Manic Typist

Re: Paladin help Also, I just had a sudden thought. What exactly is this deity like? Do they want trade for the sake of enhancing cultures, increasing communication, and bettering the lives of all parties? Or is it all about the almight dollar? In which case, their agendas and actions would have very subtle but very important differences. Even powers, such as the "No Liars Allowed" spell, would be exhibited differently. If the goddess is more benevolent, it would most likely cause any person attempting to lie to cough and splutter, or even just say the truth. If they are more........ harsh, it might inflict agony upon them everytime they tell a direct lie, but they can still mislead you and use ambiguous phrases. This is representative of cut-throat wheelings and dealings, in which the goddess gives you an edge..... but if you aren't smart enough to look out for loopholes and the like..... well, she is a harsh mistress. AmadanNaBriona: I love your sig. I've done some research online, but I have not been able to find anything that explains overall what the "Fool of Forth" is. I've only found excerpts of legends talking about it, not actually explaining what it represented etc. Can you offer any insights?

Re: Role-Playing Exercise #1 I'm not a playboy! I'm an enterprenur! I want to supply your weapons for your next war! Basically. But......... I still might chase the skirts too hehe.

Re: Knockback on the moon? To keep things simple and straight forward, I might recommend this that you divide Earth normal gravity by the Moon's (in this case .16), then take that number you get and use it to multiply all knockback distances. I think that would be sexy. Just handwave everything else.

Re: Paladin help Wow. This sounds like a really sexy character concept actually. First, you would want to give powers reflecting the nature of his god. So, rather than "Turn Undead," perhaps a "Turn Liar?" That is, a spell that allows no false words to be spoken in its area, etc. Maybe a spell like a "Universal Translator." I'm sure you could work all that out. Now, depending on his rank and his particular history, this character is going to have some interesting outlooks. For instance, seeing as how he is apparently from a very sea-trade heavy society, he will most likely prefer either the open ocean or large ports. He will be very muticultural, and always looking for new ideas and experiences, so that he can help interconnect everything in trade. He would have to be literate, and fairly intelligent. Would he trade in slaves? I don't know. He would need knowledge skills concerning governments, bureacracy, trade minutia, area, region, or world, as well as cultures and a few cities. Numerous contacts in numerous fields. Suppliers, merchants, other traveling traders, ship captains, militia commanders, maybe even a pirate: all people he would most likely have to deal with on multiple occasions, especially if there is a lot of danger involved in trading. How's that?

Re: Role-Playing Exercise #1 Zeke Burchenoff, of Burchenoff Weapons Industries (Problem Solving through Powered Armor!), a member of the Burchenoff family, who are a major arms producer for most of the Confederation. He is high level contract bidder and salesmen, always looking to make a deal with the military, private organizations, and even seedier things at times............ This ride could be quite lucrative, with many very rich people about who want to protect their very valuable things.

Re: Star Wars - Balancing Jedi with everyone else and heroic vs. superheroic No, but I do believe that a lightsaber would only MAYBE be marginally more useful than a regular sword. Now, remember, I am talking CLOSE range. At this distance, the combatant could completely negate the lighsaber by merely continually pushing the hilt and hands to the outside of the fight. Remember, the blade has to actually be brought to bear. The lightsaber suffers from the same "Don't let them inside your arm reach" disadvantage that all swords suffer. Now, a lightsaber is lighter (haha) and therefore can be moved more quickly, so the commando would have to be on top of things, and you can't block the edge like you might with a normal sword, so he would have to continually attack the Jedi's weapon arm. Inu- Basically, all my posts were trying to get at is that I do not fully approve of the on screen representation of Jedi, because from the concept stuff I have been exposed to, the screen either falls completely short of them or is even directly misleading. And, I do not think the weapons should make the character. But the Jedi are completely dependent upon the Force and their lightsabers. This is in direct contradiction with both their philosophy and good sense.

Re: Star Wars - Balancing Jedi with everyone else and heroic vs. superheroic The Jedi destroyed themselves with their flawed beliefs, or their failure to hold true to aspects of those beliefs when they really should have. Kind of tragic, but also just really irksome. It wasn't made to be tragic, it was just completely ignored, thus making them hypocrites to me.

Re: Star Wars - Balancing Jedi with everyone else and heroic vs. superheroic True. Agreed. Point. No, you are exactly right, and this is a huge flaw in my reasoning which I will try to clarify. If I'm wrong, I'm gonna tell ya I'm wrong. At least, if you convince me that I am wrong. Anything else and I would be a prick. Ok, that is hilarious. "So a Jedi and commando meet in an alley and..." Repped. I guess my whole point is that I was using real life perceptions of commandos, and conceptions of what possible advancements in training would be made by the time of the Star Wars universe, to argue the viewpoint that although Jedi are indubitably not something to be trifled with, I think commandos are better trained. Now, as I have only really seen the movies when it comes to Star Wars... that is all I have to operate on. See, I believe that Jedi are amazingly sexy as a concept (Note: I have a habit of using the word sexy to mean "cool." Unless it is actually sensual, in which case it is SEXY, and it is also automaticaly sexy as well. ), I think that their typical representation on screen really doesn't live up to what I believe it could be, nor what I have been lead to believe by talking to some truly hardcore Star Wars fans (who have read most of the books etc). Thus, I think that as presented on screen, a commando's training (from something more real life based) is far more grueling, comprehensive, and balanced than a Jedi's. And that just don't sound right to me.

