Vanguard00

Re: Storn's Art & Characters thread.
 

 
Unfortunately, it is really hard to give a consistent answer. Everything is dependent on what my work load for publishers is like. Right now, my work load is very light from publishers, and I have a large que of commissions that I'm working through. Then there is prep for Gencon this month and some personal time off.
 
Best guess? 3 weeks to be on the safe side.
 
Speaking of working through the que... here are two. Fghtdir's Mac Bashtee and Death Tribble's Magician.
 

Re: Project Genesis website
 
Since I last posted to this thread the website now has over one-hundred and fifty articles related to roleplaying and the superhero genre. The forum is also gaining in popularity and will shortly have a total of six different Play-by-Post games running.

Re: NGD Scenes from a Hat
 

Thankfully.

Re: NGD Scenes from a Hat
 

"Damn, I can't believe I failed tomorrow's final again!"

Re: NGD Scenes from a Hat
 

He's had success going up the middle so far, but when he tried to go around the back he was stopped by a tight end.

IMHO My Ass
 
I have found something that makes me incredibly peevish: the custom of qualifying one's opinion as being an opinion at every turn. The constant use of "in my opinion," or the ever-haughty "in my humble opinion," being the primary cases in point. There are an infinite number of quaint coloquialisms that convey this milquetoastism.
 
Of course it is your bloody opinion, which is personal, and which is, in all likelyhood, probably less than humble. What in tarnation else would it be? It is plainly evident to the critical mind it is an opinion. Sources are cited ("according to:..."), facts are presented ("X number of men on both sides died at battle Y..."), and their nature is self-evident.
 
The use of the term, in most cases, is superfluous, rendering writing milquetoast and chatty, which appears to be the insidiously spineless goal. God forbid some thin-skinned weak-minded sould should take fright because you believe something to be true, or state your personal beliefs in unquivicable terms. God forbid they should grow up and learn we don't all see eye to eye, or actually be required to put their brain matter to work to forumulate a rational counter argument, or the intestinal fortitude to live and let live.
 
What's worse, when one doesn't use these sad, breezy qualifyers and states their opinion in clear terms, the common response is: "that's your opinion," or "from your perspective." No massive pile of bull excrement, Sherlock! Of course its my opinion! What the perdition else would it be? "Thats your opinion," does not constitute a counter-argument. It is merely a dismissive way of saying: "I do not care to, or am completely incapable of, producing a counter argument." All too often its the latter. Its an utter and complete failure of rhetoric.
 
In this same vein, the use of the terms "truth be told," "the truth of the matter is," and their ilk are equally loathsome. If you believe you have some special insight to the truth that your fellow man does not, simply state the truth. Spare the reader your prophetic pretentions of cosmic consciousness and superior secret knowlege. If it is truth, your argument will withstant challenges. If it is not, you will find yourself diminished before those to whom you sought to lord your seerdom over.
 
And for shame if you use these terms when expressing your opinion on some matter. Were you being dishonest in the conversation before you expressed and opinion being "truth be told"? Are you ashamed of your beliefs or your feelings? Do you feel you do not have a right to them? Get over it. Grow some spine. Spine is good. A man with spine is respected. A coward is not. My mother once told me: women respect strong men, not milquetoast ones. And its not just women, kids - its the world at large.
 
Say what you mean. Say what you believe. Don't bloody equivocate.

Re: Musings on Random Musings
 

 
Not the person you want to hear from, I'm sure, and this isn't meant to be trite or condescending, but why not just let it go? Do what you're good at (gaming, recipes, what-have-you) and just let it go.
 
I honestly don't think people are taking sides between you and Doug (or anyone else, for that matter), at least not in generalities (specific debates are another matter). For me, at least, it's gotten to the point where I just roll my eyes when I see Doug take a hack at you and scroll right past it. Doug is just being an asshat when he posts his crap about you; you come across as being an arrogant asshat. His posts don't seem to rile anyone but you (which is not a condonation of said posts); your posts, on the other hand, tend to push everyone's buttons. Your posts reek of arrogance and of a claim to maturity that you're simply not demonstrating. Intelligence and knowledge, definitely, but neither courtesy nor humility nor maturity ranks very highly on your list of "strong personality traits".
 
Seriously, you can't be better than he is if you persist in fanning the flames, and I'm pretty sure you can be better. Go and cook something, eat something, have a cup of Earl Grey, make a character, watch a movie or do whatever it is you need to do to relax and just let it go.

Re: Musings on Random Musings
 

 
Not the person you want to hear from, I'm sure, and this isn't meant to be trite or condescending, but why not just let it go? Do what you're good at (gaming, recipes, what-have-you) and just let it go.
 
I honestly don't think people are taking sides between you and Doug (or anyone else, for that matter), at least not in generalities (specific debates are another matter). For me, at least, it's gotten to the point where I just roll my eyes when I see Doug take a hack at you and scroll right past it. Doug is just being an asshat when he posts his crap about you; you come across as being an arrogant asshat. His posts don't seem to rile anyone but you (which is not a condonation of said posts); your posts, on the other hand, tend to push everyone's buttons. Your posts reek of arrogance and of a claim to maturity that you're simply not demonstrating. Intelligence and knowledge, definitely, but neither courtesy nor humility nor maturity ranks very highly on your list of "strong personality traits".
 
Seriously, you can't be better than he is if you persist in fanning the flames, and I'm pretty sure you can be better. Go and cook something, eat something, have a cup of Earl Grey, make a character, watch a movie or do whatever it is you need to do to relax and just let it go.

Re: Musings on Random Musings
 

 
Not the person you want to hear from, I'm sure, and this isn't meant to be trite or condescending, but why not just let it go? Do what you're good at (gaming, recipes, what-have-you) and just let it go.
 
