Weldun

Re: High STR + HKAs, thoughts

The biggest issue I can see is that it allows for a 6d6 Killing Attack before factoring in any maneuver damage bonuses (like Haymaker and Move Through).

 

21+ Average Killing Body Damage is going to hurt some 'dedicated' bricks.

Re: What happens when a new GM doesn't understand game balance

If someone died the next PC would just show up mysteriously on the other PCs side!

Re: Meta-Backgrounds

Please apologize' date=' publicly, for your public rudeness.[/quote']True, I could have put that more politely, but you seem to be the only one replying to the thread who is having a problem with this. Nonetheless, it doesn't excuse the tone that I chose to take and for that I apologise.

I find it hard to reach any conclusion except "you didn't read what I wrote."

 

I said that, outside of "build exercises," I can think of no way to have a character that does not have what you have defined as a "meta-background". To which you replied, alongside an insult, that you wanted to know about the meta-backgrounds that players had for their characters, clearly implying you expect such things as a matter of course.

 

Perhaps if you were to give an example of a PC without a meta-background (a made-up example would suffice), I could why you are reacting to me so contentiously.

One example would be a brick made simply so a party had a brick. No reason given for the prodigious strength, nothing beyond High STR and Defences. No even an exercise to

"twiddle the points"

as you put it.

In that case' date=' the only way I can see to [i']not [/i]have a "meta-background" is to work out the points to accomplish a particular result as an exercise. I.e., to "twiddle the points" for practice.

Such a character as I described would not have been made for the exercise you described. It was made purely to fill a slot. Any characterisation comes through gameplay.

Anything worthy of being called a character has what you call a "meta-background".

Not true. I created this character completely from his background, which came to me while I was reading my copy of Classic Enemies. And this character was also created purely out of their background. Now, I can accept that you just don't get the concept of what I'm describing, but when people post comments,

Anything worthy of being called a character has what you call a "meta-background".

, which can come across just a little "snarky", I tend to get a little wound up.

 

That aside, the other problem you may be having is seeing a point to question at all, given the broad scope of "meta-backgrounds", and in that you would be right. As I posted earlier, I made the original post (and quite a few after it) whilst sick with the flu, but now that it's cleared out of my head, I'm having trouble seeing the point the OP. Rather that a "do people do this?", which as you pointed out, they obviously would do for most characters, I suppose I should be asking, "how much effort do people generally put into this?"

 

My own answer? The Spectre is an extreme example, but I do tend to put a lot of thought into the mechanical reasoning behind a character as well as the characterisation itself. As evidenced here and here

Re: Bearing Witness

You're stupid. (laughs and rolls off seat' date=' thinking it's hilarious.)[/quote']And you know that you've really stepped off into the twilight zone when he replies, "Nuh-uh! You're stupid! You don't even realise that we peeked up your dress when we brought you here. :o"

Re: Bearing Witness

Umm--okay. As stated in the first post, that would get Demandra returned to when and where she left, with no memory of The Castle or Tyler and Tom.

 

Thank You for your input, though.

Re: What happens when a new GM doesn't understand game balance

... D&D (surely a system with as much opportunity for role-playing as any other) ...

Example.

Re: A DC Animated-style HeroMachine

Aaand back on topic. This is Professor Grey and yes, that is a tail. One day I'll get around to plugging him into HD and post him up.

Re: Your character's theme song would be?

Blademaster's would be Queen's Princes of the Universe (what else for an immortal).

Gate - "Open Your Heart" by Crush 40 (Sonic Adventure #1).

The Specter - "Land of Confusion" by Genesis.

The Swarmling - "The End is the Begining is the End" by the Smashing Pumpkins.

Whisper - "I Kill Children" by the Dead Kennedies.

Re: Lunar Wolf

Hopefully I'll get to play him one day, I can see a lot of roleplay opportunities with this one. I intentionally kept a few details either vague or undefined so that the GM would have more room to work the background into their campaign.

Re: Bearing Witness

The Spectre

--What has it been like for you to have superpowers?

I have seen humanity at it's best and at it worst. I've travelled almost all of the continents of the world, sample most of the food, culture and other delights it has to offer. Yes, there has been pain, especially in watching loved ones pass on, but there has also been joy, in watching each consecutive generation strive to improve upon what came before them.

--Why did you choose to use your powers the way you have?

*poink* You know, I never really thought about it? I never considered any other course of action, once it became clear that I couldn't have a normal life. I guess it's just who I am.

--What do you think you would be doing if you didn't have superpowers?

I would be dead! And I would have died a taylor, and seen grandchildren a lot sooner than otherwise.

--Do you ever wish you didn't have superpowers?

Sometimes. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like to have grown old alongside Sue. To have seen Felicity, Wayne and Patricia grow up and have families of their own. But, then I would never have seen the wonders that I have seen, met the people I have met. No. This is my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

--What would you decide if you were in my place? Is humanity ready for superpowers, or not?

I think that humanity is ready for them. A damn site more are deserving of them, if the boy and girls of such organisations as UNTIL and PRIMUS are any indication. Yes, there are a few problems from time to time, but by-and-large humanity not only endures, but thrives.

