Digest Archive vol 1 Issue 346
From: owner-champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Sent: Monday, May 17, 1999 4:01 PM
To: champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Subject: champ-l-digest V1 #346
champ-l-digest Monday, May 17 1999 Volume 01 : Number 346
In this issue:
Re: What would your NPC LEOs do?
Re: What would your NPC LEOs do?
Re: Is this legal?
Re: Elastica, The Rubber Girl
Re: Elastica, The Rubber Girl
Re: Elastica, The Rubber Girl
Magic Systems (Was Re: The Hero system)
Asian Elements (was Elements)
Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
mind link = encrypted comunications ?
Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
Asian Elements
Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
Re: Non-Persistant Persistant Powers
Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
Re: Non-Persistant Persistant Powers
What the heck this is... (was Asian Elements)
CHAR: Bill Roth, Legal Counsel to the Throne of Amber
Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
Re: Is this legal?
Re: NCM Move By/Through
Re: NCM Move By/Through
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 05:47:13 -0700
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: What would your NPC LEOs do?
At 07:56 AM 5/17/1999 -0700, Robert A. West wrote:
>Returning to a periodic theme, I have had some players take issue with
>the actions of certain NPC LEOs in my campaign. I, as GM, have no
>agenda, and am striving for verisimilitude, subject to the premise of the
>campaign. I would appreciate opinions on how DC city police and the DA
>might proceed with the following fact pattern. I am especially
>interested in the opinion of anyone with LEO experience.
Though I have no law enforcement experience, I'll go through how I
would've handled things -- or, more specifically, how I would've handled
things differently (where I don't respond to something, I would've done it
the same, or at least close enough).
>Officers knocked on the door of the nearby house. When there was no
>answer, two officers climbed to the roof (via a ladder extended from the
>helicopter) and entered through the hole in the cupola, while others
>surrounded the house and radioed for a warrant, prepared to force entry.
>One of the officers was knocked down by an electrical shock when he
>touched the broken wall, but was not injured. The second officer dragged
>him clear, and smelled gas of some sort coming from within.
I don't think real officers would have entered without a warrant unless
they were in "hot pursuit" of a suspect, or had reason to believe that
someone was in immediate danger.
>That is about what I think the police would have by early morning, when
>Mr. Smith will start asking to be released. He has no ties to the
>District of Columbia and is quite clear that he intends to leave the
>jurisdiction within a day. I know what I think the police would do, but
>ask where you think they would go from here?
This is a hard call. Offhand, I'd call it a dead-end case, unless some
additional evidence shows up. With the damage to Smith's car, they may
have the right to impound the car as material evidence in an investigation
as they try to determine exactly what did happen that night, but I don't
think they'd go beyond that point in trying to detain him. (They may want
to, since they can hold him for a certain limited period without charging
him -- and I have conflicting information on how long that is -- but I
suspect that the DA would advise against it).
- ---
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: Mon, 17 May 1999 10:37:49 -0400
From: Geoff Speare <geoff@igcn.com>
Subject: Re: What would your NPC LEOs do?
>------------------------------------------------------------------
>Summary of the interview of James Madison Smith, Professor of Archaeology
>at Princeton University. Subject was advised that he was not in custody
>and was free to leave at any time. Subject did not request a lawyer and
>seemed cooperative, but subsequently appeared somewhat evasive in
>demeanor, and ultimately became hostile.
I didn't see anything in here which even suggested at evidence against
Prof. Smith. Since they presumably searched his car as part of analyzing
the bullet holes, they have nothing to hold him on.
My guess is that the detectives would call Princeton to verify that he is
really a professor there. If he is, and has no criminal record, they would
probably let him go, at least until other evidence surfaces.
Geoff Speare
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 10:40:19 -0400
From: Geoff Speare <geoff@igcn.com>
Subject: Re: Is this legal?
>Ever heard of the "Move Through" or "Move By" combat maneuvers? Your inches
>of movement directly contribute to the amount of damage you do. Granted,
>you would be half OCV for moving non-combat [ (OCV - 2)/2 for Move By and
>(OCV - v/5)/2 for move through ] but you get to add quite a few dice to your
>attack.
>
>Look at Move By, as the OCV is much better and the attacker only take 1/3 of
>the damage. If the attack were to hit, the character would do STR/2 +
>128d6.
House Rule #1: Change the velocity damage maneuvers so that they use
geometric levels of damage (look at the DCV based on Velocity chart for a
rough idea: roughly +2d6 per doubling of speed). I favor this rule just
because current Move Bys and Move Throughs do way too much damage.
House Rule #2: Charge more for Multipower slots which are "exclusive" (that
is, which can't be used with other slots in the multipower). This is a more
speculative house rule, but seems like a good idea for people who are
bothered by "attack multipowers" and the like.
