Vanguard00

Re: Musings on Random Musings Uh....parlez vous yoplait?

Re: A Thread for Random Musings When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed. Say something once, why say it again?

Re: Divide by 3? Determine the cost of a spell as you would any power construct within Hero System, but divide said cost by 3 to give you the Actual Cost as charged to players. In other words, a decent Ball of Fire spell might be 60 Active Points, but it only costs the character 20pts (60/3 = 20) to buy it. It's a way to balance the cost of characters so that spellcasters aren't completely overshadowed by more physical characters. Heh...probably. That's a rather vague and open-ended question.

Re: Lines in the sand... Close enough for me to say 'Yep'.

Re: A Thread for Random Musings I wonder if, instead of faking it, had I taken all those naps I was supposed to as a child I'd be less tired than I am right now.

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now? Home - Marc Broussard

Re: Mechanics vs. SFX... Where is the line?

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now? Superstition - Stevie Wonder

Re: Daily Art Findings Not that I don't love the pic--it's tres cool, mind you--but there's something wrong with it. It's a specific inconsistancy that always seems to jump out at me. In this case the rags on the creature are blowing back away from him, and the woman's hair and clothing are blowing back away from her. Apparently the wind begins somewhere between them and spreads out from there. I know, I know...nitpicky. But it's my pet peeve as an art lover.

Re: Uberworld - Character and Art I like the site. The premise, the extensive characters...y'all got a good thing goin'. If I had my **** together I'd see about getting in on another PBEM.

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now?

Re: Epic Fantasy: The Five Essentials I was gonna suggest it--and should have, probably--but I tend to offer the Westernized versions because they're more identifiable to this audience, and the Western approach to the films lends more credence to the particular genre.

Re: On Fantasy [G.R.R.M.] They're not as graphic, but I noted an apparent increase in "casual" sexual scenes in Feast of Crows. I don't know if it can be considered gratuitous or not but it detracted a little (granted, only a little) from my overall enjoyment of the most recent book.

Re: Best supporting non-super character in comics? BWAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahahahaha...heheh... That's not funny. gigglesnort.

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now? Varekai (Cirque de Soleil) soundtrack - not sure which track as it's on random on a copied cd. Good stuff, though.

Re: Ultimate Customisation Not to disparage the tossing out of ideas in any way, but in essence that's what we do here. The rules as provided are discussed at length and in great detail (and at times ad nauseum). They already offer suggestions of use to a certain degree, and leave just about everything open for interpretation and adaption to personal needs and preferences. Options, variations, additions and subtractions are constantly offered on the boards for critique. I think a book dedicated to what we as a community do anyway would be redundant. It would, however, make an interesting e-book if authored by one or more actual players (and not offered as a canon sourcebook).

Re: Daily Art Findings Verra nice.

Re: Best supporting non-super character in comics? Not sure who you mean here, but I'm not as up on my Deathstroke history as I should be. Wasn't Winters his man for a long time (at least until he killed him)? Um...dunno. Hit the HD forum and give Simon a shout.

Re: On Fantasy [G.R.R.M.] Hear hear.

Re: NGD Scenes from a Hat "An entire planet of tribbles, Number One? I believe my predecessor had some interesting encounters with the little creatures. Assemble an away team. This should be most enlightening." "If I may, sir." "Yes, Data?" "There appear to be some anomalies with the tribbles scanned thus far." "Anomalies?" "Yes sir. For example, at least one of the tribbles appears to have flaming eyebrows..." "Right, then. Geordie, warp us out of here. I want no part of that...that....thing." "Aye aye, sir."