--Is there anything else you wish to say?

Yes. Pay attention to the coathanger next time, please?

[b]Lunar Wolf (Hybrid) - Mathew Granger[/b]

[b][u]VAL[/u]   [u]CHA[/u]   [u]Cost[/u]   [u]Total[/u]   [u]Roll[/u]      [u]Notes[/u][/b]
20    STR     10   20      13-       HTH Damage 4d6  END [1]
20    DEX     30   20      13-       OCV 7 DCV 7
18    CON     16   18      13-
16    BODY    12   16      12-
10    INT     0   10      11-       PER Roll 13-
10    EGO     0   10      11-       ECV: 3
20    PRE     10   20      13-       PRE Attack: 4d6
10    COM     0   10      11-
13    PD      9   13             13 PD (2 rPD)
11    ED      7   11             11 ED (2 rED)
5    SPD     20   5                 Phases:  3, 5, 8, 10, 12
8    REC     0   8
36    END     0   36
35    STUN    0   35
9    RUN      6   9"                END [2]
2    SWIM     0   2"                END [1]
6    LEAP     0   6"                6" forward, 3" upward

[b]CHA Cost: 120[/b]

[b][u]Cost[/u]   [u]POWERS[/u][/b]
22     [b][i]Lunar Cycle[/i][/b]: Multipower, 45-point reserve,  (45 Active Points); No Conscious Control (Only Effects cannot be controlled; -1) - END=
4u     1)  [b][i]New Moon[/i][/b]: (Total: 45 Active Cost, 45 Real Cost) +10 INT (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] +10 EGO (Real Cost: 20) [b]plus[/b] Forensic Medicine 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] KS: The Lycanthropic World (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] Paramedics 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] PS: Vetenarian (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] SS:  Biology (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) - END=0
4u     2)  [b][i]Crescent Moon[/i][/b]: (Total: 45 Active Cost, 40 Real Cost) +10 STR, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (15 Active Points); No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] +5 INT (Real Cost: 5) [b]plus[/b] Forensic Medicine 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] +5 EGO (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] KS: The Lycanthropic World (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] Paramedics 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] PS: Vetenarian (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] SS:  Biology (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) - END=0
4u     3)  [b][i]Half Moon[/i][/b]: (Total: 43 Active Cost, 36 Real Cost) +15 STR, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (22 Active Points); No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) (Real Cost: 15) [b]plus[/b] +3 EGO (Real Cost: 6) [b]plus[/b] Forensic Medicine 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] KS: The Lycanthropic World (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] Paramedics 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] PS: Vetenarian (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] SS:  Biology (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) - END=0
3u     4)  [b][i]Gibbous Moon[/i][/b]: (Total: 44 Active Cost, 32 Real Cost) +25 STR, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (37 Active Points); No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) (Real Cost: 25) [b]plus[/b] +1 EGO (Real Cost: 2) [b]plus[/b] Forensic Medicine 8- (Real Cost: 1) [b]plus[/b] KS: The Lycanthropic World 8- (Real Cost: 1) [b]plus[/b] Paramedics 8- (Real Cost: 1) [b]plus[/b] PS: Vetenarian (INT) 8- (Real Cost: 1) [b]plus[/b] SS:  Biology (INT) 8- (Real Cost: 1) - END=0
3u     5)  [b][i]Full Moon[/i][/b]: (Total: 45 Active Cost, 30 Real Cost) +30 STR, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (45 Active Points); No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) (Real Cost: 30) - END=0
15     [b][i]Lycanthrope Powers[/i][/b]: Elemental Control, 30-point powers - END=
9     1)  [b][i]Shape Changing[/i][/b]: Multiform (150 Character Points in the most expensive form) (Human or Wolf; True Form is Human) (35 Active Points); Extra Time (Extra Phase, -3/4), Costs Endurance (Only To Change; -1/2) - END=3
15     2)  [b][i]Fangs/Claws[/i][/b]: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6+1 (2 1/2d6 w/STR), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (30 Active Points) - END=0
14     3)  [b][i]Lycanthropic Regeneration[/i][/b]: Healing 3d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (60 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 1/4), Self Only (-1/2), Does Not Work On Some Damage (Silver Weapons; -1/2) [Notes: 3 BODY/Turn] - END=0
40     [b][i]Lycanthropic Resilience[/i][/b]: (Total: 60 Active Cost, 40 Real Cost) Physical Damage Reduction, Resistant, 50% (30 Active Points); Does Not Work On Some Damage (Silver Weapons; -1/2) (Real Cost: 20) [b]plus[/b] Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 50% (30 Active Points); Does Not Work On Some Damage (Fire Attacks; -1/2) (Real Cost: 20) - END=0
2     [b][i]Lycanthropic Resilience[/i][/b]: Damage Resistance (2 PD/2 ED) - END=0
2     [b][i]200kg[/i][/b]: Knockback Resistance -1" - END=0
3     [b][i]Wolf's Legs[/i][/b]: Leaping +2" (6" forward, 3" upward), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (3 Active Points) - END=
5     [b][i]Wolf's Strength[/i][/b]: Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (5 Active Points) applied to STR - END=
6     [b][i]Lycanthropic Senses[/i][/b]: +2 PER with all Sense Groups - END=0
5     [b][i]Lycanthrope's Eyes[/i][/b]: Ultraviolet Perception (Sight Group) - END=0
20     [b][i]Lycanthropic Nose[/i][/b]: (Total: 20 Active Cost, 20 Real Cost) Discriminatory with Smell/Taste Group (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] Tracking with Smell/Taste Group (Real Cost: 10) - END=0
11     [b][i]Silver Blade[/i][/b]: HKA 1d6 (2d6 w/STR), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (22 Active Points); OAF (Blade; -1) - END=0

