Lord Liaden

Re: Star Fleet Battles Hmm... I think it would be possible to use the Mass Combat rules from Fantasy HERO for fleet battles, if you placed the smaller ships into units that functioned collectively, and ran the capital ships like solo characters. That would allow you to handle large-scale engagements between multiple ships fairly simply.

Re: Difficulty reaching Super-Hero status This is something that novices to HERO sometimes misperceive: rolling a Hunted doesn't necessarily mean that the Hunter has to show up where the character currently is; or if the Hunter does show up, he doesn't necessarily have to fight or even directly interact with the character. There are a range of possibilities for using the Hunted Disad beyond simple confrontations.

Re: Elder Worm Reference Collection For the sake of completeness of our Elder Worm reference list, I'll just add that there are three additional Worm artifacts described and statted in Digital Hero #5, part of the "Leftover Hero" article which lists outtakes from Conquerors, Killers And Crooks. These are the Dagger Of The Worm (a formidable HTH weapon); the Torc Of S’thlaghha (a mental powers amplifier); and The Yiinashc Chain (a powerful Entangling device).

Re: Elder Worm Reference Collection Is anyone actually using any Elder Worm material in their games, for any genre or era? I recently retooled Wrath of the Seven Horsemen for my current Champions campaign, with substitutions. The Slug stood in for the Prime, but at his level of power from Galactic Champions. He has lesser Elder Worm minions based on the Slug writeup from Conquerors, Killers and Crooks. I also replaced the Black Death from Horsemen with Maraud from GC, because in my continuity the Xenovores were originally created by the Elder Worms. My PCs have much wormy nastiness ahead of them.

Re: How can I do THIS? To the credit of the Transform approach, Transform is an approved Power mechanic for adding abilities to a character.

Re: PRIMUS or UNTIL Comments by Steve and Darren here on the boards have made it pretty clear that Shelley has the gig, and that they're simply waiting for her to find the time to finish the manuscript. (Her Regency HERO project seems to be ahead of it in her queue.) However, Shelley has provided a couple of updates/expansions to PRIMUS for Digital HERO, specifically issues #2 and #6. Here's a free sample from the latter: http://www.herogames.com/digitalHero/Samples/dh06primus.htm

Re: Conversion - Wraith, the Oblivion Are we talking about the Shadow being run by another player in the game, or by the GM? If it's the latter case, the Shadow just becomes a GM-played NPC. I don't know a lot about Wraith, but Robert Harrison's conversion appears to build the Shadow as another character which is insubstantial (represented by buying back some of its Characteristics) which shares the Wraith's body. A Wraith has the Disadvantage: Hunted (Watched) by his Shadow: http://surbrook.devermore.net/whitewolf/WODwraith.html In 5E I'd build the Shadow using the Artificial Intelligence rules.

Re: Star Fleet Battles May I assume that what you've been looking into is the Prime Directive RPG, set in the universe of the Star Fleet Battles combat game? IIRC there are two versions of PD, the original and one for GURPS Third Edition. I believe that Steve Jackson Games will be coming out with a new version for GURPS Fourth Edition. One thing you might consider is looking up the very considerable fan conversions to HERO Fifth already on the Internet. To start with, here are character conversion notes and profession/race packages for the First Edition of Prime Directive, plus examples and guidelines for gaming in the Star Fleet Universe: http://www.seenar.com/games/primedirective/prime.html You would probably also benefit from these full campaign sourcebooks for the original Star Trek series, and Next Generation/ DS9: http://www.starherofandom.com/h_trekhero/index.php Between them you should be pretty well covered.

Re: Wedding Bells for Dr. Anomaly Nice going, Doctor! When I first read the title of the thread, I feared that this had something to do with your recent depression.

