Lucius

Final two picks time for Lemme Show You My Junk!
 
9.  (neighbor, and Rosie's ex) The Noo-Noo, from the kids' TV series, Teletubbies
 
10. (option, theme song) Johnny Cash's voice in a rendition of I've Been Everywhere, with altered lyrics; in the show, the voice is ostensibly Robby the Robot's.
 
First verse of the song as it is heard in the show:
 
 

Of course I remember that thread.
 
It was probably inevitable that I write it up.
 
Variable Babe Pool, 50 base + 84 control cost, (92 Active Points); OAF Immobile (Swimming Pool; -2), Limited Special Effect Uncommon SFX (Babes; -1) Real Cost:60
 
Slots
 
Call Bimbo: Summon 20-point Babe, Weak-Willed -4 on EGO Rolls (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (8 Active Points); Extra Time (20 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1 1/4), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Bevy of Bimbos: Summon 8 20-point Babe, Weak-Willed -4 on EGO Rolls (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (38 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Hour, Only to Activate, -1 1/2), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Call Bitch: Summon 175-point Babe, Variable Special Effects (Limited Group of SFX; So many ways to be a bitch...; +1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Expanded Class of Beings (Limited Group: Bitches; So many kinds of bitches...; +1/2) (79 Active Points); No Conscious Control (Only Effects cannot be controlled; You don't pick the bitch; the bitch picks you; -1), Antagonistic Hostile (-1/2), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Pack of Bitches: Summon 4 125-point Babe, Variable Special Effects (Limited Group of SFX; So many ways to be a bitch...; +1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Expanded Class of Beings (Limited Group: Bitches; So many kinds of bitches...; +1/2) (79 Active Points); No Conscious Control (Only Effects cannot be controlled; You don't pick the bitch; the bitch picks you; -1), Antagonistic Hostile (-1/2), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Starlet, Stripper, or Strumpet: Summon 75-point Babe, Expanded Class of Beings (Very Limited Group; Also Escorts, Models, Nurses...; +1/4), Friendly (x2 as many tasks; +1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (34 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Hour, Only to Activate, -1 1/2), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Troupe of Starlets, Strippers, and/or Strumpets: Summon 16 75-point Babe, Expanded Class of Beings (Very Limited Group; Also Escorts, Models, Nurses...; +1/4), Friendly (x2 as many tasks; +1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (79 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Day, Only to Activate, -2), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Call Moll: Summon 90-point Babe, Trigger (Activating the Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action, Trigger requires a Turn or more to reset, Character does not control activation of personal Trigger, Trigger can expire (it has a time limit); This simply means that if the Moll has unused "tasks" and the character does not, or is not in a position to, give orders, the moll will execute some logical "task" unprompted. Examples of such spontaneous tasks: Arrange bail, call the lawyer, call an ambulance, shoot the hitman that's about to finish off the character, etc.; +1/4), Loyal (x4 as many tasks; +1), Time Limit (1 Week; +2 1/4) (81 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Day, Only to Activate, -2), 3 Charges which Recover every 1 Week (Loyal molls don't come along every day. Only about once a week.; -1 3/4), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Call Doll: Summon 80-point Babe, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Devoted (x2 as many tasks; +1), Time Limit (1 Month; +2 1/2) (80 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Hour, Only to Activate, -1 1/2), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Collection of Dolls: Summon 4 30-point Babe, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Devoted (x2 as many tasks; +1), Time Limit (1 Month; +2 1/2) (80 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Hour, Only to Activate, -1 1/2), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Attract Groupie: Summon 80-point Babe, Trigger (Activating the Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action, Trigger requires a Turn or more to reset, Character does not control activation of personal Trigger, Trigger can expire (it has a time limit); This simply means that if the Groupie has unused "tasks" and the character does not, or is not in a position to, give orders, the Groupie will execute some logical "task" unprompted. Examples of such spontaneous tasks: Arrange bail, call the lawyer, call an ambulance, shoot the hitman that's about to finish off the character, etc.; +1/4), Slavishly Devoted (x2 as many tasks; +1 1/4), Time Limit (1 Month; +2 1/2) (80 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Week, Only to Activate, -2 1/4), 2 Charges (Recovers Under Limited Circumstances (Must do something to enhance reputation or draw attention); -1 1/4), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Grope of Groupies: Summon 4 30-point Babe, Trigger (Activating the Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action, Trigger requires a Turn or more to reset, Character does not control activation of personal Trigger, Trigger can expire (it has a time limit); This simply means that if the Groupie has unused "tasks" and the character does not, or is not in a position to, give orders, the Groupie will execute some logical "task" unprompted. Examples of such spontaneous tasks: Arrange bail, call the lawyer, call an ambulance, shoot the hitman that's about to finish off the character, etc.; +1/4), Slavishly Devoted (x2 as many tasks; +1 1/4), Time Limit (1 Month; +2 1/2) (80 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Week, Only to Activate, -2 1/4), 2 Charges (Recovers Under Limited Circumstances (Must do something to enhance reputation or draw attention); -1 1/4), Arrives Under Own Power (-1/2)
 
Looks like the place is packed with babes: Touch Group, Normal Sight and Normal Hearing Images, +/-6 to PER Rolls, Persistent (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Uncontrolled (Turn it off by turning them off. They'll probably scatter when the fight starts anyway) (+1/2) (70 Active Points); Extra Time (20 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1 1/4), Set Effect (-1), Difficult to Alter simple changes take a Full Phase (Plus verbal instructions. "Why don't you girls all get in the pool?"; -1/2), Physical Manifestation (Because it IS packed with babes; -1/4)
 