[b]POWERS Cost: 187[/b]

[b][u]Cost[/u]   [u]MARTIAL ARTS[/u][/b]
     Red In Tooth And Claw
4      1)  Avoid Harm:  1/2 Phase, -- OCV, +5 DCV, Dodge, Affects All Attacks, Abort
4      2)  Chomp/Swipe:  1/2 Phase, +0 OCV, +2 DCV, Weapon +2 DC Strike
3      3)  Holding Bite:  1/2 Phase, +0 OCV, -1 DCV, Grab One Limb, +10 STR
3      4)  Knockdown:  1/2 Phase, +1 OCV, +1 DCV, Weapon  Strike; Target Falls

[b]MARTIAL ARTS Cost: 14[/b]

[b][u]Cost[/u]   [u]SKILLS[/u][/b]
15      +3 with HTH Combat

2      Animal Handler (Canines) 13-
3      Concealment 11-
3      Stealth 13-
3      Tracking 11-
3      WF:  Blades, Handguns, Rifles

[b]SKILLS Cost: 29[/b]


[b][u]Value[/u]  [u]DISADVANTAGES[/u][/b]
15     Accidental Change:  to Human 14-, In the presence of wolfsbane (Uncommon)
15     Distinctive Features:  7'6" Tall, White Werewolf (Easily Concealed; Extreme Reaction; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
10     Distinctive Features:  Mystic Aura (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Uncommonly-Used Senses)
20     Enraged:  When takes BODY or is Stunned (Common), go 8-/11-/14-, recover 14-/11-/8- [Notes: 11- Unless it is a New or Full Moon, then it's 8-/14- and 14-/8- respectively]
15     Hunted:  Red Fang Pack 8- (Mo Pow [There's more of them], Harshly Punish)
10     Hunted:  "Super" Big Game Hunter 8- (As Pow, Harshly Punish)
5     Money:  Poor
5     Physical Limitation:  7'6" tall, 200kg (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)
15     Psychological Limitation:  Driven to Kill in Combat (Common, Strong)
10     Psychological Limitation:  Driven to Kill Other Lycanthropes (Uncommon, Strong)
20     Psychological Limitation:  Protective of Innocents (Very Common, Strong)
10     Vulnerability:  1 1/2 x STUN Silver (Common) [Notes: Counts as Common due to Common Knowledge]

[b]DISADVANTAGES Points: 150[/b]

Base Pts: 200
Exp Required: 0
Total Exp Available: 0
Exp Unspent: 0
Total Character Cost: 350

[b]Lunar Wolf (Human) - [/b]

[b][u]VAL[/u]   [u]CHA[/u]   [u]Cost[/u]   [u]Total[/u]   [u]Roll[/u]      [u]Notes[/u][/b]
15    STR     5   15      12-       HTH Damage 3d6  END [1]
18    DEX     24   18      13-       OCV 6 DCV 6
18    CON     16   18      13-
16    BODY    12   16      12-
20    INT     10   20      13-       PER Roll 13-
20    EGO     20   20      13-       ECV: 7
15    PRE     5   15      12-       PRE Attack: 3d6
12    COM     1   12      11-
4    PD      1   4/10             4/10 PD (1/7 rPD)
4    ED      0   4/10             4/10 ED (1/7 rED)
5    SPD     22   5                 Phases:  3, 5, 8, 10, 12
8    REC     2   8
36    END     0   36
35    STUN    2   35
7    RUN      2   7"                END [1]
3    SWIM     1   3"                END [1]
3    LEAP     0   3"                3" forward, 1 1/2" upward

[b]CHA Cost: 123[/b]

