Taking Names

[mallet]

How about a little project? Something like this:

Ok, so we all know about Kicking Ass, it's a pretty common occurance in RPG's.

So, what about Taking Names?

How would you make a power that allowed a character to "take" someone's name after beating them down?

Would it be a special type of Drain? A tranform power? A mental power? Some sort of "Highlander quickening"?

What types of limitations would you used? Target has to be reduced to 0 stun first? PC has to inflict x amount of damage?

And finally what would be the long-term effect? No memory of their own name? Unable to speak their own name? No one remembers thier name? Or is it more mystical like when some groups believe Names have power, so if you take someones name you have power over them? Or some sort of combination?

I am working on my own version and I thought others might like to make up their own versions for fun. Plus, it could be a good plot-hook if a villian takes a PC's name, or a fun power in a Ninja Hero game. Imagine the long trail of nameless NPCs left in the heroes wake.

So, how would you do it?

[Black Lotus]

"I came here to kick ass and chew bubble gum. And I'm fresh out of gum."

[Cancer]

A lot of the answer to this depends on the framework magic system. I can think of some situations where loss of your name can be world-threateningly catastrophic: this is the case in, e.g., Legend of the Five Rings, where you have to give the oni (demon) your name when you summon it; and in The Farthest Shore (I think; the 3rd novel in Leguin's Earthsea series) the mage that threatened the whole world was one who'd forgotten his name.

In other systems it could even be an advantage: someone without a name might not be able to be uniquely identified, and if Something Bad is after you that might help.

[Greatwyrm]

Clairvoyance - only go know target's name

Eidetic Memory - only to remember defeated targets' names

Transform (Mental) - target cannot remember, and will not respond to, own name

Transform (Spirit) - target is severed from his/her Truename (if you use such things in your game)

[stan da ork]

I'd just do it as a roleplaying thing. The character carries a battered notebook around, and whenever he served someone the beatdown, he pulls out the notebook, frantically digs in his pockets for a pen, then plants his foot in their chest and demands, "What's your name, punk?"

[Frenchman]

I'd just do it as a roleplaying thing. The character carries a battered notebook around, and whenever he served someone the beatdown, he pulls out the notebook, frantically digs in his pockets for a pen, then plants his foot in their chest and demands, "What's your name, punk?"

I have my next character for our Sci-Fi game.

[Stone]

"I came here to kick ass and chew bubble gum. And I'm fresh out of gum."

Roddy Piper (John Carpenter's - They Live...I think). I love that line.

[Stone]

So are you assuming the defeated person's persona, or you taking all their memories? If you are going the Highlander route, then there would be no negative on the draining character (other than a few phases of being stunned). Once the drain was over, the character could gain some of the defeated character's knowledge and or abilities.

[ghost-angel]

Interesting that this came up.. My latest character has no name, or at least it has been forgotten and lost in time, the character is over 2000 years old and hasn't used a name since 100BC..

I suppose I should come up with some in game effect if/when someone does get their name..

[Mister E]

I would build this as an Extra-Dimensional Movement to a universe where the target has no name.

On topic: How would you steal another person's Reputation? DNPC's? General identity?

[sinanju]

I'd just do it as a roleplaying thing. The character carries a battered notebook around, and whenever he served someone the beatdown, he pulls out the notebook, frantically digs in his pockets for a pen, then plants his foot in their chest and demands, "What's your name, punk?"

I have my next character for our Sci-Fi game.

"Fred...your little black book--"
"Yeah?"
"It's...mostly GUYS' names. Something you want to tell us?"
"That's my lifetime list of asses kicked and names taken."
"Oh. That's all right then."

[McCoy]

X skill levels, useable in all combat, only vs. opponents has fought before.

"You're on my list. I know your powers, your moves, your style. I'll beat you even easier next time."

[Lanith]

X skill levels, useable in all combat, only vs. opponents has fought before.

"You're on my list. I know your powers, your moves, your style. I'll beat you even easier next time."

I like that it's easy and simple. I was also thinking of Dispel vs. Presense Only vs. opponents you have defeated before -1 to -2. "I've beaten you once, now you're not worth my time."

[Wilfred_Death]

"Fred...your little black book--"
"Yeah?"
"It's...mostly GUYS' names. Something you want to tell us?"
"That's my lifetime list of asses kicked and names taken."
"Oh. That's all right then."

Just make sure that you don't suffer from Spoonerism, such as in "Demolition Man" where Stallone has to tell his assistant "it's Kick his ass!"

[sinanju]

Just make sure that you don't suffer from Spoonerism, such as in "Demolition Man" where Stallone has to tell his assistant "it's Kick his ass!"

Sandra Bullock: "You really matched his meat and licked his ass!"
Stallone: "That's _met his match_ and kicked--KICKED--his ass!"