Nice Scenery: Change Environment (-4 Characteristic Roll and all Skill Rolls based on Characteristic, Long-Lasting 1 Day, Varying Combat Effects), Personal Immunity (+1/4), Area Of Effect (8m Radius; +1/2) (70 Active Points); 3 Charges (-1 1/4), Limited Power Only effects justifiable based on babes (-1/2), Physical Manifestation (But who would want to hurt the babes?; -1/4), Variable Limitations (requires -1/2 worth of Limitations; Usually either Extra Time, or Conditional: must have some babes around already; -1/4)
Note:Filling it with babes is a nice way to change the environment. Possible Variable Combat Effects include: up to 5 STR Telekinesis, to represent casual use of babes to fetch drinks, make sandwhiches, give footrubs, and do other tasks requiring little strength or skill, or -5 to either PRE or EGO (whichever is higher) to do anything requiring focus or concentration. Note that setting it to -4 PRE rolls and PRE skills is very useful if one is negotiating something with a guest...
 
Not so dumb after all: Retrocognitive Clairsentience (Sight Group, Normal Smell And Normal Hearing), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (75 Active Points); No Conscious Control (Only Effects cannot be controlled; -1), Only Through The Senses Of Babes (-1/2), Limited Power Sometimes babes are confused, make something up, or are vague and uncertain (-1/2), Limited Range (-1/4)
Note: Sometimes a babe will notice something and even mention it - at the time or later
 
Don't be like that, babe, just listen to me...: Mind Control 7d6+1, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Cumulative (86 points; +3/4) (83 Active Points); Limited Class Of Minds Babes (-1), Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), Only to Activate, -3/4), Variable Limitations (requires -1 worth of Limitations; Normally some combination of: Skin Contact Required, Eye Contact Required, Expendable Focus (cash or gifts,) Requires Skill Roll: Charm, Literal Interpretation (especially for Bimbos); -1/2), Incantations (Fast Talking; -1/4)
 
Naked Advantage: Line Of Sight (+1/2) for up to 3 Active Points (1 Active Points)
Note: Seeing them naked is one of the great advantages of a Variable Babe Pool...
 
Orgy: Swinging 1m, Uncontrolled (Completely wild and out of control!; +1/2) (1 Active Points); Extra Time (5 Minutes, Only to Activate, To get the party started; -1), Required Multiple Users ([3-4] people; Sort of by definition....; -1/2)
Note: Oh wait, not THAT kind of swinging....
 
 
 
Edit: Thought of one more possibility: Her Own Car/Her Own Place ("Let's hang out at your place for a while...") a Summon Vehicle or Base.
 
Molly the Moll
Val Char Cost Roll Notes
8 STR -2 11- Lift 75.8kg; 1 1/2d6
11 DEX 2 11- OCV: 5/DCV: 5
13 CON 3 12-
8 BODY -2
13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12-
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3 - 4
15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6
 
 
3/17 PD 1 Total: 3/17 PD (0/6 rPD)
3/9 ED 1 Total: 3/9 ED (0/6 rED)
3 SPD 10 Phases: 4, 8, 12
4 REC 0
20 END 0
18 STUN -1 Total Characteristic Cost: 38
 
Movement:
Running: 8m/16m
Leaping: 2m/4m
Swimming: 4m/8m
 
Cost Powers END
12 I haven't been killed yet: Combat Luck (6 PD/6 ED)
6 +8 PD (8 Active Points); Linked (I haven't been killed yet; Greater Power is Constant or in use most or all of the time; -1/4)
 
Talents
1 You got nothin' on me. I wanna lawyer.: Resistance (+1 to roll)
 
Skills
3 I can tell 'em what they want to hear: Charm 12-
2 I can be the getaway driver.: Combat Driving 10-
3 Every man has a price: Bribery 12-
3 I know the score: Streetwise 12-
2 Help! He's holding me hostage!: Acting 10-
2 Not the first bullet wound I've had to patch up.: Paramedics 10-
2 I got nailed for shoplifting once or twice: Sleight Of Hand 10-
3 Yeah, I'm a gun moll. WF: Small Arms, Blades
1 Take this, it's loaded: Weaponsmith (Firearms) 12- (2 Active Points); Limited Power Only to clear jams, rapid reload, or identify - can't actually make a gun (-1)
0 It's what I do: PS: Moll (Background Skill) 11-
3 Traveler - I know this town and I know who's who and what's what!
1 1) I know a good lawyer: CuK: Lawyers, bailbondsmen, and other people good to know in a jam (2 Active Points) 11-
2 2) I know my rights!: CuK: Police Procedures (3 Active Points) 12-
2 3) I know my way around: CK: Campaign City (3 Active Points) 12-
2 4) I know where to go if you're on the lam: AK: Hideouts, safe houses, good getaway routes (3 Active Points) 12-
2 5) I know who he works for, and you don't want to cross him: CuK: Crime and Criminals (3 Active Points) 12-
 
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 52
Total Cost: 90
 
90+ Disadvantages
20 "I'm YOUR girl now" Psychological Complication: Loyalty (Very Common; Strong)
5 "Yeah, they know my name now." Social Complication: Police Record Frequently, Minor, Not Limiting In Some Cultures
5 "They talked to me, but I didn't tell 'em a thing, Boss." Hunted: The Boss's enemies. Usually including the police. Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI; Limited Geographical Area; Watching)
10 "Boss wouldn't like that." Hunted: "The Boss" Frequently (Mo Pow; Limited Geographical Area; PC has a Public ID or is otherwise very easy to find; Watching)
5 "Rotten Luck" Unluck: 1d6
5 "Yeah, I was just over the limit and the cop pulled me over and asked about you! He didn't just want to give me a ticket, he wants me to know he knows my car." Negative Reputation: Known Associate of _________, Frequently (Known Only To A Small Group; Law Enforcement and Criminals)
40 Base Points
 
Total Disadvantage Points: 90
 
Background/History: Molly is an example of a high end "babe" from a Variable Babe Pool, specifically, one that might appear for the "Call Moll" power.
 
