Digest Archives Vol 1 Issue 50
Desmarais, John
From: owner-champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Sent: Monday, November 23, 1998 1:03 AM
To: champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Subject: champ-l-digest V1 #50
champ-l-digest Monday, November 23 1998 Volume 01 : Number 050
In this issue:
Re: need loser villains
Re: need loser villains
Re: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
RE: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
Re: CHAR: Last Action Heroine
Re: FW: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
Re: Computers
Re: FW: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
Maps
JLA Web Site Review
CHAR: Last Action Heroine (Rev2)
Re: FW: Ultimate Books (Ultimate Maps)
Re: FW: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
Re: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
Re: Professional Books (was Ultimate Books)
Re: Professional Books (was Ultimate Books)
Re: Maps
Re: Speed Change (was Re: Cheep Speed)
RE: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
Re: Professional Books (was Ultimate Books)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 16:56:02 +1000
From: m <jonesmj@topaz.cqu.edu.au>
Subject: Re: need loser villains
Bob Greenwade wrote:
> >* Y2K: Evil cyborg with the ability to crash machinery.
wierd .. i had a similar lad, with a bit of a bg: basically the team had a
little wiget-like computer dude calledNORM- Neurosimulant Omnipurpose
Robointerface Matrix. He used to plug into all these special bodies
like a humanoid for lifting, and a vehicle, ect. Ayways, NORM decided to make a
son- but to enhance his
design, in particulat his rather limited binary speech pattern ('bzzt! norm get
cage!') he incorperated human neural tissue as well, creating the Advanced
Biointergrated Neurosimulant Omnipurpose Robointerface Matrix, Analogue
Linguistics.
. Unfortunatly the brain tissue he had ame from a sample taken from someone
with what was either turrets or GPD, resulting in a robot whoose every second
word was an obscenity. The poor thing, having been programmed to waffle on
using really long words like most robots, went mad and become a hideously evil
psycopath. Of course they really should have known in advance, his designaiton-
ABNORMAL- was a dead giveaway. He was able to latch onto, meld and control
various mechanical objects, so he was dangerous, but only if he could
concentrate- get him distracted, and the component
parts would clatter to the ground, leaving a small mechanical skull lying on
the floor swearing a blue streak that would make
a sailor faint.
other ideas for wussy heros and villains include:
the wulf- a werewolf with a very low prescence, who would leap from cover
roaring, only to be ignored
or worse- patted. He tended to follow after his 'prey' raah-ing plaintivly,
practically begging them to be scared.
echolia: The villain who posesses great skill in obnoxiously repeating whatever
someone just said (youknow, like youger siblings always do). It can really
drive people to distraction (minor mind control), unless the tables are turned-
say somehting like 'my name is echolia and i suck' and his powers are foiled!
the unenviable: a tormented spirit who is doomed to walk the earth, being
slightly inconvinienced until his penence is served.
He occasionally turns up in super-circles, but spend most of his time
forgetting to put the bins out, having to stand up ont he subway, and opening
the milk carton at the wrong end. while most spirits howl or suffer in silence,
his call to the
heavens is more along the lines of 'aw, jeez!'
brickboy: Part of a trio called the inanimates, a teenager who, upon saying a
magic word, can transform into a brick-a small terra-cotta housebrick to be
precise, with a face on one side and arms and legs, with a yellow cape.
hemisphere: the powerhouse of the inanimates, a man who can change into a
half-sphere and roll around, knocking over buildigs and squashing peolpe- at
least until he accidentally rolls onto his flat surface. Then he's helpless,
and since his face is on the flat side, he can't even see anything. He could
turn back to human form, but he never seems to think of that.
Plastic spatula: Rounding out the trio of brickboy and hemisphere, the plastic
spatula gained the power to change into a giant erm. . plastic spatula with
legs. he was the brains of the outfit, he had to be since if he wapped people
too hard with his spatula-head he broke in half, and re-connected in human form
with an all-body version of an icecream headache. ooooww!
