Funksaw

Re: [Totally fictional] A suicide note

And?

Oh, by all means, feel free to add more.

To whom it may concern:

Having suffered the toils and tribulations of life, of having sought to create meaning in a meaningless world and failed at that, of having failed to measure up to any barometer internally or externally imposed, I regret to inform you that by the time you read this letter, there is a 99.8% chance I will be dead.

And a 0.2% chance that I will have superpowers.

At 5:00 on Tuesday, December 25th, I will enter the Tuna Forks nuclear power plant, and, without protective clothing, enter the reactor chamber. The massive heat should kill me before I even reach the chamber, but the massive amounts of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation should kill me. Unless, of course, it alters my physiology on the molecular level leaving me an ubermenchen. That would be kinda cool.

Tell my wife goodbye, that it was not her fault, and that I will miss her, and that it is the one real regret in my life that I was not a better husband. Unless the improbable happens, in which case I will wear a mask and tell her nothing. Of course in that case, I will probably return at the speed of sound or light or time or something like that and tear up the note.

Re: Wuxia Boomerang Build

Funky: Nope' date=' you'd go to the end of all 9 hexes and then build the weapon as an OIF - hence as an SFX it always winds up back in your hands.[/quote']

 

I'd say OAF for that. After all, a gun never -leaves- your hands, and that's an OAF.

Re: Wuxia Boomerang Build

Hmm... *if* the idea is to hurl a boomerang weapon at your foe and have it either:

 

A) Hit on the initial throw, or

Miss and then possibly hit when on the return back...

 

I'd consider "Trigger", in which missing a foes Triggers a second attack equal in power to the first (with Limitations representing the idea the Triggered attack can only hit certain foes in a certain arc, and so on).

 

A second idea, useable if you;re trying to build things like Tessa's huge propeller weapon, is some form of AOE: Line or AOE: Any.

Hmm... Actually, AOE: ANY would be particularly appropriate as part of a multipower for the "loops around in a circle and hits a whole bunch of bad guys" deal but... well, let's say that you had an AOE: Any of 9 hexes... could you use that to attack five hexes out in a straight line, and then come back and attack the four hexes you just passed through again?

Re: Cartoonist Stuck In Own Creation Power Build

::groan::

Cost Power

20 Real World: Extra-Dimensional Movement (Single Dimension)

75 Comic Powers: Variable Power Pool, 50 base + 25 control cost, (75 Active Points)

0 1) Redraw the Scene: Change Environment 32" radius, Long-Lasting Permanent (50 Active Points) Real Cost: 50

0 2) Inkblot: Darkness to Sight Group 5" radius (50 Active Points) Real Cost: 50

0 3) Walk through The Gutters: Teleportation 15", No Relative Velocity, Position Shift, x2 Increased Mass (50 Active Points) Real Cost: 50

0 4) Redraw Character: Cosmetic Transform 10d6 (Clothes Change) (50 Active Points) Real Cost: 50

0 5) Stage Directions: Mind Control 10d6 (Major Characters class of minds) (50 Active Points) Real Cost: 50

Powers Cost: 95

Re: Wuxia Boomerang Build

I like the build you have myself.

 

But if you're just wanting to rattle around some odd ideas for inspiration, perhaps some kind of "anti-linked" disadvantage?

 

Or maybe a modified contol cost (advantage/disadvantage) for a Multipower?

 

Though I'm curious to know if this 'return attack' would occur on the same phase as the initial attack attempt, the next segment, or the next phase....

 

Oh-- I think you may have to include "Independant" on the return attack, or perhaps trigger---

 

Hey! that's it, I think. Trigger: first attack misses

 

Anyway, I think if you don't include one of these-- Independant or Trigger-- then are you not 'trading' the return attack in leiu of your next attack phase?

 

I'm asking because I'm kind of curious how you have this pictured......

Trigger would be the right one to use.

How would you build a boomerang that has a chance of hitting the target on the return - but not if the boomerang hits on the first attempt? I'm thinking that it would build something like this:

Direct Boomarang Attack: Killing Attack, Ranged 1d6 <15AP> <15RP>

Boomerang Return: Killing Attack, Ranged 1d6, Indirect (same origin, any direction; +1/2) <22AP>; Linked - Direct Boomerang Attack(-1/2), Inaccurate 1/2 OCV (-1/4), does not work if Direct Boomerang Attack hits (-1/2) <10RP>

What do you guys think?

Re: Could Destroyer Win?