[b][u]Cost[/u]   [u]POWERS[/u][/b]
5     [b][i]Lycanthrope's Eyes[/i][/b]: Ultraviolet Perception (Sight Group) - END=0
20     [b][i]Lycanthrope's Nose[/i][/b]: (Total: 20 Active Cost, 20 Real Cost) Discriminatory with Smell/Taste Group (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] Tracking with Smell/Taste Group (Real Cost: 10) - END=0
24     [b][i]Polymorphic Claws[/i][/b]: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6+1 (2d6+1 w/STR), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (30 Active Points); Reduced Penetration (-1/4) - END=0
1     [b][i]Polymorphic Durability[/i][/b]: Damage Resistance (1 PD/1 ED) - END=0
6     [b][i]Polymorphic Regeneration[/i][/b]: Healing 1d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (20 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 1/4), Self Only (-1/2), Does Not Work On Some Damage (Silver Weapons; -1/2) [Notes: 3 BODY/Turn] - END=0
20     [b][i]Polymophic Resilience[/i][/b]: (Total: 30 Active Cost, 20 Real Cost) Physical Damage Reduction, Resistant, 25% (15 Active Points); Does Not Work On Some Damage (Silver Weapons; -1/2) (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 25% (15 Active Points); Does Not Work On Some Damage (Fire Attacks; -1/2) (Real Cost: 10) - END=0
      - END=
12     [b][i]Armoured Clothes[/i][/b]: Armor (6 PD/6 ED) (18 Active Points); IIF (Clothes; -1/4), Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) - END=0
11     [b][i]Silver Blade[/i][/b]: HKA 1d6 (2d6 w/STR), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (22 Active Points); OAF (Blade; -1) - END=0

[b]POWERS Cost: 99[/b]


[b][u]Cost[/u]   [u]SKILLS[/u][/b]
5      +1 with HTH Combat

2      Animal Handler (Canines) 12-
3      Concealment 13-
3      Forensic Medicine 13-
3      KS: The Lycanthropic World (INT) 13-
3      Paramedics 13-
3      PS: Vetinarian (INT) 13-
3      Stealth 13-
3      Tracking 13-

[b]SKILLS Cost: 28[/b]


[b][u]Value[/u]  [u]DISADVANTAGES[/u][/b]
20     Accidental Change:  to Hybrid Form Always, during nights of the full moon (Uncommon)
10     Distinctive Features:  Mystic Aura (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Uncommonly-Used Senses)
15     Hunted:  Red Fang Pack 8- (Mo Pow [There's more of them], Harshly Punish)
10     Hunted:  "Super" Big Game Hunter 8- (As Pow, Harshly Punish)
5     Money:  Poor
10     Psychological Limitation:  Driven to Kill in Combat (Common, Moderate)
5     Psychological Limitation:  Driven to Kill Other Lycanthropes (Uncommon, Moderate)
20     Psychological Limitation:  Protective of Innocents (Very Common, Strong)
5     Vulnerability:  1 1/2 x STUN Silver (Uncommon)

[b]DISADVANTAGES Points: 100[/b]

Base Pts: 150
Exp Required: 0
Total Exp Available: 0
Exp Unspent: 0
Total Character Cost: 250

[b]Lunar Wolf (Wolf) - [/b]

[b][u]VAL[/u]   [u]CHA[/u]   [u]Cost[/u]   [u]Total[/u]   [u]Roll[/u]      [u]Notes[/u][/b]
15    STR     5   15      12-       HTH Damage 3d6  END [1]
18    DEX     24   18      13-       OCV 6 DCV 6
18    CON     16   18      13-
16    BODY    12   16      12-
10    INT     0   10      11-       PER Roll 12-/18-
10    EGO     0   10      11-       ECV: 3
13    PRE     3   13      12-       PRE Attack: 2 1/2d6
8    COM     -1   8      11-
5    PD      2   5             5 PD (1 rPD)
4    ED      0   4             4 ED (1 rED)
5    SPD     22   5                 Phases:  3, 5, 8, 10, 12
8    REC     2   8
36    END     0   36
35    STUN    2   35
8    RUN      4   8"                END [2]
2    SWIM     0   2"                END [1]
3    LEAP     0   3"                3" forward, 1 1/2" upward

[b]CHA Cost: 91[/b]