I honestly don't think people are taking sides between you and Doug (or anyone else, for that matter), at least not in generalities (specific debates are another matter). For me, at least, it's gotten to the point where I just roll my eyes when I see Doug take a hack at you and scroll right past it. Doug is just being an asshat when he posts his crap about you; you come across as being an arrogant asshat. His posts don't seem to rile anyone but you (which is not a condonation of said posts); your posts, on the other hand, tend to push everyone's buttons. Your posts reek of arrogance and of a claim to maturity that you're simply not demonstrating. Intelligence and knowledge, definitely, but neither courtesy nor humility nor maturity ranks very highly on your list of "strong personality traits".
 
Seriously, you can't be better than he is if you persist in fanning the flames, and I'm pretty sure you can be better. Go and cook something, eat something, have a cup of Earl Grey, make a character, watch a movie or do whatever it is you need to do to relax and just let it go.

Re: Musings on Random Musings
 

 

 
*hides*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
but not for long . . .
 

 
Yeah, most people are. We like to be appreciated, especially when we're doing stuff we don't have to.
 
Personally, I remember being really crabby and tired the last five times I moved, and I took that out on just about everyone around me. Now, if Josh had said, "Hey, you're really cranky. Is it because of the move?" I would've bitten his head off. Instead, he very wisely waited until most of the hard part was over with and I'd gotten some sleep, and said, "Feeling better?" At which point I said yes, I was, and apologized for how snappish I'd been the last few days.
 
Not that that's an excuse. We should all treat our loved ones with respect and the appreciation they deserve all the time, no matter how pissy we are. But sometimes we forget.
 
Just give her a chance to remember. And if she doesn't, maybe you were right; maybe it's not worth it.
 
*shrugs*

[Editor’s note: the following are the contents of Simon Cooper Windsor’s journal; Windsor was a meta-human who emerged in the first wave, exhibiting super-human strength, resilience, and various wind-based powers. Windsor’s identity as a costumed hero was initially kept secret, though his position as a public figure in his civilian identity lead him to be under consistent scrutiny in both aspects of his double life. It is this editor’s contention that Windsor’s journal provides the historian of meta-human society a unique perspective. His insights, while sometimes profound, are mixed with entries that discuss what we might otherwise describe as the bland, everyday concerns of a normal (if very, very wealthy) young man.]

Re: Storn's Art & Characters thread.
 
Here are some commissions that I've been working on for the last couple weeks.
 
Flame and Alu Demon are for Death Tribble. And I think someone mentioned not enuff T&A? Well, this is pretty "R" rated, but more T&A than I usually do. . But it fits the character concept.
 
Nighthawk is for DWebb
 
And a "Female version of Ash" is for BC Holmes.
 
http://forum.rpg.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12147
 
http://forum.rpg.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12148
 
http://forum.rpg.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12149
 
http://forum.rpg.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12150

Re: A Thread for Random Musings
 
I blew off a SuperBowl party today and I'm gonna catch a lot of flack for it later, but right now I just don't want to drink and party for six hours. Especially considering I've been drinking, singing, smoking and/or partying in general three of the last four nights.
 
Is there something wrong with me?

Re: The cranky thread
 
Here's the secret to writing a book, CF... start one page at a time. I'm not kidding.
 
I'll use me as an example (have other friends who are authors, and not just Skaramine, and they'd agree with this example). My book started with a dream (real honest to God sleeping at night dream).
 
I fell asleep listening to music, as I sometimes do. (The song in question, by the way, is "Nail's Gift" from Dragonball Z, a beautiful piece of music). And in my sleep, I had a dream about Goku and a woman standing side by side at the edge of Kami's Lookout, which is a castle way way WAY up in the clouds high above the earth.
 
I thought, "What a great idea for a painting." Woke up enough to jot down what I'd seen in my head, then went back to sleep.
 
Next day, I looked at my notes and started doodling, and then I thought to myself, "I wonder if there's a story in this..." Namely, who the woman was I had dreamed about standing there with Goku. Then bit by bit, I kept adding to it.
 
One page became a twelve page short story.
 
Then I wanted to see what happened before and after that short story, so I kept going.
 
At last count now, a little over a year later, that one page of notes has been expanded into 310 8.5x11 pages. It's like the damned thing wrote itself.
 
 
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and a cash advance. Don't worry yet about where you're going. Just get going.
 
Michelle
aka
Samuraiko

Just some thoughts I had about setting up fantasy religions. Obviously, or maybe not obviously, you don't need to supply all of the following details. Some may simply not be relevent to your game, while others may be left as matters of opinion or speculation among the players and characters (PC's and NPC's) in the game world.
 
Let me know if you think of anything that I left out.
 
(and I hope my outline formatting comes out right.)
 
Stuff to make up about the gods
 
I. The pantheon


A. Creation myth
1. Creation of the natural world
2. Creation of people

B. Organization

1. Family tree
2. Command structure
a) Rigid-fluid
Degree of authority/control

3. Relationships between deities

a) Couples
Allies/Partners
c) Rivals/enemies
C. Reality

1. Form. Examples:
a) The gods are all myth/superstition.
The gods are legends based on exaggeration of historical events.
c) The gods are spirits of dead ancestors or other historical persons.
d) The gods are abstract concepts with no actual consciousness.
e) The gods are quasi-real with forms/attributes/aspect assigned by worshipping cultures.
f) The gods exist on a different level of reality, which allows them to modify their aspects/appearance based on their own desires or the culture they interact with.
g) The gods exist in a concrete sense and have true forms/attributes/aspects, which may be subject to interpretation/misinterpretation by worshippers.