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 16:55:23 +1000
From: m <jonesmj@topaz.cqu.edu.au>
Subject: Re: need loser villains
Bob Greenwade wrote:
> >* Y2K: Evil cyborg with the ability to crash machinery.
wierd .. i had a similar lad, with a bit of a bg: basically the team had a
little wiget-like computer dude calledNORM- Neurosimulant Omnipurpose
Robointerface Matrix. He used to plug into all these special bodies
like a humanoid for lifting, and a vehicle, ect. Ayways, NORM decided to make a
son- but to enhance his
design, in particulat his rather limited binary speech pattern ('bzzt! norm get
cage!') he incorperated human neural tissue as well, creating the Advanced
Biointergrated Neurosimulant Omnipurpose Robointerface Matrix, Analogue
Linguistics.
. Unfortunatly the brain tissue he had ame from a sample taken from someone
with what was either turrets or GPD, resulting in a robot whoose every second
word was an obscenity. The poor thing, having been programmed to waffle on
using really long words like most robots, went mad and become a hideously evil
psycopath. Of course they really should have known in advance, his designaiton-
ABNORMAL- was a dead giveaway. He was able to latch onto, meld and control
various mechanical objects, so he was dangerous, but only if he could
concentrate- get him distracted, and the component
parts would clatter to the ground, leaving a small mechanical skull lying on
the floor swearing a blue streak that would make
a sailor faint.
other ideas for wussy heros and villains include:
the wulf- a werewolf with a very low prescence, who would leap from cover
roaring, only to be ignored
or worse- patted. He tended to follow after his 'prey' raah-ing plaintivly,
practically begging them to be scared.
echolia: The villain who posesses great skill in obnoxiously repeating whatever
someone just said (youknow, like youger siblings always do). It can really
drive people to distraction (minor mind control), unless the tables are turned-
say somehting like 'my name is echolia and i suck' and his powers are foiled!
the unenviable: a tormented spirit who is doomed to walk the earth, being
slightly inconvinienced until his penence is served.
He occasionally turns up in super-circles, but spend most of his time
forgetting to put the bins out, having to stand up ont he subway, and opening
the milk carton at the wrong end. while most spirits howl or suffer in silence,
his call to the
heavens is more along the lines of 'aw, jeez!'
brickboy: Part of a trio called the inanimates, a teenager who, upon saying a
magic word, can transform into a brick-a small terra-cotta housebrick to be
precise, with a face on one side and arms and legs, with a yellow cape.
hemisphere: the powerhouse of the inanimates, a man who can change into a
half-sphere and roll around, knocking over buildigs and squashing peolpe- at
least until he accidentally rolls onto his flat surface. Then he's helpless,
and since his face is on the flat side, he can't even see anything. He could
turn back to human form, but he never seems to think of that.
Plastic spatula: Rounding out the trio of brickboy and hemisphere, the plastic
spatula gained the power to change into a giant erm. . plastic spatula with
legs. he was the brains of the outfit, he had to be since if he wapped people
too hard with his spatula-head he broke in half, and re-connected in human form
with an all-body version of an icecream headache. ooooww!
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 23:22:23 -0800
From: hawk291@juno.com (Tracy L Birdine)
Subject: Re: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
On Sat, 21 Nov 1998 20:59:46 -0800 (PST) Dale Ward
<daleaward@rocketmail.com> writes:
>Greetings!
>
>---Tracy L Birdine wrote:
> Of course, if your plotline depends on your players refuting
>that lawyer's methods, then you may have to actually do a little
research.
>This is what library cards and search engines are for!
Yeah, but that's the whole point of sourcebooks, you don't have to make a
trip to the library or spend hours on the web looking for what you need.
It's all at your fingertips.
> So the police have cordoned off a street and are engaged in
>hostage negotiations... just say so! Most people have seen at least one
>movie describing such a situation. You don't have to do ALL their
thinking
>for them.
True that, but it also leaves you wide open for the 'magic wand' abuse.
"Well, the GM didn't say there *wasn't* a Humvee parked around the corner
with a .50 cal machine gun mounted. That's just what we need to take out
the hunnert mooks coming at us with machetes."
Okay, a little extreme, but as a GM, you need to supply enough detail
about *your* game world so that the players don't get away with the blank
check syndrome. Sourcebooks fit the bill because you get a greater
mixture of diverse intel in one spot without having to do the research of
collecting it from dozens of sources...
>The point I'm trying to make here is that, while sourcebooks may
>be nice and have all sorts of useful information, they are NOT
absolutely
>necessary to any game.
True, that. But, damn, they sure are convenient for taking a lot of the
gruntwork out of GMing... :)
>Also, a lot of GMs are ignoring a major gaming info resource...