[b][u]Cost[/u]   [u]POWERS[/u][/b]
22     [b][i]Lunar Cycle[/i][/b]: Multipower, 45-point reserve,  (45 Active Points); No Conscious Control (Only Effects cannot be controlled; -1) - END=
4u     1)  [b][i]New Moon[/i][/b]: (Total: 45 Active Cost, 45 Real Cost) +10 INT (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] +10 EGO (Real Cost: 20) [b]plus[/b] Forensic Medicine 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] KS: The Lycanthropic World (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] Paramedics 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] PS: Vetenarian (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] SS:  Biology (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) - END=0
3u     2)  [b][i]Crescent Moon[/i][/b]: (Total: 35 Active Cost, 35 Real Cost) +1 with HTH Combat (Real Cost: 5) [b]plus[/b] +5 INT (Real Cost: 5) [b]plus[/b] Forensic Medicine 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] +5 EGO (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] KS: The Lycanthropic World (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] Paramedics 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] PS: Vetenarian (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] SS:  Biology (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) - END=0
3u     3)  [b][i]Half Moon[/i][/b]: (Total: 33 Active Cost, 31 Real Cost) +5 STR, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (7 Active Points); No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) (Real Cost: 5) [b]plus[/b] +1 with HTH Combat (Real Cost: 5) [b]plus[/b] +3 EGO (Real Cost: 6) [b]plus[/b] Forensic Medicine 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] KS: The Lycanthropic World (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] Paramedics 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] PS: Vetenarian (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) [b]plus[/b] SS:  Biology (INT) 11- (Real Cost: 3) - END=0
2u     4)  [b][i]Gibbous Moon[/i][/b]: (Total: 24 Active Cost, 22 Real Cost) +5 STR, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (7 Active Points); No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) (Real Cost: 5) [b]plus[/b] +2 with HTH Combat (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] +1 EGO (Real Cost: 2) [b]plus[/b] Forensic Medicine 8- (Real Cost: 1) [b]plus[/b] KS: The Lycanthropic World 8- (Real Cost: 1) [b]plus[/b] Paramedics 8- (Real Cost: 1) [b]plus[/b] PS: Vetenarian (INT) 8- (Real Cost: 1) [b]plus[/b] SS:  Biology (INT) 8- (Real Cost: 1) - END=0
2u     5)  [b][i]Full Moon[/i][/b]: (Total: 30 Active Cost, 25 Real Cost) +10 STR, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (15 Active Points); No Figured Characteristics (-1/2) (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] +3 with HTH Combat (Real Cost: 15) - END=0
20     [b][i]Polymophic Resilience[/i][/b]: (Total: 30 Active Cost, 20 Real Cost) Physical Damage Reduction, Resistant, 25% (15 Active Points); Does Not Work On Some Damage (Silver Weapons; -1/2) (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 25% (15 Active Points); Does Not Work On Some Damage (Fire Attacks; -1/2) (Real Cost: 10) - END=0
6     [b][i]Lycanthropic Regeneration[/i][/b]: Healing 1d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (20 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 1/4), Self Only (-1/2), Does Not Work On Some Damage (Silver Weapons; -1/2) [Notes: 3 BODY/Turn] - END=0
7     [b][i]Fangs[/i][/b]: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1 point (1/2d6 w/STR), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (7 Active Points) - END=0
1     [b][i]Tough Skin[/i][/b]: Damage Resistance (1 PD/1 ED) - END=0
3     [b][i]Wolf's Senses[/i][/b]: +1 PER with all Sense Groups but Sight - END=0
5     [b][i]Lycanthrope's Eyes[/i][/b]: Ultraviolet Perception (Sight Group) - END=0
6     [b][i]Wolf's Nose[/i][/b]: +3 PER with Smell/Taste Group - END=0
20     [b][i]Lycanthropic Nose[/i][/b]: (Total: 20 Active Cost, 20 Real Cost) Discriminatory with Smell/Taste Group (Real Cost: 10) [b]plus[/b] Tracking with Smell/Taste Group (Real Cost: 10) - END=0
6     [b][i]Wolf's Ears[/i][/b]: +3 PER with Hearing Group - END=0
3     [b][i]Wolf's Ears[/i][/b]: Ultrasonic Perception (Hearing Group) - END=0

[b]POWERS Cost: 113[/b]

[b][u]Cost[/u]   [u]MARTIAL ARTS[/u][/b]
     Red In Tooth And Claw
4      1)  Avoid Harm:  1/2 Phase, -- OCV, +5 DCV, Dodge, Affects All Attacks, Abort
4      2)  Chomp/Swipe:  1/2 Phase, +0 OCV, +2 DCV, Weapon +2 DC Strike
3      3)  Holding Bite:  1/2 Phase, +0 OCV, -1 DCV, Grab One Limb, +10 STR
3      4)  Knockdown:  1/2 Phase, +1 OCV, +1 DCV, Weapon  Strike; Target Falls

[b]MARTIAL ARTS Cost: 14[/b]

[b][u]Cost[/u]   [u]SKILLS[/u][/b]
2      Animal Handler (Canines) 12-
3      Concealment 11-
3      Stealth 13-
3      Tracking 11-

[b]SKILLS Cost: 11[/b]


[b][u]Value[/u]  [u]DISADVANTAGES[/u][/b]
0     Accidental Change:  to Human 14-, In the presence of wolfsbane (Uncommon)
20     Accidental Change:  to Hybrid Form Always, during nights of the full moon (Uncommon)
0     Distinctive Features:  Unusually large, white wolf. (Easily Concealed; Always Noticed and Causes Major Reaction; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
10     Distinctive Features:  Mystic Aura (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Uncommonly-Used Senses)
15     Hunted:  Red Fang Pack 8- (Mo Pow [There's more of them], Harshly Punish)
10     Hunted:  "Super" Big Game Hunter 8- (As Pow, Harshly Punish)
5     Money:  Poor
10     Psychological Limitation:  Driven to Kill in Combat (Common, Moderate)
10     Psychological Limitation:  Driven to Kill Other Lycanthropes (Uncommon, Strong)
15     Psychological Limitation:  Protective of Innocents (Very Common, Moderate)
5     Vulnerability:  1 1/2 x STUN Silver (Uncommon)

[b]DISADVANTAGES Points: 100[/b]

Base Pts: 150
Exp Required: 0
Total Exp Available: 0
Exp Unspent: 0
Total Character Cost: 229

Background/History: Mathew Granger was a Vetinarian who worked as an animal control officer in Illinois who, like many of his colleagues, went out of his way to deal with hurt and sick animals as humanely as possible. One night, he and his partner recieved a call about a wolf that had been badly burned in a traffic accident. Mathew and his partner tried to work on the poor animal, but it suddenly lept up and began savage him whilst him partner was forced to fire several three rounds into it before it fell. Mathew was rushed to hospital where he was treated for all the usual ailments one would expect from a wolf attack, and semed to make a full recovery. During this recovery, he inquired after the animal that had attacked him and was shocked when he was informed that it had slunk off while the paramedics had been attending him, with enough tranquilizer to drop an elephant in it. But it wasn't until a month later that he learned the full extent of it.

