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Jkeown

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  1. Alien Race ideas??

    in Star Hero

    Posted

    Hey Kids! It's the Skathi!

     

    Skathi

    The Skathi are a felinoid predator race with their origins on Skorath, a warm, wet world far to spinward of the Exodite Expanse.

    They follow the Skar’thai, an ossified moral code that demands competition, conquest, honor and aggrandizement from its adherents. Skathi always shun pacifists, they simply

    hold too strongly that violence is, in fact, a solution. This has resulted in long, bloody wars of conquest with most other races in this area of the Galaxy.

    Seeing the destruction caused by this philosophy, several hundred Skathi have joined the Expanse, or struck out on their own. These Exiles, as they are known, are hunted ruthlessly by their former culture.

    Physically, Skathi are tall, often going over 9 feet. They are graceful and dangerous, but one cannot help but feel there is an undeniable beauty to them. The Skar’thai usually helps dispel this notion of beauty. They are not pleasant creatures by Exodite standards.

     

    The Skathi observe several rituals. First among them is the Hunt. The Hunt may be nearly any goal that a Skathi undertakes, so long as it is a challenge. In times past, the Hunt consisted of chasing down prey, but in the Age of Stars, it can mean stealing starships or studying supernovae.

     

    They prefer live prey, and often seriously distress those uninitiated to Skathi culture. Tearing into a still-kicking De Oonian ice weasel is a good time for a Skathi, but it’s questionable dinner entertainment for Remnants.

     

    (Players and GMs are encouraged to play out Dinner Combat

    between the food and the perspective gourmand!)

     

     

    Cost Power END
    Skathi RPD
    2 1) +2 STR 1
    15 2) +5 DEX
    8 3) Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 0 1/2d6 (plus STR) (vs. PD) (10 Active Points); Reduced Penetration (-1/4) 1
    5 4) Nightvision
    2 5) Cat's Ears: Enhanced Perception (+2 to PER Rolls for Hearing)
    4 6) +2" Running (8" total) 1
    2 7) Leaping +2" (4" forward, 2" upward) 1
    Powers Cost: 38

     

     

    Cost Skill
    Skathi CPD
    0 1) Climbing 8-
    0 2) Computer Programming 8-
    0 3) Concealment 8-
    0 4) Conversation 8-
    0 5) Deduction 8-
    0 6) AK: Homeworld (Personal Development) 11-
    0 7) AK: The Empire 8-
    0 8) Language: Y'sar (completely fluent; literate, native)
    0 9) Oratory 8-
    0 10) Paramedics 8-
    0 11) Persuasion 8-
    0 12) PS: Any one (Personal Development) 11-
    0 13) Shadowing 8-
    0 14) Stealth 8-
    0 15) TF: Grav Vehicles/Hovercraft, Personal Development
    0 16) WF: Common Melee Weapons, Personal Development, Skathi Traditional Weapons
    Skills Cost: 0

     

     

     

     

    Total Character Cost: 38

     

    Val Disadvantages
    Skathi RPD
    20 1) Psychological Limitation: Skar'thai Moral Code (Common; Total)

    Disadvantage Points: 20

     

  3. More Exodus Stuff...

    in Star Hero

    Posted

    So this is only a little derivative... but my players enjoy a little creative plagiarism... :)

     

    Knights of Thundai

    The Knights of Thundai are a quasi–monastic secret order that seeks out and extinguishes traces of evil and oppression in the Galaxy. They have a space station somewhere in the Expanse, but are not tied to the Exodite Council in any way.

    They recruit from promising armsmen, wizards and revolutionaries. Frequently, they involve themselves in corporate activities in defense of common folk on planets where the Council’s edicts are taken less seriously by Great Houses whose aim is more toward profit than simply doing what is right. Any race is eligible for membership, though humans far outweigh all other species, and are closely followed by Elowan and Goblins.

    They frequently develop psionic or magical powers, normally defensive or persuasive talent. These talents are always employed in the defense of others, and never to the benefit of the knight himself.

    A favorite technique resembles the Zoish alcoholic immunity.

