Iuz the Evil

Re: Romantic Villians What's wrong with Dr. Destroyer? You know he's got money, power, and check out the PRE (charisma)! What lady could resist the dulcet tones of... "Yield yourself to Destroyer or be annihilated!" C'mon, he's DEAD SEXY!

Re: Sacramento Area Campaign - VINDICATOR Bwahahahaha! Pete Wilson?! I probably wouldn't have tried to save him either... That's awesomely funny... I still remember him approving the 300% hike in tuition for the state University system. Yeah, I think that would be a hard sell for the group I was in at the time.

Re: Storn's Art & Characters thread.

Re: Storn's Art & Characters thread. I'd just like to express my appreciation Storn. Your art has been truly an inspiration for the campaign I've been in these past months... You are amazingly talented, I'm sure you hear it all the time but I call 'em like I see 'em. Plus, hearing it doesn't get old.

Re: Sacramento Area Campaign - ZEPHYR Yup, when not lurking on my "obsidian throne in Dorakaa", I reside in Davis. I spent 18 years there, went of to CSUChico for the standard 6.5 year BA that institution produces (and killersocial skills), moved to Oklahoma for graduate school & licensure & just living/working, had kids and like the mighty salmon returned to Davis to raise them. It's a good time... the Sacto campaign is a blast, we took a break for about 2 weeks cause of RL stuff. I expect to resume my "crime journal" next weekend by crushing the Organizatsiya branch I've tracked to central Sac (the neighborhood in the letters region near 16th street). Hoping that "Mr. Smith" will make a return appearance and bring up some component of the main plot thread as well, or maybe a clash with another villainous superhuman? Only the GM knows for sure...

Re: [iron] Why do you dislike the Four Color/Silver age (No Flames please) Well put... I enjoy Silver, Bronze, Iron age. As people have pointed out, each has it's flaws, but I think Bronze less than most. I prefer to game in a Bronze Age setting as it allows for greater flexibility of storyline imho, you don't HAVE to put a bullet in the bad guy's head (and won't necessarily have him take out a schoolbus full of nuns if you don't), and you get some of the realistic tough choices that tie into the reality we live in.

Re: Setting up super-prisons

Re: Setting up super-prisons Actually, it appears that we are by and large in agreement based on what you just stated. ("Tak and Dr. D are kept in check by GM fiat" and also "not much can deal with top level Supers except other top level Supers"). Where we appear to disagree is whether the government would be able to effectively employ said superhumans in sufficient numbers to contain the menace, which would depend on the campaign tone entirely. Can the government detect superhumans? How many are even willing to cooperate? How do the powers that be initially react to the super-entities and what long ranging impact does this have? It's all variable based on the campaign setting at that point. Additionally, despite the knee jerk reactions which cause people to forget about Legitimacy in the face of threats, it NEVER goes out the window. When governments forget about this, they play into the hands of their opponents. The FBI was griping about how the suspects weren't being read Miranda rights etc from the very beginning, because they are oriented to consider Legal challenges and the like. The CIA and Pentagon don't care about those issues, as they view this as a military-style conflict. Unfortunately the situation is more complex than either view, and therefore neither is implicitly correct. Sooner or later, someone will get their day in court, there are several historical precedents which appear germaine. How these issues were handled will then be extremely relevant. I fully expect that the same would apply for superhumans, either in the short or long term. Then again, your campaign, your rules. I personally would find the scenario you propose distasteful, where top end supers are government enforcers, not unrealistic necessarily however.

