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OddHat

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  1. Re: Would a MP or VPP be appropriate for a purely martial character and, if so, how? You could make the case that a VPP is a better way than Martial Maneuvers to represent how real world combat works. My character can try to gouge out his opponent's eyes (Hit Location, Flash or Transformation, depending on how long term the damage will be and on the campaign), use improvised weapons picked up from the surroundings, strike specifically to limit ability or reduce the target's ability to fight back (all sorts of drains, entangles, maybe hit locations again), and do other things that I as a player might not have remembered to put on the sheet. With a VPP, the player doesn't have to worry about getting down every possible variation. Add in Hong Kong Cinematic tricks like "taking away his Kung Fu" by severing tendons or ripping muscles and VPPs look even better. (You can even argue that they're not that cinematic; a few minutes knife work can potentially cripple anyone, and doing the same things with your hands is possible with training).
  2. Re: Would a MP or VPP be appropriate for a purely martial character and, if so, how? By the time the Destroyer series got to around book 15 or so, Mundane didn't apply. Still, he started as a fairly standard Karate & Judo oriented Vigilante character. He only started to have minor "Super Powers" around (iirc) book 5 or so. Before that, it was all skills and (effectively) Super Skills. His later power set almost all had the SFX of Super Skills, but pushed past the limits of what any person in the real world could possibly be trained to do. Many HK Action movie characters are easiest (imo) to write up with a Martial Arts & Super Skills Multipower. Of course, more limited characters do fine with just standard martial maneuvers. If you search for my HK Action Superheroes on Surbrook's Stuff, you can find some examples of how various movie characters can work in 6th.
  3. Re: Would a MP or VPP be appropriate for a purely martial character and, if so, how? Well, point for point, you might be more combat effective with a few standard maneuvers, Damage Classes and skill levels. That said, I like MPs and VPPs for some martial artists, especially highly cinematic martial artists. If you're going for something like Remo Williams or a Wuxia Hero, a MP or VPP is almost required. Remo has Missile Deflection, Find Weakness (tons of it), NNDs (including killing NNDs), a range of Transformation Attacks (we see him both give people stat bosts, minor powers and significant complications, including long term loss of stats and skills), a couple types of touch only Mind Control, Paralyzing Touch, Invisibility (out of combat only), Gliding, and other tricks, all with the SFX of "Sinanju, Sun Source of the Martial Arts". There's really no way other than a MP or VPP to build most versions of him as a starting character in most campaigns.
  4. Re: The 20 Henchmen of the Sinister Skull Plot Seeds for Newton Fink Running the Numbers - The Sinister Skull is financing his Evil Plans somehow. The police believe it's through numbers running, gambling and nightclubs. The PCs investigate, assisted by the beautiful Girl Reporter Candice Moon. Their investigations lead them into the sleazy and glamorous world of the Campaign City's nightclubs and secret gambling dens, potentially introducing them to Malachi the Magician (stage performer), Eva Heidler (performer and innocent in danger), The Gypsy Mistress, and Anthony Toledo. All of the money trails seem to lead back to Newton Fink. But why do the Skull's agents always seem to be one step ahead of Our Heroes? Brother do you got a dime? - Our Heroes have been asked to help an Adventuring Professor friend put on a grand exhibition, an exhibition their friend has to borrow money to finance. A lot of money. The Exhibition is a success, and some amazing new technology is displayed, but now the Adventuring Professor reveals that he's deeply in debt, that his finances are in fact a total wreck. So are the finances of many other prominent men who invested in the exhibition. Can Our Heroes figure out that Newton Fink is behind the financial manipulations that have brought their friend to his knees? Can they do anything about it? State's Evidence - The G Men come to the heroes and reveal a too-good-to-be-true opportunity. Newton Fink, the Accountant of Crime, is willing to turn state's evidence. If he's sincere, this could destroy the Sinister Skull, and cripple organized crime in Campaign City. Is Newton Fink sincere? Can Our Heroes keep him in custody and alive long enough to find out? Or is this some plot by the Sinister Skull to destroy Our Heroes once and for all?
