Nolgroth

Not that the previous example was at all bad, but I here is an alternate.

1d6 RKA (Standard Effect), Continuous, Explosion, 0 END, Persistent (52 Active Points) Always On, Only vs. Plants (-1), No Range

Final Cost: 17 Points

I would not consider the Always On limitation as double dipping with anything. Not only would the character be Distinctive, the Plant Killing Aura would also render most forms of plant-based remedies unavailable and certain plotlines might be difficult or impossible for the character to participate in.

In regards to Distinctive Features vs. Social Limitation, Distinctive Features would almost be a given. Whether the character suffered any social ramifications would depend entirely on the Setting. Dark Sun, for instance, has some very nasty magi called Defilers. These hombres are most assuredly not welcome and are at great risk; Social Limitation. Most comic book genres, it's almost more of a special effect. So basically season to flavor.

EDIT: AA has a good point. I would almost suggest the Dispel as part of the package and maybe make it a small Elemental Control.

Try this on for size....

Suppress 3d6 vs Plant-based Powers. Explosion, 0 END, Persistent, Continuous (52 Active Points) Always On, No Range

Final Cost: 26 Points.

An EC would not save anything in this case (it would actually cost 5 more points), so the two powers would just be. I don't think Linked would be appropriate as they are both Continuous, 0 END and Persistent powers.

Originally posted by BobGreenwade

Ah! Somehow I'd missed that you were looking for something specific.

 

I did a little digging and found one that might work for you: Long March, after the journey of Mao Zedong and his Communist forces in the 1930s.

No problem about missing something. This was a general purpose idea area that I thought was appropriate for a question like that.

As far as the Long March, sounds like a splendid ship name. Evokes about everything I was looking for. Now what's the Chinese name? (Just kidding. I can look that up myself, now that I have a lead. Thanks for the time and effort.)

Originally posted by BobGreenwade

Kate Monk's Onomastikon is one of the best sources for personal names around, on the Web or elsewhere. Some areas even include the meanings of the names; in other cases an inexpensive (or online) language dictionary can help. You could take some of these.

I was actually hoping for anything not Western culture related that corresponds to the "arduous journey with a worthy goal at the end" theme as stated in the other two names that I had come up with. Which reminds me to remind myself Odyssey not Odessey. Knew it looked funny at the time...

In the SciFi campaign I'm trying to kick off, I'm using an exploration/journey theme. Right now I have the Exodus and the Odessey. In the campaign, several combination sleeper/generation ships have been launched towards nearby class "G" stars. This is the backdrop of the campaign and only one ship is going to be detailed to any extent, but I need more names for "filler."

Anybody have an Asian, South American, or African name that would fit the theme? I was tempted to use Trail of Tears, but I'm looking for a more hopeful sounding title.

Actually, DEF is probably short hand for saying (number)rPD/rED. It is primarily used in vehicles and objects, but it looks (to me) as if the author was just saving himself some typing. YMMV.

EDIT: I've only had HERO since 4th, but it was/is in both 4th and 5th edition.

Do you ever sleep Aroooo? Now you're running a page for Star HERO in general, as well as the excellent work that you've done on Babylon 5 for HERO. All I can say is that I'm impressed.

I've heard it said that SciFi doesn't really embrace the idea of "outer space" sci fi. I was rather surprised that they even bothered with the remake of Battlestar Galactica. I guess emasculating many of the original characters was enough of a compromise to get them to commit.

I'll also bet that all them guns were a bit too politically incorrect for a channel that glorifies the utter uselessness of one of the most efficient personal weapons available.

Not that I have a beef against SciFi or anything....

Originally posted by Rigel

I

It is funny that you enjoyed Firefly but didn't enjoy the Western aspects to it. If you listen to Joss's commentary on the DVDs, he believes the Western influence goes to the core of Firefly. It's not just wearing boots and saying ain't.

Well, I should rather say that the Western aspects were transparent. I didn't not like them, but I really didn't go "Hey, Louie l"amor in Space! How cool is that!" either.

The Core worlds fit right into the setting just like the East Coast states did with the old west. They are the civilized, technologically advanced part of the setting. The outer worlds are the frontier, where local robber barons make the law. And space is No-Man's Land where one could run across "bloodthirsty injuns" (ravagers). It all makes perfect sense within the context of the setting.

The really interesting part is that, despite the Western cultural references, the tech was pretty modernish in appearance and application. If I were to compare it to the old west, I would say that the setting would be towards the end of the old west, when automobiles and telephones started to creep into the mix.