Re: Setting up super-prisons That's definitely realistic. Problem is, with actual superbeings who "push the envelope" point-wise (especially 800+), if you go with the "killed outright" you have to find a way to do it. If they're invulnerable enough, this can present a real problem - oh I can see it being implemented easily enough until you start getting up into that "white knight" defense range. The government just isn't going to drop 10 or 12 nuclear weapons on a condemned prisoner so they can execute him, the environmental and political repercussions are too severe. I can think of similar problems for other high end power sets. It'll work for most supers though. Also, I can see a problem developing for people on the "secret government tribunals" real quick. How long before their identity is routinely revealed by a villainous mentalist? Whoops, Dr. Destroyer knows you ordered the execution of three of his henchmen. Guys, we need a new government tribunal over here... What's that, we have a shortage of volunteers? No problem, you three, you're our new tribunal. What do you mean "not guilty"? Staying within the existing Justice system will mitigate this to a large extent. Gives the prosecuting body the benefit of having legitimacy, which translates into a more widely accepted resolution of criminal behavior. The "post 9-11" reference is especially apt here, as even the FBI is expressing concerns about the legitimacy of our present maneuverings in several respects. As one agent mentioned (I'm paraphrasing here): sooner or later we have to decide what to do with these people, what happens when they go to court and the issue of their detention is raised? Even the federal government isn't sure about that one. I thought the Dark Champions rulebook (4th Ed.) did a very nice breakdown of the American legal system as it pertains to superhuman criminals. Anyway, a very interesting thread. I enjoy Stronghold and use it pretty much as described in Classic Enemies. It's harder to escape from than most people seem to think - unless you're given a "GM fiat" revolving door, such as when I want to use a villain again. It's a tissue paper prison for true "Mega Supers" without the use of "Hot Sleep" but short of a phantom zone projector those are always going to be hard to deal with (as noted above). Hmmm... phantom zone projector. Has anyone mentioned that to the guys at Guantanamo? That might resolve the whole problem.

Re: Avenger/Justice League in the "real" world On further reflection, there are approximately four things which I think would be crucial to be a "real world vigilante"... 1) Indeterminate Ethnic Origin - hispanic/african american/asian/caucasian/unkown ethnicity which would not be easily identified, or a really good level of skin/hair coverage. Don't look arabic at all. Right now, it just would be impossible to be operating outside the law as a violent vigilante if someone was a representative of that particular ethnic group (much like a Japanese-American would struggle with this during WWII). 2) slight build/middling physical size - would need to be between 5'8" and 6' as a male, between 5'4" and 5'6" as a female, neither over nor underweight, with no obvious tattoos or piercings. 3) Don't speak at all, ever 4) Not be a "secreter" so that blood type cannot be identified from sweat, tears, spit, etc. (that'd be about 20% or less of the population) With those in place, you'd have a solid chance of not being picked out by the police after your first one or two vigilante operations. That's barring a random cop in the wrong place, at the wrong time (from your perspective).

Re: Avenger/Justice League in the "real" world You have so exactly clarified the reason why I am not kicking the crap out of innumerable child molesters/abusers and abusive spouses whose information I come across on a daily basis. "Damn, the Counseling Crusader is a caucasian male, about 6'6" and weighing approximately 250-275 lbs. with blue eyes and facial hair. Curse him and his clever knowledge of psychotherapeutic principles, if only he wasn't wearing a half-mask we'd track him to his lair!!!" That is so damn funny, rep for you.