The wolf that attacked him was no wolf at all but a Werewolf that called himself Red Fang. He had been chasing a wayward pack member who had darted across a busy interstate in an attempt to lose him. Red Fang was struck by an SUV that was subsequently rear-ended by a Mack Truck, sending it and Red Fang into a roadside power pole downing the live wires, which had then sparked the fuel leaking from the SUV's sumptuous tank, a situation made worse by the fact that the truck happened to be hauling a shipment of silver nitrate to a local pharmaceutical company. Such was the luck of Red Fang that night, but fortunately for him he was able to (barely) limp off after having marked Mathew. He took a scrap of Mathew's clothes with him when he returned to the pack, and told them to find this man, watch him, and if he changed on the next full moon, to bring him back to the pack's den. When the full moon came, he did indeed undergo the change, and although powerful, the pack easily subdued him and dragged him back to Red Fang. When morning came, Mathew was confronted by 5 wirey and dangerous looking men and women who then presented him to a scarred and burned man who then proceeded to inform Mathew of his predicament. At any other time, he would have told the man that he was crazy, but hazy memories of the change left little doubt as to the truth of the man's words. Red Fang told Mathew that there was a cure for the bitten, as opposed to those born with lycanthopy, but he wouldn't give it to him unless Mathew tracked down their rogue pack member. They needed Mathew to do this because she would not know his scent. The pack would help Mathew learn to control his change over the next month, but he would then have to fulfill his end of the bargain. Mathew knew that he had no other choice if he was to be free of the curse and so agreed. The next month was gueling and often humilating, as he had no standing in the pack heirarchy, but by the end he was in near total control of the change and would at least be able to stay on track while he searched for the rogue.

It took another two months for Mathew to finally track down the rogue, searching all of the usual lycanthrope haunts. And when he found her he found a 15 year old girl who was just starting to show. As he stood in her doorway, unsure of what to do, he heard a twig snap in the bushes outside the house. Turning so as to see he saw half the Red Fang pack, including Red Fang himself, grinning maliciously. "You did well whelp. Now I can kill this bitch and the cub she's carrying." Enraged, Mathew dove at Red Fang, wrestling him to the ground as the two shifted into their hybrid state. The battle was foregone conclusion with the vastly more experienced Red Fang the inevitable victor until Mathew successfully managed to free Red Fang's silver machette from his belt and brought it up the pack leader's belly in one smooth motion. With a bark of "Kill him!" from Red Fang, the rest of the pack pounced, and Mathew was on the run. Through luck more than anything else, Mathew was able to loose the pack long enough to get a change of clothes off of a line and walk to an interstate where he could hitch a ride to... where? Where was he going to go? He was a werewolf now, and one with only a modicum of control over his actions.

Over the next few years he had a few run-ins with Red Fang and the pack. Apparently they had lost a lot of face in the eyes of the other packs when Red Fang had not only nearly been bested by a whelp, but that the whelp had escaped with his prized blade. Eventually, Mathew heard of a Gypsy who could apparently lift curses. He sought the woman out, who called upon the moon goddess to cleanse this man before her of whatever curse may lay upon him. Immediately, his body was wracked with pain, as his body tried to shift into all three forms at the same time, and his mind was filled with a blinding white light. Lunar energies tired to destroy a curse fueled by lunar energies. In his mind the light became less blinding and more calming as a figure appeared within it. Neither male nor female, and yet both, this being spoke into his mind. It told him that it had long ago cursed the changing races to be harmed by it's chosen metal and to be forced to show their monsterous selves when it's power waxed full. And for a time, this was enough to keep their numbers in check. But now, few believe they really exist, and they skulk in shadows and darkness. Their numbers were getting out of hand and the being wanted a champion to hunt them down and kill them. If he did this, the being offered to remove the curse if it was still his wish to do so once the lycanthrope numbers were back to a manageable level. Mathew agreed. In that moment, a white light suffuses his body for several minutes and when it was gone, his hair had turn stark white and the Gypsy woman stared in shock. When she asked him what happened, he replied, "It didn't work, but it will" and the Lunar Wolf walked into the night to begin his hunt.

Personality/Motivation: Deep down, Lunar Wolf is actually a nice guy who want to make the world a better place. He knows just how depraved a lycanthrope can become but is haunted by the image of the girl he was first sent to hunt. He knows that not all werewolves are evil and yet the drives that the lunar entity left in him means that one day, he may very well hurt or even kill an innocent, something he's not sure that he could handle.