  5. Re: The 20 Henchmen of the Sinister Skull Scruffy The Plumber Plot Seeds: We have a problem: The heroes have minor work they need done around their base. They trust their own staff to find someone to take care of it, or look for recomendations. They hire Scruffy. With a small crew and scrupulous honesty he repairs their clogged pipes, works on their wiring, fixes their phone lines, and finally gets the door locks working. And now the Sinister Skull has a complete map of the base interior, taps in the phone lines, even a few remotely triggered traps for those special occasions. Confronting Scruffy, even using interogation techniques, Hypnotism or Strange Powers, reveals he did not betray his given contract. Of course, Scruffy had an assistant. Attempting to brutalize or arrest Scruffy for any suspected connection to the Sinister Skull draws the immediate attention of Archibald Lansky and the city police. It seems Scruffy is well known and liked down at the station... Follow the Yellow Brick Layer: Thinking there must be some connection between Scruffy and the Sinister Skull, and finding beating a confession out of him both impossible and surprisingly dangerous (again with the police and lawyers), the Heroes decide to follow Scruffy back to the Skull's secret lair. Somehow that proves difficult, as the Heroes find Scruffy leading them past opportunistic street gangs (led in one case by a giant, another by a lunatic with a sword) and mysterious snipers (one a woman, two more huge hulking identical twins). All seem to know where the Heroes will be, and none stay to fight if the Heroes manage to withstand their first assault. Finally the Heroes corner Scruffy in an abandoned building. A trap filled abandoned building, where the snipers and thugs are waiting. A Helping Hand The Heroes have been captured! The nefarious fiend, a rival of the Sinister Skull, has revealed his plans and left the Heroes to their fate. As the Death Trap is about to begin its work, along comes a small man in work clothes. Scruffy shuts down the trap, explaining that it needs fixing, and "accidentally" sets the Heroes free. Will the Heroes recognize one of the Henchmen of the Sinister Skull? Will they try to capture him before going on to attack the villain who imprisoned them? Will they strike against their other enemy if they realize that in so doing, they serve the Sinister Skull?
  6. Re: The 20 Henchmen of the Sinister Skull Some thoughts on the possible relationship between "The Banshee" and "The Irish Giant", based on Badger's comments. And here's a seed: The Irish Giant and The Magic Beans - Professor Greenman, renowned botanist, asks the PCs to help him mount an expedition to a lost valley in South America to recover samples of some extraordinary plants. He already has the support of a small crew of men under the command of a reasonably good natured and polite giant. The expedition will be a success, and the Giant and his men will prove useful in fighting off the various threats in the Valley. The problem occurs when the PCs return to the Campaign City. Greenman borrowed the money he needed to finance the expedition from the Sinister Skull, and the Irish Giant intends to see that the plant samples are delivered as promised.
  7. Re: You are unappreciated when . . . The public keeps asking the Supervillains to save them, claiming that there are no Superheroes left.
  8. Re: Caelum Imperium: A Space Opera Science Fantasy Setting Sure, glad to.
  9. Re: Caelum Imperium: A Space Opera Science Fantasy Setting Secrets of the Green: A Tale of Caelum Imperium It is said that in the time of the Three Emperors of Zhong Guo, the Red Khagan, Great Khagan of the Rus, descended with an army of one hundred thousand men to claim the riches of Gansu province for his barbaric people. None could stand against the might of the Red Khagan, for he had set a great Xue Crystal in the hilt of his hand scythe, and a second in the hilt of his great hammer, and a third in his great helm. No armor could stand against the All-Cutting Hand Scythe of the Great Khagan, which sliced through finest steel as if through water. No fortification could stand against the All Overcoming War Hammer of the Great Khagan, which tore through crystal and iron as if through paper. No blade or point could pierce the armor of the Great Khagan, for with each attack the Xue Crystal set in his Unconquerable Helm would flash, and blows against the Great Khagan’s armor would fall away like rain. With such a war leader, none could stand against the Rus, and the people of Gansu were afraid. “What can we do?” cried the people of Gansu. “Who can save us?” they wailed. Riders went from the people of Gansu to each of the three Emperors. Emissaries rode to the Emperor of the West. They were treated with no kindness and no courtesy. “Your cloaks are filthy, your money pouches empty, and you have no friends here,” said the officials of the Emperor of the West. “Who cares that you are attacked? Off with you!” Emissaries rode to the Emperor of the South, but were not permitted to enter his presence. “The Emperor of the South is very busy,” said his court officials, “and cannot see you now.” Emissaries rode to the Emperor of the East, but with great courtesy he refused their pleas. They were given fine food, and fine wine, fresh horses and many gifts. “This is a terrible thing” said the Emperor of the East, “but Gansu pays taxes also to the West and South. This is a matter for the Emperor of the West. You must seek help from him.” The Red Khagan descended into Gansu. His armies ravaged the land. The Khagan’s mighty army destroyed ten cities, and one hundred towns, and one thousand villages, or so it is said, killing the men and taking the women and children to be sold as slaves. The Emissaries returned, and told their tales.