Re: Sacramento Area Campaign - ZEPHYR Here's another Storn art inspired superhero who will reprise the "recurring NPC hero" role. The speedster threads on this board were extremely helpful. ZEPHYR (William Renvold) 20 Str. 10 CHA Cost = 173 30 Dex. 60 Power Cost = 177 25 Con. 30 Total Cost = 350 10 Body 0 10 Int. 0 11 Ego 2 20 Pre. 10 12 Com. 1 OCV: 10 14 PD 10 DCV: 10 10 ED 5 ECV: 4 8 Spd. 40 Phases: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 9 Rec. 0 50 End. 0 38 Stun 5 Pts. Power END 60 Multipower (Super Speed) 6 u. 30†Flight, must be in contact with a surface, 1/2 END Cost 1/10†6 u. +22†Running (28â€), 8x noncombat multiple, 1/2 END Cost 2(3) 5 u. Teleportation 50â€, only to reach area that Zephyr could physically 1/5†move to by normal means (-1/2), no noncombat multiple (-1/4) 45 Variable Power Pool, (20 point pool/25 point control cost), change as 0- phase action (+1), no skill roll required (+1), Speed Powers Only (-1/2) 7 Damage Resistance, 12rPD 8rED (OIF - speedsuit) 3 5 points Vision Flash Defense (OIF - visor) 17 +4d6 Hand to Hand Attack (8d6 hyper velocity punch/kick), str+2(x5) Autofire (5 shots)(+1/2) 11 2 levels with All Combat, only vs. attacks Zephyr is aware of (-1/2) 10 3 levels DCV, only vs attacks Zephyr is aware of (-1/2) 8 Breakfall, Bureaucracy, PS: Human Resources Disadvantages: Pts. Secret Identity 15 Hunted by Organized Crime, 11/less 20 Hunted by campaign Supervillain group, 8/less 20 Hunted by Street Gangs, 11/less 15 Reputation (speedster vigilante), 11/less 10 2x effect from Gas or poisons 20 1 1/2x effect from drains or transfers 10 Physical Limitation (hyperactive metabolism, must eat at double rate) 10 Showoff 15 Overconfidence 15 Code vs. Killing 15 Hyperactive/Easily Bored 15 Distinctive Features (Mutant) 10 Rivalry (other speedsters) 10 Background/History: Bill Renvold grew up in San Diego, where his parents still live. He did well enough at school, graduating with a degree in Business Administration from CSU, San Diego. Bill was coasting through life, moving into a position with the human resources department of a northern California publishing company... most people thought things were looking pretty decent for Bill. Except for the fact he was bored to death. Bill’s latent mutant powers had kicked in during those college years, and events around him now moved with the speed of molasses in winter. Waiting in line at a grocery store was an excercise in patience, while the DMV was now something he avoided at all costs. He adopted the identity of Zephyr shortly after moving to the west Bay Area, and has fought crime all over northern California since doing so. Early in his career, Zephyr rescued the wife of a wealthy industrialist, who gifted him with the bullet-proof “speed suit†he now wears (and who continues to provide for regular maintenance of it as well). Zephyr is having the time of his life, and cannot imagine doing anything else! Quote: “Thisfightwasoverbeforeitstarted!†(WHOOOSH < boom>>) Speed Powers - Common Variable Power Pool Configurations “You Can’t Hit What You Can’t Catch†- +9 DEX., doesn’t affect skills/figured characteristics (-1/2), only to calculate CV (- 1/2) [14 active points] “Catch a bullet in my teeth†- Missile Deflection, through bullets/shrapnel, affects adja cent (+1/2), Costs END to use (-1/2) [15 active points] “Sonic Boom†- 2d6 NND vs. hearing flash defense, Explosion (+1/2), No Range (-1/2), Personal Immunity (+1/4), Must move at least half move/gestures (-1/4) [20 ac tive points] “Whooosh!†- 4d6 EB, Double KB (+3/4), 3x END Cost (-1), Trigger - super speed(+1/4), Linked to Running (-1/2), AE:Any (+1), No Range (-1/2) [20 active points] “Ten on one, I like these odds†- +10 STR., Area of Effect (Any Area:+1), Selective Target (+1/2), only for HTH combat (-1/2) [20 active points] (Note: when com bined with the autofire, hyper-velocity attack this can inflict 5 shots of 10d6 dam age to any 3 hex area selectively... at a cost of 30 END!) “Just let me... catch my breath†- +15 REC, only to recover END. (-1/2) [20 active points] “Mach what?†- additional x16 noncombat multiple on Running (multipower slot #2) or Flight (multipower slot #1) [20 active points] (Maximum velocity is just over Mach 18, though Zephyr obviously doesn’t do this near population centers) “You can’t sneak up on me†- 360 degree vision [10 points] “Need an extra hand?†- Extra Limbs, only for instant speed effects (-1/2) [7 active points] “Didn’t even see me move†- Stretching 2â€, no noncombat stretching (-1/4), instant speed effects only (-1/2) [11 active points] “Barely got me†- 50% resistant Physical or Energy Damage Reduction, requires a suc cessful “Dex†roll (-1/2), Costs END to use (-1/2), only vs. attacks Zephyr is aware of (-1/2) [12 active points] “Ouch! Good thing I heal quick†- 2 BODY Regeneration [20 active points] “Headed right through you†- +x levels OCV with move through, only to offset velocity penalties (-1/2) [2/3 points per level, ex. 6 points = 4 levels] “I’m a quick study†- Lightning Calculator, Speed Reading [3 active points each]

