Lucius

I think you quoted me without reading carefully. I did not say that I don't think anyone has claimed that Normal Characteristix Maxima effects character build. I said that I don't think anyone has claimed that Normal Characteristic Maxima does NOT effect character build. I agree Mallet has a good idea. Thank you, that actually makes sense. Of course, it's assuming your GM, who may have assumed no one would go so far over the "max," doesn't nix the character anyway. So, you have all the planning security I would have trying to play the Florist Friars. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary points out that Brother Rose the Flying Monk isn't meant to be a combat monster, he's meant to deliver flowers

Trolls vs Berserkers Lucius Alexander vs a palindromedary

A rule against a specific abuse will stop that abuse, assuming it's obeyed. Obviously a rule that's not obeyed doesn't accomplish much of anything. Lucius Alexander For example if you tried to make a rule against palindromedaries I would probably still place one in this tagline.

True, no one claims Normal Characteristics Maxima stops all abuses. My claim is that it does not stop ANY abuses. I don't think anyone has claimed that it doesn't affect character build. Lucius Alexander Unless the palindromedary is making claims behind my back.....

In what way does Normal Characteristic Maxima give you "planning security?" Lucius Alexander The palindromedary wonders if we should post a guard while making plans.....

Never mind the iron. I want to know if it hurts the caterpillar to become a butterfly. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary notes that it obviously KILLS the caterpillar, but does it HURT?

In the case of a Drakine or wizard, what is being paid for is Resistant Protection or a Killing Attack that is harder to break or take away or be caught without. And even at that I am not necessarily averse to the idea of allowing a Limitation like "duplicates common equipment" to cut the price further. As for the "cut down on arguments" bit, I don't see where this exchange would be substantially different if there were no Normal Characteristic Maxima. Either way you have a dextrous Dwarf, objecting Elves, and the statement "He paid the points" ending the argument. The difference would be in how fair a price was paid by the Dwarf. I have to disagree with this. A tool is something that either enables or renders easier a task. Normal Characteristic Maxima is something that LOOKS like a tool but doesn't actually do anything that could not be as easily done without it. Lucius Alexander And a palindromedary claiming to be a Normal Human

Q: Why did Orlanth have to go to the Underworld? A: She bore the Wound that would not Heal Lucius Alexander Riding a palindromedary to Glorantha

Well if it's going to count as a Skill it darn tootin' ought to. Lucius Alexander This palindromedary tagline is lying to you

I'm sorry I was too dense to see that Neil Patrick Collins was "NPC" Your AutoInCorrect also botched my name, I see. Lucius Alexander And just try getting them to spell "palindromedary" right....

At the risk of sounding ignorant, who is Neil Patrick Collins? Lucius Alexander And the palindromedary asks why he wants to foil his boss's car?

Susceptibility: Striking something hard and failing to break or move it 3d6 damage Instant (Uncommon) 15 Lucius Alexander Moving a palindromedary

It doesn't matter as long as the result is recognizably an X. Lucius Alexander But the palindromedary wants to know what kind of bait you use to draw an X into a trap....

Which would cover telling if someone is lying? Between those two I'd go for Conversation, personally. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary says with some people you can tell they're lying because they're lips are moving, but that belongs in the politics thread....

You give it such OCV and or DCV penalties that the only practical use for it is from surprise. Lucius Alexander surprise, it's a palindromedary

What makes you think psychological manipulation is incompatible with polite company? Lucius Alexander Politely manipulating a palindromedary into participating in this tagline

Why would I do that when I can put it on the powers bought via the VPP? Lucius Alexander And a PT