“What is to become of us” wailed the people of Gansu, “if the three Emperors will not send aid?” “But wait,” said a wise man of Gansu, “what of the Abbot of Green Bat?” “Yes,” shouted another man of Gansu, “the Abbot of Green Bat is the supreme master of Jade Chi, and his Green Bat style is invincible! We must call on him to help us!” And so a rider was dispatched to the Green Bat Temple, and the Abbot of Green Bat was told of the terror of the Red Khagan. “What is this,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “you pay taxes to three Emperors and not one will raise his arm to shield you? That is unrighteous!” The Abbot of Green Bat took pity on the people of Gansu, and in three great leaps traveled from his temple in Tianjin to the far borders of Gansu and the vast camp of the army of the Red Khagan. “See,” cried ten soldiers of the Khagan, “an old man in green! Let us slay him, and take his robes and money pouch!” But the Abbot of Green Bat drew forth his mighty Green Bat Long Axe, with its shaft of green wood hard as steel and its bat shaped blades of exquisite sharpness. With one great sweep the Abbot killed the ten charging soldiers, and so perfect was his technique that not a drop of blood stained his immaculate robes. “See,” cried one hundred soldiers of the Khagan, “an old warrior in Green! Let us slay him, and take his robes and magic axe!” But the Abbot of Green Bat leaped forward to meet the charging soldiers, and with his supreme Jade Chi struck one hundred blows in the space of a second, leaving one hundred soldiers dead on the ground. “See,” cried one thousand soldiers of the Khagan, “an old god in green! Let us flee and seek the Great Khagan, for men cannot stand against a god!” And so one thousand soldiers fled before the Abbot of Green Bat. “It is good,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “for to kill one thousand men would be excessive, and to fall before them would bring shame to the Green Bat Temple.” And the Abbot of Green Bat waited at the edge of the camp, confident that the Red Khagan would come and stand before him. Nor was the Abbot mistaken, for in a crash of thunder the Red Khagan appeared, hand scythe in his right hand and hammer in his left. “Who is this,” roared the Red Khagan, “that dares to kill my soldiers?” “It is I, the Abbot of Green Bat,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “and I command you to accept the Buddha, leave these lands, and return with your soldiers to the barbarian north.” “Hah!” roared the Red Khagan, “I take no commands, and I spit on your Buddha! Your three Emperors have lost the Mandate of Heaven, and Zhong Guo is weak! I shall keep these lands and take more!” And with that, the Red Khagan struck at the Abbot of Green Bat with his All Cutting Hand Scythe! But the Abbot’s Green Bat Kung Fu was superb! The Abbot turned aside the blow with his Green Bat Axe! Furious, the Red Khagan struck once more, now with his All Overcoming War Hammer that could crush all obstacles! But the Abbot’s Jade Chi was unmatched, and the Abbot’s body swayed to the side, avoiding the terrible blow! “Fool” roared the Red Khagan, “a battle is not won by dancing, but by power!” And with that, the Red Khagan drew on the Red Chi of his All Cutting Hand Scythe to strike a never miss blow! Deep into the chest of the Abbot of Green Bat the scythe plunged home, and as it tore free a fountain of blood followed! But the Supreme Jade Chi of the Abbot of Green Bat overcame even the All Cutting Hand Scythe! The terrible wound closed as quickly as it had opened, as if it had never been! The Abbot of Green Bat turned and with his foot struck a blow that hurtled the Red Khagan back the length of a medium length field! “The Green,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “rises from within, an inexhaustible well of strength. The Red is held outside the self, and corrupts all it touches. It will make you a monster, and then destroy you. Abandon the Red, accept the Buddha, and you will know peace.” “The Red,” roared the Khagan, “feasts upon the Green! It is the unquenchable fire, and it shall consume you and your Buddha, and all of Zhong Guo!” Again thunder crashed, and again the Khagan struck at the Abbot of Green Bat! For hours they fought, and the Abbot did not tire, and the Khagan did not tire. But then the Xue Crystals in the All Cutting hand scythe, the All Overcoming War Hammer, and the Unconquerable helm began to lose their glow. Black threads, first slender, then thick, began to show and spread as the power of the Xue Crystals grew close to exhaustion. “Your weapons grow weak,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “yet my Jade Chi remains strong.” With serpent’s speed and tiger’s strength, the Abbot of Green Bat struck with his axe, twisting the All Cutting Hand Scythe and All Overcoming Hammer from the hands of the Red Khagan. “Now yield,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “and accept the Buddha, for your power is external, and with but a single Xue Crystal you cannot hope to stand against my Green Bat Kung fu.” The Red Khagan shrieked his despair to heaven, but heaven paid no heed. “I spit upon your Buddha!” said the Red Khagan. “Even if I yield this day, know that I shall return! Zhong Guo is weak and divided, and one priest or one thousand shall not save it!” And with that, the Xue