>their players' imaginations!
Not necessarily. I've discovered time and again that your players will
surprise you with how they have their characters interact with your game
world, leaving you scratching your head saying, "Yeah, yeah, that
definitely works--wish I'd thought of that."
>As for my learning ability, I've known for years that I have the
>type of mind that absorbs tidbits of trivia like a sponge soaks up
water.
I know several people like that and it boggles the mind how they're able
to do that. Me, I'd be lucky to retain one fact learned two days ago...
>> As a potential sourcebook author, I have to say: "My feelings are
hurt...
>> but I'm over it now >sniff<"
>
> There, there... don't take it personally. I ignore Rat, too.
(Big Smile)
>
>Dale A. Ward
>The Trivia Sponge
>
|- /\ \\/ |<
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 04:50:00 -0800
From: "Wolf, Dave" <dave.wolf@intel.com>
Subject: RE: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
On Thu, 19 Nov 1998, Chuck Badger wrote:
> Michael Surbrook wrote:
> >
> > On Thu, 19 Nov 1998, Bob Greenwade wrote:
> > One thing that blew me away about GDWs Twlight 2000 was the collection
of
> > floorplans. Houses, offices, shopping areas... all sorts of locations
> > laid out on a nice grid. I'm trying to get a friend of mine ot zap me
off
> > some copies so I can use them for Hero settings.
>
> So which book were those in?
>>Uhm... one of them? I dunno really, one of the books in the Twlight 200
>>boxed set had the plans.
I was in a book store the other day and saw a book with floor plans of all
of
the old fantasy TV locations from "Leave It To Beaver" to the "Brady Bunch".
Just think, your heroes could rampage through Parry Masons Office, or have a
food fight in the MASH 4077th mess hall.
If anybody's interested I can get the book tittle/author Monday.
Dave
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 06:55:13 -0800
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: CHAR: Last Action Heroine
At 08:29 AM 11/21/98 -0800, Ell Egyptoid wrote:
>> I'd suggest making this "only half damage per wound."
>Are you saying a Limited Power, that her wounds only
>heal half-way? if so, why?
I was reading this as representing something a little more on the
realistic side of action movies, a la Bruce Willis, Sly Stallone, et al,
where the worst damage from wounds tend to heal rapidly but never quite go
away, rather than the cartoony A-Team type of thing you mention elsewhere
in your response.
>>>1 Stealth 14- (Only when Noise covers music)
>>Again, the Limitation doesn't make sense to me.
>She is ALWAYS surrounded by mood music. She can't sneak up on
>anything except maybe in a crowded downtown, or in a
>battlefield. She knows how to be sneaky, but the music
>gives her away.
In this case, she's unable to be stealthy at all. If there's enough
noise to cover her music, then there's enough noise to cover any sound
she'd make from failing her Stealth Roll.
- ---
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: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 08:27:10 -0800 (PST)
From: Ell Egyptoid <egyptoid@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: FW: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
> bolts of a police department work together, you would never
> be able to find a source of information that would satisfy
> the level of detail and accuracy required by your role
> playing game?
Bascially yes. Here's a case in point: I wanted to have
a character that was a robotic Transformer. One form was
going to be an aero-mech, but a heavy one, terribly similar
to a B-52 Stratofortress Bomber. Now, how to simulate a B-52
in Hero System terms? I was in the Air Force for 10 years,
but worked nowhere near the Buffs. So I had to go Janes,
several B-52 web sites, and other reference places to get
a list of all the capabilities of a Buff. And believe me,
the list is trez long. They can do a whole grocery list
more than just drop nukes. I drew up a big character sheet
for this monstrosity. But I wasn't satified with it because
I didn't _know_ for certain that this was an accurate
portrait of the Buff. I wished I'd had someone who knew
B-52s inside and out to go over the sheet.
Sure, it's silly to "worry" about the detail or accuracy
of such a thing like a light-hearted character like a
Transformer. But for most GMs, especially when the unreal
bits of a campaign, such as the paranormals, bump up against
the bits that ought to be or act realistic, such as the cops,
the hero's lawyers, the state gov. of where the heroes are
based, the landlords of the Baxter Building, etc...
What I'm trying to say is: when the "realistic" parts thrust
into the spotlight of the campaign, no GM wants to ruin his
credibility by running what is otherwise a great campaign
but then his CIA Department comes across to his players like
Pee-Wee's Playhouse because he sets up or acts out ludicrous
things that no CIA Agent would ever do, simply because has no
real life experience with the Central Intel Agency.
