input.jack

Re: Character: Ahmad ibn Fadlan Russia aside... I like the write-up, except for two concerns. First, i think his Intelligence should be more like somewhere in the 18 range. He was -smart-. Thats part of why he was valuable to the party. Second, his Comeliness should be much higher too. Antonio Banderas is not ordinary looking. Other than that, the write-up looked fine

Re: Holy Killer Angels Asking Von D Man which translation is more "politically correct" is the wrong question. The man's a scholar. When he says a translation is bad he means its -bad-, as in incorrect. The words are not what the original words meant. There are -alot- of bad translations of biblical text. Many of them are found in churches throughout the world. Also, passages are missing from your original quote. Anyone who has ever given a newpaper interview will tell you how easy it is to twist meaning around by leaving out a few words

Re: Patriotic Heroes Actually, in Astro City, the Old Soldier does not represent America specifically. he has flags of many nations draped around him, and if you look he is wearing musketeer boots and carries a pistol and a sword. He appears where ever there is a climactic battle that will determine the course of history. According to the lore he has appeared on and off throughout history, and has fought for, and occasionally against, American forces. The Old Soldier is apparently something of a supernatural entity. His powers seem to be the ability to appear where he is needed to tip the scales on the side of righteousness, and (naturally) immortality. Otherwise he appears to be a fighting man of phenominal, although Human, ability. (In the same way that the Batman is "just a normal man").

Re: They wont die The Borg were a terrible idea that any decent line producer would have squashed before it started. That said, once you have an implacable foe that cannot be defeated and that is determined to absorb or kill everyone unlike them, and then you find a way to kill them, YOU DROP HAMMER ON THEM WITHOUT BLINKING AN EYE! Otherwise...youre dead. Sooner or later, youre dead. Which is also why you dont let a frelling machine intelligence just "retreat" for 40 years unobserved so multiply their technology explonentially and come back and wipe you out. Just saying.

Re: If YOU have been playing Hero since the 80's why do you still keep coming back? I also started in 1981 (I think). I graduated highschool in 1982, and I know it was about a year before I graduated that I was brought into a Champions game by the manager of the Game Shop where I worked, and it was AWESOME! It was the first time I was able to actually -decide- what my character would be like. And because it was a Superhero game, the character could be ANYTHING! (I could afford). I was hooked. Ive always been the kind of gamer who looks at alot of different systems and tries them out. Right now Im gearing up to try out Mutants and Masterminds because Ive heard alot about it, and it sounds easier to write villains up for than HERO (although i can already tell that the game isnt as mechanically "solid" as HERO, just from writing up thirty or so characters). Ive gone through D&D/AD&D, Gamma World, Tunnels and Trolls, Boot Hill, Superhero 2044 (OMG Im not the only one who remembers that game??), Traveller, Runequest, Morrow Project, Stormbringer, Aftermath, Ghostbusters, Marvel Superheroes, Albedo, Melee/Wizard, DC Heroes, GURPS (advanced Melee/Wizard), Chill, Twilight 2000, Rolemaster (Chartmaster), Lord of the Rings RPG (Rolemaster variant), Space Opera, FASA Star Trek, The Dr. Who RPG (FASA), Star Wars RPG (WEG), Star Wars RPG (d20), Vampire/ Werewolf/ Mage/ Wraith (1st edition; aint going there again), D&D 3.5 (different enough from AD&D to warrant its own entry), Mekton, Mekton Zeta Plus, Fading Suns, Fusion, Marvel SAGA system (the one with cards), Big Eyes Small Mouth, HERO V, and Mutants & Masterminds. And those are just the ones I actually PLAYED. I own about twice as many systems, and have alot of supplemental setting material for some (which makes moving a b*tch). 99% of all that is used as source material that gets converted to HERO as needed. HERO provides a solid, consistent, rational framework upon which to build a campaign. It takes some work on the part of the GM to set everything up, but once its set up it runs smoothly and consistently. HERO has a clear differentiation between lethal and non-lethal damage, and yet allows for non-lethal attacks to do some permanent damage (the Body damage from Normal attack dice). No other system does that. Your ability to dodge an attack is clearly separated from your ability to block it, bounce it off your chest. All 14 (!) Stats are important and come into play regulary. HERO characters feel fully-realized and well-detailed; each is a unique individual. There just aint no other game like HERO.