Personality/Motivation: After the "honeymoon" (the set of Tasks calculated, plus a week of "hanging around") unless the moll is re-Summoned or other steps taken (Bribery or Persuasion rolls perhaps) her loyalty may wane or she may move out of the campaign. While unlikely to "sell out" (and even less likely to sing to the cops) she may move on to some other tough guy who impressed her, either with more lavish parties or with an even darker and more dangerous reputation. Or she may get into trouble on her own initiative and end up in jail, taking it on the lam with no forwarding address, or even get killed. If the character gets really attached to a moll, there's always the option of buying her as a Follower.
 
Quote: Whatever you say, boss.
 
Powers/Tactics: While designed to hopefully survive a firefight, Molly is probably not a frontline enforcer. She can be a back up getaway driver, a distraction, or one more gun on your side in a fight. With 15 pts in Streetwise and Knowledge Skills, she may make a useful advisor.
 
Campaign Use: Aside from being a Summoned Babe, this character sheet could be used for a more permanent moll for crime bosses ranging from a prohibition era bootlegger to a 21st century drug lord, or even the girlfriend of certain kinds of villains in a superhero game.
 
Appearance: Molls are not necessarily chosen for looks (they have other things to contribute) but any given crime lord's moll is probably at least moderately attractive by whatever his personal standards are.
 
This is for a common bimbo
 
Some Bimbo
Val Char Cost Roll Notes
5 STR -5 10- Lift 50.0kg; 1d6
8 DEX -4 11- OCV: 2/DCV: 2
8 CON -2 11-
8 BODY -2
8 INT -2 11- PER Roll 11-
8 EGO -2 11- ECV: 3 - 2
8 PRE -2 11- PRE Attack: 1 1/2d6
 
 
2 PD 0 Total: 2 PD (0 rPD)
2 ED 0 Total: 2 ED (0 rED)
2 SPD 0 Phases: 6, 12
4 REC 0
20 END 0
18 STUN -1 Total Characteristic Cost: -32
 
Movement:
Running: 12m/24m
Leaping: 4m/8m
Swimming: 6m/12m
 
Cost Powers END
5 A little luck never hurts: Luck 1d6
1 I can hold my breath: Life Support (Extended Breathing: 1 END per Turn)
 
Talents
4 +2/+2d6 Striking Appearance (vs. [people who like bimbos])
 
Skills
5 Hi honey: Charm 12-
3 I can put my ankles behind my head. Wanna see?: Contortionist 11-
3 Aw, c'mon!: Persuasion 11-
3 I know the score: Streetwise 11-
1 I've lived on the streets: Survival (Urban) 8-
3 Keep my mouth shut, smile, and watch what everyone else is doing. That's how.: High Society 11-
3 I'm not as dumb as I act: Acting 11-
3 That's awesome! Tell me more.: Conversation 11-
0 It's what I do: PS: Bimbo (Backgrond Skill) 11-
4 I got social skills: +1 with all Interaction Skills
2 Good in bed: +1 with Charm, Contortionist, Acting (3 Active Points); Limited Power Only in a sexual context (-1/2)
3 I'm not a dummy, I know stuff. Scholar
2 1) KS: Carnal Knowledge (3 Active Points) 12-
1 2) KS: Clothes, fashion, & makeup (2 Active Points) 11-
1 3) KS: Local gossip (2 Active Points) 11-
1 4) KS: Popular Culture (2 Active Points) 11-
 
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 48
Total Cost: 16
 
20+ Disadvantages
15 Physical Complication: Weak Will, -4 to EGO rolls (Frequently; Slightly Impairing)
5 Social Complication: Bimbo Frequently, Minor, Not Limiting In Some Cultures
 
Total Disadvantage Points: 20
 
Background/History: She's from the shallow end of the Variable Babe Pool
 
Personality/Motivation: Girls just wanna have fun. Bimbos like this drift in and out all the time. Easy come, easy go.
 
Quote: Great party!
 
Powers/Tactics: Looks good in a bikini. Fun at parties. Even more fun in bed. Strong swimmer (lots of time in the pool. Builds up those leg muscles.)
 
Campaign Use: Besides being a Summoned Babe, can be anything from a streetwalker to a trophy wife. A few points left unspent to give each bimbo a little something to individualize her, if you want to bother.
 
Appearance: Invariably sexy, if you like that kind of girl
Lucius Alexander
 
Palindromedary Enterprises. Moll and bimbo are for entertainment purposes only. Palindromedary Enterprises does not condone violence, recreational use of controlled substances, loud partying, casual or high risk sexual behavior or any other aspects of a criminal lifestyle.
 

All of which is kind of beside the point I was trying to make.
 
Had pigs for example not tasted good to Humans, there would be no feral pigs loose on assorted continents because the pigs wouldn't BE on all continents. They'd  still be rooting around in the same geographic range they had when first domesticated. Chickens would probably be even more restricted in range. Wheat would be a wild grass growing in a certain part of Anatolia and unknown elsewhere.
 