So that's what every GM needs, is a sourcebook or two to
prop up his real-world knowledge. It's just that each GM
knows different areas, and lacks knowledge in other random
fields, so it means that there could be a market for a truly
wide variety of topics. Some of these will seem silly to us,
because they're about topics we either know or items we never
inject into our games.
So in conclusion, I'd vote FOR any "Ultimate _ _ _ _" book
that came down the pipe (either paper or electronic_,
because you never know...
==
Laissez le bon pim roulez! Elliott aka Egyptoid
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 13:11:48 -0500
From: "B.C. Holmes" <bcholmes@interlog.com>
Subject: Re: Computers
Bob Greenwade wrote:
>
> PS: Does anyone else think that an Ultimate book devoted to computers,
> robots, androids, and cyborgs would be a good thing?
I still think those topics should be covered in a chapter of a
soon-to-be-released Star Hero, 2nd Edition. <grumble>
BCing you
- ----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+--
B.C. Holmes http://www.interlog.com/~bcholmes/
"And everywhere I found myself at home
Because I chose to be the thing I was."
- John Davidson, "Thirty Bob a Week"
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 10:15:01 -0800
From: "Hilary" <kabuki@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: FW: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
> So in conclusion, I'd vote FOR any "Ultimate _ _ _ _" book
> that came down the pipe (either paper or electronic_,
> because you never know...
So you'd vote for Ultimate Lumberjack? Ultimate Invalids? Ultimate
Narcoleptics? Hero has few enough sourcebooks as it is, maybe Ultimate Fry
Cook could be near the bottom of the list?
What do people think about an Ultimate book full of maps? As a GM you
should be prepared for the heroes stopping that bank robbery, but sometimes
they get into fights when you just didn't think they would or could, or
sneak into places you never thought to map. Need a bank? Need a giant
corporate building? A high school? A cruise liner? I have a general idea
of what a cruise liner entails and what it looks like, but I'd rather not
map out the Titanic. Of course the maps would come with plenty of details
on the building/ship that a GM could need.
Hil
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 15:13:02 EST
From: SteveL1979@aol.com
Subject: Maps
<< What do people think about an Ultimate book full of maps? As a GM you
should be prepared for the heroes stopping that bank robbery, but sometimes
they get into fights when you just didn't think they would or could, or
sneak into places you never thought to map. Need a bank? Need a giant
corporate building? A high school? A cruise liner? I have a general idea
of what a cruise liner entails and what it looks like, but I'd rather not
map out the Titanic. Of course the maps would come with plenty of details
on the building/ship that a GM could need. >>
Books of maps and related info are always useful, though a project such as
the one you describe would be an *enormous* undertaking -- and, frankly, if
done properly would require the services of an architect, at least in an
advisory capacity.
Some good sources I've found for maps include:
Stephen Biesty's AMAZING CROSS-SECTION books -- featuring 3/4-view cutaways of
many major buildings and structures, including the Royal Opera House (good for
any theater or the like), the Empire State Building, a London subway station,
a jumbo jet, the QE2 (or like cruise ship), a castle, and many other gaming-
useful locales.
ARCHITECTURE Magazine -- features selections from the floorplans of many
different buildings, along with pictures of the building being discussed --
great visual aids! There are also ads for books of floorplans if you want to
order them.
Books containing residential house floorplans for people who are considering
building their own houses.
National Geographic Magazine -- often has useful breakouts of things like the
New York sewer system. If you're willing to shell out the cash, you can get
the the past 110 years' worth of magazines -- every article and picture -- and
maps on CD-ROM (a *great* research tool, believe me).
Other game books which feature maps. The GM'S COMPANION for *Millennium's
End* contains a bunch of great maps (and other useful stuff, too). SPRAWL
SITES for *Shadowrun* is an older product I've found similarly useful.
Steve Long
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 12:39:26 -0800 (PST)
From: Ell Egyptoid <egyptoid@yahoo.com>
Subject: JLA Web Site Review
More revisions have been posted to the
Justice League of Alabama Web Site.