I wish there could be a movie, or better yet, a revival in the series. While I didn't listen to the commentary, I did watch the special features. In the 10th Character, only once or twice did one of the actors refer to Serenity as a set. Most of the time, they called it a ship. They obviously enjoyed working on the project and it showed in the quality of the characterization. I wonder if there are any Firefly advocacy groups on the net.

I also just got done watching it. Too bad it didn't survive the ratings game. I didn't have so much fun with any series since Babylon 5. (Funny, when it first aired, I saw the train robbery episode and wasn't impressed.)

The setting would work really well as a SH backdrop. I don't like the modern-day guns, but I understand that there were probably budget constraints. I also didn't much like the western feel. The characters are what really pulled me in. Jayne was the best! Vera rocks. I also thought River could have been a fun character to see developed ("Two by two with hands of blue.")

As a Star HERO setting, it is perfect. Lots of shady deals. An oppressive monolithic government (with cool ships). Lawless outposts. There are even secret societies and other organizations for character concepts. Overall, a fun idea to work with.

Sigh. Item number 472 on my list of "Someday I'll...."

NuSoardGraphite,

Man, between your contributions to the Wheel of Time fighting styles and this here, I'm beginning to wonder if you don't have a Talent for converting literary fighting styles to HERO system terms. I wonder how much you paid for that. To top it off, you do an outstanding job with the mecha and vehicles that you post. Thanks for all the hard work and understand that I'm really envious.

I've always wanted to do a historical fantasy game. I think that's why Ars Magica always attracted me. The concept of a very realistic setting (medieval Europe) is very attractive to me. I think, if I ever had the player base, that I would set a cut off date for actual history and everything from that point would be some sort of divergant timeline.

The advantage is that you could do some pretty thorough research up to that point for the backstory and then let the players loose without worrying about following our own recorded history.

We are. I believe it is a natural and expected result when dealing with crafty players who should go for a degree in Rules Lawyering. Not to mention the ones that are just crafty.

Re: Re: Weapons and such

Originally posted by Shadowpup

The Cylons probably think of their semi intelligent missiles as attack dogs straining at the leash...

That's a really cool concept. In a twisted sort of way, that fits. I wonder if the more "mechanical" of the Cylons have the kind of emotions displayed by the human replicant Cylons.....

That's the truth. Werewolves could be such a cool subject if they were treated with anything akin to seriousness. Sort of like fantasy was never really done well until Peter Jackson did LotR. There may be some little lights in the darkness, but nothing that is really brilliant.

Interesting. Never heard of a tan dragon before, but what the heck...

A TAN Dragon Lies Beneath!

My inner dragon is the true draconic magic-user. Deep down I am very wise, somewhat shy, and I have a rather short fuse. But don't worry, tans prefer to spend their time counting their enormous treasure, so pass quietly and you'll stay out of danger. Click the image to try the Inner Dragon Online Quiz for yourself.

Sounds like the book for me! Seriously, most of the stuff I like are the tech gadgets that I can incorporate in some (hypothetical) future campaign. The campaign details are what I really like to fill in myself. Sigh, yet another HERO book to buy.

I'd honestly be surprised if zakueins hasn't served some time in the military. Ah, those were the days.....

Seriously, good informative article. Like the suit paste. Makes a lot of sense for people in sealed environments like that. I just can't get the scene from Empire Strikes Back when Yoda took a bite from Luke's rations when you describe the EFRs.

Originally posted by Ghost who Walks

Damn. I am probably the only who got that one. I feel so alone.

No you are not. The Knight Industries Roving Robot was what it stood for if I am not mistaken. One man, with inflated hair, can make a difference. Coincidentally, I heard David Hasselhoff wanted to start up Knightrider again. Any confirmations?

EDIT: Knight (industries) Automated Roving Robot. Realized the acronym wouldn't make sense for K.A.R.R. with an 'I' in there. Guess that makes me a big time loser to remember little details about a cheesy 80's TV show.

I actually liked the show a whole lot. I liked the setting and the tech level and the characters (even Stardoe). I thought the Cyclons were pretty cool, for the most part and the Battlestar itself was quite a fun toy.

What I didn't like was that it was called "Battlestar Galactica" and the characters were named after favorites of my youth. If they would have named it anything else and/or had the characters uniquely named, then the show would have been a first rate program. As it is, I cannot escape the feeling that they wanted to capitalize on the Battlestar Galactica name value in the hopes that the older generation would be excited enough to bring in a younger generation. It's cheating.

Then again, I generally hate it when songs are remade (like No Doubt remaking "It's My Life" -insert exaggerated barfing noise here-). So it may just be my own predujice about new artists/creators being unable to create something on their own merits and make it good enough to stand on its own.

