tkdguy

How about Big Trouble in Little China, with Kurt Russel? That movie had everything. Guns, knives, swords, magic, kung fu. Even a couple of monsters.

Sounds like a good modern fantasy to me.

So the dragon/wyvern debate continues. I searched high and low for a picture of the beast with no luck. However, I do have a sourcebook about dragons and wyverns. It's from The Enchanted World Series from Time-Life Books. Here are the types of dragons listed in pages 32-33:

Heraldic Dragon: It is described as having "massive fangs, four clawed legs and a ridge of sharp spines that stretched from its spiked nose to its barbed and stinging tail."

Wyvern: Wyverns have "a coiling trunk that bore a pair of eagle's legs, which were tucked beneath its wings." There's no mention of a stinger here, but see the heraldic dragon.

Amphiptere: This one is described as a "legless, winged serpent."

Guivre: This wyrm is legless and wingless and "would have seemed a mere serpent...except for its massive dragon head, horned and bearded." (It's REALLY ugly!)

Lindworm: The lindworm has "a serpentine body with one pair of legs. It was flightless." Marco Polo allegedly reported seeing some in Central Asia.

So drawing from folklore instead of TSR's depictions, we can infer that wyverns are a subspecies of dragon. That is, all wyverns are dragons, but onot all dragons are wyverns.

Okay, no more lecturing. Now for the weird stuff. I came up with the idea of a Highlander/Dragonslayer crossover. The last two immortals fight for the Prize. The last surviving dragon swoops down and eats the winner. But the Quickening released is so powerful, they both explode. No, I don't sit around all day thinking up this stuff. This type of "inspiration" comes to me at random intervals. I actually did get a friend to post it on the Highlander online rpg.

Oh wow! I didn't know PRIMUS has a base in San Francisco. And to think I would go through the street all the time without noticing it. Hey, maybe I'll apply for a job.

Seriously, I'll check it out. The sourcebook I mean.

I think a GI Joe campaign should be like the comic series, where people actually do get killed, including a few Joes and COBRA leaders. It is rare for a major charcter to die, but that goes for all TV shows. Maybe damage reduction and a point or two of Luck would help keep the PCs alive. But the nameless grunts are still canon fodder.

Just to clarify a few things:

1. Does not bleed: Yes, I know immortals bleed, but their bleeding stops before it significantly hinders them. That's why I included the does not bleed advantage. If your campaign does not use the bleeding rules, feel free to discard it.

2. Regeneration: Regrowing limbs now costs extra 5 points. I didn't include that in the cost, so immortals do not regrow lost limbs If you want that feature, pay extra. I suggest doing it the way "Blade of the Immortal" does it. The hero, Manji, cannot regrow limbs, but he can reattach them within a certain amount of time.

Skills: I included the PS because the character had to do something before he/she became immortal. I assume the immortal found a teacher who told him about the Game and trained him for combat; that's why I included WF: Swords and combat skills. You can ignore them if you wnat to paly a newly awakened immortal who hasn't found a teacher yet. Concealment is necessary in the modern world, where people normally don't go around with swords, and would be arrested if they did. If you set your game in an earlier era, it may not be necessary. Then again, only nobles and samurai could wear swords in feudal Japan, so the concealment skill may be necessary there.

I actually ran a Highlander campaign once. I hadn't played the HERO system enough to be comfortable GMing it, and nobody wanted to use the 2nd Ed. AD&D rules. So I used a long-forgotten system where my players could roleplay immortals. Or vampires. Or werewolves. Or ninjas, Shaolin priests, bionic men/women, psychics, or paranormal investigators. The campaign died out before the aliens invaded, but BOA (see my GI Joe thread) did make a couple of appearances.

But I digress. How do immortal players interact? It's up to the players. My players had their characters doing their own stuff and rarely interacted. I just ran separate scenarios for them simultaneously.

I don't know if anyone is familiar with the Recon game published by Palladium. It's supposed to be a Vietnam War rpg, but my friend is trying to modernize it. I did state that it shouldn't become a GI Joe campaign. Maybe I'll convince him it should.

I actually have Legacy: War of Ages. It's kinda like World of Darkness Lite. But I like the fact that it's less convoluted than the Storyteller system. And all you have to do is use the right language, which Black Gate Publishing couldn't do.