Re: Star Wars - Balancing Jedi with everyone else and heroic vs. superheroic Um, wow, you sarcasm is cute, but since I stated that I was running strictly by movies........ at the very get go........ well, it's just completely nontopical. Because, see, I'm sure in the books, there's plenty of reasons justifying why the Jedi in fact are NOT completely overrated. Because, they are supposed to be well-rounded. They aren't. They arrogant. They are heavily trained in one area, not in another. I never stated that if a commando faced a Jedi with a saber, starting at range, that they would win. This is because a saber, though amazingly sexy, are completely cheap weapons. They are gankers. Whatever. I only said that once within the saber reach, the commando would be in his turf. My point is this: Jedi are not nearly as hardcore as they appear because: A) They rely too much upon the Force and They rely too much upon their lightsabers. Two-trick ponies. And Massey? No. Luke's PT training, though admirable, and certainly more grueling than anything I could probably take, is nothing compared to what a truly elite commando goes through. You raise a point. I have never seen a Jedi wookie. Why is that?

Re: Star Wars - Balancing Jedi with everyone else and heroic vs. superheroic Well, a few basic attempts do not constitute training. Open palm strikes can be deflected, by turning them to the side. However, since two people claim that they demonstrate more martial skill than I can recall, I will do as suggested and review the movies once more, specifically looking for instances of Jedi actually using their BODIES as weapons, sans lightsabers. If I find I was incorrect, I will retract some of my statements. I still say a commando fights smarter, and therefore could win. But it would have to be on conditions that they established. Fortunately, commandos are VERY good at doing that, while Jedi are not.

Re: END feedback This doesn't sound like a personal combat shield. I mean, those are typically kept up constantly because you are in the thick of things, and can be attacked from any angle at any time. You need something already there, just in case. To me, this sounds like a "delaying tactic" shield. I'm sorry if I am being unclear, but bear with me. This END feedback sounds like something a character would erect to buy his teammates time, most likely in the shape of of wall. So, I would offer the limitations of: Cannot move (-1/2), Maintain Concentration (-1/2) and Gestures (-1/2) Note, those limitation values I was guessing at, not reading from the book. Let me offer a scenario: Three characters are running down a corridor, trying to reach a very important computer console at the end, where they can install a deadly virus to destroy the complex's security network and allow the rebels to storm the base. Magik, the groups mysticist, sees guards in hot pursuit behind them. He knows that it will take time to complete the upload. "Go on ahead, I'll hold them back!" he shouts. His teammates glance over their shoulders in concern, but they keep running because they've been in tougher spots than this... they hope. Magik stops at the last intersection before the console, and plants his feet wide, begining to wave his hands in mysterious and fluttering gestures. He clenches his jaw and furrows his brow, and he begins to sweat. A faint blue shimmer appears before him, running from wall to wall and ceiling to floor, bulging slightly outwards. Which is a good thing, because split seconds after that a hail of gunfire slams into the force field and richochets back down the corridor. Magik's face sets in a grim mask as he channels all of his energy into maintaing the field while his companions begin to hack through the firewall of the console..... wondering how long he can hold out against the increasing firepower of the soldiers on the other side of the field.....

Re: Star Wars - Balancing Jedi with everyone else and heroic vs. superheroic Nolgroth, I'm glad someone has finally taken the time to analyze this seriously. First, I would contest that the Jedi are hypocritical for their callous killing of droids, because by Episode III many of the droids are self-aware and therefore "alive." I completely agree on the point about the mind tricks. A Jedi MAY be faster, but, I do not think (unless they were highly skilled in the use of the Force) that they would be able to maintain this advantage in the face of A) The fact that the average commando will have more sheer muscle power and the fact that once the commando gets a physical hold on the Jedi, they can't go ANYWHERE. Speed is negated. Leaving brawn. Also, the Jedi telekinesis would be of no use at close range. Because, all Jedi that I can remember seeing have relied upon gestures to help them focus and use their telekinesis. If a Jedi starts waving his hand towards the commando, once they are within arms' reach, the commando is just gonna grab his hand and snap it into a very unnatural angle. Yes, they are extremely arrogant. Their biggest weakness. -Greg: I would give the Jedi 10:1 odds AGAINST them in hand-to-hand. Why? Because Jedi (to what I have seen from the movies ONLY, mind you) have NO hand-to-hand training. That's right! The only close combat training they have is completely dependent upon: A) Having their saber or GETTING their saber. They don't know how to punch, kick, block, break wrists, ANYTHING. A commando does. A lightsaber is completely useless once a commando is within arms' reach, because, like any sword, the cutting edge cannot be brought to bear. All the commando has to do is keep striking at those arms and pushing them to the side, and follow it up with strikes to critical organs etc while the Jedi's guard is opened.