The default condition in the CU is that the world is already ruled by Supervillains. The Circle of the Scarlet Moon has a lock down on the parts of the Western World not controlled by DEMON or VIPER, while the East is mostly under the thumb of ancient cults and mystics. "Heroes" defend the status quo to protect the villains in control from villains like Destroyer waiting in the wings.

 

You are so depressing. I love it.

Re: Expressing English Language in Hero Terms

Verbs: VPP

Nouns: IIF, Variable SFX

Adjectives & Adverbs: Aid (Clarity)

Pronouns: Perk - Anonymity

Conjunction: Naked Limitation: Linked

Interjection: Flash, Hearing Group.

Preposition: Duplication (where before you could only have one phrase in a sentence...)

I'm currently working on a scenario idea which I might write-up for DH if Dave likes the idea (once I have a rough outline!)

But I could use some help. Essentially, this is going to be a "mad mad mad world" style puzzle-solving romp (okay, yes, I've been watching 'Treasure Hunters' and it makes WWTBAS look positively inspired,) and although I have a few ideas for the overall plot, I could really use some help coming up with the actual puzzles.

Here's the trick: The puzzles have to be something that could be put together by Americans or Europeans who lived between 1760 and 1820. They also have to have some "gordian knot" alternate solution -- because players hate nothing more than an unsolvable puzzle. (Indeed, the -solution- to the puzzle shouldn't matter so much as GMs should just take the first puzzle solution that "sounds right.")

This'll be my first attempt at constructing a scenario... so I might be biting off more than I can chew... but I think it'll be -- if nothing else -- interesting. If I can't get it to work, I'm going to give the forums my notes so that maybe someone else can take a crack at it.

Re: Could Destroyer Win?

Actually, America could indeed support a much larger population in 1945...

Today the population of the U.S. is roughly 300 million. In 1945, the population was 145 million. I think the U.S. could likely survive a doubling of it's population - remember, not everyone in Europe and Asia made it onto a ship heading to the U.S., not everyone survived the blast. The poor would likely be left behind in Destruga.

Re: The CyberComedy Challenge

Comedic Extreme: The Six O'Clock News. Oh - you wanted a fictional comedic extreme . . . Virtual Reality is so prevelant that sometimes people can't tell if they actually got up and went to work that morning of is their AI Alarm Clock was just f-ing with them.

 

Convention: The Hackers Code (of conduct)

Comedic Extreme: The Hacker's Code is stored on a Wiki and can be edited by anyone. The laws are byzantine and require an exorbitant amount of knowledge to contain it all. They're riddled with catch-22s as people make up new rules when they feel like it. This would be nothing except that rove bands of hackergangs go around enforcing it. However, if you commit ritual seppuku first, they won't go after your family.

Convention: 99% of journalists are corporate tools, the other 1% are psychotic drug-addled sots with criminal records.

Re: Answers & Questions

Q: Why is the UN Security Council Evacuation Plan Veto-Power Nation in the Event of a Nuclear Attack on New York City like fisting?

A: Time to get a new existential crisis!

Re: New guy, new concept...

I'd split the difference and simply call it "Requires both hands."

Re: Unofficial Handbook to the Champions Universe

Afte running the numbers, the cover cost might still only be $3 or so, but shipping is going to be an extra $1.80. What a bummer. I was hoping to keep it down to normal comicbook price. Still, I think it can be done for about $5 total, which is still a pretty cheap suppliment.

 

I think as far is incentive to contribute, all contributors would get a free copy. In the case of artists, it would most likely be a flat $5 for their character sketch instead of a copy. All contributors would be criditted on the inside front cover, and I suppose e-mail or URLs could be included, giving players a way to communicate as well as giving artists some exposure.

 

I've been bouncing the idea of content around. Let me assume 28 pages. My initial thoughts for content are: 6 pages dedicated to a single hero group, 4 pages dedicated to solo heroes, 6 pages dedicated to a villian group, 6 pages dedicated to solo villians, and 6 pages dedicated to organizations (one or more). Does this sound like a good mix?

Again; Lulu might be a good distribution method.

Re: What would you trade for wealth?

Int's a no-brainer. Dumb rich people are much, MUCH happier than poor smart people.

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...

[before signing onto a starship's crew, Henry, a fugitive, has to pass a background check with a fake ID.]

Wade: "Before we proceed, I'm going to need your ID card."

Henry: "Right. ID."

(Henry hands his fake ID to Wade.)