Geoff Speare
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 11:21:10 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Re: Elastica, The Rubber Girl
On Mon, 17 May 1999 AndMat3@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 5/17/99 3:39:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time, ravanos@NJCU.edu
> writes:
> <<SNIP>>
> (a) why did you purchase the INDIRECT as +3/4. This would mean
> that it could "originate anywhere" and go in any direction. it is it
> stretching (like Mr. Fantastic); then it can only originate from his
> body and only move away from his body. Which, as I read
> INDIRECT is only a +1/4 advantage.
Shots like between the legs and around the back or curving around
a corner would be possible. Since attacks such as these could knoock an
opponent towards a target, I gave it the full +3/4.
> (b) non-persistent PD should be worth more than -1/4. If that's what the
> book lists it as; then it's a rip off. but i have never seen that limitation
> in
> the book before. so, you should give more for it. I think -1/2.
Noted.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 08:50:17 -0700
From: Christopher Taylor <ctaylor@viser.net>
Subject: Re: Elastica, The Rubber Girl
At 03:38 AM 5/17/99 -0400, Jason Sullivan wrote:
>I'm working on a a low level Stretcher called Elastica.
> Any suggestions? Anything I should add?
Looks really cool. She should also sing a catchy pop song called
"connection" too.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sola Gracia Sola Scriptura Sola Fide
Soli Gloria Deo Solus Christus Corum Deo
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 12:04:15 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Re: Elastica, The Rubber Girl
On Mon, 17 May 1999, Christopher Taylor wrote:
> At 03:38 AM 5/17/99 -0400, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> >I'm working on a a low level Stretcher called Elastica.
> > Any suggestions? Anything I should add?
> Looks really cool. She should also sing a catchy pop song called
> "connection" too.
Actually, the character Elastica isn't very creative (nor did I
feel the need to be overly creative).
Her costume is blue and white, and resembles that of Shapeshifter
(of Elementals and "Death Duel with The Destroyers"), except the 'S' on
the chest is replaced with a lower case 'e', which looks exactly like the
'e' used with Microsoft Internet explorer. He wears blue lipstick and has
shortish black-blue hair. Her name is Elastica, which is a total rip-off
of the band name.
She should expect a number of law suits early on in her career.
:)
Still, she fits the bill for my Archetype Clone Force, Attack! in
so far as being a Stretcher- even if she really sucks at what she does.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 13:15:51 -0400
From: Bill Svitavsky <nbymail11@mln.lib.ma.us>
Subject: Magic Systems (Was Re: The Hero system)
At 12:39 AM 5/15/99 -0500, Lance Dyas wrote:
>
>
>Bill Svitavsky wrote:
[snip]
>>
>> It seems like everyone comes down on D&D's magic system. The magic system
>> is one of the things I like best about D&D.
>
>pfah... sure cast and forget it, mindless pish posh
>
>> It's distinctive, it has an
>> interesting logic to it,
>
>no logic whatsoever... waving your hands actually does the magic?
>sure confusing the ritual
>
>> and it is explicitly unlike modern
>> pseudo-rationalistic notions of psionic powers
>
>Every mage... in every fantasy and every one in the real world who ever
claimed to
>be mages, the mage emphasizes the mental and the spiritual aspect of what is
>done... DND turned it into the ritual does the
>magic and you just cant remember how you did it that is so gauche and so
wrong
>
I think you're overgeneralizing here. Lots of magic systems depend more on
ritual than on understanding, including many folkloric understandings of
magic. Gestures don't do magic? How about knocking on wood, keeping your
fingers crossed, or tossing salt over your shoulder? Magic words often have
power in themselves as well. The Xanth books are full of magic with very
little mental or spiritual understanding involved. Faust got his abilities
by following a summoning ritual, then getting everything else from
Mephistopheles. Zatara and Zatanna cast spells by saying words backwards.
Not all magic is like using the Force. In some systems, all magic derives
from spirits, gods, or magical beings.Some magic depends on altered
perceptions (e.g. Zelazny's Changeling & Madwand). In other systems, the
power resides exclusively in ritual; knowing the right names, right
inscriptions, right materials, and right procedures is what's important,
not understanding their nature.
>> If D&D hadn't borrowed its ideas of magic from Jack
>> Vance's Dying Earth books, I might borrow them myself sometime for a
campaign.
> strict using of Vances writings might result in an interesting campaign
I think so, too. And D&D certainly does take some liberties in borrowing
from Vance. I do think it captures some of the interesting aspects of
Vancian magic, though.