Re: Help / fun project I think I understand. The consciousness goes from body to body, but the agency might not always feel inclined to present said consciousness with a ‘prime’ form. For example, an AI that does consistently well will move up the ranks and the agency will be more inclined to give them additional abilities (i.e. more points to spend). An AI that does poorly will be unlikely to receive a ‘prime’ body, instead taking one of less ability and/or stature (less points) until they’ve proven their worth. Character points might reflect the cost put into developing the bodies. If this is correct, then of course INT and EGO should carry over. They’re the essence of a character (at least in terms of characteristics). Assuming the minds of the bodies are created equally, it’s simply a matter of how the AI uses said minds, so the characteristics will remain constant. In addition to INT and EGO, you should consider allowing PRE to carry over. Each body should have it’s own stat, just like normal. I would go with an 8 for average and work up to 15 or so for a physically impressive specimen. The AI could add anything from 0 to 5 points to that to reflect strong personality, bearing, etc. In a similar vein, it would not be too outlandish to allow 0-5 points of DEX and/or 0-1 SPEED to accompany an AI from body to body, to reflect that AI’s ability to act and react faster. The AI is still limited by the body, but training and experience should count for something. Similarly, INT-based skills should carry over without penalty. DEX and STR skills might have to be looked at, but you could reflect this knowledge through skill levels instead of actual skills. For example, an AI might know climbing, or swordplay or dancing, but the body isn’t conditioned for that specific activity. A house rule to allow characters a base 8 or less familiarity with any skill for which they have purchased levels might be instituted (example: an AI is an experienced climber and has +2 to Climbing. The body it receives isn’t conditioned for that activity, but is still considered to have an 8 or less familiarity for as long as that AI inhabits it). Martial arts and other skills might require a penalty. You might have the mental conditioning of a black belt, and know all the moves, but the body hasn’t ‘learned’ said moves and thus doesn’t respond as well. A penalty to CV and/or damage class might be in order. [Alternately, you might institute a sort of house rule that allows an AI’s new body to reflect certain strengths. For example, an AI that knows martial arts will receive a body capable of performing the necessary actions every time. Make that part of the package.] Psych Lims and similar disads should carry over to also reflect personality traits of the AI. STUN and BODY should be purchased normally. Assuming the AI’s have tactile senses in each body, their ability to feel pain should remain intact. If nothing else call it ‘psychic feedback’. Consider building each AI character almost as a computer but without the ‘programs’. INT, EGO, possibly DEX, PRE and SPD, skills, levels, psych and related disadvantages… Hrm, hard to figure this one. 50 pts + 50 pts disads for the AI. Take that and stack it onto a 100 pt body (75 pts plus 25 disads? Whatever). That might work. Anyway, that’s my take on it right now. Good idea, though. A lot of interesting angles to work out but it has a lot of potential, as well. Oh, and welcome!

Re: NGD Scenes from a Hat "...which will split Europe, thus creating an easily exploitable rift and completes my plan. My time table is meticulously thought out to cover every eventuality. Nothing can go wrong! Nothing will stop me! Soon I will rule EVERYth--" "Son? What are you doing up there?" "Um, nothing mom!" "Clean your room or you're grounded!" "mmmblgrmblefrcknmmbl"

Re: Which one is it? I think I'm overcomplicating the question, but... Jkeown makes two claims: 1) The tabard is proof against the sword 2) The tabard functions as armor. For clarification: 1) Is the tabard functional only vs. the sword? 2) Does the tabard possess any other abilities outside of being proof against the sword (i.e. is it armor against anything other than the sword). If #1 is "Yes", then Keith is correct in saying "keep it simple". Put a limitation on the sword, "Not vs. Thundai Tabard" and call it a day. If, however, the answer to #2 is "Yes", then there's nothing wrong with your second build. The application of a "magical" component is strictly a fiat and shouldn't have to be reflected by any particular build or construct.

Re: Best supporting non-super character in comics? Alfred ranks pretty near the top, if not numero uno. Aunt May is a close second, with Jarvis and Jameson tied for third. Honorable mention to Ben Urich, Robbie Robertson, Alicia Masters, Commish Gordon and Willie Lumpkin. Some of my favorite "non super" moments in comics have been with these characters. Does Sharon Carter (Agent of SHIELD) count?

Re: Crimson Spider Lin Kuei - Chinese 'ninja' clan Didja know yer site is down?