Re: PRIMUS or UNTIL Being from north of your border, I tend to use UNTIL more often, at least in campaigns set up here. PRIMUS is actually a very well-written book, giving you a lot for your money. The Fourth Edition system writeups would require little work to bring up to Fifth Edition, and the optional Brownie Point system is IMO a good addition. The book is several years out of date in terms of contemporary details, and has a slight "Iron Age" tone that you might want to adjust for your campaign (a symptom of the late '90's when it was written). I would still recommend it, particularly at that price. Let me add that for games set in the United States, I've used both PRIMUS and UNTIL. While the two groups do overlap, IMO the former works better as a strike force and rapid-response unit, whereas the latter is stronger at policing and investigation, so there is a place for both in the same campaign world.

Re: Working on New Constantinople I've given some thought to the greater metropolitan region of NewConn, and would like to offer a few more suggestions: Copper Bluff. This small city, north of Rhodes and east of Argo, was the recipient of much of the manufacturing which left Riverside to take advantage of abundant electricity from nearby Ashby Dam. Having grown considerably over the last twenty years, Copper Bluff is the center of metal smelting and refining in the region, including "The Big Penny," largest copper smelter in the state. The eight-hundred-foot smoke stack of the Big Penny is the city's outstanding landmark. Blue Dales. This region of valleys, villages and family farms east of Athens contains the best agricultural land in the vicinity of New Constantinople. The area is particularly suited to grape growing, and Blue Dales wines are becoming known across the United States and internationally. One vineyard produces a particularly famous ice wine, "Hellenic Blue." Shackelford. The large town of Shackelford northeast of East Glennport was built on the lumber industry in the early twentieth century. As the old-growth timber in the immediate vicinity of the town was harvested, Shackelford expanded into milling and pulp-and-paper manufacturing, which remains the lifeblood of the community. Much of that industry, and the surrounding timberland, is owned by Mendelson Forestry, a major wood-products corporation. One particularly ancient stand of pine and Douglas fir, on the slopes of Mount Cale, has been designated as a state park. This probably would not have happened if not for the inexplicable failure of every past attempt to harvest the trees. Machinery would constantly break down, freak accidents kept occurring with alarming frequency, and lumberjacks would sometimes simply disappear without a trace. Colby, South Colby and Colby Point. These towns are typical suburban bedroom communities east of NewConn, extending from the border with Bowers Gardens south to the Pacific shoreline abutting Marble Beach. Predominantly middle and upper-middle class, NewConners sometimes disparagingly refer to them as "the three-headed baby." The main difference between the three towns is median income: the houses become larger and fancier as you progress south from Colby down to Colby Point.

Re: Working on New Constantinople You know, I just took my first close look at this reference. Hermit, I see why you did this based on the original map of Constantinople; but of course, that likely wasn't a dam. Placing a major hydroelectric dam in the heart of a large modern city doesn't make much sense from an urban planning perspective, particularly since you'd expect the river to flow south into the harbor, so the bulk of it passing through the city would be uncontrolled. The dam and reservoir would fit better much farther upriver, probably beyond the city limits. For what you have drawn on the map, I'd suggest some sort of scenic showcase roadway and bridge, similar to the Champs Elysee in Paris: wide, tree lined, with gardens and stately buildings along its length, part of it bordering on Delphi Plaza. You could use the name "Emperor's Way" that I suggested earlier on the thread.

Re: Unlucky in Love? Now that is a fresh use of a Hunted! Repped.

Re: Working on New Constantinople A very interesting and logical rundown, Hermit. The reasons for various master villains being interested in New Con make good sense in character. (BTW, any particular reason why you always spell "New Conn" with two "n's"? If that's a ground rule of your setting I'll abide by it in future. SPOILERS.... GMs Only please If there was ever an occasion to trot out a certain undead Professor, this would be it.

Re: Elder Worm Reference Collection In a past campaign, I wove together various Champions references to create The Elder Worm, spawner of the Slug's race and a number of other Lovecraftian horrors from published books. In its final form Azog, the Elder Worm was one of the Kings of Edom, de facto overlord of Earth among other worlds in the distant past. Azog became a major behind-the-scenes influence on that campaign, mostly through manipulating various pawns in an attempt to free itself from its prison dimension. Azog was the "father" of the Crimson Claw from The Great Super Villain Contest; patron of Azor of the Blood (The Blood and Dr. McQuark); creator of the Worm Scepter used by Fear of the Horsemen, and served by the Prime and the other Old Ones (Wrath of the Seven Horsemen); and the subject of the attempted summoning by the Demons from Demons Rule. The name "Azog" came from the GSVC, while the Elder Worm's appearance was based on the Worm Scepter: a gigantic green worm with huge bat wings and a fanged mouth. Opening its mouth would reveal an enormous gemstone within its maw, the Emerald Eye of Azog (the ones used in the GSVC were mere chips off the original); a great glowing eye appeared to float in the center of the emerald.

