despise their surface brethren (U, S)
10 Reputation: Evil 'dark' elves (ext) 8-
71 Experience
191 Total Disadvantage Points
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"I registered my copy of the Bible. I'm hoping to get an upgrade
in the mail."
Darren Hansen
------------------------------
End of champ-l-digest V1 #339
*****************************
Web Page created by Text2Web v1.3.6 by Dev Virdi
http://www.virdi.demon.co.uk/
Date: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 03:57 PM