- - Bill Svitavsky
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 13:42:20 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Asian Elements (was Elements)
I'm working on entities based on the Asian Elements of Water,
Fire, Air, Metal, and Wood.
I need bodily correspondences for the concept to work, but I'm
having trouble...
Water- Chi
Fire- Blood (Humours)
Air- Soul
Metal- Flesh (Connective tissues, sinews, and skin)
Wood- Bone (Framework, Receptacle)
I'm not sure if Chi and Soul/Spirit are synonymous.
I also want the elements to correspond with entities:
Tiger, Goblin/Fairy, Dragon, Demon, and Ghost are the ones I've
come up with.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 13:49:27 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
On Mon, 17 May 1999, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> I'm working on entities based on the Asian Elements of Water,
> Fire, Air, Metal, and Wood.
>
> I need bodily correspondences for the concept to work, but I'm
> having trouble...
>
> Water- Chi
AFAIK, this doesn't really work. Chi is not ater. it is inner energy.
Feng Shui can redirect Chi, making it almost an Earth based power.
> Fire- Blood (Humours)
Works.
> Air- Soul
Works
> Metal- Flesh (Connective tissues, sinews, and skin)
> Wood- Bone (Framework, Receptacle)
I'd swap the last two. Metal = bones and wood = flesh.
> I'm not sure if Chi and Soul/Spirit are synonymous.
Sort of.
> I also want the elements to correspond with entities:
> Tiger, Goblin/Fairy, Dragon, Demon, and Ghost are the ones I've
> come up with.
Nope. It's Phoneix, Kirin, Dragon, Turtle and Tiger.
I *think* it's a blue turtle, white tiger, red phoneix, gold kirin and
yellow dragon. I do know that the tiger is white.
<i'm waiting for the lucky charms jokes to start...>
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"10,000 of them...four of us. Those unlucky bastards!"
Andy "the Buffalo" Bartalone
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 13:09:55 -0500
From: Donald Tsang <tsang@sedl.org>
Subject: Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
>> I'm working on entities based on the Asian Elements of Water,
>> Fire, Air, Metal, and Wood.
Is everyone sure these are "Asian", or just Japanese? It sems ludicrous
that a country with 1/3th of the history and 1/10th of the land &
population of a region (even when it had been at the height of its
expansionist policy) is the default standard for culture.
If you want "Asian", you need to mix Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese,
Malaysian, Philipino, Thai, etc etc. Plus India, if you consider that Asian.
And (okay, maybe I'm biased) that list should start with the biggest
and oldest of those.
Otherwise, please specify that you want Japanese.
>> I need bodily correspondences for the concept to work, but I'm
>> having trouble...
>>
>> Water- Chi
>
>AFAIK, this doesn't really work. Chi is not water. it is inner energy.
>Feng Shui can redirect Chi, making it almost an Earth based power.
Worse, "chi" is literally "breath"/air/gas. Also known as "breath control"
in non-Chinese parlance (such as AD&D's Oriental Adventures, as I recall).
You might want to look up some stuff about Chinese herbal medicine; many
substances are said to be "cold" or "hot", corresponding roughly (?) to
water and fire...
I'm not sure about "ki"; it may or not be identical to "chi".
>>[...]
>Nope. It's Phoneix, Kirin, Dragon, Turtle and Tiger.
>
>I *think* it's a blue turtle, white tiger, red phoneix, gold kirin and
>yellow dragon. I do know that the tiger is white.
Again, in Chinese or Japanese culture?
Donald
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:12:50 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
On Mon, 17 May 1999, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> I'm working on entities based on the Asian Elements of Water,
> Fire, Air, Metal, and Wood.
Now that I'm web surfing, I'm finding alot of references to
specifically Chinese elements being: Metal, Water, Earth, Fire, and Wood.
> I also want the elements to correspond with entities:
> Tiger, Goblin/Fairy, Dragon, Demon, and Ghost are the ones I've
> come up with.
BTW, these are creatures who "steal" the elements.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:16:20 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
On Mon, 17 May 1999, Donald Tsang wrote:
> >>[...]
> >Nope. It's Phoneix, Kirin, Dragon, Turtle and Tiger.
> >
> >I *think* it's a blue turtle, white tiger, red phoneix, gold kirin and
> >yellow dragon. I do know that the tiger is white.
>
> Again, in Chinese or Japanese culture?
Actually, that depends. These are taken from Shinto beliefs, but I'm
pretty positive I read where in China there were for creatures for the 4
(or 5) directions and they were virtually the same.
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"10,000 of them...four of us. Those unlucky bastards!"