Wade: "We're just going to run a quick background check. Just a formality. We'll be right back."

Henry: "A background check... Ah..., yes, well... hopefully it shouldn't take too long. I'd hate to hold the ship up."

Wade: "Hmm... you appear unsettled... anything we need to be aware of?"

Henry: "No. Just - well, this is so spur of the moment. If I had known I was signing onto a cre this morning, I would have brought some character references... and a change of underwear, but that's something we can worry about later. We're about the same size, right?"

Wade: "Hmm... well, Okay. We'll give you the benifit of the doubt until the check comes back... We just have to be... cautious. And stay away from my underwear. Especially when I'm wearing them."

Henry: "Don't worry. I joke a bit, but I've got no intention of going where no man has gone before."

-------------------------

[Wade is showing Henry how to operate the sensor array]

Henry: "Okay, now, where's the big red button I'm never to push under any circumstances? I think I'm good for right now if I know which button that is and never touch it."

(Wade grins.)

Wade: "That's classified. If I showed you the big red button I'd have to kill you."

Henry: "Aw, but then what if I push it, not knowing what it is. Maybe I think it's the gellato maker, and all of a sudden, I have a craving for some ice cream. Next thing you know, we're miles off course."

Ta'Rang: "Then we throw the comm operator out the airlock"

-------------------------

[Wade calls the dockmaster's office (on the other end of the "line" played by the GM) to see if there's any cargo]

Wade: "Yeah Bernie, this is Wade. We are in need of a cargo load and I was told you are the man with the plan..."

Wade: "We can carry 1.5 ktons or 168 cubic meters. How soon can you have us loaded?"

Wade: "Ok, yeah with a 2 week window we are good if you can load us today."

(Ta'Rang loks at Wade... two weeks?)

Wade: "Thanks! See you in an hour!"

(Wade hangs up.)

Ta'Rang: "what, Wade?"

(Wade turns to the others.)

Wade: "I have arranged us a load of medicals for the Liberty Naval Station."

Milo: "Hmmm... not bad. How much are we getting?"

(Wade looks sheepish.)

Wade: "How much? I forgot to ask..."

Where can I find the most information on the various Black Masks in the CU? I'm most interested in Black Mask I.

Re: Who are the greatest (?) super villains?

1) Magneto. (Marvel, X-Men) Ever have one of those days where you were so cynical about humanity's infinite capacity for self-destruction? Magneto's got a lifetime full of 'em, and a tattoo to prove it. The personification of "Never again." The villian of the X-men series only because of his tactics - in the end, he may even be right.

2) Darkseid. (DC, Superman/New Gods) He's Doctor Doom on a universal scale.

3) Captain Cold: (DC, Flash)This is the supervillian you can be friends with.

4) The Four: (Wildstorm, Planetary) Secret Masters that could kill off half the US before lunch and get away with it. Pure unadulterated evil all the scarier by what you don't see - and the "life imitating art" that has occured as the series continues.

5) Rasputin: (Image, Hellboy) An Elder God's Best Friend.

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...

A little background material: Lab Rat, the teenage gadgeteer (played by Adam Leisemann), was out with friends at the game store when a nearby bank robbery happened. He covered for his exit, and headed out to stop it. He is now chasing a slightly faster flying villainess across the city.

 

He cut loose with his sonic stun pistol, to no avail. So he decided to get creative. He lands, pulls off his anti-grav belt, and straps it to a manhole cover.

 

 

Rube Goldberg, eat your heart out.

And if it contains turpentine, bleach, or wood varnish...

Re: WWYCD: Quantum Leap

Extend the Maginot line to cover the border with Belgium.

Here's my reasoning.

If more territory in France could have been held, defeats in Germany would have come quicker. This would allow American forces to redeploy to the Pacific theatre sooner, and there might not have been a need to develop the American atomic bomb.

Re: Honey, where's my supersuit?

Conversely' date=' if it were an OIF, it would be something easily removed if you were incapacitated, which precludes most suits (by genre convention if nothing else).[/quote']

 

 

Be sure that the character always wears long underwear and a full undershirt, and I wouldn't say that OIF precludes genre convention.

Re: No idea how to model this...

Can he shift, or literally split into the four of them?

 

Agreed that multiform seems the way to go. Possibly also Duplication, with the added mod that they can be altered from the original form.

Literal splitting.

Okay - how would you model a character who can split into four identical twin brothers, but each of the brothers has a different set of superpowers?

Specifically, Earth, Air, Water, and Fire SFX...