Crystal set in the Unconquerable Helm flashed, and the Red Khagan, along with his All Cutting Hand Scythe and All Overcoming War Hammer, vanished from the field. Without their leader, the men of the Khagan’s army despaired, and in disarray fled back towards distant Rus with what booty they could carry. The people of Gansu ran to thank the Abbot of Green Bat, but he was thoughtful. “The Red Khagan may be right,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “for in a land of three Emperors, only one lone priest came to the aid of the people of Gansu. This must not be.” And so the Abbot of Green Bat spoke to all the other Abbots and great masters of Zhong Guo, and together they presented their demands to the three Emperors. From that day forward, there would be but one Emperor, and he would serve and defend the nation. If those who wished to be Emperor could not decide among themselves who rightfully held the Mandate of Heaven, it would be decided by the Temples. The three Emperors raged and wept at this news, but they knew that they could not oppose the will of the people as expressed through the Temples united, and so the Emperor of the East was granted ascendancy. Since that time, Zhong Guo has known the peace and protection of a single Emperor, most of the time. As to what happened to the Red Khagan and the Abbot of Green Bat, that is a different tale. ------------------------------------------------------ In the time of the Song Dynasty, the legions of the Jade Emperor battle for dominance of Earth and Sky! Through Crystal Magicks the Empire’s power extends across the Heavens, reaching out to the Three Worlds of Empire! Welcome to a world where ancient empires reach out to the stars. A world where men can become like unto gods. A world of traders and soldiers; Demigods and Heroes; God Emperors and Myths made Flesh. This is the world of Caelum Imperium. Caelum Imperium, from Blackwyrm Publishing, coming August, 2011. Ready your spears. Caelum Imperium and Secrets of the Green Copyright Robert Dorf, 2010
  10. Re: Caelum Imperium: A Space Opera Science Fantasy Setting Secrets of the Green: A Tale of Caelum Imperium It is said that in the time of the Three Emperors of Zhong Guo, the Red Khagan, Great Khagan of the Rus, descended with an army of one hundred thousand men to claim the riches of Gansu province for his barbaric people. None could stand against the might of the Red Khagan, for he had set a great Xue Crystal in the hilt of his hand scythe, and a second in the hilt of his great hammer, and a third in his great helm. No armor could stand against the All-Cutting Hand Scythe of the Great Khagan, which sliced through finest steel as if through water. No fortification could stand against the All Overcoming War Hammer of the Great Khagan, which tore through crystal and iron as if through paper. No blade or point could pierce the armor of the Great Khagan, for with each attack the Xue Crystal set in his Unconquerable Helm would flash, and blows against the Great Khagan’s armor would fall away like rain. With such a war leader, none could stand against the Rus, and the people of Gansu were afraid. “What can we do?” cried the people of Gansu. “Who can save us?” they wailed. Riders went from the people of Gansu to each of the three Emperors. Emissaries rode to the Emperor of the West. They were treated with no kindness and no courtesy. “Your cloaks are filthy, your money pouches empty, and you have no friends here,” said the officials of the Emperor of the West. “Who cares that you are attacked? Off with you!” Emissaries rode to the Emperor of the South, but were not permitted to enter his presence. “The Emperor of the South is very busy,” said his court officials, “and cannot see you now.” Emissaries rode to the Emperor of the East, but with great courtesy he refused their pleas. They were given fine food, and fine wine, fresh horses and many gifts. “This is a terrible thing” said the Emperor of the East, “but Gansu pays taxes also to the West and South. This is a matter for the Emperor of the West. You must seek help from him.” The Red Khagan descended into Gansu. His armies ravaged the land. The Khagan’s mighty army destroyed ten cities, and one hundred towns, and one thousand villages, or so it is said, killing the men and taking the women and children to be sold as slaves. The Emissaries returned, and told their tales.“What is to become of us” wailed the people of Gansu, “if the three Emperors will not send aid?” “But wait,” said a wise man of Gansu, “what of the Abbot of Green Bat?” “Yes,” shouted another man of Gansu, “the Abbot of Green Bat is the supreme master of Jade Chi, and his Green Bat style is invincible! We must call on him to help us!” And so a rider was dispatched to the Green Bat Temple, and the Abbot of Green Bat was told of the terror of the Red Khagan. “What is this,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “you pay taxes to three Emperors and not one will raise his arm to shield you? That is unrighteous!” The Abbot of Green Bat took pity on the people of Gansu, and in three great leaps traveled from his temple in Tianjin to the far borders of Gansu and the vast camp of the army of the Red Khagan. “See,” cried ten soldiers of the Khagan, “an old man in green! Let us slay him, and take his robes and money pouch!” But the Abbot of Green Bat drew forth his mighty Green Bat Long Axe, with its shaft of green wood hard as steel and its bat shaped blades of exquisite sharpness. With one great sweep the Abbot killed the ten charging soldiers, and so perfect was his technique that not a