I actually included a vulnerability to beheading. Watching reruns of the series, it does make sense. Somehow the writers forget it takes a powerful swing to take off a head in one blow, not a mere flick of a wrist. And let's not forget how some immortals were beheaded: with a rapier, two daggers used like a pair of scissors, and even a spear. A SPEAR??????

There are quite a few sites about building worlds if that's what you want. I like to use astrophysics and geology to create worlds. It would make more sense physically than a lot of the game worlds out there. However, it is time consuming, and it turns your brain to mush if you work on it too long in a given period of time.

The main thing I'd change is reinforcing the command structure. In the comic and the cartoon, you'd have corporals giving orders to captains! That doesn't make sense in any army.

I am a fan of the new series. I never thought COBRA Commander was scary until this one came out. I'm glad he's being portrayed as a ruthless killer instead of comic relief.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.

Oops! I intended this to be a reply to Mark Rand about his ideas in the immortal package thread. I guess I hit the wrong button. Sorry about that!

Magic definitely defines fantasy; maybe non-magical fanasy is better described as fiction. As for Robin Hood, check out BBC's "Robin of Sherwood." That definitely had magic in it. The spirit of King Arthur even makes a cameo appearance in one episode. And there is an Arabic Merry Man, which Costner's film borrowed to make Morgan Freeman's character. Except this guy fights with twin scimitars (Drizzt Do'Urden, anyone?).

Your idea could work. However, don't forget that the hero may have a few tricks up his sleeve. Maybe friends who are superheroes or Watchers. They could take out the bad guys (subdue, not kill) without a Quickening. Also the police are not going to stand idly by. They will try to send a SWAT team if they can.

Another thing you may want to consider is will the public believe the villain? Most people would probably think he's just nuts. Of course, if the hero blindly charges in to the rescue without thinking, that will all change. He will be charged with murder, and other immortals will be mad at him for exposing the game. It's one thing to make an outrageous claim. It's another thing altogether to prove it.

Just my 2 cents. Let me know how it works out. I'm not dismissing your ideas, just giving some possible plot twists. I like the idea. Kalas actually threatened to expose the Game in "Finale," the Season 3 finale. Try to see that episode for ideas on how to pull it off (it's a two-parter, by the way).

I adapted the 4th Ed Bestiary to my package deal. I guessI have to work on it to bring it up to date. Thanks for the heads up!

Re dragons/wyverns

The main difference between dragons and wyverns is that dragons had four legs (the heraldic dragon) and the wyvern had only two. The dragon in the movie had 4 legs; it's definitely a heraldic dragon.

I was wondering if anyone ever did a GI Joe campaign, or anything like that. I know a group of people have a campaign using d20 modern, but why play d20 when you can play HERO, right?

I actually created a terrorist organization like COBRA. Except I called it BOA. Originally it stood for "Bastion of Anarchy," but I thought "Bastion of Autocracy" made more sense. It had a very unusaul method of recruiting troops. People would kidnap the homeless, brainwash them into believing society was to blame for all their woes, then turn them into shock troops. One of my players thought BOA should stand for "Bums Of America" instead.

Suggestions?

Watchers exposing the Game: I think this would be a violation of their oath. However, given the fact that they've already interfered with the Game so many times, anything is possible. However, immortals will be very angry about their cover being blown, and many of them will hunt down the Watchers. Immortals who already know about the Watchers sometimes hunt them down for spying on them. Jacob Galati hunted down Watchers in "Judgment Day" (Season 4 finale) and "One Minute to Midnight" (Season 5 premier).

Quickening: STUN damage seems good. I just considered a penalty to all actions to give the players a fighting chance. Immortal duels are usually kept secret, but the loser's buddy may be hiding somewhere near. Also, if a mortal or pre-immortal takes the head of an immortal, the Quickening goes to the nearest immortal in the area. That happened in "One Minute to Midnight" and in in the Raven episode "The Lauren Files" (don't quote me on the latter title; I may be wrong there).

Holy Ground: I originally made this a psychological limitation, but I changed it to a physical limitation to represent the immortals' conditioning against killing on holy ground; even mortals are safe from them there. I don't know which episode you are talking about, Kodiak, but I'll keep an eye out ofr it. Darius was killed on holy ground ("The Hunters" Season 1 finale), but his killers were mortal. Nothing unusual happened, as far as I remember. It's only when one immortal kills another on holy ground that stuff may occur. Dawson regaled Duncan with a rumor on "Little Tin God" (Season 5) that two immortals fought in a temple near Mt. Vesuvius, thus precitating the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Then again, Sanctuary was supposed to be on holy ground, and Jacob Kell took all those heads in Endgame.