Andy "the Buffalo" Bartalone
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:16:01 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
On Mon, 17 May 1999, Donald Tsang wrote:
> Is everyone sure these are "Asian", or just Japanese? It sems ludicrous
> that a country with 1/3th of the history and 1/10th of the land &
> population of a region (even when it had been at the height of its
> expansionist policy) is the default standard for culture.
> If you want "Asian", you need to mix Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese,
> Malaysian, Philipino, Thai, etc etc. Plus India, if you consider that Asian.
> And (okay, maybe I'm biased) that list should start with the biggest
> and oldest of those.
Sorry. Working with a shoddy and not so accurate Americanized
perspective of this stuff from memory- most of which that was acquired
from role-playing.
In fact, this is too much of a headache. :/ After a couple of
web searches, I found that the info on line contradicted itself- probally
regional variances.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 13:18:11 -0500 (CDT)
From: Curt Hicks <exucurt@exu.ericsson.se>
Subject: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
I'm sort of going round with my GM on the following:
I want to build ''walkie talkie' devices which allow the users to
communicate with each other over any distance using mind link as the
base power.
Mind link clearly states that line of sight is required to establish
the link.
Does this mean that the devices must also have the mind scan power
in order to allow the users to contact each other ?
The Ultimate Mentalist says that mind link is commonly used for encrypted
radio communications, as well as for actual 'mental' powers.
Curt Hicks
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:22:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
On Mon, 17 May 1999, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> > I'm working on entities based on the Asian Elements of Water,
> > Fire, Air, Metal, and Wood.
> Now that I'm web surfing, I'm finding alot of references to
> specifically Chinese elements being: Metal, Water, Earth, Fire, and Wood.
Japan is very similar, but thay also had 'void' (I think).
> > I also want the elements to correspond with entities:
> > Tiger, Goblin/Fairy, Dragon, Demon, and Ghost are the ones I've
> > come up with.
>
> BTW, these are creatures who "steal" the elements.
If you are working mainly with Chinese / Japanese myth (of which the
latter steals a great deal from the former over time), you might want to
consider foxes as well. Fox spirits caused a great deal of trouble in
both Japan and China.
Dragons are identified with water, and live in lakes (or the sea). They
don't 'steal' water, although they might hoard it. Supposedly, tigers and
dragons don't get along.
Demon is very genric, BTW. In Japan, that might be 'oni'.
Ghosts are common in both countires, with the most common name for ghost
in Japan being a 'Yurei'. There is a 'ghost' that steals your breath in
Japan (it is supposed to be the ghost of a drowned child) that is probably
a manifestation of the 'old hag syndrome'.
This help any?
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"10,000 of them...four of us. Those unlucky bastards!"
Andy "the Buffalo" Bartalone
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:29:31 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Asian Elements
Aha! Found 'em!
Okay, this list is pulled from the Silent Mobius manga, but it should be
of use for RPG purposes:
Go-Rei - The five spirits. These spirits are the: Dragon, Kirin, Phoenix,
Tiger and Tortoise (or Turtle). The Yamigumo clan has a mystical artifact
for each spirit, charged with a measure of that spirit's power. Two of
these artifacts are shown in the course of the series, they are: The
Dagger of the Kirin and The Sword of the White Tiger.
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"10,000 of them...four of us. Those unlucky bastards!"
Andy "the Buffalo" Bartalone
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:30:12 -0400
From: Geoff Speare <geoff@igcn.com>
Subject: Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
>I'm sort of going round with my GM on the following:
>I want to build ''walkie talkie' devices which allow the users to
>communicate with each other over any distance using mind link as the
>base power.
>
>Mind link clearly states that line of sight is required to establish
>the link.
"see or sense" is what it says, to be technical. :)
Since the link stays up forever until someone chooses to break it, define
this as "tuning the radios" or some such, and define breaking the link as
messing with the tuning (or encryption settings, or what have you).
After all, Mind Link also states that you have to make an ECV attack roll
to set up the link; I've yet to see a radio which does that. :)
>Does this mean that the devices must also have the mind scan power
>in order to allow the users to contact each other ?
No, since you can set up the link once and keep it between characters
indefinitely.
>The Ultimate Mentalist says that mind link is commonly used for encrypted
>radio communications, as well as for actual 'mental' powers.
By who. :)
Geoff Speare
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 13:29:58 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
On Mon, 17 May 1999, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> I'm working on entities based on the Asian Elements of Water,
> Fire, Air, Metal, and Wood.
Hmm...the Chinese elements that I've seen used are Water, Fire, Earth,
Metal, & Wood. Japanese uses Earth/Air/Fire/Water/Void (at least
according to Musashi's _Book of Five Rings_.
J
Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 13:31:34 -0500
From: Donald Tsang <tsang@sedl.org>
Subject: Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
>> >>[...]
