Truth-Telling Gaze

[NegativeLogic]

Hello,

I'm very new to the Hero system, but my friends and I have been playing around with it for a couple months, and are really enjoying it. That being said, some concepts I find are still a bit of a challenge to figure out how to implement.

As the title suggests, what I'm trying to build is an ability where someone could gaze into the eyes of the subject in question, put them into a trance, and force the person to answer truthfully all questions asked (or at least attempt to get them to answer truthfully). All they can do though is answer questions - the practitioner has no other control over the person, and the gaze must be maintained at all times.

What would be a good way of going about this? Would mind control be the answer?

Thanks!

[Matt Holck]

TELEPATHY with lots of physical world limitations
attacker must ask
defender must answer

or

PRESENCE and/or the skill INTERROGATION

[bigbywolfe]

Heavily limited Mind Control would work as well, though Telepathy seems to fit better.

[torchwolf]

I agree on Telepathy - depending on what you want.


From your description:

If you want to put the target of the Truth-Telling Gaze into a trance such as not being able to run away or move, you might want to look at the Mental Paralysis (6E1 217) variant of Entangle for that part.

Compelling truthful answers is probably easier to do with Telepathy, maybe with the Perceivable (Invisible Power Becomes Inobvious, -1/4) Limitation. This would mean that while other characters can hear the Q&A, it might not be obvious that it is by compulsion. Incantations might seem a good candidate, but would in fact make the exchange very obvious ("Foul Villain, Now Tell Me The Truth!").
Since Telepathy locates facts in a target's mind, they are by definition true answers (at least according to what the target believes to be the truth).

Using Mind Control instead allows for a target to resist answering with complete truth, which is the way to go if you want that effect instead.

As always in the Hero System, it can be done in several ways depending on the exact effect you want. :)

[Lucius]

I need a clarification.



As the title suggests, what I'm trying to build is an ability where someone could gaze into the eyes of the subject in question, put them into a trance, and force the person to answer truthfully all questions asked (or at least attempt to get them to answer truthfully). All they can do though is answer questions - the practitioner has no other control over the person, and the gaze must be maintained at all times.


You say "put into a trance" but also say "has no control over the person."

Does that mean the subject of the power could close his eyes (breaking eye contact?)
Could he turn around?
Walk away?
Run?
Attack the mentalist using the power?
Or by "no control" you mean this power can't make the subject do anything except stand there and answer questions - but it does force them to just stand there?

If the subject is compelled to remain still, I think Mind Control with suitable Limits is probably the simplest way to get the effect.

If the subject is capable of resisting or taking other actions, Telepathy works.

Lucius Alexander

Making an entrance with the palindromedary

[NegativeLogic]

Thank you all for the responses, it's given me a lot of food for thought (especially around defining the specifics).

Lucius - I suppose my phrasing should have been better. "No additional control over the person" is what I meant. I was attempting to convey that the mentalist could not cause any effects aside from the trance-like state and answering of questions, and that's all the subject could do (stand there and answer questions - but it does force them to just stand there and answer).

[casualplayer]

Sounds like Single Command: Stay put and tell me the truth Mind Control to me, with some restrictions like Eye Contact necessary and such. Mesmerism.

[The Rose]

Telepathy seems off for this power. Telepathy allows the telepath to read the thoughts of others, not compel them to speak those thoughts. Mind Control seems like the most straightforward manner of doing this. The more round about way would be a Transform that gives the target of the attack a Psych Lim: Can not purposely deceive X when asked direct questions.

La Rose.

[Sean Waters]

The Honest Gaze of Mesmer: 60 active, 20 real
Mind Control 12d6, Must maintain (+0) (60 Active Points); Eye Contact Required (Constant Power requires eye contact throughout use; -1), Set Effect (DO NOT MOVE but ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS TRUTHFULLY; -1/2), Costs END To Maintain (Full END Cost; -1/2)

Telepathy doesn't work because it doesn't compel you to remain still, no matter what advantages you apply.

Transform doesn't work because, well, it's transform and shouldn't be used if there is another way. Moreover it is a problem mechanically: to paralyse someone you probably need a major transform, which means expensive dice which means probably several applications of the power before it takes, which doesn't seem to me to be how a power to 'catch and hold their gaze' - my words, obviously - should work. Basically you'd have to be able to hold the bugger down and gaze at them - and if you can do that, why do you need paralysis?

Mind Control has a straightforward mechanism, and does what you want. You can accomplish everything you've asked for with a straightforward and relatively cheap build.

[NegativeLogic]

The Honest Gaze of Mesmer: 60 active, 20 real
Mind Control 12d6, Must maintain (+0) (60 Active Points); Eye Contact Required (Constant Power requires eye contact throughout use; -1), Set Effect (DO NOT MOVE but ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS TRUTHFULLY; -1/2), Costs END To Maintain (Full END Cost; -1/2)

Telepathy doesn't work because it doesn't compel you to remain still, no matter what advantages you apply.

Transform doesn't work because, well, it's transform and shouldn't be used if there is another way. Moreover it is a problem mechanically: to paralyse someone you probably need a major transform, which means expensive dice which means probably several applications of the power before it takes, which doesn't seem to me to be how a power to 'catch and hold their gaze' - my words, obviously - should work. Basically you'd have to be able to hold the bugger down and gaze at them - and if you can do that, why do you need paralysis?

Mind Control has a straightforward mechanism, and does what you want. You can accomplish everything you've asked for with a straightforward and relatively cheap build.

Thank you for this - that helps a great deal.

I'm amazed at how quickly I've received so many helpful replies.

[Sean Waters]

Thank you for this - that helps a great deal.

I'm amazed at how quickly I've received so many helpful replies.

Well you'll find we are an enthusiastic bunch. You're more likely to get too much info than too little :)