Quote: (I'm actually having trouble on this one.)

Powers/Tactics: Compared to a normal werewolf, Lunar wolf is considerably tougher, especially in regards to silver, the traditional weakness of werewolves. As the moon waxes, he becomes stronger and stronger until, during the full moon, his strength is almost like that of some bricks. However, as he grows stronger, more and more of the man that is Mathew is subsumed into the wolf. Tactically, he's a fairly straitforward brawler, although against particularly dangerous foes, he tends to favour strike and fade tactics using passing strikes. Unlike most lycanthropes, he retains many of his heightened senses and durability whilst in his human form, and can even reshape his hands into claws. In his wolf form, he retains his durability but also suffer's from the lunar influences on his mind.

Just something I've been working on since Ultimate Metamorph came out. I wanted to try out a character that didn't just change form, but also changed personality, but did so a little seperately from the shapechanging. Yeah, you're not normally allowed to put skills in a power framework, but I think most GMs would give the okay in this case, as it makes perfect sense.

Re: Soon I Will Be Invincible

The point is that Girl One doesn't look naked. And given the translucency that Lily is described as having, I doubt she often registers as *naked* to people's perceptions. We recognise things by association. If it doesn't resemble previous encounters with nakedness, then people wouldn't recognise it as nakedness.

As an example, Tweety bird used to be featherless, but people complained that he was naked. And yet Porky Pig had spent several years wearing no pants without comment.

Re: Soon I Will Be Invincible

Beat me to it.

Re: Soon I Will Be Invincible

Well' date=' I've never heard of her but if she did so in the equivalent of the modern western world and no one ever commented on it and it was never even mentioned as being an issue, I'd find it a little funny too considering how uptight people are about nudity. It's not a major slam on the book, just struck me as odd.[/quote'] You haven't read Top 10?

 

Actually, she commented on when she found out that the Sarge was colour blind, and therefore couldn't see the various patterns that she covered her skin with. So, she decked him.

Re: Soon I Will Be Invincible

No different than Girl One walking around naked all of the time.

Re: Live Free or Game

Yeah, they're working now.

Re: Meta-Backgrounds

It's the begining of one' date=' yes.[/quote']In that case, the only way I can see to not have a "meta-background" is to work out the points to accomplish a particular result as an exercise. I.e., to "twiddle the points" for practice.

 

Anything worthy of being called a character has what you call a "meta-background".

Then you are sadly lacking in imagination. I have seen many characters cross my scrutiny that have been made not as a build exercise, but to bring a concept and background to life, the definition of a character. What I have been asking about is the bit behind either of those approaches. With the Spectre, I wanted to play a character that:

 

1. Had a modernised Pulp feel
   
2. Could represent a title that had been passed through several publishers and thus had an origin and power/skill set that was a little odd.
   
3. Had a connection to previous eras
   
4. Used a adaptation of HU2's Alter Metabolism power.
   

With this I then went and wrote a loose background, starting with a few rough notes while I did a little research into certain historical events, both real world and CU. I then built the character and fleshed out the rest of the back ground.

 

In the same campaign as the Spectre, another player had a minimal meta-background in that he wanted to play an Golden-age Hero in an Iron-age game, and wanted to bring a technical skill set to a (then) heavily mystical group.

Re: Live Free or Game

At least you're getting Xs.

Re: Brainstorm: Re-Imaginations!

Brilliant! Rep for Corebrute.

Re: Live Free or Game

Repped and Subscribed!

Re: Players earning plot points

Aweshome! Thank you sir. Rep to you! (oh wait' date=' it's not worth anything...)[/quote']Don't worry, I tagged him too.

Re: Your character's theme song would be?

Well, for almost all my characters, I tend to get "Ego is not a Dirty Word" by the Skyhooks at some point, but specifically...

Adam 218 - Last of a series of Bio-engineered Weapons. “I stand alone” by Godsmack.

Beastlord - "Trip Like I Do" by Filter and Crystal Method (Spawn OST).

Eagle’s Cry – Gadget using Martial Artist with a Kelvarite enhanced artificial voicebox. “Right Now” by Van Halen (love that guitar solo!).

Facet - "She's Got The Power" by Stan Bush. (So I'm a Sailor Moon fan.)

Gate - "Open Your Heart" by Crush 40 (Sonic Adventure #1).

Gee - "Look Up!" by Yellow Dancer (Robotech: New Generation).

Gigas - "Kick some @$$" by Stroke 9.

Grom - "I was made for loving you" by KISS.

Hardcase - "Body Hammer" by Fear Factory ("As of now/I am a tool/Of severe impact/Hammer down/Cause and effect/And create a new world").

Leatherback - "The Thing I Hate” by Stabbing Westward.

Nightwalker - "Breakin' the Law" by Judas Priest

Platinum - "Little Less Conversation" by Elvis Presley & JXL.

Polecat - "One" by Filter (orig. John Farnham).