Re: The "Nice Happy" Thread Im happy that I got the Batman Animated Series seasons 1 and 2

Re: The "Nice Happy" Thread My cat wuvs me ==

Re: Time Wars by Simon Hawke I loved the Time Wars books. Ive played in one game loosely based on them, but the GM hadnt really read them closely, so he got alot of things wrong with "how the system worked". (He insisted that the future was Utopian, for example, when clearly it was not) As for warp grenades, Id guess that they are about a 15d6 Killing Attack, Area Effect Radius, with a limitation that they have only about a 3" radius, or less. (As I recall, they could be "dialed down", but even at best their destructive radius wasnt too great an area)

Re: Tremors 4 "The legend Begins" Saw it. LOVED IT. Want it for the collection

Re: DC Suckverse? *TANGENT ALERT* "(Death of Superman) Yes, it was a marketing scheme. Yes it sold issues. Unfortuinately it came out during the foil embossed, shrink-wrapped, multiple-covered, cherry flavored paper days. It was also (for anyone who actually bothered to read it) a really well-crafted and orchestrated story. It introduced a number of lasting characters and was exceedingly well-paced. I suggest anyone who doesn't want to plunk down money for back issues either read the novelization or listen to the audio drama." -Keith "insert phrase here" Curtis I dont often disagree with you, Keith, but here Im afraid I must. "Death of Superman" was one of, if not the, worst-written pieces of lint Ive ever seen in comics form. IMAGE writers did better work! To my perceptions (note please, personal opinion), the storyline went like this: Lois: Look! A big rock falling out of the sky! Superman: Ill go check it out! *Rock falls. THUNK* Doomsday: RAAAAARH! Reader (Me): Look! Its a stupid-looking bozo Ive never seen or heard of before in my life. Who thought -that- was intimidating? Superman: Now, calm down, before you hurt someone... Doomsday: RAAAAAARH! *Pops Superman's head off like a Pez dispenser* Lex Luthor: ....hey....I was gonna do that.... Doomsday: RAAARRRRRHH! Lois: Oh no! Superman is dead! Superman: X_X *Four phony Superman rip-offs arrive* Rip-offs: BUY OUR BOOKS! *Two rip-offs turn out to be interesting. The other two are lame* Reader (Me): NO! I wont buy your four titles, especially since the main villain and killer in this so-called "Death of Superman" was just an unmotivated monstrosity with no back-story, no history, and no motivation other than "RAAAARH!" Superman's longest-term nemesis, Lex Luthor, had NOTHING to do with this. No DCU character Ive ever heard of was involved in any way! THEY MADE THIS JERK UP JUST TO GRAB MY CA$H! You know, I bet he wont even stay dead for a year. They need Superman as an iconic character too badly. *A month and a half later* Superman: S'up? Reader (me): Who are you? Superman: Im Superman. Reader: Why are you blue? Superman: Im all new and different, and a flying energy projector now! Reader: Try again. Superman: Okay. Im red now. Is this better? Reader: No. Superman: Okay, now Im back to being a red-and-blue wearing Kryptonian who is very much alive and well, and I have all my original powers back. And Im not dead. Reader: Fantastic! Now...why did your writers put us through all that cr*p in the first place? Superman: You really shouldnt say words like that. Its impolite, and shows a limited vocabulary. Reader (Me): -THATS- THE SUPERMAN I WANTED TO SEE! *Confetti!* In my opinion, the story was badly conceived, poorly written, inumaginatively drawn and designed, and a total see-through money-grab. My local comics shop owner asked me how many copies I wanted to buy. I glanced at it, saw Doomsday, and said "None." He said to me admiringly, "Youre my hero" (The above is a totally true story. The local comics shop owner is an old friend of mine from way back, and was glad that I didnt buy into this rigamarole). Now, to Keith "I liked it and you didnt. Thats life" Curtis, youre right. Thats life, and peoples opinions vary. You have a perfect right to think its good, I have a right to think its bad. You stated your case. I stated mine. I hope theres no hard feelings. I just wanted equal air-time