First posted in 2009 May All the Gods Forgive Me Yes, this is getting impious even by my standards, not to mention completely silly....but I couldn't resist. Omnipresence: (Total: 217 Active Cost, 199 Real Cost) Immanence: Growth (+15 STR, +3 BODY, +3 STUN, -3" KB, 800 kg, -2 DCV, +2 PER Rolls to perceive character, 4 m tall, 2 m wide), Inherent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2), MegaScale (1" = 100 billion lightyears; +6 1/4) (127 Active Points) (Real Cost: 127) plus Transcendence Desolidification , Inherent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (90 Active Points); Linked (Immanence; Greater Power is Constant or in use most or all of the time; -1/4) (Real Cost: 72) Omniscience: (Total: 246 Active Cost, 246 Real Cost)Knows All: KS: Everything, Uncontrolled (+1/2) 50- (Real Cost: 61) plus Understands All: Universal Translator 40-, Uncontrolled (+1/2) (73 Active Points) (Real Cost: 73) plus Sees All: Spatial Awareness (Unusual Group), +20 to PER Roll, Discriminatory, Analyze, Microscopic: x10,000,000,000, Perceive into any dimension, Rapid: x100,000 (Real Cost: 112) Omnipotence: Omnipotence: Variable Power Pool, 500 base + 937 control cost, Inherent (+1/4), Persistent (+1/2); all slots Cosmic (+2) (1437 Active and Real Points) plus Eternal Omnipotence: Succor Cosmic Power Pool and all Slots 5d6, Inherent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2), Transdimensional (Single Point in Time: Moment of Creation; +1/2), Uncontrolled (+1/2), Can Apply Adders (+1), All Powers Simultaneously (+2) (156 Active Points) NOTES The first attribute listed, Omnipresence, includes Immanence and Transcendence. The former is Growth, Megascaled, sufficient to cover the entire observable universe as of the most recent scientific cosmological theory, as I understand it. The latter is bought as Desolidification. The second attribute, Omniscience, sort of assumes the first: If a Deity is not Omnipresent for example but wishes to be Omniscient, it would be necessary to buy 360 degrees, Range, and lots of Telescopic on the Cosmic Awareness. An Omnipresent Being need not have Ranged senses, since by definition nothing is ever at range from an Omnipresent Being. The third attribute, Omnipotence, includes both a Cosmic Power Pool and an Eternal Succor that applies to the Cosmic Power Pool at the moment of Creation, and that goes off automatically and without effort each phase - Forever. Even in the unlikely case of a SPD 1 Being, and even over the course of, say, a normal Human lifetime of three score and ten years, that's an enormous amount of 5d6 Succors - and a zero END Succor basically goes on forever. Even though it costs less than 1600 points, I'd say this constitutes effectively unlimited power for any Being that endures for eons. Don't ask why I did this. I don't understand it either. edit: Might as well add this: Deus Absconditus: Invisibility to Sight, Hearing, Mental, Radio, Smell/Taste and Touch Groups and Spatial Awareness , No Fringe, Inherent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (135 Active and Real Points) Lucius Alexander Sometimes, the palindromedary worries about me.