2. Power Level. Examples:

a) The gods are nothing more than mere mortals that are worshipped.
The gods are mere mortals believed to rise to divinity upon death or other event.
c) The gods are somewhat more powerful than typical mortals.
d) The gods have great power that only the greatest of mortals could rival.
e) The gods have incredible power beyond any mortal.
f) The gods have cosmic power, incomprehensible to mortals.

3. Power Source. Examples:

a) The gods' power is intrinsic.
The gods' power is granted by superior gods.
c) The gods' power comes from external forces.
d) The gods' power comes from natural phenomena related to the gods' portfolio.
e) The gods' power comes from worship.
f) The gods' power comes from mortals' deeds. II. The deity


A. Symbolic
1. Name(s)
2. Epithets/Nicknames
3. Appearance/Typical depiction
4. Symbol/Icon
5. Associated items/animals/materials/colors/phenomena

B. Intrinsic

1. Myth/Story
2. Portfolio/Sphere of influence
3. Differences/similarities to other deities
4. Stats/powers/abilities
a) Possessions/Artifacts/Relics
Pets/Familiars/Mounts

5. Divine "rank"/Level of power
6. Home

a) "Plane" where the deity dwells
Relationship of the deity to the "plane(s)"
C. Psychology/behavior

1. Personality
2. Goals/desires
3. Degree of involvement in mortal affairs
a) Manifestations/Avatars
Spells/powers/abilities granted to clergy/worshippers
c) Signs/Miracles
D. Social

1. Among the gods
a) Reputation
Position/function/purpose

2. Among mortals

a) Popularity/Obscurity
Purpose of worship/reasons invoked
c) Abilities/skills typical/valued III. The religion


A. Internal
1. Principles
a) Values/Dogma
Obligations/expectations of clergy
c) Obligations/expectations of laity
d) Laws/taboos/restrictions
e) Attitude toward heresy/disagreement/questioning of doctrine/theology

2. Practice

a) Rituals/Rites
Holidays
c) Prayers
d) Priestly Vestments/Raiment
e) Temple architecture/layout/decor
f) Expressions/idioms
g) Equipment/paraphernalia used
h) Resolution of disputes
i) Punishment/penance/atonement
j) Education/Indoctrination of the faithful
k) Proselytism

3. Status of clergy/laity
4. Sects/factions/orders
5. Organization/hierarchy
B. External

1. Position in the community
2. Relations with other religions

C. Race/ethnicity/location/culture of worshippers

1. Alternate interpretations/aspects
2. Alternate names IV. "Divine Magic"


A. Effects
1. Types of effects available/not available
2. Power Level
3. Special Effects

B. Source/Method to acquire/use. Examples:

1. No actual divine magic exists. Priests don't claim any magic.
2. No actual divine magic exists. Priestly magic is all chicanery.
3. There's no real difference between divine magic and "arcane" magic.
4. Divine magic is an inherent force in the world, separate from wizardly magic. Priests access it by their own means.
5. Divine magic is a fragment of the god's or gods' power, which priests access by being priests or doing something that priests do.
6. Gods grant magic to priests directly and consciously, if they choose to.
7. Gods grant magic to priests through intermediaries or lesser divine beings, with occasional oversight by the god(s).
8. Gods grant higher-powered magic to priests directly and consciously, while lesser magic is granted more-or-less automatically.
9. Priests access magic through their own faith, without the god's direct involvement. Strength of faith determines success or power level.

Re: Money is no object...
 
ok you have to have a car so lets go with soemthing that looks the buisness goes pretty fast and has amazing handling9 for urban pursuit so something from lotus either the elise or exige witha few upgrades.
 
then you need protection so This over the chest in the highest NIJ rating lowest weight available.
 
and then a set of these for the legs
 
the hand have these and this
for the eyes

Re: The New Circle
 
Here's a character ideal for a mystical/supernatural hero/horror hero game. Think John Constantine mixed with the Incredible Hulk.
 
Captain Deadboy
Val Char Cost Roll Notes
25 STR 15 14- Lift 800.0kg; 5d6 [2]
18 DEX 24 13- OCV: 6/DCV: 6
20 CON 20 13-
12 BODY 4 11-
13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12-
14 EGO 8 12- ECV: 5
15/40 PRE 5 12- / 17- PRE Attack: 3d6/8d6
12 COM 1 11-
 
12/20 PD 7 Total: 12/20 PD (0/8 rPD)
12/20 ED 8 Total: 12/20 ED (0/8 rED)
4 SPD 12 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
9 REC 0
40 END 0
35 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 107
 
Movement:
Running: 6"/12"
Leaping: 5"/10"
Swimming: 2"/4"
 
Cost Powers END
10 Half Alive (Undead Powers): Elemental Control, 20-point powers
10 1) Fists Of Rage: HA +5d6 (10d6 w/STR) (25 Active Points); Hand-To-Hand Attack (-1/2) 2
12 2) Half Alive: Healing 1 BODY, Resurrection, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (60 Active Points); Extra Time (Regeneration-Only) 1 Turn (Post-Segment 12) (-1 1/4), Side Effects "Blood Rage" (Side Effect always occurs whenever Cap Resurrects or needs to Heal 10+ Body ; Mind Control 12d6 "Consume Blood"; -3/4), Self Only (-1/2), Always On (-1/2)
8 3) You Can't Hurt Me Anymore: Armor (8 PD/8 ED) (24 Active Points); Does Not Protect Against Fire Damage Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (-1/2), Costs Endurance (Only Costs END to Activate; -1/4) 2
4 4) You Want To Move Me?: Clinging (55 STR) (20 Active Points); Only To Resist Shoves And Knockback Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (-1/2), Must Be Aware Of Attack Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (-1/2), Costs Endurance (Only Costs END to Activate; -1/4) 2
 