drop of blood stained his immaculate robes. “See,” cried one hundred soldiers of the Khagan, “an old warrior in Green! Let us slay him, and take his robes and magic axe!” But the Abbot of Green Bat leaped forward to meet the charging soldiers, and with his supreme Jade Chi struck one hundred blows in the space of a second, leaving one hundred soldiers dead on the ground. “See,” cried one thousand soldiers of the Khagan, “an old god in green! Let us flee and seek the Great Khagan, for men cannot stand against a god!” And so one thousand soldiers fled before the Abbot of Green Bat. “It is good,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “for to kill one thousand men would be excessive, and to fall before them would bring shame to the Green Bat Temple.” And the Abbot of Green Bat waited at the edge of the camp, confident that the Red Khagan would come and stand before him. Nor was the Abbot mistaken, for in a crash of thunder the Red Khagan appeared, hand scythe in his right hand and hammer in his left. “Who is this,” roared the Red Khagan, “that dares to kill my soldiers?” “It is I, the Abbot of Green Bat,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “and I command you to accept the Buddha, leave these lands, and return with your soldiers to the barbarian north.” “Hah!” roared the Red Khagan, “I take no commands, and I spit on your Buddha! Your three Emperors have lost the Mandate of Heaven, and Zhong Guo is weak! I shall keep these lands and take more!” And with that, the Red Khagan struck at the Abbot of Green Bat with his All Cutting Hand Scythe! But the Abbot’s Green Bat Kung Fu was superb! The Abbot turned aside the blow with his Green Bat Axe! Furious, the Red Khagan struck once more, now with his All Overcoming War Hammer that could crush all obstacles! But the Abbot’s Jade Chi was unmatched, and the Abbot’s body swayed to the side, avoiding the terrible blow! “Fool” roared the Red Khagan, “a battle is not won by dancing, but by power!” And with that, the Red Khagan drew on the Red Chi of his All Cutting Hand Scythe to strike a never miss blow! Deep into the chest of the Abbot of Green Bat the scythe plunged home, and as it tore free a fountain of blood followed! But the Supreme Jade Chi of the Abbot of Green Bat overcame even the All Cutting Hand Scythe! The terrible wound closed as quickly as it had opened, as if it had never been! The Abbot of Green Bat turned and with his foot struck a blow that hurtled the Red Khagan back the length of a medium length field! “The Green,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “rises from within, an inexhaustible well of strength. The Red is held outside the self, and corrupts all it touches. It will make you a monster, and then destroy you. Abandon the Red, accept the Buddha, and you will know peace.” “The Red,” roared the Khagan, “feasts upon the Green! It is the unquenchable fire, and it shall consume you and your Buddha, and all of Zhong Guo!” Again thunder crashed, and again the Khagan struck at the Abbot of Green Bat! For hours they fought, and the Abbot did not tire, and the Khagan did not tire. But then the Xue Crystals in the All Cutting hand scythe, the All Overcoming War Hammer, and the Unconquerable helm began to lose their glow. Black threads, first slender, then thick, began to show and spread as the power of the Xue Crystals grew close to exhaustion. “Your weapons grow weak,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “yet my Jade Chi remains strong.” With serpent’s speed and tiger’s strength, the Abbot of Green Bat struck with his axe, twisting the All Cutting Hand Scythe and All Overcoming Hammer from the hands of the Red Khagan. “Now yield,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “and accept the Buddha, for your power is external, and with but a single Xue Crystal you cannot hope to stand against my Green Bat Kung fu.” The Red Khagan shrieked his despair to heaven, but heaven paid no heed. “I spit upon your Buddha!” said the Red Khagan. “Even if I yield this day, know that I shall return! Zhong Guo is weak and divided, and one priest or one thousand shall not save it!” And with that, the Xue Crystal set in the Unconquerable Helm flashed, and the Red Khagan, along with his All Cutting Hand Scythe and All Overcoming War Hammer, vanished from the field. Without their leader, the men of the Khagan’s army despaired, and in disarray fled back towards distant Rus with what booty they could carry. The people of Gansu ran to thank the Abbot of Green Bat, but he was thoughtful. “The Red Khagan may be right,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “for in a land of three Emperors, only one lone priest came to the aid of the people of Gansu. This must not be.” And so the Abbot of Green Bat spoke to all the other Abbots and great masters of Zhong Guo, and together they presented their demands to the three Emperors. From that day forward, there would be but one Emperor, and he would serve and defend the nation. If those who wished to be Emperor could not decide among themselves who rightfully held the Mandate of Heaven, it would be decided by the Temples. The three Emperors raged and wept at this news, but they knew that they could not oppose the will of the people as expressed through the Temples united, and so the Emperor of the East was granted ascendancy. Since that time, Zhong Guo has known the peace and protection of a single Emperor, most of the time. As to what happened to the Red Khagan and the Abbot of Green Bat, that is a different tale. ------------------------------------------------------ In the time of the Song Dynasty, the legions of the Jade Emperor battle for dominance of Earth and Sky! Through Crystal Magicks the Empire’s power extends across the Heavens, reaching out to the Three Worlds of Empire! Welcome to a world where ancient empires reach out to the stars. A world where men can become like unto gods. A world of traders and soldiers; Demigods and Heroes; God Emperors and Myths made Flesh. This is the world of Caelum Imperium. Caelum Imperium, from Blackwyrm Publishing, coming August, 2011. Ready your spears. Caelum Imperium and Secrets of the Green Copyright Robert Dorf, 2010