    Well-known Thundai include Raker Parhoon the Pirate and Raggablat, a small, green, pointy-eared fellow.

    Ability Cost

    +5 DEX 15

    +3 CON 6

    +3 EGO 6

    +5 PRE 5

    Energy Blade Fencing (30pts of manuvers 30

    and Skills)

    Combat/Penalty Skill Levels (8pts worth) 8

    KS: Thundai Code 11- 2

    KSs (4 pts worth) 4

    PS: Mixology 11- 2

    WF: Common Melee Weapons, Force Sword 3

    Disdavantages Value

    Code of Honor (Common, Total) 20

    Total Cost of Package 61

  4. Navigator Jheen

    in Star Hero

    Posted

    Here's a Kyasta from EXODUS, my Sci-Fantasy campaign...

    Jheen

    A tall, red-haired Sadi with icy eyes and a cold demeanor.

    Val Char Cost
    10 STR 0
    13 DEX 9
    15 CON 10
    10 BODY 0
    20 INT 10
    15 EGO 10
    13 PRE 3
    16 COM 3
    2 PD 0
    3 ED 0
    2 SPD 0
    5 REC 0
    30 END 0
    23 STUN 0
    6" RUN02" SWIM02" LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 45

     

    Cost Power END
    27 Kyasta Heritage: (Total: 77 Active Cost, 27 Real Cost) Aid: FTL 5d6 (50 Active Points); Gestures (Must Touch Ship or Nav Console), Requires Gestures throughout (-3/4), Requires both hands (-1/4), Others Only (-1/2), Concentration 1/2 DCV (-1/4) (Real Cost: 18) plus +9 with Astrogation-related Skills (27 Active Points); Only to Offset Time Penalities for Hurrying Power loses almost all of its effectiveness (-2) (Real Cost: 9)
    6 Fold Scry: Detect Ships and Anomalies in FoldSpace 13-, Megascale (1" = 100 trillion km; +3 3/4) (14 Active Points); Requires An EGO Roll (Active Point penalty to Skill Roll is -1 per 5 Active Points -1 1/4)
    Powers Cost: 33

     

     

    Cost Skill
    7 Combat Piloting 14-
    8 Navigation (Space) 16-
    5 SS: Astronomy 14-
    2 TF: Science Fiction & Space Vehicles
    3 Computer Programming 13-
    5 Electronics 14-
    3 Mechanics 13-
    3 Systems Operation 13-
    0 Acting 8-
    0 Climbing 8-
    0 Concealment 8-
    0 Conversation 8-
    0 Language: Caleot (completely fluent; literate, Native Language)
    0 Paramedics 8-
    0 Persuasion 8-
    0 Shadowing 8-
    0 Stealth 8-
    0 AK: Jzorka 8-
    4 KS: Pride of Chalasa (Starship) 13-
    Skills Cost: 40

     

     

    Cost Talent
    3 Absolute Range Sense
    3 Ambidexterity (Reduce Off Hand Penalty to -2)
    3 Bump Of Direction
    15 Danger Sense 13-
    5 Eidetic Memory
    3 Lightning Calculator
    Talents Cost: 32

     

     

    Total Character Cost: 150

     

    Val Disadvantages
    0 Normal Characteristic Maxima
    10 Reputation: "More computer than woman" 14- (Known Only To A Small Group (Exodite Ship Crews)
    10 Hunted: Skathi Military, Mercenaries, Storm Crows 8- (Less Pow; Harshly Punish; Extensive Non-Combat Influence)
    10 Psychological Limitation: Hates being "Dirtside" (Uncommon; Strong)
    15 Psychological Limitation: Overconfident (Common; Strong)
    20 Psychological Limitation: Curious (Common; Total)
    5 Distinctive Features: Kyasta Tattoo across cheek (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
    5 Rivalry: Professional (Norall Zharley, Kyasta Navigatrix), Rival is As Powerful, Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate Rival, Rival Aware of Rivalry

    Disadvantage Points: 75

     

    Base Points: 75

    Experience Required: 0

    Total Experience Available: 0

    Experience Unspent: 0

     

    So, what do we think? She's a good spacer, but folks just don't understand her, and she just can't get what others are trying to get across. Normally, she can be found on board Pride of Chalasa, even when the majority of the crew is on shore leave. She does enjoy long talks with the ship's AI. Less enjoyable for her is the ships other navigator, Norall Zharley, who has been trying to ruin her since they graduated from the Dhar'Xan together four years ago.