16 Half Alive: LS (Extended Breathing; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases and biowarfare agents; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat)
12 Has Seen Hell: +25 PRE (25 Active Points); Defensive Presence Only Power loses about half of its effectiveness (-1)
5 Metallic Brown and Blue Eyes: Nightvision
7 One Stubborn Bastard: Mental Defense (10 points total)
 
44 Signature and Improvised Weaponry: Multipower, 55-point reserve, (55 Active Points); Variable Limitations (requires -1/2 worth of Limitations; ; -1/4)
1u 1) Bing Bing Bing Ricochet Shot: RKA 1d6+1, Indirect ( Same origin, always fired away from attacker; +1/4), +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (40 Active Points); 1 Recoverable Charge (-1 1/4), OIF Gun of Opportunity (-1/2), Damage Based On Firearm Used Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4), Concentration (1/2 DCV; -1/4), No Knockback (-1/4)
1u 2) Newt Livesay Air Assault Combat Knife: HKA 1d6 (2d6 w/STR), Range Based On STR (+1/4) (19 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4) 2
1u 3) Pistol Whip/Buttstroke/Improvised Weapons: HA +3d6 (13d6 w/STR and Fists of Rage) (15 Active Points); Hand-To-Hand Attack (-1/2), OIF (Improvised Weapons or Signature Weapons; -1/2) 1
2u 4) SIG Sauer P226RDAK 9mm Auto: (Total: 40 Active Cost, 17 Real Cost) RKA 1d6+1, +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4), 4 clips of 16 Charges (+1/4) (30 Active Points); OAF SIG Sauer P226RDAK (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4), Beam (-1/4) (Real Cost: 12) plus +2 with Ranged Combat (10 Active Points); OAF SIG Sauer P226RDAK (-1) (Real Cost: 5)
2u 5) Sticks And Stones Will Break Your Bones: HKA 2d6 (3 1/2d6 w/STR) (30 Active Points); OIF (Improvised Weapons of Opportunity; -1/2) 3
2u 6) Trick Shooting or Improvised Whips: Telekinesis (30 STR), Fine Manipulation (55 Active Points); OIF (-1/2), Strength Based On DC's Of Weapon Used Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (-1/2), Only For Trips, Disarms, Pushing Buttons Or Levers, Knocking Things Over Or Causing Damage Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (-1/2) 5
 
Perks
25 Super-Agent: Fringe Benefit: Captain, Concealed Weapon Permit (where appropriate), Federal/National Police Powers, License to Kill, Membership Section 1188 - Dead Man's Hand, Security Clearance - Top Secret Qualification
 
Skills
24 Skilled Warrior: +3 with All Combat
3 Combat Driving (Motorcycles) 13-
3 Deduction 12-
3 Fast Draw 13-
2 Navigation (Land) 12-
3 Paramedics 12-
3 Scholar
1 1) KS: Comic Books (2 Active Points) 11-
1 2) KS: Espionage World (2 Active Points) 11-
2 3) KS: Guns (3 Active Points) 12-
1 4) KS: Literature (2 Active Points) 11-
1 5) KS: Military/Mercenary/Terrorist World (2 Active Points) 11-
1 6) KS: Music (2 Active Points) 11-
2 7) KS: Mythology, Legends and Lore (3 Active Points) 12-
1 8) KS: Science Fiction & Fantasy (2 Active Points) 11-
3 Scientist
1 1) SS: Cryptozoology 11- (2 Active Points)
2 2) SS: Medicine 12- (3 Active Points)
1 3) SS: Parapsychology 11- (2 Active Points)
1 4) SS: Physics 11- (2 Active Points)
2 5) SS: Zoology 12- (3 Active Points)
3 Stealth 13-
3 Streetwise 12- (17-)
8 Survival (Temperate/Subtropical, Tropical, Desert, Mountain) 12-
3 Tracking 12-
3 Weaponsmith (Firearms, Improvised Weapons) 12-
 
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 243
Total Cost: 350
 
200+ Disadvantages
5 Distinctive Features: Unusual Eyes, Pallid and Cool To The Touch (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
15 Enraged: Those Who Target The Weak (Uncommon), go 11-, recover 11-
15 Hunted: Soulrider 8- (Mo Pow, Harshly Punish)
15 Hunted: The Enemies of The Eternal Champion 11- (As Pow, Harshly Punish)
25 Hunted: The Hatebound 11- (Mo Pow, NCI, Harshly Punish)
10 Psychological Limitation: Doubts His Humanity (Uncommon, Strong)
15 Psychological Limitation: Moody, Emotional and Sentimental (Common, Strong)
20 Psychological Limitation: Selfless, Puts Safety of Innocents Before His Own (Common, Total)
15 Social Limitation: Covert Operative (Frequently, Major)
5 Susceptibility: Sight Group Flashes or Bright, Powerful Light Sources, 1d6 damage Instant (Uncommon)
10 Vulnerability: 1 1/2 x Effect Sight Group Flashes (Common)
 
Total Disadvantage Points: 150
 
Background/History: Peter Leskow grew up as best friends with Roland Walker, and always felt as if he'd known Rolls for even longer than they'd been alive. After high school, the two young men split apart, keeping in touch by mail, but Peter knew there were things that Rolls didn't tell him.
 
Then came Afghanistan. Peter was a Force Recon Marine, and Rolls was a Task Force 160 pilot assigned to dropping the Force Recon troops into an area where the Soviets once had their deadly Chemical and Biological Weapons factory. Force Recon was supposed to go in and prevent it being taken over by Afghan insurgents. That was the official story. But Roland Walker was supposed to intercept a team of mysterious raiders looking to unleash hell upon the world. In the process, Peter was bitten by a zombie-like victim of a released contagion. Battling through the mystery commandos and zombies, Rolls managed to find an antidote for Peter's infection, staving off his transformation into a cannibalistic superhuman. But in return, Peter was granted enormous strength, nightvision, and almost superhuman endurance and resistance to injury.
 