  11. Re: Caelum Imperium: A Space Opera Science Fantasy Setting The Second Caelum Imperium Podcast and Teaser is now up! Thrill to exciting tales of blood and bureaucracy! Be amazed by somewhat shaky obscure celebrity voice impersonations! Be very mildly annoyed yet somewhat entertained by technical difficulties! All this, and more, in the Caelum Imperium Podcast Listen to Secrets of the Green Here!
  12. Re: Caelum Imperium: A Space Opera Science Fantasy Setting (Cross Posted from Star He Secrets of the Green: A Tale of Caelum Imperium It is said that in the time of the Three Emperors of Zhong Guo, the Red Khagan, Great Khagan of the Rus, descended with an army of one hundred thousand men to claim the riches of Gansu province for his barbaric people. None could stand against the might of the Red Khagan, for he had set a great Xue Crystal in the hilt of his hand scythe, and a second in the hilt of his great hammer, and a third in his great helm. No armor could stand against the All-Cutting Hand Scythe of the Great Khagan, which sliced through finest steel as if through water. No fortification could stand against the All Overcoming War Hammer of the Great Khagan, which tore through crystal and iron as if through paper. No blade or point could pierce the armor of the Great Khagan, for with each attack the Xue Crystal set in his Unconquerable Helm would flash, and blows against the Great Khagan’s armor would fall away like rain. With such a war leader, none could stand against the Rus, and the people of Gansu were afraid. “What can we do?” cried the people of Gansu. “Who can save us?” they wailed. Riders went from the people of Gansu to each of the three Emperors. Emissaries rode to the Emperor of the West. They were treated with no kindness and no courtesy. “Your cloaks are filthy, your money pouches empty, and you have no friends here,” said the officials of the Emperor of the West. “Who cares that you are attacked? Off with you!” Emissaries rode to the Emperor of the South, but were not permitted to enter his presence. “The Emperor of the South is very busy,” said his court officials, “and cannot see you now.” Emissaries rode to the Emperor of the East, but with great courtesy he refused their pleas. They were given fine food, and fine wine, fresh horses and many gifts. “This is a terrible thing” said the Emperor of the East, “but Gansu pays taxes also to the West and South. This is a matter for the Emperor of the West. You must seek help from him.” The Red Khagan descended into Gansu. His armies ravaged the land. The Khagan’s mighty army destroyed ten cities, and one hundred towns, and one thousand villages, or so it is said, killing the men and taking the women and children to be sold as slaves. The Emissaries returned, and told their tales.“What is to become of us” wailed the people of Gansu, “if the three Emperors will not send aid?” “But wait,” said a wise man of Gansu, “what of the Abbot of Green Bat?” “Yes,” shouted another man of Gansu, “the Abbot of Green Bat is the supreme master of Jade Chi, and his Green Bat style is invincible! We must call on him to help us!” And so a rider was dispatched to the Green Bat Temple, and the Abbot of Green Bat was told of the terror of the Red Khagan. “What is this,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “you pay taxes to three Emperors and not one will raise his arm to shield you? That is unrighteous!” The Abbot of Green Bat took pity on the people of Gansu, and in three great leaps traveled from his temple in Tianjin to the far borders of Gansu and the vast camp of the army of the Red Khagan. “See,” cried ten soldiers of the Khagan, “an old man in green! Let us slay him, and take his robes and money pouch!” But the Abbot of Green Bat drew forth his mighty Green Bat Long Axe, with its shaft of green wood hard as steel and its bat shaped blades of exquisite sharpness. With one great sweep the Abbot killed the ten charging soldiers, and so perfect was his technique that not a drop of blood stained his immaculate robes. “See,” cried one hundred soldiers of the Khagan, “an old warrior in Green! Let us slay him, and take his robes and magic axe!” But the Abbot of Green Bat leaped forward to meet the charging soldiers, and with his supreme Jade Chi struck one hundred blows in the space of a second, leaving one hundred soldiers dead on the ground. “See,” cried one thousand soldiers of the Khagan, “an old god in green! Let us flee and seek the Great Khagan, for men cannot stand against a god!” And so one thousand soldiers fled before the Abbot of Green Bat. “It is good,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “for to kill one thousand men would be excessive, and to fall before them would bring shame to the Green Bat Temple.” And the Abbot of Green Bat waited at the edge of the camp, confident that the Red Khagan would come and stand before him. Nor was the Abbot mistaken, for in a crash of thunder the Red Khagan appeared, hand scythe in his right hand and hammer