  6. Mapping a galaxy

    in Star Hero

    Posted

    Celestia

     

    Try this one.

     

    http://www.shatters.net/celestia

     

    It uses distance/declination/right acension from Sol for coordinates, but it works great.

     

    I use Fractal Terrains to generate a planet surface, polish it in Paint Shop and use NotePad to write Celestia code to create whole solar systems. You can even run the program's clock forward and backward to find out when your system's planets will eclipse each other and to help you describe the sky to your players.

     

    This last bit is accomplished by placing the viewpoint 2 meters from a planet, syncing the orbit and looking around with the mouse. You can really describe some beautiful vistas to your players this way. (especially from Terrestrial planets circling Gas Giants... just lovely!)

     

    I've written some TableMaster code to generate whole systems from scratch that I can just plug into Celestia... really boss...

  7. Navigator Gene

    in Star Hero

    Posted

    I've got the following drive I'm using for Starships in Star Hero/Fantasy Hero setting Exodus:

    Fold Drive: Faster-Than-Light Travel (512 LY/year) (28 Active Points); Increased Endurance Cost 10x END (-4), Costs Endurance Costs END Every Phase (-1/2) 5 Real Points

     

    It runs off the ship's power plant (END Reserve). The drive is normally controlled from a systems console on the bridge (or engineering) via a Systems Operation roll by a crewman or AI. Calculations can take up to ten minutes.

     

    Now... let's say this drive is subject to a new set of genes that has been showing up in the current generation. Some women (76 so far) and a very small number of men (5 to date) have been born that can control and enhance this technology. They are known as the Kyastu.

     

    Obviously, "enhance" would be an AID to FTL. But would "control" simply be some kind of FTL (usable by others)? And how to simulate the calculation time reduction?

     

    In the d20 version of Exodus, it was no problem, but HERO requires a bit of balance... so any thoughts would be welcome...

  9. Fantasy Hero Character Thread

    in Fantasy Hero

    Posted

    My S.O. ala FH

     

    Red Claw

     

    Player:

     

    Val Char Cost
    15 STR 3
    15 DEX 12
    16 CON 12
    11 BODY 2
    13 INT 3
    11 EGO 2
    29 PRE 4
    12 COM 1
    5/7 PD 2
    3/5 ED 0
    2 SPD 0
    6 REC 0
    36 END 2
    41 STUN 14
    7" RUN02" SWIM04 1/2" LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 57

     

    Cost Power END
    2 +2 STR 1
    3 +1 DEX
    2 +1" Running (7" total) 1
    1 Leaping +1" (4 1/2" forward, 2" upward) 1
    5 Nightvision
    2 Howler Senses: Enhanced Perception (+1 to PER Rolls for Smell/Taste Group)
    10 Fangs: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 0 1/2d6 (plus STR) (vs. PD) 1
    8 Claws: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 0 1/2d6 (plus STR) (vs. PD) (10 Active Points); Reduced Penetration (-1/4) 1
    10 Claming Influence: Mind Control 6d6 (30 Active Points); Eye Contact Required (-1/2), Limited Class Of Minds Aminals only (-1/2), Set Effect: Pacification (-1/2), IAF (Focus: Bloodstone Amulet; -1/2) 3
    10 Penetrating Call : +15 PRE (15 Active Points); Only for PRE Attacks when Howlin' (-1/2)
    Powers Cost: 53

     

     