Walker, wracked with guilt, brought his friend into Section 1188 - the Dead Man's Hand. Now, Peter is involved with fighting the secret wars that happen beyond the scope of everyday man, battling the creatures that go bump in the night, all the while realizing that he is one of their kind. In recognition of his new condition, he's gone by an update of his childhood hero name (Captain Pollack) as his Dead Man's Hand codename - Captain Deadboy.
 
Personality/Motivation: Peter is a very emotional young man who grew up wanting to be a hero, just like the characters he saw on TV or read about in novels and comic books. It's part of what turned a shy young man into a Force Recon Marine, and later gave him the willpower to shrug off the effects of turning into a blood drinking ghoul. He is dedicated to his brother from another mother, Rolls. Though they are not related in any way, they have bonds of family that are impossible to break. Rolls thinks that Peter might be the reincarnation of Endiku, the man-bull who was Giglamesh's best friend (and an earlier incarna of the Eternal Champion). Peter just says it's because they were comic-book geeks when they were kids.
 
As a child, he was a huge fan of Captain America, and often engaged his friend Rolls in "who's better" conversations (Batman vs. Captain America). As such, he earned the nickname "Captain Pollack", and was one half of the team of Captain Pollack and Blackman. He strives to live up to the ideals of heroism and idealism as his childhood hero. He will not harm an innocent, ever, will not use tactics that could cause someone harm, and will destroy anyone who threatens bystanders. He particularly hates those who harm children.
 
Peter is terrified of giving in to his monsterous nature, and struggles to control his blood rages. He is horrified, even if he kills an enemy combatant under his blood rage.
 
Quote: "Put the tentacles up, Cthooby. You have the right to remain silent. Damn it, I said put the tentacles up. Ok... spawn of an elder God or not, I'm kicking your ass. You happy now, Cthooby? Suck-faced calamari jump-punk!"
 
Powers/Tactics: Peter is not quite alive, and yet, he is filled with an unnatural vitality. As such, he possesses remarkable physical attributes, including incredible strength, regeneration, a low level of invulnerability (few small arms can harm him), and a few other sundry abilities. He has excellent night vision, his fists can shatter brick walls, and he can lift nearly a full ton. Also, when he braces himself, few things on Earth have the strength to move him. He is also immune to extremes of heat and cold, can hold his breath for great lengths of time, and is immune to any and all diseases.
 
Peter is a resourceful combatant as well. In addition to his pet SIG Sauer and Newt Livesay Air Assault combat knife, he is skilled at turning ordinary objects into effective clubs or lethal weapons - his favorite improvisation is the Redneck Katana, a length of rebar used as a sword. As a marksman, he is simply amazing. He can ricochet shots off of surfaces to strike enemies from odd angles, and he can use shots to push buttons, knock things over, flip levers, or disarm enemies at a distance.
 
Peter's greatest abilities, however, are his willpower. He is almost impossible to frighten or intimidate, and his stubbornness not only protected him from the Resurrection Plague that transformed him, but also protects him from various forms of psychic assault. While not brilliant, he is smart and well versed in several subjects. He's a competent investigator as well.
 
Thanks to his Section 1188 clearance, he has several benefits available to him as well, including a license to kill.
 
Peter's only weaknesses are the blood rage that occurs when he has to heal large amounts of Body (such as during a resurrection) and his sensitive vision - he's vulnerable to sight flashes.
 
Campaign Use: Peter Leskow, Captain Deadboy is a monster hunting monsters. Not quite a vampire, not quite a zombie, he is as far from the cool, hip, sword-slinging Blade as he is from his childhood hero Captain America. He greatly fears his own true nature, which is that of being a revenant. His reluctance to feed keeps him from tapping the true depths of what real vampires are capable of, although he is certain of his own vampiric nature. Section 1188 is a powerful, covert organization charged with protecting the world against threats that are beyond the scope of normal espionage, military and law enforcement. As such, he is involved with cases ranging from supernatural creatures to alien invasions to dark and powerful cults. To up Peter's abilities, increase his armor, Regeneration, and boost his Multipower and add a Smith and Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum and a FN FAL with a Scope (Telescopic Vision - OAF) as well as increase the damage on his Trick Shots and Richochet Shots to match these guns. Increasing his Offensive PRE also could help, to make him more fearsome and intimidating, as well as making his senses more accute. Peter is a Pocket Brick, capable of causing great damage and soaking it up. Also, remember, his Defensive PRE is 40. It would take a Cthulloid God to make him flinch in fear.
 
Plot Seed: The Hatebound (The anti-New Circle/JLA, gone mystical and evil) have captured the Eternal Champion (Roland Walker - Blackman) and are preparing a ceremony to slay him in such a way that he will not be able to reincarnate ever again. Peter, desparate, seeks the PCs' aid in battling these enemies and recovering his friend. But what happens if Rolls dies anyway? Will a despondant Leskow lash out in rage, and can the PC's control him?
 
Plot Seed: Peter, after a battle with a full vampire, received horrible wounds, and when the blood rage struck, the closest meal is the mortally wounded vampire. Drinking deeply, Peter's body undergoes a greater change. His strength increases, he's almost completely immune to harm, he can grow claws and fangs, and he's gained the preternatural Vampiric speed (Teleport and Flight). He's also struggling against his increased appetite and blood rage. Now, the urge to feed is even stronger. Can the PC's find a way to cure him before he gives in to his darkness? Don't forget, with his strength increased, it also increases his improvised weapons attacks, and he still has the Fists of Rage.
 