The trait that enabled these and other species to expand their range and numbers to a global scale, is tasting good.
 
edit: Actually, it's not entirely beside the point. Matt the Bruins is probably right that the only reason there are 19 billions chickens is that they have been domesticated and are being bred and cared for by Humans. WHY have they been domesticated? Because they and their eggs taste so good.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
I wouldn't recommend trying to eat a palindromedary though.

That would be an oxymoron. So I think he's just pulling their legs.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
Order of the Palindromedary
 

Celebratory Fireworks!!: (Total: 47 Active Cost, 8 Real Cost) Sight and Hearing Groups Images, +/-4 to PER Rolls, Autofire (3 shots; +1/4), Area Of Effect (32m Radius Explosion; +1/2) (47 Active Points); Extra Time (20 Minutes, Only to Activate, -1 1/4), OAF (-1), Set Effect (-1), 2 clips of 3 Continuing Charges lasting 1 Hour each (Recovers Under Limited Circumstances (something to celebrate); Increased Reloading Time: 1 Minute; -3/4), Inaccurate (0 OCV; -1/2), Side Effects (Always occurs whenever the character does someting dumb like set them off indoors; -1/4), Restrainable (Only by means such as dousing them with water before they're lit; -1/4) (Real Cost: 8)
 
Lucius Alexander
 
I didn't put Requires a Roll on it but the palindromedry still says I should get a qualified pyrotechnician to set them off.

Over here, David Brin had a flash fiction contest, to say what happens next to the Tesla Roadster launched past Mars. This was my favorite entry:
 

The other day I was talking to my wife about an article. It claimed that men used about 10,000 words each day on average, while women used about 20,000 words a day.
 
She said, "That's because we always have to say everything twice, because you knuckleheads are never listening the first time."
 
To which I said, "What?"

Scenario: the Battle of Jomsborg
 
The year is 1001, the setting is the "real" medieval Europe, plus some low magic & a few monsters.
 
Norwegian King Olaf Tryggvason, a larger-than-life living legend even by Viking standards, was believed to have died in last year's Battle of Svolder, when the mercenary Jomsvikings betrayed him to his enemy, King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark - tho no body was ever found. For more backstory, and an amusing look at Viking era politics (at least as portrayed in the sagas), see this post.
 
Anyway, the PCs were in Kiev recently when they learned King Olaf is alive and has fallen in with the evil Prince Kor, a steppes nomad leader who may or may not be the literal Antichrist. In fact, they suspect Olaf may have become the embodiment of the Horseman Of War. ("Why yes, his horse did have a reddish coat now that you mention it...") Olaf passed through Kiev a month before the PCs, heading north and recruiting every warrior he could. The PCs have been furiously racing to catch up. In Gotland, they learn that two weeks ago King Olaf and his forces attacked and destroyed the Swedish capital Sigtuna, killed the Swedish King, and burned down the pagan religious center at Uppsala. Olaf then passed through here, hired all the warriors & ships he could, and departed 4 days ago with 30 ships and around 2000 men. They deduce that he's headed for Jomsburg, the fortress of the Jomsvikings.
 
July 24th: Our Heroes reach Jomsborg to find a fierce battle taking place in the bay outside the fortress:
King Olaf’s forces: 25 ships, 1700 warriors, including a large number of berserks (due to Olaf's powers as the Horseman Of War), plus King Olaf Bayan Tarkan, a Turkish sorcerer (demonologist) Prince Yaroslav, 13-year-old son of Grand Prince Vladimir of Kiev, sent off to learn The Ways Of War; Vladimir has asked the PCs to try not to kill him A couple of other Individual Bad-Ass Viking Captains Danish King Sweyn Forkbeard: 30 ships, 2000 warriors Jomsvikings (allied with the Danes): 20 ships, 1300 warriors Our Heroes: 2 ships, 120 warriors plus 10 freed Welsh slaves (marginal fighters), and 5 PCs Thyri: Swedish Viking shieldmaiden Geralt: Irish holy warrior Aeddan: Welsh ranger/archer Abida: Muslim alchemist Edmondo: Roman Catholic priest  
[BTW, Olaf Tryggvason, Sweyn Forkbeard and Prince Yaroslav (later known as Yaroslav The Wise) are actual historical (or at least legendary) people. Same for the Jomsvikings - basically Pagan Viking Templers, which is as awesome as it sounds. The Battle of Svolder I took straight out of the Icelandic sagas; King Olaf's body was in fact never found, and rumors that he had survived persisted for years. But this Battle of Jomsborg is completely fictitious.]
 
LET THE BATTLE COMMENCE!! (When I have more time to post...)

I recently gave a character PS: Cook and KS: Herbs.
 
I'll admit that was largely for flavor.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary says it's   a  matter of taste

I recently gave a character PS: Cook and KS: Herbs.
 
I'll admit that was largely for flavor.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary says it's   a  matter of taste

I recently gave a character PS: Cook and KS: Herbs.
 