I think there should be consequences to an immortal killing another in holy ground. If nothing else, other immortals could learn about the incident and hunt down the offender mercilessly. Not that Kell would care; he was just that powerful.

Multiple Gatherings: I think a roleplayer invented that one to explain the inconsistensies between the movies and the series. Davis/Panzer explained the movies and series as alternate universes. In the series universe, the Gathering takes place over the course of years, then got put on hold, so the series (and the franchise) could continue.

Wow, just when I thought this thread was already dead, it turned out to be immortal, like the franchise (the actors are mortal, but the franchise just won't die)! Maybe DOJ should contact Davis/Panzer and ge the rights to make Highlander HERO. Thunde Castle got the rights years ago. It made a card game, but bailed on the rpg.

Here's my take on vampires, based on Forever Knight.

VAMPIRE PACKAGE DEAL

COST ABILITY

10 Self-contained breathing

3 Does not have to eat

9 Safe Environment: low pressure/vacuum, high pressure, high radiation, intense cold, intense heat

5 Longevity: immortal

10 Immunity to all terrestrial diseases and bio-warfare agents

10 Immunity to all terrestrial poisons and chemical warfare agents

21 Healing 3d6 (Regeneration 3 BODY per day), Resurrection (can be stopped by burning the body, driving a stake through the heart, or beheading), Reduced Endurance (0 END +1/2), Persistent (+1/2); Self only (-1/2), Not against silver or wood (-3/4) Extra Time (3 BODY/Day –2 ½), Resurrection only (-1/2)

5 Bite: 1 pip HKA

8 Blood Drain: 1d6 RKA, Continuous, Requires successful Grab

(-1/2), No range, 0 DCV Concentrate

9 2d6 Major Transform human to vampire, cumulative, no range,

0 DCV Concentrate, takes 1 minute, only once a day per victim

(-1), linked to blood drain

2 Running +1†(Base 7â€)

17 50% resistant physical damage reduction, not vs. silver or wood (-3/4)

2 Damage Resistance: 4rPD/2rED, not vs. silver or wood

10 5d6 Mind Control, needs eye contact (-1), takes full phase

3 PS: former occupation 12-

2 KS: hobby 11-

20 Flight 10â€

3 Stealth

10 Clinging

15 Does not bleed

DISADVANTAGE

-5 Physical Limitation: Sterile

-30 Berserk 11- at sight of blood (common), recover 11-

-20 3d6/Turn when on holy ground

-15 2d6 RKA from holy water and blessed objects

-10 Dependence on blood once/day (3d6, -3 to Characteristics/day)

-30 Susceptibility to sunlight: 3d6/Turn

-20 Vulnerability: 2x damage from fire

-15 Distinctive Feature: Vampire (easily concealable, extreme reaction)

-10 Hunted by Vampire Hunters 11- (less powerful, will kill)

-15 Reputation 14-: Monster

6 TOTAL COST

4 pounds is a bit heavy for a sword, considering rapiers and long swords (broad sword is a misnomer; it actually refers to a naval sword in later times) weigh at 3 pounds. Not significantly heavy at first, but when you've been swinging it for a while, you will feel it.

When I do kumdo, I use a sword that is heavier than the other swords. Trust me, I feel it after a while.

Still, it's rare to find a sword that's both full tang and made of high carbon steel. Just don't get into any swordfights unless you're immortal.

Lots of martial arts movies and stories are definitely part of fantasy, considering some of the legends about some grand masters. Consider Wong Fei Hung, China's most popular hero (he was the kid in Iron Monkey). He actually lived, but so many movies about him, both factual and fictional, have been made about him, he has become to China what Robin Hood is to England.

Historical fantasy is also valid. I say "historical" loosely because many of the facts are changed. The Three Musketeers actually was based on real people, but the account was almost entirely fictionalized. The real Athos actually died before the real D'Artagnan had the chance to meet him. Gladiator used the emperor Comodus, who was more insane than he was portrayed. He would fight in the gladiatorial games dressed as Hercules. He was murdered by his own soldiers, not a gladiator. And Braveheart IS a fantasy, even if a real-life person was the hero. The man was real; the movie is all made up.