Plot Seed: One of the PC's is a vampire or other creature of the night, and Peter investigates him. He's a relentless hunter, and he has official sanction to track down this monster. Can the PCs convince Peter that their ally is a noble hero and defender of the innocent?
 
Appearance: Peter has a boyishly young, unlined face, although his skin is pale and sallow and his brown hair is streaked with gray. The most unusual things about him are his eyes - brown with streaks of metallic blue that almost seem to glow in the dark when light reflects off them. Peter dresses in casual clothes, although his combat uniform is a dark jacket with tan-colored pants and sand-colored boots. He wears a gunbelt for his SIG and his knife and carries spare magazines with it. When not prepped for combat, he wears his pistol and knife under a loose, open, untucked shirt worn over a t-shirt or a sweatshirt. On his right wrist (he's left handed) he often wears a studded leather bracelet, and he wears red "Chuck Taylor All Stars."

Re: The New Circle
 
I absolutely love Sybil.
 
She makes a great alternate advisor for the New Circle, and the idea of a member of one of the fallen Circles having lost faith in the Master and torn between the urge to protect the young heroes who followed her and the urge not to follow the Master's path of grooming young mystics who may someday fall ... very well done.
 
As to attachment issues, for some reason I don't seem to have any yet. It may be because the Pics I post are actually on my own web site or others. The only attachment space I use is for hdc files.

Okay, as threatened/promised.
 
I'm gonna have to look into online storage space if I keep this up, 'cause I'm running out of allowed attachments storage. OddHat, how the heck are you managing all these?
 
 
Sibyl
 
Alternate IDs:
 
Val Char Cost
25 STR 15
26 DEX 48
23 CON 26
12 BODY 4
18 INT 8
26 EGO 32
25 PRE 15
20 COM 5
 
12 PD 7
6 ED 1
5 SPD 14
12 REC 4
60 END 7
38 STUN 1
 
7" RUN 2
2" SWIM 0
5" LEAP 0
Characteristics Cost: 189
 
Cost Power
55 Foul Weather: Multipower, 55-point reserve
3u 1) Green Lightning: Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6 (vs. ED), +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Indirect (Same origin, any direction; +1/2) (52 Active Points); Beam (-1/4), Requires Open Sky (-1/4)
5u 2) Dead Air: Change Environment 8" radius, -3 PER Roll: Sight Group, -3 PER Roll: Sonar, Long-Lasting: 20 Minutes, Multiple Combat Effects, Megascale (1" = 1 km; +1/4) (54 Active Points) [Notes: Windless Fog]
5u 3) Dead Cold: Change Environment 8" radius, -4 Temperature Level Adjustment, Long-Lasting: 6 Hours, Megascale (1" = 1 km; +1/4) (55 Active Points) [Notes: Windless Chill]
3u 4) Strange Rain: (Total: 52 Active Cost, 34 Real Cost) Change Environment 2" radius, -1 PER Roll: Hearing Group, -1 PER Roll: Sight Group, Multiple Combat Effects, Megascale (1" = 1 km; +1/4) (22 Active Points) (Real Cost: 22) plus +15 PRE, Megascale (1" = 1 km; +1/4), Area Of Effect (2" radius; +3/4) (30 Active Points); Only For Presence Attack (-1), Does Not Add To Base Characteristic (-1/2) (Real Cost: 12) [Notes: Rain of Frogs, Fish, Snakes, Et Cetera]
 
23 5) Voices of the Dead: Contact (Contact has significant Contacts of his own, Contact has: very useful Skills or resources), Organization Contact (+2) (24 Active Points) 14-
37 Whispers of the Dead: Danger Sense (Area: Any Area, Function as a Sense, Intuitional, Sensitivity: Any Danger) 13-
20 Sight of the Dead: Naked Adder on Sight Group, Hearing Group , Dimensional Sense Modifier (Realm of the Dead)
44 Soul Projection: Clairsentience (Sight Group), Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Megascale (1" = 10,000 km; +1 1/4), Can Be Scaled Down: 1" = 1km (+1/4) (110 Active Points); Concentration 0 DCV, Must Concentrate throughout use of Constant Power (-1), Blackout (-1/2)
52 Secrets of Life and Death: Multipower, 52-point reserve
2u 1) Secrets of Past and Future: Naked Adder on Clairsentience , Precognition, Retrocognition (40 Active Points); Concentration (0 DCV, Must Concentrate throughout use of Constant Power; -1), Blackout (-1/2)
3u 2) Speak to the Dead: Telepathy 7d6, Transdimensional (Realm of the Dead; +1/2) (52 Active Points); Limited Class Of Minds (Dead; -1/2)
5u 3) Seek the Soul: Mind Scan 7d6, +8 ECV (51 Active Points)
12 Known Souls: Naked Adder on Mind Scan , +8 ECV, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (24 Active Points); Only Vs. Known Minds (-1)
20 Speak to the Soul: Mind Link (Any Willing Target), Any distance
0 Mental Awareness
20 Detect Magic 13-, Discriminatory, Range
 
Near-Vampire Powers
7 1) Fangs: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 0d6 +1 (plus STR) (vs. PD), Penetrating (+1/2) (7 Active Points) [Notes: ½d6K with STR]
26 2) Drink Blood: Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), No Normal Defense (vs. not having blood; +1), Continuous (+1) (52 Active Points); No Range (-1/2), Fangs Must Do BODY First (-1/2)
10 3) Claws: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 0 1/2d6 (plus STR) (vs. PD) [Notes: 1d6+1K with STR]
60 4) Unliving Body: Energy & Physical Damage Reduction, Resistant, 50%
21 5) Hard Time Dying: Healing 3 BODY (Resurrection), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (100 Active Points); Extra Time (Regeneration-Only) 1 Day (-2 3/4), Self Only (-1/2), Resurrection Only (-1/2)
5 6) Unliving Eyes: Nightvision
2 Unliving Body: Damage Resistance (3 PD/1 ED)
48 Unliving Vitality: Life Support , Eating: Character does not eat, Immunity: All terrestrial diseases and biowarfare agents, Immunity: All terrestrial poisons and chemical warfare agents, Longevity: Immortal, Safe in High Pressure, Safe in High Radiation, Safe in Intense Cold, Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum, Self-Contained Breathing, Sleeping: Character does not sleep
Powers Cost: 488
 
