Using Susceptibility for Mental Blocks

[Kristopher]

For a character who has had a mental block put in place to prevent them from revealing information about a subject, would the following Disad be appropriate:

 

5 Susceptibility: Giving Information about {subject}, 1d6 damage Instant (Uncommon)

[Lord Liaden]

Hmm... I could see this as a possible deterrent to a NPC who doesn't want to experience pain, but IMO it wouldn't do a lot to stop a PC from giving info that he or she feels is important - suffering to do the right thing is the essence of heroism. If you want a mental block that will actually prevent someone from spilling the beans, I'd suggest a Psychological Limitation at the desired level of intensity (Moderate, Strong or Total).

[Kristopher]

It's for a group of NPCs, who also have a PsychLim along the same lines. It's for lots of extra DRAMA if the PCs capture one of them and attempt to question them. Even if the PCs use Telepathy or some other trick, they'll set off the Mental Block.

[Lord Liaden]

Ah, I get the idea. I can see how that would help keep the NPC's secrets from the heroes, especially if the NPC passes out - or dies (BODY damage) - if the interrogation or Mental Power use continues. In that case you should play up the effects of the Susceptibility to make it obvious that the character being questioned is suffering: screams, convulsions, perhaps even bleeding from ears and nose. That should deter all but the more ruthless and sadistic vigilante types. In fact if you have one or more of those among the PCs, the potential conflict between them and more kind-hearted heroes over this issue could make for some fine role-playing.

[Chris Goodwin]

I think it is an ingeniously cool idea that I have neither seen nor independently created in nearly 20 years of playing Hero.

 

Kudos.

[Killer Shrike]

http://www.killershrike.com/MillennialMen/CharacterFiles/Agent%20X.HTML

 

Agent X, late of the

Millennial Men , has a very similar problem w/ Telepathy and Mindscan.

[Pattern Ghost]

Originally posted by archer

I think it is an ingeniously cool idea that I have neither seen nor independently created in nearly 20 years of playing Hero.

 

Kudos.

 

I'll second that.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Originally posted by archer

I think it is an ingeniously cool idea that I have neither seen nor independently created in nearly 20 years of playing Hero.

 

I've used it in the past, and seen it used by others - implanted in agents of supervillainous types to prevent them from providing information to psionic characters when captured.

 

Great idea, though, as it presents a moral dilemma to most heroes.

[Vondy]

Evil Mastermind has implanted device or mentally conditioned minions to pass out during interrogation.

 

Cooooooooool....