A Dozen Adventures, Over 50 Character Sheets,
TimeLines, Crossovers, and Mystic Widgets.
please try:
http://www.sysabend.org/champions/elliott/index.html
(((the JLA is sponsored by the wonderful egg-heads at)))
(((Sysabend and the Champions Mailing List-Man: Desmarais)))
(((thanks.)))
==
Laissez le bon pim roulez! Elliott aka Egyptoid
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 12:10:54 -0800 (PST)
From: Ell Egyptoid <egyptoid@yahoo.com>
Subject: CHAR: Last Action Heroine (Rev2)
28 STR 18 Kellie Winters
23 DEX 39 Last Action Heroine
32 CON 44
13 BODY 6
16 INT 6
14 EGO 8
26 PRE 16
18 COM 4
8 PD 2
8 ED 2
4 SPD 7
20 REC 16
64 END 0
54 STUN 11
SKILLS & POWERS:
12 7/7 Armor (Hi-Tech), "Kevlar", 15- Act, OIF
25 EC (25), "Action Hero Powers"
16 a) 16- Danger Sense,any attack,general area,Audible SFX:
effects can be heard up to 3 hexes away,NCC,AE,radius
19 b) Clairsentience (Mutant Powers),"tone & pace of theme
music change accordingly.",Detect,see future,no
specifics. only what feel or theme of music can
convey,Always On,up to 10 minutes into future,NCC,
Audible SFX: effects can be heard up
to 3 hexes away,AE,radius,0 END Persistent 0
20 c) 5 BODY Regen, "almost cartoon-like ability to recover",
recovery rate: per minute
30 d) 10/10 Force Field (Telekinesis), 0 END Persistent, x1
Hard, Invisible, Sight Group 0
51 MP (Hi-Tech) (90), "Weapons Belt", OIF,
weapons "Jam" on 13- versus Ninja
3 u 2D6 RKA, "Automatic rifle", OAF, x5 AF, 0 END,
double cost (for autofire), AE
2 u 12D6 EB, "Pistol, Solar Recharge", OAF, needs an hour
of light to recharge after a battle, Extra Time,
time: 1 hour, only to start power, 0 END
2 u 2D6 HKA, "BIG knife", 1 Chgs, recoverable, [x1 AP,
OIF, Pen
3 u 2D6+1 RKA, "Sniper Rifle", 7-8 Chgs, 2 Clips, OAF,
No Range Mod, x1 AP, +1 Inc STUN
2 u 2D6 HKA, "Throwing Knives", 7-8 Chgs, recoverable,
OAF, Rng, x1 AP
3 u 3D6 RKA, 7-8 Chgs, OAF, Explosion, Trigger,
Desc: Grenade, Time Delay
3 u STR: +30, "Desperate Fury" only for Martial Arts,
only in Combat, not Versus Ninja, only when all other
slots are jammed or discharged, and she hasn't lost
her trademark armor & web belt.
2 WF, Guns
1 WF, Knives
2 TF, Small Ground Vehicles
2 KS: Martial Arts Trained
2 KS: Weapon Kata
1 Lightsleep, Linked, "to Danger Sense", not versus Ninja
3 Acting 14-
3 Acrobatics 14-
3 Climbing 14-
3 Combat Piloting 14-
3 Demolitions 11-
3 Lockpicking 14-
3 Security Systems 12-
1 Stealth 14-, not within 3 hexes
3 Survival 11-
3 SysOp 12-
15 3 Levels: guns & grenades only
Martial Arts: Ass-Kickin Grace Jones "Style"
4 M Dodge
5 K Throw
3 M Throw
4 K Strike
4 M Strike
DISADVANTAGES:
15 Dist Feature, "Wears form-fitting kevlar battle gear",
concealable, major
25 Dist Feature, "Theme Music", not concealable, extreme
15 Hunted, "The Ninja", as powerful, harsh, appear 11-
20 Hunted, "Genocide", more powerful, non-combat influence,
harsh, appear 8-
15 Psych Lim, "Overcondfident", common, strong
20 Psych Lim, "Must wear kevlar battle gear", very common
15 Psych Lim, "Protective of innocents", common, strong
15 Psych Lim, "loves publicity, sulks when not in spotlight
weekly", common, strong
10 Public ID, "Kellie Winters, of Universal Studios"
15 Rep, "Movie hero, Mutant", occur 14-
20 Vuln, "Radiation", common, x2 body
20 Vuln, "Radiation", common, x2 stun
15 DNPC, "Twin Sister: Maxine Winters", normal, appear 11-
Kellie Winters:
Similar to the Last Action Hero, Kellie is always followed
around by music. This is her danger sense. When the music is
upbeat & light, nothings gonna go wrong. When the music is
tense and staccato, bad news on the way. Whether she is from
the "real" world or movies or another dimension is up to the
GM. In an case she did Hollywood work before super-heroing.