Re: A Question of Utmost Importance "How do you pronounce Mjolnir?" "Any way Thor tells you to!"

Re: Unlucky in Love? It's actually bright and early in Europe.

Re: Unlucky in Love?

Space Marines: The Resurrection As you may have noticed, the HTML capacity being turned off for these forums has royally messed Chiba Bob's fine writeups for Space Marine implants, and for the Vortex Grenade. I was able to reconstitute them, and have pasted them to this post (not as pretty as the original, but fully legible), as well as attached a Document file, which preserves the original formatting. Chiba Bob, I hope you won't object to this, but if so please let me know. ------------------------------------------ Cost** Power END ** Space Marine Implants [Notes: Do to genetic mutations, not all Implants are available for implation by most Marine Chapters except for Black Carapace which is required for a Space Marine Chapter to remain operational.]* 6** 1) Secondary Heart: +3 CON* 3** 2) Biscopea: +5 STR (5 Active Points); Linked (Haemastamen; -1/2)* 1 4** 3) Ossmodula: +3 BODY (6 Active Points); Linked (Haemastamen; -1/2)* 9** 4) Haemastamen: (Total: 9 Active Cost, 9 Real Cost) +3 REC (Real Cost: 6) plus Life Support (Extended Breathing: 1 END per 5 Minutes) (Real Cost: 3)* 0 11** 5) Laraaman's Organ: Healing 1 BODY, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2), Continuous (+1) (30 Active Points); Extra Time (Regeneration-Only) 1 Turn (Post-Segment 12) (-1 1/4), Self Only (-1/2)* 0 3** 6) Catalepsean Node: Lightsleep* 5** 7) Preomnor: Life Support (Immunity All terrestrial poisons and chemical warfare agents) (10 Active Points); Only Against Ingested Poisons (-1)* 0 11** 8) Omophagea: Minor Transform 2d6 (Absorb Genetic Memories), Improved Target Group (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (35 Active Points); No Conscious Control (Only Effects cannot be controlled; -1), No Range (-1/2), Self Only (-1/2), Must Consume Part Of The Creature To Absorb Memories (-1/4)* 0 10** 9) Multi-Lung: Life Support (Expanded Breathing In Thin Atmosphere; Expanded Breathing In Toxic Atmospheres)* 0 9** 10) Occulobe: (Total: 9 Active Cost, 9 Real Cost) Nightvision (Real Cost: 5) plus +2 PER with Sight Group (Real Cost: 4)* 0 8** 11) Lyman's Ear: (Total: 11 Active Cost, 8 Real Cost) Hearing Group Flash Defense (3 points) (Real Cost: 3) plus +2 versus Range Modifier for Hearing Group (Real Cost: 3) plus Power Defense (5 points) (5 Active Points); Only Against Dizziness Or Nausea Caused By Extreme Disorientation (-2) (Real Cost: 2)* 0 12** 12) Sus-an Membrane: Healing BODY 6d6, Can Heal Limbs, Resurrection, Corpse Requires Chem Therapy & Auto-Suggestion To Activate Power (+0) (85 Active Points); 1 Charge which Recovers every 1 Month (-3), Gradual Effect (1 Month; -2 1/4), Self Only (-1/2), Resurrection Only (-1/2)* [1] 2** 13) Melanochrome: Life Support (Safe in High Radiation)* 0 13** 14) Oolitic Kidney: Aid 1d6, Persistent (+1/2), Uncontrolled (+1/2), [four powers] simultaneously (+1), Continuous (+1) (40 Active Points); Limited Special Effect Uncommon SFX (Only Works Against The Effects Of Drugs, Poisons, And Other Toxins; -1), Only Restores to Starting Values (-1/2), Self Only (-1/2)* 0 20** 15) Neuroglottis: (Total: 20 Active Cost, 20 Real Cost) Discriminatory with Smell/Taste Group (Real Cost: 10) plus Tracking with Smell/Taste Group (Real Cost: 10)* 0 2** 16) Mucranoid: Life Support (Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum); Requires A CON Roll (No Active Point penalty to Skill Roll; For Every Hour Of Exposure; -1/4)* 0 16** 17) Betcher's Gland: Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6, Uncontrolled (+1/2), Continuous (+1) (37 Active Points); 1 Recoverable Continuing Charge lasting 1 Turn (-3/4), No Range (-1/2)* [1 rc] 0** 18) Progenies* 0 4** 19) Black Carapace: Mind Link , Machine class of minds, Specific Group of Minds (10 Active Points); No Range (-1/2), Limited Class Of Minds [Power Armor Systems] (-1/2), Does Not Provide Mental Awareness (-1/4)* 0 Powers Cost: 148 Cost** Equipment END ** Vortex Grenade: (Total: 972 Active Cost, 227 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Ranged 3d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2), Uncontrolled (+1/2), Continuous (+1), Does BODY (+1), Attack Versus Limited Defense (Force Fields, Force walls & Stasis Effects; +1 1/2) (270 Active Points); 1 Charge (-2), OAF (-1), STR Minimum 12 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), Range Based On Strength (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 49) plus Area Of Effect (Initially 5" Radius But May Expand; +1) for up to 45 Active Points of Vortex, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (67 Active Points); No Conscious Control (Only Effects cannot be controlled; -1), OAF (-1) (Real Cost: 22) plus Mobile (+1) for up to 45 Active Points of Vortex, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (67 Active Points); No Conscious Control (Only Effects cannot be controlled; Moves Randomly; -1), OAF (-1) (Real Cost: 22) plus Duplication (creates 404-point form), Cannot Recombine (+0), Altered Duplicates (100%; +1) (568 Active Points); No Conscious Control (-2), OAF (-1), Linked (Vortex; -1/4) (Real Cost: 134)* [1] ** *