I'll admit that was largely for flavor.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary says it's   a  matter of taste

While I'm at it, I had meant to post my interpretation of an interesting race of creatures from Welsh myth called the Coraniaid:
 
 
Coraniaid
Val   Char   Cost    Roll     Notes
  12    STR       2       11-      Lift 132.0kg; 2d6+1 [2]
  12    DEX      4       11-      OCV:  6/8/DCV:  6/9
  14    CON      4       12-
  10    INT        0       11-      PER Roll 11-/16-
  12    EGO      2       11-      ECV:  3 - 3
  12    PRE       2       11-      PRE Attack:  2d6
6+2  OCV      5      
6+3  DCV      5      
   3     OMCV  0      
   3     DMCV  0      
   3     SPD      10                  Phases:  4, 8, 12
12+2 PD          2                   Total:  12/14 PD (8/10 rPD)
12+2 ED         2                   Total:  12/14 ED (8/10 rED)
   5     REC      1
  25    END      1
  11    BODY   1
  25    STUN    3       Total Characteristic Cost:  39
 
Movement:    Running:  10m/20m
                         Leaping:  2m/4m
                         Swimming:  1m/2m
 
Cost   Powers                                                                                   END
           Hearing-Based Abilities, all slots Hearing-Based (-½)          
7         1)  Accuracy:  +2 OCV (10 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½)     
4         2)  Accuracy:  +2 OCV (10 Active Points); Only vs. Ranged Attacks (-1), Hearing-Based (-½)               
7         3)  Attack Tracking:  +2 DCV (10 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½)         
6         4)  Ranged Attack Tracking:  +3 DCV (15 Active Points); Only Vs. Ranged Attacks (-1), Hearing-Based (-½)   
7         5)  Anticipation:  Lightning Reflexes (+10 DEX to act first with All Attacks) (10 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½)      
21      6)  Alertness:  Danger Sense (immediate vicinity, out of combat, Function as a Sense) (32 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½) 16-                                                                                                  
11      7)  Danger Sense Dodging:  Resistant Protection (8 PD/8 ED), Hardened (+¼) (30 Active Points); Requires A Roll (Danger Sense Roll; -½), Instant (-½), Hearing-Based (-½), Nonpersistent (-¼)      0
2         8)  Absolute Range Sense (3 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½)  
10      9)  They Know Of Any Plans Made Against Them:  Deduction 16- (15 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½)         
           Can Hear Any Sound Carried By The Wind                          
10      1)  Enhanced Hearing:  +5 PER with Hearing Group         0
20      2)  Combat Hearing:  Targeting with Hearing Group          0
18      3)  Parabolic Hearing:  +12 versus Range Modifier for Hearing Group       0
7         4)  Discriminatory Hearing:  Detect Respiration  11-/16- (Hearing Group), Discriminatory     0
30      5)  True Awareness:  Spatial Awareness (Hearing Group), Discriminatory, Analyze  0
81      6)  Clairsentience (Hearing Group), Mobile Perception Point (can move up to 12m per Phase), Persistent (+¼), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½), MegaScale (1m = 100 km; +1 ½) (81 Active Points)           0
1         Long-Lived:  Life Support  (Longevity: 200 Years)            0
 
           Skills
4         WF:  Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile Weapons
3         Defense Maneuver I
7         Analyze:  Sounds 13-
3         Climbing 11-
7         Shadowing 13-
7         Stealth 13-
2         AK: Cymru (Wales) 11-
0         Language:  Coranaid (idiomatic) (4 Active Points)
3         Language:  Welsh (completely fluent)
2         Language:  English (fluent conversation)
1         Language:  Irish (fluent conversation; Similar to Welsh)
 
Total Powers & Skill Cost:  281
Total Cost:  320
 
225+     Matching Complications
10      Negative Reputation:  "The First Plague", Frequently (Extreme;  Known Only To A Small Group)
5         Physical Complication:  Small (4-5') (Infrequently; Barely Impairing)
15      Psychological Complication:  Hates Humans (Common; Strong)
10      Social Complication:  Mean, Nasty & Ornery Frequently, Minor
5         Susceptibility:  Extremely Loud Noises 1d6 damage Instant (Uncommon)
30      Susceptibility:  The crushed dust from a certain insect 3d6 damage per Segment (Uncommon)
95      Experience Points
 
Total Complications Points:  320
 
TYPICAL EQUIPMENT CARRIED
Spear, Medium
Club
Axe, Small
Bow, Medium
Sling
Heavy Leather Armor
 
Background/History:  The First Plague that beset the reign of Lludd Llaw Eraint were the Coraniaid, a stunted race of beings who came to Britain and could not be forced out because their hearing was so acute that they could hear any sound the wind touches. Thus did they instantly know of any plans made against them. Indeed it is said their ears were so sharp they could hear arrows and other blows as they moved through the air and thus avoid all harm. Much woe did they cause among the Britons and all action against them seemed impossible. Thus did Lludd cross the water to Gaul and seek aid and advice from his brother Llefelys who was King there. And they did craft a long trumpet that muffled their conversation so that the Coraniaid could not hear their speech. And thus did Llefelys tells Lludd of a certain insect that when crushed up and mixed with water was deadly to the Coraniaid, but harmless to the Britons. Lludd returned to the country with many of the insects and did crush them up and mix them with water. And Lludd called a meeting of all his people and all the Coraniaid, and when all had gathered he threw the mix over the whole crowd, thereby killing the Coraniaid without harming his own people. Thus were the Coraniaid destroyed, but King Lludd did save some of the insects for breeding in the event the plague ever returned to Britain.
Personality/Motivation:  Mean, nasty & ornery, the Coranaid hate humans and wish to displace them from the land.
Powers/Tactics:  The Coranaid's main ability is their unnaturally-acute hearing. The primary narrative effect of their superior hearing is that they can hear any plans being amde against them, making them nearly impossible to surprise. It also allows them to "hear" attacks coming, making them hard to hit in combat, especially at range. They typically wear leather armor and carry a mix of spears, clubs and axes, although they prefer to fight at range with bows and slings.
Campaign Use:  Force your players to get creative in figuring out how to deal with them.
Appearance:  A dwarvish race of beings who average between 4' to 5' in height and stout. Their faces are misshapen and asymmetrical. Their hair ranges in color from dark brown and dark blue to black, and is usually worn long and stringy.
Coraniaid.hdc

He's my creation, as is the entire chapter, with Steve's editing. However, credit where it's due, it was Steve's idea to make him 666 points. My first draft came in at like 640, and he quite correctly scolded me for it.  dw

Really well; thanks for asking! I stopped posting recaps because it didn't seem like anyone was actually reading them, but in summary:
 
From Constantinople, they headed East over the Caucasus, and met up with Kor's army near Rey. (Current-day Tehran.)
 