Where the music comes from and can it be dispelled are also
questions the GM must answer. If the dice roll for Danger
Sense fails, it represents that Kellie couldn't understand
what the change in songs meant, and gets surprised.
The music is always playing. All different kinds: Jagger,
Stravinsky, Ellington, Mozart, Twitty, Carlos, whatever.
Even when she's sleeping, there is soft music, like a soft
Brahms or Mahler symphony. Of course, if she's gonna be
attacked in her bed, then about 10 minutes before the goons
arrive, the music switches to Elton John; Saturday Night's
Alright For Fighting, or similar. That's her precognition,
so she wakes up and is not surprised. Of course Chris Tucker
wakes up also, because it's area effect.
That's why her Stealth is limited. Let's say she has to nab
Mr. Kwaejong when he's alone in his front office on the 6th
floor of the Gailmore building. She can sneak from the street,
thru the parking lot, quietly climb up the back of building,
deftly open the window and slip onto the 6th floor. So far,
so good. But as she tip-toes up to Kwaejong's office, the
music, even though it's just soft and low background patter,
might give her away. Unless Kwaejong is on the phone arguing
with his mistress or he's got his radio cranked up. Sound and
Hearing modifiers apply. She can sneak up on a deafened victim,
for example. If she's in a pitched fire-fight, and she's about
to get waxed, the music will switch to Mozart's Requiem for the
Dead, for example, and if she can hear it, she can cut her
losses and get away before she gets seriously hurt.
Her costume comes across as totally revealing, nearly naked,
when in fact every square inch of her skin below the chin is
completely covered. Red bodysuit, beige kevlar vest, gloves,
boots, web-belts with gear & ammo. She'll never voluntarily
take off the vest. Maybe everything underneath it, but not it.
It is suspected that she bathes in it, since it is waterproof.
Similar to Mr.Chan, she did all her own stunts. Her only
blockbuster film, "Night Train to London", was reviewed quite
well, even the humorous love scene between her (at 6ft. 5in)
and Chris Tucker (at 5ft 4in) when she was still wearing her
trademark armor and he was wearing a borrowed silk bathrobe.
She sort of has a dual personality, for when she's in combat,
or on a case, she acts like Linda Hamilton in Terminator:
gritty, harsh, and practical. but as soon as the crooks are
in jail, she's lite and seemingly vacuous.
But two things really screw with her. She's crossed up some
Oriental "businessmen" in the past and she seems to have a
curse on her that Ninja have some kind of powers against her.
Also radiation based attacks screw with the magic/psychic
power that drives her superhuman constitution.
She has enormous REC and Regen, cause she never takes any
lasting damage. She may be immortal. She is the indestructible
movie archetype. Her concept is several rolled into one:
Queen Latifah, Barb Wire, Grace Jones, Angela Basset; plus
some ideas borrowed from Wesley Snipes and of course Arnold
Schwarzenegger. Big Armor, Smokin Guns, Fast Action, and all
of that backed up by a soundtrack that sets the mood.
Villain option:
An extra-dimensional interloper from a relatively normal
mundane world, that stole or hacked a projector device
that puts her into the heroic universe, where she's making
a name and fortune for herself. she'll take her loot back to
her own world and not have a criminal record, she thinks.
The DNPC sister becomes the movie-star thats a coincidental
look-alike often used by Kellie as a patsie. "Protective of
Innocents" becomes "Greedy Glory-Hound". As a villain Ninja
hunt her because she's comptetition.
==
Laissez le bon pim roulez! Elliott aka Egyptoid
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
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------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 16:33:44 -0500
From: "Michael Sprague" <msprague@eznet.net>
Subject: Re: FW: Ultimate Books (Ultimate Maps)
>What do people think about an Ultimate book full of maps? As a GM you
>should be prepared for the heroes stopping that bank robbery, but sometimes
>they get into fights when you just didn't think they would or could, or
>sneak into places you never thought to map. Need a bank? Need a giant
>corporate building? A high school? A cruise liner? I have a general idea
>of what a cruise liner entails and what it looks like, but I'd rather not
>map out the Titanic. Of course the maps would come with plenty of details
>on the building/ship that a GM could need.