Professor Grey - "Liberi Fatali" by Nobuo Uematsu. (The Final Fantasy VIII opening theme).

Shiver – Empower by an accident involving cut-price cryogenics, he possesses ice powers and is radioactive, requiring him to wear a special suit of armour, lest he poison those around him. “Pain” by Four Star Mary.

Shadowfire - "Freak on a Leash" by Korn.

The Specter - "Land of Confusion" by Genesis.

Surge – Mutant Energy (Electricity) Projector. “Shock the Monkey” by Coal Chamber feat. Ozzy Osbourne (a cover of a Peter Gabriel track, I prefer this one).

The Swarmling - "The End is the Begining is the End" by the Smashing Pumpkins.

Tempest - Son of Thunder and Lightning, with the powers of both. “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. (Not a commentary on his mother's parenting methods. )

Twilight – Former Ninja and now Martial Artist Extra-ordinaire. “Ultra” by KMFDM.

Whisper - "I Kill Children" by the Dead Kennedies.

Weldun - "Plowed" by Sponge.

Obviously, I'm not currently playing all of these at the moment.

My Edge City camapaign is now in a dimension hopping phase. Now while I have a few dimensions detailed, others are not so detailed. One trope of crossing dimensions is meeting alternate versions of yourself, different by only a small fraction in some cases, in others you may not even realise that you have just met your analogue.

In the interests of having a varied and interesting arc, I have decided to come to the incomparable and imaginative minds of the Hero Forums. What I would like, if any are at all interested and inclined, is for some input as to the analogues of each of my player's characters in the universes that I will describe. I will endeavor to encourage each of my players to input their own ideas, but don't let that stop you. I have a good bunch of roleplayers that, so long as they are sure of the difference, know how to keep player-knowledge separate from their character. The broad strokes sections were done with the player's assitance, the rest is my own take as the GM. (This is also a chance for me to reconnect with aspects of the characters that I may have forgotten).

So without further ado, The Edge.

Avatar: The living extension of the spirit of the Sun, Avatar was birthed when a fusion reactor lost containment in the vicinity of L5. The Sun split a part of it's essence off and imbued it with a will of it's own and an insatiable curiousity about the 3rd orb from it's parent.

The Avatar is a being of physical energy. Archetype - Flying Energy Projector. Radiation/Light/Fire/Heat SFX. Broad Strokes - Elemental Being, Destructive, Innocent and Wise, the Ancient Infant.

Miss Chaos: A mutant with the ability to manipulate chaos energy. Daughter of anti-super rich, she is PRIMUS trained and donated most of her trust fund to found a training academy for supers. Not impressed that she was designated the team's official PRIMUS liason upon her graduation.

Archetype - Teleporting Energy Projector. Powers of confusion and misdirection. Broad Strokes - Worrier. Partially understood powers. From a family of Bigots. Stuck with her job as PRIMUS liason.

The Stentorian: A man of greek decent, he has the ability to destroy or beguile with his voice alone. Latest member of the team.

Archetype - Tricky Energy Projector. Sonic SFX with limited mind-control. Broad Strokes - Male Howler. The Voice in the Wilderness. A follower, not a leader. A Surpisingly hot, yet dangerous girlfriend.

Terminus: A genetically engineered Supersoldier from another dimension. Uses two .50 caliber electromagnetic pistols, with multiple ammo types (Similar to a lawgiver). Can create psychic manifestations of "the light" in several weapon forms.

Archetype - Patriot Weapon Master. Broad Strokes - Stranger in a Strange Land. Super soldier. Slightly Facist. Survivor. Stands Alone in a Crowd.

Trawler: The team brick, he is a well propotioned human with only one obvious sign of his mutant nature. He's 12ft tall. Surprisingly fast and agile, trawler also has most of the teams forensic skill.

Archetype - Brick. Broad Strokes - Large, Tough. Gentle Giant. Menace to insurance rates. Likes his ramen. Does strange things with/to action figures.

Zero: The team mentalist, Zero is a collection of a few mental conditions himself. Obsessed with maintaining his secret identity, he recently was described in a prophesy as "the dark one" due to his hooded robes.

Archetype - Mentalist. Broad Strokes - Paranoid, Coward. "Complicated" relationship to his mother. Gives multiple false signals "Gaydar".

So there's the team. Now some of the universes I've been thinking of are themed around a particular artist/writer of note. So what I'm hoping for is for these rough outlines worthy of these esteemed/reviled contributors to comicdom.

Chris Claremont

Alan Moore

Frank Miller (I feel sorry for Miss Chaos. Women tend not to do well in Mr Miller's works).

Mark Millar (I'm serious. Every brain-dead, #%@$ed-up thing that he could have done with concepts like these.)

More dimensions may come, if I get stuck on them. I promise to post the results

Re: Help me retrofit an origin...please.

Children haters!

Hey! You tittled the thread "Help me retrofit an origin" not, "Help. Retrofit an origin for me.":tsk:

Re: Players earning plot points

Sounds like the plot point system from the Serenity RPG. But if someone has adapted it HERO, I see that I'm going to need to get out my poker chips.