They infiltrated the army and were getting good intel, but they slipped up and got captured.
 
They spent a session getting tortured by Kor's daughter, before eventually managing to escape. I was surprised at how much the players loved this session!
 
While hiding from Kor's army, they stumbled onto a portal to Faerie and spent a few days there. (See above post.)
 
They left Faerie through another portal and found themselves outside of Kiev. Grand Prince Vladimir had fallen under Kor's influence, but the Heroes were able to free him.
 
They learned that Othar Trygvasson, the King of Norway who was thought to have died last year, had headed through here several weeks earlier gathering warriors as he went. Having reason to suspect Trygvasson is also the Horseman of War, they decided to go after him.
 
They caught up with Trygvasson as he was attacking the fleet of Danish King Sweyn Forkbeard and the mercenary Jomsvikings. Trygvasson's forces seemed to be winning, partly due to his inhuman strength. The Heroes joined the battle, engaging Trygvasson and his chief retainers on the deck of his own longship. After a long, fierce battle, Aeddan pinned Trygvasson's kidney to the mast with an arrow, and Thyri cut off his head. One Horseman down!
 
In the aftermath, Thyri fought a duel with her nemesis, the Jarl who killed her family, etc. Thyri killed her enemy, but not before he nicked her with a poisoned blade. With Thyri dying, they called on their Fey friends to take her off to Faerie/Avalon/Whatever until she could be healed. [The player was moving out of town.]
 
The Heroes got information that the two Fey swords they had promised to recover were somewhere in Ireland, so they headed that way.
 
They stopped off in Aeddan's homeland of Wales first, defeated a plot to destabilize Wales by turning Aeddan against his King, and defeated an ancient Welsh enemy called the Coraniaid. (Who are really cool and you should totally Google them!)
 
Hopping over to Ireland, where Brian Boru is challenging the rule of High King Mael Sechnail. The heroes pick up a new PC, a semi-crazy pilgrim carrying a ton of Holy Relics (most of which are completely bogus...), and succeed in recovering the two Fey swords from a dungeon that may have been built by Odin? Afterwards, having figured out that High King Mael is going blind, the alchemist and the herbalist try to restore his sight...rolling not one buy two natural 3s in a row! They not only restore Mael's eyesight to 20-20, but he now also can see into the future!  Mael realizes that Brian Boru is the leader Ireland truly needs right now, and abdicates in his favor, ending the civil war and reuniting Ireland. The crowning of the new High King at Tara is interrupted by an army of wicked Fae, led by several monstrous Fomorians. With the Heroes holding the center of the line, they are able to kill or drive off all the wicked Fey.
 
About that time, a messenger arrives from Rome, announcing that Emperor Otto and Pope Sylvester have called a great Council of the Kings of Christendom, to be held in the City of Venice, to discus the threat posed by Kor. But the Heroes don't have the time to reach Italy by normal travel, so they decide to take a shortcut through Faerie.
 
Unfortunately, they lose their way (due to some mischievous illusions cast by one of the wicked Fey who survived the battle). They wind up at the castle of a gigantic Fomorian named Cathaoir, formerly their fiercest warrior, but who has taken an oath of peace out of love for his "improbably beautiful wife" who may be the goddess Bridgit and/or the Irish Saint Bridget of Kildare. Unfortunately they are told that by using the Fey swords to kill Fomorians at Tara, they accidentally violated an ancient treaty and started a war between the Fomorians and the Fey. (Whoops!) They convince Cathaoir and Brigit to go try to persuade the Fomorians not to wipe out the Fey. [Results TBD]
 
Leaving Faerie, they find themselves outside of Rome, which is in revolt against Emperor Otto (who is German). They find Otto camped with his army outside the walls of Rome, desperately in need of both a military and a moral victory here to solidify his credibility as Roman Emperor. But it seems the City's defenders have some supernatural help. Sneaking inside the walls, the Heroes find the leader of the opposition is their old frenemy Count Gregory (from way back in episode 1), along with some demonic forces sent by Kor. The Heroes manage to kill Gregory and the demons, and do so in such a way that the Senate sees the light, throws open the gates, and welcomes Otto in begging his forgiveness. The heroes grab a quick couple hours of sleep, because in the morning they have to ride like hell to get Otto to Venice in time for the Council he called.
 
Whew! And that's where we're paused at the moment. 33 bi-weekly game sessions, 6 months game time. I'm seeing the Venetian Council as the end of Act 2 and start of Act 3, as the Heroes gather together the allies they've made for the final battle against Kor...

Not me. Nor you, unless you think you can live well on five hundred bucks a month in Stockton CA.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary would like to visit

You are right. Someone was fired. Public Unions did not save him.  I was premature. I was wrong. I am sorry.