in his left. “Who is this,” roared the Red Khagan, “that dares to kill my soldiers?” “It is I, the Abbot of Green Bat,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “and I command you to accept the Buddha, leave these lands, and return with your soldiers to the barbarian north.” “Hah!” roared the Red Khagan, “I take no commands, and I spit on your Buddha! Your three Emperors have lost the Mandate of Heaven, and Zhong Guo is weak! I shall keep these lands and take more!” And with that, the Red Khagan struck at the Abbot of Green Bat with his All Cutting Hand Scythe! But the Abbot’s Green Bat Kung Fu was superb! The Abbot turned aside the blow with his Green Bat Axe! Furious, the Red Khagan struck once more, now with his All Overcoming War Hammer that could crush all obstacles! But the Abbot’s Jade Chi was unmatched, and the Abbot’s body swayed to the side, avoiding the terrible blow! “Fool” roared the Red Khagan, “a battle is not won by dancing, but by power!” And with that, the Red Khagan drew on the Red Chi of his All Cutting Hand Scythe to strike a never miss blow! Deep into the chest of the Abbot of Green Bat the scythe plunged home, and as it tore free a fountain of blood followed! But the Supreme Jade Chi of the Abbot of Green Bat overcame even the All Cutting Hand Scythe! The terrible wound closed as quickly as it had opened, as if it had never been! The Abbot of Green Bat turned and with his foot struck a blow that hurtled the Red Khagan back the length of a medium length field! “The Green,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “rises from within, an inexhaustible well of strength. The Red is held outside the self, and corrupts all it touches. It will make you a monster, and then destroy you. Abandon the Red, accept the Buddha, and you will know peace.” “The Red,” roared the Khagan, “feasts upon the Green! It is the unquenchable fire, and it shall consume you and your Buddha, and all of Zhong Guo!” Again thunder crashed, and again the Khagan struck at the Abbot of Green Bat! For hours they fought, and the Abbot did not tire, and the Khagan did not tire. But then the Xue Crystals in the All Cutting hand scythe, the All Overcoming War Hammer, and the Unconquerable helm began to lose their glow. Black threads, first slender, then thick, began to show and spread as the power of the Xue Crystals grew close to exhaustion. “Your weapons grow weak,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “yet my Jade Chi remains strong.” With serpent’s speed and tiger’s strength, the Abbot of Green Bat struck with his axe, twisting the All Cutting Hand Scythe and All Overcoming Hammer from the hands of the Red Khagan. “Now yield,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “and accept the Buddha, for your power is external, and with but a single Xue Crystal you cannot hope to stand against my Green Bat Kung fu.” The Red Khagan shrieked his despair to heaven, but heaven paid no heed. “I spit upon your Buddha!” said the Red Khagan. “Even if I yield this day, know that I shall return! Zhong Guo is weak and divided, and one priest or one thousand shall not save it!” And with that, the Xue Crystal set in the Unconquerable Helm flashed, and the Red Khagan, along with his All Cutting Hand Scythe and All Overcoming War Hammer, vanished from the field. Without their leader, the men of the Khagan’s army despaired, and in disarray fled back towards distant Rus with what booty they could carry. The people of Gansu ran to thank the Abbot of Green Bat, but he was thoughtful. “The Red Khagan may be right,” said the Abbot of Green Bat, “for in a land of three Emperors, only one lone priest came to the aid of the people of Gansu. This must not be.” And so the Abbot of Green Bat spoke to all the other Abbots and great masters of Zhong Guo, and together they presented their demands to the three Emperors. From that day forward, there would be but one Emperor, and he would serve and defend the nation. If those who wished to be Emperor could not decide among themselves who rightfully held the Mandate of Heaven, it would be decided by the Temples. The three Emperors raged and wept at this news, but they knew that they could not oppose the will of the people as expressed through the Temples united, and so the Emperor of the East was granted ascendancy. Since that time, Zhong Guo has known the peace and protection of a single Emperor, most of the time. As to what happened to the Red Khagan and the Abbot of Green Bat, that is a different tale. ------------------------------------------------------ In the time of the Song Dynasty, the legions of the Jade Emperor battle for dominance of Earth and Sky! Through Crystal Magicks the Empire’s power extends across the Heavens, reaching out to the Three Worlds of Empire! Welcome to a world where ancient empires reach out to the stars. A world where men can become like unto gods. A world of traders and soldiers; Demigods and Heroes; God Emperors and Myths made Flesh. This is the world of Caelum Imperium. Caelum Imperium, from Blackwyrm Publishing, coming August, 2011. Ready your spears. Caelum Imperium and Secrets of the Green Copyright Robert Dorf, 2010
  13. Re: Caelum Imperium: A Space Opera Science Fantasy Setting (Cross Posted from Star He The Second Caelum Imperium Podcast and Teaser is now up! Thrill to exciting tales of blood and bureaucracy! Be amazed by somewhat shaky obscure celebrity voice impersonations! Be very mildly annoyed yet somewhat entertained by technical difficulties! All this, and more, in the Caelum Imperium Podcast Listen to Secrets of the Green Here!