>> >Nope. It's Phoneix, Kirin, Dragon, Turtle and Tiger.
>> >
>> >I *think* it's a blue turtle, white tiger, red phoneix, gold kirin and
>> >yellow dragon. I do know that the tiger is white.
>>
>> Again, in Chinese or Japanese culture?
>
>Actually, that depends. These are taken from Shinto beliefs, but I'm
>pretty positive I read where in China there were for creatures for the 4
>(or 5) directions and they were virtually the same.
Dragon, Phoenix, and Chi-Ling (Kirin) are indeed the Chinese masters
of the animal kingdom. But I'm pretty skeptical of the colors, and of
whether wood and metal were elements (especially metal, as China didn't
hold the same religious fascination with steel as Japan did). I mean,
what's the likelihood of the Chinese revering turtles, when one of the
worst insults is calling someone a "turtle" (wang-ba) or "turtle egg"
(wang-ba-dann)?
And since "earth" was the domain of people, you really only ever heard
about Dragons and Phoenixes in classic Chinese "Celestial Bureacracy"
novels like "Journey to the West" (Monkey King). Like the Unicorns
of Western European myth, the the Chi-Ling "retired" in the face of
civilized man.
Donald
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 18:41:38 GMT
From: mhoram@relia.net (Curtis A Gibson)
Subject: Re: Non-Persistant Persistant Powers
On Mon, 17 May 1999 20:28:13 -0700, you wrote:
>Curtis A Gibson wrote:
>>=20
>> > Do you really want to do this? Making your armour =
non-persistant can
>> >be very dangerous. To answer your question, it would depend on what =
the
>> >limitation is applied against. You get knocked out amd your IR =
vision
>> >no longer works would be -0 as you cant see anyway and to turn it =
back
>> >on would be a zero phase action. You get knocked out and your armour
>> >doesn't work would be at least -1/2.
>>=20
>> Cost end makes a persistant power non persistant, and makes it cost
>> end at a -1/2. I'd give it a -1/4
>
> While this may be correct, it doesn't say that in the limitation "costs
>endurance". On the other hand, under the advantage "reduced endurance",
>it talks of making a power persistent (we've all been spelling it wrong,
>too) at +1/2 and that the power must be at 0 endurance when the
>advantage is applied.
I always assumed that using 'costs end' would make a power like any
other power that costs end, and on page 52 5th and 6th paragraph=20
"Powers that normally cost END turn off when the hero is Stunned or
unconscious (unles the power is bought with the Power Advantage
Persistent).
When a character is Stnned or knocked unconsious his END using
powers turn off at the end of his Phase"
One could quibble about the phrase 'noramlly cost end' but....
> However, under the effects of stunning and knock out, it only referes
>to "non-persistent" powers turning off, not powers using endurance. I
>don't know. You tell me. I've not really considered the effects of
>making something non-persistent.
My first character way back when (85) had armor defined as a force
field and I used the non persistent lim on it then at a -1/4. Got
grabbed by a brick, stunned then really mashed the next phase....
As an adolescent I aspired to lasting fame, I craved factual=20
certainty, and I thirsted for a meaningful vision of human life -
so I became a scientist. This is like becoming an archbishop so
you can meet girls.
-- M. Cartmill
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 11:21:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: shaw@caprica.com (Wayne Shaw)
Subject: Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
>
>I'm sort of going round with my GM on the following:
>I want to build ''walkie talkie' devices which allow the users to
>communicate with each other over any distance using mind link as the
>base power.
>
>Mind link clearly states that line of sight is required to establish
>the link.
>
>Does this mean that the devices must also have the mind scan power
>in order to allow the users to contact each other ?
Hmmm. Just assume the mindlink is 'always established' and it's a non-problem?
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:37:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: Asian Elements (was Elements)
On Mon, 17 May 1999, Donald Tsang wrote:
> >> >Nope. It's Phoneix, Kirin, Dragon, Turtle and Tiger.
> >> >
> >> >I *think* it's a blue turtle, white tiger, red phoneix, gold kirin and
> >> >yellow dragon. I do know that the tiger is white.
> >>
> >> Again, in Chinese or Japanese culture?
> >
> >Actually, that depends. These are taken from Shinto beliefs, but I'm
> >pretty positive I read where in China there were for creatures for the 4
> >(or 5) directions and they were virtually the same.
>
> Dragon, Phoenix, and Chi-Ling (Kirin) are indeed the Chinese masters
> of the animal kingdom.
Dragon - reptile, Phoenix - birds, Kirin - mammels, right?
BTW: I've seen Kirin spelt about a *zillion* different ways (if you're
keeping score at home). Among them were: Kirin, Chi-lin, Ki-rin, Ki-lin,
Chi-Ling (etc).