So do I!
I'm new about HERO and still learning it using the 6th edition, but I still can't wrap my head around it. That's why I like to read more about it, especially about the in-depth explanation

I blame Ralph Bakshi for a lack of interest in Ralph Bakshi
 
Lucius Alexander
 
I blame the palindromedary for a lack of interest in Lucius Alexander

Cross posted
 
Sung to the tune of Monster Mash
 
 
I was playing at the game store, late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For the dungeon master met all our eyes
And suddenly to my surprise
 
He did the mash, he did the genre mash
The genre mash, it was a gaming smash
He did the mash, it caught on in a flash
He did the mash, he did the genre mash
 
We used martial arts from the far flung east
From Lovecraft came an eldritch beast
gunslingers, swordswingers, spellsingers, all
Got together and had a ball
 
They did the mash, they did the genre mash
The genre mash, it was a gaming smash
They did the mash, it caught on in a flash
They did the mash, they did the genre mash
 
The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Batman,
Fu Manchu, and his son
 
The scene was rockin', all were digging the game,
Our campaigns will never be the same
We want police procedurals in ancient Rome
And Indiana Jones re-imagined as a Gnome
 
They played the mash, they played the genre mash
The genre mash, it was a gaming smash
They played the mash, it caught on in a flash
They played the mash, they played the genre mash
 
There was one old grognard who voiced complaint
Seems he was a genre purist who didn't like to taint
His old school dungeon crawling hack and slash time.
'Til we asked about gelatinous cubes, monks, and green slime.
 
It's now the mash, it's now the genre mash
The genre mash, it was gaming smash
It's now the mash, it caught on in a flash
It's now the mash, it's now the genre mash
 
Now everything's cool, the grognard's a part of the band
And our genre Mash is the hit of the land
For you, all gamers, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Lucius sent you
 
Then you can mash, then you can genre mash
The genre mash, and do my gaming smash
Then you can mash, you'll catch on in a flash
Then you can mash, then you can genre mash
 
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary does the mash

I got some use back in the day with The Big Little Book of Punch-Out Golems. It had perforated sections on every page, with unknown runes on both sides. If you put them together correctly ("Insert Tab Aleph into Slot Sothoth") the paper golem animated and would follow your commands. Unfortunately, it was made of the aforementioned paper, so it could be destroyed if it got wet, and it wasn't very strong. It could inflict savage, poisoned paper cuts, though!
 
There was an article in Dragon magazine issue #082, "Spells between the Covers" by Bruce Heard, which contains a bunch of magical tomes, such as Alterations of the Intrinsic Absolutes by Math the Magician and Ordinary Necromancy by Vecna.

The Battlemaster
 
David Yeung stumbled through the door of his apartment and  made his way to the kitchen.  He pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator and drank it down almost all at once--he would have preferred beer, but he had to be up in the morning to work at his father's plumbing supplies shop, then work tomorrow night at his pizza delivery job.  It was long and tiring and never seemed to end, but soon he would have enough money for a better place, and maybe even a decent car.  Things were going his way--but for now, he needed to get some sleep--
 
-I AM HERE.-
 
David looked around in wide-eyed surprise.  Someone had spoken to him.  He tried to see where the voice had come from--and then he realized he hadn't actually heard a voice, even though the words were quite clear.  They seemed to come from inside and outside of him simultaneously.  How was that even possible?
 
-I AM HERE, DAVID YEUNG.-
 
"Where?  Where are you?"
 
-I AM HERE.-
 
"Why can't I see you?"
 
-BECAUSE I CHOOSE NOT TO BE SEEN.-
 
"You choose.  .  .not.  .  .to be seen.  What does that even mean?"
 
-IT MEANS I CANNOT BE SEEN UNLESS I WILL IT!  IS THAT SO DIFFICULT A CONCEPT TO GRASP!-
 
"Well--can you let me see you?"
 
-YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN ME.  REMEMBER THE NIGHT BEFORE?-
 
The night before.  The night before, David had finished a delivery and happened to look down an alley, where he saw a couple of street thugs kicking an old man lying on the ground.  David grabbed a metal pipe he kept in his delivery car for just such a purpose, then raced down the alley and attacked the thugs, who fled the scene after a few well-placed blows.  David checked to make sure the old man was all right.  He seemed to be unconscious, but when he went to pick up his phone from where he'd dropped it, he took his eyes off the man for the briefest of moments--and when he turned back, he was gone.
 
"So.  .  .that was you?"
 
-INDEED.-
 
"Well--who are you?  How did you disappear like that?"
 
-IT IS WHAT I HAVE TRAINED MYSELF TO DO FROM MY EARLIEST DAYS.  THE MASTERY OF NINJITSU THAT I HAVE ATTAINED ALLOWS ME TO PASS COMPLETELY UNNOTICED WHEREVER I CHOOSE TO GO.-
 
"Wait--you're a ninja?  No way!"
 
-NOT JUST ANY NINJA.  I AM NINJITSU-SAI--SAINT OF INVISIBILITY.  MANY YEARS AGO I RESOLVED TO BECOME A TRUE MASTER OF NINJITSU, AND PUT ASIDE ALL OTHER PURSUITS TO STUDY MY ART FULLY.  AFTER YEARS OF PERFECT PRACTICE I BECAME SO THOROUGHLY PROFICIENT THAT I COULD DEFEAT ANY ATTEMPT TO PERCEIVE ME.  SO GREAT WAS MY SKILL IN THE ART THAT NOT EVEN DEATH COULD FIND ME--AND THUS DID I PASS THE CENTURIES.-
 
"Until the night before."
 