Re: Sacramento Area Campaign - CHIMERA Here's a Stockton area superheroine/vigilante who Vindicator will be interacting with on a semi-frequent basis (recurring NPC). Inspired (as are all the NPCs I generated for this purpose) by Storn's art. CHIMERA (Carole Reihms) 10/15* Str. 3 18/23* Dex. 34 20 Con. 20 10 Body 0 13 Int. 3 11 Ego 2 20 Pre. 10 16 Com. 3 5/12* PD 6 5/8* ED 3 4/5* Spd. 15 6/8 Rec. 0 CHA Cost = 116 OCV = 6/8 40/50 End. 2 Power Cost = 184 DCV = 6/8 35/45* Stun 15 Total Cost = 300 ECV = 4 Pts. Power 14* Armor 10 rPD, 5 rED, OIF - Battlesuit 11* Suit Sensor Suite - Radio Listen & Transmit, IR Vision, +3 on PER rolls 7* 360 degree vision (suit sensor suite) 5* 5 points Vision & 3 points Hearing Flash Defense (sensor buffers) 3* -5 Lack of Weakness 3* 8 points Mental Defense (Psionic Shielding) 20 Multipower - 40 active points (OAF - Battle Staff) 4 u. Battle Staff - +4d6 Hand to Hand Attack, AP, Penetrating, 0 END [+2] Cost with linked 1†stretching (no noncombat -1/4, linked to HTH (-1/2) 4 u. Staff Blaster - 12d6 Energy Blast, beam only (-1/4), 12 charges (-1/4) 4 u. Spinning Block - Missile Deflection through bullets/shrapnel, +7 on “to hit†rolls, affects adjacent hex 10 +2â€/5†Running (8â€/11†total), 1/2 END Cost* 1/10†3* +5†Superleap (8†x 4†total) 1/5†7* 2 levels with Martial Arts (Suit Battle Computer Interface) 3* Defense Maneuver (Suit Battle Computer Interface) 12 Acrobatics, Breakfall, Computer Programming, Deduction 12 Criminology, Lockpicking, Electronics, Security Systems 8 Stealth, Streetwise, AK: Central Valley 4 WF: Bo Staff/Jo Staff, Small Arms 29 Martial Arts - Bojutsu/Jojutsu, Shaolin Shuan Fa Block (10 OCV, 10 DCV: Block, Abort) Disarm (7 OCV, 9 DCV: 25/30 STR Disarm) Legsweep (10 OCV, 7 DCV: 4d6/5d6 strike or 9d6 w/ staff, target falls) Strike (8 OCV, 10 DCV: 5d6/6d6 strike or 10d6 w/ staff) Smash (6 OCV, 9 DCV: 7d6/8d6 strike or 12d6 w/ staff) Dodge (13 DCV: Dodge, Abort) Escape (7 OCV, 9 DCV: 30/35 STR vs. Grabs) 4 +1 DC with Martial Arts 5 2 levels DCV, requires an acrobatics roll, side effect (-2 DCV) 4 Languages: Spanish, Russian (fluent w/ accent) 1 Perk - Local Police Powers (only in Secret ID) 7 PS: Policewoman, Well Connected, Contacts (FBI, Police) * OIF - Battlesuit Disadvantages: Pts. Secret Identity 15 Reputation (Vengeful Vigilante), 11/less 15 Distinctive Features (Air of Overconfidence and Competence) 5 Hunted by Local Gangs, 11/less 20 Watched by Federal Government, 14/less 15 Hunted by Organized Crime, 8/less 15 Hunted by Campaign Villain Group, 8/less 20 Protective of Innocents (x1/2) 5 Vengeful 15 Thrillseeker, Love of Excitement and Danger 15 Loves to Fight 15 Normal Characteristic Maxima 20 Rivalry: Professional, with Zephyr 10 DNPC, Normal Sister, 8/less (CPS worker) 10 Background/History: Carole Reihms had always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps and becoming a law enforcement officer. Her dad was a good cop, a great father, and she and her sister were both stunned and traumatized when he was killed in the line of duty during a drug store robbery while she was in high school. Carole grew increasingly determined to “make a differenceâ€, and went to CSU, Sacramento where she majored in Criminology. After a stint with the Sacramento County Sherriff’s Department, she was wounded in a shootout while busting a meth lab. Carole realized that she would need more than a badge to truly impact the criminals who had killed her father and continued to terrorize innocent people. She began to evaluate what would be necessary for her to make a difference in the shadows, as a vigilante. Five more long years passed, and Carole had greatly expanded her repertoire of skills, had acquired some equipment through black market channels and crafted some as well, and had transferred to the Stockton Police Department where she’d been promoted to the rank of Detective. Now she was ready to take the battle to the streets in a new identity, as a creature of legend whose name would evoke terror in the superstitious criminals of the city... as Chimera! Quote: “Drop the gun or I’ll drop you Vato...†OR “Do yourself a favor and give up, I can keep this up all night longâ€