Re: Is Crimefighting Ethical? I have to respond to some comments made, here. "Besides, the crimefighting thing seems to be a thin veneer for reactionary oppression of the common man." How? How is stopping crime oppressing the "common man"? Unless the common man is a mugger or other criminal. Reactionary? Please, explain this to me. It sounds to me (*WARNING: Personal Opinion approaching*) that your group of friends and fellow gamers may not fully understand what being a crime-fighter or superhero is about. Now, if youve only been reading these "Iron Age" comics, I can understand that. Anyone who thinks The Authority is about -heroes- has misunderstood the term. Like the writer of that drek did. "Taking superpowers into the real world brings us to Iron Age questions of morality. Why bother stopping crime or doing good deeds? Why not just satisfy your own desires instead?" Because that would be WRONG. Right and wrong have nothing to do with punishment, or whether or not you can get away with it. Right and wrong have everything to do with whether or not your actions bring help, or hurt, to other people. Right actions are those that help others in a positive way, and lead to the growth of your soul. Wrong actions are those that bring harm to others. Selfishness is a form of evil. Stopping crime and doing good deeds, REALLY good deeds (things that make a difference in peoples' lives, not just for show, or imposing ones own theological views on others) are all the more important for a person to do, the more power that person has. If you only think of yourself, eventually your empathy for other people withers and dies. And then your just a heartless, soulless monster. "Pawn Shops, Sleezy Hotels, Check Cashing Stores, and Cheap Pizza Places would be vandalized and attention brought to them until the Law Enforcement Agencies responed. Broken Window, Doors, Locks, etc... and make the Scavenger elements of society aware of the opportunities. " Okay, THIS I have some serious problems with! We have NO indication that these places of business are doing ANYTHING wrong. And by targeting check cashing stores and CHEAP PIZZA PLACES youre just sadistically making life miserable for those at the bottom end of the socio-economic scale. ESPECIALLY the honest, hard-working, but unlucky people who happen to be at that end of the spectrum. (Not everyone at that end of the spectrum is honest or hard working, but neither is everyone at ANY end of the spectrum). And why Pawn Shops? Why "sleazy Hotels"? Do you have some personal grudge against people pawning their guitars? Or sleeping somewhere at a reasonably low price? Who decides what "sleazy" is? You? I dont think I trust your judgement!

Re: Storn's Art & Characters thread. Thanks for the info. I tried to learn to use a brush about (omg) 15 years ago, and I couldnt get the hang of it then. Maybe its time I tried again...

Re: What would you trade for wealth? Im with your initial statement, Whamme Whamme. The Genie can kiss my @$$ on this one. Now, if I was to trade something in return for -better- stats... (Note: Almost every day I drive past a business called "Kim's Alteration Shop". Just once, Id like to go in and tell the proprieter "Id like you to change my appearance, please. Here's a picture of who I want to look like.")

Re: Storn's Art & Characters thread. So far Ive been very favorably impressed with everything ive seen you do, Storn. What Id like to know, if I may ask, is how the heck you get your line quality so crisp? I draw mostly on computer or typing paper (8.5 x 11), in number 2 pencil, which I then ink with a .5 or 1.0 technical pen. I just -cant- seem to get the line flow and contrast between ink and page that you do. Your coloring is also light-years ahead of mine, but I attribute that you...um...well..you being a better colorist, actually. Here's a sample of my work so you know what it looks like (warning: this is a big picture)

Re: I could watch him get slapped around all day Mentor, I owe you rep for the original post. (I tried but it wouldnt let me) I pretty much agree with what you said, and why. Especially about "The Authority"; IMHO the most sickening mis-use of the term "superhero" Ive ever heard of. Batman getting pwned by Ambush Bug...thats just awesome too!