Well, that would probably work in some games. I have some ideas for in game uses that would make mechanics desired:

Not only those, but a Sigil may be the prerequisite for some sort of Indirect spell. Only against those previously marked with Magi's Sigil or something. If ALL it is going to be is a mark, then I have no problem with it being entirely special effect.

There are very few powers/effects that can't be used for mechanical purposes by enterprising players.

Wouldn't Images to Mage Sight/ Detect Magic, 0 END Persistent work just as well? The Cosmetic Transformation is okey dokey, but I would want to try an alternate solution as well. The image of the sigil could only be removed with a Dispel of sufficient force. Just a suggestion.

Re: DeMunkining Forgotten Realms

Originally posted by Mike Basinger

...

What suggestions do you have to de-munkin the Forgotten Realms. Here is what I have so far:

 

1. 80% less drow , and no drow player characters.

2. Eleminster should be de-powered and not common NPC.

3. No gods walking around.

 

Any other ideas?

 

Mike

The drow came along before Forgotten Realms. It was only with the advent of Dizzt Do'Urden that playing drow really became a big thing. My big problem with the Drow (and ultimately D&D) was their seemingly race-wide natural ability to cast spells. It made them quite formidable in the right circumstances. Later editions tried to cut that down by saying that the drow powers faded as they left the Underdark. Whatever. Now, to cut my long-windedness down a little, it would be cool to "tweak" the drow and make some minor magics part of their required study as youngsters. It would allow them to learn different abilities and it would allow you (as GM) to build it into their cultural package instead of their racial one. The same thing with the two weapon fighting. It could also be built into a specialized professional archetype: Drow warrior. Just a thought.

Elminster wasn't ever a problem for me because I never ran him as an NPC. He was a distant and legendary figure that the PCs heard of. My problem with the Realms wasn't Elminster, per se, it was Elminster, Khelben Blackstaff and about twenty other magi with the ability to level the face of Faerun. Blech! I also think the Public ID of all these magi was a little overdone as well. I always thought that one of the staples of fantasy was the aged and powerful wizard in a remote tower. Just my opinion.

Gods walking around was pretty common in many mythologies (Greek and Norse to name two). The trick is to have them not play a significant role. Whenever I bothered with gods, I usually made them as information providers.

I agree with Captain Obvious. Magic loses a little bit of its curiosity value when every single merchant has some magical theft deterent device. The presence of powerful magic items should be rare and IMHO described thoroughly. One of the things that ultimately made me sick of D&D was the requirement of magical weapons to harm a creature and the huge number of magical items in the game to allow that to work. If I never see a Sword +1 used in a game again, it'll be too soon. Instead, make them vulnerable to certain materials. Silver and iron were both pretty common materials said to harm oogly critters. Gold was also one, though not nearly as common.

Cut down on the presence of high-end, world saving adventures. Most high-level D&D games could easily become Champions in Faerun. Now, if that is what you want to portray...

There are a lot of interesting groups in the Forgotten Realms. There are two large pirate groups, the Harpers, the Zhentarim, the Cult of the Dragon. Adjust their goals to less "lofty" or "attainable" and you have some interesting fare their. Any one of the bad guy groups can provide dozens of adventures worth of story ideas.

I would also choose a place to focus the campaign. I had the old module "Under Illefarn" and I based my entire campaign around Daggerford until the characters were almost 10th level. Worked very well. Other good spots are Moonshaes or the Dalelands. Large enough to explore but tight enough in consitency to keep it easy.

Never use the novels. One thing I can't stand is cameo appearances by Cadderly, Drizzt, or any other character from one of the novels. I totally discount the novels when using the Forgotten Realms.

Well, those are my highly opinionated ideas. Hope they provide some inspiration and help.

Originally posted by Ben Seeman

.....They should already have their own complete collection of 5th Edition...

Spoken like a TRUE company man. Good job! I just happen to agree completely. Does that make me a fanboy?

Aroooo,

As always, excellent work. I do have a question though. Are the Sample Character write-ups typical of the player characters or are they intended as interesting NPCs? If your PC point base is different, it would be nice to see a Sample PC write-up. Anyway, your site has continued to be an inspiration.

I've often thought that a Birthright-style campaign would be a fun idea. Basically, from what I understand, each Lord/King/High Mucky Muck is bound to his nation through some magical process. One would think that the kingdom would reflect aspects of the King and maybe vice versa. I think I would start with smaller provinces and build up. Even without a magical gee gaw in the equation, a leader has a lot of influence on the atmosphere of the thing he leads.

For HERO, just about any character can be assigned enough points to create a "base" that encompasses a county or barony sized piece of land. The Ultimate Base would be really cool if it could give guidelines on how to create a nation-sized base. Government, basic economics, population (Followers?) and natural resources are some ideas to start with.