Lucius

Has anyone done Conversions of the San Angelo sourcebook?

Journalist, 12, faces off with police officer who threatened to arrest her

As I recall it (and I think this was in 1st edition Fantasy Hero) if a Skill or other required element of a package was "only moderately useful) you got a rebate of 1/4 its cost; if it was "not useful in most circumstances" the rebate was 1/2 the cost.
 
So if you have a package deal for an order of magicians and it includes a Magic Skill, that Skill doesn't effect the bonus because it will be used every time the magician casts a spell; if it also includes an 11 or less KS: History of the Order that is expected to never come up, that's 1 pt added to the Package Bonus
 
Lucius Alexander
 
A Lucius Alexander post comes with a palindromedary tagline. It's a package deal.

Don't bother trying to rein it in. We won't stop even if you talk at us until you're horse.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary says it's like locking the barn door after the horses are loose.

For what it's worth..
 
Package Deal Bonuses have been gone for a while, but to the best of my memory they
 
were
 
not
 
"arbitrary" numbers randomly assigned. They were derived from a formula accounting for the value of elements in the "deal" that were deemed "less useful" and how much less useful they were considered to be.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
Palindromedary Rider

The "PRE Attack Problem" is not fundamentally different form the "Blast Problem," which is that if the player characters are built to take 12d6 Normal Attacks and I hit them with a 25d6 Blast, I will wreck them. "Well, don't do it then" is in fact the perfect solution to the Blast Problem, and is also the perfect solution to the "PRE Attack Problem"
 
And we might as well ask about the rules for the Power Blast, "If we are never going to use it (defining "use it" as "wreck the player characters with an overwhelming Blast they're not built to handle)" then why have it?"
 
We have it because it's a good and useful Power. We have PRE because it is a good and useful Characteristic.
 
Just in case we'd like to , you know, play Hero System in a fun and reasonable way.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
I could unleash a Killer Palindromedary on the player characters, but why would I do that?

The "PRE Attack Problem" is not fundamentally different form the "Blast Problem," which is that if the player characters are built to take 12d6 Normal Attacks and I hit them with a 25d6 Blast, I will wreck them. "Well, don't do it then" is in fact the perfect solution to the Blast Problem, and is also the perfect solution to the "PRE Attack Problem"
 
And we might as well ask about the rules for the Power Blast, "If we are never going to use it (defining "use it" as "wreck the player characters with an overwhelming Blast they're not built to handle)" then why have it?"
 
We have it because it's a good and useful Power. We have PRE because it is a good and useful Characteristic.
 
Just in case we'd like to , you know, play Hero System in a fun and reasonable way.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
I could unleash a Killer Palindromedary on the player characters, but why would I do that?

Fang you Berry Much: (Total: 169 Active Cost, 19 Real Cost) Thorns of Legendary Viciousness - Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 2d6, Area Of Effect (1m Radius; +1/4), Constant (+1/2), Uncontrolled (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), +4 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1), Double Penetrating (x2; +1) (142 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Month, Growing time; -5), Limited Power Only attacks ONCE, when entering hex. (of course, attacks again if someone RE enters hex) (-1), IIF Expendable (Difficult to obtain new Focus; One seed, one bush; -1/2), Conditional Power Only grows in the growing season, and in appropriate climate and soil conditions (-1/2), No STR Bonus (-1/2), Reduced Penetration (-1/4) (Real Cost: 16) plus All but Impassible - Change Environment (-1 to either EGO or CON Roll to avoid backing out, -1 to STR Roll to push into hex, Long-Lasting Permanent), Area Of Effect (1m Radius; +1/4) (27 Active Points); Same seed, growing time, and growing conditions modifiers (-6), No Range (-1/2), Linked (Thorns of Legendary Viciousness; Greater Power is Constant or in use most or all of the time; -1/4) (Real Cost: 3)
 
 
Now available from QuestGuard, the land's leader in merit based security - The Fangberry Bush, the fastest growing trend in security landscaping! Looking for a way to protect your wizard's tower or hermit's cave from wandering monsters like annoying door to door solicitors or even more annoying clueless adventurers? Wondering how to prepare for possible misguided mobs of local peasants with pitchforks? Or have you just granted an entire castle's residents, especially the beautiful princess, the deepest and most restful sleep of their lives and want to make sure no one disturbs their slumber - ever?
 