Now this is a good idea!! I had thought about doing something like this
some time ago, but just don't seem to have the time (having children seems
to do that sort of thing to you). I have done a few things along this line
toward that effort, but have a long way to go for what I intended.
There are a few published works along this line, for example Shadowrun's
Sprawl Sites, and better yet, Sprawl Maps, not to mention Millennium's End
GM's Companion. However many of the maps are not dimensioned very well,
either due to carelessness by the artist or simply a lack of knowledge of
reasonable dimensions.
I just saw a map recently, where the entryway closet was two feet wide, by 8
feet deep ... and the bathroom next to it was narrow and deep also.
~ Mike
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 19:22:47 -0500 (EST)
From: tdj723@webtv.net (thomas deja)
Subject: Re: FW: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
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Some of the stuff you ask for already exists, if you know where to look.
For example: a standard corporate office building is mapped out in DARK
CHAMPIONS in some detail. A fairly decent fast food restuarant is
mapped out in JUSTICE, NOT LAW. And if you have CALL OF CTHULU, you can
find maps and descriptions detailed enough to generate a map for a
dirigible, a standard prison, and more.
That being said, a sort of 'Everywhere USA' set of maps for standard
buildings, vehicles, etc. would be helpful--maybe with brief information
on unusual tidbits on each location (i.e. where a corporate HQ's power
set-up would be, so terrorists can disrupt it)
"'Money doesn't talk--it screams."
--A.J. Benza, HOLLYWOOD MYSTERIES AND SCANDALS
____________________________________
THE ULTIMATE HULK, containing the new story, "A Quiet, Normal Life," is
available now from Byron Preiss and Berkley
_______________________________
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From: "Hilary" <kabuki@ix.netcom.com>
To: <champ-l@sysabend.org>
Subject: Re: FW: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 10:15:01 -0800
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> So in conclusion, I'd vote FOR any "Ultimate _ _ _ _" book
> that came down the pipe (either paper or electronic_,
> because you never know...
So you'd vote for Ultimate Lumberjack? Ultimate Invalids? Ultimate
Narcoleptics? Hero has few enough sourcebooks as it is, maybe Ultimate Fry
Cook could be near the bottom of the list?
What do people think about an Ultimate book full of maps? As a GM you
should be prepared for the heroes stopping that bank robbery, but sometimes
they get into fights when you just didn't think they would or could, or
sneak into places you never thought to map. Need a bank? Need a giant
corporate building? A high school? A cruise liner? I have a general idea
of what a cruise liner entails and what it looks like, but I'd rather not
map out the Titanic. Of course the maps would come with plenty of details
on the building/ship that a GM could need.
Hil
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------------------------------
Date: 22 Nov 1998 20:12:07 -0500
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>
Subject: Re: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
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"BB" == Bryant Berggren <voxel@theramp.net> writes:
BB> I didn't actually get that far. :/ It was fun for a while trying to
BB> count up the number of WoT/Dune analogies, but after a while you run
BB> out of END (even if you have a Reserve).
Half the time I thought I was reading a bad Dune rip-off; the other half I
thought I was reading a bad adaptation of Arthurian myth.
[...]
BB> Haven't found any Drake fantasy yet, tho I loved _Birds of Prey_.
Get thee to a bookstore and pick up "Lord of the Isles". Epic fantasy done
well, IMO. The sequel, "Queen of Demons", is out in hardcover; paperback
should be out soon.
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=glsL
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Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net> \ Caution: Happy Fun Ball may suddenly
PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ accelerate to dangerous speeds.
\
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 17:07:03 -0800
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: Professional Books (was Ultimate Books)
At 10:15 AM 11/22/98 -0800, Hilary wrote:
>
>> So in conclusion, I'd vote FOR any "Ultimate _ _ _ _" book
>> that came down the pipe (either paper or electronic_,
>> because you never know...
>
>So you'd vote for Ultimate Lumberjack? Ultimate Invalids? Ultimate
>Narcoleptics? Hero has few enough sourcebooks as it is, maybe Ultimate Fry
>Cook could be near the bottom of the list?