This is why I call it a "flintmobile." Remember that cartoon The Flintstones? Remember the family piling into the "stone age car" and then they all stick their feet through the bottom and start running? It LOOKS like a car so you would THINK it helps you get from place to place but all it is, is a heavy contraption you lug around while still doing all the work yourself. Normal Characteristic Maxima is like that. It won't prevent a STR 30 Pixie, you still have to do that yourself. All it gives you is the kind of headaches you can expect from trying to run a point buy system with a bolted on glitch that violates the "get what you pay for, pay for what you get" principle. I really do need to track down and repost those Florist Friars. edit: here they are: The Florist Friars Brother Rose Aka ”the Flying Monk” Val Char Cost Roll Notes 15 STR 5 12- Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [3] 20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7 13 CON 6 12- 9 BODY -2 11- 13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12- 11 EGO 2 11- ECV: 4 13 PRE 3 12- PRE Attack: 2 1/2d6 8 COM -1 11- 3/5 PD 0 Total: 3/5 PD (0/2 rPD) 3/4 ED 0 Total: 3/4 ED (0/1 rED) 6 SPD 50 Phases: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 6 REC 0 26 END 0 24 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 88 Movement: Running: 3"/6" Flight: 3"/12" Leaping: 2"/4" Swimming:1"/2" Cost Powers END 9 The Flying Monk: Flight 3", x4 Noncombat, Trigger (Activating the Trigger is an Action that takes no time, Trigger resets automatically, immediately after it activates; +1) (22 Active Points); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Drain 3d6 END when fuel runs out.; -1/2), Conditional Power Only if already ran 3" that phase; Can only go noncombat if ran noncombat that phase (-1/2), Only In Contact With A Surface (-1/4), 1 Continuing Fuel (Secret herbal potion) Charge lasting 30 Minutes (-1/4) [1 cc] 1 No thank you, I won't stand still and let you land a solid blow...: Armor (2 PD/1 ED) (5 Active Points); Limited Power Does not stop first pt of BOD of a Killing Attack (-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Drain 3d6 END when fuel runs out.; -1/2), Linked (The Flying Monk; Lesser Instant Power can be used in any Phase in which greater Constant Power is in use; -1/4), Nonpersistent (-1/4), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 30 Minutes (-1/4) [1 cc] 2 Healing Potion: Rapid Healing (5 Active Points); OAF Fragile (-1 1/4), 6 Boostable Charges (-1/2) Notes: For some reason, Brother Rose's herbal potions seem to only be able to heal himself. Unfortunately, not everyone believes that.... He's Fast! Maneuver OCV DCV Notes 5 Flying Dodge -- +4 Dodge All, Abort; FMove 3 Martial Throw +0 +1 3d6 +v/5, Target Falls 3 Martial Grab -1 -1 Grab 2 Limbs, 25 STR holding Skills 3 Breakfall 13- 3 Acrobatics 13- 3 Bureaucratics 12- 3 Paramedics 12- 3 Trading 12- 0 Language: English (idiomatic) (4 Active Points) 2 Language: Latin (fluent conversation) 3 Jack of All Trades 2 1) PS: Florist (3 Active Points) 12- 2 2) PS: Flower Arranging (3 Active Points) 12- 2 3) PS: Gardener (3 Active Points) 12- 2 4) PS: Herbalist (3 Active Points) 12- 3 Scholar 2 1) KS: Canon Law (3 Active Points) 12- 2 2) KS: Flowers (3 Active Points) 12- 2 3) KS: Herblore (3 Active Points) 12- 2 4) KS: The Fastest Routes through the City (3 Active Points) 12- Total Powers & Skill Cost: 62 Total Cost: 150 75+ Disadvantages 0 Normal Characteristic Maxima 5 Age: 40+ 15 Dependent NPC: Brother Orchid 14- (Slightly Less Powerful) 15 Psychological Limitation: Monastic Vows (Common, Strong) 5 Money: Vow of Poverty Poor 5 Distinctive Features: Monastic Habit (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses) 10 Rivalry: Professional (Mercury Man and the FTD; Rival is Significantly More Powerful; Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate Rival; Rival Unaware of Rivalry) 5 Hunted: People wanting the secret of his herbal preperations 8- (As Pow, Mildly Punish) 15 Hunted: Ecclesiastical Superiors 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, PC has a Public ID or is otherwise very easy to find, Watching) Total Disadvantage Points: 150 Background/History: Brother Rose gained the nickname "The Flying Monk" when he started doing the deliveries for his monastic order's floral business. Personality/Motivation: Brother Rose loves the Church and flowers, not necessarily in that order. He has an irrational resentment of Florist's Transworld Delivery because their symbol "Mercury Man" is a Pagan God. Quote: May the Saint forgive me, but I hate Valentine's Day....how many more orders do I have to deliver? Powers/Tactics: Unless he is cornered or must act to protect the innocent, Brother Rose responds to violence by running away. Campaign Use: Florist Friar Appearance: Brother Rose is almost always to be found in his monkish habit. Wearing it is one of his monkish habits. Brother Orchid aka “Brother Ox” Val Char Cost Roll Notes 40 STR 50 17- Lift 6400.0kg; 8d6 [8] 11 DEX 3 11- OCV: 4/DCV: 4 13 CON 6 12- 10 BODY 0 11- 10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11- 11 EGO 2 11- ECV: 4 15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6 8 COM -1 11- 6 PD -2 Total: 6 PD (0 rPD) 4 ED 1 Total: 4 ED (0 rED) 3 SPD 9 Phases: 4, 8, 12 11 REC 0 26 END 0 37 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 67 Movement: Running: 5"/10" Leaping: 4"/8" Swimming:2"/4" Talents 6 Combat Luck (3 PD/3 ED) Skills 3 Hoist 11- 3 Jack of All Trades 2 1) PS: Florist (3 Active Points) 11- 2 2) PS: Flower Arranging (3 Active Points) 11- 2 3) PS: Gardener (3 Active Points) 11- 3 Scholar 2 1) KS: Flowers (3 Active Points) 11- 2 2) KS: Herblore (3 Active Points) 11- 2 3) KS: Monastic Traditions (worldwide) (3 Active Points) 11- 2 +1 With Grab Total Powers & Skill Cost: 29 Total Cost: 96 50+ Disadvantages 0 Normal Characteristic Maxima 15 Psychological Limitation: Monastic Vows (Common, Strong) 5 Money: Vow of Poverty Poor 5 Distinctive Features: Monastic Habit (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses) 15 Hunted: Ecclesiastical Superiors 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, PC has a Public ID or is otherwise very easy to find, Watching) 10 Psychological Limitation: Looks up to Brother Rose (Common, Moderate) Total Disadvantage Points: 50 Background/History: Brother Orchid is actually Brother Rose's nephew, and he looks up to his uncle as a wiser and more experienced monk. But he's also read about the monastic and ascetic traditions of other cultures, and is not above sometimes mischeivously annoying his uncle by comparing their own rules and rituals to those of Buddhists or Taoists. Personality/Motivation: Curiosity about Eastern traditions aside, Brother Orchid takes his vow of Obedience very seriously. Whatever he's doing at any given moment, it's probably what someone told him to do. Quote: No thank you brother, I can handle it. They can't weigh more than a couple hundred kilos. Powers/Tactics: Brother Orchid is gentle by nature and if he must fight will usually try to grab and immobilize his opponent. He knows he is unusually strong and is unlikely to strike anyone with his full Strength unless frightened or severely provoked. Campaign Use: Florist Friar Appearance: Brother Orchid is almost always to be found in his monkish habit. Wearing it is one of his monkish habits. Lucius Alexander Florist Friars copyright Palindromedary Enterprises

I've written up Omnipresence and Omniscience as Powers, and I don't recall needing that kind of point expenditure. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary says I ought to track those down again....