Upon entering the All but Impassable(tm) area an intruder must make a STR roll at -1 to even force a way in. In the process, they suffer two 1d6 Killing Attacks that are double Penetrating and with +4 STUN Multiplier from the Thorns of Legendary Viciousness(tm) and the STUN damage adds together to make this hedge a truly Stunning addition to any enchanted garden. To avoid backing out - possibly right into an already-passed bush if you have made the hedge several meters thick - the intruder must roll against EGO or CON, again at a -1. This process must be repeated for every hex entered, so a swiftly moving intruder is simply shredded that much faster if the thicket is thick enough. Intruders have been known to stop in terror and confusion, afraid to move until the proprietor or a security patrol arrives to deal with them!
 
 
Just look at these testimonials!
 
 
"Perfect for keeping animals and children out of my garden. Except as fertilizer of course." Baba Yaga
 
"Now THAT'S the shrubbery we're talking about!" Knights who Said 'Ni!'
 
"Just what the Doctor ordered!" Igor
 
"Please don't throw me in THAT briar patch" Br'er Rabbit
 
"It's like a nightmare!" Princess Beauty
 
"Maybe this'll keep 'em out of my swamp." Shrek the Ogre
 
"I kinda like those berries." Princess Fiona
 
Now endorsed by BETTER GNOMES AND GARGOYLES magazine.
 
Note: the large and alluringly colored berries of fangberry bushes are ornamental and not meant for Human, Elven, or Dwarven consumption. Berries are known to have thaumaturgic properties and should only be handled by qualified alchemists, druids, witches, and apothecaries licensed to handle magical herbs. We accept no liability.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
copyright Palindromedary Enterprises - we sell more than just palindromedaries!
 

After Gandalf's speech there was a brief silence, and then the King of Eagles spoke.
"Gandalf, I and my people hold you in high regard and greatly esteem your wisdom. But what you ask of me now seems the greatest folly. I am no wizard but I am not wholly without lore,  and I know something of this Ring you speak of. It I were to bear it aloft into the sky, it would blaze like a beacon to the Eye of Sauron; within three beats of my wings he would know where it is, and if he bent his powers to beguile me, I cannot say I would not bear you and your small friend and the Ring straight to his doorstep. If he chose to blast rather than to beguile, or set his own winged servants upon us, I would not expect to reach the borders of Mordor alive. Indeed, it would likely cost my life to try to pass that border even if I did so alone and without carrying that treasure he would stop at nothing to reclaim. One does not simply fly into Mordor!"
 
Lucius Alexander
 
One does not simply ride a palindromedary into Mordor either.

To clarify - correct in that yes, Duke Bushido did just ask that question.
 
Incorrect in so far as there is any implication that anyone else has asked that question. It is only Duke Bushido's question.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary certainly didn't ask that question.

You are working against yourself.
 
You want, at the same time, to both nerf guns and have gunslingers be viable characters.
 
I won't say you can't do that and succeed. But I will point out that when you have two contradictory intentions you can expect friction.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary approves of what you're trying to do and says to embrace the friction

You are working against yourself.
 
You want, at the same time, to both nerf guns and have gunslingers be viable characters.
 
I won't say you can't do that and succeed. But I will point out that when you have two contradictory intentions you can expect friction.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary approves of what you're trying to do and says to embrace the friction

You are working against yourself.
 
You want, at the same time, to both nerf guns and have gunslingers be viable characters.
 
I won't say you can't do that and succeed. But I will point out that when you have two contradictory intentions you can expect friction.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary approves of what you're trying to do and says to embrace the friction

Charisma was part of D&D from the beginning. And the wargames that the first role playing games evolved from had morale mechanics.
 
This is neither something unique to Hero, nor a Hero innovation. We're talking about a kind of mechanic that not only predates Hero System, it PREDATES ROLE PLAYING GAMES.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
and a palindromedary providing morale support

Danger is constant, but by the very fact of being constant, sort of fades into the background - like a buzz so constant you stop hearing it.
It becomes noticeable when the danger is physically close, or very large, i.e. if there are a large number of people in danger from a single cause.
Probably by concentrating on it a character could know where is the closest person in serious danger, or by concentrating on a specific individual know if they're safe.
They might also know if someone personally important to them is in danger...or at least have an uneasy feeling of SOMETHING WRONG even if they can't know their DNPC just got abducted by VIPER.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
Of course that's just my opinion and even the palindromedary ignores my opinion sometimes.
 

I don't know about anyone else but I never interpreted the "Range" Adders in Danger Sense as meaning that you otherwise couldn't detect a danger from faraway. I always interpreted it as meaning you could detect danger to someone OTHER THAN YOURSELF within the defined area.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
Palindromedary Sense, Any Area......
 
