danbuter Posted September 26, 2003 Report Share Posted September 26, 2003 Just curious if anyone has expanded on this particular sample system yet. I really like the idea behind it, and think it could be run kinda like Highlander. As for spells usable, I think I'd limit the effects to stuff like increasing damage, jumping, aid to different stats and maybe skills, etc. Is there any guideline for how long the Aid from killing another Chaos Blade lasts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted September 26, 2003 Report Share Posted September 26, 2003 I haven't worked out the specifics, but it'd probably be on the order of weeks or months, maybe even years. Everyone seems to like that system. One of these days maybe I'll have to write more about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted September 27, 2003 Report Share Posted September 27, 2003 If you want a Highlander theme in your campaign, just modify the Immortality Jar spell from The Arts Arcane and use the Chaos Blades abilities. That would work. After all, nothing is stopping you from learning spells from different schools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Mann Posted October 4, 2003 Report Share Posted October 4, 2003 How to build a Chaos Blade I'm re-opening this thread to get some help from the board members. Rather than wait for Steve to write the Chaos Blade book, I'd like to put together an example newbie Chaos Blade for players. The relevant section in Fantasy Hero is rather vague about the Blades. What we know is that the Chaos Blade package includes a Detect (other Blades), A Perk (Chaos Blade), and Bladetheft (Aid). My first question: is this it? Is that all that is needed to be a Chaos Blade? If not, what else is there? Secondly: how many spells does a Chaos Blade have? Considering the sample spells cost from 3-21 points, newbies will probably only have 1 or 2 spells, with the most experienced having maybe several spells. Thirdly: what spells are suggested for newbies? Is there a suggested standard set, or does it depend on the personality of the newbie? I can see each newbie starting with a low-powered set of spells that enhance senses and defend/protect. What brought these questions to mind was that I started to create a Chaos Blade using the Light Warrior template, with the addition of the Chaos Blade abilities mentioned in the magic section. I'm stuck at this point; I have too many questions to continue. New Chaos Blade Char Val STR 13 DEX 17 CON 15 BODY 10 INT 10 EGO 10 PRE 10 COM 10 PD 3 ED 3 SPD 2 REC 6 END 30 STUN 25 Cost Powers 15 Chaos Blade Package 6 Detect: Chaos Blades (+1 to PER); Passive Sense; Sense; Detect Category (A Single Thing): +3 8 Bladetheft: 1d6 Aid (Fade/1 Year, 6 Maximum); Range (0"); Delayed Return Rate (1 Year): +2 1/2; Affects (Single Power): +0; Only Works After Killing Another Chaos Blade (Very Uncommon): -2; Extra Time (1 Turn): -1¼ Cost Skills, Perks Roll 10 Chaos Blade Package 10 Perk: Chaos Blade 9 Fencing Used with Blades Weapon Group 4 Parry (OCV +2, DCV +2, Block, Abort) 5 Thrust (OCV +1, DCV +3, STR Strike, 3d6) 8 +1 Combat with All Combat 9 +3 Combat with Swords 2 KS: Sword Fighting Styles 11- 2 KS: Military Tactics (small unit) 11- 4 WF: Common Melee Weapons: 2; Common Missile Weapons: 2 3 Defense Maneuver I 5 Rapid Attack: Hand-To-Hand 3 Fast Draw (Small Arms); Weapon: Small Arms 12- 34 Characteristics 69 Powers 103 Total As you can see, this alone leaves the character with only 47 more points, assuming he's 75+75. Buying up the other stats leaves very little for the spells. Where do I go from here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuter Posted October 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2003 I don't see Chaos Blades casting fireballs and such. I think they should get spells that enhance senses, increase attributes, possibly armor, speed enhancers, etc. Maybe some divinatory stuff, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Mann Posted October 5, 2003 Report Share Posted October 5, 2003 Yeah, but.... I don't see Chaos Blades casting fireballs and such. I think they should get spells that enhance senses, increase attributes, possibly armor, speed enhancers, etc. Maybe some divinatory stuff, as well. That's logical, but I have a couple of problems with that: Firstly, FH mentions lightning, teleport, and resurrection spells, as well as Blades devastating towns. So, the Chaos Blades as written have flashy spells. Secondly, they're the only source of magic on their world, and it'd be a real shame if their spells were subtle. Actually, I suppose I can see a two-tiered hierarchy amongst Blades; with your style of enhancements describing the average Chaos Blade. Suppose that a few create such powerful enhancements that they move to the second tier. It's these Blademasters who have the flashy and overt spells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuter Posted October 6, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2003 It's probably just my prejudices showing through. I'm not a fan of flashy magic. I like the Merlin or Elrond type, where stuff happens, but isn't blatant. If you like the flashy stuff, you could try stuff like electrified, frost or flame blades, flying mages, soul-stealing blades, etc? Something akin to Exalted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Mann Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 Exalted Chaos Blades Actually, that's a good idea, thanks for reminding me that I own that book. After weeding out some of the more obnoxious charms, that should still leave a hefty list of neat powers. Now, if only I can find a person who's statted out all the charms in Hero terms, I'd be set.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 The Chaos Blades as I conceive of 'em are definitely of the "flashy magic" variety. I'm a big, big fan of the "flavorful wizard" (to label what danbuter's talking about), but I was angling for that more with things like Talriadan Druidry or the Tuala Morn setting we'll eventually publish. The CBs are big 'n' zappy. But of course, YMMV. Do with 'em as you will for your own campaigns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Mann Posted October 9, 2003 Report Share Posted October 9, 2003 Steve Long's Chaos Blades If you wouldn't mind, Steve, I've got a couple of questions for you: These flashy wizards with swords you envision, do they each have lots of spells? That is, are they wizards with swords? Or swordsmen with a few spells? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted October 10, 2003 Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 They don't have swords -- well, they could have swords, if they wanted, but that's not the defining element of their existence. A Chaos Blade's "blade" is his magical powers. That's the weapon he fights with and is known for. The name derives more from terms like "hired blade" -- if a mercenary is a hired blade, then these guys are "Chaos Blades" because they wield the primal, chaotic forces of magic. But if you want to give 'em swords, go right ahead. I'm a big fan of the "warrior-mage" archetype myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Mann Posted October 10, 2003 Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 Originally posted by Steve Long They don't have swords -- well, they could have swords, if they wanted, but that's not the defining element of their existence. Ah, things become quite a bit clearer now. I thing we all were picturing them as warrior-mages, sort of Highlander with overt spells. Over the past few weeks, I've been creating an anime-inspired setting for my version of the Chaos Blades. It takes elements from Ranma 1/2 (the ki-powered martial arts) and Tenchi Muyo (super-powered aliens). All Chaos Blades in this setting have one spell in common; to summon their sword from where ever it currently is. Their boast is that no Blade is ever unarmed since "No Chaos Blade can be separated from his sword". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 10, 2003 Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 That's the beauty of the HERO system. You have a lot of flexibility to take an idea and modify it to your tastes. If you want immortal, sword-wielding Chaos Blades, no problem. If you want to do something else with them, piece of cake. That's why I'm trying to wean my players out of D&D. Not that it's a bad system, but you can do so much more with HERO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markdoc Posted October 14, 2003 Report Share Posted October 14, 2003 >> That's why I'm trying to wean my players out of D&D. Not that it's a bad system, but you can do so much more with HERO.<< Preaching to the choir, I know but one of the players from my last game (a complete HERO virgin at the time) is playing DnD 3e with his friends now and he contacted me recently for help converting his GM away from the (ahem) Dark Side. As he stated "Now it's just so frustrating being strait-jacketed into one character class!" cheers, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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