red_eagle123

Re: What to do with a winged ex-heroine?

Has anything said so far by anyone sparked ideas red_eagle123? If not' date=' what's the tone of the campaign? What are the players like? What sort of stories and events do they respond well to (not necessarily enjoy)?[/quote']

 

There've been a couple ideas sparked by the posts. Actually I've liked nearly all the ideas tossed out there.

 

As for your questions, the tone of the campaign is generally four-color super-hero, with a touch of realism occasionally thrown in for spice. I try for retro silver age as much as I can, usually winding up with an Astro City feel.

 

As for the players, I have 8 players. Of those 8 players, I have 3 that are pretty heavily into the role-playing of their character, 3 more that are starting to pick up on that, 1 that is only there to roll dice and bash heads in, and the final one has experience and provides comic relief (albiet unintentionally). 3 of the players have experience with the rules prior to starting, two are well versed enough as gamers to wing it with little trouble, and the rest this is their first Role-Playing game.

 

As for what stories they respond well too, most of them really liked the whole Taurus revealed as Zodiac story, as well as the accompanying story:

The demon that Minotaur & Ladyhawke helped stop prior to shutting down the portal had been given amnesia and accidently joined the team as their lawyer, only to discover he had super-powers. At the height of the story, Taurus revealed the demon's true nature to the character and the other teammates. The player of Minotaur was also the player of the Demon and this was a story we'd worked out over 7 months of gametime.

 

Currently they're trying to adjust to being in a new town complete with superbase and supervehicles. I'm working on having multiple plots going (Something I never did before now) so that the world feels more alive around them. They seem to be responding well to that, as well as meeting some of the established characters in the CKC and other books.

 

 

That said' date=' the concept and nature of Hell in the campaign will make a huge difference. If, as is often the case in fiction, it's just another Earth-like world ruled by demons, where you can solve your problems by hitting things and food, water, rest, shelter, etc are non-issues, then you can have a fairly hopeful story. Writers have been doing that since before there was a formalized Christian concept of Hell, and it works. On the other hand, if your campaign is going to have dark themes anywhere at all, this is the place.[/quote']

 

I'm using the description of Niffleheim given in 'The Mystic World' book. Since one of my players is a demon, there is a connection to the more traditional setting of 'Hell', but it's understood by all the players that that's only one facet of the realm. They've taken one trip to hell already, but haven't been had a chance to collect their thoughts regarding going back to look for Ladyhawke. Plus it's unclear to them how time interacts with the other dimensions, so they're thinking they have to go back in time first.

 

Ideally my goal for Ladyhawke is to come up with a conclusive ending to the character, preferably something that the player can look at and be proud of. Despite the fact the player doesn't control the character anymore, I don't want to do something to the character they disagree with. The conversion of Minotaur into a villain was okay'd by the player, Ladyhawke's player wouldn't want that. She wants some heroic end...

Re: Answers & Questions

A: The rent is very affordable.

Q: So I hear you lived with Zornwil for a few months, and that he made you wear a Capt. America outfit. Why would you agree to that?

A: I'm above reproach, in my mind at least.

Re: Answers & Questions

A: Okay' date=' okay, no more Mightybec jabs. [/quote']

 

Q: Hey Kirby, I hear the Becster's looking to dress you up like a sheep and 'show you respect like only he can'. You ever think about laying off the jabs?

 

A: Some would say that's an upgrade.... dunno who, but some.

Re: Answers & Questions

Q: Why did you call that hick the richest man in town?

 

A: The crowd cried for more.

 

Doc

Q: Okay, you tossing your shirt to the crowd I understand. But why oh why did you toss your pants and underwear out too?

A: Make it stop!

Re: A Thread for Random Musings

I hate days like this. I'm bored at work, despite having a schedule of 17 projects to work on in the coming months.

I can't get any work done because I'm waiting for a developer to finish modifying the code so I can start a new test pass. I can't work on any of the other projects because they're not in any state to start testing. And yet I have to continiously tell my manager that I am, in fact, swamped with work. So instead I hide in my cube and hope nobody sees me surfing the Hero Boards.

Re: Character Ideas

What? Huh? Did someone say my Activation Word (That's Teen and/or Titans btw).

Starfire from the cartoon and Starfire from the comics are fairly similar. They both fly and shoot starbolts from their hands. The major difference is that the comics Starfire (originally, it's sometimes ignored/downplayed) was trained to be a super butt-kicking warrior woman, on par with the Amazons. In Champions terms she'd have flight, and probably a small multipower for her energy bolts, and some damage absorption/damage reduction vs. energy based powers.

you stated you wanted to look at the Original Teen Titans powers. I'm not sure if you meant the powers of the individuals that comprise the Original Teen Titans (aka Fab Five), or the original comic version of Starfire or something else.