 

Danger is constant, but by the very fact of being constant, sort of fades into the background - like a buzz so constant you stop hearing it.
It becomes noticeable when the danger is physically close, or very large, i.e. if there are a large number of people in danger from a single cause.
Probably by concentrating on it a character could know where is the closest person in serious danger, or by concentrating on a specific individual know if they're safe.
They might also know if someone personally important to them is in danger...or at least have an uneasy feeling of SOMETHING WRONG even if they can't know their DNPC just got abducted by VIPER.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
Of course that's just my opinion and even the palindromedary ignores my opinion sometimes.
 

Barring magically enforced taboos, I have a hard time imagining any weapon that can stroke from before, that cannot strike from behind.
 
 
The environment favors ranged weapons - deserts tend not to have much cover. I think Lord Liaden is right; slings are a likely candidate for favorite weapon, because it's a ranged weapon, can be used for hunting and war, is small and concealable, can be made from locally available materials, and can double as a garrote.
 
Another possibility is bolas, for all the same reasons. But I think slings would have the edge in terms of range.
 
edit: note both sling and bola are usable from horseback.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
I've been through the desert on a palindromedary with no name

After Gandalf's speech there was a brief silence, and then the King of Eagles spoke.
"Gandalf, I and my people hold you in high regard and greatly esteem your wisdom. But what you ask of me now seems the greatest folly. I am no wizard but I am not wholly without lore,  and I know something of this Ring you speak of. It I were to bear it aloft into the sky, it would blaze like a beacon to the Eye of Sauron; within three beats of my wings he would know where it is, and if he bent his powers to beguile me, I cannot say I would not bear you and your small friend and the Ring straight to his doorstep. If he chose to blast rather than to beguile, or set his own winged servants upon us, I would not expect to reach the borders of Mordor alive. Indeed, it would likely cost my life to try to pass that border even if I did so alone and without carrying that treasure he would stop at nothing to reclaim. One does not simply fly into Mordor!"
 
Lucius Alexander
 
One does not simply ride a palindromedary into Mordor either.

After Gandalf's speech there was a brief silence, and then the King of Eagles spoke.
"Gandalf, I and my people hold you in high regard and greatly esteem your wisdom. But what you ask of me now seems the greatest folly. I am no wizard but I am not wholly without lore,  and I know something of this Ring you speak of. It I were to bear it aloft into the sky, it would blaze like a beacon to the Eye of Sauron; within three beats of my wings he would know where it is, and if he bent his powers to beguile me, I cannot say I would not bear you and your small friend and the Ring straight to his doorstep. If he chose to blast rather than to beguile, or set his own winged servants upon us, I would not expect to reach the borders of Mordor alive. Indeed, it would likely cost my life to try to pass that border even if I did so alone and without carrying that treasure he would stop at nothing to reclaim. One does not simply fly into Mordor!"
 
Lucius Alexander
 
One does not simply ride a palindromedary into Mordor either.

Danger is constant, but by the very fact of being constant, sort of fades into the background - like a buzz so constant you stop hearing it.
It becomes noticeable when the danger is physically close, or very large, i.e. if there are a large number of people in danger from a single cause.
Probably by concentrating on it a character could know where is the closest person in serious danger, or by concentrating on a specific individual know if they're safe.
They might also know if someone personally important to them is in danger...or at least have an uneasy feeling of SOMETHING WRONG even if they can't know their DNPC just got abducted by VIPER.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
Of course that's just my opinion and even the palindromedary ignores my opinion sometimes.
 

Another suggestion.....
 
Getting 'em where I want 'em:  (Total: 30 Active Cost, 11 Real Cost) Area Of Effect Accurate (4m Radius; +1/2) for up to 60 Active Points of Fire Arms (30 Active Points); Extra Time (Extra Phase, -3/4), Requires A Roll (Skill roll, -1 per 20 Active Points modifier; Must be made each Phase/use; Tactics; -3/4), Limited Power Must expend 2 shots worth of ammo (-1/4) (Real Cost: 11)
Requires two phases (one to get 'em in position and one to fire) and a Tactics roll at -1. Expends 2 rounds, or if an autofire weapon, double the usual number - first shot to manuever them into position, the second shot at 3 DCV.
 
 
But seriously, if the person running the game wants to nerf guns, perhaps the smartest thing is to take the hint and not have a character that uses guns.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary says what's this about nerf guns?
 
 

Ph.D. Student Breaks Down Electron Physics Into A Swinging Musical