Crossover elements are interesting to play. My fantasy campaign (in the works) is basically a combination of Enter the Dragon and The Three Musketeers. I'll let you know how it works out.

The Vikings. Tony Curtis and Kirk Douglas star.

Spartacus. Tony Curtis and Kirk Douglas star in this one too.

The Vagabond King, if you like musicals.

The Desert Song, another musical.

The Sea Hawk, starring Errol Flynn.

The Prisoner of Zenda, starring Stewart Granger.

I think that sword would qualify as a saber or a scimitar. By the way, if you do purchase it, don't use it for test cutting. Chances are, it's made of stainless steel, which means it's brittle. Also the tang (the inside of a sword's handle) is of "rat-tail construction" rather than being a full tang. That means it's unbalanced and weak. Play with that sword for a while, and you'll have a very expensive peace of junk.

Thanks, wildcat

I actually have seen your take on immortals a few years ago. For some reason, I forgot where it was listed, and none of the searches could find it. Anyway, I thought you did some great stuff there.

If anyone is interested, I can send my 4th Ed. take on the genre. I'm not done with 5th Ed. And it's too big to send all at once. Gotta be all the pics. Just email me at fairdell@hotmail.com Please say HERO in the title; all unidentified messages go to my junk mail folder, and I automatically delete anything I don't recognize without reading it. So please give me a signal that it isn't actually junk mail.

As for the Quickening, I suggested that the winner gets 5% of the loser's total point cost (round down) as experience.

The points should first go to gaining new skills the loser possessed, then improving skills the winner and loser both had. The rest could go to improving characteristics. The winner is weakened after the Quickening and functions at -3 to all actions for 3 Turns.

I almost forgot: Cory Raines' dynamite stunt should go by two names.

1. "Can't you take a joke?" when he's blowing someone up.

2. "Hey! What's the big idea?" when he gets blown up.

The revised immie package

I redid the package based on your suggestions; thanks guys. Here it is:

Ability (cost)

Life Support: Does not age (5)

Life Support: Immunity to all terrestrial diseases and bio-warfare agents (10)

Regeneration: 1 BODY per Turn, resurrection (may be stopped by beheading), reduced endurance (0 END, +1/2), persistent (+1/2), self only (-1/2), not vs. neck wounds (-1/4) (34)

Does not bleed (15)

Danger Sense, functions as a sense, out of combat, from Immortals/pre-Immortals only (-2) (7)

Detect holy ground (5)

WF: Swords (1)

Combat skill levels and/or martial arts maneuvers (choose) (10)

Concealment (3)

PS: Chosen occupation 11- (2)

Disadvantage

Hunted 14- by other Immortals (as powerful) (-20)

Monitored 14- by the Watcher Society (as powerful, NCI) (-15)

Hunted 8- by renegade Watchers (less powerful, NCI) (-10)

Physical Limitation: Cannot fight on holy ground (-15)

Psychological Limitation: Must fight Immortal duels one-on-one (-15)

Social Limitation: Secret ID - Immortal (-15)

Total Cost: 2

As for the underwater breathing, I suggest gving it the -1/2 Limitation Costs Endurance throughout. That would resolve the inconsistencies of immortals drowning. I just watched "The Samurai," and Duncan had definitely drowned when he was shipwrecked in Japan.

Detect holy ground was added only because immortals always recognize holy ground. Adding it for game purposes makes sense.

I din't include Empower Weapon in this package, but it can be included too.

As for the other powers, some can be explained without powers, others are not exclusive to immies. I'd forgotten about the Dreams. I've got to include it in my work. I wrote up the Crystal too.

The Methuselah Stone

1. Immortality and immunity to disease, OAF (-1). Active Cost: 15. Real Cost: 8.

2. +5 overall OCV, OAF (-1). Active Cost: 40. Real Cost: 20.

3. +5 DCV, OAF (-1). Active Cost: 25. Real Cost: 13.

Total Active Cost: 80. Total Real Cost: 41.

As for concealing the swords while wearing only T shirts and jeans, the GM has to decide how that works. I once made a joke that immies had really deep...ummm...BACKSIDES! (Yeah, that's the word) to hide their swords.

And they never let me GM again.

Steve Jackson Games put out GURPS Humanx. Get a copy and translate to HERO.