> But I'm pretty skeptical of the colors, and of
> whether wood and metal were elements (especially metal, as China didn't
> hold the same religious fascination with steel as Japan did).
I have heard that metal and wood are part of the Chinese elements. Of
course, (As I recall) so were hot and cold and dry and wet. The latter
relating to the nature of yin and yang.
> I mean,
> what's the likelihood of the Chinese revering turtles, when one of the
> worst insults is calling someone a "turtle" (wang-ba) or "turtle egg"
> (wang-ba-dann)?
I didn't say iwas 100% positive.
> And since "earth" was the domain of people, you really only ever heard
> about Dragons and Phoenixes in classic Chinese "Celestial Bureacracy"
> novels like "Journey to the West" (Monkey King). Like the Unicorns
> of Western European myth, the the Chi-Ling "retired" in the face of
> civilized man.
I have read some speculation that the giraffe may have been presented in
China as a kirin.
- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html
"10,000 of them...four of us. Those unlucky bastards!"
Andy "the Buffalo" Bartalone
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:38:44 -0400
From: Geoff Speare <geoff@igcn.com>
Subject: Re: Non-Persistant Persistant Powers
>> However, under the effects of stunning and knock out, it only referes
>>to "non-persistent" powers turning off, not powers using endurance. I
>>don't know. You tell me. I've not really considered the effects of
>>making something non-persistent.
If "costs END" made a power cost END but still be persistent, then when you
knocked the character out he would keep using END (and then STUN as END),
and in all likelihood would never wake up...
So, while the rules don't specifically say, I always rule that the
limitation makes the power no longer Persistent.
Geoff Speare
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:49:10 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: What the heck this is... (was Asian Elements)
I'm coming up with a history for a group of Martial Artists whose
styles all derived from a single style.
The originator of this art was a pilgrim, who wandered from area
to area. His style was derived from "special insight," and was based on
various elements. The master of this style had a number of pupils, one
for each element, save for one (which is the 'taboo' art)- the only
student of the art was killed while sparring with his master. Deeming the
art too radical and dangerous, the master left the secret of this art in
the care of a group of monks.
Each student left their master on to start their own schools, or join
currently existing school, cultivating their own unique styles.
Each student had a special correspondence to an element, a
personal 'bodily' affinity, and a creature.
Thus, using the above mentioned, you end up with a stylistic
elements that conjure up names like "Five Corpse Demon Flesh of Iron",
"Goblin Dances on the Water", "Fire Tiger Blood Atemi", and "Wooden Ghost
Bone Thrust."
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 15:10:46 -0400
From: "Scott C. Nolan" <nolan@erols.com>
Subject: CHAR: Bill Roth, Legal Counsel to the Throne of Amber
BILL ROTH, LEGAL COUNSEL TO THE THRONE OF AMBER
10 STR 0
10 DEX 0
11 CON 2
10 BODY 0
15 INT 5
12 EGO 4
11 PRE 1
10 COM 0
3 PD 1
3 ED 1
2 SPD 0
4 REC 0
22 END 0
21 STUN 0
Characteristics Cost: 14
3 WF, Swords, Small Arms
9 Conversation 14-
3 Criminology 12-
7 Deduction 14-
3 High Society 11-
9 Persuasion 14-
4 AK: Earth 13-,
1 Lang: English, native, literacy
3 Lang: Thari, fluent conversation, literacy
5 KS: Amber Law 14-
4 KS: Amber Politics 13-
6 PS: Lawyer 15-
5 12- Contact: King Random
22 MP (45), "Trump Powers", OAF
2m Mind Link, related group, any distance, any dimension
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
Powers Cost: 89
Total Cost: 103
Base Points: 100
20 Normal Stats
5 Age, 40+
10 Watched, "Random", more powerful, noncombat influence, harsh,
appear 8-
15 Psych Lim, "Dedicated to the Law", common, strong
5 Psych Lim, "Crush on Flora", uncommon, moderate
10 Public ID, "Legal Counselor to the King"
APPEARANCE:
"He was a short, heavy-set man with a somewhat florid complexion,
his dark hair streaked with white and perhaps a bit thin on top."
HISORY:
Bill Roth lived in upstate New York, somewhere between Rochester
and Buffalo. He studied law in Buffalo, and married his childhood
sweetheart, Alice. In the early 1970's, he met Carl Corey at a country
club of which they were both members. They got into a heated discussion
of the Napoleonic wars and became good friends.
When Carl Corey disappeared, Bill Roth traced his friend to the Porter
Sanitarium, arriving shortly after Corey had escaped, and begun his
journey of self-discovery as Corwin, Prince of Amber. Roth acted to
have the false court order that had been used to commit Corey vacated,
and acted to care for Corey's home in case he returned.