Re: Avenger/Justice League in the "real" world I've been thinking about the Authority a lot this past week, given their recurrence as a topic in several threads. While I'm not very thrilled with the level of escalation which seems to have happened in the comic, now that I've considered it for a while I can absolutely see any group of PCs I've ever gamed with doing just about exactly the same thing given the same circumstances. Their response is over the top, but it is extremely logical. If a government, even my own government, tortured & mutilated me and my loved ones I would take it personally. I wouldn't be much in the mood to listen to a lot of rationalization about it either. Add in the fact they have clear proof of complicity in world-wide atrocities, and the power to pretty much put a stop to it (they're in the "godlike and ridiculous" range point wise I would think), and honestly who wouldn't do exactly what this comic super group has been depicted as doing? I'm pretty much in agreement with them after much reflection... would very much prefer not to be an innocent bystander in such a circumstance however, or a citizen of the offending government. I was pleasantly surprised by the end of Kingdom Come, and to me that was another example of ways in which Superman is an Iconic character that consistently exceeds the norm in his actions. I daresay most people would be exterminating the UN and halfway to "Authority-esque" behavior before they bothered to listen after watching (what they thought to be) the death of pretty much all their friends. Successful nuclear strike would be a recipe for exactly what you indicated, future supers would be considering themselves (accurately) in a fight to the finish with no holds barred. Ugh, that would suck.

Re: Props and your PCs Almost forgot a really amusing prop I used to use in a fantasy themed campaign, I think I may revive it for Champions sometime. Sound effects w/ a CD remote. I picked up a 4 CD compilation set of 100 sound effects per CD, ranging from "Lion Roar" to "lightning" to "machine gun" (from the sound it was really more like an assault rifle than a .50 cal). I'd queue up the ones I wanted and skip forward or back then hit play in response to events that occurred in the game. Used the "lightning" one a LOT actually, the "lion roar" less frequently but also was handy. I'm gonna have to dig those out & dust them off.

Re: Use the news Now THAT would definitely make me twitchy about government... heh, players would be in full on "fight the Power" a la Authority mode.

Re: Use the news Wow, you were playing in the political mirrorverse of the campaign I am presently playing in. President George Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and a cabal of energy industry oligarchs are portrayed as machiavellian, behind-the-scenes traitors, murderers, and opportunists. The basic premise is that basically "all the accusations are true", and the neo-Cons are tied into invading foreign countries under false pretenses to seize reserves of natural resources, rolling back personal liberties and civil rights to empower their buddies who are bastions of corporate greed, "dissapearing" people without legal recourse into convenient third world Guantanamo-bay style "detention facilities" or friendly "foreign run" torture centers, rigging electoral outcomes, and pretty much getting up to all sorts of EVIL, while manipulating a subverted media. It's pretty out there, but has been a lot of fun to play in so far. I strongly suspect that there's some even more secretive Illuminati-style group behind the front which we're aware of so far. Good times

Re: Question for the legal eagles re federal arrest warrants

Re: Avenger/Justice League in the "real" world "You go to war with the superpowers you have..." indeed. I think that any set of idealogues, who would impose an "Authority-style" dominion would be pretty scary. It makes for fun reading, it's amusing in RPGs or literature, but no thank you! I would refer people to the thread on McCarthy-esque super patriots I read a couple months back, "Let freedom ring!" or words to that effect? Yipe! ...and just in case anyone thinks that sounds just peachy, please bear in mind that the idealogues might be radically opposed to YOUR ideals. Say for instance, either neo-progressivism or neo-conservativism, depending on the orientation of the reader. I'm all for the mythic benign super babysitters though, especially if they espouse my belief system. Rock on supers! Gimme the "Outsider" every time... you go Kal El!