Re: Variable Power Pools Ah, but see, I wouldn't allow that at all. The VPP is just a mechanism explaining the cost of what I allow them. I would only allow them to use spells that they had learned. Thus, they might want another mage's books so they could learn more spells. Great stuff guys, keep it coming!

Re: Star Wars - Balancing Jedi with everyone else and heroic vs. superheroic Yes, but if there's no where to land, they still come back down. And, well, the Jedi just gave up any objective that they have. Because a commando won't feel the need to chase down the Jedi just to prove something. He has a MISSION to accomplish. Actually, no they can't. They can influence minds. A little. Only weak ones. Commandos are highly trained, highly disciplined, highly motivated, very smart individuals. "Um, I just crawled through 2 miles of sewers, crept past three security teams, retrieved my stashed gear from the bottom of a ravine, all just so I could be here now. I'm pretty sure you ARE the one I am looking for. Oh, and thanks for standing so close to me. Made my job that much easier. *crunch*" And, actually, their presentience only applies to either A) incoming projectiles aimed specifically at them (they can sense the "intent" of the sniper basically) and really hazy notions of maybe futures that offer no practical benefit against a commando breaking your knees backwards, snapping your wrist, and then crushing your esophogus with the side of his hand. I seriously think only a Dark Jedi could reasonably hold their own. Dark Jedi would probably smoke a commando. Force Lighting works at close range. Hehehe.

Re: Variable Power Pools And I just thought that it would be inappropriate for most of my magic systems...... since they are learned SPELLS......... not inherent powers. A psionicist is another matter......... Demons, and certain kinds of magic, as well as elementals, that would be more appripriate for a VPP. Still, do VPPs make it cheaper to afford spells? 'Cause then I could allow them to do it with the restriction of "Only with learned spells -1" and still let them save some points for elsewhere. And..... what is PITA?

Just a quick question about those. I have been interested in testing them out, yet I am a bit confused. I think I understand the gist, but my GM claims that he likes to avoid VPPs. The reason I find this confusing is that to me it looks like a reasonable way to allow characters to build their wizards' spells. That's how I've seen most of you guys draw up character sheets at least, of those posted. The GM makes us buy them as individual powers. Now, I have no problem with this, but, as a GM, I have been considering letting my Fantasy campaigners buy spells via a VPP. I haven't had a chance to disucss in detail with the other GM, so I was wondering what sort of abuse or loopholes or gamebreaking aspects there are to VPPs that I should look out for, etc. Oh, and this is for a Heroic level, 75+75 point campaign.

Re: Shattered Sun - A Star Hero campaign Sounds perfect, except for the lack of gladitorial games. I'm sure there are illegal venues for such things?

Re: Star Wars - Balancing Jedi with everyone else and heroic vs. superheroic

Re: Shattered Sun - A Star Hero campaign What is Traveler Hero?

Re: Star Wars - Balancing Jedi with everyone else and heroic vs. superheroic See, I bet solid slug weapons would be mostly unheard of except on the most backwards of planets because of their inherent limitations: weight restirctions, lower ammo counts, ability to misfire, noise, etc. Most places, laser weapons could be made with relatively little cost. So, it would be unusual for someone to come after a Jedi with a solid slug weapon. But I think that is part of their weakness. They are built to defeat only ONE type of situation: the universe that they are used to. They really aren't as adaptable as they are made out to be. And I think a good commando could move nearly as fast as a Jedi, and hit a whole lot harder and a whole lot smarter.

Re: Star Wars - Balancing Jedi with everyone else and heroic vs. superheroic Sorry, I completely forgot I posted here! Haha! Anyway. I think that most commandos could take on most Jedi. Why you ask? Jedi can't fight worth a shiny nickle. Seriously! Think about it. They have been given completely unstopabble weapons. So, they just need enough hand eye coordination to NOT hit themselves, and they can slaughter everything that moves (and most things that don't)! No skill. The only time Jedi display any real martial skill is when fighting other Jedi, and maybe when they are deflecting lasers. But, that's more because of the Force anyway. Also, I would be intersted in seeing what a solid slug would do if hit by a Jedi laser. I think it would just slide through it, with some damage, and impact into the fleshyness beneath. But, once within arms reach (I.E. within the reach of the god-killing sabers)...... Jedi can't do jack. Their Force powers are virtually useless, and any decent commando would be able to deflect them. The commandos would use joint locks, strikes, and breaks to basically dismantle the Jedi piece by piece. It would be hilarious to watch.

Re: Sex and the Single Superhuman Do they try to kill Flesh before or AFTER the relationship has run its course?

Re: combat luck Ah. My bad I'm sure. I'm still kinda stupid about all this. Forget obvious things, etc.

Re: combat luck I just don't see why combat luck would be effected by night. To me, it wouldn't, as long as the character wasn't suprised by something. But if he was going into a firefight, and it was night, I would say he gets his luck. Negatives to his DCV if he fails to see certain attacks maybe, but he is alert.

Re: combat luck No. I haven't. Why? Who is Kev?