  14. Re: The 20 Henchmen of the Sinister Skull Any thoughts on how the characters interact with one another? Which Henchmen work together most often? Which Henchmen are bitter rivals? Any adventure seeds ideas?
  15. Re: The 20 Henchmen of the Sinister Skull #17 - Eva "The Butterfly" Hiedler- The Butterfly is a short, slender woman in her early 20s. Her skin is pale, her hair and eyes brown. Her facial features are plain, even ugly in a certain light; when she looks into a camera lens, or into the eyes of a man she wants, her beauty is overwhelming. Eva never speaks of the horrors that formed her, or of her first meeting with the Sinister Skull. The Skull rescued her from some terrible place, and thus won her absolute love, hate and loyalty. Eva serves the Skull as an actress, a dancer, a photographer's model, a confidence woman, and, occasionally, as a disturbingly effective killer. She excells at these roles. She is well read, and well if self educated in all areas related to literature, art, history, and even the physical sciences. Her charm is extraordinary. Men wish to protect her, and those that share a dance or more believe themselves in love; women see in her a trusted friend, a sister, a mentor. At times Eva seems to share these emotions, appearing to love fully and passionately. That love can turn to contempt in a moment, once Eva is done with a victim. When killing, Eva displays mad rage. Eva's favorite game is to play the girl in danger, the innocent in distress. She is superb in that role. If working her own cons, she will manipulate her targets into giving her gifts, access to new targets, and protection. Each target in turn is convinced that she loves him above all others, if not him alone. She very rarely kills a target without instruction from the Sinister Skull, and her growing network of devoted lovers gives her considerable access and influence in the world of theater and the arts. More than one museum curator has willingly handed over a priceless treasure to ransom Eva from the Skull's clutches; more than one hard nosed businessman has signed over shares in his company to protect her. And more than one brave hero has died, knives plunging into his eyes, in the bed of the Butterfly.
  16. Re: Flying like the Greatest American Hero? Yup, intentional comedy can be hard to do with Champions. Well, the suit is either an OIF or OIHID, depending on how often he loses it. Requires a Skill Roll is appropriate for most of his powers, including flight. He seems to get away with the STR and Invulnerability with no skill roll. Side Effects: Environmental Damage from smashing into things. Side Effects always take place, but are bought off with a naked advantage and the naked advantage is then subject to a skill roll. This lets him make his roll to activate his powers but blow the roll to avoid breaking stuff when he flies. It's awkward, but gets you the effect.
  17. Re: In Progress From Blackwyrm Games: Mythic America Yes, Susano is, but what's the book title?
  18. Re: Foods for those that just don't care anymore Sweet potatoes are much better for you than white potatoes, rice or bread, until you start throwing extra sugar into them. They're rich in fiber if you eat the skins, the carbs they provide are relatively slow digesting which helps avoid an insulin spike, and they're good sources of vitamins A & C. Americans have a warped view of food, which is probably why we do such strange things to it.
  19. Re: In Progress From Blackwyrm Games: Mythic America
  20. Re: In Progress From Blackwyrm Games: Mythic America
  21. Re: The Theory of Intersteller Trade by Paul Krugman
  22. Re: The 20 Henchmen of the Sinister Skull I like the Adventure Seeds built into Candace. Great potential romantic interest for Our Hero; little did he imagine that the Girl Reporter was feeding his every move to the Sinister Skull!
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