The Fab Five were simply lesser versions of their adult counterparts.

Robin - lesser version of Batman, don't think a description is needed

Kid Flash - Lesser version of the Flash, can run really fast and do various speed based tricks

Speedy - Lesser version of Green Arrow, used a bow to fire trick arrows at enemies

Wonder Girl - Lesser version of Wonder Woman, strong warrior woman, basically a brick

Aqualad - lesser version of Aquaman, can swim, and command fish (was also kinda brick-like too)

Based on your description of the team, some possible places for a new character to shine are:

Area of Effect specialists - Always nice ot have someone who can affect large areas, although your overall damage is likely to be less than other directed attacks

Transportation - You have a flyer, but can he/she carry others?

Skill monger - Batman or Captain America for example, although hard to do for modern campaigns without being good with computers

A sympathetic Elemental - If your existing elemental is Earth, how about a wind controller, or fire controller?

A limited mentalist - Someone with Telekinesis based powers? Or limited one-person at a time mind control?

Re: What to do with a winged ex-heroine?

Well the players didn't know she'd been abandoned in Hell. They thought she'd died (Short Version is her and Minotaur made a heroic sacrifice to close a portal allowing demons to infest the world. They pushed the key/anchor holding the portal open through the portal, causing it to explode violently).

When they met Taurus, they realized that Ladyhawke may still be alive. As of yet I've kept them too busy to go looking for Ladyhawke.

Re: What to do with a winged ex-heroine?

A thought that occured to me after my original post:

Ladyhawke manages to claim some small modicum of power within the various levels of the Netherworld (Using the Mystic World definition for 'Hell' here), and gathers together the dead spirits of other famous winged persons (Icarus, other winged heroes, etc etc). Together they're fighting off the forces of hell. However, the Angels from above disapprove of their image being mocked by mortals, and thus are also fighting Ladyhawke's forces.

The current players are brought into hell to help the resistance in some way.

Re: Musings on Random Musings

Chef Rick Bayless is facing off against "Iron Chef" Bobby Flay on the premiere episode of Iron Chef America.

 

Chef Rebecca Babbitt, my primary instructor in the arts culinary, apprenticed with Bayless, so you might say I'm part of the Bayless legacy.

 

I seriously hope he kicks Flay's ass, and not just because Flay's an utter tool.

you know, I managed to catch most of this show (This is the second time I've caught the show, and the second time I've missed the first 15 minutes, hmmm....)

I would have liked to see Bayless win, but to be honest looking at the food presented, I'm not sure I could have given very high marks. However, that's because I'm really picky about my food (I HATE cilantro and dislike guacamole for instance), and it seemed like Bayless hit just about every food dislike I have in his dishes.

But I can see what you mean re: Flay's toolishness. That man is so full of himself, it's best nobody poke him or he might explode. Just listening to his smug presentation to the judges made me want to slap him.

After reading the Angel Sucks thread, I felt compelled to ask this question.

A while back in my FtF game, two of my players came up with brand spanking new characters. Their old characters were thrown through a portal to hell (ostensibly to shut it). The two old characters were Minotaur (a human man-bull brick) and Ladyhawke (A female version of Angel, essentially).

Well about 7 months later I bring back Minotaur in an NPC fashion, with his now calling himself Taurus and leading the Zodiac. He claimed after his little jaunt through hell that he wound up in ancient greek times and has been living ever since.

Now the players are curious what happened to Ladyhawke, especially the former player (Who happens to be my fiancee... whoops). I would like to bring her back for a cameo, if only to bring some closure to the character. I had originally thought that she'd become a guardian angel, but in thinking about it I have a hard time writing that type of character in as a one/two-shot guest appearance.

So my question for the boards: Knowing what little you do about Ladyhawke and her circumstances, how would you bring some closure to the character? Ideally I'd like it to bounce off the trip Minotaur wound up taking somehow, but not have her join him in forming Zodiac. I know there are some creative people out there, so... ideas?

Re: Answers & Questions

A. If I have to see one more bomber I won't recommend you for a promotion.

Q: General Sir, have you had a chance to review our current battle strategies for defending the city from the Zornwil/Death Tribble grudge match scheduled next week?

A: Aviator to Cockpit. Flying Meteor's to the left of us. Black Death to the Right of us. Stuck in the middle with you. Message Ends.

Re: A Thread for Random Musings

A truly sobering time. Someone I know who works in a hospital had an accident where a needle scrapped skin. The patient was confirmed infected with Hep-C and is an Unknown about HIV status. Now the patient is screaming bloody murder about the hospital trying to take blood tests, refusing to sign the forms necessary.