    Cost Skill
    3 Riding 12-
    3 Climbing 12-
    4 KS: Monsters 13-
    5 Faith 12-
    8 Animal Handler (Birds, Canines, Equines, Felines, Insects & Anthropods, Other: Rodents, Raptors) 15-
    4 AK: Sacred Alley or Building 13-
    2 KS: Doctrine 11-
    4 KS: Flora and Fauna 13-
    2 KS: Herbalism 11-
    3 Oratory 15-
    3 Persuasion 15-
    2 PS: Druid 11-
    2 Survival (Urban) 12-
    2 WF: Common Melee Weapons
    3 Climbing 12-
    3 Conversation 15-
    3 Deduction 12-
    3 Healing 12-
    2 Language: Boredaan (fluent conversation)
    0 Language: Howler (idiomatic; Native)
    3 Tracking 12-
    3 Trading 15-
    3 AK: Jer Esh 12-
    2 KS: Beasts 11-
    3 Stealth 12-
    2 Survival (Choose One) 12-
    3 Tracking 12-
    4 WF: Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile Weapons
    Skills Cost: 92

     

     

     

    Cost Equipment END
    20 Axe, Francisca: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1 1/2d6 (plus STR) (vs. PD) (One Precursor Gem Slot), Reduced Endurance 0 END (+1/2), Ranged (+1/2) (54 Active Points); OAF (-1), STR Minimum 12 (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) [Notes: Can Be Thrown]
    2 Bangle: Armor (2 PD/2 ED) (1 Precursor Gem Slot) (8 Active Points); Independent (-2), OIF (Bangle; -1/2), Real Armor (-1/4)
    4 In Hoc Spe Vivo: Healing 3d6 (max. Healed Points: 18) (30 Active Points); 8 Charges which Never Recover (-2 1/2), Independent (-2), OAF (-1), Must be Attached to Another Focus (-1/2)
    3 Trinity: Adds to one attack of Attached Focus, Affects Desolidified Spirit Undead (+1/2) (12 Active Points); Independent (-2), OAF (Gem; -1), Must be Attached to Another Focus (-1/2) 1
    Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

     

    Total Character Cost: 202

     

    Val Disadvantages
    0 Normal Characteristic Maxima
    10 Bitch Powers Activate!: Any Given Moment (Uncommon), go 11-, recover 14-
    5 Distinctive Features: Red-furred Howler (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
    15 Hunted: Bounty Hunter Gagarian Vess 11- (As Pow; Harshly Punish)
    15 Psychological Limitation: Lover's Distraction (Common; Strong)
    10 Psychological Limitation: Distrustful of Reptile Races (Uncommon; Strong)
    10 Reputation: A Rather Peculiar Person, Indeed 11-
    10 Social Limitation: Barbarian (Frequently; Major; Not Limiting In Some Cultures)

    Disadvantage Points: 75

     

    Base Points: 75

    Experience Required: 52

    Total Experience Available: 77

    Experience Unspent: 25

  10. MONSTERS, MINIONS, AND MARAUDERS -- What Would *You* Like To See?

    in Fantasy Hero

    Posted

    What would I like?

     

    Several years ago I read in Adventurer's Club about how to incorporate NPCs into an FH game. I was fairly amused by it. My games are always NPC-oriented, As such Monsters are less of a concern for me than Races I can make into NPCs. Intelligent creatures, humanoids, talking slime, whatever...

     

    That said, there is the whole concept of the Unique monster, Talos, the (original) Terrasque, Scylla, Grendel or any of hundreds of other one-shot critters. A short description of critter's habitat would be nice as well...

     

    The Arkoshoon lives in a sun-blasted desert, the gaudian of the secrest long held beneath the burning sands...

     

    Note how it says a sun-blasted desert not The Bargoyan Expanse which is setting specific....

     

    Sounds like fun to me...

  11. [Darn Long Post] Ancient Vigilant Gaurdian Gadeshoon

    in Fantasy Hero

    Posted

    What do we think of this guy? He's the subject of a quest in my new FH game, Boregedaur: The Long Night. He's an Ancient Vigilant Gaurdian, left by the Precursors to protect those in need. He's summoned by a little red gem the PCs need. In fact, he wears 2 of these Precursor Gems on his Bardiche. (Gem slots cost 2 pts each when you are making a Precursor-style weapon.) I have 42 of these things written up, if there's enough interest...

