Manic Typist

Re: Analyze Structure vs KS Architecture ...no, he would definitely know why, since that is sort of the HISTORY of architecture right there. He would also know basic fundamental principles of architecture (what a load bearing wall is, for instance). Also, he would easily be able to identify keystones since, well, they are generally rather obvious. None of that, however, guarantees he can take down the structure. But it sure as hell would weaken it. This is exactly the theoretical knowledge you mention in the rest of your post.

Re: Analyze Structure vs KS Architecture I'd say KS: Architecture would offer SOME benefits for the task of bringing down a building. For instance, with KS: Architecture I know about the importance of arches in Roman aqueducts and how the keystone is the essential component. So I could tell my men to go knock out all the keystones, which would certainly weaken the structural integrity of the building. But Structural Engineering would serve me much better, yes.

Re: Mind Control- Literal Interpretation , HERO 6 My first question as a PC, when mind controlled, would be "What kind is it, so that I know how to roleplay it?" Literal interpretation? Mindless obedience and inaction without specific commands? My full fledged support? Of course, I trust my GM not to do this all the time.

Re: Lostorum - Looking for input on some races / monsters (hot-climate critters) Few nitpicks and questions: "willingly serve, the Vaerog" Is Ora'hos the local name for the continent? What is aether? Have you considered sandsharks/worms for the interior? What about a natural spring/river that feeds a lack at the center of the wasteland? Another feature- the ability to blend in like a chameleon (or a wide variety of fish on the ocean floor, really). All I got for right now.

Re: Hero System 101: Comments sought Two things. 1) Whoa whoa whoa. Been a while since I've played 6th. Normal Defense stops Killing STUN??? 2) I don't know if this example is helpful to anyone, but often when I explain the difference between Normal and Killing Damage, I ask them to imagine me taking a baseball bat, winding it up, and hitting them as hard as I could across the ribs with it. Then imagine I'd used a sword instead of a bat. That's the difference.

Re: Quote of the Week From My Life. Who? What? Huh?

Re: What is Happening with Dark Champions? But there is. You're completely right, it DOES include those things. I never said they were WRONG. But that is the first and typically ONLY thing they think of and they have to be reminded of the other aspects. I would say that the majority of the content, however, FAVORS the action/espionage level more so than the Green Arrow and Batman types. It has enough for everyone, but can you imagine arming mooks casually with the weapons offered, using Hit Locations, and trying to run a Batman type? He doesn't wear a lot of armor and one headshot and he's gone. That's a different genre convention than if things are quite that lethal for a dark CHAMPIONS bit. I'm not sure if I'm being clear. Headache probably contributes to that. I guess what it boils down to is that the mistake that is often made is that it's seen as an offshoot or extension of CHAMPIONS, yet it's really not. It's drastically different in tone, playstyle, mechanics typically involved, and many players have never even played CHAMPIONS. So Dark Champions to them means something quite different as a default.

Re: What is Happening with Dark Champions? And see, I've always envisioned Dark Champions as Jason Bourne and the like. Close to real world, violent. Look at the cover! That's not Batman. For me, people who try to make it "Champions" are just confused. By the name, apparently.

Re: A Few Slight Delays: Building a Hero System system and setting

Re: A Few Slight Delays: Building a Hero System system and setting Ah, ahora cacho.

Re: A Few Slight Delays: Building a Hero System system and setting Yes, but I guess I have a slight difficulty in that.... how can you differentiate non-setting specific species from setting specific species? Is this sort of like redoing Fantasy Hero and then the specific setting books like Valdorian Age?

Re: A Few Slight Delays: Building a Hero System system and setting Yeah, did you MEAN to be confusing?

Re: Character Class Mottos Nice one, Shadow Hawk. Also, the necromancer ones have been good too. Also dig the dwarven shaman line.

Re: Religion in Science-Fiction? Ah ya.

Re: Religion in Science-Fiction? Pis?

Re: Religion in Science-Fiction? Ok. But none of that has anything to do with the simple statement that a soul is worth more than a mere life. You don't have to believe in souls, of course. If souls don't exist, then the statement is meaningless really. It's false, although there could be other things still higher than life but they're probably going to be more subjective than "Well, yes, IF souls exist, then I suppose an eternity of suffering in the future outweighs a mere span of mortal years." Nothing I said had anything to do with why human nature is what it is, or why people are good and what makes them bad. Simply, a life is not necessarily the highest price to pay, WHETHER OR NOT souls exist. To make it more relevant to thread, how might we conceive of such a thing in a sci-fi setting? Perhaps you can offer up your consciousness, digitally downloaded into some network....hm....

Re: Religion in Science-Fiction? Except that it's not irrelevant at all, since we're talking about what price might be higher than one's life. Your soul could be a legitimate answer to the question. You assume that death comes with it, but perhaps your life goes on as normal or even enhanced (Faustian deal, anyone?), but when the inevitable occurs... Or what if you NEVER die? You are doomed to live forever for your actions? Just another way to interpret it, that's all.

Re: Order of the Stick Which is why Nale's question made me smile and think "You're such an a**hole, Nale.*

Re: Order of the Stick Hm. I seem to recall something about Nale killing the lizard's family.... not positive though.

Re: I want to create a sand that expands when wet (like the foam you put in your wall Telekinesis?

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group... Years and years ago, in a fantasy game. Raiding a necromancer's hidden study. Me (PC): While they're investigating that, I'll go over here and leaf through one of the spellbooks. NPC Necromancer "helping" us: (Immediately) Sure, just make sure you don't read it aloud or in your head. Me: *Pausing* I think I'll go help look for hidden compartments.

Re: Inexperienced GM introducing group to Hero and having writer’s block… Hm, how about some rough around the edges types who are called in by some beloved maternal figure from their past to rescue her granddaughter from some evil criminal types. You could set it in Chinatown, Little Italy, whatever. So they have skills for violence, but are NOT military.

Re: Where are the Big Dumb Objects in your campaign? No he didn't. Wrong, since I'm pretty sure you're not following Vondy at all. I get the impression that he has large, impressive structures. Wonders, even. But perhaps nothing on the magnitude of, say, a Dyson Sphere...........

Re: Unusual Magic Items

Re: Unusual Magic Items My unspoken, assumed caveat there was "If my character survives the campaign." It wouldn't raise your hackles for a GM to say, after a long campaign with a character you'd put a lot of work into, "Great jobs guys, that was the last session. Here's what your characters do from here on out..." There is give and take. A GM saying something like that, with no input or flexibility for my wishes, is just taking and not giving.