This will sound bad, but right now I'm hoping the poor black drops dead. It won't help the hospital employee, but would rid the world of at least one scum.

Re: Answers & Questions

A: They were luminescent

Q: So what'd you think of those phosphorescent beings of Alpha Centaurai IX?

A: He Bit me!

Re: Champs Worldwide: Whaddya want?

Well since this is a Champions world book, I'd like to see more of a discussion about how various regions of the world view supers, and thus a discussion on what sort of supers are likely to appear.

F'r Instance an Israeli Super is likely to be a lot more pragmatic about combat than, say, a British Super, simply due to the environment.

Some discussion about international relations would be nice too. Do the Muslim supers make any effort to get along with Western/Europeon supers? What if a South American Super winds up fighting a villain in Asia?

These are the things I'd like to see discussed. Also at the top of my list, some notable hero teams (and preferably names of members, if not actual stats) for the major regions. Canada and UK are out, but what about Middle East, Africa, Asia, Russia, Europe, South America and/or Australia?

Start stating out some of the already mentioned heroes first, as was mentioned by other posters. I definately agree with this statement. However, do NOT use that condensed form. I hated that. I still hate that. Lemme see writeups, backgrounds, personalities. I like to see pictures of supers. If only so I can better describe the character to my players when the time comes.

What sort of criminal elements are present in each region? Yakuza, Tongs, Russian Mobs, etc etc. At least an ephemeral discussion of these elements would be nice.

How big of a book is this supposed to be anyhow?

Re: Answers & Questions

A: No' date=' that was an explosion.[/quote']

 

Q: Was that a Boom I just heard?

 

A: Well stop dwadling and drop your pants already.

Re: Answers & Questions

A. I can't see them.

Q: Okay Wisenheimer, what makes you think that the slavering bloodthirsty monsters out for our brains that we just fought 5 minutes ago don't exist?

A: That was simple. Too simple.

Re: Answers & Questions

Q: What did Santa say after visiting the ten-millionth house on Christmas eve?

 

A: Being first is nothing I'd brag about.

Q: Wow! did you see that, I finished first in the national competitive sex challenge, what do you think of that?

A: Shut up, Sit down, Strap In and Hang On, we're in for a bumpy ride.

Re: Answers & Questions

A: The fury of a thousand ferrets on speed!

Q: What's worse than a thousand grade schoolers on meth?

A: I enjoyed the Sound, but I think the Fury was phoned in.

Re: Answers & Questions

A: Smiling frogs

Q: What's worse than a plague of frogs from the sky?

A: That sounds good. Pack it up and ship it with the Mightybec lubetube.

Re: Champions miniatures

Thanks keyes_bill, I was happy to hear the future missus was getting a digital camera, I wanted to post some of my miniatures after seeing this thread. Let me echo Magma's comment, you really gussied up that Capt. America figure. Very stellar work there.

And Blue, that figure for Orland makes me think of Han Solo for some reason.

Re: Musings on Random Musings

I amuse myself sometimes.

 

 

Feel free to interpret that anyway you like.

Shouldn't it be Rachel's job to er... 'amuse' you?

Re: Champions miniatures

Just for Grins, one of my favorite works...

Re: Champions miniatures

This is the last figure for the players that I personally paint (and thus have immediately available). This is Red Bear, aka Bjorn. He was found on a backwards time jaunt to ancient sweden. He's basically a brick with a magic sword and magically enchanted chainmail armor.

The figure is a modified Superfigs Perun figure. The figure originally came with a giant hammer which I snipped off and used greenstuff to form into a sword. I also covered the upper torso in green stuff to make a chainmail effect. I'm not really happy with either effect, but since it was my first time using the green stuff for this kind of effect I can't complain. The figure was coated at the same time as Chan-Li's dragon form (above) and thus has that same milky white haze effect in the glaze.

Re: Champions miniatures

This is Rainbow. She's a multi-billionare business owner who part times as a eco-terrorist before being found by the FBI and joining the side of good alongside the other heroes. As of yet the other heroes don't know her background. Her powers are that she's a geokinetic, able to control earth.

This figure is my first kitbash ever. It's a Heroclix Luthor Bodyguard upper torso, with the hands of a Heroclix Blizzard, on the torso of a Superfigs flyer.

Re: Champions miniatures

This character is Glitter (Or Glitterman). I swear I did not come up with that name! The concept is a dock worker infused with nanites that grant him cyperpath powers, as well as limited ability to alter his body (Create finger claws, steel like skin etc). The player only gave me the 'I want to be like wolverine, or colossus' spiel with no other details. So I decided to meld them together.

The figure is a Superfigs brawler, the hardest part was creating the metallic sheen for his skin. It's hard to tell here, but the skin tone is flesh, with a metallic sheen to it.