You're thinking in too narrow terms. We don't have The Ultimate Kung Fu
Master, because that fits into The Ultimate Martial Artist. From your
list, Invalids and Narcoleptics would probably be in a Medical Professional
book, while Fry Cooks could fit into a Hospitality Professional book. (I'm
not sure where to fit Lumberjacks into.)
>What do people think about an Ultimate book full of maps? As a GM you
>should be prepared for the heroes stopping that bank robbery, but sometimes
>they get into fights when you just didn't think they would or could, or
>sneak into places you never thought to map. Need a bank? Need a giant
>corporate building? A high school? A cruise liner? I have a general idea
>of what a cruise liner entails and what it looks like, but I'd rather not
>map out the Titanic. Of course the maps would come with plenty of details
>on the building/ship that a GM could need.
Besides what others have listed, Flying Buffalo has a couple of series
in their Catalist line of books -- the CityBooks, and the Maps books --
that can be helpful here. While geared toward the fantasy genre, much of
both series are generic enough to be easily adapted to any genre (and there
are almost no game state specific to any system -- the couple of bits that
did slip in were an accident).
That said, a book of maps for various business establishments for
modern-day settings, such as those you list, along with fully-statted NPCs,
would be cool.
- ---
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: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 20:00:42 -0800 (PST)
From: Ell Egyptoid <egyptoid@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Professional Books (was Ultimate Books)
> (I'm not sure where to fit Lumberjacks into.)
Put them with the Pet Salesmen, Waiters, Colonels,
Interviewers, Architects, Inquisitors, Bishops,
Centuwions, and English Knigghts.
==
Laissez le bon pim roulez! Elliott aka Egyptoid
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------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 19:40:23 -0800 (PST)
From: Ell Egyptoid <egyptoid@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Maps
For fantasy hero, you can try two obscure magazines:
Archaeology Today, and Biblical Archaeologist.
they often have layouts and diagrams of temples,
pyramids, ancient cities.
If you're lucky, they'll be in the reference or
periodical section of your library.
(My history professor thought I was so studious,
reading in the subject, when actually it was next
weeks dungeon :)
==
Laissez le bon pim roulez! Elliott aka Egyptoid
_________________________________________________________
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------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 20:12:16 PST
From: "Jesse Thomas" <haerandir@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Speed Change (was Re: Cheep Speed)
>
>Um, people? READ WHAT I WROTE IN THE CONTEXT I WROTE IT.
>
>Of *COURSE* it is not what is in the BBB. I was addressing the
proposed
>method of handling speed change by showing how it would be abused.
I did, in fact, read every word of the message you wrote. I found that
your demonstration of the potential abuses of unlimited SPD changes both
cogent and enlightening. If you, had, in fact, read my message, you
would have discovered that I was not addressing the same point you were.
I was addressing an error I felt you, and several others, were making
about the interpretation of the rules, unrelated to the suggested
scrapping of the existing rules.
I don't know about you, but I get irritated when people fire off brief
messages full of capital letters that rip me for presenting a thoughtful
and carefully reasoned argument which I spent most of an hour writing,
which they obviously haven't read before lashing out.
Good day.
Jesse Thomas
haerandir@hotmail.com
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------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 22:55:32 -0600 (Central Standard Time)
From: Tim Gilberg <gilberg@ou.edu>
Subject: RE: Ultimate Books (was Re: Computers)
> I was in a book store the other day and saw a book with floor plans of all
> of
> the old fantasy TV locations from "Leave It To Beaver" to the "Brady Bunch".
>
> Just think, your heroes could rampage through Parry Masons Office, or have a
>
> food fight in the MASH 4077th mess hall.
>
> If anybody's interested I can get the book tittle/author Monday.
Do so. I'd be interested.
-Tim Gilberg
-"English Majors of the World! Untie!"
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 21:45:31 -0800
From: "Hilary" <kabuki@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: Professional Books (was Ultimate Books)
> You're thinking in too narrow terms. We don't have The Ultimate Kung
Fu
> Master, because that fits into The Ultimate Martial Artist. From your
> list, Invalids and Narcoleptics would probably be in a Medical
Professional
> book, while Fry Cooks could fit into a Hospitality Professional book.
(I'm
> not sure where to fit Lumberjacks into.)
Lumberjacks, in my experience, fit into the back seats of large sedans, but
prefer
mini-vans. <g>
------------------------------
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