Re: Whoot! Victorian Hero Loot! THANK YOU! Ive been waiting for Victorian Hero since about 1988!

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group... Yes. Yes it does.

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group... I was running my Zombie Apocalypse game, with several long-time friends. The three PC's and one NPC are on the top of a sporting goods store that they and their survivor group has been holed up in for a couple of days, as they prep to leave L.A. The three PC's are Jordan, a gorgeous LAPD "kiddie cop" (think of Eliza Dushku in the LAPD uniform. Now youre on track), Eric, a recently-graduated high-school athletic star who was about to turn pro before the world ended (looks like Tom Welling), and Gabriel, a six foot ten EMT ambulance driver (who looks like Abraham Benrubi). The NPC with them is most often referred to as "Conspiracy Man", and goes only by the name of Ed. Despite a few comments about the "alien overlords" and the "flouride mind-control policy", they nevertheless gave Ed a rifle, as they had just raided a pawn shop, and his oddly useful skill-set was instrumental in their success. (They suspect he is ex military, and has seen too much). The group has recently discovered that there are a few more survivors trapped on the fourht floor of a building about a block away from their own hideout. The people trapped in the office building have smashed out a window and hung a sign out of it written on a drape that says "Help Us". As the characters are deciding what to do next, the sounds of gunfire erupt from a rooftop a few buildings away. The characters look around, and realize that it is coming from four gang-banger types who are taking shots at the "Help Us" sign, and the people behind it. (These are people with the same mentality as those who were shooting at police, ambulances, and fire fighters during the L.A.riots). Jordan, the cop, is the first to spot the perps. She aims her rifle at them. The others follow suit. I tell them that one is shooting, another has a rifle also, and there are two others with pistols besides. They look like they are in their early twenties, of mixed ethnicity, and are wearing loose clothes with alot of sports team endorsements. Jordan makes a Perception roll and recognizes them as wearing local gang colors. Ed: Firing order? Jordan: Im taking down the shooter. Ed: Ill take the other one who has a rifle. Eric and Gabriel's Players both indicate they are also going to fire. I ask them to pick targets. And then... Gabriel's Player: Ill shoot whichever one has the most underwear showing. After we all finally stopped laughing, Garbiel then proceeded to randomly hit the unlucky s.o.b. in Location 13. For near-max damag,e and maximum Stun. I guess Gabriel -really- didnt want to see that guys underwear! (Edit: If this post accidentally offends anyone out there who habitually "busts a sag"... TOUGH! Pull your gorram pants up!)

Re: Storn's Art & Characters thread. Amazing stuff, Storn! I gotta start drawing again!

Re: Generic Heroes and Villains AWESOME character idea! Can I "borrow" it?

Re: Daya Clayton, Wonder Woman in th Pulp Era, cross posted from the Pulp Hero forum Good stuff

Re: Dinosaur Toys to Scale Thanks, Bec! This is likely to be really handy for a game Im about to start

Re: The Death Note and How To Stop It Ive always felt that, to a large degree, anime and superheroes DONT mix well.

Re: The Role Models The girlfriend of one of my roomates began gaming with us, and she had never really been into comics. She didnt have a solid handle on characters other than Superman, Batman (Tim Burton movie version), and Spider-man, mostly because shed seen those movies. We sat her down and showed her the WB Animated Series for Superman, Batman, and Justice League/JLU. We handed her some Avengers to read. We showed her Batman Begins (the only live-action movie ever made about The Batman). She is now ONE OF US! *Muahahahahahaha!*

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now? Heart like a Gun cd by Fiona (That's Fiona Flanagan, not Apple) Fiona is a scorching hot rocker-girl form the 80s. I like living in the past; the rent is cheap!