I've built Gods on less than 3,000 pts. Hero Designer doesn't even accommodate the kind of numbers you're throwing around. I'm not sure what purpose you think would be served by characters of such point totals. Lucius Alexander More than a palindromedary can swallow

Thank you. Maybe I should be in the business of writing back cover blurbs. Given that, 1) the relatively small number who will see a phrase like "The Desolation of Skarm" and automatically think of Tolkein's line "They were come to the Desolation of the Dragon, and they were come at the waning of the year," and given that 2) of those who DO think of it, most will respond approvingly and only a vanishingly small portion (perhaps a single individual) will sneer and say "really?", I will venture to suggest that yes, even if it we regard it as a crib, it's still a good idea. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary looms up to say that overuse of the word "looming" is not necessarily such a good idea. Everyone's a critic.

I approve of this thinking. And I am Lucius Alexander For Palindromedary Enterprises

If it's not impossible, it's not surprising for it to happen - once. Out of all the literally millions of occasions in the annals of war where soldiers shot at each other, there are bound to be even stranger and less likely results than this. Lucius Alexander The palindromedary says it would be strange if there were NOT such unlikely events scattered about....

Also crossposted from rpg.net Panorama of a lush rolling plain, scattered groves thick with trees, a river gleaming in the distance. The camera pans around to show a mounted group of typical adventurers who have obviously just come over the crest of a ridge - an obvious female Elf and male Human armed with bow and sword, and a male Dwarf in plate armor with an ax. Narrator: It is a world in many ways comfortably familiar.... Striding uphill behind the group, and soon looming over them, appears the gray and rocky figure of a Stone Giant. The Elf looks back and up and asks "What do you see ahead, and what is the land telling you?" Narrator: Yet holding endless surprises. A world of Dragons ... Cut to a scene of people fleeing a burning town. An enormous green dragon lands right in their path so heavily as to knock them from their feet, before unleashing a blast of flame that conceals and presumably consumes them. Cut back to the Giant and companions. The Giant speaks in a voice deep as a mountain's root, "This land was cut by the plow, long ago, and then fell the heavy tread of a Dragon. We are closer. There is....something else...." Narrator: ...of Dungeons... Cut to a man framed from the waist up, chained to a wall, ghastly pale and unshaven, leeches clinging to his bare chest. His eyes open and focus on someone outside the camera view. "Why don't you let me die?" A cultured voice responds "Very well. Here is a vessel of poison....I am content for you to die now." All that is seen of the speaker is a scarlet sleeve and a pale hand holding an earthenware bottle covered in script resembling insects and crawling worms, presenting it to the lips of the victim, who drinks thirstily, then chokes, gasps, and goes limp as the leeches fall away. His head then begins to melt, before reforming into something slimy and grey and mostly featureless, the mouth becoming a circular and obscenely pulsing sucker. The unseen voice continues "Die...and rise again to feed upon the blood of the living." Cut back to the Giant, still speaking "...in hidden places under the earth, foul things are done. The Dragon, Skarm the Desolator, is not the only evil thing in this land." The Human says "Sounds like we came to the right place. Tell me again why we're here?" The Dwarf answers "Because Dragons always have gold." The Elf responds "Because we're heroes." Narrator: ....and of Demons Cut to the courtyard of a ruined castle. The archers are firing into a looming inky black form with spidery legs and long snaky arms looming at the far end of the courtyard. The arrows simply strike the blackness and vanish into it. "No gold is worth this" declares the Dwarf. "We must be heroes then" answered the Human, drawing a sword and charging, followed by the Dwarf as the Elf continues to ply the bow. The Demon seizes and hurls one of the great stones fallen from the ruined wall, which the Human evades by dropping prone. Black fluid sprays as the Dwarf strikes, then he is seized and held aloft. Close up shows the ropy black tentacles exuding a slime that corrodes the armor and eats right through the ax haft until the ax head falls away. Cut to the Elf apparently whispering to an arrow before nocking and loosing it; there is a burst of light when it strikes, and the Demon shrieks and drops the Dwarf. The head and long sinuous neck of a Dragon - the same one seen earlier - rises over the castle wall to glare at the Demon, which cowers down and then sinks into the ground. The dragon turns its gaze to the adventurers and opens its maw. Dissolve to flame. Title card appears in the flames: TURAKIAN AGE The Desolation of Skarm (Brought to you by Hero System) Lucius Alexander This preview has been approved for all palindromedaries