-YES.  FOR A BRIEF, CARELESS MOMENT I ALLOWED MY CONCENTRATION TO FAIL, AND THUS DID I BECOME VULNERABLE.  WERE IT NOT FOR YOUR AID, DEATH WOULD HAVE SURELY CLAIMED ME AFTER ALL THIS TIME.  THUS, I AM IN YOUR DEBT.-
 
"Well, I'm glad I could help, but you don't really owe me.  .  ."
 
-YES, I DO!  YOU SAVED MY LIFE, AND YOU SHALL BE REWARDED FOR YOUR BRAVERY!  I SHALL TEACH YOU NINJITSU!-
 
"Wait, what?"
 
-I MIGHT NOT SURVIVE THE NEXT TIME I BECOME VULNERABLE.  THE SKILLS I HAVE ATTAINED AND PERFECTED THROUGH CENTURIES OF PRACTICE MUST NOT BE LOST!  I SHALL PASS THEM ON TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL SUCCEED ME AS NINJITSU-SAI!-
 
"Look, I'm okay with my life right now.  I don't want to be a ninja."
 
-SILENCE!  THE DECISION IS MADE!  YOU ARE MY PUPIL!  I AM YOUR MASTER!  I SHALL TEACH!  YOU WILL LEARN!-
 
"I'm not even Japanese!  I'm Korean--third generation!  I don't even speak Korean!  Pisses my father off like you wouldn't believe--"
 
-SILENCE!  YOU WILL LEARN NINJITSU!-
 
Thus did David Yeung become the student of the Ninjitsu-Sai,  It's not exactly the easiest course of study, what with his teacher constantly berating him, incessantly pointing out his mistakes, and reinforcing the lessons with the occasional stinging whack to the back of the hand or the back of the neck--but he does seem to be taking to the art quicker than his master would have expected of an indolent, slack-faced bag of flesh.  (His words, not mine.)  The crimefighting was actually David's idea--the Ninjitsu-Sai was opposed to it at first, but David pointed out that as long as he had to learn ninjitsu he might as well do something useful with it, and training to be a stealth-based warrior would be much more intensive if he had actual enemies to fight.  The Ninjitsu-Sai especially objected to the uniform (-CHEAP THEATRICS!  A NINJA SHOULD NOT CALL ATTENTION TO HIMSELF IN SUCH FASHION!  THE ONLY TRACES A NINJA SHOULD LEAVE OF HIS PRESENCE ARE THE CORPSES OF HIS ENEMIES!-)  and to the name (-BATTLEMASTER!  YOU DARE CALL YOURSELF MASTER!  IT WOULD BE MORE PROPER TO CALL YOURSELF BATTLEWORM!-) but again, David pointed out that first, his enemies would be looking for a man in an all-black outfit, and not a Korean-American in T-shirt and denims, second, there were laws against murder, even when it came to criminals, and third, the name Battleworm is extremely unlikely to strike terror into the hearts of one's enemies.
 
Other than that, things have been going well.  The Battlemaster has made quite a name for himself as a determined and effective street-level crimefighter.  A few superteams have extended an invitation to join, but David has declined for now--easier to work solo than to explain who he was talking to all the time.  And he has actually managed to impress the Ninjitsu-Sai on a number of occasions--not that he'd let David know that.
 
*****************************************************************************************
 
*Leaves the submission on phoenix240's desk*
 
"There.  It was close, but I think we beat the deadline."
 
-SILENCE!  DO YOU WISH EVERYONE TO KNOW WE ARE HERE?  YOUR VOICE IS NOT SO PLEASANT THAT EVERYONE MUST HEAR IT!-
 
"Neither is yours.  C'mon, let's go."
 
*Slips out the window*

Have you forgotten how defenses work in Hero?
 
Assuming I CAN'T use STR with all attacks, only one punch will count. The rest of those tiny attacks will just bounce off.
 
And if you spend the points to have two effective attacks - which would be a lot of points, as they can't be in a framework together - they get to ding for x damage and ding again for x damage, whereas one big attack of the same point totals would ding for about 10X damage. Combined Attack means the defender gets to subtract their defense more than once from the damage done.
 
But you have a point about the ability to combine multiple sorts of attack - "I Blast AND Flash AND Entangle!" is doing a lot in one phase. Also, if you can buy lots of small Hand attacks or Killing Attacks and add STR to all of them.....although again, the target gets to subtract their defenses multiple times.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary is getting a kick out of the discussion

An undersecretary misinterpreted the list as being used in the descriptive, rather than prescriptive, sense.
 
NT: Things you don't have that, nevertheless, you don't want broken.

Loki stepped back, nonplussed.  "I have only one thing to say, Mr. Loki," Dr. Saito began.  "You have already failed.  You think you have fooled all of humanity.  And perhaps you did, for a time.  But, as a famous scientist once said, 'Life finds a way.'
 
"There are eight billion humans on this planet, Mr. Loki.  And each one is different.  So there will always be a few who, like myself, noticed the flaws in your program, and were able to deduce its existence.  And there will be others.
 
"There will be those with for whom reality is already very subjective."
 
Protagonist #2: Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier)
 


"There will be those who will perceive your illusion subconsciously."
 
Protagonist #3: Neo (The Matrix)
 


"And some will break your illusion purely by accident."
 
Protagonist #4: Douglas Quaid (Total Recall)
 

 
"And that is just the humans you have to worry about," Dr Saito almost whispered.

Consentacle: A Card Game of Human-Alien Intimacy