     

    Ancient Vigilant Gaurdian Gadeshoon

     

    Player: NPC

     

    Val Char Cost
    25 STR 15
    18 DEX 24
    10 CON 0
    18 BODY 16
    8 INT -2
    0 EGO 0
    20 PRE 10
    10 COM 0
    2 PD 0
    4 ED 0
    2 SPD 0
    7 REC 0
    0 END -10
    12" RUN02" SWIM07" LEAP2Characteristics Cost: 55

     

    Cost Power END
    27 Heat Beam of the Ancients: Killing Attack - Ranged 2 1/2d6 (vs. ED) (40 Active Points); Beam (-1/4), No Knockback (-1/4) 4
    25 Mighty Pummeling Fist of the Precursors: Energy Blast 6d6 (vs. PD), Autofire (3 shots; +1/4) (37 Active Points); No Range (-1/2) 4
    17 Targeting Scan: +5 with Ranged Combat (25 Active Points); Extra Time Full Phase (-1/2)
    45 Golem Body: Automaton (Takes No STUN (loses abilities when takes BODY))
    15 Golem Body: Does Not Bleed
    10 Golem Body: No Hit Locations
    18 Golem Body: Damage Resistance (6 PD/6 ED)
    7 Untiring Body: Reduced END for STR 15, Reduced Endurance 0 END (+1/2) (7 Active Points)
    6 Tireless: Naked Modifier, Reduced Endurance for Running 0 END (+1/2) (6 Active Points)
    1 Tireless: Naked Modifier, Reduced Endurance for Leaping 0 END (+1/2) (1 Active Points)
    1 Tireless: Naked Modifier, Reduced Endurance for Swimming 0 END (+1/2) (1 Active Points)
    9 Tougher: +3 ED
    50 Perpetual Life: 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 Intense Heat, Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum, Self-Contained Breathing, Sleeping: Character does not sleep
    9 Ancient Workmanship: Lack Of Weakness (-3) for Resistant Defenses
    7 Detect Life: Infrared Perception (Increased Arc of Perception: 240-Degree)
    12 Arcane Senses: Enhanced Perception (+4 to PER Rolls for All Sense Groups)
    18 Heavy: Knockback Resistance -3"
    12 Long Legs: +6" Running (12" total) 1
    5 Reach: Stretching 1" 1
    3 Trinity: Adds to one attack of Attached Focus, Affects Desolidified Spirit Undead (+1/2) (12 Active Points); Independent (-2), OAF (Gem; -1), Must be Attached to Another Focus (-1/2) 1
    12 If Thy Soul Check Thee...: Entangle 5d6, 5 DEF, Works Against EGO, Not STR (+1/4) (62 Active Points); Independent (-2), OAF (Gem; -1), Must be Attached to a Weapon or Gauntlet (-1/2), Vs Evil Opponents Only (-1/2), Cannot Form Barriers (-1/4) 6
    16 Bardiche of Ages Past: (Total: 77 Active Cost, 16 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 2 1/2d6 (plus STR) (vs. PD) (2 Precursor Gem Slots), +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (55 Active Points); Independent (-2), OAF (-1), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 11) plus Stretching 3", Reduced Endurance 0 END (+1/2) (22 Active Points); Independent (-2), OAF (-1), Only To Cause Damage (-1/2) (Real Cost: 5) 5
    Powers Cost: 325

     

     

    Cost Skill
    7 Climbing 15-
    20 +4 with HTH Combat
    6 KS: Other Heores, Other Times 15-
    3 WF: Common Melee Weapons, Off Hand
    Skills Cost: 36

     

     

     

     

    Total Character Cost: 416

     

    Val Disadvantages
    15 Physical Limitation: Machine Intelligence (Frequently; Greatly Impairing)
    15 Psychological Limitation: "Ever He Must Come When Called" Uncommon, Total

    Disadvantage Points: 30

     

    Base Points: 200

    Experience Required: 186

    Total Experience Available: 186

    Experience Unspent: 0

     

    Trinity and If Thy Soul Check Thee... are Precursor Gems, as I mentioned above. Trinity is a Naked Modifier for fighting ghosts and spirits, and If Thy Soul Check Thee... causes a person to stop and think about their actions past. It's like an entangle, right?

     

    Thoughts? :D

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