 
Cost Skill
16 +2 with All Combat
10 +1 Overall
10 Defense Maneuver: I-IV
9 Magic (Power Skill) (INT-based) 16-
3 Analyze: Magic 13-
3 Breakfall 14-
3 Climbing 14-
3 Concealment 13-
3 Deduction 13-
3 High Society 14-
3 Paramedics 13-
3 Persuasion 14-
3 Stealth 14-
3 Teamwork 14-
0 Language: English (idiomatic; Native)
2 Language: Latin (fluent conversation)
2 Language: Welsh (fluent conversation)
2 AK: New York 11-
3 Scholar
2 1) KS: Undead (INT-based) 13-
2 2) KS: Magic (INT-based) 13-
2 3) KS: Weather Magic (INT-based) 13-
2 4) KS: the Circle (INT-based) 13-
2 5) KS: the New Circle (INT-based) 13-
2 6) KS: the Mystic World (INT-based) 13-
Skills Cost: 96
 
Cost Perk
10 Base: Church of the Weeping Virgin (50 Base, 25 Disad)
3 Well-Connected
2 1) Contact: Johanna Valentine (Contact has: useful Skills or resources) (3 Active Points) 11-
2 2) Contact: Nyssa Tarchaniotes (Contact has: very useful Skills or resources) (3 Active Points) 8-
2 3) Contact: the Master (Contact has: very useful Skills or resources) (3 Active Points) 8-
Perks Cost: 19
 
Cost Talent
5 Eidetic Memory
3 Simulate Death
Talents Cost: 8
 
Total Character Cost: 800
 
Pts. Disadvantage
5 Distinctive Features: Near-Vampire (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
5 Enraged: Nighttime (Uncommon), go 8-, recover 14-
15 Enraged: Sight or Smell of Blood (Uncommon), go 8-, recover 14-, Berserk
15 Hunted: Vampires 11- (As Pow; Harshly Punish)
10 Hunted: Circle of the Scarlet Moon 8- (As Pow; Harshly Punish)
15 Physical Limitation: Cannot Cross Running Water (Frequently; Greatly Impairing)
15 Physical Limitation: Cannot Enter Dwelling Uninvited (Frequently; Greatly Impairing)
10 Distinctive Features: No Reflection (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Uncommonly-Used Senses)
15 Psychological Limitation: Code Vs. Killing (Common; Strong)
10 Psychological Limitation: Hatred of Black Magic (Common; Moderate)
5 Psychological Limitation: Inclined To Take The Law Into Her Own Hands (Uncommon; Moderate)
20 Susceptibility: Sunlight -30 Active Points from Affected Powers, per Turn (Uncommon) [Notes: Affects "Near-Vampire Powers".]
10 Vulnerability: Piercing Wood Weapons (Uncommon; 1 1/2 x STUN; 1 1/x x BODY)
 
Disadvantage Points: 150
Base Points: 500
Experience Required: 150
Total Experience Available: 150
Experience Unspent: 0
 
Background/History: When she had a different name, she was one of the Circle. But she lost that name, along with her life, and maybe her soul as well. When the students of the Master faced the return of the master vampire Gratz, she was one of the chosen brides of the vampire. The Circle defeated Gratz, destroyed him, but at the cost of their own lives.
 
It was already too late for her. When the Master found her amidst the wreckage, she was neither alive nor undead. Gratz had taken her lifeblood, but not yet given her his own blood and living undeath. She was unalive, not-dead.
 
The Master took her back and tried to save her, but she was in both the realm of the living and in the realm of the dead. She could not be saved, and it took the aid of a more ruthless woman - and the vampire prophetess Nyssa Tarchaniotes - to show her so.
 
She left, knowing that she would have to shun the living, for one taste of blood would complete her passage to undeath and she would lose her soul as Gratz and Nyssa had. She fled to the ruined Church of the Weeping Virgin, surrounded by running water she could not escape.
 
And there she listened to the dead. They thronged around her, for she could see and hear them. Among them were her dead companions of the Circle. The dead victims of Gratz. And the dead victims of the Master.
 
From the dead she learned of the evils the Master once did - and still did. He had turned from the terrible choices of his past, but still faced terrible choices. He sent out young heroes, even though they might die. As evidenced by the unknowing sacrifice of the Circle. And as shown by his gathering together the New Circle.
 
She understood the temptation to be willing to sacrifice anything for victory over evil. But she knew it would lead to more deaths, like the deaths her companions had suffered. She listened to the cries of the dead, and chose not to oppose the Master, but to offer another voice to those who might listen...
 
Personality/Motivation: Sibyl is half-mad as well as half-alive. Her unliving flesh does not tie her closely enough to life, so she sees and hears the dead - and the dead, unfettered by flesh and life, speak to her of things past, present, and future. Sometimes she speaks for them; sometimes she speaks in their voices, as they speak through her.
 
She is lonely, yet never alone. She needs contact with the living to continue resisting the terrible hunger of her darker nature. Yet she fears closeness with the living, lest her darker nature win and wreak terrible things upon those she loves.
 