When Corey did return, complete with a near-fatal stab wound, Roth
drove him to a hospital and told him what he'd found out about Corey's
commitment. He also learned that Corey was something more than human.
He also had a chance to observe the Trumps.
Years later, he aided Corey, now revealed as Corwin, in tracking the Jewel
of Judgment, which Corwin had hidden in a compost heap. Roth also saw
concrete proof of Corwin's powers when he contacted Fiona by Trump and
used the Pattern to ride away from Earth.
Still later, Roth served Amber as legal counsel by revising the Concord between
Amber and Chaos after the Patternfall war. At that time, he met both Fiona and
King Swayvil of Chaos. Over the years, he also performed legal work for Flora,
tracking down an old Earth lover of hers.
In the 1980's, Roth became friendly with Corwin's son Merlin, who went by the
name of Merle Corey. After the death of his wife, Alice, he moved to Amber
permanently, where he became Counsel to the Court of Amber. He became
good friends with Flora, Gerard and Llewella. He became proficient with
swords, learned to speak Thari fluently and in many other ways went native.
Roth has served the crown by writing and revising many treaties with the
Golden Circle states, and by the end of the second chronicles, was
considering bringing his son, Bill, Jr. and his family to Amber.
Bill has a full set of Trumps, although he rarely uses them.
NOTES:
1. Bill has many Earth-related knowledge skills which are no longer terribly
relevant, and which I have nod included.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 15:15:12 EDT
From: AndMat3@aol.com
Subject: Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
In a message dated 5/17/99 2:30:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time, geoff@igcn.com
writes:
> After all, Mind Link also states that you have to make an ECV attack roll
> to set up the link; I've yet to see a radio which does that. :)
yeah - but in a technological version of the power this could be altered
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 15:15:53 EDT
From: AndMat3@aol.com
Subject: Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
In a message dated 5/17/99 2:30:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time, geoff@igcn.com
writes:
> After all, Mind Link also states that you have to make an ECV attack roll
> to set up the link; I've yet to see a radio which does that. :)
let me try that again...
in a technological version of that power; ECV attack roll could be changed to
must make SysOp roll... or something like that.
andy
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 14:18:14 -0500 (CDT)
From: Curt Hicks <exucurt@exu.ericsson.se>
Subject: Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
> From: AndMat3@aol.com
>
> In a message dated 5/17/99 2:30:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time, geoff@igcn.com
> writes:
>
> > After all, Mind Link also states that you have to make an ECV attack roll
> > to set up the link; I've yet to see a radio which does that. :)
>
> yeah - but in a technological version of the power this could be altered
>
This is actually for an enchanted magical item(s).
Curt
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 15:19:32 -0400
From: Bill Svitavsky <nbymail11@mln.lib.ma.us>
Subject: Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
At 03:15 PM 5/17/99 EDT, AndMat3@aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 5/17/99 2:30:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time, geoff@igcn.com
>writes:
>
>> After all, Mind Link also states that you have to make an ECV attack roll
>> to set up the link; I've yet to see a radio which does that. :)
>
>yeah - but in a technological version of the power this could be altered
>
When the aliens started beaming those voices into my head, I think they had
to make an ECV roll. Fortunately they can't get through my aluminum foil
hat - must be a -1/2 limitation.
Bill Svitavsky
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 12:57:59 -0700
From: Christopher Taylor <ctaylor@viser.net>
Subject: Re: mind link = encrypted comunications ?
>>> After all, Mind Link also states that you have to make an ECV attack roll
>>> to set up the link; I've yet to see a radio which does that. :)
>>
>>yeah - but in a technological version of the power this could be altered
>>
>
>When the aliens started beaming those voices into my head, I think they had
>to make an ECV roll. Fortunately they can't get through my aluminum foil
>hat - must be a -1/2 limitation.
Dang I have been putting the tin foil on the wrong head all this time, no
wonder it doesnt help any
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sola Gracia Sola Scriptura Sola Fide
Soli Gloria Deo Solus Christus Corum Deo
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 10:54:10 -0700
From: jayphailey@juno.com
Subject: Re: Is this legal?
>House Rule #1: Change the velocity damage maneuvers so that they use
>geometric levels of damage (look at the DCV based on Velocity chart
>for a rough idea: roughly +2d6 per doubling of speed). I favor this rule
>just because current Move Bys and Move Throughs do way too much damage.
In our game these huge NCM move bys bcame a self correcting problem.
Anyone who could do them tended to wiped themselves out pretty
thoroughly.