Re: Der Psychology of der Super Human

Re: Der Psychology of der Super Human Interesting posts, and I think very insightful. I'd disagree with the assessment of narcissism/antisocial tendencies as being common for the mentalists however, unless the power manifested in early childhood or latency age. Both of these disorders tend to grow from situations of abuse, and the lack of self-worth exhibited is central to the devaluing of others. And since empathy typically develops by age five or six (at the outside), a mentalist whose powers manifest after this time will at the very least be able to empathise with the suffering of those around him/her... probably much better than your average person. Maybe to the point where they had to avoid their company though... I think it's more likely that these sorts of powers would change the actual behaviors of people, but not the underlying psychology, unless they existed from a very early age. Your revenge minded villain types would exist, likely would be diagnosible with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, a Personality Disorder, or some type of Adjustment Disorder. Mentalists who were repeatedly traumatized by the thoughts of those around them might exhibit characteristics of Agoraphobia or some sort of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (although as the anxiety is based on a "realistic concern or fear" maybe this would be a poor diagnosis). The funny thing is, lots of these things are "super treatable"... with very low relapse rates (like PTSD, most Mood Disorders, and pretty much all "phase of life issues" like Bereavement or Adjustment Disorders), and for many medication for mood management isn't even necessarily an issue. The ones with formal Personality Disorders, Bi-Polar Disorder (Type I), and Psychotic Disorders would be the ones I'd worry the most about. Barring some new super-formulary, there's not much you can do in terms of "curing" those at this stage. Best bet is to go for "in remission" with some nice atypical anti-psychotic or mood stabilizer, and expect periodic lapses for the Bi-Polar or Psychoses... the Personality DOs are probably the worst prognostically for a superhuman, as it's fundamental to their world view. At least the Anti-Social Personality Type Supervillain will decrease their negative behaviors in middle-age as they realize that the negative consequences of their actions (including years of time in Stronghold, lack of satisfying interpersonal relationships, and nothing to show for a lifetime of effort). Anti-Socials tend to modify their behavior in response to what they get out of things, just like most other folks... it reminds me of a joke I heard from a patient when I was working in Griffen Memorial Hospital (State Psychiatric Hospital in Oklahoma). This guy's car gets a flat tire on a deserted country road in the middle of the night. Cursing, he gets out in the middle of the night and finds he's standing alongside this 15' tall fence with the words "State Hospital for the Criminally Insane" on a large metal sign. Moving quickly, and more than a little freaked out, he gets out his spare and starts changing the tire. Just as he puts the last of the lug nuts into the hubcap, he looks up and sees this guy standing on the other side of the fence and watching him silently. "Holy CRAP!" and the lug nuts go flying into the night, gone forever. The guy is really freaked out at this point, but the patient on the other side of the fence just calmly states "Why don't you just take one lug nut off of each remaining tire and use that to get you to the nearest gas station?". In response the man thinks briefly, agrees and is ready to head out in minutes. Turning to the helpful psychiatric patient, he asks "Wow, you're pretty smart fella. What're you doing in there?". "I'm crazy, not stupid" is the response.

Re: The Ages of Comics. Threw a Glass Dorkly Hilarious, rep for you!

Re: Question for the legal eagles re federal arrest warrants I would make damn sure that my GM hadn't read the recent New Yorker article mentioned by Speedball on "Outsourcing Torture: the battle over extraordinary rendition." Caught that in the Doctor's waiting room and it was extremely chilling stuff... I can easily see that catching their eye, especially in a gritty iron-age style campaign. This seems like a "know your GM" type of scenario, but it would depend heavily on the style of the campaign as to how I'd respond to it. If it was four color, should probably trust that the good old US of A has your best interest at heart, let freedom shine forth and turn him in. If it's gritty and dark, with governmental conspiracies behind every closet door - then definitely I'd be more inclined to be singing ")*(@ the Police!" in response to this supposed warrant. Campaign settings falling between the extremes... well, you get the picture. As to the legal recourse actually asked for in the thread, I'd think that you have got some excellent advice there. Federal Warrant should be accessable to at least motions for disclosure or whatever, if they decline to let you know anything about it that would raise my suspicions further. "We don't have to care, we're the government", is the likely response, but federal courts are bound by precedent and procedure... that high rent attorney should be good for something, after all! Good luck avoiding your buddy being "outsourced" to the Sudan or some other 3rd world torture facility!

Re: Props and your PCs That is "freakin' awesome!"... I so want a PowerPoint projector now.

Re: Props and your PCs Interesting perspectives... I actually was very resistant to using props. It was a suggestion of one of the players initially (a player that moved away shortly thereafter, and had little benefit from the suggestion). What really struck me as interesting was that the PCs not only verbalized enthusiasm regarding the use of props, but (what I consider a better measure of actual enthusiasm) they would bitch if I didn't use any for long enough once they became part of the ongoing campaign. An example is that it's cool to get a verbal "your character recieves a writ of title to the estates in lower Montgren, and is invested with the order of the Ebon Raven"... it's cool-ER if you actually get handed the rolled up parchment scroll in Lucinda Blackletter (or another nice archaic script) complete with seal and bound in ribbon. Especially if you don't know it's coming. Hell it takes me five minutes for most of these things, anything that adds to the PCs enjoyment is worth a bit of my time... I just wondered if anyone else did the same.