Hunger gnaws at Sibyl - hunger for the blood that she lacks. Her darker nature urges her to give in, to complete the changes that Gratz started, and to succumb to the undeath of the vampire. During the day, she can resist her hunger. But at night, her starvation drives her mad. She lives in the lifeless ruins on her barren island she cannot escape to deny herself even the temptation of blood.
 
Quote: "What do they tell me? They tell me that Hell has its nine circles, Night Hunter. And you are in only the third Circle."
 
Powers/Tactics: Sibyl's once-promising weather magic was warped by her half-death; she is now able to evoke unnatural weather almost at will. She has also gained some of the innate powers of the vampire she almost is. Most of the powers she uses come from her half-living, half-dead state. She can see and speak to the spirits of the dead - and they can remember the past, perceive the present, and sense the future. Because her soul is unbound by life, she can project her ghostly spirit, as well.
 
Sibyl prefers to advise known friends. She listens to the whispers of the dead in her isolated home, then projects her spirit to speak to her friends, warning them of troubles to come. She normally does this during the day, for at night her hunger and the cries of the dead nearly drive her mad. Because she is not wholly a vampire yet, she suffers only some of their limitations - most particularly, her vampiric powers are weakened in daylight, but she is unharmed.
 
Campaign Use: Sibyl can serve as an advisor and resource to player characters who have developed beyond the need of the Master's supervision. Eventually, the members of the New Circle will need to establish themselves outside their mentor's shadow; Sibyl can provide the route for this to happen. She is isolated on her isle, mostly unknown in the campaign city, until she takes on an advisee. She prefers working with individuals, so she could be a good Contact for a player character, a source of information not available from the Master.
 
Plot Seed: Sibyl's spirit manifestation begins to appear to warn members of the New Circle of occult dangers. Always it happens when they are apart from the Master. At first she warns of minor threats, but soon she begins warning of things that the Master has not told them of in the missions she sends them on. After her warnings and advice prove reliable time after time, do the player characters confront the Master about it, or keep her contact with them a secret?
 
Plot Seed: After having advised one of the player characters, Sibyl eventually invites him or her to her isolated, river isle and the Church of the Weeping Virgin. The ruins are abandoned, lifeless, rumored to be haunted but mostly forgotten. In person - during the day - Sibyl will propose an ongoing alliance with the player character. She will provide him with advice and information. Although she asks nothing in return, there are obvious ways to help her. She often has to hide from teenaged hooligans partying on the "haunted isle". The ownership of the island is probably questionable, as well. And, quite simply, Sibyl needs someone living to occasionally talk to. There should be plenty of opportunity to establish a good relationship between characters.
 
Plot Seed: Instead of seeing no reflection other than those of the dead in the mirrors she gazes into for scrying, Sibyl begins to see her own reflection once again - eyeless, weeping tears of blood she does not have, wracked with sorrow or rage. In the campaign city, homeless children begin gathering in packs to hide, whispering of la Llorona. Evil spirits begin to gather, while all birds other than the ravens and crows fly from the city, more every night. Warm blood begins to fall as rain. Has Sibyl's darker nature won out, or is it the return of the spirit of the Weeping Virgin that haunts her?
 
Plot Seed: The New Circle has gone missing. As have the bones of the master vampire, Gratz. A new villain appears to menace the campaign city, a young man with both vampiric powers and the powers of one of Sibyl's dead teammates - the teammate who was Gratz's other bride. The Master recruits the player characters to find the New Circle, but Sibyl warns them that it may mean their doom. Or that it may mean the doom of the New Circle, and that the player characters will become yet another Circle in the cycle of doom...
 
Appearance: Tall, gaunt woman in her twenties, with a haunted expression and usually wearing a threadbare cloak and robe. At night, her features are more pronouncedly vampiric, and during the day she looks even more pale and gaunt. Her projected spirit resembles a ghostly version of her form. When speaking to others, she is often distracted, as though others are talking to her. Occasionally, her voice will change from her own to that of one or more of the dead when she is speaking their words for them.

Re: The cranky thread
 
It annoys me that a thread you were enjoying reading and posting to one day suddenly turns into something else completely overnight, usually because one person took something out of context and ran with it. I don't mean your basic thread derailment of the Kara variety. I'm talkin' serious thread mugging and hijacking with only the barest hint of relation to the original topic. And it's not like the new conversation is stimulating. It's aggravating and trollish.
 
Feh!
 
It's not gonna affect my life in the grand scheme of things, but it's pretty annoying. It's downright irksome pre-caffeine.

Re: A Thread for Random Musings
 
I've been taking Levitra for three weeks now, and I still can't throw a football through a tire.

Howdy to everyone!
 
Hi there, everyone. I'm a long-time Champions player (first-played back in 1987), and have been looking to get back into the hobby (I even picked up 'Galactic Champions' today after hearing lots of good things about it over at RPGnet).
 
My big thing is artwork. I'm a professional comic book colourist (I've done too much to list here, but recently I've beed working on the 'Chronicles of Conan' reprint volumes, volumes 1, 3, and 4, as well as volume 5 coming out later this month), and I believe there are even a couple of people on these boards who have commissioned work from me in the past. For those who were on the pre-release City of Heroes boards, I was known there as 'red bee', and had done a lot of different work for people.
 
Anyway, I thought I'd post a few things here for you all to take a look at. This first one is of my character 'Agent Hermes'. Enjoy!

Re: Longest Running Thread EVER
 

Re: The NGD at 28/6/04 ?
 

 
 
You lost it, found it, lost it again, found it again, then leveled it, and it's starting to look good?
 
 
This teaser brought to you by Those In The Know

Re: Longest Running Thread EVER
 
Hey, I made 500!
 
Sorry. Gotta take those small successes where I can.