>House Rule #2: Charge more for Multipower slots which are "exclusive"
(that
>is, which can't be used with other slots in the multipower). This is a
more
>speculative house rule, but seems like a good idea for people who are
>bothered by "attack multipowers" and the like.
>
>Geoff Speare
Actually that one works for me. I like it.
Jay P. Hailey <Meow!> [ICQ: 37959005]
Read Star Trek- Outwardly Mobile At-
http://www.geocities.com/~tesral/jay/
___________________________________________________________________
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: Mon, 17 May 1999 12:45:33 -0700
From: jayphailey@juno.com
Subject: Re: NCM Move By/Through
>Ha!! You _can_ teach an old dog new tricks!! In all the groups I have
>played in, we always played it that halving DCV/OCV for NCM took place
at
>step 5 of the DCV and OCV checklist (pg. 146). However, page 142
clearly
>states that the characters _base_ OCV and DCV are half when using
>NCM.
>
>Thus, the first example of using Move By, the final OCV would be 1 not
2.
>In the second example, Skill Levels would count full value, not at 1/2
>value. The same character as used in example 1 would have a final OCV
of 5
>not 4.
>
>There is also the fact that it takes a little while to get up to full
>NCM speed too.
>
>~ Mike
So a character with CSL NCM-Move Trough or move-By smears himself on a
higher roll. If I were gming such a maneuver I would rule that unless the
character was a major brick that hitting some one with a fist at mach
would damage his own hand pretty badly, too. Especically if the target
didn't move or give
Jay P. Hailey <Meow!> [ICQ: 37959005]
Read Star Trek- Outwardly Mobile At-
http://www.geocities.com/~tesral/jay/
___________________________________________________________________
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: Mon, 17 May 1999 12:55:19 -0700
From: jayphailey@juno.com
Subject: Re: NCM Move By/Through
>I didn't bother with the math of a Move Through, as maximum speed
>meant you pretty much were not going to hit. I do believe you have the
OCV
>listed a bit higher than it would actually be ... -128 before you take
NCM
>into account (-v/5). On the other hand, you would do STR + 213d6+1 and
>take half or full damage.
See. This form of attack tends to be self correcting.
>That is why I used Move By as an example. It's only -2 to OCV. In your
>example using a character with a low average DEX of 18 and no Skill
Levels
>he would have a final OCV of 2. Assuming the target DCV is also 6, you
need
>a 7 or less to hit, but it can be done. Now, toss in some Skill Levels
and
>the odds start to even out.
True. But what about the DCV mods for speed? Throw thos in and things
un-even again.
>>But only one. even if the target takes KB the hapless PC is still
taking
>>a 64 die attack. That would kill anyone in the Omega Squad game. If
>>they hit the Earth and the Earth took no KB (Quite a bit of KB
resistance
>>in the old girl) then that would mean the full 128d6 attack to both
>>targets. The character would leave a very sizable crater, and no hint
of
>>their physical existance.
>
>I didn't even think of Knockback ... that makes it even worse!!
>However my example was a Move By, not Move Through, thus the attacking
character
>would only be taking a little over 42d6. :-) Enough to seriously
injure if
>not kill most chartacters have played.
That would mangle even the most powerful Omegad Squa character. Then you
have an injured, stunned silly character moving at 1/2 their NCM into
whatever gets in the way.
>As I wrote, this is an extreme example. For a more realistic one, use
the
>running instead of flight, as there is no Turn Mode to deal with.
Oh, no, no, no. High speed running almost demands a turn mode. Other
wise the character would have ankles, knees and hips as powerful as the
strongest bricks and then more.
> Also assume 4 specific Skill Levels in Move By (resulting in a +2
because
>of the NCM) and say you hold your running speed to where you can
actually
>take the 1/3 damage ... to the point where it will hurt and you will
take some
>BODY ... but after Knockback, the other guy may still be very dead, even
if
>he has a really good defense (assuming his defense is not a high DCV).
>
>Thus, I do feel that this can have an impact in combat.
>
>~ Mike
True. OTOH the Speedster could just buy an RPG-launcger and have a
similarly destructive effect without having to risk bodily injury.
It's a little arcane. Anyone who wants to work that hard to damage their
character creatively then let 'em. If the character doesn't develop an
aversion to th painful effects of this, thn IMHO you sorta have to look
at the player a little bit.
Jay P. Hailey <Meow!> [ICQ: 37959005]
Read Star Trek- Outwardly Mobile At-
http://www.geocities.com/~tesral/jay/
___________________________________________________________________
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]
------------------------------
End of champ-l-digest V1 #346
*****************************
Web Page created by Text2Web v1.3.6 by Dev Virdi
http://www.virdi.demon.co.uk/
Date: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 03:58 PM