Re: A Question of Utmost Importance Considering that Mjolnir was supposed to be so heavy that only Thor was strong enough to lift it, I'd love to watch Foxbat just try to claim it.

Re: How can I do THIS?

Re: Stargate Hero Races There are also jaffa, tok'ra and SGC team member packages on the Old Forum archives: http://www.herogames.com/oldForum/StarHero/000143.html

Re: How can I do THIS? Pretty much. Most questions and requests regarding permutations to the HERO System end up on this forum, unless they're for something closely tied to the conventions of a specific genre. As you can see, they're usually replied to pretty quickly.

Re: Armor, damage conversion and stun Just as a note re the original question of the thread: Schwarzwald, you've probably already come across the concept of Power Modifiers, which change the way that Powers are constructed and costed in the game. One of these is Power Limitations, which restrict the utility of Powers in predefined ways, lowering the Character Point cost for buying them (since in HERO you pay for what you get, and vice versa). Well, this system includes a delightful little concept called "Custom Limitations." If you can't find what you want to define a particular Power construct under the standard list of Limitations, you define a Custom Lim, assign an appropriate value to it, and apply it to your construct. For example, if you wanted a character to have Armor that only stopped the Body (bleeding and killing) damage of an attack, but not the Stun (pain-and-unconsciousness) damage, you could Limit it to stop Stun- or Body-Damage Only (probably -1, since that's roughly half of the effectiveness of an attack). So, Armor Limited to Body Only would prevent a bullet, blade etc. from penetrating, but still allow all the painfulness of the impact to be felt by the wearer.

Re: 5e vs. 5er I think I really should clarify my position. Yes, you can get 90% of what's been added in 5ER by buying 5E plus free downloads; but it's not nearly as well organized as in 5ER. If you have a choice between 5E and 5ER, unless the former is available at a significant discount (e.g. a used copy), you're better off getting 5ER IMO.